2023R-4 A RESOLUTION URGING THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE STATE OF OHIO TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO FURTHER PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF VERMILION, OHIO FROM THE INHERENT DANGERS OF A TRAIN DERAILMENT ON THE TRACKS LOCATED AT NEAR OUR CITYAND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, the City of Vermilion, Ohio has commercial train tracks located throughout the city, and
WHEREAS, certain train operators operate on our train tracks, twenty-four (24) hours of the day, seven (7) days a week, known commonly as Amtrak, BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway, Union Pacific Railroad as well as other lines, and
WHEREAS, railway derailments have occurred twice in the State of Ohio in the past forty (40) days and said incidents have caused and will continue to cause significant medical issues to the residents of the communities where the incidents occurred and the incidents caused and will continue to cause serious damage to the infrastructure located at/near the site of the derailments and said incidents have caused and will continue to cause serious damage to the ecosystems at/near the site, and
WHEREAS, further regulation of train operators operating in the City of Vermilion, Ohio, relating to the tracks, rail cars, and employees is needed to provide the citizens throughout the State of Ohio with enhanced protection from injury and damage due to any future train derailments,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Vermilion, State of Ohio that:
SECTION 1: The Council of the City of Vermilion, Ohio finds that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Vermilion to pass a resolution urging the Legislative Branches of the Federal government as well as the State of Ohio to enact legislation to further protect our citizens from the inherent dangers of a train tracks located in or near the City of Vermilion, Ohio;
SECTION 2: It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal actions were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements, including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
SECTION 3:This Resolution is hereby declared to be an emergency measure immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare of said City and provided that this Resolution receives the affirmative vote of at least five (5) members elected to Council, it shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor; otherwise, from and after the earliest period allowed by law.