Report Prepared by: Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Authorize Outreach Efforts, Including but not Limited to a Module on Engage Merced to Share Activities Relating to the High-Speed Rail Project
REPORT IN BRIEF
After reports from City Council's High-Speed Rail (HSR) Sub-Committee and Staff, City Council will be asked to consider authorizing the creation of a module on Engage Merced and other outreach efforts.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion authorizing the creation of a module on Engage Merced to share activities from August 2025 to present regarding High-Speed Rail Activities, including but not limited to, illustrating the transition of the station from Downtown Merced to Southeast Merced.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Provide alternative staff direction; or,
2. Refer to staff for reconsideration as requested by the City Council; or,
3. Defer action until a specific date; or,
4. Take no action
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200, et. seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
City of Merced FY 2026-2027 Budget, Section 7, Economic Development, Objective #3, "Coordinate High Speed Rail, continue to be the clearinghouse for High-Speed Rail and assist in station planning as well as community impact."
DISCUSSION
Since the publishing of the 2025 Supplemental Project Update Report (Supplemental Report) in August 2025, the City, County, and Merced County Association of Governments have regularly engaged with the High-Speed Rail Authority. Originally, the Supplemental Report suggested that Merced be bypassed in favor of extending the High-Speed Rail line from Madera to Gilroy. After several meetings with the High- Speed Rail Authority, the Merced Station remained as being part of Segment 1, Phase 1. However, High-Speed Rail suggested moving the station from Downtown to the Southeast Merced on the westside of Highway 99 at Mission Avenue adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. On June 1, 2026, the High-Speed...
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