Dakota County

Regional Railroad Authority

Minutes

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

9:30 AM

Boardroom, Administration Center,

Hastings, MN

(or following County Board)

Call To Order And Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by Chair Hamann-Roland at 10:50 a.m.

Commissioner Mike Slavik

Present

Commissioner Joe Atkins

Commissioner Laurie Halverson

Commissioner William Droste

Commissioner Liz Workman

Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg

Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland

Also in attendance were Heidi Welsch, County Manager; Tom Donely, First Assistant County

Attorney; and Jeni Reynolds, Sr. Administrative Coordinator to the Board.

Audio recording of the Regional Railroad Authority meeting is available upon request.

Approval of Agenda (Additions/Corrections/Deletions)

2.1

On a motion by Commissioner Workman, seconded by Commissioner Slavik,

the agenda was approved unanimously.

Consent Agenda

On a motion by Commissioner Halverson, seconded by Commissioner Atkins, the consent

agenda was approved unanimously.

Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on August 26, 2025

3.1

On a motion by Commissioner Halverson, seconded by Commissioner Atkins,

the minutes were approved unanimously.

Regular Agenda

Resolution No: 25-005

4.1

Authorization To Release Draft 2026-2030 Dakota County Regional Railroad

Authority Capital Improvement Program

Motion: William Droste

Second: Mike Slavik

County Engineer Erin Laberee briefed this item and responded to questions.

WHEREAS, the Dakota Regional Railroad Authority (Authority) plans for capital

projects that fulfill the Authority’s purpose to preserve and improve transitways

and rail corridors; and

WHEREAS, the Authority desires input from local communities in developing its

Capital Improvement Program (CIP); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the joint powers agreement between the Authority and

Dakota County, Dakota County provides administrative services for the

Authority, including development and management of the Authority’s budget;

and

WHEREAS, staff has compiled the draft 2026-2030 CIP; and

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-476 (September 24, 2024), the County Board

also scheduled a public hearing for December 2, 2025, to receive comments on

the Authority’s 2026-2030 CIP.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Regional

Railroad Authority hereby authorizes submission of the draft 2026-2030 Capital

Improvement Program summary to the cities and townships for formal review

and comment prior to the public hearing; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Regional Railroad

Authority hereby authorizes posting the draft 2026-2030 Capital Improvement

Program to the Dakota County website to allow review from interested parties as

a means of receiving further input prior to the adoption of the Capital

Improvement Program in December 2025.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-006

4.2

Certification Of 2026 Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority Maximum

Proposed Property Tax Levy

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: William Droste

County Engineer Erin Laberee briefed this item and responded to questions.

WHEREAS, the Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority (Authority) must

certify a maximum proposed property tax levy for 2026 by September 30, 2025;

and

WHEREAS, the Authority will maintain continued involvement and participation

in eligible initiatives related to railroads and transitways; and

WHEREAS, the Authority considers capital projects planned during the next five

years through the Authority’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget; and

WHEREAS, the proposed 2026 Authority capital and operating budgets based

on the Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan do not require additional

property tax levy revenue; and

WHEREAS, the Authority is projected to maintain sufficient fund balance for the

proposed Draft 2026- 2030 Authority CIP; and

WHEREAS, future Authority capital project and operating costs may be funded

by Dakota County Transportation Sales and Use Tax or Transportation

Advancement Account when eligible.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Regional

Railroad Authority hereby certifies a maximum proposed property tax levy of $0

for taxes payable in 2026.

Ayes: 7

Other Business/Staff Reports

No other business or staff reports.

Adjournment

6.1

On a motion by Commissioner Slavik, seconded by Commissioner Halverson,

the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 10:56 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

William Droste

Secretary