DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI)
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
B Session briefing on the recommendation by the Transportation, Technology and Utilities (TTU) Council Committee to explore funding options, beyond the City's Advanced Transportation District (ATD) funding, in order to provide $10 million in funding annually, phased-in over a four year period, to VIA Metropolitan Transit "VIA" for proposed bus service improvements.
SUMMARY:
During the September 28, 2016 B Session, TCI will brief the full City Council on the original ATD funding policy issue, including the ATD Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation to provide the City's ATD funds to VIA; the current TTU Council Committee's recommendation to have staff explore funding options separate from ATD in order to provide $10 million annually to VIA phased in over a four year period; the bus service improvements VIA proposes to implement with the additional funds; as well as potential impacts to the City's General Fund and local and state tax options as long-term funding strategies.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In July 2015, Councilman Rey Saldana first raised that inadequate funding levels resulted in VIA not providing convenient and frequent bus service. Councilman Saldana proposed that the City's ATD funding be re-allocated to VIA to improve bus service and requested the policy issue of how City utilizes its ATD funding be discussed. Staff first presented this policy issue to the TTU Council Committee on November 4, 2015, followed by full City Council at the November 18, 2015 City Council "B" Session.
In January 2016, the ATD Ad Hoc Committee was established and charged to evaluate VIA's funding model and determine if the City should allocate all or a portion of the City's ATD funds to enhance VIA services. The committee was co-chaired by District 4 Councilman Rey Saldana and District 6 Councilman Ray Lopez. Committee member...
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