DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Grant Agreement With Metropolitan Council For Lebanon Hills And Lake Byllesby Regional Parks: Campground Buildings Replacement And Renovation Project And Execution Of Real Property Declaration For Grant Reimbursement
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County allocation of a one-time state appropriation for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024 for the Regional Parks and Trails Modernization Program was $1,633,095.44; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Regional Parks and Trails Modernization Program grant application is for the Lebanon Hills And Lake Byllesby Regional Parks: Campground Buildings Replacement And Renovation Project in the amount of $1,633,095.44; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project application is aligned with County Board-approved park and greenway master plans; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-422 (September 26, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to submit applications to the Metropolitan Council for State Fiscal Year 2024 Regional Parks and Trails Bonding, and authorized the Assistant County Manager: Physical Development Division to execute the grant agreements once awarded; and
WHEREAS, the 2025-2029 Parks Capital Improvement Program included a project titled Lebanon Hills and Lake Byllesby Regional Parks: Campground Buildings and Beach House Replacement/Renovation Project that included the SFY 2024 State Modernizing Parks and Trails Fund approved budget in the project revenues and expenditures; and
WHEREAS, the project summary and completion schedule of the draft agreement with Metropolitan Council includes the following project activities: Parks Feasibility Study of Buildings for Lebanon Hills Campground and Beach House and Lake Byllesby Campground, Request for proposals for severe weather shelter design at Lake Byllesby Campground, Schematic Design Board Approval, Issue Bid Documents, Board Approval of Construction Contract, Construction Start and project close out; and
WHEREAS, staff has proposed using the Regional Parks and Trails Modernization Program grant funding for construction and design and engineering professional services; 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 Fund Financed Declaration; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends that the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorize the Chair of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to execute the General Fund Financed Declaration to reimburse Dakota County for Lebanon Hills and Lake Byllesby Park building 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 Fund Financed Declaration; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute the grant agreement once awarded, subject to approval by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
The Metropolitan Council received $9,000,000 in a one-time state appropriation for SFY 2024 to be matched by $6,000,000 in Met Council dollars for the Regional Parks and Trails Modernization Program. This investment provides $15,000,000 directly to the 10 regional park implementing agencies that own and operate the regional parks system. This spending will go toward renewing well-used facilities, increasing accessibility for people with disabilities so the outdoors and outdoor recreation are available to all, and creating up-to-date features that are reliable, available, and meet recreational needs for current and future generations. The Met Council’s 2021 Regional Parks Visitor Study identified recurring themes, including improvements like bathrooms and drinking water access, general maintenance, trail conditions, and improved signage or information. Dakota County’s share of the total is $1,633,095.
Staff proposed using grant funds to support a feasibility study to prepare a schematic-level report for programming, schematic design, cost, priority of buildings and construction drawings.
The project will design and construct a new Lake Byllesby Campground severe weather shelter to accommodate all campers and campground guests during severe weather events; this building may also be used in better weather for campground programming. Grant funding will support $112,728 in external professional services like design and engineering tasks that were used for a feasibility study of the buildings for the Lebanon Hills Campground and Beach House and the Lake Byllesby Campground and final design for the severe weather shelter at Lake Byllesby Campground. The remaining $1,520,367 is available for construction of the severe weather shelter. Additional Metropolitan Council Parks and Trails Legacy funding is being used on this project as well to support the remaining construction and external professional services fees the Regional Parks and Trails Modernization Program funding amount is unable to cover.
The County will identify additional funding for construction to complete the Lebanon Hills Beach House, the Lebanon Hills Campground Office Building, and the Lake Byllesby Campground Office Building, which may include other regional park bonding, Metropolitan Council grants, or other external grant funding opportunities.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of the Regional Parks and Trails Modernization Program grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council and authorization for the Chair of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to execute the State of Minnesota General Fund Financed Declaration for the Lebanon Hills And Lake Byllesby Regional Parks: Campground Buildings Replacement And Renovation Project.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The 2026 Capital Improvement Program project budget includes the State Fiscal Year 2024 Modernizing Parks and Trails Program funding in the amount of $1,633,095.44. The building fund budget represents existing staff project time and no additional FTEs are required for construction or future maintenance. Sufficient funding is available.
Project 2000405 and 2000701 Lake Byllesby and Lebanon Hills Campground Bathroom and Shelter
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Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Total Available Budget |
|
Met Council Modernizing Parks and Trails Program |
$1,633,096 |
$0 |
|
Met Council Parks and Trails Legacy Funding State Fiscal Year 2027 |
$1,500,000 |
$881,981 |
|
Parks County Program Aid (CPA) |
$21,700 |
$0 |
|
General Fund Balance (Staff Project Time) |
$18,956 |
$0 |
|
Total |
$3,173,752 |
$881,981 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
23-422; 09/26/23
26-114; 03/24/26
26-284; 06/23/26
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Draft Grant Agreement
Attachment: Draft Declaration
CONTACTS
Department Director: Niki Geisler
Author: Tony Wotzka