Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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License for Bicycle Path/Pedestrian Walkway with Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC for the Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail Section
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the License for Bicycle Path/Pedestrian Walkway with Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC for portions of the Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail located on BNSF Railway property for a period of 25 years.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the license.
3. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and amendments to agreements, in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s 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, LLC (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 & Recreation department launched preliminary and final design for the Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail section. Additionally, in 2024, the Parks & Recreation department launched a project to prepare construction plans and National Environmental Policy Act permitting items. 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, portion of the Phase 1 Trail section is located on land that is owned by BNSF Railway.
A license between Ramsey County and BNSF Railway is required in order to construct portions of the Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail on land that is owned by BNSF Railway.
The completion of the Phase 1 Trail Bruce Vento Regional Trail will provide regional benefits to residents within Ramsey County by eliminating recreational and transportation barriers, 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, and 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. 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 License with BNSF Railway; 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. 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>
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The cost of this license is a one-time fee of $3,700.00 for the use of this portion of the Bruce Vento Trail. This license allows Ramsey County to construct and maintain Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail improvements on BNSF Railway property for the next 25 years. This fee will be paid for from the project budget.
Last Previous Action
On August 13, 2024, The Ramsey County Board approved a Joint Powers Agreement with the city of White Bear Lake for construction and long-term maintenance of the Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail section (Resolution B2024-157).
Attachments
1. License Agreement