Lake Effect Headlines Tuesday’s City Council Workshop & Meeting

The Lake Effect will be a topic of discussion at Tuesday’s city council workshop and city council meeting.

According to the Wayzata City Council Workshop Agenda, the city will get an update from Stahl Construction on the pre-construction process of the first phase of the Lake Effect Project.

Stahl is scheduled to update project cost estimates, communications and engagement plan, preliminary construction staging plan was well as discuss an updated timeline.

At the last city council meeting (Nov. 19), a professional services agreement with Stahl Construction for construction management services for Lake Effect’s first phase was approved.

The agreement includes $25,200 pre-construction services, approximately $100,000 for construction management, $50,000/month for construction services and $4,260/month for reimbursable expenses.

The city stated these costs will be paid out of the Lake Effect Fund and were previously unplanned.

The expectation is that the Stahl expenses will decrease the overall project costs.

Lake Effect’s first phase essentially consists of Lake Street, Lake Street Plaza and the Dakota Rail Regional Trail Extension.

Stahl was brought in after bids for the first phase came in double the estimated costs earlier this year. City council rejected those bids in July.

According to Stahl’s Wayzata Lake Street Communications Timeline provided in the city workshop agenda, there will be monthly updates on the Lake Street Project including an open house in January.

The regular monthly updates will include: construction updates, social media content, dedicated construction website and newsletter content, and neighborhood/local business meetings, according to the timeline.

The timeline also states that there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the start of construction in March. There will be substantial completion prior to James J. Hill Days according to the timeline.

Stahl offered other marketing ideas for consideration including: promoting local businesses, Chamber of Commerce cross promotions, engagement of local media, as well as print materials including yard signs, postcards, billboards and brochures.

According to Stahl’s High Level Project Pull Plan, bids for the project are scheduled to go out Feb. 13, 2020. The selection of bids and bid approval are scheduled for the Feb. 18, city council meeting. 

The plan states that an open house and groundbreaking will take place in February. 

Construction is slated to begin in March according to Stahl’s plan.

Also during Tuesday’s workshop, the city council will review an updated funding plan for the first phase of the Lake Effect Project.

The Capital Project Summary for the Lakefront Improvement Fund (see below) includes: design fees, Section Foreman House Study & Project costs, lobbying for bonding support and Lake Effect Conservancy Administrative Support.

According to the city’s workshop agenda packet, the estimated Lake Effect Project costs were approximately $5.5 million earlier in the year. Based on new estimates, the project has increased to approximately $9 million, according to Tuesday’s workshop agenda packet. 

The city is proposing to offset the increased cost using TIF funds.

Last month, the city unveiled a new brand concept for the project called Panoway on Wayzata Bay.

According to Tuesday’s City Council Meeting Agenda, Deputy Police Chief Marc Schultz will be sworn in.

Schultz started with the City on Nov. 18. He comes from the Roseville Police Department where he has worked for more than 21 years.

Stahl Construction, the Lake Effect Construction Manager, will be introduced at the city council meeting.

The city council will also consider the adoption of Resolution 50-2019 denying the PUD Concept Plan and Zoning Ordinance Amendmentsfor the redevelopment of Boatworks.

In October, the Planning Commission voted 6-0 in favor for denial of the development application.

The main discussion points were the height of the building, exterior design, pedestrian access to docks and lakeshore and the proposed public benefits.