Resolution Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Stinson Leonard Street, LLP for Legal Services Related to the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project in the Amount of $22,000

Whereas, The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) is the steward of Minneapolis parks;

Whereas, The MPRB’s fundamental role and responsibility is to protect and preserve parkland within the Minneapolis park system for current and future generations;

Whereas, The MPRB is authorized to contract with public and private entities in the performance of its functions;

Whereas, Since 2012, the MPRB has consistently and regularly communicated, through public Board actions, its concerns and position regarding the Southwest Light Rail Transit options;

Whereas, The MPRB wishes to engage additional legal counsel to review MPRB rights and responsibilities under State and Federal law to uphold its mission to “protect and preserve parkland for current and future generations”; and

Whereas, This resolution is supported by the MPRB 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan, which envisions “Dynamic parks that shape city character and meet diverse community needs;”

RESOLVED, That the Board of Commissioners authorize a professional services agreement with Stinson Leonard Street, LLP for legal services related to the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project in the amount of $22,000; and

RESOLVED, That the President of the Board and Secretary to the Board are authorized to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.

BACKGROUND

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) fundamental role and responsibility is to protect and preserve parkland within the Minneapolis park system for current and future generations.  The MPRB has engaged additional legal counsel to review its rights and responsibilities under state and federal law to “protect and preserve parkland for current and future generations”. Since 2012, the MPRB has consistently and regularly informed the Southwest LRT Project Office of its concerns and position regarding the Southwest Light Rail Transit options through public Board actions. 

This resolution considers a professional services agreement in the amount of $22,000, which includes up to $3,000 in out-of-pocket expenses with Stinson Leonard Street LLP., to provide additional legal services to the MPRB for the Southwest Light Rail project (Attachment A).  

The professional services agreement has been reviewed by legal counsel.

FUNDING/COST SUMMARY

RELATED BOARD ACTIONS

May 21, 2014              Resolution 2014-209 Stating the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board determination that, based on Southwest Light Rail Transitway Project Office preliminary finding of feasibility, tunneling LRT under the Kenilworth Channel may be the only Section 4(F) feasible and prudent alternative within the shallow tunnel option regarding Minneapolis parkland impacted by the project, however that determination requires greater analysis

August 21, 2013              Resolution 2013-282 Stating the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board’s position on project design alternatives recently developed in the preliminary engineering phase of Southwest Light Rail Transitway planning

February 5, 2014              Resolution 2014-114 Urging the Southwest Light Rail Transitway Project Office to conduct a detailed engineering feasibility study and cost comparison of tunneling under the Kenilworth Channel as part of the shallow tunnel option

December 5, 2012              Resolution 2012-321 Approving a comment letter to Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority for the Southwest Transitway Draft Environmental Impact Statement

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends authorizing a professional services agreement with Stinson Leonard Street, LLP for legal services related to the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project in the amount of $22,000.

This action is supported by the following vision and goal statements in the MPRB 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan.

Vision Theme 3:              Dynamic parks that shape city character and meet diverse community needs.

Goal:                            Parks shape and evolving city.