Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.A 03/20/2017DATE: March 20, 2017 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Ci ouncil FROM: John C. Brown, City ManagerOJ85 Agenda Item #4.A SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Letter of Support for Senate Bill SB -1 (Beall) and Assembly Bill AB -1 (Frazier) Regarding Statewide Proposals on Transportation Funding RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council consider the attached Resolution Supporting a Letter of Support for Senate Bill SB -1 and Assembly Bill AB -1 which are statewide proposals on transportation funding and take action as appropriate. BACKGROUND At the February 6, 2017 City Council meeting, Council approved a resolution supporting both Bills SB -1 and AB -1. At the time this item was added to the agenda for the March 20, 2017 meeting, AB -1 had not seen significant progress in the legislative process in the Assembly, so this item was added for the express purpose of emphasizing to our legislative representative that transportation funding is of high importance to the City of Petaluma. Both SB -1 and AB -1 are currently active in the Committee process with SB -1 set for a hearing on March 8th and AB -1 has been referred to the Committees on Transportation and Natural Resources. SB -1 and AB -1 are similar proposals that provide for comprehensive transportation reform and a funding package to avoid systematic failure of the state's entire transportation infrastructure. Included are reforms, increases to existing revenue sources, and infrastructure investment to address the overwhelming backlog of repair and deferred maintenance as well as other transportation needs. DISCUSSION The proposed legislation addresses the $73 billion unmet funding needed for local streets and roads and the $72 billion backlog to the State's Highway System. When fully phased in, it is estimated that $6 billion would be generated annually to provide needed funding for the state and local transportation network. The legislation proposes to raise revenue over a variety of sources, such as increases to the gas tax, vehicle registration fees including a fee on zero emissions vehicles, monies from existing cap and trade fields, and returning the vehicle weight fees phased in over five years. In addition to raising revenue, the proposals include a series of reforms to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability; to streamline roadwork; and permanently extend and expand on the limited exemptions to California's Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and create an advanced mitigation program. Assembly Member Levine has indicated uncertainty with both bills, and because both require a two - thirds majority vote for passage, they would only be approved if every Democrat votes for them. Having all members of the City Council sign the attached letter will help emphasize the importance of the transportation funding to the City of Petaluma. A draft letter of support is attached for the City Council's review and approval. FINANCIAL IMPACTS There are no financial impacts beyond the staff time associated with preparing this report. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution 2. Draft Letter ATTACHMENT I RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SENATE BILL SB 1 (BEALL) AND ASSEMBLY BILL AB 1 (FRAZIER) REGARDING STATEWIDE PROPOSALS ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING WHEREAS, as the first order of business on December 5, 2016 in the new legislative session, Senator Beall and Assembly Member Frazier introduced similar transportation funding proposals; and WHEREAS, under SB 1(Beall) and AB 1 (Frazier), each proposal will generate approximately $6 billion annually, with approximately $2.2 billion going to local streets and roads; and WHEREAS, these proposals, supported by the League of California Cities, present an opportunity for all sides to negotiate on a comprehensive package to send to the Governor; and WHEREAS, the proposed legislation addresses the $73 billion unmet funding needed for local streets and roads and the $72 billion backlog to the State's Highway System; and WHEREAS, the legislation proposes to raise revenue over a variety of sources, such as increases to the gas tax, vehicle registration fees including a fee on zero emissions vehicles, monies from existing cap and trade funds, and returning the vehicle weight fees phased in over five years; and WHEREAS, in addition to raising revenue, the proposals include a series of reforms to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability; to streamline roadwork; and would permanently extend and expand on the limited exemptions to California's Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and create an advanced mitigation program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Petaluma City Council emphasizes its support for Senate Bill SB 1 and Assembly Bill AB 1 to address needed transportation funding for cities, counties, and the State of California and specifically emphasizes the importance of transportation funding to the City of Petaluma. �m Y ATTACHMENT 2 March 20, 2017 The Honorable Marc Levine California State Capitol, Room 2141 P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249 -0010 RE: Support for SB 1 (Beall) & AB 1 (Frazier) - Transportation Fundinjz Dear Assembly Member Levine: The City of Petaluma wishes to convey our support for SB 1 and AB 1. These bills represent a comprehensive transportation proposal including sensible reforms, modest increases to existing revenue sources, and robust investment in infrastructure. They present an opportunity for the Legislature to advance a comprehensive framework to address an overwhelming backlog of repair and deferred maintenance, and other transportation needs. It is urgent that the Legislature act, to address the $73 billion unmet funding need for local streets and roads, statewide, and $72 billion backlog to the State's Highway System. We urge the Legislature's immediate attention to these proposals as the vehicle to deliver this victory for California's streets, roads and highways. Petaluma's streets rank at the bottom of street condition ratings for Sonoma County cities. In the Metropolitan Planning Commission's most recent report on pavement condition, an overall score of "good" is 82. Petaluma's overall score is 46, a rating given to poor or failed streets. Petaluma recently completed a Streets Plan that identifies the least cost alternative needed to bring our streets up to the "good" rating of 82. Doing so requires an investment of $167.5 million, performed over 20 years. Petaluma currently receives about $3 million in annual Streets funding. Our chances of filling this gap locally are slim. Without the critical funding provided by SB 1 and AB 1, our street ratings, and pavement condition will only continue to worsen. SB 1, in particular, would