HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Res 2015-08-19RESOLUTION NO. 30-2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF TIBURON
URGING THE STATE TO PROVIDE NEW SUSTAINABLE FUNDING
FOR STATE AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
WHEREAS, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. has called an extraordinary session to address the
immense underfunding of California's transportation infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties own and operate more than 81 percent of streets and roads in
California, and from the moment we open our front door to drive to work, bike to school, or walk to the
bus station, people are dependent upon a safe, reliable local transportation network; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Tiburon has participated in efforts with the California State
Association of Counties, League of California Cities, and California's Regional Transportation Planning
Agencies to study unmet funding needs for local roads and bridges, including sidewalks and other
essential components; and
WHEREAS, the resulting 2014 California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment,
which provides critical analysis and information on the local transportation network's condition and
funding needs, indicates that the condition of the local transportation network is deteriorating as predicted
in the initial 2008 study; and
WHEREAS, the results show that California's local streets and roads are on a path of significant
decline. On a scale of zero (failed) to 100 (excellent), the statewide average pavement condition index
(PCI) is 66, placing it in the "at risk" category where pavements will begin to deteriorate much more
rapidly and require rehabilitation or rebuilding rather than more cost-effective preventative maintenance if
funding is not increased; and
WHEREAS, if funding remains at the current levels, in 10 years, 25 percent of local streets and
roads in California will be in "failed" condition; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties need an additional $1.7 billion just to maintain a status quo
pavement condition of 66, and much more revenue to operate the system with Best Management
Practices, which would reduce the total amount of funding needed for maintenance in the future; and
WHEREAS, models show that an additional $3 billion annual investment in the local streets and
roads system is expected to improve pavement conditions statewide from an average "at risk" condition to
an average "good" condition; and
WHEREAS, if additional funding isn't secured now, it will cost taxpayers twice as much to fix
the local system in the future, as failure to act this year will increase unmet funding needs for local
transportation facilities by $11 billion in five years and $21 billion in ten years; and
Tiburon Town Council
Resolution No. 30-2015 08/19/2015 P. 1
3. Equal split between state and local projects. We support sharing revenue for
roadway maintenance equally (50/50) between the state and cities and counties, given
the equally -pressing funding needs of both systems, as well as the longstanding
historical precedent for collecting transportation user fees through a centralized
system and sharing the revenues across the entire network through direct
subventions. Ensuring that funding to local governments is provided directly, without
intermediaries, will accelerate project delivery and ensure maximum accountability.
4. Raise revenues across a broad range of options. Research by the California
Alliance for Jobs and Transportation California shows that voters strongly support
increased funding for transportation improvements. They are much more open to a
package that spreads potential tax or fee increases across a broad range of options,
including fuel taxes, license fees, and registration fees, rather than just one source.
Additionally, any package should move California toward an all -users pay structure,
in which everyone who benefits from the system contributes to maintaining it — from
traditional gasoline -fueled vehicles, to new hybrids or electric vehicles, to
commercial vehicles.
5. Invest a portion of diesel tax and/or cap & trade revenue to high-priority goods
movement projects. While the focus of a transportation funding package should be
on maintaining and rehabilitating the existing system, California has a critical need to
upgrade the goods movement infrastructure that is essential to our economic well-
being. Establishing a framework to make appropriate investments in major goods
movement arteries can lay the groundwork for greater investments in the future that
will also improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Strong accountability requirements to protect the taxpayers' investment. Voters
and taxpayers must be assured that all transportation revenues are spent responsibly.
Local governments are accustomed to employing transparent processes for selecting
road maintenance projects aided by pavement management systems, as well as
reporting on the expenditure of transportation funds through the State Controller's
Local Streets and Roads Annual Report.
7. Provide Consistent Annual Funding Levels. Under current statute, the annual gas
tax adjustment by the Board of Equalization is creating extreme fluctuations in
funding levels — a $900 million drop in this budget year alone. A transportation
funding package should contain legislation that will create more consistent revenue
projections and allow Caltrans and transportation agencies the certainty they need for
longer term planning.
Tiburon Town Council
Resolution No. 30-2015 08/19/2015 P. 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Tiburon this 19th day of August, 2015, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Doyle, Fraser, Fredericks, O'Donnell, Tollini
NAYS: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ATTEST:
e -V
FRANK X. DOYLE, MAYOR
TOWN OF TIBURON
DIANE CRANE IACOPI, TOWN CLERK
Tiburon Town Council Resolution No. 30-2015 08/19/2015 P. 4