Mike Maltais, Staff writer
PATEROS – The city council approved a resolution setting public hearing date at 6 p.m., April 19, to discuss the “assumption of the rights, powers, functions, immunities, and obligations” for a Pateros Transportation Benefit District” during its regular monthly meeting on March 15.
In August 2013, the Washington Legislature adopted RCW 36.73.020 permitting city or county governments to create TBDs to impose additional vehicle registration fees to fund local transportation projects. A later Initiative, No. 976 sponsored by Tim Eyman, appeared on the November 2019 ballot and was approved by 53 percent of the voters. I-976 would have eliminated all TBD vehicle license fees. I-976 was overturned by the Washington State Supreme Court in October 2020.
A TBD would allow Pateros to fund a transportation improvement within the district that, according to the RCW language “is consistent with any existing state, regional, or local transportation plans and necessitated by existing or reasonably foreseeable congestion levels.”
The RCW further directs that “to the extent practicable, the district shall consider the following criteria when selecting transportation improvements:
(a) Reduced risk of transportation facility failure and improved safety;
(b) Improved travel time;
(c) Improved air quality;
(d) Increases in daily and peak period trip capacity;
(e) Improved modal connectivity;
(f) Improved freight mobility;
(g) Cost-effectiveness of the investment;
(h) Optimal performance of the system through time;
(i) Improved accessibility for, or other benefits to, persons with special transportation needs as defined in RCW 47.06B.012; and
(j) Other criteria, as adopted by the governing body.”
City Administrator Jord Wilson reported that city officials met with representatives of the community planning consultants CREA Affiliates for an initial survey of plastics industry project that the city hopes to locate on its Starr Road industrial site.
“CREA toured the city, railroad options, and the Starr Road development.” Said Wilson. “They will be setting up a virtual booth at the national plastics convention.”
Wilson also updated the Chamber tab on the city’s website, pateros.com, with “Exploring Plastics” information to provide the industry a place to connect with Pateros.
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