HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-101 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2015/07/20RESOLUTION NO. 15-101
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING $2,000,000 IN LOCAL FUNDS TO THE
SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT
(METRO GREEN LINE EXTENSION)
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park (City) has been working with the Metropolitan
Council, host cities, public agencies, and public transit funders in planning for the proposed
Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) Project (METRO Green Line Extension); and
WHEREAS, the proposed SWLRT Project is an approximately 14.4 mile extension of the
METRO Green Line, which would operate from downtown Minneapolis through the cities of St
Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie; and
WHEREAS, on April 9, 2014, the Metropolitan Council adopted a SWLRT Project scope
and budget, which was amended to $1.653 billion on July 9, 2014; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2015, the Metropolitan Council released an updated SWLRT
Project cost estimate of $1.994 billion; and
WHEREAS, because of the increased cost estimate, the Metropolitan Council, with input
from the five host cities, Hennepin County, and public transit funders, identified certain elements
to be eliminated or delayed that do not impact the proposed SWLRT Project's overall
functionality, and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council on July 8, 2015, adopted a revised SWLRT Project
scope and budget of $1.744 billion, which requires the Metropolitan Council to seek
commitments from host cities and public agencies to fund the non-federal share of estimated
costs above $1.653 billion; and
WHEREAS, the City, our residents, businesses, and workers would benefit from the
SWLRT Project as it could provide an attractive transportation option for residents and workers
along with increased redevelopment opportunities strengthening the City's tax base; and
WHEREAS, as one of the host cities for the proposed SWLRT Project, the City has been
asked to contribute funds towards the SWLRT Project budget to maintain an SWLRT Project
design and functionality that benefits the City, its residents, businesses, and workers, and
WHEREAS, the City has identified $2,000,000 as the appropriate contribution towards
realizing the construction of the proposed SWLRT Project, and
WHEREAS, the City understands that the SWLRT Project is undergoing state and federal
environmental review and that this identification of funds is not intended to prejudice or
compromise any of these environmental review processes or any decisions made under them;
and
WHEREAS, the SWLRT Project includes construction of a regional trail bridge over the
SWLRT tracks and freight rail tracks just East of Beltline Blvd facilitating the extension of the
trail bridge over Beltline Blvd itself and grade separation of the regional trail at Wooddale
Avenue as well.
Resolution No. 15-101 -2-
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, after appropriate examination and due
consideration, the governing body of the City of St Louis Park hereby commits $2,000,000
towards SWLRT Project construction activities anticipated to occur between 2017-2020. After
all necessary state and federal environmental review has taken place and the SWLRT Project
receives a Record of Decision (ROD) and Determination of Adequacy, the City will address the
terms and conditions of this commitment through subsequent resolutions regarding appropriation
of funds through one or more subordinate funding or other agreements with the Metropolitan
Council.
Reviewed for Administration:
D -e to -4,t Cityanage
Attest:
Adopted b the City Council July 20, 2015
Mayor
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