Title
Library Department recommending the Board:
1) Receive a report on the El Dorado Western Railroad, a program of the El Dorado County Historical Museum;
2) Authorize the use of standard rolling stock on the section of track from Milepost (MP) 142 to MP 144.8 (El Dorado Road to Missouri Flat Road) in compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission;
3) Approve the reinstallation of At-Grade Crossing equipment at the Forni Road railroad crossing as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission; and
4) Authorize the repair of tracks at Rustling Pines Road in Shingle Springs for a total of $17,000 with $6,000 from the Museum Trust Fund (donations from the community), $11,000 General Fund approved in the FY 2018-19 Library budget. (Est. Time: 1 Hr.)
FUNDING: Museum Trust Fund ($6,000) and General Fund ($11,000).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Approval of this item will:
1) allow the use of railroad engines, cars, and other railroad vehicles on a specified portion of the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor (SPTC) rail between El Dorado Road and Missouri Flat Road;
2) allow the reinstallation of crossing equipment (including gate arms, lights and bells) at Forni Road for public safety at no cost to the County;
3) preserve and repair the historic railroad corridor, a historic artifact of El Dorado County, and support the living history program of the El Dorado County Historical Museum;
4) continue to support multi-use of the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor.
On March 21, 2019 the Parks and Recreation Commission approved a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to:
1) Authorize the use of standard rolling stock on the section of track from MP 142 to MP 144.8, in compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements; and
2) Approve the reinstallation of At-Grade Crossing equipment at the Forni Road railroad crossing.
History of the County of El Dorado Board of Supervisors actions regarding railroad use on the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor, 2009-current:
On August 25, 2009 the Board conceptually approved a proposal for the El Dorado County Historical Railroad Park to be located on the Sacramento Placerville Transportation Corridor (SPTC) in the town of El Dorado and authorized the relocation of rail and other railroad accessories to the El Dorado site. The Board also authorized the Department of Transportation and Museum staff to work on the Railroad Park site plan.
In June 2011, the El Dorado Western Railroad began offering rides to the public on Board approved segments of the SPTC on vintage inspection cars.
On June 17, 2014 the Board approved a plan to prepare a plan for trail improvement, CEQA evaluation and best practices of rails and trails programs and directed Museum staff and the El Dorado Western Railroad to continue with track maintenance, equipment restoration and crew training to achieve Federal Railroad Administration certification standards.
On August 25, 2015 the Board directed staff to analyze options and consult with neighboring homeowners in the El Dorado Trail - Missouri Flat Corridor.
On May 10, 2016, among other trail specific issues, the Board:
1) approved an updated Railroad History Center and Park Plan;
2) approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the El Dorado Western Railway Foundation and the Museum;
3) determined the El Dorado Western Railway Foundation provides a public benefit; and
4) designated the County Museum Administrator as the manager of the Railroad operating corridor of the SPTC from the western County Line to the west edge of Missouri Flat Road in Diamond Springs, responsible for the operation, maintenance and preservation of the railroad, and for ensuring compliance with all federal, state and local rail safety rules and regulations.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
8-25-2009; Agenda Item 38; Legistar File 09-1051
6-17-2014; Agenda Item 33; Legistar File 14-0748
8-25-2015; Agenda Item 21; Legistar File 15-0911
5-10-2016; Agenda Item 3; Legistar File 16-0399
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Parks and Recreation Commission agenda item 5; 3-21-2019 minutes.
Parks and Recreation Division, Chief Administrative Office
Department of Transportation
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
General Fund: $11,000
$11,000 budgeted in 2018-19 for the improvement to SPTC track in Shingle Springs
Museum Trust Fund: $6,000
$ 6,000 budgeted in 2018-19 for restoration of track in Shingle Springs
El Dorado Western Railway Foundation
Contributions of $57,980 for programming, excursion train operations, track and rail corridor maintenance, equipment, and facilities, with an additional $8,800 for directly purchased materials for this project.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Jeanne Amos, Library Director