Resolution 4029 - Laserfiche WebLink

w ' RESOLUTION NO. 4029 EL/ERETT A RESOLUTION expressing the Everett City Council's opposition to the Regional Transportation Proposal put forth by the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (RTA), and recommending that the Snohomish County Council opt out of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority. The Everett City Council completely and wholeheartedly supports the overall vision of bringing forth a comprehensive regional transit plan that can help to alleviate the growing traffic congestion and gridlock that is overwhelming the Puget Sound--but has irreconcilable problems with accepting the current RTA Master Systems Plan based on the following: WHEREAS, The Regional Transit Authority adopted a Master System Plan on October 28, 1994, which identifies the types of investments, phasing of services, and fmancing plan designed to implement the Master System Plan; and WHEREAS, the first phase of the Master System Plan identifies the City of Everett as the terminus of the North Corridor Commuter Rail program and terminus for a regional trunk bus route, but does not include light rail transit service into the City of Everett; and WHEREAS, the City of Everett, with nearly 80,000 residents, is the largest city in the fastest-growing county in the Puget Sound region and serves as Snohomish County's center of employment, finance, and government; and WHEREAS, Everett is an undisputed leader in generating employment for the region, with nearly a 1:1 ratio between jobs and population; and WHEREAS, Everett's population is projected to nearly double over the next 18 years, further increasing its role as a metropolitan center and making transportation improvements in and around Everett even more critical for the economic health of the region; and WHEREAS, by virtue of its standing, both in Snohomish County and the Puget Sound region, Everett is recognized as a"metropolitan center;" and WHEREAS, Everett's designation as a metropolitan center is rightly and consistently underscored in documents that set forth land-use, transportation and growth plans for the region, such as the State Growth Management Act, Vision 2020, and the City's recently adopted Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, Vision 2020 specifically calls for high-capacity transit links to all four of the region's metropolitan centers -- Tacoma, Seattle, Bellevue, and Everett; and