DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Approval Of Schematic Design For Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Site Improvement Project
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Approve the schematic design for Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (MRPR) Site Improvement Project, County Project #2000236.
SUMMARY
The Parks 2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes a project to design and construct site developments to make MRPR a better place to serve the adjacent communities. By Resolution No. 24-091 (February 27, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the MRPR Master Plan, which outlines the site improvement plans.
Following the five-year plan from the MRPR Master Plan, this project will complete improvements, including at the Cannon River and Trout Brook Valley. The scope includes: a new gravel entry road and turnaround with parking, a kayak launch, a trout brook touch point, and fishing platforms; restoring the existing picnic area; upgrading the existing trail accessibility; creating new trails; providing running water; and replacing the footbridge over Trout Brook. In addition to these improvements, interpretation elements will be provided.
By Resolution No. 24-545 (November 12, 2024), the Board approved the selection of HKGi to provide professional design services. Starting in December 2024, staff worked with HKGi to develop schematic design (Attachment: Presentation Slides). Staff reviewed the initial concept with Tribal Partners virtually on February 6, 2025. A public open house was held in person on February 6, 2025, and project materials were published online for public comments (Attachment: Public Engagement). Public and private stakeholder workshops were held in person on February 7, 2025.
The site is located on wetland and in a floodplain. Multiple permits are required from both Dakota County and Goodhue County. Due to the complexity of design, the Board approved a contract amendment with HKGi, by Resolution No. 25-242 (May 20, 2025). A wetland delineation was conducted in May 2025. Current design addresses the restriction imposed by the wetland boundary.
Based on the preliminary design, cost estimating was conducted in February 2025. Staff worked on strategies to lower the cost, including simplifying the stormwater treatment, reducing road shoulder, and not upgrading existing restrooms. Based on updated cost estimation in June 2025, the construction cost has come down from those in February and is well within the Project Budget.
Staff will continue consulting Tribal Partners, carrying out onsite archaeology work, and obtaining related permits for construction of the MRPR site Improvement Project. Advertisement for competitive bids is scheduled for bid opening in the spring of 2026. Construction will begin in the early summer of 2026 and is planned to be complete in the winter of 2026-2027.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the County Board approve the schematic design as presented at the July 22, 2025, Physical Development Committee of the Whole.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The Parks 2024 CIP includes a budget of $1,704,889 for site improvement and vegetation restoration in MRPR. Additionally, staff recommends adding $1,200,000 of Parks and Trails Legacy Funds, available to the project in the summer of 2025, to the 2024 budget. This creates a new overall Project Budget of $2,904,889. Formal commitment of these additional funds will be presented in an upcoming budgeting Board action. With this addition, funding for construction of MRPR site improvements as presented in the schematic design will be fully funded.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-444 (September 26, 2023), the 2024 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget includes a project to design and construct site developments making Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (MRPR) a better place to serve the adjacent communities; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-091 (February 27, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the MRPR Master Plan, which outlines the site improvement plans; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-545 (November 12, 2024), the Board approved to select HKGi to provide professional design services; and
WHEREAS, since December 2024, staff have worked with HKGi to progress the design and related review process; and
WHEREAS, staff reviewed the initial concept with tribal partners virtually on February 6, 2025; and
WHEREAS, a public open house was held in person on February 6, 2025, and project materials were published online for public comments; and
WHEREAS, public and private stakeholder workshops were held in person on February 7, 2025; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-242 (May 20, 2025), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized to amend the contract with HKGi for unforeseen complexity of the site; and
WHEREAS, schematic design was developed, incorporating the result of wetland delineation; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends that the County Board approve the schematic design for the MRPR Site Improvement project as presented by County staff on July 22, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the schematic design for the Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Site Improvement project as presented at the Physical Development Committee of the Whole on July 22, 2025.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-091; 2/27/24
24-545; 11/12/24
25-242; 5/20/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Public Engagement
Attachment: Presentation Slides
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