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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 97-999 ? - 9 9 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A DOWNTOWN LOCATION FOR THE HIGH SPEED RAIL STATION WHEREAS, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (the Authority) has been charged with the responsibility of developing a plan for the construction and operation of a high-speed train network for the state capable of achieving operating speeds of at least 200 miles per hour; and WHEREAS, the Authority must complete a final business plan by late 1999 to be submitted to the Governor and Legislature for inclusion as a statewide ballot measure for voter approval in the November, 2000 general election; and WHEREAS, the Authority has been developing alignment and station location options for the proposed High-Speed rail network and is ready to approve a recommendation at its July 20, 1999 meeting; and WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield has stated to the Authority on a number of occasions its desire to locate the High-Speed Rail station within the downtown area; and WHEREAS, on J u ne 16, 1999 the Authority staffs recommendation proposes locate the Bakersfield station approximately seven (7) miles west of downtown; and WHEREAS, the Authority staffs proposal is inconsistent with the wishes of the City of Bakersfield to locate the station within the downtown area; and WHEREAS, the Authority staff's proposal is inconsistent with the goals and objectives of the Metropolitan Bakersfield 2010 General Plan to foster multi-modal transportation facilities; and WHEREAS, the Authority staffs recommendation is inconsistent with efforts to promote and revitalize downtown Bakersfield; and WHEREAS, locating the station on the outskirts of Bakersfield will require additional vehicle miles to be traveled to access the station thereby increasing vehicle emissions; and WHEREAS, a downtown station location will more accessible to low and moderate income citizens; and WHEREAS, a station located on the outskirts of town will have a negative impact on the City's uniform growth patterns; and WHEREAS, a downtown station location will have equal accessibility from all geographic areas within Metropolitan Bakersfield; and , G:\GROUPDA~RESOLUTI\1999\RESOLUTION6_28_99-wpd Page 1 of 2 Pages WHEREAS, a downtown station will have greater accessibility to government and other public service facilities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield, as follows: 1. The Council of the City of Bakersfield does by this Resolution show its support for a downtown location for the Bakersfield High-Speed rail station. 2. The Council of the City of Bakersfield does by this Resolution request that the California High-Speed Rail Authority reject staffs recommendation for the west of State Route 99 alternative and adopt a route that places the station within downtown Bakersfield. by the I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adpoted Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on ,lltN ~10 !999 , by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER CARSON. DEMOND, SMITH. MCDERMOTT. ROWLES. SULLIVAN, SALVAGGIO COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER I..I oN COUNCILMEMBER APPROVED JUN 3 0 1999 BOB ~ MAYOR of the City of Bakersfield The Council of the APPROVED as to form: BART J: THILTGEN CITY ATTORNEY of the City of Bakersfield G:\GROUPDAT~RESOLUTI\1999\RESOI. UTION 6_28_99 wpd Page 2 of 2 Pages