5.3.
| Public Works Committee |
| Meeting Date: | 01/21/2025 |
| Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: | {ud_pd8} |
Title:
Consider Recommendation for City Council to Accept Bids and Award Contract for Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-13
Purpose/Background:
Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider a recommendation for the City Council to accept bids and award a construction contract for Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-13.
Background:
The 2025 – 2034 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies the streets within the Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd subdivision for street reconstruction in 2025. A street segment summary for this project is attached to this case.
Existing Conditions
The streets are generally 31 feet wide urban section including bituminous curbing, totaling 2.16 miles in length. Traffic counts have not been taken, but Staff anticipates slightly higher than typical neighborhood traffic due to the location of the subdivision, and the possible thru traffic for subdivisions to the west. Fox Park is located on the west side of Potassium Street. Trott Brook Cemetery is located between the northeast corner of Potassium Street and TH 47. Neither the existing park or cemetery are large of enough facilities to increase traffic above normal.
Municipal sewer and water do not exist in the project area, and utility extensions to the area are not proposed. Storm sewer runoff is handled by storm sewer inlets and piping, which generally carries stormwater to the existing wetlands in the center of the subdivision. A mix of concrete storm sewer piping (RCP), generally found along Potassium Street, and corrugated metal storm sewer piping (CMP) was found. The RCP was found to be in good condition, and is generally proposed to stay in-place. The CMP was found to be in poor condition and is proposed replaced with RCP.
Project History
Pavement History
The streets within Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd subdivision were built in 1991. The street received crack seal / seal coat improvements in 1996 and 2007. Public Works Staff has performed patching over the last several years. In 2023 several intersections were included in the high priority mill and overlay improvements, in 2024 the streets were included in the skim patching project.
GPR was performed on the streets in 2020, at that time the street averaged 2.5 to 2.9 inches of bituminous over 3.3 to 4.2 inches of aggregate base. Due to the skim patching, an additional 0.5 to 0.75 of bituminous covers the streets.
Proposed Improvements
Staff review of the geotechnical report found generally sandy subsoil make up approximately two-thirds of the roadway embankment. The eastern and northern portion of the project will require subsoil corrections due to silt and clay within the roadway embankment. The subsoil corrections will be addressed by placing a 1-foot sand section on top of geotextile fabric.
This method, which has become the typical soil correction section used on City projects, also requires drain tile to be placed on top of the fabric, to properly drain the pavement section. Staff observes the subgrade material as it is being excavated, and can adjust the subsoil correction areas based on conditions found in the field.
The bituminous curbing is proposed to be replaced with surmountable concrete curb and gutter. At driveways, a curb cut similar to what is typically placed in B-Style curb will be placed, to avoid high transition from the roadway to driveways. A review of the existing storm sewer was performed, and the existing storm sewer inlet locations are not proposed to change, though structures will be replaced as necessary. Where storm sewer outlets to the wetlands are located at the top of slope, the project is proposing to extend the outlets as close to the normal water level as practical, this will reduce erosion issues.
Restoration of the impacted boulevard areas will include a minimum of 4-inches topsoil and hydroseed with a residential turf seed mix. Though the pavement is generally going back to the same location and elevation, driveway aprons will be replaced to match into the new bituminous pavement as minor changes will occur. In general, driveway aprons will be going back 6 feet to tie the driveways into the new curb and gutter.
At the request of the Parks Department, the project includes creating parking stalls at the northeast corner of Potassium Street for future access to the Trott Brook Cemetery. A curb cut will be installed, but a trail or drive to the cemetery is not proposed with this project. The parking stalls and future access are located at City-owned property.
Preliminary Schedule Remaining
The purpose of this case is to consider a recommendation for the City Council to accept bids and award a construction contract for Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-13.
Background:
The 2025 – 2034 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies the streets within the Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd subdivision for street reconstruction in 2025. A street segment summary for this project is attached to this case.
Existing Conditions
The streets are generally 31 feet wide urban section including bituminous curbing, totaling 2.16 miles in length. Traffic counts have not been taken, but Staff anticipates slightly higher than typical neighborhood traffic due to the location of the subdivision, and the possible thru traffic for subdivisions to the west. Fox Park is located on the west side of Potassium Street. Trott Brook Cemetery is located between the northeast corner of Potassium Street and TH 47. Neither the existing park or cemetery are large of enough facilities to increase traffic above normal.
Municipal sewer and water do not exist in the project area, and utility extensions to the area are not proposed. Storm sewer runoff is handled by storm sewer inlets and piping, which generally carries stormwater to the existing wetlands in the center of the subdivision. A mix of concrete storm sewer piping (RCP), generally found along Potassium Street, and corrugated metal storm sewer piping (CMP) was found. The RCP was found to be in good condition, and is generally proposed to stay in-place. The CMP was found to be in poor condition and is proposed replaced with RCP.
Project History
- 2024 – 2033 Capital Improvement Program – listed as street reconstruction for 2025.
- June 13, 2023, Resolution #23-130, the Ramsey City Council accepted proposals for topographic survey of the project area
- June 27, 2023, Resolution #23-129, the Ramsey City Council accepted proposals for geotechnical report of the project area.
- October 10, 2023, Resolution #23-253, the Ramsey City Council accepted proposals for cleaning and televising of storm sewer pipes within the project area.
- May 8, 2024, Resolution #24-126, the Ramsey City Council ordered plans and specifications for said improvements.
- September 18, 2024, Ramsey Staff held a public open house for said improvements.
- October 15, 2024, the Ramsey Public Works Committee recommended the City Council approve plans and authorize advertisement for bids for said improvements.
- November 12, 2024, Resolution #24-316, the Ramsey City Council approved plans and specifications and authorized advertisement for bids for said improvements.
- January 13, 2025, bids were publicly opened.
Pavement History
The streets within Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd subdivision were built in 1991. The street received crack seal / seal coat improvements in 1996 and 2007. Public Works Staff has performed patching over the last several years. In 2023 several intersections were included in the high priority mill and overlay improvements, in 2024 the streets were included in the skim patching project.
GPR was performed on the streets in 2020, at that time the street averaged 2.5 to 2.9 inches of bituminous over 3.3 to 4.2 inches of aggregate base. Due to the skim patching, an additional 0.5 to 0.75 of bituminous covers the streets.
Proposed Improvements
Staff review of the geotechnical report found generally sandy subsoil make up approximately two-thirds of the roadway embankment. The eastern and northern portion of the project will require subsoil corrections due to silt and clay within the roadway embankment. The subsoil corrections will be addressed by placing a 1-foot sand section on top of geotextile fabric.
This method, which has become the typical soil correction section used on City projects, also requires drain tile to be placed on top of the fabric, to properly drain the pavement section. Staff observes the subgrade material as it is being excavated, and can adjust the subsoil correction areas based on conditions found in the field.
The bituminous curbing is proposed to be replaced with surmountable concrete curb and gutter. At driveways, a curb cut similar to what is typically placed in B-Style curb will be placed, to avoid high transition from the roadway to driveways. A review of the existing storm sewer was performed, and the existing storm sewer inlet locations are not proposed to change, though structures will be replaced as necessary. Where storm sewer outlets to the wetlands are located at the top of slope, the project is proposing to extend the outlets as close to the normal water level as practical, this will reduce erosion issues.
Restoration of the impacted boulevard areas will include a minimum of 4-inches topsoil and hydroseed with a residential turf seed mix. Though the pavement is generally going back to the same location and elevation, driveway aprons will be replaced to match into the new bituminous pavement as minor changes will occur. In general, driveway aprons will be going back 6 feet to tie the driveways into the new curb and gutter.
At the request of the Parks Department, the project includes creating parking stalls at the northeast corner of Potassium Street for future access to the Trott Brook Cemetery. A curb cut will be installed, but a trail or drive to the cemetery is not proposed with this project. The parking stalls and future access are located at City-owned property.
Preliminary Schedule Remaining
- Council Awards Contract to the Lowest Responsible Bidder
- January 28, 2025
- Contractor Begins Construction
- Spring 2025
- Contractor Substantially Completes Construction
- New bituminous pavement in-place, topsoil and seed in-place
- August 2, 2025
- Contractor Final Completion
- Verify final restoration; punch list created
- August 30, 2025
Notification:
Notification is not required for this case.
Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives:
Timeframe:
Staff estimates up to 15 minutes will be needed to present this case and respond to questions.
Alternatives:
Alternative #1 - Motion to recommend the City Council accept bids and award a construction contract for Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-13 to Douglas-Kerr Underground, L.L.C. in the amount of $2,099,737.06.
Alternative #2 – Motion of other.
Staff estimates up to 15 minutes will be needed to present this case and respond to questions.
Alternatives:
Alternative #1 - Motion to recommend the City Council accept bids and award a construction contract for Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-13 to Douglas-Kerr Underground, L.L.C. in the amount of $2,099,737.06.
Alternative #2 – Motion of other.
Funding Source:
Funding for this improvement is proposed to come from Pavement Management Funds and Stormwater Utility Funds. Additionally, Park Funds are proposed to pay for the Trott Brook Cemetery parking stalls.
Bids were advertised in the Anoka Union Herald on November 15 and November 22, 2024. On January 13, 2025 a total of ten (10) bids were received, opened, and tabulated, and the following bids were found to comply with the advertisement for bids.
The bid of Douglas-Kerr Underground, L.L.C. of Mora, Minnesota, in the amount of $2,099,737.06 for the total bid of said improvements in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and advertisement for bids, is the lowest responsible bidder. Adding indirect costs in the amount of 23-percent brings the total project costs to $2,582,676.58
The low bid is 15-percent lower than the engineer’s estimate, primarily due to lower than anticipated removal and excavation costs.
Funding Source Breakdown:
The CIP level estimate had a total estimated project cost of $3,024,546, which includes street costs of $2,630,040 and storm sewer costs of $394,506. The final project costs may change depending upon bid prices and actual construction quantities.
Bolton & Menk submitted a proposal for construction staking and as-built survey of the proposed improvements for a total not-to-exceed amount of $52,844.00. The construction staking and as-built survey are included in the indirect project costs.
City staff proposes to administer and inspect construction. Plans and specifications were prepared in-house as part of staff’s normal duties.
Bids were advertised in the Anoka Union Herald on November 15 and November 22, 2024. On January 13, 2025 a total of ten (10) bids were received, opened, and tabulated, and the following bids were found to comply with the advertisement for bids.
| Contractor | Total Bid |
| Douglas-Kerr Underground, L.L.C. | $2,099,737.06 |
| Omann Brothers Paving, Inc. | $2,149,278.23 |
| GMH Asphalt Corporation | $2,157,452.85 |
| North Valley, Inc. | $2,353,159.87 |
| Park Construction Company | $2383,538.31 |
| Asphalt Surface Technologies Corp. | $2,421,645.33 |
| Northwest | $2,582,984.89 |
| Valley Paving, Inc. | $2,608,388.50 |
| S.M. Hentges & Sons, Inc. | $2,665,000.00 |
| Bituminous Roadways, Inc. | $3,075,383.75 |
| Engineer’s Estimate | $2,473,083.00 |
The bid of Douglas-Kerr Underground, L.L.C. of Mora, Minnesota, in the amount of $2,099,737.06 for the total bid of said improvements in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and advertisement for bids, is the lowest responsible bidder. Adding indirect costs in the amount of 23-percent brings the total project costs to $2,582,676.58
The low bid is 15-percent lower than the engineer’s estimate, primarily due to lower than anticipated removal and excavation costs.
Funding Source Breakdown:
| Funding Source | Construction Costs | Indirect Costs | Total Costs |
| Pavement Management Funds | $1,881,935.13 | $432,845.07 | $2,314780.20 |
| Storm Sewer Utility Funds | $206,767.33 | $47,556.49 | $254,323.82 |
| Park Funds | $11,034.60 | $2,537.96 | $13,572.56 |
| Project Total | $2,099,737.06 | $482,939.54 | $2,582,676.58 |
The CIP level estimate had a total estimated project cost of $3,024,546, which includes street costs of $2,630,040 and storm sewer costs of $394,506. The final project costs may change depending upon bid prices and actual construction quantities.
Bolton & Menk submitted a proposal for construction staking and as-built survey of the proposed improvements for a total not-to-exceed amount of $52,844.00. The construction staking and as-built survey are included in the indirect project costs.
City staff proposes to administer and inspect construction. Plans and specifications were prepared in-house as part of staff’s normal duties.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends Alternative #1.
Outcome/Action:
Motion to recommend the City Council accept bids and award a construction contract for Fox Ridge Estates 1st & 2nd Street Reconstructions, Improvement Project #24-13 to Douglas-Kerr Underground, L.L.C. in the amount of $2,099,737.06.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Westby | Bruce Westby | 01/15/2025 07:02 PM |
| Brian Hagen | Brian Hagen | 01/16/2025 04:02 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Joe Feriancek
- Started On:
- 01/13/2025 08:14 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 01/16/2025