Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
05/22/2012
Agenda Report # 050
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Donations for Rapid Rail Transportation
Feasibility Study
INITIATED BY: Planning Department
Recommendation: Approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor's Office to accept
donations from local businesses and public agencies to provide a local match to
the State's L230 Transportation funds to develop a feasibility study for the
rapid rail transportation between Columbus and Atlanta.
Background: The Mayor's Office has established a 32 member Commission on
Passenger Rail, for the purposes of determining the need for passenger/rapid
rail transportation between Columbus and Atlanta. Through its efforts the
commission has reviewed the Georgia Rail Plan and the Federal Rail Plan to
establish a baseline for discussions. In addition, presentations via the
internet have been given by Mayor Anthony Foxx and former Mayor Pat McCrory of
Charlotte, North Carolina, which is undergoing an extensive passenger rail
program of its own. It is because of this work that the commission now
believes it is time to develop its own passenger rail feasibility study.
Analysis: The study, aided by the expertise of the Georgia Department of
Transportation, would help determine the potential for rail travel between
Columbus and Atlanta, and possibly other communities as well. A study of this
type would not only identify possible routes, but would also examine potential
ridership and costs for such a project.
Financial Considerations: Cost for the study would be funded through the use
of State L230 transportation funds ($300,000), which requires a 20 percent
match ($60,000). The match has been secured through the generous donations
from the Columbus Airport Commission, the Development Authority of Columbus,
Georgia, Total System, Inc. and the W. C. Bradley Company. To date, $70,000
has been raised to meet the required match and other feasibility study related
expenses. The adoption of this resolution would only authorize the acceptance
of donations for the purposes of providing the match. A contract between the
City and the Georgia Department of Transportation for the study itself is being
prepared and will be presented to the Council at a future date.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: There is no annual fiscal impact for
this study.
Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has approved this action.
Recommendations/ Actions: Approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor's
Office to accept donations from local businesses and public agencies for the
purpose of providing a local match to state L230 funds for the purpose of
developing a feasibility study for rapid rail transportation.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS FROM BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC
AGENCIES TO HELP FUND A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR RAPID RAIL TRANSPORTATION.
WHEREAS, the Mayor has established a Commission on Passenger Rail to study and
determine future rapid rail transportation needs for Columbus and the region;
and,
WHEREAS, the members of the Commission represent stakeholders from the
community, public transportation, businesses, economic development and the City
of Columbus, including Councilors Gary Allen, Glenn Davis and Bruce Huff who
serve in an ex-officio capacity; and,
WHEREAS, the Commission has studied the Georgia Rail Plan, the Federal Rail
Plan and other studies, findings and resources including Skype presentations
from Mayor Pat McCrory and Mayor Anthony Foxx of Charlotte, North Carolina; and,
WHEREAS, the Commission, aided by the expertise of the Georgia Department of
Transportation, has determined that a Rail Feasibility Plan would considerably
advance the potential for rail travel between Columbus and Atlanta, and perhaps
other cities in the region and beyond; and,
WHEREAS, the Commission has recommended that a feasibility study for such
transportation issues needs be developed to help determine potential routes,
ridership and costs for such a project; and,
WHEREAS, the scope of the feasibility study has been determined by the
state and federal transportation agencies to substantially comply with their
respective requirements for the state and/or federal rail plans; and,
WHEREAS, funding in the amount of $300,000 has been estimated for such
a study and is available using State L230 funds with a required local match of
approximately $60,000; and,
WHEREAS, $70,000 has been obtained by generous donations from local
businesses and public agencies to meet the required match and other feasibility
study related expenses.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the Mayor is hereby authorized to accept donations from the
following local businesses and public agencies for the purpose of providing a
local match to the State L230 funds and for the purpose of developing a
feasibility study for rapid rail transportation for Columbus, Georgia: Columbus
Airport Commission, the Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia, Total
Systems, Inc. and the W.C. Bradley Company.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2012 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
____________________________ _________________________
Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
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