HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 11556 (Marin Final Transportation Sales Tax)RESOLUTION 11556
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
APPROVING THE MARIN COUNTY FINAL TRANSPORTATION
SALES TAX EXPENDITURE PLAN
WHEREAS, the City Council of City of San Rafael does hereby find and declare the
following:
I. Pursuant to California Public Utilities Code Section 180206(a), the Transportation Authority
of Marin ("TAM"), comprised of the Marin County Board of Supervisors and one
representative from each Marin City and Town Council, approved a Final Transportation
Sales Tax Expenditure Plan ("Final Plan") on May 6, 2004 to present to the Board of
Supervisors and Marin City and Town Councils for approval.
II. Pursuant to California Public Utilities Code Section 180206(b), before TAM can adopt the
Final Plan and request the Board of Supervisors to place a transportation sales tax
measure on a ballot, the Final Plan shall be approved by the Board of Supervisors and a
majority of the City and Town Councils representing a majority of the incorporated
population of Marin.
III. If the Final Plan is approved by the Board of Supervisors and the majority of the City and
Town Councils representing the majority of the incorporated population within Marin, TAM
can then adopt an ordinance that incorporates the Final Transportation Sales Tax
Expenditure Plan and request the Board of Supervisors to place a one-half cent
transportation sales tax measure on the November 2, 2004 ballot for consideration by the
Marin electorate. Being a special tax, the ballot measure would require 2/3 -voter approval
in order to pass.
IV. The Final Plan has been shaped by more than four years of planning and outreach,
including recent, extensive feedback from all City and Town Councils and many stakeholder
groups on the draft plan, and the implementation of transportation programs and projects
outlined the Final Plan would benefit the citizens of Marin County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, based on the findings contained above, the City
of San Rafael does hereby resolve to approve the Marin County Transportation Sales Tax
Expenditure plan, labeled "Approved Final Plan," as approved by the Transportation Authority of
Marin on May 6, 2004.
I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of
said City on the 17th day of May, 2004 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS : Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips & Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
E JiNE�
J M. LEONCINI, City Clerk
Marin County
Transpor-fation Sales Tax
Expenditure Plan
Approved Final Plan
May 6, 2004
i
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Table of Contents
ExecutiveSummary ............................................ ES -1
Why does Marin County need a transportation
salestax?.............................................................. ES- 1
How will the Sales Tax Expenditure Plan help
improve mobility within Marin County?...................ES-2
What is not included in this Plan? ...........................ES -2
Plan Development and Implementation ..................ES -4
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax
ExpenditurePlan ..................................................... 1
Background.............................................................. 1
The Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
inSummary .............................................................3
Plan Components...................................................... 4
Marin County 20 -Year Transportation Sales Tax
ExpenditurePlan Details..........................................6
Strategy #1 Local Bus Transit ................................... 7
Maintain and Expand Local Bus Transit Service............ 8
Maintain and Improve the Rural Bus Transit System ... 11
Maintain and Expand Transit Services and Programs
for those with Special Needs .................................... 12
Invest in Bus Transit Facilities for a Clean and
Efficient Transit System ............................................. 13
Strategy #2 101 Gap Closure...............................14
Strategy #3 Infrastructure ..................................... 17
Strategy #4 School Access & Safety ...................... 22
Safe Routes to Schools ............................................. 23
School Crossing Guards .......................................... 23
Provide Capital Funding for Safe Pathways to Schools 24
I Page i
Approved Final Plan • Table of Contents
Transportation Soles Tax Governance and
OrganizationalStructure ....................................... 25
Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) .................... 25
Staffing and Administration ...................................... 25
Work Program and Strategic Plan ............................. 26
Bonding and Financing ............................................ 26
Accountability.......................................................... 27
Amendments to the Plan .......................................... 28
ImplementingGuidelines ...................................... 29
Glossary.............................................................. G-1
I Page 1i
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Executive Summary
WHY DOES MARIN COUNTY NEED
A TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX?
Our transportation system is in crisis. The days of be- Marin County's transportation
ing able to build more or wider roads to deal with increas- problems have gotten worse
ing mobility needs are over. To maintain mobility, we must just as transportation funding
provide a balanced transportation system that includes all has become more scarce. A
modes — roadways and transitways, bikeways and pedestrian transportation sales tax is the
facilities — and includes services that are targeted to the most feasible method available
diverse communities within Marin County. Despite our to fund the projects that will
increasing needs, funding continues to shrink, resulting in meet Marin's most pressing
delays to our most important projects and reducing our problems:
alternatives. Reducing congestion on
Highway 101
Even projects that we once thought had sufficient
. Maintaining and
funding are now in jeopardy as a result of our current
improving our local roads
statewide fiscal crisis. The Highway 101 Carpool Lane
and other infrastructure
Gap Closure Project ("gap closure")*, which would complete
• Maintaining and
the "gap" in the high occupancy vehicle lane on Highway 101
improving bus transit
through San Rafael, has lost some of its promised funding as a
services both within
Marin County and to San
result of the State's financial problems. Without a new source
Francisco
of local funds, this critical transportation project will suffer
long delays, and may not be completed for another decade.
• Maintaining and
improving specialized
Additionally, funding for local bus transit service continues
paratransit services for
to be insufficient to meet even the reduced service levels
seniors and the disabled
implemented in November 2003. Local funds are needed to
• Reducing local congestion
end the spiral of "service cuts and fare increases" that will
around schools and
otherwise continue to decimate our local transit network,
providing safe routes to
schools
just as commute patterns change to favor more in -county
commutes.
One of the few avenues for funding that can be directly
implemented by Marin County residents is a transpor-
tation sales tax. This transportation sales tax Expenditure
Plan* outlines a program for spending a half -cent (%z -cent)
increase in sales taxes, which can only be spent on trans-
portation purposes in Marin County. This plan is intended
* See glossary for definition of term.
Page ES -1
Approved Final Plan • Executive Summary
* See glossary for definition of term.
I Page ES -2
to provide a high degree of accountability, while maintaining
the flexibility needed to respond to emerging transportation
issues over a 20 -year period. The program focuses on meet-
ing local needs with locally generated funds, allowing state
and federal sources to be focused on regional needs.
By generating local funds
specifically targeted for local
Becoming a "Self -Help" County* will help Marin
transportation improvements,
get its fair share of state and federal sources.
the Transportation Sales Tax
While a sales tax alone will not solve all of our transporta-
Expenditure Plan will enable
tion problems, implementing a transportation sales tax, ap-
Morinto:
proved by two-thirds of the voters of Marin County, opens
• Compete successfully for
new opportunities for leveraging* or matching our local
State and Federal grants
money with state and federal sources that require a local
requiring local matching
share. Using leveraging, our local sales tax has the potential
funds, allowing local
tax dollars to fund more
of generating more funding from outside sources than the
projects
amount generated locally, while setting Marin County on a
• Fund the projects with
course of independence that will allow us to determine our
the greatest local impact
own priorities for transportation projects.
based on measurable
performance criteria
HOW WILL THE SALES TAX EXPENDITURE PLAN
• Ensure that funds
are distributed fairly
HELP IMPROVE MOBILITY WITHIN MARIN COUNTY?
throughout the County
The plan has a single goal, supported by four implementation
strategies, designed to protect the environment and quality
of life enjoyed in Marin County. Each strategy is supported
by specific but flexible programs (described in detail in the
body of the plan) that have been designed to provide a high
degree of accountability to voters.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PLAN?
These funds can not be taken by
No single source of funding can implement all of the trans -
the state or any other agency
portation projects planned for Marin County. Expenditures
or used for any other purpose
to create or operate regional rail programs and the High -
than those stated in the Plan.
way 101 Marin -Sonoma Narrows Project are specifically n -Qt
included in the sales tax expenditure plan. In addition, to
minimize local funding of regional projects, the only project
on Highway 101 eligible for sales tax funding is the Highway
101 Carpool Lane "Gap Closure" described in Strategy 2.
* See glossary for definition of term.
I Page ES -2
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Figure ES -1— Sales Tax Expenditure Plan Summary
Figure ES- I articulates the goal of the sales tax and sum-
marizes each of the implementation strategies.
The plan's implementing strategies provide improvements to
all travel modes, providing a richness of choices for those that
drive and for those that cannot (or choose not to) drive for
all of their trips. By increasing both the variety and quality
of travel options available to Marin County residents and
workers, the plan's implementing strategies provide a clear
path to improving future mobility.
Page ES -3
Est. 20 -year
Revenue
Implementation Strategy
% ($Millions)
I. Develop a seamless local bus transit system that
improves mobility and serves community needs,
55% $182.38
including special transit for seniors and the dis-
abled (paratransit services).
