HomeMy WebLinkAbout3634 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2 (..39
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington,
expressing support for a 2015 Transportation Revenue and Reform Package
which includes funding for the Lewis Street Overpass Project.
WHEREAS, a safe, efficient and well-maintained transportation system is a foundational
element to Pasco's economy and quality of life as well as being critical for our state economy in
light of Washington's global position as the nation's most trade-dependent state; and
WHEREAS, Washington's transportation system is suffering from disrepair, with a
backlog of maintenance and preservation needs, and data showing that the hours of congestion
and delay on critical corridors are getting significantly worse; and
WHEREAS, failing roads and bridges, congested highway corridors, and bottlenecked
interchanges undermine the mobility of vehicles, buses, and freight haulers to move people and
goods; and
WHEREAS, in early 2012, the Connecting Washington Task Force released a report
identifying$50 billion in unfunded transportation needs and recommending an investment of$21
billion in funding during the next 10 years for maintenance, preservation and strategic
investments; and
WHEREAS, through the passage of ESSB 5987 and ESSB 5988, the Washington State
Senate has approved a 16-year, $14 billion package that makes a very good down payment on
transportation package investments. The Senate-approved package also includes eight different
reform bills to help ensure the state designs, permits and builds transportation projects in the
most efficient way possible; and
WHEREAS, ESSB 5987 and ESSB 5988 as amended in the Washington State House of
Representatives' Committee on Transportation makes significant transportation investments
important to the City of Pasco, including direct distribution of gas tax revenue to fund local
transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, proposals from both legislative chambers provide critical funding for key
transportation projects throughout the state and, specifically, $26 million for construction of the
Lewis Street Overpass project in Pasco; and
WHEREAS, the transportation package also provides a direct distribution of $375
million over 16 years for Pasco and other cities and counties throughout the state to maintain
local roadways and transportation systems; and
WHEREAS, the package also includes local transportation financing options that will
better allow cities and counties to address their backlog of mobility and maintenance needs; and
2015 Transportation Revenue and Reform Package
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WHEREAS, the transportation package also invests in grant programs vital to cities and
counties, including the Transportation Improvement Board, Freight Mobility Strategic
Investment Board, "Complete Streets," Safe Routes to Schools and Bicycle-Pedestrian Safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Pasco does hereby resolve as
follows:
1. The Pasco City Council takes an official position in support of a comprehensive and
balanced transportation investment package, including direct funding, grant funding
and financing options for local governments.
2. The Pasco City Council urges that in the refinements to a transportation package by
the House and that in House-Senate negotiations, the Legislature retain full and front-
loaded funding for the completion of the Lewis Street Overpass.
3. The Pasco City Council also urges that in the continued negotiations, the Legislature
refrain from sales tax exemptions that have negative revenue implications for cities
and counties and utilize a percentage of the gas tax for direct distributions to cities
and counties.
4. The Pasco City Council urges the Legislature and the Governor to enact and sign into
law a 2015 Transportation Revenue and Reform Package.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco at its regular meeting this 20th day of
April, 2015.
f I
Matt Watkins, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
is r
Debra Clark, City Clerk ' Leland B. Kerr, City Attorney
2015 Transportation Revenue and Reform Package
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