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

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WHEREAS, RailAmerica, operators of Texas & North Eastern and Dallas, Garland & Northeastern railroads between Bells, Texas and Sherman, Denison, and Greenville, Texas are currently using tracks owned and leased from Union Pacific; and, WHEREAS, RailAmerica has agreed to handle Fannin Rail District carloads between Bells and Sherman, Denison and Greenville to affect interchanges with BNSF, UP, and DCS; and, WHEREAS, RailAmerica could be prevented from performing such interchanges for Fannin Rail District because handling these loads could exceed their existing operation agreements with Union Pacific; and, WHEREAS, this intra-county rail service, with potential connections to major metropolitan areas, would constitute an essential and significant component to enhance growth and growth planning for the area; and, WHEREAS, the Union Pacific Railroad has expressed its intention to dispose of the current forty-five mile railway line from Bonham to Paris, thereby affording the opportunity for purchase of such rail line by the Rail District, with the exception that the railroad has reserved a four mile segment within the city limits within the city of Paris and such four mile segment would be a necessity for the Rail District to develop a rail system and fully connect the entire area; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS: Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things approved. Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas, strongly supports the efforts of the Rail District to acquire the apparently surplus forty-five mile railway from Bonham to Paris, including acquisition of that four mile segment within the city of Paris intended to be reserved by the Union Pacific including allowing RailAmerica unfettered and unrestricted ability to handle Fannin Rail District carloads to and from Sherman, Denison, and Greenville for purpose of interchange with BNSF, UP, and KCS, and strongly supports the efforts of the Rail District to develop said forty-five mile railway and other adjacent trunk railways to enhance economic development, improve recreational activities, and generally improve the Paris and Lamar County community. Section 3. That the Mayor and City Manager be, and they are hereby, authorized to undertake any and all efforts reasonably necessary to see that state legislative and federal congressional and appropriate administrative officials are advised of the strong support of the City of Paris for the proposed railway acquisition by the Rail District.