Adopt Resolution #13-01-007 Warranting 2013 Restroom and Shelter Construction for Riverdale Park as Local Match for the Mississippi River Trail Grant

In 2009, City Council authorized staff to submit the first grant application for the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), together with a supporting Resolution that warrantied a minimum local cash match of 20%.  This project consisted primarily of trails and bridges beginning at King's Island in Anoka continuing west to the existing north south trail (across from City Hall) down to the river in Mississippi West Regional Park.  (Please see exhibit #1 and #2 for an overview.)

The City of Ramsey submitted the grant application on behalf of the two cities and was successful in receiving Federal funding in the amount of $387,808 - for a project then believed to be approximately $509,487 in scope (not including engineering and administration costs).  The city of Anoka and Ramsey are now in the process of submitting the Project Memorandum (PM) to the Metropolitan Council for Federal approvals for this 2013 project.

During the cost estimates portion of the PM preparation it became apparent that the larger project would be considerably more than estimated, due (in part) to the omission of mobilization costs and erosion control; as well as clearing and grubbing expenses on King's Island that were understood (at the time of the grant application) to be performed by the city of Anoka in-house, and not directly included in the Federal grant funded project.

Somewhat similar to the last item above, the grant application listed a shelter and restroom for Riverdale Park (a neighborhood park mid-point on this segment of the MRT in Ramsey), to be wholly funded by the city of Ramsey - but as one element of the local match.  During the PM preparation it was learned that if a project element is named in the grant application, that element would need to be constructed to all the Federal standards and processes and included with the bidding.  In the case of restroom and shelter, this would add unnecessary costs to the project, as it adds complexity to what is otherwise a trail and bridge project - plus, with more trades (subcontractors) involved, the general contractor would add his/her overhead and coordination costs on top of the base prices.

Due to the larger than expected project costs (mostly associated with King's Island), staff submitted a Scope Change request to Metropolitan Council (administrators of these Federal monies), to remove incidental items from the project and also requesting that the restroom and shelter be removed from the Federal regulated project - but still be constructed by the city of Ramsey in 2013.

A committee of Met Council approved the request provided that City Council approve a Resolution, assuring the shelter and restroom be provided in 2013.  Thus the purpose of this case.

The restroom and shelter was a 2012 Parks Capital Improvement project that was carried forward within the proposed 2013 CIP for 2013 construction and was recommended in several years for implementation by the Park and Recreation Commission.  (This Resolution and an update on the larger MRT project will be brought forward as an informational item to the Park and Recreation Commission at their January 10th, 2013 regular meeting.)

Staff recommends approving this Resolution noting that:

#1 The restroom and shelter for Riverdale Park was identified as part of the local match for the Mississippi River Trail project grant application approved by City Council Resolution in 2009.  Additionally, it was included in the 2012 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) and then forwarded again as part of the proposed 2013 CIP.

#2 Each Parks Capital Improvement project (in aggregate) is going to be reviewed by City Council at work session later this winter.

#3 As part of the above discussion, the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) project will also come before Council due to the increases in cost estimates.

#4 The Riverdale restroom and shelter will also come before City Council for specific approval after quotes are received.

#5 If the MRT project would not move forward for any reason, the Resolution becomes, in effect, moot.

#6  Lastly, the restroom and shelter for Riverdale Park are 'stand alone' improvements and have important benefits to any park patrons in the vicinity of the neighborhood park - with or without relationship to the regional trail, and therefore should move forward, subsequent to approval (#4 above).

The funding source (as identified in the Parks' CIP) is the Park Improvement Trust Fund (which has an approximate beginning year balance of $4.2 million dollars).

Note: Approval of this Resolution does not authorize any expenditures - but does warrant that the project will be performed.

Approve Resolution 13-01-007 Warranting 2013 Restroom and Shelter Construction for Riverdale Park as Local Match for the Mississippi River Trail Grant