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Nr THSTAR <br /> COM.MU.TER .RAIL <br /> September 21, 2016 <br /> Councilmember Jill Johns <br /> NCDA Member, City of Ramsey <br /> 7550 Sunwood Dr. NW <br /> Ramsey, MN 55303 <br /> Dear Councilmember Johns: <br /> It was nearly 20 years ago when the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) <br /> was formed by joint powers agreement among 30 units of government--cities, towns, <br /> counties and regional railroad authorities. Since May, 1997, the NCDA has had 30 loyal <br /> and committed members. Our mission was clear: get the Northstar commuter rail <br /> funded, built and operational. We succeeded, in part. We managed, against great <br /> odds, to secure the funding for the project as far as Big Lake. It was a tremendous <br /> effort, and we needed everybody at the table to get it done. And everybody came to <br /> monthly meetings for many years. <br /> x <br /> Northstar Commuter Rail has been operational for nearly seven years. Over the course <br /> of the last year, the Executive Committee has been meeting to discuss and evaluate the <br /> future of the NCDA. While it was a difficult decision, it is our recommendation that the <br /> NCDA terminate the joint powers agreement establishing the board. The previous level <br /> of effort of all of our township, city and county members is simply no longer needed. <br /> For the last several years, the NCDA has met once or twice per year, and it has become <br /> increasingly difficult to get a quorum. It is certainly understandable, since at present <br /> there is not a specific job to do. <br /> The Executive Committee remains committed to completing the line to St. Cloud, but <br /> that effort is not yet ripe. We need to build ridership on the first phase of Northstar to <br /> ensure that the extension will be eligible for federal funding. We have a ways to go. <br /> Moreover, like with the first phase, state funding will be critical and we will need to <br /> monitor the on-going efforts to secure transportation funding at the State Legislature. <br /> At this time, however, we believe that the right thing to do is to complete the wind-down <br /> affairs of the original Northstar Corridor Development Authority. So, with great <br /> appreciation for your city's service on the NCDA for the last 19 years, we ask you <br /> to attend an NCDA meeting on December 1 at 3:00 p.m. at the Sherburne County <br /> Government Center in Elk River to celebrate our successes and to take acritical <br /> E <br />