DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With RES Great Lakes, LLC For Natural Resource Restoration Of Caponi Art Park In City Of Eagan
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize bid award and execute contract with selected vendor to enhance and restore natural resources at Caponi Art Park in the City of Eagan.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 20-568 (November 17, 2020), the County Board adopted the Land Conservation Plan (LC Plan) to prioritize and improve County coordination and collaboration with other agencies and organizations regarding land protection and long-term natural resource management. The County received $6.2 million of Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriated by the 2022 Minnesota Legislature (OHF ML22) for land protection and restoration to assist in implementing the LC Plan.
The County initiated the City-County Conservation Collaborative (Collaborative) in 2021 as an innovative and strategic LC Plan initiative to assist and provide incentives for cities to increase natural resource management on important city-owned property. The County worked with the cities to jointly develop guidelines and criteria for implementing the Collaborative, and cities were then asked to submit potential natural resource restoration projects to the County for financial and other assistance. The City of Eagan submitted a proposal for restoring 40 acres of the 50-acre Caponi Art Park (Park).
By Resolution No. 24-627 (December 17, 2024), a joint powers agreement was executed between Dakota County and the City of Eagan authorizing the expenditure of $275,960.00 from a combination of state grant funds, County funds, and City funds towards the enhancement and restoration of natural resources in Caponi Art Park.
A Request for Bids was released on July 3, 2025, and five bids were received on July 18, 2025.
Bidder Base Bid Selected Alts Base + Alt
RES Great Lakes LLC $253,469.90 $21,420.90 $274,890.80
Landbridge Ecological $262,035.90 $15,666.40 $277,702.30
Native Resource Preservation $439,525.65 $72,875.00 $512,400.65
Prairie Restorations Inc. $740,169.27 $39,829.40 $779,998.67
Minnesota Native Landscapes $767,957.00 $30,524.02 $798,481.02
The lowest responsive and responsible bid was submitted by RES Great Lakes, LLC for the lowest combined sum of base and selected alternate bids of $274,890.80.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Dakota County Staff recommend awarding the bid and authorizing the execution of a contract with RES Great Lakes, LLC for $274,890.80.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The Caponi Art Park Restoration will be funded by up to $199,381 of the OHF ML22 Grant funds, with the City of Eagan contributing up to $41,394 in grant match and in-kind contributions, and the County contributing up to $35,185 of grant match from the Environmental Legacy Fund.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-568 (November 17, 2020), the County Board adopted the Land Conservation Plan (LC Plan) to prioritize and improve County coordination and collaboration with other agencies and organizations regarding land protection and long-term natural resource management; and
WHEREAS, the County initiated the City-County Conservation Collaborative (Collaborative) in 2021 as an innovative and strategic LC Plan initiative to assist and provide incentives for cities to increase natural resource management on important city-owned property, as well as establish the recommended cost share split of 80-85 percent from County and 15-20 percent from City; and
WHEREAS, the County received $6.2 million of Outdoor Heritage (OH) funds appropriated by the 2022 Minnesota Legislature (ML22) for land protection and restoration to assist in implementing the LC Plan; and
WHEREAS, the County worked with the cities to develop guidelines and criteria for implementing the Collaborative, and the cities were then asked to submit potential natural resource restoration projects; and
WHEREAS, the City of Eagan (City) submitted a proposal for restoring 40 acres of Caponi Art Park (Park); and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-627 (December 17, 2024) the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the execution of a joint powers agreement with the City of Eagan to expend up to $275,960 from a combination of state grant funds, County funds and City funds to implement natural resource enhancement and restoration of Caponi Art Park located within the City of Eagan; and
WHEREAS, a Request for Bids was released on July 3, 2025, and five bids were received on July 18, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the lowest responsible bid was submitted by RES Great Lakes, LLC in the amount of $274,890.80.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Parks Department Director, or designee, to execute a contract with RES Great Lakes, LLC for the amount of $274,890.80 for the Caponi Art Park Ecological Restoration Phase I project.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-568;11/17/20
24-627;12/17/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Map of Caponi Art Park Project Area
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: Christian Klatt