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4.3. SR 04-16-2001City NCDA MEMORANDUM Item # /,.3 TO: FROM: DATE: Mayor and City Council Scott Harlicker, Senior Plann April 16, 2001 SUBJECT: Northstar Corridor Update At the NCDA meeting held on April 5~ a brief update was presented on the status of the reorganization with MnDOT. The reorganization is proceeding on schedule, members of the Executive Committee are meeting with MnDOT to confirm the future role of the NCDA and there will be no need to amend the Joint Powers Agreement to reflect the new role of the NCDA. NCDA staff reviewed the work plan for the corridor for the remainder of 2001. On Tuesday, April 17~ from I:00 to 4:00, the Senate Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee will be holding hearings on funding for the Northstar Corridor. The NCDA is asking local officials and residents to attend this meeting in an effort to show local support for the project. Northstar Corridor Development Authority Thursday, April 5, 2001 4:30 p.m. Sherburne County Government Center Elk River, MN Action Requested Minutes of March 1, 2001 Meeting* Executive Committee Report a. Update on NCDA Reorganization/Resolution 2001-02' b. Update on Congressional and Legislative Activities c. IBI Contract Amendment* RePort on Northstar Corridor Project StatuSNVork Plan for Next 3 Months* April 9th Capital Day Update Other Approval Approval Information Approval Information Information Next Meeting: May 3, 2001 *Attached DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT NORTHSTAR cORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting Minutes March 1, 2001 The Northstar Corridor Development Authority met in regular session on March 1, 2001, in the Board Room at the Sherbume County Government Center, Elk River, Minnesota. Present were: Lynn George, Don Meyer, Tom Wenzel, Eugene Young, Jeff Schilling, Bjom Skogquist, John Weaver, John Norgren, Terry Nagorski, Tom Cruikshank, Woody Bissett, Bob Johnson, Ewald Peterson, Ken Paulson, Duane Grandy, Duane Cekaila, Lewis Stark, Carl Yilek, Patrick Cairns, Tom Gamec, Bob Barnette, Steve Billings, Gabe Guevara, Mukhtar Thakur, Mike Christensen, Mark Stenglein, Betsy Wergin, Mary Richardson, Ken Stevens, Peggy Aho, David Loch, Vic Oviatt, Patrick Wussow, Alicia Vap, Dartreil Lipscomb, Mike Rogers, Jim Barton, Sue Siemers, Dean Michalko, Rick Speak, Luci Botzek, Keili Neu, Scott Harlicker, Jim McLean, Gery Then, Linda Jungwirth, Kirstie Marohn, Jean Keely, Paul Danielson, Lona Schreiver 1. The meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. by Chairperson Betsy Wergin. New members were present due to the results of the November 2000 elections. Ali members were introduced. o A motion was made by Lewis Stark, seconded by Bob Johnson and carried unanimously to approve the agenda of Thursday, March 1, 2001. Representative Carol Moinau, Chair, House Transportation Committee, was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Chair Wergin asked that NCDA members send written comments and/or questions to Reprsentative Molnau for her attention. Bjom Skogquist, Mayor of the City of Anoka, reviewed their letter dated January 17, 2001 (as well as Anoka Resolutions #2000-11 and #2001-11), reaffirming their support and approval of the location and general design of the NCDA commuter rail station at the 4th Avenue crossing in the City of Anoka. No action taken. A motion was made by Patrick Cairns, seconded by John Norgren and carried unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of February 1, 2001, as presented. 7. Executive Committee Report: a) Mary Richardson reviewed the NCDA reorganization and reviewed a draft outline of the NCDA Transition Documents. Ms. Richardson noted that the Executive Committee authorized Chair Wergin to send a letter to Mn/DOT asking what the NCDA's new role will be after the transition. No action taken. b) Lona Schreiber, Anoka County, presented the legislative and congressional update. 8. Ken Stevens reviewed the Minimal Operable Segment (MOS) Analysis. No action taken. 9. Dave Loch, Loch and Associates, discussed transit oriented development. No action taken. Page I 10. Steve Billings asked at what point in time is it legal to start land acquisitions. Mukhtar Thakur responded that federal rules for right-of-way state that no purchase of land can be approved until the ElS process is complete and the Record of Decision is issued.. Ken Stevens noted that the process should be completed mid-July. 11. The next meeting is scheduled for April 5, 2001, at 4:30 p.