DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Lake County Outdoors, LLC For Construction For Phase I Veterans Memorial Greenway Landscaping In Inver Grove Heights, County Project P00147
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize a construction contract with Lake County Outdoors, LLC to complete the Phase I greenway landscaping construction work for County Project (CP) P00147, Veterans Memorial Greenway in Inver Grove Heights (Attachment: Project Location).
SUMMARY
To enrich lives by providing high-quality recreation and education opportunities in harmony with natural resource preservation and stewardship, Dakota County is proceeding with the Veterans Memorial Greenway (VMG). The long-range plan was approved by the County Board by Resolution No. 17-493 (September 26, 2017). Phase I construction of this Greenway regional trail was authorized by the County Board by Resolution No. 24-188 (April 9, 2024) and constructed in 2024-2025. The trail construction included about two miles of 10’ wide shared-use trail, a new tunnel under County Highway 71, native prairie seeding, Greenway Wayfinding, and a mid-block crossing of County Highway 73 into Rich Valley Park. Landscaping work will occur at various locations along Phase I, including at the Missing In Action (MIA) Prairie, number 5, and Places We Served, number 6. Additional memorial plaza construction will be completed by a separate construction contract starting in fall the of 2025.
Timeline: The greenway landscaping will begin construction in the fall of 2025, be substantially completed by November 2025, and undergo two years of maintenance until 2027.
Bids Received: Bids were received and tabulated on July 22, 2025 (Attachment: Bid Tabulation). Five bidders submitted bids as follows:
Bidder Bid Amount
Lake County Outdoors, LLC $96,701.46
Clearscape Outdoors Services $125,347.00
Hoffman & McNamara Co. $127,995.00
Greenscape Companies $137,365.00
Urban Companies $153,375.00
The engineer’s estimate for the construction of (CP P00147) is $109,641. The lowest and most responsible bid is $96,701 from Lake County Outdoors, LLC, which is 9 percent below the estimate. Staff has reviewed the bids and determined that the low bid was competitive at the time of bidding.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends awarding the bid to Lake County Outdoors, LLC for construction of the VMG, Phase I landscaping in the amount of $96,701 for CP P00147 and providing $9,670 of additional budget for the incentive payment that is part of MnDOT 2571 construction specification. The incentive payment is only paid when 90 percent of the plants that were installed in the initial installation period that have been continuously acceptable throughout the contract period of two years.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The adopted 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program currently includes a budgeted amount of $13,000,000 in County funds for P00147. The project also has $5,000,000 in secured State Bonding from the 2020 legislative session, $5,000,000 in State Bonding from the 2023 legislative session, and $4,995,000 in Federal Congressional Directed spending for total available funds of $27,250,000. Additionally, the County has secured a $1,000,000 federal appropriation for the Highway 3 grade-separated bridge. Successful completion of this project relies upon the $5,995,000 Federal Congressionally Directed Spending allocation. Sufficient funding is available for the landscaping construction.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide high-quality recreational and educational opportunities in harmony with natural resource preservation and to honor Dakota County’s more-than 25,000 veterans, Dakota County is proceeding with the Veterans Memorial Greenway County Project (P00147); and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Memorial Greenway Phase I is the first segment of regional trail to be secured, designed, and constructed in order to connect the Lebanon Hills Greenway in Eagan to the Mississippi River Greenway in Inver Grove Heights; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Memorial Greenway Phase I regional trail was constructed in 2024-2025 and included two miles of trail starting 500’ west of the intersection of Alameda Path and Cliff Road in Inver Grove Heights and extending east along Cliff Road through Flint Hills property and then ending at Rich Valley Park; and
WHEREAS, staff advertised the Phase I landscaping construction contract (P00147) on July 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the bid of Lake County Outdoors, LLC in the amount of $96,701 was the lowest responsive and responsible bid received; and
WHEREAS, the construction specifications include an incentive payment of 10 percent, or $9,670, if 90 percent or more of the plants that were installed in the initial installation period have been continuously acceptable throughout the contract period of two years; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Park’s Capital Improvement Program Budget has sufficient funds to accommodate the construction contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby awards the bid to and authorizes the Parks Director to execute the contract with Lake County Outdoors, LLC for the construction work (CP P00147) associated with the Veterans Memorial Greenway Phase I Segment landscaping, in the amount of $106,371 based on their low bid and potential incentive payment, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
17-493; 9/26/17
24-188; 4/9/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Bid Tabulation
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