Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Joint Powers Agreement with the City of White Bear Lake for Construction and Long-term Maintenance of Phase 1 Trail Section of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with city of White Bear Lake for Construction and Long-term Maintenance of the Phase 1 Trail Section of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail for a period of 50 years with an automatic 50-year extension upon initial term expiration.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and amendments to this agreement, in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, and in a form acceptable with the Ramsey County Attorney Office.
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Background and Rationale
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The Bruce Vento Regional Trail corridor is 13 miles in length and extends from the east side of downtown Saint Paul to the north county line at County Road J in Ramsey County. The southern seven-mile segment of the regional trail was completed in 2005 from downtown Saint Paul to Buerkle Road in Ramsey County on former Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway. The remaining six miles of the trail north of Buerkle Road to County Road J is still undeveloped due to active rail use.
In 2018, the Parks and Recreation department launched preliminary and final design for the Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail section. The Phase 1 section is 2.7 miles in length and is located within the city of White Bear Lake between Buerkle Road to the intersection of Hoffman Road and Highway 61. Additionally, the Phase 1 trail section is located on land that is owned by the city White Bear Lake, public road right-of-way, and within sections of the Burlington North Santa Fe railway corridor.
An agreement between Ramsey County and White Bear Lake is required in order to construct and maintain the Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail section on land that is owned by the city of White Bear Lake. The completion of the Phase 1 Trail Section will benefit both White Bear Lake and Ramsey County by eliminating recreational and transportation barriers by:
• Providing trail and pedestrian facilities in an area that does not currently have facilities.
• Providing vital connections to other regional parks and trails, local parks and trails, and multi-modal transportation.
• Reducing crashes and conflicts between pedestrians/bicycles and motor vehicles.
• Increasing access to schools, places of work, and shopping.
• Connecting diverse populations across the region including youth, elderly, families, and residents with disabilities.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
An equity analysis was completed for Ramsey County Bruce Vento Regional Trail section during development of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Long-range Plan. The equity analysis included the existing Bruce Vento Regional Trail section between Larpentuer Avenue to Buerkle Road, Phase 1 trail section between Buerkle Road to the intersection of Hoffman Road/Highway 61, and the Phase 2 trail section between the intersection of Hoffman Road/Highway 61 to the north county line at County Road J. Engagement activities were developed and prioritized for equity, inclusivity, maximizing voices heard, and geographic representation. Equity analysis outcomes for the Phase 1 trail section will provide direct benefits to significant populations for people of color, connects two communities with diverse demographics and income between Maplewood and White Bear Lake, in addition to substantial concentrations of youth, elderly, and residents with disabilities.
Community Participation Level and Impact
No specific community participation was completed for the development of the Joint Powers Agreement; however, engagement was completed through a multi-year effort by the Parks department and Purple Line BRT activities for the project as a whole during the development of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Long-Range Plan. At that time, public engagement activities were completed at different intervals dependent on project location throughout the regional trail corridor. Long-range planning engagement completed by the Parks department primarily focus on the Phase 1 and Phase 2 future extension areas while the Purple Line BRT Group focused primarily between Larpenteur Avenue and Buerkle Road. To achieve the public engagement goals, diverse communities were identified including people of color, Hmong people living in Saint Paul and Maplewood, Latino people living in Saint Paul, Public Housing residents, trail users, and residents and business throughout the project corridor. Input received as a part of the engagement activities is reflected throughout the long-range plan amendment. More detailed information can be found at the Bruce Vento Project page. <https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/parks-recreation/planning-construction-restoration/bruce-vento-regional-trail-extension-%E2%80%93-buerkle-road-whitaker-street> <https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/parks-recreation/planning-construction-restoration/bruce-vento-regional-trail-extension-%E2%80%93-buerkle-road-whitaker-street>
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
This agreement allows Ramsey County to construct and maintain the Phase 1 trail improvements on city of White Bear Lake property for the next 100 years. Ramsey County will be responsible for all costs associated with the use, design, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, replacements, and reconstruction of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail Improvements. Future maintenance expenses range on type and need but will be included as a part of the Parks & Recreation maintenance budget through Regional Park and Trail Operation Maintenance funds provided by the state of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Council.
Last Previous Action
On July 2, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved the grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council for Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail project in the amount of $5,000,000 and the budget and financing plan for the Phase 1 extension of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail (Resolution B2024-119).
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement