HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-07-29 CorrespondenceADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED FEDERAL -AID HIGHWAY ACT OF -1975
has ed major revisions in the federal highway program
The Ford Administration PropoG'1 he bill
in legislation it submitted to Congress on July 7. ll is expected to generate a
great deal of controversy in Congress and among highwa
y interestswhichpreferanexten-
Sion of the existing program.
BACKGROUND.
The Highway Trust Fund, _which was created by the Federal -Aid Highway Act of 1956, is
tober 1,'1977. 'Phe Trust Fund receives the revenues from the
scheduled to expire on Oc
four cent federal gasoline tax, the diesel fuel tax, and a variety of other user taxes.
These cent
fed es_are used to fund the more than thirty federal categorical grant highway
programs. The authorizations for these programs, which were most recently revised
in the'1973 Highway Act, will expire on June 30, 1976.
-- THE ADMINISTRATION BILL (H. R. 8430)
Key Provisions: The Administration's proposed four-yearprogram (fiscal years 1977
e -In
through 1980) has three key elements: (1) increased emphasis on completion of the-lnter-
state Highway System; (2) a restructuring of the Highway Trust Fund with its use limited
to financing the interstate System; and (3) a consolidation of the other categorical programs'
into four broad programs funded from general revenues.
Interstate Highway System -
Under the President's plan, federal attention will focus on the completion, improvement,
and
System, which is 85 percent complete.
rehabilitation of the 42,500 -mile Inter
oned among the states
The bill would revise the way Interstate authorizations are apporti
to place' highest priority on expediting the completion of routes of national significance
and essential to the connectivity of the System. A lower priority would be placed on routes
of primarily local benefit. The _result would be that states which have few -routes of
nationaLsignificance remaining to be completed would have their annual Interstate appor-
tionment levels- reduced, while states with extensive essential mileage to be completed
would have their apportionments increased.
s for nonessen
The new billeretainsthe 1973 provisions which allow local areas to transfer ratate seg encs [o nonhighway public mass transit projects involing the construc-
tial local Int
tion of fixed rail factl oral flexibilior ty in h the use
of transfeurcbase of rred funds by permitting heir use for any project -
to
proposes
to increase- 'Phis would allow a wider variety of public transit and
authorized under Title 23 (I lighways).
transit -related
projects. Transferred funds could also be used for local street construction
and safety projects.
anized areas
A related change would requirein __ transferred funds he used e amounthe t of m money_ transferred
from which the, Interstate segment was withdrawn. Finally,,
ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED FEDERAL -AID HIGHWAY ACT OF 1975
TheFord Administration has proposed major revisions in the federal highway program
in leIgislatton It submitted to Congress on July 7. The bill"is expected to generate a
great deal of controversy in Congress and among highway interests which prefer an exten-
sion of the existing program.
BACKGROUND
The Highway Trust Fund, which was created by the Federal -Aid Highway Act of ]956, -is
scheduled to expire on October 1,= 1977. The Trust Fund receives the revenues from the
four cent federal gasoline tax, the diesel -fuel tax, and a variety of other user -taxes.
These revenues are used to fund the more than thirty federal categorical grant highway
programs:The authorizations for these programs; which were most recently revised
in the 1973 Highway; Act, will expire on June. 30,:19.76..-
THE ADMINISTRATION BILL (H. R. 8430)
Key Provisions: "Ihc Administration's proposed four-year program (fiscal years 1977
through 1980) has_three key elements: (1) increased. emphasis on completion, of the Inter-
state Highway System; (2) a restructuring of the Highway -Trust Fund with its use limited
to financing the Interstate System; and (3);a.consolidation of the other_ categorical programs
into four broad programs funded from. -genera - I revenues.
Interstate Ilighway_System
Under the President's plan, federal attention will focus on the completion, improvement,
and rehabilitation of the 42,500 -mile interstate System, which is 85 percent complete.
The bill would revise the way interstate authorizations are apportioned among the states
to place highest priority on expediting the completion of routes of national significance
and essential to the connectivity__of.the System. A lower priority would be placed on routes
of primarily local benefit.' The result would be that states which have few routes of
national significance remaining to; be completed would have _their annual Interstate appor-
es with extensive essential mileage to be.completed
tionment levels reduced, while stat
would have their apportionments increased.
e new bill retains the 1973 provisions which allow local areas to transfer fimds for nonessen-
Thsegmentstononhighwaypublic mass trans it projects! nvolvingthe construc
t]aLlocallnterstate-:
tion of fixed rail facilities or the purchase of rail. cars orb uses. The'Administrationpropoaes
to increase local flexibility in the use of transferred funds by permitting their use forany project
authorized under Title 23 (Highways). This would allow a wider variety of public transit and
funds could also be used for local street construction
transit -related projects. Transferred
and safety projects.
would require t
A related change what. trrttinferrcti fund,, he iiritrd In the, urbanized areas
from which the Interstate segment was withdrawn. Finally, the amount of money tranuferred
4-
into four broad programs
care orical grant programs ro ram
The consolidation of over thirty g .ri1e Urban Transportation Aspsistcc�s a Well
should allow for greater use flexibility•
would continue to P local areas wouldhave increased
eater the flexibility [o use Urban
for mass transit projects
as street and highway Projects. In the latter era her than just on a Federal-Aid System.
to fund projects on' any public road, local governments is
flexibility and project approval
The extent to which the multimodal
flexibility
in the tf lnd'ingy
still limited, however, by [he p
processes. nce Program, the Administration's bill
Trans ortation Assistalocal control. The proposal continues
In establishing the Urban P royal of programs
does not address this key concern men tort urban funds and the Ac shows that the states
the role of the states in the app ro ram. The
and projects. The experience of imPtttn nta'dmin administering the urban program.
have often_ ignored_ local needs and priorities
1974 National:Trans� ondents support direct local funding of
nation Report reflects the cities' dissatisfaction with such a system
in reporting hat almost all local government resp
transportation programs,
apportionment of funds
Che Administration's proposal actually takes a step backward in the
ulation
by requiring 00 pe of the funds attributable to those areas*
uiri that states make available to urbanized areas of 200,000 and above pop
only 75 percent, rather than 1 p
1. 1 billion a year
is authorized for urban
Another item of concern to cities
Undei carrentlawu$horization_level for the Urban Transpor-
tation Assistance Program. 300 million for Urban Extensions of
programs ($800 million for the Urban System and $
and Secondary Systems). The Administration would combine these two pro-
the Primary
ear for all urban programs,
grams,_ but only authorize %800 million 11 a y
annual au[horization.of $1.05- billionnor the s am urban and
des moreaareasaand absorbs esents
The an-
a significant cut-back of funds since the
which are currently funded separa
some programstely.
LEGISLATIVI3 ACTION
II s simple two-year extension of the exist-
The Surface Transportation Subco wh tt is nasicai y a Public Works Z1[e Committee ommittee has bill
ed
-- bill (11.R. 8235), ories.
its own highway
ro ram through 1988. It does not tackle the
ing program with increased funding levels for all major ca e
would also extend the Interstate high ay Fund.
question of the future of the llfghway Trust erseY , began hearings
Congressman James
The Subcommittee, chaired by Howard o[ New J
Julq; which will continue through September'
on highway legislation on J Y chaired by Senator Lloyd Bentsen
Transportation"
ul to review specific topics-affecting
The Senate Public Works Subcommittee on rings i Subcommitteeexpects to draft
of Texas, hasscheduled several days of hearings
gral July
The
the highway program ind trnnnpnrt:nlion In I,
tion during the August Reccss•
highway legisla
C
1
w\.. M,-..ZO.•4:]Ki- -
O./elf, (0+. 52411
I :.
w.s.• of '-.,��14at l..7
-
(Mi) a 37.i -
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G „ ;)ou5e of �12pr��?ntatibe5
0") 316 o..2
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GC]v=a?Nx-rvT OSE?A:IONS .. - 11) 2J�15 a22z_,.,a.
June 30, 1975
Penny Davidsen
12 Bella Vista -Place
Iocta City, Iowa 52240-
-Dear Penny,
As you know, I'm a r-ertber'of the InterCovernmental'P.elations
and Human Resources Subcommittee of the House Government
Operations Comctittee.- This subcommittee has been given the
responsiblity-.of initiatin,:tine 1975'.General .Revenue Sharing,
-'
leislation in the House
As a prelude to our fall. hear-Lngs on—specific—legislative -
--
i
provL s Lons for re -eWal, we'll. begin by looking at the basic
fiscal problems f c:nc;state and local govacnaents. Hear 411-
's
,
have been sch2ei11_d to ',,.gin on July 9. Testimony will cover
prr,jectioas of grocath''and financial needs; analysis of state-
local, fcd ral-state, and federal -local relations; sources
for revenue; and bud'g-ta—' requiraaents.
,
Hopefully, this wi.LL providea good foundation for thu fall
le-Lslative hearings and promote a greater understanding in
I _
the Congress of the massive --probl.ems-confronti.ng;state and--
-- localofficials. d:tlly. (welcome your Lnput as these hearinus
pro_ced -and will personally -make certain that the--d'ifficultics
-.- - -
uniqua to oc:r arel are b ought -to the--=attenti.on of my colleagues
-
on the Subcommittee. = Pt_rnaps then we'll. be able to enact
�
Lationtient acclrrataLy reflects and responds to our io+a
concerns.
` "Please [seep me alcrtee, on yourownsituation:
Lest
regards.
I
- 6dcaaY-rinsky
-
I
f
-THIS STATKON _r. r r'a.I,avea 0,11 e;.as x,nao= wlTt, ascvcL n FI9=_as -_,
TN
4
DATrs July 22, 19.715
TO: Parks and
Recreation Co!!cmission
,
FROr',1: Rules ,Co^mittee of the City Council
1
Rc: Proposed
9
"Uy-Laws - 4
i
BY-Ln l$
fj
Ioga City Park and Recreation Commission
1
_
ARTICLE I
_ MEETING - -
Section
1. Regular M2etin s. P.egular;meetings of this Commission
snali beheld on the second Wednesday of each month.
Section
2. Special Meetings. Special meeting of the _members may
ii 111
be called by the Chair and shall be called by the Chair
and Vice-Chair at the request of three members of the
Ca-mi ss io1i.
Section
3., Place of ideetings. Regular meetings shall he in'a
place, accessible to the handicapped.
!
Section
Notice of-Meetinus. Notice of regular me=_tings_=shall not
_4.
be required; special meetings may be called upon notice
by telephone not less than six (6) hours before the
Meetings,. and twenty-four--(24) hours if a_,written notice__
of a special meeting is given. The news media shall he
notified by staff in a similar fashion.
iSection
5. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Commission shall
constitute;a quorum at any; meeting and the majority of
1
"votes cast at any meeting at which a quorum is present
shall be decisive of any motion or election.
Section
6. Proxies. There shall be no vote by proxy.
Section
7. Public Discussion. Time shall be made available during all
relular me-:tings for open public discussion.
ARTICLE II
1
,
,kc,"i3ERSNIP
- - -
r
:>c lion
l O.ail( I ri,ian;. Th Parks and Recreation Commission shall
j
1.con i— �i lith l l) �,r_mbec, Eight � in ;hill be appoint-
ed by thy! City Co,.rci1. The Iowa `City School shall
1
-
Parks andrC rea=ion C,.=mission -
pate: July 2-2,197
CoTmit
e' o tie City Council
FroT: ?ul^_�
-Page: : 2
(Article II, Section
1-:(Cont'd))
subject to the approval of the
designate one of its members,
a meAblrmembers rhzsion
City Council, who shall ,serve as
of
of m_mb_rship• Iowa
with full privileges the City of
be aualified elector of
Co ::�ission_ shall
City Ic -1-
but
Section Z
( private
Comoansailon. Memberscshall iserexpenseou(eccm,tnsaor
may b_
use, or whenPublicmasse texpense511 11inocurred
automobile
available), child care, and/or oth_r exp
which does not require
relating to official City business,
Requests for reimbursement for
travel outside the City.
outside
exp--n5eionncurred r tratto the Citydttanager�d
submitted
Cosi m busi nessomust be
3.
Orienta:"ion for Mew tlembersointm nt,Prior tn�lmembers shallthe first be
Szctien
meting r""allowing their aPP ertinent.portions::of the City
copies of the p-
_.
provided with
on B Laws, and other documentation
Parks and Retreat` J -in
coclz;
that %-Iould be useful"' OCOm 's n . en members
also CIOMMIssio
their duties. They Y
Ccuncibe-the-City staff', this
-
by members of the City C -
be deem- appropriate -
and others as may
Corranission
Three consecutive unexplained absences of a
to the"City Council
Section 4.
ibsenc's.
r^ember sh:�ll result in a recoTm�ndation
.:ember and appoint a
<tnm the Co,��mission to discharge said
nevi Commission member.
death,
5.-'Jacancizs. Any `%acancy on the',Cow-mission because of _.
disqualification or removal
Section
r�,ignation, long -tern illness;
Council after at-leactnc� days
s all be filled by the City to the
by announcement o, said Council.-
notice _has been -given
6.in the minutes o1 the City
media and recorded
ARTIC_ LF III•
C=FICERS- -
-
be elected
The officers of this CorrJnission shall be a Ceded
Section
T. i:umber. , each of `whom shall
and lice-Chairp_erson
-
person
by the members of the Co;mission-
r«
and Term of Office. The o:,:cers of this Commission
in each year;
Section
7..• -election --� at the January meeting
snail 5e el cc ted annually __
C
to • Par:<s and "recreation Cermission -
Oate: ; iluly_72, 1975_ -
From: Pules Cor',Iittee of the City Council
- =
page:"
(,1t icle LiI, Section 3 - (Cont'd))
s haif the elstth election ichallsbel_.lid asI notesoonheldthereafat ter as
meeting,
he
is convenient.
of
ff
Section 3. canciation,AremovalY disqual1 c—ationcorsotheracause
shall be filled by the members for the unexpired portion
of term.
reside at all
point committees, call special
Section �l. Chair. The -Chair shall, -when present, P
meetings of she members, appoint
mee7Cngsfand
Cin generaand sushrotheradutieslas may �benprescri�bed
off
by the members from time; to time,
or in the event of
inabilit or refusal to act, the Vice -Chair shall
Section 5.Vice-Chair. Inythe absence of the Ctair,
death, Chair So
perform the dstiesa f thebe subJeCtato all nthe restrgictions have
all P
upon the -Chair. -
ARTICLE _
DUTIES - - - _
Section 1. Genera in CThe haptesrt3�33�4noFhthe Iowaall City tyuCitych UCode.ties aSThe
fo
Commission
ulationsshall o dinancesonandnbudgets}_relatingstorparks,
- reg
playgrounds, recreational services, and cultural functions
of the `.City of Iowa City and make such reports to the City,
Council
as is entitled to in deceiveeems nsuch the staffcassistance and
Corm in`the performance of its duties.
information as .necessary
The Commission shall annually transmit to the City Council
a report of its activities and recommendations for the
developmentand culturaltionfacilitof Vies and rprograms,
eational centers,
playgrounds,rior
Each year at least 30 days p
Section 2. to thelstart ofmtheScIIPd get review process 6y the City
ts
Council, the Commissionitallimprovementsl submit to trelativelto�parks,
recommendations for cap
playgrounds, recreation centers and cultural functions and
facilities-sch ecor7ne` �o fissishall be on shall rank orecommender at leastd
fine year period.
i Year .
?arks <r^• ran rOn ::arrmi,si°n
Ua_ ;
City of Iowa C�/
CITY OF UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
t,
104 Sunset.Stree
*!payor
July 14, 1975
1
°+;r• Neal G. Berlin, City "tanager
Civic -Center, 410 East washing
St.
Iowa -City, Iowa 52240
Dear yr. Berlin-
suggin
Thank YOU for our recent conversation in which T inks of
that you commufiicate with usnlettergdidenot rarrive rent huntilgafter
Iowa City- Unfortunately, Your
our Council_ meeting July,, 8th. In order he expedite f University -
our am duplicati.nz,-your letter to me and :the Council of Universimy
ty
Heiahts and sending them copies of that letter together with n well in advance
present letter so they can have this informthe°second Tuesdayof
of our next meeting. We meet at 7:45 P•m
each month. If you or soCity could meet
me delegate from Iowa
with us, you would _be welcome. We felt our visit to your Council
meeting some time ago was informative -
Be assured that we will consider your letter at our next
meeting,and respond as rapidly on erninble• There have been
differences of interpretation concerning=charges and responsibilities
in our contractual arranrements. Hopefully these can be resolved
in a'mutually satisfactorymanner• We
in
the many discussions
een your financial
that have taken place betwofficers and our Finance
olic
chairman and clerk in efforts to come to an agreement. Perhaps it
will be necessary for the two councils:to settle certain p Y`
cement. tfeanwhiae, we will give your present
about a workable arrang categories of budget items to bring
matters and interpretations of
letter careful consideration.
Sincerely yours,
David Belgum, Mayor,
cc: University Heights Council
Iowa City Council
Ionia City Attorney
Iowa City Finance llirector
University Heights Attorney
Gniversity Heights=
Engineer
M }+
�•� ems• �S:.rb
520`$ Governor St. — Iowa -City, Iowa
RECEIVED JIII, ? 519,75
t -
•
August 11, 1975
T�
ti
I John Kobes
S. Governor 652240
i5.0
Iowa City,
_
r. Kob:
i Dear Mes
r „ _ ... of Jul 29: 1975..the
�G
' y " Atthe regular Council meeting our>letterconcern
on file y
" 'City, Council received and placed
The Council is lntsroftinteresttanditourist
ing your grotto.,
An' some Possible future
formation regarding histo
,
attractions-in Iowa City _ to include The Director,
:.invests-`
will be
brochure,ahichae tiionse tis Julie Zelenka, will
of Community-ssibiions of the suggestion.
j gating the po :the--
the attention of the
-the
—
f
Thank you for bringing this to
Council.
"Sincerely yours.
r
y
NealG. •Berlin Y
- Ci ty' Manager
_
EJGB/nh
i