Resolution 08-1193RESOLUTION NO. 08-1193
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD FLORIDA, SUPPORTING
THE CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is undertaking the
development and implementation of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project running from Deland
in Volusia County through Seminole County, and Orange County (including the Cities of Orlando,
Maitland and Winter Park) to Poinciana in Osceola County; and
WHEREAS, FDOT has reached agreement with CSX Transportation providing for the
acquisition of the CSXT's A-Line between Milepost A749.7 near Deland and A814.1 near Poinciana,
a distance of approximately 61.5 miles for the use of the Commuter Rail Project; and
WHEREAS, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Osceola Counties and the City of Orlando
(collectively, the "Local Government Partners") have agreed that the FDOT will be the agency
responsible for the design, permitting and construction of the Commuter Rail Project and will be
responsible for its operation, management and maintenance for a period of seven years; and
WHEREAS, FDOT has agreed to convey the Commuter Rail Project to the Central Florida
Commuter Rail Commission (other than the stations, which will be conveyed to the Local
Government Partners) after the initial seven years; and
WHEREAS, the Commuter Rail Project is described in METROPLAN ORLANDO'S Long
Range Transportation Plan "Financially Constrained Network" and Volusia County MPO's Year 2025
Long Range Transportation Plan; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the Commuter Rail Project will result in overall social and
environmental benefits, improve the quality of life in the state, stimulate economic growth, create new
employment opportunities, and serve as a positive growth management catalyst; and
WHEREAS, the Commuter Rail Project will greatly benefit all of the citizens of and visitors
to the Central Florida region, and is needed in order to relieve traffic congestion, provide
transportation opportunities, and provide a relief for I-4 traffic during its reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, the Commuter Rail Project will become an integral part of Central Florida's
balanced transportation system and, with concurrent development of improvements to roadways and
bus transit, will greatly enhance the mobility of the traveling public; and
WHEREAS, financial commitments for the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project have been
made by the Local Government Partners and state funding is contained in the Five-Year Work
Program of the Florida Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Mica and Congresswoman Brown have pledged to secure more
than $300 million in federal funding for the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project and, if not used
for this project, will be lost to rail transit projects elsewhere in the country; and
WHEREAS, it is more critical than ever to provide the traveling public with transportation
alternatives as gasoline prices are soaring and new federal air quality standards for ozone put Central
Resolution 08-I 193
Page 2
Florida at risk of being declared anon-attainment area which could result in sanctions being imposed; "~
and
WHEREAS, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project will support the efforts of Governor
Crist's Energy and Climate Change Action Plan, established by Executive Order 07-128, with
ambitious goals for reducing statewide green house gas emissions;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA THAT:
SECTION 1. The City of supports the design, construction, and implementation of the
Commuter Rail Project in the Central Florida area; and
SECTION 2. The City of requests the Florida Legislature to approve fair and reasonable
insurance provisions for the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project as recommended by the Florida
Department of Transportation and consistent with the provisions of the Interlocal Agreement; and
SECTION 3. The City of Longwood authorizes the Mayor or his (her} designee to join in
efforts with other municipalities throughout Central Florida under the auspices of METROPLAN
ORLANDO'S Municipal Advisory Committee to support the METROPLAN ORLANDO Board in
making this project a reality.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its .,~
passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Longwood, this ~ day of June 2008.
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-~°~a r, ~,~ _ r ~ ~ _ .~ ~~,
Brian D. Sackett, Mayor t
ATTEST•
Sarah M. Mirus, CMC, City Clerk
Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood, Florida, only.
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T esa S. Roper, City Attorney