HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2007-064 N.C.S. 04/16/2007 Resolution No. 2007-064 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SENATE BILL 861 (WIGGINS)
NORTH COAST RAILROAD AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, existing law created the North Coast Railroad Authority to own and operate
the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad between Napa and Humboldt counties; and,
WHEREAS, the Transportation Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) designated $60
million in TCRP funds for projects to repair and upgrade tracks to Class II standards; and,
WHEREAS, the TCRP funding imposed various requirements on the allocation of these
funds, with $5.5 million reserved to fund repayment of the Authority's federal loan obligation;
and,
WHEREAS, the use of these funds can be accomplished without impacting the state
budget as the $5.5 million made available under SB 861 is already held in a special NCRA
account for repayment of a federal loan - a loan that was forgiven in 2005 thanks to North Coast
Congressman Mike Thompson; and,
WHEREAS,. SB 861 would revise existing law to allow the reallocation of the $5.5
million to be used for environmental cleanup, right-of-way- maintenance, and administrative
responsibilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Petaluma supports SB 861
(Wiggins).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the. Mayor is authorized to sign a letter of support
on behalf of the City of Petaluma.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the r u s to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 16`~ day of April, 2007,
by the following vote:
City At mey
AYES: Barrett, Freitas, Vice Mayor Nau, O'Brien, Mayor Torliatt
NOES: None
ABSENT: Harris, Rabbitt
ABSTAIN: None
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ATTEST: -
City Clerk yor
Resolution No. 2007-064 N.C.S. Page 1
April 1 b, 2007
The Honorable Pat Wiggins
2nd Senate District
State Capitol, Room 4081
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: SB 861 -North Coast Railroad Authority
Dear Senator Wiggins:
Thank you for your introduction of SB 861, sponsored by the North Coast Railroad Authority
(NCRA). As local elected officials, we know that the resumption of rail service on the North
Coast will be a major boost to the economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lessen the
burden of truck traffic on Highway 101.
As the NCRA embarks upon repairs to the south end of the line (Novato-Windsor) this year, SB
861 provides the funding necessary to finish the environmental cleanup of nine rail yards, and
address emergency maintenance issues over the course of the entire 316 mile line pending the
restart of rail operations. This can be accomplished without impacting the state budget, since
the $5.5 million SB 861 makes available is already held in a special account for repayment of a
federal loan that was forgiven in 2005, thanks to the efforts of North Coast Congressman Mike
Thompson.
For these reasons, we commend you for the introduction of SB 861 and strongly support the
passage of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Pamela Torliaft
Mayor of Petaluma
cc: Jared Huffman, 6t" Assembly District, 3501 Civic Center Dr., Rm 412, San Rafael, CA 94903
Patty Berg, 15~ Assembly District, 50 D Street, Room 450, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Noreen Evans, 7t" Assembly District, 50 D Street, Room 301, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Carole Migden, 3~d Senate District, 3501 Civic Center Dr., Rm 425, San Rafael, CA 94903
Amy O'Gorman, League of California Cities, P.O. Box 623, Sonoma, CA 95476
Sonoma County Cities
Petaluma City Councilmembers
Resolution No. 2007-064 N.C.S. Page 2