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Home My WebLink About07/16/2002, C8 - RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR AMTRAK INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL SERVIC r council. M.i°;°16-02 j acEnaa REpoRt 'C$ CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Jeffrey G. Jorgensen 4 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR AMTRAK INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE CAO RECOMMENDATION ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AMTRAK INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE DISCUSSION The San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) has requested a resolution of support for Amtrak's federal appropriation request for $1.2 billion in FY 2003 and to reauthorize Amtrak this year to meet the needs of the transportation system, particularly with a new, significant, stable source of federal capital funds. The request and a fact sheet on LOSSAN are attached for your information. Because San Luis Obispo is the northern terminus of the "Pacific Surflinef" corridor represented by LOSSAN, we would benefit from continued (and improved) Amtrak service, not only in terms of an important means of alternative transportation for our citizens, but also in terms of tourism promotion. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact to the City as a result of adopting this resolution. ALTERNATIVES Do not adopt resolution. JGJ/sw ATTACHMENTS 1. Proposed Resolution 2. LOSSAN Fact Sheet I:Amtrak Agenda Report CS-1 Attachment 1 RESOLUTION NO. (2002 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO SUPPORTING AMTRAK INTERCITY PASSENGER.RAIL SERVICE WHEREAS, the state of California is one of the most congested states in the country; and WHEREAS, California's statewide population is projected to increase 35 percent by 2020 and the State's already strained transportation infrastructure cannot accommodate that population and ensuing economic growth; and WHEREAS, passenger rail provides an efficient, safe and environmentally sound means of transportation for families, students,commuters, leisure and business travelers; and WIiEREAS, passenger rail helps stimulate the economy and make livable communities by developing downtown business centers and transit villages; and WHEREAS, the City Council values Amtrak service to our City and supports continued Federal support of the Amtrak system, particularly investments that will result in faster, more frequent service to the City,throughout the Counties, the State and the Nation; and WHEREAS, Amtrak service to the City includes the Pacific Surfliner (a shorter distance high-speed rail corridor) and the Coast Starlight, (long distance services); and WHEREAS, the Pacific Surfliner is the 2nd busiest service in the nation and the Coast Starlight is the most heavily traveled long distance service in the nation; and WHEREAS, approximately four million Amtrak passengers traveled through the 25 stations in the San Diego-Los Angeles-San. Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency counties (LOSSAN) over the fiscal year 2001; and WIEREAS, Amtrak has sponsored a consensus-based planning project in cooperation with local elected officials, transportation agencies;freight-railroads such as Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and the Union Pacific Railroad, Caltrans and the Federal Railroad Administration that details a potential $10 billion investment over 20 years in California's rail corridors, including the corridors serving the LOSSAN counties; and WIfEREAS, over the past ten years, Amtrak and the State of California have invested over $1.5 billion in the State's intercity rail corridors, the result of Which has been faster, more frequent and convenient service, improved stations and increased ridership; and CS-2 ATTACHMENT 1 Resolution No. (2002 Series) Page Two WHEREAS, the U.S. government has significantly undercapitalized the national Amtrak system for decades, failed to provide passenger rail with a dedicated secure source of funding like other modes enjoy and required Amtrak alone to achieve operating self-sufficiency; and WHEREAS, with the Homeland Defense, the United States of America should not rely solely on airline and automobile transportation systems and should allocate additional funding for passenger rail service as it has done for the airlines. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo that the City hereby supports continued and expanded federal support for Amtrak service and requests all the Members of the Congress representing the counties and the State of California to support the passage of a stable source of capital and operating funding for Amtrak (such as S.1991, the National Defense Rail Act) and endorse an appropriation of $1.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2003, urging the President of the United States to sign said legislation into law. Upon motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 2002. Mayor Allen Settle ATTEST: Lee Price,City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: lifA. J gen ,C' Attorney C8-3 ATTACHMENT 2__ 22 ® - LOS ANGELES-SAN DIEGO-S RAIL CORRIDOR AGENCY RECEIVED ;1N ^ MEMBER AGENCIES SLO CITY CLERK June 20,2002 California Department of Honorable Allen Settle, Mayor Transportation City of San Luis Obispo Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 990 Palm Street North San Diego County Transit San Luis Obispo CA 93401 Development Board Orange County Transportation RE: Resolution of Support for Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Service Authority San Diego Association of Dear Mayor Settle: Governments San Diego Metropolitan Transit The San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) strongly Development Board supports continued and strengthened Amtrak rail passenger service in Southern San Luis Obispo Council of GovernmCrumentss California and nationwide. LOSSAN is composed of elected officials representing rail Santa Barbara County Association owners, operators, and