08-175Suspension Item
Presented by
Council File # Q�— \� �
Green Sheet # 3050112
RESOLUTION
OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
1 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul seeks to secure Federal funding for major projects.
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3 WHEREAS, City departsnents have submitted projects of significant impact that are in need of Federal
4 funding.
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6 WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council approves this list for Federal funding of major projects.
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8 BE IT RESOLVED, that the following is the City of Saint Paul's FY2009 list of funding priorities from
9 the Federal government for the projects and amounts shown:
10 1). Fund for Strategic Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Housing — Invest Saint Paul
11 The combination of rising costs of living, unfavorable mortgage rates and stagnant family incomes are
12 causing too many families of modest means to lose their homes. As of February, 2007, there were over
13 900 vacant buildings in the city — hundreds more than ever before. For others families, tight budgets for
14 daily necessities aze preventing homeowners from spending on needed home maintenance, causing the
15 rapid deterioration of neighborhoods. After undertaking an extensive research project concerning vacant
16 and foreclosed buildings, we have discovered that some of these buildings need to be demolished; for
17 others, it makes financial sense to renovate and resell the homes at affordable prices to families.
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19 This request would enable the City of Saint Paul to establish a fund to renovate 25 residential properties
20 and acquire up to 50 properties. The goal of the fund would be to grow stable neighborhoods, and increase
21 the confidence of other current and potential homeowners, spurring additional private investment in
22 neighborhood housing stock. State and private funds aze also being sought for this project.
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24 Amount Requested: $5,000,000 (TTHUD)
25 2). City Progra�ns for After School and School Release Time -- Second Shift Initiative
26 We urge you to support funding to provide transportation, improve facilities, increase staff training and
27 upgrade equipment at libraries, parks and recreation centers in support of the City's Second Shift Initiative.
28 Funds would be used to improve the city's ability to serve youth during after-schooi times and on school
29 release days. The goal of the project is to increase Saint Paul students' school success and reduce juvenile
30 crime. The City will establish computer access in "Invest Saint Paul" neighborhoods, provide programs
31 and services to new immigrants, establish media centers, improve child health and wellness through
32 nutrition and fitness initiatives, and provide transportation between schools, city facilities and other non-
33 profit youth-serving organizations to permit greater participation. State and private funds are also being
34 sought for this important project.
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36 Amount Requested: $1,660,000 (LabarHHS)
37 =
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38 3). Bruce Vento Nature Center & Trail Link to the Mississippi River
39 The City of Saint Paul requests your support in the acquisition and environmental clean-up of 2.5 acres of
40 land immediately adjacent to the Bruce Vento Nature Sanchiary for the purposes of constructing an
41 interpretive center facility. This interpretive center facility would be the only site of its kind in the entire
42 Midwest.
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44 In addition, the City of Saint Paul proposes to create a trail connection between the Bruce Vento Regional
45 Trail, the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and the Sam Morgan Regional Trail adjacent to the Mississippi
46 River comdor. This request would permit design, engineering and construction of the trail link. $1.2
47 million in 2005 SAFETEA-LU funds have been received and expended for design and engineering of this
48 project.
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50 Amount Requested: $7,200,000 (TTHUD)
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4). Warning siren systein replacement
This funding request would replace the warning siren system that is used to warn the public about
tomadoes, terrorism, and hazazdous material emergencies. There aze thirty-seven warning sirens in the
field. These sirens are approximately 50 years old. The sirens are operated through a central computer
control system which is almost 15 years old. It costs approximately $20,000 per year to repair and
maintain the current system. The current warning siren system is in such disrepair that there is a risk of
complete system failure. The City and Ramsey County are exploring the possibility of having an
integrated warning siren system to maximize the public's safety. For example, if there is an emergency
that originates in Mounds View, the sirens would be activated for the City of Saint Paul as well.
Amount Requested: $1,026,500 (CJS)
64 S). Po[ice Crime Lab Equipment
65 The Saint Paul Police Department has operated its own crime lab since the 1950s. During that time the lab
66 has provided investigators from Saint Paul and from police agencies across the region with expert forensic
67 information in support of Homicide, Sexual Violence, Drug, Property, and Gun cases However, much of
68 the equipment used by the Departrnent is outdated. This request would allow SPPD to upgrade and acquire
69 new equipment to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Crime Lab.
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71 Because the SPPD Crime Lab does not have the necessary equipment, Saint Paul cases which require DNA
72 analysis are processed by thelaboratory operated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
73 The BCA has a critical backlog in processing major cases. Rape case evidence can take three to four
74 months to process and gun cases up to one yeaz. With the proper DNA analysis equipment, Saint Paul
75 could more rapidly process DNA evidence and identify violent offenders. Adding this capacity in Saint
76 Paul would remove the burden on the BCA of processing our city's crime evidence, thus helping to
77 alleviate the backlog of requests at the BCA. The SPPD would also be able to assist the Ramsey County
78 Attorney's Office with its Innocence Project, in which DNA evidence is used to exonerate persons who
79 have been wrongfully accused or convicted of crimes. The cost to acquire DNA analysis equipment is $2
80 million.
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82 Currently, the Lab's Gas Chromatograph Spectometer, the device used in analyzing drug crime evidence, is
83 a 1996 model. This equipment had an expected service life of six years. Replacement cost is $90,000.
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8� The current Crune Lab Vehicle is a converted 1989 Box Van and is in need of replacement. It has no
86 method of securing dangerous chemicals and noxious materials for transport, and it cannot support current
87 technology that the Lab wishes to use. Replacement cost for an appropriate vehicle is $150,000.
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89 Amount Requested: $2,240,000 (CJS)
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91 6). Dale Street Bridge over Interstate Highway 94
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The Dale Street Bridge over I-94 is too narrow, and visibility problems need to be conected. This is a high
priority for the City because of the safety concerns, although these concerns do not extend to structural
integrity. The redevelopment of the area surrounding the bridge has added — and will continue to add — an
increasing traffic demand. There have also been requests from the surrounding community to improve the
structure to encourage walking and biking, and integrate lighting similar to what is found on Westem
Avenue. The project would also improve access to the Central Corridor. The total cost of the project is
$15 million.
100 Amount Requested: $3,000,000 for acquisition of Right of Way and for project design (TTHUD)
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102 7). Iinproving the Energy Efficiency of City Buildings
103 We request Federal funding to supplement an internal revolving loan fund that has
104 energy efficiency improvements in City-owned buildings. The fund will finance
105 replenished from the savings each city department will realize in operations and
106 result of the improvements. Federal funding would supplement $1 million the Ci
107 effort.
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109 Amount Requested: $1,500,000 (E&�
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been created to finance
improvements, then be
maintenance costs as a
ty is committing to this
111 8). Como Rider Shuttle
112 The Como Park Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory has undertaken plans to provide an offsite
113 parking and transportation system for Como Park to alleviate pazking congestion and gridlock in the Park.
114 This $3.5 million pro}ect was partially funded through a Federal Transit Administration appropriation of
I 15 $1.5 million in 2005-2006. Additional funding is requested for land lease, infrastructure improvements,
116 capital equipment lease, and signage improvements.
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118 Amount Requested: $1,625,000 for design and construction. (TTHUD)
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120 9). Cayuga Sireet Interchange at Interstate Highway 35E
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The section of Interstate Highway 35E from Downtown to South of Maryland Avenue is very congested in
peak commuting hours. Saint Paul City staff has negotiated with MnDOT a design for reconstruction that
includes a new interchange at Cayuga Street as a replacement for the current interchange at Pennsylvania
Avenue. A two-way frontage road will connect the new interchange to Phalen Boulevazd/Pennsylvania
Avenue. Moving the interchange north will allow for full access to the Interstate; the current interchange
cannot provide access to southbound I-35E. All environmental work has been completed, and some of the
needed additional Right of Way has been acquired. The total project cost is $138 million; MnDOT has a
federal request for other aspects ofthis project.
Amount Requested: $3,000,000 to the City of Saint Paul to design the connection to Phalen Boulevard and
purchase Right of Way (TTHUD)
IO). Channel Street Stairs
This project restores the Channel Street Stair Tower on the West Side. This West Side icon, known
affectionately by generations of Saint Paulites as "The Green Stairs," is 90 years old and requires
significant maintenance to be kept safe and operating. The stairs are used by many pedestrians on a daily
basis and provide a vertical pedestrian connection between the Prospect Park neighborhood and Wabasha
Street. This vertical connection to the National Great River Pazk is a necessary asset and important in our
city's transportation network.
Amount Requested: $2,000,000 (Int)
145 ll). Harriet Island Lower Harbor Dredging
146 Saint Paul requests critical fixnding for the purpose of dredging accumulated silt in the Mississippi River, at
147 the lower harbor near Harriet Island. Silt build-up has caused several boats to be grounded, representing a
148 potential safety hazard for river navigation. The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintaining
149 the navigability of these waters, but is unable to do so, given their current budgetary constraints. Therefore
150 the City of Saint Paul respectfully requests that the Federal Government continue its longstanding
151 responsibility for providing public use and access to the Mississippi River by appropriating funds to
152 independently accomplish this task. Unfettered access to the Mississippi River fundamentally affects both
153 recreation and commerce interests, which are central pillars in the economy of Saint Paul and the
154 surrounding Midwest region.
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156 The original version of the 2007 Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Bill designated $200,000 for
157 this project, however with the elimination of Earmarks in the FY2007 Continuing Resolution (H.J. RES
158 20) we would again like to request the funding for FY2008.
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160 Amount Requested: $105,000 (E&W)
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Housin�, Economic Development, and the Environment
Community Development Block Grant Program Funding
City Staff Contact: Bob Hammer, Planning and Economic Development 651-266-6693
The City of Saint Paul urges you to support full funding for the Community Development Block Grant
program. The proposed 2008 Budget cuts the program by over one billion dollazs, or roughly 25%. A
reduction to our City's program of that magnitude, more than $2 million, will drastically change the way
our City funds housing and economic development, neighborhood and community organizations, and the
Planning and Economic Departsnent. We urge you to restore funding for CDBG to FYZ005 levels, or
$4,150,035,000. The City of Saint Paul received an FY2005 allocation of $9,069,000 — this amount was
cut in FY2006 to $8,211,000, a more than 9% reduction. The City requests that Congress restore funds
to CDBG to help improve and revitalize urban areas.
Housing and Urban Development — Public Housing Funding
City Staff Contact: Bob Hammer, Planning and Economic Development 651-266-6693
Federal funding for public housing has steadily declined in recent years, with a cumulative cut of $4.4
billion since FFY 2001. HUD's proposed budget for FFY 2007 would have provided only 76% of the
funding necessary to operate and maintain the country's 1.2 million public housing units. Fortunately, the
Joint Congressional Funding Resolution for FFY 2007 was approved on February 15, 2007, appropriating
a little more funding for public housing. The appropriation is enough to raise public housing operating
subsidies to about 83% of the amount HUD determined is necessary. The City of Saint Paul is deeply
committed to working with state and federal delegations to encourage Congress and HUD to fully fund the
public housing program in FFY 2008 and future years, and other key federal housing programs. The City
requests the following funding levels for these key housing programs:
Public Hou
Public Hou
HOPE VI
Safety and
Program
�ratino Fund
>ital Fund
Ili
Service Coordinators for the elderly and disabled
Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services
Choice Vouchers
HCV Administrative Fees
Section 8 Familv Self
Contract Administrators for
Program
:t Based Section 8
FY2008 Funding Need
$4.7 billion'
$3.5 billion
$600 million
$310 million
$50 million
$55 million
$14.9 billion
$1.5 billion
$72 million
Fullv fund
' This figure does not include transition funding for 59 agencies (which may be gainers or decliners) missing from HUD's
published transition funding chart. Final utility cost information for FY 2007 is not available; therefore, the utility portion of
this estimate may change when better data become available.
