Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/09/2014

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Regional Parks System Funding As previously noted, the Council contributes and administers funding to the regional park implementing agencies. Funding for the Regional Parks System funding currently consists of four main grant programs. Each grant program is intended for different purposes and is comprised of various funding sources. Only regional park implementing agencies, listed above, qualify for the grant programs. Each grant program is highlighted briefly below. Additional detailed information can be found in Chapter 5. Capital Improvement Program The Council's Capital Improvement Program (CI P) is intended for Regional Park System acquisition, development, and redevelopment projects. The fund is financed by state (60 %) and Council (40 %) bonds. The amount of funds each regional park implementing agency receives is based on a formula specified in Chapter 5. Parks and Trails Legacy Fund Program The Parks and Trails Legacy Fund program was created after the statewide passage of the Minnesota's Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008. Along with state and Greater Minnesota regional parks and trails, the Council receives a portion of the Parks and Trails Legacy appropriations for the Regional Parks System. The Council administers the Parks and Trails Legacy funds to regional park implementing agencies. The Parks and Trails Legacy Plan, which is described in Chapter 5, was developed to guide the use of the funds. Each regional park implementing agency's share of the funds is based on a formula specified in state statute (Minn. Stat. 85.53, subd 3). Also stipulated in state statute is the requirement that 10% of the total Parks and Trails Legacy appropriations be set aside for land acquisition. Appropriations from the Parks and Trails Legacy funds for acquisition are made available to regional park implementing agencies through the Council's Park Acquisition Opportunity Fund Grant Program, described below. Park Acquisition Opportunity Fund Grant Program The Park Acquisition Opportunity Fund Grant program is organized into two separate programs, corresponding to different funding sources. The two programs are the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund (PTLF) and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). As noted above, 10% of the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund appropriations are set aside for land acquisition, which are used for the PTLF acquisition opportunity grant program. The ENRTF acquisition opportunity grant fund is comprised of appropriations received by Legislative- Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for land acquisition. The Council matches every $3 of PTLF or ENRTF appropriations with $2 of Council bonds. Both programs in the Council's Park Acquisition Opportunity Fund Grant program are non - competitive and awarded based on funding availability among other considerations detailed in subsequent chapters. Operations and Maintenance