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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-1999 Agenda Item 7BSARATOGA CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NO. MEETING DATE: JULY 21, 1999 ORIGINATING DEPT.: CITY MANAGER AGENDA ITEM CITY MANAGER: , DEPT. HEAD: SUBJECT: Resolution supporting Pacheco Pass alignment for High Speed Rail extension into the San Francisco Bay Area RECOMMENDED MOTION(S): Move to adopt the Resolution. REPORT SUMMARY: The attached Resolution has been drafted to express the City's support for the Pacheco Pass alignment for the extension of High Speed Rail into the San Francisco Bay Area. California's High Speed Rail Commission recently voted to recommend the Pacheco Pass alignment over the Altamont Pass alignment, however there are indications that the City of Oakland is lobbying heavily to have that recommendation overturned. The MTC supports the Commission's recommendation, as do many South Bay cities, since the Pacheco Pass alignment would better serve the City of San Jose and the rest of Silicon Valley. Based on information provided by VTA, staff recommends that Council adopt the Resolution which would be forwarded to both the High Speed Rail Commission and MTC. FISCAL IMPACTS: None resulting from the adoption of the Resolution. ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT: Nothing additional. CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ACTING ON RECOMMENDED MOTION(S): The Resolution would not be adopted and the City would not be on record in support of the Pacheco Pass alignment. FOLLOW UP ACTIONS: The Resolution will be forwarded to the High Speed Rail Commission and MTC. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SUPPORTING THE PACHECO PASS ALIGNMENT FOR THE EXTENSION OF HIGH SPEED RAIL SERVICE INTO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California created the California High Speed Rail Commission to prepare a blueprint for statewide High Speed Rail service; and WHEREAS, High Speed Rail is proposed to connect Southern and Northern California through the Central Valley; and WHEREAS, the voters of the State of California will decide whether or not to fund the $23 billion of implementation costs for statewide High Speed Rail service in the November 2000 election; and WHEREAS, High Speed Rail service is proposed to serve the San Francisco Bay Area; and WHEREAS, the statewide High Speed Rail service will utilize the latest, most feasible and technically proven technology available with estimated speeds in the order of 150 miles per hour; and WHEREAS, Santa Clara County has the largest population of Bay Area counties and serves as the economic center for the Silicon Valley. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saratoga City Council fully supports the initiation of statewide High Speed Rail service that extends into Santa Clara County; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Saratoga City Council believes the MTC preferred alignment, which would service the Bay Area through Pacheco Pass, is the best route alternative because it would significantly increase ridership in and provide better access to and from the Bay Area, PASSED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Saratoga held on the 21s` day of July, 1999, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK