Gulf Coast Freight Rail District
6922 Old Katy Rd, Ste. 303
Houston, Texas 77024
Contact: Maureen Crocker
Phone: (713) 843-5451 Fax: (713) 843-5451
Email: Maureen.crocker@gcfrd.org
Updated as of: 10/2/2009
LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CREATION AND OPERATION(State)
Texas Transportation Code, Title 5. Railroads, Subtitle I. Special Districts, Chapter 171. Freight Rail Districts, Subchapter A. General Provisions. City of Houston Ordinance No. 2006-1154.
GENERAL POWER AND DUTIES
To promote, develop, encourage, contract, and maintain commerce, transportation, economic development, safety, and the public welfare concerning rail facilities that affect combined territories of Harris County, the City of Houston and Fort Bend County, and all powers of a Freight Rail District under Chapter 171, Texas Transportation Code, including the powers of a rural rail transportation district under Article 6550c, Vernon’s Texas Civil Statutes, except as otherwise provided by Chapter 171, Texas Transportation Code. Further, if Commissioners Court of Harris County, the City Council of the City of Houston and the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County determines that a commuter rail is viable within the boundaries of the District and approve in writing, the District may exercise the powers of an Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District created under Article 6550c-1, Vernon’s Texas Civil Statutes, except as otherwise provided by Chapter 171 and subject to coordination with Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County where applicable.
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
To be determined by the Board.
COMPOSITION
The Gulf Coast Freight Rail District has a Board of eleven Directors.
Positions 1 through 3. Three Directors appointed by the Commissioners Court of Harris County.
Positions 4 through 6. Three Directors appointed by the Mayor of the City of Houston.
Position 7. One Director jointly appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court and by the Mayor of the City of Houston, and to serve as Chair.
Position 8. One Director is jointly appointed by the Mayors of all municipalities in Harris County (except for the Mayor of the City of Houston).
Position 9. The Chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority.
Position 10. One Director appointed by the County Judge of Fort Bend County.
Position 11. One Director jointly appointed by the Mayors of all of the Municipalities in Fort Bend County.
Ex Officio. The Texas Transportation Commission may appoint to the Board a representative to serve as a nonvoting ex officio Director.
The Mayor of Houston appoints three Directors. These appointments shall be made effective by written notice to all officials and governing bodies or entities entitled to appoint one or more Directors (Harris County, Fort Bend County, Port of Houston Authority and applicable Small Municipalities in Harris and Fort Bend Counties).
QUORUM: A quorum of the Board is a majority of the total number of Directors appointed or serving, excluding the Ex Officio Director.
TERM: The term for all Directors of the Gulf Coast Freight Rail District is two years. ALL terms expire January 23.
A Director appointed to a Position shall serve at the pleasure of the official or governing body or entity that appointed such Director; provided, however, that a Director must be reappointed at least every two years.
CHAIRPERSON: Is Position seven, who is jointly appointed by the Commissioners Court of Harris County and by the Mayor of the City of Houston.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Entity is included in the financial reporting for the City of Houston.
MEMBER LIST