HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2009-0023
TITLE: CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO RESOLUTION 23-2009 SERIES 2009 A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT (RTD) BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROCEEDING WITH THE EAGLE
P3 (PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP) PROJECT WHEREAS, the completion ofFasTracks as originally approved by the voters in 2004 is a priority for the entire metropolitan area; and WHEREAS,
the dramatic rise in commodity since 2004 in combination with the recent severe economic downturn has resulted in a shortfall of $2.2 billion to complete FasTracks; and WHEREAS, the
East Line and Gold Line were scheduled to be the last FasTracks Lines to be constructed and the 2004 FasTracks package did not guarantee that the new sales tax would pay for construction
of the Gold and East Lines; and WHEREAS, the funding for these two lines was dependent on a Federal competitive grant program that the Regional Transportation District had not yet applied
for in 2004 and had no assurance of receiving; and, WHEREAS, the remaining FasTracks corridors had: • a funding commitment of the 2004 R TD sales tax for construction funding, • RTD's
commitment to use any additional new local revenues to complete all ofthe system, • RTD's assurance that any shortfall would be on the operations side and would be shared by all, • Completion
or substantial progress on all environmental studies, and WHEREAS, after a nationally competitive process, RTD has been encouraged by the Federal Transit Administration to pursue New
Starts program funding for the Gold Line and East Line because of the favorable cost-benefit ratios demonstrated by these two particular transit corridors: WHEREAS, RTD has begun a process
to partner with the private sector for the construction and operation of the Gold Line and the East Line, and the combination of the New Starts funds and the public private partnership
process compel the RTD Board to move forward with the Lines as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that all municipalities stay united on the FasTracks issue; it is ultimately the decision of the RTD Board to determine the course of FasTracks in the face of
the $2.2 billion shortfall; and WHEREAS, moving forward the construction of, and completion of, the East and Gold Lines will promote the general welfare, prosperity and economic vitality
and development opportunities in Jefferson County, Colorado; and WHEREAS, the issuance by the RTD Board of Directors of a Request for Proposal for the EAGLE P3 project will facilitate
the construction of and completion of the East and Gold Lines of FasTracks; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Wheat Ridge City Council encourages RTD to continue to seek
solutions allowing for the full build out of The FasTracks system by 2017 as originally envisioned by the voters in 2004, and Encourages the RTD Board of Directors to move forward with
the East and Gold Lines through issuance of a Request for Proposal for the EAGLE P3 project as recommended byRTD staff. DONE AND RESOLVED this 13th day of April, 2009. ATTEST: Michael
Snow, City Clerk