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.
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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