Report Prepared by: Mike Conway, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Comment Letter on the California High Speed Rail Authority 2018 Business Plan
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provide direction to staff on submitting a comment letter on the California High Speed Rail Authority 2018 Business Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion providing direction to staff to draft a comment letter on the California High Speed Rail Authority's 2018 Business Plan to include points that emphasize the importance of moving Merced into the Initial Operating Segment.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for consideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter City of Merced, Sec. 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2017-18 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
In 2008 California voters approved Proposition 1A authorizing a high-speed rail line between San Francisco and Los Angeles and a $9 billion bond. Every two years the California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) issues a business plan to guide it forward.
On March 9, 2018, the 2018 Business Plan was released to the public, focusing on providing a "Valley-to-Valley" service, with high-speed rail service ultimately connecting between San Jose and Bakersfield in Phase 1. The Business Plan process allows for a 60-day comment period that closes May 7.
As written, Merced is included as a final element of Phase 1, after construction of the tunnels under the Pacheco Pass, but the Business Plan acknowledges there is no funding identified for construction of the Merced line. The construction of the Merced rail line could be postponed to some unknown date when funding becomes avail...
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