Res 2021- 54 Support for Submittal of Request for State Bonding for Historic Pilot Knob-OheyawaheCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2021- 54
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE SUBMITTAL OF A REQUEST FOR
STATE BONDING ASSISTANCE FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT
OHEYAWAHE/HISTORIC PILOT KNOB
WHEREAS, Oheyawahe /Historic Pilot Knob (Oheyawahe) located near the
confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers in the City of Mendota Heights in
northern Dakota County, Minnesota is a sacred site for the Dakota people; and
WHEREAS, Oheyawahe is of state and regional significance where the Treaty
of 1851 ceding much of Dakota land to the United States was signed and where students,
groups and individuals visit the site to gain a better awareness, understanding and
appreciation for history, culture and natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the City, with city, county, state, and other funding, acquired 29
acres in 2006, 2008 and 2020 to permanently protect of the area as a special use park;
and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the National Register of Historic Places recognized 112
acres at Oheyawahe as being of national significance; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, the City of Mendota Heights appointed the Oheyawahe
Task Force to facilitate collaboration between the City of Mendota heights, its
neighboring communities, Dakota County, Native Americans, the Minnesota Historical
Society, Acacia Park Cemetery, and others to develop recommendations for natural
resource restoration, capital improvements, historic interpretation, and educational
programs; and
WHEREAS, the Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob Task Force (Task Force) has identified
both short- and long-term improvements to improve and sustain the site while enhancing
visitor experience; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force recommends applying for up $1.2 million for
Capital Improvements at the site which would provide for enhanced motorized and non-
motorized access, signage, gathering areas, trails, interpretive features, and improved
naturalresources; and
WHEREAS, The City of Mendota Heights has made previous investments in
Oheyawahe, but does not have the financial resources to complete the scope of
recommended improvements on a reasonable timeline; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the state and regional significance of Oheyawahe
and the desire to make necessary capital improvements to the site, the City of Mendota
Heights supports submission of a State of Minnesota Bonding Assistance request to the
Minnesota Legislature.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
Mendota Heights hereby supports and directs submission of up to $1.2 million as a State
of Minnesota bond allocation request to the Minnesota Legislature for capital
improvements to Oheyawahe/Historic Pilot Knob.
Adopted by the City Couaoil of the City of Mendota Heights this fifteenth day of June,
2021.
ATTE
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL
1111Moor I IN
tephanie Levine, Mayor