History: In 2017, the board assumed certain funding commitments and responsibilities resulting from the dissolution of the Counties Transit Improvement Board (Resolution 17-0207). Hennepin County is the principal non-federal funder for several transit projects including the METRO Green Line Extension (Southwest Light Rail Transit) project, the METRO Blue Line Extension (Bottineau Light Rail Transit) project, and the METRO Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit project.

The county executed Agreement A178026 with Mary Richardson for consultant services related to transit policies, legislative support, and strategic initiatives in an amount not to exceed $100,000 (Resolution 17-0484). The need for Ms. Richardson’s services has exceeded the initial projections due to issues related to the county’s work with the Metropolitan Council and the railroads operating in the proposed transit corridor; consequently, an increase to the agreement amount is necessary.

Current Request: The current request seeks approval of Amendment 1 to Agreement A178026, increasing the amount by $150,000 to a new total not to exceed amount of $250,000 with no change to contract dates.