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1 nf~irr~a.~~u'~v 1f-~~~p . r ~, a ~G~10~°3~~.I~~IIG ~~~~~a November 4, 2010 Dear NCDA Members: We are writing to inform you of an action taken by the Executive Committee this afternoon. As you are aware, Northstar, Mn/DOT, and Metropolitan Council staff and consultants have been working over the last six months to prepare the necessary analysis required by FTA to pursue Small Starts funding. The work .included: negotiations with BNSF, ridership modeling, examination of land use and economic development potential in the corridor, financial commitments by the various funding partners, and calculation of the CEI (Cost-Effectiveness Index). After intensive analysis of the Phase II and an evaluation of the Project using the FTA rating criteria, the Executive Committee unanimously voted to recommend that the NCDA and project partners not proceed with an FTA Small Starts application at this time. The focus of the NCDA's work should be to cultivate ridership on Northstar Commuter Rail and the Northstar Link with the ultimate expectation that the line be extended to St. Cloud. This is a major decision for all of us. At our meeting on December 4, 2010, we will provide you all of the information and analysis, and we will consider our next steps, work plan, and budget for next year. Your continued support for implementation of the line to St. Cloud is more critical than ever. Ridership remains a focus for us all, as we work to continue to introduce the benefits of the service to potential customers all along the line. We are attaching keys on talking points, and a press release that fully explains the rationale for our decision at this time. Please call one of us if you have questions. cerely, Dan Erhart Chair Felix Schmiesing Commissioner, Sherburne County Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2100 3`~ Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 323-5682 www.northstartrain.org