11-08-1999 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 8, 1999 *( #23) CONVERSION OF DAKOTA RAIL TO RECREATIONAL TRAIL - RESOLUTION NO. 4384 Dean Patterson, Orono, commented he was unaware that this item had been approved on the Consent Agenda. Patterson stated that he was not aware of this project until recently, noting that he is opposed to the project. Mayor Jabbour stated that the City Council would be willing to listen to his comments. Jabbour commented that the City has been working on conversion of the Dakota Rail for the past year. It is the intent of the City Council tonight to pass a resolution in support of the conversion of the Dakota Rail Corridor to a regional recreational trail. Jabbour stated that the City of Orono has concerns regarding the large number of derailments that this railroad has experienced as well as the transporting of hazardous materials on this railroad line. The Dakota Railroad was requesting financial assistance as part of a project to upgrade the railroad to 50 mile an hour standards, which the City was opposed to. The City of Orono feels that it would be an asset to the community if this railroad line is converted to a recreational trail. Patterson commented that he became aware of this project approximately 12 hours ago, with a number of his neighbors expressing disapproval of the conversion to a recreational trail. Mayor Jabbour stated that the City has been discussing this project for the past two years, with a number of newspaper articles being published about the railroad and the possible conversion to a recreational trail. Patterson expressed a concern about people being in close proximity to his residence if the is railroad track is converted to a trail. Mayor Jabbour indicated his willingness to meet with Mr. Patterson and his neighbors to discuss the Dakota Rail line and the trail. i� LJ Flint moved, Peterson seconded, to approve and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 4384, a Resolution in Support of the Conversion of the Dakota Rail Roadroad Corridor to a Regional Recreational Trail. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. ENGINEER REPORT *( #11) EXTENSION OF HENNEPIN COUNTY ELECTRONIC PROPERTY DATABASE AGREEMENT - RESOLUTION NO. 4379 Flint moved, Peterson seconded, to approve and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 4379, a Resolution Authorizing the City of Orono to Extend an Agreement for the Use of Hennepin County's Electronic Proprietary Data Base. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. *( #12) REQUEST FOR PAYMENT - NORTH FERNDALE ROAD PROJECT Flint moved, Peterson seconded, to approve Request for Payment, North Ferndale Road Project, to the City of Plymouth in the amount of $557,514.71. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. Page 9