DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Saint Paul Board Of Water Commissioners For City Utility Improvement Incorporation Into 2026 Preservation Projects On County State Aid Highway 73 In City Of West St. Paul, County Projects 73-044 And 73-045
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City of Saint Paul Board of Water Commissioners to establish roles, responsibilities, and cost share for the incorporation of City utility improvements as part of the County’s 2026 preservation activity occurring on County State Aid Highway 73 in the city of West St. Paul from 980’ north of County State Aid Highway 14 to County State Aid Highway 8, County Project (CP) 73-044, and from County Road 4 to Annapolis Street East, County Project (CP) 73-045 (Attachment: Location Map).
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County is proceeding with the 2026 preservation of paved highway surface and miscellaneous projects. The 2026 preservation work includes pavement mill and overlay of County roadways, replacement of pedestrian curb ramps at intersections to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, application of pavement markings, and necessary repairs to city utilities. As seen in the Location Map attachment, CP 73-044 is on County State Aid Highway 73 from 980’ north of County State Aid Highway 14 to County State Aid Highway 8, and CP 73-045 is on County State 73 from County Road 4 to Annapolis Street East.
As part of the County’s preservation process, coordination occurs with the city partners to determine if any utility improvements are necessary on the segments of roadways being improved that would be advantageous to include with the preservation work. Incorporating these improvements saves the stakeholders time and money and reduces the burden on the traveling public as the traffic impacts are consolidated into one project versus multiple. These improvements often include repairs to the storm sewer, sanitary sewer, or water main facilities.
Coordination with the City of West St. Paul and Saint Paul Regional Water Services resulted in their desire to include utility improvements with the bid package for CP 73-044 and CP 73-045. In order to facilitate these improvements with the County’s 2026 preservation activity, a JPA is necessary to establish the roles, responsibilities, and cost share for the work. According to the Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan, the County will pay for required adjustments to city water systems at the surface due to the county highway pavement surface work. Saint Paul Regional Water Services is responsible for 100 percent of the costs associated with any water systems work beyond what is needed for the County to do the pavement preservation work. The governing body of Saint Paul Regional Water Services is the City of Saint Paul Board of Water Commissioners.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a JPA with the City of Saint Paul Board of Water Commissioners to formalize cost contributions and responsibilities for CP 73-044 and CP 73-045.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The Draft 2026-2030 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget includes $9,020,000 for Paved Highway Surface preservation activity. Costs associated with the utility work will be split between the County and City of Saint Paul in accordance with the Cost Share Policy. The County will pay for surface adjustments of utilities only where needed for the pavement preservation work. The City will pay 100% for all additional replacements or repairs to the water systems. Funds will not be expended until fiscal year 2026, after the 2026-2030 Transportation Capital Improvement Program is adopted by County Board.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☒ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County is proceeding with the 2026 Preservation of Paved Highway Surfaces; and
WHEREAS, included in the County’s preservation work is an opportunity for coordination with city stakeholders to partner on any necessary utility repairs within the road segments being included; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Regional Water Services desires to incorporate water main repairs as part of County Projects 73-044 and 73-045; and
WHEREAS, County Project 73-044 is the mill and overlay of County State Aid Highway 73 from 980’ North of County State Aid Highway 14 to County State Aid Highway 8 in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, County Project 73-045 is the mill and overlay of County State Aid Highway 73 from County Road 4 to Annapolis Street East in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Board of Water Commissioners is the governing body of Saint Paul Regional Water Services; and
WHEREAS, a joint powers agreement between the County and the City of Saint Paul Board of Water Commissioners is necessary to outline roles, responsibilities, and cost participation; and
WHEREAS, the cost share for adjustments to city utilities needed for the County to perform pavement preservation work is 100 percent County in accordance with the cost share policies outlined in the 2040 Dakota County Transportation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the cost share for water main maintenance/improvements/repairs beyond what is needed for pavement preservation is 100 percent Saint Paul Regional Water Services; and
WHEREAS, the Draft 2026 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget includes sufficient funds to proceed with the 2026 Preservation of Paved Highway Surfaces, including the County’s cost share for utility adjustments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a joint powers agreement between Dakota County and the City of Saint Paul Board of Water Commissioners for utility repair work associated with County Projects 73-044 and 73-045, which are included in the 2026 Preservation of Paved Highway Surfaces.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Location Map
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 Laberee
Author: Kevin Krech