HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/7/2002 - STAFF REPORTS DATE: August 7, 2002
TO: City Council
FROM: Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: MEASURE A - COUNTYWIDE HALF-CENT SALES TAX FOR LOCAL
TRANSPORTATION
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution to support passage of
Measure A, the Countywide half-cent sales tax for local transportation projects, on
the November 2002 ballot.
SUMMARY:
Measure A, the half-cent portion of the current sales tax, funds a major portion of
the local transportation projects throughout Riverside County. The current measure
is due to expire in 2009. The extension of Measure A would continue generating
an extra half-cent on sales tax for 30 more years.
BACKGROUND:
In 1988, Riverside County voters approved Measure A — layout out a 20-year plan
financed by a half-cent sales tax — to meet the needs of motorists and commuters
with construction projects and transportation services. Now, 14 years later, with
most of the $1.5 billion in voter-approved projects and transportation services in
place or about to begin construction, expanding needs have created new demands.
To keep pace with the County's growing population, the Riverside County
Transportation Commission (RCTC) has placed a new Measure A on the November
2002 ballot. The new Measure A will continue the sales tax at the current level and
include legal restrictions to ensure that Measure A funds are spent only on
transportation projects and services needed for traffic congestion relief. It is
estimated that the new Measure A will generate over $4.6 billion for transportation
projects countywide.
ANALYSIS:
Riverside County is the fastest growing county of its size in California. Population
in Riverside County has increased 150% in the last twenty years and will likely reach
3 million residents in 2020. Locally, an additional 272,000 people are expected to
move into the Coachella Valley over the next 20 years.
The growing population will place additional burdens on an already strained
transportation system. In fact, it is estimated that residents commuting to jobs
outside the county can expect travel times of up to six hours a day on some
freeways if improvements are not made and alternative routes not established.
Staff Report - Measure A
August 7, 2002
Page 2
If approved, Measure A would bring in an estimated $4.6 billion dollars to help pay
for road improvements in Riverside County in the next 30 years. About$1.45 billion
is earmarked for local street and road improvements with another$1 billion targeted
for highways. The remaining $2.1 billion is expected to go toward new trans-
portation corridors, regional connectors, economic development, and transit and
commuter rail service.
The Coachella Valley will receive approximately $1.4 billion for local street and road
construction, ongoing maintenance and other transportation needs under the new
Measure A. Some of the programs aimed at providing traffic relief to the Coachella
Valley include:
• Improved traffic flow and reduce congestion on Highway 111;
• Added/improved interchanges on Highway 86 and Interstate 10;
• Improved safety and visibility at major intersections and arterial roadways;
and
• Improved major roadways identified by local governments as priorities.
In addition, the new Measure A will provide approximately $188 for public transit
including:
• Implementation of a new east-west express transit route in the Coachella
Valley;
• Continued support for programs to provide reduced fares and provide
specialized transportation to medical services, social service agencies and
programs, shopping and other purposes for senior and disabled residents;
• Funding for bus replacements and more frequent bus services.
The new Measure A has received broad support from public and private agencies
throughout the county. Locally, the Cities of Cathedral City, La Quinta and Palm
Desert have passed resolutions in support of the new Measure A. The Cities of
Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Rancho Mirage are scheduled to consider this
matter in August. In addition to receiving the support of local cities, the Coachella
Valley Chambers of Commerce, which represents seven local chambers of
commerce totaling over 5,000 businesses, has unanimously endorsed the extension
of Measure A.
Staff Report - Measure A
August 7, 2002
Page 3
The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is urging all cities in
Riverside County to adopt a resolution in support of the new Measure A. To this
end, we have prepared the attached resolution should the City Council wish to
support this measure.
�r Butzlaff, s ant City Manager
APPROVED -�� �—
City Manager
Attachments:
1. Resolution REVIEWED BY DEPT.OF FINANCE
. j�7
1 , 3
1
RESOLUTION NO.
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS TO SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF
MEASURE A ON THE NOVEMBER 2002 BALLOT.
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WHEREAS, since1989, Measure A has supplied Riverside County with the funding to provide its
residents with safer roads, more reliable public transit and traffic relief; and
WHEREAS, Riverside County is the fastest growing large county in California and is anticipated to
grow to a population of more than three million people by the year 2020; and
WHEREAS, over sixty percent (60%) of transportation funding throughout Riverside County and
its cities is provided by Measure A; and
WHEREAS, extending Measure A will raise over $4.6 billion for much needed transportation
projects, programs and improvements; and
WHEREAS, Measure A will provide major improvements to every interstate and highway in the
county; and
WHEREAS, Measure A will provide the crucial funding needed forcities such as Palm Springs to
maintain and improve local streets and roads; and
WHEREAS,if Measure A is not extended,the transportation networkwithin Riverside County would
be seriously crippled, adversely affecting commuters and residents throughout the county; and
WHEREAS, by passing Measure A on the November 2002 ballot, Riverside County will ensure a
stable source of funding to relieve traffic congestion, increase public transit programs, build new
highways and improve local streets; and
WHEREAS, passing Measure A would ensure that the City of Palm Springs would be able to
provide a safer environment to its residents and maintain the high quality of life we enjoy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs that it
hereby SUPPORTS the passage of Measure A on the November 2002 ballot.
ADOPTED this day of 2002.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By:
City Clerk City Manager
REVIEWED AND ADOPTED AS TO FORM: 15