Consider Recommending City Council Order Plans and Specifications for MSA Bunker Lake Boulevard Reconstruction, Improvement Project #26-01

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider recommending city council order plans and specifications and award the engineering design proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for MSA Bunker Lake Boulevard Reconstruction, Improvement Project #26-01.
 
Background:
The 2025 – 2034 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies Bunker Lake Boulevard between Armstrong Boulevard and 600 feet west of Jackal Street (the tie-in point from the 2018 project) for reconstruction in 2026. A street segment summary is attached to this case.
 
Project Scope
This project proposes to reconstruct this city-owned segment of Bunker Lake Boulevard in a similar fashion to the previously reconstructed Bunker Lake Boulevard and Puma Street segments. The existing street is 28-feet wide with concrete curb and gutter on the north side (westbound) and rural section including a drainage swale on the south side (eastbound). The project proposes expanding the pavement to the south, to create a shared center turn lane. The new eastbound lane is proposed to include concrete curb and gutter, the existing drainage swale is also proposed to be replaced with underground storm sewer piping. Bunker Lake Boulevard is an MSA street, which will require it to be built to MSA standards, including a 10-ton pavement strength design. Bituminous trail exists on the north side of Bunker Lake Boulevard, the project does not propose to improve the existing trail. The western half of this segment has been developed with commercial/industrial users. The eastern half is generally not developed, a gas station is currently being proposed at the southwest corner of Bunker Lake Boulevard and Armstrong Boulevard. Coordination with proposed developments will be required during the project design. The project totals 0.47 miles in length.
 
Utilities
Sanitary sewer, watermain and storm sewer exist within the project area. Additional storm sewer will be required to replace the existing swale on the south side of Bunker Lake Boulevard. At this time, repairs to the existing sewer and watermain are not anticipated. However, the existing utilities will be tested during project design. If damage is found, the necessary repairs will be incorporated into the project.
 
Project Timelines
Due to heavy workloads, staff proposes to enlist Bolton & Menk, Inc. prepare plans and specifications for this project. A proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for engineering design services, including preparing final plans and specifications, is attached to this case.
 
The following are the proposed general project timelines:
April 22, 2025             City Council authorization to prepare plans and specifications
Spring 2025                Geotechnical investigation (RFP) and topographic survey (Bolton & Menk)
Summer 2025              Utility Testing (RFP)
Summer/Fall 2025      Prepare plans and specifications (Bolton & Menk)
Fall 2025                     City Council approves plans, authorizes bidding
January 2026               Bid opening, City Council awards contracts
May – June 2026        Begin Construction
Summer 2026              Finish Construction
 
Bolton & Menk Design Services
Due to the 2026 project design workload as proposed in the 2025 – 2034 CIP, City Staff does not have the capacity to prepare plans and specifications for these improvements in time to bid the project in winter 2026 and be ready for early season construction. Bolton & Menk has provided a proposal for engineering design services including; coordinating project investigation, topographic survey, project design, preparation of project documentation and final plans, and project bidding. The proposal does not include construction inspection or construction administration. Bolton & Menk prepared the plans and specifications for both the Bunker Lake Boulevard reconstruction in 2018 and the Ferret Street Reconstruction in 2023, both of which tie into this project, and make them uniquely familiar with the project area and associated design requirements. The proposal total not-to-exceed cost for Improvement Project 25-04 is $118,347, and is included in the 23-percent indirect project costs associated with these improvements.
 
This project is proposed to be constructed as a stand-alone project. Staff proposes to bid and award 2026 projects as close together as practical, which generally allows for a better bidding environment for the City. This project is necessary, feasible, and cost-effective from an engineering standpoint, and can be constructed as proposed herein.

If City Council orders plans and specifications for this improvement project, Staff will send notification letters to property owners impacted by these improvements.

Observations:
Estimates are CIP level and will be updated during the design process. This project was moved up to 2026 to take advantage of available TIF 18 funds, which are required to be used by 2027.
 
Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion recommending City Council order plans and specifications and award the engineering design proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for MSA Bunker Lake Boulevard Reconstruction, Improvement Project #26-01.
 
Alternative #2 – Motion of other.

Funding for this improvement is proposed to come from Public Improvement Revolving Funds, Tax Increment Fund #18, and Storm Water Utility Funds. Additional funding could include Municipal State Aid funds.
 

Funding Source	Project Costs
Public Improvement Revolving Funds	$391,000
Tax Increment #18	$386,750
Storm Water Utility Funds	$49,215
Project Total	$826,965

Staff recommends alternative #1.

Motion recommending City Council order plans and specifications and award the engineering design proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for MSA Bunker Lake Boulevard Reconstruction, Improvement Project #26-01.