Purpose

This bill authorizes capital improvements at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth. It provides a $6,000,000 appropriation from the bond proceeds fund to support a grant to the City of Duluth for predesign, design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of capital projects at the zoo. The projects focus on preserving or replacing mechanical and electrical systems, improving utility infrastructure, and making site renovations that support exhibit renewal and ongoing zoo operations.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: $6,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development for a grant to the City of Duluth.
• Use of funds: For predesign, design, construction, furnishing, and equipping improvements of a capital nature at the Lake Superior Zoo, including major projects to preserve or replace mechanical or electrical systems, utility infrastructure, and site renovations that support exhibit renewal and ongoing operations.
• Statutory exemption: The appropriation is exempt from requirements under Minnesota Statutes section 16A.86 subdivision 4.

Financing and Bonding

• Bond issuance: The Commissioner of Management and Budget shall sell and issue state bonds up to $6,000,000 to fund the appropriation.
• Legal framework: Bond issuance must follow Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• creates an exemption from the typical requirements in Minnesota Statutes section 16A.86 subdivision 4 for this appropriation, allowing the project to proceed under the bonding and grant framework described.

Impact and Oversight

• Resulting improvements aim to modernize zoo facilities, improve reliability of mechanical/electrical systems, upgrade utility infrastructure, and enhance site conditions to support exhibits and the zoo’s day-to-day operations.
• Funding is provided as a grant to the City of Duluth, with state bond financing supporting the project.

Summary

The bill couples a $6 million capital grant to the City of Duluth with state bond financing to fund predesign through furnishing and equipping capital improvements at the Lake Superior Zoo, emphasizing building/system upgrades and exhibit support, while relaxing one procurement-related requirement for this project.

Relevant Terms Lake Superior Zoo Duluth capital improvements predesign design construct furnish equip mechanical systems electrical systems utility infrastructure site renovations exhibit renewal ongoing operations bond proceeds fund grant City of Duluth state bonds Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner of Management and Budget Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4 to 7 16A.86 subdivision 4 exemption