Sponsor: Property Management
Title
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Project Budget and Financing Plan for Arden Hills Subsurface Drain Restoration Project
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Recommendation
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1. Accept and approve the project budget and financing plan for the Arden Hills Subsurface Drain Restoration project in an amount up to $2,400,000.
2. Authorize the County Manager to account for the Arden Hills Subsurface Drain Restoration project as a budgeted project in Property Management.
3. Authorize the County Manager to transfer $1,300,000 from Property Management fund balance to the Arden Hills Subsurface Drain Restoration project budget for project activities.
4. Authorize the County Manager to transfer $1,100,000 from county bond interest to the Arden Hills Subsurface Drain Restoration project budget for project activities.
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Background and Rationale
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Property Management identified an issue with the sanitary and roof drainpipes beneath the Arden Hills building. This building is used by Ramsey County Public Works, Arden Hills Public Works, and the Mounds View School District Public Works. Extensive investigations through ground penetrating radar and camera scoping have been completed. Breaks in the drainpipes have occurred in four separate locations under the building slab. Although none of the breaks are large, they are problematic. They are allowing leakage from the drainpipes which is causing erosion of the areas around the breaks resulting in voids under the building slab. No impacts to the slab itself or to the building structure have been detected.
Engineering studies have been completed to develop the scope of work to address these issues and allow a competitive bid process for remediation. Operations within these four areas, approximately 2,000 square feet in total, will need to be temporarily relocated for approximately three months. Approximately 500 square feet of floor slab as well as some walls will be removed to allow excavation of the subsurface for the repair/replacement of the damaged drainpipes. Excavation and disposal of impacted soil surrounding the drainpipes will be necessary. Upon completion of the repairs the areas will need to be reconstructed. The areas impacted include office, locker/shower rooms, and a portion of the large conference room.
During the project, temporary walls will be installed to isolate the project area from occupied office areas. For a period of two to three weeks, all building water will be shut off and temporary water sources and restroom facilities will be provided for those who need to work on-site. Staff able to work from other locations or from home will be encouraged to do so during this time period, and the employee Drop-In Center will be closed.
The project is intended to be completed between September and November 2026. The brief project time period is by design to address the issue quickly and to complete the project prior to winter conditions. Addressing the issue now will avoid the risk of damage to the structure, ensure a safe work environment and prevent impacts on the environment. The project budget contains a significant contingency due to the unknown extent of soil remediation that may be required. The project will be funded through Property Management Fund Balance and county bond interest.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The racial equity impact of this project is unknown. The project will include workforce inclusion goals of 32% minority and 20% women, as well as a goal of utilizing 32% certified small businesses (SBEs) found in the Central Certification (CERT) Program directory recognized by the county as the acceptable source for SBE subcontractors and suppliers in conformance with the county’s approved policy on workforce inclusion and contracting goals.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Public Works staff from Arden Hills and Mounds View School District were informed of this project on June 24, 2026, and consulted on the impact of the project on their operations as the project plan has been developed. The project was presented to the Capital Improvement Program Citizens’ Advisory Committee for comment on June 4, 2026, although no capital funding was being sought.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funding in an amount up to $2,400,000 is requested for this project. In collaboration with Finance, two funding sources will be utilized; $1,300,000 will be provided from Property Management fund balance and up to $1,100,000 will be provided from bond interest.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Project Budget & Financing Plan