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4.2. SR 12-16-2002City 13065 0r0n0 Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 'MEMORANDUM Item# /[.2. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor and City Council Scott Harlicker, Senior Planne~'A'~ December 16, 2002 Northstar Corridor Update At the NCDA meeting held on December 5th the Authority discussed Metro Transitways and their position on various transportation issues. The Authority received an update on what is being done regarding public relations and on the new committee chairs in the house and senate. Phone: 763.441.7420 Fax: 763.441.7425 www. ci.elk-river, rnn.us NCDA Agenda December 5, 2002 4:30 p.m. Sherburne County Government Center Elk River, MN Action Requested Minutes of the November 7, 2002 NCDA Meeting (attached) Metro Transitways Development Board's 2003 Legislative Proposal: Minnesota Rides (attached) Preparation for 2003 Legislative Session a. Meetings with Leadership b. Other Activities Public Information Update: Report by Himle Horner Recognition of Departing Chairs (B. Wergin and P. McCarron)* Other: Next Meeting: January 9, 2003 Approval Presentation Discussion Information * Please join us as we thank Commissioners McCarron and Wergin for their years of leadership on the Northstar Corridor Development Authority. DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting Minutes November 7, 2002 The Northstar Corridor Development Authority met in regular session on November 7, 2002, in the Board Room at the Sherburne County Government Center, Elk River, Minnesota. Present were: Paul McCarron, Tim Yantos, Betsy Wergin, Kathy Tingelstad, Lynn George, Mary Richardson, Patrick Cairns, KeIli Neu, Lewis Stark, John Norgren, Ewald Petersen, Bob Barnette, Steve Billings, Robert Kirchner, Dan Erhart, John Himle, Bill Schreiber, Mike Schadauer, Ken Stevens, Julie Shortridge, Jay McLinden, Peg Aho, Steve Novak, Dartrell Lipscomb, Jeff Dehler, Greg Bruestle, John Ellenbecker, Woody Bissett, Bob Johnson, Kaye Bechtold, Duane Cekalla, Duane Grandy, Gery Then, Scott Harlicker, Jean Keely, Laura Blake, Natalie Steffen, Lona Schreiber, Alicia Vap, Luci Botzek, Linda Jungwirth, Kirsti Marohn, Jon Olson Tile meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chairperson Paul McCarroll. It was tile consensus of the Board to approve the agenda of November 7, 2002 as presented. A motion was made by John Ellenbecker, seconded by Duane Cekalla, and carried unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of Septelnber 5, 2002 as presented. Executive Comlnittee/Capital Budget Committee Report: a) A motion was made by Duane Cekalla, seconded by Ewald Peterson and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Executive Commit-tee/Capital Budget Committee that tile Northstar Corridor Development Authority approve the following 2003 contracts and authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and execute the contract amendments and contracts: l) 2) 3) 4) 5 6) 7) Amendment No. 3 with Loch & Associates increasing the contract amount by $25,000 (total maximum colnpensation $90,000) and extending the term of the contract through December 31, 2003. Amendment No. 3 with Ken Stevens increasing the contract amount by $30,000 (total maximum compensation $120,000) and extending the term of the contract through December 3 I, 2003. Amel~dment No. 3 with Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc. increasing the contract amount by $55,000 (total maximum compensation $215,000) and extending the term of the contract through December 31,2003. Amendment #1 with Himle Horner Incorporated increasing tile contract amount by $350,000 (total maximum compensation $850,000) and extending the term through December 3 I, 2003. Messerlie & Kramer for an amount not to exceed $35,000 and a term of January I, 2003 through December 31,2003. Capital Partnership for an amount not to exceed $35,000 and a term of January 1, 2003 through December 31,2003. Mullenholz, Brimsek & Belair for an amount not to exceed $30,000 and a term of January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. Northstar Corridor Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes November 7, 2002 Page 2 b) The Committee reviewed the 2002 election results. Lona Schreiber distributed "draft" Minnesota Legislative district map of the T.H. 10 multi- modal transportation corridor development project resulting fi'om the 2002 elections. Bill Schreiber indicated that meetings will be scheduled with legislatures during the next 2 months to obtain their thoughts of the Corridor. Governor-Elect Pawlenty is looking for cost effective solutions. The NCDA will pass on its goals to the Governor-Elect and legislators. John Ellenbecker reported that the City of St. Cloud is working with Stearns County and urges their participation in the NCDA Joint Powers Agreement. Dan Erhm.t stated that Representatives Kathy Tingelsted and Abeler stated that the NCDA project "can't stop IIOW". Preparation for 2003 Session: a) Lona Schreiber notified members that the Metropolitan Light Rail Joint Powers Board is now referred to as the Metropolitan Transitway Development Board. The Board advocates for transitways itl the metropolitan area. Further discussion on the MTDB's legislative proposal will be added to the December, 2002 NCDA meeting. b) Steve Novack reviewed steps that will be taken