5.4. SR 04-15-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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He noted that there were two rail cars brought in by Sounder in Seattle, Washington. Jeff noted that two trips were run with over 700 riders. John Himle, Himle Homer, gave an update on public information activities. Mr. Himle noted that the education process is incredibly important. He noted that significant success has been achieved on educating people along the Corridor. 5,000 people living along the Corridor have signed on as supports of the Northstar Project and have offered their help. Mr. Himle noted that bumper stickers have been developed and are in the process of being distributed, and that point of purchase materials have been placed at 400 different locations along the Corridor. Patrick Cairns stated that the billboards are nice and he has seen them along the Corridor, but he noted that the lettering is too small to read and he suggested moving the billboard located by the City of Rice to the other side of the highway in hopes that people would be able to read them as they drive by. Mr. Himle noted that the billboard placements are continually rotating all along the Corridor. Duane Grandy noted that the billboards are eye catching. Steve Novak gave an update on the state and federal legislative activities and handed out to the members a legislative summary prepared February 6 which showed the various House and Senate bills being recommended and their status. He noted that the momentum is building in the House and Senate. Mr. Novak noted that it is expected that a sales tax exemption bill will be introduced but expects that it may lag behind the bonding request by a couple weeks. Mr. Novak also passed out copies of newspaper articles from the northern section of the Corridor which show the support for the Project by Representative Oberstar and residents who live in the northern part of the Corridor. Paul Ostrow asked that all members keep heat on legislators and keep them up date on the Projects' needs. John Ellenbecker noted that he would like help from all members to urge Representative Knoblach to support this project. Patrick Cairns noted that he and others had had a meeting with Representative Knoblach and reiterated to him that this Project is very important to Central Minnesota. o Tim Yantos reviewed Resolution 2002-01 which is being presented to the Authority requesting the consideration of the Members of Congress responsible for the reauthorization of TEA-21 to establish additional federal funding authority or the creation of a new category of New Rail Start funding dedicated to commuter rail projects that will allow projects such as the Northstar Corridor to be funded in a timely and efficient manner. Chair Wergin asked that a revision be made to the 5th Whereas which would note that Congressmen Jim Oberstar, Martin Sabo, Collin Peterson and Bill Luther along with Senators Paul Wellstone and Mark Dayton have been the champions of this project. Steve Billings made a motion that the NCDA pass Resolution 2002-01 as revised per Chair Wergin's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Dave Saunders and passed unanimously on a voice vote. o Mike Schaduaer, Mn/DOT, gave an project update. Mr. Schadauer noted that'the FEiS has been signed and is going to the FTA. Mn/DOT is hoping that FTA has reviewed and commented on the FEIS by the 15th of March. If the FTA does not comment by the 15th, the project will be delayed another two weeks. Mr. Schadauer noted that Mn/DOT had met with Santa Fe officials and it seemed clear that Santa Fe officials won't be serious in negotiations Page 2