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CC - Item 3C - Resolution No. 97-36 - Opposing the Lifting of Restrictions on Mexican-Licensed Trucks Entering California and Urging President Clinton to Maintain Current U.S. Policy on Foreign Trucking F S . ,.• staf report TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS {�ROSSEEMEAD CITY COUNCIL FROM: h7" FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER DATE: AUGUST 5, 1997 RE: RESOLUTION NO. 97-36 OPPOSING THE LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS ON MEXICAN-LICENSED TRUCKS ENTERING CALIFORNIA AND URGING PRESIDENT CLINTON TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT U.S. POLICY ON FOREIGN TRUCKING Mayor Imperial requested that this item be placed on the Agenda for your consideration. Attached to Resolution No. 97-36 are various letters from organizations and elected officials. RECOMMENDATION If the Council is in favor of the request, it is recommended that Resolution No. 97-36 be adopted and that the City Clerk be instructed to send it to the appropriate officials. • COUNCIL AGENDA AUG 121997 • ITEM No. _CIL , C RESOLUTION NO. 97-36 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD OPPOSING THE LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS ON MEXICAN-LICENSED TRUCKS ENTERING CALIFORNIA AND URGING PRESIDENT CLINTON TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT U.S. POLICY ON FOREIGN TRUCKING WHEREAS, lifting the existing restrictions on Mexican-licensed trucks entering California would pose an immediate threat to highway safety, drug smuggling, and economic security of California citizens, and; WHEREAS, recent federal studies report that trucks entering the United States from Mexico are up to three times as old, up to twice as heavy, and frequently out of compliance with U.S. safety and environmental standards, and; WHEREAS, a recent study by U.S. General Accounting Office alleges that Mexico is the primary transit country for cocaine, and a primary source for heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine entering the United States, and; WHEREAS, California truck drivers cannot fairly compete against companies that hire Mexican drivers for as little as $8 per day. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rosemead City Council hereby expresses its opposition to lifting the existing restrictions on Mexican-licensed trucks and urges President Clinton to maintain the current U.S. policy on trucking. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED THIS 12th DAY OF AUGUST, 1997. MAYOR ATTEST: City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss CITY OF ROSEMEAD I, Nancy Valderrama, City Clerk of the City of Rosemead, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 97-36 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Rosemead at a regular meeting thereof held on August 12, 1997, by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER CITY CLERK • Congrtss of tije Eniitb £totes fpaust of Etpresetttatfbes 8asbittytnn, 1130 20515 Marh 3, 1997 EXPANDED PRIVILEGES FOR MEXICAN TRUCKS THREATEN HIGHWAY SAFETY Dear Colleague: We arc writing to request that you sign the attached Teter urging President Clinton to maintain current restrictions on Mexican trucking operations in the United States. Fourteen months ago, the Admin e-rm. on wisely delayed implementation of NAFTA provisions that would allow Mexican motor carriers to operate anywhere in California,New Mexico, Arizona,and Texas. The safety and security concerns that Id to that prudent dcoision have not bees resolved and remain just as serious. Removing current restrictions would be dangerously premature. Limited border inspections reveal serious on-going,safe>y problems. • GAO found only one in 100 trucks entering the United States at Laredo, the busiest crossing. is inspected. Half of those inspected are ordered out of service for such.=rictus safety violations as bald tires. cracked frames, missing lug nuts, and unqualitid drives. • About .75 percent of Mexican tracks entering the United States carry hazardous materials, often improperly loaded and mislabeled. Wide differences in US. and Me_xiean standards render voluntary compliance unlikely. • Mexican drivers do not log their hours of driving and rest. U.S. driven must account for three full days before driving a truck and then cannot drive more than 10 hours per day. • Mexico allows much heavier rucks. Without weighing most trucks at the border, U.S. roads will accumulate severe damage needing costly repairs and public safety will decrease. • In view of these differences, declarations that foreign carriers must comply with U.S. law art meaningless without competent oversight and agreement on comprehensive standards t'fanning and coordination are no subs-thane for a proven enforcement system. • Despite border rate commitments to increase oversight, the number of trained truck inspectors on duty at the border has increased only slightly. • Mexico has no automated system to cock the safety and compliance histories of carriers and drivers and no means to provide such information promptly to the United States. -These concerns are not just a border problem. Under NAFTA, Mexican callers will have full access to the entire United States in 2000. If we don't deal with these issues now, your conrituents will be at risk from unquzlif.ed. tired Mexican drive= and unsafe, overweight Mexican trucks. Help us send President Clinton the message that trade arcemezt3 must not undermine highway safety. Please call Rosalyn Millman (225-9989) or Mike Pietkiewicz(225-3306) to sign the attached lerter. Sincerely, 111,111111 �ck •ui � `amen L. Oberstat ember of Congress Member of Congress Congrt55 of tlit liniteb tates tauSe of $epresentatibts 23ufjtnginn, ;IC 2057.5 March 14, 1997 The Honorable William J. Clinton President, The United States of America The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: We are writing to express strongly the need for current U.S.-Mexican border trucking restrictions to remain in effect. Protecting the safety of the traveling public and our commercial drivers must remain the highest priority. Withholding full border state access for Mexican motor carriers has not impaired the growth of U.S.-Mexican t-ade. A steadily increasing volume of goods is flowing freely in both directions and the Mexican economy has made impressive progress to recover from its economic recession. Despite overly optimistic reports to the contrary,there has not been sufficient progress in addressing safety deficiencies to justify expanding privileges for Mexican motor carriers. To date, numerous efforts have failed to effect an agreement between the United States and Mexico to ensure that full border state access will not threaten highway safety. Although planning and coordination activities are underway,they are no substitute for proven enforcement systems in Mexico and the United States. Declarations that all trucks,U.S. or foreign, must meet U.S. safety standards are meaningless without adequate oversight by competent inspectors. Few of the 11,000 Mexican trucks now crossing daily into the United States are inspected. Fully half of those inspected at Laredo arc ordered out of service for such serious safety violations as bald tires,cracked frames,missing lug nuts, and unqualified drivers. Allowing Mexican carriers to drive freely throughout the four U.S. border states, with no assurance whatsoever of their safety, would unnecessarily endanger the traveling public. Unfortunately, broad-stroke agreements will not protect highway safety. We need improved border facilities to provide adequate space for comprehensive inspections and assurance that the Mexican government will furnish timely safety and compliance histories of carriers and drivers. Until then, current safeguards must remain firmly in place. We deeply appreciate your consideration of these concerns. Sincerely, a, ack Quinn • �7�, > Member o(Cong;ess / James _Obcrn�'�Yr� Member of Congress '441- 7 TO r..ry r ?::`'r ON NEXT YJ FI nFsoi i r_io_y `� MAR^r2 6 1997 •e. I j ai_� if/ ISS WHEREAS, lifting the existing restrictions on Mexican tracks entering California would pose an immediate threat to highway safety, drug smuggling, and economic security of California citizens, and; WHEREAS, recent federal studies report that tracks entering the United States from Mexico are up to three times as old, up to twice as heave, and frequently out of compliance with U.S. safety and environmental standards, and; WHEREAS, a recent study by U.S. General Accounting Office alleges that Mexico is the primary transit county for cocaine, and a primary source for heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine entering the United States, and; WHEREAS, California duck drivers cannot fairly compete against companies that hire Mexican drivers for as lir le as S8 per day; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Los Angeles City Council hereby expresses its opposition to lifting the existing rest ctions on Mexican trucks and urges President Clinton to maintain the current U.S. policy on trucking. PRESENTED BY: ILL IF asSaar Mike Hernandez Councilmember, 1st District 1 V SECONDED BY: `-f / March 26, 1997 01 : .: ! iaii •IQ ati!pothN._ u .e°1""LL RICHARD J. RIORDAN us zz. c. ren . 