HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.d. Resolution Requesting Comprehensive State Road and Transit Funding 4 ROSEN4OLIN]T EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Regular Meeting: February 19, 2008
AGENDA ITEM: Resolution Requesting Comprehensive AGENDA SECTION:
State Road and Transit Funding Consent
PREPARED BY: Jamie Verbrugge, City Administrator AGENDA NO, &.C1.
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Resolution, Draft Correspondence APPROVED BY: 9
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt a Resolution Requesting Comprehensive
Road and Transit Funding; and
Motion to Authorize Mayor to Send Correspondence to State Representative Ozment and
State Senator Gerlach.
BACKGROUND
With the Minnesota Legislative session beginning on Tuesday, February 12, the City Council discussed
legislative issues at the City Council Work Session on February 13, 2008. One issue discussed is the need
for a comprehensive state road and transit funding package.
ISSUE
The City Council discussed transportation funding as adequate funding for improvements to state and
county highways within the City has become increasingly challenging. Increased state funding for roads
and transit on a statewide basis will help to address current deficiencies in the overall transportation system
and will also help provide funding for projects of regional significance within the city. The most
prominent project identified within the city which requires funding is the planned improvement of the
CSAH 42 /Trunk Highway 52 interchange system.
Based upon the amount of local funds that have been expended for road projects, the City Council is
requesting legislative consideration and passage of a balanced and comprehensive transportation funding
package by the state legislature.
SUMMARY
Following City Council direction, staff has prepared a draft resolution along with correspondence to our
local representatives for consideration.
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2008
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, the City of Rosemount has expended 22 percent ($2,000,000) of available local funds
in the past seven years for trunk highway and county projects; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rosemount has expended an additional $1,830,000 of available local funds
in support of a principal arterial County highway; 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 projects 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.
Resolution 2008
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMOUNT that this Council 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 ROSEMOUNT
that this Council 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 THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
that this Council 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 ROSEMOUNT
that this Council 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.
ADOPTED this 19 day of February, 2008 by the City Council of the City of Rosemount.
William H. Droste, Mayor
ATTEST:
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
Motion by: Second by:
Voted in favor.
Voted against
Member(s) absent
February 19, 2008
State Senator Chris Gerlach, District 37
129 State Office Building
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 -1606
Re: Resolution of Support for a Comprehensive Transportation Funding Package
Dear Senator Gerlach:
On behalf of the Rosemount City Council, I am writing you to request your consideration
and support for the passage of a balanced and comprehensive transportation funding
package by the state legislature.
As is the case throughout the state, adequate funding of transportation for cities is becoming
increasingly challenging and continued shortfalls in state transportation funding contributes
to the funding challenges for cities and the city of Rosemount. In the past seven years, the
city of Rosemount has expended 22 percent ($2,000,000) of available local funds for
improvements to state and county highways within the city. During this time period, the city
has also expended an additional $1,830,000 of available local funds for road improvements
in support of a principal arterial county highway.
In addition to the city budgetary impacts associated with the above fund expenditures and
anticipated future expenditure of local funds on county and state highways, the continued
delay of a comprehensive transportation funding package by the state will impact regionally
significant projects for the city of Rosemount. The most prominent project for the city of
Rosemount is the planned improvement of the CSAH 42 Trunk Highway 52 interchange
system. The future improvement of this interchange is important to the city's continued
growth and economic development.
I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration of this very important matter.
As always, we would be glad to discuss further with you the need for increased
transportation funding to support the maintenance and growth of the transportation system.
Sincerely,
William H. Droste
Rosemount Mayor
cc: State Rep. Dennis Ozment
Rosemount City Council
February 19, 2008
State Representative Denniz Ozment
283 State Office Building
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 -1606
Re: Resolution of Support for a Comprehensive Transportation Funding Package
Dear Representative Ozment:
On behalf of the Rosemount City Council, I am writing you to request your consideration
and support for the passage of a balanced and comprehensive transportation funding
package by the state legislature.
As is the case throughout the state, adequate funding of transportation for cities is becoming
increasingly challenging and continued shortfalls in state transportation funding contributes
to the funding challenges for cities and the city of Rosemount. In the past seven years, the
city of Rosemount has expended 22 percent ($2,000,000) of available local funds for
improvements to state and county highways within the city. During this time period, the city
has also expended an additional $1,830,000 of available local funds for road improvements
in support of a principal arterial county highway.
In addition to the city budgetary impacts associated with the above fund expenditures and
anticipated future expenditure of local funds on county and state highways, the continued
delay of a comprehensive transportation funding package by the state will impact regionally
significant projects for the city of Rosemount. The most prominent project for the city of
Rosemount is the planned improvement of the CSAH 42 Trunk Highway 52 interchange
system. The future improvement of this interchange is important to the city's continued
growth and economic development.
I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration of this very important matter.
As always, we would be glad to discuss further with you the need for increased
transportation funding to support the maintenance and growth of the transportation system.
Sincerely,
William H. Droste
Rosemount Mayor
cc: State Senator Gerlach
Rosemount City Council