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4.2. SR 02-19-2002River 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 MEMORANDUM Item# 4.2. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor and City Council Scott Harlicker, Senior Planner~'~ February l9,2002 Northstar Corridor Update At the NCDA meeting held on February 7th the Authority received a report on the success of the commuter rail demonstration. The project was very successful with 700 riders including 70 legislators. The request for funding for the Northstar Corridor is moving through the various legislative committees. The federal funding is contingent on the state approving its share ($120 million). If the state does not approve the entire $120 million, the federal funding of $147 million will likely go to another project. The Final Environmental Impact Statement is being completed and will be sent to the federal government next month. Phone: 763.441.7420 Fax: 763.44t .7425 S:\PLAN NING\SCO'I-I~NCDAFEB.DOC www. ci.eJk-fiver mn.us I NCDA. FEB~' I ~Z Agenda Thursday, February 7, 2002 4:30p.m.. Sherburne County Government Center Elk River, MN Election of Officers a) Chair b) Vice Chair Minutes of the December 6, 2001 NCDA Meeting* Executive Committee/Capital Budget Committee Report a) Commuter Rail Demonstration Project b) Update on Public Information Activities Intergovernmental Coordination Committee Report a) Update on Legislative Activities 1) State i. Bonding Request ii. Sales Tax Exemption 2) Federal i. Authorization Request ii. FY 2003 Appropriations Request Mn/DOT Project Update* a) FEIS b) BNSF Negotiations c) FTA Coordination Report on Local Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Activities (Elk River, Big Lake, Becker, St. Cloud and Rice) Attion 7. Other Requested Election Election Approval Information Information Discussion Information Information Next Meeting: March 7, 2002 * Documentation Enclosed DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting Minutes December 6, 2001 The Northstar Corridor Development Authority met in regular session on December 6, 2001, in the Board Room at the Sherburne County Government Center, Elk River, Minnesota. Present were: Betsy Wergin, Tim Yantos, Mary Richardson, Scott Hickok, Bob Barnette, Paul McCarron, Dave Saunders, Scott Harlicker, Dan Erhart, Patrick Cairns, Woody Bissett, Duane Grandy, Mike Robertson, John Norgren, Ewald Petersen, Terry Nagorski, Duane Cekalla, Gery Then, Lewis Stark, Mike Schadauer, John Weaver, Ann-Therese Schmid, Mark Freeburg, Tom Cruikshank, Dean Michalko, Jim Barton, Luci Botzek, Rick Speak, Ray Friedl, Jim Dickinson, Pat Wussow, Julie Shortridge, Bill Schreiber, Bruce Lambrecht, Peg Aho, Jeff Dehler, Mike Christensen, David Loch, Steve Novak, Eugene Young o The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chairperson Betsy Wergin. Brian Isaccson gave an update on the Hwy 10 Inter-Regional Corridor Study. Mr. Isaccson noted that the inter-regional corridor makes up 2% of the State's highways but carries 30% of the State's traffic. The recommendations that came out of the report are that: 1) capacity improvements/access management be done to Hwy 10 to Elk River; 2) connection to the Princeton bypass (access management) be made from TH 101/169. Jeff Dehler asked how long the process would take to plan and build new highway system. Mike Christenson noted 10 years if the money is available. Brian Isaccson noted that looking at the NW metro Corridor and River Crossing, construction would not likely occur before 2015. Commissioner McCarron asked if any other inter regional study showed the amount of congestion increases as this Study had. Mr. Isaccsons replied no. Woody Bissett asked if the Governor or any State legislators had seen the figures in the Study yet. Mr. Isaccson replied not yet, but that these plans articulate a need and should generate a lot of support from the public. Ken Stevens reported on the local transit oriented development (TOD) activities for the Cities of Minneapolis, Fridley, Coon Rapids and Anoka. He noted that the Cities have begun to activate their plans. Zoning ordinances are being changed, comprehensive land use studies are being done. TOD is on the books and is coming to fruition. Mr. Stevens noted that there is not a land use plan being conducted at this time for the NE Station, because, basically, it is already a TOD. Mr. Stevens noted that Paul Ostrow had met with developers who are planning to construct townhomes by the NE Station Site. Scott Hickok noted that he had asked the public how important rail is to them and 70% support the Corridor project. Mr. Hickok noted that the City of Fridley is taking into Page 1 o o account for different issues in its planning process: corridor image; redevelopment of the project; small lots/single family residences; and an ordinance regarding reduced setbacks. Dave Saunders gave a brief update of the City of Coon Rapids' comprehensive plan around the Foley site and noted that the City is working with Anoka County on the Riverdale site. Bob Kirshner of Anoka County gave an update on the planning being done for the Anoka Station and the history of railroad in Anoka County. John Weaver noted that the City of Anoka had acquired land for preparation and station development and that the City had completed a market study and placed a building moratorium in the area of the station site. Mr. Weaver noted that the City is also obtaining a planning grant from the Metropolitan Council and the State of Minnesota. Chair Wergin thanked the individuals from the various cities for presenting their TOD plans to the Authority, and noted that it was very interesting to see the activity in the Corridor and the differences in plans. A motion was made by Patrick Cairn, seconded by Mike Robertson, and carried unanimously to approve the agenda of Thursday, December 6, 2001, as presented, and the meeting minutes of November 1, 2001, as presented. Executive Committee/Capital Budget Committee Report: a) A motion was made by Dan Erhart, seconded by Duane Grandy and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Executive Committee/Capital Budget Committee that the Benton County Regional Rail Authority (BCRRA) enter into the Joint Powers Agreement and its Amendment No. 1, and their appointment of Duane Cekalla as member and Dick Soyka as alternate member on the NCDA. b) Jeff Dehler gave an update on Plan B activities going on in the Corridor. Billboards are being placed throughout the Corridor. Mr. Dehler noted that there are 4,500 people in the database of supporters, and that it is the NCDA's goal to have 7,500 or more. Jeff noted that the Project Update should go out within the next several days. Duane Grandy thanked Jeff for staffing the booth at the Association of Township's conference. c) Tim Yantos gave an update on the demonstration project. He noted that the NCDA is planning the live demo for the 28th of January and he asked that members mark this day off on their calendars, so that they can attend.. d) A motion was made by Cekalla, seconded by Stark and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Executive Committee/Capital Budget Committee to approve the following NCDA contracts for 2002: Amendment No. 1 with Loch & Associates increasing the contract amount by $25,000 and extending the term through December 31, 2002 (2002 total contract amount of $25,000); Amendment No. 1 with Ken Stevens increasing the contract amount by $35,000 and extending the term of the contract through December 31, 2002 (2002 total contract amount of $35,000); Amendment No. 1 with Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc. increasing Page 2 the contract amount by $50,000 and extending the term of the contract through December 31, 2002 (2002 total contract amount of $50,000); contract with Messerlie & Kramer for an amount not to exceed $35,000 and a term of January 1 through December 31, 2002; a contract with Capital Partnership for an amount not to exceed $35,000 and a term of January 1 through December 31, 2002; and a contract with Mullenholz, Brimsek & Belair for an amount not to exceed $30,000 and a term of January 1 through December 31, 2002. 10. Legislative Update: a) The Inter-Governmental Coordination Committee (Paul McCarron, Betsy Wergin, Rick Speak, John Ellenbecker) met on Tuesday, November 13, 2001. Paul McCarron presented a legislative update. Strategy meetings are scheduled for every Friday throughout the legislative session. Paul McCarron noted that there are no corridors that have higher congestion numbers then the Northstar Corridor. Bill Schreiber noted that there is interest in the House because they know the importance of the Corridor and are sensing that they will have to vote on it during the session. Paul McCarron asked that staff coordinate the collection of resolution of support from Northstar Corridor members and other entities that back the project. The next meeting of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority is set for February 7, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center. The Authority adjourned by unanimous consensus to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Betsy Wergin Chairperson Date Page 3 NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR RAIL PROJECT QUARTERLY REPORT January 23, 2002 I. Introduction II. III. Since the last Quarterly Review Meeting (QRM) with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), held on October 31, 2001, the Northstar Corridor Rail Project (Project) has submitted a New Starts Criteria update, continued preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), conducted a number of public informational presentations, and prepared for the upcoming legislative session. State and Local Funding The top priority in the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) capital budget request to the Governor was $120 million for the Northstar Corridor Rail Project. This would cover a 40% state share for the entire commuter rail corridor to Rice, as well as a 50% state share for the multi-modal connection. This was also the Governor's top transportation priority in his bonding request, which was released January 14, 2002, and which will be presented to the 2002 Minnesota Legislature during the upcoming session, which commences on January 29, 2002. Mn/DOT will request FTA's permission to enter the final design phase after receiving a commitment for State of Minnesota funding for the Project. The Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) Capital Parmers have committed $25.1 million of their $27.1 million share of the Project. The difference is a result of inflation from delay caused by the lack of a state funding commitment in the past. They plan to wait for the state commitment pr/or to passing the resolutions necessary to. account for the final amount. New Starts Criteria The Project's New Starts Criteria for the entire corridor from Minneapolis to Rice, including the multi-modal connection, was submitted to the Washington, DC, and the Chicago Region V offices of the FTA on November 8, 2001. The following volumes were included in this submission: Volume 1 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Mobility Improvements 3.0 Environmental Benefits 4.0 Operating Efficiencies 5.0 Cost Effectiveness 6.0 Land Use 7.0 Project Finance Volume 2 Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Annualization Factor Capital Cost Estimate Financial Plan Northstar Corridor Quarterly Report January 23, 2001 2 IV. Appendix D Project Management Plan Volume 3 Land Use and Supporting Documentation The New Starts Criteria were compiled using the new federal requirements effective September 1, 2001. The new User Benefit Model was not included in this update, however, as per verbal instruction at the September 6 - 7, 2001, FTA workshop in Washin~on, DC. Preliminary Engineering (?E) The PE package was submitted to FTA on June 1, 2001. Comments have been received from the Project Management Oversight Consultant (PMOC) and several local jurisdictions. The Project holds periodic meetings with Tecl-nfical Advisory Committees divided into segments along the corridor. Comments from these and other meetings impacting design have been documented to address during the final design phase of the project. The capital cost estimate, Project Management Plan, and Financial Plan were updated in the November 8 New Starts Criteria submittal. Multi-modal Connection The multi-modal connection is the extension of the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit (LRT) line from its current downtown Minneapolis terminus at Fifth Street North and First Avenue North to a terminus at the downtown Minneapolis commuter rail station at Fifth Street North near Fifth Avenue North. The PE for the multi-modal connection wag included in the PE package for the entire Project submitted to FTA on June 1 and in the New Start Criteria submitted to the FTA on November 8. Agreement has been reached between the Hiawatha Project Office and the Northstar Corridor Rail Project to transfer final design of the segment from 1st Avenue North to 3Td Avenue North from the Hiawatha Project to the Northstar Project. Land Use Information describing land use along the corridor was also included in the November 8 New Starts Criteria submittal. It described progress on a number of issues ranging from community-involved station area planning efforts to zoning for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) near stations to private investments in station area development. The last quarterly report and the November 8 New Starts Criteria submittal described the proposed Elk River Station development at the Elk P, Jver station site - a mixed-use neighborhood including apartments, town homes, senior cooperative housing, and various commercial uses. Northstar Corridor Quarterly Report January 23, 2001 Since then, Anoka County has begun planning TOD adjacent to the Coon Rapids- Riverdale station and the City of Anoka is leveraging a Livable Communities grant to plan for TOD near the Anoka station. Also, Hennepin County Transit and Community Works has released the draft Downtown Minneapolis Multi-Modal Station Area Master Plan and the City of Minneapolis has begun the process for the Downtown Fast/North Loop Master Plan. Both of these efforts look at future development around and community connections to the multi-modal station serving the Northstar Corridor commuter rail and the Hiawatha Corridor LRT. Community Involvement Since the last quarterly report, several public meetings have been held and Project representatives have given a number of public presentations: November NCDA Board meeting; Sherbume County Government Center, Elk 1,2001 River November Central Minnesota Transportation sponsored by Morrison County 5, 2001 Community Development, Little Falls November Presentation to the Minnesota Bicycle Advisory Committee, St. Paul 15, 2001 November Minnesota Township Association annual meeting, Bloomington 16, 2001 December Booth at the Association of Minnesota Counties annual convention, 3-4, 2001 St Paul December NCDA Board meeting; Sherburne County Government Center, Elk 6, 2001 River January 7, Presentation to Coon Rapids Rotary Club, Coon Rapids 2002 January 7, Presentation to Becker Lions Club, Becker 2002 January 9, Presentation to Anoka Kiwanis Club, Anoka 2002 January Presentation to Big Lake Lions Club, Big Lake 10, 2002 January Presentation to the Brainerd Area Chamber of Commerce, Brainerd 11, 2002 January Presentation to the Transportation Advisory Committee of the West 11, 2002 Central Initiative Fund, Fergus Falls January Presentation to the Edina Alliance, Edina 22, 2002 January Parking Management Forum, discussing parking at the Minneapolis 23, 2002 LRT and proposed commuter rail stations; Minneapolis VIII. Project Schedule Milestones for completion of the Northstar Corridor Rail Project are listed below: Northstar Comdor Quarterly Report 4 January 23, 2001 March Publish FEIS 2002 April 2002 Environmental Record of Decision April 2002 Begin Value Engineering June 2002 State financial commitment complete June 2002 Submit request to enter final desiaon August Begin final design (includes vehicle specifications) 2002 September Submit New Starts Criteria 2002 November Complete Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) 2002 negotiations on track and signal capacity improvements May 2003 Begin vehicle procurement January Full Funding Grant Agreement 2004 March Complete construction agreement with BNSF 2004 April 2004 Begin construction June 2005 Complete service ag-reement with BNSF September Begin start-up and testing 2005 December System open 2005 Next Steps Value Engineering is the next major project milestone. Final design is scheduled to begin in August 2002, depending on consent to enter final design from the FTA. Mn/DOT is also contemplating a contract with a systems/vehicle procurement consultant to assist Mn/DOT with the vekicle acquisition process and with overall system planning and integration. This contract would not be procured prior to the summer of 2002. Northstar Corridor Quarterly Report 5 January 23, 2001 FTA QUARTERLY PROJECT REVIEW MEETING NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR RAIL PROJECT AGENDA Wednesday, January 23, 2002, at 1:30 P.M. Minnesota Department of Transportation 395 John Ireland Boulevard Conference Room 421 St. Paul, MN 55155 Please remember to check in at the !st Floor Information Desk to have a temporary visitor's badge assigned to you. The Information Desk will call an escort who will accompany you to the meeting room. **Next (~uarterl~ Review Meetin~ ITentative) -Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 1:30 P M.*** I. Introduction - Mike Schadauer, Northstar Corridor Rail Project Project Manager II. Project Issues mo Local Funding Status -Margo LaBau, Chief of Staff Current Status: The State Legislature failed to pass the requested funding in its last session. The Governor has identified the Northstar Corridor Rail Project as his top transportation priority, requesting the full state share ($120 million) from the Minnesota State Legislature this session. Action: Project to discuss status. Bo BNSF Negotiations - Mike Schadauer Current Status: Previously, BNSF had been slow to come to the negotiating table. Subsequent to the lack of funding by the state legislature, negotiations have slowed. The project continues to communicate with BNSF, but does not anticipate serious negotiations will begin until after the local match is secured. Action: Project to provide update. Co Plan Development Schedule - Mike Schadauer Current Status: On November 8, 2001, the Action: project re-submitted it New Starts Criteria for the Northstar Corridor from downtown Minneapolis to Rice, Minnesota, including the multi-modal connection between the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Project and the Northstar Corridor commuter rail line. Project to provide update. Project Plan Forward - Mike Schadauer Current Status The project has indicated it will continue to refine and complete the precursor requirements in preparation to application for an FFGA. · Environmental documentation status Northstar Commuter Rail Project Quarterly Review Meeting January 23, 2002 · Value Engineering III. Other Items IV. A. Legislative Update B. Commuter Rail Demonstration Next Quarterly Review Meeting Tentatively proposed for Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 1:30 P.M. V. Adjournment Northstar Commuter Rail Project Quarterly Review Meeting January 23, 2002 NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RESOLUTION 200~1.