Laserfiche WebLink
<br />,; <br /> <br />XIV. Project St~ffing <br /> <br />Metro Transit scheduled interviews of candidates for the vacant Deputy Director <br />of Design position within the Northstar Project Office on July 20 and 22, 2005. <br />The position has been filled on an interim basis by a combination of Jon Olson, <br />the Anoka County Public Services Division Manager and registered engineer, <br />and Ken Stevens, a long time consultant to the Northstar Corridor Development <br />Authority and former director of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad <br />Authority. <br /> <br />The Mn/DOT employees working on Northstar were considered essential and <br />therefore continued working during the partial shut-down of Minnesota state <br />government operations that lasted from July 1 to 9, 2005. State operations <br />resumed on July 11 after legislative leaders and Governor Pawlenty agreed on a <br />plan to continue state services. The full legislature voted to accept the proposal <br />on July 13, so full government operations are restored through June 30,2007. <br /> <br />XV. Next Steps <br /> <br />Project staff will work with FT A to revise material and provide information as <br />needed for FT A to change the project's rating from "Not Recommended" to <br />"Recommended" and to approve entry into the final design phase. Project staff <br />will communicate with FTA Region V and headquarters staff and PMOC <br />throughout the review process to ensure timely project responses and progress. <br /> <br />FTA is scheduling the PMOC for the risk assessment. The PMOC is also <br />beginning their evaluation of the Project's technical capacity. FTA is scheduling <br />reviews of other material from the draft request to enter final design. <br /> <br />Project staff keeps in contact with station cities and counties on design issues. In <br />addition, the staff will continue to work with the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin <br />County on issues surrounding the inter-modal station, including the proposed <br />Minnesota Twins stadium. The project takes advantage of public information <br />opportunities, giving presentations to civic groups and business organizations. <br /> <br />Monthly Report <br />July 18, 2005 <br /> <br />-18- <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Rail Project <br />