DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc. For Natural Resource Restoration In Harmon Park Reserve And Salem Hills Park
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a contract with Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc. for natural resource improvements of Harmon Park Reserve And Salem Hills Park in Inver Grove Heights.
SUMMARY
The County Land Conservation Plan, which was adopted by Resolution No. 20-568 (November 17, 2020), called for the creation of the City-County Conservation Collaborative (4C) to “more effectively protect critical undeveloped areas, increase natural resource restoration and management, and share information and financial and staff resources within all incorporated areas.”
At the behest of the County towards the advancement of the 4C, proposals for restoration projects were received by the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, and Mendota Heights.
After selecting two projects for support that were proposed by the City of Inver Grove Heights for restoration at Seidl’s Lake Park and Harmon Park Reserve / Salem Hills, by Resolution No. 25-610 (December 16, 2025), the County executed a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City to enact natural resource restoration work in these parks. This JPA included County support by way of project management assistance, project costs paid by the state Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) grant and County match funds, while the City committed to contributing matching funds amounting to a minimum of 15 percent of the project total.
A request for proposals was prepared and released on May 1, 2026, for Harmon Park Reserve and Salem Hills Park 2026 to 2027 Restoration and Enhancement (Attachment: Project Map). Four proposals were received, with base and chosen alternate proposals as follows:
Bidder Total Base Amount Total Base + Alternate Proposal Score
Minnesota Native Landscapes $ 161,790 $ 244,145 334
Native Resource Preservation $ 174,176 $ 283,289 333
Prairie Restoration, Inc. $ 182,312 $ 293,035 256
Landbridge Ecological $ 285,112 $ 518,499 259
Using the best-value contracting procedure, the evaluation team scored the proposals according to the following metrics: proposal cost (30%), vendor past work experience on similar projects (20%), project narrative (15%), quality control measures (15%), project team qualifications (10%), and completeness of the proposal (10%). The highest scoring proposal was determined to be from Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc. for base plus alternate cost of $244,145. The City of Inver Grove Heights has approved the selected proposal as a necessary condition determined by the JPA.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorizing execution of a contract with Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc. for Harmon Park Reserve and Salem Hills Park 2026 to 2027 Restoration and Enhancement for a contract amount of $244,145.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2026 Adopted Parks Budget contains sufficient funding for Harmon Park Reserve and Salem Hills Park 2026 to 2027 Restoration and Enhancement using funding allocated to Project 1001477.
Project 1001477 LC30051 IGH Harmon Restoration
|
Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF ML22) |
$394,748 |
$381,444 |
|
Total |
$394,748 |
$381,444 |
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-568 (November 11, 2020), the County Board of Commissioners adopted a Land Conservation Plan for Dakota County, which included as a goal the establishment of a City-County Conservation Collaborative for natural resources planning, protection, and management; and
WHEREAS, the City of Inver Grove Heights submitted proposals to the City-County Conservation Collaborative for restoration projects in both Seidl’s Lake Park and Harmon Park Preserve/Salem Hills Park; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-610 (December 16, 2025), the City of Inver Grove Heights and Dakota County executed a joint powers agreement to utilize state grant funds and City matching funds to enact natural resource restoration projects in the proposed parks; and
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2026, the County issued a request for proposals for the Harmon Park Reserve and Salem Hills Park 2026 to 2027 Restoration and Enhancement project; and
WHEREAS, best-value contracting was used to evaluate and award this request for proposals; and
WHEREAS, the proposal evaluation team scored each proposal and selected Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, the selected proposal has been approved by the City of Inver Grove Heights as a condition of the joint powers agreement; and
WHEREAS, adequate funds for the contract are available within the 2026 Adopted Parks Budget; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends executing the contract with Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Parks Director to execute a contract with Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc. for the Harmon Park Reserve and Salem Hills Park 2026 to 2027 Restoration and Enhancement project to conduct natural resource restoration in a total amount not to exceed $244,145, subject to approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-568; 11/17/20
25-610; 12/16/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project 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: Christian Klatt