Agenda - Council Work Session - 03/09/2010

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Since a spare bus is necessary after the train starts there is additional costs to running the service and as of November 16, 2009 the per bus cost increase to $6,854.56 per month. Since it is clear in the federal register that CMAQ grants cannot be used for operating expenses after 3 year of operation, we are also asking the FHWA for approval to utilize the remaining grant funds that we didn't use for continuation on the capital portion of the project (bus lease $16,500 per month) See attached letter to Susan Mve dated December 10, 2009. As the letter indicates, the total amount spent at the end of January 2010 is expected to be $1,171,464 ($234,292.89 -City of Ramsey and $937,171.60 - CMAQ grant). To continue to utilize the full extent of the grant moneys ($1,551,395 - $1,171,464 = $379,930), City Council will be asked to extend the service for another 6 month interval (April 1, 2009 - Sept 30, 2010) sometime in February of this year. We hope to have an answer from FHWA and MnDOT before that action is necessary. Ramsey Rail Station As you recall, the City of Ramsey requested a grant for a Ramsey Rail Station through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program during the 2009 regional solicitation. We were unsuccessful in receiving this grant but there were a number of issues that were raised through that process. In an effort to clarify some of these issues, the Metropolitan Council (who would ultimately own and maintain the Ramsey rail station) wrote the attached letter explaining their position and will be in attendance at the work session on January 26, 2010. Staff has attached the letter for your review prior to that meeting. Attachments: Average Daily Trip Graph Spreadsheet of expected costs Letter to Susan Moe dated December 10, 2009 Letter from Metropolitan Council dated November 2, 2009 Action Statement: Based on discussion. CCWS 1/12/2010 Reviewed by: City Administrator