CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
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A RESOLUTION creating the Seattle Transit Advisory Board.
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WHEREAS, the public transportation system of Seattle is an extraordinary public asset and is vital and integral to the City's economic health, environmental quality, and social and community well-being; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan establishes transportation goals and policies for implementation through the Transportation Strategic Plan, including: making the best use of the streets we have to move people and goods; increasing transportation choices; connecting to the region; and making transit a real choice for commuters; and
WHEREAS, in 2005 the City Council passed Resolution 30799 adopting the Seattle Transit Master Plan (TMP), and in 2012 passed Resolution 31367 adopting an update to the TMP; and
WHEREAS, from 2010-2011 a term-limited Transit Master Plan (TMP) Advisory Group was established to provide input on development of the TMP but no citizen oversight of implementation of the TMP has existed since then; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Department of Transportation works closely with King County Metro Transit (Metro), Sound Transit, and other transit providers on major transit service and infrastructure changes affecting the City and Seattle residents; and
WHEREAS, the City also provides transit services through its South Lake Union Streetcar line, with plans to open the First Hill Streetcar line in 2015 as well as plans to seek federal funding for a future First Avenue Streetcar line; and
WHEREAS, Metro seeks citizen input from its Transit Advisory Commission and Sound Transit is independently monitored by its Citizen Oversight Panel, but no citizen advisory board provides similar input or oversight of the City's transit services; and
WHEREAS, in 2014 Seattle voters passed Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) Proposition 1, which authorizes the collection of approximately $45 million annually by the City to purchase additional bus service hours from King County Metro Transit for Seattle routes; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 12 of the STBD calls for the establishment a public oversight committee to advise on spending of Proposition 1 revenues; and
WHEREAS, in order to address the City's growing transit needs, in 2014 the Seattle Department of Transportation created a Transit Division; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has citizen advisory boards relating to different transportation modes within the City, including Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Freight Advisory Boards; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle seeks to also have citizen review and input on City policies, plans, and projects as they may relate to transit; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The Seattle Transit Advisory Board (the Board) is hereby created. The Board shall advise the City Council, the Mayor, and all departments and offices of the City on matters related to transit and the possible and actual impact of actions by the City upon all forms of public transportation.
Section 2. The Board shall be provided the opportunity to comment and make recommendations on City policies, plans, and projects as they may relate to transit capital improvements, transit mobility, and transit operations throughout the City. The opportunity to comment shall include participation in the City's regular update of the Seattle Transit Master Plan and oversight of the City's implementation of the Plan.
Section 3. The Board shall help facilitate City policies, plans, and projects that support local and region-wide transit mobility efforts, to help ensure a functioning and coordinated transit system throughout the City and region.
Section 4. The Board shall function as the public oversight committee of revenues collected under Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) Proposition 1, as described in Resolution 12 of the STBD. The Board may advise on all spending of Proposition 1 revenues, including the City's purchase of transit service hours from King County Metro Transit, programs to increase access to Metro's low-income fare, administration of the vehicle license fee low-income rebate program, and administrative expenses. The Board shall also review and provide input on the STBD's annual report to the public regarding Metro's provision of transit service in Seattle and countywide, as described in Resolution 12 of the STBD.
Section 5. The Board shall make an annual report to the City Council on the status of its work program and the achievement of its goals.
Section 6. The Board shall be composed of eleven members. Six members will be appointed by the Mayor and five members will be appointed by the City Council; all Mayoral appointments are subject to City Council confirmation. Three of the initial appointments by both the Mayor and Council shall serve three-year terms. The remaining five appointments shall serve two-year terms. Subsequent terms for any member position are two-year terms. Members whose terms have expired may serve until reconfirmed or replaced. In addition to the eleven members described above, one Get Engaged young adult representative shall serve as a member of the Board, pursuant to the ordinance originally introduced as Council Bill 115936. The terms of service and the appointment process related to the Get Engaged member's role on the Board shall be as set forth in Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.51.
Section 7. Board members should be, to the extent possible, representative of:
· Different geographic areas of the City;
· Different transit rider groups (persons with disabilities, senior and school age citizens, commuters, low-income riders);
· Travelers of different modes of public transportation (e.g. bus, light rail, streetcar, and ferry);
· Seattle residents with an interest in improving transit conditions within the City and region, and have experience with urban transit issues;
· Transit-related organizations/clubs; and
· Schools, business, and neighborhood organizations that particularly depend on the City's public transportation system.
Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2015, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day
of ______________________, 2015.
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President ___________of the City Council
THE MAYOR CONCURRING:
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2015.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)