HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.a. Discussion with Progressive Rail representative4ROSEMOUNTEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Workshop Meeting May 12, 2010
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion with Progressive Rail
CTIO
representative
IQ
AASU
PREPARED BY: Dwight Johnson, City Administrator
AGENDA NO.
ATTACHMENTS: Letter from Mayor to Progressive Rail;
APPROVED BY:
Email response from Progressive Rail
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion item only
BACKGROUND
At a March City Council meeting, Bruno DiNella spoke under public comments about problems with the
operations of Progressive Rail. Specifically, he noted that the 160th street crossing was blocked for long
periods of time in the morning with frequent sounding of train whistles. Mayor Droste wrote to Mr. Dave
Fellon at Progressive Rail on March 30, 2010 and received an email response from him on April 7, 2010.
These items of correspondence are attached to this report. In Mr. Fellon's response, he offered to meet
with the City Council to discuss the issues in more detail. Mayor Droste suggested that he be invited to
attend a workshop meeting. Subsequently, Mr. Fellon was invited and agreed to attend this workshop
meeting. Mr. DiNella has also been invited to attend.
March 30, 2010
Mr. Dave Fellon
Progressive Rail
300 Wall Street, Unit #703
St. Paul, MN 55101
Re: Rail Operation Comments — CSAH 46 Crossing
Rosemount, Dakota County
Dear Mr. Fellon:
I am writing you with concerns about Progressive Rail's operations in the City of Rosemount.
At a recent City Council meeting, a concern was brought before the City Council specifically about
the operation of trains at the CSAH 46 (160`' Street) crossing at the southern border of Rosemount.
The concern includes the operation and switching of cars during the morning peak travel time on
CSAH 46 and the associated vehicular delays of 15 to 20 minutes as a result of this activity.
Additionally, the concern includes the repeated sounding of train horns during this localized
operation along with the observation that an increased number of rail cars are being stored in this
vicinity.
While the pending installation and establishment of a "Quiet Zone" in Rosemount will address the
concern with the train horns, the timing of this operation along with the increased storage of rail
cars is of a concern to the City. In April 2009 I sent you the attached letter regarding previous
concerns with rail car storage and do not recall receiving a response.
With these recent public concerns, I would appreciate information from you regarding Progressive
Rail's operational plans in the City of Rosemount.
I look forward to your response on this matter at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
William Droste
Rosemount Mayor
Cc: City Council Members
Dwight Johnson, City Administrator
Bruno DiNella
C:\ Users \ddj \AppData \Local \Microsoft \Windows \Temporary Intemet Files \Content.0Utlook\PH 1 RQIAB\20100330 Rail Car
Storage- Progressive Rail.docx
From: Dave Fellon [ mailto :dfellon @progressiverail.com]
Sent: Wed 4/7/2010 11:16 AM
To: Droste, William
Cc: Lon Van Gernert; Layne Leitner; Doug Whiteley; Dick Moneypenny
Subject: written response to your letter dated March 30th 2010
Hello William,
First and foremost thank you for your letter addressed to Progressive Rail on March
30th 2010.
Please allow me to answer your questions in the exact order they were received.
Specifically:
[Q] a concern was brought before the City Council specifically about the operation of
trains
[A] Progressive Rail operates our company based on the demands of the valued
customers
we serve. Unlike a scheduled passenger operation there is no way to set a specific
time
for the movement of freight.
[Q] vehicular delays of 15 to 20 minutes
[A] Progressive Rail operates in the safest most efficient manner and every attempt is
made
to be a good corporate citizen. However running in a safe mode is our first priority.
[Q] increased number of rail cars are being stored
[A] This is a direct result of an economy that is fragile at best so from time to time our
valued customers will need to store rail cars for a period of time. Keep in mind a
typical
rail car is in excess of a $ 75,000.00 to $ 100,000.00 investment so as soon as the
economy picks up less cars will be stored. In that train of thought you may also be
seeing a few tank cars staged for furtherance to the SemStream plant and that
function will continue as it has for many years.
[Q] establishment of a "Quiet Zone" in Rosemount.
[A] That is the City's decision so please keep me posted as to your progress.
[Q] do not recall receiving a response
[A] Back in April of 2009 1 did in fact return the call as per your letter. In the future feel
free
to call me on my cellular telephone at 612- 791 -3255.
William, I would also like to offer my time to attend one of your council meetings so any
Rosemount residents and City officials can voice their comments with an immediate
response.
Pleased to hear back from you.
[612] 791 -3255 [Cell] / [24] [7]
Enjoy your day.
Thank you
Dave