DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements With Independent School District 199, And Inver Hills Community College For Interpretive And Wayfinding Installations And Programming Implementation Along Unity Trail
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Parks Visitor Services Plan directed staff to increase awareness of Dakota County Parks and its services across all communities, including current users, new users, and under-represented groups; and
WHEREAS, the Unity Trail project includes the construction of seven interpretive and wayfinding nodes along a five-mile loop to create connections between the Mississippi Regional Greenway and important Community Centers; and
WHEREAS, the Unity Trail project will provide outreach programming at different locations to raise awareness of the Unity Trail and its themes and activate the Trail; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County and Inver Hills Community College are governmental units as that term is defined in Minn. Stat. § 471.59; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 471.59 authorizes State and local governmental units to jointly or cooperatively exercise any power common to the contracting parties; and
WHEREAS, Inver Hills Community College has requested the County include as part of the Community Project certain interpretive signage and public art benches to be located along trail extensions from the Greenway on College property; and
WHEREAS, a joint powers agreement (JPA) with Inver Hills Community College to design and install interpretive signage and public art benches to be located along trail extensions from the Greenway on College property would enhance the trail by providing the public additional spaces for outdoor experiences and increased connections to the Unity Trail and the Mississippi River Greenway; and
WHEREAS, the County will be responsible for the design, solicitation, and purchasing of the wayfinding and interpretive signage for the Community Project using grant funding, and the College shall be responsible for designating appropriate locations for the installations, granting a license for the County to install, maintain, repair and replace the Community Project Improvements on College property, for a minimum period of ten years following installation of the Improvements, and provide basic maintenance for the Community Project Improvements and the Trails following installation; and
WHEREAS, Inver Hills Community College has requested the County make the Programs being offered at the Inver Glen Library available to its students due in part to the proximity of the Unity Trail to the College; and
WHEREAS, a JPA with Inver Hills Community College to provide student engagement programs consisting of various arts and cultural programs intended to engage students with themes relating to the Unity Trail would increase awareness and visitation of the Unity Trail; and
WHEREAS, the County and School District No. 199 are governmental units as that term is defined in Minn. Stat. § 471.59; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 471.59 authorizes local governmental units to jointly or cooperatively exercise any power common to the contracting parties; and
WHEREAS, School District No. 199 has requested the County make the Programs offered at the Inver Glen Library available to Simley High School students due in part to the proximity of the Unity Trail to the school; and
WHEREAS, a JPA with Independent School District No. 199 to provide youth engagement programs consisting of various arts and cultural programs intended to engage youth with themes relating to the Unity Trail would increase awareness and visitation of the Unity Trail; and
WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds to complete the project, the total of cash contributions include grant revenue of $160,000; Dakota County cash match contribution of $70,000; City of Inver Grove Heights cash contribution of $15,000; and $20,000 of State Health Improvement Partnership dollars to support the bike programming as authorized by Resolution No. 22-170 (April 19, 2022).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director, or their designee, to execute a joint powers agreement with Inver Hills Community College for the design and installation of wayfinding signage upon execution by both of the parties that shall continue in effect through June 30, 2026 or until completion by the parties of their respective obligations under this Agreement, whichever occurs first, unless earlier terminated by law or according to the provisions of this Agreement, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director or their designee to execute a joint powers agreement with Inver Hills Community College to provide a student engagement program that consists of various arts and cultural programs intended to engage students with themes relating to the Unity Trail that shall be effective upon execution by both of the parties and shall continue in effect through June 30, 2026, or until completion by the parties of their respective obligations under this Agreement, whichever occurs first, unless earlier terminated by law or according to the provisions of this Agreement, as substantially presented to the Physical Development Committee of the Whole on March 18, 2025 and subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a joint powers agreement with School District No. 199 for the Unity Trail Youth Engagement Program that shall be effective upon execution by both of the parties and shall continue in effect through June 30, 2026, or until completion by the parties of their respective obligations under this Agreement, whichever occurs first, unless earlier terminated by law or according to the provisions of this Agreement, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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