 |
AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
3.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 11/04/2024
Agenda Item:
Renewal of Council support for inclusion of Mankato-Twin Cities in the Minnesota State Rail Plan
Recommendation/Action(s):
Consideration of a resolution of support.
Summary:
The Minnesota State Department of Transportation (MNDOT) is in the process of updating the Minnesota State Rail Plan. Staff recently attended a meeting with the consultant working on the State Rail Plan. The current State Rail Plan was adopted in 2015. MNDOT is in the drafting phase of creating the document. The Southern Minnesota Passenger Rail Commission has requested the City of Mankato to provide a letter of support which would promote the expansion of passenger rail in southern Minnesota. There is a link to the presentation for the meeting HERE.
Historical Context:
The City of Mankato has previously submitted resolutions of support in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The early discussion related to the State Rail Plan focused on freight rail. In 2009, the Council expressed the importance of including passenger rail expansion to the City of Mankato as part of the State Rail Plan. The 2015 State Rail Plan did include two passenger rail routes to southern Minnesota. One route connected the Twin Cities area to Mankato and the second route considered an option to connect the Twin Cities Metro area to Albert Lea.
Draft State Rail Plan:
MnDOT is taking the prioritization set forth in the 2015 Rail Plan in drafting of the 2025 State Rail Plan. The Southern Minnesota Passenger Rail Commission stressed the importance of continuing to provide support for projects or priorities that may be redirected. Inclusion in the Minnesota State Rail Plan is necessary for a passenger rail project to be eligible for potential state and federal funding. Projects that have been funded and/or are under construction have been significantly supported at the local level. Support does not mean the City of Mankato has local funding expectations.
The Southern Minnesota Passenger Rail Commission is seeking to take two steps by November 15, including:
1. Write a letter to MNDOT requesting:
The continued prioritized Phase 1 passenger rail designation of the Twin Cities-Albert Lea and Twin Cities-Mankato Corridors and the introduction of a Phase 1 passenger rail designation for the existing east-west (Canadian Pacific/DM&E) rail line that connects the Mankato and Albert Lea Corridors and further connects Southern Minnesota communities including Waseca, Rochester/DMC Mayo Clinic and Winona, as well as to the existing Amtrak Service that is already available at Winona). A draft letter and suggested speaking points is available HERE
2. Add elected officials’ signatures (electronically) to a short Joint Statement in support of the above passenger rail projects. Find that Short Statement and instructions from the Commission HERE /Joint letter from Regional Elected Leaders
Next Steps:
The Commission is hoping that the City considers these above steps. Staff would also recommend some engagement with the community regarding this matter. It has been nearly 15 years since an active conversation about this project occurred.
Lastly, the Commission is planning another meeting in late January 2025 where the agenda will include a review of the draft 2025 State Rail Plan.
Historical Context:
The City of Mankato has previously submitted resolutions of support in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The early discussion related to the State Rail Plan focused on freight rail. In 2009, the Council expressed the importance of including passenger rail expansion to the City of Mankato as part of the State Rail Plan. The 2015 State Rail Plan did include two passenger rail routes to southern Minnesota. One route connected the Twin Cities area to Mankato and the second route considered an option to connect the Twin Cities Metro area to Albert Lea.
Draft State Rail Plan:
MnDOT is taking the prioritization set forth in the 2015 Rail Plan in drafting of the 2025 State Rail Plan. The Southern Minnesota Passenger Rail Commission stressed the importance of continuing to provide support for projects or priorities that may be redirected. Inclusion in the Minnesota State Rail Plan is necessary for a passenger rail project to be eligible for potential state and federal funding. Projects that have been funded and/or are under construction have been significantly supported at the local level. Support does not mean the City of Mankato has local funding expectations.
The Southern Minnesota Passenger Rail Commission is seeking to take two steps by November 15, including:
1. Write a letter to MNDOT requesting:
The continued prioritized Phase 1 passenger rail designation of the Twin Cities-Albert Lea and Twin Cities-Mankato Corridors and the introduction of a Phase 1 passenger rail designation for the existing east-west (Canadian Pacific/DM&E) rail line that connects the Mankato and Albert Lea Corridors and further connects Southern Minnesota communities including Waseca, Rochester/DMC Mayo Clinic and Winona, as well as to the existing Amtrak Service that is already available at Winona). A draft letter and suggested speaking points is available HERE
2. Add elected officials’ signatures (electronically) to a short Joint Statement in support of the above passenger rail projects. Find that Short Statement and instructions from the Commission HERE /Joint letter from Regional Elected Leaders
Next Steps:
The Commission is hoping that the City considers these above steps. Staff would also recommend some engagement with the community regarding this matter. It has been nearly 15 years since an active conversation about this project occurred.
Lastly, the Commission is planning another meeting in late January 2025 where the agenda will include a review of the draft 2025 State Rail Plan.