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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.1 Calif for Better Trans Membership (2) • . l • `{o CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: February 25 , 19$5 SUBJECT Written Communication: Californians for Better Transportation Membership EXHIBITS ATTACHED Letter from Jack D. Maltester, President , Californians for Better Transportation dated February 8 , 19$5 ; League of California Cities Bulletin dated February $ , 19$5 WVRECOMMENDATION Consider FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Membership Fee - $250 A budget transfer would be required from the City Council ' s Advertising Account to the City Council ' s Membership & Dues Account in that amount DESCRIPTION As indicated in the attached information, Californians for Better Transportation is working with Senator Foran in endeavoring to pass SB 290 during this legislative session. As indicated in the League of California Cities Bulletin dated February $, 1985 , this senate bill would provide for a 5¢ gas tax increase to take effect on January 1 , 1987. Three cents of the 50 gas tax increase would go to cities and counties for public works needs in the area of local transportation systems . Jack Maltester, President , Californians for Better Transportation, made a presentation to the Alameda County Mayor' s Conference encouraging the Mayor' s Conference to support Californians for Better Transportation financially in order that CBT could undertake a public awareness campaign spotlighting the problems of transit on local roads which cities and counties face . The Mayor' s Conference went on record in support of participating in the cost of the program as presented. Mr. Maltester' s letter of February $ , 19$5 is an invitation to the City of Dublin to become a member of the Californians for Better Transportation at a membership fee of $250. It is Staff ' s recommendation that the City Council consider the attached request . COPIES TO : ITEM NO. V • • Californians for Better Transportation ... Working Together to Keep Californians on the Move KEVIN C. ECKERY Executive Director BOARD OF February 8, 1985 G E V E D DIRECTORS Jack D. Maltester FEB 57985 President nt�B1.N George P. Griffith Mr. Richard C. Ambrose CO Vice President City Manager Al Hollinden P.O. Box 2340 's. Second Vice President Dublin, CA 94568 Jerry Cremins Secretary Dear Mr. Ambrose: • John C. Beckett 11-easurer Three years ago, the Legislature passed and Governor Brown signed into law SB 215 (Foran) . The resulting revenue increases and formula changes were regarded as essential to the integrity of transportation, and ADVISORY many people felt that the problem of transportation COMMITTEE finance in this state had been solved. Ross Barrett Metromedia, Inc. But they were wrong. Don Benninghoven In 1981, when Californians for Better Transportation League of California Cities was formed, the State Transportation Improvement Plan Harry V. Cheshire (STIP) was $2.4 billion in the red. Today, studies Automobile Club of by the Assembly Office of Research, the Governor's Southern California Task Force on Infrastructure, Caltrans, and others Gilbert F. Decker show a repair backlog for local streets totalling TRW, Inc. over $4.5 billion--nearly twice the deficit that led Ivan Hinderaker to the widespread support for SB 215. University of California, Riverside In Alameda County, cities are falling 80 to 90% short Cornell C. Maier of their road maintenance needs. The City of Kaiser Aluminum &Chemical Oakland, for example, was only able to repave 13.3 Robert W. Murray miles of roadway last year, out of some 645 miles in Whittaker Corporation need of attention. R.W. Rood Atlantic Richfield Public transit is in trouble, too. The high demand James C. Schmidt for bus and rail service is outstripping the ability Great American Federal to purchase vehicles and train drivers. In Los T.J. Stapleton Angeles, for instance, daily patronage on public Operating Engineers, Local 3 transit has increased by more than 600,000 riders, to the point where buses in Los Angeles County carry more than 2 million people a day. This, at the same time Congress considers budget cuts that would wipe out or reduce all operating and capital assistance. } jf { 1118 Tenth Street • Sacramento, California 95814 • (916) 446-3275 This is why CBT has begun a new public awareness campaign spotlighting the problems of transit and local roads. We want to educate the public so that they will understand the needs and support new funding in the future. The outlook for success is good but, like most things, it will require money. The minimum budget is estimated to be $150,000; but in a tough fight, that could easily double. As the Mayor Emeritus of San Leandro and a former President of the League of California Cities, I hope your city will consider supporting this campaign by joining CBT. A $250 to $1,000 membership from each city in California would allow CBT to effectively convey the proven transportation funding needs of local government. Californians for Better Transportation is not a lobbying organization. It is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation supported by business, trade unions, and government agencies concerned about transportation. City funds would not be used for lobbying purposes (A membership roster is attached) . California cities need a break. With your help, we can show how important good transportation is to the overall well-being of a community, and the disastrous impact poor transportation would have on economic development. Please read the enclosed material. If you need further information, please get in touch with me or CBT Executive Director, Kevin Eckery at (916 ) 446-3275. Sincerely, Jack D. Maltester P.S. : Memberships fall in the following population groups: 200,000 and above $1,000. 00 100,000 to 199, 999 750. 00 25,000 to 99, 999 500. 00 24, 999 and below 250. 00 (Please send checks to our Sacramento office noted on letterhead) . i■uir 1111 l League of California Cities IN = 1400 K STREET • SACRAMENTO,CA 95814 • (916)444-5790 ■N ` Sacramento, California California Cities February 8, 1985 Work Together T0: City Managers FROM: Don Benninghoven, Executive Director RE: Transportation Financing and The Californians for Better Transportation The 1984 Legislative Session was one of major accomplishment. The local government finance package passed last year now permits cities to make reasonable long-term financial plans for city operations. This stability is finally achieved after six years of post-Proposition 13 financial turmoil. With the operating side of city budgets in reasonably stable condition, time has arrived to address the deterioration of our city public works facilities. Many people argue that the real victims of recent city financial problems have been our streets, roads, transit, water, sewer and park systems. Capital budgets to support these facilities were cut or eliminated; maintenance necessary to guard the public's investment was deferred. This growing problem can no longer be ignored without multiplying the price tag for repair and expansion. On the top of any list of city public works needs is our local transportation system, i.e., streets, roads, and transit. The Californians for Better Transportation (CBT) is spearheading an effort this session to secure funding for that portion of our public works facilities in most desperate need: the transportation system. CBT is a coalition of interests concerned about the inadequacy and deterioration of our transportation system in California. The League of California Cities is a member of the CBT and has been since its inception. CBT was formed to direct the public's attention on this growing problem in California's transportation system and has dedicated its efforts over the past three years to that purpose. CBT is focusing its efforts this year on a push to pass Senate Bill 290 (Foran). This is a major transportation-finance proposal introduced in the California Legislature on January 30, 1985. The measure does the following: 1. Five-Cent Gas Tax Increase. Two of the five cents goes to the state and three cents to cities and counties; the increase will take effect on January 1, 1987. 2. $250 Million Transit Guarantee. A state general fund guarantee for transit of $250 million per year; this constitutes an increase of approximately $140 million over current funding levels and will take effect in the 1985-86 budget year. 3. Truck Weight Fees. An increase of 50 percent in weight fees for all trucks, except pickups. This is estimated to produce approximately $80 million and this revenue will go to the state. 4. Modified Index. A modified index to trigger the Governor and Legislature to act in the budget to increase transportation funding when the purchasing power of transportation funds is eroded by rising construction costs. 5. Fare Box Incentive. A financial reward from State Transit Assistance funds when a transit system generates a substantial share of revenues from the local fare box. While the legislative lobbying effort to push SB 290 will be the responsibility of CBT members such as the League, County Supervisors Association, Associated General Contractors, California Publicly Owned Transit Systems, and, most importantly,numerous California business community representatives, the CBT organization will perform the vital role of developing public support for SB 290. Without that support, it will be impossible to get the Legislature and the Governor to seriously consider the bill. CBT is asking League member cities to join the organization. A CBT member can expect the following services: 1. Editorial Board Briefings in California's major media markets by CBT members from public and private sector on the transportation funding crisis. 2. Development of countywide committees to support a transportation funding increase. 3. Information and analysis in press kits to support countywide committee efforts with local community groups and the media. 4. Speakers Bureau on Transportation Funding issues. 5. Access to information and activities of statewide business and public sector interest groups involved in transportation funding effort. 6. CBT Newsletter on pertinent transportation finance issues. 7. CBT update on transportation related legislation. 8. Access to CBT transportation finance consulting service for local inquiry and research issues. The League supports the CBT effort to solicit more city membership. The CBT organization will provide the critical support effort needed if there is any hope for the passage of SB 290. A package of information on CBT is enclosed for your review. We encourage you to review this information and to join as a member of the Californians for Better Transportation.