CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	City Manager’s Office		Commission Meeting Date:  July 10, 2018
Staff Contact:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Authorize the Mayor to sign a petition on behalf of the City of Lawrence, assembled by the Rail Passenger’s Association, regarding Amtrak maintaining rail service to existing routes, including the Southwest Chief which serves Lawrence.
Executive Summary:		A representative from the Rail Passenger’s Association reached out to Mayor Boley requesting that the City of Lawrence sign on to a petition prepared requesting that Amtrak maintain its service to existing Amtrak-served communities, including Lawrence.  Recently, the City of Lawrence sent a letter to the Congressional delegation regarding possible threats to Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route, which serves Lawrence.  An update was provided on the June 5 City Manager’s report and our Congressional delegation wrote a letter to Amtrak, along with other members of Congress, expressing concerns.  Signing on to this petition appears to be in line with former action by the City of Lawrence, which is to express concern about any cuts to Amtrak service to our community.  City staff recommends that the City sign onto the petition as requested by the Rail Passenger’s Association.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management Collaborative Solutions Economic Growth and Security
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		None.
Attachments:		Request from the Rail Passenger’s Association

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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