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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 022-16RESOLUTION NO. 022- 1 6 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LOCATING THE HIGH SPEED RAIL HEAVY MAINTENANCE FACILITY AND OTHER HIGH SPEED RAIL FACILITIES IN KERN COUNTY IN ORDER TO BRING NEW LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO OUR REGION. WHEREAS, the California High Speed Rail Project is an aggressive transportation initiative designed to ultimately link Northern and Southern California via a high speed rail corridor primarily through the Central Valley of the State; and WHEREAS, the development of the High Speed Rail Project in California will require significant investment, currently estimated at $68 billion, to become a reality; and WHEREAS, the California High Speed Rail Authority continues to advance the development of the High Speed Rail Project in California; and WHEREAS, a Project of this magnitude will have the potential to become an economic catalyst for the regions where large investments are made to support the Project; and WHEREAS, such investments can include the siting and development of substantial support facilities such as the Heavy Maintenance Facility (HMF) and other facilities which are needed for the operation of high speed rail; and WHEREAS, such facilities have the potential to create new, potentially high -wage jobs and create economic multipliers which can have a positive impact on local economies where these facilities are located; and WHEREAS, Kern County currently has two potential options (Wasco and Shaffer), which are competitively positioned to be successful in getting the High Speed Rail Authority to locate the HMF in Kern County; and WHEREAS, since December of 2014, the City of Bakersfield and the High Speed Rail Authority have been working cooperatively to evaluate the Bakersfield F Street Station Alignment (BFSSA) as a potentially preferred alignment through the City of Bakersfield; and o�gAKFh� r Page 1 of 3 Pages - 5 OMIOINAl WHEREAS, the High Speed Rail Authority has maintained that the development and potential selection of the BFSSA will not negatively impact the competitive standing of either the Wasco or Shaffer HMF options; and WHEREAS, a coalition of local individuals, businesses, schools and governments has come together to form "Kern4HMF" in an effort to support the siting of the HMF in Kern County; and WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield has long understood the potential benefits of having such a facility in our region; and WHEREAS, in accordance with the preceding statements, it is the intent of the City Council of the City of Bakersfield to lend a statement of support for the efforts to bring the HMF, or any other facility which would represent the creation of new jobs and economic growth for our region, to Kern County; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows: 1. The above recitals are true and correct. 2. The City Council acknowledges the potential positive economic benefits that can be achieved for the local economy through locating the HMF in either Wasco or Shaffer. 2. The City Council supports local efforts focused on siting the HMF, or any other High Speed Rail support facilities which may create job growth and economic activity, in Kern County. 3. The City Council authorizes the City to join the Kern4HMF coalition. - -- 000 - -- OAKF,� - Page 2 of 3 Pages - J ORb7iINA6 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the Coun�EB ; U 2e City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on by the following vote: YES' COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA, MAXWELL, WEIR SMITH, ON, SULLIVAN, PARLIER NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBER N ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER WIJ. APPROVED FEB 10 2016 Y HARVEY L. HALL Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: VIRGINIA GENNARO City Attorney By ANDREW HIEGLIAID Deputy City Attorney AH;Isc 5:\ C0UN0L \R.\15-I b \HSRSUPPWHNP.d. 4 ROBERTA GAFFORD,MAC CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the Council of the City of Bakersfield �k0AKF9N - Page 3 of 3 Pages - '^@ i ORIGINAL