Laserfiche WebLink
<br />7.07: Authorize Staff to Submit Application to Legislative-Citizen Commission on <br />Minnesota Resources, and Minnesota DNR for Tree Preservation for Riverstone <br />South (Project No. 19-152); Case of Capstone Homes <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill reviewed the staff report and recommendation to authorize <br />staff to prepare and submit grant applications for either or both, Legislative-Citizen Commission <br />on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and DNR Natural and Scenic Areas Grants. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley stated that additional sources of funds were mentioned and asked if any of <br />those would come from the lottery. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that some of those applications have a yearlong review <br />process. He stated that these are competitive grants and go through a scoring process. He stated <br />that the other opportunities are more for the 2023/2024 funding cycle. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell asked what the City would be required to fund in a scenario that requires <br />a 50 percent match. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill estimated the cost of the property to be about $350,000, <br />therefore 50 percent would be $175,000. He stated that if the timing does not work out, the City <br />could continue discussions with the developer. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove commented that there are a lot of restrictions that would be placed on <br />the seven acres if the grant is obtained and asked if there has been discussion with the parks <br />department to ensure that they are aware of the restrictions. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill replied that Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent <br />has been an integral part of this process. He noted that the seven acres is intended to be preserved <br />in its natural state and this would not be developed into an active park. He stated that the one-acre <br />park would be provided for recreational opportunity. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove commented that forest is very special and therefore she would like to <br />preserve that area to the extent possible, noting that it will also provide a barrier between the <br />neighborhoods. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley asked at what point the City could say the area does not need to be preserved <br />if funding cannot be obtained. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill replied that if the City is not successful in gaining funding, it <br />would need to think about a contingency. He recognized that there are some variables but believed <br />the City would be successful in gaining some type of funding. He stated that is a question the <br />Council could discuss if it comes to that point. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Specht, seconded by Councilmember Musgrove, to authorize staff to <br />prepare and submit Grant Applications for LCCMR as well as DNR Natural and Scenic Areas <br />Grants. <br />City Council / February 8, 2021 <br />Page 11 of 12 <br /> <br />