2. Fully fund and ensure the acclerated completion
of the Highway 101 Carpool Lane Gap Closure
7.5% $24.87
Project through San Rafael.
3. Maintain, improve, and manage Marin County's
local transportation infrastructure, including
26.5% $87.87
roads, bikeways, sidewalks, and pathways.
4. Reduce school related congestion and
11% $36.48
provide safer access to schools.
TOTAL
100% $331.6 M
Figure ES- I articulates the goal of the sales tax and sum-
marizes each of the implementation strategies.
The plan's implementing strategies provide improvements to
all travel modes, providing a richness of choices for those that
drive and for those that cannot (or choose not to) drive for
all of their trips. By increasing both the variety and quality
of travel options available to Marin County residents and
workers, the plan's implementing strategies provide a clear
path to improving future mobility.
Page ES -3
Approved Final Plan • Executive Summary
The plan has been designed These strategies are designed to maximize the efficiency of
to balance flexibility with our transportation investment in three key ways:
accountability. Under no
Coordinated Funding—The projects and programs within each
circumstance can the proceeds
of the strategies are designed to complement and reinforce one
of this sales tax be used
another by providing necessary infrastructure and capital invest -
for anything other than
ments, supportive programs, or both. All strategies work toward
the specific transportation
supporting the single goal of the Expenditure Plan.
projects described in this
Independence — By developing its own source of local transpor-
Expenditure Plan.
tation funding, Marin County can plan its transportation future
independent of other agencies that may not have the best interests
of Marin County at heart.
• Matching or Leverage — By becoming a "self-help county"*
Marin can gain access to external funds and grants. The proj-
ects and programs outlined in this plan are expected to bring an
increased share of funding from other sources.
PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
This plan represents the culmination of over four years of
planning, preparation, and public involvement. The plan has
been heavily influenced by the input of five Citizens Advi-
sory Committees, representing the diverse interests of the
County, and by the input of all of the cities and towns in
the County.
If passed, this Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan will
be managed by the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM)*,
If passed, the duration of the an agency created to plan, finance, and oversee implementa-
tax will be 20 years, ending tion of transportation programs. The Authority* includes
in 2025. representatives from each of the cities and towns in Marin
County, as well as all five members of the County Board of
Supervisors, who work together to improve mobility in the
County. Public input will be guaranteed throughout the im-
plementation process with a Technical Advisory Committee*
made up of many of the public stakeholders in the County
assisting in project prioritization. A Citizens' Oversight
Committee* will report directly to the public and will be
made up of private citizens representing a diverse range of
interests within the community. All decision processes will
encourage broad public input.
* See glossary for definition of term.
Page ES -4
Marin County transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Marin County Transportation Sales
Tax Expenditure Plan
BACKGROUND
Today, more than 80% of all daily trips originating in Marin
County are made in autos on roads built to standards es-
tablished decades ago. Our transportation infrastructure
is being overburdened as our demand to travel continually
increases. This comes as no surprise to the people who live
and work in Marin County. In a recent poll, transportation
issues, including reducing congestion on Highway 101 and
maintaining and improving our local transportation systems,
were identified as the most important issues facing Marin
County today.
There is no single solution to our transportation problems,
just as there is no single source that can fully fund all of our
mobility needs. Transportation projects in Marin County are
funded in a variety of ways, including grants from federal and
state government, local shares of gas tax and sales tax, and
other means. However, current funding will not be adequate
to maintain the existing transportation system over the com-
ing 20 years, and will not keep pace with the demands of an
increasingly mobile Marin County. In fact, Marin County's
2003 Transportation Vision identified nearly $2 billion in
transportation projects in Marin County that should be com-
pleted over the next 25 years, with only about $300 million
in known revenue available for these projects.
Even projects that we once thought had sufficient funding
are now in jeopardy as a result of our current statewide fis-
cal crisis, including completion of the Highway 101 Carpool
Lane Gap Closure Project through San Rafael. Without a new
source of local funds, this critical transportation project will
not be completed until at least 2015. Additionally, funding for
local transit service continues to be insufficient to meet even
the reduced service levels implemented in November 2003.
A new source of local funds is needed to end the spiral of
service cuts and fare increases that will otherwise continue
to decimate our local transit network, just as commute pat-
terns change to favor more in -county commutes.
Page 1
Approved Final Plan
This Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan outlines a
program for spending a half -cent (1/2 -cent) increase in sales
taxes, to be entirely dedicated to transportation purposes in
Marin County. This plan is intended to provide a high degree
of accountability, while maintaining the flexibility needed to
respond to emerging transportation issues over a 20 -year
period. The program focuses on meeting local needs with
locally generated- funds, allowing state and federal sources
to be focused on regional needs. As with other sales taxes,
rent, grocery purchases, healthcare, water, and utilities would
be exempted from the new tax, minimizing the impact on
lower-income households. Furthermore, this Expenditure
Plan has been designed to provide significant benefits to
lower-income households by funding bus transit and other
improvements that benefit those who do not own or choose
not to drive cars.
A half -cent (1/2 -cent) transportation sales tax is expected
to generate an average of $16.5 M per year over 20 years in
new revenue, net of expenses for administration, debt service
and bond issuance costs,' or a total of $331.6 M (million)
over 20 years. This source alone will not solve all of our
transportation problems. But, implementing a transporta-
tion sales tax, approved by two-thirds of the voters of Marin
County, demonstrates to regional, State, and Federal funding
agencies that Marin County is a "self-help county," willing to
contribute to its own transportation future. It opens new
opportunities to compete for state and federal grants that
require a local match. Using this approach, our local sales
' Gross sales tax revenue is estimated to be $19.6 M annually. The Plan as-
sumes a $30 M bond issue in the first year of the sales tax, resulting in approximately
$2.65 M in annual debt service, and an annual 5% administration cost.
I Page 2
Recognizing that the future of our county depends on the
Transportation sales tax funds
mobility provided by a safe and comprehensive transportation
can be directly controlled
network that includes many different travel options, Marin
by Marin County and can
County and its partners are continually advocating for new
only be used on the local
funding sources for transportation. One of the few avenues
transportation projects
for funding that can be directly controlled by Marin County
specified in this Plan.
residents is a transportation sales tax. While the sales tax
will not close the funding gap, it provides a significant op-
portunity to improve our transportation system.
This Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan outlines a
program for spending a half -cent (1/2 -cent) increase in sales
taxes, to be entirely dedicated to transportation purposes in
Marin County. This plan is intended to provide a high degree
of accountability, while maintaining the flexibility needed to
respond to emerging transportation issues over a 20 -year
period. The program focuses on meeting local needs with
locally generated- funds, allowing state and federal sources
to be focused on regional needs. As with other sales taxes,
rent, grocery purchases, healthcare, water, and utilities would
be exempted from the new tax, minimizing the impact on
lower-income households. Furthermore, this Expenditure
Plan has been designed to provide significant benefits to
lower-income households by funding bus transit and other
improvements that benefit those who do not own or choose
not to drive cars.
A half -cent (1/2 -cent) transportation sales tax is expected
to generate an average of $16.5 M per year over 20 years in
new revenue, net of expenses for administration, debt service
and bond issuance costs,' or a total of $331.6 M (million)
over 20 years. This source alone will not solve all of our
transportation problems. But, implementing a transporta-
tion sales tax, approved by two-thirds of the voters of Marin
County, demonstrates to regional, State, and Federal funding
agencies that Marin County is a "self-help county," willing to
contribute to its own transportation future. It opens new
opportunities to compete for state and federal grants that
require a local match. Using this approach, our local sales
' Gross sales tax revenue is estimated to be $19.6 M annually. The Plan as-
sumes a $30 M bond issue in the first year of the sales tax, resulting in approximately
$2.65 M in annual debt service, and an annual 5% administration cost.
I Page 2
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
tax has the potential for generating more funding from out-
side sources than the amount generated locally, while setting
Marin County on a course of independence that will allow us
to set our own priorities for transportation projects.
The Transportation Sales Tax
Expenditure Plan in Summary
The goal and strategies presented in this Transportation
Sales Tax Expenditure Plan represent the culmination of over
four years of planning and extensive input from the public
and from the cities and towns throughout the County. The
plan was developed with the assistance of five Citizens' Ad-
visory Committees, representing diverse interests, includ-
ing representatives of environmental groups, social justice
organizations, business representatives, advocates for every
travel mode, and advocates for underserved populations,
including seniors, persons with disabilities, and those with
limited incomes. The plan represents the collective wisdom
of those groups, as well as the best technical information
available today. The plan was further shaped by input from
the cities and towns in Marin County, who each had an op-
portunity to review and comment on the draft plan as it was
being completed.
The Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan has a single
goal:
Improve mobility and reduce local congestion for
everyone who lives or works in Marin County by pro-
viding a variety of high quality transportation options
designed to meet local needs.
The plan recognizes that there is no single mode of travel
that can fulfill all of our transportation needs. Rather, it
takes the best advantage of different modes to create a
multi -modal transportation system that will improve mobility
for auto drivers, transit riders, and those that walk or bike
throughout all of Marin County.
Page 3
Approved Final Plan
PLAN COMPONENTS
The plan is organized around four strategies designed to
protect the environment and quality of life enjoyed in Marin
County. Each strategy is supported by specific but flexible
programs (described in subsequent sections of the plan) that
have been designed to provide a high degree of account-
ability to voters. Recognizing that the revenue generated
by a sales tax is variable and dependent on the health of the
economy, each program has been allocated a percentage of
receipts. An estimated dollar amount over the 20 -year life
of the tax is also provided. As receipts increase or decrease,
the amounts allocated to each program may fluctuate, but
the overall percentage will be maintained.
The strategies outlined in Figure I will help achieve the goal
of the Expenditure Plan by providing congestion relief and
enhancing mobility, bringing improvements to all travel modes
and providing a richness of choices for those that drive and
for those who cannot (or choose not to) drive for all of their
trips. The specific investment choices made in each imple-
mentation strategy will be based on measurable benchmarks
and performance criteria, ensuring that the proceeds of the
tax are used efficiently and effectively.
I Page 4
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Figure 1 Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan — Implementation Strategies
I Page 5
Est. 20 -year
Implementation Strategy
revenue
% ($Millions)
I . Develop a seamless local bus transit system that im-
proves mobility and serves community needs, includ-
ing special transit for seniors and the disabled (para -
transit services).
• Maintain and improve existing levels of bus transit service
throughout Marin County
• Improve the frequency of buses in high volume corridors
• Implement small bus and community-based shuttles in many
neighborhoods
55.0% $ 182.38 M
Implement school bus service enhancements
• Maintain and expand the rural bus transit system
• Improve bus services between Marin Coun y and San Francisco
• Maintain and expand transit services and programs for those
with special needs — seniors, persons with disabilities, youth,
and low-income residents
• Invest in bus transit facilities for a clean and attractive transit
system
• Provide matching funds for bus transit improvements
2. Fully fund and ensure the accelerated completion of
the Highway 101 Carpool Lane Gap Closure Project
7.5% $24.87 M
through San Rafael.
3. Maintain, improve, and manage Marin County's local
transportation infrastructure, including roads, bike-
ways, sidewalks, and pathways.
• Maintain, improve, and manage our maJor roadways, bikeways,
26.5% $87.87 M
sidewalks, and pathways
• Maintain, improve, and manage our LQsal roadways, bikeways,
sidewalks, and pathways
4. Reduce school related congestion and
provide safer access to schools.
• Maintain and expand the Safe Routes to Schools Program
1 1.0% $36.48 M
• Provide crossing guards at key intersections
• Provide capital funding for Safe Pathways to School projects
TOTAL
100% $331.6 M
I Page 5
Approved Final Plan
Marin County 20 Year Transportation
Sales Tax Expenditure Plan Details
STRATEGY I - DEVELOP A SEAMLESS LOCAL BUS
TRANSIT SYSTEM THAT IMPROVES
MOBILITY AND SERVES COMMUNITY
NEEDS, INCLUDING SPECIAL TRANSIT
FOR SENIORS AND THE DISABLED
(PARATRANSIT SERVICES).
Bus Transit investments will
It is no longer possible to meet our mobility needs solely by
be evaluated every two years
building new or wider roads. Looking to the future, one thing
through a transit planning
is clear - to manage congestion we will have to provide a range
process that includes extensive
of choices that will enable people to travel differently, creating
public input from all areas of
a sustainable transportation system that promotes mobility and
the county. Transit investments
maintains the quality of life we enjoy in Marin County.
will be prioritized based on
an analysis of the following
This strategy is supported by a variety of bus transit programs
measurable performance
that are designed to work together with the other strategies
criteria:
in the plan to develop a sustainable and responsive alterna-
• rills a gap in the bus
tive to driving for many trips in Marin County. It is intended
transit network
to provide Marin County with an efficient transit system that
• Meets productivity
meets the needs of those who travel both between and within
standards based on passengers
per hour
communities via bus or shuttle transit. Increasing mobility is
• Meets cost effectiveness
not intended to replace auto travel, but rather to provide an
standards based on subsidy per
option for those who either cannot or choose not to drive for
trip
all of their trips.
• Relieves congestion as
measured in total ridership
By providing a dedicated source of local funds for public bus
• Provides seamless
connections less al service
transit, Marin County's Transit District (MCTD)* will be able to
• Eliminates "pass ups" or
plan and implement services that are tailored to the needs of
overcrowding on existing routes
local residents. Providing local funding will also increase our
• Promotes environmental
opportunities to match or leverage State and Federal funding
justice based ondentographic
sources to further enhance our local transit service. Working
analysis
• Attracts outside funding
with the public at all levels, as well as Marin County's cities and
sources, including federal, state
towns, the Transit District* will be able to design services that
and toll revenue as well as other
take advantage of smaller, cleaner vehicles that are matched
local funds
to the demand in our neighborhoods. In order to respond to
changes in demand for bus transit services over the 20 -year
life of the Expenditure Plan, the Transit District will provide
an updated Short Range Transit Plan* to the Authority every
two years, with significant opportunity for public input both at
I Page 6 ' See glossary for definition of term.
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Strategy # I
96
Develop a seamless local bus transit system that
improves mobility and serves community needs, in-
cluding special transit for seniors and the disabled 55%
Est. 20 -year
revenue
($Millions)
$182.38 M
(paratransit services).
fundsWhat can local bus transit be used for?
I. Maintain and expand local bus transit service
• Maintain and expand existing levels of bus transit service
throughout Marin County
• Improve frequency of bus service in high volume corridors
• Improve bus service between Marin County and San Francisco 37.0% $122.69 M
• Provide new small bus service and community-based shuttles
in many neighborhoods
• Restore night service as demand requires
• Provide school bus service enhancements
2. Maintain and expand the rural bus transit system
3%
• Expand Stage Coach service to and from West Marin
$9.95 M
3. Maintain and expand transit services and programs
for those with special needs — seniors, persons with
disabilities, youth, and low-income residents
• Maintain and expand services for seniors and persons with
disabilities currently provided by Whistlestop Wheels
• Provide supplemental taxi services 9%
$29.84 M
• Expand group transportation and shuttle services focused on
seniors
• Provide fare discounts for very low-income residents, includ-
ing youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities
4. Invest in bus transit facilities for a clean and effi-
cient transit system
• Build bus transit hubs in Novato and Southern Marin
• Purchase clean fuel vehicles 6%
$19.90 M
• Improve bus transit stop amenities (e.g., bike racks, shelters,
benches, etc.)
TOTAL 55%
$182.38 M
Page 7
Approved Final Plan
the countywide and local levels. This plan will measure the
effectiveness of bus transit investments as well as planning
for the future. Updated performance data will be provided
to the Authority annually.
This program will provide the funding necessary for Marin
County to protect its local bus transit service and ensure that
service levels are not only maintained, but also significantly
enhanced in the longer term. This program provides the
County with the necessary financial independence to ensure
that local bus transit service supports countywide goals for
enhanced mobility and meets the needs of its residents and
workers both now and in the future.
In order to maximize the effectiveness of Marin County's
transit dollars, the Marin County Transit District (MCTD) will
develop a Short Range Transit Plan, with updates every two
years. The planning process will provide many opportunities
for public input from all areas of the county, enabling Marin
County to strategically target transit investments over the
20 -year life of the Expenditure Plan. All transit investments
will be evaluated based on an analysis of a consistent set of
performance-based criteria (listed in the sidebar on page
6), which will ensure that funds are spent where they will
provide the greatest benefit. The final local transit imple-
mentation plan will be approved by the Transit District in a
public hearing prior to sending the plan to the Authority,*
which will also approve the plan in a public forum.
See glossary for definition of term.
j Page 8
MAINTAIN AND EXPAND
LOCAL BUS TRANSIT SERVICE
The transportation sales tax
provides a unique opportunity
Without a dedicated local funding source, local bus transit
for Marin County to plan and
service cuts are likely to continue. In the past, Marin County
implement transit services
has been able to count on the toll revenue generated by the
focused on Marin County needs.
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District* to
help fund its bus transit needs. The growing needs for bus
transit service both in the Highway 101 corridor and between
communities within Marin County, coupled with increasing
expenditures on the bridge itself, have made everyone who
lives and works in Marin County vulnerable to service cuts
and fare increases that are largely outside of our control.
