Subject to appropriation, the department is authorized to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties necessary, convenient, or incidental to the planning, designing, constructing, improving, repairing, operating, and maintaining real property adjacent to or used in association with the state intercity passenger rail service which may include, but are not limited to, depots, platforms, parking areas, and maintenance facilities, even if such real property is owned or controlled by another entity. However, any expenditure of public funds for these purposes shall be directly related to public benefit of the state’s intercity passenger rail service. The department shall enter into a written contract with the affected real property owners to secure the public’s investment.