DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Dakota County And Authorization To Amend 2024 Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority Capital Improvement Program And Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with Dakota County (County) for County Transportation Projects 42-170, 88-24, and Parks Project 2000332. Amend 2024 Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority (Authority) Capital Improvement Program and Budget.
SUMMARY
The Authority has powers under Minn. Stat. § 398A to plan, construct, and improve railroads and transitways. At the February 27, 2024, Authority meeting, members expressed an interest in using available Authority fund balance on projects in the Dakota County CIP and Budget that are eligible under statute. Staff identified three projects in the 2024 Dakota County CIP that are eligible for use of Authority fund balance because they improve rail crossing safety (Attachment: Project Locations).
County Project 42-170 is for the preliminary engineering of a grade-separated crossing of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 42 at Trunk Highway 3 and the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad in Rosemount. County Project 88-24 is a reconstruction of CSAH 88 in Randolph Township and includes improvements to an at-grade rail crossing of the UP Railroad. Parks Project 2000332 is for the preliminary engineering of the North Creek Greenway grade-separated crossing of the UP Railroad in Farmington. The project budgets and current CIP funding sources for these three projects are noted below:
• CP 42-170: $125,000, Transportation Sales and Use Tax (SUT)
• CP 88-24: $452,719, Transportation (SUT)
• 2000332: $150,000, Transportation Advancement Account (TAA), Environmental Legacy Fund (ELF).
A budget amendment is required to add these three projects to the 2024 Authority CIP and Budget. A JPA is also required between Dakota County and the Authority to define staff roles and responsibilities as well as cost share. A separate action was brought to the County for consideration at the April 16, 2024 Physical Development Committee Meeting of the Whole.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to enter into a JPA with the County to define roles, responsibilities, and cost share for CP 42-170, CP 88-24, and 2000332. Staff also recommends amending the 2024 Authority CIP and Budget to add the identified rail crossing projects.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The proposed action aims to align available funding resources with eligible projects and will utilize $727,719 of Authority Fund Balance on rail crossing safety improvements.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Authority has powers under Minn. Stat. § 398A to plan, construct, and improve railroads and transitways; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 Dakota County Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Budget includes County Projects 42-170, 88-24, and 2000332 (Projects); and
WHEREAS, the Projects plan or construct improvements to highway and greenway crossings of railroads; and
WHEREAS, the Projects are eligible for inclusion in the 2024 Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority (Authority), CIP, and Budget because they improve railroad safety; and
WHEREAS, at the February 27, 2024, Authority meeting, members requested adding eligible rail safety projects to the 2024 Authority CIP and Budget to better align available funding resources with eligible projects; and
WHEREAS, a budget amendment is required to add these three projects to the 2024 Authority CIP and Budget; and
WHEREAS, a Joint Powers Agreement is required between Dakota County and the Authority to define staff roles and responsibilities as well as cost share for the Projects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to enter into a joint powers agreement with Dakota County for County Projects 42-170, 88-24, and P2000332 that improves safety of rail crossings at Dakota County highways and greenways; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2024 Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority Capital Improvement Program and Budget is hereby amended as follows:
Expense
Regional Rail CIP $727,719
Total Expense $727,719
Revenue
Regional Rail Fund Balance $727,719
Total Revenue $727,719
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Locations
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Gina Mitteco