Item Description:
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Negotiate Amd 2 to Agmt PR00003564 with U of M for anti-displacement services for METRO Blue Line Extension Project, extending end date to 06/30/23, no change to NTE; neg Amd 2 to Agmt A2110877 with Metropolitan Council, no change to NTE, no change to end date of 12/31/23
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00003564 with Regents of University of Minnesota, extending the contract end date to June 30, 2023, and adjusting budget line items to reflect the remaining activities and deliverables for the METRO Blue Line Extension Project, with no change to the not to exceed amount of $290,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Amendment 2 to Subordinate Funding Agreement A2110877 with the Metropolitan Council, amending changes to budget line items to reflect the remaining activities and deliverables referenced in Agreement PR00003564 for the METRO Blue Line Extension Project, with no change to the estimated receivable amount of $290,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the amendments on behalf of the County, and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse the funds as directed.
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Background:
Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County are working together to extend the Blue Line. The proposed 13-mile light rail transit project will provide service in a highly traveled corridor from downtown Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park.
In August 2020, the project partners announced the need to find an improved route that would not impact the freight railroad property, as initially planned. This change presented an opportunity for the project to serve more people and places.
In October 2020, the project team and community organization engagement cohort began reaching out to community members and stakeholders. During this engagement, concerns were expressed that the project may create an increased demand for real estate that could result in a displacement of residents, businesses, and cultural amenities. Development patterns near other transit projects throughout the country contributed to this concern. Preventing displacement and maximizing community benefits of the Blue Line Extension Project are priorities for Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council. Both agencies are committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive, innovative set of strategies to ensure the investment builds on, supports, and protects residents and community assets, and increases opportunities for equitable housing, employment, business development, cultural experiences, and other activities of daily life.
In September 2021, the county board authorized the negotiation of Agreement PR00003564 with the University of Minnesota, for the period September 21, 2021 through February 28, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $270,000, for facilitation and technical services to further anti-displacement initiatives for the METRO Blue Line Extension Project (Resolution 21-0355). Similarly, the board authorized negotiation and execution of Agreement A2110877 with the Metropolitan Council, under Master Funding Agreement A2110840, during the period September 21, 2021, through December 31, 2023, for the reimbursement of anti-displacement facilitation and technical services for the Blue Line Extension Project (CP 1005877) with an estimated receivable of $270,000.
In September 2022, the county board authorized the negotiation of Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00003564 with the University of Minnesota, increasing the amount by $20,000 to a new amount not to exceed $290,000 and expanding the services to include additional qualitative research for anti-displacement and technical lead services for the METRO Blue Line Extension Project (Resolution 22-0377). The added services focused on hearing and documenting community youth voices, ages 14-22, who live, work, or go to school along the proposed Blue Line Extension route. Resolution 22-0377 also authorized the County Administrator to negotiate Amendment 1 to Agreement A2110877 with the Metropolitan Council, increasing the estimated receivable amount by $20,000 and expanding the reimbursable services to include the additional qualitative research.
Current Request: This request seeks authorization for the County Administrator to:
• Negotiate Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00003564 with Regents of University of Minnesota, extending the end date to June 30, 2023; and
• Adjust budget line items to reflect the remaining activities and deliverables of the contract; and
• Name Ed Goetz as Co-Principal Project Manager for Agreement PR00003564; and,
• Negotiate Amendment 2 to Agreement A2110877 with Metropolitan Council to amend adjusted budget line changes to activities and deliverables from contract PR00003564 with Regents of University of Minnesota
Impact/Outcomes: Approval of this request is a contractual timeline change to complete the anti-displacement work for the Blue Line Extension project. This work will conclude with community-based recommendations for investments and policies to be implemented to prevent displacement in the Blue Line Extension corridor.
This request aligns with disparity reduction efforts by investing in transit, which connects people to housing, jobs, schools, medical facilities, and entertainment areas.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval