[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6592238,"mediaKeyId","2904510-264e9a2ad95b7d3ef687267e47479728","parentId",2904510,"title","Votes at a glance: Port Arthur council approves multiple procurement, budget and program items","audioSeconds",2544,"startMs",692000,"endMs",3236000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904510-264e9a2ad95b7d3ef687267e47479728&start=692&end=3236","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904510-264e9a2ad95b7d3ef687267e47479728/thumbnail_692000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6592238/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Port-Arthur-council-approves-multiple-procurement-budget-and-program-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592238-8e4a7dbc9fd39215d4190dfdabec2061/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181759&Signature=T8w2qN3jpEZ5Iadom9LiJEK3cxItVVlHyM5GjmOHMiglc55aPLha64kQGDXs5U-X7-SH6Ldxh-L8VSCgGdamn0aDbcYnwPhxN0qt-juNDMyP~24oNwh6MOqK3neQU2XxL3kBRvGJ6ShzjTBzOWuhHh5P2hCkspPqHxYs-jD7UWViioJxxcepKtfoZPyY9LGUC9zlChraGGmpNOjiD7K641-UB2yPetfyNyhcwgU0~w0CbUnY-qhfbOThsIpLZ6GXh8w85pdGbAtoMXI5MOIIHB9qsQ0HL3g2TbyBRSyc20f7-4OSBFyKzXzf0upQdPmo92UASGTsg2hoC~iI-hO3dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Arthur","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Port Arthur City Council approved a slate of resolutions and procurement items during the meeting. Below are each item, the key details recorded on the meeting record and the outcome as announced by the mayor or meeting chair.

Votes at a glance

- PR 24-259 (Pleasure Island lease): Approved. Motion by Councilman Alfred Frank; second by Councilman Ken Long. Authorizes a commercial lease for two Pleasure Island parcels (see separate article).

- Consent agenda items (pages 3–7, with several items pulled for separate consideration): Approved by voice vote after exclusions were identified.

- Item a4 (Council travel reimbursement request): Approved. Travel reimbursement for Councilman Willie Bay Lewis (Golden Triangle Days, Austin, March 3–5) in amount $897.57 was placed on the consent schedule and passed.

- PR 24-229 (PAEDC youth employment program — YEP): Approved. Motion to authorize up to $96,000 from PAEDC pre-employment workforce training funds to implement a youth employment program open to Port Arthur residents graduating high school in 2025 or incoming seniors graduating in 2026. Motion by Councilman Lewis; second by Councilwoman Beckham. Council discussion reviewed statutory authority (Local Government Code Sec. 501.163) and program history; city attorney said legal advice indicates the expenditure is allowable under the cited code.

- PR 24-239 (Engineering/design contract, Phase 2 roadway construction & drainage repairs at 101 H.O. Mills Blvd.): Approved. Contract with Blue Bell LLC for design services, amount $74,039.88, funded from CIP account (project BU0010). Motion and second on record; voice vote recorded as approved.

- PR 24-213 (Operations center renovation — deductive change order): Approved. Deductive change order to Daniels Building and Construction, decreasing the contract by $251,871 and establishing the revised contract amount. Motion and second recorded; vote approved.

- PR 24-215 (Driveway/construction closeout): Approved. Deductive change order and project closeout for driveway construction and drainage at 101 H.O. Mills Blvd.; final contract amount and release of retainage authorized.

- PR 24-227 (Purchase — two dump trucks for drainage division): Approved. Purchase of two 2025 Western Star 40 7 15-yard dump trucks from Lone Star Freightliner Group LLC (via TIPs cooperative), budgetary impact $356,210, funded from capital reserve fund account.

- PR 24-242 (Generator purchase for operations center): Approved. Purchase of a 150 kW generator and associated platform and security fencing from Energy Systems of Houston via cooperative purchasing; budgetary impact $116,395 charged to the Public Works Administration Building capital account.

- PR 24-244 (Bus stop ADA improvements): Approved. Contract with Green Space 6 LLC for bus stop construction and ADA access upgrades at multiple locations, not to exceed $199,175.50, funded from transit/capital account; council members asked staff to provide a project background and timing for shelter upgrades.

- PR 24-246 (Park Street elevated tank rehabilitation — change order): Approved. Change order increasing the contract by $8,700 and adding 4 days to the schedule; related to water system CIP and contingent on a pending budget amendment.

- PR 24-248 (Purchase — Vactor truck for sanitary maintenance): Approved. Contract with Kenlock Equipment and Supply through BuyBoard; budgetary impact $496,313 with annual service fee $12,000 for five years; funding tied to water/sewer capital and pending budget amendment.

- PR 24-253 (Emergency sewer-line cleaning ratification): Approved. Ratified emergency cleaning of an 18-inch sewer line on Highway 365 by Cheese Solutions, total not to exceed $25,032; funded from water system maintenance; council ratified manager’s emergency authorization.

- PR 24-258 (Move/cancel April 22 meeting): Approved. Council rescheduled/cancelled the regular April 22 meeting and set the next meeting for Monday, April 21 (meeting record states rescheduling due to early voting activities).

- Proposed Ordinance 73-24 (Budget amendment / appropriation ordinance): Approved. Council voted to transfer $1,347,297 from general fund contingency to increase the water and sewage capital fund; the vote was recorded and the ordinance will be implemented as part of the FY2025 budget adjustments.

- Proposed Ordinance 73-25 (Intent to reimburse for water meter program equipment): Approved. Council declared intent to reimburse the city for certain funds advanced for equipment and improvements tied to a water meter program, with final issuance of debt expected within one year; staff said the step was intended to allow efficient procurement for meter work and major equipment purchases.

How the meeting recorded votes: Most items were adopted by voice vote. Where motion and second were recorded, the meeting minutes note the mover and seconder; detailed roll-call tallies were not read for all items in the public portion of the transcript.

Follow-ups requested by council included: more granular line-item budget reporting for capital accounts, timeline and locations for the bus-stop ADA work and return of longer-term vendor/maintenance contracts for the solid-waste fleet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Port Arthur - City Council - Apr 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April meeting, Port Arthur City Council approved a series of resolutions and procurement items including a youth employment program, capital purchases, emergency repairs and budget adjustments. Several items were passed by voice votes; staff will return with follow-up details.","taxTitle","Port Arthur City, Jefferson County, Texas","taxId",5749,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6592243,"Port Arthur council approves commercial lease for Pleasure Island Buildings A and B",528,190000,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904510-264e9a2ad95b7d3ef687267e47479728&start=190&end=718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904510-264e9a2ad95b7d3ef687267e47479728/thumbnail_190000.jpg","/articles/6592243/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-approves-commercial-lease-for-Pleasure-Island-Buildings-A-and-B","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592243-52588d7021005e200cc2689822aabcc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181759&Signature=KqNirP2q~~8i4Vrys2~NGbG0o83W5BGOCZLRy~YpmoTHP8~7XWkAmQuw0IZTQyo2yZNcs-Y5IMv6D4ouGJJ4hNgOBJ-WfOX1h3x~PwcWN9LeBsUBD0msLDaJf9DWN2AFRd12QSY9gXNjQJKwU5Io6sWks4tZUwlfnOR-PBKTa35whgGLdyzMUMM1h-V4NWJrBhQ7sGH3CKwJau-JYCU68sygrQIqmzLDuOKpS-Ff3feSwMNGinQQxD5xEpWpp0k1lDS~jQtjF0SAhkMU0QwNyiXglCik0Yo~LBViflbUfAj9gAqKMZqxHMGBUimlyNNK1pDkCK9y16SRvTMjyJpCFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Arthur City Council voted to approve Resolution PR 24-259 to enter a commercial lease for two parcels on Pleasure Island that the resolution describes as \"Building A\" and \"Building B.\" The lease allows preparation and sale of food, sale and service of alcoholic beverages, hosting events, sale of soft goods and renting or booking watercraft, among other commercially reasonable activities.

Why it matters: Council members described the lease as a long-awaited step to bring restaurant and entertainment options to Pleasure Island, a waterfront site the city has highlighted for economic development.

Councilman Alfred Frank made the motion to approve; a second was recorded from Councilman Ken Long (referred to in the meeting as \"Kenlock\"). Councilwoman Hamilton Everfield provided an update to residents before the vote: \"This resolution is regarding us moving forward with Buildings A And B on Pleasure Island where we will be able to have a restaurant and entertainment services that we are extremely, extremely excited about. This has been a long road coming, and I'm very grateful to council to allowing us to be able to, effectively negotiate a contract that we'll be able to bring these services to the community sooner than later.\" The council then displayed exterior and interior renderings of the proposed development.

The developer who addressed the council identified himself as Salim Kraub and said he lives in Louisville, Texas; he thanked the city for the opportunity and said he was committed to the project. The mayor invited the developer to offer brief remarks after the presentation of renderings.

The motion carried by voice vote; the mayor declared, \"Ayes have it. So item number PR 24-259 is approved as presented.\" The resolution text presented to council lists allowable commercial activities on the two leased parcels, a total referenced in the agenda as roughly 1.6 acres with Building A about 0.21 acres.

Council members and staff thanked the developer and City Director George Davis for helping advance the transaction. Staff noted the lease obligates the developer to build to rendering standards and that the contract requires the finished property to be reasonably similar to the renderings shown at the meeting.

