2001-033-RES SUPPORTING EFFORTS OF FANNIN RURAL RAIL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT
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,
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.
Section 4. That this resolution shall be filed with any and all appropriate officials as the
official, formal statement of position by the City Council of the City of Paris regarding continuation
of rail service to the City of Paris as described herein and to support all similar initiatives which would
enhance transportation and rail service within the City of Paris.
Section 5. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 26th day of March, 2001.
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Michael J. Pfiester, ayo
ATTEST:
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Mattie Cunningham, City Clerk