Approve Contract with The Tinklenberg Group for Work regarding Improvements to US Trunk Highway 10 and Related Rail Crossings

Purpose:  To approve continuation of a contract with Mr. El Tinklenberg of The Tinklenberg Group for work regarding improvements to US Trunk  Highway 10 and related rail crossings.

Background:  During strategic planning discussions held with the City Council, legislative consulting services was identified as an ongoing resource needed to maintain the Highway 10 effort over the next several years.  At the Council Work Session held earlier this evening, Council and staff discussed a detailed work plan presented by Mr. Tinklenberg relating to US Highway 10 and rail crossings.   The City of Ramsey has worked with The Tinklenberg Group for most of the past decade.  Mr. Tinklenberg brings a strong level of experience and involvement in transportation issues which allows the City to maintain a leadership role in this area, and to successfully promote Ramsey projects.  More detail related to past efforts of working with Mr. Tinklenberg was presented in the work session report this evening.  This report is attached.  

Attached is the work plan and contract language for Council review and consideration.  The contract language proposes a work plan to be completed over the course of the contract at a fee of $27,000, which would carry this plan out through December 2015.

Funds would come from the City's Public Improvement Revolving (PIR) Fund.  The undesignated reserve balance of the PIR Fund is approximately $1.5 million.

Staff recommends Council approve entering into an extension of a contract with The Tinklenberg Group to continue the work plan regarding improvements to US Highway 10 and the related rail crossings.

Motion to approve a contract (Amendment 1 dated July 2015) with The Tinklenberg Group for Work regarding improvements to US Trunk Highway 10 and related rail crossings.