Res 89-02RESOLUTION NO. 89-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH,
FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND ITS
AFFILIATED REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
AGENCIES (RTO/RTA) TO RECOMMEND
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN THE FEC CORRIDOR
AREA TO EXPAND LOCAL AND REGIONAL
PASSENGER SERVICE IN THESE CORRIDORS TO
MEET THE GROWING TRANSIT NEEDS AND
COMPLIMENT FREIGHT INDUSTRY GROWTH IN
THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA AREA; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in 1995, a collaboration of freight operators and FDOT completed the "Rail
Rationalization Study" and recommended long term planning for both the CSXT and FEC corridors
including double tracking of the CSXT (South Florida Rail Corridor) and the concurrent, public
investment in the FEC corridor to consider implementation of passenger service within the FEC
Corridor; and
WHEREAS, in 1997/98, ciries and counties in the Southeast Florida region began to meet on
a continuing basis to approve resolutions asking state and federal transportation agencies to negotiate
with the Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. (FECI) about inclusion of passenger service within their
corridor; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation 2020 and 2025 Mission Statements
called for safe, interconnected statewide transportation systems for Florida's citizens and visitors that
ensure mobility of people and goods; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Depamuent of Transportation and its affiliated regional offices are
required to expand and enhance rail systems in Florida to respond to statewide mobility needs; and
WHEREAS, the Florida East Coast Railway Corridor right-of-way (FEC) represents an
important and strategic transportation corridor that provides vital freight and transportation rail
services to and from South Florida; and
WHEREAS, the trend in economic growth along the FEC is only beginning - resulting in the
building of compact residential and commercial development, including tens of thousands of new
residents and hundreds of thousands of square feet of office space within walking distance of the
corridor 0/4 or less of a mile); and
WHEREAS, in 2001 the RTO began a strategic plan - "South Florida Transit Analysis"
funded by a collaboration of cities and regional business groups and Congress in 2000 - outlining
transit corhdor expansion alternatives including the FEC corridor; and
WHEREAS, the RTO is considering its conversion into a Regional Transit Authority
(RTA) - combining the efforts and services of multiple county bus providers, land planning
agencies, numerous bureaus of FDOT (MPO and FDOT District offices) and Tri-Rail - for
maximized regional passenger services and corridors, and
WHEREAS, FEC rail services for local and regional passengers could connect to the
existing single corridor known as the South Florida Railroad corridor, in which Tri-Rail currently
runs, and provide Florida visitors, workers, residents and transportation disadvantaged in all
categories better service, reducing reliance on private automobiles, decreasing roadway congestion,
increasing mobility, and enhancing ridership on all existing services developed with significant
investment utilizing local, county, state and federal resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DEL,RAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the Florida Depatmient of Transportation and its affiliated agencies
involved with the RTO are strongly encouraged to define specific and detailed base line local and
regional passenger services needed for cities and unincorporated areas along the FEC Corridor area
- within at least 3/4 mile of those corridors where tremendous compact growth is underway - and
include this important technical information in the conclusions of the aforementioned "South
Florida Transit Analysis".
Section 2. That the RTO will take the conclusions of the South Florida Transit Analysis and
recommend the full funding of the needed transit service expansion within or along the FEC
Corridor area to the extent that passenger services can be added without negatively affecting current
or future freight operations.
Section 3. That the RTO will actively pursue its RTA status with the intention of fully
funding and operating an expanded local and regional service along the FEC and seek the support
and necessary "local match" from jurisdictions as needed.
Section 4. That the RTO will work with the interested local governments to complete
interlocal agreements as soon as possible to implement the above actions recommended in Sections
1-3.
2 RES. NO. 89-02
Section 5. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to forward a copy of this resolution to all
the governmental agencies involved, including County Commissions and officials involved in
regional transit planning, the RTO and its membership, the Florida League of Cities, Municipalities
and Chambers of Commerce within the South Florida area, CSXT and FECI and affiliates at the air
and sea ports.
Section 6.
PASSED
2002.
That this resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption.
AND ADOPTED in regular session on the ~5' day of ~
ATTEST:
City Clerk
MAYOR
3 RES. NO. 89-02