HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1501-6-97RESOLUTION NO. 1501-6-97(R)
' A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALLEN, COLLIN
COUNTY, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE STREAMLINED TRANSPORTATION
EFFICIENCY PROGRAM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY; ENCOURAGING STATE
OFFICIALS TO WORK TOWARDS ADOPTION OF THE PROGRAM PRINCIPLES; AND
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL
OFFICIALS AND OTHER PARTIES TO ENSURE INCLUSION OF SUCH PRINCIPLES
IN FEDERAL HIGHWAY FUNDING REAUTHORIZATION.
WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) expires on September 30,
1997; and
WHEREAS, the Nation's transportation infrastructure plays an integral pan in the Nation's economy and the Texas
transportation system is a key component of the National network; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that the nation's transportation network is in dire
need of a substantial increase in the level of financial investment to bring the system up to standard and to meet
expanding transportation demands; and
WHEREAS, a strong National Highway System requires adequate support to provide mobility and economic
benefits for all States and the nation as a whole and to ensure the vital Texas transportation system is connected
to the rest of the nation; and
WHEREAS, our Nation needs a simpler, more responsive federal surface transportation program if we are to
' respond effectively to the transportation challenges and opportunities we will confront as we enter the 21st Century;
and
WHEREAS, a more flexible federal surface transportation program will better enable States, working together with
their local partners, to develop locally crafted solutions to meet locally identified transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, the General Accounting Office has determined that current ISTEA funding formulas are not needs -
based and use outdated factors for distributing funds among the States; and
WHEREAS, the formulas used in the STEP 21 proposal (Streamlined Transportation Efficiency Program for the
21st Century), embodied in the "ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act" filed by Congressman Tom Delay (R -Texas)
and Senator John Wainer (R -Virginia), are based on modem factors closely associated with the use of the
transportation systems; and
WHEREAS, the upcoming reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs represents a critical
opportunity to ensure that the future methods of allocating federal transportation funds among the States are
equitable and fair and take into consideration the true modem needs of the system; and
WHEREAS, the STEP 21 proposal will:
1. Provide multi-year authorization for a simplified, consolidated, and adequately funded federal
surface transportation program, providing each state increased flexibility to meet unique state
needs;
2. Respond to the key federal surface transportation responsibility by supporting a consolidated,
adequately funded, and more flexible National Highway System;
3. Streamline the Surface Transportation Program to provide states and local governments with
greater flexibility to address local transportation needs including compliance with Clean Air Act
' mandates in nonattainmem areas;
4. Provide a much fairer balance between each state's highway tax contributions to the Highway
Account of the federal Highway Trust Fund and funds that states receives from that fund, while
continuing to assist all states in providing road systems urgently needed for national and regional,
mobility, economic connectivity, international competitiveness, and national defense;
5. Preserve ISTEA partnerships with local governments that include local governments and
metropolitan planning organizations in the decision making process for transportation planning and
project selection, and retain the ISTEA suballocation of federal funds to transportation management
areas; and
6. Preserve ISTEA federal transit programs and funding structure;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALLEN, COLLIN
COUNTY, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. The City Council supports the Streamlined Transportation Efficiency Program for the 21st Century
embodied in H.R. 674 and S. 335; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT:
SECTION 2. The City Council encourages the Texas Congressional Delegation, the Governor, the Lieutenant
' Governor, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and members of the Texas transportation community
to support and work toward the successful adoption of the principles included in the STEP 21 proposal; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, THAT:
SECTION 3. The City Manager and his designates will work cooperatively with other states, the Texas
Congressional Delegation, state elected officials, the Texas Office of State -Federal Relations, local elected officials,
metropolitan planning organizations and other interested parties to facilitate the inclusion of the STEP 21 principles
in the reauthorization process.
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALLEN, COLLIN
COUNTY, TEXAS, ON THIS THE STH DAY OF JUNE, 1997.
APPROVED:
Stephen Terrell, MAYOR
ATTEST:
B
Juk Mon"n, CMC, CITY SECRETARY
Resolution No. 1501-6-97lixl Page 2