HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 09-C0230 0
RESOLUTION NO. 09-C23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA REQUESTING
THAT THE METRO BOARD AMEND THE DRAFT 2009 LRTP TO EXPEDITE
FUNDING FOR THE FOOTHILL EXTENSION PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Foothill Extension project is of critical importance to the City of Azusa and
its residents; and
WHEREAS, the voters passed Measure R in November 2008 by over 66.6% with a clear
directive to Metro to use the tax revenue to build projects that could reduce congestion, improve air
quality, and expand public transit options for all areas of the county, as stated by Metro's own
education efforts, including a minimum of $758 million to construct the Foothill Expansion project to
Claremont; and
WHEREAS, the nation and county are currently experiencing an unprecedented recession,
with job losses growing and economic development slowing; and
WHEREAS, the Foothill Extension project is ready to be built — having its environmental
documents approved, right of way purchased, engineering and design at the stage necessary for
deisng/build procurement, and all cities along the corridor with signed agreements to move forward —
and no other rail transit project close to this stage in the process; and
WHEREAS, the draft LRTP currently includes funding for the Foothill Extension at the latest
point necessary to meet the commitments made to the voters, resulting in an unnecessary four year
delay in the project; while expediting funding for other projects years ahead of what voters understood
when they voted to approve the new tax; and
WHEREAS, the Foothill Extension could begin construction within 10 months, creating over
37,000 jobs during construction, 3,500 permanent jobs during the first 20 years of operation, and more
than 500,000 construction -related jobs to build transit -oriented developments — generating an estimated
$40 billion in economic benefits for our region; and
WHEREAS, economic stimulus is the choice phrase of the time, the immediate funding of the
Foothill Extension project would stimulate the entire county in job creation faster than any other Metro
rail project; and
WHEREAS, the Foothill Extension can be operational in 2013, adding more than 3.3 million
passengers every year to. the Metro system by extending the line just to Azusa (a four-year delay
results in a loss of more than 13 million rides on the system); and
WHEREAS, the Foothill Extension is included in SCAG's air quality conformity model as
completed in 2008, an important component for our region's air quality attainment.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE, that we request that the Metro Board amend the draft 2009 LRTP to expedite
funding for the Foothill Extension project at the level necessary to begin construction in 2010, and that
the Board approve the Fund Transfer Agreement to allow funds to begin being transferred to the Metro
Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority as soon as deemed necessary to meet this
expedited schedule.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 2nd day of March, 2009
By: Z44
J seph . Rocha, Mayor
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution 09-C23 was duly adopted by the City
Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting held on the 2"d day of March, 2009, by the following
vote of the Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, HANKS, ROCHA
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
Vera Mendoza, City Clerk