Minutes 03/25/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 25. 2008 "RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION OF COMMONWEALTH RAILWAY, INC., TO THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF RAIL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR RAIL PRESERVATION FUNDS. WHEREAS, Commonwealth Railway, Inc., ("Commonwealth Railway") desires to file an application with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for funding assistance for repairs and improvements to a rail section from the APM Terminal Branch to the BASF Plant in the City; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly, through enactment of the Rail Preservation Program, provides funding for certain improvements to aid procurement of railways in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and WHEREAS, Commonwealth Railway is an important provider in the City of Portsmouth's transportation system; and WHEREAS, Commonwealth Railway is instrumental in the economic development of the region, including the City of Portsmouth; provides relief to the highway system by transporting freight; and provides an alternate means of transporting commodities; and WHEREAS, Commonwealth Railway has requested the City of Portsmouth's support for the above-referenced rail projects; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth Transportation Board has established procedures for allocation and distribution of funds provided; and WHEREAS, a resolution expressing Portsmouth City Council's continuing support of the application has been requested by Commonwealth Railway. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that it hereby supports the application of Commonwealth Railway to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for Rail Preservation Program funds to be used for its rail repair and improvement project." Ayes: Heretick, Moody, Psi mas, Randall, R. Smith, Holley Nays: None Abstain: D. Smith (Commonwealth Railway, Inc. is a corporate client) 08 - 161 - Adoption of a resolution authorizing the transfer of $2,173,200 in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant funds to the Hampton Roads Transportation Commission (HRTC) for the purchase and operation of two shuttle buses in the downtown area for a three-year period. Vision Principle: Thriving Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Background: . The City of Portsmouth has received a CMAQ grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia in the amount of $2,173,200.00 (accepted by Council Resolution on October 10, 2006). The grant is to cover the cost of purchasing two hybrid buses and operating the shuttle service in downtown Portsmouth for a three year period. The service will provide shuttle transportation along Water, High and Effingham Streets to include the Naval Hospital.