02. Car Mar Scandia Bliss Stormwater Road Improvements Staff Report
Date of Meeting: September 3, 2026
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator
Subject: Car Mar Watershed Road Improvement Cost Share Request
Council asked for more information on the requested funds from the Watershed to fix the road
construction project along Layton and 192nd St. N. in the north end of the Bliss Addition. The
Watershed states the road has settled after construction was complete. That settlement, while
slight, is enough to redirect water away from its intended location, which is down the 192 nd St
curb line and into the stormwater basins designed and constructed as part of the project. I
have asked the Watershed whether they can confirm that the elevations were correct at the
time of installation. I am meeting with them next week prior to the Work Session. I will have
an update for you then.
I met with Watershed on Tuesday. They have discussed this item previously and shared the
attached document summarizing the issue. The watershed began discussing this issue in
September of 2025. At their December 10, 2025 meeting, the project design engineer, EOR,
stated that the road has a relatively small crown-to-edge slope, which would allow water to
flow in the intended direction. Their original design included a trench drain across the new
road section, but the City requested that be removed. I have requested the minutes from the
December 10, 2025 meeting because they are not available on the Watershed’s website.
EOR recommended that the Watershed Board approve the recommended pavement
improvements presented to Council last month. As Council noted, the improvements, while
attempting to correct the road's flow issues, gloss over why they are needed. I have asked the
Watershed if the roadway corrections that were part of the original project were done correctly
and approved before the project was closed out. I have yet to receive a response to this
question. Who or what is at fault for why the corrections are needed? Was the design faulty,
was the construction done incorrectly, or did the road settle in a manner that rendered the
design faulty?
The City had input on the design of this project but was not the lead organization. The
Watershed is requesting a 50/50 cost share for the roadway improvements per the terms of the
project MOU. This would appear to absolve EOR of any fault in the design, and the Watershed
of any fault in the acceptance of faulty construction. Even if we accept the road settled after
construction, that would appear to mean compaction was not done correctly to eliminate
settling so soon after project completion.
Options:
1) Approve Some Percentage of Cost Share in Road Improvements for the Bliss
Stormwater Project
2) Table for future discussion
Recommendation:
A cost share of less than 50%, as no evidence has been provided to absolve EOR of any fault
in the design.
Attachment:
1. August 18, 2026 Council Staff Report
2. Email from Mike Isensee, CarMar Watershed Administrator
3. Memo from EOR – August 7, 2026
4. Memo from EOR – November 6, 2026
5. Bliss Addition Post-Construction Adjustments
6. Email from Scandia Resident Kirk Johnson
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: August 18, 2026
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator
Subject: Car Mar Watershed Road Improvement Cost Share Request
Background:
In 2023, the City signed an MOU with the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District
(Watershed) for stormwater improvements in the Bliss Addition. The MOU is attached. The
project called for the installation of rain gardens along the boulevard of Larkspur and Layton
Avenues at the north end of the Bliss Addition. Stormwater basins were also installed down the
192nd St driveway in the City ROW. The roadway on that curve was altered to direct water into
those basins and prevent it from running down the road into the yard at 19229 Layton Ave. The
project was completed in 2024.
In 2025, the Watershed identified issues with the road alteration at the intersection of Layton
Ave and Larkspur Ave. The road has not been properly crowned to successfully divert water to
the new basins along 192nd St. The Watershed is looking to repair the section of the project and
correct the water flow issue. They are asking the City to share in the cost of the repair, which
was bid out to Miller Excavating for $40,999.64 ($35,659.45 for the road repair and $5,340.19
for driveway Improvements). Per the 50/50 cost share outlined in the MOU, the Watershed is
asking the City to pay $17,829.73, or 50% of the road improvement costs.