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center. 11. A motion was made by Ken Paulson, seconded by Tom Wenzel and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Betsy Wergin Chairperson Date G:\DEPT~Administration~Admndata\COMMITTE\CORRIDOR~2001 hMinutes\030101 NCDA draft.doc Page 2 Agenda Item #2a MEMORANDUM DATE: March 30, 2001 TO: NCDA FROM: RE: Paul McCarron Executive Committee NCDA Reorganization: Resolution 2001-02 At its March 15 meeting, the Executive Committee discussed the reorganization of the NCDA and the transfer of project management responsibilities to Mn/DOT. Attached is a letter received from Commissioner Tinklenberg (Attachment #1), in response to a request from the Executive Committee for clarification regarding the role of the NCDA acting as a commuter rail corridor coordinating committee ("CRCCC"). The Executive Committee examined the institutional options facing the Authority and discussed the need for the NCDA to remain active to monitor Mn/DOT's progress, to continue to promote the Corridor and to work with the local communities in addressing issues that arise in commuter rail development. The NCDA is a unique and highly respected organization that should continue to work to address the transportation issues in the corridor. The day-to-day management responsibilities of the CRCCC will be performed by the Executive Committee, as provided for in the NCDA's Joint Powers Agreement #1 (Attachment #2). In addition, Commissioner Paul McCarron and Gary Erickson, Director of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, have met with Mn/DOT staff to further discuss and define the transition, as well as the specifics of the project work plan, budget and contracts. As a result of these discussions, the Executive Committee Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3rd'Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 323-5682 www. northstartrain.org recommends that the transition of the contracts relating to the BNSF negotiations occur immediately. It is very important to the project that the negotiations continue to progress as smoothly and quickly as possible. The remaining contracts relating to preliminary engineering, project management and public involvement will continue as NCDA contracts until June 1. As noted above, the transition team and the Executive Committee will continue to discuss the details as to the roles, responsibilities and budget of the NCDA after June 1. Additional discussion and actions necessary to implement the next steps in the transition will occur at the May 3 NCDA meeting. Action Requested: The Executive Committee recommends that the NCDA adopt Resolution 2001-02 immediately assigning contracts relating to the BNSF negotiations (Attachment #3). M~/DOT Minnesota Department ot Trarlsportafion Tran.~.lation Building ~ ,,~n Ireland Boulevard SI. =au[, Minnesota 55155-~899 March I3,200l p.2 Ms. BeBy Wergin, Chair - NCDA Sherbume County 13880 Highway I0 Elk River, M~q 55330 Dear Comrrdssion~ We'rgin: Th~k ~,ou for your letter dated March 1, 2001 regarding the resolution pa~ed by the NCDA at its meeting on Fcbruar7 l, 2001. TI'tis is the first oppotmrdty we have hM to see a sign~ copy of the resoIution. Knowing what the final action and request~ of the committee are will help facilitate the transition discussion~. As you know, Mn/DOT has b~n engaging in conversations w/th'thc NCDA since last summer toward the goal of developing a transition pl-an that would also provide tbr identification and definition. Mn/DOT's approach in those discu3sions has been to solicit input from NCDA about l~ow they see the/r role ~ being most effecliv¢ in the continuing success of'the project. I do not supl~rt an approach that requires'Mn/DOT to dictate NCDA's ~cope of advice for ~is very important project. To the ~ontrary., [ continue to request that NCDA provide as much input and advice regarding all a~pects of the project anti support my staff's previous recommendations that there remain areas within the project where NCDA L~ better positioned tb~ _Mn/DOT to function in a lead role. .: It is my understanding that Commissioner Paul McCarrou of' the NCDA and Margo LaBau from my stuff witl have their first transition