Minnesota Administrative Rules

8895.0500 PROJECT SELECTION, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, AND RANKING.

Subpart 1.

Project selection.

The commissioner shall consider the following factors in selecting projects for funding through the program:

A.

economic considerations, including determinations of:

(1)

whether the projected additional revenue generated by the improvement project will be sufficient to recover its costs;

(2)

the overall economic impact of the project as determined by a benefit-cost analysis;

(3)

the potential loss of local income, taxes, or jobs if the project is not completed;

(4)

added costs to shippers, receivers, and the local or regional economy if failure to complete the project causes significant delay or stoppage of vessel movement; and

(5)

the added costs of full replacement of a facility over the costs of responding to an improvement need if the project is implemented; and

B.

safety considerations, including determinations of:

(1)

improvements in vessel or cargo-handling safety at the facilities;

(2)

improvements in working condition safety in dock cargo-handling and storage areas; and

(3)

improvements that enhance the movement of cargo or passengers at navigation facilities.

Subp. 2.

Project funding; minimum requirements.

A project does not qualify for program funding if:

A.

the project is inconsistent with criteria in parts 8895.0100 to 8895.1100;

B.

the application is incomplete or inaccurate; or

C.

the proposed project is incompatible with applicable harbor development or local comprehensive plans.

Subp. 3.

Project ranking.

The commissioner shall establish timetables for the ranking of projects. The ranking of projects determines the priority in which funding will be considered.

Subp. 4.

Criteria for ranking projects.

The commissioner shall consider the following criteria to determine project ranking:

A.

ability of the project to expedite, retain, or generally improve the movement of passengers or cargo;

B.

ability of the project to enhance the commercial vessel construction and repair industry;

C.

ability of the project to promote identifiable economic development in and around the port and harbor;

D.

ability of the project to produce a regional or community benefit independent of an individual facility; and

E.

ability to repay a loan on the basis of the benefit-cost analysis.

Subp. 5.

Application may be resubmitted.

If the commissioner determines that an application is not eligible for ranking or is not ranked high enough for funding selection, that application may be resubmitted for the next funding cycle.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 457A.05

History:

17 SR 570

Published Electronically:

January 31, 2000