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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR:13172: DREDGING WATERWAYinteroffice MEMOKANDUM To: Mayor, City Council, and City Manager From: Valecia Tizeno, Assistant City Attorney ~ Date: June 10, 2005 Subject: P. R. No. 13172; Special Council Meeting Attached is P. R. No. 13172 requesting the U.S. Congress to appropriate adequate funding for dredging along the Sabine-Neches Waterway in the amount of $27,890,000. VRT/gg Attachment Cc: VIA FACBIMILE (409) 729-4377 Mr. Randall Reese Jefferson County Navigation District z. prl3172, memo P. R. No. 13172 06/10/05 bp RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION SUPPORTINa A REQUEST FOR ADEQUATE FUNDINa FROM THE U.S. CONGRESS AS IT PERTAINS TO THE PROJECT FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SABINE NECHES WATERWAY WHEREAS, the navigation project conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers along the Sabine Neches Waterway (which includes vicinities of Port Arthur) performs maintenance dredging of the sabine-Neches Canal; and, WHEREAS, Congress has provided funding for the past four (4) years to meet the necessary costs of dredging projects conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers along the Sabine Neches Waterway; and, WHEREAS, on May 18, 2005, the U. S. House of Representatives passed House Bill 2419, which is the "F.Y. 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill". This bill provided $13,478,000 for operations and maintenance projects for the Sabine-Neches Waterway Project; and, WHEREAS, for the past four (4) years, the Sabine Neches Waterway has seen an increase of 30% in the traffic of deep draft vessels, as well as a significant increase in dredging z.pr13172 ] costs due to rising fuel and inflation; and, WHEREAS, an appropriation of $27,890,000 is needed for fiscal year 2006 for the proper maintenance and operation of the projects in the Sabine-Neches Waterway; and, WHEREAS, on Tuesday, June 14, 2005, the Energy and Water subcommittee of the United States Senate will consider its version of the F.Y. 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. On Thursday, June 16, 2005, the full United States Senate Appropriations Committee will consider the final version of the bill, which includes appropriations for the Sabine-Neches Waterway project. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT A~THUR, TEXAS: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. That the City considers the dredging project conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers to be an important and vital task that promotes safe and efficient commercial navigation, and has a direct economic impact on the citizens of Port Arthur, Texas. Section 3. That as a result of an increase in dredging costs due to rising fuel costs and inflation, it is necessary z.pr13172 2 to increase the funding that was allotted per House Bill 2419. Additionally, in order to maintain the project, an appropriation of $27,890,000 is needed for Fiscal Year 2006. Section 4. That the City Secretary shall send a certified copy of this Resolution to Congressman Ted Poe, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Senator John Cornyn, and the Appropriations Committees of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate, to garner support for increased funding for the Sabine Neches Waterway Project for the Fiscal Year 2006. Section 5. That a copy of the caption of this resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this 13 day of June, A.D., 2005, at a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor , Councilmembers , ; NOES: MAYOR z .pr13172 ATTEST: CITY SECRETARY APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: APPROVED AS ~O FORM: CITY AT%60'R~Ey/'~/~ CITY MANAGER