R10984City Council Meeting August 9, 2016 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER 10" t (CCS)
City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
SUPPORTING THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY'S LOS ANGELES
COUNTY TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND URGING VOTER SUPPORT AT THE
NOVEMBER 8, 2016 GENERAL ELECTION OF A ONE-HALF PERCENT SALES TAX
INCREASE TO RAISE REVENUE FOR TRANSPORTATION RELATED PROJECTS
WHEREAS, currently, there are 10 million people living in the County of Los
Angeles, a number that is projected to grow by 2.3 million people in the next 40 years.
WHEREAS, traffic congestion and air pollution in the County are expected to get
worse with more growth unless mass transportation projects are significantly expanded.
WHEREAS, residents of Los Angeles County already spend an average of 81
hours a year in traffic.
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica City Council has long supported a new model
of mobility, one that includes rail, bus, car sharing, shared -ride services, bike sharing, and
safer walking and biking.
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica City Council supports increased funding for
mass transportation projects and other measures that result in reduced congestion and
environmental harm and that improve the health and welfare of residents.
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WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("Metro") has crafted the
Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan through a collaborative process with
regional stakeholders and input from the public.
WHEREAS, the Metro Board of Directors voted to place a county -wide sales tax
increase proposal on the November ballot that would generate at least $860 million per
year (in 2017 dollars) for street repairs, highway improvements, and new rail construction.
WHEREAS, this proposed county -wide sales tax measure would establish a new
half -percent sales tax starting in 2017 that would increase to a one percent sales tax in
2039 when the existing half percent Measure R sales tax expires to fund transportation
improvements for today and in the future.
WHEREAS, if adopted by the voters, Metro would use the added revenue to: build
new rail lines and highway improvement projects; enhance bus and rail service; fund local
street, sidewalk and signal improvements; keep fares affordable for seniors, students and
the disabled; maintain a growing, but aging, transportation system; better connect bike
and pedestrian paths to transit facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City of Santa Monica City Council supports the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority's Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan and
recommends voter approval in the November 8, 2016 general election of a half -percent
sales tax to fund transportation improvements in Los Angeles County, including
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accelerated rail system expansion to build on the success of the Exposition light rail line,
improve mass transit connectivity, provide road and other traffic relief, and additional
transportation benefits.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Adopted and approved this 9th day of August, 2016.
I, Denise Anderson -Warren, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 10984 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of
the Santa Monica City Council held on the 9'" day of August, 2016, by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers McKeown, Davis, Himmelrich, O'Day, O'Connor,
Mayor Pro Tem Winterer, Mayor Vazquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
Denise Anderson -Warren, City Clerk