Port Arthur council authorizes up to $5,000 contract for third‑party performance evaluations

The Port Arthur City Council on July 29 authorized Mayor Moses to sign a professional services contract not to exceed $5,000 with Kathy Landau to facilitate and act as a third‑party administrator for performance evaluations of city council appointees.

The vote occurred immediately after a closed executive session called under multiple sections of the Texas Government Code. Council member Kinlaw moved the authorization; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The motion, read aloud by Council member Kinlaw, said the contract would "facilitate and act as a third‑party administrator for the performance evaluation of the city council appointees' positions, in conformity with the City of Port Arthur charter and city ordinance." Kinlaw moved the measure; a second was given and the council answered "aye," after which the mayor said the resolution had passed.

Before the vote the council convened in closed session under Texas Government Code sections cited by the mayor. The listed closed-session topics were: consultation with the city attorney (Tex. Gov't Code §551.071); economic development matters (§551.087); the value of real property and utility easement acquisition at Ninth Avenue and Proctor Street (§551.072); and personnel matters, including the evaluation process for city council appointees (city manager, city secretary and city attorney) (§551.074). Mayor Moses requested the closed session, according to the meeting record.

The council returned from executive session and moved to authorize the contract for evaluation facilitation. The motion instructed the mayor to sign the professional services agreement not to exceed $5,000; the council did not specify a contract start date, term, or funding source during the public record of the meeting.

After the vote the council adjourned the executive session.