DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of West St. Paul For Preliminary Engineering Of Multi-Use Trail Along County State Aid Highway 8, County Project 08-035
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City of West St. Paul for preliminary engineering of a multi-use trail along the south side of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 8 (Wentworth Avenue) between Robert Street and CSAH 73 (Oakdale Avenue), County Project (CP) 08-035 (see Attachment: Project Location).
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system, Dakota County partners with cities to plan and construct multi-use trails along County highways. City and County staff have identified the trail gap along the south side of CSAH 8 between Robert Street and CSAH 73 as a priority to provide safe pedestrian and bicycle access to local destinations. If completed, this missing trail segment would connect the existing trail along CSAH 8 east of Oakdale to destinations including retail, the Winslow Apartments, and transit stops along Robert Street (Attachment: West St. Paul Trail Gap Map).
A preliminary engineering study for this trail gap was included in the Dakota County 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), CP 08-035. The effort will assess feasibility, identify property impacts, provide opportunities for public engagement, and estimate trail construction costs. This information will inform decisions about programming additional project phases in future CIPs and may also help advance external grant applications for active transportation funding.
Prior to starting project development, a JPA with the City is necessary to define project responsibilities and cost share. The City is the lead agency for the project with strong participation from County staff. The cost participation for preliminary engineering will be in accordance with the adopted Cost Share Policy F1 Roadway. The County’s cost share is 85 percent, and the City’s share is 15 percent. The total cost of the preliminary engineering phase is estimated to be $60,000. The County’s estimated cost share is included in the County’s 2024-2028 CIP.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends executing a JPA with the City of West St. Paul to define project responsibilities and cost share for preliminary engineering of a multi-use trail along CSAH 8 (Wentworth Avenue) between Robert Street and CSAH 73 (Oakdale Avenue), CP 08-035.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2024 Transportation Capital Improvement Program includes a project budget of $51,000 for the County’s share of preliminary engineering (Attachment: Financial Summary).
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, to promote a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system, the County is partnering with the City of West St. Paul to conduct preliminary engineering for a multi-use trail along County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 8 (Wentworth Avenue) between Robert Street and CSAH 73 (Oakdale Avenue), County Project 08-035; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County and the City of West St. Paul identified this trail gap as a priority for improving safety and access for pedestrians and bicyclists to destinations such as housing, retail, and transit; and
WHEREAS, preliminary engineering of the trail gap will assess feasibility, identify property impacts, provide opportunities for public engagement, and estimate trail construction costs; and
WHEREAS, the City of West St. Paul is the lead agency for the preliminary engineering of the multiuse trail with active participation of Dakota County staff; and
WHEREAS, costs of preliminary engineering will be shared 85 percent County funds and 15 percent City funds in accordance with adopted County Policy; and
WHEREAS, the 2024-2028 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget includes $51,000 for the County’s share of the estimated costs of the preliminary engineering study, County Project, County Project 08-035; and
WHEREAS, a joint powers agreement with the City of West St. Paul is needed to define project responsibilities and cost share.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a joint powers agreement with the City of West St. Paul to identify costs and responsibilities for preliminary engineering in accordance with County policy for a multi-use trail along County State Aid Highway 8 in the City of West St. Paul, subject to approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location
Attachment: Financial Summary
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Gina Mitteco