meeting on March 14m, 200l. To the extent that they, will have information ready for t~e executive committee to discuss r.h~ir meeting the tbllowing ctay remains to be aeen. I have directed Ms. LaBau to continue thc approach established in earlier meet~gs re§~ding defining the roles. It my desire that the Northstar projec~ position itself to benefit from,the strong techn(eaI expertise of Mn/DOT and the positive community retationskips b~lt by the NCDA. I am confident ~.ar Paul and Margo will be success/al in blending the expertise of the two organizations into a seamless and success~l effort. look Forward to talking with you in the future and visiting with ~e NCDA in the near future when thc transition plan [s complete. Sincerely, Elwyn Tink' enberg Commissioner Am ec ual cg¢crl:un t'/employer NCDA Joint Powers Agreement Amendment #1 (2000) Attachment #2 and upon termination of this Agreement, make distribution of such property as is provided for in this Agreement, agreements relating to the financing ofth~ Northstar Corridor, or agreements with the State of Minnesota. Article V, Section 2, of the Agreement is amended by adding new paragraph I. as follows: I. The Authority may sue and be sued in its own name. Article VI, Section 3, of the Agreement is replaced by the following: Section 3: Committees. A. Executive Committee. The Authority shall establish an Executive Committee of the Authority consisting of five members and alternates, including one representative from a city, a town, a county and a regional railroad authority, as well as the Chair of the Authority. In establishing the Executive Committee, the Authority shall consider geographic balance in the representation on the Committee. The Executive Committee shall be resPonsible for approving invoices within approved contract amounts, addressing personnel ~ssues;--f~h~Img the day-to-day management r~s~ib-i'li~i~-°~ffii~-Ci/~aisf"CiS°-fitlh~ti'h--~g -C~ttee described in Minn. Stat..[ ~!74.86, subd. 5, and performing su~h3'~h-~i--a'~i{i'~s-'~S-~e~ forth in the Authority's bylaws. Bo Capital Budget Committee. The Authority shall establish a Capital Budget Committee of the Authority consisting of one member and alternate from each of the following: the Anoka County Regional Railroad Authority, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, Sherburne County Regional Railroad Authority, and Benton County. The Authority may add one or more additional members to the Capital Budget Committee if that member has made a significant contribution to the capital funding of the Northstar Corridor. The Capital Budget Committee shall be responsible for making recommendations to the Authority concerning any decision regarding the capital costs or capital budget for the Northstar Corridor and performing such other duties as set forth in the Authority's bylaws. Any decision that would increase the capital contribution of any member must be approved by a unanimous decision of the Capital Budget Committee and must be approved by the member's board of commissioners or council. Article VII of the Agreement shall be amended by adding a new Section 5 as follows: Section 5: Capital Financing. It is understood by the parties that the capital costs of the Northstar Corridor project are to be funded primarily by grant monies from the United States Government, the State of Minnesota or any other association or Attachment #3 Northstar Corridor Development Authority Resolution 2001-02 WHEREAS, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) was established by joint powers board agreement in May of 1997 for the purpose of analyzing transportation needs of the Northstar Corridor and developing commuter rail, including negotiating the necessary agreements with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF); WHEREAS, the NCDA procured and retained the professional services required to negotiate with BNSF and has successfully progressed the negotiations over the last several years; and WHEREAS, Minn. Statutes Section 174.82 (1999) provides that the Commissioner of Transportation shall be responsible for negotiating with the railroads; and WHEREAS, the Commissioner has indicated his desire to conduct the next phase of negotiations with BNSF utilizing the expertise of certain of the NCDA's contracts; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Northstar Project to undertake the next phase of negotiations as expeditiously as possible. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Chair or Vice Chair of the of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority is hereby authorized to execute agreements and other documents necessary to accomplish the immediate assignment to the Minnesota Department of Transportation of the NCDA professional services agreements with the following contractors: A. Harkins Cunningham, Attorneys at Law B. Robert L Kessler, Attorney at Law C. Mainline Management, Inc. D. Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson & Associates, Inc. E. The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company 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 April 5, 2001. (Name) Agenda Item #2c MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Subject: March 30, 2001 NCDA Executive Committee IBI Group Contract Amendment Action Requested: The Executive Committee recommends that the NCDA approve a contract extension to the IBI Group contract to May 31, 2001 (with a start date of January 1, 2001) and authorize the Chair to execute the amendment. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3'" Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 3__~-5700 Fax: (763) 323-5682 www.northstartrain.or~ Transition Schedule Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2001 Agenda Item #3 DRAFT: 3/30101 a. Track & Si~lnal (TKDA) b. BNSF Preliminary c. Stations, Maintenance Fac~. d. Local Review of Station PE (On hold) e. MOS Determination Notes: Modeling Agreement as to Appropriate Capacity Improvements c. Final Design/Engineering Agreement d. Construction and Service Agreements · Term Sheet/Agreement in Principal · Final Agreements Notes: a. Coordination of PE with HPO Notes: a. Selection of Locally Preferred Alternative b. FEIS c. Record of Decision X Notes: a. Minneapolis Station b. Coordination with Cities on Land Use c. City Comprehensive Plan Amendments d. Parking Study Notes: (Metropolitan Council - on hold) a. Grant Approval b. Construction d...~_.~rations e. Marketing Plan for Commuter Bus(?) f. RFP ~ Commences Notes: X a. New Starts Submittal Final Design Application Project Management Plan 1. Financial Plan 2. Quality Management Plan 3. Work Breakdown Schedule 4. Project Master Schedule 5. Document Control System 6. Project Procurement Plan 7. Fleet Management Plan 8. Safety and Security Plan 9. o Real Estate Plan 10. Risk Management Plan X Notes: X Commuter Rail Demonstration b. Business Involvement c. Newsletter for 2001 X d. Survey e. Bus to Capitol f. Website Revisions/ Maintenance g. Speakers Bureau h. News Releases ~dates Notes: X a. Chica~lo Notes: a. Congressional ~islature c. Allocation of FY 2000 - $3 million d. Allocation of FY 2001 - $5 million Notes: a. Submit to local (Complete) ~lovernments b. Public Hearing (Complete) c. Local Approvals (Complete} d. Metropolitan Council/APO (Complete) Approvals Notes: a. Norther. Extension b. Hiawatha c. LRTJPB d. Mn/DOT Steering Committee e. Connection to Red Rock Corridor Notes: Op Ed on the Northstar Commuter Line Commuter Rail is the Right Way to Go Paul M. Weyrich The Twin Cities are now poised to begin commuter rail service with the Northstar Commuter Line, serving communities in the fast-growing area between Minneapolis-St. Paul and St. Cloud. As a political conservative, I am opposed to commuter rail transit. Right? Wrong! As a conservative who knows something about public transit, I realize that rail transit is the right way to go. All transit is not created equal. In fact, there are two very different kinds of public transit, with different purposes, different markets and different technologies. The first is urban transit designed to serve the transit dependent, people who have no car or do not drive. The purpose of this kind of transit is to provide basic mobility to people who otherwise could not get around. In particular, it enables these people to get to work. That makes it of special interest to conservatives who want to see people work rather then collect welfare. If the poor are to better themselves by holding jobs, they have to be able to get to those jobs. In most cases, the best technology for serving the transit dependent is the bus. Buses can provide frequent service on a wide grid of city streets. Because the transit dependent have to walk from their homes to transit, they