Adopt Resolution 15-04-094 Approving Plans and Cost Estimate and Awarding a Contract to Connexus Energy for Center Street lighting improvements, Improvement Project #14-24

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to approve proposed street and pedestrian facility lighting plans for Center Street between Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Parkway.

Background:
Street and pedestrian facility lighting improvements were not bid with the Center Street Improvements project between Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard.  Center Street is located immediately adjacent to a proposed City park and includes numerous on-street parking stalls that will be available for use by future park patrons.   In addition, a regional pedestrian trail is located along the west side of Center Street.  Therefore, staff believes street and pedestrian facility lighting is appropriate for this segment of Center Street and has worked with Connexus Energy to develop the attached proposed street and pedestrian facility lighting plan.
 
Connexus Energy’s proposed design includes a combination of four (4) street lights at the intersection of Center Street and 145^th Avenue NW with 135 watt LED shoebox style light fixtures mounted on 25-foot tall poles that match the COR lighting standards as installed along Sunwood Drive, and ten (10) 50 watt LED lights on 14-foot tall poles that again match the COR lighting standards.
 
The proposed design provides lighting levels along Center Street that will be similar to the lighting levels along Sunwood Drive.  The proposed lighting system will be operational from dusk to dawn.
 
The City of Ramsey works exclusively with Connexus Energy to construct and maintain public street and trail lighting improvements throughout most of the City, including the COR.  No other bids or quotes were therefore obtained.  Attached is a copy of Connexus Energy’s estimated costs for the proposed street and pedestrian facility lighting improvements in the amount of $48,892.18.  If directional boring is required an additional per linear foot of boring will be charged.
 
If approved, Connexus Energy would install the lighting improvements in spring/summer of 2015.  Ideally, all underground work (wiring and pole bases) would be completed in conjunction with the completion of the Center Street improvements project, and the above ground work (poles and fixtures) would follow based on material delivery schedules, which may take two months or more due to the use of COR lighting standards.  Connexus Energy will provide on-going maintenance of the lights under their current monthly energy and maintenance rates.
 
Conduits for street and pedestrian facility lighting were installed under driveways and streets during the Center Street project so no impacts to existing infrastructure is anticipated.

Observations:
The Public Works Committee reviewed preliminary plans and costs for street and pedestrian facility lighting along Center Street during their March 31^st meeting.  Several revisions to the preliminary plan were requested as follows:
 

• Add two more 25-foot tall street lights at the intersection of Center Street and 145^th Avenue to provide street lighting in all 4 quadrants of the intersection.
• Align all 14-foot tall poles between Sunwood Drive and 145^th Avenue directly across from each other.
• Add a light near the crosswalk at the intersection of Center Street and Ramsey Parkway.

 
The attached proposed plan and cost estimate incorporates the Public Works Committee’s requested revisions.  The Public Works Committee recommended City Council approval of the attached lighting improvements.

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to approve plans and cost estimate and award a contract to Connexus Energy for Riverdale Drive Lighting Improvements, Improvement Project #15-22.

Alternative #2 – Motion denying approval of plans for Riverdale Drive Lighting Improvements at this time.

Funding for the proposed Center Street lighting improvements is proposed to be paid through the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) grant awarded to the City for constructing all of the Center Street improvements between Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Parkway.
 
The preliminary estimate for the Center Street lighting improvements awarded as part of the TOD grant was $30,000.  Staff is currently checking with the TOD grant administrator to verify that the increased amount of about $18,900 will be eligible for funding through the TOD grant.  In the event the balance of the increased costs are not eligible for funding through the TOD grant, the outstanding balance is proposed to be paid through the Street Lighting Fund which has a balance of over $1.1 million.