Agenda Item # 10
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
06/26/2012
Agenda Report # 072
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Passenger Rail Feasibility Study Contract
INITIATED BY: Planning Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into a contractual agreement
with the Georgia Department of Transportation to accept State 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 a 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 will be funded through the use of
State L230 transportation funds ($280,000), which requires a 20 percent match
($70,000). The match has been secured through the generous donations from the
Columbus Airport Commission, the Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia,
Total Systems, 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. No local funds will be required for this study.
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 a resolution authorizing the Mayor's Office
to enter into a contractual agreement with the Georgia Department of
Transportation to accept State L230 Transportation funds to develop a
feasibility study for the rapid rail transportation between Columbus and
Atlanta.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT 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 to 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 $280,000 has been estimated for such
a study and is available using State L230 funds with a required local match of
approximately $70,000; 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 enter into a contractual agreement with
the Georgia Department of Transportation to receive this State L230 funding for
purposes of conducting a Rapid Rail Transportation study from Columbus to
Atlanta.
___________
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 B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
Attachments
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