DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Accept Invitation To Join Minnesota Valley Transit Authority Board And Adopt Resolution To Terms Of Third Amended And Restated Joint Powers Agreement Of Minnesota Valley Transit Authority
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Accept the invitation to join the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Board and adopt resolution agreeing to the terms of the Third Amended and Restated joint powers agreement of the MVTA (JPA) with Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Rosemount, Prior Lake, Savage, Shakopee, and Scott County.
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient multimodal transportation system, Dakota County supports a variety of transportation modes, including transit. During the February 11, 2025, Physical Development Committee (PDC) meeting of the whole, the Committee discussed a draft Transit Workplan developed by staff. The Workplan was based on Board priorities identified at two previous County Board Transit Workshops (held on October 29, 2024, and November 12, 2024). The Transit Workplan identified becoming a member of the MVTA Board as a potential task for consideration.
MVTA was formed in 1990 to provide transit services to member suburbs, including the Dakota County cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, and Rosemount. Scott County and the cities of Prior Lake, Savage, and Shakopee are also current members of MVTA. The governing body of MVTA is the Board, which consists of one commissioner, one alternate commissioner, and one staff member from each party of the JPA. The commissioner from each party must be a member of that party’s governing body.
Dakota County had representation on the MVTA Board between 1990 and 2021. The County was an official member of the MVTA Board from 2012 to 2021. By Resolution No. 21-076 (February 2, 2021), the Dakota County Board voted to withdraw from the MVTA Board, noting concerns regarding County Board representation for an organization that does not represent the entire County and that the County is also served by Metro Transit, which does not have direct County Board representation on its governance Board.
Discussion at the County Board Transit Workshops identified a desire to become more engaged with transit issues and providers. Rejoining the MVTA Board, either as a voting or ex-officio member, was identified as a potential strategy to improve involvement. Commissioners discussed the merits of MVTA membership as voting or ex-officio members at the February 11, 2025, PDC meeting. The majority indicated support for joining the MVTA Board as voting members. On February 20, 2025, the MVTA Board unanimously approved the resolution to invite and accept Dakota County onto the MVTA Board as a Board of Commissioner or Ex-Officio member (Attachment: Resolution).
Joining the MVTA Board requires Dakota County to adopt a resolution agreeing to the terms of the JPA (Attachment: MVTA JPA). Dakota County’s membership will begin once each existing member of MVTA adopts a resolution approving the addition of the County. Upon completion of the process, the Dakota County Board Chair will appoint one commissioner and one alternate commissioner to serve on the MVTA Board.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Based on discussion at the February 11, 2025, PDC meeting, staff recommends that Dakota County join the MVTA Board by adopting a resolution agreeing to the terms of the JPA.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient multimodal transportation system, Dakota County promotes a variety of transportation modes, including transit; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County held Transit Workshops on October 29, 2024, and November 12, 2024, to discuss the County’s transit priorities; and
WHEREAS, Commissioners indicated a desire to become more engaged in transit issues; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) is a joint powers entity organized pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 471.59, 473.384, and 473.388, under an amended and restated MVTA joint powers agreement establishing the MVTA, dated as of September 9, 2014, (JPA) providing transit services to member suburbs including the Dakota County cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, and Rosemount as well as the neighboring Scott County cities of Prior Lake, Savage, and Shakopee; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County previously participated on the MVTA Board from 1990 until 2021, with official County membership between 2012 and 2021; and
WHEREAS, the February 11, 2025, Physical Development Committee of the Whole included a discussion of membership on the MVTA Board of Directors with a majority indicating support of increased engagement in transit issues through membership on the MVTA Board; and
WHEREAS, on February 20, 2025, the MVTA Board unanimously approved the Resolution to invite and accept Dakota County onto the MVTA Board; and
WHEREAS, to become a member, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners must adopt a resolution agreeing to the terms of the JPA, and each existing member of the JPA must adopt a resolution approving the addition of the County; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of the process, the Dakota County Board Chair will appoint one commissioner and one alternate commissioner to serve on the MVTA Board.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Board of Commissioners in and for the County of Dakota, Minnesota, hereby agrees to join the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority as a full member and agrees to the terms of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority joint powers agreement, subject to approval by the current member organizations.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
21-076; 02/02/21
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Resolution
Attachment: MVTA JPA
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☒ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Gina Mitteco