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90-508 i� '' 0 R i G i N A L Council File # ��5� d Green Sheet � RESOLUTION CI F SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA � • . Presented By Referr Committee: Date � RESOLUTION ADOPTING COMMENTS ON THE MIDWAY CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET AND THE MIDWAY CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SCOPING DECISION DOCUMENT WHEREAS, the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority has prepared the "Midway Corridor, Liqht Rail Transit Envixonmental Assessment Worksheet" and the" "Draft Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Scoping Decision Document" ; and WHEREAS, these documents have been distributed to various " agencies, organizations, and individuals, including the City of Saint Paul City Council, for rev?ew and comment; and WHEREA5, the City Council is aware of the magnitude of the impact light rail transit will have on the City of Saint Paul; and WHEREAS, the City Council appreciates the cooperation and coordination shown the City by the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority in their efforts to study the Midway Corridor in a comprehensive manner; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to comment on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet and the Draft Scoping Decision Document; and WHEREAS, additional comments concerning light rail transit have been submitted by Councilmember Dimond and will be forwarded separately to the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul City Council presents the following comments and concerns on the Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Environmental Assessment Worksheet and the Draft Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Scoping Decision Document: General Comments � - The Environmental Impact Statement should consider the no-build alternative including enhancements to the existing modes of transportation. - The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should evaluate the development or redevelopment impacts of each alignment. � � y 1.� � y � .; g � � � �� ; ,«i , ���A � , 4.� t. , . . , d���'�z� � _ . � �A ,� ► � � ..� � �"�i �, - The EIS should analyze the relocation impacts of each alignment. - The EIS should identify each alignment's opportunity to stimulate and serve existing and anticipated employment concentrations. - The EIS should investigate the impact of each proposed alignment on the existing and proposed park and trail system. - The EIS should analyze the potential for acquisition of polluted land for each alternative alignment. - The EIS should assess the degree to which each alternative alignment serves regional trips and/or local trips. - The EIS should evaluate the impacts of each alternative alignment on pedestrian and vehicular safety. - The EIS should develop specific air quality assessment criteria. - The EIS should analyze the feeder bus impacts and costs for each alternative alignment. Comments on the Downtown and Capitol Area Section - The EIS should study one or more tunnels as alternative alignments in the Downtown area and/or the Capitol area. - The EIS should consider a Downtown alignment consisting of two-way LRT on Cedar and Fourth Streets. - The EIS should fully assess the right-of-way limitations within Downtown. - The EIS should identify the resulting changes in the Downtown parking and circulation system that would be necessary to accommodate each alternative LRT alignment while maintaining adequate access and circulation in the Downtown. - The EIS should identify how adequate vehicular capacity would be maintained in the Downtown area in both the east-west and north-south directions under each alternative alignment scenario. - The EIS should evaluate the need to shift bus lines due to light rail transit and should assess the impacts of these shifts. - The EIS should include the consideration of future corridor connections, including a potential light rail transit line in the West Seventh/Shepard Road corridor connecting Downtown and the International Airport. � {: � �,� ��-��� .. OR � � � � � ,� L - The EIS should evaluate the impact of each alternative alignment scenario on Downtown development in general and especially on street level retail, residential, and conventions and tourism activities. Comments on the Midway Corridor Section - The EIS should evaluate the development and redevelopment implications upon the entire length of University Avenue for the University Avenue light rail transit alignment options and upon the Burlington Northern, Energy Park, and Westgate redevelopment areas for the northern alignment light rail transit options. - The EIS should determine ridership projections and characteristics, including the origins and destinations of riders for each alternative alignment. - The EIS should consider the use of hybrids of the currently proposed alignments. Particular opportunities are in the vicinity of Fairview Avenue to connect the I-94/Soo Line alignment with the University Avenue alignment or to connect either to the BN/Pierce-Butler alignment. - The EIS should address implications of future land use and transportation system changes upon LRT alignment options along University Avenue. Specifically, the EIS should evaluate alignment options in the event that University and Sherburne Avenue become paired as one-way streets in the future. - The EIS should evaluate the impact of alternative LRT alignments on the demand for and location of State Fair parking facilities and sites. �. 1 � Council File # � U �-��� . Y � 1 � � � . s . , ci�... Green Sheet #` RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented By Referred To Coc�aittee: Date - The EIS should identify how the future Northwest Corridor might connect to each alternative Midway alignment. - The EIS should identify the need for and impacts of park-and-ride lots to serve each of alternative Midway alignment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Saint Paul City Council supports the continued active involvement of the City's residents, business owners, and community councils in the light rail transit EIS process and calls upon the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority to conduct open discussions on this important project. �e,as_ Navs Abaent Requested by Department of: n �__ sv on �. cc e —� e tman �— uae � _ �i son �— BY� � Adopted by Council: Date A� � �9��, Form Approved by City Attorney Adoption r ified by Council Secretary By: BY' Approved by Mayor for Submission to Approved by Mayor: Date APR 4 199A Council B ��rG�'�i�� By' Y� �t�s��o �P� 14 �9 9 a sv�35�-i7�� , �' Council File # -/ �" �J �� Green Sheet # RESOLUTION CITY OF SA1NT PAUL, MINNESOTA P�esented By R�ferred To Comeaittee: Date � RESOLUTION ADOPTING COMMENTS ON THE MIDWAY CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET AND THE MIDWAY CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SCOPING DECISION DOCUMENT WHEREAS, the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority has prepared the "Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Envisonmental Assessment Worksheet" and the "Draft°Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Scoping Decision Document"; and WHEREAS, these documents have been 'distributed to various � agencies, . organizations, and individuals, including the City of Saint Paul City Council, for review and comment; and WHEREAS, the City Council is aware of the magnitude_ of the impact liqht rail transit will have on the City of Saint Pau1; and - wHERE�iS, the City Council a�reciates the co�peration:and� � - coorc�ination shown the City by the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority in their efforts to study the Midway Corridor in a comprehensive manner; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to comment on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet and the Draft Scoping Decision Document; and WHEREAS, additional comments concerning light rail transit have been submitted by Councilmember Dimond and will be forwarded separately to the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul City Council presents the following comments and concerns on the Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Environmental Assessment Worksheet and the Draft Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Scoping Decision Docwaent: General Comments � - The Environmental Impact Statement should consider the no-build alternative including enhancements to the existing modes of transportation. - The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should evaluate the development or redevelopment impacts of each alignment. r �V /�� - The EIS should analyze the relocation impacts of each alignment. - The EIS should identify each aliqnment's opportunity to stimulate and serve existing and anticipated employment concentrations. - The EIS should investigate the impact of each proposed alignment on the existinq and proposed park and trail system. - The EIS should analyze the potential for acquisition of polluted land for each alternative alignment. - The EIS should assess the degree to which each alternative alignment serves regional trips and/or local trips. - The EIS should evaluate the impacts of each alternative alignment on pedestrian and vehicular safety. - The EIS should develop specific air quality assessment criteria. - The EIS should analyze the feeder bus impacts and costs for each