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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, February 23, 2009 <br />Page 18 <br />Community Development Director Patrick Trudgeon opined, that while this was <br />an aggressive schedule, it had been in planning stages for over a year, and steps <br />for infrastructure planning was nearing completion, with acquisition for right-of- <br />way the next step. Mr. Trudgeon opined that the pending request for the 90-day <br />Quick Take was a backstop measure to ensure the project stayed on schedule; <br />however, he noted that conversations to-date with property owners found them <br />supportive of this benefit to their properties and the greater Twin Lakes area. <br />Discussion included potential variables and possible delays in the construction <br />schedule and/or land acquisition; and the proposed payment schedule for Metro <br />Transit through federal funds. <br />City Attorney Scott Anderson noted the specific language in the agreement ac- <br />knowledging that funding for the Metro Transit's portion of the infrastructure im- <br />provements was coming through federal funds; and the provisions for the City's <br />compliance with those federal requirements; and the City's obligation to keep this <br />aggressive schedule for completion by year-end. Mr. Anderson noted that the <br />Metro Transit was acting as a conduit, and was not intending to pay from any <br />other funds beyond federal funds. <br />Further discussion included language based on Acts of God or other unforeseen <br />circumstances beyond the City's control; and potential risks to the City. <br />Metropolitan Transit Representative, Patrick Jones <br />Mr. Jones noted that the City Attorney's conduit example was a good one; and <br />noted that the project was important to Metro Transit as well as to the City; <br />noted that Metro Transit would only get paid by the federal government for in- <br />voices from the City for infrastructure construction costs; and provisions of Sec- <br />tion 11, page 15, related to obligations and responsibilities. <br />Councilmember Pust noted that this provision didn't indicate paying more for <br />land for right-of--way acquisition than it was worth. <br />City Attorney Anderson concurred and noted that this was the reason staff had <br />appeared before the City Council at a previous meeting to hire expert negotiators; <br />and for providing an option for Quick Take Action to allow the improvements to <br />move forward while condemnation procedures play themselves out in the court <br />system, in accordance with standard procedures. <br />Councilmember Roe expressed some concern with the agreement not providing <br />reimbursement guarantees to the City. <br />Councilmember Pust concurred, given the current economic situation and state of <br />flux for all public budgets. <br />