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4.2. SR 03-20-2000Item # ~.2. M£MORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor and City Council Scott Harlicker, Senior Planne March 20, 2000 Northstar Corridor Update At the Northstar Corridor Development Authority meeting held on March 2nd the Authority received an update on state and federal legislative action, discussed the Ramsey station site and received an update on the Burlington Northern negotiations. At the state level, funding for the Northstar Corridor is still included as part of the transportation funding bills being considered and most legislators are giving it a favorable response. At the federal level, no action is taking place. The NCDA Project Management Team, after comparing the Anoka, Riverdale and Ramsey station sites, recommended that the development of the Ramsey station be postponed to some point in the future. The reasons for this recommendation are outlined in the attached memorandum. Ramsey, in response to this recommendation, requested a month to complete their own study. The NCDA approved their request. Negotiations with Burlington Northern are moving forward. The consultants for the NCDA are negotiating with Burlington Northern Railroad regarding their proposed system improvements. Northstar Corridor Development Authority Thursday, March 2, 2000 4:30 p.m. Sherburne County Government Center Elk River, MN Minutes of February 3, 2000 Meeting* Executive Committee Report Legislative Update a. State (report to be distributed at meeting) b. Federal Action Requested Approval Information Information 4. Station Site Selection* Approval o Review of Operating Commuter Rail Systems (California) Alternative dates: April 27-30, 2000 May 11-14, 2000 Discussion 6. Update on BNSF Negotiations Information o Station Layouts* Small Group Discussions a. Downtown Mpls., NE Mpls., Fridley, Foley, Riverdale b. Anoka, Ramsey, Elk River, Big Lake c. Becker, Clear Lake, St. Cloud East, St. Cloud Downtown, Rice Next Meeting: April 6, 2000 *Attached Note: A public information meeting will immediately follow the NCDA meeting at the Sherburne County Government Center at 6:00 p.m. DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting Minutes February 3, 2000 The Northstar Corridor Development Authority met in regular session on February 3, 2000, in the Board Room at the Sherburne County Government Center, Elk River, Minnesota. Mark Stenglein, Paul McCarron, Don Jolly, Steve Billings, Tom Gamec, Paul Ostrow, Tom Cruikshank, Jerry Newton, Art Daniels, John Weaver, Patrick Cairns, Carl Yilek, Gerald Goeble, Duane Cekalla, Bob Johnson, Duane Grandy, John Norgren, Terry Nagorski, Ken Paulson, Bob Erdrich, Ton Wenzel, Lewis Stark, Tim Houle? Rick Speak, Jean Keely, Linda Jungwirth, Dean Michalko, John Ellenbecker, Robert Kirchner, Jim Barton, Scott Harlicker, Jim Dickinson, Vic Oviatt, John Blaha, Brian Bensen, David Loch, Kary Tillmann, Mike Clzristensen, Dick Wolsfeld, Rich Nau, Jim Hoschka, Yvonne Chaillet, Ken Stevens, Tim Yantos, Betsy Wergin, Mary Richardson. o The meeting was called to order at 4:34 p.m. A motion was made by Duane Grandy, seconded by Patrick Cairns and carried unanimously to approve the agenda of February 3, 2000, and the minutes of January 6, 2000, as presented. Executive Committee Report: a) Mary Richardson discussed the procurement process for preliminary engineering, the next step in the development of the Northstar Corridor commuter rail system. Under the federal funding process, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) must grant approval tbr a project to enter preliminary engineering. Staff is currently working with BRW and the FTA to prepare the request. A proposed timeline was discussed. Paul McCarron made a motion, seconded by Mark Stenglein, and carried unanimously to authorize the following: 1) The issuance of an RFP for preliminary engineering of track and railroad improvements; 2) The issuance of an RFQ for station area planning; 3) The NCDA Executive Committee to select the contractors at the March 16, 2000 Executive Committee meeting; 4) The NCDA Chair to execute the amendment to the MnDOT grant agreement to include preliminary engineering in the scope of work. All contracts will be subject to the approval of the NCDA at its April meeting. b) Tim Yantos reviewed the planning and project development process as requested by the Federal Transit Administration. The FTA approves all maj or work Northstar Corridor Development Authority February 3, 2000 Page 1 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT elements. The NCDA is currently seeking FTA consent to begin preliminary engineering. The FTA has 30 days from receiving the application to make a decision. Staff is in the process of preparing the application for submission. c) Dave Loch advised the committee that the reverse commute (Minneapolis to St.. Cloud) was not well represented in the original ridership study. Staff is currently awaiting completion of Task # 1 by BRW, the development of a timeline for the ridership forecasting refinement process. Staff is working with St. Cloud State University to obtain student ridership information and assessing the St. Cloud APO 1997 Origin and Destination survey data. The tasks to be performed fall outside the scope of work and budget agreement with BRW. However, the Executive Committee authorized the expenditure of funds from the BRW contingency for the work. d) Betsy Wergin advised the committee of the American Public Transportation Association Conference to be held April 8 - 12, 2000 in Long Island, New York. Any member of the NCDA may attend the conference, and should inform Mary Richardson or Tim Yantos so appropriate arrangements can be made. Tom Gamec made a motion, seconded by Paul Ostrow, and carried unanimously to authorize any member of the NCDA to attend the APTA, with the NCDA to pay $1000 per person, with the understanding that the member's home jurisdiction would pay any expenses over and above that amount. e) Discussion was held regarding the scheduling of another trip, possibly in May, to California to observe the commuter rail system there, as was done last year. It was recommended that those jurisdictions with station locations participate in this trip. John Norgren made a motion, seconded by Pat Cairns, and carried unanimously to direct staff to investigate a trip to California to observe the commuter rail system and to attthorize the payment of expenses to any NCDA member who wishes to attend. Discussion was held regarding the financial management agreement with Anoka County. Jen'y Newton made a motion, seconded by Art Daniels, and carried unanimously to authorize the Chair to execute an amendment to the Financial Management Services Agreement with Anoka County, extending the term through December 31, 2004. 