4.1 School Knoll Park Renovation
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs April 10, 2023
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Parks and Recreation City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty 4.1- School Knoll Park
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
X Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution accepting bids and awarding contract for the
School Knoll Park Project.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
Yes No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
School Knoll Park is the City’s oldest park, built in 2003 and has reached the point of renovation. Due to its
age and poor soil conditions the tennis and basketball courts were failing, and the playground has reached
the identified 20-year replacement life.
In 2022 the Parks and Recreation Commission had various meetings and engaged in a community input
event at School Knoll Park. Residents were able to provide feedback on the renovation either in person, or
for residents who couldn’t make it to the event, an online survey was created to allow feedback on the
project. Using the information gathered, the Parks and Recreation Commission, City staff, and HKGi formed
a renovation plan for School Knoll Park.
Parks and Recreation Commissioners have reviewed the plan and proposed amenities and have agreed to a
bid package that HKGi presented at the February 2023 meeting. HKGi has been able to salvage as much of
the existing park to mitigate the impact on the budget. The Parks and Recreation Commission has agreed
to bid the tennis court as an alternate as a potential cost reduction measure. The Parks and Recreation
Commission motioned to recommend to the City Council that the School Knoll Park renovation go out for
bid. The City Council authorized the bid process at the February 27 meeting.
Bids were opened on March 21, City staff, HKGi, and Hakanson Anderson were present. Six bids were
submitted, with the low bid being Blackstone Contractors LLC. Blackstone is a very reputable company;
they completed the Prairie Park Splash Pad. Contact has been made and they are aware of the timeline and
project potential. The other portions of this project will be a direct purchase from vendors or through the
state contract. This ensures the City obtains the lowest prices on all of the equipment and furnishings
purchased.
City staff is recommending the removal of the existing signage and the 5-12 play structure be done by staff.
This will help to alleviate the overall total budget number. With the Parks and Recreation department
doing the identified removals it will save nearly $6,000.
The project proposed is a scaled version of the initial project concept. The removal of the tennis courts and
reduction of the basketball courts from 2 to 1 is a cost-saving measure of roughly $130,000 taken to help
offset the maintenance costs in the near term and long term. Also, a decision was made to not continue to
irrigate this park. HKGi has stated it is not common practice to irrigate neighborhood parks. This measure
alone will save more than $1,900 per year.
The project accomplishes all the goals identified by the Parks and Recreation Commission as well as the
City’s ADA transition plan. The current project provides a new play structure, sidewalk and site furnishings,
1 full-size basketball court replacement, trail reroute, tennis court removal, light replacements, parking lot
reconfiguration to meet ADA and stormwater requirements, as well as landscaping.
The low bid from Blackstone Contractors, LLC, was in the amount of $236,720. Including direct purchase
items and soft costs, the project cost as bid is $461,293, which exceeds the project budget within the
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) by $39,293 (8.5%). The CIP included funding amounts of $25,000 in 2022
and $400,000 in 2023.
City staff and HKGi recommend awarding the contract to the low bidder.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Presentation
• Memorandum - HKGi
• Resolution 2023-25
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Resolution 2023-25 accepting bids and awarding contract for the School Knoll Park
Renovation to Blackstone Contractors, LLC in the amount of $236,720.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
Fund 205 – Park Capital Equipment
Yes; however, the estimated project costs exceed
the amount budgeted.
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
School Knoll Park Renovation
City Council - Bid Award - April 10, 2023
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Agenda
Park Improvements
• Trail Reroute
• Playground Renovation
• Basketball Renovation
• Replace Site Amenities
• Tree Relocation
• Parking Improvements
• New Lights (Wright Henn.)
Next Steps
• Contract Award / Construction End of School Year
• Tree Relocation ASAP (dormancy)
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Design Considerations
• $425,000 total project budget
• Re-use and bidding strategies to reduce/manage project costs
»Reuse Basketball hoops & sub-base aggregate
»Reuse 2-5 play structure
»State contract purchase of play equipment and site amenities
»Reuse existing light poles with new heads
• Basketball reconstruction a priority (pavement failing due to poor soils)
»Playground and other improvements receives remaining budget
• Failing/aging irrigation system
»Abandon in place, City to cap system at source, Irrigation non-typical for neighborhood park
• Parking lot drainage and access issues
• Visibility into park problematic
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Site Plan
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Trail Re-route
»A trail reroute
better separates
shelter and
playground users
from trail traffic.
»Frees up internal
space between
shelters for lawn
games and
picnicking.
