Halt payment of $49k and end Lone Star Rail membership

[Don Zimmerman]

Zimmerman Draft Resolution – Lone Star Rail (ver. 2)


Whereas, the Lone Star Rail District is made up of multiple cities, counties, Planning Organizations, and Transit Authorities; according to the lonestarrail.com website, “The Union Pacific corridor that parallels I-35 is an important link for moving goods through the region, but as a freight rail line, it suffers from many of the same challenges as I-35. However, that same UP right-of-way is almost perfectly suited to passenger service that can bring people right to the region’s major destinations—downtown Austin and San Antonio, a long string of university campuses, tourist attractions, and major employers from Williamson County to Port San Antonio and beyond.”; and

Whereas, the City of Austin is a member of the Lone Star Rail District and, according to the Austin-American Statesman (Statesman), has given about $600,000 to the District; and

Whereas, on January 28, 2016, the Austin City Council authorized payment of the City’s annual membership dues for FY 2015-16, in an amount not to exceed $49,500; and

Whereas, according to the Statesman, on February 9, 2016, “Union Pacific officially broke off negotiations over whether the rail district could someday acquire or share the railroad’s existing track”; and

Whereas, without Union Pacific, the feasibility of building a passenger railway system to connect San Antonio, Austin, and Georgetown is no longer viable; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN:

That the Austin City Council directs the City Manager not to pay the $49,500 for the FY 2015-16 membership dues and notify Lone Star Rail District that the City of Austin will not be renewing its membership.

[Don Zimmerman]

According to the March 23, 2016 Austin American-Statesman:
Hays County Commissioners and Bexar County Commissioners have decided to withdraw membership. The City of San Antonio is considering reversing a pledge of $450,000 to the district.

Before we send the taxpayers $49,500; I believe the Council should reconsider given the events that have transpired over the past 2 months.