90012OFFICE OF THE MAYOR ,,,„00.. ANG 291 8.17.2489 April I, 1997 The Honorable William J. Clinton President of the United States of America The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: I am writing to endorse the recommendations of Representatives Quinn and Oberstar to maintain the current U. S.-Mexico border trucking restrictions. The matter of safety is clearly dramatized by the tragic freeway accident last week involving a truck and driver from Mexico. This type of accident could very well be multiplied if the trucking restrictions are lifted. I am also concerned about undermining the wage rates and benefits of California truck drivers. I join with the Los Angeles City Council in urging that you maintain current U. S. policy on trucking matters. 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Ya `o`7-E' .00 m $Q� C V N a n ^ tn° v3bN °3 ° > _ _, c <Fgc0 o .] LLwOw '1j ' : ,fes l ^��-47;f4f y �y Z � E c Z 1f B A 5 4 L5'� .F �Fja` L o l ten. •� E 6r r .F .tip IC,w - j u 7.: S f- 9 401/44 .ea P-t^ Ny -i..;r 1 �1 h t /N' � `�Ssf� ���i, r- � rrrs�� �p + ✓eig ms 1 j os } ♦: 'amu + aA 7-te' x � w , � z _ ,- b-r - - -is-/ =1ri . oJye ,, r •rr 1.--4L ,__�.1.4_1 = r TD CC 1 o Icy '•'� 1 < 3 '" .rye;„c '1? a H a • = 3 _ =, 4 JOINT COUNCIL OF TEAMSTERS NO. 42 4,- International Brotherhood of Teamsters a3 1616 WEST 9TH STREET, SUITE 500 • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90035 PHONE 1213)383-4242 FAX: 1213)383-5242 Michael J.Riley President Jerry L.Vcrcnue June 23, 1997 Vice President Jim Santangelo Secretary-Treasurer Roben M.Lennox Recording Secretary Dear Elected Official: Robert McGlone Trustee Phil Saal I am writing to alert you about a dangerous plan to undermine highway safety standards in California. The Trustee effort is being led by big trucking companies who want to eliminate existing rules for trucks entering Paul R.Jones Trustee California from Mexico. e 113 Current federal law requires Mexican trucks to bring their freight across the border for final distribution in the C.S. by American drivers who operate U.S. trucks that meet domestic safety standards. Trucking companies want this policy changed so they can take advantage of the low wages paid to Mexican drivers— as little as$7 a day. The trucking lobby wants President Clinton to implement a provision of the NAFTA agreement that would undermine existing safety regulations by allowing trucks from Mexico to gain unlimited access to California highways. President Clinton wisely chose to indefinitely delay implementation of this provision in December, 1995. Enclosed are the following for your consideration: a. "Dear Colleague"letter from Congressmen Oberstar and Quinn. b. Letter to President Clinton which has been co-signed by 226 Members of Congress. c. Resolution passed unanimously by the LA City Council. d. Letter of support from Mayor Richard Riordan. e. Copy of California Assembly Joint Resolution No. 17(pending). E Article from LA times about fatal truck accident on March 26, 1997. We ask that you review this material and then exert your influence on the administration by writing to the president and members of Congress. You can help a great deal by adopting a resolution at your next meeting and sending a copy to our office. Upon request, 1 can provide you with videotape reports which recently aired on ABC's"Nightline"and the CBS news program"60 Minutes." For your information, our Joint Council is composed of 20 locals with a membership of 95,000. Of this total, 16 locals are in Southern California including 4 in San Diego. I should note that our staff has been involved in the Regional Advisory Council of SCAG for about 12 years and on several SCAG committees. We have great respect for the detailed planning of the SCAG staff and the extensive work of the elected officials on the Regional Council in achieving a better working and living environment in Southern California. Please keep us informed of actions that your council or board may undertake on this trucking issue. Sincerely, Michael J.Riley. President JOINT COUNCIL OF TEAMSTERS NO.42 MJR:maj cc: CAO or City Manager Enclosures