R98-34 04-13-98RESOLUTION NO. R98-34
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN ITS REQUEST UPON
THE FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD AS WELL AS
OTHER PARTIES TO EXPEDITIOUSLY RESPOND TO AND RESOLVE THE
HOUSTON AREA RAILROAD PROBLEMS.
WHEREAS, be. ginning in the Summer of 1997 and continuing into 1998,
problem associated with railroad traffic have had serious detrimental effects on the
Houston regional economy, the public safety of the citizenry and the quality of life in
the community at large; and
WHEREAS, the negative economic impact for Texas has been estimated at
$100 million per' month in the cost of freight rail delays and lost production reaching
a total of over $1 billion with no immediate end in sight; and
WHEREAS, the petrochemical industry, located primarily on the Gulf Coast of
Texas, has experienced increased monthly costs from service disruption of an
estimated $60 million, totalling $500 million over the period; and
WHEREAS, the rail congestion in Houston and neighboring communities results
in blockage of traffic intersections by idling trains, posing a significant threat to the
public safety, health and welfare of the citizenry at large; and
WHEREAS, effective communication and cooperation between the railroads, the
City, the Port Authority, other governmental entities, and the business community
have deteriorated significantly over the past several years and should be immediately
restored; and
WHEREAS, it has been estimated that an investment of approximately 91 billion
is needed in railroad infrastructure, locomotives, crews, and capacity in order to
RESOLUTION NO. R98-34
ensure Houston's competitive position as a regional and international economic center;
and
WHEREAS, additional transportation costs and poor rail service will make the
Houston region a less competitive place to locate or to expand a business than other
locations around the country and the world; now, therefore,
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS:
Section 1. The City of Pearland lends its support to the City of Houston in its
request upon the Federal Surface Transportation Board, as well as other parties to
expeditiously respond to and resolve the Houston area railroad problems.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this the :[3th day of ^pri] ,
A.D., 1 998. ~,
TOM REID
MAYOR
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS 'TO FORM:
DARRIN M. COKER
INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY
2
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CERTIFICATION
THE STATE OF TEXAS §
,COUNTIES OF BRAZORIA & HARRIS §
I, Young Lorfing, City Secretary of the City of Pearland, Texas, hereby certify
that the attached constitutes a true and correct copy of RESOLUTION NO. R98-3
duly passed and approved by the City Council on the 13th day April, 1998.
Witness my hand and seal of the City of Pearland, Texas, this 17th day of April,
1998, at Pearland, Texas.
ung L n
ity Se tary
(SEAL)
3519 LIBERTY DRIVE • PEARLAND,TEXAS 77581-5416-19 • (281)485-2411 • www.ci.pearland.tx.us