HOUSTON, April 29, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority will consider $3.6 million in improvements, including a $1.2 million purchase of radios for Barbours Cut and Port Police, and up to $2.4 million in concrete replacement at three wharves near the Turning Basin Terminal on Wednesday, April 30, 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.
BARBOURS CUT MATTERS
(Agenda G7) The port commission is being asked to authorize issuance of a $1.2 million purchase order, based on H-GAC pricing, to Motorola Inc. for the purchase of 334 radios for use by Barbours Cut Terminal and Port Police on the Harris County Regional Network. The purchase includes 70 control stations, 30 mobile radios and 234 handheld radios and associated chargers and accessories. The purchase of this equipment will give all PHA departments the opportunity to participate in a port-wide communication system, with the aim of enhancing security at the port authority.
TURNING BASIN MATTERS
(Agenda K5) The commission is being asked to authorize advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for concrete replacement at Wharf Nos. 23, 26 and 29 and Lower Level Road at the Turning Basin Terminal at an estimated $2.1 million to $2.45 million. Originally constructed in the 1960s, the concrete pavement at the bulkhead line at these locations is in need of replacement. Concrete pavement on various locations along the Lower Level Road also needs replacement.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
(Agenda G2) The port commission is being asked to authorize awarding a Professional Services Contract to SAIC for energy savings performance contracting services for $80,000. The qualified firm will assist the PHA's Environmental Affairs and Engineering departments and Energy Management Core Team in evaluating all PHA facilities for potential energy, water, operational and associated capital cost improvement opportunities. This service is part of the PHA's commitment to environmental excellence.
GENERAL MATTERS
(Agenda K1) Commissioners will consider a recommendation to advertise and receive qualification-based proposals for project outlines for a site selection study for a future container terminal. PHA staff has begun the process of planning for the next terminal to support the anticipated needs of the port authority's customers. An initial step in this process is the collection and analysis of information, including economic data, demographic trends, trade and commercial information and information regarding regional geography and site availability. The PHA's continued growth requires planning for future needs.
(Agenda M5) Port commissioners are being asked to adopt a resolution authorizing the executive director to make and file an expansion application with the Foreign Trade Zones Board for the addition of seven properties to the Houston General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone. The PHA properties include Care Terminal and property near the Jacintoport Terminal, just east of Beltway 8. The privately owned properties are undeveloped or partially developed business parks located in southeastern Harris County. The anticipated increase of imports into the Houston area, as well as the current growth in available warehousing and distribution facilities located here, has created the need to expand the FTZ to include areas that will enable it to keep up with the expected demand for its benefits.
Members of the public who want to speak at a Port Commission meeting will be asked to sign in at the 4th floor lobby area. They may speak when the Chairman calls on them during the appearances portion of the agenda and their comments will be limited to three minutes. The public comment protocol is available on the PHA Web site, at: http://portofhouston.com/publicrelations/meetings.html
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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