7.4. SR 11-21-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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c) Commuter Rail Governance Legislation: Paul McCarron noted that the NCDA over the last year has been considering the issue of which public entity is the appropriate body to own and operate the Northstar Commuter Rail Project. At its December 2004 meeting, the NCDA Executive Committee adopted the four principles for commuter rail operations to guide discussion and lobbying activities in the 2005 legislative session. In accordance with the adopted principles, a bill was developed and introduced at the end of the 2005 session and will be considered during the 2006 session which would provide the Metropolitan Council the statutory authority for commuter rail serving the metropolitan area. The Executive Committee made a recommendation 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. Ewald Petersen made a motion that the NCDA support the commuter rail governance legislation that provides the Metropolitan Council the statutory authority for commuter rail serving the metropolitan area. The motion was seconded by Scott Schulte and passed on a voice vote with Mark Limpert voting nay. Real Estate Acquisition Issues: Jon Olson noted that the Project Management Team has revised the real estate acquisition process chart based on direction received from the Federal Transit Administration. The new process has the NCDA conducting property appraisals and MnlDOT acquiring properties on behalf of the Project. There are currently 21 properties identified that need to be acquired. Additional easements and partial takings may be identified during the design process. FTA requires that NCDA hire two independent appraisers (an entity that does not have an interest in the project), one to conduct the appraisals and a second to review the appraisals. This work is included in the NCDA 2005 work plan and budget under the line item relating to real estate acquisition. The work would need to be performed between December 1, 2005 and December 31,2006. t d) The Executive Committee recommended that the NCDA authorize release of an RFP for real estate appraisal services. The anticipated RFP schedule is: Issue RFP - October 17, 2005 ; Pre-Proposal Conference - October 27, 2005; Questions Due - November 3,2005; Proposals Due - November 11, 2005; Interviews - November 17,2005; Selection of Appraisers - December 1,2005. The evaluation team will include: Tim Yantos, Colleen Herrmann, Jon Olson, Mike Kelly, Axel Ridell, Ia Xiong and J an Lucke. Jeanne Mason asked if properties that need to be acquired are private or commercial. Mr. Olson noted that most properties are not developed and that none have any houses located on them. Kathy Tinglestad asked what percentage of the $265 million project cost of the Project will be used for property acquisition. Mary Richardson noted that real estate acquisition is budgeted for $8.5 million, or 3.2% of the total Project costs. Scott Schulte made a motion that the NCDA authorize the release of an RFP for real estate appraisal services as recommended. The motion was seconded by Tom Gamec and passed unanimously on a voice vote. 2