City Council Supports VTA’s Quarter-cent Sales Tax Proposal The
city has agreed to support the Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority in its proposal to seek a quarter-cent sales tax approval
from voters in the November 2006 ballot.
City Council Supports VTA’s Quarter-cent Sales Tax Proposal
The city has agreed to support the Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority in its proposal to seek a quarter-cent sales tax approval from voters in the November 2006 ballot.
Mayor Dennis Kennedy, who is an alternate member of the board of the Santa Clara VTA, said since sales tax revenues dramatically decreased after Sept. 11, 2001, VTA funding dropped substantially and faced a tough financial situation. Faced with a nearly $500 million deficit, VTA had to cut services in order to balance the project, placing on hold Measure A voter approved projects like the BART extension to San Jose and Santa Clara, expanding Caltrain services, expanding and restoring bus services, funding to local government for road services like pothole repair.
Kennedy said while there has been a slight build-up in the VTA’s reserves, there is still not enough money to fund the Measure A projects.
Kennedy said the quarter-cent sales tax is being proposed by entities to support additional funding and ensure that these projects would be funded.
“The city agreed to support this and send a letter to make these projects a reality,” said Kennedy. “We’re focusing highly on Caltrain expanding services, a reverse commute, an airport mover to provide direct shuttle service to the San Jose Airport.”
Speed Limits Increased on Portions of Burnett Ave. and Butterfield Blvd.
On Wednesday, the Morgan Hill City Council approved increasing speed limits on portions of Burnett Avenue and Butterfield Boulevard after reviewing a new engineering and traffic survey completed by the Public Works and Police departments.
Both departments recommended that the speed limit on Burnett Avenue be increased from the existing speed limit of 30mph to 35mph because the street had been upgraded from a rural two-lane road to an arterial four-lane road within the last year.
Both departments also recommended that the newest section of Butterfield Boulevard from San Pedro Avenue to Tennant Avenue have a speed limit of 45mph, which would be consistent with other sections of Butterfield Boulevard.
According to the city report, costs for new signs will be minimal since only two of 85 segments will be affected. The cost will be absorbed under the Streets operating budget.
City Approves $10,000 More to Indoor Rec Consultant
The Morgan Hill City Council agreed to amend The Sports Management Group’s consultant agreement, adding $10,000 to bring the total cost to $75,000.
The additional funds will be used to provide an update to operating costs, a new furniture and equipment layout based on the final building design and assist in the purchasing fixtures, furniture and equipment.
The city awarded the consultant agreement for the indoor recreation center to TSMG on August, 2003. In return, TSMG would provide planning support, operating budget and analysis, market analysis and revenue development.
West Coast Contractors, Inc., which was awarded the contract to build the facility, reports construction is going well and 90 percent of masonry block walls done. Concrete curb and gutter installation should be completed this month. Total construction of the 52,135 sq. ft. building is estimated to cost $16.7 million.
The facility will include a gymnasium, natatorium, fitness room, aerobics room, senior and community use areas.
Construction started in May and is expected to conclude August, 2006. A grand opening is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 5, 2006.
