HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 21444: ECONOMIC DEVELOMENT ADMINISTRATION GRANT THURMAN"BILL"BARTIE,MAYOR RONALD BURTON
CHARLOTTE MOSES, MAYOR PRO TEM City of CITY MANAGER
COUNCIL MEMBERS: VAL TIZENO
CITY ATTORNEY
RAYMOND SCOTT,JR. ort r t h uc
CAL J.JONES � SHERRI BELLARD
THOMAS J. KINLAW,III Texas CITY SECRETARY
HAROLD DOUCET
KAPRINA RICHARDSON FRANK
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: June 9, 2020
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
Through: Ron Burton, City Manager
From: Ron Burton. City Manager
RE: P. R. #21444
Introduction:
This Agenda Item intends to seek the City Council's authorization to apply to the Economic
Development Administration (EDA) for grant funding for the burial of conduit pipes and
installation of switch boxes to install utilities including electricity and high-speed interne,to serve
the needs of the residential and commercial customer in the targeted area as defined in the city's
2015 downtown revitalization plan
Background:
The City of Port Arthur is requesting $3.0 million in federal investment from the Economic
Development Administration (EDA). The grant will require a$750,000 matched.
Budget Impact:
The budget will consist of EDA grant funds and local match funds.
Recommendation:
This Agenda Item intends to seek the City Council's authorization to apply to the EDA for grant
funding for $ 3.0 million.
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P.R. No. 21444—R. Burton
06/02/2020
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
APPLY TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION (EDA) FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR THE
INSTALLATION OF CONDUIT PIPES AND SWITCH BOXES TO
INSTALL UTILITIES INCLUDING ELECTRICITY AND HIGH-
SPEED INTERNET, TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTIAL
AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS IN THE TARGETED AREA
AS DEFINED IN THE CITY'S 2015 DOWNTOWN
REVITALIZATION PLAN
WHEREAS,social distancing and telework rules tighten across the country because of the
COVID-19 pandemic, our daily lives are increasingly moving online. Everything from telework,
remote learning for K-12 and college, meetings at the office, to happy hours with friends are all
now occurring in digital space; and
WHEREAS, while the crisis has taught us many important lessons about how we
communicate and their coverage, and it would be a waste not to reexamine how we can improve
our economy, our society, and critical public goods by better planning on utilizing our future
communication systems while once again preparing for future business growth that will require
more online citywide and regional; and
WHEREAS,the City of Port Arthur is requesting$3.0 million in federal investment from
the Economic Development Administration(EDA),which will be matched with$750,000 locally;
and
WHEREAS, it is believed that this investment will generate approximately $100 million
in additional utility companies and private sector investment; and
WHEREAS, this Grant project will be a perfect example of a Public-Private Partnership
and the benefits envisioned by it being in an Opportunity Zone created by the tax cuts and Jobs
Act to help communities like us in economically disadvantaged areas received a needed boost.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
Section 2. That the City Manager is herein authorized to apply for grant funding to the
Economic Development Administration for the burial of conduit pipes and installation of switch
boxes to install utilities, including electricity and high-speed interne.
Section 3. That a copy of the caption be spread upon the minutes of the City Council.
READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of A.D., 2020,
at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES:
Mayor
Councilmembers
•
NOES:
Thurman Bartie, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard, City Secretary
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Valecia R. Tizeno, City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO ADMINISTRATION:
Ronald Burton, City Manager
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