XCEL Energy approved use of a portion of its property for the creation of the XCEL Energy Mountain Bike Property with a condition that the city would allow XCEL access to its peaking plant property through the city's property.

XCEL staff and vendors are often waiting minutes to hours to access their service road at the railroad tracks.  Since this is a private crossing, it is not regulated by state or federal laws for time spent blocking a roadway by a train.

There are often situations at Blue Lake where XCEL must get into the facility quickly, especially when there is a high energy demand.  This driveway will allow XCEL access in the cases where access is to its facility is blocked by a train.  XCEL assumes all liability for the construction and maintenance of the new driveway.  The city had explored building a road in cooperation with XCEL and the water ski club, but it was determined by Council that spending almost $800,000 on a road that benefited so few parties was not in the city's best interest.

XCEL looked at putting the road on the northern side of the park but could not reach an agreement with the adjacent property owner for access.

XCEL will install an access gate closer to the bend in the road to limit access to its adjacent property.  Staff raised concerns about having the mountain bike trail crossing a paved driveway that might cause accidents since the tires and braking would act differently.  XCEL has agreed to leave that small portion of trail crossing in gravel. XCEL will also install signs warning riders that there is a vehicle crossing at the intersection.

XCEL's attorney and the city attorney and the city's attorney have worked together on this agreement. XCEL expects to begin construction this fall after the State's regional mountain bike trials.

The driveway will also be used by any emergency vehicles that may have to reach the Mountain Bike Trail or lake.

XCEL's contractors will also use the driveway when the train is blocking the road during construction of the new gas peaking turbines in 2024/2025.