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4.2. SR 10-20-2003City ~ River 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 MEMORANDUM Item 4.2. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor and City Council Scott Harlicker, Senior Planner/~ October 20, 2003 Northstar Corridor Update At the NCDA meeting held on October 2nd the Authority received an update on the progress of the Hiawatha LRT and the community involvement process. Included in your packet is a brochure on the upcoming "All Aboard Celebration" being held on October 21st at the Sauk Rapids High School. Phone: 763.635.1000 Fax: 763.635.1090 DOCUMENT2 www. ci.elk-river, mn.us NCDA Agenda October 2, 2003 4:30 p.m. Sherburne County Government Center Elk River, MN Action Requested Minutes of the September 4, 2003 Meeting* Executive Committee Recommendation: a) Selection of Consultant for Technical Support for BNSF Negotiations* b) 2004 Legislative Package Approval Consider Executive Committee Recommendation 3. Hiawatha LRT Update* 4. Community Involvement* a. Businesses b. Citizens c. All Aboard Celebration (October 21, 2003) 5. Other a. Next meeting Presentation Discussion Discussion * Documentation enclosed DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting Minutes September 4, 2003 The Northstar Corridor Development Authority met on September 4, 2003, in regular session at the Sherburne County Governn~ent Center, Elk River, Minnesota. The following members, alternates and citizens were present: Tim Yantos, Woody Bissett, Greg Bruestle, Jolm Ellenbecker, Ewald Petersen, Terry Nagorski, Felix Schmiesing, Dan Lieser, Dick Soyka, Patrick Cairns, Art Daniels, Kay Bechtold, Cassidy Bechtold, Kirsti Marohn, Jean Kelly, Jon Olson, Luci Botzek, John Mathews, Dave Keller, Tim Kirchoff, Dean Michalko, Jim Barton, Patrick Wussow, LeRoy Pauley, Jeanne Mason, Bruce Nawrocki, Dem~is Berg, Bob Barnette, Steve Billings, Tom Gamec, John Weaver, Todd Rapp, Jeff Dehler, Lona Scl~-eiber, Bill Schreiber, Mike Schadauer, Ken Stevens, Paul McCarron, Dan Erhart, Lynn George, David Loch, Peggy Aho, Jay McLinden, Steve Novack, Brian Bensen, Duane Grandy 1. Duane Grandy, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. A motion was made by Ewald Peterson, seconded by Pat Cairns to approve the agenda of September 4, 2003, as presented, the meeting minutes of the July 10, 2003 as presented. 3. Executive Committee Report: a) A motion was made by Dennis Berg, seconded by Tom Gamec and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Northstar Executive Committee and authorize the Chairperson to finalize negotiations and execute Amendment No. 1 to the Advanced Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Kimley-Horn, Inc., if upon completion of the pre-award audit an amendment to the original agreement is necessary. b) A motion was made by Steve Billings, seconded by Felix Schmiesing and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Northstar Executive Committee that the proposal for Project Management Services be awarded to the joint venture team of Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc., Kenneth Stevens, and Loch & Associates and the Chair be authorized to finalize negations and execute agreements with each of these firms for a term ending December 31, 2008, with the option to extend the term of the agreements by mutual agreement of the parties with the following contract maximums through 2004 as follows: Richardson Richter & Associates, Inc. Kenneth Stevens Loch & Associates $200,000.00 $100,000.00 $ 50,000.00 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Northstar Corridor Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes September 4, 2003 Page 2 c) A motion was made by Art Daniels, seconded by Patrick Cairns and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Northstar Executive Committee that Resolution #2003-04 be carried to enter into Grant Agreement #85651 with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), in the amount of $764,000 pursuant to which Mn/DOT will provide federal and state funding for one additional year. d) A motion was made by Felix Schmiesing, seconded by LeRoy Pauley and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Northstar Executive Committee that Resolution #2003-05 be carried to enter into an Assiglnnent Agreernent between Laidlaw Transit Service, Inc., (the commuter bus service provider currently under contract with Mn/DOT), Mn/DOT and the NCDA, transferring Mn/DOT's right and obligations under the Laidlaw Agreement to the NCDA. e) A motion was made by Steve Billings, seconded by Robert Barnette and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Northstar Executive Committee to enter into an Agreement with the Metropolitan Council to provide to the NCDA a requirement for Northstar Commuter Bus fares collected by Metropolitan Council as part of the regional transit system. A motion was made by Dennis Berg, seconded by Jeanne Mason and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Northstar Executive Committee to enter into an Agreement between the NCDA and Anoka County to provide contract management services, relating to Laidlaw Transit Service, Inc., operation and the Northstar Commuter Bus system. DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Northstar Corridor Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes September 4, 2003 Page 3 g) A motion was made by Ewald Peterson, seconded by Jerome Mason and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Northstar Executive Committee to approve an m~endment to the Agreement with Laidlaw Transit Service, Inc., extending the term until September 30, 2004, and increasing the contract amount by $1,163,195.00 to be paid in accordance to the approved schedule of costs below: Cost Category_ Type of Unit # of Units Price per Unit Total Start Up Fee Flat Fee Flat Fee Flat Fee $60,460.00 General Adm Fee 1st 12 months FlatFee 12 $ 9,607 $115,284 2nd 12 months Flat Fee 12 $10,089 $121,068 -~ rd _~ 12 months Flat Fee 12 $10,752 $129,024 Daily Trips 1st 12 months Per Trip 4,048 trips $ 117.50 $ 475,640 2nd 12 months PerTrip basedon263 $ 125.13 $ 506,526 3rd 12 months Per Trip work days $ 137.90 $ 558,219 per year Capital Costs 1st 12 months Monthly 7 $ 6,166.92 $518,021.28 2~d 12 months fee per 7 $ 6,166.92 $518,021.28 -~rd ~ 12 months vehicle 7 $ 5,666.10 $475,952.40 Representatives from Laidlaw Transit Service, Inc. reviewed the feasibility of extending the Northstar Commuter Bus services to the City of Big Lake. Information was distributed on estimated costs to expand Northstar commuter bus routes to downtown Minneapolis and the City of Big Lake. Laidlaw indicated that they felt it was not in the best interest to add the additional routes at this point in time due to the operating costs and projected ridership. It was recommended that NCDA work with River Rider to discuss the possibility of running shuttles from the City of Big Lake to the City of Elk River lot. A motion was made by Art Daniels, seconded by Jeanne Mason and carried unanimously that the Northstar Commuter Bus service not be extended to the downtown Minneapolis loop or the city of Big Lake, at this time, and to request that the NCDA work with River Rider to discuss the possibility of running shuttles from the City of Big Lake to the City of Elk River lot. DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Northstar Corridor Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes September 4, 2003 Page 4 o o Ken Stevens reviewed a City of Sauk Rapids Resolution #2003-36 dated May 27, 2003, requesting the NCDA conduct a commuter rail station feasibility analysis including review of potential sites, site evaluation, site selection, and project impacts for a station serving the City of Sauk Rapids. A motion was made by Tom Gamec, seconded by Woody Bissett m~d carried unanimously to approve the request from the City of Sauk Rapids and to direct NCDA staff to conduct a commuter rail feasibility analysis including a review of potential sites, site evaluation, site selection and project impacts for a commuter rail station serving the City of Sauk Rapids. Ken Stevens reported that advanced preliminary engineering work has begun, under the contract with Hirnle Horner. The proposed model will be reviewed with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the week of September 8, 2003, to ensure that the FTA is in agreement with the proposed model. Update on legislative activities: a) State activities: Lona Schreiber, Anoka County, and Bill Schreiber, Messerli and Krmner, provided an update on recent activities. Meetings are scheduled with legislators and corridor developers to receive feedback and obtain support for the corridor. Ms. Sclu'eiber handed out a list of legislative activities to date and future activities. This list also included a list of upcoming meetings Messerli and Kramer will have with various Senate and House representatives. b) Federal activities: Steve Novack, Anoka County, reported that the Appropriations Committee has marked $10 million for NCDA. He stated that the entire delegation continues to be supportive of Northstar project. DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Northstar Corridor Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes September 4, 2003 Page 5 8. Update on community involvement activities: a) Citizens: Leroy Paul, Duane Grandy and Dave Loch reported that a citizens group in Sauk Rapids supporting the Northstar projected called "All Aboard" have scheduled a meeting for September 9, 2003, at the St. Joseph Legion Club, and have invited citizens, the Governor, legislators/senators, mayors, township supervisors, chamber of commerce members, economic development representatives, etc., to attend. Jeff Dehler, Anoka County, urged all NCDA members to meet with their County Boards, City Councils and Town Board representatives to answer questions they may have and ask for their support. b) Businesses: Todd Rapp, Himle Horner, provided a progress report and reported on future planned strategies. A motion was made by LeRoy Pauley, seconded by Jerome Mason to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. 10. The next meeting of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority is scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 2003, at 4:30 p.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center. Duane Grandy, Chairperson Date H:kAdmndata\Committees\Corridor NCDAk2003\Minutes\090403 NCDA Draft.doc NCDA Executive Committee Agenda Item #3 NCDA Agenda Item #2a Date: September 26, 2003 To: Northstar Corridor Development Authority From: Staff Subject: Selection of Consultant for Technical Support for BNSF Negotiations The NCDA issued a request for proposals for Technical Support for BNSF Negotiations on August 29 2003. The RFP was mailed to 19 firms and a notice of request for proposals was published in the Minnesota State Register and the Anoka Union. The scope of work for this project includes: assisting with negotiation strategy development and participating in negotiation sessions with BNSF; technical advice needed to analyze and respond to BNSF proposals, including necessary capacity improvements, design and cost estimates for track and signal improvements, as well as operational issues; and, capacity modeling and analytical services relating to the BNSF railroad operations, capacity and requirements. A pre-proposal conference was held on September 17. Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. September 29, 2003. An evaluation team has been formed to evaluate responses to the RFP. The team includes: Tim Yantos, NCDA Project Director Kenneth Stevens, NCDA Project Management Team Jan Lucke, NCDA Project Management Team · Mike Schadauer, Mn/DOT Mary Richardson, NCDA Project Management Team Proposals will be evaluated and scored based on the following criteria: experience of the firm responding; experience, education and qualifications of key personnel with similar roles and project; quality, completeness and clarity of response submitted; level of participation of disadvantages business enterprises (DBE); ability to meet contract requirements; firms' past performances; and proposals' total cost/price to the NCDA The evaluation team will evaluate the proposals received, hold interviews on October I if necessary, and, finalize their recommendation prior to the Executive Committee meeting on October 2. Based on the evaluation teams' recommendation, staff will submit its evaluatior~, recommendation, and proposed contract terms to the Executive Committee on October 2, 2003. The NCDA anticipates that work on this project will commence on October 2, 2003 and continue through the completion of negotiations and execution of agreements with BNSF, unless earlier terminated. Action Requested: That the Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee recommend that the NCDA select a contractor and authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and execute an agreement. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3'~' Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 323-5682 www. northstartrain.org Agenda Item #3 DATE: September 26, 2003 TO: NCDA FROM: Staff RE: Hiawatha LRT Update MEMORANDUM Hiawatha light rail opens between downtown Minneapolis and Fort Shelling in April 2004. The rest of the line, through the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and on to Bloomington with a final stop at the Mall of America, is scheduled to open in December 2004. Attached is a September 21, 2003 StarTribune article that summarize the status of the project. Gary Erickson, Executive Director of the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority, will provide more information about the project's status at the October NCDA meeting and discuss with the NCDA possible dates to tour completed sections of the line. Action Requested: Discussion. Northstar Corridor De velopment Authority 2100 3'''~ Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 323-5682 www. northstartrain.org Printer version: As LRT work continues, officials think about luring riders Page 1 of 3 startribune.coln C!o~e_\¥iodo_w As LRT work continues, officials think about luring riders Laurie Blake star Tribune Published 09/21/2003 Looking up at the sun reflected in the color panels she selected for the all-glass light-rail station above E. Lake Street, artist JoAnn Verburg can feel it: The train is coming. Hiawatha Avenue light rail is 80 percent completed. The start of service is but seven months away. Heavy construction has shifted to the Bloomington end of the 12-mile line. And in Minneapolis, stations are undergoing finishing artistic touches. For St. Paul artist Verburg: "It's thrilling to me to see people looking up at the building, and my color of glass is part of that. I just can't wait to see real transit users walk past my colors and hop on a train." Riders will be able to jump on in April when the line opens between downtown Minneapolis and Fort Snelling. The rest of the line, through the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and on to Bloomington with a final stop at the Mall of America, is scheduled to open in December 2004. With the start of service in view, the project's pace is picking up, said John Caroon, manager of the design-build effort for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Dry weather allowed strong progress this summer, Caroon said, and it was a good thing. "It seems like no matter what kind of project it is, when you get close to the wire, things start to get compressed a little bit." Rail construction requires work in sequence: move the earth, put in the ties and lay the rail. Said Caroon: "If a little more time is taken by putting in the rail or the ties, that can cause more stress on later activities, such as putting in the signal system and wiring for closed-circuit TV at the stations. We still plan on being into revenue service in April of 2004. And we are going to do what's necessary to cause that to happen." Here are glimpses of progress. The budget This year, the decision was made to tweak the route of the line through Bloomington, putting the last stop right at the Mall of America's transit hub. That added about $40 million to the cost -- bringing the total to about $715 million. About $9.2 million remains in the contingency fund to cover unexpected expenses in 2004 and it will all be used, said Mark Fuhrmann, chief financial officer for the project. Wooing riders http://www.startribune.com/viewers/Story.php?template=print_a&story=4108643 9/25/03 Printer version: As LRT work continues, officials think about luring riders Page 2 of 3 A chief concern is how to get passengers on board once the trains start rolling. The goal: 20,000 daily passengers by 2005. "That's the first thing by which it will be judged," said Mike Setzer, Metro Transit general manager. About 40 connecting bus routes will deliver passengers to the trains. And Metro Transit plans to offer free fides on initial weekends. Sports fans are also expected to fill the trains on the way to the Metrodome. Beyond that, the ridership campaign will include airport advertising aimed at tourists and conventioneers, mailed invitations to residents along the line, and advertisements encouraging suburban commuters to park and ride the rail line. Light rail also will be advertised through the state's tourism bureau and hotel industry, said Bob Gibbons, director of customer services for Metro Transit. With luck, all the buzz will encourage people to ride, he said. But officials are making an early disclaimer: In April, the line will open only part way. The real ridership race won't be on until the trains run all the way to the Mall of America next December. The cars Twenty-four rail cars have been ordered for the service. Two have been delivered, one is en route and 14 will be needed to open the line in April, Setzer said. The cars will be equipped with molded snowplows to sweep the snow off the tracks, a blade on the cantenary will clear power lines of ice, and heating elements on the roof will melt snow. It would be nice to have one big blizzard this winter, Setzer said, to put these features to the test. More parking The line lacks parking. About 1,400 spaces are planned, but Setzer said 4,000 to 5,000 are needed. He continues to look for more. His latest proposal is to designate spaces at the underused parking ramp at the airport's Humphrey terminal for a light rail park-and-ride site. The ramp has open space, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission is considering the idea. But because airport revenues were used to build the parking ramp, users must pay to park there, said Patrick Hogan, Airports Commission public-affairs director. Typically park-and-fide parking is free. There will be 600 free parking spaces available to commuters at the 28th Street Station in Bloomington and 880 at the Fort Snelling Government Services Administration Building. The plan had been to raze a MnDOT maintenance facility near Fort Snelling to provide parking space but because of the state's budget crisis, there isn't money to rebuild the maintenance building elsewhere. Negotiations are underway to make other property available for parking there, Caroon said. The artwork 'http://www.startribune.com/viewers/story.php?template=print_a&story=4108643 9/25/03 Printer version: As LRT work continues, officials think about luring riders Page 3 of 3 In all, $80 million, aboutl 1 percent of the total spending for the line, was spent on the 17 stations, which were individually designed to suit their surroundings. Another $2.5 million was budgeted for public art at the stations. Seventeen artists have been commissioned to add artistic touches at the stations, including paver patterns, decorative railings, etchings on glass windscreens and an enameled mural on the side of the light-rail maintenance building. Fundraising continues to expand the program, said David Allen, art and transit administrator for the project. Laurie Blake is at lblake @startribune. com. © Copyright 2003 Star Tribune. Alt rights reserved. http://www.startribune.com/viewers/story.php?template=print_a&story=4108643 9/25/03 To Governor Pawlenty and Minnesota Legislators: Traffic congestion along the Northstar Corridor is becoming a significant issue. The quality of life of area residents is being diminished and it is threatening the competitiveness of area businesses. Residents are spending more time in traffic and less time at home with family and friends. Companies are having difficulty moving products and employees, attracting customers and recruiting new employees. We want a solution now. Northstar Commuter Rail can be operational in four years and it is the smartest, most cost-effective way to get people and business moving. Please approve state funding for Northstar in the 2004 Minnesota legislative session. PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED PETITIONS TO JEFF DEHLER, NCDA, 2100 3RD A VENUE, ANOKA, MN 55303 Name: Company/employer: Street: Email: Phone:( ) City: Zip: Name: Company/employer: Street: Emaih Phone:( ) City: Zip: Name: Company/employer: Street: Email: Phone: (~.) City: Zip: Name: Company/employer: Street: Email: Phone: (.~.). City: Zip: Providing the information requested here is strictly voluntary. It will be used only to communicate information about the Northstar commuter rail project and may be shared with Legislators and other elected officials. This information will not be sold or used for any other commercial purpose. Information is subject to the Minnesota Data Practices Act and will be provided to any person or entity that properly requests it. Name: Company/employer: Street: Emaih Phone: (.~.) City: Zip: Name: Company/em ployer: Street: Name: Email: Phone: (~) City: Zip: Email: Company/em ployer: Street: Name: Company/employer: Street: Phone: (,~). City: Zip: Emaih Phone: (.~.) City: Zip: Name: Company/em ployer: Street: Email: Phone: (~) City: Zip: Name: Company/employer: Street: Email: Phone: (.~.). City: Zip: Name: Company/employer: Street: Emaih Phone:( ) City: Zip: Name: Company/employer: Street: Email: Phone: (__) City: Zip: Providing the information requested hera is stdctly voluntary. It will be used only to communicate information about the Northstar commuter rail project and may be shared with Legislators and other elected officials. This information will not be sold or used for any other commercial purpose. Information is subject to the Minnesota Data Practices Act and will be provided to any person or entity that propedy requests it. September 12, 2003 Honorable Tim Pawlenty Governor State of Minnesota 130 State Capital St, Paul, Minnesota 55155 Dear Governor Pawlenty: Once again, my sincere thanks for devoting so much time last February visiting and touring our facility prior to the briefing on the Northstar commuter rail project. It is the status of that project that is the reason for writing to you now. It is my understanding that funding by the state was not approved in the last legislative session. It is also my understanding that there are federal dollars available for this project, but they cannot be earmarked indefinitely for Minnesota, as the competition by other states for this money is very keen. Governor, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to you how beneficial such a service would be to our employees and our visitors in the hope that you would strongly endorse the Northstar project and encourage the leadership of the Legislature to enact funding for it during the next session. You will recall that United Defense employs nearly 1700 personnel at our site in Fridley. We are always in need of and looking to attract skilled employees. A large portion of our workforce lives along or near the proposed Northstar project line, and I know that our current employees would benefit from the line given the significant traffic congestion that plagues the north metro area, especially the Anoka - Coon Rapids - Fridley corridor. The Northstar rail line abuts our property and a station is planned less than a mile from our facility. I am convinced that only building more highways within the metro area will exacerbate congestion problems, forcing even longer commutes for my workers and unnecessarily using valuable real estate that has other economic development potential. We must look at different ways to move people, and the Northstar project makes sense to me as one of the best ways to move the people to and from work and the airport (given the planned connection to the Minneapolis light rail line). Your consideration of my thoughts on this issue is deeply appreciated. I look forward to your response, as well as suggestions how I may help to further the advancement of this necessary Row rail service. Sincerely, Keith B. Howe Vice President and General Manager CC: Commissioners Erhart & Berg, Paul McCarron, Jay McLinden, Tim Yantos, Steve Novak, Lona Schreiber, Elliott Perovich, Jon Olson, Julie Shortridge, Mary Richardson United Defense LP Arm~tment Systems Division 4.800 East River Road Minneapolis Minnesota 55421-1498 Telephone 763 571 9201 Peggy Aho From: Sent: To: Subject: Marry Foote [bearfoote@comcast. net] Tuesday, September 16, 2003 5:11 AM Northstar Commuter Rail Northstar Commuter Rail Marty Foote 3309 Pioneer Place Stillwater, MN 55082 September 16, 2003 Dear Commuter Rail: Dear Northstar, As a resident of Stillwater, traffic is a daily concern. The traffic is growing exponentially and there aren't enough roads or space for roads to solve the problem. I just returned from Italy. Their solution is a combination of roads and transit, tightly integrated with the ebb and flow of the city. The closer you get to a transit link, you see higher density housing, retail, and business operations. The farther away from transit links you see bigger lots and more roads. We could learn a lesson from the Italians by using transit in concert with development plans to provide higher density housing and park and ride facilities near transit lines. You want a big house and a big lot, just move a little farther away from the line. You want convenience and limited driving, live near the transit line. Minnesota's leaders need to give Minnesotans more choices in their living and commuting options. Northstar is ideal because developers are already thinking of innovative projects up and down the line. They have to. The area is growing very fast. This requires creativity, planning, and vision, not more of the same. We need Northstar Commuter Rail and the vision of Northstar now. This line will help reduce congestion coming into the cities and ease traffic throughout the system. Let's do it! Marty Foote 3309 Pioneer Place Stillwater, MN 55082 (651) 342-0388 Sincerely, Marry Foote Peggy Aho From: Sent: To: Subject: Patricia Dyslin [dysli001@umn.edu] Wednesday, September 10, 2003 10:34 AM Northstar Commuter Rail How commuter rail would impact my quality of life Patricia Dyslin 4534 Emerson Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55412 September 10, 2003 Dear Commuter Rail: Right now I live in Minneapolis and my elderly parents live in Becket, Minnesota. As they get older, they need more day-to-day support from family members. Commuter rail would make it possible for me to move in with my parents and supply them with a higher level of support and at the same time allow me to continue working at my current job without having to deal with the heavy traffic on Hwy 10 both morning and evening. Right now, it is just too dangerous for me to make that commute to and from their home on a daily basis- particularly in the winter. The train commute, would allow me to arrive at work relaxed and in the evening, arrive at home rested. I keep hearing from our politicians about "family values" and other family issues, perhaps if commuting between rural communities and Minneapolis/St. Paul were easier and safer, more people would live closer to their families which would go a long way toward strengthening the family. The commuter train would also make it easier and safer for my parents to see their physicians in Minneapolis - they could take the commuter train in and then take a public bus to their appointments. With the shortage of rural physicians, many people living in rural areas are forced to come to Minneapolis for quality medical treatment. Commuter rail between St. Cloud and Minneapolis would go a long way toward assisting everyone in the corridor area who have difficulty finding transportation to and from Minneapolis. Not to mention the number of workers who would be extremely grateful not to have to fight the automobile traffic day in and day out. Sincerely, Patricia Dyslin MARY PISCHKE II n SE? - - 130 E. MINNESOTA AVE. I/II J.-.19 2~[~ GLE~NWOOD, MINNE,SOTA 56334 /U~ · ~c ANOKA 320434-5705 1A D ~'I~.~A~N~O~',-~ ~OUN'"r'~ · . I, Mary Pischke, Pope County Auditor-Treasurer certify that the £ollowing is a true and accurate excerpt ~om the Official Proceedings of the Pope County Board of Commissioners meeting held on 17'~ day of September, 2003. On a motion,made by Barsness, seconded by McCrory, and unanimously carded, the board adopted the following resolution; Whereas, commuter rail, which operates on existing freight rail. tracks, is a safe, reliable and economically viable transportation alternative; Whereas, an integrated connnuter rail system will help relieve pressure on an overburdened state highway system, making it easier for people and goods in all corners of Minnesota to get to and from the metro area and Greater Minnesota; and Whereas, the Northstar commuter rail line has been identified by the State Governor's Office and the Minnesota Deparm~ent of Transportation as the first st~p in developing an integrated commuter rail system for Minnesota; and Wheeeas, funding Northstar commuter rail, which costs less than building comparable highway capacity, will help ease the pressure to build more roads in tho Twin Cities, malting more funds available for rural transportation needs. Now, therefore, be it resolved that Pope County hereby continues to support Northstar commuter rail between Minneapolis and St. Cloud~dce;'and Now. therefore, be it further resolved that. Pope County requests that the ..................... Minnesota Legislature authorizes state bonds to provide a match for the Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail Project. a~ l~ischke Pope C.~_n~_ Auditor/Treasurer Copy to: JeffDehler NCDA Anoka County Government Center 2100 Th/rd: Avenue Anoka, 1VIN 55303 Representative Collin C. Peterson 110 S. 2~ St. #112 Waite Park, MN 56387 Commissioner Everell Barsness AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER MINUIkM CUt, JlXll T Fd~-'J-fDO--OZO--DD<D~/ ,~1 ZD UO 11 ,DD F. UO DRAFT RESOLUTION NORTEiSTAR CORRIDOR Whereas, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Cornmerce recognizes adequate and improved transportation is key to economic stimulation and growth for central Minnesota, and Whereas, we have a long term future vision for our community as a vibrant area with multi-modal transportation options to provide cost effective alternatives for area businesses and employees, Therefore, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors supports full funding for the Northstar Corridor Project during the 2004 Legislative Session. Dated: September 23, 2003 Ail Aboard! w z~ Come to this festive family gathering that could become "THE KEY Here's our chance for everyone in Central Minnesota to show our elected officials that we need and want Northstar Commuter Rail. THAT STARTS Tuesday evening, 7:00 p.m. THE ENGINES!" Sauk Rapids High School (Located a few miles east of Highway 10 on Golden Spike Road. Tours of the beautiful new school will be conducted from 6 pm to 6:45 pm. Entertainment! · Refreshments/ Music · Open Microphone for those who can't help but to share their enthusiasm. I~ONNIITEII IMIL Master of Ceremonies: Paul Stacke. Invited guests: Governor Tim Pawlenty U. S. Congressman Jim Oberstar U. S. Congressman Mark Kennedy Rep. Jim Knob/ach Rep.. Doug Slang Rep. Joe Opatz Rep. Dan Severson Sen. Dave Kleis Sen. Betsy Wergin Sen. Michelle Fischbach And many other local officials! Ail Aboard A are coming. They all want commuter rail. thousand or more of your friends and neighbors They a eALL Nearly 80% of area residents support the Northstar Commuter Rail. Business, labor, senior citizens -- so many groups -- want it to happen. VA Medical Center St. Northstar will bring convenience, economic opportunity and jobs to Central Minnesota. Nevertheless, it might never happen. Millions of dollars of Federal Transportation money might go somewhere else to be spent. Clear Lake It's free! It's going to be fun! "All Aboard" is a non-partisan Central Minnesota effort to support Northstar Commuter Bail. I! is entirely volunteer. For more intortnation: Call: 3§3-8703 or E-mail: rOland@lakedalelink, net [vent~ Larry Mareck & flerry Donlin Co-Chairs Some of our elected officials are still not committed to commuter rail. This event is your best opportunity to show them where we stand. To show them that we are all aboard. Ramsey ICommuter Bus Stops Potential Station Locations Future Station Locations :::::::: Commuter Rail All you have to do is gather your family and some friends and show up with your enthusiasm. You can learn more and show your support. Downtown St. Paul Bus Routes 16 and 50 Minneapolis 0 <, Bus Route  'q~ VA Medical ~"~'"'~'l~lrCenter Hiawatha Line .,~ ~';h .... ~ ~nTernanona /~ rpon Mall of America