HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2013-03 appointment process/Comm. to POH AuthorityRESOLUTION NO.2013--Q-�—)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS,
SUPPORTING THE CURRENT APPOINTMENT PROCESS OF COMMISSIONERS
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 recommendations 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 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, unlike state agencies, the Authority is a local authority created with local tax
dollars to develop and support facilities 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 Hams 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; and
WHEREAS, the current appointing bodies of the commission 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 process; 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, the City Council of the City of La Porte, Texas,
hereby 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 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 this A. -J -2d -ay of January, 2013.
ATTEST:
J;c
Patrice Fogarty
City Secretary
By:
CITJ
L
Mayor ((
APPROVED:
C ark T. Askins
Assistant City Attorney