Agenda - Council - 06/26/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION #12-06- RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE MN DNR FOR COMMUNITY FOREST BONDING GRANT MONIES TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL TREES WITHIN NORTH COMMONS WHEREAS, parks, trails, and treed recreation areas, are essential to the quality of life, health and welfare of the city of Ramsey and the state's residents; and WHEREAS, trees especially are an increasingly vital resource in Minnesota and enrich our lives by purifying air, soil and water; and WHEREAS, trees provide beautiful recreational settings and promote personal, community and ecosystem health; and WHEREAS, planting indigenous species of trees creates a more sustainable community forest by limiting the amount of inputs, such as water and fertilizers, which may otherwise be necessary to ensure long-term survival of the plantings; and WHEREAS, through these functions as well as many other favorable attributes of trees, a healthy community forest contributes to a greater quality of life for the community; and WHEREAS, North Commons is currently an undeveloped park within The COR, a pedestrian and transit orientated master -planned community, and both the City and residents have expressed a desire to see certain improvements implemented, including the installation of trees; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Policy Board's, City Council approved work plan includes implementing a demonstration project such as a 'mini arboretum' to showcase the various tree species that perform well in the Anoka Sand Plain; and WHEREAS, this project within North Commons will serve this goal and be available as an educational resource WHEREAS, through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (MN DNR) Community Forest Bonding Grant cycle, funding is available to off -set costs associated with native tree planting efforts on public land and parks to create a more diverse and resilient community forest; and WHERESAS, all trees purchased with the use of the grant monies must be on the Approved Native Trees List provided by the MN DNR; and