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Northstar Corridor Development Authority <br />Regular Meeting Minutes <br />May 3,200 I <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />o <br /> <br />I0. <br /> <br />11. <br /> <br />12. <br /> <br />Discussion was held regarding the qualifications and experience of the individuals who have been <br />assigned to the Northstar Corridor project by Mn/DOT. Duane Cekalla requested that Mn/DOT <br />provide background information including the qualifications and experience of the Mn/DOT <br />appointed team to the Authority. A request will be sent to Mn/DOT. <br /> <br />Chairperson Betsy Wergin read aloud a letter received from Commissioner of Transportation Elwyn <br />Tinklenberg requesting that a representative from Mn/DOT be appointed as an ex-officio member to <br />the Executive Committee and Northstar Board of Directors. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Paul McCarron, seconded by Duane Grandy and carried unanimously to <br />appoint a Mn/DOT representative to the Northstar Executive Committee and the Board of Directors <br />as a non-voting ex-officio member. <br /> <br />NCDA members requested that Ann-Therese Schmid and Mike Schadauer express the Authority's <br />desire and concern to Mn/DOT that communication lines with the Authority and Mn/DOT remain <br />open and continual and that the Authority has input into decisions made by Mn/DOT. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Steve Billings, seconded by John Norgren and carried unanimously to <br />approve Resolution #2001-03 as recommended by the Executive Committee that the NCDA <br />recommends to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation that the design of <br />commuter rail stations provides for the multi-modal enhancements contemplated in the MIS; and, in <br />particular, that underpasses at stations allow for use by bicyclers and pedestrians and not be <br />restricted to commuters. <br /> <br />Steve Billings requested that a copy of Resolution #2001-03 be sent with a cover letter to <br />Congressman Oberstar. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Paul Ostrow, seconded by John Ellenbecker and carried unanimously that the <br />NCDA approve for distribution the Preliminary Engineering of the Northstar Commuter Rail Project <br />and authorize its distribution to the cities for review and comment in accordance with the above <br />schedule. ' <br /> <br />Mike Schadauer, Mn/DOT, reviewed the proposed downtown Minneapolis connection to the <br />Northstar Corridor from the Hiawatha Rail Line. No action taken. <br /> <br />The Authority reviewed the schedule for completion of the EIS with the Record of Decision due <br />September, 2001. The Final EIS will: <br /> <br />a) <br /> <br />b) <br /> <br />Document resolution of outstanding issues, including the selection of the Preferred <br />Alternative, and <br />Include responses to substantive comments received during circulation of the Draft EIS. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Ewald Peterson, seconded by Patrick Cairns and carried unanimously to <br />approve Resolution #2001-04 recommending that the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final <br />EIS) include commuter rail as the locally preferred alternative, and that the FEIS document the <br />preferred alternative, the preferred alternative decision-making process, the impacts and proposed <br />mitigation measures of the preferred alternative and response to comments made on the Draft EIS. <br /> <br />Page 3 <br /> <br /> <br />