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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2017-044 N.C.S. 03/20/2017Resolution No. 2017-044 N.C.S. of the City of Petaluma, California 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. Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City. REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 201h day of March, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Albertson, Mayor Glass, Healy, Kearney, King, Miller NOES: None ABSENT: Vice Mayor Barrett ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: Deputy City Clerk Pro Tem ayor Resolution No. 2017-044 N.C.S. Page I Exhibit A 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 Funding 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 Resolution No. 2017-044 N.C.S. Page 2 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 Teresa Barrett Vice Mayor Mike Healy Councilmember Dave King Councilmember Kathy Miller Councilmember cc: Senator Bill Dodd, 3`d District. senator. dodd(2(senate.ca.gov Nancy Bennett, nbennett@cacities.org Meg Desmond, League of California Cities, mdesmond@cacities.org Resolution No. 2017-044 N.C.S. Page 3