Agenda Item # 3
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
01/26/2016
Agenda Report # 70
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Go! Transit Capital Program Grant
INITIATED BY: Planning Department
Recommendation: Adopt the resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit an
application to the State Road & Tollway Authority for funding of the Columbus
to Atlanta Intercity Passenger Rail Environmental Study.
Background: For the past four years the Mayor's Commission for Passenger
Rail has explored the possibility of establishing high-speed rail between
Columbus and Atlanta. From these efforts, a feasibility study was conducted in
2014 to show that intercity rail between the two cities was not only doable,
but would be profitable as well. The next to make this project a reality would
require an environmental study of the project. The State Road & Tollway
Authority announced last year that funding for transit related projects would
be available through the sale of bonds ($75 million) at the end of January,
2016. Discussions have been held with this agency and it has been determined
that these environmental studies would eligible for these funds.
Analysis: The feasibility of providing high-speed rail between the two
communities has been established by the report that was published February,
2014. In order to move this project forward and to be eligible for federal
funding, and environmental study must be performed.
Financial Considerations: The State Road & Tollway Authority established this
grant program without a direct requirement for matching funds. The request
under this application would be to fund the environment study at a cost of $6
million. A local match is not required for this grant program.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The City would be under no
additional future requirements under this grant.
Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has approved the form of the
application.
Recommendations/ Actions: Adopt the resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit
an application to the State Road & Tollway Authority for funding of the
Columbus to Atlanta Intercity Passenger Rail Environmental Study with no local
match required, and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the
award.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR AND TO ACCEPT,
IF APPROVED, A STATE ROAD AND TOLLWAY AUTHORITY GO! TRANSIT CAPITAL PROGRAM
GRANT WITH NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED, AND AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY
THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD.
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Commission for Passenger Rail to explore the possibility
of high-speed rail between Columbus and Atlanta has completed a study showing
the feasibility of such an intercity passenger rail system using the existing
right of way along I-185 and I-85; and,
WHEREAS, the next requirement in making this project a reality is to complete
an environmental study of the proposed route; and,
WHEREAS, the State Road and Tollway Authority has established the Go! Transit
Capital Program grant that can provide funding for such environmental studies.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the Mayor is hereby authorized to submit an application and accept if
approved a Go! Transit Capital Program Grant in the amount of $6,000,000 from
the State Road and Tollway Authority for the purpose of providing the
necessary funding for the environmental studies needed to develop a high-speed
rail service between Columbus and Atlanta. No local matching funds will be
required.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________ day of _____________ 2016, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of
_____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Buck voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_______________________________ __________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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