Adopt Resolution #16-11-213 Accepting Metropolitan Council Planning Assistance Grant and Authorizing Grant Agreement with the Metropolitan Council to Aide in Preparation of 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update

On September 13, 2016 the City Council authorized an Application to the Metropolitan Council for a planning grant to assist in the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan Update. The City has been awarded this grant in the amount of $32,000, the full amount available. Attached is a standard Grant Agreement the City must execute. The intent of this case is to authorize Staff to execute this agreement.

The City is eligible for the Metropolitan Council’s 2016 - 2018 Planning Assistance Grant program. The maximum grant award is $32,000. The grant award can be used for costs directly associated with your local 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. Eligible costs include staff pay, consultant and professional services, printing and publishing; provided that they are entirely consistent with a Council-approved work plan and budget and executed two-party grant agreement, the Council’s Comprehensive Development Guide, the Metropolitan Land Planning Act, and other applicable state laws. Grant funds may not be used for costs incurred prior to execution of a grant agreement between the Metropolitan Council and your community.

It is important to note that Planning Assistance Grants are non-competitive grants to eligible communities for the 10-year update to their local comprehensive plans.

Upon execution of a grant agreement, communities will be expected to have their local Comprehensive Plan Update reviewed and adopted by December 31, 2018. To retain eligibility for funding, the local Plan Update will be required to meet the Statutory 6-month Requirements for Adjacent and Affected Jurisdiction Review. In addition, the local Plan Update must be complete as described in the Council’s Local Planning Handbook.

The Planning Assistance Grant will be disbursed in two installments, with the first 50% of the grant amount disbursed to the Grantee within 30 days after final execution of a grant agreement and the remaining 50% disbursed after the Council has reviewed and acted upon the Grantee’s Comprehensive Plan Update, with that action finding that the Update meets all Statutory requirements for timeliness, completeness, conformance, consistency, and compatibility. 

A full list and map of the communities eligible for Planning Assistance Grants can be found at http://www.metrocouncil.org/Communities/Planning/Local-Planning-Assistance/Maps,-forms-misc/Planning-Assistance-Fund-Communities.aspx.

This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.

Staff recommends accepting the Grant and authorizing the Grant Agreement.

Motion to Adopt Resolution #16-11-213 accepting Metropolitan Council Planning Assistance Grant and authorizing the Grant Agreement with the Metropolitan Council.