Item Coversheet

Board Action Request
17-0290

Item Description:
Negotiate Natural Resources Opportunity grant agmts A177627 with Medina and A177628 with Pioneer-Sarah Watershed Mgmt Commission to improve water quality, 8/9/17-12/31/19, total combined NTE $79,500
Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Natural Resources Opportunity Grant Agreement A177627 with the City of Medina during the period of August 9, 2017 through December 31, 2019 with the amount not to exceed $20,000; A177628 with the Pioneer-Sarah Watershed Management Commission during the period of August 9, 2017 through December 31, 2019 with the amount not to exceed $59,500; to implement stormwater best management practices; 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 the County Administrator be authorized to approve one 12-month extension of the agreements; 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.

Background:

History: Natural Resources grants provide financial and technical assistance to landowners and local governments who will implement best management practices that preserve and restore critical habitats, reduce erosion and protect and improve water quality. The Natural Resources grant program has two options: 1) the Good Steward grant, primarily for smaller projects that will improve water quality, enhance natural areas and promote environmental stewardship to the community which requires a 25% funding match from the grant applicant; and 2) the Opportunity grant for larger projects that will improve water quality or preserve, establish or restore natural areas. Special consideration is given to applicants who leverage resources such as Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment funds or other funding sources.

 

To date, the Natural Resources grant programs have provided over $1,166,500 in county cost-share grants to landowners and local governments for 79 projects that implemented best management practices and undertook stream and shoreline restorations and restored, enhanced and protected natural resources. Funding for this grant program comes from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.

 

Current Request: This request is to authorize the County Administrator to negotiate Natural Resources Opportunity grant agreements with the following organizations for projects that preserve, protect or improve natural resources and water quality in the county:

 

  • City of Medina, $20,000. This project will implement five stormwater best management practices identified in the Lake Ardmore Subwatershed Retrofit Assessment Study. These projects include 120 feet of gully stabilization, one iron enhanced sand filter, and one pond expansion, 160 feet of shoreline restoration and 70 feet of stream stabilization. This project will reduce sediment and phosphorous that reach Lake Ardmore. It leverages an additional $143,050 in local contributions and a planned Clean Water, Land, and Legacy proposal.
  • Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Management Commission, $59,500. This project will stabilize 2,200 feet of eroding ravine in the Baker Park Reserve. This ravine drains directly to Lake Independence. This project will accomplish 15% of the needed phosphorous reduction for the Lake Independence Total Maximum Daily Load Study Implementation Plan. This project will leverage an additional $460,500 in local contributions and a planned Clean Water, Land, and Legacy proposal.

The request is also for approval to reimburse costs incurred by the grantees after the board approval date and upon execution of the grant agreements.

 

Impact/Outcomes: The Natural Resources Opportunity grant awards will provide funds for best management practices that will reduce nutrient loads to protect water quality and enhance natural resources in Hennepin County. These grants will help implement stormwater best management practices (including expanding stormwater retention ponds, iron-enhanced sand filters, gully stabilization, and ravine stabilization) and undertake stream and shoreline restorations.

Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval