Item Description:
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Amd 1 to PR00004057 with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for final design engineering and professional services; request variance for Franklin Avenue (CSAH 5) reconstruction (CP 2172600) (county cost: NTE $3,200,000 state aid)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to execute Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00004057 with Bolton & Menk, Inc. to provide final design engineering and professional services for County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 (Franklin Avenue) reconstruction in Minneapolis between Lyndale and Chicago avenues, county project (CP) 2172600, increasing the contract amount by $1,400,000 to a new total not to exceed of $3,200,000, with no change to the contract period; that upon review and approval by the County Attorney’s office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the amendment on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Engineer is hereby authorized to submit a formal variance request to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation according to Minnesota Administrative Rules for State Aid Operations Chapter 8820, part 8820.9995 (Minimum Off-Road and Shared Use Path Standards) for State Project (S.P.) 027-605-032, S.P. 027-605-034, CP 2172600, to construct new shared use paths and bicycle paths along CSAH 5 with a shoulder/clear zone width less than the required 2 feet minimum, as stipulated; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of the requested variance by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners hereby indemnifies, saves, and holds harmless the State of Minnesota and its agents and employees of and from claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or by reason of the granting of the variance, and further agrees to defend at its sole cost and expense any action or proceeding commenced for the purpose of asserting any claim arising as a result of the granting of this variance.
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Background:
The county, in collaboration with the City of Minneapolis, plans to reconstruct Franklin Avenue from Lyndale Avenue to Chicago Avenue (CP 2172600). The project will install new pavement, curb, and storm water utilities; enhance facilities for people taking transit, walking, and biking; upgrade accessible accommodations and traffic signals; and improve safety.
In 2022 the county entered into an agreement with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for preliminary design engineering services for the project at a county cost not to exceed $1.8 million (Resolution 22-0088). Additional design services are needed to complete the project and staff seeks authorization to amend the current agreement with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for those services, increasing the contract amount by $1,400,000 to a new total not to exceed of $3,200,000. Project funding is available in CP 2172600 - Reconstruct Franklin Avenue from Lyndale to Chicago Avenue, with expenses tracked in its associated subprojects CP 2172601 and CP 2172602.
In addition, a variance for the project is requested to allow for the construction of dedicated pedestrian and bicycle facilities and to minimize private property impacts. This formal variance request, when approved by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, will allow the shoulder/clear zone width between the roadway and the shared use paths and bicycle paths to be reduced from the required 2 feet (minimum) in specific areas along the corridor.
The county will continue its community engagement to share the project’s status and updates. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 with substantial completion in 2026.
Current Request:
This request seeks authorization to execute Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00004057 with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for final design engineering services for the Franklin Avenue reconstruction project, CP 2172600, increasing the contract amount to a new total not to exceed of $3,200,000, with no change to the contract period (03/08/2022-12/31/2026).
Additionally, this request is for authorization to seek a variance from Minnesota Administrative Rules for State Aid Operations Chapter 8820, part 8820.9995 to construct new shared use paths and bicycle paths along CSAH 5 with a shoulder/clear zone width less than the required 2 feet minimum.
Impacts/Outcomes:
This action supports the county’s Mobility 2040 goals, climate action, and disparity reduction efforts by improving accessibility, mobility, and safety for multimodal transportation users.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval