Document: Text of Beach resolution seeking firing of HRT chief

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING NEW LEADERSHIP FOR HAMPTON ROADS TRANSIT

WHEREAS, Hampton Roads Transit (“HRT”) provides vital regional transportation services to the citizens of the Hampton Roads cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, HRT transports people by bus, ferry, and shuttles, and has undertaken a project to bring light rail to our region; and

WHEREAS, light rail’s potential benefits include increased economic development and property values, cost-savings (compared with new road construction costs), environmental improvements, and a better quality of life for area residents; and

WHEREAS, while HRT’s current light rail project is based in the City of Norfolk, a Transit Extension Study has been undertaken by HRT to potentially extend light rail into the City of Virginia Beach;

WHEREAS, when HRT began construction of the current light rail project in October 2007, the budgeted amount was $232 million, and the announced completion date was January 2010; and

WHEREAS, in December 2008, Hampton Roads residents were advised that the actual cost would be $288 million, and completion would be delayed until October 2010; and

WHEREAS, on December 22, 2009, HRT’s Chief Executive Officer informed the public that costs had again risen—this time, to between $326 million to $328 million, with completion delayed until 2011;and

WHEREAS, the following day, the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads was informed that the actual cost could be even higher, with the potential of rising to $340 million, or an increase of almost 50% over the original budget; and

WHEREAS, the fiscal mismanagement of this important project under the current Chief Executive Officer’s leadership makes clear that HRT needs a new chief executive officer.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA:

1. That while City Council supports completion of the Transit Extension Study, City Council will not support moving forward with construction and expansion of the light rail project into the City of Virginia Beach so long as HRT is led by its current chief executive officer.

2. That the City Council urges the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads to install new leadership so that HRT may be led by a chief executive officer who will restore the confidence of the member localities and our citizens in HRT and its vitally important initiatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA:

That the City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to each member of the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads and to the Mayors of each member locality.