HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #06 Approval of MetroPlan Resolution
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A Regional Transportation PartnershIp
May 9, 2008
Honorable Scott Vandergrift
Mayor
City of Ocoee
2625 Cedar Bluff Lane
Ocoee, FL 34761
Dear Mayor Vandergrift:
At the May 8,2008 meeting of the METROPLAN ORLANDO Municipal Advisory
Committee (MAC) a great deal of discussion was held regarding the importance of the
commuter rail project to the Central Florida region. With gas prices continuing to soar and
air quality getting worse, those present felt it more apparent than ever that we continue to
present a united front surrounding this project. It is important to our region now, and is
especially important to our region's future.
During the meeting, City of Maitland Mayor Doug Kinson, suggested a resolution be
adopted by each city in the region to reaffirm its support for the project. METROPLAN
ORLANDO will serve as steward to collect each resolution in order that the Municipal
Advisory Committee may adopt a collective resolution at its meeting on June 4, 2008. In
turn, those will be presented to the METRO PLAN ORLANDO Board.
A draft resolution, with suggested language, is provided for you to use in order to help
expedite the process. We understand that you may wish to add language that may be
specific to your jurisdiction, but ask that you keep the suggested language intact as much as
possible. It would also be helpful if you would notify our office of the dateltime this item
will be presented to your Councilor Commission. We would be happy to have a
METROPLAN ORLANDO representative available to respond to any questions or
concerns.
One Landmark Center. 315 East Robinson Street. Suite 355 . Orlando, FL 3280 I B metroplanorlando.com
"B' (407) 481-5672 Suncom 344-5672 [j (407) 481-5680 Suncom (407) 344-5680 R Courthouse Station LYMMO Stop
May 9, 2008
Page 2
Please note that the resolution language also requests authorization for your MAC
representative to act on behalf of your city at the meeting on June 4th when the collective
resolution will be presented for approval. After adoption by the METROPLAN ORLANDO
Board, a complete packet will be transmitted to the entire Central Florida Legislative
Delegation, Congressman John Mica, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, the Florida
Department of Transportation and each of the respective cities.
You may call me at (407) 481-5672 x313 or Ms. Virginia L. Whittington at extension 314
with any questions. Resolutions may also be transmitted to Ms. Whittington's attention.
Sincerely,
~w.~
Harold W. Barley
Executive Director
Enclosure
c. Mr. Larry Williams, Chairman, Municipal Advisory Committee, City of Belle Isle
Commissioner Dan Anderson, City of Longwood
Commissioner Shirley Gray, City of Lake Mary
Vice Mayor Mike Satterfield, Town of Oakland
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING THE CENTRAL FLORIDA CO:MMUTER RAIL
PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is undertaking the
development and implementation of the Central Flor,ida Commuter Rail Project running from
DeLand in V olusia County through Seminole County, and Orange County (including the
Cities of Orlando, Maitland and Winter Park) to Poinciana in Osceola County; and
\VHEREAS, FDOT has reached agreement with CSX Transportation providing for
the acquisition of the CSXT's A-Line between Milepost A 749.7 near DeLand and A814.l
near Poinciana, a distance of approximately 61.5 miles for the use of the Commuter Rail
Project; and
\VHEREAS, Orange, Seminole, V olusia, and Osceola Counties and the City of
Orlando (collectively, the "Local Government Partners") have agreed that the FDOT will be
the agency responsible for the design, permitting and construction of the Commuter Rail
Project and will be responsible for its operation, management and maintenance for a period
of seven years; and
"WlIEREAS, FDOT has agreed to convey the Commuter Rail Project to the Central
Florida Commuter Rail Commission (other than the stations, which will be conveyed to the
Local Government Partners) after the initial seven years; and
WHEREAS, the Commuter Rail Project is described in METROPLAN
ORLANDO's Long Range Transportation Plan "Financially Constrained Network" and
Volusia County WO's Year 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the Commuter Rail Project will result in overall
social and environmental benefits, improve the quality of life in the state, stimulate economic
growth, create new employment opportunities, and serve as a positive grov.rth management
catalyst; and
"TflEREAS, the Commuter Rail Project will greatly benefit all of the citizens of and
visitors to the Central Florida region, and is needed in order to relieve traffic congestion,
provide transportation opportunities, and provide a relief for I -4 traffic during its
reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, the Commuter Rail Project will become an integral part of Central
Florida's balanced transportation system and, with concurrent development of improvements
to roadways and bus transit, will greatly enhance the mobility of the traveling public; and
WHEREAS, fmancial commitments for the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project
have been made by the Local Government Partners and state funding is contained in the Five-
Year Work Program of the Florida Departmen~ of Transportation; and
"WHEREAS, Congressman Mica and Congresswoman Brown have pledged to secure
more than $300 million in federal funding for the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project and,
if not used for this project, will be lost to rail transit projects elsewhere in the country; and
WHEREAS, it is more critical than ever to provide the traveling public with
transportation alternatives as gasoline prices are soaring and new federal air quality standards
for ozone put Central Florida at risk of being declared a non-attainment area which could
result in sanctions being imposed; and
WHEREAS, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project will support the efforts of
Governor Crist's Energy and Climate Change Action Plan, established by Executive Order
07-128, with ambitious goals for reducing statewide green house gas emissions;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission of the City of
Ocoee, Florida that:
Section 1. The City of Ocoee supports the design, construction, and implementation
of the Commuter Rail Project in the Central Florida area; and
Section 2. The City of Ocoee requests the Florida Legislature to approve fair and
reasonable insurance provisions for the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project as
recommended by the Florida Department of Transportation and consistent with the
provisions of the lnterlocal Agreement; and
Section 3. The City of Ocoee authorizes Mayor Vandergrift to join in efforts with
other municipalities throughout Central Florida under the auspices' of METRO PLAN
ORLANDO's Municipal Advisory Committee to support the METROPLAN ORLANDO
Board in making this project a reality.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of May, 2008.
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA
Beth Eikenberry, City Clerk
S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
(SEAL)
APPROVED BY THE OeOEE CITY
COMMISSION ON THE ABOVE DATE
UNDER AGENDA ITEM NO.
FOR USE AND RELIANCE 01\TL Y
BY THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA;
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
this 1st day of April, 2008.
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
By:
Paul E. Rosenthal,
City Attorney