Adopt Resolution #21-048 Accepting Design Services Proposal for Dolomite Street Demolition, Riverdale Drive to Highway 10, Improvement Project #21-07. 

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #21-048 accepting a design services proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for demolishing Dolomite Street between Riverdale Drive and Highway 10, Improvement Project #21-07.

Background:
The adopted 2021 – 2030 Capital Improvement Program identifies the segment of Riverdale Drive between Feldspar Street and Tungsten Street as a proposed street reconstruction project in 2021.
 
On November 24, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution #20-248 accepting a design services proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. (BMI) for designing, preparing plans and specifications, and bidding the proposed improvements to Riverdale Drive between Feldspar Street and Tungsten Street as Improvement Project #21-00.  This segment of Riverdale Drive is on the City of Ramsey’s Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) system.
 
On January 26, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution #21-024 prohibiting parking on one side of Riverdale Drive between Feldspar Street and Tungsten Street as required to meet State Aid design standards. That same evening, the City Council adopted Resolution #21-022 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #21-00. Bids are scheduled to be opened March 2, 2021.
 
Staff explored costs and funding sources for removing Dolomite Street between Riverdale Drive and Highway 10 as part of Improvement Project #21-00. Removing this segment of Dolomite Street is identified in the Highway 10 Access Planning Study, and was carried forward in the Ramsey Gateway Plan. Most of this work is not eligible for State Aid funding since Dolomite Street is not part of the MSAS system so Staff explored alternate funding sources for this work. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) State Aid Staff informed Staff that the portion of Dolomite Street within Highway 10 right-of-way would need to be removed, which would require a separate State Aid project number, separate plans, and separate reviews. Staff therefore determined that including this work with Improvement Project #21-00 would delay bids and did not pursue this work further.
 
After plans were bid, City Staff had additional conversations with MnDOT State Aid Staff and were informed that State Aid Staff can expedite their plan review process for this work since it will benefit the trunk highway system. This may allow the City to incorporate this work into Improvement Project #21-00 via supplemental agreement. Alternatively, the City could bid the work separately and construct as a separate project. Staff is reviewing these options with MnDOT and will provide an update to Council when the Council is asked to approve plans and specifications.
 
To allow plans and specifications to be prepared as quickly as possible, Staff requested a design services proposal from BMI since they are the design engineer for the Riverdale Drive improvements, as well as the design engineer for the Ramsey Gateway Highway 10 improvements.

Attached is a proposal from BMI identifying the scope of the proposed improvements and outlining their proposed fees for each task required to prepare plans and specifications and to bid the approved plans and specifications for construction. BMI’s not to exceed fee is $17,784 which is based on an estimated project cost of $50,000.   
 
Per the attached proposal, BMI proposes to collect all topographic survey needed to design the improvements, including collecting survey points along all marked private utility lines that exist along this corridor of Dolomite Street. BMI will then design and prepare plans and specifications for the proposed improvements. Upon completion, the City Council will be asked to approve plans and specifications and authorize advertising for bids or entering into a supplemental agreement using the approved plans and specifications. This case is anticipated to be presented in June of 2021 per the schedule in the attached proposal.
 

Notifications are not required for this case. 

Observations:
The removal of Dolomite Street was discussed with the Economic Development Authority at their regular February 11, 2021 meeting. Staff presented the project as an opportunity to increase the marketability of the City-owned parcel west of Dolomite Street.  As is noted in the attached EDA case, developers that have expressed interest in this property over the years were ultimately unable to cost-effectively manage stormwater on site and decided not to develop the parcel. Attached is a copy of the EDA case with attachments, as well as draft meeting minutes for this case.  

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Adopt Resolution #21-048 accepting design services proposal for Dolomite Street Demolition, Riverdale Drive to Highway 10, Improvement Project #21-07.   

A copy of the preliminary engineer’s estimate for project costs is included in the EDA case attachments. The EDA case includes detailed information on the various project cost components, including estimated cost savings associated with incorporating this project into Improvement Project #21-00. In summary, estimated project costs for the removal of Dolomite Street total $47,997.24 of which $38,562.54 is proposed to be paid using City Funds. The remaining costs will be paid though MnDOT Municipal State Aid funds. By constructing these improvements with Improvement Project #21-00 a cost savings of $12,520.66 can be realized. Additional costs related to the transfer of property after the City vacates the Dolomite Street right-of-way is estimated at less than $10,000.
 
On February 11, 2021, the EDA recommended City Council approval for the removal of Dolomite Street between Riverdale Drive and Highway 10, and approved allocating $50,000 from the EDA cash balance to fund the City’s portion of project costs.
 
Staff anticipates that all project costs will apply towards the City’s share of costs for the Ramsey Gateway Highway 10 Improvements, and is working to confirm this with MnDOT.  

Staff recommends approving alternative #1, as does the City of Ramsey’s Economic Development Authority. 

Adopt Resolution #21-048 accepting design services proposal for Dolomite Street Demolition, Riverdale Drive to Highway 10, Improvement Project #21-07.