RES-10502 Opposing California High Speed Rail Project ConstructionRESOLUTION NO. 10502
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ORANGE OPPOSING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CALIFORNIA HIGH
SPEED RAIL PROJECT.
WHEREAS, with the passage of Proposition lA in November 2008, California
voters provided a $9.95 billion bond funding for high-speed rail in California;
and WHEREAS, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is
proposing high-speed train service for travel between major metropolitan areas of
California; and WHEREAS, the proposed California High Speed Rail (CHSR) plan has
come under heavy criticism from many communities like Orange who oppose its proposed
path using Eminent Domain powers to cut through neighborhoods and-
businesses centers; and WHEREAS, a viable finance plan to fund the project's
construction does not currently exist, and current plans lay out an unrealistic scenario for paying
for the system with a combination of state, federal, local, and private funds. The
Authority estimates it needs between $17 and $19 billion in federal grants. However, only $2.25
billion in federal funding has been awarded to
this project; and WHEREAS, the California State Auditor Report states; "The
program (CHSR) risks significant delays without more well developed plans for obtaining
or replacing federal funds. The Authority's plan relies heavily on federal funds to leverage
state bond dollars
through 2013"; and WHEREAS, the CHSR ridership and revenue scenario for the
CHSR has been inflated in order to continue to move this project forward with
unachievable goals; and WHEREAS, the final cost for the complete CHSR project
keeps increasing with building costs that are twice as much per mile as for similar projects. The
project costs are now estimated at $45 - $80 billion for project
completion; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the
City of Orange does hereby oppose the construction of the California High Speed
Rail. Furthermore,we strongly oppose the construction of any CHSR facilities within the City of
Orange; and ask staff to continue to monitor potential impacts to the City of Orange from
the construction and implementation of the High Speed Rail Project and report back to the
ADOPTED this 27th day of July, 2010.
r ~Cavecche,
Mayor
sa Smith,
or pro tem J Dumitru,
Councilmember
ATTEST:Mary E.
urphy,
City Clerk, City of O I, MARY E.
MURPHY, City Clerk of the City of Orange, California, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of
Orange at a regular meeting thereof held on the 27th day of July 2010, by the following vote:AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS: Smith,
Murphy, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
J enis Bilodeau,
Councilmember