Z These should be funded as separate, stand-alone programs. Funding for these and all HUD programs must be
awarded and distributed fully and in a timely fashion.
3 Based on the most recent 12 months of leasing and cost data.
° Using the statutory administrative fee formula with historic funding for special fees.
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196 Brownfields Funding
197 City Staff Contact: Bob Hammer, Planning and Economic Development 651-266-6693
198 The City of Saint Paul has been a national leader in utilizing Brownfields grants to cleanup polluted sites
199 since the program's inception. These grants have been instrumental in allowing the City to put valuable
200 properiy back into use for economic development, as well as protect the environmental health of its
201 residents. Unforiunately the Administrarion cut Brownfields funding from the federal budget. The City
202 requests that Congress restore Brownfields funding in order to protect the jobs and health of the
203 residents of St. Paul.
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Public Safetv in Saint Paul and Ramsev Countv
First Responders Grants
City Staff Contact: Matt Bostrom, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, 651-266-6217
The City of Saint Paul, like lazge cities throughout the United States, has expended funds for local
homeland defense in the wake of the present terrorist threat. The City asixiously anticipates federal support
for first responders. In order to most efficiently meet the needs of the men and women on the front lines of
this threat, the City requests that the Department of Homeland Security provide Tirst responder
grants directly to local agencies, rather than through a block grant to the State.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul supports the following
Federal funding requests made by Ramsey County in FY2009:
Ramsev Countv Support Items
1) Union Depot $5 million
Ramsey County is requesting $5 million for the Union Depot intermodal station. The project is a million
multi-year effort to bring Amtrak, bus, commuter rail, high speed raii, and LRT into the Depot. The new
hub would serve as a focal point for economic development in the area. A purchase agreement has been
signed to purchase the Depot concourse property from the Postal Service.
Source of request: Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority.
Yeas Nays Absent
Bostrom
Carter ,f
Harris /
Helgen ,�
Lantry ,�
Stark
Thune
Adopted by Council: Date '� �'�-� � �`u
Adopti ifie y v oi icil ecretary
By:
Approved I r: Date �� � $�
By:
Requested by Department of:
By:
Approved by the Office of Financial Services
By:
Approved by City Attomey
By:
Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
By:
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� Gree� Sheet Green Sheef Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet �
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Contact Person & Phone:
Luz Frias
6-8517
Must Be on Council Auen
Doc, Type: RESOLUTION
E-Document Required: N
Dowment ConWet: Donna Sanders
Contact Phone: 6-8653
19-FEB-OS
y
Assign
Number
For
Routing
Order
Green Sheet NO: 3050112
9 ouncil
] ouncit De artment D"uector
2 ' C14rk
3
4
5
Total # of Signature Pages _(Clip All Locations for Signature)
Federa] Agenda FY2009
Planning Commission
CIB Committee
Civil Service Commission
1. Has Mis person�rm ever worked Lnder a contract for [his department?
Yes No
2. Has this personlfirtn ever been a ciry employee?
Yes No
3. Does this pe�sonlfirtn possess a skill not normally possessed by any
current city emplayee?
Yes No
Explain all yes a�swers on separate sheet antl attach to green sheet
Initiating Problem, Issues,�Opportunity (Who, What, When, Where, Why):
Advantages If Approvetl:
Disadvantages If Approved:
Disadvantages If Not Approvetl:
Transactio�:
Funding Source:
Ffnancial Information:
(Explain)
Activity Number.
� CosURevenue Budgeted:
February 18, 2008 1:43 PM Page 1