CCMIN090192 - Laserfiche WebLink

18 Mr. Stein asked that the recommendations of the Chamber of Commerce be included (no public funds to be used) and that there be the insurance for a free parallel right-of-way and road for an alternative for the public. Judith Bettencourt, Sunol resident, indicated that she worked in San Jose and had many co-workers who live in Modesto and Tracy. She said that the commuters would rather have safe, efficient, reliable, fast mass transit rather than another road. Ms. Bettencourt felt that if the toll road were put in, it would create more traffic in the already congested area of Niles Canyon. Brett Hughes, aide for Senator Boatwright, referred to a bill that Senator Lockyer introduced that would have prevented public monies being used in private tollways. Even though the bill was defeated, Senator Lockyer still has strong reservations about public monies being used to fund private tollways, especially one that had a guarantee of return of 20%. He asked that Council consider these points. Becky Dennis, 838 Gray Fox Circle, spoke in opposition to the toll road. She felt that the road would create more traffic because it would induce growth along its entire length. She agreed that better mass transit is needed. She did not support the use of public funds in this manner. She felt that when any enterprise is guaranteed a certain rate of return and public monies are involved, it only invites long term abuse of the taxpayers. Don Adams, 4133 Stanley Boulevard, was also opposed to the toll road. He would much rather have mass transit. He believed that freeways should be funded as they have always been, even if that meant an increase of another 25 cents on the gas tax. Mr. Butler felt that this was not the time to closeout further work on the toll road. This did not mean that he was ready to support the road or support the use of public funds. He was willing to approve the resolution, but to include a condition that would not allow the use of public funds. He felt that staff did a good job on outlining what the needs are and what the likelihood is of improvements of Highway 84 to Isabel and to local connections. It was not clear to him at this point what the pluses and minuses were regarding an alternative route and whether or not it could be financed through the typical historical freeway funding sources. Ms. Mohr stated that this report highlighted the fact that the 1-580/I-680 interchange and traffic is threatening to overwhelm the City. The traffic has already increased in Pleasanton especially near the interchange area. She believed that the Legislature would not allow gas taxes to be increased to the point that they would be able to pay for the toll road. She asked what would happen to the existing Highway 84. She understood that the existing Highway 84 would not be demolished and would continue to exist as it is. 9/1/92 18