City Council Meeting Date: December 6, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consider Resolution approving Cooperative Agreement with the State of Minnesota for the Final Design for the Mill Towns State Trail from Riverside Park to the Waterford Bridge.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution approving a Cooperative Agreement with the State of Minnesota for the Final Design for the Mill Towns State Trail from Riverside Park to the Waterford Bridge.
Summary Report:
On April 16, 2019, the City Council updated and adopted the alignment of Mill Towns State Trail in the City and in September of 2019 entered into a cooperative agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the preliminary design for the Mill Towns State Trail from Riverside Park to the Waterford Bridge.
The DNR has funding available to bring the preliminary design to final design to get the project ready for construction. The DNR has $290,000 available for final design on all or a portion of the trail from Riverside Park to Waterford Bridge. The City would be the lead agency as part of the cooperative agreement working alongside the DNR on this project.
Upon approval of the Cooperative Agreement, the City will send out proposal request to firms that specialize in this work. This work is anticipated to be completed over the next two years.
Also, as part of the Cooperative Agreement the City will grant the state the land use associated with the trail in exchange for the DNR performing the operation and maintenance of the trail.
Alternative Options:
The City could choose not to enter into the cooperative agreement; however, staff is recommending that we proceed to continue to get the project ready for construction.
Financial Impacts:
The project funding from the DNR is $290,000. The City will have an agreement with a consultant for the work, and request reimbursements along the way. If cost changes/increases arise, the City will work with the DNR on approval and funding of any additional services.
The only cost to the City for this work is staff time.
Tentative Timelines:
ü April 13, 2019 - Alignment of Mill Towns State Trail approved by Council
ü September 3, 2019 - Approve Cooperative Agreement for preliminary Design for Mill Towns State Trail from Riverside Park to the Waterford Bridge.
ü October 5, 2021 Approval of preliminary design of Mill Towns State Trail from Riverside Park to the Waterford Bridge.