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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 8B_2/20/1992 r 006. .." \' _LLB ILLAGE OF TEQUESTA ,. „j OIlirr Rix 3273 • 157 Tequr..la Urnr ifs t 1c�lursla, FI "nda 33-169-0273 • 1407) 575 h:00 � ` �` �° FAX (4071 575 6201 Nt MEMORANDUM : TO: Village Council FROM: Thomas G. Bradford, Village Manager DATE: February 13, 1992 SUBJECT: Resolution to the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Supporting and Encouraging the Extension of Tri-Rail Service to Tequesta; Agenda Item It seems evident that, as time goes by, northern Palm Beach County continues to become more populated and urbanized. Unless we are prepared to destroy our living environment as we know it today with ever wider highway corridors between residential and employment sectors, long-range mass transportation planning must begin immediately. In this regard, I have communicated with the Chairman of Tri-Rail to solicit their support in extending-Tri- Rail service from the northern terminus in West Palm Beach to Tequesta. It is estimated that such an extension would provide for approximately 150,000 potential riders. Property necessary for a train station could be purchased or leased from the Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC) . A rail station is contemplated in the Town Center Master Plan. Tri-Rail service for Tequesta residents would provide easy access to all major points from here to downtown Miami, connecting with Dade County' s Metro Rail. Also of significant importance is the ability to access Palm Beach International Airport, Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the Miami International Airport, all via Tri-Rail, in lieu of the current vehicular hassles that one encounters to get to these airport facilities. The Town of Jupiter recently adopted a similar resolution as proposed . herein. A copy of my letter to the Chairman of Tri-Rail is attached for your review, along with a recent news article on this issue. It is recommended that the Village Council adopt Resolution No. 8- 91/92, supporting the extension of Tri-Rail to Tequesta. TGB/krb Attachments Rrrwlyd Panrr ,, •,, VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA �• '; n Pu'I 01firt Box 1271 • 157 Icquoia Dri t ,a retitic%I.I. Florida 31d(,')d1:73 • (I(17) 575 (12(X) f`.,•'t'� I•AX (J(17) 575fi_203 tw'• December 23, 1991 The Honorable Charles Dusseau Chair Tri-Rail Authority c/o Dade County Commission 111 N.W. First Street Suite 220 Miami, Florida 33128 , J RE: Northern Extension of Tri-Rail Dear Mr. Dusseau: Please allow me to introduce myself. I am the Village Manager of the Village of Tequesta. Tequesta is the northernmost municipality in Palm Beach County. The purpose of this correspondence is to request Tri-Rail consideration of extending its service area northward to include Tri-Rail stations in Riviera Beach, Lake Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and in Tequesta. It would seem to me that the people of these communities are as equally entitled to these important mass transportation services as those people currently receiving the same from West- Palm Beach to Miami. - A review of the applicable census tracts for these aforementioned communities reveals that 134, 600 people within Palm Beach County alone would gain convenient access to Tri-Rail should such service be extended northward. Additionally, if we include the southern Martin County census tracts of Hobe Sound and Jupiter Island, which would have quick and easy access to a Tequesta Tri-Rail Station, this would boost the potential population served by the northern extension to 146, 656. I would think that these numbers would be worthy of ridership consideration. A necessary rail corridor already exists from West Palm Beach to Tequesta. It is owned and operated by the Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC) . Perhaps FEC has not embraced the idea of allowing Tri-Rail usage of their rail for compensation but, nevertheless, this alternative should be vigorously pursued. Should .a cooperative effort with the FEC fail, utilization of eminent domain powers must be considered. Failing that, it would seem that immediate efforts need to be made to reserve and protect necessary rights-of-way, future or existing, such as the Alternate A-1-A/Old Dixie Highway corridor for, perhaps, an elevated rail system to ultimately serve this future high-growth area of South Florida. Charles Dusseau December 23, 1991 Page 2- My main points are that I am sure that Tri-Rail service within the five cities listed herein would be a well-received and utilized service and that efforts should be undertaken immediately to either provide the service or plan for the future service, as it is inevitable that this form of mass transportation will be an integral part of our social and economic transportation needs. Your consideration of this matter is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Thomas G. Bradford