raise revenue across a variety of sources, such as a 12 cent increase to the gas tax phased in over three years, ending the Board of Equalization's "true up" process on the price based excise tax on gas, a $38 increase to the vehicle registration fee, a $100 vehicle registration fee on zero emission vehicles, a 20 cent increase to the diesel excise tax, $300 million from existing cap and trade funds, and returning $500 million in vehicle weight fees phased in over five years. In addition to raising revenue, SB 1 includes a series of reforms to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability, such as restoring independence to the California Transportation Commission, creating the Office of the Transportation Inspection General with audit and investigation authority over the state's transportation spending, and establishing local reporting requirements on local transportation spending. To streamline roadwork, the bill permanently extends and expands on the limited exemptions to California's Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for repair, maintenance, and minor alteration projects on existing roadways to cities and counties with populations greater than 100,000 and state roadways. The proposal also creates an advanced mitigation program which authorizes the Natural Resources Agency to establish state and regional transportation mitigation plans and mitigation banks to allow transportation projects to fulfill their environmental requirements in advance. Overall, these bills provide a comprehensive transportation reform and funding package that picks up where we left off at the end of the special session, while giving this legislature an opportunity for early action. While the legislature has had success in recent years in balancing the state budget, we can no longer afford to ignore our most basic repair and maintenance needs if we wish to avoid systematic failure of the state's entire transportation infrastructure. There may be no better way to put Californians back to work and stimulate our economy than making the roads we and our children rely on everyday safe again. For these reasons, the City of Petaluma Supports SB 1 (Beall) and AB 1 (Frazier). Sincerely, David Glass Mayor Chris Albertson Councilmember Gabe Kearney Councilmember Kathy Miller Councilmember Teresa Barrett Vice Mayor Mike Healy Councilmember Dave King Councilmember cc: Senator Bill Dodd, 3`d District; senator. dodd(c�sen ate. ca. gov Nancy Bennett, nbennett(:c�cacities.org Meg Desmond, League of California Cities, mdesmond(:c�cacities.org Teresa Barreim Mike Heal H ' LGabe Ke-arne D I _ ,j e ave Ki. YM .1 .1 Kathy Mill City Manager's Office 11 English Street Petaluma, CA 94952 Phone (707) 778-4345 Fax (707) 778-4419 E -Mail: citymgr@cj.pe1a1umaca.us Economic Development Phone (707) 778-4549 Fax (707) 778-4586 11ousing Division Phone (707) 778-4555 Fax (707) 778- 4586 Information Technalogp Division Phone (707) 778-4417 Fax: (70 7) 776-3623 � Risk Managentent Division Phone (707) 776-3695 Fax (707) 776-3697 POST OFFicE Box 61 March 20, 2017 The Honorable Marc Levine California State Capitol, Room 2141 P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249-0010 RE: Sl` rinort for SB 'Beal & AB I -Tranii ort tion Fuqding The City of Petaluma wishes to convey our support for SB I and A-13 1. These bills represent a comprehensive transportation proposal including sensible reforms, modest increases to existing revenue sources, and robust investment in infrastructure. They present an opportunity for the Legislature to advance a comprehensive framework to address an overwhelming backlog of repair and deferred maintenance, and other transportation needs. It is urgent that the Legislature act, to address the $73 billion unmet funding need for local streets and roads, statewide, and $72 billion backlog to the State's Highway System. We urge the Legislature's immediate attention to these proposals as the vehicle to deliver this victory for California's streets, roads and highways. Petaluma's streets rank at the bottom of street condition ratings for Sonoma County cities. In the Metropolitan Planning Commission's most recent report on pavement condition, an overall score of "good" is 82. Petaluma's overall score is 46, a rating given to poor or failed streets. Petaluma recently completed a Streets Plan that identifies the least cost alternative needed to bring our streets up to the "good" rating of 82. Doing so requires an investment of $167.5 million, performed over 20 years. Petaluma currently receives about $3 million in annual Streets funding. Our chances of filling this gap locally are slim. Without the critical funding provided by SB I and AB 1, our street ratings, and pavement condition will only continue to worsen. SB 1, in particular, would raise revenue across a variety of sources, such as a 12 cen increase to the gas tax phased in over three years, ending the Board of Equalization' "true up" process on the price based excise tax on gas, a $38 increase to the vehicle registration fee, a $ t 00 vehicle registration fee on zero emission vehicles, a 20 cent increase to the diesel excise tax, $300 million from existing cap and trade funds, and returning $500 million in vehicle weight fees phased in over five years. In addition to raising revenue, SB I includes a series of reforms to improve efficiency, transparency' and establishingOffice of the Transportation Inspection General with audit and investigation authority over the state's transportation spending, and requirements To streamline roadwork, the bill permanently extends and expands on the limited exemptions to is on existing roadways ., proposal also creates an advanced mitigation program which authorizes the Natural Resources Agency to establish state and regional transportation mitigation plans and mitigation banks to allow transportation projects to fulfill their environmental requirements in advance, Overall, these bills provide a comprehensive transportation reform and funding package that picks up where we left off at the end of the special session, while giving this legislature an opportunity for early action. While the legislature has had success in recent years in balancing the state budget, we can no longer afford to ignore our most basic repair and maintenance needs if we wish to avoid systematic failure of . state's . transportation -Y economy� There may be no better way to put Californians back to work and stimulate our For these reasons, the City of Petaluma Supports'SB l (Beall) and AB l (Frazer).; Sincerely;- avid Mass Mayor Chris Albertson Council ember -- (a, Teresa Barrett Nice Mayor J W Mike Kealy Councilrnernber Gabe Kearney Dave Iain Councilrne ber Councilrnember t17 MllleT Councilnicnib�' cc: Senator Bill Dodd, P District; ,sena1or.dodd c seznate.ca. ®v Nancy Bennett, nbennett@cacities. or Meg Desmond, League of California Cities, mdesniond cr cacities.org