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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso - CC - 056-2017RESOLUTION NO. %2017 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SEND A LETTER TO THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD REGARDING STUDYING FEASIBILITY OPTIONS FOR INCREASING THE GRADE REQUIREMENT ALONG THE CALTRAIN CORRIDOR FOR UNION PACIFIC'S SHORT -LINE OPERATOR WHEREAS, Councilmember Beach represents the City on the Caltrain Modernization Program's Local Policy Makers Group (LPMG); and WHEREAS, the LPMG is tasked with providing feedback to the Caltrain Joint Powers Board and staff on issues related to electrification and the High Speed Rail/Caltrain Blended System Program; and WHEREAS, recently, the members of the LPMG have discussed Caltrain's agreement with UP to explore the potential for a short -line operator to assume responsibility for conducting freight operations along the Peninsula rail corridor; and WHEREAS, Union Pacific is expected to initiate and lead the competitive solicitation process to select a new short -line operator; and WHEREAS, members of the LPMG have discussed encouraging UP to study and consider the impact of increasing the grade requirement along the Caltrain corridor; and WHEREAS, higher grades may help reduce the cost of future grade separation infrastructure projects and could reduce the footprint of these projects within local neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, selecting a new short -line operator may provide a new opportunity to re- evaluate freight horn standards along the Caltrain corridor and reduce noise impacts on neighboring communities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Burlingame authorizes the Mayor to send the attached letter, drafted by Councilmember Beach and reviewed by City staff, encouraging Union Pacific to consider both of these issues during its Request for Proposals process. I, Meaghan Hassel -Shearer, City Clerk of the City of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 5th day of June, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BEACH, BROWNRIGG, COLSON, KEIGHRAN, ORTIZ COUNCILMEMBERS:NONE COUNCILMEMBERS:NONE