RESOLUTION NO. 140500

Affirming the City’s comments regarding for Missouri Constitutional Amendment 7 for new state transportation revenues in Missouri.

WHEREAS, Missouri House Joint Resolution 68 proposes a constitutional amendment imposing a .75% increase in the state sales and use tax for 10 years to be used for transportation purposes to be known as Amendment 7 on the August 2014 general election ballot; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Department of Transportation has released a list of potential projects to be funded as a result of the 10 year tax; and

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 140383 established the City’s project priorities for potential new state transportation revenues in Missouri which focused on projects that meaningfully and proportionally address known dangerous conditions, projects that promote transportation alternatives, and projects that keep the existing transportation system in a state of good repair; and

WHEREAS, the list of potential projects have been released and the City desires more information about the list of projects and further accountability should the voters provide new state transportation revenues in Missouri; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That the City adopts the following positions on Missouri Constitutional Amendment 7:

In general, the City supports the project list approved by the Mid-America Regional Council’s Total Transportation Policy Committee (TTPC) at their regularly scheduled June 17 meeting.

Specific details about the project. The City desires to see project estimates for all projects and a defined scope of improvements to provide accountability to ensure that improvements approved by the voters are constructed as they are being proposed to the voters.

Dedicated funding percentages for public transit. The Mid-America Regional Council approved that 30% of any future state transportation revenues be dedicated to public transit projects and operations and the City desires to see a specific project list for accountability purposes and that 30% set aside be the minimum amount of funding provided for transit.

The state’s contribution to Phase 2 of the Kansas City Streetcar project shall total $210M over the life of the 10 year transportation sales tax. The $210M budget shall include the $20M capital funding for Prospect MAX and $50M for Streetcar Phase 2, the full amount of the City’s 5% share of the tax identified for cities statewide, and MoDOT discretionary funds above and beyond the formula of funds committed to the MoDOT Kansas City District. While still funding the other recommended transit projects recommended TTPC.

Specific project listing for bike/ped improvements. The Mid-America Regional Council approved that 10% of any future state transportation revenues be dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian projects and the City desires to see a specific project list for accountability purposes. The City is concerned that the dedicated bike/ped funding percentages will be weakened by using new dedicated bike/ped funds to include bike/ped facilities on highway. Bike/ped accommodations on roadway projects should be paid for by roadway funds in order that MoDOT be compliant with the City’s and MARC’s Complete Streets Policy.

Specific project listing for freight/aviation. The Mid-America Regional Council approved that 5% of any future state transportation revenues be dedicated for freight (non-roadway) and aviation projects. The City desires all of that these funds be dedicated to Kansas City International Airport as part of any project list.

Project substitution. The City has applied for projects through the Mid-America Regional Council sub-obligated federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds that are included in the proposed project list. Should the City be successful and obtain sub-obligated funds, the City desires that the funding dedicated for any Amendment 7 project be moved to a similar project within the same City and County. The City does not want to see MoDOT move those funds to another project in another region and wants the funding promised to voters to remain within the same geographic area.

Section 2. That this Resolution be immediately transmitted to the Governor of the State of Missouri, the Kansas City delegation to the Missouri General Assembly, and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.

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