RE 04-14-98.1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS
RESOLUTION NO. 041498.1
A RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTINUED LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR INCREASED
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR TEXAS IN THE INTERMODAL SURFACE
TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 1991 (ISTEA) REAUTHORIZATION PROCESS.
WHEREAS, the Regional Transportation Council, comprised primarily of local elected officials, is the
regional transportation policy body associated with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the
Metropolitan Planning Organization, and has been and continues to be a forum for cooperative decisions on
transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Regional Transportation Council is charged with the responsibility of preparing and
maintaining the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area in accordance
with applicable federal regulations; and
WHEREAS, Mobility 2020: The Metronolitan Transportation Plan is the Metropolitan
Transportation Plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area as adopted by the Regional Transportation
Council on December 12, 1996; and
WHEREAS, Mobility 2020: The Metronolitan Transportation Plan contains $32.6 billion in
transportation needs, resulting in a financial program calling for $6.8 billion in additional revenue; and
WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) expired on
September 30, 1997, and the six-month ISTEA extension bill will expire on April 30, 1998; and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Senate on March 12, 1998 voted to approve S.B. 1173 (ISTEA II), which will
provide $214 billion in contract authority for the nation's transportation needs over the next six years (1995-
2003), and the U.S. House of Representatives is awaiting action on H.R. 2400 (BESTEA), which proposes
$218 billion in contract authority for the nation's transportation needs over the next six years (1998-2003);
and
WIIEREAS, the funding equity issue to "donor states" as outlined in the Streamlined Transportation
Efficiency Program for the 21st Century (STEP 21), now included in both ISTEA II and BESTEA legislation,
is of critical importance to rapidly growing states such as Texas; and
WHEREAS, the principal issue remaining for donor states in the ISTEA reauthorization debate is the
percentage of total funds on which the rate of return to donor states is calculated; and
WHEREAS, both the Senate's ISTEA II and House's BESTEA legislation contain language for a 90
cents on the dollar guaranteed return on highway formula programs for Texas; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) that the funding
return to Texas as provided in the ISTEA II legislation is 87 cents per every dollar contributed by Texas to
the Highway Trust Fund, and as proposed in the BESTEA legislation, the return is 82 cents per every dollar
contributed by Texas to the Highway Trust Fund; and
WHEREAS, Texas and the North Central Texas region need a valid and certain 90 percent return on
the total highway program in order to keep pace with the projected increases in both population and vehicular
travel demand in our state and region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COPPELL, DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS THAT:
SECTION 1. The City of Coppell applauds the continuous efforts by members of both the House
and Senate in supporting legislation that increases the nation's investment in transportation infrastructure over
the next six years.
SECTION 2. The City of Coppell continues to support federal transportation legislation that
guarantees a 90 percent return on the total highway program and a 90 cent return to Texas for every dollar
Texas contributes to the Highway Trust Fund.
SECTION 3. This resolution be transmitted to members of the Texas Congressional delegation and
the NCTCOG Regional Transportation Council.
SECTION 4. This resolution shall be in effect immediately upon its adoption.
DULY PASSED by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas this ? 9~ ~ day of
April 1998.
APPROVED:
Ca~d~ Shee~an, Mayo~ ' -
ATTEST:
KatNeen Roach, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
C~ Attorney /