DEPARTMENT: Parks, Facilities, and Fleet Management
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Addend Memorandum Of Agreement And Renew Lease With University Of Minnesota For Natural Resources Collaboration
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 17-274 (May 23, 2017), the County Board adopted the Dakota County Natural Resources Management System Plan (NRMSP) to create a healthy environment with quality natural areas; and
WHEREAS, the NRMSP's Tier 1 Goals include expanding volunteerism, pursuing partnerships, and leveraging additional external funding; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the NRMSP has included the initiation of a plant production program to grow native plants with local genotypes to be used for restoration that would otherwise be difficult and expensive to purchase, and expansion of this program would provide yet additional cost savings and positive ecological impacts to the County; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized agreements with Dakota County Master Gardeners (DCMG), a volunteer program of the University of Minnesota (U of MN) Extension, and the U of MN Rosemount Research and Outreach Center (RROC) establishing a trial partnership through the end of 2023; and
WHEREAS, this partnership provided for the expansion of Dakota County's native plant production efforts through the use of RROC growing facilities and an annual Dakota County contribution to offset expenses, including a 1.0 FTE position responsible for managing Dakota County plant production and DCMG program activities; and
WHEREAS, a partnership update was presented at the March 21, 2023, Community Services Committee of the Whole meeting; and
WHEREAS, to date, this partnership has resulted in the production and installation of 89,000 native plants, valued at $231,400, and 2,200 volunteer hours; and
WHEREAS, the results of this trial have exceeded expectations, and all partners wish to continue this partnership in 2024; and
WHER...
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