09.d1 Engineering Updates 10-15-2024
City of Scandia
Engineering Updates 10/17/2024
Engineering italics = old information
• 2024 Street Improvement Project
➢ Anticipated project schedule is as follows:
o December 19, 2023
➢ Approve Plans & specifications/Authorize Ad for Bid
o January 24, 2024
o Bid Opening
o February 20, 2024
➢ CMSCWD was included on the December 7th plan review meeting and discussion, as well as been in contact for
project updates throughout November and beginning of December.
➢ The Preconstruction Meeting has been scheduled for April 3rd, at 10:00am.
➢ Astech completed preliminary culvert cleaning on April 5th – 9th.
➢ Astech will complete large tree removal on Saturday April 20th.
o Resident notices were delivered on April 9th to all impacted by these tree removals.
➢ Pavement reclamation for Phase 1 is scheduled to begin on April 25th.
➢ Base Paving was completed on Phase 1 the week of May 13th – 17th.
➢ Pipework on Phases 2 and 3 will begin the week of May 20th – 24th.
➢ Basin grading along 196th Street on City property will also begin the week of May 20th – 24th.
➢ All pipe work has been completed for Phase 1, 2, and 3.
➢ Base paving for Phase 2 has been scheduled for the end of next week, June 17th – 21st.
o This is dependent on completion of soft spot correction on Phase 2.
➢ Phase 2 had the base layer of pavement placed from June 27th – 29th.
➢ Phase 3 Pavement Reclamation took place from July 1st – 3rd.
➢ Base Paving for Phase 3 has been tentatively scheduled for July 15th – 19th, weather dependent.
➢ Base Paving for Phase 3 was completed between July 25th – 26th.
➢ Wear Paving on Change Order and Phase 1 streets was completed between July 29th – 30th.
➢ Wear Paving on Phase 2 and 3 street was completed between August 7th – 12th.
➢ Shouldering has been scheduled for August 13th – 15th.
➢ Striping was completed on August 26th on Lakamaga, 195th, Maxwill and Mayberry.
➢ An updated punchlist was sent to the Contractor on September 3rd. The Contractor is scheduled to complete the
remaining punchlist work late the week of September 16th – 20th.
➢ The Contractor still has a few remaining punchlist items to be completed prior to project
closeout.
➢ No request for payment will be included as part of the October Agenda.
• 2024 Crack Fill and Seal Coat Project
➢ Project Limits have been reviewed by City staff.
➢ A separate agenda item is being submitted at the March 19th Council Meeting requesting Approval of Plans and
Specifications and to Authorize Ad for Bid.
➢ Plans and Specs have been posted and the Bid Opening is scheduled for April 24th, 2024, at 10:00am.
➢ Bids for the 2024 Crack Fill and Seal Coat Project were opened on Wednesday, April 24th.
➢ A recommendation of project award is included as a separate agenda item.
➢ A schedule has not been formally submitted yet; however, Pearson Bros. has told us that construction will take
place after July 4th.
➢ Pearson Bros. began hauling rock to stockpile at City Hall on Monday June 24th.
➢ Crack Filling was completed July 1st – 3rd.
➢ Seal Coating began on July 9th and is anticipated to be completed on July 11th.
➢ The first sweeping of excess aggregate will take place the week following completion of seal coating.
➢ Contractor’s Request for Payment No. 1 has been included as a separate agenda item.
➢ The second sweeping of excess aggregate was completed on August 13th and 14th.
➢ A striping schedule has been requested, but not yet submitted by the Contractor.
➢ Contractor’s Request for Payment No. 2 has been included as a separate agenda item.
➢ The Contractor has not yet provided final closeout documents for this project.
➢ Contractor’s Request for Payment No. 3 and Final has been included as a separate agenda
item.
• 2024 Tennis Court Reconstruction Project
➢ Project Schedule is as follows:
o Approve Plans & Specifications/Authorize ad for Bid – June 18, 2024.
o Bid Opening – July 10, 2024.
o Consider Contract Award at City Council Meeting – July 16, 2024.
