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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1712 - Opposing the regional transportation proposal put forth by the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and recommending that the SnohomisCIT Y 0 F MAR Y S V ILL E Marysville,Washington RESOLUTION NO./7 I ~ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE OPPOSING THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROPOSAL PUT FORTH BY THE CENTRAL PUGET SOUND REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (RTAl,AND RECOMMENDING THAT THE SNOHOMISH COUNTY COUNCIL OPT OUT OF THE CENTRAL PUGET SOUND REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY. WHEREAS,the Marysville City Council supports the overall v~s~on of bringing forth a cost-effective,comprehensive regional transit plan that can help alleviate the growing traffic congestion and gridlock that is overwhelming the Puget Sound--but has irreconcilable problems with accepting the RTA Master Systems Plan as presently written for the following reasons: l. City of program include The first phase of the Master System Plan identifies the Everett as the terminus of the North Corridor Commuter Rail and terminus for a regional trunk bus route,but does not light rail transit service into the City of Everett. 2.The greater Marysville area is in the fastest growing county in the Puget Sound region and is critically linked to the City of Everett as a center of employment,finance,and government. 3. links to Seattle, Vision 2020 specifically calls for high-capacity transit all four of the region's metropolitan centers--Tacoma, Bellevue and Everett. 4.The Master System Plan,approved by the RTA on October 28, 1994,is inconsistent with Vision 2020's high capacity transit's objective of linking all four of the region's metropolitan centers by failing to extend light rail service into Everett in Phase One. 5.The cost/benefit assumptions of the current plan do not factor in the sources of state and federal taxes that will help fund the system,and do not look to the financial impacts over the entire life of the bonds being contemplated for the RTA system. 6.A newly-constituted U.S.Congress and State Legislature may be far less inclined to provide transit construction and operational subsidies than their predecessors. 7.The Plan as a whole offers more than is capable of being delivered;for example,pledging to all three counties that they will receive more than they pay in,and noting that Snohomish County gets a "good deal",when in fact,only six miles of the entire 60-mile light-rail system are set aside for Snohomish County. RESOLUTION - 1 8.The existing Master System Plan does not identify a preferred strategy (implementation schedule)to complete the Phase One Plan in the event that cost overruns or funding shortfalls are encountered. 9.The north corridor light rail segment may be the last to be constructed,and given the possibility of cost overruns and/or funding shortfalls,the Snohomish County subregion receiving light rail service by the year 2010 is dubious at best. 10.The best evidence of the need to extend light rail further into Snohomish County is the recent and continuing growth in the Everett/Marysville area.Projects in or near Marysville,such as the Navy homeport support facilities,Tulalip Indian hotel/casino, convention center,10-plex theatre,Safeway shopping center,and numerous large-scale residential developments illustrate the need for a high-capacity transit link to a greater portion of Snohomish County. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE,WASHINGTON AS FOLLOWS: 1.The Snohomish County Council is urged to vote no and request the RTA Board to reconvene to amend the Master System Plan. 2.The Master System Plan should be amended to extend light rail further into Snohomish County. 3.The Master System Plan should be amended to assure construction of the Snohomish County light rail system in the event of construction cost overruns or revenue shortfalls. 4.The "equity principles"of the Master System Plan be amended. PASSED by the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this /d 111 day of December,1994., CITY OF MARYSVILLE By ai/w~ MAYOR ATTEST: ~ DEPUTY CLERK Approved as to form: B~t:·GJ~ CITY ATTORNEY