HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.A.2. Appointment of Councilors to a MNDOT Committee
15. A · 2- .
CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum CONSENT
TO: Mayor & City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Bruce Loney, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Consider Appointing Two Councilors to a
Mn/DOT Comprehensive Safety Committee on Railroad Crossings in the
City of Shakopee
DATE: November 18,2003
INTRODUCTION:
Attached is a September 4, 2003 letter from Mn/DOT's Office of Freight and Commercial
Vehicle Operations requesting the City to participate in the a comprehensive plan for the
City of Shakopee in regard to railroad crossings. At the October 7, 2003 City Council
meeting, City Council did agree to participate in the safety plan and would consider
appointments after the November 4, 2003 elections.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Shakopee has numerous railroad crossings with the Union Pacific Railroad in its
core downtown area and has qualified for improving two crossings, per the Union Pacific
Railroad Corridor Safety Program. MnlDOT is the administrative agency, with railroad
safety projects, and has also asked the City of Shakopee to participate in a comprehensive
safety plan in regard to railroad safety crossings.
Julie Carr is the Railroad Planning and Program Development Coordinator and has asked if
two Council members could be appointed for a safety committee to review the railroad
crossings and what safety improvements should be programmed in the future. Ms. Carr
estimates that the committee would meet approximately three times and each meeting
should last about 2 ~ hours per meeting in order to complete the comprehensive safety plan
for the City of Shakopee.
Staff is requesting that Council consider appointing two Councilors to this committee to
review and have input in a comprehensive safety plan to improve safety at railroad crossings
in the City of Shakopee. Staff has contacted Mayor Mars who did recommend Terry Joos
and Matt Lehman for this committee.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a motion authorizing Matt Lehman and Terry Joos, to participate with
Mn/DOT's Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations to develop a
comprehensive safety plan for the City of Shakopee.
2. Do not authorize any Councilors to participate in the comprehensive safety plan at
this time.
3. Table for additional information.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends Alterative No.1, authorizing Matt Lehman and Terry Joos to participate
in the comprehensive safety plan process for the City of Shakopee.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve a motion authorizing Matt Lehmann and Terry Joos, to participate with Mn/DOT's
Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations to develop a comprehensive safety
plan for the City of Shakopee in regard to railroad crossings.
~~
Public Wor s Director
BUpmp
RAILROAD/II-18-OJ
September 4, 2003
Bruce A. Loney
Public Works Director
City of Shakopee
129 Holmes Street South
Shakopee,~ 55379
Dear Mr. Loney:
During Mn/DOT's Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations (OFCYO) September
2001 statewide site reviews of railroad crossings, we identified funding for the Union Pacific
(UP) corridor that includes the City of Shakopee for potential projects in 2005.
On August 14,2003, representatives from OFCYO met with you and Jeff Eckerle, representing
the UP to discuss potential funding for railroad crossings in the City of Shakopee. As discussed,
the City of Shakopee may qualify for federal funding if they choose. The funding split is 90%
federal and 10% local match without closures. The federal program allows 100% federal funding
when there is a closure of an active crossing; the closure is considered the local match.
The Union Pacific Railroad supports safety improvements in Shakopee and has expressed interest
in financial participation if there are crossings closures.
Downtown Shakopee has five unsignalized railroad crossings. The Atwood Street crossing has
had two accidents in the past six years. Federal funds are limited; if the City of Shakopee desires
to work with OFCYO to develop a comprehensive safety plan for the City of Shakopee it is
essential that you notify me by October 1,2003. The decision to expend federal funding would
require that at least two council members participate in this railroad safety project to ensure
commitment from the City of Shakopee.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Julie R. Carr
Rail Planning and Program Development Section
cc: Gary Wilwerding, UP
Jeff Eckerle, TIillA
Gene DahlkelTim Spencer/Susan Aylesworth, OFCYO