R02-184RESOLUTION R02- ! ~q
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT
OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND ITS AFFILIATED
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES
(RTO/RTA) TO RECOMMEND STRATEGIC
INVESTMENT IN THE FEC CORRIDOR AREA BY
EXPANDING LOCAL AND REGIONAL PASSENGER
SERVICE IN THESE CORRIDORS TO MEET THE
GROWING TRANSIT NEEDS AS WELL AS TO
COMPLIMENT FREIGHT INDUSTRY GROWTH IN
THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA AREA; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in 1995, a collaboration of freight operators and FDOT completed the
'Rail Rationalization Study" and recommended long term planning for both the CSXT and
FEC corridors including double tracking of the CSXT (South Florida Rail Corridor) and the
concurrent, public investment in the FEC corridor to consider implementation of passenger
service within the FEC Corridor, and
WHEREAS, in 1997/98, cities and counties in the Southeast Florida region began to
meet on a continuing basis to approve resolutions asking state and federal transportation
agencies to negotiate with the Florida East Coast Industries, Inc., (FECI) and inclusion of
passenger service within their corridor, and;
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation 2020 and 2025 Mission
Statements called for safe, interconnected statewide transportation systems for Florida's
citizens and visitors that ensure mobility of people and goods, and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation and its affiliated regional
offices are required to expand and enhance rail systems in Florida to respond to statewide
mobility needs; and
WHEREAS, the Florida East Coast Railway Corridor right-of-way (FEC) represents
an important and strategic transportation corridor that provides vital fi.eight and
transportation rail services to and fi.om South Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Trend in economic growth along the FEC is only beginning -
resulting in the building of compact residential and commercial development, including tens
of thousands of new residents and hundreds of thousands of square feet of office space within
walking distance of the corridor (3/4 or less of a mile); and
S:\CA\RESO\Legislative Actions~Reso Supporting FDOT - FEC Corridor Area.doc
WHEREAS, in 2001 the RTO began a strategic plan - "South Florida Transit
Analysis" funded by a collaboration of cities and regional business groups and Congress in
2000 - outlining transit corridor expansion alternatives including the FEC/NE 2nd
Avenue/Dixie Highway corridors; and
WHEREAS, the RTO is considering its conversion into a Regional Transit Authority
(RTA) - combining the efforts and services of multiple county bus providers, land planning
agencies, numerous bureaus of FDOT (MPO and FDOT District officers) and Th-Rail - for
maximized regional passenger services and corridors; and
WHEREAS, FEC rail services for local and regional passengers creates intermodal
transportation opportunities that could provide Florida visitors, workers, residents and
transportation disadvantaged in all categories better service, thereby reducing reliance on
private automobiles, decreasing roadway congestion, increasing mobility, and enhancing
ridership on all existing services in order to take maximum advantage of the significant
investment by local, county, state and federal governments.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the Florida Department of Transportation and its affiliated
agencies involved with the RTO are strongly encouraged to define specific and detailed base
line local and regional passenger services needed for cities and unincorporated areas along
the FEC Corridor area - within at least % mile of those corridors where tremendous compact
growth is underway- and include this important technical information in the conclusions of
the aforementioned "South Florida Transit Analysis".
Section 2. That the RTO will take the conclusions of the South Florida Transit
Analysis and recommend the full funding of the needed transit service expansion within or
along the FEC Corridor area to the extent that passenger services can be added without
negatively affecting current or future freight operations.
Section 3. That the RTO will actively pursue its RTA status with the intention of
fully funding and operating an expanded local and regional service along the FEC corridor
and seek the support and necessary "local match" from jurisdictions as needed.
Section 4. That the RTO will work with the interested local governments to
complete interlocal agreements as soon as possible to implement the above actions
ended in Section 1 - 3.
Section 5. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to forward a copy of this
)n to all the governmental agencies involved, including County Commissions and
involved in regional transit planning, the RTO and its membership, the Florida
Supporting FDOT - FEC Corridor Area.doc
League of Cities, Municipalities and Chambers of Commerce within the South Florida area,
CSXT and FECI and affiliates at the air and sea ports.
That this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ~ day of November, 2002.
ATTEST:
CITY O .,~O~~ BE~CH, FLORIDA
C~_missioner
Commissioner ·
Supporting FDOT - FEC Corridor Area.doc