Halt payment of $49k and end Lone Star Rail membership
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 10:57 am
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.
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.