Port Arthur City Council on Tuesday voted 6-2, with Derrick Freeman and Kerry “Twin” Thomas opposed, to approve an industrial district agreement with ExxonMobil Oil Corporation.

A motion to amend the item to tax the business at 99 percent of the tax rate it would provide if formally annexed into the city failed by vote of 2-6, with only Freeman and Thomas voting in favor of the amendment.

Under the approved agreement, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation will make payments in lieu of property taxes equal to 80 percent of the amount it would pay if its facilities at Port Arthur were annexed into the city limits. The agreement will take effect in 2012 and continue through 2016.

The city council voted unanimously to confirm the reappointments of Vicki Derese of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company by the Port Arthur 4A Economic Development Corporaton; and Conrad Cooper as a representative from Lamar State College-Port Arthur.  The council also confirmed the appointment of Clark Colvin of Itex Property Management, LLC, who was appointed by the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce to fill an unexpired term.

The city council voted unanimously to authorize a $203,000 emergency contract with Rimrock Enterprises for the installation of a geotextile tube for shoreline erosion protection along Pleasure Island.

“The erosion of the shoreline on Pleasure Island has progressed to the point of endangering the structural integrity of T.B. Ellison Parkway, the primary access to a large portion of the residences and businesses on the island,” Public Works Director Ross Blackketter said.

The tubing will provide temporary protection while a permanent structure is built to prevent further erosion.

All other items were approved by unanimous vote of the members present at the time of the vote.  All members were present during the meeting. Agenda 

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