planning agencies along Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner corridor of Governments between from San Diego to Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. LOSSAN believes that Ventura County Transportation Amtrak is a critical transportation element that offers an efficient, safe and Commission environmentally sound means of transportation for commuters, leisure and business travelers, and improves mobility in congested transportation corridors. Last month, the LOSSAN Joint Powers Board approved a Resolution of Support for EX-OFFICIO MEMBER continued funding for Amtrak. In addition, the Board recommended that staff and Southern California Association of Amtrak contact all the jurisdictions and agencies along the corridor also requesting Governments 1 9 9 q 9 their support. Enclosed for your review and consideration is a copy of the LOSSAN corridor ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL resolution. We urge you to support Amtrak's federal appropriation request for $1.2 ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS billion in FY2003 and to reauthorize Amtrak this year to meet the needs of the Amtrak transportation system, particularly with a new, significant, stable source of federal Burlington Northern Santa Fe capital funds. Should the council choose to support this resolution, please forward Czts mia rut;iC us;sas copies to youi local federal delegations and a copy to LOSSAN Staff. Commission Southern California Regional Rail Please contact Liz O'Donoghue of Amtrak at 510-238-4360 or Linda Culp, LOSSAN staff Authority at SANDAG, at 619-595-5357 if you would like additional information or would like Union Pacific assistance. A fact sheet on LOSSAN is also enclosed for your information. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you. STAFFED BYSincerely, .' SANDAG 4018 Street Suite 800 San Diego CA 92101 (619)595-5300 ON=RABLEJULANNE NYGAARD, Chair fax(619)595-5305 Icuosandag.org LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Enclosure CR4 ATTACHMENT 2 LOS ANGELES-SAN DIEGO-SAN LUIS 061SPO RAIL COPPMORAGENCY MEMBER AGENCIES Resolution No. 2002-2 California Department of Transportation A Resolution of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency Transportation Authority FY 2003 Federal Appropriation of $1.2 billion And A Stable Source North San Diego County Tran:d Of Capital Operating Development Board p' And O eratin Funds For Amtrak Orange County Transportation (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) Authority San Diego Association of Governments Whereas, the State of California is one of the most congested states in the country; San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board Whereas, California's statewide population is projected to increase 35 percent by 2020 and the State's already strained transportation infrastructure San Luis Obispo ernmentsCouncil of cannot accommodate that population and ensuing economic growth; Governments P P g Santa Barbara County Association of Whereas, passenger rail provides an efficient, safe and environmentally y sound means of transportation for families, students, commuters, leisure and Ventura County Transportation business travelers; Commission Whereas, passenger rail helps stimulate the economy and make livable EX-OFRCIO MEMBER communities by developing downtown business centers and transit villages; Southern California Association of Governments Whereas, the LOSSAN Board values Amtrak service through the Counties and supports continued Federal support of the Amtrak system, particularly investments that will result in faster, more frequent service throughout the ADDITIONAL 7ECHN1C41 ADVISORY Counties, the State and the Nation; COMMITTEE MEMBERS Amtrak Whereas, Amtrak service in the LOSSAN counties include the Pacific Burlington Northern Santa Fe Surfliner (a shorter distance high-speed rail corridor), the Coast Starlight, the California Public Utilities Commission Southwest Chief and the Sunset Limited (long distance services); Southern California Regional Rail Whereas, Amtrak service in the LOSSAN Counties include the 2nd busiest Authority service in the nation (Pacific Surfliner) and most heavily traveled long Union Pacific distance service in the nation (Coast Starlight); - Whereas, approximately four million Amtrak passengers traveled through the 25 stations in the LOSSAN Counties over the fiscal year 2001; STAFFED BY: SANDAG Whereas, Amtrak has sponsored a consensus-based planning project in 401 B Street,Suite Boo cooperation with local elected officials, transportation agencies, freight San Diego C4 92101 railroads such as Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and the Union (619)595-5300 Pacific Railroad, Caltrans and the Federal Railroad Administration that details far.(619)595-5305 a potential $10 billion investment over 20 years in California's rail corridors, ku0sandag-org including the corridors serving the LOSSAN counties; C8-5 ATTACHMENT 2 Whereas, over the past ten years, Amtrak and the State of California have invested over$1.5 billion _ in the State's intercity rail corridors, the result of which has been faster, more frequent and convenient service, improved stations and increased ridership; Whereas, the U.S. government has significantly undercapitalized the national Amtrak system for . decades,failed to provide passenger rail with a dedicated secure source of funding like other modes enjoy and required Amtrak alone to achieve operating self-sufficiency; Whereas, with the homeland Defense the United States of America should not rely solely on airline and automobile transportation systems and should allocate additional funding for passenger rail service as it has done for the airlines; Now, therefore, Be It Resolved, that the LOSSAN Board of Directors hereby supports continued and expanded federal support for Amtrak service and requests all the Members of Congress representing the counties and the State of California to support the passage of a stable source of capital and operating funding for Amtrak (such as S. 1991, the .National Defense Rail Act) and endorse an appropriation of $1.