alternative alignment. Comments on the Downtown and Capitol Area_ Sec,t�'on_ _ - . __ - The 8IS_ should study -o�e_or: more tunnels-�s alternativ_e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -_ _ - -� al iqnments_ �n -�he Downtown-are�'�andror �he �pito� area: ' _� . _ - The EIS should consider a Downtavn aliqnment consisting of two-way LRT on Cedar and Fourth Streets. - The EIS should fully assess the right-of-way limitations within Downtown. - The EIS should identify the resniting changes in the Downtown parking and circulation system that would be necessary to accommodate each alternative LRT alignment while maintaining adequate access and circulation in the Downtown. - The EIS should identify how adequate vehicular capacity would be maintained in the Downtown area in both the east-west and north-south directions under each alternative ' alignment scenario. - The EIS should evaluate the need to shift bus lines due to � light rail transit and should assess the impacts of these , shifts. - The EIS should include the consideration of future� corridor ; connections, including a potential light rail transit line � in the West Seventh/Shepard Road corridor connecting + Downtown and the International �irport. � � . � �'� �s�� - The EIS should evaluate the impact of each alternative aliqnment scenario on Downtown development in general and especially on street level retail, residential, and conventions and tourism activities. Comments on the Midway Corridor Section - The EIS should evaluate the development and redevelopment implications upon the entire length of IIniversity Avenue for the IIniversity Avenue light rail transit aliqnment options and upon the Burlington Northern, Energy Park, and Westgate redevelopment areas for the northern alignment light rail transit options. - The EIS should determine ridership projections and characteristics, including the origins and destinations of riders for each alternative alignment. - The EIS should consider the use of hybrids of the currently proposed alignments. Particular opportunities are in the vicinity of Fairview Avenue to connect the I-94/Soo Line alignaent with the University Avenue aliqnment or to connect either to the BN/Pierce-Butler alignment. - The EIS should address implications of future land use and transportation s_�stem ch�nqe�:_ upon _-LAT aligrime�t options alonq IInivers�t� �v-enue. �peEifica;�I�, -#�e -F� sh�uld - - evaluate al�gr�en�o}�tio� ir�-�he svsnt :#.��-��rt3.�ersity_and__- _ - - _ 1� -_ _- -�. - -- _ _ _ - _ -Shejr�ncne �v�it�-�co�' --�red- as aae� ��t:�e�� �- �he=_ : T future. -- - The EIS should evaluate the impact of alternative LRT align�ents on the demand for and location of State Fair parking facilities and sites. " Council File � � ��v Green Sheet # RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented By R�t�rr�d To Cammitteas Date - The EIS should identify ho�r the future Northwest Corridor might connect to each alternative Midway alignment. - The EIS should identify the need for and impacts of park-and-ride lots to serve each of alternative Midway alignment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Saint Paul City Council supports the continued active involvement of the City's residents, business owners, and community councils in the light rail transit EIS process and calls upon the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority to conduct open discussions on this important project. E . _ - ... _ " ::. }� � _-._ . - ._ �- - - - _ -_ __ _ _ _ _ _ _4_ - _ _. _ _ _ _ � .. �� !. :.- . ..�. 3 � _ . "..:_ _.`:: Ysas ltavs Absent Requested by Department of: By: Adopted by Councils Date Form Approved by City Attorney Adoptioa Certified by Council Secretary Sy: Hy' . Approved by Mayor for Submission to Approved by Mayor: Date �uncil By: BY� 1 ( � I � council File # q0-,�Oa v� i Green sheet ,� P�3 3 RESOLUTION �---� � CITY OF INT PAUL, MINNESOTA ' �O ` , ;1 . � . ���� y Presented By - Referred To Committee: Date RESOL ION ADOPTING COMMENTS ON THE . MIDWAY\CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ENVIRO\TAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET AND THE MIDWAY CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SCOPING DECISION DOCUMENT \ . _. WHEREAS, the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority has prepa•red the "Midway Corrido� Li,ght"{Rai1 Transit Environmental Assessment Worksheet" and �the "Draft�•�Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Scoping Decision Docum nt" ; and WHEREAS, these documents have be n' d�istributed to various agencies, organizations, and indi iduals, including the City of Saint Paul City Council, for revie and comment; and � WHEREAS, the City Council is aware f the magnitude of the impact light rail transit will have on the ity of Saint Paul; and WHEREAS, the City Council appreciates the cooperation and • coordination shown the City by the Ram ey County Regional Railroad Authority in their efforts to tudy the Midway Corridor in a comprehensive manner; and _ WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to comme t on the Environmental � Assessment Worksheet and the Draft Scopin Decision Document; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, ,that the Ci y of Saint Paul City Council presents the following comments and oncerns on the Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Environme tal Assessment Worksheet and the Draft Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Scoping Decision Document: � General Comments � - The Environmental I�npact Statement (EIS) sho ld evaluate the development or redevelopment impacts of each lignment. - The EIS should analyze the relocation impacts of each alignment. - The EIS should identify each alignment's opportunity to � stimulate and serve existing and anticipated employment concentrations. . , �ya-��� OR � G1 �J�� L Comments on the Midway Corridor Section - The EIS should determine ridership projections and characteristics, including the origins and destinations of riders for each alternative alignment. - The EIS should consider the use of hybrids of the currently proposed alignments. Particular opportunities are in the vicinity of Fairview Avenue to connect the I-94/Soo Line alignme t with the University Avenue alignment or to connect either � the BN/Pierce-Butler alignment. - The EIS shou d address implications of future land use and transportatio system changes upon LRT alignment options along Universit�� Avenue. Specifically, the EIS should evaluate alignme�,it options in the event that University and Sherburne Avenue ecome paired as one-way streets in the future. - The EIS should evalua e the impact of alternative LRT alignments on the dema d for and location of State Fair parking facilities and ites. " - The EIS should� identify h w the future Northwest Corridor might connect to each alternative Midway alignment. - The EIS should identify the� ed for and impacts of park-and-ride lots to serve ea h of alternative Midway alignment. Yeas Nava Absent Requested by Department of: smon oswitz on William Wilson � acca ee � ettman \ un e i son BY� _ \ Form Approved by City Attorney Adopted by Council: Date � Adoption Certified by Council Secretary \� By: `� By° Approved by Mayor for Submiss�ion to Approved by Mayor: Date Council By: By: _ ��o-�� UEPARTMGNT/OFFICEICOUNCIL DATE INITIATED ' City Council 3-��-90 GREEN SHEET No. 8333 INITIAU DATE INITtAUDATE CONTACT PERSON 8 PHONE �DEPARTMENT DIRECTOF �CITY COUNCIL Wi 11 i am ti�l l S 011 A���N �CITY ATTORNEV �CITY CLERK NUMBER FOR MUST BE ON COUNCIL AGENDA BY(DATE) ROUTING �BUDGET OIRECTOR �FIN.8 MGT.SERVICES DIR. 4-3-9 0 ORDER �MAYOR(OR ASSISTAN'1� � TOTAL#OF SIGNATURE PAGES 2 (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) ACTION REQUESTED: Approval of a resolution presenting comments and concerns about the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority's Draft Midway Corridor LiUht Rail Transit Scopinq Decision Document. RECOMMENDATIONS:Approve(A)or Reject(R) COUNCIL COMMITTEE/RESEARCH REPORT OPTIONAL ANALYST PHONE NO. _PLANNING CAMMISSION _ CIVIL SERVIC�COMMtSS10N _CIB COMMITfEE _ COMMENTS: _STAFF - _DISTRICT COURT _ SUPPORTS WHICH COUNCIL OB.IECTIVET INI7IATIN4 PROBLEM,ISSUE,OPPORTUNITY(Who,What,When,Where,Why): The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority has requested input from the City of Saint Paul on the Draft Midway Corridor Light Rail Transit Scoping Decision Document. ADVANTAGES IP APPROVED: ' The issues and concerns raised by the City of Saint Paul regarding light rail transit in the I�4idway corridor will be addressed in pending light rail transit studies. OISADVANTAGES IF APPROVED: None. DISADVANTAOES IF NOT APPROVED: The issues and concerns may not be addressed a.n the Environmental Impact Statement or other studies xelated to changes in transit service in the hiidway corridor. TOTAL AMOUNT OF THANSACTION s —� COST/REVENUE BUDOETED(CIRCLE ONE) YES NO FUNDING SOURCE ACTIViTY NUMBER FINANCIAL INFORMATION:(EXPLAIN) �= �o -.