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Home My WebLink About150-09 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 150-09 A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AN ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. WHEREAS, a 2005 study completed by Beta -Rubicon, Inc. recommended that Northwest Arkansas pursue a commuter rail feasibility study; and WHEREAS, the 2007 study conducted by the Community Design Center at the University of Arkansas found that Northwest Arkansas is an ideal candidate for light rail transit; and WHEREAS, the major cities in the Northwest Arkansas corridor have downtowns located along the existing north -south rail line, making it the most efficient configuration for utilizing light rail; and WHEREAS, a light rail transit system would stimulate significant economic development; and WHEREAS, a light rail transit system would reduce vehicular traffic demand, expanding capacity on existing highways for trucking and commerce; and WHEREAS, a light rail transit system would significantly reduce the region's energy consumption and reduce land development sprawl; and WHEREAS, two-thirds of Northwest Arkansas's current population live within one mile of the existing rail right-of-way and almost all major employment and activity centers are located along the rail corridor; and WHEREAS, right-of-way acquisition for rail transit becomes increasingly expensive; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation provides New Starts grant funding for transportation systems used exclusively for mass transportation ; and WHEREAS, twenty percent of the federal "New Starts" projects have been awarded to regions that compete with Northwest Arkansas for labor and business; and WHEREAS, the first step in securing federal funds for mass transit projects is to conduct an Alternatives Analysis study. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, requests that the Mayor advocate for the funding of an Alternatives Analysis study with federal representatives and with regional organizations such as the Northwest Arkansas Planning Commission, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Mobility Authority, Northwest Arkansas Council and other significant regional bodies. Section 2: That the City Council of Fayetteville, Arkansas encourages other municipalities in the Northwest Arkansas corridor to pass similar resolutions advocating for the funding of an Alternatives Analysis study. �� •ye•eos l) 'O/ O, ��G c°•G13' s • w e • • PASSED and APPROVED this 7th day of July, 2009. APPROVED: B ATTEST: :FAYETTEVILLE: j P • o r'9s, ,,4kANsP. " TOtt 'fl+�Jlf 1l ki�5ei�Y By: Ui nit SO DRA SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer Karen Minkel Submitted By City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form City Council Agenda Items and Contracts, Leases or Agreements 7/7/2009 City Council Meeting Date Agenda Items Only Division Action Required: Strategic Planning/Internal Consult. Department A resolution to support an Alternatives Analysis study to determine the feasibility of a light rail transit system in Northwest Arkansas. N/A Cost of this request Account Number Project Number Category / Project Budget $ Program Category / Project Name Funds Used to Date Program / Project Category Name Remaining Balance Fund Name Budgeted Item IIIIIIIII Budget Adjustment Attached epartmerit Director 6/17/D1 Date (iodt, 41 City Attorn4y Date 6/1V/200? Finance and Internal Services Director Date Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Original Contract Date: Original Contract Number: Comments: Revised January 15, 2009 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AN ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. WHEREAS, a 2005 study completed by Beta -Rubicon, Inc. recommended that Northwest Arkansas pursue a commuter rail feasibility study; and WHEREAS, the 2007 study conducted by the Community Design Center at the University of Arkansas found that Northwest Arkansas is an ideal candidate for light rail transit; and WHEREAS, the major cities in the Northwest Arkansas corridor have downtowns located along the existing north -south rail line, making it the most efficient configuration for utilizing light rail; and WHEREAS, a Light rail transit system would stimulate significant economic development; and WHEREAS, a light rail transit system would reduce vehicular traffic demand, expanding capacity on existing highways for trucking and commerce; and WHEREAS, a light rail transit system would significantly reduce the region's energy consumption and reduce land development sprawl; and WHEREAS, two-thirds of Northwest Arkansas's current population Live within one mile of the existing rail right-of-way and almost all major employment and activity centers are located along the rail corridor; and WHEREAS, right-of-way acquisition for rail transit becomes increasingly expensive; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation provides New Starts grant funding for transportation systems used exclusively for mass transportation ; and WHEREAS, twenty percent of the federal "New Starts" projects have been awarded to regions that compete with Northwest Arkansas for labor and business; and WHEREAS, the first step in securing federal funds for mass transit projects is to conduct an Alternatives Analysis study. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section I: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, requests that the Mayor advocate for the funding of an Alternatives Analysis study with federal representatives and with regional organizations such as the Northwest Arkansas Planning Commission, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Mobility Authority, Northwest Arkansas Council and other significant regional bodies. Section 2: That the City Council of Fayetteville, Arkansas encourages other municipalities in the Northwest Arkansas corridor to pass similar resolutions advocating for the funding of an Alternatives Analysis study. PASSED and APPROVED this 7th day of July, 2009. APPROVED: ATTEST: By: By: LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor SONDRA SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer City Council Meeting of July 7, 2009 Agenda Item Number CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO To: Mayor and City Council Thru: Don Man', Chief of Staff From: Karen Minkel, Strategic Planning and Internal Consulting Director 'M • Date: June 15, 2009 Subject: Light Rail Feasibility Study (ADM 09-3347) RECOMMENDATION Strategic Planning Staff recommends approval of a resolution to support an Alternatives Analysis study to determine the feasibility of a light rail transit system in Northwest Arkansas. BACKGROUND Beta -Rubicon, Inc. conducted a pre -feasibility study for rail transit in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and recommended that the region pursue a feasibility study for a commuter rail alternative based on favorable indicators such as the region's population growth and existing rail corridor. The University of Arkansas Community Design Center (CDC) corroborated these findings in its 2007 study, "NWA Rail, Visioning Rail Transit in Northwest Arkansas: Lifestyles and Ecologies." The CDC's study went further than the pre-feasiblity study in its arguments, suggesting that light rail would significantly benefit the region economically and environmentally and that the region met the initial criteria for eligibility in the federal New Starts program, which funds mass transportation systems across the country. The first step to obtaining New Starts funds is to conduct an Alternatives Analysis study, which evaluates the costs, benefits and impacts of a range of transportation alternatives and provides a recommendation for the best investment strategy. These studies typically cost between $1.5 and $2.5 million, but can be funded through a federal transportation appropriation earmark. Light rail transit received the greatest number of public votes during the public comment sessions held before the adoption of the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan, and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission has requested a federal transportation earmark for this analysis three times. The earmark has not been awarded to date, but the Commission is currently pursuing money that was alloted for transportation but not earmarked in 2009. This issue resurfaced during the Fayetteville Forward Economic Development Summit in the Transportation action group. Participants wanted the City of Fayetteville to aggressively advocate for a light rail transit system at the regional level, and City Council members identified this item as one of the priorities to emerge from the summit. City Council Meeting of July 7, 2009 Agenda Item Number DISCUSSION "Phis resolution directs the Mayor to support the efforts of the Regional Planning Commission in obtaining the Alternatives Analysis earmark by lobbying Northwest Arkansas's federal representatives, regional bodies and municipalities. BUDGET IMPACT None.