CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

A-2002-R-011

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JUNE 3, 2002

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  April 15, 2002.

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

a.      Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation from Council Member Joe A. Guerra to all his appointees to various committees.

 

Invitations

 

Recognitions

1.      Recognition by the Mayor and City Council Members of City Departments for their contribution and participation to the United Way Campaign, Laredo Fire and Police Departments for outstanding group contribution, Dan Migura for receiving the Distinguished Officer Award, and Larry Dovalina for receiving the highest recognition--the Corazon Award.

 

2.      Recognition by the Mayor and City Council Members of City Departments for their contribution and participation in the American Heart Walk.

 

3.      Recognition of the Zapata High School Teachers-Job Shadow Day participants.

 

4.      Recognition of recipients of the Distinguished Business Award.

 

5.      Recognition of Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores by Cigarroa High School Coach Sylvia Barrera and students for her leadership in developing and sustaining a program entitled "Secrets to Success: For Women Only."

 

Communiqués

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

VII.      PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo’s annual budget by increasing revenue and expenditure appropriations in the amount of $751,944.00 for the lease purchase of 30 police sedans for the Laredo Police Department.  The vehicles will be purchased from the Police Trust Fund.

 

2.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance accepting a grant by the Texas Book Festival in the amount of $2,500.00 and amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 annual budget in the amount of $2,500.00; providing effective date.

 

3.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002 annual budget in the amount of $5,000.00 for a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ General Preservation Assessment Grant Program; providing for effective date.

 

4.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Improvement Fund annual budget by appropriating revenues of $75,100.00 in the form of transfers in from General Fund for $16,800.00 and Contractual Obligations for $58,300.00 and appropriating expenditures in the amount of $75,100.00 for the Eastwood Park Project.

 

VIII.     GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

5.         A.        Request by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores

1.  Recognition of Council Members.        

           

B.        Request by Council Member Alfredo Agredano

1.      Discussion with possible action on the paving of the 100-800 blocks of South Ejido Street and 3400 block of Pecan Street.

 

2.      Status report on South Laredo Park and George Washington Park. 

 

C.        Request by Council Member Louis H. Bruni

1.      Discussion with possible action on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ report concerning arsenic, chromium, lead and petroleum compounds exceeding state environmental limits in soil and groundwater samples taken from the former Laredo Air Force Base.

 

2.      Discussion with possible action on storing 100% of the treated wastewater from the North Laredo Wastewater Facility at Lake Casa Blanca for future reuse, and consulting with our State legislators for the possible reuse of stored water.

 

3.      Discussion with possible action on consulting with the appropriate State agencies to conduct a study at Lake Casa Blanca concerning the depth, increasing the water capacity, raising the water spill level, and conducting a test on the integrity of the existing dam.

 

4.      Discussion with possible action on the status of Eastwood Park.

           

D.        Request by Council Member John C. Galo

1.      Report on the signalization requested at the intersection of Market at Seymour and Market at Stone, with possible action.

 

2.      Discussion on ways to create a reservoir to pump and store excess water from surplus water rights, with possible action.

 

3.      Report from staff on how we structure reimbursement contracts when utility lines are extended, with possible action.

 

E.        Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.

1.      Status report on the widening of Rancho Viejo Drive, with possible action.

 

2.      Discussion with possible action regarding impact fees.

 

3.      Discussion with possible action regarding down payment assistance for first time homebuyers.

 

4.      Discussion with possible action regarding signal light study on the entrance of Big Bend and Mines Road.

 

F.         Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

1.      Discussion with possible action regarding Civic Center improvements.

 

2.      Discussion with possible action regarding the denial of transfer of Ms. Madrid’s taxi permit.

 

3.      Status report regarding the Plaza Theatre renovation project.

 

4.      Report on past studies on Zacate Creek.

         

(Recess)

(Press Availability)

 

IX.       INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES

 

6.         Authorizing the City Manager to enter into and execute an oil and gas lease between the City of Laredo, as Lessor, and Pogo Producing Company, as Lessee, upon approximately 3.7 acres of City-owned land within a 40-acre drilling unit and including the following boundaries:  the Eastern boundary of Columbia Street to the West; 50 feet North of the North boundary of Columbia Street to the North; the South boundary of Pecos Street to the South; and the original Laredo City Limits to the East, as reflected on the plat attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, for a primary term of 3 years, and so long thereafter oil, gas and other minerals are produced from said land or lands with which said land is pooled thereunder.  In exchange for this lease, Lessee shall pay to Lessor a 25% royalty payment on all oil and gas produced from said land, and in addition, Lessee shall tender to Lessor a signing bonus in the amount of $1,000.00 upon execution of the lease.   

 

7.         Authorizing the City Manager to cancel the 1978 parking lot lease which was previously amended in July 2000, between Riverdrive Mall, Inc., and the City of Laredo now declaring the necessity to re-acquire the remaining two tracts of land of the lease, described as Block “X” and Block “Y” situated in the Western Division, Laredo, Webb County, Texas for a public purpose and public use in order to provide and enhance additional downtown local, tourist and visitor parking and shopping opportunities.

