HomeMy WebLinkAbout025079 RES - 10/29/2002RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF
INTEREST TO THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR
SELECTION OF THE CITY'S PROPOSED TEXAS COASTAL BEND
DESALINATION PROJECT AS THE STATE'S LARGE SCALE
DEMONSTRATION SEAWATER DESALINATION PROJECT
WHEREAS, Governor Rick Perry has directed the Texas Water Development Board to
develop a recommendation for a demonstration seawater desalination project as one
step toward securing an abundant water supply to meet Texas' future water supply
needs; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Water Development Board will use a screening process to
evaluate potential desalination sites and projects and to make recommendations of
potential projects; and
WHEREAS, the regional water plan for the Coastal Bend, prepared by the Coastal
Bend Regional Water Planning Group, approved by Texas Water Development Board,
and now incorporated in the State Water Plan, includes a recommended seawater
desalination project; and
WHEREAS, over the past twenty-five years the City of Corpus Christi has been
recognized as one of the leading coastal governmental entities in providing and
securing water resources and supplies for not only its citizens but also its region; and
WHEREAS, during this time period, the City has expended hundreds of millions of
dollars in not only completing our surface water reservoirs but also securing water rights
from other watersheds and tying those water supplies into our region through the
completion of the Mary Rhodes water pipeline; and
WHEREAS, the City had also begun the process of designing a brackish water
desalination plant on North Padre Island to move the City into the future; and
WHEREAS, the City is in a unique position to meet the goals of the Governor's
Seawater Desalination Initiative because of our proven ability to complete very large
scale water projects, our close proximity to users, broad local and regional support, and
our ability to provide water to areas currently with substantial need outside of our
immediate service area; and
WHEREAS, it is the City's intention working with our local partners to bring together the
resources, expertise, and experience of some the world's leading water resource
companies to develop a state-of-the-art, world class desalination facility, which will
serve as a springboard for desalination water research and development in Texas; and
WHEREAS, overall, the City feels confident that working with our partners we can bring
online such a desalination facility; and
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WHEREAS, while protecting all of our existing water rights, this process will allow sales
of water to other areas that will not only benefit those other areas, but also maintain
current price levels for our existing customers, while increasing the available water
supply; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Coastal Bend Desalination Project will provide an excellent
opportunity to conduct on-going research and development, with Texas A&M University,
Corpus Christi, and the University of Texas Marine Sciences Institute at Port Aransas,
into the impacts of a desalination project on the Texas coastal environment; and
WHEREAS, the Coastal Bend Regional Water Planning Group has recommended the
adoption of the City proposed desalination project because it is in close proximity to a
major metropolitan and industrial complex and its potential of supplying regional water
demands, while freeing up other water resources for use by other areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The City Manager is authorized to submit to a Statement of Interest for the
Texas Coastal Bend Desalination Project to the Texas Water Development Board
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Corpus Christi enthusiastically endorses
and recommends that the Texas Water Development Board select the City of Corpus
Christi's Texas Coastal Bend Desalination Project as the Governor's large scale
demonstration seawater desalination project.
ATTEST:
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
APPROVED: ~ day of ~-Z~,~¢ -~
Mayor
,2002.
James R. Bray Jr.
City Attorney
First Assistant City Attorney
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Corpus Christi, Texas._.
,2002
Bill Kelly
Rex A. Kinnison
John Longoria
Jesse Noyola
Mark Scott
The above resolution was passed by/tt~e following
Samuel L. Neal, Jr.
Brent Chesney ~ ¢---/
Javier D. Colmenero
Henry Garrett ~ ~
vote:
R24311A2.doc