No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080818 - VIII-C-4VIII-C-4 MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Dave Osberg, City Administrator DATE: August 14, 2008 SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Daily Train Service Along The Amtrak Route Between the Twin Cities and Chicago RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION It is recommended that the City Council take action approving the enclosed Resolution Supporting Daily Train Service Along the Amtrak Route Between the Twin Cities and Chicago. BACKGROUND At the last meeting of the City Council conducted on Monday August 4, 2008 Mayor Hicks shared information regarding a recent meeting he had attended in Winona, Minnesota regarding the possibility of daily train service between Chicago and the Twin Cities that would include a stop in Hastings. In an effort to indicate support for the train service between Chicago and the Twin Cities, and the City of Hastings' commitment to the project, the City Council is asked to take action approving the attached Resolution Supporting Daily Train Service Along the Amtrak Route Between the Twin Cities and Chicago. CITY OF HASTINGS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA Resolution No. 08- -08 Resolution Supporting Daily Train Service Along the Amtrak Route Between the Twin Cities and Chicago WHEREAS, the current gasoline prices have exceeded $4.00 per gallon with little indication they will return to a price below $2.00 per gallon; and WHEREAS, the current price and dependency of foreign oil is threatening tourist travel, business retention (due to travel costs), and continued full air service in many communities in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin; and WHEREAS, the communities along the Amtrak route for the West Coast served by the Empire Builder have limited local use of this train; and WHEREAS, the Amtrak national projections indicated this route as a multiple train per day route due to the revenue potential, and the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative demonstrated its capacity to cover operating and maintenance costs from the fare box. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota., calls for the addition of a second daily train between the Twin Cities and Chicago, with an additional stop in Hastings, and such train to begin operation with the first quarter of 2009; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Hastings City Council requests Amtrak, our Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Governors of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and state legislators of Wisconsin and Minnesota to take all immediate actions to ensure these goals be given a high priority and be achieved. Adopted by the City Council of Hastings, Minnesota., this 18~` day of August, 2008. Ayes: Nays: Absent: Paul J. Hicks, Mayor Melanie Mesko Lee, City Clerk (Seal)