HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 041409-N - Oppose Railroad CommissionRESOLUTION NO. H .:..N ( V
A RESOLUTION OF THE OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
OPPOSING HB 4441 RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE
RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS
REGARDING CERTAIN PIPELINES AND APPURTENANT FACILITIES;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown located in Williamson County, is a city duly
incorporated under the laws of the state of Texas; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 4441, introduced in the 81st Legislature, seeks to entirely
preempt the municipal regulation of natural gas, liquid hydrocarbon, hazardous
materials, and gathering pipelines and all facilities appurtenant to those pipelines,
including the regulation of aesthetics and the use of City -owned rights -of -ways; and
WHEREAS under the proposed legislation, the Texas Railroad Commission,
and not the municipality, would maintain the right to establish the noise level, screening,
landscaping, and other requirements relating to natural gas gathering pipelines and
appurtenant facilities including compressor stations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is of the opinion that the Railroad Commission is ill
suited to address such issues as local neighborhood compatibility and the use of City -
owned rights -of -way and that the citizens are better served through the local regulation
of such pipelines and appurtenant facilities; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 4441 would relegate municipalities to a mere advisory
role in this important determination process and as such would unreasonably interfere
with the right of the public to participate through their locally elected officials to tailor
policies to meet their local needs and demands; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the foregoing, the City Council opposes the adoption
of House Bill 4441, and believes that the proposed legislation does not promote the best
interests of the citizens of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the statements set out in the preamble to this Resolution are
hereby in all things approved and adopted.
Section 2. The City Council hereby finds that this Resolution implements
Effective Governance Vision Statement 4.0.0 of Georgetown's 2030 Comprehensive
Plan, which states: "Georgetown has achieved a high level of service coordination both
internally and with County, State and other city service providers and further finds that
the adoption of this Resolution is not inconsistent or in conflict with any other
Comprehensive Plan Policies.
Resolution No. Og 1 [ O
NB 4441
Section 3. That the City Council for the City of Georgetown, Texas hereby
opposes the adoption of House Bill 4441 relating to the authority of the Railroad
Commission of Texas to establish standards regarding certain pipelines and
appurtenant facilities.
Section 4. The City Secretary is authorized and directed to furnish a certified
copy of this Resolution to the elected representatives of the City and to other members
of the Texas Legislature to give notice of the City's opposition to House Bill 4441.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the
City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED AND EFFECTIVE on this lid day of
ATTEST:
, 2009.
TH {TY OF GEORGEJOWN:
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Jesfica Hamilton, tit ,,,Secretary George G. Garver, Mayor
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Patricia E. Carls
BRewN-&-C-ARts; P, City Attorney
Resolution No.
HB 4441