[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6429099,"mediaKeyId","5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5","parentId",5907208,"title","Ocala City Council approves contractors, grants and budget amendments in unanimous vote","audioSeconds",312,"startMs",2659000,"endMs",2971000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5&start=2659&end=2971","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5/thumbnail_2659000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6429099/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-City-Council-approves-contractors-grants-and-budget-amendments-in-unanimous-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429099-d0e4e77c7f195903309e93cb86394036/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186353&Signature=i5RUkelR5UkEnksqEGP7mKBHD8ovPDR59NbJYLpmwSKpfu-ILuTUF0cRXz9Bg92XCoxlX-4VXmkRWsxS13HMtAR-EyrTKQBVpKpESh7EpUgSKD5o8gjaiAbzyoGTytjoE7vzi2mab9lxCAGSKxGElVxhsD6LepW2oH7sUNfwocVkL5cPbxdtPeBk5NBDy9QpAOvKNiz36OaT5WUd1PZhfFarsc-LniAIQopIyPTzzAgzxuKDsxf5lSBhjo23g2GjPWxTjjCEA59m3siDAX-k6hU1N-esH6EfGqFcYEl54W4x7gH-LKZT0LJhGcUHCHP6wBIOLtL177kk0uoizE00tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ocala","date","2025-10-07T00:00:00Z","article","Ocala City Council on Oct. 7, 2025 adopted a slate of contracts, grant agreements and budget amendments covering utility work, transit funding, capital purchases and an ordinance updating municipal solid waste collection rules. All recorded votes on the items summarized below were affirmative.

Why it matters: The approvals authorize more than $4 million in work and purchases, direct design changes for a major water treatment project, and accept state and federal transit and environmental funding that affect city operations, infrastructure and service delivery.

Among the items adopted by roll call vote:

- Ordinance 2025-41 (second reading & adoption). Councilmember Bethea moved adoption. The ordinance amends sections of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances (sections cited in the council report) to provide further provisions on municipal solid-waste collection services including use of roll-off compactors and related codifier direction. Outcome: adopted (roll call: unanimous).

- Agreement with General Underground LLC for construction services on the Southeast 22nd Avenue force main reroute. Contract amount: $963,700; 10% contingency authorized for a total expenditure of $1,060,070. Staff recommended approval; City Engineer Sean Lanier presented. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Agreement with Marion Rock LLC for construction services on Lift Station No.127 Force Main Reroute Phase 1. Lowest responsive bidder; staff recommended approval. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Amendment No. 5 to the professional design services agreement for Water Treatment Plant No. 2 with Kimley‑Horn & Associates, Inc. (see separate article). Staff explained the amendment modifies design to allow an initial phase using the Upper Florida aquifer and to evaluate alternatives to membrane filtration after construction cost estimates sharply increased. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for retrofit installation of nutrient-removing filtration media at Heritage Nature Conservancy ponds: $201,500. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Budget resolutions and hurricane-related budget corrections. The council adopted multiple budget amendments and resolutions to reflect grants and FY corrections related to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Purchase of 15 bus shelters from Tolar (Toller) Manufacturing: $227,065. Transit Administrator Tom Duncan said installations and site-specific construction will follow a separate solicitation; the shelters themselves were approved. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Acceptance of FDOT public transit grant (Sun Tran) and associated budget amendment: $796,934 (with city match discussed by staff). Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- One‑year renewal with NilSoft Utility Solutions, Inc. (outage reporting, outage management, IVR): estimated $107,100. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Multi‑award emergency oil‑spill response contract (three vendors) for cleanup services, not to exceed $150,000. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Five‑year contract with Granicus for redesign, implementation and hosting of city websites (migration to Granicus/OpenCities platform and implementation of Granicus Government Experience Agent): estimated $549,040. Director of IT Christopher Ramos presented the project as intended to modernize web presence and add an AI-enabled assistant. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Citywide IT equipment purchases (desktops, laptops, tablets, monitors): estimated $492,200. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Purchase of four replacement police vehicles via Sourcewell cooperative: $250,564. Fleet division head Lisa Warmoth presented. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Piggyback contract for roofing services (Big D Roofing Services Inc.) for an aggregate amount up to $500,000 to fund roof replacements across city properties. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

What council recorded: The roll call for most items recorded “aye” votes from the councilmembers present; no “no” votes or abstentions were recorded for these items in the meeting transcript.

Context and next steps: Staff said many of the capital purchases are tied to preexisting capital plans or to grant conditions; several projects (bus‑shelter installs, sink‑hole/force‑main construction) require follow‑on construction solicitations or permitting. For grants and state funding, staff noted matching or unfunded line‑items (for example, some GRAMa items exclude travel and training) and described internal budget adjustments. Several presentations indicated staff would return with more detailed implementation schedules as projects move from contracting to construction or installation.

Votes at a glance (select amounts and references): Ordinance 2025‑41 (municipal solid waste rules) — adopted; General Underground LLC force main — $963,700 (+10% contingency); Marion Rock LLC Lift Station No.127 — lowest bid, amount not restated in minutes; Kimley‑Horn amendment (WTP2) — design scope change after cost escalation (see separate article); FDOT Sun Tran grant — $796,934; Granicus website contract — $549,040; bus shelters — $227,065; police vehicles — $250,564; NilSoft renewal — $107,100; oil‑spill multi‑award — not to exceed $150,000; Big D Roofing piggyback — up to $500,000; DEP grant (Heritage ponds) — $201,500.

Council procedure: Staff presenters briefly summarized recommendations for approval; most items saw no public comment and were approved after roll call votes. Several items included clarifying remarks from staff about procurement timelines, bid dates and contract responsiveness.

Sources: City staff presentations and roll call votes recorded at the Oct. 7, 2025 Ocala City Council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council","oneSentenceSummary","At its Oct. 7 meeting the Ocala City Council unanimously approved multiple contracts, grants, budget amendments and an ordinance affecting waste collection, utilities, transit, website redesign and capital purchases. Most votes were routine approvals after staff presentations.","taxTitle","Ocala, Marion County, Florida","taxId",4898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429097,"Ocala approves design amendment for Water Treatment Plant No.2 after cost estimates spike",53,3027000,3080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5&start=3027&end=3080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5/thumbnail_3027000.jpg","/articles/6429097/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-approves-design-amendment-for-Water-Treatment-Plant-No2-after-cost-estimates-spike","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429097-6e65308f775a9431c962a34d7bef643b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186353&Signature=Sir78pKHmIvy5AOaSAPNclcUN3Bl7tgFm1wIotJ7rgxg~su-pd4zaiy~Ck5qVMytMV1Ht-v9pOpq1g82JrPELsrqXeZreV6nODp3vZtdeyoOKCSHsM1Ezlc~LuoGM0RI3AXuL1Xqcw4XfDaNd-PtWgBd6VQgjHSu2xxvw8iCv61V~Cki03nEv0QwVZqUBf8TIl42qA60hnHOpTIU96iiJutg2ADfQGaK9oILnG2wuFS~T-PXoC5QD57evUX9fHPqiYkq7sgGfE5w7RNfuxs4JL3Ns9nhGccayVV7LpjHVU3syeCAH0WpUbe3WQnmIIC5gNXkS8TS4QOYFfswrUJ-bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ocala City Council on Oct. 7 approved Amendment No. 5 to the professional design services agreement for Water Treatment Plant No. 2 with Kimley‑Horn & Associates, Inc. The amendment narrows the immediate construction scope to produce water from the Upper Florida aquifer and directs staff to evaluate alternative technologies to membrane filtration for treating Lower Florida aquifer water.

Why it matters: The city’s original 90% design estimated construction at roughly $265 million — a dramatic increase from the earlier $72 million estimate. Council approved the design modification to allow an initial, scaled phase that relies on a different source aquifer while staff furthers evaluation of treatment technologies and cost‑saving alternatives.

City Engineer Sean Lanier summarized the staff report: “The estimated construction cost of Water Treatment Plant Number 2 was $72,000,000 when we began the design. At the 90% design, the estimated cost of the construction escalated to $265,000,000. This was mainly due to the cost escalations associated with membrane filtration that would be used to treat the water from the Lower Florida aquifer.” Lanier said the amendment modifies design scope to provide an initial phase producing water from the Upper Florida aquifer and to evaluate an alternative technology to membrane filtration.

Staff recommendation and vote: Staff recommended approval; council moved and seconded the amendment and approved it by roll call (unanimous). Lanier said staff will return with implementation details and answers to technical questions as design work proceeds.

What the amendment does: It redefines the near‑term project deliverable to allow phased construction using the Upper Florida aquifer and scales the evaluation of the more expensive membrane filtration approach for later consideration. The change preserves continued design work while creating an approach intended to reduce immediate construction cost exposure.

Background: The project was conceived to expand the city’s water supply and treatment capacity. The shift reflects significant escalation in project cost estimates tied to membrane filtration equipment and materials; the city cited the escalations during the 90% design review.

Next steps: Staff will evaluate alternative treatment technologies for Lower Florida aquifer water, finalize phased construction documents for the Upper Florida aquifer source and return to council with schedule, final estimated costs and funding options.","Council approved Amendment No. 5 to the Water Treatment Plant No. 2 design contract to change the initial source and evaluate alternatives after construction estimates rose from $72 million to $265 million largely because of membrane filtration costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429092,"Marion County Children’s Alliance launches 'Look Up Marion — Put Down the Phone' campaign, sets Nov. 15 community day",369,2089000,2458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5&start=2089&end=2458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5/thumbnail_2089000.jpg","/articles/6429092/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Marion-County-Childrens-Alliance-launches-Look-Up-Marion-Put-Down-the-Phone-campaign-sets-Nov-15-community-day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429092-3dfa2006bb8c51c1c1f31a961c1e8724/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186353&Signature=B58mNDnFHWMcvyX2T0G-t1ag9pMOR8aWKpiP9dm31WCHD~mCcs6kOuwV4v7LOpaxnbLAu0~-gY78tFH19EUcbPx2~S6tTdCUgBT3nFsQF1KXHxbPy5OH3Koyo04Iu4ddFhJP1D0lRq9hvS3A0tMLmIm7BsMGznkntjaiVzxYlyWAnqhshavUzvlljI0c0-Rci8NYWWtnwEo0YMsY27Rsrj7PC0ktuS5fQzDxpokKOpz2SYqbPQ5FhZ5qUfUf91pQ8BSxDrAFsF1XYL6J9RTZAQY0r0SfHXRdct~m4dmdfAyY6tWF025rvrpgy8WLDHdpAVLRzR1pMSFx4dYV9oLwlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beth McCullough, executive director of the Marion County Children’s Alliance, presented the coalition’s new Look Up Marion — Put Down the Phone campaign to the Ocala City Council on Oct. 7, asking for city support for a Nov. 15 community day and a Dec. 3 summit focused on healthy screen time.

Why it matters: Presenters cited rising youth mental‑health concerns linked to screen time — including anxiety, sleep loss and obesity — and asked the city to help promote alternatives and educational resources across parks, libraries and other public venues.

Campaign details: McCullough said the campaign grew from a January focus group of local partner organizations (the alliance includes about 60–80 attendees monthly and a coalition of roughly 72 local organizations). The campaign will:

- Designate Nov. 15, 2025 as “Put Down the Phone Day” with marketing materials and suggested activities to encourage non‑screen holiday shopping choices such as board games and bikes.
- Host the Look Up Marion Summit on Dec. 3 at 8 a.m. at the College of Central Florida Klein Center, featuring nationally known speaker Mandy Hammond of ScreenStrong.
- Maintain a resource website at lookupmarion.com (QR codes were included in marketing materials) with tips, partner resources and links to ScreenStrong materials for parents and community leaders.

Partners and funding: McCullough listed coalition partners including Boys and Girls Club, Kimberly Center, The Pearl Project, NAMI, Interfaith, Harlow’s Helping Hands, the Public Education Foundation and Marion County Public Schools. The initiative is funded through donations to the Children’s Alliance and Give for Marion; McCullough thanked City Manager Pete Lee and Ocala Police Chief Mike Balkan for early support.

City response: Council and staff asked logistical questions about signage, distribution of rack cards and promotional placement in parks and public facilities. Council members and the mayor expressed general support; McCullough asked the city to consider placing yard signs at city parks and Discovery Science Center locations. Creative Springs (marketing partner) is handling PSAs, social media and radio buys that began immediately.

Next steps: McCullough requested city promotion for Nov. 15 and assistance distributing materials. The coalition will proceed with the Summit registration and community outreach as planned.","The Marion County Children’s Alliance presented a countywide campaign to reduce screen time, including a Nov. 15 'Put Down the Phone Day' and a Dec. 3 summit at CF Klein Center; the campaign will be promoted with a website (lookupmarion.com), PSAs and community partners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429095,"Clergy and residents protest Ocala proclamation honoring Charlie Kirk; city receives mixed public reaction",4246,1099000,5345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5&start=1099&end=5345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5/thumbnail_1099000.jpg","/articles/6429095/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Clergy-and-residents-protest-Ocala-proclamation-honoring-Charlie-Kirk-city-receives-mixed-public-reaction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429095-91ff0c3a07ecc2d2e186ee1356d119b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186353&Signature=UBb2BwgbxGv0dm-EF2aYYOiIArDBUponQpkDEM3DnK5092oH0D8rLdLk259ezdJXsajqRQwOujU9Km5uNzKagtn7WkIkU0K~gmPL9Fka6Joxzh1ZwHIjPvq9BL3nxzD6JmIdnLbRL6cJI3pwa9ths4Zqqhm1-SaX1siaoHEKSu2ZoGkgYZMnoUWMbKuDjo7pi-kHo-ChE15ScmkhjanSD62Qju-5AUAd2nJfXWx16kQaTup~hF6olh04tvnNUoiPAdD43UbHx4N8xvWUSRokRV4lgBuw0ZZuYKDNFCDCMUJOjhz7FgXMqmAizUki4LgSMlW7pW8NnTK06zrs2GpFEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Ben Marciano on Oct. 7 presented a proclamation recognizing Oct. 14, 2025 as a day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk. The proclamation — read by the mayor and presented to Annie Marie Delgado of Conservative Watch USA — drew public comment that ranged from strong objections by local clergy to expressions of gratitude from Kirk supporters.

Why it matters: The mayoral proclamation, unlike an ordinance, is a ceremonial recognition but prompted substantive public testimony and pointed debate about community values, racial equity and the appropriateness of honoring a polarizing national political figure.

What speakers said: Several clergy and community leaders urged the council and mayor to reconsider the proclamation. Jerome Gamble, president of the Marion County NAACP branch, said he opposed plans for “the martyrdom celebration, sainthood of an individual whose views were counterproductive to the lives, accomplishments, progress, and character of Black and brown people in this city and in this county.” He asked the city to “pump the brakes” and to re‑examine the historical and civic implications.

Reverend Reginald Willis, pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, described his objection as a “total dissent” and told the council he found the proclamation offensive because, in his view, Kirk’s public statements had promoted harassment and violence. Reverend Martin Smith of Reddick likewise urged caution and said honoring the individual would be “disheartening” to many residents.

Speakers who supported the mayor’s action or praised Kirk also addressed the council. Michael McAdams said Kirk had motivated young people to civic engagement and described that impact as positive for him personally. Others on the dais during the proclamation included Annie Marie Delgado, who accepted the recognition on behalf of Conservative Watch USA.

Council and mayor response: The mayor delivered the proclamation on the council dais; no council vote to adopt or rescind the proclamation is recorded in the transcript. Councilmembers and staff acknowledged the public comments and a councilmember asked about the council’s ability to issue or decline proclamations. The city attorney and staff did not identify any formal mechanism in the meeting transcript for council to rescind a mayoral proclamation at this session.

Context: The proclamation text read into the record described Kirk as a national organizer and advocate for civic engagement and urged residents to reflect on his legacy; it also noted U.S. congressional acknowledgement of his legacy in a resolution. Public testimony at the meeting pressed for sensitivity to the perspectives of Black and brown residents and asked the mayor and council to reconsider whether the recognition was appropriate for Ocala.

Next step: The transcript records public comment but no subsequent council action to revoke or amend the proclamation. Members of the public and clergy said they would continue to press the council on the issue.","Mayor Ben Marciano presented a proclamation recognizing Oct. 14, 2025 as a day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk. Several local clergy and community leaders spoke during public comment to urge reconsideration, saying such recognition is hurtful to Black and brown residents; supporters of Kirk also addressed the council.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429089,"Local group pitches Ocala rail‑to‑trail conversion; city staff tracking rail safety concerns",336,4815000,5151000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5&start=4815&end=5151","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907208-0e713e20f9d0931ce637d81d6c0649f5/thumbnail_4815000.jpg","/articles/6429089/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Local-group-pitches-Ocala-railtotrail-conversion-city-staff-tracking-rail-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429089-fe82514fc0b00198f81d9d98aa8430ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186353&Signature=Mv6zR3zKfxmjyNBV1b4rD5sYH~uMsdOAwpEG4PLHh0c-I-Zbdo5vmX0N64DxCYMUjRqjzJDM9La0P6b6icgE4SuOk5l3Efcxuujaqi9fhhdupslZ2-hkbjaLIOO3WE8TStV-OLUnYMjgbElyOQn7TnZWud9~pzw0YilQ6dt7iS-Atpe2kieb8No2Ya89qMA~vkDNfebNJgAbpjV~BaKO2M6vDLkemegbkuuqujngjG01LEDCs8MHYRM2q~n9aKOScdvALvpGpHxF9JsDr3mpb9qvZZs5zFzU5KUmW1wDNW36dFRc1VHCpkxdd2IufOfe4kqhL~yzeWQcB~lARW3mUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposal to convert a roughly 28.2‑mile railroad right‑of‑way to a rail‑to‑trail corridor in and around Ocala was presented during public comment on Oct. 7 by James Cook and local volunteers.

Proposal outline: Cook said the Florida Northern (Florida North) railroad easement spans about 28.2 miles and identified a 9.1‑mile north branch that the Surface Transportation Board deemed inactive in 2014. He described a three‑phase conversion plan: (1) a north segment, (2) a downtown connection to Brick City Park and (3) a southern extension toward Candler.

Funding and process: Cook said his group is assembling documentation and plans to present to CSX and anticipates beginning negotiations in late November. He proposed a 501(c)(3) to manage redevelopment under a five‑year term and to return assets to the city and county at the end of that period.

Site conditions and concerns: Cook and staff said they are documenting safety and environmental issues along the corridor. City staff reported contact with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) about inspections (an inspection was planned for early October but may have been delayed because of a government shutdown). Cook showed photographs of derailment debris, stacked and broken cross ties and what he described as a diesel spill near the locomotive storage area. Cook said soil and tie samples are being tested for contamination.

City staff remarks: City staff said they are coordinating inspections and communications with state and federal rail authorities and county partners to determine the corridor’s status and any remediation needs. The city indicated it will continue meetings with county staff, the FRA and rail operators as part of a longer review process.

Next steps: Cook said he will present documentation to CSX in the coming weeks and continue to work with city and county staff on inspections and possible acquisition strategies. Staff said the FRA inspection will inform next steps on safety, environmental cleanup and the feasibility of reuse.","A community group presented a plan to convert an inactive Florida Northern railroad corridor into a multi‑phase rail‑to‑trail; presenters highlighted derelict track, a diesel spill and stacked ties and said they will pursue talks with CSX and the FRA.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ocala City Council approves contractors, grants and budget amendments in unanimous vote

Ocala approves design amendment for Water Treatment Plant No.2 after cost estimates spike

Marion County Children’s Alliance launches 'Look Up Marion — Put Down the Phone' campaign, sets Nov. 15 community day

Clergy and residents protest Ocala proclamation honoring Charlie Kirk; city receives mixed public reaction

Local group pitches Ocala rail‑to‑trail conversion; city staff tracking rail safety concerns