Agenda - Council - 01/24/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Transportation 5-0 Transit Taxing District The transit taxing district, which funds the capital cost of transit service in the Metropolitan Area through the property tax system, is inequitable. Because the boundaries of the transit taxing district do not correspond with any rational service line nor is being within the boundaries a guarantee to receive service, cities in the taxing district or out of the taxing district are contributing unequally to the transit service in the Metropolitan Area. This inequity should be corrected. Metro Cities supports a stable revenue source to fund both the capital and operating costs for transit at the Metropolitan Council. However, Metro Cities does not support the expansion of the transit taxing district without a corresponding increase in service and an overall increase in operational funds. To do so would create additional property taxes without a corresponding benefit. 5-P Complete Streets A complete street may include: sidewalks, bike lanes (or wide paved shoulders), special bus lanes, comfortable and accessible public transportation stops, frequent and safe crossing opportunities, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, narrower travel lanes and more. A complete street in a rural area will differ from a complete street in a highly urban area, but both are designed to balance safety and convenience for everyone using the road. Metro Cities supports options in state design guidelines for streets that would give cities greater flexibility to: • Safely accommodate all modes of travel; • Address storm water needs; and • Ensure livability in the appropriate context for each city. However, Metro Cities opposes state imposed mandates that would increase street infrastructure improvement costs in locations and instances where providing access for alternative modes including cycling and walking are deemed unnecessary or inappropriate as determined by local jurisdictions. 2017 Legislative Policies 58