Purpose

This bill would allocate state funds to improve the city of Silver Lake’s water-related infrastructure by financing a grant through the Public Facilities Authority. The goal is to support upgrades to stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water systems in Silver Lake.

Main provisions

• Appropriation: The bill appropriates 9,500,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) as a grant to the City of Silver Lake.
  
• Project scope: The funds are to be used to predesign, design, engineer, construct, and equip stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water infrastructure. This includes improvements or replacements to:
  • Municipal wastewater ponds
  • Spray irrigation and sanitary sewer systems
  • Storm sewer systems and related infrastructure
  • Water main distribution systems and related infrastructure
  • Activities intended to improve drainage, water quality, water flow, fire protection, and water accountability
• Bond financing: To raise the money, the Commissioner of Management and Budget must issue state bonds up to 9,500,000. The bond sale must follow Minnesota statutes (16A631 to 16A675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Beneficiary and administration

• The grant is to be provided to the City of Silver Lake through the Public Facilities Authority, a state agency that administers financing for public infrastructure projects.

Impact and intended outcomes

• Improves the reliability and safety of water services.
• Enhances drainage and water quality for the community.
• Increases fire protection capabilities and overall water accountability.

Significance and potential changes to law

• Creates a new targeted appropriation and bond authorization for Silver Lake infrastructure.
• Does not appear to alter existing statutes beyond authorizing the bond sale and grant mechanism for this project.

Terminology and key phrases

• stormwater, wastewater, drinking water infrastructure
• appropriation, bond proceeds fund
• Public Facilities Authority (PFA)
• grant to the City of Silver Lake
• predesign, design, engineer, construct, equip
• wastewater ponds, spray irrigation, sanitary sewer systems
• storm sewer systems, water main distribution systems
• water quality, water flow, fire protection, water accountability
• bond sale, bonds, Minnesota Statutes 16A631-16A675
• Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4-7)

Relevant Terms stormwater, wastewater, drinking water infrastructure; grant; Public Facilities Authority; bond proceeds fund; predesign; design; engineer; construct; equip; wastewater ponds; spray irrigation; sanitary sewer; storm sewer; water main distribution; water quality; fire protection; water accountability; bond sale; Minnesota Statutes 16A631-16A675; Minnesota Constitution Article XI