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<br />will be a rail station in Ramsey. He stated that he questions whether the City should spend <br />$87,134 without being certain of a rail station. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that County Commissioner Berg feels the City will be able to be <br />reimbursed for this money in November or December using the new transit tax. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that he feels there is great support for a station in Ramsey. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that she feels one of the reasons that the City has been <br />successful in garnering funding for this is that the City has been aggressive and proactive. She <br />stated that she would like to be ready to move forward "when" the City is granted a rail station. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look asked how long an environmental review lasts before an additional review <br />would need to be conducted. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that environmental reviews are good for 5 years. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich noted that there is no guarantee that this money will be refunded and <br />feels the City should look at it as an investment for the future rail station. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig reiterated that there is great support throughout the State for the rail stop <br />and noted that some members of the Council were traveling to Washington, D.C. next week to <br />help lobby our position. He stated that the work will need to be done eventually, so it is not like <br />the City is throwing money out the door. He asked where the funds will be coming from. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that the money will come from surplus funds from the 2007 <br />budget. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councihnember Strommen, to adopt Resolution <br />#08-04-069 Authorizing a Cost Sharing agreement with ACRRA for Preliminary Environment <br />Review, Design and Negotiations with BNSF for the Northstar Commuter Rail Station in <br />Ramsey at a cost not to exceed $87,134, utilizing excess revenue from the 2007 budget year. <br /> <br />Motion carried. V oting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Strommen, Dehen, and <br />Jeffrey. Voting No: Councilmember Look. Absent: Councilmember Olson. <br /> <br />Case #8: <br /> <br />Consider Authorization of Improvement Project 08-XX Watermain Looping <br />from Alpine Park to Regency Ponds 3rd Addition . <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that this project has a cost of around $352,000 and he is unsure if a <br />project that is spending this amount of money belongs on the Consent Agenda where only 3 <br />Councilmembers are making a decision without the full Council. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that there is some confusion around this item because he <br />was looking for direction from the Public Works Committee before he held the neighborhood <br />meeting. He stated that his intention was not to ask for Council action tonight, but to bring it <br /> <br />City Council! April 8, 2008 <br />Page 19 of 20 <br />