Options:
1) Approve Cost Share in Road Improvements for Bliss Stormwater Project
2) Table for future discussion
Recommendation:
Options 1
Attachment:
1. MOU CarMar Scandia Bliss Stormwater Project
2. Bid Tabulation
3. Miller Excavating Quote
Unit Price Total Price Unit Price Total Price Unit Price Total Price Unit Price Total Price Unit Price Total Price
1 Mobilization 2021.501 LS 1 $4,300.00 $4,300.00 $7,393.00 $7,393.00 $16,425.00 $16,425.00 $8,911.41 $8,911.41 $5,300.00 $5,300.00
2 Remove Curb and Gutter 2104.503 LF 48 $20.00 $960.00 $19.30 $926.40 $13.75 $660.00 $8.56 $410.88 $26.50 $1,272.00
3 Sawing Bituminous Pavement (Full Depth)2104.503 LF 60 $20.00 $1,200.00 $6.95 $417.00 $3.70 $222.00 $3.86 $231.60 $7.95 $477.00
4 Remove Bituminous Pavement 2104.504 SY 180 $20.00 $3,600.00 $30.90 $5,562.00 $11.00 $1,980.00 $6.59 $1,186.20 $15.90 $2,862.00
5 Subgrade Preparation 2112.604 SY 200 $21.00 $4,200.00 $8.30 $1,660.00 $16.00 $3,200.00 $4.00 $800.00 $5.035 $1,007.00
6 Aggregate Base Class 5 (CV)2211.509 TON 50 $55.00 $2,750.00 $112.50 $5,625.00 $43.70 $2,185.00 $53.64 $2,682.00 $63.60 $3,180.00
7 SPWEA330C Wear Course 1.5" Thick 2360.504 SY 180 $45.00 $8,100.00 $26.40 $4,752.00 $17.30 $3,114.00 $33.16 $5,968.80 $31.80 $5,724.00
8 SPWEB330C Base Course 2.5" Thick 2360.504 SY 180 $75.00 $13,500.00 $44.60 $8,028.00 $30.30 $5,454.00 $39.36 $7,084.80 $31.80 $5,724.00
9 Concrete Curb, Design B618 2531.503 LF 48 $90.00 $4,320.00 $101.00 $4,848.00 $96.75 $4,644.00 $102.81 $4,934.88 $90.10 $4,324.80
10 Storm Drain Inlet Protection 2573.502 EA 3 $250.00 $750.00 $166.50 $499.50 $140.00 $420.00 $275.84 $827.52 $180.20 $540.60
11 Sediment Control Log Type Wood Fiber 2573.503 LF 70 $10.00 $700.00 $3.90 $273.00 $4.75 $332.50 $5.57 $389.90 $4.982 $348.74
12 Turf Establishment 2575.501 LS 1 $2,250.00 $2,250.00 $4,084.00 $4,084.00 $1,470.00 $1,470.00 $2,231.46 $2,231.46 $2,544.00 $2,544.00
$46,630.00 $44,067.90 $40,106.50 $35,659.45 $33,304.14
1 Mobilization 2021.501 LS 1 $714.00 $714.00 $6,991.00 $6,991.00 $6,210.00 $6,210.00 $1,754.45 $1,754.45 $2,650.00 $2,650.00
2 Sawing Bituminous Pavement (Full Depth)2104.503 LF 30 $20.00 $600.00 $6.95 $208.50 $3.45 $103.50 $3.86 $115.80 $8.48 $254.40
3 Remove Bituminous Pavement 2104.504 SY 4 $20.00 $80.00 $263.50 $1,054.00 $66.00 $264.00 $5.95 $23.80 $106.00 $424.00
4 Subgrade Preparation 2112.604 SY 14 $21.00 $294.00 $39.60 $554.40 $40.50 $567.00 $4.14 $57.96 $31.80 $445.20
5 Aggregate Base Class 5 (CV)2211.509 TON 3 $55.00 $165.00 $448.50 $1,345.50 $79.50 $238.50 $69.53 $208.59 $159.00 $477.00
6 SPWEA330B Wear Course 1.5" Thick 2360.504 SY 14 $45.00 $630.00 $26.40 $369.60 $39.25 $549.50 $84.05 $1,176.70 $132.50 $1,855.00
7 SPWEB330B Base Course 2.5" Thick 2360.504 SY 14 $75.00 $1,050.00 $44.60 $624.40 $63.50 $889.00 $89.83 $1,257.62 $132.50 $1,855.00
8 Turf Establishment 2575.501 LS 1 $750.00 $750.00 $3,806.00 $3,806.00 $735.00 $735.00 $745.27 $745.27 $1,060.00 $1,060.00
$4,283.00 $14,953.40 $9,556.50 $5,340.19 $9,020.60
$50,913.00 $59,021.30 $49,663.00 $40,999.64 $42,324.74
Pember Companies Winberg CompaniesMiller ExcavatingPeterson Companies
Bliss Addition Stormwater Management Retrofit
Request for Quotes for Roadway and Driveway Drainage Improvements
Tabulation of Quotes
EOR Project Number: 00051-0219
RFQ Due Date: 2026-07-30
Part A: Roadway Improvements
Part B: Driveway Improvements
Part A Subtotal
Part B Subtotal
Part A and B Total
Engineer EstimateItem
No.Description MnDOT Reference # Unit Qty
1
Kyle Morell
From:Mike Isensee <mike.isensee@cmscwd.org>
Sent:Tuesday, September 1, 2026 6:50 PM
To:Kyle Morell
Cc:Derek Lash
Subject:Bliss Post Construction Adjustments
Attachments:9a_ Bliss Addition Post Construction Adjustments.pdf; Bliss Addition Post Construction
Adjustments.pptx; 10a_ Bliss Addition RecommendationforAward_RFQ.pdf
Hello Kyle,
Here are the requested attachments and a summary of the key points. Please let me know if there is any additional
information we can provide.
