DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
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Authorization To Rescind County Board Resolution No. 26-332 And Execute Use Agreement With Union Pacific Railroad And Progressive Rail To Improve Existing Railroad Crossing At Byllesby Bluff As Part Of Lake Byllesby Regional Park Master Plan Improvements
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the 2025 - 2029 Parks Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget includes a project to formalize access and create basic trailhead amenities at project sites on the west side of Lake Byllesby Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, schematic design concepts were presented to and approved by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners by Resolution No. 26-113 (March 24, 2026); and
WHEREAS, the existing and only access to the Byllesby Bluff site crosses an existing railroad line owned by Union Pacific Railroad, leased and operated by Progressive Rail; and
WHEREAS, the two railroads have agreed to allow the existing crossing to remain a private, rural crossing as long as it is upgraded to two-way traffic and meets current railroad standards; and
WHEREAS, the required improvement work on and around the railroad tracks can only be completed by railroad-approved contractors through a formal Use Agreement; and
WHEREAS, pricing and scope for this required improvement work have been negotiated and can be constructed in the fall of 2026 if a Use Agreement is executed; and
WHEREAS, the negotiated pricing and scope included $267,500 for the physical work, but did not include $10,000 for the right to cross the railroad right of way and tracks until the final agreement was received by the County; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 26-332 (August 4, 2026) authorized execution of an agreement up to $275,000; and
WHEREAS, the total agreement amount is now $277,500.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners rescinds Resolution No. 26-332 (August 4, 2026); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLOVED, That the Dakota County Board of ...
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