East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Planning Team Resolution Opposing Toll Fees on US 183 and HWY 71

RESOLUTION OPPOSING TOLL FEES ON US 183 AND E. HWY 71

WHEREAS, the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Planning Team has adopted a Neighborhood Plan to address historical neglect and economic disparity in sharing public resources and delivering services by governmental entities at all levels and by the public sector at the local level; and

WHEREAS, the proposed Central Texas Toll Road Plan has scheduled for East Austin a dis-proportional share of road miles than any other sector in Austin; and

WHEREAS, the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood is home to many very low-income families and the medium family income was just $18,724 at the time we adopted our Neighborhood Plan in 1999 and knowing that for poor families transportation is the second highest household expense after housing; and

WHEREAS, the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Planning Team is concerned about any fees that impact family income or our neighborhood businesses and we discussed and reviewed the plan to begin charging toll fees to travel on the southeastern portion of US 183 and E. HWY 71 at our August and September 2006 meetings; and

WHEREAS, the Team has a responsibility to represent the interests of our residents and small businesses and to speak out whenever an issue presents itself affecting affordability, access to jobs and the airport, and trading goods and services with our area businesses; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE EAST CESAR CHAVEZ NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING TEAM:

That the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Planning Team does not necessarily oppose the concept of “users pay for new roads,” but we request the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority rescind its’ prior decisions to charge tolls on the existing southeastern portion of US 183 and East HWY 71 which have already been built, improved, and paid for by taxing our residents and businesses.

ADOPTED: October 18, 2006 BY: The East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Planning Team

ATTEST: __________________________________________ Joseph A. Martinez, Chairperson