Date Key discussion / action
September 3,
2025
CMSCWD had identified a drainage problem at the reconstructed curve/intersection of Larkspur and
Layton. Runoff was not consistently reaching the intended drainage system. The District anticipated
that corrective work would likely be needed in 2026 and reached out to City staff to review potential
correction options.
December 10,
2025 Board
Meeting
The Board had a substantive discussion of the problem. Staff/EOR explained that runoff from
Larkspur Avenue was missing the intended catch basins. The existing road had relatively little crown-
to-edge slope, allowing water to flow in the road in the existing alignment. The stormwater then
continued in the road and bypass the drainage structures. The discussion also noted that an originally
proposed trench drain across the new road section had been removed at the City’s request.
Managers raised questions about whether the City had approved the roadway design, whether
changes to the natural grade contributed to the problem, how to prevent the issue from recurring,
and whether the City would share in the cost of corrective road work. The Board voted 7–0 to accept
the EOR memo and include the corrective work in 2026 maintenance planning.
August 12, 2026
Board Meeting
The corrective work had progressed to an actual construction proposal. Miller Excavating was the
apparent low bidder at $40,999.64. The actual cost was higher than the estimated cost based on the
City recommendation to extend the area of pavement corrections to extend beyond the original
replacement area. City Staff has indicated they will request Council action to share the cost of the
roadway/pavement work of $17,829.00. This represented the implementation stage of the drainage
correction discussed during the earlier meetings.
August 12 Draft Minutes:
Bliss Addition Post Construction Adjustments
Staff and the District engineer reviewed proposed pavement, curb, and driveway adjustments intended to direct runoff
into the project catch basins and reduce erosion. The City of Scandia had requested an expanded pavement-
replacement area and was scheduled to consider contributing $17,829.73 at its August 18 meeting. The engineer
clarified that the upstream pavement limits originally established with the City did not capture all drainage and that the
proposed work would extend the effective drainage area; the issue was not attributed to contractor performance.
2
Treasurer Rozumalski moved, seconded by Manager Hough, to award the work to the low responsible bidder, Miller
Excavating, for $40,999.64 and authorize the Administrator to execute necessary change orders totaling no more than
10% of the construction contract to avoid delay or added cost, with substantial completion by September 10, 2026.
The seconder accepted the amended motion. Motion carried.
Thank you,
Mike
Mikael Isensee
Administrator | Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District
11660 Myeron Rd North | Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 275-7451 | Cell: 612-839-6492 www.cmscwd.org
Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
1919 University Avenue West, Suite 300 St. Paul, MN 55104 T/ 651.770.8448 F/ 651.770.2552 www.eorinc.com
memo
Project Name | Bliss Addition Stormwater Management Retrofit Project Date | August 7, 2026
To / Contact info | Board of Managers, CMSCWD
Mikael Isensee, Administrator / mike.isensee@cmscwd.org
Cc / Contact info | Carl Almer, District Engineer / calmer@eorinc.com
From / Contact info | Derek R. Lash, PE, CPESC, Project Engineer / dlash@eorinc.com
Regarding | Recommendation for Award of Contract – Roadway and Driveway Drainage Improvements
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a recommendation for selecting a Contractor to
conduct the roadway and drainage improvements for future consideration of the Bliss Addition
Stormwater Management Retrofit project.
Quote Summary
The Request for Quotes was posted to contractors on July 9, 2026. Quotes were due to EOR on
July 30, 2026, at 5:00pm.
For us to formulate our recommendation, we compared the Total Quote values for each of the
contractors. A total of four (4) quotes were received and the overall lowest bidder was Miller
Excavating, Inc., with a Total Price of $40,999.64. Review of the submitted quote packages was
performed by Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. (EOR).
