Adopt Resolution #23-114 Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertisements for Bids for Improvement Project #23-04, 167th Avenue Reconstruction, CSAH 5 to Highway 47

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #23-114 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #23-04, 167th Avenue Reconstruction, CSAH 5 to Highway 47.   

Background:
City Improvement Project 23-04 proposes to reconstruct 167th Avenue between Nowthen Boulevard (CSAH 5) and Saint Francis Boulevard (TH 47). This street segment totals approximately 6,000 linear feet (1.13 miles) in length, and varies between a 40-foot wide rural section (0.97 miles) on the West end, and a 48-foot wide urban section (0.16 miles) on the East end. A full shoulder/parking lane exists on both sides of the street for the entire length of the street.
 
Attached to this case is a street segment summary which includes the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Pavement Evaluation performed by Braun Intertec for this segment of 167th Avenue. The GPR data provides bituminous and aggregate base thickness information.
 
On June 14, 2022, the Ramsey City Council accepted a proposal for topographic survey of the project area from Bolton & Menk.
 
On August 23, 2022, the City Council accepted the proposal of Haugo Geotechnical Services to complete geotechnical evaluations.
 
On November 22, 2022, the City Council accepted the proposal of Bolton & Menk, Inc. to prepare final plans and specifications.
 
On March 28, 2023, the City Council authorized entering into a contract with Braun Intertec to prepare a stabilized full-depth reclamation mix design.
 
This segment of 167th Avenue is a Municipal State Aid (MSA) street and must be designed to MSA standards. The plans and specifications are currently being reviewed by MnDOT State Aid staff.  A contract cannot be awarded until State Aid approves the plans and specifications.  Staff from the City and Bolton & Menk anticipate that State Aid will complete their review and approve plans and specifications well before bids are opened.       
 
The plans generally propose leave the street at the current 40-foot rural section width on the West end, and 48-foot urban section width to the East.  On-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities are being provided along both sides of 167th Avenue.  A 3-foot striped buffer is proposed between the pedestrian facilities and the drive lanes on both sides. Staff investigated adding off-street trails along 167th Avenue but they would have required the relocation of existing power poles and would have impacted wetlands along the corridor, both of which would have significantly delayed the project.
 
Municipal water exists from Quicksilver Street (approximately 650 feet west of TH 47) to Nowthen Boulevard. Sanitary sewer does not exist in the project area. The City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies a future MUSA Study Area for extending a trunk sewer line to the 167th Avenue/Saint Francis Boulevard land use node. This project does not propose to extend or replace any municipal utilities.
 
Storm sewer improvements were required on the east end at Highway 47 to provide positive drainage.  This required replacement of a significant portion of the existing curb and gutter.
 
The proposed improvements are designated as City Improvement Project #23-04, 167th Avenue Reconstruction. 

Following Council approval, bids will be advertised in the Anoka County Union Herald on Friday, May 26th, and Friday, June 2nd.  Bids are proposed to be opened publicly on June 20th, and would be presented to the City Council for award of a construction contract on June 27th.   

Observations:
Final plans are not attached to this case to prevent potential bidders from downloading plans attached to the case to prepare and submit their bids, rather than purchasing the plans through QuestCDN, the electronic bidding software used by the City of Ramsey. This ensures all bidders are bidding off the same set of plans, and all bidders are notified of any plan revisions (addenda) issued during the bidding process. Attached is the title sheet showing the scope of the improvements. Plans are available upon request from the City Engineer.    

Alternatives:
Alternative #1:
Motion to adopt Resolution #23-114 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #23-04, 167th Avenue Reconstruction.  

Alternative #2:
Motion of other.  

The construction cost estimate based on final plans is $1,453,533.20.  The estimated project cost including 23-percent indirect costs is $1,787,845.84.
 
Funding for this improvement is proposed to come from MSA Funds and Storm Water Utility Funds. Staff will provide a detailed cost breakout during the City Council presentation.  

Staff recommends alternative #1.  

Motion to adopt Resolution #23-114 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #23-04, 167th Avenue Reconstruction.