DEPARTMENT: Physical Development Administration
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Accept Fee Title To Big Rivers Regional Trailhead Property In Mendota Heights From Minnesota Department Of Transportation
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the acceptance of fee title to the Big Rivers Regional Trailhead in Mendota Heights from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
SUMMARY
In 2021, MnDOT and Dakota County (County) executed a Construction Cooperative Agreement (CCA) regarding the improvements at Big River Regional Trailhead in Mendota Heights. The project included the construction of a restroom facility, increased access for picnicking, an integrated information center providing details on the site, additional parking, interpretation, and natural resources restoration. The property that these improvements have been located on is owned by MnDOT, but per the CCA, MnDOT is to convey the underlying fee title to the property to the County.
There were some environmental concerns recognized during the project that included potential contaminated lands. In order to avoid taking on the liability of owning such property, the conveyance boundary has shifted to leave out the contaminated area to the south of the trailhead while still including all improvements made at the site. MnDOT will continue to hold title to the contaminated area.
The property transfer was delayed due to it requiring legislative reapportionment of the boundary of Fort Snelling State Park before the State was allowed to convey the property. Now that they have the proper authority to transfer the property to the County, staff can complete the components of the CCA and finish the project.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorizing the acceptance of the property in fee title from MnDOT.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None. This is a no-cost property transfer.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Mendota Trailhead site (Property) is the primary access point to the Big Rivers Regional Trail segment of the Minnesota River Greenway located at 1498 Mendota Heights Road in Mendota Heights; and
WHEREAS, the Property and its improvements occur on property owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), and negotiations with MnDOT have been ongoing since 2018 to transfer ownership of the Property to the County; and
WHEREAS, these negotiations include a legislative reapportionment of the boundary of Fort Snelling State Park, which has now been completed; and
WHEREAS, MnDOT wishes to convey to the County the underlying fee title to the Property legally described as:
That part of Tracts A and B described below:
Tract A. That part of Government Lot 4, Section 33, Township 28 North, Range 23 West, Dakota County, Minnesota, which lies northeasterly of the northeasterly right of way line of the Chicago, Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company as the same is now located and established over and across said Government Lot 4 and westerly and northwesterly of a line run parallel with and distant 200 feet easterly and southeasterly of the following described line: From a point on the east and west quarter line of said Section 33, distant 1435.6 feet westerly east quarter corner thereof; thence northwesterly at an angle of 78 degrees 34 minutes with said east and west quarter line for a distance of 259.1 feet to the point of beginning of the line to be described; thence southeasterly along the last described course for a distance of 100 feet; thence deflect to the right on a 04 degree 30 minute curve, delta angle 59 degrees 30 minutes for a distance of 1322.2 feet and there terminating;
Tract B. That part of Government Lot 4, Section 33, Township 28 North, Range 23 West, Dakota County, Minnesota, which lies northeasterly of the northeasterly right of way line of the Chicago, Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company as now located and established over and across said Government lot 4, which lies northwesterly of the northwesterly right of way line of the public road running northeasterly and southwesterly across said tract and southeasterly of a line run parallel with and distant 200 feet northwesterly the following described line: From a point on the east and west quarter line of said Section 33, distant 1435.6 feet westerly of the east quarter corner thereof; thence northwesterly at an angle of 78 degrees 34 minutes with said east and west quarter line for a distance of 259.1 feet to the point of beginning of the line to be described; thence southeasterly along the last described course for a distance of 100 feet; thence deflect to the right on a 04 degree 30 minute curve, delta angle 59 degrees 30 minutes for a distance of 1322.2 feet; thence on tangent to said curve for a distance of 335.8 feet and there terminating; which lies within the following described line: Commencing at the southeast corner of said Government Lot 4; thence North 89 degrees 55 minutes 42 seconds West (assumed bearing) along the south line of said Government Lot 4 for 312.44 feet to Right of Way Boundary Corner B205 as shown on Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Play No. 19-93 according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder in and for said County and the point of beginning of the line to be described; thence continue along the last described course for 318.00 feet; thence northerly for 387.97 feet on a nontangential curve, concave to the west, having a radius of 2963.54 feet, a delta angle of 07 degrees 30 minutes 03 seconds and a chord bearing of North 00 degrees 42 minutes 41 seconds East; thence North 03 degrees 02 minutes 21 seconds West for 619.45 feet; thence North 89 degrees 35 minutes 27 seconds East for 417.92 feet; thence North 18 degrees 18 minutes 58 seconds East for 317.52 feet to the north line of said Government Lot 4; thence South 89 degrees 56 minutes 18 seconds East for 64.52 feet to the westerly right of way line of Old Trunk Highway No. 13 (also known as Sibley Memorial Highway); thence South 01 degree 30 minutes 25 seconds West along said highway right of way line for 8.15 feet; thence southerly along said highway right of way line a distance of 162.69 feet along a tangential curve, concave to the west, having a radius of 2633.13 feet and a delta angle of 03 degrees 32 minutes 24 seconds; thence South 05 degrees 02 minutes 49 seconds West along said highway right of way line for 9.49 feet; thence southerly along said highway right of way line a distance of 125.08 feet along a tangential curve concave to the west having a radius of 1479.16 feet and a delta angle of 04 degrees 50 minutes 42 seconds; thence South 09 degrees 53 minutes 31 seconds West along said highway right of way line for 279.55 feet; thence South 10 degrees 45 minutes 46 seconds West along said highway right of way line for 253.72 feet to the boundary of said Plat No. 19-93; thence westerly along the boundary of said plat to Right of Way Boundary Corner B4 as shown on said plat; thence southwesterly along the westerly boundary of said plat to the point of beginning; containing 10.78 acres, more or less.
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WHEREAS, staff recommends authorizing the acceptance of fee title to the Property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the acceptance of fee title to the Mendota Trailhead site for the Big Rivers Regional Trail Mendota Trailhead project from Minnesota the Department of Transportation.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
21-213; 4/20/21
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Property Map
Attachment: Legal Description
Attachment: Construction Cooperative Agreement
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Stwora
Author: Eddie Buell