1997-065RESOLUTION NO. 97-65
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS SUPPORTING THE
STREAMLINED TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY
PROGRAM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY (STEP 21);
ENCOURAGING STATE OF TEXAS OFFICIALS TO
WORK TOWARD THE ADOPTION OF THE
PRINCIPLES OF STEP 21; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
ISTEA) expired on September 30, 1997; and
WHEREAS, the nation's transportation infrastructure plays an integral part in
the nation's economy and the Texas transportation system is a key component of the
national network; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that the
nation's transportation network is in dire need of a substantial increase of financial
investment to bring the system up to standard and to meet expanding transportation
demands; and
WHEREAS, a strong national highway system requires adequate support to
provide mobility and economic benefits for all states, and the nation as a whole, and to
ensure that vital Texas transportation is connected; and
WHEREAS, our nation needs a simpler, more responsive Federal Surface
Transportation Program if we are to respond effectively to the transportation challenges
and opportunities we will confront as we enter the 215` Century; and
WHEREAS, a more flexible Federal Surface Transportation Program will better
enable states, working together with their local partners, to develop locally crafted
solutions to meet locally identified needs; and
WHEREAS, the General Accounting Office has determined that current ISTEA
funding formulas are not needs -based and use outdated factors for distributing funds
among the states; and
WHEREAS, the formulas used in the STEP 21 proposal, embodied in the
ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act filed by Congressman Tom DeLay (R -Texas) and
Senator John Warner (R -Virginia) are based on modern factors closely associated with
the use of the transportation systems; and
WHEREAS, the upcoming reauthorization of Federal Surface Transportation
Programs represents a critical opportunity to ensure that the federal methods of
allocating federal transportation funds among the states are equitable and fair and take
into consideration the true modern needs of the system; and
WHEREAS, the STEP 21 proposal will:
1. Provide multi-year authorization for a simplified, consolidated, and
adequately funded Federal Surface Transportation Program providing each
state increased flexibility to meet unique state needs;
2. Respond to the key Federal Surface Transportation responsibility by
supporting a consolidated, adequately funded, and more flexible national
highway system;
3. Provide states and local governments with greater flexibility to address local
transportation needs, including compliance with Clean Air Act mandates in
non -attainment areas;
4. Provide a fairer balance between each state's highway tax contributions to
the highway account of the Federal Highway Trust Fund and funds that
states receive from the fund, while continuing to assist all states in providing
road systems urgently needed for national and regional mobility, economic
connectivity, international competitiveness, and national defense;
5. Preserve ISTEA partnerships with local governments and metropolitan
planning organization in the decision making process in transportation
planning and project selection, and retain the ISTEA sub -allocation for
federal funds to transportation management areas;
6. Preserve ISTEA federal transit programs and funding structure.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated in the preamble are true and correct and are
incorporated herein as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That the City of Southlake supports the Streamlined Transportation
Efficiency Program for the 21s` Century embodied in H.R. 74 and S.335.
Section 3. That the City of Southlake encourages the Texas Congressional
Delegation, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the Texas House of
Representatives, and members of the Texas transportation community to support and
work toward the successful adoption of the principles included in the STEP 21
Proposal.
Section 4. That the City Manager and the Public Works Department of the City
of Southlake work cooperatively with the metropolitan planning organization and the
Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Congressional Delegation, state elected
officials, the Texas Office of State -Federal Relations, other local elected officials, and
other interested parties to facilitate the inclusion of the STEP 21 principles in the
reauthorization process.
Section 5. That this resolution shall become effective from and after the date of
its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THY CITY COUN L OF E CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS ON THIS THE DAY OF , 1997.
APPROVED:
Rick lacy
Mayor
ATTEST:
v
A /,/,& \ArL"Ir . handy LeGrand
City Secretary 5ii„,,,,....,
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
62'j ”
City Attorney O
D:\Word Files\Resolutions\Step Mstep21res.doc