HOUSTON, June 26, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port of Houston Authority Commission (PHA) approved a recommendation allowing the port authority to advertise and receive bids for deregulated electric power for all PHA facilities during its public meeting on Monday, June 26, 2006. Chairman Jim Edmonds presided over the meeting, attended by 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 approved a contract not to exceed $9.9 million for six diesel electric container yard cranes for the Bayport terminal. The cranes will 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 amended the lease agreement with M Space Holdings LLC for temporary amenities buildings for Bayport, using the Texas Building and Procurement Commission Cooperative Program. The staff asked for the amendment to obtain two additional temporary buildings at the Bayport Marine Terminal Gate that will serve as stevedore office space and break areas for longshoremen. The leasing, transportation, installation and eventual removal of these buildings would cost an estimated $120,000.
(Agenda item G17) The commission approved a request for a contract amendment not to exceed $125,269 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 contract 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 previously mentioned amount.
(Agenda items G19, 20) The commission approved two contract amendments for 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 will credit Zachry an amount of $402,580 for work on the Phase 1A Container Yard.
(Agenda item L1) Commissioners evaluated and ranked three different proposals for inspection services for two dockside electric container cranes at the Bayport Terminal. Gottlieb, Barnett & Bridges, LLC received the commission's highest ranking, followed by Unicon International - Bureau Vertias and ABSG Consulting, Inc.
SECURITY MATTERS
(Agenda item G4) The commission awarded 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 authorized the port authority to advertise and receive proposals for the purchase of deregulated electric power for all PHA facilities for up to three years at an estimated cost of $3.75 million per year. The PHA's current contract for electric power services from the Texas Land Office expires September 30, 2006.
(Agenda Item K6) The commissioners authorized the PHA to advertise and receive proposals for the development of a marine terminal optimization and market study. The study will focus on potential business development opportunities for the Turning Basin Terminal.
GENERAL
(Agenda Item M1) The commission adopted 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.
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