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Public Works Director Olson answered the City spends about $52,000 /month and there is about a <br /> $10,500 return from Met Council. He stated there are about 4,800 to 6,000 riders per month and <br /> the bus has been in operation since January of 2007. The City received a federal grant for the <br /> first three years to operate that service. <br /> Mr. Bendtsen inquired where the bus runs. <br /> Public Works Director Olson answered from the 5 Street garage downtown Minneapolis to the <br /> Ramsey Municipal Center. <br /> Mr. Bendtsen asked why other places are not subsidized. He said there are citizens that would <br /> like to go other places and asked how the Council justifies bus rides. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated the intent of the bus operation was to gain some ridership to gain a <br /> Northstar rail stop. The grant has been expended, and the City had to pick up the cost to keep its <br /> ridership. He noted that without taking that action there may not have been a stop in Ramsey. <br /> Mr. Bendtsen asked if the money is coming from the Environmental Trust Fund. <br /> Mayor Ramsey clarified it is coming from the Landfill Trust Fund. <br /> Mr. Bendtsen stated it seemed like a lot of money and asked what the circumstances are for the <br /> parking ramp expansion. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated some spaces are allocated for transit, some for adjacent uses, including the <br /> housing around the ramp and for city parking. <br /> Public Works Director Olson said the parking ramp expansion grant was received and guarantees <br /> 200 stalls to be used for transit. The grant dictates a total of 350,000 stalls will be available for <br /> transit use. <br /> Mr. Bendtsen inquired if the CMAQ grant was used for funding. <br /> Public Works Director Olson confirmed it was. The CMAQ grant was for bus services <br /> operation, and part of the expansion of the parking facility to guarantee use for public <br /> transportation. <br /> Mr. Bendtsen questioned how long the skyway would be to go from the ramp to the transit <br /> station. <br /> Mayor Ramsey replied it would be long enough to connect the two. He said he is not sure of the <br /> cost at this point, but it will be borne among the funding partners. The City is putting in $4.75 <br /> million and getting $1.75 million back from the County for another project. He noted the City is <br /> basically spending $3 million for the train stop. <br /> City Council / October 11, 2011 <br /> Page 3 of 17 <br />