Council indicated more items related to Pleasure Island will return for review as development proceeds.","Council unanimously approved a resolution to lease two Pleasure Island parcels for restaurants, beverage sales, events and watercraft rentals; council and the developer displayed renderings and praised the project’s potential for city tourism and dining options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6592248,"Port Arthur council hears detailed update on trash service; contractors, new equipment and master plan cited as fixes",944,1097000,2041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904510-264e9a2ad95b7d3ef687267e47479728&start=1097&end=2041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904510-264e9a2ad95b7d3ef687267e47479728/thumbnail_1097000.jpg","/articles/6592248/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-hears-detailed-update-on-trash-service-contractors-new-equipment-and-master-plan-cited-as-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592248-e5a1fd9f483d9dde53c1677aea2903d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181759&Signature=enOGDuGpg8GTu3EwY3kh7RvBAN0sazI2r5pfuQzKckyDd-CgqJzgM83zza6K-UYFeu0ScKdNLAEOmXlT4QFIPS~z4~5JsWh~iPsPm7bKtu2euz4z1zWSjQBFba8vxx2Dw4hnihfLmOo1OREHgNH1CdLVsYNhZfD8-syHJteMCT4y9sSbO8M5XZjoFDfhT5Ejx0zJs7c6pqShuJkr41rWyTPXKRIuxwfDsAsAarSg9C-e5iVwCOvpCj4w7WHA3ZUc9Mfhok~JrXcnXq17RRMQzTxTaXOhzr4aF6c~BFSfTDmmCis0C4XxYQdvz-rAARoHW5KgIUbYtWV3xY1rdF0KTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Port Arthur City Council members and residents spent the largest portion of the meeting on an extensive update from the Solid Waste Division about persistent trash-collection delays and illegal dumping.

The Solid Waste presentation, led by the city's workforce and public-works staff, said service reliability has been affected by equipment breakdowns, staffing shortages and worker fatigue. \"We remain committed to delivering reliable, efficient, and responsive services and want to assure our citizens that we are working diligently towards sustainable and lasting improvements,\" the presentation said.

Why it matters: residents and businesses pay for scheduled collection; council members said repeated failures have eroded public trust. Several members pressed staff for immediate fixes while the city’s longer-term plan is developed.

City staff described the fleet and repair status in detail. The Solid Waste briefing said the residential-garbage fleet totals 15 trucks: 2 out of service after accidents, 6 operable and 7 undergoing repair. The commercial-refuse fleet has seven trucks (four operable, three in repair). The residential-trash fleet (used for bulky items/yard debris) totals 12 trucks, with five operable and seven being repaired. Staff said supply-chain delays are lengthening repair times for major components and that mechanics and vendor availability are constrained regionally.

To reduce immediate outages, the city authorized an emergency, under-$25,000 contract with Howell of Texas (the vendor that supplies many of the city’s trucks) for on-site repairs; contractors from that firm were reported to have begun work the day of the meeting. Staff said they will bring a longer-term maintenance contract with Howell to council at the next meeting.

Council members pressed staff for short-term operational steps. Councilman Doucette said the council cannot keep telling residents collection is delayed: \"If we can't pick it up the way we schedule it and tell citizens to pick it up, I said, why are we charging them?\" Several members urged hiring additional mechanics, creating a plan B for staffing and using temporary contractors until ordered vehicles arrive.

Staff also described a multi-month master-planning contract with NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC. City documents shown to council state the resolution authorizing NewGen was approved in November 2024; consultants will begin field work April 28 to analyze routes, travel distances and scheduling and then present recommendations to the city manager and council. Staff said NewGen’s interim findings that are urgent will be brought to council before the project's December completion.

Procurement and funding details in the presentation: the city has ordered five new pieces of equipment this fiscal year (two residential garbage trucks, two trash trucks and one commercial refuse truck), funded through the city’s capital and ARPA accounts. Staff said one residential garbage truck and one trash truck have been delivered and placed into service; one more residential truck and one commercial truck were scheduled for delivery April 25. The presentation said lead times for new vehicles are typically 12–18 months but the city obtained some units faster because they were available from vendors.

Council direction and next steps: staff said they will (1) pursue the longer-term maintenance contract with Howell, (2) continue emergency repairs and bring a status report to council, (3) share NewGen’s urgent findings as they arise and (4) coordinate with human resources and Evergreen Group on compensation studies to improve recruitment and retention for mechanics and drivers. The manager said staff will return with a 90-day update.

Public comment and council members underscored enforcement against illegal dumping and better public communications. Council members asked for clearer reporting channels (code enforcement was identified as the primary point of contact) and better, more current updates on the city website and social media about service disruptions.

Council members and staff acknowledged the operational strain on employees working extended schedules. The meeting closed the solid-waste discussion with a commitment to present quantifiable requests (personnel or equipment) to council backed by consultant data.

An item related to the Solid Waste master plan — NewGen’s fieldwork beginning April 28 — was listed for follow-up and staff committed to return with data-based recommendations.","City staff told the Port Arthur City Council that recent service delays stem from aging equipment and staffing challenges; the city has contracted emergency repairs, ordered new vehicles and hired NewGen Strategies to produce a master plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Port Arthur council approves multiple procurement, budget and program items

Port Arthur council approves commercial lease for Pleasure Island Buildings A and B

Port Arthur council hears detailed update on trash service; contractors, new equipment and master plan cited as fixes