Consider Recommending City Council Approval of Plans and Specifications for Riverdale Drive Extension - Traprock Street to Ramsey Boulevard, Improvement Project #16-20

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider recommending City Council approval of plans and specifications for the extension of Riverdale Drive between Traprock Street and Ramsey Boulevard, City Improvement Project #16-20.
 
Background:
In September of 2014, the Cities of Ramsey and Anoka, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the Anoka County Highway Department, and the Metropolitan Council, completed the Highway 10 Access Planning Study. This Study includes an Implementation Plan that identifies 21 proposed improvement projects along the Highway 10 corridor through Anoka and Ramsey. These projects are prioritized as immediate, short-term, mid-term, or opportunity/development/safety driven projects. The extension of Riverdale Drive from Traprock Street to Ramsey Boulevard is prioritized as an immediate need, the highest priority.

On October 28th, 2014, the City Council adopted the Highway 10 Access Planning Study, thereby supporting the mutual goals and objectives of the various agencies to improving the operations and safety of Highway 10 in balance with local community values. In support of these goals and objectives, City staff submitted an application on January 2, 2015 for $750,000 in grant funding from the Routes of Regional Significance Account, administered through the Local Road Improvement Program, for extending Riverdale Drive between Traprock Street and Ramsey Boulevard south of U.S. Highway 10, which was subsequently denied.

On May 26th, 2015, the City Council authorized applying for up to $710,000 in funding through MnDOT’s Metro Municipal Agreement Program for Improvement Project #16-20.  On September 21st, 2015, the City was notified the project was awarded up to $584,280 in funding through the Metro Municipal Agreement Program.

On October 13th, 2015 the City Council adopted a resolution accepting the awarded MnDOT Metro Municipal Agreement Program funds for the Riverdale Drive extension project in the maximum amount of $584,280.  This obligated the City to moving forward with the project including preparation of final plans and specifications, as well as executing a Cooperative Construction Agreement and letting the project by June 30, 2017.  If the City does not follow through with any of these items, funding could be withdrawn.
 
On November 24th, 2015 the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the preparation of final plans and specifications.
 
On May 24th, 2017, the City submitted a $200,000 payment to Anoka County in exchange for a deed for 5.31 acres of roadway right-of-way in the Mississippi West Regional Park.  This then allowed MnDOT to wrap up their final review of the plans and specifications, and to sign the title sheet of the plans, allowing the project to be bid.  As of the date this case was prepared, Staff had still not received approval from MnDOT to bid the project.  However, Staff is anticipating this any day and hopes to request City Council approval of plans and specifications and authorization to advertise for bids on June 27th.

Staff estimates 10 minutes will be required to present this case and respond to questions.

Observations:
Attached are draft plans for Improvement Project #16-20, which were not yet approved by MnDOT when this case was prepared.  However, Staff will present an update on the status of MnDOT’s approvals during the meeting.
 
Overall, this project proposes to construct a new street using the same general design as the section of Riverdale Drive that was extended to Traprock Street in 2015.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion recommending City Council approval of plans and specifications for Riverdale Drive Extension - Traprock Street to Ramsey Boulevard, Improvement Project #16-20.

Alternative #2 – Motion recommending that the City Council deny approval of plans and specifications at this time for Riverdale Drive Extension - Traprock Street to Ramsey Boulevard, Improvement Project #16-20, for the following reasons; _________________.

The engineer’s estimate for construction costs is $1,082,192.50.  The total project cost, including 23% indirect costs, is estimated at $1,331,096.78.
 
The City's estimated cost share is then $746,816.78 after municipal agreement funds are applied.  Municipal State Aid dollars are proposed to cover the City’s cost share as noted in the current CIP.

Staff recommends alternative #1.

Motion recommending City Council approval of plans and specifications for Riverdale Drive Extension - Traprock Street to Ramsey Boulevard, Improvement Project #16-20.