DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With The State Of Minnesota For Waterford Bridge Rehabilitation And Amend 2026 Parks Capital Improvement Project Budget
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RESOLUTION
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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 24, 2020); and
WHEREAS, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources, 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 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, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources, will use funding up to $500,000 for Construction and will be reimbursed by State of Minnesota acting as a funding pass through; and
WHEREAS, Waterford Township will continue to own and maintain the bridge; and
WHEREAS, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources will continue to own and maintain the trail; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends executing a joint powers agreement with State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources 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 State of Minnesota for Dakota County to administer the project and for Dakota County to use State funding up to but not to exceed $500,000 for rehabilitation construction activities, subject to approval by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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): $500,000
Total Expense: $500,000
Revenue
State of Minnesota: $500,000
Total Revenue: $500,000
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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 the State will codify funding, ownership and construction roles and responsibilities (Attachment: Draft Joint Powers Agreement).
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends executing a JPA with the State of Minnesota for Bridge rehabilitation of the Mill Towns State Trail Waterford Bridge. Dakota County to administer the project, for Waterford Township to use awarded Minnesota Historical Society Legacy (MNHS) grant funds for construction and for the State to contribute funding up to $500,000 to fund construction costs that exceed Waterford Township and Dakota County grant funds awarded for County Project 97-244. Waterford Township to continue to own and maintain the bridge, and the DNR will continue to own and maintain the trail. No additional maintenance costs 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 external grant funds will be used for construction administration and inspection, and construction services for County Project 97-244.
|
Funding Sources |
Total Budget |
Available Budget |
|
2025 LCCMR Appropriations (ENRTF) |
$2,717,000 |
$2,717,000 |
|
Transportation - County Funds |
$25,131 |
$16,933 |
|
2026 MNHS Grant (Waterford Township) |
$325,000 |
$325,000 |
|
State of Minnesota (DNR) |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
|
Totals |
$ 3,567,131 |
$ 3,558,933 |
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: Project Location Map
Attachment: Waterford Bridge
Attachment: 2025 ENRTF LCCMR Grant
Attachment: Draft JPA
CONTACT
Department Director: Niki Geisler
Author: Tony Wotzka