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87-507 M�HITE - G7V CLERK PINK - FINANCE GITY OF SAINT PALTL Council �� �O ,T CANARV - OEPARTMENT File NO. BLUE - MAVOR Council Resolution Presented By �����'����J'��'�'�� 7—�1�-�� - Referred To Commi�tee: Date Out of Committee By Date WHEREAS, the Ramsey County Board is considering establishing a Regional Rail Authority; and WHEREAS, the Regional Rail Authority can be an opportunity for promoting improved public transit in Saint Paul ; and WHEREAS, the Rail Authority can be a vehicle for preserving important abandoned rail corridors; and WHEREAS, a great proportion of the potential users of public transit and half of the potential funding base is in the City of Saint Paul ; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul endorses the county's efforts to establish a regional rail authority with the condition that the county establish rail authority board membership that contains two seats appointed by the City of Saint Paul ; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that before buying any property for rail purposes the new regional rail authority should consult with affected municipalities and neighborhoods and consider their views and recommendations regarding future use of such property. COUNCILMEN Requested by Department of: Yeas Drew Nays � a""� [n Favor Rettman Scheibel sor,�er, __ Against BY redesco Wilson APR 1 F ��s� Form Approved by City Attorney Adopted by Council: Date Certified Pa • ouncil et BY gy, Approved :Vlavor. te �' � � -'�� �R � 6 �pproved by Mayor for Submission to Council B _ _ — By �a�..►���� � ,- �; ;� � �i9$7 . �����0� EAST PHALEN RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-IJAY -- RESIDENTS POSITION STATEMENT (Developed at �ommunity meeting held April 14, 1987) 1 . The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners should not create a Regional Rail Authority. 2. The railroad property to be abandoned between Maryland Ave. and Highway 36 should not be considered as a corridor or part of a corridor. This portion of the land in question is unique in that it it narrow (100 feet of less) and is entirely adjacent to residential or park land uses. Future use of this property should be appropriate to its surroundings. 3. 1-le oppose the development of high-occupancy vehicle lands , transit railway, or other higl�-intensity use for this land. It is inconsistent with the character of tl�e surrounding neighborhood. 4. A full and unbiased analysis should be made of all potential uses of the land before it is publicly acquired. This review should include options for development, adjacent-owner purchase, and uses which do not embody the con- cept of a 'corridor' , and should be conducted openly and with full part- icipation of area re5idents. 5. If the land is to be publicly acquired, funds for such purpose sf�ould be obtained from an unr..estricted as opposed to restricted method of taxation. � (�lhich does not specify a narrow purpose for future use of the land. ) 6. We oppose purchase of the land for purposes of hol�ding or banking it for potential future development as a rail ar other transit corridor as it will be to the overall detriment of the neighborhood. Witf� the recent emphasis on tlie concept of ' better neighborhoods' in St. Paul , action to set aside this land for the future benefit of suburban commuters will negatively impact both the property values and the morale of the community. 7. We oppose the use of a special taxing authority which imposes future-use conditions and could result in 'double' taxation of Ramsey County property owners. If the land is acquired by a Regional Rail Authority and transit rail is not devel��ped, resale of the land at market value is required. Property owners would be taxwd once ' to benefit rail ' as required by law, and again to� purchase the land for park or other use. 8. The use of a Railroad Authority to purcliase and hold land for purposes of rail transit places an inequitable burden on Ramsey County residents. Qverall development of rail transit, should it be built, is a Metropolitan Council and Regional Transit Board responsibility. Any taxation for that purpose at this time by Ramsey County may both duplicate and add to the future cost to Ramsey County taxpayers. 9. The five-member Rail Authority board as proposed both lacks representation proportionate to the persons to be taxed, and is devoid of provisions for outside citizen membership or participation. I�le recomment that a board comprised of the seven County Commissioners and ten residents of areas to be affected be ap��ointed, should the Authority be established. 10. The railroad (Burlington-Northern) should be responsible for cleaning up the area and removing its ties, rails , stanes and poles before abandoning the property.