8.3. SR 03-07-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Elk — River Request for Action To Item Number Mayor and City Council 8.3 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Action Item March 7, 2016 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director Item Description Reviewed by Restoration Agreement with Friends of the Cal Portner, City Administrator Mississippi River for Restoration Activities within Reviewed by the William H. Houlton Conservation Area Action Requested Adopt, by motion, a restoration agreement between Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) and the City of Elk River to conduct restoration activities within the William H. Houlton Conservation Area. Background/Discussion City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MO" on January 20, 2015, between the FMR and the city to develop a Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) for the Houlton property and the Bailey Point Nature Preserve. The completion of the NRMP for the Houlton property is one of the most important responsibilities of the Houlton planning committee. The NRMP with over 95 pages was completed just last week after nearly one year of work by the FMR staff, Houlton planning committee members and city staff. The restoration agreement basically outlines the list of activities as defined in the NRMP that the FMR will complete to conduct habitat restoration and enhancement activities within the William H. Houlton Conservation Area. This includes hiring a contractor through a formal Request for Proposal to remove exotic invasive woody species from forested portions of the property and restoring prairie to the existing agricultural field. The restoration agreement states that the FMR will contribute up to $597,600 toward the restoration/enhancement activities. FMR's funds for these activities have or are anticipated to be provided by grants from the Outdoor Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature. City Attorney Peter Beck did review and approve the attached restoration agreement. Financial Impact The FMR will contribute up to $597,600 as appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature. The city will contribute $10,000 to the FMR in each of the five years covered by the agreement. This is budgeted from the Park Improvement Fund for 2016 and will be planned for the next four subsequent years. Attachments ■ Restoration Agreement including Exhibits A, B, C P a w E A E U s r NaA f RE]