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7.4. SR 11-21-2005 Item# 7 . 4 . MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Scott Harlicker. Senior Planne~ DATE: November 21, 2005 SUBJECT: Northstar Corridor Update Councilmember Motin is the City's representative on the NCDA. He is scheduled to provide an update at the November 21 st Council meeting. Attached are the agenda and the packet from the NCDA meeting held on November 3rd. NCDA Meeting Agenda November 3, 2005 4:30 P.M. Anoka County Government Center th Floor, Boardroom Anoka, MN Action Requested 1. Minutes of the September 6, 2005 Meeting* Approval 2. FT A Issues: Information a) Monthly Report* b) Final Design Application Update 3. Technical Reports: a) Design Review of Commuter Rail* Discussion i) Minneapolis Station ii) Fridley Station iii) Maintenance Facility b) Design Review of the LRT Connection* Discussion c) Peer Review* Information 4. Legislative Reports: a) State Update b) Federal Update 5. Public Information Reports Update 6. Other: Next Meeting - December 1, 2005 * Documentation enclosed NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting Minutes October 6, 2005 The Northstar Corridor Development Authority met on October 6,2005, in regular session at the Sherburne County Govemment Center, Elk River, Minnesota. The following members, altemates and citizens were present: Paul McCarron, Duane Grandy, LeRoy Pauley, John Norgren, Ewald Peterson, Terry Nagorski, Woody Bissett, Jeanne Mason, Dan Lieser, Felix Schmiesing, Linda Jungwirth, Todd Rapp, Jim Barton, Paul Danielson, Dean Michalko, Peggy Aho, Ame Engstrom, Bill Schreiber, Mike Schadauer, Ken Stevens, Lona Schreiber, Jon Olson, Tim Yantos, Dan Erhart, Bruce Nawrocki, Joe Voigt, Mark Limpert, Paul Ostrow, Paul S. Motin, Tom Gamec, Scott Schulte, Carl Anderson, Lori Bartlett, Mary Richardson, Paul and Karen Gider, Carolyn Braun, Steve Apanian, Kathy Tinglestad, Mark Fuhrmam1, Ross Kramer, Jan Lucke, Jill Brown, Peg Aho and Sue Youngs 1. Duane Grandy, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. 2. A motion was made by Jeanne Mason, seconded by Tom Gamec to approve the agenda of October 6,2005, as presented, and the meeting minutes of the August 4,2005 also as presented. 3. Executive Committee Report: a) Appointment of Deputy Director of Design: Mark Fuhrmann updated the Board of the appointment of Rich Rovang as the new Deputy Director of Design for the Northstar Project. b) Northstar Commuter Bus Agreements: Amendment to Grant Agreement #87195 for Commuter Coach Bus Service: Jon Olson noted that the NCDA, at its June 2,2005 meeting, agreed to continue operations of the Northstar Commuter Bus for one year, from October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006 and also increase the fares by $0.75 per ride to/from the Elk River Station. At the July meeting, the Board also approved an additional $251,529.00 in funding for commuter bus services in the NCDA's 2006 budget to be allocated 1/3 to the NCDA, 1/3 to Anoka County and 1/3 to Sherbume County. Mr. Olson noted that federal funds are available to assist in payment of the capital lease payments, just as in past years. For 2006, $380,765.00 will be provided pursuant to a grant agreement with Mn/DOT. Additionally, the NCDA has an agreement with the Metropolitan Council for fare reimbursement. Mr. Olson noted that an amendment to the Metropolitan Council agreement is needed to reflect the new fare structure and to extend the term. Tom Gamec made a motion that NCDA authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and execute an amendment to the Grant Agreement with Mn/DOT (#87195) for federal capital lease payments for coach lease in the amount of $380,765.00 and an amendment to the agreement for Transit Convenience Fares Reimbursement with the Metropolitan Council. The motion was seconded by Paul Motin and passed unanimously on a voice vote. c) Commuter Rail Governance Legislation: Paul McCarron noted that the NCDA over the last year has been considering the issue of which public entity is the appropriate body to own and operate the Northstar Commuter Rail Project. At its December 2004 meeting, the NCDA Executive Committee adopted the four principles for commuter rail operations to guide discussion and lobbying activities in the 2005 legislative session. In accordance with the adopted principles, a bill was developed and introduced at the end of the 2005 session and will be considered during the 2006 session which would provide the Metropolitan Council the statutory authority for commuter rail serving the metropolitan area. The Executive Committee made a recommendation that the NCDA support legislation that would provide the Metropolitan Council the statutory authority for development, construction and operations of commuter rail serving the metropolitan area. Ewald Petersen made a motion that the NCDA support the commuter rail governance legislation that provides the Metropolitan Council the statutory authority for commuter rail serving the metropolitan area. The motion was seconded by Scott Schulte and passed on a voice vote with Mark Limpert voting nay. Real Estate Acquisition Issues: Jon Olson noted that the Project Management Team has revised the real estate acquisition process chart based on direction received from the Federal Transit Administration. The new process has the NCDA conducting property appraisals and MnlDOT acquiring properties on behalf of the Project. There are currently 21 properties identified that need to be acquired. Additional easements and partial takings may be identified during the design process. FTA requires that NCDA hire two independent appraisers (an entity that does not have an interest in the project), one to conduct the appraisals and a second to review the appraisals. This work is included in the NCDA 2005 work plan and budget under the line item relating to real estate acquisition. The work would need to be performed between December 1, 2005 and December 31,2006. t d) The Executive Committee recommended that the NCDA authorize release of an RFP for real estate appraisal services. The anticipated RFP schedule is: Issue RFP - October 17, 2005 ; Pre-Proposal Conference - October 27, 2005; Questions Due - November 3,2005; Proposals Due - November 11, 2005; Interviews - November 17,2005; Selection of Appraisers - December 1,2005. The evaluation team will include: Tim Yantos, Colleen Herrmann, Jon Olson, Mike Kelly, Axel Ridell, Ia Xiong and J an Lucke. Jeanne Mason asked if properties that need to be acquired are private or commercial. Mr. Olson noted that most properties are not developed and that none have any houses located on them. Kathy Tinglestad asked what percentage of the $265 million project cost of the Project will be used for property acquisition. Mary Richardson noted that real estate acquisition is budgeted for $8.5 million, or 3.2% of the total Project costs. Scott Schulte made a motion that the NCDA authorize the release of an RFP for real estate appraisal services as recommended. The motion was seconded by Tom Gamec and passed unanimously on a voice vote. 2 4. FT A Issues: a) Monthly Report: Mark Fuhrmann reviewed the August 2005 and September 2005 Monthly Reports that were submitted to the FT A. b) Final Design Application Update: Mark Fuhrmann noted that NPO staff continued to work with FT A and the Project Management Oversight Consultant (PMOC) on revising materials needed to gain a "Recommended" rating and approval for entry into final design. 5. NOlihstar Project Visualization: Ken Stevens narrated a visualization of the Northstar Commuter Rail project. Joe Voigt asked if the production would be available to NCDA members for presenting to others. Mr. Stevens noted yes. 6. Technical Reports: a) Advanced and Final Design of Commuter Rail: Ken Stevens gave an update on the overview status of the advanced and final design of the commuter rail portion of the Project. He noted that there is a neighborhood meeting scheduled for October 24 at the Coon Rapids City Hall regarding the Coon Rapids station design and encouraged the participation ofNCDA members especially the local elected officials from the Coon Rapids area. i) Station Platform Layouts: Paul Danielson gave a PowerPoint presentation on the station platform layouts for the Coon Rapids and Elk River stations. ii) Environmental Assessment Process/Community Meetings: Ken Stevens noted that parts of the environmental assessment had changed because of changes to station and maintenance facility locations since the environmental clearance was received. Need to do further environmental assessments because of these changes. Meetings will be scheduled in November/December. iii) ADA Update: Ken Stevens noted that the biggest issue with the FT A is the min-high platforms that the Project has in their design. Discussions are continuing. c) Advanced and Final Design ofLRT Connection: Steve Apanian noted that vendors of locomotives made presentations to the NPO staff, L TK staff, MnlDOT staff and Metropolitan Council staff. The presentations dealt with refurbished locomotives. LTK is developing a report and life cycle cost analysis, based on information received at the meetings. Staff will bring a recommendation to the NCDA at its December meeting whether to purchase new or refurbished locomotives. 7. Legislative Reports: a) State: Bill Schreiber distributed an update from the Transportation Alliance and a PowerPoint presentation from the Association of Minnesota Counties on a proposed constitutional amendment to dedicate the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation purposes. b) Federal: Jon Olson provided a brief an update on the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA- LU). Commissioner Erhardt and Tim Yantos noted that NCDA officials and 3 .. J '" Agenda Item #2a NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR RAIL PROJECT Monthly Report October 2005 ~. .......IIDBrHSrJUI COII.UrERRAIL Minnesota Department of Transportation in Cooperation with the Northstar Corridor Development Authority and the Metropolitan Council Northstar Project Office 155 Fifth Avenue South Suite 755 Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-215-8200 t .. The Northstar Corridor Rail Project "' VA Mcdicd DOWllIOll'll SI.QO!ld Genler ~ !\\fIe 't....a, c""ul"."~""",,~.,,. St. C[oud.',.~ Phase 2 (proposed Future Route) Phase 1 (2004 Minnesota Bonding Request) .",""" '," ,~',::" '.'., ' ~ ,':,' '_" ':" ',""', ,'c: ,,~,;,. "', '~' "''"''\ lDmtoll,51.Pall! " ",,(I\iillltlb~) j ~lH*~l:-~-r\ eapolis ,~'~ ,~ /~V~C$l (-~..'U;:"~'~ . eapolis/St. Paul " IlpWWoIil .) .': International Airport )WJ or Armlkt Monthly Report October 2005 -2- Northstar Corridor Rail Project I. Introduction The proposed Northstar Corridor Rail Project (Project) will provide commuter rail service along a 40-mile corridor from downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake, Minnesota parallel to Trunk Highways 47 and 10. It will use existing rail tracks owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) and include 6 stations. The commuter line is expected to carry 5,600 passengers per day by . the year 2025. The rail line will have inter-modal connections to bus transit and to the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. The Northstar connection to LRT consists of a four-block extension on the north end of the Hiawatha LRT to reach the downtown Minneapolis commuter rail station. With the exception of the downtown Minneapolis station, all of the stations will have park and ride facilities. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), the grantee, is working closely with its partners, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) and the Metropolitan Council, to deliver the Northstar Project. The Northstar Project Office (NPO) was established with staff from each partnering agency to oversee the implementation of the Project. Since the last written report to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), dated September 2005, the following occurred and are described in this report: . NPO staff continue working with FTA and the Project Management Oversight Consultant (PMOC) on revising materials needed to gain a "Recommended" rating and approval for entry into final design . NPO staff continue working with the PMOC so FTA can assess if the Project is ready for the Risk Assessment . Property acquisition is now the responsibility of Mn/DOT . BNSF Construction and Operating Agreement discussions continue . NPO staff are working with BNSF on track and signal design improvements . Monthly staff meetings with BNSF Engineering and Operations staff have been initiated · Monthly Fire Life Safety Committee Meetings have been initiated . Mn/DOT and NCDA responded to FT A's draft procurement system review report . Marsh USA, Inc. is conducting an insurance risk assessment . Northstar public information efforts continue . NPO Staff are preparing for upcoming Peer Review Monthly Report October 2005 -3- Northslar Corridor Rail Project ~' II. Project Milestones The following table lists the major milestones in the development and ongoing implementation of the Northstar project. Note that while a date of May 2006 is shown for entry into Final Design as suggested by FT A, project partners request FTA's continued efforts to achieve that milestone as soon as possible. Northstar Pro'ect Milestones Date March 2000 June 2000 October 2000 Janua 2001 March 2002 December 2002 April 2005 Ma 2006 May 2006 Jul 2006 October 2006 S rin 2007 Earl 2009 Activit Major Investment Study completed-Commuter rail recommended FT A a roved ent into Prelimina En ineerin Draft Environmental 1m act Statement DEIS ublished Su lementallnformation to the DE IS ublished Final Environmental 1m act Statement ublished FT A issued Record of Decision Minnesota Legislature commits $37.5 million in bonding for Northstar FT A a roves ent into Final Desi n Minnesota Legislature commits remaining state funding for Northstar FTA issues Letter of No Pre'udice enablin utilit relocation FT A enters into Full Fundin Grant A reement for Northstar Construction be ins Revenue service be ins III. Project Finances Project Budget The following table lists the existing Northstar Project budget by FTA Standard Cost Category: Monthly Report October 2005 -4- Northstar Corridor Rail Project Northstar Project Budget No. CateQory Amount (YOE $) 10 Guideway & Track Elements $44,643,700 20 Stations, Stops, Terminals, Intermodal $15,135,200 30 Support Facilities: Yards, Shops, Admin. Bldgs $23,082,800 40 Sitework & Special Conditions $15,830,200 50 Systems $41,754,300 Construction Subtotal (Categories 10-50) $140,446,300 60 ROW, Land, Existing Improvements $8,417,800 70 Vehicles $71,082,200 80 Professional Services $35,410,300 90 Unallocated Contingency $8,480,500 Subtotal (Categories 10-90) $263,837,200 100 Finance CharQes $1,258,100 C=ITotal Project Cost I $265,095,2001 The capital cost estimate and budget were revised in late August when unit prices, formerly from year 2001, were updated to year 2005. This, combined with other changes to the project and methods of allocating items to standard cost categories, resulted in a slightly different cost estimate. A new cost estimate for all elements except BNSF track and signals will be available in late November at the conclusion of 60% design work. Funding Sources The Northstar Project has received funding or funding commitments from the FT A, State of Minnesota, Metropolitan Council, and the NCDA. The NCDA member counties have passed resolutions committing their full share of the Northstar Project. Their commitment to date totals approximately $44 million or $26 million in addition to that shown below. The following table summarizes the sources of funding to date for the Northstar Project, including federal appropriations to date: Monthly Report October 2005 -5- Northstar Corridor Rail Project Northstar Proiect Fundin ~ Sources to Date Source Federal State Met Council l<'I"nA 1998 Twin Cities Transitway Projects $ 350,000 $ 87,500 Section 5309 (Grant MN-03-0056) 1999 STP Grant Section 5307 (MN-90 $ 1,780,000 $ 445,000 X110) I=or to Preliminary $ 2,130,000 $ 445,000 $ - $ 87,500 rinq 1999 STP Grant Section 5307 (MN-90 $ 2,219,981 $ 555,000 X110) 1999 STP Grant Section 5307 (MN-90 $ 2,000,000 $ 500,000 X138) 2000 CMAQ Grant Section 5307 $ 960,000 $ 69,885 $ 170,115 (Amendment to MN-90-X138) 2000 & 2001 Twin Cities Transitway $ 4,346,669 $ 1,086,667 Projects Section 5309 (MN-03-0088) 2002 New Starts Section 5309 (MN- $ 9,900,131 $ 2,475,033 03-0111 ) NCDA -- Advanced & Final Design $ 10,000,000 NCDA (Hennepin County) -- LRV $ 6,300,000 Procurement 2003 New Starts Section 5309 (no $ 4,917,912 grant yet) 2004 New Starts Section 5309 (no $ 5,659,028 grant yet) 2005 New Starts Section 5309 (no $ 4,960,000 grant yet) 2005 Minnesota Bonding $ 37,500,000 Total Applying to FFGA $ 34,963,721 $ 38,624,885 $ 2,475,033 $ 17,556,782 The NCDA member counties have passed resolutions committing their full share of the Northstar project. Their commitment to date totals approximately $44 million or about $26 million more than the $17.8 million shown above. Project Obligations The following table lists the contracts and obligations that have been incurred by the Northstar project, including the amount expended to date. All funds expended to date have been for professional services. Monthly Report October 2005 -6- Northstar Corridor Rail Project , . I Northstar Project Obligations and Expenses I P u roose Contractor Obligated Expended Balance Total orior to Preliminarv EnoineerinQ $ 2,660,000.00 $ 2,660,000.00 $ 0.00 Total for Preliminary Engineering through 2001 $ 5,797,179.41 $ 5.797,179.41 $ 0.00 Advanced Preliminary Engineering Kimlev Horn & Assoc $ 428,900.00 $ 341,522.64 $ 87,377.36 Proiect Manaaement Kenneth Stevens $ 300,000.00 $ 174,619.73 $ 125,380.27 Pro'ect Manaaement Richardson, Richter & Associates $ 669,000.00 $ 308,788.66 $ 360,211.34 Pro 'ect Manaaement Loch & Associates $ 50,000.00 $ 2,123.05 $ 47,876.95 Pro 'eet Manaaement MnlDOT (under MN-03-0088) $ 248,569.00 $ 248,569.00 $ Pro 'ect Manaqement MnlDOT (under MN-03-0111) $ 320,000.00 $ 51,234.76 $ 268,765.24 Le(al Minnesota Attornev Generals $ 572.00 Host Railroad Neqotiations Greene-Esoel $ 400,000.00 $ 45,172.94 $ 354,827.06 Tech Suooort for Railroad Neaotiations Mainline Manaoement $ 158,000.00 $ 79,297.14 $ 78,702.86 Public Information Northwoods Advertisinq $ 245,285.00 $ - $ 245,285.00 Station and Maintenance Facility Advanced & Final Design Kimlev Horn & Assoc $ 4,173,632.00 $ 1,651,324.67 $ 2,522,307.33 LRT Advanced & Final Design & Commuter Rail Oversight L TK Enoineerino $ 3,098,927.00 $ 804,890.31 $ 2,294,036.69 Lioht Rail Vehicle Procurement Bombardier $ 6,300,000.00 $ - $ 6,300,000.00 Advanced & Final Design of Track & Signallmorovements BNSF $ 1,112,188.00 $ - $ 1,112,188.00 :Ii 1:Ii l:I,:>U:>,~l:I4.;)1 :i> .10 Based on invoices received by Mn/DOT to date. IV. New Starts Criteria and Request to Enter Final Design The NPO request for a change in overall rating from "Not Recommended" to "Recommended" and the draft request to enter final design were submitted to FT A in July. On July 14, NPO staff visited the FT A Region V office to discuss the next steps. The NPO has worked closely with the FT A and Project Management Oversight Consultant (PMOC) since then to ensure FTA has sufficient data to make their decisions. FT A has provided comments on many elements of the submittal and the NPO has provided or will provide responses. A matrix summarizing the exchange of information associated with the requests follows in Table IV-A. Several activities to review the project must be completed before FTA will approve the project's entry into final design. Table IV-B lists a draft schedule of those activities, It is a revision to the schedule provided in earlier reports based on discussions with FT A and the Project Management Oversight Consultant. It is organized by the activities necessary for the Northstar project to gain approval to enter the final design phase. Both Table IV-A and IV-B portray a scenario in which the project gains approval to enter final design in May 2006. Project partners share a common desire to gain approval earlier and ask FT A's continued effort to accelerate this schedule. Level boarding was discussed at the July 14 meeting, The NPO staff described BNSF's clearance requirements and the conclusion that mini-high block platforms appear to be a logical solution to providing level boarding for disabled passengers. FT A reviewed the Project data submitted in response to FT A's level boarding questions and provided written guidance describing level boarding. The solution to this issue requires a resolution between BNSF Monthly Report -7- Northstar Corridor Rail Project October 2005 railroad clearance requirements, FT A level boarding guidance, and project cost constraints. The NPO has requested to meet with FTA staff knowledgeable about the level boarding issue the week of November 14, 2005 to discuss the options available. The NPO will provide a paper summarizing the options and selected strategy by the end of November 2005. FT A and Project staff also discussed environmental documentation of project changes. FTA's Planning and Environment Office in Washington requested a letter summarizing the Project's changes so that FT A can determine if the associated environmental documentation and record of decision amendment must be completed before approval can be granted to enter final design. That letter was sent to FT A on August 5, 2005 and a follow-up response to a request for more detailed information was sent September 2,2005. NPO suggested that these changes could be documented through the categorical exclusion process. In a phone conversation on September 7, 2005 Rhonda Reed of FTA's Region V office informed NPO staff that FTA will require an Environmental Assessment based on the project's high public profile, uncertainty about environmental issues surrounding BNSF's third main line from Interstate to Coon Creek, and project changes in the central business district of a major metropolitan area. NPO sent a request on September 23, 2005 for the FT A to evaluate if a leased trail being relocated as part of the third main line work would be a 4(f) impact. William Wheeler of the FT A responded on October 12, 2005 stating that a detailed 4(f) analysis is necessary. NPO is working on a draft of the Environmental Assessment including the 4(f) analysis of the trail. This will be completed and sent to FT A for review in November if information on the third main line is available as scheduled. Monthly Report October 2005 -8- Northstar Corridor Rail Project Table IV-A Matrix of Documents for Re-RatinQ and Entrv into Final DesiQn Deliverable Status NEPA DEIS Approved October 2000 Supplement to DEIS Approved January 2001 FEIS Approved March 2002 Record of Decision Issued December 2002 Letter describing project changes Submitted 08/05/2005. FT A requested chart giving more detail. Chart describing project changes Submitted 09/02/2005. FT A subsequently said an Environmental Assessment is necessary. Environmental Assessment Planned for November 2005 Draft request for FONSI/revised ROD Planned for March 2006 Final request for FONSI/revised ROD Planned for March 2006 Revised ROD Planned for Amil 2006 Final Desian Aoolication Draft FD Application Cover Letter E-mailed 07/11/2005, Submitted 07/14/2005 Project Reoorts Project Management Plan Submitted 03/31/2005. FTA comments received 09/01/2005. Revisions submitted 09/30/2005 Value Engineering Report Submitted OS/24/2005. PMOC submitted favorable comments to FT A 06/30/2005. Financial Plan Submitted 07/14/2005. FTA's financial consultant requested several clarifications. All are addressed. Request to Enter Final Design- Submitted 07/14/2005. FTA comments on Make the Includes make the case narrative, Case and New Starts criteria received 08/23/2005. project summary, project schedule, Revisions submitted 09/11/2005. Risk Assessment New Starts criteria, travel forecasts, team requested revised construction cost estimates Summit results, cost estimates based on current base costs. Submitted these 08/29/2005 and revised SCC worksheets on 09/02/2005. Quality Plan E-mailed 07/11/2005. Submitted 07/14/2005. FT A comments received 09/01/2005. Revisions 09/30/2005. Real Estate Plan E-mailed 07/11/2005. Submitted 07/14/2005. FTA comments received 09/01/2005. Revisions 09/30/2005. Commuter Rail Fleet Management E-mailed 07/11/2005. Submitted 07/14/2005. FTA Plan comments received 09/01/2005. Revisions 09/30/2005. Before and After Study Plan E-mailed 07/11/2005. Submitted 07/14/2005. FTA comments received 09/12/2005. Revisions planned for 10/28/2005. Level Soardina Cover Letter and Response to FT A's E-mailed 07/11/2005. Submitted 07/14/2005. Request for Information on Level FTAlPMOC provided written guidance on 09/07/2005. BoardinQ Issues Meetinq with FT A on level boardina Requested bv NPO for week of 11/14/2005 Paper summarizing level boarding Planned for end of November 2005 options and identifvina strateqy Project Agreements Inter-agency Cooperation Submitted 06/30/2005 Agreement-Mn/DOT, Metro Transit, NCDA BNSF Desian Aareement E-mailed 07/11/2005, Submitted 07/14/2005 Other Letter requesting FT A to raise value Submitted 07/14/2005 thresholds for local property acquisition decisions Monthly Report October 2005 -9- Northstar Corridor Rail Project Table IV-B Revised Draft Schedule for Northstar Entrv into Final Design Activity Completion NPO submitted the draft request to enter final desiqn 07/14/2005 Teleconference on draft request to enter final desiqn 08/30/2005 New Starts Criteria FT A inconsistency comments on New Starts criteria 08/23/2005 NPO response to inconsistency comments 09/09/2005 Management Plans NPO submitted Proiect Manaqement Plan 03/31/2005 NPO submitted Before & After Study Plan, Commuter Rail Fleet 07/14/2005 Manaaement Plan, Quality Assurance Plan, and Real Estate Plan FT A provided comments on Project Management Plan, Commuter Rail Fleet Management Plan, Quality Assurance Plan, and Real 09/01/2005 Estate Plan FT A provided comments on Before & After Study Plan 09/12/2005 NPO provided revisions of Project Management Plan, Commuter Rail Fleet Management Plan, Quality Assurance Plan, and Real 09/30/2005 Estate Plan Procurement System Review FT A draft report 07/27/2005 Mn/DOT and NCDA resoonse 08/30/2005 FT A final report TBD Risk Assessment Preliminary review of documents 08/03/2005 On-site document review 08/9-11/2005 Readiness assessment 09/8-9/2005 PMOC comoletes Scooe, Schedule, and Cost report 09/15/2005 Cost estimatinq workshop 10/5-6/2005 FT A decision on oroceedinq Nov2005 2-day risk assessment workshop (tentatively) Dec 2005 PMOC comoletes Unmitiqated Scenario Report TBD Mitiqation workshoo TBD NPO produces Risk Mitigation Plan TBD PMOC comoletes Mitiaated Scenario Report TBD Technical Capacitv and Capabilitv Study Kick-off meetinq and interviews 09/26-28/05 Second round of interviews 11/1-3/2005 PMOC produces draft TCC report -11/22/2005 NPO produces resoonse -12/15/2005 PMOC produces final Tee report -12/22/2005 Environmental Record of Decision NPO sent letter describing environmental issues to FT A 08/05/2005 NPO sent more detailed environmental information 09/02/2005 FT A verbally requested Environmental Assessment (EA) to 09/07/2005 document proiect chanqes Submit EA to Mn/DOT, FTA, and NPO for review (depends on Nov 2005 availabilitv of information on BNSF 3rd main line) 30-dav review bv aqencies (FTA indicated this could take 60 days) Jan 2006 Publish EA Jan 2006 Monthly Report October 2005 -10- Northstar Corridor Rail Project 45-day public review completed (public hearing held between ublishin and now, 30-da review assumes no 4 f im acts Submit request for Finding of No Significant ImpacVrevised ROD to FTA Final re uest for FONSI/revised ROD FT A issues revised ROD Final Design Decision FT A recommendation, start of 30-da FT A a roval to enter final desi n Feb 2006 March 2006 March 2006 A ril 2006 V. Risk Assessment A team led by representatives of the new PMOC from Jacobs Civil visited the NPO on August 2 and 3 to review project documentation. The team returned August 9 through 11 for an on-site document review and corridor tour and September 8 and 9 for a readiness assessment. A cost estimating workshop was held October 5 and 6, 2005. The FTA and PMOC expressed concerns regarding the BNSF negotiations agreement, level boarding, and the cost of inflation (including that due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita). At that time, FTA concluded that it would wait for the majority of the 60% design and associated cost estimates to be produced in November before deciding whether to move into a formal risk assessment. To be prepared, a two day risk assessment workshop is tentatively planned for December 2005. VI. Technical Capacity and Capability Review The FTA and PMOC kicked off the Technical Capacity and Capability (TCC) review September 26-28,2005. NPO presented three notable changes to the project's organization: · Bob McFarlin, Assistant to the Mn/DOT Commissioner, was inserted near the top of the organization chart · Pat Hughes, Mn/DOT Metro District Engineer, was made chair of the Project Advisory Committee, replacing Ken Stevens · Mn/DOT Metro R/W was placed in charge of property acquisition rather than the Counties, with la Xiong the primary contact PMOC interviewed much of the NPO staff. PMOC will return November 1-3, 2005 for the second round of the TCC review. Monthly Report October 2005 -11- Northstar Corridor Rail Project VII. Property Acquisition The NPO submitted a revised Real Estate Plan to FTA in late September 2005 in response to FT A's comments on the Real Estate Plan submitted in July 2005. This hew plan shifts the respbnsibility of property acquisition to the Mn/DOT. Mn/DOT will acquire and hold titles for properties needed for the NorthstarProject. The Northstar Corridor Development Authority will procure real estate appraisal services for the project. A request for proposals for real estate appraisal services will be released on October 17, 2005. Attached is an updated summary of the acquisitions and temporary easements needed for the Northstar Project. Please note that there are 20 parcel acquisitions representing six owners and six temporary easements representing sixowners that are needed for the Northstar Project. Monthly Report October 2005 -12- Northstar Corridor Rail Project or. 9 ~~ oe' :2 0... <l.l ==-; "''0 cG <l.l .....c: o OJ 'Ot/l .... ,::; -= 0 o .- u.-=: L-. .:!? '" :: - cr ;!l OJ "t-< 0- :z 1; ~ 0... . " . ". 1 ~~ ~ ~ 0- u . . " o ~ 1) u . > ~ .~ 1 0: l " " : 11 o I- ~ .~ " . " ~ q " ! .~ . 1l -g 2 ! 1;; .!l & Cl" .1 'i ~& c :~ II 'S .~~ x x ;< x ~.( x 8'"0:; " 0- .. 8. .l! ~ ~ ~ -< c -0 ... "0 u ~. II ~ Iii I I .. 'i:i ~< ~~ x >: ~I- ! . > : 'i5 8: '" ~w c5 . . ::> i u ~ ~ ~ ,~j -< ...( . ! c . . 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" " a OJ I- " OJ ,. ~ '" :3 m o ~ :3 m o :g "- E g > "- I '" ;; ~ ~ ~ ~ "- " 'f. ~ fa '" :; >- " " " a '- 0. :3 o . ;; ~ in 15 . " ';; .. o .. " r':j " m z z "0 " ;; z I lj) -.n ifj Z '" "' ~ ~ ~:.. ~ ':.0 '"" g r., c", ~ I ~-. '" ,::; .g '" </5 ... v > 02 Gj '0 <= '" '" -'" ~ ... '2 '0 ~ '" g v 2 ;l) ;; en 2 ~ '" '" c .~ :~ ~ ;:-. I i ~j z ti OJ '0' n: '(ij a: (; ~ .... o () .... CO en ..c t:: o Z M ,.... , t:: Ot!) 0.0 OJo CI:C\J >,.... -OJ .!::..o - 0 c_ O () ~o VIII. Advanced Design Advanced design is underway, with the assistance of two teams of consultants. A team led by Kimley-Horn and Associates (KHA) is responsible for the six commuter rail stations and the maintenance facility including the central control facility. A team led by L TK Engineering (L TK) is responsible for the LRT Connection and providing technical support for KHA's work on the commuter rail stations and maintenance facility. The entire project design team meets on a weekly basis. Project staff and consultants are evaluating several major issues including level boarding in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and development of an Environmental Assessment covering project modifications. Project staff and consultants continue to meet with city staff and elected officials to keep each city informed about progress on station design, building codes and permit processes to ensure full understanding of expectations and plans. Staff presented the Coon Rapids station design at a Coon Rapids City Council work session on September 27. The Council expressed approval of the design and agreed that a public meeting for adjacent residents and business would be appropriate. The public meeting is scheduled for October 24 at the Coon Rapids City Hall. Staff also met with the City of Anoka. The City has committed to a parking structure and pedestrian overpass at the Anoka station and recognized their obligations to pay for any design changes that should arise if they change their plans. The NPO is working on an agreement with Anoka to document this commitment. Project staff and consultants also meet as-needed with the City of Minneapolis, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) on design issues of the LRT Connection and inter-modal station. A meeting was held with the SHPO to review the inter- modal station design on September 28. The SHPO comments were generally favorable. A similar meeting with HPC was held October 13. Platform canopy design was the key issue. NPO staff are reviewing HPC staff suggestions. NPO staff are working with BNSF on the design of track and signal improvements. Much of the week of September 12-16 was spent in field visits and meetings with BNSF and their design team to provide information to keep design moving quickly. Initial efforts are concentrating on preliminary design of improvements that were not covered in the earlier preliminary engineering effort. The meetings also included reviews of all grade crossings in the corridor, and discussion of the interface points between commuter rail and BNSF infrastructure such as the connection between the maintenance facility and the BNSF mainline. Monthly Report October 2005 -14- Northstar Corridor Rail Project Monthly staff meetings with BNSF Engineering and Operations staff, TKDA, the BNSF design consultant, and Kimley-Horn have been initiated. The first meeting was held at BNSF on September 29. Additional interim meetings have been scheduled to review utility locations on BNSF right of way and to begin work on a construction phasing plan. Consultants are proceeding with the design of the Inter-modal Station. This includes the LRT Platform and the Core Building. The Core Building houses the elevator, stairway, escalators, equipment rooms, operator break room, mechanical/electrical rooms, etc. The LRT design consultants are working toward a 60% design package. This entails careful coordination with the overhead catenary system designers, traffic signal engineers, architects, electric and communication systems engineers, civil, and track engineers. In addition, there is also strong cooperation between the L TK team designing the LRT platform and Core Building and the KHA team designing the commuter rail platform at the Inter-modal Station. An initial Fire Life Safety Committee (FLSC) meeting was held October 14. These meetings will be held monthly with the next meeting scheduled for October 20. Metro Transit staff, Mn/DOT staff, city and county representatives, and police and fire organizations along the alignment attend these meetings. A sub- committee was established to develop an emergency response plan for the BNSF agreements. Work began on the technical specifications for the coaches and cab cars. The specifications are being generated around a standard multi-level coach. A draft performance specification is circulating for staff review and comment. Work has begun on the technical specifications for the procurement of diesel locomotives. Five Locomotive remanufacturers presented information regarding their company history, products and pricing to NPO and Metro Transit staff on September 19 and 20. Findings were presented to the NCDA Board on October 6. IX. BNSF Negotiations On September 16, 2005, the Northstar negotiating team met with BNSF representatives in Chicago to discuss the central issues of risk, liability, indemnification and insurance. Northstar representatives included Cliff Greene, lead negotiator, Phil Walljasper, Met Council Risk Manager and Mary Richardson, NPO Deputy Director of Legal and Intergovernmental Affairs. BNSF representatives included Rick Weicher, BNSF lead negotiator and three attorneys from the commercial, real estate and liability/claims management departments. The focus of the discussion was BNSF's expectations regarding the allocation of risk, claims management, insurance requirements and the indemnification clauses typically required in commuter rail agreements. In addition, the group discussed issues relating to ADA, signal design and the environmental process. Monthly Report October 2005 -15- In preparation for the next session, the Northstar legal and risk management team are analyzing legal issues arising out of Minnesota law, as well as the insurance and other risk management options for addressing BNSF's concerns. At the next session, the team will focus on the structure of the operating agreement and associated tax and business forms. X. Twins Baseball Stadium and Inter-modal Station Design Coordination The Minnesota Twins and Hennepin County have agreed to a funding plan for a new baseball stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The stadium site sits adjacent to the inter-modal station connecting Northstar commuter rail and the Hiawatha LRT Connection. The plan for the $478 million facility will include private funding from Twins owner Carl Pohlad and public money from the county in the form of a 0.15% sales tax. The Minnesota Legislature must approve any county invoking a sales tax. The Legislature did not do so during the regular 2005 session nor in the special session that ended July 13. Governor Pawlenty may call for another special session to address stadiums and other issues this fall. The property owners of the Twins ballpark site have teamed with Hines developers and announced plans for a major transit oriented development either with or without the ballpark. Stated plans include 1 ,000 residential units with a ballpark or a mixed-use development including 3,000 residential units without a ballpark. The property owners cite the inter-modal access afforded by Northstar and Hiawatha as key elements in their development plans. Stadium and Northstar representatives have agreed on a line demarking the interface between Northstar and the stadium to enable design to proceed for both projects. XI. Procurement System Review The FT A conducted a procurement system review of Mn/DOT and the Metropolitan Council, including the Northstar and Hiawatha Projects. Staff from Leon Sneed and Associates arrived June 6 and departed June 24. The review team also visited Anoka County to interview NCDA procurement personnel and view NCDA procured contracts. Mn/DOT received the review team's draft report on July 29, 2005. It described shortcomings they found in the overall procurement processes of each organization as well as shortcomings within specific contract files. Mn/DOT and NCDA responded to the draft report on August 30, 2005 and await FT A's final report. At FTA's request, NPO staff will also be responding to each of the deficiencies in NCDA-procured contracts noted by the FT A's review team. This response will be delivered to FT A by the end of November 2005. Monthly Report October 2005 -16- . . XII. Risk Management The work of the Risk Management Team has focused on supporting the BNSF negotiations and on preparing a risk assessment on the Northstar project. The purpose of the risk assessment is to identify key business risks, to assist in ranking risk issues, and to enhance Northstar's approach to controlling, reducing or eliminating risk. The objective is to fully understand and employ appropriate risk management or risk transfer mechanisms for the design, construction and operation of Northstar. During the last several weeks, Marsh personnel have conducted interviews of key NPO project management staff and have toured the corridor. The risk assessment will be completed in early November. XIII. Land Use There was no land use activity since the September report. XIV. Community Involvement The following public meetings, events, and presentations have occurred since the September 2005 Northstar report: Date( s) Audience Sept 25-27,2005 APT A Conference in Utah Sept 21,2005 Transportation Advisory Board (30 elected and appointed officials serving on the advisory board for the Metropolitan Council) Sept26,2005 Mn/DOT Graduate Engineers Sept 28, 2005 Mn/DOT ROW Professional's Workshop in Brainerd, MN Oct 6, 2005 NCDA Board Meeting, Anoka I I Oct 11, 2005 Making Your Voice Heard (project overview to people from a variety of nonprofit