HomeMy WebLinkAbout19-038 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2019/03/18Resolution No. 19-038
Resolution requesting comprehensive road and transit funding
Whereas, all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient, and adequately
funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and
Whereas, the integrity of Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure is dependent upon
long-term planning and ongoing maintenance, both of which require dedicated and sustainable
revenue sources; and
Whereas, current funding for roads, bridges, and transit systems across all government
levels in Minnesota is inadequate, and this under-investment diminishes quality of life for
Minnesota residents and hinders Minnesota’s progress as a national business, economic, and
civic leader; and
Whereas, Minnesota’s transportation system is failing to meet the capacity needs
necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and
Whereas, many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are not
meeting the needs of industries that depend on th e ability to transport heavy loads; and
Whereas, insufficient state funding has delayed regionally significant road construction
and reconstruction projects across Minnesota; and
Whereas, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs
significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and
Whereas, for every one dollar spent on maintenance, a road authority—and therefore
taxpayers—save seven dollars in repairs; and
Whereas, Minnesota contains over 141,000 miles of roadway, and over 22,500 miles—or
16 percent--are owned and maintained by Minnesota’s 853 cities; and
Whereas, almost 85 percent of all municipal streets are not eligible for dedicated Highway
User Tax Distribution Fund dollars; and
Whereas, the more than 700 Minnesota cities with populations below 5,000 are ineligible
for dedicated Highway User Tax Distribution Fund dollars, but have benefitted from the creation of
the Small Cities Assistance Account; and
Whereas, city streets are a separate but integral piece of the network of roads supporting
movement of people and goods; and
Whereas, existing funding mechanisms, such as Municipal State Aid (MSA), property
taxes, and special assessments, have limited applications, leaving cities under-equipped to
address growing needs; and
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4F13504B-D52A-41E0-BBC6-6A498200D928
Resolution No. 19-038 2
Whereas, city cost participation in state and county highway projects diverts resources
from city-owned streets; and
Whereas, maintenance costs increase as road systems age, and no city—large or
small—is spending enough on roadway capital improvements to maintain a 50-year lifecycle;
and
Whereas, cities need greater resources, including an additional dedicated state funding
source for transportation, and flexible policies to meet growing demands for street
improvements and maintenance.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the council of the City of St. Louis Park that this
council requests that the Minnesota Legislature pass and Governor Tim Walz sign a
comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package that permanently increases
dedicated funding for transportation; and
Be it further resolved by the council of the City of St. Louis Park that this council
defines a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package as an initiative that
permanently increases dedicated funding for state and local road and transit systems in Greater
Minnesota and the Metropolitan Area.
Be it further resolved by the council of the City of St. Louis Park that this council
requests an omnibus transportation funding bill that pro vides additional dedicated state
funding for city streets, including funding that can be used for non -MSA city street
maintenance, construction, and reconstruction.
Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the City Council March 18, 2019
Thomas K. Harmening, City Manager Jake Spano, Mayor
Attest:
Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4F13504B-D52A-41E0-BBC6-6A498200D928