Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/05/2010

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Rail Station Status By: Kurtis G. Ulrich, City Administrator Background: u r cityy It had previously been reported in August that Anoka County was working with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad to secure a written cost proposal regarding the Ramsey Station. BNSF had told the County representatives that a written proposal would be delivered to a meeting they had on September 20, 2010. Anoka County did not receive the proposal at the meeting on the 20 On September 28, Anoka County made another written request to BNSF. Anoka County also has made a request for $1 million for the Ramsey station through the County Transit Investment Board after the City agreed to backstop $3.1 of the local contribution. The Anoka County Regional Rail Authority will consider funding an additional portion of this local match at a future meeting. Currently, they have allocated $100,000. During the course of discussion with Anoka County, it was indicated that a Ramsey station is being opposed by the Sherburne and Stearns County representatives of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) due to their efforts to try to get the Northstar rail line extended to St. Cloud (i.e., Phase II), and to keep this as the NCDA's top priority. These same groups are also apparently critical of Ramsey's operation of the commuter bus because it takes traffic from the Northstar line. Anoka County continues to be a strong supporter of the Phase II extension of the line to St. Cloud. The 2011 NCDA budget calls for a $101,813 contribution from Anoka County for the Phase II capital budget. In addition, a contribution of $6,400,500 is Anoka County's projected participation for the local match for $150 million Phase II development and construction. Discussion The current station funding scenario has identified the following sources: Federal $ 5.1 million State 2.0 million Met Council 1.5 million CTIB 3.2 million Local (City /County) 3.2 million Total $15.0 million The City Council should discuss strategies and action steps necessary to enhance the priority of the Ramsey Rail Station within Anoka County, including the development of strategic alliances within and outside of the County. Otherwise, the competing local rail priorities will continue to hamper Ramsey's ability to secure federal state and regional funding for a station.