2001-033-RES SUPPORTING EFFORTS OF FANNIN RURAL RAIL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT

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RESOLUTION NO. 2001-033 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE FANNIN RURAL RAIL TRANSPORTA TIONDISTRICT TO CONTINUE RAIL OPERATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ALONG FEEDER TRACKS WITHIN LAMAR COUNTY AND PARIS, TEXAS, AND ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO TRACKS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF DISPOSAL BY THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO PURSUE ALL APPROPRIATE AVENUES IN EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE RAIL DISTRICT; AUTHORIZING THE DISTRmUTION OF COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS AS A FORMAL EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the public and private sector in Lamar County, Texas, including the City of Paris City Council, Lamar County Commissioners Court, the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, the Paris Economic Development Corporation, and committed citizens and volunteers, have expended considerable effort, time, and funding in the pursuit of enhanced economic development in Lamar County, with special emphasis on industrial development and improvement of recreational opportunities; and, WHEREAS, transportation limitations, such as the absence of an adjacent interstate highway system, the closest being almost fifty miles away, and the only viable rail service to the city of Paris being the Kiamichi Railroad, which serves only a limited north and south route, have historically and consistently been a limitation on the success of the economic development efforts in the city of ParislLamar County area; and, WHEREAS, existing local industry has expressed interest in using rail service as an alternative and less expensive means of transporting raw materials, components, and finished products; and, WHEREAS, viable rail transportation service would have a significant positive impact on future economic development efforts to attract new industry to the area; and, WHEREAS, the small town atmosphere and beautiful lakes in the area provide a quality of life attractive to industry, as well as to residents of nearby metropolitan areas; and, WHEREAS, a rail district, the Fannin Rural Rail Transportation District ("the Rail District") recently has been formed for the purpose of developing rail service for both industry and recreational purposes among the Paris, Honey Grove, and Bonham communities; and,