Purpose

This bill provides a funding package to support the West St Paul community by investing in the 150 Thompson Community Square. It authorizes a grant to the city for construction, furnishing, and equipping improvements to the square, including a multi-use enclosed pavilion, an outdoor performance stage, and a turf area that can be converted into an ice rink.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: An amount of 3,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development (DEED) to grant to the city of West St Paul for the 150 Thompson Community Square improvements. The improvements targeted include:
  • construction of an enclosed pavilion for public and private events
  • an outdoor performance stage
  • a turf area that can be converted to an ice rink
• Bond Funding: To pay for the appropriation, the commissioner of management and budget is authorized to sell and issue state bonds up to 3,000,000, under the terms and effects described in Minnesota statutes (sections 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Funding and Bonding

• Source of funds: Bond proceeds fund.
• Bonding authority: Up to 3,000,000 in state bonds to be issued to finance the grant and square improvements.
• Administration: The relevant state agencies (DEED and the Budget office) handle the grant and bond issuance in accordance with existing bonding statutes and constitutional provisions.

Significance and Changes to Law

• This is a targeted capital investment project funded by state bonds and does not modify existing statutes; it creates or uses an appropriation and bonding authority for a specific local project.
• It directs public money to a city project, with construction and future maintenance tied to the approved improvements at the community square.

Affected Parties

• City of West St Paul (beneficiary of the grant for the 150 Thompson Community Square)
• State agencies: Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Commissioner of Management and Budget
• Minnesota bonding framework (state bonds and bond proceeds fund)

Relevant Terms West St Paul 150 Thompson Community Square enclosed pavilion outdoor performance stage turf area ice rink (convertible turf) grant commissioner of employment and economic development (DEED) commissioner of management and budget bond proceeds fund bonds Minnesota Statutes 16A631 to 16A675 Minnesota Constitution Article XI (sections 4 to 7) capital investment appropriation public and private events community improvements