Item 5.2 Carrick's Waterfront Park
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs April 22, 2024
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Parks and Recreation City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
HKGi, Park Planning Consultants
City Engineer Wagner
5.2 – Carrick’s Waterfront Park
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication.
X 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.
X 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 approve the plans and specifications and authorize a competitive bid process for
the improvement of Carrick’s Waterfront Park.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
River access was identified as an opportunity for improvement in the Otsego Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Since
2021, City staff and HKGi have diligently worked to create a plan for implementation. Site analysis was completed to
ensure the location of the improvements at Carrick’s were feasible. The Parks and Recreation Commission was heavily
involved in the creation of the concepts and community input was heard. In 2022 concepts were better refined and it
was determined at that time Carrick’s would be a great candidate for the Outdoor Recreation Grant.
Beginning in January 2023, City staff and HKGi began the Outdoor Recreation Grant writing process. A draft version of the
grant was created and sent in for a preliminary review by the DNR. Comments were received and the final version was
submitted in March of 2023. During this time City staff had received notice a grant was available from the League of
Minnesota Cities, to help offset grant application writing costs. The City applied and was awarded $5,000 to pay for grant
writing services. In June 2023, City staff received notice from the DNR that the City had been awarded the Outdoor
Recreation Grant in the maximum amount of $350,000.
According to the conditions of the grant, a Phase 1 Archeological Study had to be performed on the section where work
was to be completed at Carrick’s. This was performed in September of 2023 with the final report being sent to the State
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for review. It was determined that no known artifacts of significance were found in
the work area and the Outdoor Recreation Grant was released for Council acceptance in November of 2023.
From December 2023 to March 2024 City staff and HKGi developed construction documents. This process requires
coordination with the Minnesota DNR, City Engineer, and City Planner. A permit process is required by the DNR for any
Mississippi River improvements such as a boat launch. Also, a variance request had to be heard by the City of Otsego
Planning Commission to allow the construction of the park shelter and overlook to encroach into the setback required
from the Ordinary High-Water level. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the variance.
At the March 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Commissioners reviewed the construction plans. Final
decisions were made by the Parks and Recreation Commission, and it was recommended the Carrick’s Waterfront Park
project was sent to City Council for consideration to authorize the competitive bid process.
As this project is the receipt of the Outdoor Recreation grant there are the following requirements to fulfill the grant.
These requirements are the following:
• Develop river access site with a canoe/kayak launch
• Offer access to outdoor recreational activities (shore fishing, boardwalk, nature observation, trails)
• Offer a picnic pavilion
• Restoration work must use MN native species and provide pollinator habitat
• ADA accessible canoe and kayak access
• Offer Paddle Port rentals (Norin Landing to Carrick’s Landing)
All those requirements are met by the improvement project. Since the project will not reach completion until Fall of
2024, a decision has been made to purchase the paddle port rental stations in 2025 and have been included in the Capital
Improvement Plan. Paddle Port rental stations will allow residents to rent kayaks and traverse the Mississippi water trail,
from Norin Landing Park to Carrick’s Waterfront Park.
Bidding:
The attached presentation has the estimated bid portion of the project costs and the direct purchase costs, which show a
total of $768,376. This is within the budget of $775,000 identified in the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan. The Outdoor
Recreation Grant will offset an approximate amount of $350,000 of project costs.
Bidding Schedule:
• City Council Authorizes Bid Process – April 22, 2024 (Pending)
• Advertisement – Late April to the Middle of May 2024
• Bid Opening – May 22, 2024
• Consideration of Bid Award – May 28, 2024
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Project Presentation
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to approve the plan and specifications and authorize a competitive bid process for the park improvements at
Carrick’s Waterfront Park.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
Fund 203 – Park Development
Yes
Carrick’s Landing ImplementationCITY COUNCIL MEETING: AUTHORIZATION TO BIDAPRIL 22, 2024
CARRICK’S LANDING CONSTRUCTION PLANS–Project Status & Schedule Update–Project Goals & DNR Grant Requirements–Site Plan Layout–Cost Estimate NEXT STEPSAgenda
Project Status & Schedule Update
COMPLETED TASKS–2021-2022: Concept Planning and Public Engagement–March 2023: DNR Outdoor Rec Grant Application Submitted–June 2023: Grant Awarded–September 2023: Archaeological Phase 1 Survey work–November 2023: DNR Grant Agreement Approved–Dec 2023 – Mar 2024: Prepare Construction Drawings–April 2024 – Submitted DNR Permit Application for Boat LaunchREMAINING TASKS–April-May 2024: Bidding–May 22, 2024: Bid Opening–May 28, 2024: City Council award bid–Summer/Fall 2024: ConstructionProject Status & Schedule Update
Project Goals & DNR Grant Requirements
–Provide ADA accessible kayak and canoe access–Shelter and bench offer places to view the river–Shoreline fishing access–Restore and revegetate riverbank with native trees and shrubs–Project construction budget: $775K–Link site to Norin Landing with Paddle Port option and similar shelterProject Goals
DNR Grant Requirements–Develop river access site with a canoe/kayak launch, river access, shore fishing, boardwalk, nature observation area, overlook, paved trails, signage, and picnic shelter–Restoration plantings must use MN native species and must provide habitat for pollinators–ADA accessible kayak and canoe access
Site Plan Layout
Site Plan
Parking Lot Access
River Access
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Shelter
Furnishings
Riverbank Cross Section
ADA Accessible Dock
Cost Estimate
Construction Cost Estimate
Next Steps
–April-May 2024: Bidding–May 22, 2024: Bid Opening–May 28, 2024: City Council award bid–Summer/Fall 2024: ConstructionNext Steps
Thank youGABRIELLE GRINDE