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24-085 Authorizing the City of Shorewood to Participate in a Study of the Formation of a Transit Management Organization Along Trunk Highway 7CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNTY OF HENNEPIN STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 24-085 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD TO PARTICIPATE IN A STUDY OF THE FORMATION OF A TRANSIST MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION ALONG TRUNK HIGHWAY 7 WHEREAS, the communities along Trunk Highway 7 (hereinafter "Hwy 7") have identified traffic related challenges and concerns affecting the safety and mobility of vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles along the corridor as the use of Hwy 7 for transportation and commerce increases; and WHEREAS, the design and conditions along the corridor, as well as congestion and serious or and even fatal accidents have resulted in communities advocating for improvements throughout the corridor; and WHEREAS, MNDoT completed a safety audit of Hwy 7 in August 2022 which identified safety issues and recommended short and tong -term improvements; and WHEREAS, in 2023 the Legislature funded a study of Hwy 7 from Hopkins Crossroads to the Western Hennepin County boarder to understand the transportation needs along Hwy 7, identify opportunities for improvements and establish a shared vision for the corridor. The study is currently underway and being led by MnDOT; WHEREAS, the communities and school districts alongthe corridor have discussed collaborating to advocate for improvements and investment in Hwy 7; and WHEREAS, in 2024 the Legislature awarded the City of Shorewood a $200,000 grant for a study to develop a transit management organization (TMO) from 1-494 to the Western Hennepin County line, with funds to be used to compile a comprehensive study and financial plan assessing how the TMO can develop resources to meet the corridor's growing and changing transportation needs and prioritize transportation related challenges that affect vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle safety as well as the region's workforce, access to health care and schools, and quality of life; and WHEREAS, it is understood the formation of a TMO may require participants to dedicate resources, such staff time and funding, to support and operate the TMO, and that participation in the study does not obligate a participant to become member of the TMO; and WHEREAS, the communities and school districts along the corridor wish to explore the formation of a TMO utilizing the funding awarded to Shorewood by the 2024 Legislature to hire a consultant to, among other tasks, facilitate a process for communities that includes assessing the rote of a TMO, comparing different organizational and governance models, and identifying funding mechanism to support a TMO. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shorewood, MN that the City supports the exploration of forming a TMO for Hwy 7 and that representatives of the City may participate in meetings and discussions to prepare for and participate in a study to form a Hwy 7 transit management organization. Adopted by the City Council of Shorewood, Minnesota this 15`h day of October 2024. f / Jennifer Labadie, Mayor Attest: Sandie Thone, City Clerk