Loading...
CC Resolution No. 2221 EconomicAlliancePHAResolutionRevised RESOLUTION NO. 2221 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, URGING THE 2012 SUNSET ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE LEGISLATURE TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW THE CURRENT APPOINTING BODIES OF THE PORT COMMISSION TO MAINTAIN LOCAL CONTROL IN DECISIONS, INCLUDING APPOINTMENTS, TO BEST REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC THEY SERVE AND THE PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. ****************************************************************************** WHEREAS, the Port of Houston Authority (the "Authority"), unlike a state agency, is a local authority created with local tax dollars to develop and support specific facilities located in Harris County; and WHEREAS, local citizens of Harris County through taxes paid, and indebtedness incurred through bond sales, have funded operations, maintenance and expansions, that have seen the Authority successfully drive the economic benefits of the port region, to wit, $178.5 billion statewide, up nearly $61 billion since 2006, and nationally providing 2.1 million jobs and $499 billion in economic activity; and WHEREAS, currently funding taxpayers and community stakeholders provide oversight and ensure that local needs and concerns are addressed in the management and operation of the Authority; and WHEREAS, the current Authority Commissioners are appointed as follows: ➢ two by Harris County; ➢ two by the City of Houston; one by the Harris County Mayors' and Councils' Association; and ➢ one by the City of Pasadena; and WHEREAS, the chair is appointed jointly by the City of Houston and Harris County; and WHEREAS, the current appointing bodies of the Authority Commissioners are directly elected by the taxpayers of Harris County, are accountable to those citizens, and are capable of identifying qualified and responsible citizens to serve on the Commission; and WHEREAS, in 2012, the Sunset Advisory Commission recommended actions to strengthen governance of the Authority; and WHEREAS, seven of the eight recommendations either have already, or are being implemented; and WHEREAS, the remaining recommendation concerned the oversight and the composition of the Port Commission, which would require a legislative change; and WHEREAS, the Sunset Advisory Commission recommended to "modernize the Commission's appointment structure by providing for a Governor-appointed member, having members elect the Chair, and limiting terms"; and WHEREAS, the Sunset Advisory Commission noted in its report that "the Port Authority is not a broken organization . . . ."; and WHEREAS, changing the composition of the Commission or adding term limits is not supported by members of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, as the same would erode local control of the Authority, which is solely supported financially by citizens of Harris County; and WHEREAS, it is the position of the members of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region that if appointments from other bodies are to be made, those appointing bodies should also accept responsibility for its proportional share of the Authority's debt; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Baytown agrees with the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and supports local representation from elected and appointed officials residing in the taxing entities, and recommends continuing appointments of Authority Commissioners through the impacted local municipal entities; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes that such local control and experience and knowledge of Authority Commissioners appointed from the Houston port region provides informed oversight that is beneficial to the cities adjacent to and most impacted by port operations; and WHEREAS, the City Council further believes that Authority Commissioners who reside in the impacted area and are appointed by locally elected officials are accessible, responsible and accountable to taxpayers most impacted; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby finds that the above-referenced recitals are true and correct and are findings of the City Council of the City of Baytown. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby strongly urges the Sunset Advisory Commission and the legislative leaders of Texas �- to continue to allow the current appointing bodies of the Authority Commission to continue to maintain local control on decisions, including making appointments as they, and the citizens who elected them, deem appropriate and necessary to best represent the interests of the public they serve as well as in the best interest of the Port of Houston Authority; and 9 to evaluate the effectiveness of the recommendations of the 2012 Sunset Advisory Commission, which have already been implemented or in the process of being implemented by the Port of Houston Authority, before making a change in the appointment method or term limits of the Authority Commissioners. Section 3: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by the City Council of the City of Baytown. _ INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED, by the affirmative vote Ithe City Council of the City of Baytown this the 10th day of January, 2013. ST HEN H. CARLOS, Mayor ATT ST: LETICIA B IgilE -. APPROVED AS TO FORM: NACIO RAMIREZ, SR i[y Attorney RVCmenlrile City CounciRResolmionsUO 13Vanuaq 1Mconomic Allim,ce MA Resolution Revised.docx