HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4743 a I, .
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��b. - C ITY of ORONO
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�� G'�' RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
��SH�4� NO. � � � �
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT
OF PRESERVING AND USING THE
DAKOTA RAIL RIGHT-OF-WAY
AS A CONTINUOUS TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR,
AND TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO THE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HENNEPIN, CARVER AND McLEOD COUNTIES
AND THE HENNEPIN COUNTY STAFF
FOR THEIR VISION AND PERSISTENCE �
� IN THE ACQUISITION OF THE DAKOTA RAIL CORRIDOR
WHEREAS,the Dakota Rail right-of-way is a beautiful,unique,and valuable transportation
corridor that serves the area from Wayzata to Hutchinson; and
WHEREAS,the Dakota Railroad corridor was recently purchased by the Hennepin County
• Regional Railroad Authority(HCRRA); and �
WHEREAS,the HCRRA is presently evaluating the financial feasibility of restoring freight
rail service on the corridor,including specifically the cost of infrastructure improvements and repairs
necessary to make the corridor safe and efficient for freight rail service; and
VVfIEREAS,the Dakota Railroad is in a state of severe deterioration and any future use of
the corridor for freight rail service will require the expenditure of a significant amount of public
funds for rehabilitation of track, bridges, drainage facilities, and other infrastructure; and
WHEREAS,the future use of the corridor for freight rail service on an improved corridor
would have detrimental effects on the residential neighborhoods adj acent to the corridor throughout
Orono; and
WHEREAS,past sales of portions of the real estate within the corridor by rail operators has
unnecessarily diminished the usefulness of this unique "east-west" corridor for future public
transportation uses; and
WHEREAS,the use of the Dakota Railroad corridor as a continuous recreational trail is in
the public interest because pedestrians using the corridor,including specifically our youth,will not
be exposed to the hazards associated with mixing pedestrian and vehicular traffic on a single
• corridor; and �
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��e_ - CITY of URONO
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�� �'�' RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL �
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WHEREAS, the preservation of the Dakota Rail right-of-way as a continuous corridor is
essential to enabling the corridor to effectively serve the current and future transportation needs of
the area; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota Rail corridor provides a continuous transportation connection
between the cities on the north and west shores of Lake Minnetonka; and
WHEREAS,the Dakota Rail corridor can provide pedestrian transportation options that can
help relieve traffic pressure on County Road 15 and provide a safe pedestrian transportation
alternative; and
WHEREAS, the acquisition of the Dakota Rail right-of-way required coordination,
cooperation, vision, and persistence by the County Commissioners of the three counties through
which the corridor passes; and
• WHEREAS, the outstanding and persistent efforts of the Hennepin County Staff were
critical to the successful acquisition of the corridor.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Orono City Council as follows: �
1. The Resolution previously passed by this Council supporting conversion of the
Dakota Rail corridor for use as a recreational trail (Resolution No. 4384 dated
November 8, 1999) is hereby affirmed; and
2. The City of Orono is opposed to rehabilitation of the corridor for renewed use as a
freight railroad; and
3. The City of Orono is opposed to any further sale by the HCRRA of real estate parcels
lying within the railway corridor; and
4. The City of Orono supports conversion of the continuous corridor in Hennepin
County for use as a recreational trail and if a trail is constructed,the City opposes any
diversion of expected pedestrian traffic onto existing Hennepin County or City of
Orono roadway right-of-ways.
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��b. - CITY of ORONO
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'�' RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
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5. The Orono City Council does hereby express its deep appreciation to the County
Commissioners of the Counties of Hennepin, Carver, and McLeod for their vision
and persistenc�in the acquisition of the Dakota Rail right-of-way.
6. The Orono City Council does hereby express its sincere appreciation to the Staff of
Hennepin County for their outstanding and persistent efforts in the acquisition of the
Dakota Rail right-of-way.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Orono, Minnesota at a regular meeting held on
January 14, 2002.
ATTEST:
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Linda S. Vee, City Clerk Barbara A. Peterson, Mayor
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