VII.2. Land Donation – SW LRT; Elverum (CR2016-096) September 13, 2016 Council Report 2016-096
LAND DONATION – SW LRT
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve Resolution 2016-
065 approving the In-Kind Land Donation from the City of Hopkins to the Metropolitan
Council.
With this motion the Resolution will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council.
Overview
The City of Hopkins is a partner in the SW LRT project and has been working for many
years towards the realization of this important infrastructure investment. Due to the cost
of the line, the time delays experienced and the inability to secure a funding
commitment from the State of Minnesota, the project has experienced funding gaps.
In an effort to close the funding gap, the value of land to be used for project purposes
can be used as local match. In Hopkins, one parcel of land, currently owned by the City
of Hopkins, is intended to be used as a transit plaza at the Downtown Hopkins Station.
In order to have the value recognized by the Federal Transit Administration, the City of
Hopkins, as land owner, must donate the land to the project.
The approval of the resolution is the City’s commitment to convey the land. Actual
property transfer will take place at a later date.
Primary Issues to Consider
The City of Hopkins is on record as supporting the SW LRT line and this action furthers
our commitment to the project. The proposed use of the land as a transit plaza is
consistent with the City’s vision for the site.
Supporting Information
• Resolution 2016-065
• Map of land to be donated
__________________________________
Kersten Elverum
Director of Planning & Development
Financial Impact: $0 Budgeted: Y/N __N__ Source: PIR
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): _______________________________________
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-065
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING IN-KIND LAND CONTRIBUTION BY THE CITY OF
HOPKINS TO THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT (METRO
GREEN LINE EXTENSION)
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins (City) has been working with the Metropolitan Council, host cities,
public agencies and public transit funders in planning for the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project
(Project);
WHEREAS, the Project is an approximately 14.4 miles extension of the METRO Green Line, which
would operate from downtown Minneapolis through the cities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka,
and Eden Prairie;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council, as part of its Project planning and design responsibilities, must
identify properties and right-of-way that may be part of the Project and ultimately must attain certain
property interests for the construction and operation of the Project;
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 Hopkins (City) as a component of the proposed
Project;
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration signed the Record of Decision on July 15, 2016,
determining that the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) have been
satisfied. On August 10, 2016, the Council determined the Final EIS for Project is adequate, concluding
the state environmental review process for the Project under Minnesota Rules chapter 4410;
WHEREAS, the Project has identified land owned by the City to be used as an In-Kind Land
contribution per 49 CFR 18.24(f). This land is located at the Downtown Hopkins Station site, south of
Excelsior Boulevard between 8th and 5th Avenue (shown on the attached exhibit) and is valued at
$155,000;
WHEREAS, the City, our residents, businesses, and workers would benefit from the Project as it could
provide an attractive transportation option for residents and workers, and increase redevelopment
opportunities that could strengthen the City’s tax base;
AND, WHEREAS, the City wishes to assist the Metropolitan Council in its preparation of appropriate
Project budget documents for its pursuit of federal funding for the Project, and thereby to the extent
required, wishes to transfer the referenced property rights of the City to the Metropolitan Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that after appropriate examination and due consideration,
the governing body of the City of Hopkins hereby commits to transfer property rights of the City land at
the Downtown Hopkins Station site, south of Excelsior Boulevard between 8th and 5th Avenue (shown on
the attached exhibit) to the Metropolitan Council for the Project with no budget outlay of Project funds
from the Metropolitan Council to the City, consistent with applicable law. The City will address the terms
and conditions of this transfer of City land in one or more subsequent City resolutions, other required
government actions, and appropriate agreement whereby the Metropolitan Council accepts transfer to it
by the City and all obligations and encumbrances relating thereto.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 20th day of September 2016.
By: ___________________________
Molly Cummings, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk