HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-118APRIL 14, 2009
09 -118 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 6 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN
PURPOSE: URGE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO DIRECT THE
USE OF AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT
FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS
INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
appropriated $27.5 billion for highway construction and the State of Wisconsin received
$529.1 million; and
WHEREAS, the federal government required that 50% of the allocation be
obligated within 75 days of passage; and
WHEREAS, many cities in the State of Wisconsin did not have qualified plans
for the federal guidelines favoring arterial and collector routes the vast majority of initial
stimulus spending went to Wisconsin Department of Transportation freeway and
highway priority projects; and
WHEREAS, the local infrastructure and roads that serve the freeway and
interstate system are critical to the State's overall transportation system for economic
development; and
WHEREAS, local governments are struggling with the economic downturn,
foreclosures, high unemployment and all the challenges to public systems and
resources they entail; and
WHEREAS, the State DOT will advance many projects ahead of its planned
schedule, freeing resources to be committed at a later date;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Oshkosh joins the
Wisconsin Alliance of Cities to urge the Governor, Wisconsin Office of Recovery and
Reinvestment, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Wisconsin Legislature and
U.S. Congress as follows:
➢ That DOT consider allowing ARRA funds for the local 20% match on
2009/2010 projects so that the local funding could be redirected and used for
local paving and resurfacing needs. Local governments would pledge to
apply these funds to the backlog in local projects that do not qualify for federal
stimulus funds because they are not collectors or arterials;
APRIL 14, 2009 09 -118 RESOLUTION
CONT'D
➢ That DOT direct more GTA funding into local road improvement and paving
projects with the resources now covered by federal stimulus funding by the
advancement of state highway projects under ARRA.
➢ That all parties work together to seek any necessary waivers or changes in
federal rules, regulations, or legislation that would direct more resources to local
infrastructure maintenance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Oshkosh also joins the Wisconsin
Alliance of Cities in its desire to continue more discussion and action on funding
solutions for local infrastructure needs in light of 18 years of frozen shared revenue
aids and state's own fiscal condition.