HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3481-05-2007A Resolution
NO 3481-05-2007
SUPPORTING SENATE BILL 1693, WITH CERTAIN REVISIONS,
GRANTING MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES THE AUTHORITY
TO CREATE AN INLAND PORT AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, inland port facilities have emerged as an essential component of U S
transportation corndors, and
WHEREAS, the ability of a region, the state and the country to compete m national and
international commerce will be enhanced by the development and operation of inland port facilities, and
WHEREAS, the establishment of inland port facilities m Texas would strengthen and diversify
the economy of the state by facilitating comprehensive planning, development, management and
operation of transportation, commercial processing, international trade and related facilities and
supporting infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of inland port facilities would facilitate national and international
trade through strategic investment mmulti-modal transportation assets, logistics systems, security
processes, customs facilities and freight transfer equipment and promote value-added services as goods
move through the supply chain and into national and international commerce; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1693 introduced in the 80th Legislature, would grant municipalities and
counties where certain infrastructure currently exists the authority to create an inland port authority for
the purpose of developing, promoting and operating inland port facilities and related infrastructure m the
state; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of an inland port authority m and around Alliance Airport would
be permitted by Senate Bill 1693 and, subject to certain revisions requested by the City Council and City
staff, would benefit the residents of Fort Worth and the region,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
I.
That subject to certain revisions being made to Senate Bill 1693 that satisfactorily address the
concerns and issues of the City Council and City staff, as outlined below the City of Fort Worth
supports Senate Bill 1693 authorizing the creation of inland port authorities and the establishment,
promotion and operation of inland port facilities m the state
Senate Bill 1693 must be revised to address or clarify the following concerns and issues of the
City Council and Crty staff•
• The board of directors of an inland port authority ("Authority") must be subject to the Texas
Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 Texas Government Code
• An Authority must not be able to be created without the consent of the City
• If a participating entity as defined m Senate Bill 1693 is not responsible for the debt of an
Authority unless voluntarily assumed, why is the consent of the Authority's debt holders
required tf a participating entity wishes to withdraw from the Authority?
• Concerns about the ability for an Authority to take title to taxable real and personal property
thereby making such property tax exempt, must be satisfactorily addressed.
• Concerns about the ability for an Authority to reimburse a private entity for the cost of facilities
or other property to that Authority must be satisfactorily addressed.
• The provision prohibiting a member of the City Council or City staff from serving on an
Authority's board of directors should be deleted.
• The City's design and construction standards for improvements and infrastructure must apply to
all improvements and infrastructure constructed by or on behalf of an Authority tf they are
located m the Crty or the City's extratemtortal jurisdiction.
• Concerns about the constitution of a quorum and voting procedures must be satisfactorily
addressed.
• Any subsequent concerns and issues of the Crty Council and Crty staff must be satisfactorily
addressed.
II.
That subject to satisfactory resolution of the above-referenced concerns and issues of the Crty
Council and Crty staff, the Crty of Fort Worth encourages the 80~' Legislature to take all necessary
action to pass Senate Bill 1693 as amended to incorporate satisfactory revisions addressing the above
referenced concerns and issues, and assure that rt becomes law
AND IT IS SO RESOLVED
'C~r~,.r
Adopted this fly
,~""AT~TEST
By.
M,
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~''~. Ctty.Secr
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day ~f May 2007
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APPROV1nD
CITY COUNCIL
MAY 1 2007
Cily Secretary of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas