2008-011 Central FL Commuter Rail Project
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-011
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING THE CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUTER RAIL
PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is undertaking the
development and implementation of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project running from
DeLand in Volusia County through Seminole County, and Orange County (including the
Cities of Orlando, Maitland and Winter Park) to Poinciana in Osceola County; and
WHEREAS, FDOT has reached agreement with CSX Transportation providing for
the acquisition of the CSXT's A-Line between Milepost A749.7 near DeLand and A814.1
near Poinciana, a distance of approximately 61.5 miles for the use of the Commuter Rail
Project; and
WHEREAS, 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
WHEREAS, 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 METRO PLAN
ORLANDO's Long Range Transportation Plan "Financially Constrained Network" and
Volusia County MPO'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 growth management
catalyst; and
WHEREAS, 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 1-4 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, financial 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 Department 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
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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 Interlocal 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 1 st day of July, 2008.
ATTEST:
~!~~lh-
ikenberry, City Cler
APPROVED:
CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA
(SEAL)
APPROVED BY THE OCOEE CITY
COMMISSION ON THE ABOVE DATE
UNDER AGENDA ITEM NO.-=+-
FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY
BY THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA;
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
this 1st day of July, 2008.
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
BY:~~
Paltl E. Rv~c;I1d'lal, )/,'c4o{ d t:.ltIIf~
h~ity Attorney