01/28/92 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CASE PURSUANC~E OF EXTERNAL FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS i AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY DEVELOPMENT By: Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Coordinator Backgroun~d: ~ In Deceml~._~. 1_991 the City received a request for a proposal from the State's Legislative Commissio~ on :~Vlinnesota Resources (L.C.M.R.). The projects the Commission intends to fund will be for ~ai/~taining and enhancing Minnesota's natural resources with emphasis on new, innovative otr acJg~elerative projects including the areas of information and education, recreation, water, wildlife, fisheries and plants. The estimated total amount available is $29 million with project impl~md~atation occurring from July 1993 to June 1995. Deadline for submitting initial proposals is February 7, 1992. On Saturday~Jar~uary 11, 1992 City Council held a,~orkshop to set goal priorities for 1992 and at that time ide_htif~ed Park and Recreation Goal//18 Continue to seek out and secure all grant and program mOflies! from federal, regional and state agencies as well as initiate private foundation requests" as Ia rriust or high priority. Goal #11 "Provide for planting of an educational native prame plot x//~thln one park and rewew the poss~b~hty of a native prairie corridor" was given the priority of d~irable, if funding available. Given these ~riorines and the hm~ted funds available for park development, Staff feels that the expenditure ¢f r~sources (primarily Staff time) is warranted in pursuance of this external funding source. [ Observations: ~ The primary rL.C~M.R, funding strategies that the City will be able to target are: Recreation : R.3 Acqulre ~ails for general use, including biking, and for persons with disabilities. R.4 Enhance ~ecreational resources in urban areas with a focus on the diverse recreational needs of se~or*~ ethnic communities and people with disabilities. R. 5 Devel~op ~network of recreational and commuter bicycle trails. R. 8 Provi~le n~ttural and historic resource preservation and interpretation. Information a~d Education IE.2 stimd~latdthe integration of environmental education topics into curricula, e.g. math and Engli[h, for Kindergarten through Grade 12 and post-secondary (including associated teacher training) with an inclusion of measured outcomes. IE.3 Encotiragi~ interest in science and math through new or modified environmental education progr~tms!ln order to meet projected demands for environmental professionals with an inclusion Of measured outcomes. Possibly: Wildlife. Fisheries, Plant WFP. 1 Acqu~e arid protect critical habitat, native prairies, unique and/or sensitive areas and scenic bluffs~ ~ WFP.4 Increq~se the planting of native species (e.g. native prairie) on public and private land (e.g. on highways, or in lieu of lawns).