DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Minger Construction Companies, Inc. And Related Grant Agreements And Amendment To 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget For Multimodal Improvements On County State Aid Highways 28 And 56, County Projects 28-69 And 56-14
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
• Authorize execution of the construction contract with Minger Construction Companies, Inc. and related grant agreements.
• Amend the 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget by $2,219,808 to fully fund project construction, contingency, and soft costs consistent with federal funding caps and joint powers agreement requirements.
SUMMARY
Dakota County is advancing two coordinated multimodal improvement projects-CP 28-69 and CP 56-14-that together complete a key segment of the Mississippi River Greenway (MRG) Phase 2. The project limits and planned improvements are illustrated in the Project Location Map (Attachment). An additional exhibit showing the Mississippi River Greenway system and project completion as included in the RAISE Grant Infrastructure Improvements application is provided for context (Attachment).
The projects will construct approximately 2.4 miles of multi-use trail, ADA improvements, enhanced pedestrian crossings, corridor safety elements, wayfinding, drainage upgrades, and associated roadway work along CSAH 28 and CSAH 56 in Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul. Mississippi River Greenway Phase 2 includes:
• CP 28-69 - CSAH 28 (80th St.) Trail Gap
• CP 56-14 - CSAH 56 (Concord Blvd.) Pedestrian and Corridor Improvements
To maximize construction efficiency and manage federal funds under the same Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) authorization, the projects were bid together as State Project 019-090-027. Bids were received and tabulated on May 12, 2026. Seven bidders submitted bids as follows:
Bid Name Total Amount
Minger Construction Companies, Inc. $4,677,338
Meyer Contracting Inc. $5,000,417
Max Steininger, Inc. $5,120,020
McNamara Contracting $5,188,617
New Look Contracting, Inc. $5,287,853
Urban Companies $5,357,131
Pember Companies, Inc. $5,899,109
Engineer Estimate $4,348,306
Funding Background and Federal Caps
These projects use a combination of Federal, State, and local funds, including Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE), Congressional Directed Spending (CDS), National Park Service (NPS) Alternative Transportation Program (ATP) funds, State Active Transportation (AT) funds, and Local match.
Federal caps apply as follows:
CP 28-69
• RAISE (RA10): $1,742,614 (maximum eligible is low bid)
CP 56-14
• RAISE (RA10) (remaining to cap): $557,386
• Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) (MN301): $850,000 (full cap)
• National Park Service (NPS) - Alternative Transportation Program (ATP): $500,000
• State AT: $500,000
All RAISE, CDS, State AT, and NPS ATP funds are applied at their maximum authorized levels, and no additional federal or state dollars can be added under the grant agreements rules. As a result, remaining project costs must be funded locally. The final allocations fully comply with federal eligibility, funding caps, and matching requirements.
Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) Compliance
CP 28-69 JPA (DCA21859.1 Amendment 1)
• Requires 85% County / 15% City participation after all grants are applied.
• Grants fully cover construction; the City only participates in non-grant-eligible items.
• City contribution remains up to $77,304.
CP 56-14 JPA (DCA22630)
• County safety project is 100% county share.
• County and external grants cover the full construction responsibility.
Both projects’ funding structures fully conform to the JPAs.
Budget Amendment Need
The current adopted budgets for CP 28-69 and CP 56-14 are insufficient to fully fund the low-bid construction contract, meet federal match requirements, cover construction administration and other soft costs, and satisfy the cost-share obligations established in the executed joint powers agreements. The following additional budget authority is required:
CP 28-69 - Additional Need: $731,975
This increase is funded through:
• + $592,614 - Additional eligible Federal RAISE funding
• + $139,361 - County State Aid Highway (CSAH) funds
CP 56-14 - Additional Need: $1,487,833
This increase is funded through:
• - $592,614 - Reduction in RAISE (reallocated to CP 28-69 per federal rules)
• + $850,000 - Federal CDS legislative earmark
• + $500,000 - State AT Funds
• + $730,447 - County State Aid Highway (CSAH) funds
The total amendment required for both CP 28-69 and CP 56-14 is $2,219,808, of which $869,807 represents the County’s total CSAH contribution across both projects. All remaining funding increases are covered through competitive federal and state grants that have already been awarded to the projects.
All available federal and state funding sources-including RAISE, CDS, NPS ATP, and State AT-are now applied at their authorized caps and cannot be further increased. As a result, the remaining shortfall must be funded with County State Aid Highway (CSAH) funds.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Award the construction contract for State Project (SP) 019-090-027, which includes County Projects 28-69 and 56-14, to Minger Construction Companies, Inc. in the amount of $4,677,338, and authorize the County Engineer to execute the construction contract subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form. The County Engineer is authorized to execute all required grant documents and funding agreements associated with Federal CDS, Federal NPS-ATP, and State AT funding. The 2026 Transportation CIP shall be amended by $2,219,808, allocating $731,975 to CP 28-69 and $1,487,833 to CP 56-14 using RAISE adjustments, CDS, State AT, and CSAH funds. Staff is further authorized to proceed with construction administration, federal compliance, and all required project delivery activities.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The recommended action increases the combined 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets for CP 28-69 and CP 56-14 by $2,219,808 to fully support construction, contingency, federal match compliance, construction administration, right-of-way closeout, and other project delivery needs.
CP 28-69 (80th St Trail Gap)
The amended budget requires an increase of $731,975, funded with $592,614 in additional eligible Federal RAISE funding and $139,361 in County State Aid Highway (CSAH) funds.
