Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 12/10/2009

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The Tinklenberg Group The Interchange of strategies and solutions City of Ramsey Federal Funding Outcomes and Accomplishments April 2009 - December 2009 The Tinklenberg Group has been working to pursue federal funding on behalf of the City of Ramsey and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) as part of the 2010 Reauthorization Bill in an effort to advance transportation and transit improvements in Ramsey. These improvements include the development and construction of an interchange at Trunk Highway 10 (TH10) and Armstrong Boulevard, and to advance the planned commuter rail station in the Ramsey Town Center as part of the Northstar Commuter Rail line. The 2010 Reauthorization Bill is a 6-year federal funding bill used to fund major transportation projects in a variety of forms including highway, rail, aviation and other modes. As reflected in Consulting Services Proposal approved by the Ramsey EDA in April 2009, the schedule for moving through the Reauthorization process assumed Congress would review and finalize a funding bill by September which has happened on the House side of the equation, but not the Senate. Instead, topics of health care and climate change have been the primary focus areas. It is anticipated that the Senate schedule for moving forward with their version of Reauthorization will occur sometime in mid-spring 2010. Once the Senate h,as drafted their version of the bill, the two versions (House and Senate) will go to conference committee where a final bill will be negotiated between the two bodies; This process may end up on a schedule somewhat simultaneous with the annual Appropriations funding cycle. Given this delay efforts thus far have focused on maintaining visibility of th_e two projects and advocating for support when the Reauthorization Bill is 'developed. Relative to the commuter rail station, this additional time has allowed for the development of a more refined funding strategy in collaboration with Anoka County, the Northst;:lr Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) and other project partners. Specific to the tasks identified in the April 2009 agreement, the following provides an overview of accomplished to date: . Submitted Reauthorization request forms to Senator Klobuchar, 'Senator Franken and Congresswoman Bachmann for the commuter rail station; assisted in gathering information and project costs for Armstrong Boulevard Interchange requests (Anoka County submitted the request). . Drafted project materials for both requests to reflect current status, cost estimates, schedules and needs; utilized materials as part of discussions with congressional leaders and staff. . Drafte_d Resolutions and Letters of Support and assisted in obtaining signed documents from various sources including Anoka County and local businesses. 10