HOUSTON, March 26, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will consider nearly $5 million in security improvements, including payment of up to $100,000 for Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enrollment fees on behalf of its Commissioners and Commission counsel, employees and certain temporary workers on Tuesday, March 27, beginning at 9 a.m. in the board room of the PHA Executive Building, 111 East Loop North (Exit 29 off Loop 610) in Houston. 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.
SECURITY MATTERS
To date, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the PHA more than $33 million in federal port security grants for such critical areas as enhanced access control and CCTV systems.
(Agenda G3) PHA staff has submitted a construction contract for $2.278 million to Jerdon Enterprise, L.P., for Cargo Bay Road Gate.
(Agenda G4) Commissioners are being asked to approve a professional services contract for $85,920 to Shrader Engineering Company, Inc., for Access Control at Executive Office Building and Port Coordination Center and Connection of Turning Basin Terminal CCTV to fiber network.
(Agenda G5) The Commission is being asked to approve a professional service contract for $42,050. If approved, the contractor -- North American Controls Corporation -- will install access control at Barbours Cut Administration Building and replacement of the card readers at various Port Authority locations.
(Agenda G6) Commissioners are being asked to approve a professional services contract for $41,837 to TRC Engineers, Inc., for Access Control and CCTV for the Point at Barbours Cut.
(Agenda G7) Commissioners are being asked to approve a professional services contract for $92,000 to HPA, Inc. for Woodhouse Terminal Access Control.
(Agenda G21) Commissioners are being asked to authorize up to $100,000 for payment of Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enrollment fees on behalf of the port authority's Commissioners and Commission counsel, employees and certain temporary workers.
PHA is working to be in compliance with the requirements of the Maritime Transportation Security Act, or MTSA. The TWIC will serve as the common identification credential for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities and vessels and all mariners holding Coast Guard issued credentials or qualification documents. TSA will issue workers a tamper-resistant "Smart Card" containing the worker's biometric (fingerprint template) to allow for a positive link between the card itself and the individual.
(Agenda M1) The Commission is being asked to authorize $2.427 million for an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for construction of the Secured Truck Entrance at Cargo Bay Road.
CONSTRUCTION MATTERS
(Agenda G11) Commissioners are being asked to approve a construction contract for about $1.884 million to AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc. for Gate I Road improvements and Access Road to Lease Yards.
BAYPORT MATTERS
The development of Bayport Container & Cruise Terminal is an ongoing effort to be built incrementally according to marketplace demand.
(Agenda G13) The Commission is being asked to approve execution of a change order for $339,618 to Zachry Construction Corporation for Bayport Cruise Terminal Complex Phase I -- Sites and Utilities.
(Agenda G15) Commissioners are being asked to approve execution of a change order for $66,435 to McCarthy Construction Corporation for Bayport Terminal Complex Phase I Container Yard -- Stage 1.
(Agenda G19) Commissioners are being asked to approve the amendment of a contract for $186,640 with Klotz Association, Inc. for Bayport Terminal Complex Phase I Container Yard Design.
(Agenda H2) The Commission is being asked to authorize advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for fill placement at Bayport.
(Agenda K4) Commissioners are being asked to approve specifications and authorization of advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for the purchase of three 30KW back-up generators for Bayport Container Terminal.
ROAD IMPROVEMENT MATTERS
(Agenda G18) Commissioners are being asked to approve an amendment to a contract for $3.026 million with the Texas Department of Transportation and Harris County for widening Main Street in Galena Park.
OTHER MATTERS
(Agenda M3) Commissioners are being asked to authorize the amendment of the Small Business Development Program Policy and Procedures Manual, and to delegate authority to the Executive Director to perform certain functions described in the manual. The Small Business Development Program Task Force met in February and recommended minor administrative changes to the SBDP Policy and Procedures Manual.
This news release is not a substitute for the official PHA agenda. 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 7,000 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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