After applying all federal and state funds at their authorized caps, the total local (non-grant-eligible) cost for CP 28-69 is $406,162. Under the Joint Powers Agreement 85% County / 15% City cost-share requirement, this results in:
• County Share (85%): $345,238
• City Share (15%): $60,924
These contributions satisfy the local match obligations and uphold the negotiated cost participation framework.
CP 56-14 (Concord Blvd Corridor)
The amended budget requires an increase of $1,487,833, funded through:
• - $592,614 RAISE (reallocated to CP 28-69)
• + $850,000 Federal CDS
• + $500,000 State AT
• + $730,447 CSAH
Total County CSAH Required (Across Both Projects) is approximately $869,807, after applying all available federal and state contributions at their maximum authorized levels. All federal, state, and local participation levels conform fully to the executed joint powers agreements.
CP 28-69 (2000273): Approved Budget
|
Funding Sources |
Total Approved Budget |
Total Available Budget |
|
CSAH |
$40,530 |
$48 |
|
Wheelage |
$144,477 |
$0 |
|
Transportation Fund Balance |
$4,490 |
$0 |
|
City |
$77,304 |
$0 |
|
RAISE Grant |
$1,150,000 |
$1,150,000 |
|
Total |
$1,416,801 |
$1,150,048 |
CP 28-69 (2000273): Proposed Amended Budget
|
Funding SourcesTotal Amended BudgetTotal Available Budget |
|
|
|
CSAH |
$179,891 |
$139,409 |
|
Wheelage |
$144,477 |
$0 |
|
Transportation Fund Balance |
$4,490 |
$0 |
|
City |
$77,304 |
$0 |
|
RAISE Grant |
$1,742,614 |
$1,742,614 |
|
Total |
$2,148,776 |
$1,882,023 |
CP 56-14 (1001580): Approved Budget
|
Funding SourcesTotal Approved BudgetTotal Available Budget |
|
|
|
CSAH |
$1,090,793 |
$0 |
|
Sales & Use Tax |
$107,182 |
$31,670 |
|
Transportation Fund Balance |
$51,469 |
$0 |
|
National Park Service Grant |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
|
RAISE Grant |
$1,150,000 |
$1,150,000 |
|
Total |
$2,899,444 |
$1,681,670 |
CP 56-14 (1001580): Proposed Amended Budget
|
Funding SourcesTotal Amended BudgetTotal Available Budget |
|
|
|
CSAH |
$1,821,240 |
$730,447 |
|
Sales & Use Tax |
$107,182 |
$31,670 |
|
Transportation Fund Balance |
$51,469 |
$0 |
|
National Park Service Grant |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
|
RAISE Grant |
$557,386 |
$557,386 |
|
State Active Transportation |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
|
Federal Congressional Directed Spending |
$850,000 |
$850,000 |
|
Total |
$4,387,277 |
$3,169,503 |
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Dakota County is implementing County Project (CP) 28-69, CSAH 28 (80th Street) Trail Gap, and County Project (CP) 56-14, CSAH 56 (Concord Boulevard) Pedestrian and Corridor Improvements, which together complete key elements of the Mississippi River Greenway Phase 2; and
WHEREAS, to improve construction efficiencies, reduce staging impacts, and coordinate federal funding under a single Federal Highway Administration authorization, CP 28-69 and CP 56-14 were designed and bid together as State Project (SP) 019-090-027; and
WHEREAS, bids for SP 019-090-027 were opened on May 12, 2026, and the lowest responsive and responsible bid was submitted by Minger Construction Companies, Inc. in the amount of $4,677,338; and
WHEREAS, the adopted budgets for CP 28-69 ($1,416,801) and CP 56-14 ($2,899,444) total $4,316,245 and are insufficient to fully fund the construction contract, meet federal match requirements, cover construction administration and soft costs, and satisfy the cost-share obligations of the executed joint powers agreements; and
WHEREAS, all available federal and state funding sources-including Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE), Congressional Directed Spending (CDS), National Park Service (NPS) Alternative Transportation Program (ATP) funds and State Active Transportation (AT) funds are fully allocated at their authorized caps and cannot be increased; and
WHEREAS, the required additional budget authority totals $2,219,808, consisting of $731,975 for CP 28-69 and $1,487,833 for CP 56-14.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby awards the construction contract for State Project 019-090-027 (CP 28-69 and CP 56-14) to Minger Construction Companies, Inc. in the amount of $4,677,338 and authorizes the County Engineer to execute the contract, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the County Engineer is authorized to execute all necessary grant documents, funding agreements, and administrative actions required to secure and administer RAISE, CDS funds, NPS ATP funds, and State AT funds for CP 28-69 and CP 56-14; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby amends the 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program to increase the budgets for CP 28-69 and CP 56-14 by a combined amount of $2,219,808, with $731,975 allocated to CP 28-69 and $1,487,833 allocated to CP 56-14, funded with RAISE adjustments, Federal CDS, State Active Transportation, and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) funds, as follows:
Expense
CP 28-69 $ 731,975
CP 56-14 $1,487,833
Total Expense $2,219,808
Revenue CP 28-69
RAISE Adjustment (Reallocation) $592,614
CSAH $139,361
Total Revenue $731,975
Revenue CP 56-14
RAISE Adjustment (Reallocation) ($592,614)
CDS $850,000
State AT $500,000
CSAH $730,447
Total Revenue $1,487,833
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map - Combined Map for CP 56-14 (Concord Boulevard) and CP 28-69 (80th Street Trail Gap)
Attachment: Mississippi River Greenway Completion Exhibit - From RAISE Grant Infrastructure Improvements Application
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: Erin
Author: John Sass