Minutes - Council - 05/26/1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dennis Peck- Project Manager- Northfork- Stated that the crossing at the Design Center and Hwy. #10 was used to transport visitors and potential clients of Northfork. Burlington Northern closed the crossing because they were concerned with close-call accidents involving cement trucks using the crossing. North Fork petitioned to have the crossing reopened and Burlington Northern was agreeable as long as the crossing was gated, fenced and insured by Northfork. North Fork was declined insurance coverage that would take into account trespassers as well as Northfork related usage. The Minnesota Highway Department also did not feel that Hwy. #10 and the Design Center was a legitimate crossing. The Northfork Environmental Impact Statement named the Design Center crossing as the number one crossing; the EIS also addressed the lake and excavating material for a second lake. Ail of North Fork's attempts to have the crossing at Hwy. #10 and the Design Center reopened have been unsuccessful; North Fork has met with Ramsey City Staff to resolve the problem. The last thing North Fork wants is for somebody to get hurt and they are prepared to do whatever is necessary to get temporary access by the Design Center but Burlington Northern and the Highway Department do not appear to be particularly in favor of that crossing. Mr. Peck requested the City's support of North Fork attaining a reasonable access onto Hwy. #10 that does not affect existing residential neighborhoods. Mayor Reimann inquired about and suggested pursuing plans for MSA designation of the 153rd Avenue extension and installation of a new crossing west of the weigh station. City Engineer Raatikka stated that the MSA alignment at the western boundary of the city has been approved; construction of the MSA road and permission for a new crossing would take several months. Motion by Councilmember Cox and seconded by Councilmember DeLuca directing City Staff to formally request that Burlington Northern reinstate the railroad crossing at the Design Center and Hwy. #10, even if it requires temporary closing of the crossing at Puma Street. Further Discussion: Councilmember Cox noted that because of railroad crossings, Ramsey is an entire community with no access for emergency vehicles; the City has a right to expect cooperation from Burlington Northern in this case. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Reimann, Councilmembers Sorteberg, Cox, DeLuca and Pearson. Voting No: None. County Commissioner Haas stated that the County is willing to lend it's support to Ramsey and North Fork in their efforts. Council proceeded to discuss the terms of the currently active conditional use permit which allows hours of operation from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. One citizen stated that she believes some of the workers are living in campers in the project area. Mr. Rehbein stated that the dirt being removed from the area is being used for State and County projects; part of the agreement with those agencies is that L&G P. ehbein work at least 12 hours a day, 6 days a week in order to City Council/May 26, 1987 Page 12 of 21