WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has twice in the past used a Citizens Transportation Advisory

Committee (CTAC) to recommend new approaches for funding, operating, maintaining and improving Seattle's transportation system; and

WHEREAS, between the time the CTAC-II report was released on May 25, 2004 and today, new challenges have emerged, including a prolonged recession, declining motor vehicle use further eroding gas-tax receipts, and new statutory obligations, including the state climate law, RCW 70.235.020, and the state vehicle miles travelled law, RCW 47.01.440; and

WHEREAS, meeting these challenges will require a similar level of detailed attention as was brought by the previous two CTAC's, and guidance from the city's engaged stakeholder communities to help develop the framework and shared vision necessary to address the city's commitment to affordable, safe, and efficient movement for persons, goods and services;

WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 35.21.225, the City Council is considering establishing the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 36.73 RCW via Council Bill 116947; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Seattle serves as the governing body for the STBD acting in an ex officio and independent capacity; and

WHEREAS, the STBD will consider imposing a twenty-dollar annual vehicle license fee to support preservation and maintenance of the City transportation system and to enhance pedestrian and bicycle mobility; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with RCW 82.80.140, a new twenty-dollar annual vehicle license fee may not be collected until six months after approval by the Governing Board of the STBD; and

WHEREAS, it is currently estimated that a twenty-dollar annual vehicle license fee would generate $6.8 million annually in new revenues for transportation projects; and

WHEREAS, additional coordination is necessary between SDOT, the City Budget Office (CBO), the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and Council staff to review and implement transportation investments to be funded by an annual vehicle licensing fee; and

WHEREAS, it is the City Council's desire that members of the public be given the opportunity to provide comments and recommendations regarding the proposed project list and spending options for the STBD; and

WHEREAS, it is the City Council's intent to begin examining potential priority transportation projects for the purposes of presenting to voters an STBD ballot measures to fund additional transportation projects in the future; and

WHEREAS, convening a new CTAC at this time is consistent with the City's desire to seek public input while evaluating transportation priorities and new potential revenue sources; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

Section 1. The City intends to convene a Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee III (CTAC III). The membership of CTAC III will be established by future Resolution and consist of twelve members of which six shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council and six appointed by the City Council. The CTAC III chair shall be selected from among the members by the members. CTAC III will be responsible for advising the City and STBD Governing Board (City Council) on prioritizing and funding transportation projects. CTAC III will also undertake a full review of the City's transportation funding system. CTAC III will be jointly staffed by SDOT and Council Central Staff.

Section 2. The first task of CTAC III will be to develop a proposed project list and spending plan for anticipated revenues generated from the proposed twenty-dollar annual vehicle license fee (VLF) to be considered by the STBD. The proposed project list and spending plan shall be consistent with the following parameters:

a) Preservation and maintenance of the district's transportation infrastructure;

b) Enhancing bicycle and pedestrian safety and mobility within the district; and

c) Improving mobility and safety for people with disabilities.

As part of developing the project list and spending plan, CTAC III is requested to:

1) Prioritize projects and develop the necessary supporting documentation that includes project description, funding, anticipated outcomes and completion schedule;

2) Strive for an equitable geographic distribution of priority projects within the STBD boundaries; and

3) Offer public engagement opportunities and solicit comments and recommendations from the broader public prior to submitting a final proposed project list and spending plan.

The committee is requested to submit the project list and spending plan and supporting documentation and analysis to the City Council related to the proposed twenty-dollar annual vehicle license fee no later than June 30, 2011. CTAC III recommendations for future spending related to the proposed twenty-dollar annual vehicle license fee revenues will be considered as part of the 2012 budget process and beyond.

Section 3. The second task for CTAC III will be to undertake a full review of the City's transportation funding system, with particular attention to:

1) Assessing and quantifying the revenue sources and needs for basic system preservation;

2) Assessing and quantifying the revenue sources and needs for system enhancement;

3) Recommending preferred basic needs and enhancement scenarios;

4) Assessing and recommending possible revenue approaches that the City could pursue under its existing authority, including renewal and extension of the Bridging the Gap levy;

5) Assessing and recommending new legislative authority for revenues that the city could pursue from the state and federal governments; and

6) Developing a framework for project selection, prioritization and evaluation with the added goals of proactively meeting the city's commitments under the state climate law, RCW 70.235.020, and the state vehicle miles travelled law, RCW 47.01.440.

CTAC III is requested to specifically evaluate and examine the potential for an STBD ballot measure asking Seattle voters to fund additional transportation projects. The committee is encouraged to identify and articulate goals and objectives for presenting a measure before the voters. The effort should include the following with guidance from SDOT and Council staff:

a. Review data and information about potential transportation projects:

b. Review and recommend STBD authorized funding options to pursue as part of a ballot measure;

c. Develop possible criteria for project selection and develop draft project packages for Council's consideration;

d. Conduct outreach to the broader public to gather recommendations and comments;

e. Advise the Council on the pros and cons for moving forward with a possible ballot measure and the timing for such a measure;

f. Strive for an equitable geographic distribution of priority projects within the STBD boundaries; and

g. Prepare and submit a final report with findings to the City Council.

The committee is requested to submit a final report with findings and recommendations specifically related to this review and assessment of the City's transportation funding system and a potential STBD ballot measure no later than June 30, 2011 to the Mayor and City Council.

Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2010, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day

of ______________________, 2010.

_________________________________

President ___________of the City Council

THE MAYOR CONCURRING:

_________________________________

Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2010.

____________________________________

City Clerk

(Seal)

Michael Fong/MF CTAC III September 20, 2010 Version #8