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2003, urging the President of the United States to sign said legislation into law. Passed and adopted the 17th day of May 2002. Chairperson, LOSSAN Board LOSSAN Staff 16 C8-6 ATTACHMENT 2 Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency The LOSSANI Rail Corridor Agency works to increase ridership, revenue, capacity, reliability,and safety on the coastal rail line from San Diego to Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo.The LOSSAN rail corridor is the second busiest intercity passenger rail corridor in the nation. CALIFORNIA Intercity travelers, commuters, and freight trains make this corridor a critical component of the region's transportation system.The parallel freeway corridor, San Diego Interstate 5 and Highway 101,is heavilycongested during Peak commute periods,Region weekends,and holidays. Also known as Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner Corridor, this 351-mile rail line serves \CALIFOTtAThe outhern California's key coastal population centers and two of the state's most ongested regions,Los Angeles and San Diego. ach year, the LOSSAN corridor carries 1.8 million intercity passengers and million passengers on the committer rail systems: Metrolink and Coaster. unding Priorities member agencies ofthe LOSSA.N'Rail Cor idorAgency,working together, ave been successful in securing funding for intercity rail programsfroni the tate of California. Since 1996. the corridor has received more thana400 illion in stale funding. (over) 0 Peau Ro ON.aWan SmLue0*L"p Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo Gr 1.GPNmo8"M BBSd (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Guaaalupa- esam M.na �mpo sort- • axNav Sant estan GrylM.na W.W. OanaM kni V.laya ch.WV. nb Van N Buftek Nrpon' GN Loa Mpakn UnW WW Sanb M• Intercity Raft ^M Pacific Surfliner(Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo) .mn cmm-o .9an cyn.m Connecting Commuter/Light Rail Services(Including future) Oc-nalaaTnnN Gnbr , AMBOS or Other Amtrak Connections (AMBOS) smn.e-a Commuter Rail Stations A o Intercity and/or Commuter Rail Stations o Future Rail Stations sed P.apm C8-7 401 B Street•Suite 800 • San Diego,California 92101 • (619) 595.5300 • www.sandag.org ATTACHMENT 2 With the help of Congress through the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts program,LOSSAN received$24 million for four critical improvement projects on the railroad corridor:grade separations in the Cities of Fullerton,Commerce,and Solana Beach and the stabilization of the Del Mar Bluffs. Stabilizing the Del Mar Bluffs continues to be a critical project and was submitted to the FTA for New Starts funding for the FY 2003 appropriations cycle. LOSSAN agencies also have been successful in securing local funds for projects in the corridor. There are many more critical projects throughout the LOSSAN corridor needing funding.These include centralized traffic control systems, double and triple tracking, siding extensions, station parking structures, real-time passenger information systems,bridge replacements,and grade crossing safety improvements. There are nearly$4.2 billion in Pacific Surfliner projects identified in the California Passenger Rail System 20-year Improvement Plan,sponsored byAmtrak. Legislative Priorities ThLOSSAN Rail LOSSARail Corridor Agency supports state and federal legislative efforts to advance intercity passenger rail services in the corridor. Specifically,the LOSSAN strategy is: Funding: Preserve,protect and enhance the use of funding for intercity rail capital and operating purposes. • Existing Funds: Protect existing funding programs from diversion for specific projects or programs off- the-top or to balance the State's general fund budget. • New Funds: Support efforts to increase funding for transportation purposes including bond measures. • TEA-21 Reauthorization: Ensure that a LOSSAN earmark is included in the federal reauthorization legislation of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21°'Century and the corridor is properly and accurately defined. • Support a dedicated,stable multi-year state and federal funding program that provides for the continued development and maintenance of the national intercity,passenger rail system (i.e.,Amtrak). Service Levels: Maintain and expand the frequency and quality of intercity passenger rail services,including efforts to develop a high-speed passenger rail system that includes the LOSSAN Corridor. Rail Safety and Security: Support efforts to increase safety and security along the LOSSAN corridor,including grade separation projects. Community Development: Help provide local jurisdictions with the necessary resources for smart growth, affordable housing,and other initiatives as they relate to rail development. History The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers agency that was formed in 1959 to coordinate intercity rail service between Los Angeles and San Diego. In 2001, the agency expanded to include rail agencies and operators north of Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. With this change, all rail agencies along the entire Pacific Surfliner corridor are represented on LOSSAN. _ LOSSAN MEMBER AGENCIES California Department of Transportation • Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority North San Diego County Transit Development Board• Orange County Transportation Authority • San Diego Association of Governments San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board • San Luis Obispo Council of Governments Santa Barbara County Association of Governments •Ventura County Transportation Commission EX OFFICIO MEMBER AGENCY Southern California Association of Govemments ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL ADVISORYMEMBERAGENCIES Amtrak • Burlington Northern Santa Fe • California Public Utilities Commission • Southern California Regional Rail Authority • Union Pacific June 2002