2000-027 RESOLUTION NO. 2000-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
AVENTURA, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING ITS CONCERN
REGARDING RAILROAD SAFETY, SUPPORTING RAILWATCH
IN ITS EFFORTS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT RAILROAD
SAFETY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, there is a train accident every ninety minutes; and
WHEREAS, local city officials have no control over mile-long trains barreling
through their communities, which can block access to hospitals, fire stations and other
emergency services; and
WHEREAS, a train carrying hazardous materials goes off the tracks somewhere
in the United States roughly every 2 weeks, resulting in a spill and the evacuation of
people living nearby; and
WHEREAS, railroads reliance on antiquated safety technology jeopardizes the
safety of everyone, including railroad employees; and
WHEREAS, investigations have uncovered alarming safety violations including
defective train equipment, overworked employees, a lack of employee training, and
employees who are told not to report equipment defects or injuries; and
WHEREAS, according to the Federal Railroad Administration, more than 80% of
public railroad crossings are unprotected by lights and gates, and more than half of all
railroad crossings occur at these unprotected crossings; and
WHEREAS, RailWatch is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the
public about railroad safety.
Resolution No. 2000-27
Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Aventura supports RailWatch and its efforts to educate
the public about railroad safety and holding the railroads accountable for railroad
safety.
Section 2. The City of Aventura authorizes its name to be used publicly by
RailWatch in calling for Congressional hearings on railroad safety.
Section3,. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
adoption.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Berger, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Pertow, and upon being put to a
vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Arthur Berger yes
Commissioner Jay R. Beskin yes
Commissioner Ken Cohen yes
Commissioner Harry Holzberg yes
Commissioner Patricia Rogers-Libert yes
Vice Mayor Jeffrey M. Perlow yes
Mayor Arthur I. Snyder yes
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 2r~ day of May, 20q0/~
ARTHUR I. SNYOEF~: MAYOR
ATTEST: , :', ~!
TE SA M. SORO - , CMCi
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
CITY ATTORNEY