COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR RESOLUTION NO. 080696, AS AMENDED
Expressing the Councils concerns
regarding the proposed funding mechanism for the conversion of US-71 to
interstate standards as an amendment to the Kansas City regions long-range
transportation plan, Transportation Outlook 2030; and directing the City Clerk
to distribute copies of this resolution as directed herein.
WHEREAS, the Mid-America Regional Council
(MARC), in collaboration with the citizens and leaders of the Kansas City
metropolitan area, has developed a regional long-range transportation plan,
Transportation Outlook 2030; and
WHEREAS, the transportation plan is periodically
updated to reflect the regions evolving transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, the Missouri Department of
Transportation (MoDOT) has proposed that the conversion of US-71 to interstate
standards from the Cass/Bates County lines north to Highway 7 be adopted as an
update to the transportation plan (Project #720); and
WHEREAS, Project #720 would have an expected
construction date of 2013 with an estimated cost in excess of $13 million; and
WHEREAS, MoDOT has proposed allocating $8.5
million from the Kansas City Area District (District 4) flexible funds for
fiscal year 2012/13 to Project #720; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City and other cities within
District 4 have been required to contribute matching local funds, despite
having proposed equally meritorious projects, as a condition of receiving MoDOT
funding; and
WHEREAS, it currently appears that Project #720
would be completed without a similar requirement being imposed on Cass County; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City believes that projects
should be funded equitably, consistently, and in accordance with the regional
urban prioritization processes; and
WHEREAS, MARCs Total Transportation Policy
Committee is accepting public comments on the proposed update until July 22, 2008; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That
the City recognizes the value of the conversion of US-71 to interstate
standards as contemplated by the proposed amendment to the long-range
transportation plan inasmuch as the improvement would promote development along
the corridor and provide an improved southerly access route to and from the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Section 2. That
the City, while recognizing the value of the proposed amendment, believes that
prioritization and funding of the proposed amendment should be done in a manner
consistent with the funding of similar projects within District 4.
Section 3. That
the City encourages the parties to fully explore other avenues by which the
proposed project might be funded and hereby encourages MoDOT to require
financial participation from the local jurisdictions adjacent to the proposed
project.
Section 4. That
the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to
MARCs Total Transportation Policy Committee for its consideration, in response
to its request for public comment.
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