2014-028 Approving the Physical Design Component for Southwest Light Rail ProjectCITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-028
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PHYSICAL DESIGN COMPONENT OF THE
PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS FOR THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
WITHIN THE CITY OF HOPKINS
WHEREAS, the Governor designated the Metropolitan Council ("Council") as the responsible
authority for the Southwest light Rail Transit Project ("Project"), which makes it responsible for
planning, designing, acquiring, constructing and equipping the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Project is now in the preliminary design phase; and
WHEREAS, the design at this phase is approximately 15 percent complete; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statues section 473.3994 allows cities and counties along a proposed
light rail route to provide input to the council on the physical design component of the
preliminary design plans; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2014, the Council submitted the physical design component of the
preliminary design plans, and
WHEREAS, public hearings are then required, which the City of Hopkins held on June 3, 2014;
and
WHEREAS, within 45 days of a joint hearing held by the Council and the Hennepin County
Regional Rail Authority ("HCRRA"), which was held on May 29,2 ' 014, the City of Hopkins
must review and approve or disapprove the Plans for the route to belocated in the City of
Hopkins; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statures section 473.3994 provides that "a local unit of government that
disapproves the plans shall describe specific amendments to the plans that, if adopted, would
cause the local unit to withdraw its disapproval; and
WHEREAS, approval or disapproval by the City of Hopkins is part of the statutory preliminary
design process; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins staff has reviewed the Plans and developed a report pertaining
to these Plans and has made its recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins supports the implementation of the Project and is committed to
supporting the project through its successful implementation by 2019; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins is committed to work with the Council throughout the design
and construction process; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins desire that the Council and its staff continue to work with the
City of Hopkins staff to evaluate the conversion of the surface parking lot at the Shady Oak
Station to a structure as a Locally Requested Capital Investment ("LRCI") recognizing that the
implementation of this investment will require the identification of funding during the advanced
design of the project, and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins desire that the Council and its staff continue to work with the
City of Hopkins staff to evaluate the intersection design of 5th Avenue and Excelsior Boulevard
for accessibility improvements as a Locally Requested Capital Investment ("LRCI") recognizing
that the implementation of this investment will require the identification of funding during the
advanced design of the project, and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins desire that the Council and its staff continue to work with the
City of Hopkins staff to evaluate a higher level of design and treatment of the plaza area at the
Downtown Hopkins Station as a Locally Requested Capital Investment ("LRCI") recognizing
that the implementation of this investment will require the identification of funding during the
advanced design of the project.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Hopkins provides its municipal approval
of the Plans pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 473.3994 consistent with the above and
directs staff to submit the City of Hopkins' approval to the Metropolitan Council.
Adopted this 17th day of June, 2014.
Attest:(akem&( n
WI
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
By:
Euge . M71vell, Mayor
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