during the transition of legislators and Governor-Elect Pawlenty. He urged members to meet with the new legislators as soon as possible. Representative Kathy Tingelsted addressed the group and indicated that she will be the house attthor for the Northstar bill and looks forward to continue working with the NCDA and new legislative members. Public information update Chairperson Paul McCarron has visited 37 cities around the State of Minnesota talking to citizens about the Northstar project. The majority of comments received have been positive with citizens urging that the project continue. John Himle reported that Himle-Horner recently conducted a survey of tile Noi.thstar corridor by contacting citizens inside the corridor as well as citizens outside tile immediate corridor area (referred to as tile "feeder area"). The majority of corridor residence indicated that they are dissatisfied with the current transportation system and look to State government for a solution, believe that Northstar is a part of the solution and feels that congestion is a major area of concern. Northstar Corridor Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes November 7, 2002 Page 3 Statistics indicated that: a) Of the 300 citizens inside the corridor contacted: 71°4 believe that congestion has worsened, 67% believe that it is State government who is responsible to improve transportation needs, and 80% support the NCDA as a way to improve transportation needs. b) Of the 150 citizens in the "feeder area" contacted: 66% believe that congestion has worsened 6% believe that it is State government who is respolisible to improve transportation needs, and 71% support the NCDA as a way to improve transportation needs. In conclusion, fi'ustrations are growing with increased congestion and with inaction taken by the State. Federal Legislative Issues: a) The Committee congratulated Senator-Elect Betsy Wergin. b) Elliott Perovich repo~ed that tile appropriations bill will be brought into the next congress roi' consideration. He stated that commuter rail is part of the Republic party platform. He reported that Congressman Jim Ramsted stated lie is iii suppotl of the Northstar project and Congressman Kennedy is very supportive of commuter rail. A meeting will be scheduled with Comgressmen Ramsted and Kennedy after the holidays to review the Northstar Corridor project. c) TEA-03: Reauthorization request for Northstar Corridor. John Ellenbecker indicated that Congressman Kennecly will be involved in writing of the TEA-03 bill. Other: The Committee congratulated Senator-Elect Betsy Wergin. Tile ilext meeting of the NCDA is scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. at tile Sherbume Cotmty Governmel~t Center. Northstar Corridor Development Authority Regular Meeting Minutes November 7, 2002 Page 4 10. By unanilnous consensus, the Thursday, January 2, 2003 meeting was changed to Thursday, January 9, 2003, 4:30 p.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center. The Authority adjourned by unanimous COllSellsus the meeting at 5:35 p.m. Paul McCarron, Chairperson Date t4:'xAdmndata\COMMl'FI'E\Corridor NCDA\2002\MinutesXNovcmber 7. 2002 NCDA drain.doc More Transit Options Fewer Highway Hassles Metro Transitways Development 2003 Legislative Proposal: Minnesota Rides Board The Metro Transitways Development Board (MTDB) is proposing a comprehensive project priority and financing plan to support roadway improvements, better bus service and new transitways. Called Minnesota Rides, this cost-effective plan identifies the new resources and transportation priorities that are needed if we are going to start making measurable improvements in solving the transportation problems that are affecting people and businesses in Minnesota. Our Minnesota Rides Financing Proposal 1. Referendum on a One-half Percent Metro-Wide Sales Tax The Legislature should authorize a referendum on adding a one-half percent sales tax in a multi-county metro service area for a 10-year period. If voters approve the referendum: ~ Proceeds will fund both major transit capital projects and major highway projects. An additional $217 million will be raised in 2005 (2002 estimate). ~ The state's 6.5 percent motor vehicle sales tax rate will not be affected. The tax will be authorized for 10 years and then it will sunset. 2. Six-Cent Gas Tax Increase The state gas tax should move from 20 cents to 26 cents. ~ The tax will generate $192 million more a year. This will allow for a $113 million increase in the state's highway construction budget and $79 million for counties, cities and townships. A Minnesotan who drives 15,000 miles a year in a car that gets 15 miles to a gallon will pay $60 more a year. 3. Accelerated Highway Bonding Bonds should be issued to accelerate the construction schedule on high priority highway projects and to take advantage of low interest rates. Debt service will be derived from new gas tax revenues. 4. New License Tab Fee Schedule A new schedule for license tab fees should be adopted that will bring more money into the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund. This will allow a greater percentage of motor vehicle excise tax revenues to fund new transit operations. - The goal is to eventually raise more than $100 million a year for transit operations. The amount and timing will depend on a number of decisions, including the details of a new schedule and the phasing of implementation. - This investment will be made without any additional cost to the state's general fund and while maintaining the integrity of the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund. November 2002 - A Joint Powers [3oard of Metropolitan Counties The new schedule will remove the arbitrary caps on fees that protect owners of more expensive cars from paying the same proportional amount as people with less expensive cars. The ne w schedule will speed up vehicle depreciation, allowing fees to reflect real-world value. For example, fees for a six-year-old car would be based on' 40 percent of the car's initial value instead of the current 75 percent. The new schedule will be phased in so that no one would pay more for a vehicle than in the previous year. Comparing this new schedule ro current law, a car valued at $20,000 and held for 10 years will result in lower license tab fees for three years, more for six years and the same amount for one year. The largest license tab increase in one year will be $76 (in the third year) and the largest decrease in one year will be $25 (in the ninth year). 2003 Capital Project Priorities The Metro Transitways Devdopment Board has prioritized the various transit projects and is requesting the 2003 Legislature to provide $138.2 million for the region's priority corridors: ~ Northstar-- $123.2 million for final design, construction and right-of- way acquisition ~ Central -- $10 million for final environmental impact statement and prehminary engineering ~ Red Rock-- $1 million for prehminary engineering and environmental review ~ Cedar -- $3 million for environmental review and prehminary engineering ~ Rush Line-- $1 million for bus improvements and park and ride facilities What We Also Support The Board supports the MnDOT request for the Midwest Regional Rail project (high-speed rail from the metro area to Chicago) and the Metropolitan Council request for the Northwest Busway. The board supports a sales tax exemption on rail rolling stock, buses, construction costs and raft fuel. And the board supports a clarification of liability issues and insurance requirements relating to the construction and operation of commuter raft. Who We Are The Metro Transitways Dexelopment Board is comprised of regional railroad authority representatives from the seven-county metro area. Formerly known as the Metro LRT Joint Powers Board, we've been working on transitway development since 1992. We have changed our name to more accurately reflect what we do -- supporting the development of a comprehensive transit system that includes commuter raft, LRT and busway options. The Metro Transitways Development Board works to provide a coordinated regional approach to raft and transit development, from policy creation to legislative proposals. Our counties represent an important source of initiative and capital financing for transitway projects. We are also key to coordinating roadway and transit improvements in our communities. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin chairs the board. The other members are Anoka County Commissioner Paul McCarron (vice-chair), Ramsey County Commissioner Susan Haigh (secretary), Carver County Commissioner John Siegfried, Dakota County Commissioner Paul Krause, Scott County Commissioner Art Bannerman and Washington County Commissioner Myra Peterson. For le~slative information contact Ross Kramer or Bill Schreiber at (651) 228-9757. For media information contact John Manning at (952) 897-8209. For ge neral information contact Kathy DeSpiegelaere at (651) 266-2762. November 2002 NEWS RELEAS Metro Transitways Development Board A Joint Powers Board of Metropolitan Counties Media contacts: John Manning -- 952-897-8209 Katie Dolan -- 952-897-8226 NEW PLAN FIGHTS REGION'S CONGESTION WITH MORE TRANSIT AND MORE ROADS "Minnesota Rides" Plan Offers Roadmap for Moving People and Enhancing the Economy November 21, 2002, Minneapolis-- With the metro region in urgent need of new road projects, improved bus service and more transitways, the Metro Transitways Development Board is releasing its Minnesota Rides plan for fighting congestion. Made up of elected county commissioners of the seven Inetropolitan regional raih'oad authorities, tile Metro Transitways Development Board (MTDB) is offering a proposal for financing improved and cost-effective transportation options for the region and the state. "People around the region -- and across tile state -- are worried about congestion. It is getting harder and harder to get where you want to go," said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, MTDB chair. "It's a tough message to deliver when budgets are tight, but we've concluded that we can't afford not to put more effort into moving people and reducing their transportation hassles. Our region's economic health requires it." "The Twin Cities area outranks all other large metro regions in population growth, travel delays, wasted fuel and congestion costs. We're even tied for second place in a race we don't want to win -- for tile fastest congestion growth," McLaughlin said. The elected officials on tile MTDB have responded with the "Minnesota Rides" plan -- a vision for the metro area's transportation future that includes a comprehensive financing plan for both capital costs and operating subsidies. The vision has three ingredients: roadway improvements, better bus service and new transitways. "Road improvements are vital -- there are bottlenecks out there that are literally choking our region. But roads alone will never be enough, given their high costs. We need to also strengthen bus service and build more transitways -- commuter rail, LRT and busways," said Anoka County Commissioner Paul McCarron, MTDB vice-chair. Minnesota Rides/page 2 "Minnesota's per capita transit spending is approximately 30 percent below the national average. And when you look at how many people our transit system can carry, we're last ~vhen compared to the other states with large cities. We need to do more," said Ramsey County Commissioner Susan Haigh, MTDB secretary. "Transitways are part of the answer, along with roadway and bus service improvements. These cost-effective transit- expressways in high-demand corridors are essential for efficiently moving people in and through the region." Tile Minnesota Rides financing plan has four main elements, all of which would require state action. (See attachment for more details.) 1. The authorization of a referendum on a one-half cent sales tax in a multi-county metro service area for 10 years. If approved by voters, the revenues would be invested in transportation capital projects -- for both transit and roads. 2. The issuance of bonds to accelerate the construction schedule on high priority highway projects and to take advantage of low interest rates. 3. The adoption ora 6-cent gas tax increase to fund highway construction statewide. 4. The adoption of a new schedule for license tab fees to allow the state to direct a greater share of motor vehicle excise tax revenues for new transit operations. The entire state would benefit from the Minnesota Rides plan in several ways. The gas tax revenues would be spent on road projects statewide and revenues generated by the Minnesota Rides plan would reduce funding competition for needed highway projects in rural Minnesota. Over the next couple months the board will be sharing its Minnesota Rides vision and financing plan with legislators, state officials and others. Who We Are The Metro Transitways Development Board is comprised of regional raih'oad authority representatives fi'om tile seven-county metro area. Formerly known as the Metro LRT Joint Powers Board, we've been working on transitway development since 1992. We have changed our name to more accurately reflect what we do -- supporting the development of a comprehensive transit system that includes commuter rail, LRT and busway options. The Metro Transitways Development Board works to provide a coordinated regional approach to rail and transit development, fi'om policy creation to legislative proposals. Our counties represent an important source of initiative and capital financing for transitway projects. We are also key to coordinating roadway and transit improvements in our communities. Minnesota Rides/pctge 3 Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin chairs the board. The other members are Anoka County Commissioner Paul McCarron (vice-chair), Ramsey County Commissioner Susan Haigh (secretary), Carver County Corem issioner John Siegfi'ied, Dakota County Commissioner Paul Krause, Scott County Commissioner Art Bannerman and Washington County Commissioner Myra Peterson. -30- Minnesota House of Representatives 2003-2004 Committee Chairs Committee Chair Agriculture Policy Howard Swenson Agriculture and Rural Development Finance Elaine Harder Capital Investment Phil Krinkie Civil Law Steve Smith Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Greg Davids Economic Development and Tourism Arlon Lindner Division Claims Bruce Anderson Education Policy Barb Sykora Environment and Natural Resources Finance Dennis Ozment Environment and Natural Resources Policy Tom Hackbarth Ethics Sondra Erickson Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Jim Rhodes Policy Health and Human Services Finance Fran Bradley Health and Human Services Policy Lynda Boudreau Higher Education Finance Doug Stang Jobs and State Government Finance Bob Gunther Judiciary Policy and Finance Rich Stanek Education Finance Alice Seagren Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Jerry Dempsey Regulated Industries Mark Holsten Rules and Legislative Administration Erik Paulsen Taxes Ron Abrams Transportation Finance Bill Kuisle Transportation Policy Ron Erhardt Ways and Means Jim Knoblach ANOKA COUNTY Fax:9-763-323-5682 Dec 4 '02 9:09 P. 02 Minnesota State Senate Committee Chair Appointments Committee Capital Investment Finance Tax E-12 Education Budget Division Higher Education Budget Division Health, Human Services and Corrections Budget Division Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division Transportation Policy and Budget Division Government Budget Division Education and Family Security Environment and Natural Resources Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs Jobs, Housing and Community Development State and Local Government Operations Judiciary Committee Commerce and Utilities Rules and Administration Chair Sen. Keith Langseth Sen. Richa~ Cohen Sen. Larry Pogemiller LeRoy Stumpf Sen. Sandra Pappas Linda Berglin Dallas Sams Dean E. Johnson Jane Ranum Steve Kelley Becky Lourey John Marry Steve Murphy Linda Scheid Jim Vickerman Don Betzold Ellen Anderson John Hottinger, Chair Ann Rest, Vice Chair