-01 WHEREAS, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority ("NCDA") was established in 1997 by joint powers agreement and is comprised of 30 local units of government; and WHEREAS, the NCDA is an organization dedicated to the funding and implementation of the Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail Project; and WHEREAS, it has been shown in numerous projects and studies that commuter rail systems, utilizing existing rail corridors, are more cost effective and efficient than other transportation modes; and WHEREAS, the reauthorization of TEA-21 is essential to the funding of the Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail Project; and WHEREAS, Congressman Jim Oberstar, the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been the champion of this project with the able assistance of Congressman Bill Luther and others; and WHEREAS, it is essential that a significant federal funding commitment be available in the near future to match the proposed State of Minnesota and financial commitment to this project in order to insure that it is built on time and on budget; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NCDA requests the consideration of the Members of Congress responsible for the reauthorization of TEA-21 to establish additional federal funding authority or the creation of a new category of New Rail Start funding dedicated to commuter rail projects that will allow projects such as the Northstar Corridor to be funded in a timely and efficient manner. Betsy Wergin, Chairperson Dated: Certification I hereby certify that the above resolution is a true copy of the Resolution duly passed, adopted, and approved by the Northstar Corridor Development Authority on February 7, 2002. (Name) Peggy L. Aho Dated: February 7, 2002 Resolution 2001-02 Resolution of Support for the Northstar Commuter Rail Project Whereas, demographic projections indicate that growth patterns and traffic congestion in both the Twin Cities metropolitan area and the Northstar Corridor will increase dramatically in the next 20 years; and Whereas, the Red Rock Corridor Commission supports Northstar commuter rail from Minneapolis to the St. Cloud/Rice area to help relieve pressure on an overburdened state highway system; and Whereas, the Northstar Corridor commuter rail project, when completed, will allow residents to commute to and from jobs reliably and safely; and Whereas, Northstar Corridor commuter rail will provide a viable transportation alternative for senior citizens on fixed incomes, students and those with disabilities; and Whereas, the Hiawatha light rail and bus connections will allow residents access to other parts of the Twin Cities, :such as the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, Mall of America, and the University of Minnesota; and Whereas, the Northstar Corridor commuter rail project will connect to the planned Red Rock Corridor, and Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Red Rock Corridor Commission hereby affirms its support for the Northstar Commuter Rail Project; Now, therefore, be it further resolved that the Red Rock Corridor Commission requests that the Minnesota Legislature authorize $120 million in state bonds to provide a match for the Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail Project. Approved: M~r~'~ete rso~,-C I~ai r'p e rs o n December 6, 2001 Date Approved by Commission February 7, 2002 The Honorable James L. Oberstar U.S. Representatives 2365 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Representative Oberstar: The Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) sincerely appreciates your continuing support for commuter rail along the fastest growing corridor in Minnesota. The NCDA once again requests your assistance in securing Federal funds for FY 2003. The 30 counties, cities, and townships which comprise the NCDA are committed to making this vital transportation alternative a reality and have pledged to provide 10 percent of the project's cost. The project also has the solid support of area residents. In a recent survey, 80 percent of the respondents said that the Northstar commuter rail project was a "good" or "very good" idea while only six percent considered it to be a "very bad" idea. That citizen support has been born out through our demonstration rides. The most recent one on January 28, 2002 was so popular that the free tickets quickly "sold out." We were very gratified that approximately 60 state legislators participated-many for the second time. We are also gratified that Governor Ventura recognizes the importance of the Northstar project to easing traffic congestion in the region and has asked the Legislature to provide $120 million in this year's capital bonding bill. However, it is essential that the project continue to receive sufficient Federal matching funds each year to keep the project on schedule. Accordingly, NCDA respectfully asks that you contact Congressman Martin Sabo and other Members of the House Transportation Subcommittee of Appropriations in support of $10 million in FY 2003 for final design and construction. The NCDA also fully supports the other funding requests of the Metropolitan Light Rail Transit Joint Powers Board to provide transportation solutions throughout the region. Those requests are: Hiawatha LRT Corridor $60 Million Northstar Commuter Rail Corridor $10 Million Red Roc'k/Central Commuter Rail Corridor $ 6 Million Rushline Transitway Corridor $ 1 Million Thank you again for your commitment to the Northstar project. Sincerely, Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3~d Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 323-5682 www. northstartrain.org