HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-30-2014 Council Agenda Item 5:00 PM SupplementRfCEIVED
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Agenda ltem: 5:00 p.m.
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Supplemental lnformation Packet
Agenda Related ltems - 5:00 p.m.
Supplemental Packet Date: January gO,2Ot4
Item(s)
Actions pertaining to the Bus Rapid Transit Project - City Manager's office
A gentleman from the American Lung Association stated he had submitted the attached tetter tothe City Clerk's website on January 14, 2014 per a tetephone conversation on January gO, 2014.
Supplemental lnformation:
Any agenda related public documents received and distributed to a majority of the City Council after the
Agenda Packet is printed are included in Supplemental Packets. Supplemental packets are produced as
needed. The Supplemental Packet is available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Office, 2600
Fresno Street, during normal business hours (main location pursuant to the Brown Act, G.C. 54957.5(2).
ln addition, Supplemental Packets are available for public review at the City Council meeting in the City
Council Chambers, 2600 Fresno Street. Supplemental Packets are also available on-line on the City
Clerk's website.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
The meeting room is accessible to the physically disabled, and the services of a translator can be
made available. Requests for additional accommodations for the disabled, sign language interpreters,
assistive listening devices, or translators should be made one week prior to the meeting. please call
City Clerk's Office at 621'-7650. Please keep the doorways, aisles and wheelchair seating areas open
and accessible. lf you need assistance with seating because of a disability,see Security.
L AI,IERICANÞ LUNGI m"tpSArtoN.
#!18 NorthArthur
fresno, CA 93705
551222-4800 phone
55t-221-2081 fax
lu¡g.org/california
January L4,20L4
Mayor Ashley Swearengin and Members
Fresno City Council
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA
9372L
Subject: Support for Bus Rapid Transit
Dear Mayor Swearengin and Members,
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express our support for bringing the air quality and public health benefits
of high quality Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service to the residents of the city of
Fresno. The lung association is a strong supporter of programs that reduce
the need for residents to drive, cut pollution and boost healthy, active
transportation choices. We believe the BRT project is key to those goals.
The City of Fresno's pursuit of the BRT system is an important effort for
accelerating clean air progress to protect the public's health. The American
Lung Association's 2013 Stote of the Air report found that Fresno is the
fourth most polluted city in the united states on the basis of ozone (smog)
pollution, with residents facing an average of over 58 unhealthy air days
per year. The city is also ranked as the second most polluted city in the
nation on the basis of over 40 unhealthy particulate pollution days per year
recorded in the 2013 stote oÍ the Áir report. For the tens of thousands of
Fresno residents living with asthma, including approximately 20,000
children, BRT means fewer vehicles adding to unhealthy pollution levels.
This will not only benefit residents locally, but also residents throughout
Fresno County.
ln addition to air qualÍty benefits associated with providing residents more
transportation choices, BRT could provide broader chronic illness reduction
benefits as transit use is correlated with more daily walking. lncreasing
daily physical activity is a crucial component in reducing the burdens of
lung diseases, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancers and mental health
issues. The health benefits of more transit use are especially important as
Fresno County ranks poorly in terms of death rates due to diabetes and
other chronic illnesses that can benefit from more daily physical activity.
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Taking advantage of the state and federal funding to move forward with Bus Rapid
Transit in Fresno can provide residents with cleaner air, greater opportunities to
incorporate hea lth-beneficial daily physica I activity, and greater tra nsportation
choices. The American Lung Association in California urges the City Council to follow
through with this important program to benefit public health in Fresno.
Thank you for considering our perspective on this important program.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Peterson, MD
Volunteer Physician, American Lung Association in California
cc: Bruce Rudd, City Manager
Douglas Sloan, City Attorney
Yvonne Spence, City Clerk
Jennifer Clark, Planning Director
Ken Hamm, FAX Director