Minutes 03/09/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 9, 2004 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that the Virginia Department of Transportation be requested to approve the additions and deletions more particularly described on the aforementioned Exhibit A." Ayes: Benn, Griffin, Pitts, Randall, Whitehurst, Holley Nays: None 04 - 99 - Adoption of a resolution supporting State funding for Commonwealth Railway improvements. The improvements will be made by the railway, not by the City, and are needed in order to provide rail service to the proposed Maersk/APM Terminals intermodal terminal. Recommendation: · Adoption of a resolution supporting State funding for Commonwealth Railway improvements for the proposed Maersk/APM Terminals intermodal terminal. Purpose and Need: · The rail improvements are needed in order to provide rail service to the proposed Maersk/APM Terminals intermodal terminal. · The improvements will be made by the railway, not by the City. Financial Impact: · There will be no cost to the City. There will be significant, but not quantifiable, indirect financial benefits such as a new terminal which will be facilitated in part by the rail improvements and will bring significant new tax revenue and economic activity to the City. 1. Billy Eason, 4337 Pablo Oaks Court, Suite 104, Jacksonville, FL, spoke in support of this item. Motion by Mr. Whitehurst, and seconded by Mr. Pitts, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: "A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH RAILWAY FACILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED NEW INTER-MODAL PORT FACILITY. WHEREAS, a new inter-modal port facility has been proposed to be constructed and operated by APM Terminals or an affiliated company (the "Terminal"), and the Terminal will benefit the City of Portsmouth (the "City"), the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the nation, as well as APM Terminals; and WHEREAS, the Terminal will require enhanced rail service; and WHEREAS, Commonwealth Railway, Inc. (the "Railway") will need to upgrade existing rail facilities and construct certain new rail facilities (collectively, the "Projects") in order to provide this enhanced service; and WHEREAS, the Railway desires to file an application with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for funding assistance for the Projects; and WHEREAS, the Railway estimates the cost of the Projects to be $2,592,772; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly, through enactment of the Rail Preservation Program, provides for funding for certain improvements and procurement of railways in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and