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Home My WebLink AboutR-2004-11 support Ellington Field as joint reserve venture . e RESOLUTION NO. 2004-~ A RESOLUTION OFFICIALLY SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ELLINGTON FIELD AS A JOINT RESERVE BASE; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. WHEREAS, the City of La Porte is on record in support of retaining all military units at Ellington Field; and WHEREAS, the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC 2005) places retention of military units at Ellington Field at risk; and WHEREAS, Ellington Field's ability to serve as a joint reserve base is a key determinant as to whether it survives the BRAC process as a military installation; and WHEREAS, Ellington Field already serves as a joint reserve base, housing the Texas Air National Guard's 1471h Fighter Wing, the Army National Guard's 149th Aviation Battalion and the United States Coast Guard Air Station Houston; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, THAT: Section 1. The City o~La Porte supports the official designation of Ellington Field as a joint reserve base with the expectation that military units from bases recommended for closure in BRAC 2005 be consolidated at Ellington Field, Section 2. Resolved that the City of La Porte urges Mayor Bill White of Houston and Adjutant General of Texas Lieutenant General Wayne D. Marty to designate Ellington Field officially as "Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base." Section 3. The City Council officially finds, determines, recites and declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City Council is posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required by the Chapter 551, Tx. Gov't Code; and that this meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during which this e e resolution and the subject matter thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves and conflittls such written notice and the contents and posting thereof. Section 4. This Resolution shall be effective upon its passage and approval. Passed by the City Council this 24th day of May, 2004. ~~ Peter Griffiths Mayor Pro- Tem ATTEST: Lft;t2I/lfL cAldc; Martha A. Gillett City Secretary ~D: (,#, ~. , Knox W. Askins City Attorney ~~?;~u~, ... ~ t ~T, ,.. C.~ tf1"l11~"'!.!I e "'1- GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP ;r Chamber of Commerce · Economic Development · World Trade Jim C. Kollaer President and CEO April 19,2004 The Honorable Norman Malone City of La Porte 604 W. Fainnont Pkwy, La Porte, TX 77571 C~~DY 17). ft'i(Br, ,',-.." .. '" M;.... .... f""" r-' :-... ~ f'" r#'V" (~ ,..;,~ f. v /. I:""U r::::- ..: ......"...' " 4;'1' r': r~r;..:tL\ e,J. ~ ~~'\,{ 'APR 21 200% c--' RlE'ei~t \~T~[) APR 2 3 7n~4 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Re: Greater Houston Partnership Supports the Establishment of Ellington Field as a Joint Military Reserve Base Dear Mayor Malone, Please join us in supporting the enclosed resolution supporting the establishment of Ellington Field as a Joint Military Reserve Base, passed by the Partnership's Board of Directors on Wednesday, April 7, 2004. Express your support by contacting: " Major General Wayne D. Marty Adjutant General ATfN: AGTX-A P.O. Box 5218 Austin, Texas 78763-5218 The Partnership has been active on transportation, aviation and regional security issues, and it has supported the consolidation of reserves at Ellington Field as a way of boosting security of key Houston institutions and the region as a whole. Congress has mandated that a Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAe) process occur in 2005 to eliminate excess infrastru!=ture, reshape the mi1it~ and rea~ize sign#icant savings..A key determinant as .to' which military units survIve the:, BRAe 200?, ~s~h~.. a~iljiy .to', serVC? ;u; a jojnt Military'Iteserv.:: Base by hosting several military units at one locaticirl. TIlls designation will publicly recognize the important role Ellington Field already is playing while enhancing its visibility as a destination for other consolidated military units. Furthermore, given the significance of Ellington Field and its strategic location, it is possible to develop new facilities there by building on existing operations. On behalf of the Partnership Board, its members and staff, we encourage your favorable support of this matter. Sincerely, Jim C. Kollaer Enc: Resolution 1200 Smith, Suite 700 . Houston, Texas 77002-4400 · 713-844-3601 · Fax 713-844-0201 · jkollaer@houston.org e e , Greater Houston Partnership April 7, 2004 Resolution of the Board of Directors in Support of the Establishment of Ellington Field as a Joint Reserve Base The Partnership is on record in support of retaining all military units at Ellington Field (resolution of the Board of Directors dated December 3, 2003). The Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAe 2005) places retention of military units at Ellington Field at risk. Ellington Field's ability to serve as a joint reserve base is a key determinant as to whether it survives the BRAC process as a military installation. In practice, Ellington Field already serves as a joint reserve base, housing the Texas Air National Guard's 147th Fighter Wing, the Army National Guard's 149th Aviation Battalion and the United States Coast Guard Air Station Houston. Therefore, the Partnership supports the official designation of Ellington Field as a joint reserve base with the expectation that military units from bases recommended for closure in BRAe 2005 be consolidated at Ellington Field. The Partnership urges Mayor Bill White of Houston and Adjutant General of Texas Lieutenant General Wayne D. Marty to designate Ellington Field officially as "Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base." I I \ ollaer, President & CEO -.i J , , e _, GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP ")II"'~ Chamber of Commerce . Economic Development. World Trade e MEMORANDUM DATE: April 7, 2004 TO: Board of Directors FROM: Walt Mischer, Chairman Transportation and Infrastructure Advisory Committee SUBJECT: Ellington Field RECOMMENDATION The Partnership is on record in support of retaining all military units at Ellington Field (resolution of the Board of Directors dated December 3, 2003). The Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC 2005) places retention of military units at Ellington Field at risk. Ellington Field's ability to serve as a joint reserve base is a key detenninant as to whether it survives the BRAC process as