Title
Approving the High Speed Rail Commission amended Joint Powers Agreement.
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WHEREAS, The Minnesota High Speed Rail Commission (Commission) is a joint powers board under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes Section 471.59 and Chapter 398A and;
WHEREAS, The Commission is established by a Joint Powers Agreement by and between Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, Goodhue County Regional Railroad Authority, Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, Wabasha County Regional Railroad Authority, Winona County Regional Railroad Authority, La Crosse Area Planning Committee, City of Cottage Grove, City of Goodview, City of Hastings, City of Lake City, City of Red Wing, City of Saint Charles, City of Saint Paul, City of Saint Paul Park, City of Utica, City of Wabasha, City of Winona; and
WHEREAS, The Commission is working to establish the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago second daily round-trip passenger train along the current Amtrak Empire Builder route in Minnesota (River Route), serving the current station stops in between; and
WHEREAS, The Commission is working to establish high-speed intercity passenger rail service between Chicago and Saint Paul along the River Route, the federally designated high speed passenger rail route; and
WHEREAS, The Commission voted to amend the Joint Powers Agreement to clarify the Commission’s purpose as an advocacy organization that supports rail system analysis and research to better advocate for rail system investments in the River Route; and
WHEREAS, The Commission voted to amend the Joint Powers Agreement to remove commuter rail stations from the funding formula and to provide direction in adjusting the funding formula should a Financial Party withdraw from the Commission; and
WHEREAS, The Commission voted to amend the Joint Powers Agreement to include Metropolitan Planning Organizations as eligible Financial Parties and allow the appointment of the executive director as its representative to the Commission; and
WHEREAS, The Commission voted to amend the Joint Powers Agreement to include its current member Parties and provide for a means to add new member Parties; Now, Therefore Be It
RESOLVED, The City of Saint Paul approves the Amended and Restated Minnesota High Speed Rail Commission Joint Powers Agreement and authorizes the appropriate city officials to execute the Agreement.