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Resident warns council against accepting street transfers that could burden city finances
Summary
Sadika Deshaizer told the council that accepting jurisdictional transfers tied to multi-million-dollar reconstruction projects would saddle the city with long-term liabilities, potentially costing millions in maintenance and restricting grant use; she urged rejecting Legistar 93,777 and prioritizing transit operations.
During the public comment period on item 23, Sadika Deshaizer of District 17 told the council she navigates the city by bus, bike and car and criticized a substitute resolution that would accept state payouts while shifting maintenance responsibility for major streets to the city.
"The substitute resolution takes $37,000,000 in state payout and immediately appropriates $15,000,000 to the BRT project," Deshaizer said. She cautioned that assigned amounts for reconstruction (for example, John Nolan Drive) may not cover long-term costs and noted potential forfeiture of approximately $300,000 per year in state maintenance aid, adding up to millions over decades.
Deshaizer urged the council to "leave the concrete debt with the state, focus our local tax dollars on funding transit operators, and petition the state for automated speed cameras" rather than accept the transfer. The council voted to adopt the substitute during the meeting; Deshaizer's remarks remain part of the hearing record.
