Residents of Port Arthur can give their input on a proposed annexation of some industrial property in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The Port Arthur City Council meets at 8:30 a.m. for its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the city council chambers on the fifth floor of city hall, 444 Fourth St. in Port Arthur.

The council will hold two separate public hearings on a proposed involuntary annexation of certain property in the city. The publication of the notice of the public hearings will be in a newspaper of general circulation.

The first public hearing is at 6 p.m. on Oct. 14. The second public hearing will be at 9 a.m. on Nov. 21, both at city hall.

The city will consider annexation of the following properties:

• BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals, LLC
• BASF Corporation
• Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
• Chevron USA
• Flint Hills Resources Port Arthur, LLC
• Oxbow Calcining, LLC
• Praxair, Inc. (tract located at Valero)
• Praxair, Inc. tract located on Motiva)
• Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA and Total Par, LLC
• Veolia ES Technical Solutions, LLC

Willie “Bae” Lewis Jr., District 5 councilman, will introduce a resolution requesting the Texas Municipal League to pursue legislation by the Texas Legislature requesting an alternative method of meeting publication requirements.

The TML and the Texas Local Government Code provides for notice by publication in a newspaper and the selection of the municipality’s official newspaper.

“That Texas Municipal League is hereby requested to file a bill to be adopted by the Texas Legislature to allow the governing body of a municipality to have an alternative method of publication of notices and advertisements, instead of the official newspaper of circulation,” the resolution reads.

The council will consider a resolution rescinding another resolution pertaining to an economic incentive contract and loan agreement between the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation and Pure Renewables Port Arthur, LLC.

Pure Renewables intended to process, treat and rejuvenate pre-consumer textile waste into superior cotton fiber commodities at a manufacturing facility to be located at the Port of Port Arthur.

“Pure Renewables has determined that they will not move forward with the construction of their facilities in Port Arthur as the contracts they have acquired will require more manufacturing space than the port has to offer at this time,” it read.

The PAEDC Board of Directors rescinded the agreement at a special meeting on Oct. 17.

Eric Sullivan with eSullivan Advertising & Design of Port Neches, will give a presentation regarding a proposed city logo/slogan.

The rebranding is to positively promote the city, according to Tiffany Hamilton, District 2 councilwoman.

The rebranding committee narrowed down the choices to the top three and the public will have a chance to offer feedback.

Also up for consideration is to accept the architect’s certificate of substantial completion from the LaBiche Architectural Group, Inc. for improvements to Rose Hill Park.

The city council originally awarded a contract to Deztex Industrial of Port Arthur for improvements to Griffing Park, Harman Park and Rose Hill Park.

The council awarded Change Order No. 1 to decrease the contract amount by $23,031 for a new contract amount of $497,953. The city accepted the certificate of completion for Griffing Park and Herman Park.

Also, “The improvements to Rose Hill Park are now substantially complete and have met all of the required building codes, zoning requirements, inspections, etc.,” it reads. “The city of Port Arthur has been presented a certificate of substantial completion for Rose Hill Park.”

Staff recommended the council accept the certificate.

The work completed on the punch list includes:

• Trashcans and bench anchor bolts.
• Add fill to all low spots and wheel indentations on entire site.
• Add new sod in area near bench.
• Provide tools for playground equipment as promised by Kraftsman.
• Repair joints in new tennis court surface.
• Remove damaged section of curb and replace.
• Fences shall be secured to posts using a minimum of one full turn on all tie wires.
• Install asphalt approach to new parking lot from new parking area to existing asphalt entry drive.

The PAEDC Board of Directors approved a training agreement for certified nurse’s aides. Now it’s the city council’s turn to consider the agreement at a cost not to exceed $20,000. The agreement is for a one-year period with the option to renew for an additional two one-year periods.

The agreement is with Program of Health Excellence in Port Arthur, a not for profit corporation. Its duly authorized representative is Willie Mae Elmore.

“The city of Port Arthur Section 4A Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Port Arthur residents who lack skills to qualify for on-the-job training program with a local employer or to secure permanent employment,” it reads. “House Bill 1967 amends the Texas Local Government Code which authorizes expenditures by PAEDC for job training skills sufficient to enable an unemployed individual to obtain employment.”

PAEDC shall pay the subcontractor, Elmore, $250 per certified nursing aide student following verification of completion of at least 15 classroom hours.

PAEDC shall pay $600 per student following verification that certified nursing aide student completed and passed the State of Texas certification.

They shall also pay $150 per student to the subcontractor once the student has gained employment following certification. The subcontractor must provide PAEDC a copy of the student’s paycheck stub.

The council will consider a special warranty deed to Tender Loving Care Center For Children — a community development housing organization. The organization will act as program manager for new construction of single-family residential structures in the PAEDC Affordable Housing Program.

The city council wishes to convey city-owned vacant lots located at 1129 Sixth St. to Tender Loving Care Center for Children for the new single-family home. The project area will be bounded by Atlanta Street on the west, Eighth Street on the north, Nashville Street on the east and Fifth Street on the south.

Lastly, the purchase of a road broom for the streets department from Associated Supply Company, Inc. of Beaumont, for $66,641 will be considered. Funding will be provided through the General Fund Account- Equipment.

David Ball: 409-721-2427