Adopt Resolution #14-11-241 Awarding the Bid for Construction of the Mississippi River Trail – Riverdale Drive Extension to Armstrong Boulevard

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution 14-11-241 awarding the bid for the construction of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), along Riverdale Drive, following the spring completion of the Riverdale Drive Extension and Reconstruction project.
 

Background:
On March 25th, 2014, Council approved proceeding with advance construction of portions of the MRT by authorizing the use of up to $18,000 from the Park Trust Fund for Bolton & Menk to prepare the necessary Project Memorandum (PM).  Since then, the PM was prepared, MnDOT's Federal Aid office approved the PM, and the grant funding has been secured.
 
On June 24th, 2014, Council approved using up to $62,676 from the Park Trust Fund to allow Bolton & Menk to complete the necessary engineering work for preparing construction plans and specifications and bidding the portion of the MRT along Riverdale Drive from Armstrong Boulevard, east to the 'outfall trail' where the 2014 MRT project construction terminates.

Observations:
On October 21st, 2014 Bids were opened for the MRT project as outlined above. Eight bids were received ranging from $183,272.52 to $249,346.20, with the engineers estimate at $240,000. 

It should be noted that this trail construction is an Advance Constructed project, funded in part by Federal funds as outlined under 'Funding Source' below.  Further, and as discussed and approved previously by City Council, there are benefits associated with the advance construction of this portion of the MRT through the Riverdale Drive Reconstruction/Extension project in 2015, as well as the portion of the MRT through the Highway 10 & Armstrong Boulevard Interchange project later in 2015-16.  First, advance construction allows each segment of the MRT to be constructed in orderly progression from east to west, meeting user expectations and resulting in less disruption to the public due to concurrent construction activities.  Second, there are cost savings due to avoiding redundant costs typically incurred when completing separate projects.
 
Phase 2 of the MRT located west of the Armstrong Boulevard Interchange through the Wayside Rest Area, will be constructed in State Fiscal Year 2016 as currently programmed within the Federal grant award.

Lastly, it should be noted that there is significant value brought to this commercial area of Riverdale Drive associated with this trail project, which includes 4 benches and 5 waste receptacles, totaling $24,500 dollars.  More notably though, are the 96 balled & burlapped deciduous trees that will be planted as part of this project.  These boulevard trees represent a value in excess of $38,000 dollars.

 

Construction costs for this portion of the MRT will be $183,272.52 (not including engineering expenses previously approved at $80,676 from the Park Trust Fund).  Administration and engineering costs are not eligible for reimbursement.  However, 80% of the construction costs will be reimbursed with awarded grant funds in SFY 2016. Until then, the Park Trust Fund will account for the advance constructed portions of the MRT, (and those costs not eligible for reimbursements) and this is reflected within the 2015 - 2019 Parks Capital Improvement program.  Those grant funds recovered in SFY 2016 would then be deposited back into this account.


 

Staff recommends approving Resolution #14-11- 241 awarding the MRT project to North Valley, Inc. in the amount of $183,272.52.

Motion to adopt Resolution  Resolution #14-11- 241 Awarding the Bid for Construction of the Mississippi River Trail – Riverdale Drive Extension to Armstrong Boulevard.