DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Submit Application For 2026 Federal Emergency Management Agency Building Resilient Infrastructure And Communities (BRIC) Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize submittal of a grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.
SUMMARY
FEMA is accepting applications for the BRIC program, which funds hazard mitigation projects that reduce future disaster impacts and costs. This funding cycle prioritizes infrastructure projects that provide measurable, near-term risk reduction in communities vulnerable to natural hazards. A total of $1,000,000,000 is available, and applications are due July 2, 2026.
In the event of a tornado or severe weather, campers at Lebanon Hills Regional Park Campground currently lack access to a proper safe room. Existing facilities used for shelter were not designed to withstand high winds or severe weather conditions. Built in 1984, the campground restroom building suffers from foundation issues, a failing ventilation system, and structural deterioration. Additionally, the facility does not meet current accessibility standards or modern building codes. Replacing the existing campground restroom building with a new building that also functions as a storm shelter is needed for the safety of campers and to address maintenance issues.
To address the need for a community safe room at Lebanon Hills and improvements to other park buildings, the 2026-2030 Dakota County Capital Parks Improvement Program includes the renovation and replacement of campground and beach house buildings at Lebanon Hills and Lake Byllesby Regional Parks in 2027. In 2026, Dakota County sought but did not receive $22,000,000 in State Bonding in funding to support this project in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027.
The community saferoom (storm shelter) components of the Lebanon Hills Regional Park campground restroom building are eligible for BRIC funding and consistent with the 2022 Dakota County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The proposed community saferoom would be included in a new campground restroom building. The total estimated project cost is $5,000,000, with $2,000,000 in saferoom elements eligible for BRIC funding.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that Dakota County submit a grant application for the Lebanon Hills Campground Community Saferoom for up to $2,000,000.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None at this time. If application is successful, Dakota County will provide the required 25 percent match for saferoom elements as well as funding other project elements, which is estimated at $3,000,000 from the FY 2026-2027 Metropolitan Council Regional Parks Bonding or Minnesota State Bonding (pending appropriation of FY 2028 request), subject to future County Board approval and acceptance of grant funding.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is accepting applications for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program; and
WHEREAS, the BRIC program provides federal funding for hazard mitigation projects; and
WHEREAS, the program funds up to 75 percent of community saferoom construction costs; and
WHEREAS, project applications are due July 2, 2026; and
WHEREAS, in the event of a tornado or severe weather, campers at Lebanon Hills Regional Park Campground currently lack access to a proper safe room; and
WHEREAS, existing facilities used for shelter were not designed to withstand high winds or severe weather conditions and the campground restroom building suffers from foundation issues, a failing ventilation system, and structural deterioration; and
WHEREAS, the facility does not meet current accessibility standards or modern building codes; and
WHEREAS, replacing the existing campground restroom building with a new building that also functions as a storm shelter is needed for the safety of campers and to address maintenance issues; and
WHEREAS, the community saferoom components of the Lebanon Hills Regional Park campground building is are eligible for BRIC funding and consistent with the Dakota County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Lebanon Hills saferoom would be integrated into a new campground restroom building, with an estimated cost of $5,000,000 and $2,000,000 eligible for grant funding; and
WHEREAS, if awarded, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners would consider authorization to execute a grant agreement at a future meeting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the submittal of the Lebanon Hills Campground Community Saferoom grant application for up to $2,000,000.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Lillian Leatham