DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Inver Grove Heights For Greenway And Trail Segment Maintenance
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of a city-wide maintenance agreement with the City of Inver Grove Heights for the Lebanon Hills Greenway, Mississippi River Greenway and Veterans Memorial Greenway that require routine and deferred maintenance, or replacement of Greenway Regional trail infrastructure according to the County’s existing maintenance service standards (Attachment: Draft Maintenance Agreement). Additional segments and infrastructure of the Veterans Memorial Greenway and Lebanon Hills Greenway will be added through contract amendments (Attachment: Open and Planned Map).
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 13-442 (August 27, 2013), the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway (now Lebanon Hills Greenway) Master Plan (Master Plan) was adopted by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. The master plan established a preferred alignment of the Lebanon Hills Greenway through Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights and Eagan.
By Resolution No. 99-526 (September 21, 1999), the Mississippi River Greenway Master Plan (Master Plan) was adopted by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. The master plan established a preferred alignment of the Mississippi River Greenway from St. Paul to Hastings.
By Resolution No. 17-493 (September 26, 2017), the Veterans Memorial Greenway Master Plan (Master Plan) was adopted by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. The master plan established a preferred alignment of the Veterans Memorial Greenway from Dodd Road in Eagan to the Mississippi River Greenway in Inver Grove Heights.
The proposed Draft Maintenance Agreement is a new template that creates a standard city-wide maintenance agreement for Greenway segments and infrastructure, rather than multiple individual agreements for segments or separate projects. A primary goal is to create efficiencies for both the County and City.
The proposed Maintenance Agreement will replace the existing supplementation maintenance agreement number 23775 for the Mississippi River Greenway and agreement number C0028231 for the Lebanon Hills Greenway, and will define city-wide maintenance responsibilities for approximately one and a half miles of existing Lebanon Hills Greenway, seven miles of existing Mississippi River Greenway regional trail, as well as the 2024-2025 County-led project P00147 Veterans Memorial Greenway which constructed about two miles of new trail, including a tunnel under Rich Valley Boulevard (County State Aid Highway 71) (Attachment: Project Location Map). Subsequent amendments to the agreement will be completed by adding or revising exhibits when new infrastructure is added, like future segments of the Veterans Memorial Greenway and Lebanon Hills Greenway, or if maintenance terms change.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends Dakota County replace the existing supplemental maintenance agreement number 23775 and C0028231 and execute a new city-wide Maintenance Agreement with the City of Inver Grove Heights for Greenway and trail segments within the city boundaries of Inver Grove Heights for the Lebanon Hills Greenway, Mississippi River Greenway and Veterans Memorial Greenway that require maintenance responsibilities.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
It is expected that Dakota County will perform routine maintenance, deferred maintenance, and replacement of Greenway Regional trail infrastructure. 2026 estimates for routine maintenance activities cost about $4,000 per mile. The County will use Facilities Management operations budget, which is funded by Levy, General Fund and CPA funding sources. For capital Greenway maintenance and preservation, the County uses Greenway Enhancement and Greenway Preservation set asides, which are funded by Active Transportation and General Funds. Sufficient funding is available for this maintenance agreement and no new budget is recommended.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 99-526 (September 21,1999), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Mississippi River Greenway Master Plan; and
WHERAS, by Resolution No. 13-442 (August 27, 2013), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Lebanon Hills Greenway Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 17-493 (September 26, 2017), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Veterans Memorial Greenway Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 12-152 (March 27, 2012), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized a joint powers agreement with the City of Inver Grove Heights for construction, operation, and maintenance of the Mississippi River Regional Trail; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 16-204 (April 19, 2016), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized a joint powers agreement with the City of Inver Grove Heights for a trail easement, construction and future trail maintenance of the Lebanon Hills Greenway; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has constructed or reconstructed about one and a half miles of the Lebanon Hills Greenway in 2016-2017, seven miles of the Mississippi River Greenway to Dakota County Greenway standards in 2012-2014 and constructed about two miles of the Veterans Memorial Greenway in 2024 and 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is mutually agreeable for the City of Inver Grove Heights and Dakota County to execute a maintenance agreement to define the routine, deferred, and replacement responsibilities of the County’s Greenway, site amenities and furnishings, vegetation, utilities, and structural infrastructure like bridges or tunnels; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County will continue to perform routine trail inspections and routine maintenance of the Greenway regional trails, including graffiti removal, and routine, deferred, and replacement maintenance of Greenway infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available in the Public Facilities Upkeep, Greenway Preservation and Greenway Enhancement set asides.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director, or their designee, to execute a Joint Powers Agreement, as substantially presented, with the City of Inver Grove Heights for the Mississippi River Greenway and Veterans Memorial Greenway that require routine and deferred maintenance, or replacement of Greenway Regional trail infrastructure according to the County’s existing maintenance service standards, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
99-526; 9/21/99
08-332; 9/9/08
12-152; 3/27/12
16-204; 4/19/16
17-493; 9/26/17
24-188; 4/9/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Draft Maintenance Agreement
Attachment: Open and Planned 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: Tony Wotzka