a military installation. In practice, Ellington Field already serves as a joint reserve base, housing the Texas Air National Guard's 147th Fighter Wing, the Army National Guard's 149th Aviation Battalion and the United States Coast Guard Air Station Houston. Therefore, the Partnership supports the official designation of Ellington Field as a joint reserve base with the expectation that military units from bases recommended for closure in BRAC 2005 be consolidated at Ellington Field. The Partnership urges Mayor Bill White of Houston and Adjutant General of Texas Lieutenant General Wayne D. Marty to designate Ellington Field officially as "Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base." BACKGROUND Congress has mandated that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) conduct a BRAC round in 2005 to realize significant savings by eliminating excess infrastructure and reshaping the military. BRAC 2005 will be larger than the previous four BRAC rC?unds combined. Ac- cording to an October 14, 2003 Los Angeles Times article, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld plans to close.at least 100 of the nation's 425 military bases. The BRAC process leads to a transformation of the military with a look to the future. Rather than the continuance of single-service operations and bases, though many bases will remain as such due to service needs, the trend is toward cooperation and co-location for better integration. To maximize the cooperation among the services in the United States, units will be realigned and co-located as appropriate. A primary example of this cooperation is Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (NAS IRB Fort Worth). A key determinant as to which military units survive the BRAC 2005 process is its ability to serve as a joint reserve base by hosting several different military units at one location. 1200 Smith, Suite 700 · Houston, Texas 77002-4309 . 713-844-3600 . Fax 713-844-0200 . http://www.houston.org Memorandum April 7, 2004 Page 3 e e . U.S. Coast Guard: While the Coast Guard Air Station Houston is located at Ellington Field, there are other Coast Guard units that could be assigned to the same location. For example, the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic System Houston- Galveston, currently located at an outmoded facility on the Houston Ship Channel, could be part of the DHS Operations Center since it monitors vessel movements in the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Bay and the offshore approaches. The Coast Guard Maritime Security and Safety Team for the area, currently located in Galveston, could be located at Ellington Field for rapid deployment. . Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): These units could be relocated to Ellington Field in an effort to coordinate all Homeland Security missions. The ICE aircraft at Hooks Airport in north Harris County should be assigned to Ellington Field to reduce commercialle~ed spaces and to coordinate DHS aviation units more effectively. . Other Homeland Security: Besides those listed above, there are other DHS elements in the Houston area, including the U.S. Secret Service and Agriculture inspectors. Again, the consolidation at Ellington Field would enhance cooperation in Homeland Security. NEW FACILITIES THAT COULD BE ESTABLISHED Army Air Force Exchange System (AAFES): The current Base Exchange (store) at Ellington Field is inadequate (631 square feet) for the number of active/reserve/guard and retired personnel living in the Greater Harris County area. Based on Veteran's Administration information regarding the distribution of veterans in Texas by county, and the total number of military retirees in Texas, there are approximately 33,000 retirees located in the area. This number, combined with the estimated 7,000 currently serving in the area and their dependents, would provide a substantial foundation for a large Base Exchange and Commissary. A visit by members of the Ellington Field Task Force to NAS JRB Fort Worth revealed that the AAFES facilities provide substantial funding (1 percent of sales) for the morale, welfare and recreation needs of the JRB persoIUlel. The Ellington Field Task Force has made contact with AAFES, as has Congressman Gene Green, to examine the possibility of a larger facility. Military and Veterans Service: Ellington Field would be the location where most of the active, reserve and national guard personnel would serve. Because an expanded AAFES facility would draw many retirees to Ellington Field on a regular basis, this would be an ideal location for a new facility to house the Texas Veterans Land Board, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Service Organizations (Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, others), United Service Organization (USO), Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR), American Red Cross and similar support organizations. This facility could be part of the AAFES complex or a separate and possibly state-funded building. . . REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: Mav 24. 2004 ADoroDriation Requested By: DehrA FeR7.elle Source of Funds: Department: City Maaager Account Number: Report: Resolution: X Ordinance: Amount Budgeted: Exhibits: Resolution Amount Requested: Exhibits: Supoort Materials Budgeted Item: NO Exhibits SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The City of La Porte is on record in support of retaining all military units at Ellington Field (resolution dated February 9) The Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC 2005) places retention of military units at Ellington Field at risk. Ellington Field's ability to serve as a joint reserve base is a key determinant as to whether it survives the BRAC process as a military installation. In practice, Ellington Field already serves as a joint reserve base, housing the Texas Air National Guard's 147m Fighter Wing, the Army National Guard's 149th Aviation Battalion and the United States Coast Guard Air Station Houston. Consolidation of reserves at Ellington Field could boost security of key Houston institutions and the region as a whole. Approval of this resolution supports the official designation of Ellington Field as a joint reserve base with the expectation that military units from bases recommended for closure in BRAC 2005 be consolidated at Ellington Field. Action Required by Council: Consider approval of a resolution officially supporting the establishment of Ellington Field as a joint reserve base. ...j - /1-(J t/ Date