HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES-CC-2021-25CITY OF MOAB RESOLUTION NO. 25-2021
A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE CITY OF MOAB'S COMMITMENT TO
FUNDING A "RECREATIONAL HOTSPOT" TRANSIT SHUTTLE PILOT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, safe, reliable and efficient transportation and transit systems create foundations for
economic growth, reduced congestion, and for serving recreational activities; and
WHEREAS, the creation and maintenance of transportation infrastructure is a core
responsibility of local government; and
WHEREAS, the recreation and tourism associated with Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
and surrounding public lands create a significant economic impact on the Moab area; and
WHEREAS, visitation to the Moab region has risen exponentially over the past decade,
increasing to more than three million visitors annually; and
WHEREAS, the dramatic increase in visitation has caused traffic and parking congestion in
Moab on Highway 191 and on City of Moab streets; and
WHEREAS, parking and traffic congestion in the Moab region causes safety hazards for
motorists, bicycles, and pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, parking and traffic congestion in the Moab region causes a negative economic
impact due to increased travel time and increased fuel consumption and greenhouse gasses
among other things; and
WHEREAS, parking and traffic congestion in the Moab area negatively impacts the quality of
the visitor experience and the quality of life for residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Moab's General Plan Element 7.4.e "encourage[s] efforts to provide a
shuttle system serving downtown Moab and key tourism destinations and accommodations;" and
WHEREAS, in 2017 the Utah State Legislature passed SB 277 —Highway General Obligation
Bonds, which, in part, identifies $100 million to be used by the Utah Department of
Transportation (UDOT) for projects that: (1) have significant economic development impact
associated with recreation and tourism, and (2) address significant needs for congestion
mitigation, known as "recreational hotspots" on UDOT's Transportation Infrastructure list; and
WHEREAS, the Arches/Moab area was allocated $10,000,000 out of this "recreational hotspot"
fund for transportation projects fulfilling the statutory criteria outlined in SB 277; and
WHEREAS, UDOT engaged a transportation consultant team (Fehr & Peers) to develop a
project background, demand assessment, proposed system details, costs, benefits and financial
plan for a three to five-year pilot shuttle system that would help determine the demand and
viability of long-term transit for the Moab community; and
WHEREAS, UDOT has agreed to fund up to $1,500,000 for the operation of a pilot shuttle
system as part of the Recreational Hotspot Program;
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WHEREAS, the Arches Hotspot Region Coordinating Committee, Grand County Commission,
and Moab City Council have recommended the transit shuttle system be included as one of the
transportation projects to be submitted to UDOT for consideration by the Transportation
Commission for SB 277 funding.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Moab City Council that:
1. The City of Moab is committed to the long-term success of transit in the Moab area;
2. The City of Moab supports the establishment of a pilot shuttle transit system developed
by UDOT through the Hotspot Funding Program;
3. The City of Moab will partner through an interlocal agreement or other agreement with
Grand County to provide funding for the operation of the system up to a maximum
$1,000,000 (which funding can be a combination of grants, local match or other funding).
This resolution shall be effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by a majority of the City of Moab City Council. This Resolution shall take
effect immediately upon passage.
SIGNED:
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Sommar Johnson, Recorder
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