There is hereby created a transportation utility fee for the purpose of providing funds for the maintenance and expansion of the transportation system, including but not limited to local streets and related facilities under the jurisdiction of the city of Talent. The council hereby finds, determines and declares the necessity of providing operation, maintenance and minor improvement of the city’s streets and related assets and facilities operating within the right-of-way as a comprehensive transportation utility. Operation, maintenance and minor improvement include such activities as are necessary in order that streets and related facilities may be properly operated and maintained to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the city and its inhabitants and visitors. The following activities are to be funded by the transportation utility: costs of administering the transportation utility, patching, crack sealing, seal coating, pavement overlays including minor widening, repairing and installing sidewalks or curb cuts, street sweeping, repairing and installing curb and gutter, replacing and installing signs, striping, repairing and installing signals, illumination, rebasing or placing additional road base on local streets, street trees, miscellaneous repairs, plus related operations of the public works department on city streets and intersections with city streets.

The council further finds that bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities, including access for the disabled or handicapped, are an integral part of the transportation network. A portion of transportation utility funds may be used for maintenance of bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities and services whether within public streets or off of street right-of-way on other publicly owned land or easements, provided the facilities are accepted by the city or a public entity recognized by the city for operations and maintenance. [Ord. 892 § 1, 2015.]