DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Sponsorship Of Snowmobile Club Grant-In-Aid Program Applications To Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources And Authorization To Execute Related Agreements
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
• Authorize County sponsorship of Snowmobile Club Grant-in-Aid Program (Program) applications from three area snowmobile clubs.
• Authorize execution of agreements related to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) funding assistance for trail development and maintenance.
SUMMARY
To promote recreational opportunities in Dakota County, the County has historically sponsored three snowmobile clubs: Dakota Trails Association, Inc., Inver Grove Heights Connections Snowmobile Club, and Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club, Inc. (Clubs). The Clubs are requesting County sponsorship for the 2024-2025 grant year and subsequent years unless the grant program requirements are changed. The County sponsorship is required by the DNR for the Clubs to obtain funding from the DNR. The Clubs have submitted Program applications to the County, as they have done in prior years, for funding of trail development and maintenance for approximately 175 miles of snowmobile trails in Dakota County.
DNR Program
Since 1973, the DNR has administered a grant-in-aid program for the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails, which requires local trail clubs to be sponsored by local units of government to obtain DNR trail maintenance funding.
The DNR will again be using the performance-based Program for the 2024-2025 funding cycle and subsequent years unless the grant program requirements are changed. This Program bases payment of DNR funds upon the sponsor’s certification that benchmarks are achieved, including having the trails prepared and ready to be opened, adequate grooming, post-season closure, and the submission of required paperwork. The Program also provides for financial penalties if certified benchmarks are not achieved.
Legal and Risk Management Issues
There are responsibilities and liabilities as a sponsor under the performance-based Program. The assignment agreements between the County and the Clubs shift responsibility and potential liability for performance benchmarks to the Clubs (Attachment: Assignment Agreement). This maintains the County’s historical role as a pass-through agency between the DNR and the Clubs.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorizing County sponsorship of Program applications from the Clubs and authorizing the execution of agreements related to DNR funding assistance for trail development and maintenance.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is no fiscal impact to the County. The County acts as a pass-through agent for the State funds granted to the Clubs.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Dakota County area snowmobile clubs are eligible for State grants for assistance in developing, maintaining, and grooming snowmobile trails located within Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, sponsorship by a local government unit is required by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for State grants for local snowmobile trail development and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota Trail Association, Inc., the Inver Grove Heights Connections Snowmobile Club, and the Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club, Inc. (Clubs) have requested that Dakota County sponsor grant applications for the 2024-2025 grant year and subsequent years unless the grant program requirements are changed; and
WHEREAS, the Clubs agree to provide maintenance and grooming for their respective trails and meet benchmarks or pay for penalties imposed for failing to satisfy any benchmarks, in accordance with the DNR’s snowmobile trail program, with the County serving primarily as a pass-through agency; and
WHEREAS, this approach bases payments upon County certification that program benchmarks, including having the trails prepared and ready to be opened, adequate grooming, post-season closure, and the submission of required paperwork, are achieved; and
WHEREAS, DNR staff has agreed to give written consent for the County to assign the certification of benchmarks from the County to the Clubs, including allowing the County to assign the tasks and duties required by the grants to the respective snowmobile clubs and on condition that the snowmobile clubs execute assignment agreements with the County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby approves sponsorship of the Snowmobile Club Grant-in-Aid Program applications of Dakota Trail Association, Inc., the Inver Grove Heights Connections Snowmobile Club, and the Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club, Inc., for the 2024-2025 grant year and subsequent years, unless the grant program requirements are changed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for trail development and maintenance funds, under the same sponsorship terms as the County has agreed to in the past; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That unless the grant program requirements change, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Transportation Director to execute assignment agreements with the Dakota Trail Association, Inc., the Inver Grove Heights Connections Snowmobile Club, and the Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club, Inc., subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form, with the County serving primarily as a pass-through agency; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That unless the Snowmobile Club Grant-in-Aid Program requirements change, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Transportation Director to execute grant agreements with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to receive trail development and maintenance funds as a sponsor for the Dakota Trail Association, Inc., the Inver Grove Heights Connections Snowmobile Club, and the Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club, Inc., subject to approval of the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Assignment Agreement
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Todd Howard