DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Third Contract Amendment With Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. For River To River Greenway From Marie Ave. To Dodd Rd. For Final Design And Construction Services And Amend 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of third contract amendment with Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH) Inc. to complete final design, and provide bidding support, and construction administration services for the River to River Greenway for the Marie Ave. to Dodd Rd. improvements. Authorize a budget amendment to the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget.
SUMMARY
A contract amendment is requested to address additional services provided with the delivery of the River to River Greenway and construction services for River to River Greenway Phase One and Phase Two.
River to River Greenway: Additional Design Services
This trail segment was originally proposed to be a single bid package (County funded) with construction scheduled for 2023. However, the segment was eventually split into two phases, each with its own bid package, and delayed by over two years. Phase One is from Marie Ave. to Lilydale Rd. (construction scheduled for fall 2025) while Phase Two is from Dodd Rd/Trunk Highway 149 to Marie Ave (construction tentatively scheduled for 2026 construction season). Phase One is County funded and Phase Two will be funded via County and Federal funds. In accordance with the County’s Request for Proposals, SEH Inc. assumed responsibility for complete topographic survey of up to 1.1 miles of the existing trail alignment. This was based on County direction to anticipate only reconstructing trail segments that did not meet Dakota County greenway standards or where existing trail condition was poor or fair. As the designs for each segment progressed, both phases became full trail reconstructions, along with the reconstruction of two local connections within Phase 1. As a result, the design, including the topographic survey of the project, essentially doubled in terms of trail length. Phase One design services have been completed, while Phase Two design services are scheduled to be completed in winter 2025/2026.
Additional design services are detailed further below.
Phase 1 (Marie Ave to Lilydale Rd)
• Development of multiple alternatives for Valley Park trail realignment and profile revisions.
• Cast-in-place retaining wall design and required soil borings.
• Water main replacement design and coordination with St. Paul Regional Water Services.
Phase 2 (Dodd Rd/TH 149 to Marie Ave)
• Development of alternative box culvert alignments.
• Development of plans and environmental documentation in accordance with Federal Aid Requirements.
• Dodd Rd/TH149 trail/sidewalk design.
• Parcel sketches and descriptions for Minea and Steenberg parcel easements.
• Security camera design for proposed box culvert and existing TH 62 underpass.
• Full-depth reclamation design of existing trail between eastern project limits and Mendota Rd
Crosswalk.
• Valley Park North wetland enhancement and Crown Point Dr. stormwater basin design.
• Update of Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and complete Phase II ESA.
• 2 Standard Penetration Test soil borings for pedestrian bridge/boardwalk at 60’ each and 3 box
culvert retaining walls (2 @ 50’ and 1 @ 40’) to meet MnDOT frequency requirements (based on anticipated length of retaining walls).
• 2 Standard Penetration Test soil borings for box culvert at 40’ each. Required due to north box
culvert alternative (assumed alignment) being located over 100’ north of previous alignment used to guide soil boring locations.
Construction Phase Services - River to River Greenway Phase One
SEH Inc. will provide construction observation and administrative services for River to River Greenway Phase One construction. It is assumed that construction will begin in August 2025 and be substantially complete no later than November 7, 2025, based on staff discussion with Rachel Contracting. Punch list and warranty work will be completed in spring 2026.
Below is a list of staff assumptions.
• Construction materials testing is included and will be provided by American Engineering Testing (AET) in accordance with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Schedule of Material Control (2024 edition).
• SEH Inc. will review all shop drawings and submittals
• SEH Inc. will lead an in-person pre-construction meeting at a location determined by the County
• SEH Inc. will provide one full-time inspector for construction observation services at 50 hours/week for 14 weeks from the beginning of construction through substantial completion. Part-time observation of 15 hours/week for four weeks of punch list and warranty work in 2026 is also included.
• SEH Inc. will provide a second, senior construction observer to provide observation and administrative support during construction at 15 hours/week for 14 weeks through substantial completion and at five hours/week for four weeks during punch list and warranty work.
• SEH Inc. will coordinate the testing schedule with the materials testing subconsultant in accordance with MnDOT Schedule of Materials Control and Federal Aid requirements.
• SEH Inc. will prepare pay applications and change orders for review and approval by the Contractor and County.
• SEH Inc. will provide construction administration services, including agendas, minutes, and leading of on-site, weekly construction meetings with SEH Inc., Contractor/Sub-contractor, City of Mendota Heights, and County staff. SEH Inc. will also provide clarification of plans and specifications as needed.
• SEH Inc. will conduct 14 on-site, weekly construction meetings. Includes preparation of agendas and minutes.
• The County will handle formal written communications with residents/property owners.
• All construction staking will be completed by SEH Inc.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends amending the contract with SEH Inc. for additional consultant design and construction services in an amount not to exceed $941,768, bringing the total contract amount to $2,014,935.00.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
This project needs additional funding of $941,768 for design and construction, including an underpass at Dodd Rd. Successful completion of this project relies upon a $2,080,000 Federal Regional Solicitation Award in 2026. Remaining budget from P30001- 2022 GWACC Predesign (1001486) in ELF funding will be used for a portion of the needed funding. By Resolution No. 24-634 (12/17/2024) the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized this project as part of the approved 2025 SUT list. A budget amendment is needed for additional Sales and Use Tax funding of $941,768 to be added to SEH Inc. Contract C0035212 for construction administration, testing, and inspection.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County is proceeding with the River to River Phase One and Phase Two Improvements; and
WHEREAS, the River to River Phase One design services have been completed, while Phase Two design services are scheduled to be completed in winter 2025/2026; and
WHEREAS, the County is the lead agency for the project; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends amending contract number C0035212 with Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc., to include additional design, construction management, testing, survey, and inspection services; and
WHEREAS, additional funding in the amount of $941,768 is needed for SEH Inc. to complete the out-of-scope final design and construction administration work; and
WHEREAS, the 2025-2030 Parks Capital Improvement Program has sufficient funds for the contract amendment; and
WHEREAS, County staff recommends amending SEH Inc.’s contract in an amount not to exceed $926,00.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a contract amendment with Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. in an amount-not-to-exceed $941,768 for design and construction services for the River to River Greenway Improvements, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget is hereby amended as follows:
Expense
P30002 $941,768
P30001- 2022 GWACC Predesign (1001486) ($19,653)
Total Expense $922,115
Revenue
Sales and Use Tax $941,768
ELF (1001486) ($19,653)
Total Revenue $922,115
; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2025 Sales and Use Tax Budget is hereby amended as follows:
Expense
Transfer to Parks Fund ($941,768)
Total Expense ($941,768)
Revenue
Sales and Use Tax ($941,768)
Total Revenue ($941,768)
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
21-497; 10/12/21
22-140; 3/22/22
23-406; 9/12/23
24-224; 4/23/24
24-535; 10/29/24
24-557; 12/3/24
24-634; 12/17/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location
Attachment: Supplemental Letter Agreement
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Mike Adams