HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 24786 APPROVING A RETURNING SHIP BUILDING TO SETX PROGRAM 41111 P01fl*ARThUR
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: February 18, 2026
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
Through: Ron Burton, CPM, City Manager
From: Krystle Muller, Interim Chief Executive Officer
RE: PR 24786 I A resolution approving a Returning Ship Building to Southeast Texas
Program — Workforce Training Agreement between the Port Arthur Economic
Development Corporation and Lamar State College Port Arthur in an amount of
$380,593.06; Funds available in EDC Acct. #: 120-80-625-5475-00-00-000
The intent of this Agenda Item is to seek the Port Arthur City Council's authorization of the Port
Arthur Economic Development Corporation ("PAEDC")to enter into a Returning Ship Building
to Southeast Texas Program — Workforce Training Agreement with Lamar State College Port
Arthur("LSCPA")
Background:
A major shipbuilding company is locating one of its facilities in Port Arthur, bringing the
shipbuilding industry back to our community. LSCPA has created a welding training program in
anticipation of the high demand of welders that will be needed for this operation. The PAEDC
recognizes the importance of training Port Arthur residents in preparation to fill the jobs created
by this project. The PAEDC Board of Directors has approved Training Agreement with LSCPA
for the training of 75 Port Arthur residents.
Budgetary Impact:
The budgetary impact of this item is $380,593.06. Funds available in the EDC Account No. 120-
80-625-5475-00-00-000 (Job Training).
Recommendation:
It is recommended the Port Arthur City Council approve the Port Arthur Economic Development
Corporation to enter into a Returning Ship Building to Southeast Texas Program — Workforce
Training Agreement with Lamar State College Port Arthur("LSCPA")
P.R. No. 24786
2/13/2026 KVM
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A RETURNING SHIP
BUILDING TO SOUTHEAST TEXAS PROGRAM —
WORKFORCE TRAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
PORT ARTHUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION AND LAMAR STATE COLLEGE PORT
ARTHUR IN AN AMOUNT OF $380,593.06; FUNDS
AVAILABLE IN EDC ACCT. #: 120-80-625-5475-00-00-000
WHEREAS, a major Canadian shipbuilding company has acquired property in Port
Arthur, TX and intends to expand its operations of shipbuilding at that Port Arthur location,
creating a substantial economic impact including the creation of over six hundred (600)jobs; and
WHEREAS, Lamar State College Port Arthur("LSCPA")has created a welding training
program to accommodate the anticipated high demand for welders that will be a result of the
return of the ship building industry in Port Arthur; and
WHEREAS, the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation ("PAEDC")
recognizes the importance of preparing our local workforce to position Port Arthur residents as
a first choice to fill the craft positions that will become available; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 1967 amended the Texas Local Government Code by adding
§501.163 which authorizes expenditures for pre-employment training by PAEDC; and
WHEREAS, at their February 2, 2026 Regular Board Meeting, the PAEDC Board of
Directors approved a Workforce Training Agreement with LSCPA in an amount of$380,593.06
for the training of Port Arthur residents through the welding program; and
WHEREAS, LSCPA has agreed to train seventy-five (75) Port Arthur residents at no
cost to the resident, over a three-year period, as detailed in the Workforce Training Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PORT ARTHUR:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
Section 2. That the City Council approves PAEDC entering into a Returning Shipbuilding
to Southeast Texas Program — Workforce Training Agreement with Lamar State College Port
Arthur in an amount of$380,593.06 in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit
«A„
Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the
City Council.
READ,ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of A.D., 2026,
at a Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote:
AYES:
Mayor
Councilmembers
•
NOES:
Charlotte M. Moses, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard, City Secretary
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Page 2
APPROVED:
JAN
Krystle Villarreal Muller,PA b-C Interim CEO
APPROVE S TO FORM:
. Goodso ,PAEDC torn y
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Roxann Pais Cotroneo,City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS:
4.1d __
L nd oswell, Finance Director
N2528333
Page 3
EXHIBIT "A"
RETURNING SHIP BUILDING TO SOUTHEAST TEXAS PROGRAM
BETWEEN LAMAR STATE COLLEGE PORT ARTHUR AND
PORT ARTHUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
This Agreement for Returning Ship Building to Southeast Texas Program (the
"Agreement") is between Lamar State College Port Arthur (the "College") and the Port
Arthur Economic Development Corporation (the "Corporation"). The College and the
Corporation may each be hereinafter referred to as a "Party" and together the "Parties" to this
Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any and all previous letters of intent or agreements
describing the hereinafter specified Scope of Work for the Returning Ship Building to Southeast
Texas Program (the "Program").
RECITALS:
A. Each Party hereto is authorized to contract with any one or more other public
entities to perform any governmental service, activity or undertaking which each public entity
would be authorized under the law to perform; provided, that any such contract be authorized by
the governing body of each Party and sets forth the purposes, powers, rights, objectives and
responsibilities of the Parties.
