DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Award Proposal And Execute Contract With RES Great Lakes, LLC For Spring Lake Savanna Restoration Project
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the award of proposal and execute contract with RES Great Lakes, LLC 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 area’s respective 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 Minnesota Legislature’s 2022 Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) and from the state Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). By Resolution No. 22-334 (August 23, 2022) and by Resolution No. 23-130 (March 28, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the execution of these grant contracts. Grant funding is available until June 30, 2028. Additional grant funds will be sought for contracted work occurring after that date (an estimated $63,049.78). If no external funding is secured by the end of the existing grants, Natural Resources Base Program Funding (Environmental Legacy Fund) 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 December 19, 2025, which will restore 17.1 of SLPR. Six proposals were received, as follows:
Bidder Total Base Proposal Amount
RES Great Lakes, LLC $241,984.40
Landbridge Ecological $263,727.00
Natural Resource Services $306,988.46
Native Resource Preservation $323,260.75
Prairie Restorations $574,953.61
Minnesota Native Landscapes $692,183.25
The best value proposal was from RES Great Lakes, LLC for $241,984.40.
In addition to the base bid tasks, bids were received for alternate tasks that included woody and invasive species removal work on an additional 34.8 acres. RES Great Lakes, LLC’s proposal included a bid of $513,745.80 for the alternate tasks.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends awarding the proposal and authorizing the execution of a contract with RES Great Lakes, LLC for the Spring Lake Savanna Restoration Project for the base and alternate tasks for a contract maximum of $755,730.20
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Funding for this project is derived from the Minnesota Legislature’s 2022 Outdoor Heritage Fund through June 30, 2027, and the state ENRTF through June 30, 2028. If no additional external funding is secured by the end of the existing grants, Natural Resources Base Program Funding (Environmental Legacy Fund) 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.
Project 2000592 Spring Lake Restoration
|
Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Available Budget |
|
ML22 Outdoor Heritage Fund Grant |
$341,605 |
$341,605 |
|
LCCMR ENRTF Grant |
$351,075 |
$351,075 |
|
Allocated-ELF |
$63,050 |
$63,050 |
|
Total |
$755,730 |
$755,530 |
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
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 Minnesota Legislature’s 2022 Outdoor Heritage Fund Grant, which was authorized by Resolution No. 22-334 (August 23, 2022), and 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 $63,049.78); 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 December 19, 2025, which will restore 17.1 acres of SLPR; and
WHEREAS, the best value proposal was from RES Great Lakes, LLC for $241,984.40; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the base bid tasks, bids were received for alternate tasks that included woody and invasive species removal on an additional 34.8 acres; and
WHEREAS, RES Great Lakes, LLC’s proposal included a bid of $513,745.80 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 RES Great Lakes, LLC for the Spring Lake Savanna Restoration Project for the base and alternate tasks for a contract maximum of $755,730.28, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.