Report Prepared by: Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: City of Merced Letter of Comment to the DRAFT 2026 Business Plan and Technical Supporting Document as Published by the California High-Speed Rail Authority
REPORT IN BRIEF
City staff prepared a Letter of Comment concerning High-Speed Rail's DRAFT 2026 Business Plan including the Technical Supporting Document. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council if they desire to submit the Letter of Comment to the High-Speed Rail Authority.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the Letter of Comment to the High-Speed Rail Authority's DRAFT 2026 Business Plan including the Technical Supporting Document; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to send a Letter of Comment to the California High-Speed Rail Authority regarding the DRAFT 2026 Business Plan and Technical Supporting Document on behalf of the City Council of the City of Merced.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than as recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
FY 2025-2026 Budget Tab 7, Economic Development and Airport, Objective #3, "Coordinate High Speed Rail, ACE Train MITC, and other projects that may serve as economic engines in Downtown Merced."
DISCUSSION
Business Plan Statutory Requirement:
Public Utility Code Section 185033 requires the High-Speed Rail Authority to publish, adopt, and submit a Business Plan to the Legislature every two years. The first Business Plan was adopted in 2000, and since the codification of Public Utility Code Section 185033, Business Plans have been prepared and adopted from 2008 to 2024.
Each Business Plan must contain the following elements:
* The type of service the Authority anticipates it will develop;
* The proposed timeline for construction and the expected schedule for...
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