4.3. SR 07-19-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, c. A motion was made by Duane Grandy, seconded by Jerry Goebel and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Executive Committee that the Joint Powers Agreement not be amended at this time and that the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) be welcomed to attend NCDA meetings to facilitate the exchange of information and coordination. . 4. Commissioners Erhart and Wergin, Stephanie Eiler, Tim Yantos, and Mary Richardson reported on the APT A Commuter Rail Conference, which was recently held in Toronto. 5. Mary Richardson provided a wrap-up of the 1999 legislative session. Mn/DOT must adopt a commuter rail system plan by January 15,2000. The plan is to incorporate elements of existing Regional Railroad Authorities' (RRA's) plans and engineering standards (rail equipment, facilities, services including security, station design parameters, farebox systems, and safety). The system plan will be done in consultation with the RRA's. Both the system plan and the advanced corridor plan require MPO approval. A Commuter Rail Corridor Coordinating Committee must be established to advise the Commissioner of Transportation on alternative analysis, environmental review, advanced corridor planning, PE, FD, implementation method, construction, public involvement, land use, service and safety. In the Northstar Corridor, the NCDA will serve as the Coordinating Committee. RRA's will be required to enter into a memorandum of understanding with MnlDOT. . Sixty million dollars ($60 ml) in bonding authority was authorized for the Hiawatha LR T system. 6. The Authority reviewed a letter directed to D.J. Mitchell, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), from Mr. Tim Yantos, requesting an acknowledgement from BNSF that the NCDA expects to commence commuter rail service in the Northstar Corridor in 2003, utilizing the existing BNSF right-of-way, freight tracks, and facilities and requests assistance from BNSF in accomplishing its goal of providing convenient, reliable, efficient and cost effective commuter rail service. Mr. Yantos presented the response from BNSF. 7. The Authority reviewed the draft principles for station area location and planning presented by Ken Stevens. A motion was made by Pat Cairns, seconded by Lewis Stark and carried unanimously to add the word "safely" in the first bullet under Community Integration, A. Access, to read as follows: "Provide access on a public street system that safely accommodates added traffic demands generated by the facility. " .