➢ Geotechnical report was received on March 26th, 2024.
o The report soil borings determined that Barton Johson and Community Center Tennis Courts should
both be reconstructed with new bases and pavement. Proposed sections have been discussed with
City Staff.
➢ Wetland Delineations were collected on Thursday April 11th.
o Plan and permitting updates will be completed once delineations have been reviewed and
discussed with City Staff.
➢ All permit applications have been submitted with potential approval scheduled for June 14th.
➢ Plans and specifications have been completed. City comments were received and implemented throughout this
design process.
➢ Request to approve plans, specifications and authorize ad for bid has been included as a separate agenda item.
➢ Bids for the 2024 Tennis Court Reconstruction Project were opened on Wednesday, July 10th, at 9:00am.
➢ A recommendation of project award is included as a separate agenda item, as well as a copy of the bid plans.
➢ The City Council awarded the Base Bid + Alternate 1 to Veit & Company, Inc. at the August 7 th Council workshop.
➢ Change Order No. 1 has been put together and sent to Veit & Company on August 12th.
➢ A preconstruction meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday August 20th at 10am.
➢ Construction will begin after September 9th.
➢ Tree removal began by the City on Monday September 9th, with the Contractor beginning removal work on
September 10th.
➢ The Contractor stockpiled, and plans to test, the existing aggregate base layer to determine whether it can be
re-used as base material. If passing, they will re-use what material they can, and supplement with new class 5
aggregate for the additional tennis court.
➢ Change Order No. 2 has been put together and sent to Veit & Company on September 11th for unit pricing.
Change Order No. 2 includes a price adjustment for removing unforeseen bituminous pavement below the
aggregate base layer (this was not captured by soil borings due to the sporadic nature of the bituminous
pavement).
o This Change Order has been attached to the end of this report (unit price not yet received from
Veit).
➢ Fence posts have been installed, with concrete and pavement work to be completed still
this month.
➢ Minor basin corrective work will take place over the next week. Drain tile will be corrected
to promote drainage, and additional filter media will be added to the basin.
➢ Contractor’s Request for Payment No. 1 has been included as a separate agenda item.
• Tii Gavo Development Phase II
➢ Watershed permit has been obtained and grading work began on Tuesday July 11th. BMI will have staff on site
for public infrastructure inspections.
➢ The bituminous base layer was paved on 8/17/2023.
➢ Aggregate shouldering was completed on 8/30/2023.
➢ Restoration Punchlist will be created in early April 2024.
➢ Hand auger borings have been scheduled for each of the non-functioning basins along with a grain analysis and
hydrometer testing.
➢ Once this revised work has been completed, an updated restoration punchlist will be created and sent to the
Contractor.
➢ A request to reduce the Letter of Credit for this development has been included as a separate agenda item.
➢ Plowe Engineering is still waiting to receive the hand auger boring results.
➢ Braun is still completing lab tests on the borings samples collected in June. Once completed, Plowe will begin
corrective design in coordination with CMSCWD.
➢ Plowe is currently working on the corrective design for the basins on-site, in coordination
with the watershed, and hoping to have an approved plan within the next few weeks.
➢ Weather permitting, these corrections will take place this year.
• Floodplain Risk Assessment
➢ Watershed District has received notification from the MPCA they did not receive the grant that was applied for.
➢ CMSCWD Board is considering allocating funding for the Risk Assessment in 2024 at their 2024 CMSCWD Budget
Workshop.
➢ The draft 2024 CMSCWD budget currently includes funding to address model data gaps for the Big Marine Lake
outlet, Carnelian Channel, and Carnelian Creek flowages. This is the first step in a multi-year process to
complete the Floodplain Risk Assessment.
➢ Application #3 was not awarded.
➢ Application #4 is due on December 14th, 2023.
➢ The 2024 CMSCWD budget includes funding to address model data gaps for the Big Marine Lake outlet,
Carnelian Channel, and Carnelian Creek flowages. This is the first step in a multi-year process to complete the
Floodplain Risk Assessment.
➢ Application #4 was not funded.
➢ Application #5 is being prepared for submittal on April 30th, 2024.
➢ Application #5 has been prepared and submitted for the MPCA-Small Communities Planning for SWC Resilience
on April 30th, 2024.
➢ When the CMSCWD begins their 2025 budgeting process in July, the board will consider funding the next steps in
the planning process, with or without a grant.
➢ A survey of the Big Marine Outlet and channel has already been completed, assessing the conditions of the
culverts, and evaluating the existing channel profile. This was an important step to improve the watershed’s
model for planning and future maintenance.
➢ A location map for this channel has been provided at the end of this report.
➢ No Update on Application #5 as of July 10th, a verbal update will be brought to council on July 16th.
➢ Application #5 has been selected and the CMSCWD will receive a grant in the amount of $50,000. This will be
used to supplement the funds that CMSCWD has already allocated for this assessment in their 2025 draft
budget.
➢ CMSCWD held a public budget hearing on 9/25/2024.
➢ CMSCWD has approved to enter into an agreement with the MPCA to complete this work.
Modeling has begun, and the watershed plans to reach out to the City in November to
schedule an initial input meeting.
• Bliss Drainfield System
➢ The final permit has been issued. The assumption is that we’ll end up on Track 2, with required system
improvements due to the nitrate issue. Only thing that needs to take place in the next 6 months (February 28,
2022) is for new flow meters to be installed at the system, something we’ll begin working on. At the one year
mark (September 1, 2022), we’ll need to have a Facility Evaluation Report drafted to summarize the system’s
ability or inability to meet the nitrate limit.
➢ New flow meters were installed by Public Works at the beginning of 2022 and specific flows to the three
drainfield cells is now being monitored. Some additional nitrate testing was also performed in August 2022 to
provide additional data points and to get an idea of how much nutrient removal is currently taking place
through the sand filters.
➢ As of September 1, 2022, the Facility Evaluation Report has been sent to the MPCA. We await their review, but
based on the monitoring well samples taken throughout the last year it appears we’ll be on Track 2, with
improvements to the system needed to deal with the nitrate issue. Assuming this is the case, the next step will
be to complete a full Facility Plan by August of 2023 which evaluates the facility and its performance as a whole
and provides options/recommendations for improvements to be made. This is required by Track 2 but is also the
next step in obtaining PFA funding for the project.
➢ We met with MPCA on December 16, 2022 to discuss funding options and laid out a schedule to complete a
facility plan and apply for Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIG) funding.
➢ City Council authorized work to complete the facility plan on January 4, 2023. Facility plan to be submitted by
March 3, 2023. Also, Council authorized BMI to complete permit documents for permit modification due to
added treatment for nitrate removal.
➢ Testified at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 requesting funding for the Bliss Wastewater Treatment
Facility.
➢ Facility plan has been submitted for the City of Scandia’s Bliss Wastewater Treatment Facility along with and IUP
request and PPL application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority on Friday, March 3, 2023. As of June 22,
the MPCA has issued preliminary approval of this facility plan.
➢ PSIG Funding application was submitted at the end of July (2023). Received follow-up questions from the MPCA
and responses were sent at the end of August (2023).
➢ City review period for draft MPCA SDS permit ended on 4/5; the public comment period has begun and will
continue through 6/17.
➢ Initial review comments have been received from the MPCA and responses returned.
➢ Depending on multiple other factors, we’ll likely be re-applying for PSIG (Point Source Implementation Grant) by
the end of July (deadline), as if obtained this could fund up to 80% of project.
➢ Plans and specifications were submitted for MPCA review at the end of March.
