Item Description:
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Neg three grant agmts for Opportunity grant natural resource projects, various periods, total combined NTE $100,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate the following grant agreements to provide funding for Opportunity grant natural resources projects during a three-year period beginning on the date of execution:
• PR00005650 with Three Rivers Park District, with the amount not-to-exceed $25,000;
• PR00005652 with Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, with the amount not-to-exceed $50,000;
• PR00005654 with City of Crystal, with the amount not-to-exceed $25,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the county; that costs incurred by the grantees after the board approval date be eligible for reimbursement upon execution of the agreements; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Natural Resources grants support Hennepin County partners and residents with the implementation of conservation practices that preserve and restore critical habitats, reduce erosion, protect groundwater, and improve water quality. Eligible applicants include landowners, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. Since 2016, the program has invested more than two million dollars across the county, leveraging over $10 million in other contributions from applicants and their partners.
Two types of grants are available through the Natural Resource grant program: Good Steward and Opportunity grants. Opportunity grants are intended for larger projects that leverage multiple funding sources to improve water quality or habitat. Applicants are encouraged to use Opportunity grant funds as required match for other funding sources.
County staff promoted the opportunity through email lists, social media posts, and the Environment & Energy Department’s e-newsletter, Green Notes. Staff also hosted a workshop to discuss program and application specifics with potential applicants. A total of 24 applications were submitted, requesting just over $1 million in funding for projects totaling $8.8 million in value.
A review panel was convened to review and rate each application based on strengths and weaknesses of the proposed project. The panel included staff from the Environment and Energy Department and two external partners. A total of six agreements were recommended for approval as a result of the review process.
Board approval for these three agreements is required because the county has agreements with these organizations that exceed $100,000. In addition to these agreements, the following three Opportunity natural resource grants that will be approved through administrative processes:
• PR00005651 with Metro Blooms (Minneapolis) - Metro Blooms and project partner Urban Homeworks plans to engage with residents in North Minneapolis to install practices that filter and infiltrate stormwater runoff, diminish localized flooding, create native habitat, and beautify the neighborhood. $50,000.
• PR00005653 with Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (Eden Prairie) - This project will allow the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District to complete design plans for a river bluff stabilization project. Currently, eroding bluffs are contributing an estimated 5,000 tons of sediment to the Minnesota River each year. $50,000.
• PR00005655 with City of Deephaven - This project will install an underground infiltration system to treat stormwater at Calvary Church. The system will treat stormwater from 7.5 acres of surrounding area and alleviate drainage and flooding concerns at the church and areas downstream. $45,034.
Funds for all six Opportunity grant agreements come from revenues within the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund that are generated by the sale of energy and recovered materials.
Current Request: This request is to authorize the County Administrator to negotiate three agreements to provide funding for natural resource opportunity grant projects with the following organizations during a three-year period beginning on the date of execution:
• PR00005650 with Three Rivers Park District (Minnetrista) - Three Rivers Park District plans to continue a project to address sources of phosphorus pollution to Whaletail Lake. The project will apply alum, a non-toxic chemical to the lake. Alum combines with phosphorus to form a compound that is unusable by lake organisms like algae, thereby reducing algal blooms. The project will reduce sources of phosphorus to Whaletail Lake by 381 pounds per year. $25,000.
• PR00005652 with Mississippi Watershed Management Organization - The outcome of this project will be a feasibility study that evaluates and identifies options for improving habitat, water quality, and stormwater management in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. There are several upcoming Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and city and county transportation projects in this neighborhood (for example, county project 2220200 on County State Aid Highway 152). The study aims to identify potential collaboration between projects where community and environmental outcomes could be amplified through coordination. The neighborhood is also part of the City of Minneapolis’ Southside Green Zone. Community outreach and engagement will be a critical component of the feasibility study. $50,000.
• PR00005654 with City of Crystal - This project will develop habitat management plans for natural areas adjacent to public waters and implement the recommended restoration plans, largely with the use of volunteer community members. $25,000.
This request is also for the approval to reimburse costs incurred by the grantees after the board approval date and upon execution of the grant agreements.
Impact/Outcomes: The Opportunity grants will provide funds to protect water quality, enhance natural resources, and mitigate and adapt to climate change countywide. These grants will help implement stormwater best management practices, like underground stormwater storage and infiltration and installing rain gardens and other features that use native plants and slow water movement to naturally filter and retain water.
Other projects will improve water quality either through treatment that reduces phosphorus loading to impaired waters or reduces the likelihood of soil erosion and sediment discharge by providing for river bluff protection. Some projects will enhance natural areas near public waters through restoration of critical habitats for plants and animals while increasing carbon sequestration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by including educational components in some of the projects that are driven by, intended for, and accessible to the communities in which they are proposed. Three of the six projects are in communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Two of the projects are in areas of environmental justice concern.
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Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval