DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization And Execution Of Real Property Declaration For Shade Tree Bonding Grant Reimbursement Of Thompson County Park Natural Resource Improvements
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Chair of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to execute a General Obligation Bond Financed Declaration, which places restrictions on real property for Thompson County Park natural resource improvements made possible with a Department of Natural Resources Shade Tree Bonding Grant.
SUMMARY
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a non-native insect pest that was discovered in Saint Paul in 2009, and its presence has significantly altered the forests of Dakota County Parks and Greenway Corridors as thousands of mature ash trees have succumbed to EAB infestation.
The ecological and public safety threat and estimated costs of EAB mitigation were analyzed in a 2018 internal technical document, The Dakota County Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan. Areas in the northern part of the County have been impacted first, and Thompson County Park in West St. Paul was identified as an initial mitigation area within the 2020 Thompson County Park Natural Resources Management Plan by Resolution No. 20-037 (January 21, 2020). To assess priority removal areas within Thompson County Park, a trailside tree survey was conducted in 2015 that identified 225 mature ash trees that pose public safety hazards now that they have died. Additional resources are required to remove these hazard trees and replace them with different tree species.
The Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program secured State Bonding funds for a Fiscal Year 2021-2024 grant program to city and county governments towards the replacement of ash trees that have been impacted by EAB. By Resolution No. 21-495 (October 19, 2021), Dakota County executed a grant agreement awarded by this program for the removal and replacement of 225 ash trees in Thompson County Park for the total project amount of $45,900. Of that amount, $42,250 are grant funds from the State that were applied towards hiring contractors for the tree removal and replanting, and $3,650 was to be supplied by the County as matching funds to be used towards purchasing replacement nursery tree stock and tree protection. The Grant agreement includes a General Obligation Bond Financed Declaration that imposes certain restrictions on the improved real property, such that the land cannot be sold or significantly altered for 37.5 years. This Declaration was identified at the time Resolution No. 21-495 approved the execution of the Grant Contract, but the execution of the Declaration is needed at the time that the County submits any reimbursement request for these grant funds.
Approval of the attached Declaration will allow for Dakota County to be reimbursed for all Grant expenditures associated with this Grant Contract, amounting to $42,250, before the grant completion date of December 10, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Dakota County Staff recommends that the Board move to execute the Declaration.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Shade Tree Bonding Grant would reimburse the Parks-Natural Resources budget with $42,250. The $3,650 in matching County funds have been approved in the Parks Budget for 2024.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, emerald ash borer (EAB) poses a significant threat to the forests of Dakota County and has resulted in a public safety concern in Thompson County Park; and
WHEREAS, the costs and priorities of ash tree removal within the County Park System were identified in the 2018 internal technical document, The Dakota County Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Thompson County Park Natural Resources Management Plan by Resolution No. 20-037 (January 21, 2020), which made recommendations for ash tree removal; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 21-495 (October 19, 2021), Dakota County executed a grant agreement with the Department of Natural Resources for a total reimbursement of $42,250 for contracting labor to remove EAB-impacted trees and replace them with alternative tree species; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has matched these grant funds with $3,650 from the Natural Resources Base Fund for materials and supplies; and
WHEREAS, this grant imposes certain restrictions on the real property improved with grant funds, such that the improved property may not be sold or significantly altered for 37.5 years; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County may agree to these restrictions on real property by executing the General Obligation Bond Financed Declaration; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorize the Chair of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to execute the General Obligation Bond Financed Declaration to reimburse Dakota County for Thompson County Park improvements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Chair of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to execute the General Obligation Bond Financed Declaration, subject to approval by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-037; 1/21/20
21-495; 10/19/21
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: General Obligation Bond Financed Declaration
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☒ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Christian Klatt