HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2013-03 Requesting State Senator and Rep support of HCMCA ResolutionCity of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
RESOLUTION NO. 2013 -03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE CITY
COUNCIL REQUESTING THE CITY'S STATE SENATOR AND STATE
REPRESENTATIVE TO SUPPORT A RESOLUTION THAT WILL
CONTINUE TO GIVE HCMCA MEMBER CITIES LOCAL CONTROL
OVER APPOINTEES TO THE PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, the 2012 Sunset Advisory Commission report recommends actions to
strengthen governance of The Port of Houston Authority (the Authority); and
WHEREAS, seven of the eight Sunset Advisory Commission recommendation either
have already, or are being implemented, and
WHEREAS, local citizens of Harris County through taxes paid, and indebtedness
incurred through bond sales, have funded operations, maintenance and expansions, that has
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, unlike state agencies the Authority is a local authority created with local tax
dollars to develop and support a specific facility located in Harris County. Funding taxpayers
and community stakeholders are rightly entitled to provide oversight and ensure that local needs
and concerns are addressed in the management and operation of the authority; and
WHEREAS, the current Commission is 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; while the City of Houston and Harris County jointly appoint the Chair of
the Commission;
We therefore support local representation from elected and appointed officials residing in
the taxing entities, and recommend continuing appointments of Authority Commissioners
through the impacted local municipal entities; and
WHEREAS, the current appointing bodies of the commission 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 Port Commission; and
WHEREAS, the local control and experience and knowledge of commissioners
appointed from the Houston port region provides informed oversight of this regional asset that is
beneficial to the cities adjacent to and most impacted by port operations, and commissioners
who reside in the impacted area and are appointed by locally elected officials are accessible,
responsible and accountable to taxpayers most impacted; and
WHEREAS, the term limits of appointed commissioners by local bodies, should be
determined by the local bodies through the existing appointment processes; and
WHEREAS, 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;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS:
That the Harris County Mayors' and Councils' Association strongly urges the Sunset
Advisory Commission and our state legislative leaders to continue to allow the current
appointing bodies of the Port 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. As noted, the Port of Houston Authority has already successfully
implemented or is currently implementing Sunset Advisory Commission staff recommendations
and should be provided the opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness and success of these
new modifications.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City of West University Place City Council on
14th day of January 2013.
ATT APPROVED:
ecretary Mayor
RECOMMENDED _
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Z2 --
City Attorney