Adopt Resolution #22-117 Approving Pre-Authorization to Import, Place and Compact Fill and Re-Establish Turf on Outlot B, Affinity at the COR

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider adoption of Resolution #22-117 pre-authorizing staff to import, place and compact fill and to re-establish turf for Outlot B, Affinity at the COR when cost effective opportunities present themselves.

Background:
Many city owned sites in the COR are in need of fill and or soil correction to make the sites developable and marketable as evidenced by the needed fill graphics created in 2018 and attached to the case.  Since that time, the triangular parcel (Outlot A -Municipal Plaza Park) to the east of the subject parcel (Outlot B) has been brought up to grade utilizing Park funds.  At that time the geotechnical work was done for both Outlots A and B with the EDA paying for the portion related to Outlot B.  Approximately 8,200 cubic yards of fill is needed to bring the site up to a pad ready condition.  Outlot B is a commercial lot that the City is currently marketing for development and it will not be part of the future Municipal Park along Center Street. 

Both Outlot B and A are temporarily used for the Happy Days celebration so any soil work on Outlot B would need to be coordinated with that event.  The topography of the site is currently not ideal due to Outlot B not being brought up to even grade with Outlot A.  Staff believes that getting this site pad ready is a win / win for future development and the temporary use for Happy Days.

Recently, clean fill has become available from other projects (Riverdale Drive Extension, Ramsey Elementary) that can be obtained at a discount due to proximity to the COR and reduced trucking costs.  The estimated cost to prepare Outlot B for soil import and to place and compact was approximately $33,000 as shown on the quote by Douglas-Kerr.  Hydro seeding the lot to re-establish turf could cost an additional $4,000 based on an estimate obtained by the City Engineering Department.  Typically there is not a lot of lead time for these opportunities and because of that the City is not able to take advantage of the cheaper fill.  Staff is asking the City Council to consider pre-authorization of an amount not to exceed $40,000 to obtain fill, when the opportunity arises and to place, compact and re-establish turf on Outlot B, Affinity at the COR.  The project would also need to be completed during a time frame as not to make the Happy Days site unusable for the annual event in September.

Not required

Observations:
Outlot B, Affinity at the COR is in need of fill and compaction to make it "Shovel Ready" for future development.  In order to get this work done at the cheapest cost, staff needs to have flexibility to authorize the work when opportunities present themselves.  Pre-authorization of up to $40,000 would give staff the flexibility to take advantage of "reduced" pricing situations to get the needed work done.

Alternatives:
1) Adopt Resolution #22-117 Approving Pre-Authorization to Import, Place and Compact Fill and Re-establish Turf for Outlot B, Affinity at the COR (Staff/EDA Recommendation)
2) No action
3) Something else

An amount not to exceed $40,000 from the EDA Fund Balance.  The current unencumbered EDA Fund balance as of April 18, 2022 is $1.145M. This activity would be considered site improvements and is an eligible expense from TIF District 14. 

The Ramsey EDA met on May 12, 2022 and unanimously recommended to the City Council to Pre-Authorize up to $40,000 to obtain clean fill, place, compact and re-establish turf for Outlot B, Affinity at the COR 

Motion to Adopt Resolution #22-117 Approving Pre-Authorization to Import, Place and Compact Fill and Re-establish Turf for Outlot B, Affinity at the COR