This program will provide the funding necessary for Marin
County to protect its local bus transit service and ensure that
service levels are not only maintained, but also significantly
enhanced in the longer term. This program provides the
County with the necessary financial independence to ensure
that local bus transit service supports countywide goals for
enhanced mobility and meets the needs of its residents and
workers both now and in the future.
In order to maximize the effectiveness of Marin County's
transit dollars, the Marin County Transit District (MCTD) will
develop a Short Range Transit Plan, with updates every two
years. The planning process will provide many opportunities
for public input from all areas of the county, enabling Marin
County to strategically target transit investments over the
20 -year life of the Expenditure Plan. All transit investments
will be evaluated based on an analysis of a consistent set of
performance-based criteria (listed in the sidebar on page
6), which will ensure that funds are spent where they will
provide the greatest benefit. The final local transit imple-
mentation plan will be approved by the Transit District in a
public hearing prior to sending the plan to the Authority,*
which will also approve the plan in a public forum.
See glossary for definition of term.
j Page 8
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Priority Projects
The Marin County Transit District has developed a number
of priority investments for local transit improvements that
may be funded by this sales tax. They include improvements
in nearly every neighborhood in Marin County.
These candidate projects would have a high priority for ser-
vice improvements over the life of the Plan:
Provide transit service every 15 minutes in the
following corridors:
• Highway 101 corridor connecting all communities in the corridor and
San Francisco
• San Rafael to College of Marin via Andersen Drive/Sir Francis Drake
• San Rafael to San Anselmo via Red Hill/4th Street
• San Rafael Transit Center to Civic Center and Northgate Mall
Provide transit service at least every 30 minutes
in the following corridors:
• Sausalito to Marin City and the Toll Plaza via Bridgeway
• Mill Valley on Miller Avenue and East Blithedale
• Corte Madera and Larkspur via Tamalpais/Magnolia and Sir Francis
Drake
• San Anselmo to Fairfax via Sir Francis Drake and Red Hill Road
• San Rafael via Lincoln to Civic Center, Merrydale and on to Kaiser
Hospital
• Novato service in the Hamilton area, in the Ignacio area east of Palmer
and South Novato Boulevard.
• Novato service from neighborhoods to Vintage Oaks Shopping Cen-
ter
• Corridor service from Novato to San Rafael transit center with connec-
tions to College of Marin.
Provide accessible neighborhood scaled shuttles
using small buses in the following communities
• Novato, building on the EZ Rider Shuttle and serving the proposed transit
hub
• Mill Valley, implementing the "Millie" shuttle designed locally
• Sausalito, building on the "Sally" shuttle developed by the City of Sau-
salito
• Belvedere and Tiburon, providing ferry connector and flexible service
to lower density hilly areas
I Page 9
Marin County Transit District
will contract for local services
in order to procure the highest
quality and lowest cost transit
system for Marin County
residents. Decisions about
priorities for transit system
investments will be made locally
by the Transit District and the
Transportation Authority of
Marin.
Page 10
Approved Final Plan
• San Rafael, connecting local employment centers with downtown and
the transit center
• Ross Valley, connecting the local communities in the valley
• Maintain and expand the West Marin Stagecoach
• Restore night service as demand requires
• Restore ferry connector shuttles to communities with high demand
• Flexible services for hillier or less populated areas with transit demand
Provide enhanced school bus service using creative
school transportation solutions
• Expand traditional yellow school buses for younger children
• Develop multi-purpose shuttles that serve schools as well as other
needs
• Improve public transit service to schools, and after school programs
Improved Frequenry in High Volume Corridors
This program will provide funding to maintain and improve in-
tercommunity bus transit service and service along major bus
transit corridors. Marin County has a number of bus transit
corridors that are busy enough to justify frequent service.
These include all day services in the Canal — downtown San
Rafael — Marin City corridor, services between San Rafael and
San Anselmo, and services to local colleges, as well as peak
period services to major employers in Novato, San Rafael,
and other locations. These services require larger buses to
address capacity constraints and are designed to operate at
high frequency to meet existing and latent demand.
Bus services between Marin County and San Francisco on
the Highway 101 corridor provide both local and regional
mobility to Marin County residents and employees. These
services may also be funded under this category, provided
that the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation
District maintains the toll revenue that currently funds
these regional services. The intent of this "maintenance of
effort" provision is to ensure that the value of toll subsidies
to regional routes is preserved and that sales tax funds are
not used to replace toll revenues allocated to support the
regional network. The specific language defining mainte-
nance of effort will be included in the Short Range Transit
Plan approved by the Marin County Transit District and the
Transportation Authority of Marin. The maintenance of effort
provision will be included in any funding agreement for these
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
San Francisco oriented services between the Marin County
Transit District and the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and
Transportation District, subject to approval by both Boards
of Directors. Any sales tax funds provided to the Golden
Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District will be
used only for specific transit purposes.
Small Bus and Community -Based Services in Many Neighborhoods
There are many transit markets in Marin County that are
better served by small buses and community-based shuttles
that address specific markets in less urban areas. Local
services may be designed best on the community level, with
implementation provided through the Marin County Transit
District. The West County Stagecoach is an example of a
system developed at the grassroots level that has exceeded
all expectations. This success can be replicated in other
Marin County communities. Each community will have the
opportunity to work with the Transit District to define
their greatest local transit needs and to identify potential
solutions, such as shuttles and jitneys using small, efficient
transit vehicles.
School Bus Service Enhancements
The need for enhanced school -oriented bus services in Marin
County is very clear, as many schools are poorly served by
transit routes that are not coordinated with arrival and
dismissal times and that do not reach into the neighbor-
hoods. The Short Range Transit Plan will take a creative
approach to school bus service, investigating opportunities
for targeted shuttles, yellow bus system enhancements, and
other improvements that will work together with the other
programs in this Expenditure Plan to create a new genera-
tion of transit riders.
MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE
THE RURAL BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM
"The Stagecoach" service operating in West Marin has been
an amazing success. What began as a one-year demonstra-
tion project has resulted in a sizeable grassroots following
and higher -than -projected ridership. Although service is very
limited, demand for this service continues to grow. Despite
Page 11
Approved Final Plan
the success of the Stagecoach, there is no funding available
to continue services beyond the current year. This program
would maintain the existing Stagecoach service and would
focus on opportunities for expansion, including seven-day per
week service and developing a north -south route.
' See glossary for definition of term.
Page 12
MAINTAIN AND EXPAND TRANSIT SERVICES AND
PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Nearly everyone knows a senior or a person with a disability
Priority Special Reeds Transit
who needs help with his or her mobility. The availability of
projedsinclude:
a high quality alternative to driving enhances safety on the
roads, and enhances the quality of life of people who depend
• Maintaining and
on these services.
expanding transportation
services for seniors and
disabled
The Marin County Transit District currently contracts with
• Continue and extend
Whistlestop Wheels to provide specialized services for older
paratransit services to oil
adults and persons with disabilities. Demand for these ser -
of Morin County
vices has continued to exceed the ability to increase service.
• Develop new shared ride,
Over the past five years, demand for paratransit has increased
wheelchair accessible taxi
by 25%, far outpacing the availability of existing funds. Studies
service that augments
predict that over the next 20 years Marin will be the"oldest"
paratransit services
o
county in the Bay Area, with more than 35/ of its residents
• Expand group
over age 65. Without the new funding that this tax provides,
transportation and shuttle
services focused on seniors
services to seniors and persons with disabilities will need to
be reduced, making it more difficult for people to continue
• Provide discounted fares
to live independently as they get older.
for very low-income
seniors and persons with
disabilities, as well as the
Services for seniors and persons with disabilities will be
lowest income members of
planned with the support of the existing consumer -based
our community
Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC)*, which advises the
• Provide discounted transit
Transit District on the needs of these communities and public
passes to youth
input from all areas of the county. The Transit District will
explore options for adding shuttles, scheduled group trips,
and subsidized taxi service to the current mix of paratransit*
options. In addition, the Transit District will work with the
PCC and members of the senior and disability community
to design fare programs that will ensure that no person is
made homebound because they are unable to pay for transit
services.
' See glossary for definition of term.
Page 12
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Seniors and persons with disabilities are not the only groups
with specialized needs. This program includes assistance for
our youth and the lowest income families who are unable to
afford current transit fares. This program will provide funds
for discounted transit passes for youth, seniors, disabled,
and low-income riders. The youth discounts will build on
the success of the current "Ride and Roll" program and will
work together with other school enhancements to develop
early and life-long transit riding habits. Discounts to low-
income riders will provide mobility and access to jobs and
basic services to those with no alternative.
