Resolution 1435RESOLUTION NO. 1435
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, DECLARING MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OPPOSITION TO INITIATIVE 976 ON THE
NOVEMBER 5, 2019 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT
WHEREAS, Initiative 976 has been certified for placement on the November 5, 2019 general
election ballot; and
WHEREAS, the intent of Initiative 976 is to repeal vehicle licensing fees that fund municipal
road resurfacing and street maintenance programs, state freight mobility projects, Amtrak Cascades
funding, voter -approved Sound Transit 3 light rail and express bus funding; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds strives to maintain and continuously improve its
transportation infrastructure for the benefit of its residents, visitors and employers; and
WHEREAS, the City has long been committed to keeping its streets in top condition through a
robust street overlay program; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and Mayor recognize that Initiative 976 would have extremely
negative impacts on City, County and State transportation infrastructure, including the loss of up to
$700,000 for Edmonds' street overlay budget on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, passage of I-976 would result in a nearly $2 billion loss of six years in State
transportation funding for highways, the Washington State Patrol and other critical investments,
impacting Snohomish County and every corner of the state; and
WHEREAS, I-976 would strip more than $1.4 billion over six years from the State's
Multimodal Account, from which the City of Edmonds has received approximately $58,000 a year for
several years; and
WHEREAS, Sound Transit would lose approximately $7 billion for Sound Transit 3 projects,
putting in jeopardy the completion of light rail service to and within Snohomish County, and most likely
reversing the recent $1,850,000 grant to Edmonds for bicycle and access improvements; and
WHEREAS, I-976 would jeopardize $100 million in biennial funding for State Regional
Mobility Grants, which help fund sidewalks, bike infrastructure, Safe Routes to School projects and
projects that benefit seniors and people with disabilities throughout the State, Snohomish County and
Edmonds; and
WHEREAS, Initiative 976 threatens good -paying jobs in construction and the building trades
that allow thousands of workers to share in Washington's economic prosperity,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EDMONDS:
The Mayor and City Council declare their opposition to Initiative 976, which will be on the statewide
general election ballot on November 5, 2019, as it would cause extreme harm to the development and
maintenance of transportation infrastructure in the City and surrounding area, thereby jeopardizing
economic growth and quality of life in Edmonds and throughout the region.
RESOLVED this 15TH day of October, 2019,
MAYOR, DAVID O. EARLING
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED :
CITY CLERK, SCO PASSEY