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4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: JANUARY 3, 2010
AGENDA #: 6L
PREPARED BY: JANE KANSIER, BUILDING & TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
DIRECTOR
PRESENTER: JANE KANSIER
AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A
COMMUNITY FOREST BONDING GRANT FROM MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DISCUSSION: Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to request the City Council authorize
receipt of a Community Forest Bonding grant from the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) in the amount of $25,000.
History
Between 2010 and 2012, the MN DNR has $1.5 million dollars available for
Community Forest Bonding Grants for the planting of publicly owned shade
trees on public land and to establish a more diverse and resilient community
forest. The maximum dollar amount available for "Planting a Diverse
Community Forest" project is $25,000. The use of the funds is specifically
restricted to capital activities conducted on publicly owned land.
Current Circumstances
The City of Prior Lake submitted an application for a boulevard tree planting
program. The purpose of this project is to purchase and plant more than
700 boulevard trees along the some of the 100 miles of City streets in Prior
Lake. The installation of these trees will serve as a sister tree program,
replacing Ash trees now that will soon be lost to the Emerald Ash Borer.
City staff will be responsible for all work involved in the program. Grant
funds will be used to purchase tree stock.
The MN DNR awarded the City of Prior Lake $25,000 in grant funds to
complete this program. We expect to begin purchasing trees in late winter
and start planting in the spring.
Conclusion
The proposed boulevard tree planting program is consistent with the City's
Vision and Strategic Plan, and provides a wide variety of benefits to the
overall community. The project is a proactive measure to replace trees that
will someday be lost to the Emerald Ash Borer and to Oak Wilt.
ISSUES: The City of Prior Lake has always been committed to an aggressive tree
planting program. City ordinances require tree replacement and
landscaping as part of any new development. The City also budgets nearly
$20,000 annually for tree planting. More recently, the City has received
numerous requests to plant more boulevard trees; however, due to funding
constraints, our resources have been devoted to tree planting in the City
parks. The City's 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan also includes specific
goals and objectives for the environment and the community forest. One of
the goals is to "encourage connecting people with nature and developing an
ethic of stewardship and conservation of natural resources." Objectives
include continuing a reforestation management program, encouraging
stewardship of parks, and increasing awareness and education for natural
resources and conservation.
FINANCIAL The total project cost estimate is $52,500.00. The breakdown of these costs
IMPACT: is as follows:
Grant funds (plant stock):
$25,000.00
In -kind match (labor):
$10,500.00
Cash match (City):
$17,000.00
TOTAL PROJECT COST:
$52,500.00
The City Parks budget (#42500 -530) includes funds for planting stock.
These funds will be used for the cash match.
ALTERNATIVES: The alternatives are as follows:
1. Accept the Community Forest Bonding Grant from the MN DNR.
2. Table this item for a specific reason.
3. Deny this agenda item for a specific reason and provide staff with
direction.
RECOMMENDED Alternative #1
MOTION: A motion and second adopting a resolution accepting a Community Bonding
Gr nt for $25,000.00 from the MN DNR.
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Frank Boylbs, Pita Manager
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4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
RESOLUTION 11 -xxx
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A COMMUNITY FOREST BONDING GRANT FROM THE MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Motion By:
Second By:
WHEREAS, MN Statute 465.03 requires that cities accept donations for the benefit of its citizens in
accordance with the terms prescribed by the donor; and
WHEREAS, The MN DNR has awarded a Community Forest Bonding Grant to the City of Prior Lake in
the amount of $25,000 for the purchase of tree stock; and
WHEREAS, The City of Prior Lake will use the funds for a boulevard tree planting program which
involves the purchase and planting of 700 boulevard trees along some of the 100 miles of
City streets.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE,
MINNESOTA as follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. The City of Prior Lake accepts Community Bonding Grant funding from the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $25,000.00 to be deposited into the parks
budget.
3. Project funding shall come from Account #45200 -513.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 3rdDAY OF January, 2011.
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Keeney
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Frank Boyles, City Manager