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Waseca County signs memorandum to join Songbird Trail regional plan, enabling grant eligibility
Summary
The county approved an MOA to join a regional master plan for the Songbird Trail, a step officials said is required to seek regional park and trail grants; the agreement does not obligate Waseca County to fund trail segments outside its jurisdiction.
Waseca County commissioners voted to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOA) formalizing Waseca County’s participation in the Songbird Trail regional master plan. The MOA clarifies that each jurisdiction will plan, build and maintain trail segments within its own boundaries but that regional designation unlocks state grant programs.
Bill, a Freeborn County engineer who briefed the board, said the broader Songbird Trail project has secured about $4.1 million so far and is preparing its first construction contract; bids for two half‑mile segments and several bridge upgrades were scheduled to open June 2. He told commissioners the regional parks commission had inspected the project and asked for a formal MOA that "state[s] all parties are in agreement to advance the master plan and to establish a coordinating committee."
The MOA presented to the board includes four key commitments: mutual support of the master plan, creation of a joint committee to coordinate planning, definition of committee membership and meeting frequency, and an affirmation that each jurisdiction will develop and maintain trail within its own jurisdiction at its own pace and cost. Freeborn County and the city of Albert Lee (project partners) emphasized that the agreement is intended to boost access to grant funds through the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission and does not itself commit Waseca County to finance projects outside county boundaries.
Commissioners said the MOA gives Waseca County a seat at the table early in master planning and improves the county’s ability to apply for grants that require regional designation. The board approved the MOA and directed staff to finalize signatures and circulate the executed document to the regional commission so the master plan may be acted on at the commission’s June meeting.
Key details: Freeborn County reported $2.6 million in recent awards specifically toward a pedestrian bridge over Trunk Highway 13 near Albert Lea (a critical link for ridership). Commissioners repeatedly sought confirmation that local autonomy and fiscal control remain intact; Freeborn’s engineer emphasized that Waseca County will only be responsible for planning, constructing and maintaining trail segments inside its borders when and if it chooses to do so.
Next steps: staff will finalize the county’s signature and provide the executed MOA to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, enabling Waseca County to be part of future grant applications tied to the regional master plan.
