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<br />NCDA <br />Resolution 2006- <br /> <br />Memorandum of Understanding with BNSF Railway Company <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) was formed <br />in May of 1997 by joint powers agreement among the counties, county regional railroad <br />authorities, cities and towns along the Northstar Corridor; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the sole purpose of the NCDA is to address the transportation needs <br />of the TH1 O/Northstar Corridor, one of the fastest growing corridors in the State of <br />Minnesota; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, in December, 1999, the NCDA selected commuter rail as the <br />centerpiece of its locally preferred transportation investment strategy; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the proposed commuter rail service between Big Lake and <br />Minneapolis, Minnesota will operate on the existing freight railroad owned by BNSF <br />Railway Company (BNSF); and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Minnesota Statutes Section 174.82 provides that the <br />Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation is responsible for all <br />aspects of commuter rail in Minnesota, including negotiations with the railroad and <br />further provides that the Commissioner may delegate such responsibilities to a joint <br />power board; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, in November, 2003, the Commissioner of Mn/DOT entered into a <br />memorandum of understanding with the NCDA, delegating to the NCDA the <br />responsibility to conduct negotiations with BNSF and to seek approval from Mn/DOT of <br />any agreements with BNSF relating to commuter rail; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the NCDA and Mn/DOT have worked in partnership over the last. <br />several years to negotiate an agreement with BNSF to provide the necessary capacity <br />for commuter rail and the right to operate on BNSF tracks; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, with the leadership and support of Governor Tim Pawlenty, the <br />NCDA and the State have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with BNSF; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the NCDA further recognizes the important contributiOns of the <br />Minnesota Congressional Delegation including Senator Coleman and Congressmen <br />Oberstar, Kennedy, Sabo and Ramstad, in securing the partnership with BNSF and <br />ensuring the continued support of FT A; and <br />