DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Agreement With And Accept Grant Funds From Department Of Natural Resources For Mississippi River Public Boat Launch At Spring Lake Park Reserve And Amend 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of the Department of Natural Resources grant agreement, accept the grant funds for the Mississippi River Public Boat Launch project at Spring Lake Park Reserve, and amend the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget.
SUMMARY
The 2023 Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources Finance bill awarded Dakota County $1,200,000 in the first year for the addition of a public boat launch on the Mississippi River between South St. Paul and Hastings. Dakota County initiated discussion immediately with the City of Inver Grove Heights and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to determine if the public boat launch could be added by the City in partnership with a private marina owner.
While the City was assessing if the project could take place at a private marina, a request for legislative action to extend the grant for one year was passed within the 2024 Environment and Natural Resources Supplemental Budget Bill and then again in the 2025 Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources Finance bill. In June 2025, the City made the decision that the project was not viable in their desired location and notified both Dakota County and the DNR. Dakota County then submitted a project work plan and budget to the Department of Natural Resources in July to utilize the grant dollars for the master-plan approved public boat launch at Spring Lake Park Reserve. Grant funds will expire if they are not encumbered before June 30, 2026. The funds will be used to complete the approved master-planned boat launch at Spring Lake Park Reserve and will not add to the scope of previously planned improvements at Spring Lake Park Reserve.
The grant agreeme...
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