Item Description:
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Neg Agmt PR00005972 with Three Rivers Park District for a project to improve habitat and water quality, from date of execution through 12/31/25, NTE $12,600
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Agreement PR00005972 with Three Rivers Park District to design a habitat and water quality improvement project during the period beginning on the date of execution through December 31, 2025, with the amount not to exceed $12,600; and that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; that the County Administrator be authorized to approve one 12-month extension of the agreement; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Hennepin County co-holds a conservation easement over parts of Kingswood Park, which is in Minnetrista and owned by the Three Rivers Park District. Environment and Energy staff and Park District staff work together to complete projects in areas where the Park District and county have shared natural resource management responsibilities and goals are aligned. The county’s Climate Action Plan includes a strategy to plan for and mitigate anticipated ecosystem impacts to increase the resilience of the built environment and protect natural resources.
The county and park district will share in the cost of developing a final project design for a water quality and habitat improvement project. The project will stabilize and repair an eroding ravine. A culvert under a gravel road immediately upstream of the ravine deposits stormwater runoff, sand, and sediment near the top of the ravine. Although the erosion is relatively moderate now, as storm flows increase due to climate change, the water quality of the 7-acre pond immediately downstream of the ravine will be affected. The pond contains a tamarack bog, an unusual plant community in Hennepin County, and currently has excellent water quality. By stabilizing this area now, the downstream water quality can be protected, and the costs of a repair will be minor, compared to a project to fix a more severe problem in the future.
This contract will compensate Three Rivers Park District for half the cost of finalizing project designs and securing permits. Three Rivers Park District covered the costs of initial feasibility studies and will apply for state grant funding to support project implementation costs. The county will seek to allocate some funds from Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund grants toward project implementation. The City of Minnetrista and the Pioneer-Sarah Watershed Management Commission have also been engaged in the project.
Current Request:
Approve Agreement PR00005972 with Three Rivers Park District to complete final designs for a water quality and habitat improvement project at Kingswood Park in Minnetrista, during the period beginning on the date of execution through December 31, 2025, with the amount not-to-exceed $12,600. The request also authorizes the County Administrator to approve one 12-month extension of the agreement.
Impact/Outcomes:
This agreement will advance a project to improve water quality and habitat at Kingswood Park and advances coordination of natural resources protection between the county and Three Rivers Park District. This project increases the county’s resilience to our changing climate.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval