99-005 RES RESOLUTION NO. 99- 5
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
STATE FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUTER
RAIL IN THE NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR
Whereas, the Northstar Corridor from Minneapolis to St. Cloud is a
transportation corridor that runs through the fastest growing area of the
state and such growth has created signi~cant transportation, safety and land
use issues; and
W~nereas, the City of Elk River is member of the NorthStar Corridor
Development Authority (NCDA), which is a 29 member, multi-jurisdictional
authority established to consider transportation alternatives and
improvements along the Northstar Corridor; and
Whereas, the NCDA has spent the last 18 months studying the
feasibility of commuter rail and developing a Major Investment Study (MIS).
The MIS is required for projects seeking federal funding and its purpose is to
build a consensus on actions to address transportation issues and meet the
transportation needs of the corridor; and
Whereas, the MIS has identified the development of the Northstar
Corridor commuter rail line from St. Cloud to Minneapolis as a viable
component to address the transportation needs of the Northstar Corridor;
and
Whereas, the development of commuter rail within the Northstar
Corridor will benefit cities, townships and counties within the corridor as
well as other nearby communities in the St. Cloud and the metro regions; and
Whereas, Congress has appropriated to the NCDA $350,000 for
federal fiscal year 1998 and $6,000,000 for federal fiscal year 1999 and in
1998 the Minnesota Legislature authorized $1,500,000 to provide the
required state/local match for the $6 million; and
Whereas, Congress must act in 1999 to appropriate $10,000,000 for
federal fiscal year 2000 and in order to remain on the Federal Transit
Authority's list for funding, the State Legislature will be required to match
future Federal funding.
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, That:
The City of Elk River strongly supports the development of the Northstar
Corridor commuter railroad extending from Minneapolis to St. Cloud and
requests the State Legislature continue authorizing the needed matching
funding so the project can be completed.
Be It Further Resolved, That:
The City of Elk River supports the Mn/DOT finding that the Northstar
Corridor should be the first commuter rail corridor to be implemented in the
State of Minnesota. However, the City of Elk River believes the termini of the
Corridor should be Minneapohs and the St. Cloud Area.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River,
Minnesota, this 19th day of. Iammr.~ 1999.
Stephanie Klinzing, Mayor
ATTEST
Sandra A. Peine, City Clerk