DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Dakota County For Greenway Railroad Crossings And Authorization To Amend 2024 Capital Improvement Program And Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with Dakota County for Parks Projects P00127 and P00147. Amend the 2024 Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority (Authority) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Budget.
SUMMARY
The Dakota County Parks CIP and Budget includes greenway projects that construct improvements to greenway crossings of railroads. The Minnesota River Greenway Fort Snelling Project (P00127) will construct a grade-separated greenway crossing of the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad in Fort Snelling State Park. The Veteran’s Memorial Greenway (P00147) will construct a grade-separated railroad crossing of the Canadian Pacific Kansas Southern (CPKC) Railroad near Trunk Highway 3 in Eagan as well as make at-grade crossing improvements of the UP Railroad at 105th Street in Inver Grove Heights.
The Authority has powers under Minn. Stat. § 398A to plan, construct, and improve railroads and transitways. The railroad crossing elements of P00127 and P00147 were identified as eligible for use of Authority fund balance because they improve rail crossing safety. Staff identified a portion of each project for potential Authority fund balance utilization to offset the use of other Parks funding sources, including the Environmental Legacy Fund (ELF), Levy, County Program Aid (CPA), and the Parks Fund. Proposed funding amounts to transfer are below:
• Minnesota River Greenway, Fort Snelling UP Railroad bridge (P00127): $2,610,131
• Veteran’s Memorial Greenway (P00147):
o Grade-Separated Crossing of CPKC, Eagan: $600,000
o At-Grade Crossing of UP, Inver Grove Heights: $400,000
A budget amendment is required to add eligible project costs to the 2024 Authority CIP and Budget and remove these funding obligations from the Dakota County Parks CIP. A JPA is also required between Dakota County and the Authority to define staff roles and responsibilities as well as cost share.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a JPA with Dakota County to define roles, responsibilities, and cost share for PP00127, and PP00147. Staff also recommends amending the 2024 Dakota County CIP and Budget.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The proposed action aims to align available funding resources with eligible projects and will utilize approximately $3,610,131 in Authority Fund Balance.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the 2024 Dakota County Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Budget includes Parks Projects P00127 and P00147; and
WHEREAS, the Projects construct improvements to 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, funding eligible rail safety projects through the Authority CIP and Budget better aligns available funding resources with eligible projects; and
WHEREAS, a budget amendment is required to add Projects P00127 and P00147 to the Authority CIP and Budget and reduce costs in the Parks 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 Authority Chair to execute a joint powers agreement with Dakota County for Parks Projects P00127 and P00147 to construct safety improvements of rail crossings at Dakota County greenways; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2024 Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority Capital Improvement Program and Budget is hereby amended as follows:
Revenue
Regional Rail Authority Funding P00127 $2,610,131
Regional Rail Authority Funding (VMG) P00147 $1,000,000
Total Revenue $3,610,131
Expense
MnRGW - Fort Snelling P00127 $2,610,131
Veterans Memorial Greenway P00147 $1,000,000
Total Expense $3,610,131
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
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