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Playground Renovation
»New perimeter sidewalk with shaded
seating
»New 5-12 main play feature w/ new
swings
»Reuse of existing 2-5 play feature in place
»90% wood fiber / 10% poured in place
safety surface strategy to maximize access
»Boulders as play and seating
»Transplanted trees for instant inexpensive
shade
»Berms and trees for trail separation and
added natural interest
»$75-85k equipment budget
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
RECOMMENDED BURKE + REUSE OPTION
Cost Range
(equipment +
installation):
$75-85K
NEW 5-12 PLAY FEATURE NEW 2-5 SWING
NEW 4 SEAT SWING REUSE 2-5 PLAY FEATURE
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Basketball Renovation
»New sidewalk connection
»Retain existing evergreens in place for
screening
»Reuse existing basketball hoops
»12” sand base layer with drain tile and
geo-textile fabric to extend pavement life
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Site Amenities
»New benches
»New picnic tables
»New concrete pads for rolling trash bins
»New bike racks (3)
»Relocate existing interpretive signage
»Reuse existing water fountain
»Reuse existing dog waste station
»Replace lighting (Wright Henn)
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Tree Relocation
»Opens views for public safety from
street into center of park
»1/3 the cost of a new 2.5” cal. tree
»Trees 5-8” in diameter
»High success rate with proper care,
timing, and watering
»Ideally a spring time project
(dormancy)
»Instant shade in critical seating areas
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Parking Improvements
»Centralizes ADA parking to more park
amenities
»Corrects drainage routing issue
»Terminates on the Park’s interpretive
sign to provide users with a proper
introduction to the renovated park
»Hammerhead cut-out provides space for
south parking spots to back out
»Does not include cost for repaving entire
parking lot
Existing ramp not
ADA compliant, does
not allow water to
drain to catch basin
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Other Improvements/Considerations
»New lawn area between picnic shelters
»Reduce landscaping / more turf
»Landscape area for new park sign
»Abandon irrigation
Concept renderings
of sign location
LOOKING SOUTH
LOOKING EAST
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Cost Estimate
CATEGORY ESTIMATED COST
Blackstone Contractors LLC Base Bid $236,000.00
Blackstone change order $6,000.00 *
Light replacement $10,000.00*
Play Eq., Safety Surface, Install $125,122.00
Site furnishings $18,500.00
Design, Engineering, and Survey $50,671.00
Construction Admin and Staking $15,000.00 *
Total Anticipated Project Cost $461,293
* = Budget number
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
Project Schedule
DATE ITEM
Late April-Early May 2023 Tree Relocation
Summer 2023 Park Reconstruction
Fall 2023 Park Sign Install (Separate Project)
2023 School Knoll Park Renovation
Otsego, MN
THANK YOU!
Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.
800 Washington Ave. N., Suite 103
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
(612) 338-0800 www.hkgi.com
Creating Places that Enrich People’s Lives
Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Nick Jacobs
FROM: Tim Solomonson
DATE: 4/4/2023
RE: School Knoll Park Renovation – Contract Award Recommendation
Project Description:
The School Knoll Park Renovation Project consists of the following improvements:
• Pavement replacement
• Parking lot reconfiguration to meet ADA and stormwater requirements
• Playground replacement
• Sidewalk and site furnishings replacement
• Light replacement
• Basketball court replacement
• Tennis court removal
• Irrigation abandonment
• Landscaping for new park signage
• Tree planting and site restoration
Bids received and City purchases:
The City recently received six bids for the completion of the non-playground and site furnishing work
associated with the School Knoll Park Renovation Project. Those bids are:
• Blackstone Contractors LLC……….$236,720 (APPARENT LOW BID)
• Novco Inc………………………….….$250,359
• Sunram Construction Inc………….…$256,101
• Custom Builders Inc……………….…$303,640
• JL Theis……………………………….$308,741
• Urban Companies……………………$400,187
School Knoll Park Renovation – 4-4-2023
2
Additionally, the City is direct purchasing the following items at an additional cost:
Item Cost Status
Blackstone Contractors LLC Base Bid $ 236,000 Base Bid
Blackstone change order $ 6,000 Budget
Light replacement $ 10,000 Budget
Play Eq., Safety Surface, Install $ 125,122 Quote
Site furnishings $ 18,500
Design, Engineering, and Survey $ 50,671 Quote
Construction Admin and Staking $ 15,000 Budget
TOTAL $ 461,293 $425,000 budget
Recommendations:
Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. is recommending project award of to Blackstone Contractors Inc. for a
Base Bid of $236,720. Recommendation is based on the following:
• Blackstone Contractors LLC. submitted the lowest price for the Base Bid.
• The Base Bid and noted direct purchase costs are below the anticipated engineers estimate of
probable costs.
• Blackstone Contractors LLC. has years of experience for quality site construction work,
including many successful park and recreation projects.
• A bid opening follow up phone conversation with Bruce Karvonen of Blackstone Contractors
LLC. about the project proved they had a thorough understanding of project conditions and
requirements.
1
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2023-25
ACCEPTING BIDS AND AWARDING CONTRACT
FOR THE SCHOOL KNOLL PARK RENOVATION PROJECT
WHEREAS, pursuant to an advertisement for bids for the renovation of School Knoll Park, bids were received,
opened on March 21, 2023, and tabulated according to law, and the following bids were received complying
with the advertisement; and
Contractor Total Base Bid
Blackstone Contractors, LLC $236,720
Novco, Inc. $250,359
Sunram Construction, Inc. $256,101
Custom Builders, Inc. $303,640
JL Theis $308,741
Urban Companies $400,187
WHEREAS, it appears that Blackstone Contractors, LLC. of Loretto, Minnesota is the lowest responsible
bidder.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO, MINNESOTA:
1. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with Blackstone
Contractors, LLC. of Loretto, Minnesota in the name of the City of Otsego for renovation of School
Knoll Park, according to the plans and specifications therefore approved by the City Council and on
file in the office of the City Clerk.
2. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to return forthwith to all bidders the bid bond made
with their bids, except that the bid bond of the successful bidder and the next lowest bidder shall be
retained until a contract has been signed.
2
ADOPTED by the Otsego City Council this 10th day of April, 2023.
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
CITY OF OTSEGO
__________________________________
Jessica Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk