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<br />Councilmember Dehen stated everyone wants the funding to accelerate this, probably because <br />they think the program will be good, and secondly they would all like Ramsey to get a station. <br />However, there is a substantial likelihood that Ramsey will not get a station. As he reads over <br />these materials, th~y just spent $250,000 on this whole Highway 10 study, it may not necessarily <br />have been spent by theCity, but it is taxpayer money. Now they are saying they need to get this <br />funding accelerated, he agrees but would ask why cities like Anoka and Elk River that are along <br />this line should not pick up some of this tab. He asked if Mr. Tinklenberg is discussing this with <br />everyone of these communities that stands to benefit, or why it would just be Ramsey. <br /> <br />Mr. Tinklenberg replied part of the work The Tinklenberg Group was originally contracted to do <br />with Ramsey was to accelerate the station location. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that Mr. Fersman has said it could be catastrophic if they start <br />pushing the Ramsey station. So, it seems that it falls back collectively on everyone along this <br />line to pitch in and have this go smoothly. The issue he has is that Ramsey is considering taking <br />on this cost that may be significant, and they have no cooperation from anyone else along here <br />that stands to benefit. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated his feeling is this needs the whole NCDA, and they have not had a meeting <br />where they have discussed the acceleration. He would think the NCDA could use their ability to <br />accelerate the funding for the whole area; that voice is far better than the City of Ramsey. If <br />Ramsey is the leader on that a bit it might help them for the station, but then they are almost <br />putting out something that says they are pushing for a station. He does not think Ramsey should <br />put their money out just to accelerate Northstar; that is up to the Northstar Board. <br /> <br />Mr. Tinklenberg stated the benefit of accelerating the funding is that it would support the <br />opportunity for Ramsey to move up the discussion about the Ramsey station and get that in place <br />because it is available. If there were to be operational opportunities in 2008, a full year ahead of <br />time, there will be a need to draw on facilities that are available. Ramsey is available and could <br />fill that need. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec pointed out if the funding is accelerated; after the FFGA is in place would be the <br />time to say Ramsey is available. Now may not be the time for that. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated it seems clear they should not upset the apple cart at this point and <br />that they need to wait until December or whatever the time frame is for the FFGA. He asked if <br />Mr. Fersman has had any indication at this point that the FFGA may be accelerated. <br /> <br />Mr. Fersman replied it all depends upon how they collectively are defining accelerated. He <br />reviewed the anticipated time line involved with the FFGA, and stated the final package <br />requirements from the FT A will hopefully be finalized within the next two weeks. At that time <br />the formal statutory clock begins and there will be some opportunity to help expedite that. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec indicated it appears the general feeling is to hold off on this right now and leave <br />the acceleration up to the Northstar Executive Board. He would watch this close and start <br />pushing for the Ramsey station after the FFGA is completed. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / August 28, 2007 <br />Page 4 of5 <br />