Adopt Resolution #20-248 Accepting Design Services Proposal for Riverdale Drive Improvements from Feldspar Street to Tungsten Street, Improvement Project #21-00

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider adopting Resolution #20-248 accepting the design services proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for preparing final plans and specifications for Riverdale Drive Improvements from Feldspar Street to Tungsten Street, Improvement Project #21-00.

Background:
The segment of Riverdale Drive between Feldspar Street and Tungsten Street is proposed to be improved in 2021 per the unapproved 2021 - 2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).  The pavement on this segment of Riverdale Drive is in very poor condition and Public Works Staff spend an excessive amount of time each year patching the pavement.  In addition, Staff has received numerous complaints from the public in recent years regarding the poor condition of this pavement.  
 
Attached is a proposal submitted by Bolton & Menk, Inc. (BMI) on November 18, 2020 at Staff’s request for providing all engineering services needed to develop final plans and specifications allowing the proposed improvements to be bid for construction in 2021.  Staff wishes to direct select BMI due to the need to develop plans quickly to allow bids to be solicited this winter with the intent of receiving the best bids possible. BMI is extremely familiar with the City’s Staff, design standards, and plan review processes. BMI is also the design engineer for the Ramsey Gateway Highway 10 improvements, which will allow them to properly design the proposed improvements for Riverdale Drive in the vicinity of Sunfish Lake Boulevard.
 
Staff currently proposes to reconstruct the west half of this segment of Riverdale Drive and overlay the east half to minimize “throw away costs” when the intersection of Sunfish Lake Boulevard and Highway 10 is grade-separated with the Ramsey Gateway Highway 10 Improvements, which is currently anticipated to occur in 2024. Staff discussed whether it might make sense to delay this project until 2024 or later, but this spring alone a three-person crew from Public Works spent three weeks patching this segment of pavement, which will take longer to complete with each passing year as the pavement continues to deteriorate.
 
The attached proposal from BMI identifies the scope of the proposed improvements, and outlines the fees proposed by BMI to prepare final plans and specifications and to solicit bids.  As outlined in the proposal, BMI proposes to hire American Engineering and Testing (AET) to complete the required geotechnical evaluation work, and will collect additional topographic survey to augment the survey data that was collected this fall by City Staff.  BMI’s proposal outlines their proposed fees for each task required to prepare final plans and specifications and to bid the final plans and specifications for construction.  

Notifications are not required for this case.  

Observations:
Staff is looking into the costs and funding sources to remove the segment of Dolomite Street between Riverdale Drive and Highway 10 during this project. Removing this segment of Dolomite Street is identified within the Highway 10 Access Planning Study and was carried forward in the Ramsey Gateway Plan.  However, this work is not eligible for State Aid funding since it is not a State Aid street.  Staff is therefore exploring alternate funding sources for this work. 

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #20-248 accepting the design services proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for Riverdale Drive Improvements from Feldspar Street to Tungsten Street, Improvement Project #21-00.

Alternative #2 – Motion denying adoption of Resolution #20-248 at this time.  

Per the attached proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc., the proposed engineering services can be provided at a cost of $70,445.  This is based on an estimated project cost of $1,200,000.

Payment for this work is proposed to come from the City of Ramsey’s Municipal State Aid funds.  

Staff recommends alternative #1 in accordance with the unapproved 2021 – 2030 CIP.  

Motion to adopt Resolution #20-248 accepting the design services proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for Riverdale Drive Improvements from Feldspar Street to Tungsten Street, Improvement Project #21-00.