B. In order to fund its collaboration with the College,the Corporation herein commits
to providing funds of$380,593.06 for budgeted costs as hereinafter described.
C. College has advised Corporation of its Notice of State Grant Award from the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board as set forth in Exhibit "A" to this Agreement (the "Grant
Award"). As stated in the Grant Award, the Grant has been awarded in the requested amount of
$425,050 and for a grant term of December 1, 2025, to December 1, 2027, with grant
disbursements in accordance with fifty (50%) percent upon execution of the Grant start date;
twenty-five (25%) percent upon the receipt and acceptance of a June, 2026 interim report and
twenty-five (25%) percent upon receipt and acceptance of June, 2027 interim report. Further
obligations of College to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board are contained in the
Grant Award and incorporated into this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.
D. Corporation has committed its funds for the Program and for the payment for the
acquisition of equipment as hereinafter set forth and as set forth in Corporation Resolution No.
NOW, THEREFORE, AND IN CONSIDERATION OF THE RECITALS SET
FORTH ABOVE,which are fully incorporated into this Agreement and as set forth in full below
and in consideration of the mutual obligations undertaking commitments and performance of the
College and the Corporation as hereinafter set forth, College and Corporation mutually agree as
follows:
Article I
Program Description
The Returning ship Building to Southeast Program to include the creation of confined space
and "out of position" welding scenarios used to train welding students for the rigors of ship
building industry (the "Welding Program") is more fully set forth in the Letter of Intent ("LOP')
received from the College to apply for funding attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and made a part
hereof for all purposes.
Article II
Welding Program Equipment
College requests that the Corporation provide funding for the budget summary outlined in
Exhibit "C" for the acquisition of the 350 Amp CC/CV Electric Welders, the Large Voltage
Sensing Feeders,the Confined Space Simulator,the Miller Spectrum 875 20 ft handheld welding
device and associated welding equipment (collectively, the "Equipment") at the budgeted cost of
$380,593.06.
Article III
Port Arthur Resident Training
College will offer the Welding Program in a boot camp format running from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday through Friday for 12 weeks which class will be priced at$6,000/student. College
agrees to train 75 Port Arthur residents over three years following the effective date of a
Memorandum of Understanding/Performance Agreement at no cost the residents nor to the
Corporation. The training and placement of Equipment by College for the Program will be on the
College main campus in the Morris Albright Industrial Training Facility. If College determines
that the Program is to be located in another facility on the College main campus or otherwise,any
such location or relocation of the Program shall occur only with the prior written consent of the
Corporation.
Article IV
Program Development Time Schedule
The College agrees to provide Corporation a detailed Program timetable.
Article V
Program Curriculum Development/Time Schedule
College agrees to provide Corporation prior to the initial training of any Port Arthur
resident required to be trained in accordance with Article III the complete program curriculum and
a detailed program timetable such that Corporation may monitor programmatic activities in
accordance with reporting as set forth in this Agreement.
Article VI
Program Reporting/Cost Allocation/Financial Reimbursement
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Corporation shall provide its funds as set forth in Exhibit "C" upon the submission by
College of invoices/pay requests for the Equipment to be acquired.
Any cost overruns in the Program must be approved mutually by College and Corporation,
and such cost overruns shall be determined based upon the satisfaction of costs with any cost
overruns presented by College to Corporation to be considered by Corporation with appropriate
funding.
Corporation acknowledges it has available and unencumbered funds to fund the acquisition
of the Equipment as presented. Any amendment in Equipment to be acquired from that set forth
in the budget must be approved in advance by Corporation.
Article VII
Program Secondary Credentials
College acknowledges that the Program will be face to face and standalone and may lead
to multiple industry recognized post-secondary credentials including: NCCER CORE, NCCER
Welding Level I and confined space certification.
Article VIII
Equipment Ownership and Operation
College acknowledges that the Equipment acquired shall remain and shall be titled into the
Corporation which may file as its solely determines financing statements to confirm the ownership
of the Equipment by the Corporation. Corporation may,but is not required,to transfer ownership
of the Equipment to the College following conclusion of the primary term of the Program as set
forth in the Grant Award or any extensions thereof. Any such conveyance by Corporation to the
College of the Equipment would be by a bill of sale without warranties, expressed or implied, by
Corporation the College. College further acknowledges that the Equipment acquired by
Corporation is provided to the College without any warranties, express or implied, as to the
usability of the Equipment for the intended purposes of the Program. Further, College
acknowledges and assumes all responsibility for examination of Equipment on delivery and for all
maintenance and operation of the Equipment during the term of this Agreement without any cost
or expense payable by the Corporation.
Article IX
College Responsibilities to Corporation
Upon receipt of funding from the Corporation and the Grant, College agrees to fund the
Program and provide for the Program development, Program reporting, financial responsibility,
Program Equipment and procurement. College assumes full responsibility in accordance with
Articles III and IV of this Agreement to train 75 Port Arthur residents through the Program. This
requirement for the training of 75 Port Arthur residents is for this Program only and is not to
include Port Arthur residents in any other training program of the College whether funded by the
Corporation or otherwise. College further agrees to provide a database with all Port Arthur
residents provided training in this Program, said database to include name, Port Arthur address
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and other contact information by which College acknowledges that Corporation may confirm the
residents' participation in the Program. Upon completion of the Program, College agrees to
provide to Corporation any and all certifications or licenses provided to the trained Port Arthur
residents arising from their participation in the Program.
Article X
Corporation Responsibilities to College
Subject to the receipt of the Grant, Corporation agrees to provide the requested funding in
the amount of$380,593.06 to be evidenced by this Agreement which memorializes the conditions
set forth in the LOI inclusive of any and all other requirements set forth in the Grant and to contain
other conditions and agreements between the Corporation and the College as necessary to affect
the Program.
Article XI
Joint Obligations of College and Corporation
College and Corporation agree that they shall jointly develop (together with industry
partners)training programs to meet the diversified requirements of the industrial complex and the
strategic partners of the College and the Corporation.
The Parties shall agree to comply with all federal, state and local laws including, without
limitation, all City codes, ordinances, resolutions, standards and policies, as now exist from and
hereinafter adopted or amended.
Article XII
Indemnification
COLLEGE INDEMNIFICATION. COLLEGE, TO THE EXTENT AUTHORIZED
BY APPLICABLE LAW, SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE
CORPORATION, ITS OFFICERS, OFFICIALS, AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES FROM AND
AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, SUITS,ACTIONS, OR LIABILITIES FOR INJURY OR
DEATH OF ANY PERSON, OR FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, WHICH ARISES
OUT OF COLLEGE'S DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND/OR USE OF THE
EQUIPMENT OR FROM ANY ACTIVITY, WORK OR THING DONE, PERMITTED, OR
SUFFERED TO BE DONE IN OR ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT, EXCEPT ONLY SUCH
INJURY OR DAMAGE AS SHALL HAVE BEEN OCCASIONED BY THE SOLE
NEGLIGENCE OF THE CORPORATION.
NO WAIVER OF INDEMNIFICATION. Notwithstanding any provision of the
Agreement,nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver by College of its constitutional,statutory
or common law rights,privileges, immunities or defenses, including, but not limited to,waiver of
College's (i) sovereign immunity to suit; (ii) sovereign immunity against the recovery of money
damages; or(iii) right to a jury trial for any issue arising under this Agreement. To the extent the
terms of this paragraph conflict with any other provision in the Agreement, the terms of this
paragraph shall control.
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Article XIII
Insurance
Each Party shall procure and maintain for the duration of the Program, insurance against
claims for injuries to persons or damage to property which may arise from or in connection with
the use of the Equipment, and such insurance, shall evidence and shall include Automobile
Liability,Commercial General Liability,Workers' Compensation Liability and such others as may
be required by law.
Article XIV
No Joint Venture
This Agreement nor the undertakings created hereby shall create any joint relationship
between College and Corporation nor create any separate legal entity.
Article XV
Program Evaluations
Annual Review. The College and Corporation agree to meet at least once annually to
review the prior performance and operations of the Program and to collaborate on addressing any
issues or concerns to affect the proper utilization of the Equipment as anticipated or planned.
Additional Review. In the event of any concerns or issues regarding the training
performance,College and Corporation agree to meet at any time in a timely manner to review any
such concerns.
Article XVI
Dispute Resolution
Informal. College and Corporation by and through their duly authorized, designated
representatives shall meet and attempt to resolve any matter of training,scheduling,operational or
other issues arising out of this Agreement or the operation of the Equipment. In the event that the
Parties fail to resolve a dispute,the Parties may proceed to mediation prior to initiating other legal
actions.
Article XVII
General
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Amendments. Except as mutually agreed upon by the Parties to the Agreement, no
amendment to this Agreement shall be valid unless evidenced in writing, properly authorized by
each Parties governing body.
Severability. If any section or provision of this Agreement or its application is held
invalid, the remainder of this Agreement or the Application of the remainder of the Agreement
shall remain valid and in full force and effect.
No Third Party Benefits. Notwithstanding the anticipated engagement of strategic
partners, this Agreement is entered into by and solely for the benefit of the Parties and shall not
confer any benefits, direct or implied, on any third persons.
Assignment. Neither the College nor the Corporation shall have the right to transfer or
assign, in whole or in part, any of their obligations or rights hereunder without the prior written
consent of the other Party.
