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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-21 City Council (15)City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report 11 TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING DATE:JUNE 21, 1999 CMR:297:99 SUBJECT:RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO REQUESTING THAT THE .SANTA CLARA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ENDORSE THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY TRANS- PORTATION AUTHORITY MEASURE .B TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council endorse the attached resolution requesting the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the proposed Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Measure B Transportation Program and to support VTA in its efforts to successfully implement this program. BACKGROUND The VTA has program management responsibilities and the Board of Supervisors has a fiduciary obligation with respect to Measure B transportation sales tax funds. VTA has proposed a $1.51 billion Measure B Transportation Program, which includes $189 million in Federal, State, and VTA funds. This program was developed in consultation with municipalities and after significant public participation. The Board of Supervisors meets on June 29, 1999 to adopt a Measure B Implementation Plan. DISCUSSION VTA is a joint powers authority formed by Santa Clara County and its municipalities. VTA has substantial experience as both the region’s Congestion Management Agency and major transit operator in managing transportation resources. The VTA has formulated a Measure B Transportation Improvement Program through a participatory process involving elected officials, staff and the general public. This $1.51 billion program, which would finance 18 major transportation projects, includes a variety of Federal and State resources to supplement Measure B funds. It is noteworthy that more than half of these resources are programmed for transit improvements. By identifying specific sources of required supplemental funding VTA has developed a realistic and flexible approach to implementing the Measure B Transportation Program. In addition, VTA provides a forum for on-going collaboration among municipalities and public participation as the program is implemented. Thus, the combination of VTA’s proposed Measure B Program and VTA management of that program represents a practical, cooperative approach to major transportation investments within Santa Clara County. CMR:297:99 Page 1 of 2 ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION Council may choose not to endorse the attached resolution and either take no position on this issue, or support giving the Board of Supervisors and the Office of the County Executive broad latitude in Measure B implementation. RESOURCE IMPACT There is no resource impact for Palo Alto, beyond what would be required to implement the Measure B program. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Goal T-9 of the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan calls for the City to develop, "An Influential Role in Shaping and Implementing Regional Transportation Decisions." Involvement by Palo Alto elected officials, staff, and interested citizens in VTA transportation planning represents an important part of this regional role. Through endorsement of VTA’s proposed Measure B Transportation Program, Council will be supporting a collaborative, participatory, and regional approach to major transportation investments in Santa Clara County. TIMELINE The Santa Clara County Board of Implementation Plan on June 29, 1999. Supervisors will consider a draft Measure B ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW An Environmental Impact Report will be required for each project contained in the Measure B Implementation Plan. ATTACHMENTS A. Resolution Regarding VTA Measure B Transportation Program PREPARED BY: Joseph Kott, Chief Transportation Official DEPARTMENT HEAD: - ~ect2 oA~pl&V~Fand Community Environment MANAGER a aova 2f2. Z./CITY ZMII SoN Assistant City Manager Planning Commission Michael Evanhoe, VTA Congestion Management Program Carolyn Gonot, VTA Congestion Management Program CMR:279:99 Page 2 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO REQUESTING THAT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ENDORSE THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY TP~ANSPORTATION AUTHORITY MEASURE B TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is a regional agency formed and governed by Santa Clara County and its municipalities; and WHEREAS, Santa Clara County has fiduciary responsibility with respect to Measure B transportation sales tax revenues; and WHEREAS, VTA has proposed a transit and highway transportation program that combines resources from Measure B sales tax revenues supplemented by federal and state grant funds; and WHEREAS, this program was developed with substantial public and municipal participation; and WHEREAS, the recommended VTA Measure B Transportation Program represents a flexible, broad-based approach to implementing desired improvements to Santa Clara County’s transportation system; NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows: SECTION i. The City of Palo Alto hereby requests the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve VTA’s recommended Measure B Transportation Program and to support VTA in its efforts to implement this program. .SECTION 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized to request that the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approve the VTA proposed Measure B Transportation Program and to support VTA in its efforts to implement this program. .SECTION 3. The Council finds that adoption of this resolution does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act because it can be seen with certainty // // // // 990617 sdl 0032172 that such action will cause no significant effects on the environment. However, an environmental assessment will be required for each project contained in the adopted Measure B Implementation Plan. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Senior Asst. City Attorney Mayor City Manager Director of Planning & Community Environment 990617 sdl 0032172 2