HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.b. Resolution supporting County-wide engagement on transportation and transit planning
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Regular Meeting: December 6, 2016
AGENDA ITEM: Resolution supporting County-wide
engagement on transportation and transit
planning
AGENDA SECTION:
New Business
PREPARED BY: Dwight Johnson, City Administrator AGENDA NO. 9.b.
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution APPROVED BY: ddj
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve the attached resolution supporting county-
wide engagement on transportation and transit planning
BACKGROUND
Earlier in 2016, Dakota County informed the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) that it was
withdrawing from membership. The withdrawal is effective in 2019 according to the CTIB membership
protocols. CTIB member counties agree to have a ¼ cent sales tax levied within their jurisdiction to
support transit construction and operation in the metro area. Dakota County Commissioners reviewed
information indicating that the County would not receive benefits from CTIB commensurate with the
amount being paid by Dakota County residents. The Commissioners faced a July 1st deadline to withdraw
to avoid having the effective date be 2020 instead of 2019. Consequently, they said that there was little
time to collaborate with the cities and other stakeholders such as MVTA in advance.
In September, 2016 County Board Chair Nancy Schouweiler invited Mayors and Administrators to a
meeting to discuss the issue. Several area Mayors urged the County to include city representatives in a
collaborative planning effort for transit and transportation needs. The County has the statutory authority
to impose its own sales tax for transit and transportation up to a half cent per dollar with the money
staying within Dakota County. County Commissioners who attended the meeting seemed agreeable to
have a collaborative planning effort. Since then, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan have all formally
passed resolutions asking for a collaborative planning process and have asked other area cities to join their
call.
While Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan have specific bus rapid transit lines operating or proposed
within their cities (Red Line on Cedar and the Orange Line on I-35), transit and transportation planning is
important long term for all of the developed portions of the County. Therefore, the attached resolution
has been drafted for Council consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council approve the attached resolution requesting county-wide engagement
on transportation and transit funding.
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2016 -
A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR COUNTY-WIDE ENGAGEMENT ON
TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT PLANNING INCLUDING ADEQUATE FUNDING
FOR THE RED LINE (CEDAR AVENUE) AND ORANGE LINE (I-35) AND FUTURE
TRANSITWAY IMPROVEMENTS
WHEREAS, Dakota County has determined that it will no longer be a member of the Counties
Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) which provides substantial funding for metro area transit
projects; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has options under State law to replace the lost CTIB funds with a
local sales tax; and
WHEREAS, Current transitway projects along Cedar Avenue (RED LINE) and planned along I-35
(ORANGE LINE) as well as future transit projects are important to the long term future of Dakota
County and its cities and require a long term stable source of funding; and
WHEREAS, in September 2016 Dakota County began a collaborative process of engaging cities in
the planning for Dakota County’s future transportation and transit needs; and
WHEREAS, the City appreciates the County’s willingness to collaboratively address the planning
and funding of our current and future transportation and transit needs with all of the important
stakeholders.
IT IS RESOLVED that the Rosemount City Council supports County-wide engagement on
transportation and transit planning and funding and looks forward to actively participating in the
process; and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that it is essential that such plans provide the necessary financial
support for the completion and operation of the RED and ORANGE line systems as well as other
transitway improvements in the future.
ADOPTED this 6th day of December, 2016.
William H. Droste, Mayor
ATTEST:
Clarissa Hadler, City Clerk