Item Description:
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Establish joint public hearing with Met Council and Hennepin County, 08/26/24, beginning at 6 pm at NorthPoint Conf Center for municipal approval of preliminary design plans for the BLE LRT Project
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority establishes a public hearing for the municipal approval of the preliminary design plans for the Blue Line Extension Light Rail Transit project on August 26, 2024, at Hennepin County’s NorthPoint Conference Center, 1256 Penn Avenue North, Suite 5200, Minneapolis, MN 55411, beginning at 6:00 p.m.; to be held jointly with Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council; and that the Executive Director be authorized to work with staff from Metropolitan Council to support the hearing through desired publicity and other logistical matters.
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Background:
The Metropolitan Council has developed preliminary design plans for the METRO Blue Line Extension Light Rail Transit Project (1000941 - Bottineau LRT Capital) and has requested municipal approval of the plans by affected jurisdictions, including Hennepin County.
Minnesota Statutes Section 473.3994 requires that at least 30 days after the submission of preliminary design plans for municipal approval, the Metropolitan Council and the regional railroad authority of the county in which the project is located hold a public hearing on the plans. The same statute also requires each local jurisdiction with municipal approval rights - which in this case includes Hennepin County - to hold a public hearing.
The Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), and Hennepin County have determined that it is more efficient and desirable to hold the hearings involving the Hennepin County entities jointly.
This resolution sets the date, time, and place for that joint public hearing.
Impact/Outcomes: This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by investing in infrastructure that gives people transportation choices and access to housing, jobs, schools, medical facilities, and recreational areas.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval