Adopt Resolution #13-09-158 Approving the Cooperative Agreement with MnDOT for Signing the Mississippi River Trail

For many years, the city of Ramsey and other jurisdictions have been developing the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) - with off-road trails scheduled for construction beginning as soon as this fall in Ramsey.  Pending ultimate connectivity of this off-roadway system, a continuous route in Minnesota is in place using the combination of stand-alone trails and city and county streets.  This trail + street route is also known as United States Bike Route 45; with USBR 45 and the MRT being one-in-the-same. 

The purpose of this consent case is to adopt Resolution 13-09-158 approving the agreement with MnDOT to sign the MRT route. The signs would be provided and installed by the State of Minnesota at its expense, with one element of the cooperative agreement acknowledging that MnDOT's subcontractors are permitted to work in the city's Road Right of Way to install the MRT signs.

Additional detail such as termination clauses, maintenance stipulations etc. are included within the agreement itself.  

Staff recommends approving the Resolution.  

There is no near-term funding required by the city of Ramsey.  However, certain Ramsey businesses will benefit by increased tourism the formalized and signed MRT and USBR 45 will yield.

Long-term maintenance of the MRT signs is a shared expense between MnDOT and the city as detailed in the cooperative agreement. 

Motion to Adopt Resolution 13-09-158 Approving the Cooperative Agreement with MnDOT for Signing the Mississippi River Trail.