Item Description:
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Neg Agmt PR00006444 with Native American Community Development Institute to provide community garden development and community engagement services, 08/12/24-12/31/26, NTE $144,230
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners authorizes the County Administrator to negotiate Agreement PR00006444 with Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) to provide community garden development and community engagement services during the period of August 12, 2024 through December 31, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $144,230; that following review by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
The Hennepin County Climate and Resiliency Department manages an urban agriculture initiative whose goals are to convert vacant land to urban agriculture lots - including raised beds, fruit orchards, pollinator gardens, and straw bale gardens - and increase local access to fresh produce in places that are considered food deserts, urban heat islands, and low-income communities. This initiative advances Hennepin County’s goals in the following Disparity Reduction domains: health, income, justice, education, and employment. These projects result in nutritious produce for the community, create green jobs for youth and adults, further environmental justice objectives, and educate the public on climate change.
Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) and the Hennepin County Midtown Community Works began conversations with NACDI in 2020 about transforming three plots of land in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. The County and HCRRA selected NACDI as a partner due to its leadership in urban agriculture, experience managing the Four Sisters Farmers Market and the 24th Street Urban Farm Coalition, and trusted relationships with the Native American communities. Throughout 2020 and 2021, NACDI completed robust community engagement, including in-person and virtual interviews. The community overwhelmingly recommended using the land for urban farming and green spaces. NACDI and HCRRA then signed a lease (Agreement A2110728), providing for use of all three plots of land for urban agriculture, healthy food access programming, and community events. The least expires April 30, 2026.
Since execution of the lease, NACDI has been successfully operating the Four Sisters Urban Farm on two of the three leased plots. Through this program, NACDI has provided free access to growing space for more than 12 households in the community, donated fresh produce to local food banks, and given away hundreds of plant starters for community members to use in their home gardens. Through these efforts and by developing strong partnerships with other community organizations, NACDI has created a safe and welcoming environment that promotes connectedness, healing, and wellbeing.
This Resolution would authorize negotiation and execution of a new contract (PR00006444) with NACDI for the development of the third leased plot. This remaining undeveloped plot sits between Bloomington Avenue South and 16th Avenue South on 29 Street East. The PID is 35-029-24-44-0004, and the address is 2853 Bloomington Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55407. The parcel area is .12 acres or 5,222 square feet. This contract will provide for community engagement, urban agriculture programming, education, and construction of raised beds for a medicine garden. The Climate and Resiliency Department is funding this project, as the objectives intersect with our Climate Action Plan strategies around community resiliency, green jobs, and access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food.
Current Request: Authorization to negotiate and execute Agreement PR00006444 with Native American Community Development Institute to provide community garden management services on property PID 35-029-24-44-0004 at 2853 Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval