The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1/21/2009 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.K. 4 A LM SA4 iy c u � "C cA/opArto',rP CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: January 21, 2009 Consent Agenda SUBJECT: REQUEST FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE CALIFORNIA BUSINESS, TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY TO FORMALLY ENDORSE THE CALIFORNIA CONSENSUS ON FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION FOR 2009 FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager SUMMARY The City Council will consider adopting a resolution in support for the California Consensus on Federal Transportation Authorization for 2009 document. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. _, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, OFFERING FORMAL SUPPORT FOR DOCUMENT TO DEVELOP CONSENSUS ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES." BACKGROUND: On September 30, 2009, the current Federal Transportation Funding Authorization Bill, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act — A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA — LU) will expire. This six-year bill is the instrument by which California annually receives approximately five billion dollars in federal funding for transit, highways, local streets and roads, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. It is expected that the new Congress and Administration will soon start working on the next authorization bill. Replacing SAFETEA — LU will be a difficult process because of the current state of the economy which, among other things, has negatively impacted transportation revenues and brought the Highway Trust Fund to the brink of insolvency for the first time in its history. Changes in Congress and the Presidential administration will require a significant effort to educate new staff on the issues and gravity of the situation. Finally, the severity of the national situation will mean that this Congress will most likely use a "clean sheet of paper" approach to this authorization, which will involve close scrutiny of Item No. 2 . K e City Council Staff Report January 21, 2009—Page 2 of 3 FORMALLY ENDORSE THE CALIFORNIA CONSENSUS ON FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION FOR 2009 existing programs and policies with an eye towards overhauling them to increase mobility, efficiency and accountability. There are many viewpoints on options for the next authorization bill and multiple advocacy groups working on the national level. Therefore, it will be extremely important that California act with one voice on the major issues that will affect its share of federal transportation funding. To achieve this objective, Caltrans has been working with a statewide stakeholder group for the past year to develop a consensus on a set of seven principles that should underpin the next Transportation Authorization. In short, these principles are: 1. Ensure the financial integrity of the Highway and Transit Trust Funds. 2. Rebuild and maintain transportation infrastructure in a good state of repair. 3. Establish goods movement, as a national economic priority. 4. Enhance mobility through congestion relief within and between metropolitan areas. 5. Strengthen the federal commitment to safety and security, particularly with respect to rural roads and access. 6. Strengthen comprehensive environmental stewardship. 7. Streamline project delivery. This document was developed with the active participation from stakeholders representing state and local government and governmental agencies, the private sector, transportation providers and system users, and other organizations actively involved in transportation issues. It is a statewide document, recognizing that as a consensus document, each organization and locality will have its own specific principles and intentions for the next authorization, but that overall, the framework described above represents the California Consensus on the starting point for the national discussion. The document is intended to provide guidance to California's large and diverse congressional delegation, and to be shared with other national organizations to influence their platforms. STAFF ANALYSIS: Endorsing these principles will: Educate the California Congressional delegation on the key elements of California's goals for the next transportation authorization. • Strengthen the State's bargaining position in Washington DC and with other national peer organizations. • Help the State to achieve goals which will benefit local transportation projects by increasing funding, streamlining project delivery, and meeting diverse transportation needs. 02 City Council Staff Report January 21, 2009—Page 3 of 3 FORMALLY ENDORSE THE CALIFORNIA CONSENSUS ON FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION FOR 2009 FISCAL IMPACT: None. David H. Ready, Ci - ger Attachment: Proposed Resolution Proposed Letter to Secretary Bonner RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, OFFERING FORMAL SUPPORT FOR DOCUMENT TO DEVELOP CONSENSUS ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES WHEREAS, on September 20, 2009, the current Federal Transportation Funding Authorization Bill, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act — A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA— LU) will expire; and WHEREAS, the new Congress and Administration will expectedly begin addressing the next authorization shortly after January 2009; and WHEREAS, replacing SAFETEA — LU will be a challenging process due to the decline in the current economy that has negatively impacted transportation revenues; and WHEREAS, there is a strong need to present to California's Congressional Delegation a list of principles whereby transportation issues such as congestion, project delivery, acceleration, and goads movement can be addressed in such a manner to help restore the long-term growth of our economy and well-being of our citizens; and WHEREAS, recognizing the importance that California speaks with a single voice on the major issues that will affect its share of federal transportation funding, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), along with a group of statewide stakeholders, has developed a consensus on principles that should underpin the next transportation authorization, the California Consensus on Federal Transportation Authorization for 2009 document; and WHEREAS, as of the beginning of 2009, more than 28 organizations have submitted formal support for the document; and in an effort to strengthen its message to Congress;Caltrans is seeking additional endorsements. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs that its endorsement be included with those from other statewide organizations. Adopted this 215t day of January, 2009. David H. Ready, City Manager ATTEST: James Thompson, City Clerk Q� January 22, 2009 Mr. Dale E. Bonner Secretary Business, Transportation and Housing Agency 980 9th Street, Suite 2450 Sacramento, CA 95814-2719 Dear Secretary Bonner: On January 21, 2009, the City of Palm Springs, California adopted Resolution No. _, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, OFFERING FORMAL SUPPORT FOR DOCUMENT TO DEVELOP CONSENSUS ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES. We are very pleased to be a part of this effort and look forward to working with you on advancing these principles in the upcoming authorization. Sincerely, David H. Ready City Manager cc: Mr. Will Kempton Director California Department of Transportation 1120 N Street, Suite1100 Sacramento, CA 95814 Attachment a`� s