MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO HELD APRIL 5TH, 2010.

MEETING AND AGENDA NOTICE POSTED AT CITY HALL 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE PURSUANT TO IDAHO CODE.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 2:00PM.

ROLL CALL SHOWED THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: KIRK L. HANSEN, MAYOR

RANDALL E. PRESCOTT, PRES.

LYNDA LEE

TODD B. SMITH

ABSENT: MITCH HART

ALSO PRESENT: Caribou County Commissioners Alan E. Skinner, Director

Lloyd Rasmussen Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk

Earl Somsen

Phil Christensen Greg Haney, County Atty.

The Caribou County Commissioners met with the Mayor and Council to discuss the Union Pacific Railroad’s (UPRR) siding extension project in Soda Springs. The proposed extension will encompass the 2nd South Street/ Wood Canyon Road crossing. The Commissioners explained that UPRR agreed not to close the crossing but still plan to put the siding there to accommodate 10,000 foot trains. This will cause the crossing to be blocked 30 minutes or more with passing trains.

Greg Haney reported that he has spoke with UPRR representative Jim Marshall who is manager of special projects. Mr. Marshall explained the reason for putting the siding at this location is due to the trains historically slowing down through this area. Mr. Haney questioned if other locations had been considered. Mr. Marshall is supposed to report back on the cost analysis done on the other sites considered.

Mr. Haney reported that he discussed the issue with the Public Utilities Commission who explained to him that the County has no legal standing to prevent the siding extension. Mr. Haney also spoke with Senator Crapo’s office who offered to send a letter to UPRR in support of the County’s and City’s concerns regarding the location of the siding.

The Mayor, Council and Commissioners discussed their concerns. They agreed to express to UPRR that they would like all options to be thoroughly explored and also reiterate the City and County’s main concern that blocking of two out of three crossings at one time would create a serious issue for safety vehicles to respond to the north side of town if for any reason the overpass was impassable. Other concerns included the inconvenience and lost revenue to farming and industry in the area.

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The Mayor, Council and Commissioners agreed to try and set up a meeting with a UPRR representative to discuss these concerns. Mayor Hansen suggested negotiating an agreement insuring that the Main Street crossing would not be blocked, the Wood Canyon crossing would not be closed in the future and request a quiet zone through town. Earl Somsen suggested involving farming and industry representatives. Mr. Haney will try to set up the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00pm.

PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THIS 7TH DAY OF APRIL, 2010.

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Kirk L. Hansen, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk-Treasurer