Adopt Resolution #16-05-087 Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Bids for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider adopting Resolution #16-05-087 approving plans and specifications and authorizing bids for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.

Background:
When the City of Ramsey developed Business Park 95, an existing low area was set aside to provide minimal stormwater ponding with no outlet controls. Available City records indicate the capacity of this ponding area was intended to be increased, and that an outlet was intended to be constructed, when warranted by future development.  However, the pond capacity was never increased and an outlet was never constructed, and the business park is now almost fully developed.

The recent business expansion of Dedicated Networks disturbed more than one (1) acre, necessitating a Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) Permit.  The site was not large enough to accommodate the building expansion and the required increased stormwater ponding. The developer therefore approached the City about enlarging the existing pond area to accept runoff from the new building expansion. The stormwater management plan for Dedicated Networks provided for infiltration of runoff from the new impervious surfaces, with ponding provided in the adjacent regional pond. The permit was approved by the LRRWMO Board contingent on an outlet being constructed for this pond in 2016.

Until such time that the proposed pond improvements are completed, other expansion requests from properties served by this pond will likely be denied.
 
The proposed pond capacity and outlet improvements are designated as Improvement Project #16-36; Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.

No notifications were required for this case.
 
If Council approves plans and specifications and authorizes advertisements for bids, advertisements will be published in the Anoka Union Herald and in Finance and Commerce on May 27th and on June 3rd.  Bids would then be opened June 21st, and Council would be asked to accept bids and award a contract for construction on June 28th.  Work could then commence on or after July 11th, and be completed before mid-September.

Observations:
The attached Feasibility Report explored construction of a storm sewer outlet pipe under the outside pavement edge along both Unity and McKinley Streets.  This required significant pavement repairs and storm sewer improvements resulting in an estimated total project cost of $332,368.  The attached final plans provide a pond outlet that is routed through existing drainage and utility easements in green spaces between several properties requiring fewer storm sewer improvements, along with some ditch improvements, resulting in a total estimated project cost of $221,675.  This revised design provides a project cost savings of over $100,000.
 
Ultimately, the Feasibility Report design concept and the design in the final plans direct runoff from the pond outlet to the same existing regional stormwater ponds south of the BNSF railway, which then ultimately outlets to the Mississippi River as shown in Figure 1 (attached).
 
The storm sewer improvements proposed to be constructed between the properties at 6250 and 6390 McKinley Street is located between a parking lot and a drive aisle, both of which have paved surfaces with curb and gutter.  Construction will therefore need to be completed using utility boxes to minimize disturbance to private infrastructure.  Upon Council approval of plans and authorization to advertise for bids, staff will meet with the two property owners to discuss this project and coordinate schedules.  Information from this meeting will then be shared with Council when bids are presented for approval of a construction contract on June 28^th.    

Alternatives:
Alternative Action #1 – Motion adopting Resolution #16-05-087 approving plans and specifications and authorizing bids for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.

Alternative Action #2 – Motion denying adoption of Resolution #16-05-087 at this time.

Plans and Specifications were completed in-house as part of staff’s regular duties. No outside expenses were incurred.

The engineer’s opinion of probable project costs based on the attached plans is $221,675.  This cost includes 23% indirect costs for administrative (6%), engineering (15%), finance (1%), and legal (1%) fees.
 
The improvements are proposed to be funded utilizing a combination of one-third Stormwater Management Funds and two-thirds Stormwater Utility Funds.  This split was arrived at following a discussion between Staff and the Public Works Committee on February 16^th when the Committee asked for clarification on how the City applies both Stormwater Management and Stormwater Utility Funds to projects, noting concerns that these funds are heavily targeted as funding sources for future projects listed in the CIP.  The draft Feasibility Report as reviewed by the Committee recommended the improvements be funded solely from the Stormwater Utility Fund.  The Feasibility Report was subsequently revised to recommend the improvements be funded using a combination of one-third Stormwater Management Funds and two-thirds Stormwater Utility Funds.
 
Special assessments are not proposed since the City intended to construct the pond improvements during development of the business park, which never occurred.

Staff recommends approval of Alternative Action #1, thereby allowing the proposed pond improvements to be constructed in 2016 in accordance with the LRRWMO Permit for the Dedicated Networks expansion project, which was approved contingent on the improvements being completed in 2016, and avoiding delays or denials of WMO permits for future business expansion projects within the business park.

Approve or deny adoption of Resolution #16-05-087 approving plans and specifications and authorizing bids for Improvement Project #16-36, Business Park 95 Regional Stormwater Pond Improvements.