DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Inver Grove Heights For Natural Resources Restoration Within Select Parks And Amend Budget To Reflect Local Project Match
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of an agreement to partner with the City of Inver Grove Heights (City) for natural resources restoration at Mississippi River Greenway nodes (Ernster Park, Heritage Village Park, Rock Island Swing Bridge Park), Seidl's Lake Park, and Harmon Park Reserve/Salem Hills (Attachment: Project Map). Amend the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget to include local match funding from the City of Inver Grove Heights.
SUMMARY
The Land Conservation Plan, adopted by Resolution No. 20-568 (November 17, 2020), called for creating a City County Conservation Collaborative (4C) to "more effectively protect critical undeveloped areas, increase natural resource restoration and management, and share information and financial and staff resources within all incorporated areas."
In 2021, a 4C development and implementation proposal was distributed to all cities located in the County. There was interest and support amongst all the cities, and a request to submit potential restoration projects was distributed. Five cities - Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, and Mendota Heights, submitted project applications. Inver Grove Heights' Seidl's Lake Park and Harmon Park Reserve/Salem Hills is one of the projects selected to receive County support, including project management assistance and state Outdoor Heritage Funds (OHF). The City of Inver Grove Heights committed a minimum of 15 percent match toward each project. Other projects selected and in progress include Caponi Art Park in Eagan, Valley Park in Mendota Heights, and Alimagnet Park in Apple Valley and Burnsville.
On February 7, 2023, and March 28, 2023, the County Board of Commissioners approved to submit grant...
Click here for full text