SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL - Record No: CB 120677

• Record No: CB 120677
• Version: 2
• Council Bill No: CB 120677
• Type: Ordinance (Ord)
• Status: Passed
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: City Clerk
• On agenda: 10/24/2023
• Ordinance No: Ord 126925
• Title: AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Seattle Department of Transportation Director to approve the transfer of the railway franchise granting the right, privilege, and accompanying authority to locate, lay down, construct, maintain, own, and operate standard gauge railway tracks along the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company's former Washington Branch Line right-of-way, between 6th Avenue NW and NW 67th Street, from the Ballard Terminal Railroad Company to the Meeker Southern Railroad, subject to the operating agreement and all other conditions approved under Ordinance 118734; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
• Sponsors: Dan Strauss
• Supporting documents: 1. Summary and Fiscal Note, 2. Summary Att 1 - Proposed Extent of Asphalt Paving, 3. Amendment A - Att 1: Operating Agreement, 4. Amendment A Att 1:Operating Agreement BTRR Meeker SDOT_Signed, 5. Signed Ordinance 126925, 6. Affidavit of Publication

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/26/2023	2	City Clerk	attested by City Clerk
10/26/2023	2	Mayor	returned
10/26/2023	2	Mayor	Signed
10/26/2023	2	City Clerk	submitted for Mayor's signature
10/24/2023	1	City Council	passed as amended	Pass
10/10/2023	1	City Council	referred
10/6/2023	1	City Clerk	sent for review

CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL _______________
title
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Seattle Department of Transportation Director to approve the transfer of the railway franchise granting the right, privilege, and accompanying authority to locate, lay down, construct, maintain, own, and operate standard gauge railway tracks along the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company's former Washington Branch Line right-of-way, between 6th Avenue NW and NW 67th Street, from the Ballard Terminal Railroad Company to the Meeker Southern Railroad, subject to the operating agreement and all other conditions approved under Ordinance 118734; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
body
WHEREAS, in 1997, the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company ("BNSF") expressed its intention to abandon that part of its former Washington Branch line between BNSF Milepost 0.09 and BNSF Milepost 02.70 in the Ballard area of Seattle and the City took possession of this rail right of way to preserve the corridor for future rail and trail purposes; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, in ongoing support of rail-served businesses, Council passed Ordinance 118734, granting a franchise for this segment of rail to the Ballard Terminal Railroad Company, which was formed to provide rail service to businesses in the Ballard industrial area; and
WHEREAS, Ballard Terminal Railroad Company now wishes to transfer the franchise agreement to its related entity, Meeker Southern Railroad, for the remainder of the 30-year term, which expires on September 29, 2027, subject to all conditions approved under Ordinance 118734; and
WHEREAS, Ballard Terminal Railroad and Meeker Southern Railroad agree that the City may cover a section of the tracks near the 15th Avenue Northeast bridge with asphalt; and
WHEREAS, Meeker Southern Railroad agrees that it will not seek to renew use of the section of rail to be covered by asphalt unless it first obtains insurance to operate in that area p...