COUNCIL COMMUNICATION

COUNCIL COMMUNICATION

DATE:

3/25/2002

SUBJECT: FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE 2002-O-052

Authorizing the City Manager to amend Chapter 19, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article XI, Truck Traffic, Division 5, Truck Stopping, Standing and Parking, by adding two (2) new sections namely, Section 19-489, Controlled Access Parking Lots and Section 19-490, Parking Lot Rates and Hours of Operation, of Code of Ordinances, City of Laredo: Authorizing the establishment of parking rates, enforcement regulations, and hours of operation at the Colombia Solidarity Bridge Export Lot, providing for effective date and publication.

INITIATED BY:

Larry Dovalina, City Manager

STAFF SOURCE:

Rafael Garcia, Jr., Bridge Director

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:

None

BACKGROUND:

The City of Laredo Bridge Dept. will be the authority in charge of applying the ordinances and regulations governing controlled access export lot parking operations at the Colombia Solidarity Bridge. The Laredo Bridge System shall have the authority to manage, operate and maintain the export lot parking facilities and enforce the parking rates, parking time limits and to cite and/or have removed or towed away tractors, trailers, tractors with trailers, and any other vehicles in violation of those provisions in the event that tractors, trailers, tractors with trailers, or any other vehicle is parked in violation. The rate for tractors, trailers, tractors with trailers, or any other type of vehicles that utilize the Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) per parking space for 24 hour period or part thereof.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

Cost estimate for repairs and purchase of equipment is estimated at approximately $100,000.

Parking Lot revenues will be deposited in the Parking Lot Revenue account (553-0000-361-2007).

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

N/A

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approval of ordinance by City Council.

ORDINANCE 2002- O-052

AMENDING CHAPTER 19, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, ARTICLE XI, TRUCK TRAFFIC, DIVISION 5, TRUCK STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING, BY ADDING TWO (2) NEW SECTIONS NAMELY, SECTION 19-489, CONTROLLED ACCESS PARKING LOTS AND SECTION 19-490, PARKING LOT RATES AND HOURS OF OPERATION, OF CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF LAREDO: AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PARKING RATES, ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS, AND HOURS OF OPERATION AT THE COLOMBIA SOLIDARITY BRIDGE EXPORT LOT, PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE AND PUBLICATION.

WHEREAS, the City of Laredo Bridge Dept. will be the authority in charge for applying the ordinances and regulations governing the Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot operations; and

WHEREAS, the Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot located at FM 255 West, includes wrought iron fencing, lighting, (24-hr.) video security camera, bridge security during 12:00 midnight and 8:00 a.m., enforcement regulations, and hours of operations; and

WHEREAS, in order to better serve the transportation industry that utilize the Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot, the parking rates, hours of operations and enforcement regulations shall be established; and

WHEREAS, in order to improve the operations of the Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot, it is necessary that authorization be granted to request towing of tractors, trailers, tractors with trailers, and any other vehicles for failure to pay the established parking rates, abandonment of vehicles and for other parking violations; and

WHEREAS, it is in the opinion of City Council that it is in the best interest of the City of Laredo to amend this ordinance and apply the best and fairest method to maintain reasonable parking rates for secured controlled access parking lot facilities and also recognizing that secured parking facilities constitute a benefit to the City of Laredo and transportation industry; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAREDO THAT:

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT

Chapter 19

Motor Vehicles and Traffic

Article XI. Truck Traffic

Division 5. Truck Stopping, Standing and Parking.

Section 19-489. Controlled Access Parking Lots.

(a). The City of Laredo Bridge Dept. will be the authority in charge of applying the ordinances and regulations governing controlled access export lot parking operations at the Colombia Solidarity Bridge. The Laredo Bridge System shall have the authority to manage, operate and maintain the export lot parking facilities and enforce the parking rates, parking time limits and to cite and/or remove or tow away tractors, trailers, tractors with trailers, and any other vehicles in violation of those provisions in the event that tractors, trailers, tractors with trailers, or any other vehicle is parked in violation.

Section 19-490. Controlled Access Parking Lot Rates and Hours of Operation.

(a). The rate for tractors, trailers, tractors with trailers, or any other type of vehicles that utilize the Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) per parking space for 24 hour period or part thereof.

(b). Tractors, trailers, tractors with trailers, or any other vehicle requesting to utilize the Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot will be allowed to park at this location. No loading or unloading of cargo will be permitted at the Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot.

(c). The Colombia Solidarity Bridge export lot parking shall be operated from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, 365 days a year.

SECTION 2. PUBLICATION

This ordinance shall be published once in accordance with the provisions set for in Section 2.09 (d) of the City Charter.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR ON THIS ______________ DAY _________________, 2002.

__________________________ _______________________

GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR. ELIZABETH G. FLORES

CITY SECRETARY MAYOR

_________________________

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

JAIME L. FLORES

CITY ATTORNEY