COUNCIL COMMUNICATION

DATE: 5/20/2002

SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2002-O-093 Amending Ordinance 2001-O-219 and authorizing the standardization in the manner by which bridge toll fares are tabulated for all southbound vehicular traffic. As further described in Exhibit “A” and hereby repealing all conflicting sections in all ordinances currently in effect.

INITIATED BY: Larry Dovalina, City Manager

STAFF SOURCE: Rafael Garcia Jr.,Bridge Systems Director

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:

On September 17, 2001 council approved an increase in the bridge toll rate schedule for Southbound non-commercial vehicles and authorized a U-turn violation fee for Southbound commercial traffic as described in Exhibit “B”.

BACKGROUND: On December 1, 1998 council approved the standardization in the manner by which we tabulate Southbound commercial toll fares. Effective December 1, 1998 all Southbound commercial traffic utilizing our City of Laredo International Bridges would be charged on a per axle basis ($2.75 @ axle). This greatly improved our through-put efficiency, it improved our accountability, and it greatly reduced the time it takes to cash out our toll collectors. On September 17, 2001council approved an increase of 50¢ to the bridge toll fare being charged to all Southbound non-commercial vehicles utilizing the City of Laredo International Bridges. This brought the total fare for Southbound non-commercial vehicles to $2.00/per vehicle. Due to the fact that our systems had not been finalized for non-commercial Southbound traffic, we did not feel it was practical at the time to change our Southbound non-commercial traffic to a per axle basis. The systems at all bridges are now complete for both commercial as well as non-commercial southbound traffic and a standardization of an axle based count for both types of traffic is therefore recommended. This was presented to the Transportation and Traffic Advisory Committee on March 27, 2002.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: N/A	STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval to amend Ordinance No. 2001-O-219 and standardize the manner by which bridge toll fares are tabulated for all Southbound vehicular traffic.

ORDINANCE 2002-O-093

AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2001-o-219 AND AUTHORIZING the standardization in the manner by which bridge toll fares are tabulated for all southbound vehicular traffic. As further described in Exhibit “A” and hereby repealing all conflicting sections in all ordinances currently in effect.

WHEREAS, the City Council, after a public hearing on May 8, 2002 in compliance with Section 6.10 (B) of the City Charter, has determined that it is in the public’s interest to standardize in the manner by which bridge toll fares are tabulated for all southbound vehicular traffic; and

WHEREAS, the Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee of the City of Laredo has been advised that the manner by which such bridge tolls is tabulated for Southbound non-commercial traffic crossing City of Laredo International bridges is recommended to be revised in accordance with the schedule presented at the public hearing described above; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing and introductory ordinance was held on May 8, 2002.

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

Section 1: That the City Council hereby establishes a civil violation penalty, as per Exhibit “A”, for all violations, by commercial traffic, of the City’s U turn directions as given by City officials at it’s City of Laredo International Bridges.

Section 2: That the City Council hereby establishes a standardization in the manner by which bridge toll fares are tabulated for all Southbound vehicular traffic as per Exhibit “A”

Section 2: Section 3: That the City Council hereby establishes the rates to be charged for pedestrian, non-commercial, commercial and commercial overweight traffic (with or without a permit) to cross International Bridges of the City of Laredo to be as follows:

1. Pedestrians……………………………………………………. .35

(Children under 6 years of age)………………………………… FREE

(Bicycle and rider) ……………………………………………. .35

2. All non-commercial vehicles (with or without cargo) …...$1.00 @ Axle

(Emergency vehicles. Fire engine, ambulance, police car, etc.

Answering or returning or returning from an emergency call….. FREE

3. Commercial Vehicles

All commercial vehicles ………………………………... $ 2.75 @ Axle

4. Over weights (With Permit)

80,001 Lbs-100,000 Lbs ………………………………………..$ 50.00

100,001 Lbs – 120,000 Lbs …………………………………….$ 75.00

120,001 Lbs – 140,000 Lbs ……………………………………$ 100.00

140,001 Lbs – 160,000 Lbs ……………………………………$ 125.00

160,001 Lbs – 180,000 Lbs ……………………………………$ 150.00

180,001 Lbs – Over ……………………………………………$ 175.00

U-turn

5. Overweighs (Without Permit) Penalty Violation

Fee Fee

80,001 Lbs-100,000 Lbs …………..……..$50.00 + $500.00 + $500.00

100,001 Lbs – 120,000 Lbs ……..……… $ 75.00 + $500.00 + $500.00

120,001 Lbs – 140,000 Lbs ………..…...$ 100.00 + $500.00 + $500.00

140,001 Lbs – 160,000 Lbs ………..…...$ 125.00 + $500.00 + $500.00

160,001 Lbs – 180,000 Lbs ………..…...$ 150.00 + $500.00 + $500.00

180,001 Lbs – Over ………………..…...$ 175.00 + $500.00 + $500.00

All commercial vehicles over 80,000 lbs. must obtain a permit from the Traffic Department of the City of Laredo prior to crossing any Bridge designated by the City of Laredo as a Commercial International Bridge (Colombia Solidarity or World Trade). Failure to obtain this permit will result an additional $500.00 penalty fee at time of crossing.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall be, and hereby are, repealed.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAY THIS __________________________________.

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ELIZABETH G. FLORES

MAYOR

ATTEST:

_______________________

GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.

CITY SECRETARY

_______________________

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

JAIME L. FLORES

CITY ATTORNEY