Adopt Resolution #24-046 Approving Plans and Authorizing Advertisements for Bids for Improvement Project #23-19, COR Infrastructure Improvements

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #24-046 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #23-19, COR Infrastructure Improvements.
 
Background:
On February 21, 2023, the Public Works Committee (PWC) reviewed The COR Analysis Update as prepared by Bolton and Menk, Inc. and identified the following immediate COR Infrastructure priorities;

• Grading, lining and installing storm sewer for the Waterfront stormwater pond,
• Filling low-lying COR properties using fill from the Waterfront pond excavation,
• Reconstructing Zeolite Street,
• Reconstructing and realigning the north end of Center Street, and
• Constructing Ramsey Parkway between the Sunwood Drive roundabout and Willemite Street.

Attached is a copy of The COR Analysis Update.  

During the February 28, 2023, City Council work session, Council confirmed these priorities by consensus. 
Based on these identified priorities, Bolton and Menk, Inc. prepared the attached COR Infrastructure Design Services Proposal to identify the associated scope of services and estimated costs required for design services, as well as estimated construction costs.  Per the attached proposal, completing the following work tasks in 2023 would help to achieve the identified priorities;

• Grading, lining and installing storm sewer for the Waterfront stormwater pond,
• Filling low-lying COR properties using fill from the Waterfront pond excavation,
• Design and prepare plans and specifications for Zeolite Street,
• Design and prepare plans and specifications for the north end of Center Street, and
• Design and prepare plans and specifications for Ramsey Parkway between the Sunwood Drive roundabout and Willemite Street.

 
In the Summer of 2023, all trees were cleared from The COR allowing it to be mass graded.  This work was designated as Improvement Project #23-17, COR Tree Clearing.
 
In the Fall of 2023, the Waterfront pond was graded and lined, all low-lying parcels in The COR were filled to specified elevations using structural fill material excavated from the pond after documenting and compacting all underlying soils, salvaged topsoil was spread on the newly placed and compacted fill, and turf was established.  This work was designated as Improvement Project #23-20, COR Mass Grading.
 
At the December 12, 2023 City Council work session, the City Council directed staff to work with Bolton and Menk to prepare final plans and specifications for Improvement Project #23-19, COR Infrastructure Improvements, with the intent of constructing the improvements in 2024.  The proposed improvements include reconstructing Zeolite Street between Sunwood Drive and Bunker Lake Boulevard, constructing Ramsey Parkway between Willemite Street and the roundabout at the intersection of Sunwood Drive and 147th Avenue, and reconstructing Center Street between 146th Avenue and Bunker Lake Boulevard.
 
Attached is a figure showing the scope of the proposed improvements, as well as the title sheet from the plans.  As always, staff does not attach full plan sets to prevent contractors from bidding off attached plans, which would prevent them from receiving notifications of published bid addenda.    
 
All street, sidewalk and trail profiles were designed in coordination with the COR Mass Grading final elevations.  

Following Council approval, bid advertisements will be published in the Anoka Union Herald on Friday, February 16th, and Friday, February 23rd, 2024.  

Observations:
Tentative project schedule:

• March 13th - Bids opened
• March 26th - Council considers award of contract
• April / May - Start construction
• August 30th - Substantial completion
• October 18th - Final completion

 
Constructing all streets at once will minimize impacts to residents and area businesses.   
 
Alternatives:
Alternative #1: Adopt Resolution #24-046 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #23-19, COR Infrastructure Improvements.   

The engineer estimated construction costs at $3,580,000.
 
Estimated project costs total $4,403,400 after adding 23-percent indirect costs for administrative, engineering, finance and legal fees.

Proposed funding sources are as follows;

• $3,756,500 - TIF 1, TIF 2, and TIF 14 Bonds
• $   114,000 - Sanitary Sewer Funds
• $   532,900 - Watermain Funds

 
TIF eligible improvements include streets, sidewalks, and storm sewer.
 
Sanitary sewer and water improvements are also TIF eligible expenses, but staff initially proposes to utilize sewer and water funds to fund these improvements and preserve TIF funds for other identified infrastructure needs within The COR, including the extensions of Veterans Drive and Peridot Street.  Should TIF funds be available to fund these sewer and water improvements upon completion, TIF funds could be used to preserve the utility enterprise funds for future improvements identified in the Capital Improvement Plan.    
 
Finance Director Lund and the City’s financial consultant, Ehlers, recommend using TIF bonds for the approximate $7,000,000 in COR improvements, including the COR Infrastructure Improvements.  Attached is a 15-year tax increment bond run provided by Ehlers.
 
City staff will inspect construction and process pay requests.
 
When bids are presented to the City Council for award of a contract, staff will present a proposal from Bolton and Menk for construction related services including attending the preconstruction meeting, staking construction, reviewing shop drawings, administering pay requests, and preparing as-built plans.  

Staff recommends adopting Resolution #24-046 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #23-19, COR Infrastructure Improvements.   

Adopt Resolution #24-046 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #23-19, COR Infrastructure Improvements.