Table 1. Summary of Bids
COMPANY TOTAL BID
Miller Excavating, Inc. $40,999.64
Winberg Companies, LLC $42,324.74
Pember Companies, Inc. $49,663.00
Peterson Companies, Inc. $59,021.30
Recommendation
Following our review, we are recommending approval of the Total Quote and award of the contract
to the low responsive bidder, Miller Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $40,999.64.
In addition, it is recommended the Board authorize the District Administrator to execute change
orders, if necessary, in an amount not to exceed (in total) 10% of the construction contract to
prevent extra construction delays or costs given the short timeline for drainage improvements and
the substantial completion date of September 10, 2026.
Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
1919 University Avenue West, Suite 300 St. Paul, MN 55104 T/ 651.770.8448 F/ 651.770.2552 www.eorinc.com
memo
Project Name | Bliss Addition Neighborhood (Scandia, Mn) Date | November 6, 2025
To / Contact info | Mikael Isensee, Administrator / mike.isensee@cmscwd.org
Cc / Contact info | Carl Almer, District Engineer / calmer@eorinc.com
From / Contact info | Derek R. Lash, PE, CPESC, Project Engineer / dlash@eorinc.com
Regarding | Infrastructure Tasks for 2026 Budget Consideration
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a summary of adjustments to be considered for
drainage infrastructure in the Bliss Addition neighborhood.
Summary
After reviewing the neighborhood roads, there is one location at the north end that may be
considered for post-construction adjustments. Some of the drainage is bypassing recently installed
catch basins, similar to how drainage flowed during pre-construction conditions. The bypass may
be due to a combination of the existing steep road (8 to 10%+ grade) with very little or no crown
(cross slope), and possibly some shifting of the road creating low point(s) or lifting the curb
(settling or frost heave).
To remedy the drainage concerns, minor adjustments may include the removal and replacement of
bituminous pavement and curb & gutter as summarized in Table 1. Additionally, there is a section
of residential driveway that is experiencing erosion along the edges and may benefit from
restoration in the form of additional bituminous. This work is summarized in Table 1 as well.
Table 1. Statement of Work and Opinion of Cost
Item Code Description Unit Qty
Engineer Estimate
Unit Price Total Price
Road Drainage
1 2021.501 Mobilization LS 1 $4,800.00 $4,800.00
2 2104.503 Remove Curb and
Gutter LF 32 $35.00 $1,120.00
3 2104.503 Sawing Bituminous
Pavement (Full Depth) LF 55 $20.00 $1,100.00
4 2104.504 Remove Bituminous
Pavement SY 45 $25.00 $1,125.00
5 2112.604 Subgrade Preparation SY 56 $40.00 $2,240.00
6 2211.509 Aggregate Base Class 5 TON 10 $100.00 $1,000.00
memo
2 of 3
Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.
1919 University Avenue West, Suite 300 St. Paul, MN 55104 T/ 651.770.8448 F/ 651.770.2552 www.eorinc.com
7 2360.504 SPWEA330B Wear
Course 1.5" Thick SY 45 $45.00 $2,025.00
8 2360.504 SPWEB330B Base
Course 2.5" Thick SY 45 $75.00 $3,375.00
9 2531.503 Concrete Curb, Design
B618 LF 32 $90.00 $2,880.00
10 2563.601 Traffic Control LS 1 $500.00 $500.00
11 2573.502 Storm Drain Inlet
Protection EA 2 $250.00 $500.00
12 2573.503 Sediment Control Log
Type Wood Fiber LF 50 $10.00 $500.00
Subtotal $21,165.00
10% Contingency $2,117.00
10% Engineering $2,117.00
Total $25,399.00
Item Code Description Unit Qty
Engineer Estimate
Unit Price Total Price
Driveway Erosion
1 2021.501 Mobilization LS 0 --- ---
2 2104.503 Remove Curb and
Gutter LF 0 --- ---
3 2104.503 Sawing Bituminous
Pavement (Full Depth) LF 30 $20.00 $600.00
4 2104.504 Remove Bituminous
Pavement SY 4 $25.00 $100.00
5 2112.604 Subgrade Preparation SY 0 --- ---
6 2211.509 Aggregate Base Class 5 TON 3 $100.00 $300.00
7 2360.504 SPWEA330B Wear
Course 1.5" Thick SY 14 $45.00 $630.00
memo
3 of 3
Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.
