The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority has approved a professional services contract with Jacobs Engineering Group for the rehabilitation of wharves 1 and 2 at Barbours Cut Container Terminal, among a host of matters decided during the Port Commission’s Feb. 28 regular meeting.

In his first monthly report, Interim Executive Director Leonard D. Waterworth said January was a strong month. Total tonnage for January 2012 was up 27 percent year-over-year at Port Authority facilities, he said. This was driven by an increase in steel of 235,000 tons, or 97 percent, and growth in container tonnage of 111,000 tons, or eight percent.

“Our core business is running very well,” Waterworth said. Operating revenue for January was $17 million, a $1.6 million or 10 percent increase from prior year, he noted.

Cash generated by Operations increased by 15 percent over the prior year to $6.1 million for January 2012. This offset January’s capital expenditures and commitments, leaving net funds available for capital projects of $220.4 million, equal to that available on Dec. 31, 2011, according to Waterworth.

Growth in operating revenues led to net operating income of $1.6 million, an increase of 165 percent over prior year, he said. Non-operating receipts of $0.5 million, primarily from federal grant funds and state road projects, added to the $1.6 million net operating income, resulting in net income of $2.1 million to the Port Authority for January, a 200 percent increase over prior year.

On behalf of the Port SupPORTers, volunteers who donate their time to Port Authority activities, Dana Blume, Manager, Environmental Affairs, presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to the Port Commission. Ten Port Authority volunteers, who gave more than 4,000 hours of service last year, received the award, including Nena Armstrong, who was named 2011 Volunteer of the Year by dedicating more than 70 hours of service to Port Authority activities alone.

The national award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. Established in 2003, the award is available annually to those who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of Certifying Organizations participating in the award program, the Port Authority confers it to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.