5. Legislative Update Paul McCarron provided a legislative update and distributed a copy of a letter from Senator Rod Grams to Steve Sviggum, MN Speaker of the House. Extensive discussion was held regarding the differences between commuter rail and light rail. Betsy Wergin advised the committee that the NCDA lobbyists are specifically lobbying for commuter rail. Northstar Corridor Development Authority February 3, 2000 Page 2 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Discussion was held regarding potential necessary improvements to the rail line to establish commuter rail. Negotiations with BNSF will begin in a few weeks to determine which improvements are necessary to make commuter rail happen (see BRW handout). Discussion was held regarding an amendment to the Shandwick Agreement for priming and mailing the next NCDA newsletter. 310,000 copies of the newletter will be printed. Of those, 304,000 will be mailed to residents within a five mile radius along the corridor. Mark Stenglein made a motion, second by Tom Gamec and carried unanimously to authorize the Chair to execute an amendment to the agreement between the NCDA and Shandxvick, in an amount not to exceed $70,000, to cover the costs of design, printing, mailing and postage of the NCDA direct mailing. Tim Yantos advised the committee of scheduled public information meetings. Meetings are scheduled as follows: Fridley -- February 29, 2000 St. Cloud - March 1, 2000 Elk River- March 2, 2000 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Paul Ostro~v advised the committee that he and Mark Stenglein are also hosting a Town Hall meeting for the northeast area at the Northeast Armory on February 26, 2000, at 9:00 a.m. Discussion was held regarding station selection sites. Anoka, Ramsey, and Riverdale are potential sites. A summary of the analysis completed by staff was distributed for consideration at the next NCDA meeting in March. The analysis only deals with the Anoka site. St. Cloud will be evaluated within the next six weeks. 10. The next meeting of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority is scheduled for Thursday, March 2, 2000, at 4:30 p.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center. 11. Mark Stenglein made a motion, seconded by John Norgren, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 5:42 p.m. Betsy Wergin Chairperson Date F:\DEPT\COORD\ADMNDATA\COMMITTE\CORRIDOR\1999\010600.doc\lmg Northstar Corridor Development Authority February 3, 2000 Page 3 Northstar Corridor Development Authority Resolution 2000 - WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) Commuter Rail System Plan ranks corridors for priority for implementation for commuter rail, and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council Regional Master Plan, Transit 2020, proposes commuter rail to be built by 2010 in the Northstar, Central and Red Rock Corridors; and WHEREAS, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) has completed a Federal Major Investment Study and a Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Corridor between the City of Rice and downtown Minneapolis; and WHEREAS, the Red Rock Corridor and Central Corridor are beginning further commuter rail studies; and WHEREAS, the Central Corridor is conducting a Federal Transit Study which will analyze commuter rail between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis that includes connections to the Northstar and Red Rock Corridors; and WHEREAS, a potential connection via existing railroad tracks in the vicinity of Harrison Street in Northeast Minneapolis known as Minneapolis Jupction appears to provide an opportunity to create a seamless transit connection between Red Rock - Central - Northstar commuter rail routes; and WHEREAS, the City of Minneapolis will need to approve all commuter rail stations located in the city. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the Northstar and Red Rock Corridors, and the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority recommend that the Minneapolis Junction/Harrison Street location appears to be an appropriate location for a passenger transfer station to create a seamless transition between Red Rock - Central - Northstar Commuter Rail Corridors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Northstar, Red Rock and Central organizations will work with the City of Minneapolis, Mn/DOT and the appropriate metropolitan agencies to determine the viability of the Minneapolis Junction transfer station. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Northstar Corridor Development Authority will organize a joint subcommittee and request one member from the Central Corridor, the Red Rock Corridor, the City of Minneapolis, and Mn/DOT to review and share information regarding the Minneapolis Junction transit station for commuter rail. Betsy Wergin, Chairperson Date FUTURE TRANSPORTATION SPENDING FY 2002-2003 Revenue estimates for the sales tax on motor vehicles (MVET) are: FY2002, $532.9 million; FY 2003, $550.0 million; biennial total, $1.083 billion. (Feb. 2000 estimate) 25% of the MVET revenues would be distributed to the Highway User Tax Distribution fund for registration tax reduction as follows: FY 2002, $133.2 million; FY 2003, $137.5 million; biennial total $270.7 million. 25% of the MVET revenues would be distributed to the Multimodal Transportation fund for transportation spending as follows: FY 2002, $133.2 million; FY 2003, $137.5 million; biennial total $270.7 million. Of the amount available in the Multimodal fund, approximately $90 million would be needed each year for on-going spending for transit operations, rail and waterways, motor carder regulation, safety council, and highway tort claims. Approximately $45 million would be available each year for new transportation spending. Net impact on the general fund after cancellations of existing transportation appropriations is approximately 36% of MVET, 25% for registration tax reduction and 11% for transportation spending. Up to $100 million would be available each year. for trunk highway construction from trunk highway bonding authorizations. FY 2004-2005 MVET revenue estimates are approximately (assuming 4% annual growth): FY2004, $572 million; FY 2005, $595 million; biennial total, $1.17 billion. 25% of the MVET revenues would be distributed to the Highway User Tax Distribution fund for registration tax reduction as follows: FY 2004, $142 million; FY 2003, $149 million; biennial total, $291 million. 50% of the MVET revenues would be distributed to the Multimodal Transportation fund for transportation spending as follows: FY 2004, $286 million; FY 2003, $298 million; biennial total, $584 million. Of the amount available in the Multimodal fund, approximately $I00 million would be needed each year for on-going spending for transit operations, rail and waterways, motor cartier regulation, safety council, and highway tort claims. Approximately,'$190 million would be available each year for new transportation spending. Up to $100 million would be available each year for trunk highway construction from trunk highway bonding authorizations. FY 2006 and On MVET revenue estimates are approximately $620 million for FY2006 (assuming 4% annual growth). 25% of the MVET revenues would be distributed to the Highway User Tax Distribution fund for registration tax reduction, approximately $155 million. 75% of the MVET revenues would be distributed to the Multimodal Transportation fund for transportation spending, approximately $465 million in FY 2006. Of the amount available in the Multimodal fund, approximately $115 million would be needed each year for on-going spending for transit operations, rail and waterways, motor. cartier regulation, safety council, and highway tort claims. Approximately $350 million would be available for new transportation spending. Up to $100 million would be available each year for trunk highway construction from trunk highway bonding authorizations. Tracking of SF 2678 DE1 Appropriation Changes Author: Senator Carol Flynn Article 2 Section # Department 1 Finance 2 MnDOT Description of Activity Prohibition against indirect costs Payment of Sales Tax FY 2001 Appropriation Changes (000's) THF Multimodal GF (8,195) 0 8,195 (4,800) 0 4,800 (1,656) 0 1,656 · (766) 0 766 (332) 19,000 (15,892) (1,299) 1,565 (266) (2,746) 2,865 (119) 0 63,101 (53,101) (67) 67 0 (600) 600 0 (21) 0 21 (1,773) 0 1,773 (39) 0 39 8-10 Public Safety BCA Laboratory 11-13 DTED 16 MnDOT 17 MnDOT 18 MnDOT 20 Metro Council Office of Tourism Greater MN Transit Office of Railroads & Waterways Motor Carder Regulation Transit Operations 21 Safety Council Ddver Education 22 Finance Tort Claims 23 CFL K-12 Ddver Education Programs 24-25 EMS Board Emergency Medical Services Board 26~28 LCC Sec. 31: sub 1 MnDOT sub 2 MnDOT sub 3 MnDOT sub 4 MnDOT sub 5 MnDOT sub 6 MnDOT Sec 32: sub I Metro Council sub 2 Metro Council Mississippi River Commission State Road Construction Buildings Rail Service Improvement Program Port Development Grants Local Bridge Reconstruction Greater MN Transit Capital Request Bus Transitways Bus Garages 0 80,000 0 27,341 0 0 0 12,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 44,000 0 0 5,000 0 0 10,000 0 0 20,000 0 Appropriations Totals 5,047' 262,198 (52,128) Registration Tax Reduction Transfer from General Fund to HUTD One-time General Fund Transfer to Multimodal Fund Revenue Changes from Trunk Highway Fund to Multimodal Fund 0 0 125,000 0 (260,000) 260,000 2,200 (2,200) 0 TOTALS 7,247 (2) 332,872 Note: Positive numbers indicate spending and negative numbers indicate revenue. AMV Office of Fiscal Policy 03/02J00 SF 26/8 DE1 FY 2001 APPROPRIATION CHANGES $22.3 million I / transferred from / / transferred to in non-trunk / / General Fund J | multimodal highway purpose I [ o $188 million in ~./~_ ~ transportation fund appropriations I / new transportation I ~ "1 ° $69.4 million in · $27.3 million / / spending [ / canceled General appropriated for ~ ] / / Fund transportation MnDOT buildings / /' ~e6p~ ~4c ~ I~n°tn [ / appropriations · $2.2 million loss / / spending for ! / ° $17.3 million in from revenue / / General Fund ! ! replacement spending ' changes / / · $5 million / / for non-trunk highway / / replacement / / purposes / / spending for ! / · $125 million for ' ' / / non-trunk highway / / registration tax / / purp°ses / / reduction / / ° $2.2 million other / / I l revenues Net Impoct / ~Net Impoc, · $7.2 mi!lion J /· $262 million I ~/~ Net Impact expend,ture / / r~evenue.. I / / I · $332.9 .m. illion | I · 5262 m~ll,on ~ / [ expend,ture Ii Ihwaexpendlture'~~' [ · $125 m~l on to Hi · . g ¥ User Tax D~stribution Fund TRANSPORTATION FUNDING NEWS CONFERENCE MARCH 2, 2000 NEWS RELEASE Contact: Fred Corrigan 651-659-0804 Groups Unite to Urge Legislative Action on Transportation Funding (St. Paul, Minn.) More than 20 organizations representing business, labor, local government and transportation interests gathered in St. Paul today to urge the Legislature and Governor Ventura to approve a significant increase in state transportation funding this le. gislative session. The organizations are united in the belief that more funding for transportation ~s an urgent state priority. The organizations expressed concern that early momentum for a transportation funding increase this session has waned in recent weeks due to political tensions and disagreements over transportation funding proposals. While expressing appreciation for the funding proposals and hard work put forth so far, the organizations urged.the governor and the Legislature to complete the job and not adjourn the session without approving a significant funding package. The organizations also issued a call to local elected officials, business leaders, chambers of commerce, transportation advocacy groups and citizens across the state to contact their legislators and the governor to underscore the importance and urgency of approving more funding for transportation this year. Scheduled Presenters: Fred Corrigan, Minnesota Transportation Alliance Harlan Madsen, county commissioner, Kandiyohi County Gene Winstead, mayor, City of Bloomington Jim Campbell, Chairman & CEO, Norwest Bank/Wells Fargo Brock Nelson, CEO, Childrens Hospitals & Clinics Ton Anzelc, Laborers District Council of MN and ND Dennis Berg, county commissioner, Anoka County Participating Organizations: Minnesota Transportation Alliance Laborers District Council of MN & ND Association of Minnesota Counties Associated General Contractors Minnesota Trucking Association City of Minneapolis Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association Minnesota Association of Small Cities Phillips Partnership Metropolitan Inter-County Association Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota Minneapolis Downtown Council Minnesota Public Transit Association Highway Construction Industry Council North Metro Mayors Association 1-35W Solutions Alliance Central Minnesota Transportation Alliance Minnesota Rural Counties Caucus Association of Metropolitan Muaieipalities 1-494 Corridor Commission Southwest Corridor Transportation Coalition MN Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors Wakota Bridge Coalition Minnesota Ports Association Aggregate/Ready Mix Association of Minnesota Transportation Guidin$ Principles · We support constitutional dedication of I00 percent of the motor vehicles sales tax to transportation. · We support an immediate one-time investment of state funds to jumpstart any longer-term transportation funding efforts, and we support earmarking a significant portion of the current state budget surplu, s to begin the commitment  e support a long-term:approaeti.:to.transportat~on funding , . , -~ ,:z:..: addresses the'stiftewid~ needs '6f highways and transit.. : ': · We support a.major effort to address bridge deficiencies across the state.· .,, .--. ' ,~' ..~,.:.', - -. -.'..:.'.:¥..... · -'-~- , ..t. ':;~'I ',. :. . · "We encourage policy-makers to':.in~e~tigate creative new '..hPP, i'6~ie, heS to: funding'ff~i~isP6riaii6'fi'tinfrastmcture... , .: ,~ ~,'~.'~,~'r~::.',.'....tt.~.,'-~,:v ;/. '..'. --:,' ;~.~.r;..~..~,'~:.-?v,.v :~..: . ,'- '-..,:.': .~.:;~.-~ma~..· ...... ' - ': · .. Thts brochur~.l~as created by a coalition Of prlvale bUSinesses transportation ana ctvtc ot~gantzations concerned about Min~nes~ta 'sj-uture. For more information, contact Lisa Raduenz 651.227.1905. Layout and design contributed by Colic & McVoy Marketing Communications. The Need What Needs To Be Done · Minnesota's transportation systems have been underfunded since the late 1980s · Traffic congestion dela. y time has increased from four hours per person per year in1992 to an average of 17 hom:s per ~":"':"' and need t6 '"' '":' :' to increase :'i' J.; .' , failure to :i'ti~)~tments " '.':"~';'3;:~' ~.,-'r:,~:; .,-7 ' . ........ systems ~n the 1990s has caused ~ncreased and ever-present ~ gndl6~;-putdated ~d aeten~at~ng ~roadwavsDnad~uate:~:~}~? 'janeH~s" to' car~ Mi~eS~ta~s goods to m~k~t ~d ~i't- ~st~' incapable of meeting'.cOnsumer demand...::' ': ~..: · - ¢,;~¢Deeause oltms laCK oI,~nves~ent, M~eso~' ~s nowz:? hc~ng'.a cnsts that could d~rall ~e state s economic hture.... AINTAINPRESERVE "' ENHANCE In order to "jumpstart" investments in our state's transportation systems, the legislature must make a one-time appropriation from the estimated $1.8 billion state surplus this year. The Governor and legislature 'need to constitutionally dedicate I00 percent of the Sales Tax on Motor Vehicles Fund .'~:! . (formerly known as MVET !~ -Motor Vehicle Excise Tax) for .... :¥.,~., : .',,..~..;..~::~-. . ~ :.~... - purposes.-The!".a.'p~r6p,~ation.i':would g~ii0i-ate ; :': '"';:,-, 1500 million per. year. :~ 'The legislature and Oo~_~pass,.'al~hlanced,".. · I and long-term t. ran~!on ~d~ng package that ?!,~i~?'! improves Minnesota's tran/~!~i~i~rfi~,zes'peSihil~, high- .-}..'. ways and public transit~ ;"i;':i: · at You Can Do :';£~.~.a. ll or write yom legislators and'the Governor immediately.:':' :/:?~?. ::Jeu mem you neecl to spe?..ct:~Up~.~nsp,o, rtatxon.'fundii~g:..';.tiOw! ~ [..~.-... · To determine who repre~eiats Minnesota House of Repr~sefft}i~tives 651.296.2146 (Twin Cltles'metr6).... 800.657.3550 (Greater Minnesota State 651.296.3391 . ...' .~..: ?¢ · Governor Ventura's offi~e'(~:~,/~)':'.: ~ . -. ,.,;.}:t::,:.~-.-:. · . 651.296.0504 Governor's Transportation Funding Proposal Million ~ / $245 Million / to Highway Tax \ / Multi-Modal Fund \ ~ Distribution Fund ) ~ Constitutional / ~ Statutorily ~ ~xx' Appr°p~ ~ $184 Million ] [ Metro .T...r~n. sit * Replaces License Plate TAB Reduction ** 75% to MnDoT for Statewide Transportation Purposes · For Greater MN Transit Capital and Service Expansion · Busways and Commuter rail capital · Interregional Corridors · Bottleneck Removal · Right of Way Preservation · Partnership Facilities and planning *** 25% to the Metropolitan Council for Transit Purposes For Metro Use on: · Bus capital and Service Expansion · Busway and LRT Operations Created Janumy 12, 2000 Bill Schreiber, Messerli & Kramer (651) 228-9757 12855_1 02/18/00 [REVISOR ] JMR/RC 00-6775 This do~umen! c~u be made available in State o f Minnesota HOUSE OF P SENTAT ES HOUSE FILE NO. 3849 S~SION Februa~ 24, 2000 Authored by Ti~elsta~ Jotmso~ Dempsey, Kuisle, Abel= and others ~ First Time ~nd Refea'red to the Committee on Tax~ A bill for an act relating to taxation; providing that sales of diesel fuel used to operate commuter rail systems are exempt from the sales tax; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 297A.15, by adding a subdivision; and 297A.25~ subdivision 7. 7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 8 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.15, is 9 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 10 Subd. 8. [REFUND; APPROPRIATION; COMMUTER RAIL FUEL.] If 11 fuel described in section 297Ao25~ subdivision 7~ clause (6)t is 12 purchased by the operator of the commuter fail'system, a refund 13 equal to the taxes paid on the fuel must be paid to the operator 14 of the commuter rail system. The tax must be imposed and 15 collected as if the sales were taxable and the rate under 16 section 297A.02t subdivision 1~ applied. An application for 17 refund must be submitted by the operator of the commuter rail 18 system and must include sufficient information to permit the 19 commissioner to verify the sales taxes paid. The amount 20 required to make the refunds is annually appropriated to the 21 commissioner. Interest must be paid on the refund at the rate 22 in section 270.76 from 60 days after the date the refund claim 23 is filed with the commissioner. 24 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, 25 subdivision 7, is amended to ready 26 Subdo 7o [PETROLEUM PRODUCTS.] The gross receipts from the Section 2 1 02/18/00 [REVISOR ] JMR/RC 00-6775 1 sale of and storage, use or consumption of the following 2 petroleum products areexempt: 3 (1) products upon whicha tax has been imposed and paid 4 under the provisions of chapter 296A, and no refund has been or 5 will be allowed because the buyer used the fuel for nonhighway 6 use; 7 (2) products which are'used in the improvement of '8 .agricultural land by constructing, maintaining, and repairing 9 drainage ditches, tile drainage systems, grass waterways, water 10 impoundme~t~'ahd°ther.erosi~n control structures; 11 '(3) products.pu~ch&~ed by a transit system receiving 12 financial assistance under section 174.24 or 473.384; 13 (4) products used in a passenger snowmobile, as defined in 14 section 296A.01, sub~ivision 39, for off-highway business use as 15 part of the operations of a resort as provided under section 16 296A.16, subdivision 2, clause (2); oF 17 (5) products purchased by a state or a political 18 subdivision of a state for use in motor vehicles exempt from 19 registration under section 168.012, subdivision 1, paragraph 20 (b); or 21 (6) Droducts purchased for use as fuel for a commuter rail 22 23 24 25 26 27 2000. system operating under sections 174.80 to 174.90~ provided that the tax must be paid on these purchases and a refund of the tax aDDlied-for as provided in section 297A.15, subdivision 8. Sec. 3. [EFFECTIVE DATE.]. Sections i and 2 are effective for purchases after June 30, o~/17/oo [REVISOR ] XX/MD 00-6774 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A bill for an act relating to taxation; providing that purchases of construction materials and equipment used to provide commuter rail services are exempt from the sales tax; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, by adding a subdivision. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: Subdo 84. [COMMUTER RAIL MATERIALS AND 11 EQUIPMENT.] Purchases of materialsr supplies, and equipment used 12 or consumed in the constructionw equipment, or improvement of a 13 commuter rail transportation system operated under sections 14 174.80 to 174.90, are exempt from the taxes imposed under this 15 chapter and from any sales and use tax imposed by a local unit 16 of government notwithstanding any ordinance or'charter 17 provision. This exemption includes railroad cars and engines 18 and related equipment and applies regardless of whether the 19 materials, supplies, or equipment are purchased by the city or 20 by a construction manager or contractor. 21 Sec. 2. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 22 Section 1 is effective'for purchases after June 30, 2000. .~:~ , 'ii:.!: NOgTHSTAR Agenda Item MEMORANDUM To: Northstar Corridor Development Authority From: Project Management Team. Date: February 3, 2000 Subject: Northstar Corridor Station Site Recommendation Attached is a table that compares the proposed Ramsey, Anoka, and Riverdale commuter rail station sites. Based on the information in this table, it is recommended that the NCDA carry forward the Anoka and Riverdale stations for further development and designate the Ramsey station site for potential future development. This recommendation is based on the following technical considerations: · Both the Anoka and Riverdale stations generate higher forecast station boardings than the Ramsey station. · Total system ridership is highest with the combination of the Anoka and Riverdale stations. · With the Anoka and Riverdale stations together, forecast station boardings are more equally distributed between the two station sites. With the Ramsey station, park and ride demand at either Anoka or Riverdale could exceed the site capacity. · Direct connections to existing transit service providers are more easily accomplished at Anoka and Riverdale. · The Anoka station is proximate to the downtown Anoka employment center and the Riverdale station is proximate to a rapidly developing retail area. The Ramsey station is currently agricultural with little current development activity in the vicinity. · A future Ramsey station should be considered if the planned new Mississippi River crossing at Ramsey is constructed. Northstar Corridor Page 1 February3, 2000 NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR COMMUTER RAIL ALTERNATIVE STATION SITE COMPARISON ALTERNATIVE STATION SITE CRiTERiA Ramsey I Anoka I Riverdale Capital Cost (19995) $ 4,916,000 $ 5,329,000 $ 5,387,000 Park and Ride Spaces 470 520 500 Size (Acres) 7.2 8.4 8.5 Station Spacing See Attached Graphic Existing Land Use Agriculture Industrial Undeveloped Residential / Adjacent Land Use Undeveloped Employment Residential / Retail Oriented Land Use Develoment Potential Medium High High Daily Station Boardings(2020) Ramsey-Anoka 244 1,351 Ramsey-Riverdale 304 2,057 Anoka-Riverdale 1,058 1,346 Intersections Forecast to Operate TH 10/Ramsey =4th Ave/Pleasant; Northdale Blvd at LOS F in 2020 Bird 7th Ave/Johnson /Crooked Lake Blvd Environmental Concerns No Significant Potential soil No Significant Concerns corrections required Concerns 'Direct Connections to Transit Low Medium High Access to Jobs (Reverse Commute) Low High Medium/High With Ramsey With Ramsey station, park and station, park and ,Other ride demand could ride demand could exceed available exceed available ~[ [:~ W ~n~ capacity capacity 02/03/2000 .