AgdaPkt 2002-08-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IREPORT - From Council Member Diane Howard August 5, 2002 Subject Resolution in Support of Funding Redwood City Ferry Service from a Portion of New Revenues Generated by $1.00 Increase to State Bridge Tolls Recommendation Adopt resolution of support including the capital a nd operating costs of starting ferry service out of Redwood City in San Mateo County's priorities for the State Bridge Toll Expenditure Plan. Background Over the last several years, the Port of Redwood City has taken the lead in studying the feasibility of establishing ferry service out of Redwood City. The Port has invested in preliminary studies of potential ferry terminal sites on their property. They've worked with employers in the area, business leaders and elected officials on this project. In 2000, Redwood City worked with South San Francisco to get policy language adopted in San Mateo County's Transportation Plan supporting the establishment of new ferry service from the Peninsula. The creation of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority (WTA), a regional transit agency by the State of California in1999, created a new opportunity for Redwood City to study the viability of ferry service. The WTA is completing its plan for the long- term expansion of ferry service in San Francisco Bay and environmental review. The WTA will be releasing their Implementation and Operations Plan and their programmatic Environmental Review in September for public comment. The draft Plan Will be submitted to the California Legislature on December 12, 2002 The WTA'S proposal recommends tripling the number of ferry ridership from the present level of 4 million commuters per year to 12 million in 2015. New service is recommended for the Peninsula (Oyster Point and Redwood City), East Contra Costa County (Martinez & Antioch), Richmond and Alameda. Service would also be added to the existing ferry systems in Vallejo, Oakland/Alameda and Marin County. As proposed, 31 ferries would be added to the Bay Area's ferry system. The Port of Redwood City has actively participated in the WTA's advisory Boards. Councilmember Diane Howard was appointed to the WTA's Community Advisory Committee (CAC) as Redwood City's representative. Councilmember Howard serves as the Chair of the CAC, comprised of elected officials throughout the Bay Area. Port Commissioner Dick Dodge serves on the WTA's Technical Advisory Committee.