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Train will keep rollin', at ]east for one year - Your local online newsp... http:l www.presspubs.com,citizeri/news/article-7d554a9a-1079-Ile5... <br />Train will keep rollin', at least for one year <br />By Debra NeutkenslEditor j Posted: Thursday, June 11, 2015 9:00 am <br />HUGO — The $145,000 in funding to keep the rail spur afloat squeaked through the Legislature a <br />day before the session ended last month. <br />At one point there was no transportation bill, City Administrator Bryan Bear told the City Council <br />June 1, which would have doomed the tracks operated by Minnesota Commercial Railroad. <br />But some "miraculous things" happened the weekend before adjournment. <br />"Last-minute work kept it in a bare -bones transportation bill," Bear said, thanks to some "good work <br />by our legislators." <br />That means Hugo's stretch of track into the Bald Eagle Industrial Park will remain in service for the <br />short term and funds will be used as soon as possible to make emergency repairs to 6.5 miles of <br />track. <br />But again, it's only a one-year patch. A permanent solution is still needed. <br />When asked the reaction of Minnesota Commercial Railroad to the funding, Bear said President <br />John Gohmann is pleased with efforts the city has made to keep the track going for the few local <br />businesses that use it. <br />Schwieters' companies, which hired a consultant to help in the lobbying effort, are relieved and <br />grateful, Bear added, iterating there is still some level of discomfort not knowing how permanent it <br />is. <br />Regarding other legislation, the city administrator feels it unlikely Hugo will get a $1 million piece <br />of a small bonding bill for its stormwater reuse projects during special session. There is no language <br />in the draft bills, Bear said. <br />"Water provisions didn't make it anywhere this session," Bear noted. <br />Mayor Tom Weidt asked staff to draft a letter thanking area legislators Rep. Linda Runbeck, Rep. <br />Matt Dean and Sen. Roger Chamberlain for their efforts in getting the transportation bill passed. <br />"They are good allies who are still fighting for us in a tough session," the mayor said. <br />Meanwhile, the Beaver Ponds Park stormwater reuse plan will continue as scheduled. The city is at <br />the point where it can accept bids on the irrigation project, with construction to begin this summer. <br />The Waters Edge townhome irrigation reuse project will likely start in the fall, with all systems in <br />service in 2016. <br />City Engineer Jay Kennedy said they are still hoping to get funding from a Minnesota Resources <br />grant. <br />1 of 2 6112.7015 2.54 PM <br />