01-13-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor Keis and Members of City Council FROM: Bill Dircks, Public Works Director DATE: January 13, 2020 RE: ICWC Contract Renewal ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: Approve the 2020-2021 State of Minnesota Institution Community Work Crew Contract. BACKGROUND: The City once again contracted with the State of Minnesota Department of Corrections for the use of an Institution Community Work Crew in 2019. The crew has been utilized by the City for over ten years and has been on an as-needed basis for the past several years. This allows the City to utilize a crew of up to ten offender crew members and a crew supervisor for a full day of work. In the past the crew has completed numerous projects for the City including tree trimming, hydrant painting, manhole cover replacement, construction of a few retaining walls, general right-of-way and park maintenance, and special projects such as sodding the Veteran’s Memorial Park site in 2015. Last year the crew did mostly tree trimming, which they are able to do with great efficiency and get a lot done in a small amount of time. They also helped with a couple storm sewer projects, rainwater garden planting and maintenance, and other miscellaneous work around the City. The cost for the crew is $475 per day for regular time and $75 per hour for overtime, which is the same price as the previous two contracts dating back to 2017. The City is typically only able to use the crew on Fridays, which is considered overtime, but it is still a good value. The work crew can accomplish large amounts of work during a full day. The crew members work hard and the supervisors do a nice job of directing them. RECOMMENDATION: The State DOC is offering a two-year contract this year so staff recommends renewing the contract with the State of Minnesota Department of Corrections for 2020 and 2021 at the terms listed above and in the attached contract.