From: Joe Sperber <jsperber@nahsr.

com>
Date: March 3, 2015 at 6:16:58 PM CST
To: Devlin Richard <devlin.richard@CO.OLMSTED.MN.US>
Cc: Brown Ken <brown.ken@CO.OLMSTED.MN.US>, Chuck Michael
<chuck.michael@gmail.com>, Wilson Paul <wilson.paul@CO.OLMSTED.MN.US>
Subject: Re: Twin Cities to Rochester Passenger Rail Corridor Project Transition
Request
Mr Devlin
Feel free to call me on my cell anytime at 612-8296816. I Can answer any questions you might
have.
Joe Sperber
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 3, 2015, at 5:30 PM, Devlin Richard <devlin.richard@CO.OLMSTED.MN.US>
wrote:
We are meeting tomorrow to start the process to review your request. This should only
take a few days but in the meantime Im sure we will have questions especially on
Chuck Michael role, defining ongoing collaboration and support and other issue
that may arise. Whom should we contact for question? We would prefer it be you.
From: Joe Sperber [mailto:jsperber@nahsr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 3:20 PM
To: Brown Ken; Devlin Richard
Cc: Wendy Meadley; Chuck Michael
Subject: Twin Cities to Rochester Passenger Rail Corridor Project Transition Request

Re: Olmsted County / Twin Cities to Rochester MN High Speed Rail Corridor Project
Transition Letter Request
It is our desire to transition the current Zip Rail Project from a publicly funded
transportation project to a privately funded transportation oriented development
project with high speed rail corridor development in the center of it all.
At this time, North American High Speed Rail Group (NAHSR), a Minnesota company is
requesting the transfer of all rights and responsibilities related to the completion of
the Tier 1 EIS feasibility study, the service development and business plan
components. Additionally, if relevant and within the countys rights and
responsibilities, the right to go ahead with development upon successful
completion of the appropriate federal, regional and state level authorizations and
approvals including the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
In order to successfully transition this important economic development project for
Minnesota and the Southeastern region of Minnesota including: Olmsted,
Goodhue, Dakota, Ramsey and Hennepin (the affected counties along the proposed
corridor), the North American High Speed Rail Group requests the project
management collaboration and continuity of the current Project Manager, Chuck
Michael through 2015. This also allows for the significant relationships and
knowledge created and cultivated at the city, county and regional levels to continue
to be leveraged to the success of the project.
Page 1 of 2

The following are specific requests that the NAHSR would find helpful to our
continued public and private development efforts:
6.
Project Rights and Responsibilities Transfer- (as soon as possible- we would
like to go public with transfer during this legislative session)
7.
Project Documentation Transfer
8.
Project Data Transfer
9.
Commitment of Ongoing Collaboration and Support as is appropriate (Olmsted
County, City of Rochester, and Mayo related)
10. Ongoing Legislative Collaboration and Support as is appropriate to minimize
legislation that would impede the successful development and completion of the Twin
Cities to Rochester High Speed Rail corridor
11. Collaboration and Support as NAHSR continues to support the MN DOT Statewide Rail
Plan
We appreciate the opportunity to continue this important effort that Olmsted has
lead and sheparded to date. We at NAHSR look to continue that stewardship to
develop a comprehensive economic development project that will stage
Southeastern Minnesota for future economic development and growth for
generations to come.
Regar
ds,
Jo
e
Sp
er
be
r
CEO/President
North American High Speed Rail Group
jsperber@nahsr.com
612-819-6816 Cell
Riverview Office
Tower 8009
34th Avenue
S. 15th Floor
Bloomington, MN 55425

Page 2 of 2
March 13, 2015
RAIL ISSUES
We are waiting for Transportation Commissioner Zelle to give us approval to transfer the
ZIP Rail to
the private developer. Commissioner Zelle is planning to meet with Governor Dayton
sometime
during the week of March 16, 2015, seeking approval to move ahead forward with the
transfer to the

private developer.
March 20, 2015
RAIL ISSUES
The private investors for the Zip Rail were at the Capitol on Thursday morning, meeting
with State
and County representatives. Commissioners Brown and Kiscaden were present and can
provide you
with more information about how the meeting went. Please see the attached handout
used during the
meeting.

April 10, 2015

Rail Legislation Update
We have a threefold strategy to Representative Drazkowskis legislation prohibiting
Olmsted County
from spending public funds on the Zip Rail.
First, we will seek to separate DMC amendments from the restrictions on Zip Rail
legislation. I believe
this has already been accomplished.
Second, we want the Legislature to simply state that we (the County) cannot spend
money to build or
run a railroad. If they are not willing to state that, then we are trying to expand the
current language
prohibiting local government from making decisions regarding public projects associated
with rail
infrastructure (parking lots/ramps, bus stations, etc.). We do not yet know what
infrastructure may be
necessary, but we do know that we need to maintain enough flexibility to respond to
local needs in an
efficient manner. Please see the attached talking points from Pauls April 9 meeting
with the
Legislature.
Third, we will attempt to mitigate potential private development problems from the
Legislature. Please
see the attached email from Wendy Meadley to Representative Drazkowski about the
need for
collaboration between business and government. If the Legislature creates too many
obstacles, the
investors may walk.
OLMSTED COUNTY TALKING POINTS (Commissioner Paul Wilson 4-9-15)
We have been working in a very cooperative way with Rep. Drazkowski and
greatly appreciate his willingness to listen to us.
12.
13.

That said, we dont believe any legislation is needed.