Sponsor: Community & Economic Development
Title
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Agreement with Xcel Energy for Transmission Tower Relocation
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the scoping estimate agreement with Xcel Energy, 417 Nicollet Mall, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55401, for an initial engineering and materials payment to relocate transmission towers connected to the Park at RiversEdge project in the amount of $2,089,569.
2. Authorize the Chair and the Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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In November 2014, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the Riverfront Properties Project Budget and Financing Plan to demolish the buildings and prepare the 4.5-acre site for future development. Since then, Riverfront Properties has continued to be a priority for the county board who has taken action to support project progress. The full vision of the Park at RiversEdge includes a bridge-like structure serving as the podium for the park. The structure will traverse railroad tracks and Shepard Road.
To accommodate the structure a series of five transmission towers adjacent to the project site need to be relocated. Working with key stakeholders, preliminary alternate locations have been identified for the transmission towers. The next step is to conduct engineering work that further refines the locations and begin procurement of the longest-lead time materials. Completing the scoping estimate is also a critical path item for securing approvals from the railroads whose tracks run under transmission lines being moved.
The current cost estimate for the entire transmission line project is $6,955,936. A payment of $2,089,569 is due along with the signed scoping estimate agreement to initiate the work. Upon completion, the cost estimate will be further refined. Future steps include signing additional agreements to authorize payment for construction and a final payment to reconcile actual costs incurred.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This action has limited impact on racial equity in service delivery, but it does pave the way for future development of both the public realm and eventual private vertical towers that will both be measured against the Equitable Development Framework. A future development agreement for Ramsey County Riverfront Properties will impact wages, contracting and workforce inclusion goals and access to affordable housing. Construction projects resulting from a future development agreement will include goals conforming with the county’s adoption of the state of Minnesota’s workforce inclusion and contracting goals.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This RBA is informed by years of shared community engagement and stated city and county goals. County staff met regularly throughout 2019 with staff from the city of Saint Paul in the City-County Working Group, which provided the basis of integration of the RiversEdge project with the city’s River Balcony Master Plan. County staff have also been present at several public gatherings focused on the city’s river Balcony initiative and continue to meet regularly with city staff.
This particular action is more technical in nature, and a high degree of coordination is required with several municipal, geographical, and technical partners. Additional engagement around the overall project is underway with additional plans to maintain community participation in the works to ensure the county’s core engagement principles are achieved throughout the process.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The $2,089,569 payment will be funded through existing project funds.
Last Previous Action
On February 6, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved an Allocation of Funding for the Park at RiversEdge (Resolution B2024-020).
On December 12, 2023, the Ramsey County Board approved the Grant Agreement with Metropolitan Council for the Park at RiversEdge (Resolution B2023-231).
Attachments
1. Scoping Agreement with Xcel Energy