2007-028
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
.r_ portion of the transportation funding needs in Minnesota, and total MVST revenues are not
wneeting 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 TH 169 and other major arterials in Hopkins moves thru-traffic
off of highways and onto local collector streets in neighborhoods, increasing traffic and wear-
_nd-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
.ational 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.
~~
Eu e ~ell, Mayor
,
~
rmaier, City Clerk
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