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Council authorizes MnDOT cooperative agreement for Veterans Bridge; city’s local share about $1.4 million
Summary
The council authorized a cooperative agreement with MnDOT for project 1059682 (Veterans Bridge); staff said the city’s remaining obligation is about $1.4 million and the agreement includes city-requested language to notify the city of change orders and the responsible lowest bidder.
The Mankato City Council voted Dec. 1 to authorize the city manager to enter a cooperative agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for project 1059682, the Veterans Bridge project connecting Mankato and a neighboring jurisdiction.
City Manager Arntz told the council the city has secured substantial state and federal aid for the project and that the draft cooperative agreement includes several additions requested by the city: MnDOT must notify the city before approving any change order that would increase the city’s cost share, and the city will be notified of the responsible lowest bidder for the work. Arntz said those clauses were not previously required by MnDOT and are “significant” for local oversight.
Council members asked about the city’s remaining local obligation. Arntz said the current anticipated local obligation is about $1,400,000; he also said one item in the bid could reduce that obligation by an estimated $400,000–$500,000 depending on bids. “Right now, the agreement shows that at our total potential obligation at 1.43,” Arntz said, noting staff hope favorable bids reduce the local share.
Councilmember Laban made the motion to authorize the agreement; the council seconded and voted to approve. A roll-call sequence in the transcript shows each councilmember present voting yes. Staff noted the city will continue to pursue grants to reduce the local share where possible.
Why it matters: The Veterans Bridge is a large surface-transportation initiative included in the adopted CIP and carries a substantial local cost share even after grants; the added contract language gives the city earlier notice of cost changes and the contractor selection process.
Next steps: The agreement authorization allows staff to finalize the cooperative agreement with MnDOT. Staff said actual local costs will be finalized when bids are received and grant awards are confirmed; any changes will be reflected in subsequent budget amendments or contract actions.
