6.2 SR 04-19-2021Request for Action
To
Item Number
Mayor and City Council
6.2
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Presentations, Awards, and
April 19, 2021
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Recognition
Item Description
Reviewed by
All Aboard Minnesota
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Receive information, provide direction and/or approve, by motion the attached resolution
Background/Discussion
At the April 5, 2021, Regular Meeting, the Council considered approval of a resolution requested from All
Aboard Minnesota, a volunteer group seeking support for a legislative funding for additional passenger rail
service.
The Council requested further information regarding the pros/cons of the resolution of support regarding
potential impact of the service.
Tom Beaumont, a volunteer with All Aboard Minnesota, will provide information and answer questions.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
Elk River Mission Statement
Attachments
• Resolution
• All Aboard Minnesota informational flyer
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires pi ospei ly.
M
TUREJ
Updated.• August 2020
City of
Elk
River
City of Elk River
City Council
Resolution 2 1 -
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River Supporting Rail
Passenger Service Improvements
WHEREAS, the MnDOT State Rail Plan includes a proposed 21id Passenger Train
frequency (21id train) between the Twin Cities and Chicago for which design planning is
completed. This new service between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago utilizes the
current route of Amtrak's Empire Builder at speeds up to 79 miles an hour; and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota was awarded a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and
Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant in 2020 totaling $31.8 million for infrastructure
improvements along the existing freight railroad's right-of-way to enable the 21id train; and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota needs to provide $10 million in matching funds to
receive the CRISI grant; and
WHEREAS, once the 2' train service is operational, we believe its success would allow
the expansion of passenger rail to our community per the MnDOT state rail plan; and
WHEREAS, freight railroads will benefit from the capital investment needed for Twin
Cities daytime service to Fargo/Moorhead, enabling greater freight train speeds, reducing
railroad congestion; and
WHEREAS, Elk River residents are mainly reliant upon highways today for travel and
more passenger rail service would expand transportation options to the east and west of our
city for our residents who cannot or don't want to drive or fly; and
WHEREAS, the 2nd train alone will benefit Minnesota's economy by an estimated $25
million annually, by supporting and increasing jobs, tourism, and creating a more economical
travel choice, and for every one dollar invested in passenger rail service, it generates three
dollars in every community served; and
WHEREAS, many states in the Midwest and around the country are investing in more
passenger rail service as they realize the economic and mobility benefits of such services.
Some of these states include but are not limited to: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri,
Ohio, Virginia, California, Oregon, Maine, North Carolina.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk
River, Minnesota, that it hereby supports funding the proposed 2' Passenger Train
Frequency between the Twin Cities and Chicago, and requests that the Minnesota
Legislature approve a minimum of $10 million to provide matching funds to secure the
CRISI Grant Award as described above, and supports funding of the MnDOT state rail plan
specified at $160 million for possible expansion of passenger rail service to our city.
Passed and adopted this 191h day of April 2021.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
i
1-. 060 LIU
All ABOARD
MINNESOTA
WHY MORE PASSENGER TRAINS FOR MINNESOTA?
THREE GREAT REASONS!
One: Generates economic growth
• For every dollar invested in passenger rail, three dollars are generated within the
communities served
• The proposed 2"d Train frequency between the Twin Cities and Chicago alone would
generate economic returns eight to ten times for Minnesota's spending on the service (total
economic benefit of $25M, cost $2-3M, estimated)*
Two: Passenger trains reduce highway congestion and costs
• The 2"1 train would take an estimated 90,000 riders out of cars, which:*
o Reduces highway trips by 15M car miles in this corridor
o Reduces $32M in highway maintenance costs
• Trains are 17 times safer than cars; the region will save $1.8M from traffic accidents
avoided*
Three: Passenger trains offer greater mobility
• The 2"d Train will drive an additional fourteen thousand trips each year, called induced
demand, i.e. trips that otherwise would not be taken*
• Induced demand travel will inject $2.9M of new revenue into Minnesota's economy each
year through mainly new visitor spending*
• Trains connect urban to outstate communities, and offer options for those who can't or
prefer not to drive or fly, such as college students, families with children, elderly, etc.
For more information or to contact us, visit: AllaboardMN.orp
Note — 2nd Train is one example of how additional rail passenger service could benefit Minnesota's economy and
mobility. More service, like Twin Cities to Duluth, could offer even more economic benefits.
* Source— Impacts from a Second Train to Minnesota. View this full paper on: AIIAboardMN.org