HomeMy WebLinkAbout10C - Study of The Dan Patch Rail Line
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4646 Dakota Street S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DECEMBER 1, 2008
10 C
JANE KANSIER, BUILDING AND TRANSPOTATION SERVICES DIRECTOR
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
EXPENDITURE OF TRANSIT FUNDS FOR THE STUDY OF THE DAN PATCH
RAIL LINE
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda report is to seek City Council approval for the
expenditure of transit funds for the study of the Dan Patch line. The staff
recommends approval of this request.
Historv
The City of Prior Lake, along with our transit partners, Scott County, the City of
Shakopee and MVTA, has a history of identifying and meeting the transit needs
of our residents. Over the last few years, the demand for transit services has
increased and the nature of those service demands has changed.
The BlueXpress currently provides express service to and from downtown
Minneapolis. With the increase in gas prices, we have received more requests
for service beyond downtown, requests we are unable to meet with our current
buses. There is also a need to connect BlueXpress with other regional transit
providers, which would effectively expand our service area. A key component of
this expansion is the construction of the Dan Patch rail line.
Current Circumstances
Minnesota Statutes do not allow the Metropolitan Councilor other regional
entities to study the possibility of the Dan Patch line. However, the statute does
not prohibit local governments from studying the issue. The Transportation
Planning Team (TPT) recently learned we can piggyback on the Metropolitan
Council's contract with SRF and have a corridor study completed for a cost of
approximately $9,000. The TPT agreed the cost of this study would be split
equally between the City of Prior Lake, the City of Shakopee and the City of
Savage/MVTA. To take advantage of the contract, the study must be completed
before the end of the year.
Conclusion
The completion of the study does not guarantee the construction or even further
study of the Dan Patch line. It does, however, provide empirical data as to the
feasibility of the line, something that does not exist at this time. This data could
serve as the basis for further study and long-term planning.
The completion of this study is consistent with the Unified Transit Management
Plan and with the 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan goal to "identify opportunities or
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park and ride facilities and transit service in anticipation of new development in
cooperation with other agencies."
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The staff anticipates the maximum cost to the City will be $3,000.00. This
amount is available in the Transit Fund.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Adopt a resolution authorizing the expenditure of transit funds for the City of
Prior Lake share of a study of the Dan Patch line.
2. Deny the resolution and provide staff with further direction.
ReView~~
Frank Boyles, y M
A motion and second to adopt a resolution authorizing the expenditure of transit
funds for the City of Prior Lake share of a study of the Dan Patch line.
1
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
I
r--
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF TRANSIT FUNDS FOR THE STUDY OF THE
DAN PATCH RAIL LINE
Motion By:
Second By:
WHEREAS, The 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan includes a goal to "identify opportunities for park
and ride facilities and transit service in anticipation of new development in cooperation
with other agencies;" and
WHEREAS, The cities of Prior Lake, Shakopee and Savage, the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority
(MVTA) and Scott County are partners in the Transit Review Board, which studies and
plans for multijurisdictional transit programs, services and facilities to serve their
respective populations; and
WHEREAS, By statute, the Minnesota legislature imposed restrictions on the Metropolitan Council
and other regional agencies regarding any consideration of the Dan Patch corridor/rail
line for public transit, but the restrictions do not apply to local government entities, such
as the cities of Prior Lake, Shakopee and Savage, and the MVT A; and
WHEREAS, The City of Prior Lake, the City of Shakopee and the City of Savage/MVTA believe that
as development increases and populations grow there will be an increased need for
additional public transit and new routes; and
WHEREAS, The cities of Prior Lake, Shakopee and Savage and the MVTA desire to jointly retain
and share in the cost to retain a consultant to undertake an initial study of the viability
of the Dan Patch line as a corridor in which to expand transit services currently
provided; and
WHEREAS, The City of Prior Lake share of the study will not exceed $3,000.00.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE,
MINNESOTA as follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. City Staff is authorized to participate in the cost of the Dan Patch study as proposed here in for an
amount not to exceed $3,000.
3. Funding for the enclosure shall come from account # 603-49804-530.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 1ST DAY OF DECEMBER, 2008.
YES
NO
I Haugen
I Erickson
I Hedberg
I LeMair
I Millar
Haugen
Erickson
Hedberg
LeMair
Millar
www.cityofpriorlake.cdrrenk Boyles, City Manager
RICouncil12008 Agenda Reportsl12 01 08\dJfl~}Ji~Jil/l,7Q~800 / Fax 952.447.4245