HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 261RESOLUTION NO. 261
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MEDINA, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO POTENTIAL TOLLS TO
FINANCE PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES, ORIGINALLY
CONSTRUCTED USING TOLL REVENUES.
WHEREAS, the State of Washington has several traditional sources of
revenue available to finance transportation infrastructure: gas tax, MVET,
federal grants, and Referendum 49 bond proceeds.
WHEREAS, even so, the State of Washington is considering widespread
use of tolls to finance preservation and maintenance of existing public
highways/bridges originally constructed using toll revenues.
WHEREAS, the Secretary of Transportation has identified twelve state
bridges (including the 1-90 Mercer Island and SR-520 Evergreen Point bridges)
for possible re -imposition of tolls by WSDOT to finance ongoing preservation and
maintenance efforts. Tolls, congestion, pricing and other toll -based schemes are
also being considered to finance new highway/bridge construction.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Medina that:
Section 1. The State Legislature should confine financing of existing/new
public transportation infrastructure to traditional state revenue sources: gas tax,
MVET, federal grants and state bond proceeds - and avoid toll -based financing
schemes. Any toll -based financing must be debated by the Legislature with
appropriate public input, within the spending limits of Initiative 601.
Section 2. Tolls/user fees are regressive taxes, unfairly impacting all
citizens on limited incomes, reducing freight mobility, and adding to costs for
small business. Tolls should not be used to finance routine preservation and
maintenance of existing public transportation facilities.
Res. No. 261
Section 3. Use of tolls should only be selectively considered and subject to the
following constraints:
Taxpayers must be assured that regulation of tolls are fair and
equitable and consumer interests are protected.
Tolls, similar to utility rates, must be regulated by an independent
regulatory agency that would hold public hearings on
establishing/changing toll rates.
Any new proposed toll -financed construction projects must provide
a non -toll alternative, and be subject to a public advisory vote of
communities in the affected areas - the advisory vote should
require a 60% majority to approve the project.
Toll revenue, which may cause state spending to exceed Initiative
601 limits, must be subject to the Executive/Legislative budget
process and oversight, including periodic audit by the State Auditor.
Private contractors operating under the Public Private Initiative,
program (R.C.W. 47-46) and establishing toll rates for new
construction projects must be subject to independent toll rate
regulation.
Personal privacy of the individual must be protected if automated
toll collection/vehicle information systems are used.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON
ON THIS to DAY OF MARCH, 1999 AND?12NED IN
AUTHENTICATION OF ITS PASSAGE THE DAY OF MARCH 1999.
Mayor
Kristen Finnigapf, City Clerk
Res. No. 261