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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2015-104 - Intent to Transfer City Property for Proposed Light Rail Transit - 11/17/2015 CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 2015-104 RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO TRANSFER CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PROPERTY FOR THE PROPOSED SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHEREAS, pursuant to Minnesota Statute section 473.3994, subdivision la, the Governor designated the Metropolitan Council as the entity responsible for planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, and equipping the proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit Project (SWLRT); 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, in furtherance of its Project planning and design responsibilities, must identify properties and right-of-way that may be part of the proposed Project and ultimately must attain certain property interests for the construction and operation of the proposed Project; and WHEREAS, on July 8, 2015, the Metropolitan Council adopted a revised proposed Project scope that identifies right-of-way currently owned by the City of Eden Prairie (City) as a component of the proposed Project ; and WHEREAS, that right-of-way includes portions of west 62°d Street east of Shady Oak Road and other land south of Highway 62; 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 development 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; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to assist the Metropolitan Council in its development of appropriate Project budget documents and its pursuit of federal funding for the proposed Project, and thereby to the extent required, wishes to set forth its intention to transfer ownership of the City land to the Metropolitan Council or to another Minnesota political subdivision for use for the proposed Project, consistent with state and federal law; 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 Eden Prairie intends to transfer ownership of the City land to the Metropolitan Council or to another Minnesota political subdivision for the proposed Project with no budget outlay of Project funds from the Metropolitan Council to the City, consistent with applicable law, and subject to the following conditions: a. The City's approval of the then-applicable physical design components of the preliminary design plans for its jurisdiction. b. The now-ongoing environmental review proceeds without concluding, until completion of that review, that any specific land or property interests will or will not be acquired. c. The completion of any necessary state and federal environmental review and findings. d. The City land is identified, following completion of necessary environmental review, as part of the Project. e. The Federal Transit Administration has approved and executed a full funding grant agreement for the Project. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that after all necessary state and federal environmental review has taken place and the SWLRT Project receives a Record of Decision and Determination of Adequacy, the City will address the terms and conditions of any transfer of City land in one or more subsequent City resolutions, other required government actions, and appropriate agreements whereby the Metropolitan Council accepts transfer to it by the City or another Minnesota political subdivision of the City land and all obligations and encumbrances relating thereto. ADOPTED by the City Council on November 17, 2015. anc ra- e s, yor (Seal) ATTEST: ��, /07 �2- 11 /ffl/r 17/�� /A& Kat een F4orta, City Clerk