�g � CITY OF SAINT PAUL illi�l l��ll OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL-7th FLOOR-SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 612-298-5506 TOM DIMOND COUNCILMEMBER ' April 2, 1990 Mr. John Finley, Chair Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority Room 316, City Hall & Courthouse St. Paul, MN 55102 I�ear John: If we are going to consider major changes to our transit system which will require large tax increases, it seems wise to look at all the alternatives and make sure the estimates are as well-founded as possible. If we do not get this process straightened out now, we will be likely to pay dearly for it in the future. While the City Council was holding the recent meetings on LRT, I was hospitalized with an emergency appendectomy and unable to participate. Since I could not comment at that time, I would now like to submit the following personal comments and questions for your consideration. ORGANIZATION * The RTB or another regional body should plan, secure financing and build all public mass transit in the Metro area whether it be heavy rail, light rail, mono rail, articulated buses, busways, dedicated lanes, van- pools, or rideshare. * Regional Rail Authorities that are attempting to develop LRT rather than the rural freight lines they were designed for, should be eliminated and replaced by the aforementioned comprehensive regional system. * Until the Regional Rail Authorities are eliminated, the membership of the RTB should be changed to replace RRA officials with local munici- pal officials. Currently, if the City wants to appeal a decision of the Ramsey Regional Rail Authority, we must go to the RTB where we Chair, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Committees: Public Works; Housing and Economic Development; Finance. �g�5 100% Recycleable 9v -�� Mr. John Finley Page 2 April 2, 1990 have no representation and present our case to the Chair of the Ramsey Rail Authority asking him to change the position of the very body he chairs. * Municipalities and Metro regional bodies should focus their attention on planning transportation systems and integrating their impact on economic development, housing and zoning. Counties should focus their attention on providing social and human services. LRT, or any other mass transit system, can have a significant impact on municipalities' legal and primary responsibilities of land use planning, zoning, transportation systems, economic development, and housing. At best, LRT has a secondary impact on the county's ability to implement good health care and nutrition. * It is important that planning and building LRT be under a regional organization with comprehensive transit review authority. If not, an organization that is authorized to only consider and build LRT will likely build LRT. It would never be required to balance the pros and cons of other alternatives such as improved bus service, dedicated lanes, road improvements, or car pooling. COST * Accurate cost comparisons should be provided on all the alternatives to LRT so informed decisions can be made. Operating and maintenance costs should be included along with capital costs. * Costs should show the cost difference to the taxpayer. The RTB states that LRT is cheaper because I-394 costs $40 million a mile while LRT will cost $12 to $25 million a mile, but it does not point out that Minnesota pays only 10% of the highway cost. Therefore, the real cost of I-394 is $4 million a mile, or up to 84% cheaper than light rail. * The specific road construction programs that will be curtailed should be identified prior to approval of LRT alignments so the actual cost and transportation benefits can be fairly compared. * If LRT is chosen as the preferred transportation alternative, at that time there should be a way to commit to not building both systems which would have negative impacts of both the highest construction and operating costs. �io ��a� Mr. John Finley Page 3 April 2, 1990 * LRT takes more fare-box subsidy to operate than buses, so what is the actual cost per ride before government subsidy and who will pay for it? * The RTB states that the buses which will be replaced by LRT will be moved to lower ridership suburban and neighborhood runs. How much will that increase the per-rider cost of the bus system, and who will pay for that? * Since LRT may replace buses on some of their better revenue align- ments, will that endanger other bus service? If not, who will fund the revenue losses and how large will they be? * How much of the expense of planning and building can be saved by eliminating the RR Authorities and turning over planning to the RTB or a new regional body with the cities dealing directly with the RTB? TAXING * If taxes are not going to be raised to build LRT, then what programs are going to be cut? * VVith budget cuts at the legislature and projected shortfalls for future years, even extra ta�ces would be taking away from previously com- mitted funding. So what programs are recommended as lower priorities than LRT? Schools, parks, roads, housing, nursing and nutrition pro- grams are all underfunded now. * If taxes are used, how much will be local, regional, state or federal? How