Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2016-31: An ordinance amending Flagstaff City Code Title 2, Boards and Commissions, Chapter 2-12, Transportation Commission, for the purpose of adding oversight provisions regarding the progress and expenditures of the City’s Road Repair and Street Safety Tax Revenues approved by voters in the election of November 2014. 

Adoption of Ordinance 2016-31 would add to the functions of the Transportation Commission. The proposed added duties are oversight of progress and expenditures for the City’s Road Repair and Street Safety Tax Revenues (RR&SS) as authorized by Proposition 406 and approved by voters in the November 2014 election.

Assignment of the duties for the oversight of the RR&SS to the Transportation Commission will ensure the tax based funds will be expended in a manner consistent with community expectations, the direction from City Council and the City’s adopted Capital Improvements Program.

COUNCIL GOALS:

• Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
• Develop and implement guiding principles that address public safety service levels through appropriate staff levels
• Provide a well-managed transportation system
• Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments

REGIONAL PLAN:
The RR&SS supports the City’s Regional Plan Transportation goals to improve infrastructure and ensure safety.

Yes, on November 18, 2014, Council adopted the results of the General Election held on November 4, 2014.  In the General Election voters approved a dedicated sales tax increase, Proposition 406, which included funding for road repairs and street safety improvements throughout the City of Flagstaff. First reading of the ordinance was held on September 6, 2016.

1. Adopt the Ordinance as presented.
2. Provide direction for revisions to the Ordinance and further Council consideration.
3. Take no action and effectively continue the current duties of the Transportation Commission as currently defined by code.

On June 1, 2010, City Council adopted Ordinance 2010-14.  This ordinance repealed Resolution No. 2001-76, establishing a Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee, and Ordinance No. 2007-17, changing the membership of the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee.

Ordinance 2010-14 amended Flagstaff City Code, Title 2 Boards and Commissions, Chapter 2-12, “Flagstaff Traffic Commission" by eliminating the Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee and by adding oversight duties to the Traffic Commission regarding the expenditures of the City’s Streets/Transportation Capital Improvements Program as related to the Election of May 2000.

In November 2014, the Citizens of the City of Flagstaff approved ballot Proposition 406.  Proposition 406 increased sales tax by 1/3 cent to fund the RR&SS to repair existing City streets.  Upon the approval of Proposition 406, the City of Flagstaff's Capital Improvements and Public Works staff began work on the delivery of the RR&SS improvements.

Functions of the Transportation Commission include ensuring that the transportation tax revenues are managed and administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the sales tax authorization, providing a forum for public comment and input, and annually advising the City Council of the progress and expenditures of the transportation tax revenues.

When Proposition 406 was passed by the voters in November of 2014, the City committed to having a citizen commission ensure that the special sales tax revenues collected are applied to the purposes set forth in the ballot question.  This Ordinance will allow the Transportation Commission to provide this oversight.

At the April 16, 2016 Transportation Commission meeting, City staff discussed the opportunity of the Commission becoming the spending oversight body for the RR&SS. Staff continued discussions at the August 3, 2016 Commission meeting regarding the proposed ordinance, the Commission’s role, and the logistics of the oversight.  The Commission is very supportive of taking on this role.

Assignment of the duties for the oversight of the RR&SS to the Transportation Commission will ensure the tax based funds will be expended in a manner consistent with community expectations, the direction from City Council and the City’s adopted Capital Improvements Program.

The Transportation Commission is able to meet on a regular basis, provides an appropriate public forum and has a similar advisory role to Council regarding traffic and transportation related issues.  Staff recommends that the Transportation Commission could successfully add the responsibilities for citizen oversight of the RR&SS without adversely affecting their routine business, while providing more frequent opportunities for public input and RR&SS oversight.

Inform and Involve: Transportation Commission meetings are posted and noticed as public meetings and each agenda provides an opportunity for public participation.  The status and disposition of all Council appointed Boards, Commissions and Committees, as well as specific discussions regarding the potential assignment of Transportation Commission responsibilities have been discussed by Council at their public work session meetings.




 

1. Adopt the Ordinance as presented.
2. Provide direction for revisions to the Ordinance and further Council consideration.
3. Take no action and effectively continue the current duties of the Transportation Commission as currently defined by code.