__ELK RIVER- STATION BLVD. ANOKA - .~. :-;, ~..,. 4TH AVE. ' ....... COON RAPIDS- ~RIVERDALE Coorl ' NORTH TAR arnate Station Site Evaluation - Anoka @ 4th Avenue COON RAPIDS-~. " BLVD. .................... 7: :-'" FRIDLEY · Fridlcv,' ..._; ~ ~.:._ , ' ........ "!...j.~. · t. :~:~::~. .... ~e,~',..,Z:':,:!~?~=:J::i..iff._ Mileage Shown is Approximate Station Spacing City of Ramsey 15153 NOWTHEN BOULEVARD N.W., RAMSEY, MINNESOTA 55303 PHONE: (612) 427-1410 FAX (612) 427-5543 TDD (612) 427-8591 February 25, 2000 Betsy Wergin, Chair Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 Third Avenue N. Anoka, MN 55303 Dear Ms. Wergin: Recent events of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) commuter rail station site selection process have raised serious concern with the City of Ramsey. Consultants made a presentation to the NCDA technical advisory committee on August 19, 1999, on station site evaluation comparing sites throughout the Northstar Corridor. The station site locations of the Ramsey Boulevard site in Ramsey, the Fourth Avenue site, and the Riverdale site in Coon Rapids were shown to be in par with one another. The City of Ramsey responded with criticism of the study in a letter dated August 27, 1999, stating that the Anoka site was assigned positive points unjustifiably, while the Ramsey site was unfairly assigned negative rating points. It was explained that it was not necessary to criticize the site evaluation because all three sites would be recommended. Now the City of Ramsey has learned from a February 3, 2000, project management team memorandum that the recommendation is being made to remove the Ramsey site from further consideration. The City of Ramsey has also learned that NCDA staff has reviewed information provided by the City of Anoka promoting the proposed Fourth Avenue station location prior to making its recommendation to accept the Fourth Avenue station location while eliminating the Ramsey Boulevard station location in Ramsey. The City of Ramsey respectfully requests NCDA to provide the rationale for the recommendation of Ramsey's station elimination without consulting the City of Ramsey. The City of Ramsey would also request a sufficient amount of time to prepare its own analysis to why the Ramsey Boulevard site in Ramsey would be a better location for a commuter rail station than the proposed Fourth Avenue location in the City of Anoka. Sincerely, CITY OF RAMSEY '{~t~n6il me~l.~gr~nrie-r s°n- Mayor Gamec Cour~c/~'~mb el- Hendriksen --~o~ember Connolly (~ Councilm~mber Zimmerman INACCURACIES OF ALTERNATIVE STATION SITE COMPARISON A project management team memorandum dated February 3, 2000, which discussed the Northstar corridor station site recommendation, contained a number of inaccuracies. The table attached to the memorandum contains misleading information and contains some information that simply not true. Additionally, the criteria of comparison left out important elements that should be considered when selecting a commuter rail station location. Criteria Discussion · Station spacing · Existing land use · Adjacent land use The alternative station site comparison chart did not rank the comparison to the three station locations as with the other criteria. A simple reference to the attached graphic was included with the memorandum. The ranking of the various alternative station comparisons was omitted for obvious reasons; leaving the Anoka Fourth Avenue Station with the Coon Rapids Riverdale station with a space difference of 2.2 miles and eliminating the Ramsey station would leave a difference of 12.1 miles to the next commuter rail station in Elk River. The station spacing criteria would have included a positive rating for placing a station at Ramsey, which would be 5.7 miles and 6.4 miles between Elk River and Coon Rapids Riverdale, respectively. The station spacing should have also complied with the Principles for Station Area Location and Planning, adopted in May of 1999, which stated that a "minimum station spacing of 5 miles" should be maintained. The comparison states that the proposed Ramsey site is listed as agricultural when it is in fact zoned Business/Warehouse. The property is not being used for agricultural purposes and the City of Ramsey is currently in the process of condemnation of the entire area surrounding the proposed rail station for industrial development purposes. The draft Comprehensive Plan that was forwarded to Metropolitan Council references the City's plans to accommodate a commuter rail station in the future land use and the transportation sections. The comparison chart shows the adjacent land use of the Ramsey site is undeveloped, when in fact, there is an excess of 10 large industrial users in the adjacent industrial park. The Anoka site states that the adjacent land use is "employment oriented", while no similar mention is made of the employment orientation the Ramsey site. G :\users\City Shared File\CORRESP\NormanL2000WIiscXA LTERaNATIVE STATION SITE COMPARISON.doc Criteria Discussion development Land use potential Access to jobs Traffic access to proposed station site (not included as a criteria in the February 3, 2000 memorandum) The site comparison chart shows the Anoka Fourth Avenue site as having a high potential, even though the site is fully developed. The site comparison chart goes on to state that the Ramsey site has a "medium potential" for development, even though the land is vacant and ready for development. The site comparison chart shows the Ramsey site as having a "low" ranking for access to jobs when the adjacent industrial park has approximately 750 jobs with the possible expansion of an additional 250 jobs within the next two years. Additionally, the potential of industrial development in the land immediately adjacent to the proposed rail station provides even greater potential for access to jobs. In comparison, the Anoka station was given a "high" ranking for access to jobs, when in fact, the neighboring vicinity is primarily residential and small businesses with very little job creation potential. Vehicle access to the proposed station site was not included in the analysis by the project management team. The Ramsey site would be less than one city block from T.H. #10 and has access from all other directions, including a proposed Mississippi River crossing, which would be connected to County Road #116. The proposed station site location at Anoka Fourth Avenue has access primarily from the South. Ramsey residents would be required to travel south on T.H. #47 at a time when the traffic should be discouraged because T.H. #47 is already overburdened. An additional problem that the proposed state site location at the Anoka Fourth Avenue site is that it conflicts with the Principles for Station Area Location and Planning adopted in May of 1999. The principle stated that the configuration and siting should "avoid travel through residential areas". The only access to the Anoka Fourth Avenue site is through residential neighborhoods. G:\users\City Shared File\CORRESP\Norman~000hMisc~ALTERNATIVE STATION SITE COMPARISON.doc NORTIlSTAR MEMORANDUM Agenda Item #7 February 25, 2000 To: From: Subject: Northstar Corridor Development Authority Administrative Team Station Layouts Enclosed are draft station area plans for the fourteen (14) station locations that were previously approved by the NCDA for further analysis in the Environmental Impact Statement and for system and site development. The fourteen sites are: Rice, St. Cloud Downtown, St. Cloud East, Clear Lake, Becker, Big Lake, Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids - Riverdale, Coon Rapids - Foley Boulevard, Fridley, Northeast Minneapolis, and Downtown Minneapolis. Copies of the station layouts were mailed February 14, 2000 to the respective Mayors and city planners for their reviews and comments. At the March 2, 2000 NCDA meeting you will break out into three groups to discuss the various station plans: Group 1: Downtown Minneapolis, Northeast Minneapolis, Fridley, Foley, and Riverdale Group 2: Anoka, Ramsey, Elk River, and Big Lake Group 3: Becker, Clear Lake, St. Cloud East, St. Cloud Downtown, and Rice Staff will be available to answer any questions at this time. In the meantime, please feel free to call Tim Yantos at 612/323-5692, Ken Stevens at 612/494-3208, or David Loch at 218/568-5870. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3"~ Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (612) 323-5700 Fax: (612/323-5682 Agenda Item #7 Executive Committee: Betsy Wergin, NCDA Chair Sherburne County Paul Ostrow. NCDA Vice Chair City of Minneapolis Paul McCmTon Anoka County Mark Stenglein Hennepin County Regional Raih'oad Authority Steve Billings City of Fridley Lewis Stark Haven Township February 14, 2000 Honorable Steve Janski Mayor, City of Rice 205 Main St E PO Box 22 Rice, MN 56367-0022 Dear Mayor Janski: As you know, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) has recently completed its Major Investment Study (MIS) culminating in the recommended Transportation Investment Strategy shown on the enclosed resolution. A principle element of the investment strategy is commuter rail. The NCDA is now moving forward to complete environmental review and to start preliminary engineering for the commuter rail project from St. Cloud to downtown Minneapolis. The commuter rail planning efforts to date have included considerable interaction with the cities, in order to appropriately locate stations in the communities along the corridor. The planned location for the station in the City of Rice is at W. Main Street. A copy of the station layout is enclosed for your information. The next step in the project includes development of station area plans. These plans, which will encompass the area from one quarter to one half mile around the commuter rail station, will show the type and amount of development or redevelopment that could occur over the next 20 or more years. Ideally, the mix of proposed land uses would be mutually supportive of the investment in commuter rail and community goals for long term land uses and smart growth concepts. The NCDA, its staff and consultants, would like to continue to work closely with city staff, planning commissions, councils, and residents to further refine the station area plans. NCDA has retained legal counsel to assist with drafting resolutions or other tools that may be desirable for communities to utilize during the planning process. NCDA is also actively seeking land use expertise to assist both NCDA and the cities in the planning efforts. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3''° Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (612) 323-5700 Fax: (612) 323-5682 NCDA expects to submit a request to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) fr funding of the commuter rail project in August of this year. Part of the applicatio. process includes an extensive review of land use planning efforts and identification of the potential positive economic impact that may accrue from the transportation investment. It is vitally important for the success of the funding request, and for the long term viability of the project, that these planning efforts be successfully completed in a timely manner. We are therefore requesting your cooperation and offering our assistance, together with the appropriate staff from MnD©T, St. Cloud APO, Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities, and NCDA staff and consultants, to start these very important planning efforts and bring the Northstar Corridor commuter