Title
Approving the Great River Rail Commission Joint Powers Agreement for the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, The Minnesota High Speed Rail Commission (Commission) was established in 2009 as 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 the City of Saint Paul, 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 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 (TCMC Corridor), serving the current station stops; and
WHEREAS, The Commission advocates for faster and more frequent passenger rail service between Chicago and Saint Paul along the TCMC Corridor, and
WHEREAS, The Commission desires to amend the Joint Powers Agreement to change its legal name and to conduct business as the Great River Rail Commission; and
WHEREAS, The Commission desires to add Washington County, Minnesota as a Financial Party member;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Saint Paul approves the Third Amended and Restated Great River Rail Commission Joint Powers Agreement and authorizes the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Agreement.