HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-152 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2015/10/05RESOLUTION NO. 15-152
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LOCAL FUNDS TO THE PROPOSED
SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT (METRO GREEN LINE
EXTENSION) FOR DESIGN, ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW, AND POTENTIAL
CONSTRUCTION OF THE LYNN AVENUE EXTENSION IN THE BELTLINE
STATION AREA
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, which is under environmental review, is an
approximately 14.5 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, the Metropolitan Council on July 8, 2015, adopted a revised scope for the
proposed SWLRT Project with a cost estimate of $1.744 billion, 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 distracts, cultural attractions,
educational centers, and shopping and entertainment within and outside the City, and
WHEREAS, the City believes the Lynn Avenue Extension should be a part of the
proposed SWLRT Project scope as it would improve transit and roadway connections from the
Belthne Station and park and nde area, and would reinforce the City's commitment for
redevelopment and economic growth while implementing its strategic direction of 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 Lynn
Avenue Extension in the proposed SWLRT Project; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the proposed Lynn Avenue Extension is projected to be
$3,182,855 including the cost of design, environmental review and construction; and,
WHEREAS, the City commits to paying half of the cost of the proposed Lynn Avenue
Extension 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 Lynn Avenue Extension,
estimated at $72,230; 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
Resolution No. 15-152 -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 to reimburse the
Metropolitan Council for the design, environmental review and construction costs related to the
proposed Lynn Avenue Extension 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, environmental
and construction costs related to the proposed Lynn Avenue Extension does not guarantee that
the proposed Lynn Avenue Extension will be constructed. The City and the Metropolitan
Council acknowledge that nothing in this resolution or 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 Lynn Avenue Extension 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
of s for construction costs through one or more subordinate funding or other agreements
wi h th= Metropolitan Council.
Revie
City
Attest.
City Cler
dministration
ci
d
Adoptedlby the City Council October 5, 2015
Mayor
G