2009-091-RES-Tiger Discretionary Grant, Funds to Construct NE Texas TrailRESOLUTION N0. _2009-091
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; IN
SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION TO THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, TIGER DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM, BY THE
CITY OF PARIS, FOR FUNDS TO C011iSTRUCT THE NORTHEAST TEXAS
(RED RIVER VALLEY) TRAIL, APPROXIMATELY 130 MILES OF
PEDESTRIAN/ BIKING/ EQUINE TRAILS FROM FARMERSVILLE, TEXAS,
TO NEW BOSTON, TEXAS, ALONG ABANDONED RAIL BANK; MAKING
OTHER FIIVDINGS A111D PROVISI0111S RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, cities, counties, chambers of commerce, industrial development groups,
and other non-profit entities along the proposed route desire to construct a multi-use,
non-motorized pedestrian/biking/equine trail utilizing the abandoned rail bank corridor
contiguous from Farmersville, Texas, to IVew Boston, Texas; and,
WHEREAS, these groups plan to unite and form the Northeast Texas (Red River
Valley) Trail Coalition in order to coordinate efforts to construct this pedestrian/biking/
equine trail to provide a safe trail system in the ATCOG region; and,
WHEREAS, federal stimulus money has been made available for trails projects by
the U. S. Department of Transportation, TIGER Discretionary Grant Program, that will be
administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT); and,
WHERES, the City of Paris has applied for $18,755,599 in grant funds and secured
pledges in the amount of $220,000 in local support for a total Project cost of $18,975,599
for the "Northeast Texas (Red River Valley) Trail" project to reconstruct bridges and build
up the trail along the rail bank to join the pedestrian/biking/equine trail from Farmersville
to New Boston; and,
WHEREAS, this trail would be the longest in the State of Texas and one of the
longest "Rails to Trails" projects in the United States, thus bringing national attention to our
region and creating additional tourism and dollars spent in the cities and counties along the
trail; and,
WHEREAS, similar trails in other parts of the country have been immensely
successful and we feel this pedestrian/biking/equine trail would provide economic, health
and welfare benefits to the citizens in our region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby
in all things approved.
Section 2. That we strongly support efforts by the Northeast Texas (Red River
Valley) Trail Coalition to construct the pedestrian/biking/equine trail system from
Farmersville to New Boston.
Section 3. That we strongly support the application for $18,755,599 in Federal
Grant Funds to construct the Northeast Texas (Red River Valley) Trail.
Section 4. That we strongly recommend funding for this project through the
TIGER Discretionary Grant Program.
Section S. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage.
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED this 14th day of September, 2009.
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/f ,r ,
esse Ja s Freelen, Mayor
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ATTEST:
nice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO M:
. Kent cIlyar, ' A orney