Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 175 - Transportation Department
Chapter 8805 - TRANSPORTATION PROJECT LOANS
Part 8805.0100 - DEFINITIONS

Subpart 1. Scope.

The terms used in parts 8805.0100 to 8805.0500 have the meanings given them in this part.

Subp. 2. Act.

"Act" means section 350 of the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 ( Public Law 104-59), as amended, and all rules and regulations adopted under the act.

Subp. 3. Applicant.

"Applicant" means an eligible borrower under Minnesota Statutes, section 446A.085, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), that applies for a loan from the fund.

Subp. 4. Application.

"Application" means the documents submitted to the commissioner by an applicant which contain information and data in support of the applicant's loan request to the authority. The application includes the completed application forms provided by the commissioner and the authority.

Subp. 5. Authority.

"Authority" means the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority created in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 446A.

Subp. 6. Benefit-cost analysis.

"Benefit-cost analysis" evaluates the benefits to society of a project in comparison to the project's costs. Benefits are the additions to society's resources that result from a program or project. Costs are the resources used to carry out the program or bring about the project. Whenever possible, benefits and costs are valued in monetary terms to permit comparison and aggregation.

Subp. 7. Certification.

"Certification" means the official approval by the commissioner of a transportation project to receive a loan from the fund. Certification does not mean that an applicant will receive a loan but that a project has been evaluated by the commissioner and considered to be an appropriate transportation project to receive funding. Once a project is certified, the authority shall conduct a financial evaluation of the application using the criteria in parts 7380.0705 to 7380.0775. An applicant may be approved to receive a loan only when this financial evaluation is completed and found to be satisfactory.

Subp. 8. Commissioner.

"Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department.

Subp. 9. Cost-effectiveness analysis.

"Cost-effectiveness analysis" evaluates the cost at which project objectives are achieved. Cost-effectiveness analysis is used when it is difficult or impractical to obtain a valuation of the benefits of a project. Cost-effectiveness analysis estimates the total cost of accomplishing a specified objective such as improving travel times.

Subp. 10. Department.

"Department" means the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Subp. 11. District.

"District" means the department office located in one of eight geographical areas of the state of Minnesota. The district is responsible for the development, construction, preservation, maintenance, and safety of the portion of the state's transportation system located within its specific geographic boundaries. District includes the department's metropolitan division.

Subp. 12. Fund.

"Fund" means the transportation revolving loan fund created in Minnesota Statutes, section 446A.085.

Subp. 13. Loan.

"Loan" means financial assistance for all or part of the cost of the project as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 446A.085, subdivision 1, paragraph (d).

Subp. 14. Metropolitan planning organization.

"Metropolitan planning organization" means an organization of local governments designated by the governor as the organization responsible for transportation policies and planning for the designated metropolitan area they serve. Metropolitan planning organizations exist in urbanized areas over 50,000 population. They are responsible for carrying out the metropolitan transportation planning process required by United States Code, title 23, section 134, and title 49, section 8.

Subp. 15. Regional development commission.

"Regional development commission" means an organization of local governments established pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 462.383 to 462.398. The purpose of regional development commissions is to ensure coordination of state, federal, and local comprehensive planning and development programs for the solution of economic, social, physical, and governmental problems of the state and its citizens.