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Councilmember introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: <br />A RESOLUTION REQUESTING COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT <br />FUNDING <br />WHEREAS, all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient and <br />adequately funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and <br />WHEREAS, the integrity of Minnesota's transportation infrastructure is <br />dependent upon long -term planning and ongoing maintenance, both of which require <br />dedicated and sustainable revenue sources; and <br />WHEREAS, Minnesota leaders have not increased dedicated funding levels for <br />roads, bridges and transit systems to keep pace with growing costs and changing needs; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, transportation analysts in consultation with the Minnesota <br />Department of Transportation (MnDOT) estimate Minnesota will have to invest an <br />additional $1.5 billion per year in transportation infrastructure for the next ten years in <br />order to meet identified needs on Minnesota's state highways and bridges, county roads, <br />city streets, metro and rural transit systems and local bridges; and <br />WHEREAS, Minnesota's transportation system is failing to meet the capacity <br />needs necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and <br />WHEREAS, congestion, inefficient transportation systems and lack of <br />transportation choices lead to greater dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental <br />degradation, and economic disadvantages for Minnesota's businesses and residents; and <br />WHEREAS, many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are <br />not meeting the needs of industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, local cost participation requirements for trunk highway and county <br />projects are onerous and are contributing to strains on city budgets; and <br />WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs <br />significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and <br />WHEREAS, insufficient state funding has delayed regionally significant road <br />construction and reconstruction projects across Minnesota; and <br />WHEREAS, current funding for roads, bridges and transit systems across all <br />government levels in Minnesota is inadequate, and this under- investment diminishes <br />quality of life for Minnesota residents and hinders Minnesota's progress as a national <br />business, economic and civic leader. <br />_83_ <br />