HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 26 - House Bill 1257ITEM #
MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ROGER NELSON, CITY MANAGER 0
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2000
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 1257
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council approve the resolution outlining the City of Grapevine's support for the
passage of House Bill 1257, The Transit Fairness Act of 1999.
FUNDING SOURCE:
There is no immediate financial impact related to the resolution.
BACKGROUND:
Through the passage of Transportation Equity Act (TEA 21) in 1999, the federal
government inadvertently eliminated operating assistance to small transit operators in
urban areas. The bill has had a direct financial impact on the Northeast Transportation
Service (NETS) which provides `demand -response' service to disabled and elderly
residents in the City of Grapevine.
Representative Martin Frost introduced House Resolution (HR) 1257, Transit Fairness
Act of 1999, in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 24, 1999 to help rectify the
funding situation. The resolution is intended to amend Title 49 of the United States
Code relating to the continuation of operating assistance for small transit operators in
large urban areas. The passage of HR 1257 would authorize the Secretary of
Transportation to provide funding to small transit operators in urban areas where the
elimination of funding could a) create an undue hardship on the operator; or b) result in
reduction in services; or c) result in an increase in fares.
The NETS program services thirteen cities in the northeast Tarrant County area,
including Grapevine. The City of North Richland Hills is the pass through agent for the
service, and the program is based in that community. NETS' operating budget is
dependent on funding from participating cities (on a per capita basis) and from the state
February 10, 2000 (1:OOPM)
in addition to the federal funding. The approval of the bill would restore federal
operating assistance to NETS allowing them to continue service at its present level.
With the approval of the attached resolution, staff will forward the document to
Representative Armey, Representative Frost, Representative Granger and
Representative Barton to inform them of our local support of the HR1257. Each of the
NETS communities have been encouraged to approve "support" resolutions in an effort
to help promote the passage of the legislation.
The Grapevine Senior Council met on February 4, 2000 and voted unanimously to
recommend to the City Council the adoption of a resolution supporting HR 1257. The
Staff concurs with the Senior Council and recommends approval of the resolution.
February 10, 2000 (1:OOPM)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE
RESOLUTION 1257, THE TRANSIT FAIRNESS ACT OF
1999; AND TO PROMOTE THE PASSAGE OF SAID
LEGISLATION IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN FEDERAL
FUNDING FOR THE NORTHEAST TARRANT
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (NETS) OPERATING IN
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE
WHEREAS, Congress has found that small transit operators, including those in
large urbanized areas, are usually more reliant on Federal operating assistance than
large operators; and,
WHEREAS, the elimination of operating assistance to small transit operators in
large urbanized areas over the last four years has left said operators with little time to
prepare and no resources to make up this gap in funding; and,
WHEREAS, the elimination of Federal operating assistance to small transit
operators has resulted in the elimination of the majority of funding provided to the
Northeast Transportation Service (NETS) operated by the Northeast Tarrant County
YMCA; and
WHEREAS, NETS provides transportation service on demand to elderly people
and people with disabilities in Northeast Tarrant County; and
WHEREAS, the elimination of Federal operating assistance could result in a cut
in services or an increase in fares for NETS services; and
WHEREAS, the cuts in service or an increase in NETS fares would particularly
impact the elderly and people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Representative Martin Frost has introduced House Resolution 1257
to be known as the Transportation Fairness Act of 1999, whose purpose is to amend
Title 49 of the United States Code relating to the continuation of operating assistance to
small transit operators in urban areas; and
WHEREAS, House Resolution 1257, the Transit Fairness Act of 1999, authorizes
the Secretary of Transportation to provide funding to small transit operators in urban
areas where the elimination of said operating assistance will result in undue hardship on
the operator, or in significant fare increases or in reductions in service.
N
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated in the preamble are true and correct as if
copied herein in their entirety.
Section 2. That the City of Grapevine supports House Resolution 1257, the
Transportation Fairness Act of 1999.
Section 3. That a copy of this resolution be sent to Representative Martin
Frost, Representative Kay Granger and Representative Joe Barton in the United States
House of Representatives.
Section 4. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its
passage.
ATTEST:
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RES. NO.
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