HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-15 PACKET 04.I.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA /
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 1 /15/2014 ` •
PREPARED BY: Administration Ryan Schroeder
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD
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COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Consider adopting a resolution supporting the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority's
request for funding to support rail improvements between downtown St. Paul and Hastings.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the resolution.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
❑ MEMO/LETTER:
� RESOLUTION: Draft.
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
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ity Admi�histrator
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� Date
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RESOLUTION NO. 2014-XXX
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE RAMSEY COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY'S
REQUEST FOR FUNDING TO SUPPORT RAIL IMPROVEMENTS BETWEEN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL AND HASTINGS
WHEREAS, the City of Cottage Grove is a member of the Minnesota High Speed Rail Commission (hereafter known as The
“Commission”), which is a political subdivision and local government unit of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the Commission is established by Joint Powers Agreement by and between Ramsey County Regional Railroad
Authority, Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, Goodhue County Regional Railroad Authority, Wabasha County
Regional Railroad Authority, Winona County Regional Railroad Authority, City of St. Paul, City of St. Paul Park, City of Cottage
Grove, City of Hastings, City of Red Wing, City of Lake City, City of Wabasha, City of Goodview, City of Winona, City of St.
Charles, City of Utica; and
WHEREAS, the Commission is working to establish high-speed intercity passenger rail service between the Union Depot Multi-
modal Transit Hub in St. Paul and Chicago along the current Amtrak Empire Builder route in Minnesota which parallels the
Mississippi River; and
WHEREAS, the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, BNSF Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), Union Pacific Railroad
(UP), Twin Cities and Western Railroad (TC&W), Amtrak, the Red Rock Corridor Commission, Minnesota Department of
Transportation, and other stakeholders partnered in the development of the East Metro Rail Capacity Study (Study); and
WHEREAS, the Study involved a nationally significant railroad crossroad from St. Paul to Hastings, Minnesota that handles five
percent of the nation’s freight volume, exports to Canada and Asia, interchanges between BNSF, CP, UP, and TC&W, and the
BNSF and CP transcontinental mainlines; and
WHEREAS, the Study has identified capacity improvements necessary to maintain freight and passenger rail fluidity resulting
from a forecasted 36% increase in freight volume and passenger rail traffic; and
WHEREAS, if the capacity is not increased, delays will increase for freight and passenger rail impacting the regional and
national economy; and
WHEREAS, the East Metro Area is also the route for Amtrak passenger rail service and the chosen route for future high speed
rail service to Milwaukee and Chicago; and
WHEREAS, the RCRRA is requesting $10 million in state bond funds to begin construction of the recommended improvements
identified in Phase 1 and 2 of the East Metro Rail Capacity Study.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Cottage Grove hereby supports the efforts by the Ramsey County Regional
Railroad Authority to seek funding for the completion of projects identified in the East Metro Rail Capacity Study.
Passed this 15th day of January, 2014.
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Myron Bailey, Mayor
Attest:
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Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk