Sarah L. Garza

The agenda for the meeting included administering the Oath of Office to Port Commissioners and electing officers for 2020, followed by appointments to Standing and Special Commission Committees, and appointments to Governing Boards and Committees of Outside Organizations. Presentations covered updates on the new Harbor Bridge from TXDOT, hydrodynamic modeling studies for Ingleside-on-the-Bay, a 2019 energy market review, and an overview of PCCA Geographic Information Systems developments. Open Agenda items involved approving contracts for Storm Water Master Plan engineering services, purchasing a new generator system for the New Port Office Facility, and adopting a resolution for a Consulting Services Contract for an Environmental Impact Statement. The Consent Agenda featured approvals for data collection equipment purchase, amendments to engineering services contracts, change orders for terminal upgrades, a Temporary Road License Agreement, a Lease Agreement for construction offices, and an Easement Agreement for fiber optic service. The Commission also planned to discuss legal matters, real property acquisition/leasing, and economic development incentives in an executive session.

The agenda for the meeting included calls to order and review of conflict of interest affidavits. Key discussion items involved presenting the 2019 3rd Quarter Aransas-Corpus Christi Pilot Work Hours Visual Inspection Reports, recommending the renewal of Captain Trip Webb's expiring Branch Pilot's license, and approving the appointments of Captain Justin Anderson and Captain Kate Fossati to the Deputy Branch Pilot Training Program. The Board also planned to convene an executive session to receive legal advice regarding Pilot Board duties and Deputy and Branch Pilot qualifications.

Port Corpus Christi's environmental policy, adopted in 2016, serves as a strategic framework to ensure all operations and developments are environmentally sustainable and responsible. The policy is guided by five precepts: air quality, water quality, soil sediment, habitat, and general environmental sustainability. The Port implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) using a plan-do-check-act framework to holistically assess and mitigate environmental impacts, extending these standards to customers and tenants. A primary goal is maintaining the Coastal Bend community's clean air attainment status and ensuring clean water quality through responsible environmental programs and management practices.

The meeting agenda included the review and recommendation for the renewal of Captain James Dooley's expiring Branch Pilot's License to the Governor, as required by statute. The board was also scheduled to review and recommend action on the 2023 2nd Quarter Aransas-Corpus Christi Pilot Work Hours Visual Inspection Report, which confirmed pilot compliance with work-rest requirements. A period for public comment was allotted, and the board planned to recess into executive session to deliberate or receive legal advice regarding matters related to Chapter 70 of the Texas Transportation Code.

The Pilot Board meeting agenda included a safety briefing and review of Conflict of Interest Affidavits. Key discussion items involved the potential approval of a revision to Section II of the Pilot Board's Rules and Regulations Governing Pilots and Pilotage on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel regarding Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers (LNGCs), specifically making the exemption from Daylight Only Passage Restrictions permanent. Another action item was the approval of the Aransas-Corpus Christi Pilot Work Hours Visual Inspection Report for the 4th Quarter of 2020. The meeting notice also detailed procedures for public comments, which were to be delivered remotely due to COVID-19 minimization efforts.