HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06031997 - D6 SE Contra
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Costa
FROM: Supervisor Joe Canciamilla Count.py
`Y•, ko
DATE: June 3, 1997 STA
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SUBJECT: CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED
CHANGES IN CURRENT NAFTA AGREEMENT WITH REGARD TO TRUCKING
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Consider adoption of resolution in opposition to certain terms in the NAFTA agreement with
regard to trucking. Transmit said resolution with accompanying letter to President Clinton, Senator
Boxer, Senator Feinstein, Congressmembers Tauscher, George Miller, Pete Stark, and Ron Dellums.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
As a result of the NAFTA Trade Agreement, the manufacture of goods and products
originating in Mexico and their subsequent export to the United States has increased dramatically.
Under current rules, Mexican trucks are limited to a narrow strip along the border, where freight is
then picked up by U.S. trucks for delivery throughout the Country. With the full implementation of
NAFTA under certain circumstances Mexican trucks would be permitted to travel throughout the
United States.
Contra Costa County is a hub for Bay Area and regional traffic. It can be expected that if less
restrictive measures regarding foreign trucking are allowed, many of these sub-standard trucks will
travel to and/or through Contra Costa County. It is estimated that as many as 25% of the trucks
coming to the United States from Mexico contain toxic or hazardous materials. According to a recent
independent study, only 1 out of 14 of these trucks is properly marked to show the dangerous
chemicals they carry. A recent study conducted by the U.S. General Accounting Offices indicates
that no border inspection program can ensure that the significant deficiencies in the condition of
safety of trucks in Mexico will disappear once they cross the border. No border program can ensure
that the trucks will carry proper insurance. There is no way to guarantee safety among drivers from
Mexico who are not required by the Mexican government to meet the same requirements, including
those for hours of service and hazardous materials handling, that we impose on our domestic
trucking industry: A recent crash in California in which a truck with a driver from Mexico slammed
into a row of cars, killing four people, tragically highlights these serious safety issues.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
Z -/_00
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR R OM EATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON June 3, 1997 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED: OTHER: X
Please see Addendum (Attached) for a list of speakers and Board Action.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS:
X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT """""--' )
AYES: NOES:
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY
OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. .
ATTESTED
June 3, 1997
PHIL BA E R,CLERK OF BOAR F
SUP AND COUNTY D T TOR
BY
cc: Supervisors D
County Administrator
,BACKGROUND INFORMATION (Continued):
The State Department has stated that "no country in the world poses a more immediate
narcotics threat to the U.S. than Mexico." In its International Narcotics Control strategy Report,
released in March 1997, the State Department said that "Mexico is the principal transit route for
South American cocaine, a major source of marijuana and heroin,. as well as a major supplier of
methamphetamine to the illicit drug market in the U.S...Drug cartels launder the proceeds of crime in
legitimate business in both the U.S. and Mexico, favoring transportation and other industries which
can be used to facilitate drug, cash and arms smuggling or to further money laundering activities."
The proposed change is opposed by the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives, who
sent President Clinton a letter. Also in opposition are prominent leaders of both political parties
including Mayor Richard Riordan of Los Angeles, all 15 member of the Los Angeles City Council and
Art Torres, Chairman of the California Democractic Party. Large segments of the insurance industry
including the National Association of Independent Insurers, which fears a significant increase in
serious highway accidents, as well as labor, environmental, highway safety and citizens groups. At a
North American Truckers Summit held last March, organizations representing truck drivers from the
United States, Mexico, and Canada called for the renegotiation of the trucking portion of the NAFTA
agreement.
D.6
ADDENDUM
Item D.6
June 3, 1997
Supervisor Canciamilla introduced the item, then Chairman DeSaulnier invited the
public to comment on the issues and the following persons spoke in support of the
resolution:
Wally Shoults, 2977 Grant Street, Concord;
Clyde Hartz, 2414 Warren Road, Walnut Creek;
John Dalaymph, Contra Costa Central Labor Council, 525 Green Street,
Martinez; and
Dale Robbins, Teamsters Local #315 (No Address Provided).
All persons desiring to speak having been heard, Chairman DeSaulnier ended public
comment on the matter and the Board took the following action:
1. ADOPTED Resolution No. 97/276 opposing certain terms in the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with regard to trucking; and
2. AUTHORIZED transmission of said resolution with accompanying letter
to President Clinton, Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein,
Representatives Ellen Tauscher, George Miller, Pete Stark, and Ron
Dellums.
cc: Supervisors
County Administrator
die Board of Supemisors
of Contra Costa County
In the Matter of Declaring Woolution No. 97/276
Opposition to Certain Terms in
the Current JVATIAAgreement
with regard to Foreign Trucking
` JIEREAS, as a result of the NAFTA 7radeAgreement, the manufacture ofgoods and products originating
in Vextico and their sudsequent export to the VnitedStates has increased dramatically;and
UNgWAS,current conditions of the Agreement allow Me.Vcan trucks to travelalong a narrow strip along
the 9W)dcan-VnitedStates border where goods are then pickedup 6y V.S. trucks for delivery throughout the`Z>nited
States;and
CEREAS;with the full implementation ofNAFTA it is proposed that, under certain conditions,9de#can
trucks would 6e permitted to travel throughout the 2lnitedstates;and
%,Y&P,EAS, lifting the extsting restrictions on.Me)�can trucks entering CaCtfornia would pose an immediate
threat to highway safety, drug smuggling,and the economic security of California citizens;and
U,Y&REAS, recent federalstudies report that trucks entering the vnitedStates from Wexico are up to three
times as olct;up to twice as heavy, andfrequently out of compltance with VnitedStates safety andenvironmental
standards;and
UNIt REAS, We dco is the primary transit country for cocaine,and a primary source for heroin, marijuana,
andmethamphetamine entering the VnitedStates according to a recent study by the V.S. GeneralAccounting office;and
`G1Y&REAS, the V.S.Department of State reportedrecently that "no country poses a more immediate
narcotics threat to the VnitedStates than 9de dco;and
WJ&REAS, continued corruption in the highest levels of 9de.Vcan government make it impossi6le to
negotiate enforceable standards to control drug smuggling or highway safety andenvironmentalstandards;and
U'JLEREAS, the drivers of these trucks lackthe training to safely operate the large trucks they are driving and
are not given any training regarding the runes of the roador vehicle safety requirements of the VnitedStates;and
`Gl-Y&REAS, California truckdrivers cannot fairly compete'against companies that hire Me)dcan drivers for
as little as$8.00 per day.
NW,, qY&RET09M BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors'of the County of Contra Costa,
California,does here6y proclaim its opposition to the lifting of current restrictions on 94e)dcan trucks entering the Zlnited
States as containedin NATTTA agreement.
P,4SScED 6y unanimous vote of the Board9Kem6ers present on this 3rdday of dune, 1997.
I here6y ceiTify that the foregoing is a true an correct copy of a resolution entered on the minutes of the Board of
Supervisors on the date aforesaid
Witness my hand and the Seal of the Board of
Supervisors affixedon this 3rdday of dune,
1997.
TVL BATCWEGOvR,CCer!of the Boardof
Supervisors a o dministrato
Intro e
By.
u orJoe Canciamilla
istrict v