Minnetrista updates 2005 engineering master services agreement; modest retainer increases proposed

City Administrator Jasper Krugel told the council the city's master engineering-services agreement with WSB has not been updated since February 2005 and that staff negotiated updates to modernize terms and better reflect current markets.

Staff described a retainer schedule that would add roughly $250 per month each year through 2028 and then move to a 3% annual adjustment after 2028; staff characterized the change as modest and said engineering firms generally earn project revenue from task orders rather than retainers. The agreement language would also clarify task-order procedures; Task Order 1 (water engineering) was included as an example.

Krugel said either party could exit the agreement with 30 days' notice without cause (10 days with cause). Council members asked whether routine retainer services such as biweekly updates were included (staff said yes) and how contracted staff office hours would be scheduled. Staff said task orders would allow Public Works to specify days and hours as needed. The council agreed staff should place the updated agreement on the May 6 consent agenda for formal adoption.