Approve Amended Easement for Emergency Egress - Ramsey Rail Station

In December 2011, the City Council approved the original easement for the Ramsey Rail Station emergency egress.  This easement has to be expanded by four feet to handle the new utility building.  This action requires Council grant the easement as amended. 

Attached to this case is the"red-lined" version of the easement -as well as the final - clean copy and the sketch of same.  Note the only amendment is 42.00 to 46.00 feet. 

The property on which the easement is located is owned by the City and was purchase with Right-of-way Acquisition Loan Funds (RALF).  A state program that has been used extensively by Ramsey to purchase properties in the Highway 10 corridor for the future upgrade to freeway status.  The City and the State need to approve of any additional encumbrances on the property such as this easement.

The easement became necessary to accommodate safety guidelines that require a certain emergency egress area for rail passengers, that had to be modified due to the new utility building.

Not approving the easement would have the effect of denying the utility building.  The utility building site was previously approved by the City and will benefit rail customers by providing a heated rail platform.

It is recommended that hte Council approve the amended easement as proposed.

No funding is required.  Metro Transit has prepared and will file the easement once approved by the City.

Motion to approve the emergency easement for Ramsey Rail Station as amended from 42.00 feet to 46.00 feet.