I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable statutes, do hereby issue this executive order:
WHEREAS, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council have been involved in the planning and development of the proposed light rail transit line between Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul, commonly referred to as the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Laws 2008, Chapter 287, Article 1, Section 104, provides, in relevant part, that for “each proposed light rail transit facility in the metropolitan area, the governor must designate either the Metropolitan Council or the state of Minnesota acting through the commissioner of transportation as the entity responsible for planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, and equipping the facility;” and
WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council have entered into a Cooperation Agreement whereby the agencies agreed that the Metropolitan Council, in consultation with the Commissioner, should act as the lead agency in designing and constructing the proposed Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is an appropriate entity to act as the responsible authority for planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, and equipping the proposed Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line in accordance with Minnesota law.
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Laws 2008, Chapter 287, Article 1, Section 104:
I hereby designate the Metropolitan Council as the entity responsible for planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, and equipping the proposed Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand on this 13th day of August, 2008.
