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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD MARCH 30, 1987 <br />1986 POLICE OPERATIONS CONTINUED <br />Mayor Grabek noted that his neighborhood has taken <br />advantage of the Police Department's Crime Watch program <br />and recommends the program to all. <br />PUBLIC ACCESS - BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD <br />City Administrator Bernhardson explained that the <br />current property owner of 4545 Wayzata Boulevard, Jane <br />Slaughter, cannot obtain financing to build a home on <br />their property because the access to their property is a <br />private easement from Burlington Northern Railroad. The <br />Slaughter's financing company will not recognize the <br />access unless it is a public access from Burlington <br />Northern to the City of Orono because there is more than <br />one property served by the access. He referred the <br />matter over to City Attorney Barrett. <br />City Attorney Barrett stated that Burlington Northern <br />would not agree to granting a public easement because <br />they would have to maintain the easement if it were <br />public. <br />Jane Slaughter stated that there were 3 other properties <br />involved. She stated that their property has been <br />considered landlocked by four title insurance companies, <br />and due to this are unable to get a mortgage. She noted <br />that they have already invested the money for the <br />building permit. <br />City Attorney Barrett explained the process if the <br />Railroad refuses to grant the public easement which is <br />to petition the Dept. of Transportation with the <br />appropriate resolution by the Council, the Commissioner <br />holds a hearing, followed by a recommendation report <br />submitted by the Hearing Examiner to the Commission. <br />This process takes a minimum of 6 months. He does not <br />feel this is a particularly complex issue to be handled. <br />Mayor Grabek was concerned about the cost to the City <br />for handling this matter. <br />City Administrator Bernhardson and City Attorney <br />Barrett estimated the cost to $2,500. <br />Mayor Grabek felt the City could assist the property <br />owner in this matter, but it is not the City's place to <br />spend this type of money for one private property. <br />City Administrator Bernhardson suggested that the City <br />initiate the process if the Slaughter's are willing to <br />bear the cost, and noted that there is more than one <br />property involved in this. <br />13 <br />