HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-01 PACKET 04.G.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 2/1/2012 10
PREPARED BY Parks and Recreation Zac Dockter
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Consider authorizing staff to apply for the MN Department of Natural Resources Community
Partners Legacy Grant in the amount of $50,000 for prairie restoration and forest rehabilitation
in the West Draw and Gateway /Camel's Hump Park areas.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Authorize staff to apply for the MN Department of Natural Resources Community Partners
Legacy Grant in the amount of $50,000 for prairie restoration and forest rehabilitation in the
West Draw and Gateway /Camel's Hump Park areas.
BUDGET IMPLICATION $0
BUDGETED AMOUNT
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION
❑ PLANNING
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
❑ PUBLIC WORKS
❑ PARKS AND RECREATION
❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
DATE
REVIEWED
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
❑ MEMO /LETTER:
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
ministrator
$3,667.00
ACTUAL AMOUNT
APPROVED
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El
El
El
DENIED
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C: \Documents and Settings \nbelscamper \Local Settings \Temporary Internet Files\ Content .Outlook \OFUXMGAF \Council Action Form - CPL
Grant 2812.doc
City of
Cotta Grove
Minnesota
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Manager
Date: 2/7/12
Subject: MN DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant
Introduction
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant
program has a mission of restoring, protecting, and enhancing wetlands, prairie, forest and
habitat for fish, game and wildlife. The CPL Grant is designed by the DNR to partner with
regional and local organizations to achieve said mission through Legacy Grant funding.
Funding for the CPL program is from the Outdoor Heritage Fund created by the people of
Minnesota. This fund receives 33% of the sales tax revenues resulting from the Clean Water,
Land, and Legacy Constitutional Amendment passed by the voters in the November 2008
election. In referencing the 1998 Cottage Grove Natural Resources Inventory and the 2030
Comprehensive Plan, the CPL Grant program offers an excellent opportunity for the city of
Cottage Grove to continue its efforts in restoring historical landscapes through the West Draw
and Gateway /Camel's Hump areas.
Background
Staff has reviewed the MN DNR's CPL grant program criteria and believes the continuation of
restoring native landscapes in the West Draw and Camel's Hump recreational corridors meets
the criteria for funding. This project would begin rehabilitation of the native prairie oak savanna
that dominated the pre - settlement landscape. The project would consist of prairie restoration
work where the land is more open and ripe for prairie. Such areas would be the West Draw
Park and trailway corridor including the Hidden Valley ponds. Along Gateway /Camel's Hump,
the area is heavily wooded and the primary work would consist of thinning of the underbrush
(buckthorn, etc.) with a goal of enhancing the stability of the oak population. An in -depth
analysis would also take place to identify and resolve concerns of oak wilt. All of the
aforementioned work would be performed in accordance with the natural resources
management plan recently provided by the Friends of Mississippi River. Work would be
completed using multiple sources including in -house services, Conservation Corps and hired
contractors.
Staff is proposing that a CPL grant application be submitted in the amount of $50,000 to
provide for a prairie restoration and forest rehabilitation project within the West Draw Park and
Gateway /Camel's Hump areas. 10% of the project costs must be derived from non -state
sources meaning that the city is responsible for up to $5,000 of the total project expense. Of
that responsibility, up to 33 %, or $1,667, may be in -kind services such as labor hours,
machinery, project management and such. The remaining 67 %, or $3,333, must be cash
based expenses which would be derived from the Parks Maintenance operating budget or
other potential grant funding. The city has also been in contact with the Friends of Mississippi
and the MN Land Trust who have also expressed interest in partnering on the project.
Staff Recommendation
Authorize staff to apply for the MN Department of Natural Resources Community Partners
Legacy Grant in the amount of $50,000 for prairie restoration and forest rehabilitation in the
West Draw and Gateway /Camel's Hump Park areas.