Swords Park currently has in place a segment of the Heritage Trail running along the rims from 27th Street east two miles ending near the electric sub-station.  The City of Billings has received funding through the Federal-aid Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) and funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) Recovery and Reinvestment program to extend the Heritage Trail further to the east past Yellowstone Kelly's Grave and Skeleton Cliff connecting to the existing tunnel under Airport Road and the existing trail segment at the Aronson Interchange built as part of the Airport Road Improvement Project in 2009.   The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) issued a notice to proceed with the development of this project entitled Swords Park Trail II STPE 1099 (60).   A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in June, requesting responses from qualified Consultants to provide Landscape Architectural and Engineering design services along with construction oversight.  Seven firms responded and the top three firms were interviewed.  Sanderson Stewart was selected as the top firm to enter into contract negotiations.  The negotiated fee for their services is $230,808.25.  If the contract is approved and signed, Sanderson Stewart will be available to begin work immediately.  The project is scheduled to be completed in November 2011.

Council may:  Approve the Contract for Swords Park Trail II STPE 1099 (60), or not approve the contract.

Funding for this project is through Federal-aid Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) and through the Department of Energy (DOE) Recovery and Reinvestment (Recovery Act) funds.  There will be no financial impact to the City.

Staff recommends Council approve  the Swords Park Trail II - STPE 1099 (60) professional engineering contract with Sanderson - Stewart for $230,808.25.