RESOLUTION NO. ____
RESOLUTION SENDING A SUPPORT LETTER TO THE METRO PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE REGARDING THE WEST SANTA ANA BRANCH TRANSIT LIGHT RAIL CORRIDOR PROJECT FROM LOS ANGELES UNION STATION TO PIONEER STATION IN ARTESIA WHEREAS, Metro is the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) EIR clearance, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is the lead agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) EIS clearance and where Metro anticipates to use Measure M to help fund the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Light Rail Corridor Projects; and WHEREAS, the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Light Rail Corridor Project is a proposed light rail transit (LRT) line along a 19-mile corridor from southeast Los Angeles County to downtown Los Angeles serving the cities and communities of Artesia, Cerritos, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, South Gate, Cudahy, Bell, Huntington Park, Vernon, unincorporated Florence-Graham community and downtown Los Angeles; and WHEREAS, this rail corridor is anticipated to serve commuters in a high travel demand corridor by providing relief to the limited transportation systems currently available to these communities; and WHEREAS, population and employment densities in areas around the project are five times higher than the LA County average and therefore need alternative modes of transportation.; and WHEREAS, this rail corridor seeks to increase access to opportunities and resources for transit riders in a high-travel demand corridor that is populated by a majority minority community - with many individuals and families who live below the poverty line (44%) and many households (18%) who do not own a car; and WHEREAS, the addition of this light rail segment is expected to provide a direct connection to the Metro C Line (Green), Metro A Line (Blue), and the LA County regional transit network; and WHEREAS, the City of Commerce recognizes the importance of both the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Expansion which will serve the City of Commerce, as well as the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Light Rail Corridor Project which will serve our neighboring communities; and WHEREAS, as a member of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and Eco-Rapid Transit, the City of Commerce is in support of rich quality alternative modes of transportation within our Southeast Los Angeles communities; and WHEREAS, Metro’s Planning and Programming Committee is set to meet on January 19, 2022 to further discuss West Santa Ana Branch Transit Light Rail Corridor Project; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Commerce hereby finds and declares that the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and incorporates them herein as findings and as a substantive part of this Resolution.
Section 2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the support letter for and on behalf of the City of Commerce to Metro’s Planning and Programming Committee, supporting the prioritization of the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Light Rail Corridor Project.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of January 2022. ________________________
Leonard Mendoza, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Lena Shumway, City Clerk