DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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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....
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