Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 07/08/2010

Home

~-, ,fie: f~~;.~~ The Tinklenberg. Group The Fnterchange o(ttrategles and solutions City of Ramsey Commuter Rail Station Funding and Legislation Consulting Services Proposal November 2009 OVERVIEW The Tinklenberg Group respectfully submits the following proposal in response to the City of Ramsey interest to pursue federal funding as part of the 2010 Reauthorization Bill, Fiscal Year 2011 Appropriations Bill, and state legislation in an effort to advance transportation and transit improvements in the City of Ramsey.. The Tinklenberg Group shall assist the. City to acquire funds that would allow for construction of a commuter rail station in the Ramsey Town Center as part of the Northstar Commuter Rail line. This work will include. continued monitoring and promotion of the City's Reauthorization request submitted to Minnesota Senate leadership in 2009, drafting and submitting a FY 2011 Appropriations request (House and Senate), monitoring application processes; and promoting and communicating project needs to Minnesota's local, state and federal elected officials. Many of the tasks and activities associated with the two federal funding bills will occur simultaneously. As an example, trips to Washington D.C. to meet with elected officials will involve discussing both funding requests; project materials will also be essentially the same. While typically an Appropriations request involves asking for a lesser dollar amount than as part of the Reauthorization Bill, pursuing this funding source will provide a greater opportunity for Congressional leaders to allocate funding through more options. The work identified in this proposal also involves assisting the City in its efforts to develop and obtain authority to implement a station area improvement district as part of a local financing strategy for the commuter rail. station. This work will include working with state House and Senate representatives to identify champions,to carry the. bill and securing support to ensure passage ih the 2010 legislative session. SPECIFIC WORK ELEMENTS FY 2011 APPROPRIATIONS BILL: • Obtain FY 2011 Appropriations request forms from Congressional offices; complete and submit funding request for construction ofthe commuter rail station.