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Council hears plan for at-grade railroad crossing; staff requests approval of $700K+ project and ongoing maintenance costs
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Summary
City staff presented a long-running plan to build a new three-lane at-grade crossing and northern bypass near the amphitheater, school and industrial park; estimated railroad construction and fees total just over $700,000 plus an annual maintenance charge (~$15,200 beginning in year three). Staff asked council to approve the railroad agreement.
Kenny Schwab, assistant city manager of operations, briefed the council on a years-long effort to provide a signalized, three-lane railroad crossing and northern bypass loop to improve access to a school, industrial park and a new amphitheater site. Schwab reviewed the planning and design timeline, consultant work (HDR), and railroad coordination that led to an approved railroad design and a presented agreement.
He said the agreement includes a one-time railroad grant-of-right fee of $21,888 and an estimated railroad construction cost of about $681,625; combined with other charges the total project-related railroad costs are just over $700,000. Schwab also explained the railroad's annual maintenance fees: roughly $13,000 for signal maintenance and about $2,000 for the crossing surface, totaling approximately $15,200 annually beginning in year three with a reevaluation in year five. Schwab described those recurring fees as a growing railroad business model but argued the crossing is a major public-safety improvement and will help school and park access, industrial traffic and amphitheater circulation.
Council members asked operational questions: whether semis would be routed through the park, how the existing 219th crossing would be managed until the new crossing opens, and whether county and neighboring jurisdictions would share costs. Schwab said operations details and property connectivity remain to be worked out with property owners; the railroad will schedule construction when it can be accommodated on its calendar.
Schwab asked council to approve the agreement; staff noted the railroad would construct the crossing and invoice the city for required fees and costs as set by the agreement. Council discussion acknowledged the annual maintenance cost but emphasized the public-safety benefits and broader access improvements. The council proceeded with consideration of the agreement as part of the agenda.
