DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Limited Use Permit With Minnesota Department Of Transportation For the Dakota Homeland Frame Along The Minnesota River Greenway-Fort Snelling Segment In City Of Eagan
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Minnesota River Greenway runs along the south side of the Minnesota River in Eagan and Burnsville, extending from I35-W in Burnsville to Lilydale Regional Park in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 11-516 (October 18, 2011), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 16-516 (October 11, 2016), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners executed an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to construct, operate, and maintain a portion of the Fort Snelling segment of the Minnesota River Greenway; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-078 (February 4, 2020), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources amended this agreement to expand the segment into the Fort Snelling State Park, allowing for the construction of the entire Fort Snelling segment of the Minnesota River Greenway within the Fort Snelling State Park; and
WHEREAS, with completion of the bridge construction for the project, an existing interpretive feature of the Dakota Homeland Frames interpretive plan was removed and will be installed approximately 0.3 miles north from its original location on right of way owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County and Minnesota Department of Transportation have determined that a limited use permit is necessary and sufficient to govern the construction, operation, and maintenance of this interpretive feature.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager or delegate to execute a limited use permit with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the installation and maintenance of the Dakota Homeland Frame along the Minnesota River Greenway within Minnesota Department of Transportation right of way, subject to approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
Dakota County is constructing 3.7 miles of the Minnesota River Greenway (MNRGW) Fort Snelling Segment (P00127) between trailheads located near Nicols Road and Lone Oak Road in Eagan, including a pedestrian bridge to cross over railroad owned by Union Pacific (Attachment: Project Map).
This segment of the MNRGW ends to the north at the new helical bridge that connects to the existing Big Rivers Regional Trail. Along this trail, the County adopted an interpretive plan to describe a compelling and comprehensive vision for engaging trail visitors in the history, nature, and culture of the Lower Minnesota River Valley. One of the elements used is a group of wooden frames designed to focus and enrich views of the landscape while inviting visitors to engage with Dakota stories and perspectives connected to the land (Attachment: Dakota Frame). Due to the construction of the helical bridge, the Dakota frame on the Big Rivers Regional Trail was removed and will be relocated approximately 0.3 miles north from its original location.
The new Dakota frame location (Attachment: Project Map) is within right-of-way owned by MnDOT and is not subject to the current agreement with the State of Minnesota, which applies only to MnDNR property. A limited use permit is required to govern use of MnDOT property during installation and maintenance of the node afterward. Similar to the agreement with the MnDNR, the County will not assume an interest in the MnDOT property.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board authorize staff to execute a limited use permit with MnDOT to allow for installation and maintenance of the Dakota Homeland frame node along the MNRGW on MnDOT property.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
None.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
11-516; 10/18/11
16/516; 10/11/16
20-078; 2/4/20
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Map
Attachment: Dakota Frame
CONTACT
Department Director: Niki Geisler
Author: Luisa Torres