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City of Miami
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Legislation Miami, FL 33133
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Resolution
WHEREAS, the re -introduction of freight rail service to the Port of Miami would increase the
port's competitive advantage for moving cargo out of the region; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress established the National Infrastructure Investment
Grant Program in the FiscalYear2010 Appropriations Bill and funded it in the amount of $600
million; and
WHEREAS, rail service can be established in less than twenty-four (24) months, providing
reductions in greenhouse gases, dependence on foreign oil, and congestion; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation ("FDOT"), the Port of Miami, City of Miami
("City"), Florida East Coast Railway ("FEC"), and Flagler Development have committed to work
together to re-establish freight rail service to the Port of Miami; and
WHEREAS, these partners have expressed their intent to work with the administration of the
City to ensure against potential negative consequences of freight rail re -introduction, which include
restricted opportunity for the development of passenger rail service along the FEC corridor and
negative impacts to safety, mobility, and quality of life in downtown areas adjacent to the railway;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals are and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission supports the re -introduction of freight rail service to the
Port of Miami and supports the National Infrastructure Investment grant application being prepared
by the FDOT, subject to the following conditions:
City of Miami Page I of 2 File Id. 10-00891 (1,'ersion: DPrinted On: 712112010
File Number: 10-00891 Final Action Date:
LL -
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S),
SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT GRANT
APPLICATION BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO
BRING FREIGHT RAIL SERVICE TO THE PORT OF MIAMI SUBJECT TO THE
CONDITIONS AS STATED HEREIN; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIAL STATED
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HEREIN.
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WHEREAS, the expansion of the Panama Canal, the introduction of post-Panamex ship EJ7d(:)_
the dredging of the Port of Miami to a depth of 50 feet, all have the potential to impact the
volume
of cargo handled at the Port of Miami; and
WHEREAS, the re -introduction of freight rail service to the Port of Miami would increase the
port's competitive advantage for moving cargo out of the region; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress established the National Infrastructure Investment
Grant Program in the FiscalYear2010 Appropriations Bill and funded it in the amount of $600
million; and
WHEREAS, rail service can be established in less than twenty-four (24) months, providing
reductions in greenhouse gases, dependence on foreign oil, and congestion; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation ("FDOT"), the Port of Miami, City of Miami
("City"), Florida East Coast Railway ("FEC"), and Flagler Development have committed to work
together to re-establish freight rail service to the Port of Miami; and
WHEREAS, these partners have expressed their intent to work with the administration of the
City to ensure against potential negative consequences of freight rail re -introduction, which include
restricted opportunity for the development of passenger rail service along the FEC corridor and
negative impacts to safety, mobility, and quality of life in downtown areas adjacent to the railway;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals are and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission supports the re -introduction of freight rail service to the
Port of Miami and supports the National Infrastructure Investment grant application being prepared
by the FDOT, subject to the following conditions:
City of Miami Page I of 2 File Id. 10-00891 (1,'ersion: DPrinted On: 712112010
File Number: 10-00891
That the goals of the 2025 Downtown Miami Master Plan will be recognized and supported,
particularly with regard to the promotion of regional commuter rail service, and rebalancing
roadways toward transit, pedestrians, and cyclists (see "Exhibit A");
2. That right-of-way sufficient for the provision of both passenger and freight rail service will be
preserved along the FEC railway corridor, enabling the provision of passenger rail service into
Downtown Miami in the future; and
3. That a project public involvement program will be implemented, with the City as key stakeholder,
that will identify issues of concern and measures to avoid or mitigate against concerns
regarding the re -introduction of freight train traffic through downtown, including but not limited to
noise, vibration, pollution, traffic congestion, and hazards to public safety.
Section 3. The City Commission directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Jim
Hertwig, President and Chief Executive Officer of the FEC.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
the Mayor. {1}
JULIE O. BRU,
CITY ATTORNEY
Footnotes:
{1} If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become
effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
Qv of Miami Page 2 of 2 File Id.- 10-00891 0,"ersion: 1) Printed On: 712112010