INVEST IN Bus TRANSIT FACILITIES FOR A
CLEAN AND EFFICIENT TRANSIT SYSTEM
Innovative bus transit operation will require an investment Replacing older diesel buses
in vehicles and facilities. This will include providing clean -fu- with clean fuel technology,
eled vehicles, new bus transit hubs in Novato and Southern including electric hybrid or other
Marin for efficient and safe transferring between routes, alternative fuel buses, will
and amenities at bus stops, including enhancements of bus improve the environment and
stop accessibility to pedestrians and cyclists and improved attract new riders to transit.
information for transit riders.
Bus transit facilities investments will be prioritized to coor-
dinate with transit service projects based on the criteria out-
lined on page 6. High priority will be given to opportunities
Bus Transit Facilities priorities
to match or leverage funds in order to help transportation
include:
sales tax dollars go farther.
Bus transit hubs in Novato
and Southern Marin
• Clean fuel vehicles
• Bus transit stop amenities
(e.g., bike racks, shelters, benches,
lighting, pay phones, access
improvements)
• Bike racks on buses
• Accurate signage and real-
time information for riders
Page 13
Approved Final Plan
STRATEGY 2 — FULLY FUND AND ENSURE THE
ACCELERATED COMPLETION OF THE
HIGHWAY 10 1 CARPOOL LANE GAP
CLOSURE PROJECT THROUGH
SAN RAFAEL.
The transportation sales tax Highway 101 in Marin County is one of the busiest traffic
allows us to complete the Gap corridors in the Bay Area. Spillover traffic from this con -
Closure Project by 2008. This gested freeway impacts our cities and our neighborhoods,
has been the highest priority whether or not we travel on the highway. Creation of a
Project in Marin County for over continuous carpool lane on Highway 101, for use by buses
a decade. as well as carpools, will speed transit service making it more
attractive to more users, while having a significant impact on
congestion. For more than a decade, the Highway 101 Gap
Closure project has been the top priority project in Marin
County. Now, even with construction underway, the State's
fiscal crisis threatens our ability to deliver the final phases
of this essential project in a timely manner.
This project was to be funded entirely with State sources;
however, the recent statewide financial crisis has left the
project short of its remaining $65.2 million funding need.
By using sales tax revenue to complete this project, Marin
County will be able to take advantage of nearly $41 million
of dedicated State funding. With these funds, the project will
See glossary for definition of term.
Strategy #2 Est. 20 -year
% revenue
Fully fund and ensure the accelerated completion of ($Millions)
the Highway 101 Carpool Lane Gap Closure Project
through San Rafael. 7.5% $24.87 M
• Completion of final construction segments through Central San Rafael and Puerto
Suello Hill
• Noise reduction strategies to improve quality of life in adjacent neighborhoods
• Aesthetic and landscaping improvements
• Completion of the north -south bicycle way through Puerto Suello Hill to improve
bicycle safety
I Page 14
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
be completed by 2008. Without sales tax funds, the project
is unlikely to be completed until 2015 and risks losing ad-
ditional committed funds.
The project will provide a dedicated lane in both directions
between Lucky Drive and North San Pedro Road, to be used
by buses and carpools during peak hours. This project will fill
in a critical "gap" in the continuous carpool lane that could
speed carpools and buses throughout the County. The funding
included in this project will make sure that this is the best
project possible for all residents of Marin County by improv-
ing the aesthetics and landscaping and reducing the impacts
of freeway noise on local neighborhoods with various noise
reduction strategies, including the use of sound -absorptive
materials on soundwalls. The project also includes comple-
tion of the north -south bicycle route through Puerto Suello
Hill, ensuring that this important project is implemented
along with freeway improvements.
If additional outside funding becomes available for this
project in the future, sales tax revenues dedicated to this
project would be redirected to transit projects outlined in
Strategy 1.
Funding for the Gap Closure
project includes elements that
will improve this project in the
neighborhoods adjacent to it,
including landscaping, noise
reduction, and improvements to
bicycle and pedestrian safety in
the area.
I Page IS
Approved Final Plan
STRATEGY 3 - MAINTAIN, IMPROVE, AND
MANAGE MARIN COUNTY'S LOCAL
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE,
INCLUDING ROADWAYS, BIKEWAYS,
SIDEWALKS, AND PATHWAYS.
Potential roadway, bikeway,
Every trip begins or ends on a local road. Pedestrians, bi-
sidewalk, and pathway
cyclists, bus passengers, and drivers of all types depend on
improvements may include:
a well-maintained and effective local roadway network that
• Pavement and drainage
serves travel both within and between communities.
maintenance, including
signage and striping
Local roads are the largest single public investment in the
• Signalizationand
County. Without a well-designed and maintained roadway
channelization to improve
traffic flow and safety at key
system, there are limited opportunities to provide adequate
intersections
bus service or to connect bikeways and pedestrian pathways
• Transit and traffic flow
through the County. This program will help to reduce the
improvements to eliminate
maintenance shortfall on Marin County's roadways, improving
conflicts between buses and cars
safety and eliminating delays resulting from poor mainte-
• Transportation Systems
Management and Demand
Hance. The program is designed to improve the mobility of
Management projects that
all local travelers, including those that drive and those that
make the most of our infrastructure
use other modes.
investments
• Improvements to reduce
the response times for
The need for funding projects on the roadway system is clear.
emergency vehicles and
A recent study completed by the Metropolitan Transporta-
improve safety
tion Commission (MTC) projects that Marin County will
• Bike path construction and
have a shortfall of $256 million over the next 25 years for
maintenance of bike paths
maintenance of existing roadways, even with existing local
• Sidewalk and crosswalk
construction and maintenance, and
funds from bonds and other measures included. MTC also
other pedestrian infrastructure
concluded that Marin County's roads are among the worst
improvements to safety and
in the region. Failing to maintain our roads now will be even
more costly later, as roadway conditions deteriorate and
negatively impact all transportation modes.
Projects included under this strategy are designed to mini-
mize accidents, and improve operations and traffic flow for
all people and transportation modes using the roadway or
other infrastructure investment.
As projects are prioritized for funding, each project will be
required to consider the needs of all roadway users. Proj-
ect sponsors will be required to coordinate with adjacent
jurisdictions to maximize economic efficiency and minimize
Page 16
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Strategy #3
Maintain, improve, and manage Marin County's lo-
cal transportation infrastructure, including roads,
bikeways, sidewalks, and pathways.
Est. 20-
% year rev-
enue
($Millions)
26.5% $87.87 M
• Road maintenance and congestion relief projects on major
roads and on local roads
• Safety improvements for all modes
• All projects will consider all users, including transit riders,
bicyclists, pedestrians, and auto drivers
• Projects could include crosswalk and curb cut enhancements, 26.5%
bike lane and pathway construction, bus bulbs, intersection
improvements, and pavement and drainage improvements,
as well as system enhancements such as signal coordination,
real time information, and other tools to maximize the ef-
ficiency of our transportation system
TOTAL 26.5%
construction impacts. The goal is to develop a comprehensive
plan for improving critical roadways at the time an investment
is made. Where feasible, locally defined bicycle and pedes-
trian projects will be implemented at the time a roadway is
improved. Improvements could include striping and signing
of bicycle lanes and bikeways, sidewalk improvements, curb
ramps, and other accessibility and safety improvements.
Funds allocated to this strategy will be evenly divided be-
tween the major roads of Countywide significance that are
used by most people in Marin County, and local priorities
developed by each jurisdiction in the County. In all cases,
roadway projects will consider all of the modes in the right-
of-way, focusing on transit, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and
access for the disabled.
$87.87 M
$87.87 M
I Page 17
Approved Final Plan
Major Roads and Related Infrastructure
The following performance Major roads often cross city limits and serve multiple com-
criteria will be used to prioritize munities. Projects on these roads must emphasize coordi-
maiorroad proiects:
nation between jurisdictions. Half of the funding allocated
• Condition of roadway
to this strategy (approximately $43.9 M) will be spent on
(Pavement Condition
the most heavily travelled and significant roads and related
Index)
infrastructure in Marin County. The remaining half will be
• Average daily traffic
spent on local roads and related infrastructure, based on
• Transit frequency
Priorities developed by each jurisdiction.
• Bicycle and pedestrian
activity
• School access
Priorities for major roadway and infrastructure projects
• Accident history
will be determined by the Public Works Directors of each
• Opportunities for matching
city, town, and the county working together with aTechnical
funds
Advisory Committee* that is representative of the broad
• Geographic equity
interests of Marin County. All investment decisions will be
evaluated using measurable performance criteria, listed in
Members of the Technical
the sidebar at the left side of this page. The process will
Advisory Committee, to be
provide opportunity for public input and will be approved
created by the Authority's
by the Transportation Authority in a public meeting as part
governing board, will include
of the Strategic Plan.
representatives from and
nominated by the following:
To ensure that each community in Marin County receives an
• Marin Managers
equitable share of sales tax funds, expenditures for major
Association (2 members)
infrastructure projects will be distributed to the five plan-
• Marin Public Works
ning areas of the County based on their population (50%)
Association (3 members)
and road miles (50%). This distribution will be balanced
• Morin County Planning
Directors Group (lmember)
every six years:
• Golden Gate Bridge,
Highway and
Figure 2 Funding Allocations for Major Infrastructure Projects
Transportation District (1
member)
Current
Estimated
• Marin County Paratransit
Distribution
Coordinating Council
Based on 50% Population 20 -Year
(1 member)
Planning Area k5QYQ Road Miles' Revenue
• Marin County Transit
Northern Marin 19.6% $8,611,260
District (1 member)
Central Marin 25.4% $11,159,490
• Marin County Office; of
Education (1 member)
Southern Marin 21.7% $9,533,895
• Environmental Organza-
Ross Valley 20.2% $8,874,870
tions of Marin County
West Marin 13.1% $5.755.485
(1 member)
100% $43,935,000
• Bicycle and Pedestrian
Organizations (1 member)
• Business Organizations
See glossary for definition of term.
(1 member)
' Formula based on 2000 population and road miles data. Percentages will
be reviewed at the start of tax collection and adjusted to reflect the most current
information on that date.
Page 18
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
The following roads of countywide significance are included
as priority candidates for funding.These roads are used by
nearly every Marin County resident. Additional roads may
be considered if the needs of high priority roads within a
planning area have been addressed.
• Atherton Avenue/San Marin Boulevard
• Novato Boulevard/South Novato Boulevard
• D Street/Wolfe Grade
• Las Gallinas Avenue/Los Ranchitos Road/Lincoln Avenue
• North San Pedro Avenue to the China Camp State Park Boundary
or Sunny Oaks Drive
• Point San Pedro Avenue to the China Camp State Park Boundary
or Biscayne Drive
• Red Hill Avenue/4th Street/2nd and 3rd Streets
• Andersen Drive
• Magnolia Avenue/Corte Madera Avenue/Camino Alto
• Redwood Avenue/Tamalpais Drive/Madera Boulevard/Tamal
Vista Boulevard/Fifer Avenue/Lucky Drive/Doherty Drive
• Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Interstate 580 to Platform
Bridge
• Bridgeway Corridor (Bridgeway/Richardson Street/2nd Street/
South Street/Alexander Avenue)
• Paradise Drive
• E. Blithedale Avenue
• Miller Avenue/Almonte Boulevard
Local Roads for All Modes
Local roads are the most basic unit of the transportation
network because they connect our neighborhoods and busi-
ness districts and provide linkages to major roads and trans-
portation services. Local road priorities are determined by
individual jurisdictions that can best evaluate local needs and
their connectivity to the larger system.
Half of all funds allocated in this strategy (approximately
$43.9 M) will be distributed on an annual basis to each city,
I Page 19
Approved Final Plan
town, and Marin County based on a combination of miles of
roads to be maintained and population. As with the major
road program, each project will be required to consider the
needs of all roadway users. Where feasible, locally defined
bicycle and pedestrian projects will be implemented at the
time a roadway is improved. Improvements could include
striping and signing for bicycle lanes and bikeways, sidewalk
improvements, curb ramps, and other accessibility and safety
improvements.
The following table shows the amount of funding that each
jurisdiction can expect from this program, based on the
current formula of 50% roadmiles/50% population. Local
priorities would be determined by each jurisdiction's Public
Works Director with approval of their governing board in
a public meeting.
Figure 3 Funding Allocations for Local Infrastructure Projects by
Community'
Percentages will be reviewed at the start of tax collection and adjusted
to reflect the most current information on that date. Subsequently, per-
centages will be reviewed every two years as part of the Strategic Plan.
I Page 20
Estimated 20 -Year
2004
Revenue
Agency
% of Total
Projection
Belvedere
1.04%
$458,232
Corte Madera
3.20%
$1,405,124
Fairfax
2.79%
$1,225,121
Larkspur
4.16%
$1,825,569
Mill Valley
5.99%
$2,633,638
Novato
17.00%
$7,466,928
Ross
0.99%
$435,826
San Anselmo
4.70%
$2,064,919
San Rafael
20.16%
$8,855,643
Sausalito
2.84%
$1,248,178
Tiburon
3.46%
$1,521,530
County
33.67%
$14,794,292
Total
100.00%
$43,935,000
Sources: 2004 California
Department of Finance Population Estimates, 2003-
04 Marin County Road List,
and 2004 road miles data from Marin City and Town
Public Works Directors.
Percentages will be reviewed at the start of tax collection and adjusted
to reflect the most current information on that date. Subsequently, per-
centages will be reviewed every two years as part of the Strategic Plan.
I Page 20
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
STRATEGY 4 — REDUCE SCHOOL RELATED
CONGESTION AND PROVIDE SAFER
ACCESS TO SCHOOLS.
In Marin County, school -related trips are a significant com-
ponent of traffic congestion. In fact, over 21% of all trips
in the morning peak period are school related. Congestion
around schools is a serious and growing problem both for
families with students and non -students alike. Everyone who
travels in Marin County recognizes how much lighter traffic
is on days when schools are off, even when it is not a com-
mon day off for workers.
A survey done by the Safe Routes to Schools program shows
that without programs that target student and parent behav-
ior and provide safe alternatives to driving, as many as 80%
of students are driven in single student occupant autos to
school. This creates severe local congestion at arrival and
dismissal times, as well as deteriorating safety for those that
walk and bike to school. In addition, many of Marin County's
schools draw students from throughout the County and
beyond, putting many school trips on Highway 101 and the
major roads traveled for all trip purposes. There are cur-
rently over 75 elementary, middle, and high schools in Marin
County, with a total of at least 40,000 students in grades
K-12 — 50,000 including college students. Clearly, reducing
single student occupant auto trips to schools will have the
immediate benefit of reduced congestion, as well as long-term
benefits to public health, the creation of lifelong sustainable
habits, and increasing the opportunities for success of all
alternative modes.
The programs in this strategy will be assessed every two
years by the Technical Advisory Committee, through a pub-
lic process involving parents, school officials, and students
throughout the County. These countywide programs will be
managed by the County of Marin. This investment of trans-
portation sales tax funds will be combined with school bus
projects already described in Strategy 1, to make a significant
improvement in local congestion while encouraging safe and
healthy behavior in our young people.
I Page 21
Approved Final Plan
Strategy #4 list. 20 -year
% revenue
Reduce school related congestion and provide safer ($Millions)
access to schools. 1 1%
$36.48 M
What con .. .
I. Safe Routes to Schools
• Ongoing funding to support this successful and popular
3.3%
program that promotes walking, biking, taking transit, or
$10.94 M
carpooling to school
2. Crossing Guards
• Crossing guards at 70 intersections along major roads serv- 4.2%
$13.93 M
ing schools
3. Provide capital funds for Safe Pathways To School
projects
• Safety improvements around Marin County schools in con-
junction with the Safe Routes to Schools Program, including 3.5%
$1 1.61 M
sidewalk improvements, safer crosswalks and crossings, bi-
cycle and pedestrian safety improvements, and speed reduc-
tion measures
TOTAL 11% $36.48 M
I Page 22
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS
This program would fund crossing
Safe Routes to Schools is a proven program designed to re-
guards for some of the County's most
duce local congestion around schools while instilling healthy
critical intersections, including the
and sustainable habits in our young people. The program
following potential locations:
includes several components including classroom education,
The SafeRoutesSchools
special events, and incentives for choosing alternative modes
program combineessclassroom
to schools, as well as technical assistance to identify and
education, special community
remove the barriers to walking, biking, carpooling, or taking
events, and coordination
transit to school. The program, which is currently managed
between school officials, parents
by the County of Marin, is in its fourth year of operation
and public works officials to
and has proven its ability to increase alternative mode use
create safe environments for
realized that to eliminate liability concerns and to ensure
walking, biking, and taking
to schools, reducing single student occupant auto trips to
transit to school. At schools
participating schools by at least 15%.
that participate in the program,
sional company that specializes in crossing guard programs.
single student vehicle traffic has
Current funding for Safe Routes to Schools does not extend
been reduced by more than 159'0.
beyond the 2004 school year. Without a new source of local
• Ross Valley: Numerous crossings of
Sir Francis Drake, serving many schools
funds, the Safe Routes program will terminate after the cur-
rent school year. This strategy will maintain and expand the
successful Safe Routes program to all schools within Marin
Page 23
County. The funding for other programs included under this
strategy, Crossing Guards and Safe Pathways, will be closely
coordinated with the activities of Safe Routes to Schools.
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS
This program would fund crossing
One of the greatest barriers to using alternative modes to
guards for some of the County's most
schools is the difficulty of crossing Marin's busiest streets.
critical intersections, including the
Even with pathway improvements, students' parents are reluc-
following potential locations:
tant to allow their children to walk or bike to school if they
must cross a busy street. While some schools have attempted
' Novato: Diablo Blvd. and Center Rd.
along Ignacio Blvd., in front of Sinaloa
to implement volunteer crossing guard programs, experience
Middle School
has suggested that this is not a reasonable long-term strategy,
• San Rafael: in front of Vollecito School
as volunteers can not be counted on every day, in all types of
and Bahia Way and Canal St. in front of
weather, regardless of their personal schedules. Other Bay
Bahia Vista School
Area counties, such as Santa Clara and San Francisco, have
• San Anselmo: Butterfield Rd. and Sir
Francis Drake
realized that to eliminate liability concerns and to ensure
• Fairfax: at the pedestrian crossing in
that there are well trained crossing guards with back-ups for
front of St. Rita's School
every critical intersection, they must contract with a profes-
• Southern Marin: Cumino Alta, East
sional company that specializes in crossing guard programs.
Blithedole Ave., Miller Ave., Tiburon Blvd.,
and others
This program will use trained crossing guards for up to 70
• Ross Valley: Numerous crossings of
Sir Francis Drake, serving many schools
intersections throughout Marin County. The intersections
will be prioritized by the Public Works Directors together
Page 23
Approved Final Plan
with the Technical Advisory Committee along with other
school related projects, and approved by the Authority. At
schools that have volunteer or other types of crossing guard
programs, sales tax funds will augment the work that is al-
ready being done, making sure that these local funds are put
to their best use. The process will provide opportunities
for public input.
See glossary for definition of term.
I Page 24
PROVIDE CAPITAL FUNDING FOR
SAFE PATHWAYS TO SCHOOLS
Safe Pathways to School is the capital improvement element
Safe Pathways Projects will be
of the Safe Routes to Schools program. Where the Safe
selected based on performance
Routes program identifies circulation improvements needed
criteria that focus on improving
for safe access to schools, the Safe Pathways program will
safety throughout the
provide funding for the engineering, environmental clearance,
County. All projects will come
and construction of pathway and sidewalk improvements in
from approved Safe Routes
all Marin County communities, including safety improvements
plans, supported by parents,
at street crossings.
school officials, and the local
jurisdiction.
Although Safe Pathways projects target improvements around
• Relieves an identified
schools, they benefit the entire community, creating a safe
safety or congestion
network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, enhancing safety
problem along a major
and reducing local congestion.
school route
• Completes a "gap" in the
bicycle and pedestrian
Safe Pathway projects are expected to attract matching funds
system along o major
from other sources and may be used in combination with
school route
road funds to accelerate pathway improvements in school
• Maximises daily uses by
students and others
areas. Additional input will be solicited in a public forum
• Attracts matching funds
that includes input from parents, school officials, and other
• Respects geographic equity
community stakeholders. Specific projects will also be ap-
proved by the Transportation Authority of Marin in their
Strategic Plan.*
See glossary for definition of term.
I Page 24
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Transportation Sales Tax Governance
and Organizational Structure
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY OF MARIN (TAM)
This transportation sales tax is authorized under the Local
Transportation Authority and Improvement Act, California
Public Utilities Code Section 180000 et. seq. In approving
this tax, the voters will authorize that the Transportation
Authority of Marin (referred to as the Authority) be given
the responsibility to collect and administer the tax proceeds.
All monies raised by this sales tax will be available for expen-
diture only on the transportation projects identified in the
Sales Tax Expenditure Plan. The make-up of the Authority's
governing board is as follows:
• All five members of the Marin County Board of Supervisors,
and
• One representative from each of the eleven incorporated cities
and towns in Marin County.
All representatives to the Authority's governing board will
be elected officials within Marin County. This composition
provides a balance between the needs of the county as a
whole and the priorities of individual cities, towns, and com-
munities.
The Transportation Authority of Marin will be established for
the purpose of authorizing and implementing this transporta-
tion sales tax. The Authority will incorporate the duties of
the existing Congestion Management Agency, ensuring that
all key transportation decisions are made in a single place.
The duration of the tax will be 20 years from the initial year
of collection, which will begin in April 2005. The tax will
therefore terminate on March 31, 2025.
STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATION
The Transportation Authority of Marin will hire the staff
and professional assistance required to administer the pro-
ceeds of this tax and carry out the mission outlined in the
Expenditure Plan. The total cost for salaries and benefits for
administrative employees will not exceed I% of the revenues
Page 25
Approved Final Plan
generated by the transportation sales tax. Other administra-
tive costs, such as rent, supplies, and fees paid to the State
Board of Equalization for collecting the tax and financial, legal,
or consulting services are not included in the 1% cap.
WORK PROGRAM AND STRATEGIC PLAN
All of the programs included in this Expenditure Plan are
considered essential for the transportation needs of Marin
County. The Authority will prepare an annual Work Pro-
gram and Budget and a biennial Strategic Plan, which will
identify the priorities for projects and the dates for project
implementation based on project readiness, ability to gener-
ate matching or leveraged funds, and other relevant criteria.
The Strategic Plan must be approved by a two-thirds vote of
the total commissioners on the Authority Board, following
a noticed public hearing on the draft Strategic Plan and a
45 -day public comment period.
The allocation of funds described in this plan will be achieved
over the life of the plan and may vary from year to year only
as approved in the Strategic Plan and only in such a way that
the distribution will not change over the life of the plan, un-
less the plan is specifically amended.
BONDING* AND FINANCING
The Transportation Authority of Marin will have the authority
to bond and use other financing mechanisms for the pur-
poses of expediting the delivery of transportation projects
and programs and to provide economies of scale. Bonds, if
issued, will be paid with the proceeds of the transportation
sales tax. The costs and risks associated with bonding will be
presented in the Authority's Strategic Plan, and will be subject
to public comment before any bond sale is approved.
The Authority will also be able to use other means to acceler-
ate the delivery of projects and programs, including seeking
outside grants and matching or leveraging tax receipts to
the maximum extent possible. The Authority will also have
the ability to set aside a reserve fund of up to 10% of the
See glossary for definition of term.
I Page 26
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
annual receipts from the tax for contingencies, to ensure
that the projects included in this plan are implemented on
schedule.
ACCOUNTABILITY
All business of the Authority will be conducted in an open
and public meeting process. The Authority will approve all This plan has been designed
spending plans described in this document and will ensure for the highest possible
that adequate public involvement has been included in the levels of accountability and
preparation of all spending plans. The Authority will be public involvement in our
required to hire an independent auditor who will audit all transportation planning process.
sales tax expenditures, ensuring that expenditures are made
in accordance with the plan.
The Authority will be guided by an Administrative Code
covering all aspects of its operation.
Citizens' Oversight Committee
The Citizens' Oversight Committee will be created by the
Authority's governing board with the assistance of the League
of Women Voters. The unique feature of this Committee is
that it will report directly to the public and will be charged
with reviewing all expenditures of the Authority. The re-
sponsibilities of this Committee are:
The Committee must hold public hearings and issue reports, on
at least an annual basis, to inform Marin County residents how
funds are being spent. The hearings will be open to the public
and must be held in compliance with the Brown Act, California's
open meeting law. Information announcing the hearings must
be well-publicized and posted in advance.
• The Committee will have full access to the Authority's independent
auditor and will have the authority to request and review specific
information and to comment on the auditor's reports.
• The Committee must publish an annual report. Copies of these
documents must be made widely available to the public at
large.
Citizens' Oversight Committee members will be private
citizens who are neither elected officials of any government
nor public employees from any agency that either oversees
or benefits from the proceeds of the transportation sales
I Page 27
Approved Final Plan
tax. Membership will be restricted to individuals who live
in Marin County. Members will be required to submit a
statement of financial disclosure, and membership will be
restricted to individuals without economic interest in any
of the Authority's projects.
The Committee will be designed to reflect the diversity of
the County. The committee will consist of 12 members.
Each organization represented on the Citizens' Oversight
Committee will nominate its representative, with final ap-
pointments approved by the governing board of the Authority.
Membership will be as follows:
• One member will be selected from each of the planning areas
in Marin County by the Authority Board members representing
that area (Northern Marin, Central Marin, Ross Valley, Southern
Marin, and West Marin). (Totaling 5 members)
• Seven members will be selected to reflect a balance of viewpoints
across the County. These members will be nominated by their
respective organizations and appointed by the Board of the
Authority, as follows:
• One representative from a taxpayer group
• One representative from the environmental organizations of
Marin County
• One representative from a major Marin employer
• One representative from the Marin County Paratransit Co-
ordinating Council, representing seniors and persons with
disabilities
• One representative from the League of Women Voters
• One representative from an advocacy group representing
bicyclists and pedestrians
• One representative from a school district, including parents
AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN
The Authority's Board may annually review and propose
amendments to the Expenditure Plan to provide for the use
of additional Federal, State, and local funds, to account for
unexpected revenues, or to take into consideration unfore-
seen circumstances. To modify this Plan, an amendment must
be approved by a two-thirds majority of the total commis-
sioners on the Authority Board, following a noticed public
hearing and a 45 -day public comment period. Following the
I Page 28
Marin County transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
2/3 vote of the Authority, any plan amendment will be sub-
mitted to each of the cities and towns in Marin County and
to the Board of Supervisors for their approval. Amending
the Plan will require a majority vote of 50+% of the cities
representing 50+% of the incorporated population, as well
as a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors.
Implementing Guidelines
This plan is guided by principles that ensure that the rev-
enue generated by the transportation sales tax is spent in
the most efficient and effective manner possible, consistent
with the desires of the voters of Marin County. The prin-
ciples outlined in this section provide flexibility needed to
address issues that may arise during the life of the plan. The
specific operations of the Authority are further addressed
in its Administrative Code.
The Transportation Authority of Marin is charged with
a fiduciary duty in administering the transportation
sales tax proceeds in accordance with the applicable
laws and this Expenditure Plan. Receipt of these tax
proceeds may be subject to appropriate terms and
conditions as determined by the Authority in its rea-
sonable discretion, including, but not limited to, the
right to require recipients to execute funding agree-
ments and the right to audit recipients' use of the tax
proceeds.
2. All meetings of the Transportation Authority of Marin
will be conducted in public according to state law,
through publicly noticed meetings. The annual budget
of the Authority, annual work plan, biennial Strategic
Plan, and annual report will all be prepared for public
scrutiny. The interests of the public will further be
protected by the Citizens' Oversight Committee, de-
scribed previously in this Plan.
3. Under no circumstances may the proceeds of this
transportation sales tax be applied to any purpose
other than for transportation improvements benefit-
ing Marin County. The funds may not be used for any
transportation projects or programs other than those
I Page 29
Approved Final Plan
specified in this Plan without an amendment of the
Expenditure Plan.
4. Revenue generated by this sales tax will not be used
to create or operate regional rail programs or used
for regional highway projects (Highway 101) with the
exception of the Highway 101 Carpool Lane "Gap
Closure" project described in Strategy 2.
5. Actual revenues may be higher or lower than expected
in this Plan, due to changes in receipts and/or matching
or leveraging capability. Estimates of actual revenue
will be programmed annually by the Transportation
Authority of Marin during its annual budget process.
Because the Expenditure Plan is based on percentage
distributions, dollar values in this Plan are estimates
only. Actual revenues will be programmed over the
life of the Plan based on the percentage distributions
identified in the Plan.
6. The actual requirement for funds in a specific program
could be higher or lower than expected due to changes
in funding outside of this transportation sales tax, or
due to changes in project costs or feasibility. Should
the need for funds for any program within a strategy
be less than the amount to be allocated by the sales
tax, or should any project become infeasible for any
reason, funds will first be reprogrammed to other
programs or projects in the same strategy area with a
two-thirds vote at a noticed public hearing. Should the
need for funds in the entire strategy area be less than
the amount to be allocated by the transportation sales
tax, the Authority Board may amend the Expenditure
Plan to reallocate funds to the other strategy areas
following its procedures for a plan amendment.
7. If additional funding from other sources becomes avail-
able for the Highway 101 Carpool Lane Gap Closure
Project (Strategy #2), or if the actual expenditures
are less than allocated, then the equivalent amount of
transportation sales tax receipts will be redirected to
projects in Strategy #1.
I Page 30
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
8. All projects funded with these transportation sales
tax funds will be required to complete appropriate
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and
other environmental review as required.
9. Funds may be accumulated by the Authority or by re-
cipient agencies over a period of time to pay for larger
and long-term projects. All interest income generated
by these proceeds will be used for the transportation
purposes described in the Expenditure Plan.
10. The Transportation Authority of Marin will have the
capability of loaning transportation sales tax receipts
at prevailing interest rates to other agencies for the
implementation of needed transportation projects,
provided that there is a guaranteed revenue stream
to repay such a loan and provided that the loan will
not interfere with the implementation of programs or
projects defined in the Expenditure Plan.
1 I. Matching or leveraging of outside funding sources is
strongly encouraged. Any additional transportation
sales tax revenues made available through their re-
placement by matching funds will be spent based on
the principles outlined in 6 and 7 above.
12. New incorporated cities/towns or new bus transit
agencies, that come into existence in Marin County
during the life of the Expenditure Plan could be con-
sidered as eligible recipients of funds through a Plan
Amendment.
I Page 31
Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Expenditure Plan
Glossary
Term Definition
Authority Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) — an agency created for the
purpose of administering this sales tax, the Authority will be responsible
for programming funding for all transportation programs in Marin County.
The TAM Board will include representatives from each city and town in
Marin County, plus the five members of the Board of Supervisors. The
Authority will function as the Congestion Management Agency for Marin
County.
Bonding Selling municipal bonds will allow the Transportation Authority of
Marin to accelerate capital projects by pledging future revenues for the
repayment of bonds and getting needed capital funds"up front' for project
implementation.
Citizens' Oversight A 12 -member committee consisting of 5 representatives selected from
Committee the five planning areas and 7 representing diverse interest groups in
Marin County. Reports directly to the public on all issues related to the
Expenditure Plan and sales tax.
Expenditure Plan The 20 -year plan for spending sales tax funds.
"Gap Closure" The Gap Closure Project includes the completion of the bus and carpool
lane on Highway 101 through San Rafael. This project is designed to relieve
a critical bottleneck on Highway 101.
Golden Gate Bridge The agency responsible for the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as regional
Highway and transit including ferries and bus service between Sonoma, Marin, and San
Transportation District Francisco counties. Golden Gate currently operates local transit services
in Marin County under contract to the Marin CountyTransit District.
HOV Lane High OccupancyVehicle or Carpool lane, open to vehicles with 2 or more
occupants, including buses, during peak hours.
Leveraging or Matching local sales tax dollars with other funds on a one-to-one or other
Leverage (also Matching) percentage basis from local, regional, State, or Federal sources, to stretch
local sales tax dollars by attracting new grant funding to Marin County.
Marin CountyTransit The existing local transit district, MCTD currently contracts for local
District (MCTD) transit services with Golden Gate Transit, which currently operates local
services in Marin. MCTD also currently contracts for paratransit services
with Whistlestop Wheels, as well as contracting for the West County
Stagecoach. MCTD is governed by two city representatives and five
representatives from the Board of Supervisors. Under the plan, MCTD
will develop detailed transit plans with public input for approval by the
Transportation Authority of Marin.
Page G-1
Approved Final Plan • Glossary
Term Definition
Paratransit Specialized transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities
who are unable to use regular bus routes.
Paratransit Coordinating The established group of seniors, people with disabilities, and their
Council (PCC) advocates who advise the Marin County Transit District on paratransit
and accessibility needs.
Self-help County A county with a local sales tax for transportation is called a "self-help"
county, because the tax demonstrates that the County is willing to "help
itself" to solve its own transportation problems. A self-help county has
greater opportunities to compete for regional, State, and Federal grants
by providing matching funds.
Short Range Transit Plan A five-year plan required for every transit agency in the Bay Area, this
document is the primary opportunity to identify transit needs and develop
priorities.
Strategic Plan A detailed plan of expenditures and revenue completed by the
Transportation Authority of Marin every two years. The plan projects
the use of sales tax funds, as well as other funding that may be available
to projects in the plan. The Strategic Plan also considers the need for
bonding or other financing techniques to accelerate projects.
Technical Advisory A committee made up of Public Works staff, other city staff and
Committee representatives of diverse public interests who will prioritize infrastructure
improvements and make recommendations to the Transportation
Authority of Marin.
Transportation Authority See "Authority."
of Marin (TAM)
Transit District See "Marin County Transit District (MCTD)"
Page G-2