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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 31, 2003
OFFICE
OF THE GOVERNOR
Governor of Michigan Approves DARTA Intergovernmental
Agreement
MACKINAC ISLAND - The governor gave final
approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement creating the Detroit Area
Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA) to improve public
transportation.
The agreement was signed by leaders from the Regional Transit
Coordinating Council (RTCC), including Detroit Mayor,
Macomb County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Oakland
County Executive, Wayne County Executive; the Suburban
Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation
(SMART); and, members of the Detroit City Council.
Begin - Extract
in full from - http://www.darta.info/about.html
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Together, they crafted an Intergovernmental Agreement between and among
the City of Detroit, the RTCC, and the Suburban Mobility Authority for
Regional Transportation (SMART), to establish the Detroit Area Regional
Transportation Authority.
The agreement is enabled by the Urban Cooperation Act which requires
gubernatorial approval, and the Intergovernmental Transfers of Functions
and Responsibilities Act (TFA).
DARTA will have the power and authority to plan, design, and coordinate
the operation of an effective and efficient regional public transportation
system in the southeast Michigan region. DARTA will not merge DDOT and
SMART, will not impose liabilities on local government without their
consent, and will not be authorized to levy taxes. Among the specifics of
the Intergovernmental Agreement on DARTA:
- DARTA will assume the functions of
the RTCC, including planning and
allocation of state and federal public transportation funds.
- DARTA will work with SMART and DDOT to coordinate public
transportation operations.
- DARTA will be prohibited from levying taxes.
- By March 2004, the Authority Board will retain a CEO. The CEO will
administer the interlocal agreement in accordance with the plan as
adopted by the Authority board.
- The CEO will manage the daily operational functions of DARTA and
prepare capital and operating budgets for the Authority Board.
- The Authority will appoint a Citizens Advisory Committee, authorize
the creation of community advisory councils, and establish a ridership
committee to engage communities and citizens in reporting their
concerns.
- The service area of the authority will include the counties of
Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne, including the City of Detroit.
- The agreement will positively position the region for federal
funding for startup costs for mass transportation.
- Protection for labor is provided in the agreement. The Authority is
granted the right to bargain collectively and enter into agreements with
labor organizations consistent with the agreement.
DARTA will be governed by an 11-member board, including:
- Two Macomb County representatives appointed by the Chairperson of
the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, in his or her capacity as a
member of the RTCC, to serve at the will of the Chairperson;
- Two Oakland County representatives appointed by the Oakland County
Executive, in his or her capacity as a member of the RTCC, to serve at
the will of the County Executive;
- Two Wayne County representatives, non-Detroit residents, appointed
by the Wayne County Executive, in his or her capacity as a member of the
RTCC, to serve at the will of the County Executive;
- Two Wayne County representatives, non-Detroit residents, appointed
by the Wayne County Executive, in his or her capacity as a member of the
RTCC, to serve at the will of the County Executive;
- Two Detroit residents: one appointed by the Mayor of the City of
Detroit serving at the office of the Mayor, and one appointed by Detroit
City Council.
- One Monroe County representative appointed by the Chairperson of the
Monroe County Board of Commissioners, serving at the will of the
Chairperson;
- One member appointed by the RTCC; and,
- One member appointed by SMART.
Board of Directors
The DARTA Intergovernmental Agreement calls for 11 appointments to the
Board as follows:
- 2 from City of Detroit - 1 each from Mayor's office and Detroit City
Council
- 2 each from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties
- 1 each from Monroe County, SMART, and the Regional Transit
Coordinating Council (RTCC)
End - Extract
in full from - http://www.darta.info/about.html
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
The agreement was comprehensive but was rejected by the courts and
deficient of industry support.
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