04-23-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 23, 2014 noted that there was an incident in Shoreview where a crossing was blocked for six hours. The Administrator indicated that the railroad is aware of the problem. It is stemming from the increase economic activity in North Dakota and also from the fact that the Canadian Pacific is utilizing its on tracks rather than leasing track from Burlington Northern. The Administrator noted that Little Canada used to have maybe one train per day and there are now eight to ten trains through the City per day. These trains have been up to two miles in length. The Administrator indicated that Canadian Pacific does not foresee this activity decreasing. The Administrator reported that the City has very limited options. One is to establish a quiet zone in the City. The City has undertaken the first step in establishing a quiet zone and has contracted with SEH to do a Quiet Zone Study. The first draft of the study has been reviewed, and some modifications are being made. The final study should be submitted to the City any day. The Administrator indicated that the plan is to have the study presented to the Council at its May 12`1' meeting. The Administrator reported that if a Quiet Zone is established, the City will have to upgrade its six crossings at a total cost of $1.5 to $2 million dollars. The upgrades will involve installing gates with cross arms and possibly medians to prevent vehicles from driving through the gates. The Administrator reported that MN DOT has $4 million to help with crossing upgrades for safety enhancements. The City has submitted a letter to MN DOT requesting financial assistance, but the queue for these dollars extends out to 2017. The City's Legislators are trying to get an additional $10 million in funding for this purpose. The Administrator stated that a question is whether or not the City could advance the funds and still obtain reimbursement later. The Administrator also noted that the process for establishing a Quiet Zone can take 6 months to over a year, and has to go through the Federal Government as well as MN DOT. The Administrator again indicated that he hopes to have the study presented to the Council at their next meeting. The report will also be put on the City's web site. He also noted that the City has been receiving an increasing number of calls on this issue. The railroad has indicated that they have a community support line and would like callers to register their complaints and comments with them. That number is 1- 800 - 766 -7912. Blesener reported that the Federal Government allows the railroad to utilize their lines as they see fit. The Federal Law requires that the engineers sound their whistles at intersections that are not within Quiet Zones. Blesener noted that it has become less expensive to transport 12