Just sent this press release below. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever you like to sip on while reading blog posts, I’ll be waiting at the end with an explanation of what it all means.
For Release: Immediate
Media Contact: Derek Young
Date: Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Phone: (253) 225-5878
Public Transportation Improvement Conference
Pierce County, WA – On Friday, December 16, 2011, the first meeting of the Public Transportation Improvement Conference was held at the Puyallup Public Library.
The Public Transportation Improvement Conference as outlined by RCW 36.57A.020 was convened by resolution of the Pierce Transit Board of Commission on November 14th 2011. The Conference membership is comprised of one elected official from each city and town within Pierce County and the Pierce County Council. The purpose of this conference is to consider changing the current boundaries of the Pierce Transit Public Transportation Benefit Area.
Councilmember Derek Young of Gig Harbor was selected as Chair and Councilmember Javier Figueroa of University Place as Vice Chair. It was determined that changes in the Pierce Transit Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA) boundaries should be considered. The Conference put forward a preliminary delineation that will be sent to each jurisdiction and the Pierce County Council for initial reaction.
The next meeting will be held Friday, January 20, 2012 at 9:00am located at Clover Park Technical College, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd, Lakewood WA, 98499, Building 3, Rotunda Room. Please visit www.piercetransit.org/ptic.htm for information regarding the Public Transportation Improvement Conference including a map the preliminary delineations, meeting materials and how to make comments to the Conference.
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All done? Good.
When last February’s vote to increase sales tax and save Pierce Transit service failed, their board was forced to make significant cuts. In some areas, like Eastern Pierce and the Key Peninsula, that means elimination of service. In others, service was reduced.
Understandably, some of these communities were not thrilled with the idea that they would be included in Pierce Transit’s taxing district but wouldn’t have regular service. With that in mind, Pierce Transit’s board convened a Public Transportation Improvement Conference which is tasked with deciding whether or not the boundaries should change.
As noted above, I’ll be representing Gig Harbor and will serve as chair as well.
Here’s a first idea of what a new service area might look like.
This is the first attempt by the Public Transportation Improvement Conference at creating a new service area for Pierce Transit
As you can see, it removes nearly all of the unincorporated areas of the peninsulas which reflects the new service area on this side of the bridge.
While I represent the City, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you live in those areas and have comments or questions. I should note, however, that our charge is strictly about the boundaries of their service area. I’m not on the Pierce Transit board so I can’t negotiate for service but I can certainly pass those comments to the board.
What do you think?
It looks like a great map! If only the urban growth boundary was as enlightened.
Good point. If the Growth Management Act had been passed in the 70′s or 80′s, it probably would have looked similar.
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