HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2014-16 RESOLUTION NO. 2014-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
TEXAS SUPPORTING STORM SURGE PROTECTION
PLANS FOR A COASTAL BARRIER, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO THE "II{E DIKE PROJECT," TO
PROTECT THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON REGION,
INCLUDING GALVESTION BAY, FROM HURRICANE
STORM SURGES; DIRECTING THE CITY SECRETARY
TO SEND A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION
TO REAR ADMIRAL ROBERT SMITH III, USN,
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON.
Whereas, the City of Friendswood is located near the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay
and is susceptible to wind and storm surge damage resulting from hurricanes and severe storms;
Whereas, on September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ilse caused devastation and destruction
across the Houston-Galveston region with massive flooding from storm surge waters, Galveston
Island and the Bolivar Peninsula being the hardest hit areas;
Whereas, the Houston-Galveston region is home to a concentration of petrochemical
plants along the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston, one of the nation's busiest ports;
Whereas, Professor Bill Merrell of Texas A&M University at Galveston has conceived
the "Ilse Dike Project" which is a proposal to create a "coastal spine" with a combination of
barriers and gates extending along Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula;
Whereas, flood gates at Bolivar Roads, the entrance to the Houston, Texas City, and
Galveston ship channels, and at the San Luis Pass are among several proposals that would
provide the necessary barriers to protect these vulnerable areas against Gulf surges into
Galveston Bay;
Whereas, the "Ike Dike Project" looks to existing technologies created in the
Netherlands and duplicated with the building of the Greater New Orleans Barrier that protects
New Orleans from storm surge;
Whereas, providing a comprehensive system of barriers and gates along the Gulf coast
would protect the economy, the environment, and,more importantly,the people in the region;
Whereas, in 2010, the Texas Governor's Commission on Recovery and Renewal
reviewed the Ike Dike Project and recommended that a six county public corporation be
established to explore viable options for storm surge protection of the Houston-Galveston region;
Whereas,the Board of Directors of the Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District
desires to support the "Ilse Dike Project" in order to advance the need for a coastal barrier to
protect the Houston-Galveston region from hurricane storm surges.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD,TEXAS:
Section 1. The findings and recitations set out in the preamble by the City Council
and made part hereof for all purposes are true and correct.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, hereby
wholeheartedly supports and endorses any and all efforts to develop storm surge protection plans
to protect the Houston-Galveston region, including Galveston Bay, from hurricane storm surges,
including but not limited to those efforts by Professor Bill Merrell of Texas A & M University at
Galveston to create the "Ike Dike Project" for a coastal barrier.
Section 3. The City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, hereby encourages
efforts to create a coastal barrier to protect Galveston Island and surrounding communities from
hurricane storm surges.
Section 4. The City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, hereby directs the
City Secretary to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Rear Admiral Robert Smith 111,
USN, President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas A&M University at Galveston.
Section 5. This Resolution shall be and become effective from and after its adoption.
82014-16 2
PASSED,APPROVED, AND RESOLVED this the 4f' day of August, 2014.
Kevin M. H lland
Mayor
ATTEST:
�RIE/V�
Melinda Welsh, TRMC
City Secretary '•
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