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5.b) Administrators ReportStaff Report Date of Meeting: March 5, 2018 To: Parks & Recreation Committee From: Neil Soltis, Administrator Re: Parks updates Park Improvement Fund • Transfer of Funds — At the February 20 City Council meeting the Council agreed to transfer $100,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to the Park Capital Improvement Fund. These funds are a portion of the 12/31/2017 General Fund balance that is in excess of the targeted amount based on the City's fund balance policy. This transfer is being made while the Council explores the potential sale of the Olinda Lane lot. The intent is to provide support for the PRC to look at planning improvement projects. • Ice skating sub -fund — Beginning in 2018 the donations that come in from Vinterfest will be placed in a sub -fund within the Park Improvement Fund so that the funds and their usage can be tracked. This is shown on the Park Improvement Fund financial report. School Forest - At the Council meeting City Council supported working with the Forest Lake School District on the designation of Lilleskogen Park and the park adjacent to the School in the Wyldewood Subdivision as School Forests and drafting of a joint powers agreement for the use. This has been communicated to the School District for their decision as to whether they will seek the designation. For reference a copy of a joint powers agreement for a School forest follows this report. Cycling Scandia — At the Council meeting John Chrun sought approval to use area around the warming house as a gathering space to support Cycling Scandia initiatives. Chrun clarified that access to the warming house is not requested, only use of the property around the warming house and noted that Cycling Scandia would provide any necessary funding. Council endorse the concept of using the warming house area as a gathering space and referred the request to the Parks and Recreation Committee for further discussion. This enables Cycling Scandia to work on a site plan, to identify and prepare plans for amenities (bike fix -it station, water source, bike route signage and a restroom facility) and prepare a funding strategy. Joint Powers Agreement Between the City of Saint Paul and Independent School District #625 THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into by and between the City of Saint Paul Department of Parks and Recreation, Minnesota, a municipal corporation ("City"), and the Saint Paul Independent School District 4625 ("ISD #625") WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes § 471.59, the City and ISD #625 are authorized to enter into an agreement to exercise jointly or cooperatively governmental powers common to each and to permit one governmental entity to perform services or functions for another governmental unit; and ❑ HEREAS, the Minnesota, TDepaAment of Natural -Resources (DNR) maintains the Minnesota School Forest Program, pursuant to the provisions of Minn. Stat. §89.41; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota School Forest Program provides School Forest designation to woodland parcels utilized for a variety of educational opportunities; and WHEREAS, the DN—R provides resources and sets guidelines and criteria to maintain school forest status; and WHEREAS, ISD #625 is authorized to establish a Minnesota School Forest; and WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul, Department of Parks and Recreation has identified 6.13 acres within Langford Park to provide ecological education and historical interpretation for children and adults, habitat for native wildlife, and an urban woodland oasis; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to enter into this agreement to permit ISD #625 enroll Langford Park into the Minnesota School Forest Program, and conduct educational programs and basic maintenance tasks in cooperation with the City; and NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED, by and between the parties hereto as follows: 1. TERM. This Joint Powers Agreement ("Agreement") will become effective on 2 S 15 and shall continue in full force, unless terminated in writing_ This Agreement may he cancelled with or without cause by either the City or ILSD #625 upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party. 2. CONTACTS. City's Authorized Agent for purposes of administration of this Agreement is Michael Hahm (Parks and Recreation Director), or his/her designee or successor. ISD #625`s Authorized Agent for the purposes of administration and of this Agreement is Valeria Silva (Superintendent) or his/her designee or successor. 3. ISD #625 RESPONSIBILITIES. A) Recommend Langford Park for Minnesota School Forest designation through the Minnesota School Forest Program. B) Commit to maintain Minnesota School Forest status of Langford Park as outlined by the DNR. C) A permit is not required to use the School Forest, however, park use conflicts (with other park users or with planned park maintenance activities) cannot be resolved without a permit. Permits can be obtained for free from the City's Permit Office (651-632-5111) prior to conducting educational activities in College Park. D) Notify Langford Recreation Director prior to conducting educational activities in Langford Park. Obtain confirmation that School Forest activities will not interfere with planned Recreation C --rater activities. E) Obtain written permission from the City's authorized agent prior to conducting activities in Langford Park including, but not limited to: soil disturbance; plant, mineral or animal collection; increment boring and tree tapping; installation or removal of plants; and development of permanent research plots. F) ISD #625 reserves the right to apply for grants and scholarships available to Minnesota School Forests, for programming or forest enhancement, with written permission from the City's authorized agent. G) ISD #625 will hold the City harmless in the event of damage, loss, or injury resulting from its use of Langford Park. H) ISD #625 will ensure that all educators utilizing the School Forest receive a copy of the joint powers agreement and adhere by policies outlined within. 4. CITY RESPONSIBILITIES. A) Maintain Langford Park as a functional outdoor classroom. B) Maintain the park's permit schedule and provide permitting services for reservations giving priority to ISD #625 activities, as possible, at no cost. C) Review requests for educational activities that impact the ecology of the site, or impact use by others. Provide written permission for approved activities. D) Support grant and scholarship requests made by ISD #625 that enhance Langford Park use, progrsmnming or ecology. 5. PROPERTY OWNERSHIP. Title to the land shall remain with the City, and no funds may be accepted or expended which in any way limit, burden or restrict use of the property without written authorization in the form of a City Council resolution. 6. DATA PRACTICES. Both parties shall be subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. 7. AMENDMENTS. Any alterations, amendments, deletions, or waivers of the provisions of this Agreement shall be valid only when reduced to writing and duly signed by the parties. 8. WAIVER. Each of the parties to this Agreement shall be responsible for their own acts and omissions and neither party shall be responsible for acts or omissions of the other_ CITY OF SAINT PAUL ISD# 625 Saint Paul School District xecuted: Executed: ISDA 625erint ndent Direct r f FinarVe I 1 ` I /1 A l / Ap e isttorney irector of Pa`rTFs -tc.�. City Clerk Approved as to form: City AttoAey Metes and bounds for Langford Park School Forest Part of Ramsey County Parcel 292923120067 in the St. Anthony Park Addition located in the southwest X of the southeast % of Section 20 Township 29N Range 23W. The School Forest is 6.13 acres (blue polygon) described as beginning at a point 62.7' northeast from the center of the T -intersection of Gordon Avenue and Langford Park roadway, then east-southeast 259' to the north edge of the southeast section of the Langford Park roadway. Then northeasterly parallel to Langford Park roadway 476' to the beginning of a 180 degree arc counter clockwise with a 428.3' diameter, then westerly 247.62' parallel to Knapp Street, then southwesterly 508.4' parallel to Langford Park roadway to the point of beginning.