DEPARTMENT: Parks, Facilities, and Fleet Management
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract with Bolton & Menk, Inc. For Environmental Monitoring Services On Minnesota River Greenway In Burnsville And Eagan, County Project P00127
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a contract with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for environmental monitoring services related to construction of the Minnesota River Greenway (P00127) pedestrian bridge in Eagan.
SUMMARY
Dakota County is proceeding with the Minnesota River Greenway Fort Snelling Segment (P00127) to construct 3.7 miles of the Minnesota River Greenway between trailheads located near Nicols Road and Lone Oak Road in Eagan, including a pedestrian bridge to cross over railroad owned by Union Pacific (Attachment: Project Map). Construction of the trail portion of the project began in Fall 2023, with construction of the pedestrian bridge planned to begin in 2025. Through the permitting process for bridge construction Dakota County is required to develop a Fen Contingency Plan to monitor and mitigate construction impacts on nearby wetlands classified as calcareous fen. This plan requires monitoring of vegetation within the project area and of nearby groundwater to understand impacts and potentially take action to mitigate any impacts. These monitoring activities are to begin one year in advance of construction.
A request for proposals for monitoring services was posted to the County website on March 12, 2024; two proposals were received by the March 26, 2024, deadline. County staff evaluated proposals and judged the proposal submitted by Bolton & Menk as the sole proposal responsive to the scope of work and with the staff experience best aligned with the needs of this project (Attachment: Evaluation Summary).
Two firms submitted proposals with the following estimated total and hourly costs:
• Bolton & Menk, Inc.; $100,950; $161.79 per hour
• Rock Leaf Water Environmental; $22,112; $119.28 per hour
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of a contract with Bolton & Menk Inc. for professional services for the Minnesota River Greenway Fort Snelling segment based on the quality and cost-effectiveness of their proposal.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2024 Parks Capital Improvement Program includes a total project budget of $15,173,020 (Attachment: Financial Summary), with all funding budgeted in prior years. Sufficient funds within the project budget are available for this contract.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota River Greenway runs along the south side of the Minnesota River in Eagan and Burnsville, extending from I35-W in Burnsville to Lilydale Regional Park in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 11-516 (October 18, 2011), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the Minnesota River Greenway Plan; and
WHEREAS, the rapidly developing and robust recreational network that has developed in the area has created increased demand for completion of the trail connection between the recently constructed Lone Oak Trail Head, the Cedar Nicols Trailhead, and the Minnesota River Greenway Black Dog Segment to the west; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is preparing to proceed with construction of a pedestrian bridge for the Minnesota River Greenway necessary to complete the project and provide crossing of the adjacent Union Pacific Railroad track; and
WHEREAS, by Minnesota Statute 103G.223, calcareous fen may not be filled, drained, or otherwise degraded by any activity without permission from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and development of an approved management plan; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has cooperated with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on development of a Fen Contingency Plan that is commensurate with the perceived impacts and risks of bridge construction on nearby calcareous fen; and
WHEREAS, the Fen Contingency Plan defines actions for Dakota County to follow before, during, and after construction to monitor the project area and nearby calcareous fen; and
WHEREAS, a request for proposals was issued on March 12, 2024, for environmental monitoring service defined within the Fen Contingency Plan; and
WHEREAS, two responses were received from qualified proposers; and
WHEREAS, Bolton & Menk, Inc. was identified as the most responsive and capable of completing the scope of work; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends execution of a contract with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for environmental monitoring services for the Minnesota River Greenway Fort Snelling segment in an amount not to exceed $100,950.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a contract with Bolton & Menk, Inc. to complete environmental monitoring services necessary to advance the construction of the pedestrian bridge for the Minnesota River Greenway in an amount not to exceed $100,950, subject to approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
11-516; 10/18/2011
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Map
Attachment: Evaluation Summary
Attachment: Financial Summary
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Taud Hoopingarner
Author: Joe Morneau