DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization And Execution Of Real Property Declaration For State Of Minnesota General Fund Financed Grant Reimbursement Of Thompson County Park - Design Improvements, County Project 2000182
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-037 (January 21, 2020), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the Thompson County Park Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-432 (September 26, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners accepted General Fund funding for the Thompson County Park - Design Improvements project and amended the Capital Improvement Program budget by $2,000,000; 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 State of Minnesota General Fund Financed Declaration to reimburse Dakota County for the Thompson County Park - Design Improvements project.
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 State of Minnesota General Fund Financed Declaration, subject to approval by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
The Thompson County Park Master Plan was approved by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners in 2020. Since that approval, several improvements related to visitor services, natural resources, and infrastructure were completed. By Resolution No. 23-484 (October 24, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the consultant selection of HKGi for pre-design and schematic design for phase two of the Master Plan improvements that could utilize state bond funding for future construction.
Dakota County received State of Minnesota-appropriated funding in state fiscal year 2024 in the amount of $2,000,000. The funding is administered by the Metropolitan Council via State Grant (SG) number SG24P6-04-01. The grant agreement includes a General Fund 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.
Staff are using the recently completed Pollinator Promenade for the restricted property, for which a legal description and graphic is included in Attachment: General Fund Financed Property Declaration. The design for this project was funded by SG24P6-04-01, and the construction was funded by an $867,000 Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) program grant, By Resolution No. 25-107 (February 18,2025), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the submittal of grant applications to LCCMR.
The remaining funding from grant SG24P6-04-01 will help support additional restoration work, Thompson County Lodge lighting upgrades, nature playground, building automation system and Butler Road Park entry wayfinding improvements.
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the Board authorize execution of the declaration.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The $2,000,000 in General Obligation Bond appropriated funding provides a key external source of funding that can be used for the design and construction of various projects included in phase two of the Master Plan improvements. This action does not have any impact on County staffing or full-time equivalents (FTEs).
Project 2000182 Thompson County Park - Design Improvements
|
Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Available Budget |
|
General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance (staff time chargeback) |
$13,869 |
$0 |
|
County Program Aid |
$289,500 |
$239,345 |
|
Met Council State Bonding |
$2,000,000 |
$1,236,068 |
|
LCCMR Grant Funding |
$867,000 |
$235,386 |
|
Grand Total |
$3,170,369 |
$1,710,799 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-037; 01/21/20
23-432; 09/26/23
23-484; 10/24/23
25-107; 02/18/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location
Attachment: General Fund Financed Declaration
CONTACTS
Department Director: Niki Geisler
Author: Tony Wotzka