HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2001 - STAFF REPORTS (21) DATE: November 7, 2001
TO: City Council
FROM: Assistant City Manager-Administration
SUBJECT: Traffic Congestion Relief Act Initiative
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider adopting the attached proposed Resolution addressing
support forthe Planning and Conservation League's Traffic Congestion Relief Act Initiative.
SUMMARY:
City Council is being asked to consider adopting a resolution of support for the Traffic
Congestion Relief Act Initiative being proposed as a state-wide effort to allocate 30% of the
state's share of sales tax on sales of new or used cars and trucks to transportation
improvements.
BACKGROUND:
In mid-September 2001, City Manager David Ready received a letter from Mr. Rob Parkins
requesting an appearance before the Mayor and Council to seek Council's support for the
Traffic Congestion Relief Act Initiative proposed by the Planning and Conservation League
as a statewide effort. If adopted, the Act would provide the funding mechanism to initiate
and support the inter-city rail system between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley.
Mr. Parkins made a presentation to the City Council at its Study Session on October 31,
2001.
Attached is information about the proposed Traffic Congestion Relief Act Initiative, as well
as a proposed Resolution supporting the effort, should Council so desire.
Dallas J. Flicek, Assistant City Manager-Administration
APPROVED
City Manager `
Attachments:
1. Information on Initiative
2. Proposed Resolution
Ad
Planning and Co.../PCLF - Maintaining and Strengthening Environmental Laws in Califomi Page 1 of 3
Transportation
• Legislation
•Transportation TR??VFI;C CONGESTION
• Smart Growth s RELIEF ACT. INITIAH.
CEOAWorkshoos
• California
Environmental
NewsQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
•ZEVs s
Air_Quality
• Environmental What does the Traffic Congestion Relief Act do?
Jobs
• Natural The Traffic Congestion Relief Act (TCRA) allocates 30% of
Resources the state sales tax on motor vehicles (cars and trucks) to
• Electronic transportation improvements.
Activism
• Publications & What is the Traffic Congestion Relief Act's main purpose?
Newsletters
•About PCL & The purpose of the TCRA is to provide
PCL Foundation safer, more convenient transportation
• Join PCL alternatives in the face of increased traffic
• contact us congestion in California. Under current
• Eco-links local government road-building and
transit plans, traffic congestion is
projected to get worse by up to 500% around our state over
the next 20 years, even after all presently planned new
highway projects are built. The TCRA invests in fixing roadway
congestion bottlenecks and in creating new transportation
services that will be less congested, safer, more convenient,
and cleaner.
Why do we need to set-aside these funds for
transportation purposes?
The costs of building and maintaining our current
transportation system has outstripped gasoline tax revenues,
and further expansions will be even more expensive. We need
to invest a relatively modest new amount (less than 1% of the
state budget) in creating a modern, multi-modal system that
will get people to where they want to go more quickly. Our
quality of life and future economic growth depend on updating
and upgrading our transportation infrastructure to give people
choices of several convenient ways to reach work, school,
famiiy and shopping destinations.
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How is this plan different from existing transportation
spending?
This plan supplements existing
transportation plans by placing a new
emphasis transportation systems that are
less susceptible to gridlock.
This plan is comprehensive: it includes
major intersection upgrades in urban areas, transportation for
seniors and disabled people, and programs to reduce air and
water pollution created by cars and roads.
This plan emphasizes safety by eliminating traffic bottlenecks
and upgrading school buses that do not meet safety
regulations.
How will this plan impact the state budget?
This plan will increase spending on transportation capital and
operating by about $810 million per year. That is less than 1%
of the current state budget. Funding for the plan would come
only out of general fund growth, so no existing government
services will be impacted.
In the event of a recession, the plan will be scaled back, so
that it does not take more than its share of the budget. In
extreme financial crisis, the entire plan could be suspended,
and re-allocated to higher priorities.
Also, by reducing air and water pollution, the initiative will
reduce health care and other costs. A recent study indicates
that one dollar expended for air quality improvements results
in as much as $15 in health care cost savings.
Will the measure harm education funding?
The bill includes language that protects local K-14 schools
from any impact. There will be absolutely no impact on
"Proposition 98" education funding. It will continue as if the
measure had not been implemented.
Will the legislation affect local government funding?
Local governments currently receive part of the sales tax, and
state government receives the rest. This legislation dedicates
funds only from the state share of the sales tax, without
touching the local government share. In fact, most of the new
transportation funds will go to local government for 44
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transportation purposes. State funding for cities will actually
increase as a result of the initiative.
What assurances are there that the program will be
carried out properly?
This legislation requires an annual financial audit to prevent
fraud and waste and it includes a citizen oversight board to
oversee funding decisions.
Also, only two percent of the entire program can be spent on
administration.
The measure does not allow the Legislature to amend the
program. Thus, we protect the state's financial health, but
prevent "pork barrel" politics.
Why don't we simply raise taxes to pay for this program,
instead of using existing state sales tax revenues?
Almost no one wants new fees or taxes at the state level,
even to tackle traffic congestion. Business groups, taxpayers,
and the Legislature and Governor oppose new taxes.
However, people already pay a significant amount of sales tax
whenever we buy a car or truck. This is an existing
transportation-related tax. Making sure these funds are spent
for new transportation projects is a fair way to meet increasing
transportation needs without a tax increase.
Why are the funds allocated by category, instead of letting
local governments simply award them to local projects?
The public wants to know what kinds of specific investments
will be built. The promise to the public is that this plan will start
to create a better, more efficient system, and the different
categories of funding are our best guarantee.
Will all regions of the state benefit?
Yes. Existing statutes which fairly allocate transportation funds
to each region of the state are maintained, assuring that every
region, including those in rural areas, will benefit.
(08-22-01)
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Transportation
• Legislation.
•Transportation TRAFFIC 0t7NtaESTIC7f J;
• Smart a I,ELIEF r4CT. INITIFtTIVE
CEQA Workshops
• California
Environmental
News TRAFFIC CONGESTION RELIEF ACT FUNDING
•ZEVs &
Air,Quality
Environmental The Traffic Congestion Relief Act (TCRA) would allocate 30%
•Jobs of the state's share of sales taxes collected on motor vehicle
• Natural sales, or about $870 million per year, to transportation
Resources purposes.
• Electronic
Activism
• Publications & Local Congestion Relief/ % of
News Qualityof Life Funds letters Part of 870 million
•About PCL&
PCL Foundation
Join-PCL Congestion Bottleneck H
• Contactus Projects $139 million/year
• Eco-links
transit Capital 17% $183 million/year
Rail safety/maintenance/ 4% $35 million/year
improvements
ransit Oriented Development 3% $26 million/year
Incentives
ransit Operations 16% $139 million/year
Senior/Dial-a-Ride 2% $17 million/year
Rail/Street Grade Separations F40/o]$35 million/year
Bicycle/Pedestrian 4% $35 millionlyear
Infrastructure & Safety
Safe/clean school bus 80/0
$70 million/year
Rural public transit F2%]$17 million/year
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i lui �
raffic Safety Improvements 5% $44 million/year
Improving Intercity Travel �H�
Intercity Rail 4% $35 million/year
Capital/Operations
Environmental
Responsibility &
Improvement
Water Quality Transportation 2% $17 million/year
Enhancements
it Quality Transportation F
%
Grants )26 million/year
Environmental �H�$87 million/year
Enhancements/Mitigations
Total: 1 100% $870 million/year*
(10-23-01)
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http://www.pel.org/transportation/categories.html 10/30/2001
RESOLUTION NO.
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF THE
PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE
TRAFFIC CONGESTION RELIEF ACT INITIATIVE.
-------------
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs has a demonstrated interest in preserving Air Quality
through reduced vehicle emissions; and
WHEREAS, the provision of an alterative form of transportation that would lead to the
reduction of vehicle travel contributes to this objective; and
WHEREAS, as a member City of CVAG, the City of Palm Springs received the "Coachella
Valley Passenger Rail Feasibility Study" in February 1999, wherein it was determined that
rail transportation from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley was feasible; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Conservation League is proposing a state-wide initiative that
contains a provision for funding intercity passenger rail service from Los Angeles to the
Coachella Valley to reduce traffic congestion on Interstate 10, if there is sufficient interest
and support for such a project in the Coachella Valley; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Conservation League's Initiative proposes to accomplish
this objective without imposing any new taxes through an allocation of 30% of the state
share of the sales tax on new or used cars and trucks.
NOW, THEREFORE, does the City of Palm Springs, through its Mayor and City Council
resolve to support the Planning and Conservation League's inclusion of a means to cause
intercity passenger rail service from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley incorporated
within the Initiative for November 2002, and asks all citizens of this great City to join in
such support.
ADOPTED this day of , 2001.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By
City Clerk Manager
REVIEWED &APPROVED AS TO FORM
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