Council authorizes advertising bids for County Road 15 sidewalks; city and county cost shares discussed

The Mound City Council voted to receive plans and specifications and to order advertisement for bids on two sidewalk projects along County Road 15.

Brian Simmons, consulting city engineer, briefed the council on updated designs and cost estimates for the two segments, Belmont to Fairview and Fairview to Seton (project numbers 2508 and 2509). Simmons said Hennepin County has committed to a portion of the cost and that staff’s updated estimates project the county’s participation will be within their committed amount; the engineer cited a county figure in the packet (transcript: “$502.20”) and said the city’s portion was estimated at $784,256 in the materials.

Simmons told the council some sections of the work will be concrete; portions will be stamped and stained to match previous downtown work. Council members asked about the construction timeline and how the work would interface with downtown summer activities; staff said they would provide a construction schedule and clarifying timeline to be part of the public record.

The council approved the resolution to receive plans and specs and advertise for bids.

Why it matters: The sidewalks are meant to replace dilapidated pavers, improve pedestrian accessibility along County Road 15, and coordinate with county cost-sharing. Updated cost estimates will guide budgeting and scheduling for construction.

Details: Staff said final soft costs and actuals are used at project closeout; the packet used a percentage estimate for soft costs in its current numbers. The council requested staff supply a clearer construction schedule for public notice and coordination with other downtown events.