No Waiver. Failure or delay of either Party to declare any breach or default immediately
upon occurrence shall not waive such breach of default.
Captions. The respective captions of the sections or sub-sections of this Agreement are
for the convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to modify or otherwise affect any
of the provisions of this Agreement.
Equal Opportunity to Draft. The Parties have participated and had an equal opportunity
to participate in the drafting of this Agreement and its attachments. No ambiguity shall be
construed against any Party upon claim that that Party drafted ambiguous language.
Notice. All notice required under this Agreement shall be to the Party at the address listed
below and shall become effective three(3)days following the date of deposit in the United States
Postal Service.
LAMAR STATE COLLEGE PORT ARTHUR:
Attn: Dr. Ben Stafford, VP
LSCPA Workforce&Continuing Education
1500 Procter Street
Port Arthur, Texas 77640
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR SECTION 4A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Attn: Krystle Villarreal
Interim CEO
501 Procter Street, Suite 100
Por Arthur, Texas 77640
Article XVIII
Interpretation and Venue
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This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas as to interpretation and
performance, and the Parties agree that venue for enforcement of the Agreement shall be in
accordance with a competent jurisdiction in Jefferson County, Texas.
Article XIX
Entire Agreement
This Agreement and its attachments set forth all the terms and conditions agreed upon by
the College and the Corporation, incorporating by reference,the award for the Program.
Article XX
Financial Records
Financial Records. Each Party agrees to maintain books, records and documents which
sufficiently and properly reflect all direct and indirect costs related to the performance of this
Agreement and maintain such accounting procedures and practices as may be deemed necessary
to assure proper accounting of all funds paid in pursuant of this Agreement. These records shall
be subject, at all reasonable times, to inspection, review or audit by the other Party or their duly
authorized representative,auditor or other governmental official authorized by law to monitor this
Agreement.
State Auditor's Office. The parties understand that acceptance of funds under this
Agreement constitutes acceptance of the authority of the State of Texas Auditor's Office or any
successor agency("Auditor"),to conduct an audit or investigation in connection with those funds.
The parties shall cooperate with the State Auditor's Office in the conduct of the audit or
investigation, including providing all records requested. The parties shall ensure that this
paragraph concerning the State's authority to audit funds received indirectly by subcontractors
through the parties and the requirement to cooperate is included in any subcontract it awards.
Additionally,the State Auditor's Office shall at any time have access to and the rights to examine,
audit, excerpt, and transcribe any pertinent books, documents, audit documentation, and records
of the parties relating to this Agreement for any purpose.
Public Information. Each Party shall maintain public information in accordance with
state law,in the manner and for the time period applicable to such records. If either Party receives
a request for public information created as a part of the Program, each Party agrees to fully
cooperate in the providing of such information and provide due notification to the other Party as
to the request and the response to such request.
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Training Records. College agrees to maintain and to provide assigned staff to coordinate
the proper maintenance of training records required to be kept for programmatic activities of the
Program.
Article XXI
Effective Duration of Agreement& Termination
Effective Date. This Agreement shall take effect on the date of the last authorizing
signature affixed hereto.
Term. Except as otherwise agreed by the Parties, this Agreement shall continue until the
completion and satisfaction of the financial obligations of each party and the satisfaction of
performance requirements as may be set forth in this Agreement and any attachment hereto. The
initial term of the agreement is years; the agreement may be extended for an additional year
by mutual agreement of the parties, in writing and properly authorized by each Party's governing
body.
Termination. In the event of a material failure by a Party to perform its duties and
obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the other party may terminate this
Agreement upon sixty(60) days' advance written notice of termination setting forth the nature of
the material failure;provided that,the material failure is through no fault of the terminating party.
The termination will not be effective if the material failure is fully cured prior to the end of the
sixty-day period.
Article XXII
Loss of Funding
Performance by a Party of its duties and obligations under this Agreement may be dependent
upon the appropriation and allotment of funds by the Texas State Legislature (the "Legislature")
and/or allocation of funds by that Party's governing board. If the Legislature fails to appropriate or
allot the necessary funds to a Party,or a Party's governing board fails to allocate the necessary funds,
then the Party that loses funding may terminate this Agreement without further duty or obligation
under this Agreement.
Article XXIII
Authorization and Execution
Authorization and Execution. Each Party warrants that it is duly authorized to enter into
this Agreement and that the person(s)executing this Agreement are duly authorized to execute this
Agreement for and on behalf of each identified Party.
***SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE***
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LAMAR STATE COLLEGE PORT ARTHUR:
Approved as to Form:
Dr. Ben Stafford, VP
Date:
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PORT ARTHUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:
Approved as to Form:
Krystle Villarreal, Interim CEO
Date:
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