Adopt Resolution #24-215 Approving Plans and Authorizing Bids for Improvement Project #25-01, Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #24-215 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids 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.
 
In the Fall of 2023, the Lightbridge Academy submitted a commercial development application so 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.  When The COR regional infiltration basin was constructed, it was believed that the basin could be used to accommodate development within the East and West DWSMA’s. However, the LRRWMO’s engineer, BARR Engineering, recently informed 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) Lightbridge Academy cannot simply pay a fee to use The COR infiltration basin.
 
Discussions then turned to how Lightbridge can 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 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.   This existing wetland is undersized and does not meet the rate control and water quality treatment requirements per current LRRWMO stormwater standards for the 38-acre catchment that includes several undeveloped parcels including the Lightbridge Academy 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 must be lined. 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 coordinated the construction schedule of the City’s stormwater pond improvements project with the Lightbridge Academy development construction schedule to address concerns raised by the LRRWMO. Lightbridge Academy’s engineer prepared and submitted a phased construction plan with their LRRWMO permit application, which has been approved. Lightbridge Academy is constructing 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 this Fall.  
 
Bolton & Menk also performed a wetland delineation to identify the limits of the existing wetland to avoid impacts.  This report was completed and is submitted to the LRRWMO for concurrence and approval, which is currently scheduled to occur on September 19, 2024, along with approval of the LRRWMO erosion control/stormwater permit.  

Upon approval, advertisements for bids will be advertised in the Anoka Union Herald on Friday, August 16th, and on Friday, August 23rd, 2024.
 
Bids will also be advertised on QuestCDN, the electronic bid platform utilized by the City of Ramsey for all improvement projects.  

If/when Council is requested to accept bids and award a construction contract, a separate proposal for construction related services will be presented for Council approval. 
 
Project Timelines
The following preliminary project schedule was included in Bolton & Menk’s design services 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 12, 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
 
All dates and tasks included in this schedule are still on track except the LRRWMO Permit Approval, which is now anticipated on September 19, 2024.  This change will not impact the remainder of the schedule. 

Final plans are not attached to this case to prevent potential bidders from downloading plans attached to the case to prepare and submit their bids, rather than purchasing plans and specifications through QuestCDN, the electronic bidding software used by the City of Ramsey. This ensures all bidders are bidding off the same set of plans and all bidders are notified of any plan revisions (addenda) issued during the bidding process. Attached is the title sheet showing the location of the proposed improvements. Plans are available upon request from the City Engineer. 

 

The estimated construction cost is $1,232,695.00 based on final 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	$984,445
Project Total	$1,232,695

 
Bolton & Menk feel this estimate is conservative and that bids will likely be lower.
 

Staff recommends adopting Resolution #24-215.   

Adopt Resolution #24-215 approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #25-01, Rivers Bend Regional Stormwater Improvements.