Minutes 02/13/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3'78 February 13, 1996 WHEREAS, public transportation customers will benefit from the construction of a passenger boarding area and a kiosk describing the history of transportation on Church Street, at the site of the historic Attucks Theatre; and WHEREAS, the Tidewater Transportation District Commission, of which the City of Portsmouth is a member, has endorsed the application. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that the City of Portsmouth endorses the application of the City of Norfolk for Transportation Enhancement Funds for the Intermodal Circulation System elements of the Attucks Theatre Cultural Center." Ayes: Clemons, Griffin, Hawks, Martin, Pitts, Robinett, Webb Nays: None 96-61 Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of a resolution asking the Virginia General Assembly to create a dedicated, stable, and reliable funding source for public transportation in the Hampton Roads region. "The 1995 Virginia General Assembly adopted HJR 656, which created a subcommittee to study the concept of a stable and reliable funding source for public transportation in Hampton Roads. The subcommittee met throughout last year to examine the need for such a source and to learn what had been tried elsewhere. Delegate Flora Crittenden chaired the subcommittee, and she has introduced legislation which would provide for such a funding source in the form of a sales tax on motor fuel in the region served by the Tidewater Transportation District Commission and PENTRAN. The tax would be 2% on the retail sales price, and each locality could increase the tax by ordinance to 5%. In Fiscal Year 1996, Tidewater Regional Transit (TRT) experienced a 48% decrease in federal operating assistance, and it is expected that this assistance will be entirely eliminated within the next two years. TRT has cut service and increased fares to deal with these declining revenues, and the cities have had to dramatically increase their local subsidy to make up the difference. In the absence of other funding sources, the cities will be required to contribute even larger amounts to ensure the continuation of vital public transportation. You should know that the legislation being considered by the General Assembly would distribute funds directly to the Transportation District Co~mission, to be spent on public transportation purposes within the District. If the Commission determines that public transportation needs are being met, excess amounts may be expended for any transportation purposes as determined by the locality in which the taxes were collected. However, I believe that the localities in which the taxes are collected should be able to determine how they are spent. Accordingly, the resolution which I am recommending calls for funds to be distributed directly to the cities. Once the cities have determined that their transit needs have been met, any remaining funds could be used for transportation system improvements within the City. I recommend your adoption of a resolution supporting the concept of a stable and reliable funding source for public transportation."