and qovernment sector aqencies) XIV. Next Steps Project staff will work with FT A to revise material and provide information as needed for FT A to change the project's rating from "Not Recommended" to "Recommended" and to approve entry into the final design phase. Project staff will communicate with FT A Region V and headquarters staff and PMOC throughout the review process to ensure timely project responses and progress. Project staff are looking forward to the second round of the Technical Capacity and Capability Study in early November and FT A approving the start of the Risk Assessment so it may commence in December. NPO staff are working with BNSF on the design of track and signal improvements. Much of the week of September 12-16 was spent in field visits Monthly Report -17- October 2005 : .., and meetings with BNSF and their design team to provide information to keep design moving quickly. Initial efforts are concentrating on preliminary design of improvements that were not covered in the earlier preliminary engineering effort. NPO staff are beginning preparation of an Environmental Assessment for project changes since the ROD was issued in 2002. Initial work will concentrate on the known project changes and they will incorporate information about the third BNSF main line from Interstate to Coon Creek as soon as it is available. The goal is to have the environmental process complete, including a revision of the Record of Decision, by early January 2006. Project staff continue to work closely with station cities and counties on design issues. NPO staff are working through APTA to conduct a peer review, scheduled for October 25-27. Managers from Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and Toronto commuter rail systems will provide their input on the Northstar project. NPO will also use this opportunity to begin identifying project risks and potential mitigation measures in anticipation of the Risk Assessment. Monthly Report October 2005 -18- Agenda Item #3a&b @@[2[20@@[2 MEMORANDUM Date: October 28, 2005 To: NCDA From: Project Management Team Subject: Technical Reports: Design Review of Commuter Rail and LRT Connection The Advanced Design of the Minneapolis and Fridley stations have been submitted for review by NCDA, Mn/DOT and Metro Transit. Following review and comment, the design plans will be revised as appropriate and submitted to the station cities for their review and comment. The Maintenance Facility Advanced Design is also submitted for review and comment. That design will also be revised to reflect comments as appropriate and submitted to the City of Big Lake for their review and comment. The 60 percent design package for the LRT Connection is currently being reviewed and discussed with Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis as well as Mn/DOT and Metro Transit staff. The LRT Connection and Minneapolis Intermodal station plans are also being reviewed by the State of Minnesota Historic Preservation Officer and the City of Minneapolis Historic Preservation Commission for design compatibility with the historic Minneapolis Warehouse District. The Advanced Designs for Minneapolis, Fridley, Maintenance Facility, and the LRT Connection will be reviewed with the NCDA Board at the November 3 Board meeting. Since Elk River and Coon Rapids stations have been previously reviewed, it remains for the Big Lake and Anoka stations to be reviewed at the December Board meeting. Please note that design changes developed during subsequent station reviews are incorporated within prior station designs as appropriate. Action Requested: Discussion. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3 Avenue. Anoka. :vlinnesota 553W-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763.1 323-561.;2 w\\w.northstanrainorg @@[ff3[i3D[g)@[ff3 NCDA Agenda Item #3c MEMORANDUM DATE: October 28, 2005 TO: Northstar Corridor Development Authority FROM: Staff RE: Peer Review At its July 2005 meeting, the NCDA authorized the Chair to negotiate a contract with the American Public Transportation Association (APT A) to coordinate a peer review of the Northstar Project for an amount not to exceed $4,500. In addition, the NCDA authorized the Chair to reimburse peer review panel participants for travel and lodging expenses (with proper receipt/documentation) incurred as part of the review process. Peer review is recommended by the Federal Transit Administration as part of the final design phase of project development. The concept of peer review is to assist a new project in addressing issues through discussion with experts within the transit industry. The peer review of the Northstar Project took place on October 25 - 27, 2005. The following experts participated in the peer review: . Martin Minkoff, Director of Transportation Services, Sound Transit, Seattle . Dennis Mogan, Chief Safety and Rules Officer, Metra, Chicago . Gregory Percy, Director of Rail Services, GO Transit, Toronto . Kathryn Waters, Vice President of Commuter Rail and Railroad Management, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Dallas . Fran Hooper, APT A The attached agenda summarizes the subjects that were discussed during the 2 12 day peer review. Over thirty staff from the Northstar Project Office (NPO), including NCDA, Metropolitan Council, and Mn/DOT staff, as well as technical consultants, attended the peer review. The NPO received several suggestions from the peer review panel that warrant further inquiry. APT A is in the process of preparing a final report on the findings of the peer review. The Northstar Project Management Team will be analyzing each recommendation and will report back to the NCDA at the December meeting. Action Requested: Information. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 21003 . Avenue. Anoka. Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 323-56K2 \\ww.northstartrain.uri,!