Village Manager TGB/krb c: Village Council Karen Golonka, Mayor, Town of Jupiter Bill Kolmer, Mayor, Town of Juno Beach Mike Martino, Mayor, City of Palm Beach Beach Gardens Belinda Baldwin, Mayor, Town of Lake Park Clara Williams, Mayor, Town of Riviera Beach Jerry Gardner, Mayor, Town of North Palm Beach Karen T. Marcus, Chair, P. B. Co. Board of County Commissioners Carol Roberts, P. B. Co. Board of County Commissioners William Murphy, President, Jupiter/Tequesta/Juno Beach Chamber of Commerce 12/ THE PALM BEACH POST TUESDAY,JANUARY 28, 1992 C • • ities push for access to Tri-Rail By STEPHEN POUNDS Palm Beach Post Start Wnter JUPITER — Town officials from northern Palm Beach County want Tri-Rail service from West Palm Beach to Tequesta — their second recent push for mass trans- portation. • Last year,Juno Beach,Teques- ta and Jupiter officials persuaded CoTran to extend bus service north beyond The Gardens mall in Palm Beach Gardens. The new bus ser- vice won't start until April. Tri-Rail is studying the cost of adding service to the Pratt&Whit- ney complex and the Veteran's Hospital under construction west of Riviera Beach. It considers ser- vice to Jupiter-'r questa a long- range goal. "We look at them as two sepa- rate issues.One is money and the other Is a private company that really doesn't want to deal with us," said 'Fri-Rail spokeswoman Gloria Jacaruso. 713 extend service to Pratt & Whitney,Tri-Rail would only have to arrange for the use of CSX Rail Transport tracks.The state bought CSX tracks to run commuter ser- vice from Miami to West Palm Beach. But for service to north county, Tri-Rail would have to arrange for use of Florida East Coast Railway tracks,which do not connect with CSX tracks. So far, FEC has not been receptive,Jacaruso said. Tequesta Village Manager'bm Bradford began the campaign with a letter to the Tri-Rail Authority in December,asking its members to consider service for residents from Riviera Beach to Tequesta. If the rail service was extended to Tequesta,it would also pick up ridership from southern Martin County,Bradford said.He estimat- ed 146,656 potential riders would gain access to Tri-Rail. The Tequesta manager also asked for the five cities involved to support the request. It would seem to me that the people of these communities are equally entitled to these important mass transportation services," Bradford's letter said. So far,only Jupiter has passed a resolution. But Juno Beach and Tequesta have scheduled council discussions on Tri-Rail for next month. The Jupiter resolution asks the Metropolitan Planning Organiza- tion to recommend that Tri-Rail provide rail service to north coun- ty. Jupiter Councilwoman Babs Henderson said the proposal has merit."Your growth is in that di- rection, not west. It just makes sense in terms of more ridership and more revenue to send it north rather than up the Beeline High- way,"she said. if'ri-Rail sends its commuter train to Pratt&Whitney,it could also serve the proposed satellite campus for Florida Atlantic Uni- versity, if the site is approved, Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Mike \i:,rrino cad RESOLUTION NO. 8-91/92 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO THE PALM BEACH COUNTY METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING THE EXTENSION OF TRI-RAIL SERVICE TO NORTHERN PALM BEACH COUNTY, INCLUDING THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA. WHEREAS, the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a duly constituted association of local government officials whose responsibility and purpose it is to consider transportation issues throughout the urbanized area of Palm Beach County, Florida; and WHEREAS, the MPO has the responsibility and authority to discuss and recommend actions related to the services of the Tri-Rail Authority; and WHEREAS, Tri-Rail is considering or may consider an expansion of its current service area; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE I VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows: Section 1. The Village Council hereby expresses its support for and encourages the MPO to support an expansion of Tri- Rail services to Northern Palm Beach County, including service for the Village of Tequesta. Section _ 2. The Village Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the Executive Director of the MPO, the Chair of the Tri-Rail Authority, the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County and the Mayor of each coastal Palm Beach County Municipality north of the City of West Palm Beach. Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED by Councilmember , who moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilmember , and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: FOR ADOPTION AGAINST ADOPTION The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution duly passed and adopted this day of February, A.D. , 1992. MAYOR OF TEQUESTA Joseph N. Capretta ATTEST: Joann Manganiello Village Clerk