DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Award Proposal And Execute Contract With Native Resource Preservation For Spring Lake Woodlands Restoration Project
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the award of proposal and execute contract with Native Resource Preservation (NRP) for restoration and enhancement at Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR).
SUMMARY
Background:
Dakota County’s Natural Resource Management System Plan (NRMSP) was adopted by Resolution No. 17-274 (May 9, 2017). The NRMSP determined that Parks Natural Resources shall restore the Dakota County Parks System’s natural areas per each Park Natural Resource Management Plan.
The SLPR Natural Resources Management Plan was adopted by Resolution No. 21-313 (June 22, 2021) and identified high-priority ecological restoration sites within the park.
Funding for this restoration work will be derived from the state Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). By Resolution No. 23-130 (March 28, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized accepting the award and entering into an agreement with the state of Minnesota. Grant funding is available until June 30, 2028. Additional grant funds will be sought for contracted work occurring after that date (an estimated $48,000). If no external funding is secured by the end of the existing ENRTF grant, Natural Resources Base Program Funding within the 2028 Parks Capital Improvement Program will be used to complete the contract, or the scope of the contract will be reduced to coincide with the existing grant funding.
Contract Information:
A request for proposals (RFP) was prepared and released on July 29, 2025, which will restore 56 acres of SLPR. Six proposals were received, as follows:
Bidder Total Base Proposal Amount
Native Resource Preservation $244,559.46
Landbridge Ecological $260,135.43
Resource Environmental Solutions $264,889.90
Stantec Consulting Services $350,704.03
Minnesota Native Landscapes $401,622.58
Prairie Restorations $431,835.60
The best value proposal was from NRP for $244,559.46.
In addition to the base bid tasks, bids were received for alternate tasks that included additional prescribed burning, tree removal, and deadfall removal. NRP’s proposal included a bid of $39,874.30 for the alternate tasks.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends awarding the proposal and authorizing the execution of a contract with NRP for the Spring Lake Woodlands Restoration Project for the base and alternate tasks for a contract maximum of $284,433.76.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Funding for this project is derived from the state ENRTF through June 30, 2028. If no additional external funding is secured by the end of the existing ENRTF grant, Natural Resources Base Program Funding within the 2028 Parks Capital Improvement Program will be used to complete the contract, or the scope of the contract will be reduced to coincide with the existing grant funding.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Natural Resource Management System Plan adopted by Resolution No. 17-274 (May 9, 2017) determined that Parks Natural Resources shall restore the Dakota County Parks System’s natural areas; and
WHEREAS, the Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR) Natural Resources Management Plan was adopted by Resolution No. 21-313 (June 22, 2021) and identified high-priority ecological restoration sites within the park; and
WHEREAS, funding for this restoration work will be derived from the state Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) which was authorized by Resolution No. 23-130 (March 28, 2023); and
WHEREAS, grant funding is available until June 30, 2028, and additional grant funds will be sought for contracted work occurring after that date (an estimated $48,000); and
WHEREAS, if no external funding is secured by the end of the existing ENRTF grant, Natural Resources Base Program Funding within the 2028 Parks Capital Improvement Program will be used to complete the contract, or the scope of the contract will be reduced to coincide with the existing grant funding; and
WHEREAS, a request for proposals was prepared and released on July 29, 2025, which will restore 56 acres of SLPR; and
WHEREAS, the best value proposal was from Native Resource Preservation (NRP) for $244,559.46; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the base bid tasks, bids were received for alternate tasks that included additional prescribed burning, tree removal, and deadfall removal; and
WHEREAS, NRP’s proposal included a bid of $39,874.30 for the alternate tasks.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby awards the proposal to and authorizes the Parks Department Director to execute a contract with NRP for the Spring Lake Woodlands Restoration Project for the base and alternate tasks for a contract maximum of $284,433.76, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
17-274; 5/9/17
21-313; 6/22/21
23-130; 3/28/23
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Boundary 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: Scott Hagen