HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 084-03Resolution No. 0 84- 03
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FEDERAL
REAUTHORIZATION OF AMTRAK AND THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONWIDE INTER-
CONNECTED PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEM, AS SET
FORTH IN THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN
PASSENGER RAIL AGREEMENT.
WHEREAS, in order to ensure the safety, quality, reliability, and efficiency of
our country's vital transportation network and to preserve our national defense,
America needs a balanced, integrated transportation system and the American
people need diverse transportation choices;
WHEREAS, passenger rail is a critical component of a modern, multi-modal
transportation system, and needs to have financial support, unified policy
development and oversight similar to that afforded to our air, highway, and mass
transit modes.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of
Bakersfield supports the institution of the following passenger rail components,
which are critical to the future of passenger rail in the United States, within the
upcoming reauthoriziation of Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21)
and/or Amtrak Reauthoriziation legislation:
Establish a dedicated, multi-year federal capital funding program for
intercity passenger rail, patterned after the existing federal highway,
airport and mass transit programs.
Establish, as federal policy, a preserved and improved national passenger
rail system - a nationwide, interconnected passenger rail system that
stimulates higher levels of efficiency, innovation, and responsiveness.
Direct the Federal Railroad Administration or another agency within the
U.S. Department of Transportation, to - with state and local input -
develop, fund and oversee this federal policy.
Provide full federal funding of Amtrak to maintain the national network
during the period that the new federal plans and policies are being
developed. Then, fully fund implementation of the national passenger rail
system - with its new efficiencies, innovation and responsiveness - in
subsequent years.
.......... 000 ..........
I H~E~Y CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by
the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on
~¥ ~ ?nnt , by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERBENHAM, CARSON, COUCH, HANSON, MAGGARD, SALVAGGIO, SULLIVAN
COUNCIL MEMBER ~
COUNCIL MEMBER
COUNCIL MEMBER ~__/
APPROVED
MAY ~. 8 2003
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio ~lerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
HAI~VE~ L. HALL
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BART J. THILTGEN
City Attorney
Deputy City Attorney