Res 04-434
RESOLUTION NO. 04-434
,
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, URGING 2005 STATE
LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS FUNDING FOR
MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
WHEREAS, Federal Way and other Washington cities face the challenge of
maintaining transportation infrastructure while also attempting to address capacity and mobility
needs for their residents, busines$es, and day-to-day work force; and
WHEREAS, the challenge for Federal Way is made even more acute by the fact that,
along with serving 84,000 residents, it is a transportation hub and through-point for two counties;
home to large employers such as 'the Weyerhaeuser Corp. and Capital One; and location of a
major theme park that is a regional and statewide destination for visitors, particularly in summer
months; and
WHEREAS, meeting local funding challenges has become more difficult given a series
of revenue setbacks, such as: '
Res. # 04-434
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Loss of the $15 motor vehicle fee due to the repeal ofInitiative 776, which will cost
Federal Way $775,000 to $800,000/year in overlay funds and matching grant
funding sources.
Flat and declining gas tax receipts, due to the fact that the Legislature has
authorized nO new gas tax distributions for cities since 1990. In Federal Way, the
"Arterial Streets" portion of the gas tax that can be used for arterial mobility and
capacity needs has decreased slightly from 1999, as has the "Street" portion of gas
tax receipts that can be devoted to maintenance needs. Meanwhile, costs to
maintain, preserve, and build streets continue to rise.
Additionally, buying power of the existing gas tax has declined nearly 40% over the
past decade due to Dew incorporations, more fuel-efficient vehicles, etc.
.
.
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The fact that the state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), a major funding
partner for local COJITidor capacity and mobility projects in Federal Way, also has
not received any ne;w infusion of gas tax dollars since 1990.
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ORIGINAL
.
City general fund challenges in participating in overlay and maintenance programs,
due to a sagging economy and declining local revenues.
.
State Supreme Court decisions to invalidate local transportation funding options
that had been employed by some cities; and
WHEREAS, cities' opt~ons for transportation revenues are limited at this time, while
the demand for transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement continues to grow;
and
WHEREAS, the last comprehensive action by the Legislature to provide direct local
funding and local options for tran-sportation funding came in 1990; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, along with new direct funding, the Legislature, recognizing the
need for local transportation funding, authorized four mechanisms: (1) local option fuel tax, (2)
commercial parking tax, (3) street utility fee, and (4) vehicle license fee; and
WHEREAS, 14 years lflter, these sources either lack viability or have been invalidated
through court decisions or initiat~ves or both; and
WHEREAS, as the coQdition of the transportation infrastructure deteriorates, the cost
becomes significantly more expensive for repair or replacement, effectively doubling every 10 to
15 years; and
WHEREAS, absent ad~quate funding for critical maintenance and overlay work, the
condition of Federal Way's streets would decline from a very good 87 out of 100 rating; and
WHEREAS, the cost to the public extends beyond these direct costs in the form of
impacts on the quality of life; On the business investment climate; on transportation safety; and
on the ability to travel without f~cing delays, detours and congestion; and
WHEREAS, along witÞ the lack of resources to maintain the existing transportation
network, Federal Way is hard-pressed to make capital improvements in transportation
infrastructure, as evidenced by t~e fact that funding is not available to do all the projects in its 6-
Year Transportation Improvemept Plan (TIP) - even though many of these are dictated by
"concurrency" requirements in state law; and
WHEREAS, nearly all, other cities face similar problems;
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, HEREBY
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. New Directfunding. The City of Federal Way calls upon the Governor and
the Legislature to provide nèw direct funding to pay for transportation infrastructure needs
Section 2. New Funding Options. The City of Federal Way also calls on the Governor
and Legislature to provide new funding options and tools that may be enacted at the local level
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Section 3. Call to Other Cities. The City of Federal Way encourages other Washington
municipalities to join in this call by passing similar resolutions as a means of conveying the
severity and urgency of the situation.
Section 4. Severability.' If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution
should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality I'hall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other
section, sentence, clause or phraSe of this resolution.
Section 5. Ratification. Any act consistent with the authority and prior to the effective
date of this resolution is hereby ratified and affirmed.
Section 6. Effective Date. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage
by the Federal Way City Council.
RESOL VED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON this 16th day of November , 2004.
CITY~FEDERAL W..A.Y.
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l\ÍÅYOR, DEAN McCOt'GAN
,4.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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CITY ATTORNEÝ, PATRICIA A. RICHARDSON
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 11/9/04
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 11/16104
RESOLUTION NO.: 04-434
K:\resoilltion\mllni transportation infrastructllre2005 legislation
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Res. # 04-434