2008-018CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2008-018
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A RESOLUTION REQUESTING
COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT FUNDING
WHEREAS, all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient and adequately
funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and
WHEREAS, the integrity of Minnesota's transportation infrastructure is dependent upon
long-term planning and ongoing maintenance, both of which require dedicated and
sustainable revenue sources; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota leaders have not increased dedicated funding levels for roads,
bridges and transit systems to keep pace with growing costs and changing needs; 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 on Minnesota's state highways and bridges, county roads, city streets,
metro and rural transit systems and local bridges; 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, many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are not
meeting the needs of industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads; and
WHEREAS, local cost participation requirements for trunk highway and county projects
are onerous and are contributing to strains on city budgets; and
WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs
significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and
WHEREAS, insufficient state funding has delayed regionally significant road
construction and reconstruction prof ects across Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, current funding for roads, bridges and transit systems across all government
levels in Minnesota is inadequate, and this under-investment diminishes quality of life for
Minnesota residents and hinders Minnesota's progress as a national business, economic
and civic leader.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HOPKINS requests that the Minnesota Legislature pass a comprehensive and balanced
transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for
transportation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS
requests that Governor Tim Pawlenty allow a comprehensive and balanced transportation
funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation that is
passed by the Legislature to become law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY -T'HE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS
requests that a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package be based
upon multiple revenue sources, which may include but not be limited to general
obligation and trunk highway bonds; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS
supports funding options including, but not limited to, the following:
• An increase in the gas tax;
• Indexing of the gas tax, provided there is a limit on how much the tax can be
increased for inflation in a given amount of time;
• Increases in vehicle registration taxes (a.k.a. license tab fees);
• Trunk highway bonding, provided the Legislature implements reasonable
restrictions on the amount of debt service the state will incur and provided the
Legislature appropriates funding to assist with local costs related to projects
funded with trunk highway bonds;
• General obligation bonding for local roads and bridges, particularly for roads of
regional significance and to assist with local cost participation requirements
pertaining to trunk highway projects;
• Sales tax exemptions for state and local transportation construction projects; and
• New local funding tools, such as local option sales tax authority or authority to
establish street improvement districts; acid
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HOPKINS that defines a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package as
an initiative that permanently increases dedicated funding for state and local road and
transit systems in Greater Minnesota and the Metropolitan Area.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS,
1VIINNESOTA, AND THIS DAY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008.
,_
ATTES
TerrA,y O rmaier, City Clerk
gene Maxwell, Mayor
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