Minutes 06/09/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 9. 2009 Discussion: . Cost is but one factor - and not the only or determining factor - guiding the FRA decision. Other factors are, and should be, more important determinants because they are future as well as present oriented. The factors that make South Hampton Roads the most advantageous choice: ./ Holds nearly 70% of the region's population and its growth rate is projected to exceed that of the Peninsula through the year 2030. ./ Has the highest concentration of the region's employment centers, military assets and port operations. ./ Better integrates with local transportation plans to create an intermodal transportation facility bringing together Hampton Roads Transit bus and light rail services across Hampton Roads. ./ Directly connects at Harbor Park to the Tide Light Rail System. ./ Offers an additional viable emergency evacuation route to South Hampton Roads residents. ./ It offers the only downtown to downtown connection. ./ The Peninsula already has existing passenger rail service to Richmond, and many residents are only an hour's drive or less from downtown. ./ Richmond. Southside residents have no passenger rail options and are 45 minutes to an hour's drive from the Newport News Amtrak Station - provided there are no delays at the bridge/tunnels, a rare occurrence. . Based on a fair and equitable comparison, the South Hampton Roads local governments unanimously support the Southside/NS route. . On May 29, 2009, the Southside Mayors and Chairs met, reviewed and agreed to pass similar resolutions (see attached resolution) in support of advancing the High Speed Passenger Rail connection to Southside Hampton Roads as a high priority initiative by the Commonwealth of Virginia. . It was further agreed that each Council and Board encompassed by this group would pass their respective resolutions between June 2, and June 9, 2009 supporting a high-speed rail line connection between Richmond and Southampton Road via the Route 460/Norfolk Southern Corridor. . The group also acknowledged at the same aforementioned meeting that the action of each member locality adopting a supporting resolution would relay the strongest message in the court of public opinion and best demonstrate the solidarity and commitment of the Southside Mayors and Chairs. . Adoption of these resolutions between June 2, and June 9, 2009 is important in order to meet the timing of the forthcoming (June 16th) Federal Railroad Administration's High Speed Rail Guidelines for applying for federal funding of High Speed Rail Projects. Financial Impact: . There is no financial impact at this time. Recommended Action: . Adoption of the resolution. Vision principle: Bold New Directions, Robust and Prospering Economy, Pride of Past, Promise of Future Next Steps Following Council Action: . Forwarding the adopted resolution with cover letter to Ms. Linda Johnson, Mayor of the City of Suffolk and Chair of the Southside Mayors and Chairs for inclusion in the application for federal funding of High Speed Rail Projects. Motion by Mr. Heretick, and seconded by Mr. Whitehurst, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: