Agenda - Council - 03/30/2010 - Special

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CASE # ~~, CONSIDER AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CITY PROJECT #10-23, EAST MEANDERING COMMONS PARK By: Tim Himmer, City Engineer Background: This park project located within the TOWN CENTER has been reviewed by Council numerous times, dating back to an RFP process that was initiated in August of 2009. The project is comprised of an amphitheater, pedestrian bridges, trails, stormwater treatment facilities, retaining walls, a wetland classroom, and landscaping. A detailed concept plan was developed by URS Corporation and Close Landscape Architecture, in conjunction with various stakeholders, for Ramsey Town Center LLC back in 2005. At Council's direction staff negotiated the purchase of construction drawings from URS so the City could bid the project and proceed with implementation. One of the driving factors for initiating this project was to take advantage of a Livable Communities grant from the Metropolitan Council in the amount of $363,756 for the construction of an amphitheater, pedestrian bridge, and bituminous trails. This grant has been extended once in the past and these funds must be spent by June 30, 2010, which means the improvements must be complete in order to receive reimbursement. Observations: It was Council's direction to bid the project as originally designed, and staff has accomplished that by separating the project into two (2) contracts with a base bid and add alternates for each to realize the entire plan. This was done to create flexibility in awarding a contract that would leave open the ability for future refinements to the plan, and to identify funding sources that could realize the improvements requested. Due to the time constraints associated with the grant money a special Council meeting was scheduled for this evening. The bid opening will take place at 10:00 am on Friday March 26t" and once compiled that information will be made available to the Council via e-mail and the City ftp site. Funding: The engineer's opinion of probable construction costs is $3,350,000. Financing for this project to date has been from the park payment obligations that were collected as part of the original RTC park agreement. Additional funding sources that could be utilized to supplement the grant money include additional RTC park payment obligations, park dedication money, and future land sales. A potential funding scenario, based upon the engineer's estimate, is as follows: Met Council grant $364,000 RTC park payments $340,000 Park dedication (within district) $440,000 Park dedication (outside district) $1,400,000 Future RTC Land Sales $806,000 $3,350,000