HOUSTON, June 24, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) approved $2.3 million in construction projects at its regular June 24 meeting. Commissioners voted to hold a special meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27, to discuss Agenda G5, which was pulled from the agenda. Commissioners deferred the decision on the proposed construction contract to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. The contract was for an estimated $100.5 million.
(Agenda G6) Commissioners approved a construction contract to Jerdon Enterprise, L.P. for Woodhouse Terminal Access Control, for $1.28 million. The Port Commission selected HPA, Inc. to design the project, which includes the installation of access control card readers consistent with the existing PHA system, automated gate arms, guard houses, utilities, cameras and visitor badge system at the main entrance near Clinton Drive and entrance No. 2 on Main St. The system will be connected to the existing Wide Area Security Information Network (WASIN). This project is partially funded by a federal grant.
(Agenda G7) The commission approved a construction contract to Security Integrators & Consulting for Access Control at Barbours Cut Administration Building and other locations for $301,300. North American Controls Corporation was awarded a professional service contract to design the project, which includes the installation of access control card readers at the Barbours Cut Administration Building. Partially funded by a federal grant, the project will replace existing access control equipment at Sims Bayou Terminal and Southside Terminal with TWIC-compatible cards reads that are consistent with existing PHA access control equipment.
(Agenda G8) The commission approved a construction contract to Jerdon Enterprise, L.P. for Access Control, CCTV and Fiber at selected facilities at the Turning Basin for $719,719. Shrader Engineering Company was awarded a professional services contract to design access controls for Executive Office Building and Port Coordination Center (PCC). The system will be connected to the Turning Basin Terminal CCTV and fiber network. The project is partially funded by a federal grant.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
(Agenda K4) Commissioners approved advertising for and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for air quality consulting services for a term of two years. The Environmental Affairs Department (EAD) is requesting these services to provide it with technical expertise and assistance with air quality matters, and to assist it with addressing regulatory compliance and Environmental Management System goals. These services include developing and implementing nonroad and onroad mobile source voluntary measures with the Houston-Galveston Area Council; conducting emission inventories for PHA operations; implementing control strategies for port PHA operations and mobile sources at PHA-operated terminals; and advising on various matters.
GENERAL MATTERS
(Agenda M4) The commission authorized entry into an agreement with the Houston Maritime Museum (HMM) to provide $75,000 funding over a three-year period for its capacity building program. The HMM in turn will assist with promotion of the PHA's commitment to the maritime industry and its history. This contract includes providing items for display at the PHA locations and creation of an exhibit at its existing museum to highlight the scope and economic contributions of the maritime activities at PHA, as they relate to its regional economic impact. HMM will also work with PHA, local deep water and marine interests, the WGMA and the Texas Maritime Academy at Texas A&M Galveston to develop a maritime curriculum high school in Harris County.
(Agenda M6) The commission approved a $30,000 service agreement with the Bay Area Transportation Partnership (BayTran), to promote the development and enhancement of PHA facilities and activities in the Bay area over a two-year period.
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 and second in overall total tonnage. 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. PHA is the first port authority in the world to receive ISO 28000:2007 certification for Port Police and the perimeter security operations at both the Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals. 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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