Title
Joint resolution authorizing an agreement with Lake County Partnership for Economic Development (Lake County Partners) pertaining to the implementation of a pilot program and consideration of future capital improvements to allow for enhanced services to the Milwaukee District North Metra line (MD-N) in Lake County, Illinois, appropriating $100,000 of ¼% Sales Tax for Transportation funds, and designated as Section 18-00999-60-MS
Staff Summary
• Local area businesses have indicated there are service gaps in the current Milwaukee District North Metra line (MD-N) service schedule that do not meet the travel needs of their current and prospective employees.
• These employees could use the Telegraph Road Metra Station in Lake Forest if the schedule was enhanced to provide additional services.
• Metra indicated that infrastructure improvements such as installing a universal crossover would be necessary to make the requested schedule enhancements.
• The cost of the infrastructure improvements is estimated to be $4,750,000.
• Metra indicated that a pilot program consisting of short-term schedule enhancements could be implemented to monitor the impact on ridership and determine if the capital improvements are justified.
• The cost of the pilot program is estimated to be $700,000 annually.
• Lake County Partners is securing private and public sector funding for a two-year pilot program and future capital improvements.
• This appropriation would provide a $50,000 per year contribution for each of the two years of the pilot program.
Body
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the County of Lake (the “County”), is an Illinois body politic and corporate, acting by and through its Chairman and County Board; and
WHEREAS, this Lake County Board, at its meeting on August 14, 2018, approved a resolution of support for the collaboration with stakeholders to investigate potential improvements along the MD-N that would allow for enhanced services to the Telegraph Road Metra Station in Lake Forest and would be a direct benefit to the County’s residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, one goal of the County’s strategic plan is to enhance economic opportunities by increasing collaboration and cooperation with other units of local government to cultivate integrated economic development and redevelopment; and
WHEREAS, the County is committed to providing a safe, efficient and innovative transportation system to enhance mobility, economic development and quality of life in Lake County; and
WHEREAS, the County is also committed to developing and implementing transportation solutions that provide alternatives to single occupied vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the County is home to over 700,000 residents, more than 30,000 businesses, including 12 Fortune 500 headquarters, and offers a workforce of approximately 400,000 people, many of which are located within a five-mile radius of the Telegraph Road Metra Station in Lake Forest; and
WHEREAS, having convenient access to public transportation, including Metra passenger rail service, is a benefit to the residents and businesses of the County; and
WHEREAS, local area businesses have identified service gaps in the current MD-N service schedule that do not meet the travel needs of their current and prospective employees that could use the Telegraph Road Metra Station in Lake Forest and have requested that the schedule be enhanced to provide additional services; and
WHEREAS, local area businesses currently provide private shuttle services to promote the use of public transportation and believe an efficient and effective public transportation option is critical to maintain and recruit a talented workforce; and
WHEREAS, Lake County Partners, the County, the City of Lake Forest, and local area businesses recently met with representatives of Metra to explore opportunities for enhanced services along the MD-N; and
WHEREAS, Metra has indicated that infrastructure improvements, including installation of a universal crossover south of Illinois Route 60, will ultimately be necessary to fully facilitate these enhanced services; and
WHEREAS, Lake County Partners, the County, the City of Lake Forest, local area businesses, and Metra are desirous to implement a pilot program consisting of short-term schedule changes and to monitor the impact on ridership and assess if future capital improvements are justified; and
WHEREAS, Lake County Partners is securing public and private sector funding for the two-year pilot program and future capital improvements; and
WHEREAS, the County and Lake County Partners are desirous of entering into an agreement to outline the terms and obligations for the pilot program and for consideration of future capital improvements, a draft copy of which is attached hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by this Lake County Board, that the County Board Chair, the County Clerk and the County Engineer of Lake County are authorized, and are hereby directed to enter into an agreement, and any subsequent amendments thereto, between Lake County and Lake County Partners pertaining to Lake County’s financial participation in the pilot program and consideration of participation in future capital improvements depending upon the results of the pilot program and general consensus of all participating agencies.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there is appropriated $100,000 of ¼% Sales Tax for Transportation funds for Lake County’s participation in a pilot program, and designated as Section 18-00999-60-MS.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Engineer shall transmit, in writing, the final agreements and any amendments to be executed by the County Board Chair and the County Clerk.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on November 13, 2018.