Rail Authority asks to defer payment to county
October 27th, 2006Would Sibley County be willing to defer payment for previous services provided for the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority?
That is a question that was posed last week at the Rail Authority meeting in Redwood Falls.
Sibley County Commissioner Charlie Woehler, who serves on the Rail Authority, told county commissioners Tuesday that the Rail Authority had made the request. The Rail Authority then thought the funds could be used toward railroad crossing signals throughout Sibley County.
No decision was made by the County Commissioners at this time.
Sibley County had agreed to a five year repayment plan with the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority for services provided by previous Rail Authority Administrator Steve Renquist, who was the County Economic Development Director, and County Attorney David Schauer. Two payments totaling $23,400 are owed Sibley County.
Woehler said that as the traffic on the rail line increases to 25 mph, signals will be needed. The Minnesota Prairie Line has received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration for Class I status, meaning that from Winthrop east more than five carloads of hazardous materials, such as ethanol, can be shipped at one time. The Minnesota Prairie Line will be able to haul 25-car unit trains with their connection at Cologne.
