CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

A-2001-R-18

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JULY 16, 2001

5:30 P.M.

 

 

DISABILITY ACCESS STATEMENT

Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aid or services are requested to contact Gustavo Guevara, City Secretary at (956) 791-7308 at least two working days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.  The accessible entrance and accessible parking spaces are located at City Hall, 1100 Victoria Ave.

 

Out of Consideration for all attendees of the City Council meetings, please turn off all cellular phones and pagers, or place on inaudible signal.  Thank you for your consideration.

 

 

    I.      CALL TO ORDER

 

 II.      PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

III.      ROLL CALL

 

IV.      MINUTES

 

Approval of the minutes of June 1, 2001, June 4, 2001, and June 12, 2001.

 

V.              COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

 

Invitations

 

Recognitions

 

Communiqués

 

A.   The Church of the Crossroads Associate Pastor Kathy Baker and the Youth Directors would like to invite the Mayor and the City Council Members to the 10th Annual South Texas Youth Conference 2001 on August 1, at 6:00p.m.

 

 VI.    APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

A.      Appointment by Council Member Jose Valdez, Jr., of Joel H. Gutierrez Jr., to the Telecommunications Committee.

 

B.     Appointment by Council Member Joe A. Guerra of David Flores to the Vehicles for Hire Ad Hoc Committee.

 

   VII.         PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.   Public hearing to amend the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2000 General Fund annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $137,481.00 from a Lease Purchase Agreement to finance the acquisition of the upgrade of the AS/400 Computer System.

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

      Amend the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2000 General Fund annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $137,481.00 from a Lease Purchase Agreement to finance the acquisition of the upgrade of the AS/400 Computer System.

 

2.   Public hearing providing community residents an opportunity to comment on the City of Laredo Draft 2001 Consolidated One Year Action Plan that will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding the use of the 27th Action Year Community Development Block Grant ($4,485,000.00), Program Income ($89,975.00), HOME Investment Partnerships Program ($1,504,000.00), and Emergency Shelter Grant ($152,000.00).  The following projects are proposed and subject to City Council approval.

 

27th AY Community Development Block Grant

 

Community Development Administration                          $610,912        

                        Housing Rehabilitation Administration                              $189,513

                        Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program                              $250,000     

                        Code Enforcement                                                               $320,179

Graffiti Removal Program                                                     $27,714

Hamilton Hotel - Section 108 Loan Repayment                $235,000                    

Sidewalk Approaches to Schools (District V)                   $325,000

                        Demolition of Substandard Structures                               $50,000

                        Chacon Creek Acquisition                                                  $150,000

                        Ejido Street Extension                                                     $1,000,000

                        (Includes Program Income of $89,975)

                        Santa Rita Park – Phase II                                                   $325,000

                        Tinaja/Chacon Pilot Channel – Phase II (Acquisition)       $91,657

                        Inner City Park                                                                      $325,000

                        Lafayette Linear Park                                                           $325,000

                        El Cuatro Park                                                                       $250,000

                        City Wide – ADA Improvements                                            $50,000

                        Homeless Coalition – Homeless Shelter                            $50,000

                       

2001 HOME Investment Partnerships Grant

 

HOME Program Administration                                          $144,400

Down Payment Assistance                                                  $834,000

                        Tenant-Based Rental Assistance                                       $300,000

                        Community Housing Development Organizations          $225,600

                       

2001 Emergency Shelter Grant

 

ESG Program Administration                                                  $3,000

Homeless Prevention Program                                            $45,600

                        Homeless Shelter Program (Operations)                         $103,400   

 

3.   Public hearing amending the contract with the Texas Department of Health and amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $400,000.00 for the new “Mosquito Abatement Project” of the City of Laredo Health Department for a two-year project period beginning September 1, 2001, through August 31, 2003. (Approval of Resolution 2001-R-078 before Public Hearing)

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the contract with the Texas Department of Health and amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $400,000.00 for the new “Mosquito Abatement Project” of the City of Laredo Health Department for a two-year project period beginning September 1, 2001, through August 31, 2003.

 

4.   Public hearing amending the contract with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) and amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $70,000.00 to continue the operation of the two continuous air monitoring stations (CAMS) by the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2001, through August 31, 2002. (Approval of Resolution 2001-R-079 before Public Hearing)

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the contract with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) and amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $70,000.00 to continue the operation of the two continuous air monitoring stations (CAMS) by the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2001, through August 31, 2002.

 

 

 

VIII.   GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

 

5.      A.      Request by Council Member Louis H. Bruni

 

1.      Discussion and possible action on the City of Laredo’s Employee retirement plan.

 

2.      Status report on the speed humps between Arkansas and Bartlett on O’Kane Street, with possible action.

 

3.      Discussion and possible action on installing speed humps between the 2800 and 3200 block of Montgomery.

 

 

B.  Request by Council Member Johnny Amaya

 

1.      Discussion with possible action on the Lyon Street Skate Park.

 

2.      Status report on the new Inner City Park, with possible action.

 

C.     Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore Eliseo Valdez, Jr.

 

1.      Status report on the turning lane on the corner of Springfield and Calle del Norte Ave.

 

2.   Discussion with possible action on the concrete lining of the creek areas north of Gale St.

 

3.      Status report on the proposed bus shelters on District V.

 

4.   Discussion with possible action on the Skate Park equipment for the northeast Hillside Recreation Center.  (Co-sponsored by Council Member Joe A. Guerra)

 

 

D.     Request by Council Member Joe A. Guerra

 

1.   Discussion and possible action on converting Yeary Ave. to a one-way north.

 

 

E.     Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

 

1.      Discussion and possible action on the Ordinance setting the garbage fees.

 

2.      Status report on the Azteca Neighborhood clean up down by the riverbank.

 

3.      Status report on the response time by the Police Department on different situations.

               

 

(Recess)

(Press Availability)

 

 

 

   IX.  INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES

 

 

6.      An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Foreign-Trade Zone Operator Agreement with Trade Unlimited, Inc., to operate an approximate 28,400 square foot facility within Foreign-Trade Zone No. 94-Site 3 located at the Killam Industrial Park for a term of one (1) year with two (2) one (1) year renewal options ending on July 31, 2004.  The FTZ Board has approved this site; providing for an effective date.  

 

7.      Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease Agreement with Adolfo Gutierrez as described on attached Exhibit “A”, for and on behalf of the City of Laredo for 15,679.91 sq. ft. tract of land, more or less, out of that former section of Farias Street between San Dario and San Eduardo Avenues and out of a portion of a drainage easement adjoining the former street, said tract abutting Lot 1, Block 1102-A, Western Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas for the proposed use of improving the scenery of the tract, and for additional parking/access space for a term of four (4) years for substantial monetary or like consideration in the form of enhancements, for public purposes, of the City property; provided however, that the City be held harmless on all of its easements, including, but not limited to, drainage; and that all easements, whether or not recorded, shall be held to remain intact; and providing for an effective date.

 

 

8.      Closing as a public easement those sections of:

 

A.      The 2200 block of Cleveland Street between Bartlett and Jarvis Avenues.

 

B.     The 600 block of South Jarvis Avenue between the South property line of Block 1292-A, Eastern Division and Cleveland Street, including the intersection of Cleveland Street and Jarvis Avenue situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, County of Webb, Texas; and providing for an effective date.

 

 

         X.  FINAL READINGS OF ORDINANCES 

 

 

9.   2001-O-137     Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s 2000-2001 annual budget in the amount of $57,723.00 to fund the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant.  The Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division will be designating $51,951.00 and the City of Laredo will be designating $5,772.00 in matching funds.  Funding will be used to pay for salaries, fringe benefits and to purchase computers.  Grant period is from August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2002.  (City Council)

 

 

2001-O-138     An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with South Texas Development Council for approximately 2,048 square feet constituting Suite Nos. 12, 14, 16 and 18 of Building No. S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road at the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for one (1) year commencing on July 1, 2001 and ending on June 30, 2002, and may be extended for one (1) term of one (1) year ending on June 30, 2003.  Monthly rent shall be $2,580.50 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing for an effective date. (City Council)

 

2001-O-139     An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with South Texas Development Council for approximately 480 square feet constituting Suite No. 15 of Building No. S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road at the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for one (1) year commencing on July 1, 2001 and ending on June 30, 2002, and may be extended for one (1) term of one (1) year ending on June 30, 2003.  Monthly rent shall be $605.00 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing for an effective date. (City Council)

 

 

2001-O-140     An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with South Texas Development Council for approximately 640 square feet constituting Suite No. 19 of Building No. S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road at the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for one (1) year commencing on July 1, 2001 and ending on June 30, 2002, and may be extended for one (1) term of one (1) year ending on June 30, 2003.  Monthly rent shall be $807.00 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing for an effective date. (City Council)

 

2001-O-141     An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Laredo Guardian Volunteers, Inc., for approximately 300 square feet constituting Suite No. 23 of Building No. S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road at the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for one (1) year commencing on June 1, 2001 and ending on May 31, 2002, and may be extended for two (2) terms of one (1) year each ending on May 31, 2003 and May 31, 2004.  Monthly rent shall be $378.00 and will be adjusted annually during the primary and extension terms of this lease according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing for an effective date.   (City Council)

 

2001-O-142     An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the amended lease agreement between the City of Laredo Airport Fund, as LESSOR, and City of Laredo-Engineering Department, authorized by Ordinance No. 99-0-113 dated April 26, 1999.  Said amendment will amend, specifically, Section 1.02, titled, “Term”, extending the lease term for one (1) year ending on September 30, 2001; Section 1.03, titled, “Option to Extend”, therefore ending on September 30, 2002; Section 1.05, titled, “Rental Obligation”, adding that the monthly rent commencing on October 1, 2000 and ending on September 30, 2001, shall be $1,507.68; and Section 1.07, titled, “Utilities”, has been replaced in its entirety delineating that Lessor shall provide all utilities during normal business hours, between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday; all other terms remain unchanged and in effect; providing for an effective date. (City Council)

                       

2001-O-143     An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the lease with Juan Vargas d/b/a The Education Center authorized by Ordinance No. 2000-0-196 dated August 7, 2000.  Said amendment will amend specifically, Section 1.03, titled, “Option to Extend”, therefore extending the option term until June 30, 2002, and Section 1.04, titled, “Rental Obligation”, will amend the monthly rental to $2,000.00 commencing on July 1, 2001 and ending on June 30, 2002.  All other terms and conditions remain unchanged and in effect; providing for an effective date. (City Council)

 

2001-O-144     An ordinance closing as a public easement that section of the 4000 block of Sta. Rita Avenue between Pace and Ugarte Streets situated in the Western Division, City of Laredo, County of Webb, Texas; and providing for an effective date. (City Council)

 

2001-O-145     An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to effectively convey an 11,640 sq. ft. Easement and Right-of-Way to AEP Central Power and Light Company, for the installation of certain underground electric service facilities to serve the premises at the International Airport Passenger Terminal Subdivision on Loop 20.   Said 11,640 sq. ft. Easement and Right-of-Way being part of Lot 1, Block 1, Laredo International Airport Passenger Terminal Subdivision, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; being generally described below, and more particularly described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit "A", and providing for an effective date. (City Council)

 

XI.  RESOLUTIONS

 

10.    2001-R-034     A resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into and execute an Interlocal Government Agreement between the City of Laredo and the County of Webb for the engineering, surveying, aerial photography and environmental assessment of the Cuatro Vientos Road Project with compensation in the amount not to exceed Four Hundred Ninety-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-Four Dollars ($493,684.00) to be paid by the City of Laredo.  Funding is available through the 2000 C.O. Issue.

 

11. 2001-R-077        A resolution declaring the public necessity to acquire the “Surface Only” of 0.011 of an acre, more or less, parcel of land and a 0.283 of an acre, more or less, parcel of land, for the Milo Interchange Project.  Said two parcels being situated in Porcion 20, Abstract No. 48, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; and Porcion 19, Abstract No. 47, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; respectively, being generally described below, and more particularly described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibits “A” and “B”; and authorizing staff to negotiate with the owners for the acquisition of said parcels by purchase at a market value to be established by a State Certified Real Estate Appraiser, and further authorizing the City Attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire said parcels if staff is unable to acquire through negotiations due to inability to agree to a purchase price, conflict of ownership, owner refusal to sell, and/or inability to locate a listed owner. 

 

12.    2001-R-078     A resolution accepting a grant from the Texas Department of Health in the amount of $400,000.00 for the new “Mosquito Abatement Project” of the City of Laredo Health Department for a two-year project period beginning September 1, 2001, through August 31, 2003.

 

13.    2001-R-079     A resolution accepting a grant from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) in the amount of $70,000.00 to continue the operation of two continuous air monitoring stations (CAMS) by the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2001, through August 31, 2002.

 

XII.    MOTIONS

 

14.    Consideration to amend an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Laredo and Laredo Community College to provide Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, Citizenship classes and distance learning courses at the Laredo Public Library and its branch libraries.

 

15.       Consideration to approve a contract with Graphitiks Advertising Design Inc., Laredo, Texas, to design, produce, sell advertisement and print the 2002 Laredo/Nuevo Laredo Official Visitors & Relocation Guide.  Graphitiks will print, at no cost to the City, 100,000 copies of the guide which is a 76 page full color magazine featuring Los Dos Laredos.   The Guide will be produced under the direction of the Laredo Convention and Visitor's Bureau as to the style, design and content.

 

16.       Consideration to award contract number FY01-111, to the LOW BIDDER, Game Time - Total Recreation Products, New Braunfels, Texas, in the amount of $41,254.00, for the purchase and installation of two playground modules.  One will be installed at the Benavides Complex and the other at Ochoa Park.   Funding is available in the Capital Improvement Project budget.     

 

17.       Consideration to award annual supply contract FY01-118 to the LOW BIDDERS, Southwest Stainless LLP DBA Hughes Supply, San Antonio, Texas ($80,110.99), Municipal Pipe and Supply, McAllen, Texas ($67,330.30), and US Filter Distribution Group, Laredo, Texas ($20,451.90), for the purchase of water works materials for construction and repair projects by the Utilities Department.   The City received four bids for an annual supply contract for providing water materials such as mechanical joint retainer glands, brass and galvanized fittings, valve and meter boxes, and copper pipe for the Utilities Department - Water operations.   Funding is available in the Utilities Department Budget.

 

18.       Consideration to award construction contract number FY01-125, to the LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, Diaz Construction, Inc. of Laredo, Texas, in the amount of $30,900.00.  Construction will consist of the renovation of existing restrooms to meet ADA Standards at the Dryden/Optimist Little League Baseball Park located at 2700 Diaz Street.  Funding is available from Community Development Block Grant Funds – 25th Action year.

 

19.       Consideration to award annual contract number FY01-129, to the LOW BIDDER, Laredo Steel and Concrete Products, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $83,952.00, for the purchase of Portland cement sacks for the Utilities Department.  Funding is available in the Utilities Department Budget. 

 

20.       Consideration to award contract number FY01-132, to the SOLE BIDDER, Rankin Automatic Transmission, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $71,985.00, for an annual contract for transmission repairs for the Fleet Maintenance Division. The bid pricing will be firm during the contract period and all repair work will be secured on an as needed basis.  Funding is available in the Fleet Fund.

 

21.       Consideration to award contract number FY01-133, to the LOW BIDDER, South Texas Flag & Banner, Harlingen, TX., in the amount of $18,960.00, for the purchase of three 80-foot flagpoles for the Bridge System. These flagpoles will be used at the World Trade Bridge. Funding has been allocated in the Bridge Fund.

 

 

22.       Consideration to award contract number FY01-137, to the LOW BIDDERS, Galls, Inc., Lexington, KY., in the amount of $15,266.60, for the purchase of holsters, belts, handcuffs, and other belt accessories; Skaggs, San Antonio, Texas, in the amount of $19,862.55, for the purchase of bike shorts and pants; and G.T. Distributors Inc., Austin, Texas, in the amount of $9,739.05, for the purchase of nylon holsters, belts, and accessories.  Funding is available in the Police Department Budget.

 

23.       Consideration to authorize the purchase of an additional airless, street marking vehicle from the contract vendor, Super Precision Design, Fairfield, New Jersey, in the amount of $54,750.00.  This unit will be acquired by the Airport for runway and taxiway stripe and marking projects.   The City is purchasing the same equipment recently authorized for the Traffic Safety Department (contract FY01-079).  Funding is available in the Airport Fund.   

 

24.       Consideration for acceptance of the Police Substation located at Sierra Vista and Cenizo Loop, approval of final payment in the amount of $17,927.80 to Laredo Class One Builders, Inc., Laredo, Texas, and approval of the project plaque.  Final contract amount is $123,982.00.  Funding is available in the Capital Improvement Project District 1-COPS Substation.

     

25.       Consideration for acceptance of the Laredo International Airport Passenger Terminal and Related Airside/Landside Improvements Phase “C” (Landside and Landscape), approval of final payment in the amount of $45,000.00 to Krueger Construction Company, Victoria, Texas.  Final contract amount is $2,027,366.55.  Funding is available in the Airport Construction Fund FAA – Airside/Landside Improvements Other Than Buildings.

 

26.       Consideration for approval of Change Order No. 2 a decrease of $1,351.22 for the balance of quantities actually constructed in place, acceptance of the Demolition of Buildings 1450 and 1451 Laredo International Airport and approval of final payment in the amount of $19,483.94 to III PG Enterprises, Inc., Laredo, Texas.  Final contract amount is $194,839.36.  Funding is available in the Airport Construction Fund Grant #26 Demolition Costs.

 

27.       Consideration to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Graphitiks Advertising Design Inc., Laredo, Texas, to serve as the agency of record for the City of Laredo/Convention & Visitors Bureau’s marketing campaign in Mexico. 

 

28.       Consideration to approve monthly adjustments to the tax roll.  The amount to be adjusted for the month of June 2001, which represents a decrease in levy, is $19,983.54.  These adjustments are determined by the Webb County Appraisal District and by Court Orders.

 

29.       Consideration to authorize the City Manager to renew the annual maintenance agreement in the amount of $19,970.00 for the period of July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002, with Q. S. Technologies, Inc., for the maintenance of the software that was specifically written for local health departments which was upgraded last fiscal year at the City of Laredo Health Department.

 

XIII.   STAFF REPORT

           

30.       Legislative Report on the Seventy-Seventh Texas Legislative Session by Mario Martinez, Bob Strauser and Judy Roach, Legislative Consultants.  The report will include a briefing on new and amended State laws.

 

31.              Status report on the final decisions regarding the water and sewer line oversize for the colonias project, with discussion and possible action on the applicable rules and policies that will govern the sale and trading of capacity.

 

32.              Status report on study of commercial garbage accounts that were erroneously billed at the minimum commercial rate of $16.00 since December 1996.

 

 

XIV.     EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The City Council hereby reserves the right to go into executive session at any time during this public meeting, when it deems it necessary to consult privately with its attorney about any item upon this agenda, pursuant to the provisions of Section 551.071(2) of the Texas Government Code.

 

XVI.  RECESS AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MASS TRANSIT BOARD

 

33.    Consideration to exercise the renewal option for parts contract (FY01-072), to the listed vendors for providing bus and van fleet parts.  Approximately 450 different items purchased for non-warranty repairs were identified and bids were solicited for awarding an annual contract.  Most items are purchased on an as needed basis with some replacement parts that are used on a regular basis being maintained on an inventory basis.

 

XVII.         ADJOURNMENT

 

This notice was posted at the Municipal Government Offices, 1110 Houston Street, Laredo, Texas, at a place convenient and readily accessible to the public at all times. Said notice was posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.

                                                                    

 

 

                                                                        Gustavo Guevara, Jr.

                                                         City Secretary[fp1] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [fp1]