HomeMy WebLinkAbout24-102 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2024/09/09
Resolution No. 24-102
Supporting Minnehaha Creek Watershed District’s
Greenway to Cedar Trail connection and
streambank restoration project
Whereas, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and the City of St. Louis
Park have enjoyed a sustained and strategic partnership to protect, restore and enhance
Minnehaha Creek; and
Whereas, the MCWD and City of St. Louis Park's partnership has managed regional
stormwater runoff, expanded and enhanced riparian greenspace, provided vital community
connections, and facilitated economic development around the Minnehaha Creek Greenway;
and
Whereas, the MCWD and the City of St. Louis Park are committed to continuing the
Minnehaha Creek Greenway partnership through the integration of municipal and water
resource planning; and
Whereas, the MCWD, in its 2017 Watershed Management Plan, has identified the
Greenway to Cedar Trail Connection and Streambank Restoration (the Project) as a key bicycle
and pedestrian connection from the Minnehaha Creek Preserve to the Cedar Lake LRT Regional
Trail and future Greenline Extension light rail stations, and an opportunity to stabilize the
stream channel and enhance the ecology of Minnehaha Creek in a historically manipulated
stretch; and
Whereas, the City of St. Louis Park finds the Project to be consistent with its
Comprehensive Plan goals and has identified this connection between the Minnehaha Creek
Preserve and the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail as a priority trail connection in its Connect the
Park implementation plan; and
Whereas, the proposed location of the Project includes certain real property owned by
the City of St. Louis Park; and
Whereas, the MCWD and the City of St. Louis Park agree to cooperate on the
construction of the project and share design and construction costs; and
Whereas, Hennepin County has awarded the MCWD a $200,000 grant through the
County's Southwest Community Works Program to fund a portion of the Project's trail
construction; and
Whereas, the MCWD has included the Project in its 2025-2029 Capital Improvement
Plan; and
Docusign Envelope ID: 33875C30-09DD-46AA-8992-81D17B0F4F33
Whereas, the MCWD contracted with Stantec Inc. to conduct a feasibility study,
completed in May 2023, that demonstrated a viable trail alignment and streambank
stabilization opportunities; and
Whereas, the MCWD needs the consent of the City of St. Louis Park to formally order
the project, initiate project design, conduit public engagement and construct the project,
Now therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota,
that the city shares the vision for and supports the Greenway to Cedar Trail Connection and
Streambank Restoration project as proposed in the 2023 feasibility study and authorizes the
MCWD to access city-owned land within the project area to perform surveys and investigations
for the purpose of project design;
Be it further resolved that, as city budget and funding allow, the city intends to
contribute half the cost of the trail construction; to allocate funds through the 2025-2029
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for this purpose, following final approval of the 2025-2029 CIP;
and to allow construction of the Project on the City-owned parcels identified in the feasibility
study;
Be it finally resolved that the city intends to enter into the necessary project
agreements with the MCWD upon final adoption of the 2025-2029 CIP; and that city staff are
authorized to work with MCWD staff to develop such project agreements, easements, and
other documents to memorialize final funding and maintenance obligations; and allow the
MCWD to construct the project on the relevant city-owned parcels.
Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the city council September 9, 2024:
Kim Keller, city manager Nadia Mohamed, mayor
Attest:
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 33875C30-09DD-46AA-8992-81D17B0F4F33