Port Arthur City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve an industrial district agreement with Port Arthur Steam Energy, LP.

Under the two-year agreement, Port Arthur Steam Energy will make payments in lieu of taxes equal to 80 percent of the amount it would pay in taxes on its property.  Payments will be due by October 15.

The property carries a net taxable value of $3,122,690.

The city council voted unanimously to appoint Christy DeRouen to the Pleasure Island Commission.

DeRouen will replace David Albright, who resigned from his position.  Council Member Morris Albright had nominated DeRouen for the appointment.

The city council voted unanimously to remove from the agenda a resolution eliminating the “One Block at a Time” Program from the FY2013 Budget.

The city council tabled action regarding an ordinance setting salaries and car allowances for the mayor, mayor pro tem, and city council.

The change would reduce the car allowance for the mayor from $1,000 to $600 per month, based on the Internal Revenue Service rate of $0.55 per mile at 1,081 miles per month.  The mayor’s monthly salary would be increased from $1,152 to $1,552.  The mayor pro tem’s car allowance would be reduced from $950 to $550, and council member car allowances from $900 to $500.  Salaries for the mayor pro tem and council members would increase from $576 to $976 under the proposed plan.

The city council voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation’s FY 2013 Budget to allow for the purchase of a new vehicle.

The corporation’s budget will be increased by $16,348, drawn from operating reserves, for the new vehicle.

The city council voted unanimously to approve a $295,105 contract with the Texas Department of State Health Services for participation in the WIC card program.

All other items were approved by unanimous vote.  Council Member Morris Albright, III was absent.  Agenda