CONSENT - Dan Schluender, City Engineer
Title
Title
Authorize a Professional Services Contract with WSB & Associates, Inc. to Provide Acquisition Services for Right-of-Way Services of 99th Ave and Baltimore Street Intersection Improvements
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Executive Summary
Authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Contract with WSB & Associates for acquisition services to provide Right-of-Way 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.
The City entered into a contract with WSB to provide professional services for the design of the roundabout. At the time of the contract staff was to lead the effort to obtain any permanent and/or temporary easements required to construct the improvements. Staff has since reviewed the requirements of the federal process to obtain and process any easements and determined that we are unable to process this inhouse. WSB does provide this service and staff requested a proposal to provide acquisition services for right of way (easements) services.
Staff is recommending that Council accept the proposal from WSB as they are currently designing the project and have most of the elements needed for the process to obtain the necessary easements.
The Scope of Work in included in the attachment and summarized here.
Project Management
- Project management
- Coordinate delivery of title work
Pre-Acquisition Services
- Early Notification Letters
- Field Title Reports
Valuation Services
- Coordinate appraisals and reviews
Acquisition Services
- Offer Letters
- Negotiations, Administrative Settlements, Obtain Easements, Mortgage Consents
Audit Services
- Prepare files for Audit
- Coordinate Audit with MnDOT
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 acquisition services fees are $19,285.00. 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 and the remainder from the city’s State aid funds. Funding for the Acquisition services, 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 $19,285 for acquisition services to provide Right-of-Way services for the 99th Ave and Baltimore Street Intersection Improvement project.
Attachment List
Request for Proposal Document