DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Great Places Analysis And Design LLC For Professional Engineering Services For Preliminary Engineering Services Of Pedestrian Safety Improvements On County State Aid Highway 14 From 21st Avenue South To 3rd Avenue South, In The City Of South St. Paul, County Project 14-035
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County and the City of South St. Paul is proceeding with County Project (CP) 14-035; and
WHEREAS, CP 14-035 is the preliminary engineering and final design of minor safety improvements and modifications for pedestrian crossing safety on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 14 from 21st Avenue South to 3rd Avenue South, in South St. Paul; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Department issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to four qualified professional consultants; and
WHEREAS, proposals were evaluated by the County and City of South St. Paul staff; and
WHEREAS, the proposal from Great Places Analysis and Design LLC provides the best value project development cost and most complete response to the RFP; and
WHEREAS, City staff concurs with this recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the adopted Transportation Capital Improvement Program includes sufficient funding for CP 14-035 professional engineering services; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget includes $250,000 for CP 14-035 professional engineering services; and
WHEREAS, County Engineer recommends execution of a contract with Great Places Analysis and Design LLC for professional engineering services for CP 14-035 for actual costs not to exceed $250,000.00; and
WHEREAS, cost participation for CP 14-035 will be 100% County funded as the project scope is limited to the implementation of minor safety improvements; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager or delegate to execute a contract with Great Places Analysis and Design LLC to perform professional engineering services for CP 14-035 in an amount not to exceed $250,000, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
The section of CSAH 14 within the project area has been the focus for several planning efforts and improvement projects to address aging infrastructure and on-going pedestrian mobility and safety challenges.
CP 14-035 will conduct a comprehensive pedestrian crossing study on CSAH 14 (Southview Boulevard) from 21st Avenue S to 3rd Avenue S in the City of South St. Paul. As part of the project scope of work, the Consultant will:
• Evaluate existing pedestrian crossing conditions
• Collect relevant road user and vehicle data
• Identify pedestrian safety and mobility needs
• Conduct public engagement
• Provide recommendations for implementation
• Develop final design plans for selected recommendations
The Transportation Department issued and distributed an RFP to four qualified professional consultants with specialization in pedestrian safety and public engagement. Two proposals were received and evaluated by the County and City of South St. Paul staff. Great Places Analysis and Design LLC is recommended as the preferred consultant based on project understanding, technical approach, public engagement strategy, team expertise, quality control, performance on similar work, and best-value cost.
The consultant cost proposals are summarized below:
|
Consultant |
Estimate |
Hours |
Cost/Hour |
|
Great Places (with SEH as subconsultant) |
$249,980 |
1,568 |
$159.43 |
|
TC2 (with Toole Design, SRF, and Braun as subconsultants) |
$249,855 |
1,492 |
$167.46 |
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorizing execution of a contract with Great Places Analysis and Design LLC for professional engineering services for CP 14-035, CSAH 14 (Southview Blvd) Pedestrian Crossing Study and Design, for an amount not to exceed $250,000.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget includes $250,000.00 for CP14-035 Design and is funded by the following approved budget:
|
Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Transportation Advancement Account |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
|
Total Funding Available |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
Cost participation for CP 14-035 design costs is 100% County-funded. The project budget includes sufficient funding to award the design contract.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
26-039; 01/20/26
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Location Map
Attachment: Contract Summary Sheet
CONTACT
Department Director: Erin Laberee
Author: AJ Fisher