DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Aging & Disability Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of South St. Paul for Transportation Project
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City of South St. Paul to fund the Let’s Go Places program, including transportation provided by DARTS.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 24-572 (December 3, 2024), the County Board authorized Dakota County to accept Workforce Shortage grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide funding for its Communities for All initiative. Communities for All issued a Letter of Interest (LOI) and selected the Let’s Go Places program through the City of South St. Paul (Attachment: Solicitation Summary). Through its Communities for All initiative, grant funding will be provided to the City of South St. Paul to implement the Let’s Go Places program. The Let’s Go Places funding will be utilized for coordination and transportation through DARTS.
Let’s Go Places will gather a group of South St. Paul residents with disabilities to develop a community calendar of inclusive events and activities. A key component of this program is to remove barriers and provide accessible transportation to ensure that all residents can participate in programming and foster a sense of community belonging and inclusion.
DARTS, under a contract with the City of South St. Paul, will provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant round-trip transportation to residents identified as needing this service. This service is wheelchair accessible and has customized pick-up times. The inclusive transportation service is estimated at $125 per hour.
Staff is requesting authorization to execute a JPA with the City of South St. Paul from the date of execution through August 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $10,000 (Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement).
OUTCOMES
How Much?
• Coordinate monthly transportation-supported outings (minimum: 1 per month) in collaboration with DARTS.
• Track number of individuals who attend accessible activities attended through the DARTS collaboration.
• Establish and support the Let’s Go Places group of South St. Paul residents with disabilities to guide the choices of activities and outings that will meet on a regular basis.
• Maintain communication through multiple channels including--flyers, social media, and personal outreach.
• Secure regular occurring participation and feedback from residents to inform ongoing planning.
How Well?
By offering all-inclusive transportation, all disabled City of South St. Paul residents can participate in the activities because the transportation barrier would be removed. Residents can also be directly involved in planning activities through participation in the Let’s Go Places resident council - established through the City of South St. Paul.
Is Anyone Better Off?
Participating in the activities and outings will promote friendships, build a sense of community, and create opportunities for residents with disabilities to fully engage in community life. The inclusion of people with disabilities benefits every South St. Paul resident by providing diverse relationships with those who have different viewpoints and experiences, and the chance to experience the many gifts and talents people with disabilities possess.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a JPA with the City of South St. Paul for transportation access for all in an amount not to exceed $10,000 from the date of execution through August 31, 2026.
end
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
This is funded using DHS Workforce Shortage grant funds and is included in the 2025 Social Services Budget.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-572 (December 3, 2024), the County Board authorized Dakota County to accept Workforce Shortage grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide funding for its Communities for All initiative; and
WHEREAS, Communities for All issued a Letter of Interest (LOI) and selected the Lets Go Places program through the City of South St. Paul; and
WHEREAS, through its Communities for All initiative, grant funding will be provided to the City of South St. Paul to implement the Let’s Go Places program; and
WHEREAS, the Let’s Go Places funding will be utilized for coordination and transportation through DARTS; and
WHEREAS, Let’s Go Places will gather a group of South St. Paul residents with disabilities to develop a community calendar of inclusive events and activities, known as the resident council; and
WHEREAS, a key component of this program is to remove barriers and provide accessible transportation to ensure that all residents can participate in programming and foster a sense of community belonging and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, DARTS, under a contract with the City of South St. Paul, will provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant round trip transportation to residents identified as needing this service; and
WHEREAS, this service is wheelchair accessible and has customized pick-up times; and
WHEREAS, the inclusive transportation service is estimated at $125 per hour; and
WHEREAS, staff is requesting authorization to execute a JPA with the City of South St. Paul from the date of execution through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $10,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a joint powers agreement with the City of South St. Paul from the date of execution through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $10,000, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.end