HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - SCRRA SUPPORT FED FUNDING (2)Agenda Item: 4
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Michael P. Murphy
DATE: July 8, 2003
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY:
SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council support the Southern California Regional Rail Authority's federal FY '04 funding
request and transmit statements of support to Senators Boxer and Feinstein, Congressman
McKeon and members of appropriate congressional committees.
BACKGROUND
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), operator of Metrolink, has submitted
a $20 million federal FY '04 Department of Defense appropriations request. SCRRA has
requested that the City of Santa Clarita endorse this request. The City of Santa Clarita is not
seeking any FY '04 federal funding from the Department of Defense appropriations bill which
would be in competition with SCRRA's request.
The funds will be used to upgrade four tunnels, including stabilizing track beds and adding
lighting in the tunnels. Three of the four tunnels slated to receive upgrades are tunnels 18, 19
and 25, which are located on Metrolink's Antelope Valley line serving the City of Santa Clarita.
The infrastructure upgrades are sought by SCRRA under the Department of Defense
appropriations due to their strategic benefits to facilitate military movements via rail, passenger
evacuation from commuter and intercity trains in case of emergency, and to ensure the viability
of rail as a transportation source during emergency situations. For example, in the aftermath of
the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, which saw the collapse of road sections at the Interstate 5/State
Route 14 Interchange and other portions of Interstate 5, the Metrolink system served a critical
need in providing transportation between the Santa Clarita Valley and the greater Los Angeles
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area. The rail line is used by commercial rail operators in addition to Metrolink's commuter
service.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Do not support Southern California Regional Rail Authority's federal funding request.
2. Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City of Santa Clarita to implement the recommended action as
all costs associated with the preparation and conduct of communications with federal officials are
contained within the approved FY '03/04 City Budget.