Authorizing a contract with WHKS, in the amount of $367,240 for construction services for Upgrade/Replace Zumbro River Siphon at Silver Lake and Sewer Extension - Project No. J7829 and Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification - Project No. J4889.

At the October 5, 2026 Council meeting the construction bids to Upgrade/Replace Zumbro River Siphon at Silver Lake and Sewer Extension - Project No. J7829 and Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification - Project No. J4889 were approved. There are currently numerous multi-year construction projects already underway requiring Public Works coordination, and a few more planned to start this fall. Public Works staff are also involved in DMC and Mayo projects with ongoing inspections and related activities. All projects have important deadlines that prevent delays in construction activities and require continued progress in a timely manner. The Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification - Project No. J4889 has some specialized components that will require additional inspection services on top of the regular inspection activities. With the Upgrade/Replace Zumbro River Siphon at Silver Lake and Sewer Extension - Project No. J7829 occurring concurrently with the Silver Lake project and in the same vicinity, efficiencies are gained by having the inspection services cover both projects. We will be using the same primary inspector for both projects to help keep costs lower and maximize the construction services. The inspection services will be split between projects based on actual hours of inspection and paid for from the Engineering portion of the projects budgets that were included in the bid awards for both projects. The use of the additional construction services will free up staff to cover other projects and help keep proper inspections on all of the Public Works projects currently under construction and planned to start in the near future.

WHKS completed the design of the Upgrade/Replace Zumbro River Siphon at Silver Lake and Sewer Extension - Project No. J7829 and Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification - Project No. J4889 and are familiar with the projects and inspection needs. WHKS has prepared a construction services proposal to assist Public Works with the construction phase of these projects for $367,240. The proposal is included in this Council packet.

7th Street Siphon:

This project is in alignment with the Council's Strategic Priority of Quality Services by executing infrastructure improvements that increase sanitary sewer capacity in advance of future growth to minimize the potential for sanitary sewer surges. The Sanitary Sewer Master Plan identifies the sewers that need to be improved for additional development in the East Zumbro sewer shed. This project is also part of the East Zumbro improvements outlined in this years bonding approval and federal grant approval.

Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification:

The requested action is consistent with City procedures for amending professional services contracts when project-related work extends beyond the scope of services originally anticipated in the contract. In this case, the additional services were directly related to the Silver Lake project and were necessary to address permitting requirements, refine project components, and ensure the final project design meets the expectations established through supporting City plans and prior Council actions. The additional work also supports project components identified in the 2012 Bicycle Master Plan, the 2015-16 Park System Plan, and the 2022-23 Silver Lake Master Plan. The north shore trail is identified in these planning documents, while the Silver Lake Master Plan also contemplated the eventual modification of the dam and identified potential future uses for areas of the park that would be affected by the modification. The additional professional services helped advance these established project objectives and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals.

7th Street Siphon:
January 23, 2019: Council Meeting- Preliminary design services approved.
June 1, 2020: Council Meeting - Sanitary Sewer Master plan approved.
February 3, 2025: Council Meeting- Final design service with WHKS approved.
July 17, 2025: Public Informational Meeting for Silver Lake Park and surrounding area projects.
July 28, 2025: Council Study Session - Included in Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification update.
October 5, 2026: Council Meeting - Design Amendment 1 with WHKS approved.
October 5, 2026: Council Meeting - Construction bid approved.

Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification:
Legislative Actions: January 20, 2016: Council Meeting - Professional Services Agreement with WHKS for sediment removal- Project No. J4889 approved.
December 4, 2017: Council Meeting - Professional Services Agreement with WHKS for final design of Phase 1 sediment removal for S. Fork Zumbro River - Project No. J4889 approved.
March 19, 2018: Council Meeting - Amendment 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with WHKS for feasibility study and preliminary analysis of Silver Lake pedestrian improvements, Silver Lake Dam modifications, and sediment removal - Project No. J4889 approved.
August 19, 2019: Council Meeting - Amendment 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with WHKS for the completion of the Concept Design of Silver Lake pedestrian improvements, Silver Lake Dam modification, and sediment removal - Project No. J4889 approved.
November 2, 2019: Council Meeting - 2020 Legislative Priorities, which included Silver Lake Dam Modifications and Improvements - Project No. J7889 approved.
November 30, 2020: Study Session - Concept Design or Silver Lake pedestrian improvements, Silver Lake Dam modification, and sediment removal - Project No. J4889.
December 14, 2020: Council Meeting - Concept Design for Silver Lake pedestrian improvements, Silver Lake Dam modification, and sediment removal - Project No. J4889 approved.
January 4, 2021: Council Meeting - 2021 Legislative Priorities, which included Silver Lake Dam Modifications and Improvements - Project No. J7889 approved.
April 5, 2021: Council Meeting - Negative Declaration Decision Environmental Assessment Worksheet - Project No. J4889 approved.
October 4, 2021: Council Meeting - 2022 Legislative Priorities, which included Silver Lake Dam Modifications and Improvements - Project No. J7889 approved.
June 17, 2024: Council Meeting- Engineering Services Contract, Construction Bidding, and Negotiation of Grant Funding Agreement for the Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification - Project No. J4889 approved.
November 18, 2024: Council Meeting - Execution of a grant agreement with the State of Minnesota, acting through it's Commissioner of Natural Resources approved.
July 28, 2025- Study Session- Update on project design.

Community Engagement:
March 27, 2019: Open House for Silver Lake Pedestrian Improvements and Silver Lake Dam Modifications.
March 27, 2019: Polco Survey placed on the City website for Silver Lake Pedestrian Improvements and Silver Lake Dam Modifications.
October 24, 2020 - November 25, 2020: Virtual Open House and Polco Survey for draft Concept Design.
April 6, 2022: Public meeting held at DSIC building. June 5, 2024: Public Informational meeting held at RCTC Heinz Center.
June 10, 2024: Public Informational meeting held virtually.
Summer of 2024: Individual discussions related to the proposed north trail layout and restoration options with the residents whose properties will be directly impacted by construction.
February 4, 2026: Presentation to Izaak Walton League.
October 5, 2026: Council Meeting- Design Amendment 1 approved.
October 5, 2026: Council Meeting- Construction bids approved.

The inspection services will be split between both projects based on actual hours of inspection and paid for from the Engineering portion of the projects budgets that were included in the bid awards for both projects.

7th Street Siphon:

The project was in the 2022-2027 Sewer and Water Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as Map No. 8 and in the current 2026-2031 Sewer and Water CIP as Map No. 6. and is funded by the Sewer Utility, and RPU Water, Stormwater Utility, and Streets for the roundabout improvement.

Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification:

Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification, referred to as Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Revitalization, in previous Capital Improvement Plans, is included in the 2024-2029 Flood Control Capital Improvement Program, Map #11 (J-4889) and Map #12. Project design funding is from Flood Control Reserves. 

No alternative actions are suggested at this time.