HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2011-071 Sponsored by: Dunham
.. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -071
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, REQUESTING THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES TO UPDATE THE STATE
RAIL PLAN SO AS TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN ALASKA'S RAIL
INFRASTRUCTURE ELIGIBLE FOR LOCAL AND STATE
PARTICIPATION IN APPROPRIATE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS
WHEREAS, rail improvements generate significant benefits to the road network by
extending the operating life of highways subjected to extensive freight movements, and improving
roadway capacity by providing a multi-modal transportation alternative; and
WHEREAS, the federal government provides funding programs to assist in the development,
planning, and construction of rail projects, and eligibility for this federal assistance per the Clean
Railroads Act of 2008 and the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 requires a current State Rail
Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is the designated
State Rail Planning Agency under AS 44.42.020, AS 44.42.900, 17 AAC 05.120; and
WHEREAS, the last State Rail Plan was completed in 1986 and amended in 1990 and much
has changed in the last 21 years and under current federal law (P.L. 11-0432 div. B, Title III, Sec.
303 (a) and 49 USC 227, Section 22705 as enacted in the Passenger Rail Investment and
Improvement Act) the State Rail Plan should be updated every five years; and
WHEREAS, the Fairbanks North Star Borough passed Resolution No. 2011 -032 and the
City of North Pole passed Resolution 11 -21, both seeking for a timely update of the Alaska State
Rail Plan; and
WHEREAS, both communities are represented on the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area
Transportation System (FMATS), which is responsible for transportation planning area for roads, rail
and public transport in the Fairbanks Urban area; and
WHEREAS, FMATS Policy Committee passed Resolution No. 2011 -02, requesting the
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to update the State Rail Plan in a timely
manner; and
WHEREAS, with this Resolution, the City of Seward joins Fairbanks North Star Borough,
the City of North Pole, and the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System in requesting the
,,. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to update the State Rail Plan in
cooperation with local communities and the Alaska Railroad; and
Nor
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -071
WHEREAS, Seward is the location of mile 0 and the beginning of the Alaska Railroad and
any transportation study or rail plan should encompass the entire railway corridor, from north to
south.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City of Seward hereby requests a timely update to the Alaska State Rail Plan
by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
Section 2. A copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Governor, the Alaska State
Legislature, Commissioner of Transportation and Public Facilities, Commissioner of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development, and the Chairman of the Alaska Railroad Corporation.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 26`" day of
September, 2011.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
L
Willard E. 1 u nham, Mayor
AYES: Valdatta, Bardarson, Smith, Keil, Shafer, Casagranda, Dunham
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: o istnsa®ra '
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Council Agenda Statement t A OC Sett
Meeting Date: September 26, 2011
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To: Seward City Council
From: Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Agenda Item: Requesting the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
update the State Rail Plan in a timely manner
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
At the September 12, 2011 City Council Meeting, Mayor Dunham reported to Council two resolutions
passed by the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the City of North Pole, who requested the State of Alaska
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities update the State Rail Plan. The State Rail Plan has not
been amended since 1990 and is supposed to be updated every five years under current federal law.
If a part of this effort to request updating the State Rail Plan, Seward would join these communities as well
as the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System (FMATS) to urge DOT PF to update the plan so
as to make investments in Alaska's rail infrastructure eligible for local and State participation in
appropriate federal assistance programs.
INTENT: The intent of this resolution would be to join other rail belt communities in an effort to update
the State Rail Plan. As a community on the rail system, Seward could benefit from federal government
funding programs, but they would require a current State Rail Plan.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST:
Where applicable this resolution is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans,
Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures. Specifically, Seward City Code SCC
6.10.120(A)(8) exempts specialized products and professional services from the competitive procurement
process.
FISCAL NOTE:
This resolution does not impact the City's finances.
Approved by Finance Department: , o�, , ,,L i k it..,
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X
RECOMMENDATION: or(
It is the Mayor Dunham's wishes of that the City Council approve Resolution 2011- , which urges
the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to update the State Rail Plan.