COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR RESOLUTION NO. 080694
Expressing the Councils
intentions for a light rail starter line should voters approve the enactment of
a new 3/8-cent light rail sales tax on November 4, 2008.
WHEREAS, the City has, in cooperation with the
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, sought public input and comment on
potential light rail projects; and
WHEREAS, the
City has adopted the FOCUS Kansas City Master Plan that includes light rail;
and
WHEREAS, the
Mid-America Regional Council has made concerted studies of transportation needs
of the metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, the
Mid-America Regional Council has adopted an updated plan called the Smart Moves
Regional Transit Vision Plan Update, June 2008, that provides recommendations
for long-term development of a metropolitan transportation plan that includes
light rail; and
WHEREAS, the
City Council expressed its commitment on November 8, 2007 in Resolution #
071202 to place a plan for light rail before voters no later than November 4,
2008; and
WHEREAS, voters
of Kansas City will be asked whether they wish to fund a light rail starter
line of approximately 14 miles on November 4, 2008; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section
1. That it is the intention of the City of Kansas
City to build a light rail starter line running from the area around the
intersection of Bruce R. Watkins Roadway and 63rd Street on the south to the
area around the intersection of Northeast Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway
on the north, with specific details, including street alignments and station
locations and designs, to be determined by the City Council through the
continuation of the ongoing and comprehensive federal alternatives analysis
planning process involving the City, its Citizens and the KCATA.
Section 2. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas City that the light rail starter line
be designed to connect to and operate in conjunction with a regionally funded
and governed comprehensive multi-modal transportation system that serves
corridors throughout the metropolitan area, and connects Clay, Platte and Jackson counties.
Section 3. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas City that the KCATA operate the light
rail starter line.
Section 4. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas City to encourage the completion of
the Troost Bus Rapid Transit line, and to work with the KCATA to explore new
Bus Rapid Transit lines, including a line serving Prospect Avenue and lines
serving east-west corridors, including but not limited to corridors along
Truman Road, Linwood Boulevard, and 39th Streets, and to work with
the Federal Transit Administration to secure federal funding for such services.
Section 5. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas City that Union Station will be
served by light rail.
Section 6. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas to fashion light rail so that it
enhances the pedestrian experience citywide and to take appropriate measures
where possible to minimize the impact of construction.
Section 7. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas City to work with the KCATA to
enhance bus service and integrate bus service with bus rapid transit and light
rail.
Section 8. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas City to take appropriate steps to
avoid double taxation of its residents for light rail within the City should a
regional tax also be enacted, including but not limited to, repeal of the
Citys light rail tax.
Section 9. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas City, as light rail plans progress
toward final design and construction, to work with the City of North Kansas
City to determine a mutually agreeable solution for light rail in the City of North Kansas City.
Section 10. That
it is the intention of the City of Kansas City that its MBE/WBE and workforce
requirements will be implemented in the development and construction of a light
rail starter line as reflected in the ordinance enacting the light rail sales
tax.
Section 11.
That it is the intention of the City of Kansas City to encourage
transit-oriented development along the light rail line.
Section 12. That it is the intention of the City of Kansas City to
include public art in the design and construction of light rail stations.
Section 13. That it is
the intention of the City of Kansas City that the light rail line shall not
encroach upon Anita Gorman Park located at Northeast Vivion Road and North Oak
Trafficway.
Section 14. That it is the intention of the City
of Kansas City to pursue all applicable federal, state and local funding
sources in order to accomplish the goals set forth above.
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