Minutes - Council Work Session - 08/28/2007

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(FFGA) for Northstar. The acceleration of funding is something the administration could provide as a response to the emergency that really would not entail new funding, but would simply entail the acceleration of a commitment that was already there. Given some of the earlier discussions in Ramsey about the importance of the Northstar line and the investment Ramsey has made, accelerating that project would be in everyone's interest. Mr, Tinklenberg indicated there is a meeting scheduled for September 6th to discuss the bridge among other things, and he has asked if there is a chance to discuss Northstar as well. There are also meetings set up with Senator Coleman's and Congressman Oberstar's staff. What was proposed at a meeting with Commissioners Berg and Erhart present, is that Ramsey support an effort to accelerate FFGA, and to move that forward and get it in place. Once that is in place they would work with the NCDA and other folks responsible for Northstar to propose the Ramsey station as a way of facilitating the accelerated development of Northstar due to the capacity Ramsey has to accommodate a large number of people in the ramp and a potential station location. Mr. Tinklenberg advised there are two steps involved: 1) get the FFGA in place, have it approved and accelerated due to the bridge collapse and the need; 2) identify that the Ramsey station can be a very crucial part in terms of providing facilities for a large number of passengers quickly to get the service up and running. Mr. Tinklenberg stated he encourages the Council to consider this opportunity. He stated having gone through the FFGA on the only rail transit service that is actually operating in the Twin Cities, he has some understanding of that process. The Tinklenberg Group has worked with the Metropolitan Council in putting the current rail transit in place, including all of the negotiations involved with the FT A administration and staff, as well as the ITS programs. Mayor Gamec pointed out that Ramsey's station is set up and ready to go; it would basically involve putting the platform there. There is an opportunity with this station being ready to go, possibly at a cost that would be low without a lot of additional monies. Ramsey was not in the original selection of the station sites, and they made a commitment to some people that they would not force an issue or do anything that would jeopardize funding. He thinks they all believe in Northstar and that it is a tremendous project based on what they have seen with the light rail. This may be an opportunity where Ramsey can be of help to get things started. Councilmember Elvig noted there is the sense of urgency due to the bridge collapsing. One key factor is that Northstar crosses the river. His concern all along is to be sure they are not jeopardizing the FTA process in any way. The other concern is ifthey can posture themselves to be in that first round once the ink is signed on the full funding. If there is an opportunity Ramsey is available, but he would hate to be caught in a debacle with a city like Fridley where they will be trying to do the same thing. Mr. Tinklenberg indicated there are three additional sites being considered for future expansion; Fridley near Medtronic, the Foley site that is right on the tracks with a large parking ramp, and Ramsey. The difference between the Ramsey site and the Fridley site is that they are talking about the ability to respond quickly to provide capacity to get the service up and operating. What differentiates Ramsey is that they have the parking ramp. There would need to be a platform put in place to provide service, and. there would be a lot of discussions with BNSF about how that would be configured, but it goes back to the original motivation which is the City Council Work Session / August 28, 2007 Page 2 of5