HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 203-04 BARTSafetyMeasureAA
RESOLUTION NO. 203 - 04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
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ENDORSING THE BART EARTHQUAKE SAFETY PROGRAM AND MEASURE AA,
APPEARING ON THE NOVEMBER 2,2004, GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT
WHEREAS, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) serves as the regions' transportation and economic
lifeline, and averted major economic and transportation gridlock in the region by carrying 350,000
passengers each day after the Lorna Prieta earthquake when the Bay Bridge closed; and
WHEREAS, BART carries 50% of peak transbay traffic, and BART ridership is associated with
significant reduction in vehicle miles traveled and related air pollution. BART's usage overall is
estimated to eliminate over 27 tons of harmful emissions each day, emissions that cause global warming,
asthma, cancer and other health concerns. Thus, BART ridership minimizes dangers to the environment
and promotes the personal health of Bay Area residents; and
WHEREAS, BART is a regional asset on a number of different community fronts, such as being
a leader in the "smart growth" movement, which strives to promote more livable and functional
communities. The system has led this movement by promoting infill, mixed-use and transit-oriented
development in and around our stations. Studies demonstrate property values within proximity to BART
stations have increased; and
WHEREAS, the nation's most prestigious transit organization, The American Public
Transportation Association, has just honored BART as the number one "Large Transit System in North
America" by honoring BART with the "2004 Outstanding Achievement Award" for a transit system
providing 30 million annual passenger trips or more; and
WHEREAS, the BART Board of Directors (the Board) has received a BART Seismic
Vulnerability Study, which presented analysis of the BART system underscoring major vulnerability to
earthquakes, and recommended retrofits and performance enhancements to protect the systems' riders and
the region during the next earthquake; and
WHEREAS, the Board has approved an Earthquake Safety Program as a part of its "General
Obligation Bond Report" which declares the seismic safety work is feasible and necessary; and
WHEREAS, the Board has submitted to the voters a request, called Measure AA, to issue bonds
not to exceed $980M to fortifY and secure BART facilities in Contra Costa, San Francisco and Alameda
counties, including strengthening tunnels, bridges, overhead tracks and the underwater Transbay Tube,
and also establishing an independent citizens oversight committee to review and report to the public on
bond expenditures; and
WHEREAS, the maximum term that bonds proposed to be issued before maturity is 35 years, and
the bonds would be paid trom proceeds of property tax estimated to average $7.04 annually per $100,000
of assessed valuation; and
WHEREAS" the bond measure should be widely supported to protect a vital component of our
public infrastructure, and to guarantee that Bay Area traffic keep moving and to speed economic recovery
in the aftermath of an earthquake or other disaster.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin endorses
the BART Earthquake Safety Program and Measure AA, and to encourage constituents to also vote to
support Measure AA, the ballot measure which amounts to an earthquake insurance policy for Bay Area
commuters.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of October, 2004.
AYES: Council members McCormick, Oravetz, Sbranti and Zika, and Mayor Lockhart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ZST
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Dep ty City Clerk
O:\CC-MTGS\2004-qtr4\Oct\1O"()5"()4\reso-measure aa.doc (Item 3.5)