rail project one step closer to reality. For your further information, the NCDA is planning to hold a series of informational meetings in the coming month. They will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on February 29 at Fridley City Hall, March 1 at St. Cloud City Hall, and March 2 at the Sherburne County Government Center in Elk River. NCDA staff will be in touch with your staff soon. tf you have any questions, you may call Tim Yantos, Project Director, at 612/323-5692, Ken Stevens at 612/494- 3208, or David Loch at 218/568-5870. BW:sc Enclosure Sincerely, - i' ., . Betsy Wergin Chair cc: J. Patrick Cairns Northstar Corridor Development Authority Resolution 99-6 WHEREAS, the goals of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority ("NCDA") are to meet the future transportation needs of the Northstar Corridor and to develop multimodal transportation solutions to improve mobility and safety along the Corridor and between the metropolitan areas of the Twin Cities and St. Cloud; and WHEREAS, it is not the intent of the NCDA to address the transportation needs within the metropolitan areas connected by the Corridor; and WHEREAS, the NCDA has undertaken a Major Investment Study (MIS), pursuant to federal requirements, to evaluate alternative transportation investment strategies in order to best determine which transportation strategies meet the future transportation needs of the Corridor; and WHEREAS, the Major Investment Study identified five multimodal transportation investment strategies, including: 1) No-Build; 2)Transportation System Management (TSM); 3) Commuter Rail with Feeder Bus; 4) TH 10 Improvements, Commuter Rail and Feeder Bus; and 5) New River Crossings, TH 10 Improvements, Commuter Rail, Feeder Bus, Pedestrian and Bike Improvements and ITS Initiatives; and WHEREAS, the strategies have been evaluated in light of the following criteria: transit system usage, roadway system operations, safety, proximity impacts (displacements, parks, wetlands, floodplains, historic properties), air quality, energy, noise, environmental justice, land use, development form, economic development, cost and cost effectiveness; and WHEREAS, the Major Investment Study has been a comprehensive and open process, involving the communities and public over the last eighteen months. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the NCDA: 1) reaffirms its commitment to improve the safe and efficient movement of people and goods along the Corridor by selecting a comprehensive muttimodal transportation investment strategy alternative No. 5, described above; 2) urges the Twin Cities, the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation CMn/DOT') to move forward to implement the proposed Regional Transit Master Plan, to define the connections to St. Paul, and to implement the connection to the Hiawatha Corridor, so that the Northstar Corridor riders can travel efficiently throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area; and 3) urges the greater St. Cloud metropolitan area, cities and counties, the St. Cloud APO, and Mn/DOT, in concert with local elected officials ~, to similarly define the connections to and extensions to the Corridor to ensure the safe and efficient travel within and beyond the St. Cloud area. Bet y W 'r irTl, hairperCn Datg W O 50' I(X)' 200' ~i~7~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BRW Figure 2.2-10 Proposed Rice Station Site 39935.0410-1/00- I O 50' TOO' 2(~J' ~~7~~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY i BRW Figure 2.2-11 Proposed St. Cloud Downtown Station Site 39935.0410-1/00- l E Wi o so' loo' 200' ~~O~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY l BRW Figure 2.2-12 Proposed St. Cloud East Station Site 399 ~5.04 lO- 1/00-1 ~~7~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MBRW N E W~S o 5o' 200' Figure 2.2-1 3 Proposed Clear Lake Station Site 39935.0410-1/00-1 '~~~~ ~~7~i~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY [~ BRW W 0 5 o' 1 2(x)' Figure 2.2-14 Proposed Becker Station Site 399~5.0410-I/00-1 W o 50' 200' ~ff~7[~ff~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BBRW Figure 2.2-15 Proposed Big I_ake Station Site 399 ~5.0410- I/ir)O- 0 5[Y I(X]' 2(X)' ~~7~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY I~ BRW Figure 2.2-16 Proposed Elk River Station Site W~SE o 50' 200' ~ff~O~i~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY i BRW Figure 2.2-17 Proposed Ramsey Station Site 519935.0410- l/O0- I ~~Zl~Z~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.~_[~BRW.-~-~-~...~ N E 0 50' I(X)' 200' Figure 2.2-18 Proposed Anoka Station Site 39915.0410 1/00-1 This drawing is currently in the process of being revised. ~i~Z~O~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ~ BRW 50' 100' 2(X)' Figure 2.2-19 Proposed Coon Rapids (Riverdale) Station Site 39935.0410- I/OOP I E W S o so' ~' ~~0~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY J~j BRW Figure 2.2-20 Proposed Coon Rapids (Foley Blvd.) Station Site 39915,0410-I/00-1 w 0 50' 11)O' 200' i~i~~7~i~i~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY iBRW Figure 2.2-21 Proposed Fridley Slation Site 399 15.0410-2/00-1 February 2 I, 2(X)O N E 0 50' ~00' 200' ~~7~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY i BRW Figure 2.2-22 Proposed Minneapolis Northeast Station Site 39935.0410-1~0-1 W N S E o $o' 10o' 2{)0' [ffffff~~7~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY [I~ BRW Figure 2.2-23 Proposed Minneapolis Downtown Station Site 39935.04 lO- ILO0- I ~~O~ Draft Environmental Impact Statement NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY O 50' 1OO' N E Figure 2.2 Alternate Minneapolis Northeast Station Site 39935.0410-2/00- PARK AND RIDE: 564 SPACES RETENTION BA~, 9.1 ACRES DROP OFF AND RIDE: 20 SPA( BUS PARKING ( ) \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ ~ :1 400' SIDE PLA TFORMS STAIR DEVELOPMENT PARCEL DEVELOPMENT PARCEL PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS EXISTING BNSF TRACKS ELEVATOR 0 100 ~00 300 ELK RIVER S TA TION SITE March 15, 2000