Title
Resolution approving and authorizing various easements including a temporary right to construct for Ramsey County Rice Street Reconstruction Project at 895 Rice Street (District 6, Ward 1), a permanent easement for Northern States Power, d/b/a Xcel Energy, at the Smith Avenue Ramp for the Gold Line BRT station electrical facilities (District 17, Ward 2), and a permanent easement for Metropolitan Council at Smith Avenue Ramp for utility lines (District 17, Ward 2)
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WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (“HRA”) is a public body corporate and politic organized, existing, and operating under the laws of the State of Minnesota, Minn. Stat. Sec. 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development and redevelopment activities under the Act, and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in the Act, and said activities include but are not limited to: (a) providing adequate, safe and sanitary dwellings, remedying housing shortages for low and moderate income residents, and providing housing for persons of all incomes through housing projects and development, (b) removing and preventing blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) performing duties according to the comprehensive plan, (e) disposing of land for private redevelopment, and (f) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community; and
WHEREAS, the HRA owns 895 Rice Street (PID: 25.29.23.41.0091); and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County, in partnership with the City of Saint Paul, has plans to reconstruct Rice Street between Pennsylvania Ave and Wheelock Pkwy from Spring 2025 through Fall 2027; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County has determined it will need 488 sq. ft. of temporary easement for the Rice Street reconstruction project; and
WHEREAS, staff has determined that the request by Ramsey County for a temporary easement on HRA-owned property at 895 Rice Street is reasonable and represents a public use and purpose; and
WHEREAS, the HRA owns 145 Smith Avenue (PID: 06.28.22.22.0108) known as the Smith Ave Ramp; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has a lease with the HRA for the Smith Avenue Transit Center operated at the Smith Ave Ramp; and
WHEREAS, in order to operate the transit center, Metropolitan Council has utilities, including fiber and electric, along the Smith Ave Ramp property which were not originally identified in the existing lease or leased premises as defined by that said lease; and
WHEREAS, to formalize the location of the Metropolitan Council utilities, allow for continued maintenance and use of those lines in connection with the transit center, and to authorize the installation of additional lines as needed, the HRA desires to enter into an easement agreement with Metropolitan Council; and
WHEREAS, staff has determined that the request by Metropolitan Council for an easement on HRA-owned property at 145 Smith Avenue is reasonable and represents a public use and purpose; and
WHEREAS, Northern States Power, d/b/a Xcel Energy, requested an easement from the HRA for the installation of an electrical distribution center adjacent to the Smith Avenue Ramp to serve a new bus shelter for Metro Transit’s Smith Ave Station; and
WHEREAS, the location of the electrical distribution center does not interfere with the daily operations of the Smith Ave Ramp; and
WHEREAS, staff has determined that the request by Northern States Power, d/b/a Xcel Energy, for an easement on HRA-owned property at 145 Smith Avenue is reasonable and represents a public use and purpose; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota:
1. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes the execution of a temporary right to construct for Ramsey County for the acquisition of a 488 sq. ft. temporary easement at 895 Rice Street.
2. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes entering into and executing a utility easement with Metropolitan Council.
3. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes entering into and executing an electric easement with Northern States Power, d/b/a Xcel Energy.
4. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes staff, under the direction of the Executive Director, to take all actions necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this Resolution, including finalizing all documents and agreements necessary to effectuate the activities to be undertaken by this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
5. that the only signature that shall be required on any and all documents in connection with this resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office and pursuant to applicable ordinances and bylaws, is that of either the Chair of the HRA Board of Commissioners or the Executive Director, who are each, individually, approved and authorized to execute all said documents and instruments, which shall be sufficient to bind the HRA to any legal obligations therein.
6. that this resolution does not constitute a binding legal agreement; rather, the action taken herein shall not be effective until said documents are executed by the appropriate official(s) of the HRA.