DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Waterford Township For Bridge Rehabilitation And Amend 2026 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget
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RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, in 2026, Waterford Township was awarded a Minnesota Historical Society Legacy grant for $295,000 for rehabilitation of the historic Waterford Bridge (Bridge L3275); and
WHEREAS, the Waterford Bridge, constructed in 1909, represents one of the earliest camelback through truss rigid-connected bridges in Minnesota that is still in existence and was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Waterford Bridge is an important community landmark that Waterford Township has made significant efforts to preserve; and
WHEREAS, Waterford Township’s goal is that the historic bridge be fully rehabilitated so future generations can appreciate the unique engineering significance and that the bridge will eventually become a crossing for the Mill Towns State Trail; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County and Waterford Township previously partnered to complete Phase I Rehabilitation of the bridge in 2021 by Resolution No. 20-159, (March 17, 2020); and
WHEREAS, Waterford Township desires to execute a joint powers agreement with Dakota County
for the rehabilitation of the historic Waterford Bridge parallel to Canada Avenue W; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County will provide staff administration of the project for Waterford Township for the duration of the project; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County will use $295,000 of Minnesota Historical Society grant funds for construction and will be reimbursed by Waterford Township acting as a funding pass through; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County will also use $30,000 Waterford Township cash match and $2,717,000 awarded by Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) to Dakota County for construction and professional services contracts; and
WHEREAS, Waterford Township will continue to own and maintain the bridge; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends executing a joint powers agreement with Waterford Township to administer and advance fund Bridge rehabilitation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute a joint powers agreement with Waterford Township for Dakota County to administer the project and for Dakota County to use Minnesota Historical Society grant funds in the amount of $295,000, awarded to Waterford Township, and Waterford Township $30,000 cash match for rehabilitation construction activities, County to be reimbursed by Waterford Township, subject to approval by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2026 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget is hereby amended as follows:
Expense
Cannon River Preservation and Access: Waterford Bridge (2000456): $325,000
Total Expense: $325,000
Revenue
Waterford Township: $325,000
Total Revenue: $325,000
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BACKGROUND
The Waterford Bridge (Attachment: Waterford Bridge) is on the planned Mill Towns State Trail (MTST), which will connect Faribault to the Cannon Valley Trail. Dakota County’s Greenway System will co-locate and manage a portion of MTST that connects West and East Lake Byllesby Regional Park approximately four miles from the Waterford Bridge (Attachment: Project Location).
The Township has raised funds to repair the bridge in the 1980s, and in 1991, when a new vehicular bridge was built, the Township chose to maintain the historic bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use. In 2011 and 2014, the Township again raised funds to stabilize the structure.
The rehabilitation work includes repairing the abutments and bearings, strengthening and painting
the trusses, and repairing the decking and repainting
A contract to complete a second phase of rehabilitation was previously proposed in 2023. Bids were received and tabulated on September 28, 2023, for this repair work. Only one bid was submitted, and it was 96% over the engineer’s estimate and by Resolution No. 23-539 (November 28, 2023), the bid was rejected. County staff agreed to continue to partner with the Township and the Department of Natural Resources to seek future grant opportunities.
Waterford Township has requested Dakota County’s continued assistance with the remaining Bridge Rehabilitation, where Dakota County staff will administer the project on behalf of the Township, and Dakota County will advance fund the grant (Attachment: 2026 Minnesota Historical Society Grant
and Attachment: 2025 ENRTF LCCMR Grant). The JPA between Dakota County and Township will codify funding, ownership and construction roles and responsibilities (Attachment: Draft Joint Powers Agreement).
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends executing a JPA with Waterford Township for Bridge rehabilitation for Dakota County to administer the project, for Waterford Township to act as a pass-through funding source for the Minnesota Historical Society Legacy (MNHS) grant funds and be invoiced by the County upon completion of County Project 97-244. Waterford Township to continue to own and maintain the bridge, with no additional maintenance costs assumed for the County.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
There is sufficient external funding in the 2025 LCCMR Appropriations (ENRTF) to fund all or a portion of the bridge rehabilitation project using the additional grant amount of $295,000 that Waterford Township received with a 2026 MNHS Grant. Waterford Township will also provide a $30,000 cash match as part of the 2026 MNHS Grant. The State of Minnesota (DNR) is also budgeting up to $500,000 for the construction project. The external grant funds will be used
for construction administration and inspection, and construction services for County Project 2000456. A budget amendment is needed to account for the funding coming from Waterford Township.
2000456 Cannon River Preservation & Access: Waterford Bridge Restoration & Park Conservation Area
Original project funding:
|
Funding Sources |
Total Budget |
Available Budget |
|
2025 LCCMR Appropriations (ENRTF) |
$2,717,000 |
$2,717,000 |
|
Total |
$2,717,000 |
$2,717,000 |
Proposed Amended funding:
|
Funding Sources |
Total Budget |
Available Budget |
|
2025 LCCMR Appropriations (ENRTF) |
$2,717,000 |
$2,717,000 |
|
2026 MNHS Grant (Waterford Township) |
$295,000 |
$295,000 |
|
Waterford Township (Cash Match) |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
|
MN DNR |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
|
Totals |
$3,542,000 |
$3,542,000 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-159; 3/17/20
23-317; 7/18/23
23-539; 11/28/23
24-108; 2/27/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Waterford Bridge
Attachment: 2026 Minnesota Historical Society Grant
Attachment: 2025 ENRTF LCCMR Grant
Attachment: DRAFT JPA
CONTACT
Department Director: Erin Laberee
Author: Tony Wotzka