HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R2022-18RESOLUTION NO, R2022-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
TEXAS, REGISTERING ITS SUPPORT OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION'S CONSTRUCTION OF TEXAS STATE HIGHWAY 99
(SH99) (GRAND PARKWAY) SEGMENTS A AND B IN GALVESTON AND
BRAZORIA COUNTIES, TEXAS; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Friendswood ("City") recognizes the impor4ant work Texas
Department of Transportation ("TxDOT") performs for the State of Texas including the
advancement of transportation movements within Galveston County; and
WHEREAS, our region is subject to natural and man-made disasters that can lead —and
have led - to mass evacuations, debilitating business disruptions, road closures, long-term
transportation limitations, and fewer transportation options for everyone; and
WHEREAS, State Highway 99 ("SH 99" or the "Grand Parkway") was first identified as a
long-range, priority transportation investment in 1961 and specifically identified in Houston -
Galveston area's first Regional Transportation Plan in 1989 and in all subsequent long-range
plans; and was identified as a tolled facility in the 2025 Regional Transportation Plan approved in
June 2005; and
WHEREAS, TxDOT and the counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston,
Harris, Liberty, and Montgomery entered into a Market Valuation Waiver Agreement in 2009 that
defined the scope of SH 99, which was approved in 2008; and
WHEREAS, segments of SH 99 north and south of IH 10, west of Houston, and east and
west of IH 69, north of Houston, have been constructed and are operational and that these Grand
Parkway segments are or have successfully paid for themselves through tolls, as would Segment
B; and
WHEREAS, construction of the segment of SH 99 -Grand Parkway's Segment B -from I-
45 South to SH 288 is (i) an essential evacuation route, (ii) a critical corridor for citizens' daily use,
(iii) a demonstrated means to reduce regional traffic congestion, and (iv) will support on -going
economic development across Galveston and Brazoria Counties; and
WHEREAS, Galveston County voters approved a bond issue in 2000 for use as Galveston
County's share of the record of decision process made in November 2018 for• construction of
SH 99 Segment B; and municipalities and counties, over the past 20 years, have committed and
expended funds and resources toward the development of Segments A and B, under the assumption
the TxDOT would continue to honor its commitments; and
WHEREAS, TxDOT
has
defined
Segments A, B, and C as well as completing the
environmental determinations
for
Segment
B; and
WHEREAS, progress on Segments A, B, and C of the Grand Parkway have stalled at the
state level, and there have been conflicting and mixed messages from state officials from the
Governor on down that have resulted in legal hold-ups, tentativeness, and confusion at all levels
of the process to complete the Grand Parkway, thus keeping lives and livelihoods at risk and
negatively affecting regional mobility and stifling commerce and economic development;
WHEREAS, the City of Friendswood desires to register its support of support of the Texas
Department of Transportation's construction of Texas State Highway 99 Segment B in Galveston
and Brazoria Counties, Texas; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
STATE OF TEXAS:
Section 1. That the facts and matters set forth in the recitals of this resolution are hereby
found to be true and correct.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby registers its support of the Texas Department
of Transportation's construction of Grand Parkway, Segment B in Galveston and Brazoria
Counties, Texas. The City Council further encourages TxDOT to fast -track the development and
implementation of construction for Segment A through grandfathering and other appropriate
actions that expedite the process, in accordance with state law and accepted practice, including,
without limitation, ensuring no segments of the Grand Parkway are removed from the Unified
Transportation Program,
Section 3. That the City Manager is authorized to take all actions necessary to register
the City's support of the construction of SH 99,
Section 4. That this resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the
City of Friendswood on this the I I day of J
n
BRYSCH,
APPROVED AS
�CJ
KAREN HORNER, City Attorney
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