Signal Tribune Newspaper

BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer

During its meeting on Tuesday, the Signal Hill City Council adopted a resolution urging residents to vote “No” on Measure R that has been placed on the November 4 ballot. Sponsored by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), if passed, the measure would institute a countywide half-cent increase in sales tax to fund transportation projects in the county.
City officials have calculated that Signal Hill would generate approximately $5.9 million in Measure R revenue. However, the MTA would only allocate about $115,000 of that revenue for transportation projects directly impacting the city.
City Manager Ken Farfsing explained that the MTA allocates funds on a population basis, not on the amount of revenue a city generates. “Most of these (Measure R) funds have been earmarked for projects in the West Los Angeles area,” he said.
The councilmembers said that until MTA comes up with a more equitable way of distributing revenue, the city would not support any more tax increases. Mayor Mike Noll added, “This is a difficult time to ask people to pay another half-cent in sales tax when so many families are struggling just to survive.”
In another action, the council directed staff to finalize an ordinance that will regulate the parking of motor homes, trailers and other oversized vehicles on Signal Hill streets. “Many owners of these types of vehicles do not have space on their property to park (them),” said Charlie Honeycutt, deputy city manager, noting that the large vehicles are impacting traffic safety and parking in the city. The council will vote on the ordinance during its next meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., October 28 in the council chambers of City Hall.