HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023RESOLUTION NO. 2023
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the
City of Kent, Washington, to urge the Washington
State Legislature to work collaboratively to pass a
comprehensive transportation funding package in
202L.
RECITALS
A. The City of Kent is the sixth largest city in Washington State
with a population of nearly 115,000, covering a geographic area of 34 square
miles. As the fourth largest manufacturing and distribution center in the
United States, the state has long valued the Kent Valley's industrial and
manufacturing industries as key to the success of the state's ports and
overall economy. Home to over 4,500 businesses and approximately 78,000
jobs, Kent's $8 billion gross business income is the highest among its peer
cities in South King CountY.
B. An accessible, complete, multimodal, and well-maintained
transportation system is foundational to Kent',s growing community,
industrial and manufacturing industries, economy, and quality of life'
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c. In addition, Kent is still feeling the impacts of coVID-19'
Unemployment remains high and the long-term economic impacts of the
pandemic remain uncertain'
D. Washington State faced transportation funding gaps prior to the
pandemic and these challenges have only been exacerbated in the last year,
with disproportionate impacts on low-income communities and communities
of color.
E, The state now projects a transportation budget shortfall of $758
million for the next three years, and the state's transportation revenue
streams, including gas tax, tolling, and fees for transit agencies and the ferry
system, have eroded due to the pandemic, but the needs of washington
State families and our economy cannot wait.
F. The state has a significant backlog of deferred maintenance
projects that threaten the reliability and safety of our transportation system.
Washington State Department of Transpottation (WSDOT) estimates that
the cost to preserve the state transportation system in a state of good repair
is $8.1 billion over the next ten years.
G. passage of a comprehensive statewide infrastructure package
will support job creation and recovery; put people to work; move people and
goods more efficiently; ensure mobility for our essential workers; enhance
mobility and multi-modal options; and improve our state's economy and
quality of life.
H. Every $1 spent in new construction generates $L.97 in
economic activity; increases earning by 54 cents for all households, not just
those employed in construction; supports nearly 11 additional jobs across
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the economy; and every $1 invested in public transportation generates
approximately $4 in economic returns.
I. A delay in action by the Legislature will mean that projects will
be shelved, stifling the process begun through the 2015 Connecting
Washington package and resulting in less economic activity, more job losses,
and a further deterioration of our transportation system.
J. The Washington State Legislature should take action to
stimulate equitable economic recovery, not cause further harm.
K. Ensuring the continuity and completion of our multimodal
systems around the state is paramount for our essential workers, most
vulnerable populations, and the post-pandemic workforce.
L. State investments in transit, bike and pedestrian service,
freight mobility, and capital needs will be necessary to facilitate a strong
economic recovery by creating jobs and assisting workers to return to their
work sites.
M. The City has prioritized two critical transportation projects that
benefit the Kent community, the region and the entire state. The first is to
complete the South 224th/228th Street Corridor. The City has constructed a
series of projects over the last 15 years to create a cross valley corridor
through its manufacturing industrial center, This corridor improves access to
Kent's 40-million square feet industrial center that supports over 70,000
family wage jobs. Once completed, it will connect I-5, the SR 509 Gateway
Project, SR 181, SR 167, and SR 515 to provide a seamless corridor for
freight and commuters between the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma and south
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Puget Sound communities. The remaining segment of the roadway, South
224th Street Corridor, is currently underfunded'
N. The second is a multimodal project to make intersection
improvements, primarily safety-related, to the Interurban Trail. This regional
trail bisects Kent's manufacturing center, The City heard a strong desire for
a bike and pedestrian commute route option in and out of the industrial
valley. The interurban trail has the potential to provide that commute option,
but six intersections are particularly unsafe to cross, making the trail not a
preferred route.
O. For these reasons, the City urges the Legislature to work
together to pass a comprehensive transportation package'
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT,
WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
RESOLUTION
SECTION 7. - Recitals Incorporated. The above Recitals are
incorporated into this Resolution and constitute findings of the Kent City
Council.
SECTION 2
The members of the city council of Kent, washington, to help spur economic
activity and local job creation, urge the Washington State Legislature to pass
a comprehensive transportation package in 2O2t.
SECTION 3, - Severability. If any one or more section, subsection,
or sentence of this resolution is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such
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decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution
and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. - Corrections by City Clerk' Upon approval of the city
attorney, the city clerk is authorized to make necessary corrections to this
resolution, including the correction of clerical errors; resolution, section, or
subsection numberin g', or references to other local, state, or federal laws,
codes, rules, or regulations.
SECTION S, - Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect and be
in force immediately upon its passage'
DANA RALPH, MAYO
Aoril 6. 202L
Date Approved
ATTEST:
0 April6,2O2t
Date AdoptedKIMBERLEY A.MOTO, CITY C
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mtk a,0/
CHRISTINA SCHUCK, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
for ARTHUR "PAT" FITZPATRICK, CITY ATTORNEY
r'l"1
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