7.4. SR 10-17-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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U [J(]@!X3L100~L1!JJ!X3 @@!X3!X30[ffJ@!X3 Executive Committee Agenda Item #5 NCDA Agenda Item #2c September 30, 2005 TO: NCDA Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee NCDA FROM: Staff RE: Commuter Rail Governance Legislation Over the last year, the NCDA has considered the issue of which public entity is the appropriate body to own and operate Northstar Commuter Rail. Currently, Minnesota statutes provide that the Minnesota Department of Transportation has the sole authority for developing, constructing, and operating commuter rail in Minnesota. At its December 2004 meeting, the NCDA Executive Committee adopted the four principles for commuter rail operations (attached) to guide discussion and lobbying activities in the 2005 legislative session. In accordance with the adopted principles, a bill was developed and introduced that would provide the Metropolitan Council the statutory authority for commuter rail serving the metropolitan area. The reasons for the proposed legislation were as follows: 1. Metro Transit is an experienced operator of rail and bus transit services. Mn/DOT funds transit operations but does not operate transit services. 2. Utilizing Metro Transit's experienced staff and facilities is more cost-effective than creating new functions at Mn/DOT (e.g. transit police, fare collection and accounting, communications, claims management, service planning). 3. Metro Transit could more easily assure the seamless integration of commuter rail into the regional transit system. 4. Metro Transit has necessary management experience and authority for entering into the complex operating agreements with private service providers (the freight railroads). The proposed legislation was introduced at the end of the session and will be considered by the Legislature during the 2006 session. House File 2552 (Tingelstad, Sviggum) fully incorporates the NCDA's guiding principles. In preparation for the next legislative session, it is recommended that the NCDA support legislation that would provide the Metropolitan Council the statutory authority for development, construction and operations of commuter rail serving the metropolitan area. Action Requested: That the NCDA Executive Committee recommends that the NCDA support the commuter rail governance legislation that provides the Metropolitan Council the statutory authority for commuter rail serving the metropolitan area. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 21003 Avenue. Anoka. Minnesota 55303-2265 (63) 323-570() Fax: (63) 323-5682 www,nonhstartrain,org