ADMINISTRATION - Jon Haukaas, Director of Public Works
Title
Title
Authorize a Professional Services Contract with WSB & Associates, Inc. for Design and Construction Administration of 99th Ave and Baltimore Street Intersection Improvements
end
Executive Summary
Authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Contract with WSB & Associates for design and construction administration support services related to intersection improvements at 99th Ave and Baltimore Street.
Background
In 2020, city staff submitted a grant application under the Minnesota Department of Transportation Highway Safety Improvements Plan (HSIP) to construct a roundabout at 99th Ave and Baltimore Street to improve the flow of traffic on and off TH65 at this location. The city was awarded $1.53 million toward construction of these improvements in 2022 as it was believed that the PEL Study and initial design work would be completed by that time.
The project was originally conceived to be part of the Trunk Highway (TH) 65 Improvements. The continued study work determined that the intersection improvements were independent of the highway project and would be beneficial to construct prior to other TH65 work. The study also took much longer than originally planned and the city was in danger of losing the grant due to the extended timeline.
Staff requested a timeline extension to expend the HSIP funds which was granted by the Met Council Transportation Advisory Board. The program rules only allow for a one-year extension. In order to preserve this federal funding, the city must act quickly to ensure a project is initiated prior to June 30, 2023.
An RFP was sent to several firms in the city’s Engineering Transportation Services pool. Three of four firms contacted returned proposals. These were Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH), TKDA, and WSB. All three firms submitted complete detailed proposals with highly qualified staff.
Staff evaluated the proposals based on:
1. Work plan and schedule - do they understand all the steps involved in completing this project and the critical path items involved
2. Qualifications of assigned staff and relevant similar project work
3. Understanding of the project objectives and overall value to the taxpayer
Ultimately, staff recommends the Council accept the proposal from WSB because it was the most robust of the three proposals and it provides the best value to perform this work.
The Scope of Work includes:
Design Phase - $169,597
- Project management
- Surveying and mapping
- Utility coordination and relocation
- Right of Way identification and documents
- Environmental document
- Wetland delineation, requisite approvals, and permits
- Traffic studies and Roundabout Justification Report
- Final Design
Added Value Tasks - $44,220
- R/W Certificate #1 Assistance
- Visualization presentations for outreach
- Enhanced landscaping design
- Section 4f documentation and approval
Construction Phase - $135,891
- Project management
- Construction administration
- Inspection services
- Construction surveying
- Environmental services
- Testing services
Strategic Plan Relationship
Improvements relating to Trunk Highway 65 are considered one of the City’s Strategic Priorities.
Board/Commission Review
Not applicable.
Financial Impact
Total proposed contractor engineering fees are $349,708. It is anticipated that a significant amount of the construction portion of this project will be funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Project grant of $1.53 million. The city is responsible for a minimum match of 10%. The consultant will develop cost estimates prior to bidding to determine final cost needs to be paid for from the TH65 matching funds or the Pavement Management Program (PMP) fund. Funding for the design and construction administration is proposed to be paid for from our Minnesota State Aid System (MSAS) account.
Public Outreach/Input
No public outreach/input is needed for this approval. Staff does anticipate additional outreach in the future as the project is developed.
Staff Recommendation
By motion, authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract with WSB & Associates, Inc. in the amount of $349,708 for engineering design and construction administration services for the 99th Ave and Baltimore Street Intersection Improvement project. In addition, authorize a 10% contingency to bring the total requested budget to $384,679 and authorize the Director of Public Works to sign all change orders up to the authorized project budget amount.
Attachment List
Request for Proposal Document