Dakota County Logo
File #: DC-4441    Version: 1
Type: Consent Action Status: Passed
File created: 3/25/2025 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 4/22/2025 Final action: 4/22/2025
Enactment date: 4/22/2025 Resolution #: 25-209
Title: Authorization To Execute Contract Amendment With Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. For Professional Services For Minnesota River Greenway Fort Snelling Segment In Burnsville And Eagan, Project P00127
Sponsors: Parks
Attachments: 1. Project Map

DEPARTMENT: Parks

FILE TYPE: Consent Action

 

TITLE

title

Authorization To Execute Contract Amendment With Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. For Professional Services For Minnesota River Greenway Fort Snelling Segment In Burnsville And Eagan, Project P00127

end

 

PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED

Authorize to execute a seventh contract amendment for professional services for the Minnesota River Greenway Fort Snelling Segment.

 

SUMMARY

Dakota County is proceeding with the Minnesota River Greenway Fort Snelling Segment (P00127) to construct 3.7 miles of the Minnesota River Greenway between trailheads located near Nicols Road and Lone Oak Road in Eagan, including a bridge to cross over railroad owned by Union Pacific (Attachment: Project Map).

 

By Resolution No. 20-163 (March 24, 2020), the County executed a contract with Short-Elliott-Hendrickson, Inc. for $297,988 for final design of the trail portion of the greenway project. In August 2020, this contract was amended to increase the not-to-exceed amount to $307,488 to allow for the completion of environmental documentation required by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). By Resolution No. 21-441 (September 7, 2021), this contract was further amended to a not-to-exceed amount of $369,488 for completion of design and construction plans. By Resolution No. 24-027 (January 2, 2024) and No. 24-372 (July 30, 2024), the contract was amended to extend the term to August 31, 2025, and to set a not-to-exceed amount of $430,988 respectively. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the schematic design for the project by Resolution No. 20-163 (March 24, 2020).

 

Construction for the Greenway has passed several major milestones, including substantial completion of the boardwalks and substantial completion of the trail bed. Remaining work towards completion of the Greenway trail includes final grading and pavement, sign installation, seeding, and site restoration. Work on the trail is suspended until Spring 2026 to allow for settlement of the trail bed. The County has continued to retain Short-Elliot-Hendrickson, Inc. for design revisions and advisory services during the construction process to address constructability issues arising from weak soils, nearby culturally sensitive sites, and permit compliance. Although many risks to the Greenway trail construction have passed, continued assistance from Short-Elliot-Hendrickson, Inc. is still anticipated as the project moves toward completion.

 

RECOMMENDATION

recommendation

Staff recommends authorizing an amendment to the contract with Short-Elliot-Hendrickson, Inc. in the amount of $20,000.

end

 

EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS

The Parks Capital Improvement Program includes a total project budget of $23,457,418, including $3,508,000 in federal funds awarded through the 2018 Regional Solicitation. There is sufficient budget for the proposed contract amendment.

 

  None              Current budget              Other        

  Amendment Requested                           New FTE(s) requested

 

RESOLUTION

body

WHEREAS, the Minnesota River Greenway runs along the south side of the Minnesota River in Eagan and Burnsville, extending from I35-W in Burnsville to Lilydale Regional Park in Saint Paul; and

 

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 11-516 (October 18, 2011), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Minnesota River Greenway Plan; and

 

WHEREAS, the rapidly developing and robust recreational network that has developed in the area has created increased demand for completion of the trail connection between the recently constructed Lone Oak Trail Head, the Cedar Nicols Trailhead, and the Minnesota River Greenway Black Dog Segment to the west; and

 

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 18-487 (October 11, 2018), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to proceed with consultant selection for the project to include 30 percent design for the river bottom trail (Project Component 1) and 100 percent design and engineering for the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge (Project Component 2); and

 

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-163 (March 24, 2020), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to execute a contract with Short-Elliott-Hendrickson, Inc. for design services for the river bottom trail for a not-to-exceed amount of $279,988; and

 

WHEREAS, on August 12, 2020, the contract not-to-exceed amount was amended by $27,500 to $307,488 to complete the required environmental documentation for the project; and

 

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 21-441 (September 7, 2021), the contract not-to-exceed amount was amended by $62,000 to $369,488 to complete final design and construction planning tasks; and

 

WHEREAS by Resolution No. 22-056 (February 1, 2022), a contract amendment to expand the scope to cover tree-clearing oversight and federal review and authorization work was authorized, amending the budget to the not-to-exceed amount of $31,500, totaling $400,988; and

 

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-046 (January 24, 2023), a contract amendment to extend the end date of the contract was authorized, extending the contract to March 31, 2024; and

 

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-027 (January 2, 2024), a contract amendment was authorized to allow for continued assistance during greenway construction, amending the not-to-exceed amount to $410,988 and extending the term of the contract to August 31, 2025; and

 

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-372 (July 30, 2024), a contract amendment was authorized to allow for continued assistance during greenway construction, amending the not-to-exceed amount to $430,988; and

 

WHEREAS, continued need for assistance is expected in the final phases of construction; and

 

WHEREAS, staff recommends the continuation of the design contract with Short-Elliott-Hendrickson, Inc., for the duration of the trail construction process to advise on potential design modifications due to challenges encountered within the project area.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Parks Director to amend a contract with Short-Elliot-Hendrickson, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $450,988 to allow for continued design consulting services during construction of the Minnesota River Greenway; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Parks Director to amend a contract with Short-Elliot-Hendrickson, Inc. to extend the term of the contract to December 31, 2026.

end

 

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION

20-163; 3/24/20

21-441; 9/7/21

22-056; 2/1/22

23-046; 1/24/23

24-027; 1/2/24

24-372; 7/30/24

 

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment: Project Map

 

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: Joe Morneau