June 26 meeting to begin at 1:30 p.m.
HOUSTON, June 23, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port of Houston Authority Commission (PHA) will consider a proposal allowing the port authority to advertise for and accept bids for deregulated electric power for all PHA facilities at its public meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 26, 2006 in the board room at the PHA Executive Building, 111 East Loop North (Exit 29 off Loop 610) in Houston. If approved, the measure would authorize the PHA to spend an estimated $3.75 million a year for a three year period on electricity.
Chairman Jim Edmonds will preside over the meeting with Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner Jim Fonteno, Commissioner Kase Lawal, Commissioner Jimmy Burke, Commissioner Janiece Longoria and Commissioner Elyse Lanier.
BAYPORT MATTERS
(Agenda item G2) The commission is being asked to approve a contract not to exceed $9.9 million for six diesel electric container yard cranes for the Bayport terminal. If approved, the cranes would be constructed by KCI Special Cranes Corporation, which has built 22 nearly identical cranes currently in use at PHA facilities.
(Agenda item G14) The commission will consider a proposal to amend the lease agreement to M Space Holdings LLC for temporary amenities buildings for Bayport, using the Texas Building and Procurement Commission Cooperative Program. The staff is seeking to obtain two additional temporary buildings at the Bayport Marine Terminal Gate to serve as stevedore office space and break areas for longshoremen. If approved, the leasing, transportation, installation and eventual removal of these buildings would cost an estimated $120,000.
(Agenda item G17) The PHA staff is seeking commission approval for funds not to exceed $209,632 to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. for additional work necessary to complete Phase 1A of the Bayport facility.
In 2005, the commission awarded a contract for $14.86 million to McCarthy for this project. It has been determined, however, that additional drainage work is required and that a section of potable water service line, relocated to accommodate the Port Road drainage system, must be fabricated of steel pipe.
In addition, it has been determined that more work has been required to connected potable water service lines for the Odfjell and LBC plants to the new 18-inch water line being installed with Port Road. The contractor has agreed to complete the additional work required for the requested amount of $125,269.
(Agenda items G19, 20) The commission will consider two contract amendments with the Zachry Construction Corporation. One item, worth $69,000, will cover changes in the construction of headwalls at two storm drain outfalls and the construction of handrails and equipment ramps; the other would credit Zachry an amount of $402,580 for work on the Phase 1A Container Yard.
(Agenda item L1) Commissioners also will consider a request to evaluate and rank three different proposals for inspection services for two dockside electric container cranes at the Bayport Terminal. ABSQ Consulting, Inc., Gottleib, Barnett & Bridges, LLC and Unicon International - Bureau Vertias are the three companies that will be evaluated and ranked.
SECURITY MATTERS
(Agenda item G4) The commission is being asked to award a contract to D/A Midsouth Inc. in the total of $34,719 for the purchase of Visitor Management System Associated Equipment for the Turning Basin and Barbours Cut Terminals. D/A Midsouth is a registered vendor in the PHA Small Business Development Program.
ENERGY MATTERS
(Agenda Item K5) The commission will consider a request to authorize the port authority to advertise and receive proposals for the purpose of deregulated electric power for all PHA for up to three years at an estimated cost of $3,750,000 per year. The PHA's current contract for electric power services expires September 30, 2006.
(Agenda Item K6) The commissioners will consider authorizing the PHA to advertise and receive proposals for the development of a marine terminal optimization and market study. If approved, the study will focus on potential business development opportunities for the Turning Basin Terminal.
GENERAL
(Agenda Item M1) The commission will consider a request to adopt a resolution for the issuance of $75.5 million in refunding bonds. The request to issue the refunding bonds is based upon current favorable interest rates and with the agreement of the Harris County Budget Office.
To view the complete agenda, please visit: http://portofhouston.com/publicrelations/meetings.html
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 6,600 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and 10th largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com
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