HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 1, 2017 C-13TM
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA ITEM
C-13
AGENDA TITLE: Receive Report Regarding Communication Pertaining to San Joaquin Regional
Rail Commission's Fiscal Year 2017 United States Department of Transportation's
Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grant Application for the San Joaquin Valley
Rail Enhancement Project
MEETING DATE: November 1, 2017
PREPARED BY: City Clerk
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive report regarding communication pertaining to San Joaquin
Regional Rail Commission's Fiscal Year 2017 United States
Department of Transportation's Infrastructure for Rebuilding
America Grant application for the San Joaquin Valley Rail Enhancement Project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Mayor received a request from the San Joaquin Regional Rail
Commission (SJRRC) for a letter of support for its United States
Department of Transportation's Infrastructure for Rebuilding
America (INFRA) Grant application for the San Joaquin Valley Rail Enhancement Project. There was a
need to send the letter immediately in order to make the application deadline.
Funding of this request will allow the SJRRC to leverage State funds to make critical improvements in the
region's rail infrastructure to increase the mobility of goods and people. The rail network in the
San Joaquin Valley plays a critical role in the nation's economy. By constructing the network of rail
projects, the entire region will benefit from greater freight and passenger rail efficiency. These
components will enable the expansion of Altamont Corridor Express commuter service, while improving
the movement of manufactured goods throughout a high-volume freight corridor. Reducing the burden of
commuting for residents and lowering shipping costs play a significant role in supporting economic
vitality. Construction of these rail infrastructure enhancements will advance an ambitious expansion in
commuter rail service to serve a greater portion of San Joaquin Valley residents and provide improved
commuting options and freight rail mobility.
The attached letter was sent on October 20, 2017. A copy of the initial request is also attached. This
report is provided for informational purposes only, pursuant to policy.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable.
APPROVED:
nifer M. ' rraiolo
ity Clerk
S ep en Schwabauer, City Manager
N:\Administration\CLERK\Council\COUNCOM\GrantSupport.doc
CITY COUNCIL
DOUG KUEHNE, Mayor
ALAN NAKANISHI,
Mayor Pro Tempore
MARK CHANDLER
BOB JOHNSON
JOANNE MOUNCE
CITY OF LODI
CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET
P.O. BOX 3006
LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910
(209) 333-6702 / FAX (209) 333-6807
www.lodi.gov citvclerk�7a.lodi.gov
October 20, 2017
STEPHEN SCHWABAUER
City Manager
JENNIFER M. FERRAIOLO
City Clerk
JANICE D. MAGDICH
City Attorney
The Honorable Elaine Chao
Secretary of Transportation
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Re: Support for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission's FY 2017 INFRA
Grant Application for the San Joaquin Valley Rail Enhancement Project
Dear Madam Secretary:
On behalf of the City of Lodi, I am writing to express our strong support for the
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission's (SJRRC) FY 2017 INFRA Grant application for
the San Joaquin Valley Rail Enhancement Project. Funding of its request will allow the
SJRRC to leverage state funds to make critical improvements in the region's rail
infrastructure to increase the mobility of goods and people.
The rail network in the San Joaquin Valley plays a critical role in the nation's economy.
By constructing the network of rail projects, the entire region will benefit from greater
freight and passenger rail efficiency. These components will enable the expansion of
Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) commuter service, while improving the movement of
manufactured goods throughout a high-volume freight corridor. Reducing the burden of
commuting for residents and lowering shipping costs play a significant role in supporting
economic vitality.
Construction of these rail infrastructure enhancements will advance an ambitious
expansion in commuter rail service to serve a greater portion of San Joaquin Valley
residents and provide improved commuting options and freight rail mobility.
The City of Lodi values its working relationship with SJRRC and strongly supports its
INFRA application. Given the many public and private benefits associated with this
project for the region, I urge you to support its application. Thank you for your
consideration of investment in this extremely important Project. Please feel free to
contact me if you have any questions.
Si i erely,
Doug K e
Mayor, City of Lodi
N:Wdministration\CLERK\Council\CORRESP\LETTERS\I SJRRC grant.doc
Jennifer Ferraiolo
From: Jordan Peterson <Jordan@acerail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2017 7:45 AM
To: Jennifer Ferraiolo
Subject: INFRA Grant Application Request for Support
Attachments: Letter of Support Template INFRA 2017.docx
Hi Jennifer,
The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) is in the process of filing an important application for the United
States Department of Transportation's Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) competitive grant program and
would greatly appreciate a letter of support from City of Lodi. The goal of our project is to improve rail efficiency
throughout the San Joaquin Valley, allowing for the expansion of Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) passenger service
while still maintaining a high-level of freight mobility in the region.
The Project consists of a network of projects geared toward improving critical segments of the San Joaquin Valley's
freight and passenger rail infrastructure. The network of projects includes the Lathrop Connection, which will facilitate
the expansion of ACE service into Stanislaus and Merced Counties. The new Connection will also create a more efficient
freight rail network, helping to reduce the costs of shipping goods throughout the region and country.
Additional Project components include double -tracking between Lathrop and Stanislaus County and the construction of
new stations in Manteca and Ripon. These components fit well with the INFRA program objectives, which target
projects located in Rural areas, and have the best chance of attracting federal contributions to supplement Senate Bill
132 funds.
Please see the sample letter of support attached for some draft language and more information. If conceivable, could
you please send us your letter by Friday (October 27, 2017)? The application is due November 2. If you are able to send
a letter, can you please e-mail Jordan Peterson a pdf at Jordan@acerail.com so SJRRC can include it in the application?
SJRRC greatly appreciates your support for this important project. Thank you!
Regards,
Jordan Peterson — Grants Planner
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
(209) 944-6275 direct - jordan@acerail.com
949 East Channel Street, Stockton CA 95202 - www.acerail.com
1
Jennifer Ferraiolo
From: Jennifer Ferraiolo
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2017 2:23 PM
To: 'Jordan Peterson'
Subject: RE: INFRA Grant Application Request for Support
Attachments: 20171020141843.pdf
Good afternoon Mr. Peterson. Attached please find the support letter signed by Mayor Doug Kuehne. If you need
anything further, please let me know.
Jennifer M. Ferraiolo, MMC
City Clerk
P.O. Box 3006
Lodi, CA 95241-1910
(209) 333-6702
(209) 333-6807 FAX
From: Jordan Peterson [mailto:Jordan@acemil.com]
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2017 7:45 AM
To: Jennifer Ferraiolo
Subject: INFRA Grant Application Request for Support
Hi Jennifer,
The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) is in the process of filing an important application for the United
States Department of Transportation's Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) competitive grant program and
would greatly appreciate a letter of support from City of Lodi. The goal of our project is to improve rail efficiency
throughout the San Joaquin Valley, allowing for the expansion of Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) passenger service
while still maintaining a high-level of freight mobility in the region.
The Project consists of a network of projects geared toward improving critical segments of the San Joaquin Valley's
freight and passenger rail infrastructure. The network of projects includes the Lathrop Connection, which will facilitate
the expansion of ACE service into Stanislaus and Merced Counties. The new Connection will also create a more efficient
freight rail network, helping to reduce the costs of shipping goods throughout the region and country.
Additional Project components include double -tracking between Lathrop and Stanislaus County and the construction of
new stations in Manteca and Ripon. These components fit well with the INFRA program objectives, which target
projects located in Rural areas, and have the best chance of attracting federal contributions to supplement Senate Bill
132 funds.
Please see the sample letter of support attached for some draft language and more information. If conceivable, could
you please send us your letter by Friday (October 27, 2017)? The application is due November 2. If you are able to send
a letter, can you please e-mail Jordan Peterson a pdf at Jordan@acerail.corn so SJRRC can include it in the application?
SJRRC greatly appreciates your support for this important project. Thank you!
Regards,
1
Jordan Peterson — Grants Planner
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
(209) 944-6275 direct - jordan(a�acerail.com
949 East Channel Street, Stockton CA 95202 www.acerail.corn
2