need transit service that runs on nearby streets. Buses do that well enough, although streetcars did it better. But that is only one type of public transit. There is a very different type of transit, designed not for the transit dependent but for people who now drive - and who are driving in such number that our highways are clogged. Here is where commuter rail comes in. These "riders from choice," as they are usually called, will only use transit if it is of high quality. It has to offer them transit service that is better than driving their own car. That means service that is fast over long distances, reliable (including in winter weather), and comfortable - more comfortable than the bus. They want plugs for their laptop computers, a seatback tray they can work on, a place for their bagel and cup of latte. A commuter train offers all of these things. And when commuter trains are available, middle and upper-middle class people will leave their cars at home or in the park-and-ride lot and ride the train. That reduces highway congestion for everyone, including the people who still drive. A look at Chicago's excellent Metra commuter train system shows what commuter rail can bring to the Twin Cities. Metra carries more than 20% of all commuting trips into the Chicago Central Business District. More than 85% of Metra's riders have a car available, but choose to take the train instead. 25% have household incomes over $100,000. In fact, if we look at commuters into Chicago from Lake county, we find that train riders had mean earnings of more than $76,000, compared to less than $14,000 for bus riders, and that the earnings of rail commuters were more than double those of people driving to work alone. What this means, from a conservative perspective, is that commuter rail transit is transit for us: for middle-class people who pay most of the taxes. For once, in return for our tax money we are getting a service we can use, and that we want to use. It is not another "transfer payment," where government takes money from us to give it to somebody else. Rather, in return for our money, we get a new, better way to commute. And it is a better way to commute, for everyone. Time spent behind the wheel of a car caught in rush hour traffic is time wasted. At most, you can call someone on your cell phone and tell them you will be late for a meeting. In contrast, on a commuter train you can read, work on papers, write, and think. What was wasted time becomes productive time. And meanwhile, your commuter train is speeding past all those cars stuck in traffic. Commuter rail is the fastest growing mode of transit in America, and for good reason. When people try it, they like it and they want more of it. The Northstar corridor offers the Twin Cities a chance to try commuter rail. The Federal share of the money to get it up and running is sitting there, waiting. Chicago's Metra covers more than 50% of its operating expenses from the farebox - far more than most bus systems - and Northstar should be able to do the same. Expanding Highway 10 will cost more than Northstar. From every perspective, commuter rail transit is the right way to go. APRIL 17 HEARING ON RAIL PROPOSALS INCLUDING NORTHSTAR IN SENATE TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET DIVISION CHAIRED BY SENATOR DEAN JOHNSON 1:00 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M. ROOM 112 CAPITOL AGENDA: SF 297 - KISKADEN - HIGH SPEED RAIL (MNDOT'S INITIATIVE) · SF556 - KRENTZ - NORTHSTAR BILL SF1377 - KELLY - JOINT POWERS LRT REGIONAL BILL (NORTHSTAR INCLUDED) · SF1985 - SABO RAIL FUNDING PROPOSAL NOT PLANNING MAJOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON EACH BILL, BUT HAVING TECHNICAL PEOPLE (SUCH AS KEN STEVENS, TIM YANTOS, GARY ERICKSON, ETC.) AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS). IT WOULD BE GOOD IF MEMBERS OF NCDA COULD ATTEND THE HEARING TO SHOW SUPPORT. AN APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MADE WITH SPEAKER SWIGGUM, REPS TINGELSTAD, MOLNEAU AND PAUL PRICE FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 10:00 A.M. ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE WITH HAUSMAN AND TINGELSTAD FOR A BRIEFING BY PAUL PRICE TO INTERESTED HOUSE MEMBERS AT 1:30 ON SAME DAY. PAUL PRICE WILL BE SPEAKING TO THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 A.M. IN ROOM 112, STATE CAPITOL ON APRIL 10.