379 Yelm Branch Line RailwayCITY OF YELM
RESOLUTION NO. 379
A RESOLUTION To state the guiding principles for the acquisition and use and operational
oversight of the railroad branch line, the Yelm Branch Line, currently owned by the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railway Company; to create a Rail Advisory Committee to advise the city on
the use, operation and development of the acquired property; and to provide guidance to the
Director of Public Works on how to proceed; and
WHEREAS, The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) currently operates over a
railroad corridor called the Yelm Branch Line which extends from Milepost 8.55 near Lakeview
on the north to mile post 25.55 in the City of Yelm on the south and has indicated its interest in
discontinuing rail service over at least a part of that branch line; and
WHEREAS, The City of Yelm has indicated its interest in acquiring all property interests now
held by the BNSF in its Yelm Branch Line for general public welfare, economic development
and investment purposes; and
WHEREAS, The City of Roy has expressed its interest in participating with the City of Yelm in
setting public policy for the use and development of the BNSF Yelm Branch, insofar as such use
operation and development affects the City of Roy; and
WHEREAS, The Yelm Chamber of Commerce has actively been supporting the public
acquisition of the Yelm branch; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YELM, THE MAYOR
CONCURRING:
Section 1. The Council endorses the following guiding principles in acquisition, operation and
development of the BNSF Yelm Branch Line (formerly known as the Northern Pacific's Prairie
Line):
All BNSF property interests its Yelm Branch Line, should be acquired by the City of Yelm and
after such acquisition the line of railroad shall be referred to as "The Prairie Line."
The preservation and vitality of businesses located along the BNSF's Yelm Branch Line should
be preserved, and additional businesses should be encouraged to locate along the line.
The exploration and development of commuter rail and other passenger uses in conjunction with
development of the acquired property should be encouraged.
The interests of the City of Roy and its citizens will be considered in any use or development of
the BNSF's Yelm Branch line, and appropriate interlocal agreements or contracts may be entered
into by the two Cities to achieve and carry out mutual interests and apportion ownership, as
necessary.
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Section 2. The Prairie Line Rail Advisory Committee. The Prairie Line Rail Advisory
Committee is established to assist and advise the City of Yelm in acquiring, operating and
developing the acquired rail property, "The Prairie Line."
(a) The Committee shall be composed of the Mayor of Yelm, the Mayor of Roy, or their
designees, and three persons appointed by the City of Yelm and two person appointed by the City
of Roy, to serve at the pleasure of the respective appointing Mayor. The Mayor of Yelm may
designate one of the appointed members to serve as chairperson:
(b) The committee members will receive no additional compensation, except that the City
may reimburse any travel or administrative expenses of the appointees out of the marketing fund
established herein, under the guidelines established by the City.
Section:3. Rail Marketing Fund. The Prairie Line Rail Advisory Committee shall advise the
Public,Works Director on an annual marketing budget as determined by the City of Yelm of up
to 1/2 of 1% of any rents, profits or other payments received by the City of Yelm for use or uses
of any part of the Prairie Line. This fund to be created annually as part of the operating budget of
the Department of Public Works, and its use shall be subject to review and audit. The fund shall
be usedrto promote the use of the Prairie Rail Line.
Section 4. The Director of Public Works shall:
(a) Negotiate the acquisition of BNSF's Yelm Branch Line and appurtenant property with
appropriate BNSF officials and submit to the council a proposal for such acquisition.
(b) Develop in consultation with the Prairie Line Rail Advisory Committee created
herein, and submit to the Council for approval, a proposed rail policy which will
encourage and promote freight and commuter rail service, provide for safe and
economical development and use of all property in the acquired branch line, and prepare a
prudent and business-like property management plan for the acquired property.
(c) Assist the Prairie Line Rail Advisory Committee in preparing an appropriate budget
for its operating expenditures and other such uses of the rail Marketing Fund created in
Section 3, and, as part of the Public Works' normal budgeting process.
(d) Create a proposed bid requirement to solicit appropriate offers from competent rail
operators to contract with the City for engaging in common and contract carrier freight
rail service over the Prairie Line. The qualifications for a contract rail operator should
emphasize financial responsibility and rail operation experience, and ability to meet
current rail customer's transportation requirements.
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(e) Develop an Operating Agreement which the City may use to engage the services of a
competent rail operator, or operators, ensuring that such agreement will provide an
operator or operators who will meet the reasonable service requests of businesses who
desire common carrier rail service, that the City will remain in overall control of the
properties, and that such operators will be able to bear the full expense and risk attendant
with such rail operations.
(f) Develop a program of active oversight of future rail operations and other property uses
in the Prairie Line to ensure all such uses are in compliance with contract, safety and
public use requirements. j
(g) Prepare and file on behalf of the City any documents necessary to carry out the
acquisition and operation of The Prairie Line with the Surface Transportation Board, the
Federal Raikoad Administration, the Washington Utilities and Transportation
Commission, the Washington Department of Transportation, the .Association of American
Railroads, or any similar agencies or organizations.
Section 5. The Council supports all progressive and safe-uses of the acquired property which will
benefit the general public and directs the Mayor to explore all reasonable opportunities for The
Prairie Line to yield a return on the City's investment; Provided, however, that such uses must be
consistent, and not interfere, with the general acquisition purpose of providing freight and
passenger rail service, so long as there is a reasonable demand or potential need for such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Yelm, that
RESOLUTION 379 is hereby approved and adopted.
ADOPTED this ~ day of November 1998.
KA M. WOLF, MAY
ATTEST:
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A ~ S P. BENNICK, CITY CLERK
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