ITEM: 12.4 ADMINISTRATION - Jim Hafner, Stormwater Manager
Title
AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH CRITICAL CONNECTIONS ECOLOGICAL SERVICES, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $687,688.00 FOR A WETLAND BANKING PROJECT FOR SITE NO. 7 IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROPOSAL DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2014,
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 14-10
Background
Since 2009, improvements have been made to the City's Open Spaces as recommended by the Open Space Management Plan. This work restores and preserves parts of the city consistent with the pre-development condition of Blaine. It also provides natural, quiet settings for residents to enjoy nature and become familiar with the diverse plants and habitats of the Anoka Sandplain.
Open Space improvements have been funded through the Open Space and Trails fund which is solely funded through a share of Residential Park Dedication fees. State statute allows these funds to be used for purchase and improvements of open spaces and parks as well as funding amenities. However, it does not allow for the funding of maintenance for parks and open spaces. Within the next few years, open space improvements will be complete. That would mean maintenance would need to be paid through the General Fund unless an alternative source of revenue could be found. There is an opportunity for a wetland banking project within the Site 7 Open Space that could be that alternative source of revenue.
The city currently has a wetland banking project in the center of Site 7. This is being funded by the EDA using TIF funds. Credits created, banked and sold through that project would likely return revenue to the EDA. The newly proposed banking project would be funded by the Open Space and Trails fund, with a potential of generating credits valued between $1.8 and $4.4 million. This would fund the maintenance of open spaces for many years to come without putting pressure on the General Fund.
A request for proposals (RFP) for the proposed banking project was sent out to ten (10) prospective bidders with responses from four (4) interested contractors, who partnered to make two teams. Therefore, two proposals were submitted in response to the RFP. Proposals were evaluated on completeness of the proposed scope of work, expertise and experience with this type of project, and project cost. The project requires very specific methods that are not commonly used. In the review of the proposals, heavy emphasis was placed on the understanding of these specialized methods and the ability to implement them.
It is recommended that the project be awarded to Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. Their proposal was far more complete, exhibited insight into the process and reflected extra research into the potential of the project, not shown by the other proposer. CCES has completed or is working on three other projects like the one being proposed for Site 7. The proposal included an optional task that may or may not be necessary to clear a wooded area. This optional task was priced at $78,300
Recommendation
Motion to authorize City Manager to enter into a contract with Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. in the amount of $687,688, with a possible option of $78,300, for a Wetland Banking Project for Site No. 7.