Item 5.1 Prairie Park Phase 1 Project Grant Application
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs March 9, 2026
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Parks and Recreation City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty 5.1 – Grant Application
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a
cost-effective manner.
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
X Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff are recommending City Council adopt a resolution authorizing a grant application.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
To help advance the Prairie Park Phase 1 project, the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council previously
directed staff to pursue the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant. This is a
matching grant program with potential awards of up to $500,000. With the Phase 1 project estimated to cost $7.78
million, this funding would significantly help offset overall project expenses.
City staff and HKGi have been actively working to prepare a competitive grant application. HKGi has indicated that
Phase 1 improvements at Prairie Park are well aligned with the goals of the Outdoor Recreation Grant program. To
submit the application, City Council approval of a resolution of support for the Prairie Park Phase 1 project is required.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Resolution 2026-23
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-23 Authorizing Application for an Outdoor Recreation Grant for Prairie Park Phase 1.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
Fund 203 – Park Development
Yes
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2026-23
AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR AN OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT
FOR PRAIRIE PARK PHASE 1
BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Otsego act as legal sponsor for the project contained in the Outdoor
Recreation Grant application to be submitted on March 31, 2026, and that Nick Jacobs is hereby
authorized to apply to the Department of Natural Resources for funding of this project on behalf of City
of Otsego.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the applicant maintains an adequate Conflict of Interest Policy and,
throughout the term of the contract, will monitor and report any actual or potential conflicts of interest
to the State, upon discovery.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Otsego has the legal authority to apply for financial
assistance, and it has the financial capability to meet the match requirement (if any) and ensure
adequate construction, operation, maintenance and replacement of the proposed project for its design
life.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Otsego has not incurred any development costs and has not
entered into a written purchase agreement to acquire the property described in the Cost Breakdown
section on this application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Otsego has or will acquire fee title or permanent easement
over all the land described in the boundary map or recreational site plan included in the application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon approval of its application by the State, the City of Otsego may
enter into an agreement with the State for the above-referenced project, and that the City of Otsego
certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant agreement
including dedicating the park property for uses consistent with the funding grant program into
perpetuity.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Nick Jacobs is hereby authorized to execute such agreements as
necessary to implement the project on behalf of the applicant.
I CERTIFY THAT the above resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Otsego on 9 March
2026.
SIGNED: WITNESSED:
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor Audra Etzel, City Clerk