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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/05/31 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - RegularAGENDA MAY 31, 2011 6:30 p.m. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Council Chambers 1. Call to Order 1a. Roll Call 2. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 2a. City of St. Louis Park Freight Rail Policy Resolution. Recommended Action: Motion to adopt a Resolution updating the City’s freight rail policy 3. Adjournment Immediately following the Special City Council Meeting SPECIAL STUDY SESSION – Council Chambers Discussion Items 1. Draft MN&S EAW Comments and Mitigation Measures Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make arrangements, please call the Administration Department at 952/924-2525 (TDD 952/924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of Meeting Date: May 31, 2011 Agenda Item #: 2a Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance Presentation Other: EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other: Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other: TITLE: City of St. Louis Park Freight Rail Policy Resolution. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to adopt a Resolution updating the City’s freight rail policy. POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council want to update its freight rail policy to reflect the work completed since the July, 2010 resolution? BACKGROUND: At the May 23rd Study Session the City Council reviewed a draft resolution for its freight rail policy. The resolution reflects the City Council’s conclusion that the conditions stated in Resolution 10-070 have not been met; and that there is a viable alternative to the MNS that should be considered. The resolution, with the changes suggested by the City Council, is attached. FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Not applicable. VISION CONSIDERATION: This item is linked to the City’s Vision Strategic Direction that St. Louis Park is a committed to being a connected and engaged community. It is also related to the broader Vision elements about the variety of transportation modes, sidewalk & trails and environmental stewardship. Attachments: Freight Rail Resolution Black-lined version of the Freight Rail Resolution Prepared by: Kevin Locke, Community Development Director; and, Meg J. McMonigal, Planning and Zoning Supervisor. Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager Special City Council Meeting of May 23, 2011 (Item No. 2a) Page 2 Subject: City of St. Louis Park Freight Rail Policy Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 11-____ RESOLUTION RELATING TO FREIGHT RAIL ACTIVITY IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park is committed to protecting and enhancing the quality of its neighborhoods; and, WHEREAS, several railroads operate within the City of St. Louis Park and the City seeks to reduce the impacts of freight rail traffic on the community of St. Louis Park; and, WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has participated in the Technical, Policy and Community Advisory Committees for the Southwest Transitway, as well as the Southwest Corridor Community Works Steering and Technical Committees, and the Metropolitan Council Southwest Management Committee for Southwest LRT; and WHEREAS, the Southwest LRT Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) unanimously recommended the selection of Route 3A as the locally preferred alternative with conditions including that agencies work cooperatively to identify impacts, mitigation requirements, and mitigation funding options to address the potential of rerouting freight rail in a parallel process with the Southwest LRT DEIS and to identify the freight rail issue and impacts as a part of the “secondary and cumulative impacts;” and, WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has reviewed several studies completed by Hennepin County including the TCWR Freight Rail Realignment Study by TKDA, dated November, 2009, Kenilworth Corridor: Analysis of Freight Rail/LRT Coexistence by RL Banks, dated November 2010, and the Freight Rail Study Evaluation of TCWR Routing Alternatives, by Amfahr Consulting, dated November 2010; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park is reviewing the MNS EAW prepared by Kimley Horn for Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority and MnDOT for the potential of rerouting freight rail traffic to the MNS line; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park adopted Resolution 10-070 (attached) on July 6, 2010, stating that it opposes the rerouting of freight rail traffic from the Kenilworth corridor to St. Louis Park unless certain conditions were clearly met; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park completed its own studies in addition to Hennepin County’s studies on rail routes, including SEH Technical Memorandums #1, 2, 3, and 4; and WHEREAS, the City Council of St. Louis Park that the City of St. Louis Park