SPECIFIC EXPLANATION
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), a non-profit organization founded in 1983, has been under contract with the City since 1999 to provide services to enhance Houston’s tourism and economic development. Funding under the proposed contract is to be provided by the City of Houston utilizing hotel occupancy tax proceeds retained by the City as part of its creation of the Houston First Corporation.
In collaboration with the City’s economic development team, the Houston First Corporation, the Greater Houston Partnership Economic Development Division and the Houston First Corporation, BAHEP will seek to expand the existing tourism industry and continue targeted efforts to coordinate and assist projects such as the Bay Area Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, development of new visitor attractions and international marketing of the City of Houston. BAHEP will also identify and promote programs aimed at developing Houston’s workforce through strategic partnerships with regional economic development agencies, educational institutions, and industry groups.
In December 2017, City Council approved a three-year, $150,000 contract with BAHEP for a term beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 by Ordinance No. 2017-1008.
In July 2018, by Ordinance No. 2018-0560, City Council approved an expanded scope of service described in the 2017 agreement and increased the contract amount by $100,000 to include additional services. This action was requested by the Administration, with support from the Council District E office.
In October 2019, the Administration recognized the value of the expanded services and with support from the Council District E office, requested that Council approve Ordinance No. 2019-0746 which further increased the amount of the contract by an additional $50,000 for the delivery of the expanded services. The ordinance increased the maximum contract amount to $300,000.
The Administration, with support of District E Council District Service Funds, now requests council approval of a Second Amendment to the contract for Professional Services between the City and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (Contract No. 4600014659 approved by Ordinance No. 2017-1008, passed on July 18, 2018) to increase the maximum contract amount from $300,000 to $375,000 for an additional scope of services and to extend the contract term from December 31, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
BAHEP will work in partnership with the Chief Development Office, the private industry sector and colleges to identify workforce needs, related training and development programs and resources to develop an implementation plan to help meet those needs. Specifically, BAHEP will develop and implement a program of work focused on workforce development for existing minority businesses (MBEs) located in the City of Houston Council District E. BAHEP will also continue working with the Chief Development Officer and the Houston Spaceport System to develop bylaws/operating procedures for the Spaceport Development Corporation. Finally, BAHEP will work with Texas A&M University Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) to continue implementation of the Texas Aerospace Scholars (TAS) Program and Technology Outreach Program (TOP), or Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP)
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in FY2021 Budget. Therefore, no fiscal note is required as stated in the Financial Policy.
_________________________________________________________
Andrew F. Icken, Chief Development Officer
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Estimated Spending Authority
|
|
Department
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FY2021
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OUT YEARS
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TOTAL
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|
Mayor's Office
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$25,000.00
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$0
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$25,000.00
|
|
Council Offices
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$50,000.00
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$0
|
$50,000.00
|
|
TOTAL
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$75,000.00
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