7.3. SR 06-20-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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communications issues and the ability to end the lease after one year. Frank Dunbar has been handling lease negotiations on behalf of the NCDA with the Ceresota Building. Scott Schulte asked where the determination that 29 parking spaces are needed for NPO staff derived from. Mr. Yantos noted that the need for 29 parking spaces is based on an estimate of how many staff will be working out of the NPO on a fulltime basis. 5) Jon Olson gave an update on the current financial status of the NCDA Special Project: Commuter Coach Service. Mr. Olson discussed the implications of the operating shortfall to date and the projected shortfall for 2006 and the revenue necessary to continue the commuter coach service. Staff will ask for a recommendation, at the June NCDA meeting, on funding for commuter coach services. Bruce Nawrocki asked if there is updated ridership information available. Mr. Olson noted that in March of this year there was an average of 16,666 riders for the month. During off peak hours, the buses are running about 76 to 77% full, and during peak hours full. Farebox recovery is high. Farebox covers approximately 60% of operation costs. Bruce Nawrocki asked how many stops are made. Mr. Olson noted that 73% of the rider's board at the Elk River stop and 27% at the Coon Rapids stop. Mark Limpert asked if there are any projections of increased ridership for the commuter coach service. Mr. Olson noted that the buses can't accommodate extra riders because the buses are running near or at capacity now. Mr. Limpert asked if the service expects to reach a point where there won't be enough room and people will be left behind, and if so, are there any plans for adding buses. Mr. Olson noted that more subsidy would be needed if more buses were added. He further noted that the Project would have to come up with an additional $80,000 in local share assuming that there would be no more federal subsidy dollars available. Mr. Olson reiterated that this is a demonstration project which was started to get people interested in using public transportation and once the train starts running there would be plenty of seats available and buses would quit running. A member of the audience asked if there might be another revenue source that might be able to be tapped for this demo. David Elvig suggested perhaps charging people for parking at the bus stops. Mr. Olson noted that these sites were built as park and rides never intended to charge for parking. Bruce Nawrocki asked what the subsidy is per passenger. Mr. Olson replied $1.63 per person. Bus fares are currently $2.50 from/to Coon Rapids and $3.50 from/to Elk River. Mr. Olson noted that the Metropolitan Council will be implementing an increase in public transportation fares as of July 1. The increases are 50 cents for peak hours and 25 cents for nonpeak hours. 6) Paul Danielson reviewed advanced and final design issues for commuter rail. He noted that Kimley-Horn is currently working on the issue of whether or not a tunnel should be built at the Coon Rapids station for pedestrian use. He also noted that there is a chance that the Big Lake station could be located next to the proposed maintenance facility location in the SE corner of the site. Kimley-Horn is studying advantages and disadvantages of various station locations for the Big Lake station. Mr. Danielson listed various issues that are being reviewed pertaining to the maintenance facility: Some of issues are: connection to the mainline (one connection may be able to be eliminated), reduction of bailout sections, interior layouts, building size, and efficient layout space for the workers. Mr. Danielson noted that there has also been some discussion about putting together a Life Safety Committee as the Project develops. This Committee would address permitting processes various communities along the Corridor have, and