AGENDA ITEM 9-B
ACTION ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
AUGUST 20, 2010
RE:
AUTHORIZATION
TO
EXECUTE
A
MEMORANDUM
OF
UNDERSTANDING FOR JOINT RECAPITALIZATION PROJECTS
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to
execute Memorandum of Understanding(s) with Amtrak for completion of the Joint
Benefit Recapitalization Program. This authorization is being requested in an amount
not to exceed $2,663,867.
BACKGROUND:
On July 1, 2005, VRE entered into an agreement with Amtrak for the Purchase of
Services for Operation of Commuter Rail Service. This agreement was an amendment
to the original Purchase of Services Agreement dated March 1, 1998. The 2005
amendment included a Joint Benefit Recapitalization project.
This project
acknowledged that Amtrak would incur additional capital costs at Washington Union
Terminal (WUT) related to the VRE use of the facility.
VRE agreed to compensate Amtrak an annual amount during the term of the
Agreement, known as the Joint Benefit Recapitalization Cost project. The total amount
of the commitment over five years (July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2010) was $4,500,000. To
date, VRE has funded $1,836,133, including a recent $230,000 contribution to the
Fredericksburg station, leaving a balance of $2,663,867.
The VRE/Amtrak Agreement for Commuter Rail Passenger Service Access to
Washington Union Terminal and Station and Storage of Commuter Rail Passenger
Equipment, effective June 28, 2010 includes a carryover of the remaining balance of
$2,663,867. VRE and Amtrak staff have developed a funding plan that will exhaust the
remaining balance and complete the terms of the contract. Authorization is being
sought for the collective total remaining balance. A brief description of the projects can
be found below.
1. Washington Union Terminal 2030 Facilities Master Plan – VRE’s share
estimated at $803,000. This project is being jointly funded by VRE, MARC and
Amtrak and will provide a vision to accommodate a new concourse located
above the lower-level. The Master Plan will incorporate facility requirements for
train operations in WUT as well as consider expansion potential for tracks,
platforms, and platform access. The project is currently in the procurement
phase.
2. Washington Union Terminal 2030 Train Operating Plan – VRE’s share estimated
at $400,000. This is the companion project to the aforementioned Master Plan
and will provide a phased approach to meeting current and forecasted growth in
intercity and commuter rail services for the planning years 2017 and 2030. The
scope of services includes identification of physical constraints to meeting
forecasted growth and providing descriptions of train infrastructure improvements
and/or operational efficiencies to support operating plans for the two planning
years. The project is currently in the procurement phase.
3. Alexandria Tunnel Design – estimated at $960,000. This project will design an
ADA accessible pedestrian tunnel passageway, including elevators, connecting
Alexandria Union Station and the King Street Metrorail station. The existing
eastern passenger platform at Alexandria Union Station would also be modified
as part of the project to improve passenger boarding and alighting.
4. Ground Power at WUT – estimated at $500,000. This project will repair and
construct ground power to the storage tracks currently used by VRE at WUT to
store equipment during the mid-day. The scope of work is expected to include
replacement of seven existing ground power boxes and the installation of three
new ground power boxes where they don’t currently exist. Operation of ground
power allows VRE to plug in locomotive equipment rather than idling the units
during the mid-day, saving VRE fuel and wear and tear on the equipment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding is available from the Washington Union Terminal Access Capital
Improvements line item in the VRE capital budget. Funding is provided using FY 2008
and FY 2009 federal grants. Local match is being provided using state and local funds.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
AUGUST 20, 2010
AUTHORIZATION
TO
EXECUTE
A
MEMORANDUM
UNDERSTANDING FOR JOINT RECAPITALIZATION PROJECTS
OF
RESOLUTION
9B-08-2010
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, on July 1, 2005, VRE entered into an agreement with Amtrak for the
Purchase of Services for Operation of Commuter Rail Service, which was an
amendment from the March 1, 1998 agreement; and,
WHEREAS, the agreement included a Joint Benefit Recapitalization project which
acknowledged that Amtrak would incur additional capital costs at Washington Union
Terminal related to VRE use of the facility; and,
WHEREAS, VRE agreed to compensate Amtrak an annual amount during the term of
the Agreement, which originally totaled $4,500,000 and now includes a balance of
$2,663,867; and,
WHEREAS, VRE and Amtrak staff have developed a funding plan that will exhaust the
remaining balance and complete the terms of the contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board authorizes
the Chief Executive Officer to execute Memorandum of Understanding(s) with Amtrak
for completion of the Joint Benefit Recapitalization Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this authorization is being requested in an
amount not to exceed $2,663,867.
.