➢ Response has been received on the environmental review of the project and the DNR has identified the site as
potential nesting land for Blanding’s Turtles. We are working to address the requirements associated with this
in addition to the other revisions.
➢ Comments from the MPCA have been addressed and have been certified by the MPCA as of the end of June.
➢ As of the end of June, the new SDS Permit for the Scandia WW system has been issued. This means that
groundwater monitoring well GW 008 now needs to be sealed within 180 days, as that is part of the permit
requirements.
➢ Bolton and Menk re-applied for PSIG at the end of July. The PFA has indicated that it’s unlikely that Scandia will
be in the fundable range for 2025 given the lack of a bonding bill.
➢ A meeting was conducted between City Staff, Bolton and Menk, and the MPCA on August 14th regarding lack of
project funding.
➢ Per that discussion, BMI has drafted a letter to be formally sent by the City to the MPCA which explains the
situation and all steps that have been taken (and are continuing to be taken) to try and obtain funding to
complete this required project. The letter also requested a modification to the permit schedule which would
extend the timeline to construct from 2025 to 2026 with the assumption that a bonding bill will be passed which
funds PSIG and allows Scandia a realistic path to obtaining this funding. This letter has been attached to the end
of this report for the Council’s review.
➢ The MPCA appears to be open to this process as a viable path forward. Ultimately if this is approved, we will re-
apply for both the CWRF and PSIG programs in 2025 with the goal of being funded for construction in 2026.
• Bliss Addition Stormwater Planning
➢ Watershed still working toward 90% plans based on City Staff input received in November 2022.
➢ City and Watershed have completed the MOU.
➢ Watershed/Consultants redesigning project practices after a final utility meet locate identified previously un -
marked conflicts.
➢ Due to delays caused by utilities not marked on the initial locate, the CMSCWD will delay construction to
2024. Upon completion of the final plans, submittals will be prepared to the City for their review. CMSCWD
anticipates soliciting bids in October 2023.
➢ Revised plans were submitted to the City and review comments were sent back to the Watershed District on
January 5, 2024.
➢ Bid Opening was held on April 2nd, 2024 (Abstract of Bid Results at the end of this update).
➢ Council chose to accept the Base Bid for this Project at the April 16th Council Meeting, and award the project to
the lowest bidder, Dresel Contracting, Inc.
➢ CMSCWD is currently working with residents on final vegetation selection for this project.
➢ A preconstruction meeting is planned to be scheduled for the week of June 17th – 21st, pending City staff
availability.
➢ A preconstruction meeting was held on Tuesday June 25th with the Contractor, EOR, City Staff and Bolton &
Menk.
➢ Tree removal will take place in July, with the remainder of the project taking place during September to meet the
substantial completion date of September 30th.
➢ Private utility relocation and tree removals were completed during July.
➢ The remaining construction is still scheduled to be completed in September.
➢ The Contractor has been completing construction of BMPs the week of September 9th – September 13th.
➢ Anticipated project completion is the week of September 23rd – 27th.
➢ A site walkthrough was completed by EOR and the CMSCWD to develop a project punchlist.
➢ The punchlist contains items to correct basin grading as well as turf restoration.
➢ The punchlist is being reviewed and will be sent out the week of October 7th – 11th.
• Regional Update – Washington County Draft 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan
➢ As part of the annual budget process, Washington County prepares a five-year Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP). The 2025-2029 CIP includes the county’s tentative plan for roads,
bridges, parks, land, trails, transit, and public facilities. The first year of the plan is included
in the county’s proposed 2025 budget. The “out-years” of 2026-2029 reflect projected
needs and estimated costs, which may change based on future priorities and funding
opportunities.
➢ The draft CIP document showing these projects in detail is available online by visiting the
Washington County website:
o Capital Improvement Plan | Washington County, MN - Official Website
(washingtoncountymn.gov)
➢ We are requesting comments in writing no later than November 1, 2024, to be considered
when developing the final CIP. A public hearing will be held on November 19, 2024.
➢ DRAFT COMMENTS ATTACHED TO REPORT AT THE END OF ENGINEERING UPDATES.
• Highway 8 Study (Chisago to Taylors Falls)
➢ Project website: https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-8-chisago-taylorsfalls
o Comments and questions can be submitted on the project website.
➢ Schedule:
o August 2024 through December 2024
• Analyze existing conditions and engage stakeholders.
o November 2024 through June 2025
• Develop and evaluate ideas for improvements with stakeholders and public involvement.
o June 2024 through October 2025
• Finalize study recommendations.
o 2032
• Construction (pavement resurfacing).
• Highway 243 Osceola Bridge
➢ Project website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy243osceola/index.html
➢ Public Meeting scheduled for May 10, 2023, 5:00pm-7:00pm at the Osceola Village Board Room
➢ Schedule:
o Environmental documentation and preliminary design: 2022 through 2024
o Final design: 2024 through 2026
o Anticipated construction: 2027 through 2028
• The bridge is anticipated to be closed sometime in 2027 through 2028. The duration of this
closure is being considered during alternative detour evaluations.
o Restoration and project completion in 2029.
➢ Project website has been updated with a location plan showing the extents of the work. The project will span the
distance between TH 95 and TH 35.
➢ Traffic Impacts are currently under review, and potential detour plans are being developed.
o See the project website for up-to-date figures.
Denise Workcuff Dmitry Tomasevich
Communications and Engagement Project manager
denise.workcuff@state.mn.us dmitry.tomasevich@state.mn.us
651-775-0025 651-245-4406
• Gateway Trail / County Road 52
➢ Survey update
o Topo survey was completed on November 7th, 2023.
➢ Soil Boring update
o AET submitted the lowest bid at $21,382.00 to perform this work and had the soonest drill rig
availability.
o AET has been authorized to complete soil boring and hand auger boring work on 11/10/2023.
o Soil Borings are scheduled to be completed within 8-10 weeks, with a report coming a few weeks
after completion of field work (Braun was at least a month behind this schedule and came in at
$24,735.00). Hand Auger Borings in off street locations will be completed earlier prior to snowfall.
o AET has been instructed not to begin any work on site until after December 19th. Once approval
has been received, AET will begin hand auger borings (HABs) and then drill rig soil borings (SBs) a
few weeks after.
➢ AET began collecting hand auger borings (HABs) from December 22nd - 26th, and soil borings on December 26th -
29th.
➢ A Geotechnical report is anticipated to be received the week of 3/18 - 3/22.
➢ Figures/layouts are being created to discuss with City staff on 3/19.
➢ DNR comments have been received and are being implemented into the figures/layouts.
➢ County comments have been received and are being implemented into design for discussion at the June monthly
design review meeting.
➢ The next design review meeting with City Staff, County and the DNR is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18th at
1:00pm.
➢ Our anticipated project design timeline is as follows:
o 30% Plans in August
o 60% Plans in September
o 90% Plans in November
o County ROW/Easement acquisition from November 2024-November 2025
➢ 30% Plans have been compiled to be discussed with City Staff, Washington County, and the DNR at the August
20th monthly meeting.
➢ 60% Plans have been compiled and discussed at our monthly meeting with City Staff, Washington County, and
the DNR on September 17th.
➢ 90% Plans are scheduled to be complete prior to the November 19th meeting with City
Staff, Washington County, and the DNR.
14727 209 th St. N., Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci tyofs candia.com
October 15, 2024
Trung Le
Washington County Office of Administration
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Re: Washington County 2025-2029 Draft Capital Improvement Plan Comments
Dear Washington County,
The City of Scandia would like to provide comment on the Washington County 2025-2029 Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP), by expressing our support for the following planned projects:
• Project RB-2582 Gateway Trail Extension. The project scope includes the construction of a
segment of the Gateway Trail including a parking lot, paved off-road multi-use facility, adjacent
horse trail parallel to County Highway 52 (Oakhill Road North), and a pedestrian tunnel under
County Highway 52 from south of County Highway 3 (Olinda Trail) to just south of County
Highway 52. The City of Scandia has secured $2.68M in funding through the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
Construction is planned for 2023. Ultimately this trail will connect to William O’Brien State Park.
• Project RB-2682 County Road 50 (TH 61 to CSAH 15) Study. The project scope includes the
following improvements on County Road (CR) 50 from Trunk Highway (TH) 61 to CSAH 15
(Manning Trail North): new pavement with widened shoulders, turn lanes at key locations if
appropriate, evaluation of pedestrian and cycling accommodations, signs and striping, roadway
drainage and surface water management, roadway geometrics evaluations. The current
roadway section is narrow for a typical county road. There is no paved shoulder outside of the
12-foot lane width and very little, if any, gravel shoulder. Drainage ditches have filled in over the
years, which impact how stormwater is collected and treated prior to moving out of the right-of-
way corridor. The pavement has reached its full life span and signs and striping are out of date.
There are also some very tight radius curves that will need to be analyzed for improvement. A
typical pavement preservation project is not the right treatment here because of the very
narrow pavement width and the lack of a stormwater drainage system.
14727 209 th St. N., Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci tyofs candia.com
• Project PARK-2016 Big Marine Park Reserve Improvements. The project scope includes
planning and design for improvements identified in the master plan at Big Marine Park Reserve.
The improvements may include water access and trail improvements. The county continues to
acquire properties in accordance with the Big Marine Park Reserve Master Plan. This project will
determine improvements that will help lay the foundation for future park investments.
Improvements are planned on parcels that have been acquired by Washington County.
• Project RB-2641 CSAH 3 (CSAH 7 to CSAH 4). The project scope includes the following
improvements on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 3 (Norell Avenue North) between CSAH 7
(Square Lake Trail North) and CSAH 4 (170th Street North); pavement rehabilitation, curb and
gutter replacement, and retaining wall installation for roadway stabilization. The improvements
identified through a corridor study completed in 2021 are necessary to ensure an ongoing safe
and efficient operation of this highway segment.
We would also like to provide our support on the plan incorporating the following projects:
• Intersection evaluation and safety improvements at CSAH 15 & Hwy 97
The intersection of CSAH 15 & Hwy 97 has been the source of concern for many years and the City has
submitted comments on this intersection on past draft CIP’s. This intersection experiences backups at
AM & PM peak hours and is an intersection that has had many close calls that could have resulted in
serious T-bone crashes. The City requests this intersection be added to the CIP that would include
future intersection improvements. The City also would like to request the County complete an
intersection study by 2026 in coordination with MnDOT at this intersection so future improvements or
project constraints can be identified such as scope, funding, and necessary resources so preliminary
work can be prepared which may simply be property acquisition to account for future improvements. In
the meantime, if low cost/high benefit improvements can be implemented we request that proceed as
well.
• Intersection evaluation and safety improvements surrounding CSAH 4 and TH 95
The intersection of CSAH 4 and TH 95 has had concerns voiced often by residents over the last four
years. This intersection, and the portion of CSAH 4 and TH 95 leading up to it, experience a large amount
of speeding and collisions with wildlife through what are the two most highly traveled corridors in
Marine on St. Croix. Pairing these concerns with the significant grade on these streets make travel
during the winter months particularly dangerous for traffic approaching this intersection. We request
this intersection be added to the CIP that would include future intersection improvements, with the
addition of completing and intersection study by 2027 in coordination with MnDOT so that future
improvements and projects can be identified, such as scope, funding and necessary resources for
preliminary work to be prepared. In the meantime, if low cost/high benefit improvements can be
implemented, we request that proceed as well.
Thank you for allowing our comments to be submitted on the Washington County 2025-2029 Draft CIP.
Sincerely,
Ryan J. Goodman, P.E.
City Engineer