R-2013-28 supporting Ike Dike structural protection system

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RESOLUTION NO. JD 16 - -aN A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS SUPPORTING THE "IKE DIKE" CONCEPT BEING PROPOSED BY TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-GALVESTON'S DR. BILL MERRELL AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE MEANS OF PROTECTING LA PORTE AND THE ENTIRE HOUSTON-GALVESTON REGION FROM STORM SURGE AND SUB -TROPICAL RAIN EVENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR THE DELIVERY OF SUCH RESOLUTION TO TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON, THE GULF COAST COMMUNITY PROTECTION AND RECOVERY DISTRICT, AS WELL AS THOSE STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS THAT REPRESENT THE LA PORTE AREA. WHEREAS, the City of La Porte Texas is a coastal community with 3.1 miles of frontage on Galveston Bay and a significant population of residents and businesses that can be affected by a storm surge and sub -tropical rain events, and WHEREAS, storm surge entering Galveston Bay as a result of a hurricane or other significant storm event tends to increase in height as it moves further up into the Bay and endangers human life, destroys property, and damages sensitive ecosystems, and WHEREAS, a comprehensive flood gate and barrier system along the Gulf Coast, including San Luis Pass, Bolivar Peninsula and the mouth of the Houston, Galveston and Texas City ship channels would provide the necessary protection for the Houston -Galveston region and in particular, areas surrounding Galveston Bay, and WHEREAS, the "Ike Dike "project looks to existing technology created and effectively used in the Netherlands, and WHEREAS, in 2010, the Texas Governor's Commission on Recovery and Renewal reviewed the "Ike Dike" proposal and recommended a six -county public corporation known as the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District be established to explore viable options for storm surge protection of the Houston -Galveston region, and WHEREAS, the cost of constructing the "Ike Dike" project would be a mere fraction of the cost of structural damage, lost productivity and environmental clean-up, otherwise incurred without the project after a major hurricane, and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Porte desires to support the "Ike Dike" project in order to advance the need for a coastal barrier system to protect La Porte and the entire Houston -Galveston region. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE TEXAS THAT: Section 1. City Council finds that the recitals set out in the preamble above are true and correct.