Adopt Resolution #24-153 Ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #25-01, Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements 

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #24-153 ordering plans and specifications for Improvement Project #25-01, Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements.
 
Background:
In June of 2016, the Anoka Conservation District completed a Stormwater Retrofit Analysis for the City of Ramsey and the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) to identify and rank potential improvement projects that drain to the Mississippi and Rum Rivers. The Stormwater Retrofit Analysis recommended modifying a wetland within Rivers Bend Park to increase the volume of stormwater runoff storage provided by this wetland that currently treats runoff from a 38-acre catchment area for the purpose of reducing sediment and phosphorus loads that can end up in the receiving water, which is an oxbow of the Rum River. See Project ID: RR8-A on page 89 of the attached modified version of the Stormwater Retrofit Analysis for reference.
 
When the Lightbridge Academy commercial development application was received last Fall, staff began working with the developer to address their stormwater management requirements.  This development is located within the City of Ramsey’s East Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) where infiltration of stormwater is prohibited so staff reached out to the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) to confirm that the developer could purchase credits to utilize a portion of The COR regional infiltration basin to comply with the LRRWMO’s volume retention requirements.  At the time The COR regional infiltration basin was constructed it was believed that the basin could be used to accommodate development within the East DWSMA. However, the LRRWMO’s engineer, BARR Engineering, informed City staff that since the two DWSMA’s drain to different water bodies (the East DWSMA drains to the Rum River and the West (The COR) DWSMA drains to the Mississippi River) so Lightbridge Academy is unable to pay a fee to use The COR infiltration basin.
 
Discussions then turned to what Lightbridge needed to do to comply with LRRWMO requirements for stormwater runoff rate control and water quality improvements. The developer’s engineer stated they cannot provide these improvements on their site so they asked if the City could accommodate these requirements.  After discussions with the LRRWMO’s engineer it was determined that the City needed to construct stormwater management facility improvements on the west edge of the Rivers Bend Park, West of the existing wetland that currently treats all stormwater runoff from the 38-acre catchment as addressed in the ACD’s Stormwater Retrofit Analysis, and that the existing wetland should not be impacted.  
 
Bolton & Menk was therefore hired to perform a wetland delineation to identify the limits of the existing wetland to avoid impacts.  This report was recently completed and is being submitted to the LRRWMO for concurrence and approval at a future WMO meeting. A copy of the report is attached for reference.
 
City staff also requested Bolton & Menk to submit a professional services proposal for designing and preparing final construction plans for the proposed Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements project to treat stormwater runoff from the 38-acre catchment to meet current LRRWMO design standards. The City proposes to provide all necessary rate control, water quality, and volume retention improvements in compliance with LRRWMO criteria as part of the proposed project.
 
The existing pond that receives stormwater runoff from this catchment is undersized and does not meet the rate control and water quality treatment requirements per current LRRWMO stormwater standards. This catchment includes several undeveloped parcels West of Xkimo Street and North of 142nd Avenue, including the Lightbridge Academy development parcel.
 
Since this 38-acre catchment is located within the City of Ramsey’s East Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) where infiltration of stormwater is prohibited, the pond will need to be lined, which increases costs. The LRRWMO Management Plan describes/defines sites, such as those located within a DWSMA, as infeasible or inappropriate for infiltration and identifies other scenarios for the permittee to investigate.  Volume retention requirements can either be provided on-site as part of the Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements by utilizing filtration practices as allowed by LRRWMO stormwater standards, or off-site in a regional infiltration basin located outside the East DWSMA.
 
City staff has discussed various aspects of this project with LRRWMO and MPCA staff, including potential wetland impacts, options for meeting volume retention requirements, and how the timing of this project can be coordinated with the Lightbridge Academy development construction to ensure adequate stormwater runoff treatment can be provided during construction of both projects.
 
Staff has been coordinating the construction schedule of the City’s stormwater improvements project with the Lightbridge Academy development construction schedule to address concerns raised by the LRRWMO. Lightbridge Academy’s engineer has prepared and submitted a phased construction plan for consideration with their LRRWMO permit approval on June 20th. Lightbridge Academy plans to construct their building first with minimal disturbance to the rest of the site while the Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements project is designed and bid. Lightbridge Academy would then complete site improvements including impervious surface improvements during construction of the Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Management Improvements.
 
City staff is unable to prepare final plans and specifications for these improvements in time to bid and construct the improvements this Fall due to staff workload.  Staff therefore proposes to hire Bolton & Menk to prepare plans and specifications for these improvements due to Bolton & Menk’s familiarity with the City’s stormwater infrastructure and the LRRWMO stormwater design requirements.  In addition, Bolton & Menk recently completed the wetland delineation report, which included some surveying so they have a start on some of the design efforts needed.
 
Attached is the design services proposal from Bolton & Menk identifying various professional design services that will be provided by Bolton & Menk for the total amount of $83,900.  This is to be considered as a not-to-exceed amount, exclusive of the Geotechnical Services estimate of $12,500 since this work will be performed by a subconsultant yet to be selected. In summary, Bolton & Menk will provide engineering design services including, but not limited to, coordinating project investigations, topographic survey, project design and permitting services, preparation of project documents including final plans and specifications, and administering bids.
 
The attached proposal does not include construction related services.  If/when Council is requested to accept bids and award a construction contract, a separate proposal for construction related services would be presented for Council approval. 
 
Project Timelines
The following preliminary project schedule is in included in Bolton & Menk’s proposal.
 
June 12, 2024              Notice to Proceed / Order Borings
June 21, 2024              Survey Complete
July 19, 2024              80% Design and Calcs Complete / Submit to LRRWMO
July 19, 2024              Geotechnical Complete
August 2, 2024            100% Plans Complete Based on Geotechnical
August 13, 2024          City Council Approves Plans / Authorizes Bids
August 16/23, 2024    Advertise BIds
August 15, 2024          LRRWMO Permit Approval
September 6, 2024      Open Bids
September 10, 2024    Award Construction Contract
September 23, 2024    Begin Construction
November 22, 2024    Substantial Completion (Dormant Seed)
June 2025                    Final Completion and Closeout
 

Notifications are not required as part of this case.

Motion to adopt Resolution #24-153 ordering plans and specifications for Improvement Project #25-01, Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements. 

The estimated construction cost is $600,000. This is a high-level estimate that will be updated following completion of plans and specifications.
 
Funding for this improvement project is proposed to come from a combination of Watershed grant funds administered by the Anoka Conservation District and City Storm Water Utility Funds. 
 

Funding Source	Project Costs
Watershed Grant Funds	$248,250
Storm Water Utility Funds	$351,750
Project Total	$600,000

Staff recommends adopting Resolution #24-153 for reasons outlined within this case. 

Adopt Resolution #24-153 Ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #25-01, Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements.