Consideration of Recommending City Council Approval of Master Partnership Contract with Minnesota Department of Transportation for TH 47 Pedestrian Crossing Improvements

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider recommending City Council approval of a Master Partnership Contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to allow for future partnering on joint maintenance projects within the City of Ramsey.

Background:
The Public Works Committee is asked to provide a recommendation to the City Council for approving a Master Partnership Contract (MPC) with Mn/DOT for the purpose of partnering with the City of Ramsey to complete future maintenance projects within City limits.  The Master Partnership Contract provides a framework for Mn/DOT and Local Agencies to provide payment to each other for services rendered.  A few routine services are included in the contract and all other services are accomplished through the execution of work orders.
 
The first project the Mn/DOT Master Partnership Contract would likely be utilized on is the Trunk Highway 47 (TH 47) pedestrian crosswalk improvements on the north side of the intersection of TH 47 and CSAH 5/Nowthen Boulevard.  Attached are two design alternatives for the proposed improvements.  This project is proposed to be constructed this fall by having Mn/DOT construct the new crosswalk push-button pedestal, signal revision, and striping work using their contractor, which would then be billed directly to the City.  City staff would then be responsible for constructing the concrete pedestrian curb ramp improvements.  City staff will meet with Mn/DOT staff in the field on Thursday, September 17^th, to iron out the final design details and to estimate project costs, which will then be presented to the City Council for consideration of approval at the September 22^nd regular Council meeting.
 
Also attached is a copy of the Master Partnership Contract, as well as a cover letter from MnDOT summarizing the purpose and benefits of the MPC.

It is estimated it will take 10 to 15 minutes to present and discuss this case.

Observations:
The City Attorney was in the process of reviewing the attached Master Partnership Contract (MPC) at the time this case was published.  While Staff anticipates that the City Attorney will support a recommendation to the City Council to approve the attached Contract without modifications, the City Attorney's recommendation will be presented at the PWC meeting.
 
The MPC contains specific sections of language that the Committee may wish to address when making their recommendation to the City Council such as “Work Orders do not need City Council approval unless the City Council stipulates that in their resolution. Generally only the City Engineer needs to sign Work Orders.” and “Also required is a new resolution passed by the City Council authorizing its officials to sign and execute the agreement on its behalf. (Only the named officials may sign the agreement: if anyone else signs in the named official’s place, the agreement will not be executed.)”.
 
Alternatives:
Alternative Action #1 – Motion to recommend City Council approval of the Mn/DOT Master Partnership Contract as proposed.

Alternative Action #2 –Motion to recommend City Council denial of the Mn/DOT Master Partnership Contract as proposed.

No costs are associated with approving this contract, but numerous opportunities will likely exist for saving money by completing maintenance projects in partnership with Mn/DOT in the future.
 

Staff recommends that the Public Works Committee recommend that the City Council approve the Mn/DOT Master Partnership Contract as proposed.

Motion to recommend City Council approval or denial of the attached Mn/DOT Master Partnership Contract.