DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Award And Execute Consultant Contract With Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. For Feasibility Alignment Study And Design For Lebanon Hills Greenway, Project #2000636 And Amend 2026 Parks And Greenways CIP Budget
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RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, to achieve the Dakota County Board’s vision of a 200-mile greenway system, the County is proceeding with a feasibility study and design for the Lebanon Hills Greenway segment between Interstate 494 and Lone Oak Road/70th St W in Eagan and Inver Grove Heights; and
WHEREAS, County staff sent a Request for Proposal to six qualified professional consultants; and
WHEREAS, three proposals were received and evaluated by County staff; and
WHEREAS, the proposal from Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. had the best-value costs for the study and design and provides all the services needed; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Parks and Greenways CIP Budget includes Transportation Advancement Account and Sales and Use Tax funds up to $412,290 for engineering consulting services; and
WHEREAS, the County Parks Director recommends execution of a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for engineering consulting services for the Lebanon Hills Greenway Lone Oak Road to I-494 alignment study and design project (2000636) for actual costs not to exceed $412,290.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager or delegate to execute a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to perform an alignment study and design for the Lebanon Hills Greenway Lone Oak Road to I-494 project (2000636) in an amount not to exceed $412,290, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED, that the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the amendment to the 2026 Parks and Greenways CIP budget to move $162,290 in Sales and Use Tax funds from project 2000637 to project 2000636.
Expense
2000637 LH Grwy - Mendota Heights Gap ($162,290)
2000636 LH Grwy - Lone Oak Road to I-494 $162,290
Total Expense $0
Revenue
Sales & Use Tax - 2000637 LH Grwy - Mendota Heights Gap $162,290
Sales & Use Tax - 2000636 LH Grwy - Lone Oak Road to I-494 ($162,290)
Total Revenue $0
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BACKGROUND
When completed, the Lebanon Hills Greenway will travel 8.5 miles through Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, and Eagan. The Lebanon Hills Greenway will link Lebanon Hills Regional Park to the River to River Greenway, which connects to the Mississippi River Greenway and downtown Saint Paul. There are agricultural areas, primarily in Inver Grove Heights’ Northwest Area, expected to develop in the next few years. The focus of this project is to complete a feasibility study to evaluate and determine the best trail alignment of the segment between Interstate 494 (within Inver Grove Heights limits) and Lone Oak Road/70th St W.
Scope of Work. The scope of work for this study is divided into two sections:
1. A feasibility study of the north portion of the corridor, extending from the Bridge 19831 over Interstate 494 (65th St W/Argenta Trail) to the existing trail north of Shanahan Lake that is currently maintained by the City of Eagan.
2. A preliminary and final design of the south portion of the corridor, covering the Shanahan Lake to Lone Oak Road and/or the connection to the existing trail that runs through the Blackstone Ponds townhouse complex and is maintained by the City of Inver Grove Heights.
The scope includes 12 primary tasks: project management, agency coordination, survey data, right of way review, environmental documentation, public and private utility identification, geotechnical evaluation and design elements, public engagement, greenway engineering, permits and approvals, construction plan/bid support, and grant writing and external funding identification.
Consultant Selection and Roles. Dakota County issued a Request for Proposal for the above-noted services to six consultant teams on July 6, 2026. Three proposals were received and evaluated by County staff from the Parks, Planning, and Environmental Resources offices on August 7, 2026. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Kimley-Horn) was selected as the preferred consultant based on project understanding, team expertise, knowledge of the project area, quality control, previous positive County experience, and strong performance on similar projects. The proposed costs and hours were considered reasonable, and the total contract cost fell within the range anticipated by staff.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of a contract with Kimley-Horn for the professional services for the Lebanon Hills Greenway Lone Oak Road to I-494 project (2000636) for actual costs not to exceed $412,290. Kimley-Horn’s proposal aligns closely with the project goals and demonstrates a strong understanding of the required outcomes. The team has direct experience in the project area and with the cities of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights, which will support effective coordination and reduce project risk. Although their budget and hourly rates are not the lowest, the team size is appropriate and offers a range of expertise, providing greater efficiency, higher-quality work, and stronger overall value.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The Adopted 2026 Parks and Greenways CIP budget includes sufficient Transportation Advancement Account and Sales Tax funds for the Lebanon Hills Greenway Lone Oak Road to I-494 alignment study and design project with a proposed budget amendment to move funding from another project.
Project 2000636 LH Greenway - Lone Oak Road to I-494
Current Project Budget
|
Funding Source |
Total Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Transportation Advancement Acct |
$121,770 |
$121,770 |
|
Sales and Use Tax |
$128,230 |
$128,230 |
|
Total |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
Proposed Project Budget
|
Funding Source |
Total Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Transportation Advancement Acct |
$121,770 |
$121,770 |
|
Sales and Use Tax |
$290,520 |
$290,520 |
|
Total |
$412,290 |
$412,290 |
2000637 LH Greenway - Mendota Heights Gap
Current Project Budget
|
Funding Source |
Total Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Transportation Advancement Acct |
$104,805 |
$104,805 |
|
Sales and Use Tax |
$195,195 |
$195,195 |
|
Total |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
Proposed Project Budget
|
Funding Source |
Total Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Transportation Advancement Acct |
$104,805 |
$104,805 |
|
Sales and Use Tax |
$195,195 |
$195,195 |
|
Total |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Contract Summary Sheet
CONTACT
Department Director: Niki Geisler
Author: Luisa Torres