Report Prepared by: Mike Conway, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Support Transportation Funding Legislation
REPORT IN BRIEF
Seeking Council support of transportation funding legislation that is in the State Assembly and Senate.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council- Adopt a motion supporting new Transportation Funding legislation in the state and directing staff to produce letters of support and other materials to reflect the City’s position.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2016-17 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
There are huge transportation needs in the state, but not the dollars to pay for them. Fuel efficiency continues to increase, but the gas tax hasn’t been increased since 1994. Electric vehicles don’t contribute to the gas tax funds, but do contribute to wearing down the roadways. The average driver pays $762 a year in maintenance due to the poor condition of our roads.
The recent series of storms have just highlighted the need to repair and rebuild the state’s aging road system. Highway 50 is reduced to 1 lane in each direction because the road was washed out and Highway 1 is closed near Big Sur because an aging bridge has to be rebuilt.
In Merced, there are more than 479 miles of roads, most of them in need of some kind of repair. In addition, there are 15 bridges in the City, some dating back to the Roosevelt-era WPA. It’s a short drive to find a road that is in need of repair or rebuilding.
There is a need to change the way transportation is funded in the state. Discussions with Assemblyman Adam Gray and State Senator Anthony Cannella indicate we can expect major bills to be moving through the Legislature this year. We are asking the City Council to give staff authority to respond quickly when asked for letters of support for transportation bills that will benefit the City of Merced and its residents.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds are needed.