makes the following findings: 1. It has been established in Technical Memorandum #3 by SEH that there is a viable route through the Kenilworth Corridor for light rail and freight rail, with the relocation of a portion of the regional trail, acquisition of property and appropriate mitigation measures to address such items as grade separated crossings, and station area impacts. In comparison to the MNS line, the Kenilworth route is shorter, has fewer curves, has fewer elevation changes and is significantly less expensive to construct. Special City Council Meeting of May 23, 2011 (Item No. 2a) Page 3 Subject: City of St. Louis Park Freight Rail Policy Resolution 2. The appropriate mitigation of any and all negative impacts associated with rail rerouting have not been included in the EAW for the MNS Reroute Study. The potential negative impacts that are not thoroughly addressed include but are not limited to noise, vibration, odors, traffic congestion and safety, school use and safety, park use and safety; potentially diminished property values; and, circulation/access in the community by vehicle, pedestrian, transit and bicycle. 3. The proposed reroute of train traffic to the MNS line does not include (a) the elimination of railroad switching, sorting and blocking operations within the City of St. Louis Park, (b) the removal of the existing “wye” rail tracks in the vicinity of Oxford Street and its replacement with a new direct connection to MNS south bound, and (c) the removal of the other tracks not needed for through train traffic including the rail tracks east of the proposed north interconnection. 4. The proposed reroute of train traffic to the MNS without a direct connection to MNS south bound could result in negative community impacts from trains using the proposed north bound connection to the MNS as a means to access the MNS tracks to go south. Neighborhoods north of the Bass Lake Spur would be unnecessarily exposed to train traffic that is actually seeking to go south from the Bass Lake Spur on the MNS tracks. 5. The proposed reroute of train traffic to the MNS line does not create a freight rail single track corridor with significant right-of-way and safety measures incorporated between the track and adjacent properties. 6. The proposed reroute to MNS increase the potential for additional future rail traffic through St. Louis Park per the Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan, with associated negative impacts on the community. 7. The conditions in the 10-070 City Council Resolution for rerouting freight rail traffic from the Kenilworth Corridor to the MNS rail line in St. Louis Park have not been met. NOW, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, by the City Council that the City of St. Louis Park hereby: 1. Supports the implementation of the Southwest Transitway LRT project; and, 2. Continues to support the May 23, 2001 Railroad Task Force Recommendations adopted by the City Council October 21, 2001; and, 3. Continues to support the July 6, 2010 City Council Resolution; and, 4. Supports the rerouting of TCW coal trains to western Minnesota in any case; and 5. Supports all measures to eliminate the switching wye; and 6. Opposes the rerouting of freight rail traffic from the Kenilworth corridor to St. Louis Park because the conditions of City Council Resolution 10-070 have not been met. Special City Council Meeting of May 23, 2011 (Item No. 2a) Page 4 Subject: City of St. Louis Park Freight Rail Policy Resolution Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council City Manager Mayor Attest: City Clerk RESOLUTION NO. 11-____ RESOLUTION RELATING TO FREIGHT RAIL ACTIVITY IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park is committed to protecting and enhancing the quality of its neighborhoods; and, WHEREAS, several railroads operate within the City of St. Louis Park and the City seeks to reduce the impacts of freight rail traffic on the community of St. Louis Park; and, WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has participated in the Technical, Policy and Community Advisory Committees for the Southwest Transitway, as well as the Southwest Corridor Community Works Steering and Technical Committees, and the Metropolitan Council Southwest Management Committee for Southwest LRT; and WHEREAS, the Southwest LRT Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) unanimously recommended the selection of Route 3A as the locally preferred alternative with conditions including that agencies work cooperatively to identify impacts, mitigation requirements, and mitigation funding options to address the potential of rerouting freight rail in a parallel process with the Southwest LRT DEIS and to identify the freight rail issue and impacts as a part of the “secondary and cumulative impacts;” and, WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has reviewed several studies completed by Hennepin County including the TCWR Freight Rail Realignment Study by TKDA, dated November, 2009, Kenilworth Corridor: Analysis of Freight Rail/LRT Coexistence by RL Banks, dated November 2010, and the Freight Rail Study Evaluation of TCWR Routing Alternatives, by Amfahr Consulting, dated November 2010; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park is reviewing the MNS EAW prepared by Kimley Horn for Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority and MnDOT for the potential of rerouting freight rail traffic to the MNS line; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park adopted Resolution 10-070 (attached) on July 6, 2010, stating that it opposes the rerouting of freight rail traffic from the Kenilworth corridor to St. Louis Park unless certain conditions are clearly met; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park completed its own studies in addition to Hennepin County’s studies on rail routes, including SEH Technical Memorandums #1, 2, 3, and 4; and WHEREAS, the City Council of St. Louis Park that the City of St. Louis Park makes the following findings: 1. It has been established in Technical Memorandum #3 by SEH that there is a viable route through the Kenilworth Corridor for light rail and freight rail, with the relocation of a portion of the regional trail, acquisition of property and appropriate mitigation measures to address such items as grade separated crossings, and station area impacts. In comparison to the MNS line, the Kenilworth route is shorter, has fewer curves, has fewer elevation changes and is significantly less expensive to construct. Deleted: through Deleted: at-grade Special City Council Meeting of May 31, 2011 (Item No. 2a) Subject: City of St. Louis Park Freight Rail Policy Resolution Page 5 2. The appropriate mitigation of any and all negative impacts associated with rail rerouting, have not been included in the EAW for the MNS Reroute Study. The potential negative impacts that are not thoroughly addressed include but are not limited to noise, vibration, odors, traffic congestion and safety, school use and safety, park use and safety; potentially diminished property values; and, circulation/access in the community by vehicle, pedestrian, transit and bicycle. 3. The proposed reroute of train traffic to the MNS line does not include (a) the elimination of railroad switching, sorting and blocking operations within the City of St. Louis Park, (b) the removal of the existing “wye” rail tracks in the vicinity of Oxford Street and its replacement with a new direct connection to MNS south bound, and (c) the removal of the other tracks not needed for through train traffic including the rail tracks east of the proposed north interconnection. 4. The proposed reroute of train traffic to the MNS without a direct connection to MNS south bound could result in negative community impacts from trains using the proposed north bound connection to the MNS as a means to access the MNS tracks to go south. Neighborhoods north of the Bass Lake Spur would be unnecessarily exposed to train traffic that is actually seeking to go south from the Bass Lake Spur on the MNS tracks. 5. The proposed reroute of train traffic to the MNS line does not create a freight rail single track corridor with significant right-of-way and safety measures incorporated between the track and adjacent properties. 6. The proposed reroute to MNS increase the potential for additional future reail traffic through St. Louis Park per the Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan, with associated negative impacts on the community. 7. The conditions in the 10-070 City Council Resolution for rerouting freight rail traffic from the Kenilworth Corridor to the MNS rail line in St. Louis Park have not been met. NOW, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park that the City of St. Louis Park hereby: 1. Supports the implementation of the Southwest Transitway LRT project; and, 2. Continues to support the May 23, 2001 Railroad Task Force Recommendations adopted by the City Council October 21, 2001; and, 3. Continues to support the July 6, 2010 City Council Resolution; and, 4. Supports the rerouting of TCW coal trains to western Minnesota in any case; and 5. Supports all measures to eliminate the switching wye; and 6. Opposes the rerouting of freight rail traffic from the Kenilworth corridor to St. Louis Park because the conditions of City Council Resolution 10-070 have not been met. Deleted: , and (d) a southern connection from the Bass Lake Spur to the MNS tracks Deleted: 4 Deleted: 5 Special City Council Meeting of May 31, 2011 (Item No. 2a) Subject: City of St. Louis Park Freight Rail Policy Resolution Page 6 Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council City Manager Mayor Attest: City Clerk Special City Council Meeting of May 31, 2011 (Item No. 2a) Subject: City of St. Louis Park Freight Rail Policy Resolution Page 7 Meeting Date: May 31, 2011 Agenda Item #: 1 Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance Presentation Other: EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other: Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other: TITLE: Draft MN&S EAW Comments and Mitigation Measures. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discuss suggested mitigation measures for MNS EAW and other EAW comments POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council wish to submit a list of proposed mitigation measures with the MNS EAW comments? BACKGROUND: On May 16, 2011 the MN&S Freight Rail Study EAW was released for public review. The 30- day official comment period extends through June 15, 2011. The City Council has expressed concerns in relation to the proposed mitigation measures, and has discussed providing comments on the EAW to address in particular the inadequacy of the proposed mitigation in the EAW and identify additional mitigation measures the City believes is necessary. Mitigation At the May 16, 2011 Study Session the City Council discussed mitigation for both potential rail routes. Attached is an updated list of proposed mitigation items for the MN&S route. A list for the Kenilworth Corridor is also being created. These lists would be the basis for comments on the MNS EAW stating the rail mitigation the City believes is necessary in St. Louis Park. MNS EAW At the May 31, 2011 meeting, a draft set of comments on the MNS EAW will be handed out for the Council’s review and discussion. These comments, along with the proposed mitigation measures, would compose the comments formally submitted from the city. What is the schedule after the May 31st meeting? May 31st Review draft EAW Comments June 6th Special Study Session Discussion of proposed comments on the MN&S EAW June 8th MN&S EAW Open House at the Rec Center June 15th Deadline for submittal of comments on the MN&S EAW FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Not applicable. Special Study Session Meeting of May 23, 2011 (Item No. 1) Page 2 Subject: Draft MN&S EAW Comments and Mitigation Measures VISION CONSIDERATION: This item is linked to the City’s Vision Strategic Direction that St. Louis Park is a committed to being a connected and engaged community. It is also related to the broader Vision elements about the variety of transportation modes, sidewalk & trails and environmental stewardship. Attachments: Draft MNS Mitigation Measures List Prepared by: Kevin Locke, Community Development Director; and, Meg J. McMonigal, Planning and Zoning Supervisor. Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager MNS Mitigation Measures Track improvements • Replace and upgrade the MN&S track with 136# seamless tracks reducing noise and vibrations • Install rail lubricators • Concrete ties to reduce the vibration Mandatory environmental requirements such as wetland, floodplain, hazardous materials handling, wildlife habitat, etc. Whistle Quiet Zones to upgrade rail crossings safety measures to eliminate the need to blow whistles or horns as trains approach intersections. Better fencing and signing of the railroad r-o-w to ensure it is in place where appropriate to discourage people intruding unsafely on the MN&S tracks. Create grade separated frontage road on north side of Hwy 7 by lengthening the MN&S bridge over Hwy 7 to provide space to create a frontage road on the north side. Build a pedestrian overpass near High School and Dakota Avenue to connect the High School to the Lake Street area and football field. Create pedestrian and non-vehicle access under MN&S tracks at Dakota Park by building an under pass at 27th St. to connect to the N. Cedar Lake regional trail from the east. Expansion of MN&S r-o-w in residential area by acquiring homes immediately east of MN&S tracks north of approximately the intersection of MN&S tracks with Brunswick Avenue. Reroute coal trains west of metro area. Build a southern connection to MNS. Elimination of sidings as well as through tracks east of Wooddale on Bass Lake spur to eliminate the possibility of cars being stored in this area or trains blocking Wooddale or Beltline. Switching Wye – remove the Oxford industrial area switching wye Funding and construction of Louisiana & Hwy 7 Interchange. Structure Improvement Program – Create a loan and/or grant program to provide technical assistance and financial help for property owners to make noise and/or vibration mitigation improvements. Sound and vibration mitigation improvements at the High School. Pedestrian bridge over Hwy 7 close to the MN&S bridge to provide access for pedestrians. Special Study Session Meeting of May 23, 2011 (Item No. 1) Subject: Draft MN&S EAW Comments and Mitigation Measures Page 3 Other Potential Mitigation Measures Removal of north arm of the switching wye so CP trains could continue to serve the existing customer by using the south arm of the switching wye. Housing Buyout program - Create a program to purchase homes on the west side of the MN&S tracks from willing sellers and remove, remodel or resell them. Place MN&S tracks on overhead structure from Walker to Brunswick. Special Study Session Meeting of May 23, 2011 (Item No. 1) Subject: Draft MN&S EAW Comments and Mitigation Measures Page 4