CR 07-041 Request for Comprehensive Rd Transit FundingG~TY OF
March 30, 2007 N o P K ~ N s Council Report 2007-041
REQUEST FOR COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT FUNDING
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve motion to adopt the
attached resolution requesting comprehensive road and transit funding
Overview
The League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) is urging local government to let legislators know that
transportation funding is very important. Transportation maintenance and improvement costs
are contributing to increasing property taxes and the lack of funding has delayed critical
improvement projects and repairs needed for both safety and economic vitality.
The LMC has been informed that ,comprehensive transportation funding will not happen without
the strong support of local government. Hopkins stands to benefit from dedicated
transportation funding this legislative session, especially funding towards the southwest
transitway.
The resolution, if approved, will be forwarded to the LMC, Metro Cities, and our legislators.
Recommendation
Staff has modified the LMC model resolution to more appropriately fit Hopkins and recommends
that Council adopt the attached resolution Requesting Comprehensive Road and Transit
Funding.
Supporting Documents
Resolution 2007-28
Rick Getschow
City Manager
Financial Impact: $ N/A Budgeted: Y/N Source:
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
CITY OF HOPKINS
• HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2007-28
RESOLUTION REQUESTING
COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT FUNDING IN 2007
WHEREAS, all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient and adequately
funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and
WHEREAS, due to budget constraints, cities are increasingly deferring maintenance on
the over 39,000 lane miles under municipal jurisdiction of the 277,607 total lane miles in
Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, local cost participation requirements for trunk highway and county projects
can be onerous and are contributing to strains on city budgets; and
WHEREAS, existing local funding mechanisms, such as Municipal State Aid (MSA),
property taxes, special assessments and bonding, have limited applications, leaving cities
unable to adequately address growing transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, the recently approved constitutional amendment that phases in dedication of
100 percent of the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) for transportation purposes will address only
a portion of the transportation funding needs in Minnesota, and total MVST revenues are not
meeting projections; and
WHEREAS, transportation analysts in consultation with the Minnesota Department of
Transportation (MnDOT) estimate Minnesota will have to invest an additional $1.5 billion per
year in transportation infrastructure for the next ten years in order to meet identified needs; and
WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs contribute
to rising property taxes; and
WHEREAS, lack of state funding has delayed or will likely delay regionally significant
road construction and transit projects such at the Southwest Transit Corridor; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota's transportation system is failing to meet the capacity needs
necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and
WHEREAS, congestion, inefficient transportation systems and lack of transportation
choices lead to greater dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental degradation, and
economic disadvantages for Minnesota's businesses and residents; and
WHEREAS, congestion on TH169 and other major arterials in Hopkins moves thru-traffic
off of highways and onto local collector streets in neighborhoods, increasing traffic and wear-
and-tear on local roads; and
WHEREAS, current funding for roads and transit systems, across all government levels
in Minnesota is inadequate, and this under-investment hinders Minnesota's progress as a
national business, economic and civic leader.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
1) The City Council requests that in 2007 the Minnesota State Legislature pass a
comprehensive transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding
for transportation; and
2) The City Council requests that in 2007 Governor Tim Pawlenty allow a comprehensive
transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation
that is passed by the Legislature to become law.
Passed and adopted this 3rd of April, 2007.
ATTEST:
Eugene Maxwell, Mayor
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk