Title
Staff Report for a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) for the Modification of the Railroad Crossing at Polar Way
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) for the modification of the railroad crossing at Polar Way.
BACKGROUND
Polar Way (formerly Hudson Lane) provides the only access to the Preferred Freezer site, which is located at 400 Polar Way. This site was previously occupied by Hudson Lumber, and was previously permitted access across the UPRR railroad tracks by UPRR under a private crossing license. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) allows private crossing access only to a single owner. To upgrade the roadway access across the existing UPRR tracks, and expand future opportunities, Hudson I.C.S. requested the City's assistance in changing the status of the railroad crossing from private to public. This change ensures that access to the site will no longer be restricted by the terms of Hudson Lumber Company's private crossing license. Only a public agency having jurisdiction over adjacent, receiving public right-of-way has the authority to apply for a public crossing license and therefore the City led the negotiations for the change in status of the crossing. The CPUC approved the request for change in crossing status in April 2004, consequently making it necessary for UPRR to enter into a MOU with the City for any modifications to the crossing.
Analysis
The upgrade to the crossing will involve the widening of Polar Way, allowing for two (2) lanes of traffic in each direction of travel, and installation of new ADA compliant sidewalks on both sides of Polar Way. The work will be performed in three (3) phases: relocation of the existing railroad gates...
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