RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance sale, and delivery of Airport System Special Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2020A (AMT) and providing for the security thereof; authorizing certain designated officials to determine the obligations to be refunded consistent; ratifying the lease; approving the form and substance, and authorizing the execution and delivery, of the second supplemental trust indenture and related transaction documents; making certain finding with respect thereto and containing other provisions relating to the subject; and declaring an emergency.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
Pursuant to the bond ordinances adopted by the City of Houston, Texas (the “City”) authorizing the issuance of the City’s outstanding airport system revenue bonds, the City reserves the right to issue certain airport system special facilities revenue bonds payable from rent under special facility leases entered into with United Airlines, Inc. (“United”). Bonds issued secured by such special facility rent are not secured by any other revenues of the Houston Airport System.
The proposed City of Houston, Texas Houston Airport System Special Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2020A (AMT) (“2020A Special Facilities Bonds”) will refinance the July 1, 2020 maturity of the Series 2014 Bonds, which refinanced bonds originally issued for construction/improvement of Terminal E. The anticipated size of the 2020A Special facilities Bonds is currently estimated not to exceed $45 million.
Pursuant to the existing special facility lease relating to Terminal E, United has reserved the right to request the City to issue refunding bonds. Such refunding bonds would be issued under a supplemental indenture and the existing special facility lease. The loan agreement special facilities lease relating to Terminal E will remain for as long as the Series 2020A Bonds and any parity bonds (i.e. the Series 2014 Bonds) remain outstanding. United will be obligated to make net payments equal to all bond payments due on the 2020A Special Facilities Bonds. Prompt payment of principal and interest on the 2020A Special Facilities Bonds will be unconditionally guaranteed by United.
The 2020A Special Facilities Bonds will not constitute an indebtedness of the City, nor will it be an obligation of the City secured by ad valorem taxes or net revenues of the Houston Airport System (other than those arising specifically from the special facilities loan agreement or lease agreement). As provided under Texas law, no holder of any 2020A Special Facility Facilities Bonds shall have the right to demand payment of any funds raised or to be raised by taxation and may not be repaid in any circumstances from tax revenues. In addition, the 2020A Special Facilities Bonds shall not constitute obligations of the City’s Airport System, nor will revenues (other than receipts under the special facilities loan agreement or lease agreement) be pledged or made available to repay any of the 2020A Special Facilities Bonds.
This transaction was presented to the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee on June 2, 2020.
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Tantri Emo, Chief Business Officer/Director of Finance Chris B. Brown, Houston City Controller