The City of Ypsilanti may request to join the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, in an effort to develop a long-range service transit plan that would serve Washtenaw County's "urban core."
The city of Ypsilanti may request joining the AATA to continue providing transit services to its residents.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber said Council Member Pete Murdock brought forth the resolution that will be considered at the city council's Tuesday meeting.
Schreiber said he absolutely will support the resolution.
"Pete and I have been the two people that were, I believe, appointed by council to continue working with the rest of the urban core transit group that's been meeting once a month to improve public transit after the defeat of the Washtenaw Ride 196 board," Schreiber said. "We're trying to pick up the pieces of that."
Schreiber said in 2010, Ypsilanti voters overwhelmingly approved a 0.9789 transit charter millage by a 3-1 margin, reinforcing the need and want for transit in the Ypsilanti community.
"The AATA wanted to expand and be county-wide," Schreiber said. "This is a small step toward that and it brings the eastern side of Washtenaw County into the AATA Instead of an annual contract, we would get a permanent stake. The citizens really show that they support it. I can't emphasize that enough. That’s what drives city council to act."
Ypsilanti's transit charter millage provides a dedicated revenue stream for bus service and the city has reached the 20 mill state statutory limit, Schreiber said. The city must join a transit authority in order to be able to increase transit funding.
"We can't levy more than 20 mills and we don’t have a balanced general fund," Schreiber said. "Our budget situation has reduced our options... We have a lot of pressure on the general fund and the only other option is some type of millage that could be applied under the authority and would also be applied to all members of the authority."
In return for being allowed to join the AATA, the resolution states Ypsilanti would contribute its entire charter transit millage to the AATA.
Schreiber said he's spoken with a few AATA board members who indicated Ypsilanti is an important part of the coverage area. Schreiber noted the recent 30 percent ridership increase on AATA's Route 4, which services Ypsilanti.
"I've gotten very positive responses," Schreiber said.
If council approves the resolution, it would then go before the AATA board who would vote on it. Schreiber said the AATA would have to change its articles of incorporation. Schreiber said it also would have to be approved by the Ann Arbor City Council, as well as go back before the Ypsilanti City Council, Schreiber said.
After that, Schreiber said it would then be figured out whether Ypsilanti would be able to obtain an actual seat on the governance board.
The Ypsilanti City Council will consider the resolution at 7 p.m., Tuesday at the City Hall.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.