Date:	July 19, 2002
To:	Kathleen Clarken Buschow, City Clerk
From:	Robert Puentes, Chair, Citizens' Advisory Committee on Transportation (CACT)
Cc:	CACT Members; Members of Council
Re:	TR02-25, Resolution Supporting the Northern Virginia Sales Tax Referendum for Transportation

Pursuant to your letter of June 26, 2002, below are comments on behalf of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Transportation (CACT) regarding TR02-25, the Resolution Supporting the Northern Virginia Sales Tax Referendum for Transportation.

The CACT understands, appreciates and supports the Council's resolution.  There is unquestionably a need to fund improvements in transportation in Northern Virginia, especially projects that encourage more use of public transportation and improve the overall operation of the system such as traffic light synchronization.  We also appreciate the work of local elected officials in and representing the inner jurisdictions of Arlington, Alexandria, as well as Falls Church, in ensuring funding is targeted to these existing core areas for appropriate projects.  We do, however, have certain comments and concerns:

• Voters must, of course, vote for or against the whole package of projects and not simply those that are directly beneficial to Falls Church.  Indeed, as majority of the projects and a majority of the overall funding is to be used for roadway expansion in the middle and outer areas of Northern Virginia, voters in Falls Church must vote for one package of projects that both benefit and undermine the City and its inner neighbors.  We understand the critical need to act regionally rather than as separate localities or constituencies but we are concerned that bad projects may outweigh the good ones.  This is true both in terms of the overall funding, as well as their impact for the entire region.
• The project list does not appear to be unchangeable.  It is our understanding that the language of the legislation gives no guarantee that the money will be used for these projects.  We are concerned then, that if the referendum passes, projects may be added, deleted and reprioritized.
• A federal appeals court ruling recently struck down an extension of the clean air deadline for the Washington metropolitan area.  This area is now considered to have "severe" air pollution.  As such, the region will have to redirect transportation spending from new roads to better mass transit.  It is not clear whether the referendum reflects this.

The CACT also understands that the resolution is proceeding in its current form.  However, we would like to recommend the following language, or variations thereof, be added to the language of Resolution TR02-25.  We understand, of course, that TR02-25 is a resolution of the Council and not the residents or businesses, but we hope you will consider these amendments.

Thank you for your consideration and for the opportunity to comment.  We are available to discuss these issues in further detail.

Suggested amendments to Resolution TR02-25

After the third "WHEREAS", replace with the following:

WHEREAS, despite the region's recent aggressive road-building strategy, congestion has continued to get worse, and

WHEREAS, air quality also continues to get worse as this region has recently been designated as in "severe" violation of the federal Clean Air Act, and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Falls Church recognizes the critical role of transportation in promoting better regional land use planning in order to contain sprawl and promote reinvestment in existing core communities, and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Falls Church also recognizes the need to fund improvements for transportation in Northern Virginia that encourage the use and enhance the overall public transit network, as well as projects that improve the management and operation of the existing road network such as traffic light synchronization, and

WHEREAS, although the referendum does not allow the flexibility for voters to choose among the listed projects, and

WHEREAS, we understand that although many of these projects will not improve mobility, congestion or air quality for Falls Church and the other core jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, a large portion of the projects are positive and beneficial for the region, and

WHEREAS, a favorable vote on the question would generate $2,800,000,000 for specified transportation projects, $5,000,000 of which have been specifically earmarked for use by the City of Falls Church for Route 7/City Center improvements.