HOUSTON, Sept. 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority approved a landscaping project, tree planting and maintenance project, increased green energy use program, an anti-shoreline erosion project, and nearly $2.2 million of security projects among other items during its public meeting on Monday, September 18. Chairman Jim Edmonds presided 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 K4) The commission authorized the solicitation and receipt of competitive sealed proposals (CSPs) for Bayport Phase 1 landscaping at an estimated cost ranging between $893,000 and $1.14 million. The PHA will seek proposals for the planting of trees, shrubs, and ground cover on about 6,500 linear feet of the 20-foot tall sight and sound berms constructed for use as a greenbelt buffer between the terminal and adjacent neighborhoods.
(Agenda Item G2) The commission awarded a $50.3 million construction contract to McCarthy Building Companies for Bayport Phase 1 Container Yard -- Stage 1. The new construction will expand the current 60-acre container yard by about 50 acres over the next year.
(Agenda Item G14) The commission approved a change order of $74,227 to McCarthy Building Company for Bayport Marine Terminal Gate. The work consists of installation of the electronic Visual Identification System for use by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for monitoring trucks and containers at the terminal. The cost of installation will be reimbursed by the federal government.
ENERGY MATTERS
(Agenda Item G13) Commissioners approved a three-year, $11.2 million contract with Direct Energy to provide electricity to all PHA-operated facilities. The new contract is expected to meet PHA's energy needs in a more efficient, economical and environment-friendly manner and enable the port authority to double its use of renewable "green" energy.
SECURITY MATTERS
(Agenda Item K6) Commissioners authorized the PHA to solicit and receive proposals for maintenance and support services for existing security systems. Funding for the three-year maintenance program is estimated to total $2.1 million. The program is expected to fund 24-hour maintenance and support service for those devices with expired manufacturers' warranties. The PHA has received $31.5 million in federal funding for security over the past three years.
NAVIGATION MATTERS
(Agenda Item M6) Commissioners approved the renewal of an agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) that provides use of the Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) through September 30, 2007. At an estimated cost of $230,000, the agreement will allow PHA and the community continued use of the computerized navigational system for the cost of its oversight and maintenance. PORTS provides data, such as weather, water depth, and tide changes that are crucial for vessels to safely navigate the Houston Ship Channel. This system is used by ports and harbors throughout the United States.
ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
(Agenda Item K3) Commissioners authorized the PHA to solicit and receive CSPs for shoreline protection at Barbours Cut at an estimated cost ranging from $2.5 million to $3 million. This project is considered an environmentally friendly way to halt erosion along the shoreline of the Houston Ship Channel east of Morgan's Point. This project is expected to help prevent water encroachment on the land and thereby preserve it for future use, in part, as a nature preserve and resource center. The project involves excavating and installing stone revetment to protect the shoreline from further erosion.
(Agenda Item M2) Commissioners authorized the PHA to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation regarding a roadside beautification project at a cost not to exceed $150,000. Over 186 trees will be planted in addition to the trees planted as a part of the TxDOT and "Trees for Houston" beautification and environmentally friendly project along the 610 East Loop. The PHA will supply maintenance and water for portions of the total project. The total project includes approximately 5,400 trees covering approximately eight acres of land near the Turning Basin terminal.
COMMUNITY MATTERS
(Agenda Item M1) Commissioners adopted a resolution honoring the contributions of Deer Park Independent School District as the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce 2006 Industry of the Year.
The next port commission meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Monday, October 23, 2006. 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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