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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-102 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2015/07/20i RESOLUTION NO. 15-102 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LOCAL FUNDS TO THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT (METRO GREEN LINE EXTENSION) FOR DESIGN, ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW, AND POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION OF A TRAIL AND UNDERPASS AT LOUSIANA STATION 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 scope for the proposed SWLRT Project with a cost estimate of $1.683 billion, which was amended to $1.653 billion on July 9, 2014; and WHEREAS, an underpass of the Bass Lake Spur/Cedar Lake Trail at Louisiana Station with pedestrian and bicycle connections to the Cedar Lake Trail in the City (Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass) was included in the amended project scope approved by the Metropolitan Council on July 9, 2014; and WHEREAS, on April 27, 2015, the Metropolitan Council released an updated cost illestimate of $1.994 billion for the proposed SWLRT Project, 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 scope for the proposed SWLRT Project with a cost estimate of $1.744 billion, which included eliminating the Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass, and WHEREAS, the City, our residents, businesses, and workers would benefit from the proposed 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, the City, our residents, businesses, and workers would benefit from the proposed SWLRT Project through increased access to employment districts, cultural attractions, educational centers, and shopping and entertainment destinations within and outside the City, and WHEREAS, the City is committed to further expand pedestrian and bicycle connections for its residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has indicated that inclusion of the Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass would not have an impact on the proposed SWLRT Project's Cost and Effectiveness Index rating; and Resolution No. 15-102 -2- WHEREAS, the City believes the Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass should be reinserted into the proposed SWLRT Project scope as it would improve pedestrian and bicycle connections from the Louisiana Station and Cedar Lake Trail, would provide access to the Louisiana Station from existing and future City trails and sidewalks connecting to Methodist Hospital, Minnehaha Creek, and Meadowbrook Apartments, and would reinforce the City's commitment for economic growth while being a connected and engaged community; and WHEREAS, the City is committed to providing the required local match to federal funds for the total cost of design, environmental review, and construction of the proposed Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass in the proposed SWLRT Project; and WHEREAS, the cost of the proposed Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass is projected to be $600,000 including the cost of design and environmental review; and, WHEREAS, the City commits to paying half of the cost of the proposed Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass through this resolution by local funds; and WHEREAS, the City is responsible for the upfront cost of the design, environmental review, and project administration and management for the proposed Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass estimated at 13% of the total cost, $78,000; and, WHEREAS, the City will need to execute an agreement by August 31, 2015, that authorizes the City to reimburse the Metropolitan Council's cost, projected at $78,000 of the estimated $300,000 in local funds, for the design and the environmental review, and WHEREAS, the City understands that the proposed SWLRT Project is undergoing state and federal environmental review and that this resolution does not prejudice or compromise any of these environmental review processes or any decisions made under them. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, after appropriate examination and due consideration, the governing body of the City of St. Louis Park hereby commits to reimburse the Metropolitan Council for the design and environmental review costs related to the proposed Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass during the Project Development and Engineering phases through subsequent resolutions regarding appropriation of City funds through subordinate funding or other agreements with the Metropolitan Council. The subordinate funding or other agreements that authorize reimbursements to the Metropolitan Council for design and environmental review costs related to the proposed Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass does not guarantee that the proposed Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass will be constructed The City and the Metropolitan Council acknowledge that nothing in this resolution nor any subsequent agreements shall require the Metropolitan Council to take any action or make any decision that will prejudice or compromise any review or decision-making processes required under state and federal environmental review laws, regulations or rules. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of St Louis Park hereby commits to funding the required local match of federal funds for the design, environmental review and construction of the Louisiana Station Trail & Underpass as part of the proposed SWLRT Project if any, which may be incurred following the Project Development and Engineering Phases. 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 • Resolution No. 15;102 - -3- of funds' for construction costs through one or more subordinate funding -or "other agreements with the Metropolitan.Council. Reviewed for Administration: City 1 i1anager Attest: Adopted by the City Council July 20, 2015 Mayor