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Group threatens move to repeal SMART commuter rail line
Author: Dave i
Date: 06-21-2011 - 21:18
By Mark Prado
Marin Independent Journal
Posted: 06/20/2011 06:02:46 PM PDT
A grassroots group that calls itself Repeal SMART plans to bring a measure to voters that could put an end to the financially troubled Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit commuter rail project if the agency doesn't slow its plans and explain how it will finance the entire project.
The group has sent a letter to SMART officials explaining its concerns and the actions it is considering.
"We have asked them to stop going ahead with bonding until they can show where all the money will come from to build the line," said Clay Mitchell of Windsor, spokesman for the group, which is getting its word out via Facebook and on its website. "To me it's madness to go ahead with a project when you don't know where the money will come from."
If the project does not slow down and financing is not fully explained, Repeal SMART said it plans to circulate a petition to qualify an initiative to repeal the sales tax that was approved in 2008 to fund the train plan. Or it might put together an initiative that would ask voters to dissolve the SMART district. It may do both.
Mitchell said his loose-knit group — there were four signatories on the letter to SMART — is not anti-train, but believes the public is not getting what it voted for in 2008. If the group does not get a response, it will "rapidly" move ahead with a ballot measure, although it is unlikely it could put anything before voters this year.
"We are reluctant to undertake either of
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the proposed actions, but at this point we have not been left with any choice," Mitchell said. "It is important that SMART be held accountable to deliver what was promised, which — barring some unforeseen major funding source — appears unattainable under the current plan."
Novato Councilwoman Carole Dillon-Knutson, who is on the SMART board, said finances are more transparent than ever and noted two-thirds of voters approved the plan, saying they wanted the train. "Part of the reason why they wanted the train is that the traffic is awful," she said. "People want more transportation options."
Dillon-Knutson said she would like to see more cost-cutting measures by SMART to make sure the train is viable financially. She didn't begrudge Repeal SMART's potential actions. "They have that right to do so," she said.
Measure Q — the SMART measure — needed 66.67 percent to pass in 2008. Marin gave it 62.6 percent approval while Sonoma gave it 73.5 percent, for 69.5 percent.
The approval raised the sales tax in Marin and Sonoma counties by a quarter cent to fund the train that was to take passengers from Cloverdale to Larkspur starting in 2014. A bike and pedestrian path along the route was part of the package.
The plan collapsed in the poor economy, which weakened the sales tax base. SMART hopes to start a shorter line from Santa Rosa to San Rafael by 2014, then build the rest of the line later if money can be found. Where that money will come from has not clearly been defined.
Even with cuts and a shorter system, the plan is $21 million short. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission — the Bay Area's transportation funding agency — will match funds if the Transportation Authority of Marin and Sonoma's Transportation Agency contribute dollars to help close the gap. Under a formula worked out by the parties, the commission would give $10 million, Marin $8 million and Sonoma $3 million.
The Transportation Authority of Marin will vote on its share of the bailout Thursday. Marin would spend more than Sonoma because it would receive a larger initial capital investment, officials said.
The financial questions trouble Repeal SMART.
"We would like to take it back to the people," Mitchell said. "We don't think the support is there. The plan has fundamentally changed from what voters approved in 2008."
Contact Mark Prado via email at mprado@marinij.com
Note : of meeting
Transportation Authority of Marin meets at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Marin Civic Center, Room 330, to consider providing $8 million to Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit to help build a Santa Rosa-to-San Rafael segment.
Marin Independent Journal
Posted: 06/20/2011 06:02:46 PM PDT
A grassroots group that calls itself Repeal SMART plans to bring a measure to voters that could put an end to the financially troubled Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit commuter rail project if the agency doesn't slow its plans and explain how it will finance the entire project.
The group has sent a letter to SMART officials explaining its concerns and the actions it is considering.
"We have asked them to stop going ahead with bonding until they can show where all the money will come from to build the line," said Clay Mitchell of Windsor, spokesman for the group, which is getting its word out via Facebook and on its website. "To me it's madness to go ahead with a project when you don't know where the money will come from."
If the project does not slow down and financing is not fully explained, Repeal SMART said it plans to circulate a petition to qualify an initiative to repeal the sales tax that was approved in 2008 to fund the train plan. Or it might put together an initiative that would ask voters to dissolve the SMART district. It may do both.
Mitchell said his loose-knit group — there were four signatories on the letter to SMART — is not anti-train, but believes the public is not getting what it voted for in 2008. If the group does not get a response, it will "rapidly" move ahead with a ballot measure, although it is unlikely it could put anything before voters this year.
"We are reluctant to undertake either of
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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the proposed actions, but at this point we have not been left with any choice," Mitchell said. "It is important that SMART be held accountable to deliver what was promised, which — barring some unforeseen major funding source — appears unattainable under the current plan."
Novato Councilwoman Carole Dillon-Knutson, who is on the SMART board, said finances are more transparent than ever and noted two-thirds of voters approved the plan, saying they wanted the train. "Part of the reason why they wanted the train is that the traffic is awful," she said. "People want more transportation options."
Dillon-Knutson said she would like to see more cost-cutting measures by SMART to make sure the train is viable financially. She didn't begrudge Repeal SMART's potential actions. "They have that right to do so," she said.
Measure Q — the SMART measure — needed 66.67 percent to pass in 2008. Marin gave it 62.6 percent approval while Sonoma gave it 73.5 percent, for 69.5 percent.
The approval raised the sales tax in Marin and Sonoma counties by a quarter cent to fund the train that was to take passengers from Cloverdale to Larkspur starting in 2014. A bike and pedestrian path along the route was part of the package.
The plan collapsed in the poor economy, which weakened the sales tax base. SMART hopes to start a shorter line from Santa Rosa to San Rafael by 2014, then build the rest of the line later if money can be found. Where that money will come from has not clearly been defined.
Even with cuts and a shorter system, the plan is $21 million short. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission — the Bay Area's transportation funding agency — will match funds if the Transportation Authority of Marin and Sonoma's Transportation Agency contribute dollars to help close the gap. Under a formula worked out by the parties, the commission would give $10 million, Marin $8 million and Sonoma $3 million.
The Transportation Authority of Marin will vote on its share of the bailout Thursday. Marin would spend more than Sonoma because it would receive a larger initial capital investment, officials said.
The financial questions trouble Repeal SMART.
"We would like to take it back to the people," Mitchell said. "We don't think the support is there. The plan has fundamentally changed from what voters approved in 2008."
Contact Mark Prado via email at mprado@marinij.com
Note : of meeting
Transportation Authority of Marin meets at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Marin Civic Center, Room 330, to consider providing $8 million to Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit to help build a Santa Rosa-to-San Rafael segment.
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 Group threatens move to repeal SMART commuter rail line |
Dave i | 06-21-2011 - 21:18 |