CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION relating to transit funding; declaring The City of Seattle’s resolve to work with King County on a future countywide transit measure, pursue progressive revenue options to replace the sales and use tax, and focus on equity and sustainability concerns.
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WHEREAS, public transit networks support racial, gender, and economic equity throughout Puget Sound; and
WHEREAS, increasing and maintaining public transit supports The City of Seattle's climate goals and commitments to equity and diversity; and
WHEREAS, transit ridership in The City of Seattle and the Puget Sound has led the nation in growth over the past decade; and
WHEREAS, transit riders rely on fast, frequent, reliable, and round-the-clock service to access critical medical and social services, jobs, schools, and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, transit continues to provide an essential public service for tens of thousands of essential workers and other riders during the COVID emergency response; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Transportation Benefit District has made investments that exceed service guidelines and has piloted programs and approaches that have been integral to the success of the City and the region over the last six years; and
WHEREAS, a regional transit funding measure should build upon the gains that have been made through the Seattle Transportation Benefit District; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle and King County regularly partner on critical issues that affect the success of our residents, including housing, homelessness, and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle and King County continue to work together to ensure the delivery of transit service that supports regional mobility, a strong economy, and a sustainable environment; and
WHEREAS, members of the King County Council and the King County Executive affirmed their intention to continue to work toward a countywide transit funding measure at an appropriate time; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City Council resolves to work in partnership with King County, jurisdictional partners, community advocates, and transit advocates to re-regionalize transit spending and plan for a future countywide transit funding measure.
Section 2. The City Council resolves to work towards replacing regressive sales and use taxes used to fund transit service in Seattle with other progressive revenue sources.
Section 3. The City Council resolves to work with King County, jurisdictional partners, community members, and transit advocates to center equity and sustainability in the development of a future countrywide transit funding measure, and to use adopted policies, including the Metro Service Guidelines, Seattle Transit Master Plan, Metro Connects long-range plan, and the recommendations of the Mobility Framework to strive to ensure that future and ongoing transit services meet the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); non-English speakers; low-income workers; people with disabilities; and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) people.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2020, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)