Laserfiche WebLink
<br />emergency. While things have operated fairly well with the redesign of 280 and 94, once <br />summer vacations are over and people are back in school and the university is going, there will <br />be tremendous strain on that system. They will be looking for other ways to move people and <br />Northstar is a great opportunity. The sense of urgency is why 280 was redesigned overnight and <br />94 was changed. This is not business as usual. <br /> <br />Ms. Natalie Haas Steffen, Metropolitan Councilmember, noted Mr. Tinklenberg used the terms <br />'we' and 'accelerate'. She asked if this is something that the NCDA has voted on and is trying to <br />accelerate. <br /> <br />Mr. Tinklenberg replied it is his understanding from Commissioners Erhart and Berg that there <br />have been discussions with officials who are encouraging the acceleration. <br /> <br />Ms. Haas Steffen asked if this is part of any discussions with the special session. She requested <br />verification that if this were to be accelerated there is not money in the state budget for matching <br />funds, and the counties would have to front the dollars to accelerate this. <br /> <br />Mr. Mark Fersman, Northstar Project Director, responded in the affirmative. He stated with <br />regards to the opportunities before them, he has been involved with and assisted in leading the <br />Northstar project team for almost three years now. He thanked Ramsey for being leaders and <br />devout supporters for Northstar. Mr. Fersman stated the project is poised today to secure a full <br />funding grant, and they have continued to work closely with the FT A. As recently as August <br />15th, FTA has identified the final items needed to put a wrap on their recommendation for the <br />FFGA. They are one or two weeks away from finalizing that package. Mr. Fersman explained <br />the procedure followed from FTA through Washington D.C. in the finalization of the $320 <br />million Northstar budget. He explained the congressional review period is scheduled for October <br />and November, with delivery in Minnesota of December 1, 2007. He advised what is done <br />during the next 90 to 100. days would open up the scope schedule or budget, which would be <br />viewed by FT A as a new project. Everything that has been worked on to this point would be re- <br />opened and re-questioned: Related to the FFGA, his strong advice is that no suggestions, idea <br />sharing or revising is recommended until the FFGA has been executed and delivered for the <br />Northstar project some time around December 1 st, <br /> <br />Mr. Tinklenberg explained the proposal was to take the grant agreement as it is being considered <br />today and state that it needs to be accelerated. This is a unique situation in terms of the <br />catastrophe on the bridge and the desire of the administration to respond to that. This is a <br />response that is meaningful. It is possible to simply say this has been proposed without any of <br />this discussion about Ramsey, Foley, or Fridley and they need to accelerate and get that in place. <br />He thinks that is a reasonable and legitimate request and the timing is right. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked what Ramsey would do in this process. <br /> <br />Mr. Tinklenberg replied Ramsey can support the effort to accelerate the FFGA, and that this is <br />urgent and it needs to be in place faster; nothing more than that. It sounds like a matter of a few <br />months until the FFGA comes through, but that assumes no more delays. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session I August 28, 20(17 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />