HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 3977CITY OF RENTON,WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO.3977
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON,
WASHINGTON,OPPOSING INITIATIVE 985,THE REDUCED
TRAFFIC CONGESTION ACT OF 2008.
WHEREAS,Initiative 985,the Reduced Traffic Congestion Act of 2008,will appear on
the November ballot;and
WHEREAS,the City Council of the City of Renton on October 6,2008,held a public
hearing on the initiative,and invited citizens,and supporters and opponents of the initiative to
appear and state their views before the City Council;and
WHEREAS,Renton has recently begun the city's photo enforcement program,which
installed cameras at busy intersections and in school zones in a attempt to improve traffic safety;
and
WHEREAS,it is the City's intention to use the funds from that program to enhance
neighborhood traffic enforcement efforts locally in Renton,after program costs for law
enforcement,court and other costs are met;and
WHEREAS,1-985 diverts revenue from photo enforcement and speed cameras in school
zones,and would undermine local efforts to make school zones and major intersections safer by
sending the funding to the state with no assurance it will be used locally;and
WHEREAS,1-985 would reduce the state general fund by $573.9 million over five years,
which is used for education,public safety,social services and general government;and
WHEREAS,Renton has a collaborative relationship with the business and educational
community which could be negatively impacted by such reductions in the general fund as they
could affect the K-12 and community college system;and
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RESOLUTION NO.3977
WHEREAS,1-985 would open HOV lanes during non-peak hours,which might increase
congestion on sensitive direct access lanes and ramps;and
WHEREAS,1-985 would open HOV lanes during non-peak hours,which would also
increase travel times for buses and could undermine the reliability of transit along corridors such
as Interstate 405,contrary to Renton's position supporting Bus Rapid Transit asa transit
alternative;and
WHEREAS,while 1-985 suggests that it would implement the recommendation of the
State Auditor's recent congestion report,the initiative completely ignores most of the audit's
recommendation and directly contradicts the audit's suggestion on HOV lanes and transit;and
WHEREAS,1-985 restricts carpool lanes to just three hours each morning and afternoon,
much shorter than the actual rush hour in many areas,such that there will be a negative effect on
fighting congestion;and
WHEREAS,1-985 contains ambiguous language about the use of the revenue from red
light cameras and according to a literal reading would undermine local efforts to make school
zones,rail road crossings and major intersections safer;and
WHEREAS,1-985 would force the entire state to abide by a single set of rules,limiting
local choices and solutions,even if those choices and solutions did not make sense in a local
area;
NOW,THEREFORE,THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON,
WASHINGTON,DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I.The above findings are true and correct in all respects.
SECTION II.The City Council of the City of Renton hereby declares its
opposition to Initiative 985,the Reduced Traffic Congestion Act of2008.
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RESOLUTION NO.3977
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 13th day of_..::::o..::::c-,=,-t=ob=e",-,r=--_,2008.
Bonnie 1.Walton,City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 13th day of October ,2008.
~~
Denis Law,Mayor
~ppra d as to form:
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Lawrence J.Warren,City Attorney
RES.1378:9/25/08:scr
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