1919 University Avenue West, Suite 300 St. Paul, MN 55104 T/ 651.770.8448 F/ 651.770.2552 www.eorinc.com
8 2360.504 SPWEB330B Base
Course 2.5" Thick SY 14 $75.00 $1,050.00
9 2531.503 Concrete Curb, Design
B618 LF 0 --- ---
10 2563.601 Traffic Control LS 0 --- ---
11 2573.502 Storm Drain Inlet
Protection EA 0 --- ---
12 2573.503 Sediment Control Log
Type Wood Fiber LF 0 --- ---
Subtotal $2,680.00
10% Contingency $268.00
10% Engineering $268.00
Total $3,216.00
Grand Total for Both Items $28,615.00
Alternatives
Alternatives to performing the road adjustments described above may include the following:
• Have the city cost share and remove more asphalt to potentially extend a crown further
northwest. This would also take care of road cracking further up the road that the city will
likely need to repair in the future.
• Add one or two additional catch basin(s). This improvement may not provide benefit if
drainage is having a difficult time getting to the curb flow line due to steep grades and lack of
crown.
• Add an asphalt “speed bump” for drainage diversion, though that would probably be
problematic for plowing and may be more of a nuisance. Cities don’t necessarily like speed
bumps unless they are quite wide (8+ feet). These have been installed in the city of
Minneapolis, but not on such steep roads.
Bliss Addition Post
Construction Adjustments
8/12/2026
Bliss Addition Post Construction Adjustments
•November 2025 Additional Work Estimate
•Minor adjustments include the removal and replacement of bituminous
pavement and curb & gutter.
•Additionally, there is a section of residential driveway that is experiencing
erosion along the edges and may benefit from restoration in the form of
additional bituminous.
•Total Estimate: $28,615.00
Spring 2026
•Reviewed the Area with City of Scandia Engineering and CMSCWD
Engineering
•City Engineering requested extending the initial repair area further
to the north.
•City agreed to pay 50% of the cost of the street work.
Plan
•Reviewed
and
approved by
City
Engineering
Bid Results and Construction
•Requesting awarding apparent low bid contractor Miller
Excavating $40,999.64
•Administrator Kyle Morrel is requesting authorization of
$17.829.73 from City of Scandia on August 18,2026.
•Total CMSCWD cost for construction $23,169.91
The project is within the initial CMSCWD approved budget of
$28,615.00
1
Kyle Morell
From:Kirk Johnson <kirkj@gfloors.biz>
Sent:Wednesday, September 2, 2026 7:20 AM
To:s.kronmiller; j.cusick; James Gribble; Kirsten Libby; Mike Lubke
Cc:Kyle Morell; Jeff Dahlberg
Subject:192nd St Watershed project
Attachments:192nd st 2.mp4
Good morning, Scandia council. I wanted to forward an email exchange I had with Mike Isensee May of
2025. As you can see from this email the Watershed and the Engineering firm were aware of the problem
with the 192nd st project. From my understanding, the Engineer is blaming Scandia for not approving
them to make the design they wanted. Mike Isensee also says they are past the 1-year warranty. This is
another reason the Engineering firm is not taking responsibility for the failure. The design and project
has been a complete failure. Now we have to pay again. Feel free to reach out to me with any
questions. Email or cell.
Kirk Johnson
612-743-8225
From: Mike Isensee
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 1:20 PM
To: Kirk Johnson <kirkj@gfloors.biz>
Cc: Jeff Dahlberg <jld1dahlberg@gmail.com>; kimberly.hough13@gmail.com
Subject: RE: 192nd St
Hi Kirk,
Thanks for the update and the videos. WCD did clear the leaves in April, and we did remove leaves from the
catch basins after your after your April 29th email. It does look like more have dropped since then, so WCD will be
out soon to do another round of leaf clearing.
Last winter Engineering had determined the bypass was driven by the accumulation of snow and ice in the gutter
pan. I sent the new video of the bypass to them and they are investigating further.
Thank you,
Mike
Mikael Isensee
Administrator | Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District
11660 Myeron Rd North | Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 275-7451 | Cell: 612-839-6492 www.cmscwd.org
From: Kirk Johnson <kirkj@gfloors.biz>
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 6:25 AM
To: Mike Isensee <mike.isensee@cmscwd.org>
2
Cc: Jeff Dahlberg <jld1dahlberg@gmail.com>; kimberly.hough13@gmail.com
Subject: 192nd St
Good morning, Mike. I sent you an email back in April about getting the Bliss storm project cleaned
up. On 192nd the water is not making it to the storm drains. The south side of the road, the drains are
continually being blocked by leaves. In the video you can see the water on the north side is not making it
to the drains because the slope of the road looks to be incorrect. The ditches on layton are full of
leaves.
Kirk Johnson
612-743-8225