HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.20.23 Work Session MinutesCity of Farmington
City Council Work Session Minutes
March 20, 2023
1. Call to Order
Mayor Hoyt called the work session to order at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Hoyt, Bernatz, Lien, Porter, Wilson
Also Present: Deanna Kuennen, Community Development Director; John Powell, Public Works
Director; Kellee Omlid, Parks and Recreation Director; Gary Rutherford, Police
Chief; Justin Elvestad, Fire Chief.
2. Approve Agenda
MOTION by Bernatz, second by Wilson to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
3. Discussion Items
a. Discuss Union Pacific Train Concerns off 195th Street
Hoyt introduced the item explaining how staff has been working with Union Pacific
Railroad representatives to discuss residents’ concerns regarding trains idling and
blowing their horns within the neighborhood off 195th Street. Resident have been to
previous council meetings to express concerns. City staff has visited the
neighborhood to meet with residents as well.
Kelli O’Brien, Director of Public Affairs and Paul Martinez, Superintendent, from
Union Pacific Railroad were in attendance. O’Brien provided handouts on the
sounding of whistles and horns which are federally regulated. Martinez walked
through the horn blowing document and explained cadence of whistles, reasons for
blowing horns. O’Brien and Martinez then discussed how cars are moved between
Mason City, Iowa and South St. Paul, and why Farmington tracks may need to be
used vs. South St. Paul. Crews are regulated by federal rules on hours of service they
can work. O’Brien explained how the railroad owns the track but not the property
and they are working with their real estate department further on ownership of
property. Martinez explained how weather effects how long and which locomotives
need to idle and mechanisms on board trains used to investigate incidents and
concerns.
Council discussion on difference between class 1, 2, and 3 railroads, length of horn
blows, how far ahead of crossing horns are blowing, distance/time of when air
brakes are applied, what is considered livestock for blowing of horns, who pulls the
whistle and accountability for blowing whistles, where trains are stopped by
controllers when trains meet, effects of winter weather, crossing private property,
ownership of property that was being snow plowed, and what was process before
housing development was completed. Additional discussion on Farmington being
the last stop before St. Paul, future development and expansion, excessive length of
time horns are blowing, extended periods of train idling, how do council and/or
residents document concerns for railroad, railroad does not have ability to look back
at previous dates to measure length of horns blowing, service road extends over
three parcels and ownership of road and easements, moving locomotives as far
north as possible, potential ramifications for engineers for violations, and City staff
to send as formal request to railroad.
Residents provided a history of the concerns, examples of behavior of engineers,
desire to work together, how quiet zone works, and resolution requested.
Updates
Councilmember Bernatz attended first Airlake Airport Advisory Commission meeting.
Mayor Hoyt provided Dakota Broadband Board update.
4. Adjourn
MOTION by Porter, second by Wilson to adjourn at 5:11 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Flaten
Assistant City Administrator/Human Resources Director