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2011-007 Supporting Sunrail RESOLUTION NO. 2011-007 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING SUNRAIL, CENTRAL FLORIDA'S FIRST PASSENGER RAIL PROJECT. • WHEREAS, alternative forms of transportation must be provided at the local, regional and state level to provide a sustainable future for the State of Florida; and WHEREAS, travel demand in Central Florida is growing and expected to rapidly increase in the coming decades; and WHEREAS, there is currently a lack of transportation alternatives for commuters in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia Counties in Central Florida; WHEREAS, following more than a decade of planning, SunRail, Central Florida's first passenger rail line, was unanimously approved by the governing bodies of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia Counties, and the City of Orlando ( "Local Government Partners "); and WHEREAS, the 61.5 mile commuter rail project from Volusia County to Osceola County provides a transportation alternative for 15 percent of the state's population and direct connections with two of the region's largest employers; and WHEREAS, an economic impact analysis of the planned system shows more than $981 million in commercial business sales and 11,523 jobs tied to construction and operation of the system over the next 30 years; and WHEREAS, an economic impact analysis of future transit- oriented development plans along the 61.5 mile system shows such development within a half -mile radius of the station stops is expected to directly account for an additional 38,310 permanent jobs in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties; and WHEREAS, an economic impact analysis shows a secondary impact, realized when workers spend earnings in the area, is forecasted to exceed $2.5 billion; and WHEREAS, implementation of SunRail 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, SunRail will greatly benefit all of the citizens of and visitors in the region, and is needed in order to relieve traffic congestion in the I -4 corridor. WHEREAS, it is more critical than ever to provide the traveling public with transportation alternatives as proposed revisions to federal air quality standards put Central Florida at risk of being declared a non - attainment area, which could result in sanctions and loss of federal transportation funding; and WHEREAS, SunRail serves as the backbone for a larger transit plan for the region and provides a foundation for new passenger rail projects throughout the state's urban areas: and WHEREAS. SunRail represents a strong partnership between the local, state. and federal governments; and WHEREAS, financial commitments for SunRail 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 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City 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 and Governor continue to work in cooperation with citizens and local governments throughout Central Florida to finalize the project; and Section 3. The City of Ocoee requests Governor Scott to approve releasing the contracts submitted by the Florida Department of Transportation to begin construction of the project and provide much needed jobs in Central Florida. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of Ocoee, Florida this `S► day of Pt pc; 1 , 2011. APPROVED: ATTEST: CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA ►mow,, _ . .. . LJ. _. e1'/:` _ 14 • I Eikenberry, CMC, City` lerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor (SEAL) FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY BY APPROVED BY THE OCOEE CITY THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA; COMMISSION AT A MEETING HELD APPROVED AS TO FORM ON P. pet lq . 2011. thhs /161 day of nirri 1 , 2011 UNDER AGENDA ITEM NO. t O . FOLEY & LARDNER, LLP By: 9 15 )4� City Atto ey