Resolution 1/12/2004

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) Resolution

By Council Member Zimmermann and Council Member Johnson

Whereas, the City of Minneapolis has a strong interest in providing transit alternatives to those who live and work in Minneapolis;

Whereas, Minneapolis has long been a proponent of the technological innovation represented by Taxi 2000's Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system; and

Whereas, Minneapolis is ideally situated to explore the feasibility of using this home grown technology to enhance the use of transit alternatives;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Minneapolis:

That the City wishes to explore the feasibility of basing a Personal Rapid Transit system in Minneapolis, and will work with Taxi 2000 to explore what the PRT system's potential costs and benefits might be to the City.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council designate a working group to undertake the following functions:

• Work on feasibility issues with Taxi 2000
• Engage other partners in the PRT discussion, including the business community, housing providers, Hennepin County, Metro Transit, the Met Council, the legislature and Minnesota's congressional delegation.
• Determine alternative strategies for funding a feasibility study of PRT, which may include legislation for the 2004 session.
• Determine a site within the City of a PRT demonstration
• Issue a report to the City Council no later than July 1, 2004 that lists key outcomes, decision points and next steps, at which time the working group would be dissolved.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the initial membership of this working group be composed of the following members:

• Council Members Johnson, Zimmermann, Benson and Colvin Roy
• A representative of Mayor Rybak
• IGR staff*
• Planning Director or designee
• CPED Director or designee
• Public Works Director or designee
• Taxi 2000 representatives
• Metro Transit representative
• Hennepin County representative

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staffing for the working group be provided by staff from the following departments: Public Works, IGR office, Environmental Health Division of Regulatory Services, Planning Division of PCED, and Business Development division of CPED.

* IGR = "Inter-Governmental Relations".