1992/05/26 City Council ResolutionA RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROMWK-�RAIT�
nECKIAMENDING A NOVEMBER 1992 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT MEASURE
FOR SONOMA AM NPRIN COUNTIES REGARDING CREATION
OF A SONCM-I�ARIN TRANSIT DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the residents of Darin and Sonoma Counties are aware of the serious
nature of the problems related to traffic congestion and desire to create a
better quality of life by improving air quality, conserving energy, and reducing
global warming by means of a mre efficient public transit service; and
WMEREAS, there is widespread recognition of the need to establish a separate
agency publicly mandated to focus on transit solutions and to function as a transit
advocate in the process of formulating new transportation policies and determining
funding sources; and
WHEREAS, the way to instill public confidence in the value of such a system is
to involve citizens in the planning of such a system; and
WHEREAS, one means to involve citizens is through creation of a N6arin- Sonoms
Transit District; and
WHEREAS, such a District will cease to exist as of December 31, 1994; and
WHEREAS, if approved by the voters at the 1994 general election, a new District
organization, including function and mans of finance, will be authorized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park urges the Nbrin and Sonoma County Boards of Supervisors to place a ballot
measure before the voters in November of 1992 to include the following:
For purposes of this measure, the term "transit" refers to rail, fixed -route
bus, paratransit, ridesharing, bicycle and pedestrian modes of travel.
The voters of Karin and Sonoma Counties hereby recomcend that the California
Legislature enact and the Governor execute legislation creating a Mhrin- Sonoma
Transit District, (hereafter referred to as "District "), that will prepare a
comprehensive transit plan for the two counties. Such a plan will include fixed
route bus systems, rail, pedestrian ways, paratransit, ridesharing, and a supporting
road system. A principal issue will be the question of how the Northwestern
Pacific Railroad right- of-way will be integrated into the Plan.
The principal Policies of the District should be
1) The development of a coordinated transit plan which utilizes existing facilities;
2) Extensive and continued public involvement at all stages of the plan development
and implementation;
3) The development of a plan which, by cooperative utilization of county and city
general plans will result in the integration of transit service planning with
land use planning;
4) The development of a financial plan which, by use of the approach described
above, will be practical and integrated with the context of county and city plans
for the future;
5) The railroad rights --of -way may be held by the District until public policy on
their use can be determined;
6) The developuent of a plan for governance of the District; and
7) The composition and functions /duties of the Sonoma -Karin Transit District shall
consist of those listed on the attached "Exhibit A ".
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED this 26th day of May P 1992.
ATTEST:
Deputy City Clerk
0
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
Mayor Pro Tempore
EUK AYEHOLLSNGSWORTH AYE H PKINS ABSWILLY AYESPIBOABSENT
AYES—L— NOES ABSENT? ABSTAIN--L-
MOCZ Nei
The District shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of even
numbers who shall be residents of the District. Three members shall be appointed by
the Board of Supervisors of each of the two counties from a list of nominees
provided by each county's transportation authority, and the seventh menber shall be
chosen by the six Supervisorial appointees from at least three nominees designated
by the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District. Directors shall be
chosen from the general public and shall not be elected officials.
The powers of the District shall be limited to the following:
1) acquisition of the Northwest Pacific RR right of way or oversight of operations
on the right of way as a subsidiary of som other agency;
2) assigning contracts for development and operation of rail services;
3) preparation of a comprehensive inter - county transit plan; and
4) the acquisition and expenditure of funds for the above purposes.
The comprehensive plan will identify and assess present transit systems and
elements and recommend changes and additions to the present system as well
as proposals for the consolidation and coordination of existing and proposed
transit elements.
The comprehensive plan will include environmental, economic and land use
elenents, taking into consideration existing county and city general plans and shall
be integrated with existing streets, roads and highway system. The plan
shall not recommend increased densities or urban uses in areas outside of existing
urban boundaries.
The planning process shall insure maximum public involvement which shall
include, but not be limited to, public hearings in each incorporated city
within the District and coordination with existing planning agencies within the
two county region.
The District and its activities shall be financed by funds that are
appropriated by federal and state government for transit and transit planning
purposes during the life of the District. The District will also pursue and receive
grants and assistance from local governments as well as from private foundations and
institutions. It shall not have the power to tax.
In making appointments to the Board the appointing agencies shall, to the
extent possible, insure full and equal representation of the entire geographical
area and its population. To insure public trust in the actions of the Board,
appointees shall be free of any conflicting economic interests.
The District shall submit the transit plan, complete with a proposal for the
District's continued existence, its function and means of financing its activities,
to the voters of the District at the 1994 general election. Unless its continued
existence is approved by a majority vote at that election, the District will cease
to exist as of Decenber 31, 1994.