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November
28,
2005 |
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Metro
to Hold Public Hearings in Lancaster and Palmdale The Los Angeles
County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will conduct public
hearings in Lancaster and Palmdale to receive ideas and suggestions for
meeting public transportation needs in the Antelope Valley. The first hearing on
Wednesday, December 7, will be held in Lancaster at the Lancaster City
Council Chambers, 44933 North Fern Avenue, starting at 10:00 a.m. Those unable to attend a morning hearing, a second hearing will be held in the afternoon the next day in Palmdale on Thursday, December 8, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The Palmdale meeting will be held at the Palmdale Cultural Center – Joshua Room, 38350 Sierra Highway (near Sierra Hwy & Palmdale Blvd). The hearings will be open for comment until the last speaker or two hours, whichever comes first. Article 8 of the TDA
stipulates that a proportional share of the sales tax revenue be
allocated to areas in the County that do not have Metro service. Article
8 applies to approximately 5 percent of the County population that
resides in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and Santa Catalina
Island. TDA funds must be
spent for public transit purposes when a legitimate need for transit
service can be identified. However, if no “unmet transit needs” are
found, sales tax revenue may be used for street and road purposes. Each year, Metro
holds public hearings in areas outside the Agency’s service area to
determine if any unmet transit needs exist. Following the hearings, and
after receiving input from the Hearing Board and Social Services
Transportation Advisory Council, Metro will decide whether there are
unmet transit needs in the Antelope Valley. Those unable to
attend the hearing may submit written comments to Metro by December 23,
2005. Comments should be sent to Metro Article 8 Hearing Record, One
Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Attention: Susan Richan (mail stop
99-23-3). Metro-171 |