does that compare against the various cunent systems, and does that mean a shift of cost to those who can afford it least? * If taxes are raised on a more local basis for LRT rather than using already existing transportation funds saved by the construction of the "cheaper LRT," will we still end up paying into those funds and having others receive the benefits? How does that affect the real cost of LRT? * V�lould increased local property taxes increase the disparity between city and suburb? Would it increase urban flight? � -�� Mr. John Finley Page 4 April 2, 1990 POLICY _ * Where will the projected increase in ridership come from? Will it be the suburban commuter or the urban poor and transit dependent? One of the justifications for building the more expensive LRT rather than improving bus service (which might include dedicated bus ianes or separate busways) is that it will attract people who would not otherwise use public transit. Are we focusing public transit dollars to those who need it most? * Planning for LRT is based on a Met Council estimate which says that travel will increase 63% between 1980 and 2010 while, at the same time, the population is predicted to be stable. Are we building a $2 billion system on a faulty projection? * If both population and travel projections are correct, we will have essentially the same number of people, but they will be traveling more. If that is true, then there should be about the same number of people on the road during rush hours unless the current unemployment rate of about 4% changes dramatically. This would indicate that the traffic increases are probably additional �ips to the movies, dinner, shop- ping, etc. Those trips would no doubt be on local roads or at times when major roads had excess capacity. Do we really know that the proposal fits actual community needs? * If a ban on building parking ramps prior to LRT construction has been a critical factor in the success of LRT lines which have success- fully encouraged people to use LRT, is there a proposal to do the same here? If not, then how can we force people to nde it? If you do ban parking ramp construction downtown, are not the downtowns put at another competitive disadvantage? * We now have large staffs and huge budgets calling for LRT construc- tion. The livelihood of those staff inembers depends on LRT, not on any possible better alternatives. Huge sums of public tax dollars have been spent to fly legislators and county commisioners around the globe to line up votes for LRT. What resources are being made available so we can compare alternatives? 4o��b� Mr. John Finley Page S April 2, 1990 * Are the decisions being made based on transit needs or political ex- pediency? NORTHEAST CORRIDOR * On the Northeast Corridor, or any other comdors, the RRA should not acquire right-of-way unless an alignment has already been approved or as a last resort if there is no other way to keep potential alignments in public ownership, option, easement or other vehicle to provide reason- able future control by the public. All other public uses that ensure public control should be given a higher priority than light rail, at least until an alignment has been approved. * Decisions on the alignment of the Northeast and other corridors should be based on serving the greatest transit needs, not by trying to justify previous expenditures. * The Northeast and East corridors should have the same entrance and egress from Downtown on Seventh Street, and should serve Lafayette Park, Metro U, and 3M. * Consideration should be given to widening Arcade for LRT in a manner similar to that of Dale Street north of I-94. This would not only provide the best neighborhood access, but would help clean up and revitalize the avenue. DOWNTOWN * Tunneling should be considered for powntown and the Capital Com- plex so street traffic is not restricted, appearance is enhanced, and - the best all-weather conditions are provided. * Downtown and other station stops should be built into storefronts instead of in the right-of-way or sidewalks. * Consideration should be given to a central transit center or centers with inside transfer facilities and bus layover capabilities. . , 90 ��a� Mr. John Finley Page 6 April 2, 1990 * The building of off-street parking should be included as compensation for lost right-of-way when LRT is built on street right-of-way. This should also be included on right-of-ways outside of downtown. * Station stops and alignment decisions should analyze not only the transportation impacts. They should also consider the economic and environmental impacts. Sincerely, �� �/ TOM DIMOND Councilmember, Ward 7 CC: Mayor Scheibel City Council Members County Commissioners Chair, Regional Transportation Board