Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-16-1997 - 5a 1 ORANGE C O U N T Y BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 16 . 1997 Action Agenda Item # $S_Q SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AFFIRMING ORANGE COUNTY' S SUPPORT FOR A NEW FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION LAW THAT CONTINUES THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 1991 DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING YES _X—NO BUDGET AMENDMENT YES _X—NO ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Slade McCalip Extension 2595 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: - Draft Resolution Hillsborough-732-8181 Durham -688-7331 Mebane -227-2031 Chapel Hill -967-9251 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution affirming Orange County' s support for a new federal surface transportation law that continues the provisions of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 . BACKGROUND: The current law, ISTEA, expires this year without reauthorization by Congress. ISTEA has enabled greater inputs to the transportation planning and improvements process by towns, counties and regional metropolitan planning organizations. ISTEA has also enabled the funding of more modes of transportation other than just highways (i.e. , bicycle paths, sidewalks, vanpools, rail, and transit) . The only major improvement needed to ISTEA would be a new funding formula that would create a more equitable return to North Carolina of its federal transportation tax dollars . RECOMMENDATION: The Administration recommends adoption of the attached resolution affirming Orange County' s support for a new federal surface transportation law that continues the provisions of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 . 2 A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING ORANGE COUNTY'S SUPPORT FOR A NEW FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION LAW THAT CONTINUES THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 1991 WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners is responsible for developing both general and specific plans to promote the orderly growth and development of the area within Orange County; and WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, when overseeing the implementation of these plans and the expenditure of taxpayer dollars, to do so with foresight, thoughtfulness and sensitivity to the long-term quality of life of all of the citizens of Orange County; and WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 requires that states; a) adhere to an open, public process for setting transportation priorities and the distribution of funds, b) to cooperate with counties and metropolitan planning organizations in planning and programming transportation improvements, and c) to set and maintain air quality standards that benefit the long-term quality of life for all citizens in the United States; and WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 will expire this year without re-authorization by Congress; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. The Orange County Board of Commissioners requests that its elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate also support and pass a NEW FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION LAW THAT CONTINUES THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 1991 and also PROVIDES FOR A MORE EQUITABLE RETURN OF FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION TAXES TO NORTH CAROLINA,and 2. The Orange County Board of Commissioners will forward a copy of this resolution to the Congressional Delegation of North Carolina, the Honorable James Hunt, Governor of the State of North Carolina, the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the Chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee for the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. This, the 16th day of April, 1997. William L. Crowther, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners