Res 197-95 12/5/1995t,
RESOLUTION NO. 1 q ( _ q ',--)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WICHITA
FALLS, TEXAS, URGING THE SUPPORT AND COOPERATION OF THE
PRESIDENT AND UNITED STATES CONGRESS FOR THE
ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC AND SAFETY LAWS AS A PART OF THE
NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT; FINDING AND
DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION
WAS DISCUSSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY
LAW.
WHEREAS, there are potential health and safety consequences
stemming from the anticipated increase in trade between the
United States and Mexico; and,
WHEREAS, NAFTA, beginning December 18, 1995, will allow
Mexican trucks complete access to all of the border states of the
United States, including Texas; and,
WHEREAS, by the year 2000, it is estimated that the United
States /Mexico transborder truck traffic will increase more than
fivefold -- to as many as 12 million truck crossings per year;
and,
WHEREAS, Mexican trucks sometimes carry up to twice the
lawful U.S. weight and the oversized Mexican trucks operate at
safety standards far below those in the United States and
therefore, the massive increase in the number of Mexican trucks
passing through Texas presents many health and safety concerns
for Texas citizens; and,
WHEREAS, these trucks pose risks to Texas citizens through
accidents, hazardous waste spills, and inadequate insurance; and,
WHEREAS, engineers have estimated that U.S. highways that
were built to last 40 years could be worn out in 12 years or less
by the increase in truck weight and traffic; and,
WHEREAS, it is estimated that eighty (80 %) percent of the
trade between Mexico and the United States will run through
Texas. Our state will be pivotal in ensuring that the promises
of NAFTA are realized without jeopardizing the lives and safety
of our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, ON THE 5TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1995:
I . . I-
SECTION 1. The City of Wichita Falls hereby urges the
leaders in Congress to take the following actions:
1) direct U.S. representatives to the Land
Transportation Standards Subcommittee to preserve
and enforce current state and federal health and
safety laws with regard to the transportation of
foreign motor carriers across public roads;
2) establish a federal agency working group to
coordinate with appropriate state officials to
ensure that Texas state agencies may access all
available federal funds for state enforcement of
health and safety laws against foreign motor
carriers;
3) pursue the issuance of an executive order
requiring the United States Customs Service to
enter into cooperate memoranda of understanding
with the State of Texas with regard to the
placement of state law enforcement and regulatory
officials at the 17 Customs Ports of Entry located
on the 1,200 mile Texas/Mexico border;
4) urge the federal government to work cooperatively
with the State of Texas to develop a new type of
"lone-stop" boarder inspection facility across the
Texas-Mexico border to ensure that Mexican trucks
comply with state and federal laws.
SECTION 2. It is officially found and determined that the
meeting at which this resolution was passed was open to the
public as required by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the-,5th
y of De
M A Y 0 R
ATTEST:
City Clerk