DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Amend Contract With Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc., For Fischer Trailhead Project In Spring Lake Park Reserve
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize contract amendment with Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc., for professional design services for the Fischer Trailhead Project in the Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR).
SUMMARY
The 2024-2028 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) adopted budget includes a project to design and construct a trailhead along Fischer Avenue in SLPR. The project will provide a destination for people traveling along the All-American Great River Road, which provides access to SLPR, its trail network, and amenities such as the Bison Range. Specifically, the project will include improvements to Fischer Avenue, a new parking lot with accessible parking stalls, a bus drop-off lane, and a picnic shelter with restrooms. New paved trail connections will link the trailhead to the Mississippi River Greenway and form a Bison Range interpretive trail loop.
The Fischer Trailhead Project received federal funds from the National Scenic Byways Program. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) acts as Dakota County’s agent in accepting federal funds on Dakota County’s behalf for the construction.
By Resolution No. 24-133 (March 12, 2024), the County Board approved the award of professional design services to Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc. In addition to addressing the County’s comments, staff and design consultants have worked with MnDOT to address the comments received during the review process. This includes relocating the trailhead further east along Fischer Avenue to avoid construction on sensitive habitat. Design consultants have incorporated all comments into an updated design, including longer roads, new parking configurations, and re-siting the building. The design obtained the Board's Approval for Schematic Design by Resolution No. 24-426 (August 27, 2024).
Staff worked with Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc., to prepare bid documents. A Request for Bids was advertised on March 13, 2025, and bids were received on April 8, 2025.
Because the project included federal funding, the bids needed to be approved by the State of Minnesota’s Transportation/State Aid and Office of Civil Rights (OCR), they acted as agents of the Federal Government. The original low bidder did not meet the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal set by the State OCR. After a lengthy appeals process, the State rejected the first low bidder and allowed the second low bidder. This process consumed so much of the summer that once the second low bidder was under contract, the firm could not complete the project in the remaining calendar year. The design team assisted in navigating this unforeseen complication and now needs to provide construction administration services through the winter and into the first half of 2026.
During construction, the design team encountered several unforeseen conditions. These included relocating the drain field, coordinating with specialty contractors, and adjusting the trail design to accommodate fiber optic line installations, which occurred earlier this summer.
The delays after bidding, including winter conditions and work in 2026, combined with unforeseen conditions and the relocation of the project after schematic design, required the design team to employ substantial additional time and expertise on the project. Therefore, an additional budget of $78,400 is requested to be approved. The total new contract amount will be $430,167. The proposal for additional service request is included in Attachment: Fee Proposal Increase Justification.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the County Board authorize a contract amendment with Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc., increasing the amount by $78,400 to a total of $430,167.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2024 Parks CIP includes $5,395,783 in total funding for this project. This is sufficient to cover these additional services. The breakdown of the funding sources in the Parks CIP is provided below.
|
Funding Source |
Amount |
|
Parks Fund Balance |
$280,000 |
|
Environmental Legacy Fund |
$700,000 |
|
SFY24 State & Met Council Operations and Maintenance Fund (State General Fund & Lottery-in Lieu) |
$300,000 |
|
SFY24 Sate & Met Council Regional Parks and Trails Bonding |
$2,615,783 |
|
US Department of Transportation National Scenic Byways Program |
$700,000 |
|
SFY23 Omnibus Environment & Natural Resources Finance Bill (State Fund) |
$800,000 |
|
Total |
$5,395,783 |
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the 2024-2028 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget includes a project to design and construct a trailhead along Fischer Avenue within Spring Lake Park Reserve; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-133 (March 12, 2024), the Board approved to select Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc., to provide professional design services; and
WHEREAS, since April 2024, staff have worked with a design team to progress the design and related review process; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-426 (August 27, 2024), the Board approved the Schematic Design as presented by staff; and
WHEREAS, Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc., has prepared the construction documents, posted on March 4, 2025, and advertised in the Hastings Journal on March 13, 2025; and
WHEREAS, one valid bid was received on April 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. (July 8, 2025), the Board approved Eureka Construction, Inc., to construct the Fischer Trailhead Project; and
WHEREAS, due to complications in design, bidding, and construction, an additional design service fee of $78,400 is required.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Facilities Management Director to execute a contract amendment to increase the contract with Miller Dunwiddie Architecture, Inc., by $78,400 to a total $430,167, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-133; 3/12/24
24-426; 8/27/24
25-335; 7/8/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Fee Proposal Increase Justification
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: Yao Xiao