Agenda - Council - 09/27/2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NORTHSTAR RAMSEY STATION PROJECT MASTER COOPERATION, FUNDING AND DELEGATION AGREEMENT This is a Master Cooperation, Funding and Delegation Agreement ("Master Cooperation Agreement") made and entered into by and between the Metropolitan Council ("Met Council"), the Anoka County Regional Railroad Authority ("ACRRA"), and the City of Ramsey ("City"), collectively referred to as the "Parties." BACKGROUND RECITALS 1. After the commencement of revenue service of the Northstar Commuter Rail Project in November 2009, the Met Council became responsible for planning, development, design, acquisition, construction, and equipping of any improvements to commuter rail facilities or service in that corridor pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.4057, subd. 3. 2. ACRRA is a regional railroad authority established pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 398A, to provide for the improvement of local passenger rail service. q, 3. The proposed commuter rail station will be located within the City of Ramsey and partially on property owned by the City. 4. The parties to this agreement have been involved in various activities regarding the development of the Northstar Ramsey Station Project ("Project"). The Project consists of the development of a commuter rail station on the Northstar Corridor which currently runs from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis. The Project includes, without limitation: a. the acquisition of the rights from the BNSF to allow the use of the railroad's right-of-way to add the Ramsey commuter rail station to the existing Northstar service, and b. the construction of station and platform. 5. In order to enhance access and promote pedestrian safety, the City has agreed to fund a Skyway Connection between the existing parking ramp and the Station. This City requested enhancement shall be funded separately but shall be constructed as part of the Total Project. 6. The Project will be financed through grants from and through financial contributions from the State of Minnesota, the Met Council, the ACRRA, the City and the Counties Transit Improvement Board ("CTIB") (hereinafter referred to as the "Funding Partners")as described in this agreement. 7. Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.4057 sets forth certain requirements and responsibilities of the Met Council with respect to the planning, developing, designing, constructing, funding, operating and maintaining of commuter rail transit. 8. Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.4057 provides that the Met Council may enter into memoranda of understanding, joint powers agreements, or other agreements with public or private entities including, without limitation, political subdivisions, regional railroad authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, joint powers boards, the commissioner of transportation, or railroads, to carry out its responsibilities for commuter rail transit. 1