DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Award Construction Contract And Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Inver Grove Heights For Safe Routes To School Improvements On County State Aid Highway 28 In Inver Grove Heights, County Project 28-66
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
• Delegate authority to the County Manager for the award of a construction contract to the lowest responsive bidder for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) improvements on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 28 near Simley High School, County Project (CP) 28-66.
• Authorize executing a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City of Inver Grove Heights to establish roles, responsibilities, and cost share for the SRTS Improvements on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 28, CP 28-66
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County is proceeding with CP 28-66 in Inver Grove Heights that includes pedestrian and bicycle safety, SRTS improvements, and traffic signal improvements along CSAH 28 (80th Street East) between Babcock Avenue and Boyd Avenue in Inver Grove Heights. This project was identified in the 2021 Dakota County Pedestrian Crossing Safety Assessment to provide improved pedestrian and bicyclist crossing infrastructure for community destinations along CSAH 28 in the project area. During project development, the SRTS crossing infrastructure improvements were separated into an independent plan set and construction project to meet funding deadlines in 2024. This request for board action only refers to the SRTS plans of CP 28-66.
A $250,000 Minnesota State SRTS grant was awarded to Dakota County in 2022 to fund crossing infrastructure improvements along CSAH 28 near Simley High School. To meet the requirements of the grant agreement, a contractor must be awarded the construction contract before the end of 2024. If a grant agreement is not completed, the funds will be withdrawn. Construction is scheduled for 2025.
To facilitate the grant agreement timeline, staff requests delegation of authority to the County Manager to award the construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder for CP 28-66. This would allow the construction advertisement, award, and contract execution to meet the end of 2024 deadline. The Engineer’s Estimate for the SRTS work is $186,157.00, and the award is anticipated to be under the $250,000 grant fund. If the award to the low bidder requires a budget amendment or if rejection of bids is required, it would be brought to the County Board for action. Advertisement for construction began November 11; bids will be opened on December 3.
A JPA between the County and the City of Inver Grove Heights is necessary to outline cost participation, preliminary and final design responsibilities, future maintenance responsibility, and construction for CP 28-66. Costs will be shared in accordance with County policy. The County is the lead agency for design and construction phases.
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends delegating authority to award the construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder to the County Manager for the SRTS crossing improvements construction portion of CP 28-66.
Staff also recommends authorization to enter a JPA with the City of Inver Grove Heights to formalize cost contributions and responsibilities for design and construction of CP 28-66.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The adopted 2024 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget includes a total budget of $2,238,058 for the project. This includes $250,000 in funds from the Minnesota State SRTS grant. The construction cost of the SRTS crossing improvements construction contract is expected to be completely covered by the SRTS grant funds. The engineer’s Estimate is $186,157.00.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County is proceeding with County Project (CP) 28-66; and
WHEREAS, CP 28-66 in Inver Grove Heights will include the preliminary design for pedestrian and bicycle safety, Safe Routes to School (SRTS) improvements, and traffic signal improvements along CSAH 28 (80th Street East) between Babcock Avenue and Boyd Avenue in Inver Grove Heights; and
WHEREAS, the SRTS crossing improvements were separated into an independent construction project to meet funding deadlines; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is the lead agency for CP 28-66; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation selected CP 28-66 to receive $250,000 of SRTS grant funds; and
WHEREAS, a grant agreement for the SRTS funds must be completed by the end of 2024 or funds will be withdrawn; and
WHEREAS, to allow for CP 28-66 to complete a grant agreement before the end of 2024, staff is requesting the County Board authorize the County Manager the authority to award the construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder, consistent with County Policies, provided the award does not require a budget amendment; and
WHEREAS, a joint powers agreement (JPA) between the County and the City of Inver Grove Heights is necessary to outline cost participation, preliminary and final design responsibilities, future maintenance responsibility, and construction for CP 28-66; and
WHEREAS, the cost participation for the Project outlined in the JPA will be in accordance with the adopted Cost Share Policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners delegates authority to the County Manager to award the construction contract for CP 28-66 to the lowest responsible bidder, consistent with County Policies, provided sufficient funds are available for the project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a joint powers agreement between Dakota County and the City of Inver Grove Heights for the design and construction of County Project 28-66.