DEPARTMENT: Intergovernmental Relations
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER: Carlos Contreras
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Withdrawal of City participation in VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority's streetcar program; redirection of $32 million previously authorized for the streetcar program to center city projects and programs to be identified at a later date; establishment of a Charter Review Commission; and establishing the requirement for voter approval before participation in a streetcar or light rail program.
SUMMARY:
Consideration of an ordinance withdrawing City participation in VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority's Streetcar and Transit Improvement Plan ("streetcar program"); redirecting $32,000,000.00 in City funds from the streetcar program to center city projects and programs; establishing a Charter Review Commission to review and recommend revisions to the Charter of the City of San Antonio; and establishing that the City Council will not approve participation in a streetcar or light rail program until that program has been approved by a vote of City residents.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City Council previously considered and approved the City's participation in VIA's streetcar and transit improvement plan through ordinances 2011-10-20-0846 and 2013-01-10-0012. Since that time, an organized effort gathered thousands of signatures for a petition to require a vote on the streetcar program.
The City Council has acknowledged the concerns of the community and the importance of affording San Antonio residents the opportunity to provide input on a new proposal for a streetcar or light rail program, including the requirement for a community-wide vote before City participation in a streetcar or light rail program.
The City Council will consider an ordinance withdrawing City participation in VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority's streetcar program. This ordinance will include redirecting $32,000,000.00 in City fun...
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