Title
Adoption of Resolution in Support of New Sustainable Funding for State and Local Transportation Infrastructure by the State of California. (City Manager 2110)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Elizabeth D. Warmerdam, Interim City Manager
Re: Adoption of Resolution in Support of New Sustainable Funding for State and Local Transportation Infrastructure by the State of California
BACKGROUND
Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown has called an extraordinary session of the state legislature to address the significant underfunding of California’s transportation infrastructure.
The Governor proposed that the Legislature enact permanent and sustainable funding to maintain and repair transportation infrastructure on both a state and local level. Current funding does not keep up with the existing demands on the transportation system and this has led to poorly maintained and deteriorated streets and infrastructure throughout the State.
Both the California Senate and Assembly have held hearings to discuss the current conditions of highways, streets, and roads as well as the current funding structure. There has been significant discussion on local streets and roads, in which committee members agreed that any package must include investment in local transportation systems.
DISCUSSION
The League of California Cities has partnered with the California State Association of Counties, labor, business, public safety and transportation advocates to form the Fix Our Roads Coalition to address California’s chronic transportation infrastructure funding shortfall. A fact sheet on the Fix Our Roads Coalition is included as Exhibit 2.
The Coalition identifies seven key priorities:
1. Make a significant investment in transportation infrastructure.
2. Focus on maintaining and rehabilitating the current system.
3. Invest a portion of diesel tax and/or cap & trade revenue to high-priority goods movement projects.
4. Raise revenues across a broad range of options.
5. Equal split between state and local projects.
6. Strong accountability requirements to protect the taxpayers’ investment.
7. Provide consistent annual funding levels.
Cities and counties own and operate more than 81 percent of California’s roads. If funding remains at current inadequate levels, in 10 years, a quarter of local streets and roads in California will be in “failed” condition and the funding shortfall grows by $21 billion. According to a recent national report, poor roads cost the average California motorist $762 per year in extra vehicle maintenance costs.
The City of Alameda is an island city linked by four roadway bridges, one rail-road Bridge, two tunnels, 125 lane miles of streets, 260 miles of sidewalk and 87 traffic signals, and various traffic calming devices. Much of this infrastructure is over 70-years old and requires frequent maintenance, is beyond its initial useful life, and is in urgent need of repair, rehabilitation and/or replacement. 70% of traffic signals are operating with obsolete technology that is prone to failure and cannot be upgraded to enhance safety and efficiency.
The Public Works Director and Transportation Engineer developed a comprehensive list of citywide transportation maintenance and rehabilitation projects for the City of Alameda that would benefit from this funding (Exhibit 1). The immediate shortfall is $5,804,105 for projects including street resurfacing, sidewalk rehabilitation, and installation of traffic calming and signal devices. The proposed transportation funding package allocates half of the total $6 billion in funding for local streets and roads with $3,476,000 distributed to the City of Alameda. These transportation projects, particularly the traffic calming and upgrade of traffic signals, will directly improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from adopting this resolution. However, if the proposed transportation funding package is approved by the legislature and Governor, then the City of Alameda’s allocation could be $3,476,000.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
There is no impact on the Municipal Code from this action.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not subject to California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it involves government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4)
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a Resolution supporting new sustainable funding for state and local transportation infrastructure by the State of California.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Interim Assistant City Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Citywide Transportation Maintenance and Rehabilitation Projects (Current Shortfall)
2. Fix Our Roads Coalition Fact Sheet