HomeMy Public PortalAbout2007-008 Resolution Requesting Comprehensive Rd & Transit Funding in 2007Member Weir introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
CITY OF MEDINA
RESOLUTION NO.2007-08
RESOLUTION REQUESTING
COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT FUNDING IN 2007
WHEREAS, all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient and
adequately funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and
WHEREAS, due to budget constraints, cities are increasingly deferring
maintenance on the over 39,000 lane miles under municipal jurisdiction of the 277,607
total lane miles in Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, local cost participation requirements for trunk highway and county
projects are onerous and are contributing to strains on city budgets; and
WHEREAS, existing local funding mechanisms, such as Municipal State Aid
(MSA), property taxes, special assessments and bonding, have limited applications,
leaving cities unable to adequately address growing transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, the recently approved constitutional amendment that phases in
dedication of 100 percent of the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) for transportation
purposes will address only a fraction of the transportation funding needs in Minnesota,
and total MVST revenues are not meeting projections; and
WHEREAS, transportation analysts in consultation with the Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MnDOT) estimate Minnesota will have to invest an
additional $1.5 billion per year in transportation infrastructure for the next ten years in
order to meet identified needs; and
WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs
significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and
WHEREAS, lack of state funding has delayed regionally significant road
construction and reconstruction projects across Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota's transportation system is failing to meet the capacity
needs necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and
WHEREAS, congestion, inefficient transportation systems and lack of
transportation choices lead to greater dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental
degradation, and economic disadvantages for Minnesota's businesses and residents; and
Resolution No. 2007-08
February 20, 2007
WHEREAS, many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are
not meeting the needs of industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads;
and
WHEREAS, current funding for roads and transit systems across all government
levels in Minnesota is inadequate, and this under -investment hinders Minnesota's
progress as a national business, economic and civic leader.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF MEDINA that this Council requests that in 2007 the Minnesota Legislature
pass a comprehensive transportation funding package that permanently increases
dedicated funding for transportation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MEDINA that this Council requests that in 2007 Governor Tim Pawlenty allow a
comprehensive transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated
funding for transportation that is passed by the Legislature to become law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MEDINA that this Council supports funding options including, but not limited to, the
following:
• An increase in the gas tax;
• Indexing of the gas tax, provided there is a limit on how much the tax can be
increased for inflation in a given amount of time;
• Increases in vehicle registration taxes (a.k.a. license tab fees);
• Trunk highway bonding, provided the Legislature implements reasonable
restrictions on the amount of debt service the state will incur and provided the
Legislature appropriates funding to assist with local costs related to projects
funded with trunk highway bonds;
• General obligation bonding for local roads and bridges, particularly for roads of
regional significance and to assist with local cost participation requirements
pertaining to trunk highway projects;
• Sales tax exemptions for state and local transportation construction projects; and
• New local funding tools, such as local option sales tax authority, expanded
wheelage tax authority and/or street utility authority; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MEDINA that this Council defines a comprehensive transportation funding package as
an initiative that permanently increases dedicated funding for state and local road and
transit systems in Greater Minnesota and the Metropolitan Area.
Dated: February 20, 2007.
Resolution No. 2007-08
February 20, 2007
Carolyn A. S faith, Acting Mayor
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ATTEST:
4/ 44 Az__
Chad M. Adams, City Administrator -Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
Cavanaugh and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
Smith, Weir, Cavanaugh, Johnson
and the following voted against same: (Absent: Crosby)
None
Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Resolution No. 2007-08
February 20, 2007
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