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Mr. Tinklenberg stated there are many pieces and details that need to be taken care of <br />immediately, a hearing is coming up, a bill needs to be introduced and submitted to committees, <br />and a schedule to keep all of the pieces moving forward. He felt part of the strength is the <br />number of players involved but someone is still needed to keep them moving in a coordinated <br />way. Mr. Tinklenberg commented on the importance of Representative Jim Abeler's <br />commitment since he is able to "build a bridge" to the DFL due to his vote on the Transportation <br />Bill a few years ago. However, he thinks Representative Abeler will also tell the City that it <br />needs someone to keep it moving forward, especially since it is a very compressed time frame of <br />four months and there is a lot to do in terms of legislation and the Governor's bonding bill. <br />Councilmember LeTourneau thanked Mr. Tinklenberg for attending and stating he is on board <br />with this effort. He agreed this is good timing and asked what the next four months will look <br />like, if the Council acts favorable on this proposal. <br />Mr. Tinklenberg stated there is clear understanding of the cost breakdown because there will be a <br />local share, $10 -$15 million in terms of bonding at the State level, and a Federal grant or Rail <br />Safety Grant that will come later but needs to be in place at the end of four moths. He stated in <br />the next four months, he thinks it is doable to have all elected Federal officials behind it and <br />moving it forward with the new Transportation Secretary. Mr. Tinklenberg noted the proposal <br />mentions his sense that because of relationships built and familiarity of key staff people in <br />congressional offices with this project and the City, it is not as necessary to have a Washington, <br />D.C., delegation and it can be handled effectively locally. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he has had the opportunity to work with Mr. Tinklenberg previously <br />when issues needed to be "pushed over the top." He stated in this case the "gun is loaded" and <br />Mr. Tinklenberg is in a key position because of his history with Ramsey, Highway 10, RALF, <br />the overpass, and the train station. He noted Mr Tinklenberg is a known personality, has been <br />effective, and he can look towards Mr. Tinklenberg to "carry the ball." Councilmember Elvig <br />noted a team probably needs to be developed of business owners and City representatives and a <br />timeframe organized to get things moving forward. He stated he supports this proposal. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated he thinks with the overpass being located in Ramsey, the City <br />needs to be the lead organization to spearhead with someone that has the experience, like Mr. <br />Tinldenberg. <br />Mayor Strommen stated she thinks someone is needed to help staff coordinate and her question <br />relates to appropriate scale, noting Highway 10 is Anoka County's number one transportation <br />priority and specifically the Armstrong interchange. Mayor Strommen stated she is not sure the <br />City's role needs to be coordinating all of the entities and asked if this proposal reconciles with <br />Anoka County's role and other agencies. She explained she would like to assure Ramsey is not <br />duplicating efforts and most effectively using its resources because it is critical to look at <br />community support issues and relationships the City wants to maintain within staff to business <br />and community members. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he does not see it as scope or the City taking the lead, but more in <br />how it is coordinated. He agreed Anoka County should take the lead on some issues but the City <br />City Council Work Session / February 5, 2013 <br />Page 15 of 18 <br />