DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Eagan And City Of Inver Grove Heights For Design And Construction Of Lebanon Hills Greenway, County Project 2000513
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize executing a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City of Eagan and the City of Inver Grove Heights for a Greenway Collaborative project that will include construction of a portion of the Lebanon Hills Greenway and the construction of intersection improvements at Wescott Road and Dodd Road, also known as Trunk Highway (TH) 149, along the city borders of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights, County Project (CP) 2000513.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 13-442 (August 27, 2013), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Mendota-Lebanon Hills, now Lebanon Hills, Greenway Master Plan. The master plan established a preferred alignment for the Lebanon Hills Greenway between Mendota Heights and Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
To promote a safe and efficient greenway system, Dakota County is partnering with the City of Eagan and the City of Inver Grove Heights on CP 2000513. Dakota County completed a feasibility analysis for the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway, now named the Lebanon Hills Greenway, in 2023 that analyzed alignments that paralleled Dodd Road and created a new section of trail along Wescott Road to the intersection of TH 149. The City of Eagan received local funding from MnDOT to implement intersection improvements at TH 149 and Wescott Road and Argenta Trail in 2024. Eagan staff inquired if the County would be interested in incorporating the improvements from the 2023 feasibility study with their work, knowing they are mutually complimentary, and construction work with Eagan and Inver Grove Heights is already occurring just north of here with the Argenta Trail reconstruction project. It is mutually desirable by the Cities and County to improve the intersection and construct roughly 575’ of new Greenway regional trail along Wescott Road and across the existing Railroad and TH 149 to connect with Greenway alignment that will be built along Argenta Trail in 2025 (Attachment: Location Map). The County and Cities will share project responsibilities and project costs. County staff recommends using the Greenway Collaborative set-aside for the County’s costs.
A JPA with the Cities is necessary to define County and City construction cost participation and reimbursement for CP 2000513. The City of Eagan is the lead interagency project and will be administering the contract with the construction contractor. The project will consist of Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) signal improvements, a pedestrian ramp, and related improvements to the signal system, as well as the construction of a new segment of the Lebanon Hills Greenway from Wescott Road and Dodd Road on the west to the proposed Greenway construction project area along Argenta Trail. Additionally, the City of Eagan is replacing the existing railroad crossing surface on Wescott Road, which will also include a new extension and trail crossing for the Lebanon Hills Greenway. Dakota County will only be responsible for those costs directly associated with the Greenway improvements and will follow the 85 percent County, 15 percent City Greenway Collaborate Cost Participation Practice (Attachment: Construction Estimate). The total cost of the JPA to Dakota County is estimated to be $300,000. This greenway collaborative project is consistent with current cost-share practice for city-led greenway projects. A subsequent Supplemental Maintenance Agreement will follow upon construction completion.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends executing a JPA with the City of Eagan and City of Inver Grove Heights to define construction and cost-share responsibilities for CP 2000513, which includes construction administration roles and responsibilities.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
County Project 2000513 is a City-led design and construction project. Budget for construction is included within the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program within the Greenway Collaborative Set-Aside.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 13-442 (August 27, 2013), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Mendota-Lebanon Hills, now Lebanon Hills, Greenway Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, to promote a safe and efficient greenway system, Dakota County is proceeding with County Project (CP) 2000513; and
WHEREAS, the existing intersection at Trunk Highway 149 and Wescott Road and Argenta Trail is aging and requires safety improvements; and
WHEREAS, a 2023 Dakota County preliminary design and alignment study for the Mendota-Lebanon Hills Greenway (since renamed as the Lebanon Hills Greenway) regional trail identified an alignment adjacent to Dodd Road, Wescott Road, and Argenta Trail; and
WHEREAS, it is considered mutually desirable to complete construction of roughly 575 feet of new Lebanon Hills Greenway alignment and implement intersection improvements with the signals and pedestrian ramps along the city borders of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights; and
WHEREAS, the City of Eagan is the lead agency for CP 2000513 to administer the contract with the construction contractor; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is partnering with the City of Eagan and the City of Inver Grove Heights for CP 2000513; and
WHEREAS, a joint powers agreement with the City of Eagan and the City of Inver Grove Heights is required to define roles and associated costs for construction and cost participation for CP 2000513; and
WHEREAS, County and City construction costs for CP TBD will be in accordance with Greenway Collaborative Program Cost Share Practice, with the County’s cost-share of 85 percent and Cities’ cost-share of 15 percent of Greenway project-related items; and
WHEREAS, the total estimated County project costs is $300,000, including 20 percent contingency; and
WHEREAS, CP 2000513 funding is included in the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program in the Greenway Collaborative Set-Aside.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director, or designated Department Director, to execute a joint powers agreement with the City of Eagan and City of Inver Grove Heights to proceed with County Project 2000513 for construction and reimbursement of the construction costs of the Lebanon Hills Greenway adjacent to Wescott Road and at the intersection of Argenta Trail and Trunk Highway 149 for the period of April 8, 2025 through December 31, 2026, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
22-140; 3/22/22
24-482; 9/24/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location
Attachment: Construction Cost Estimate
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