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MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: <br />TO: <br /> <br />CC: <br />FROM: <br />RE: <br /> <br />January 28, 1999 <br />James E. Norman, City Administrator <br />Dean Kapler, Director of Public Works <br />Park and Recreation Commission <br />Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Supervisor <br />Selecting a Consultant for a Master Trail Plan <br /> <br />Earlier this winter, the three of us met to discuss selection of a professional firm to provide a master trail <br />plan for the City. It was agreed that I should attempt to obtain master trail documents from a few sources, <br />then rate the documents with the result being that the firm with the best product would be invited to <br />prepare a proposal for staff and City Council approval. <br /> <br />I was successful in receiving "Mississippi River Regional Trail Master Plan" that was prepared by <br />Pioneer Engineering for Anoka County Parks. In addition, I spoke to a Tom from Damon Farber & <br />Associates, who indicated he would send me a sample Master Trail Plan (This was a couple of weeks ago <br />and nothing has been received to date). <br /> <br />When SRF Consulting Group, Inc. was asked to provide sample trail plans, the immediately delivered: <br /> Minnesota River Trail (prepared for Chippewa County) <br /> Integrated Park Trail System Implementation Guide (prepared for the Northwest Hennepin League of <br /> Municipalities) <br />· Faribault County Unit Trail (prepared for Faribault County Trails Association) <br />· Midtown Greenway Phase IH Corridor Master Plan (prepared for Hennepin Community Works) <br />· Master Plan for Regional Trail Improvements (prepared for the Suburban Hennepin Regional Park <br /> District) <br /> <br />I have reviewed the plan by Pioneer and those of SRF for content, usefulness, detail, and visual interest. <br />Based upon this review, it is apparent why SKF is considered the imminent trail planning firm in the <br />metropolitan area (The plan from Pioneer, for instance, did not even include a table of contents). <br /> <br />In addition to the document review, I conducted a telephone interview with two individuals that SKF <br />reported to as part of their 1998 trail plans. The first was Bob Wicklund, Director of Administration for <br />Hennepin Parks. He stated that Mr. Barry Warner and SRF was "first class - especially in public <br />presentations". He went on to say they are real happy with the product, the planning conducted in <br />preparation of the plan and the timeliness of the firm. Since their receipt of the plan, Hennepin Parks has <br />expanded their use of SRF to the implementation phase. <br /> <br />I also spoke to Ms. JoAnne Blomme, Director of Land and Resource Management for Chippewa County. <br />She said they hired SKF because they came recommended by the DNR. She said they were please by <br />SRF's performance and thought they did an in depth, thorough study. She was also impressed that the <br />firm was accurate and "straight-forward" with what each element of the plan would cost. <br /> <br />Unless additional information is required, I am recommending we seek City Council approval to request a <br />master trail plan proposal from SRF Consulting Group. Please let me know how I should proceed. <br /> <br />~shared/corresp/boos/memos/trailconsult <br /> <br /> <br />