 

X.        FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES 

 

8.        2002-O-104    Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 10, Block 1633, Eastern Division, located at 216 N. Arkansas Avenue, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.  (As amended)

 

2002-O-105   Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1, Block 1, Tesoro Plaza Plat, Unit 2, located at 5002 San Bernardo Avenue, from B-3 (Community Business District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2002-O-106   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 3, Block 1579, Eastern Division, located 2605 Bismark St., from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to R-3 (Mixed Residential District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2002-O-107   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 1,848 square feet, as further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit “A”, located west of Mines Road approximately 706 feet north of Killam Industrial Blvd., from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2002-O-108   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Special Use Permit for a mini-storage facility on 2.6479 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit “A”, located north of International Boulevard and east of Bazan Subdivision; providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2002-O-109   Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by authorizing issuance of a Special Use Permit for a mini-storage facility on Lots 1 through 6, Block 1175, Eastern Division, and Lots 1 through 6, Block 1176, Eastern Division, and Lot 1, Block 1176-A, Eastern Division, located at the 2800 and 2900 blocks of Urbahn Avenue; providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2002-O-110   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for a bank on 1.9436 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit “A” located east of McPherson Road and north of Northridge Drive; providing for publication and effective date.  (As amended)

 

2002-O-111   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 1,848 square feet, as further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit “A”, located west of McPherson Road and approximately 430 feet north of Fenwick Drive, from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.  (As amended)

 

2002-O-112   Amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions by amending the budget to create two (2) FTE for additional Airport Security Officer positions. Funding for these positions is available in the Airport Fund; providing for effective date.

 

                      2002-O-113     Amending Chapter 11.5 Emergency Management of the Code of Ordinances.  This amendment includes only the City of Laredo’s response to emergency situations and omits Webb County’s mutual responsibility.  Webb County will be amending their emergency management plan accordingly.  The State of Texas, Division of Emergency Management requires that all emergency management plans be updated periodically; repealing all conflicting ordinances; providing for severability, publication, and effective date.

 

2002-O-114   Accepting a grant awarded by the Criminal Justice Division, Office of the Governor in the amount of $40,000.00 and amending the City of Laredo’s FY 2001-2002 annual budget in the amount of $66,576.00 for the Criminal Justice Division Grant from the Office of the Governor. The Office of the Governor is contributing $40,000.00 with the City designating $26,576.00 in matching funds.  This funding will be used for the Domestic Awareness Response Team Program under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for the period of June 01, 2002 through November 30, 2002. 

 

2002-O-115   Amending the City of Laredo’s FY 2001-02 annual budget in the Fire Training Facility Fund by appropriating revenues and expenses of $37,500.00 from available interest earnings for the purchase and installation of fiber optic cable at the Laredo Fire / Public Safety International Training Facility, and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.

 

2002-O-116   Authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to effectively convey fee simple title to the “Surface Only”, at its combined market value of $22,241.00 for certain properties described as follows to their respective abutting property owners and providing for an effective date.

Parcel A – consists of 8,112.59 sq. ft., more or less, to Carlos J. Vergara at the market value of $14,524.00; said parcel being out of Milmo Avenue between Blaine Street and the north right-of-way line of Loop 20, situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas being described in attached Exhibit “A”;

Parcel B-consists of 3,858.36 sq. ft., more or less, to the Carmen Jacaman Family Limited Partnership at the market value of $7,717.00; said parcel being out of Milmo Avenue between Blaine Street and the north right-of-way line of Loop 20, situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas being described in attached Exhibit “B”.

 

2002-O-117   Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Texas #20 Rural Cellular, Inc. d/b/a “U.S. Cellular”, a Texas corporation, for space at the South Laredo Elevated Water Storage Tank located at 2210 Mexico Ave., Laredo, Webb County, Texas and being more fully described in Exhibit “A” of lease agreement for the installation and operation of certain antennae facilities for use with its communications business and a parcel of land within the Owned Premises for the location of an equipment building and related facilities associated with the antennae facilities.  Term of the lease is five (5) years commencing June 3, 2002 and ending June 2, 2007 with four  (4) successive renewal terms of five (5) years.  Annual base rent shall be $8,400.00 each year during the term of the lease and will be increased by four percent (4%) on each anniversary of the commencement date, providing for effective date.

 

 

2002-O-118   Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement between the Airport Fund, as Lessor, and Laredo Candle Company, LP, as Lessee, for Building No. 1005 consisting of approximately 28,800 square feet and located at 4608 Daugherty Avenue at the Laredo International Airport.  The lease term is for sixty (60) days commencing May 21, 2002 and ending on July 18, 2002.  Monthly rent shall be $11,500.00 payable in advance. The monthly rent obligation shall commence effective May 21, 2002.

 

XI.       RESOLUTIONS

           

9.  2002-R-045          Identifying the Cuatro Vientos Road as a priority project and an extension of Loop 20 and recognizing the need to expedite the design and construction of the road as a six-lane major arterial and that discretionary funds be sought to upgrade Loop 20 and Cuatro Vientos to an expressway with frontage roads or superstreet  (including feasibility study, environmental assessment, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction) and that, other than Cuatro Vientos, said funds shall not be reallocated from currently funded projects.  

 

10.  2002-R-048        Confirming the appointment of a member to the Fire Fighter’s & Police Officer’s Civil Service Commission of the City of Laredo to be determined by the City Manager.       

 

XII.      MOTIONS

 

11.       Consideration to award contract number FY 02-100 to the low bidder Envirosolve, L.L.C., Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the amount of $62,030.00 for conducting two Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events and two conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) collection events.  Funding is available in the Environmental Services Department budget.

 

12.       Consideration to award contract number FY 02-111 to the sole bidder, Royal Treat Car Wash, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $42,000.00 for furnishing car wash services for the City’s automotive fleet.  Bids were requested on car wash service with and without inside vacuum.  All services are secured on as needed basis.  Funding is available in the Fleet Fund.

 

13.       Consideration to award contract number FY 02-098 to the low bidders, Video Services of America, Lincoln, NE, in the amount of $58,165.60 and Commercial Video Systems, Inc., Austin, Texas in the amount of $1,728.00 for the purchase of replacement audio visual equipment for the Public Access Channel operations.  Funding is available in their capital outlay budget.

 

14.       Consideration to award contract number FY 02-106 to the low bidder Rio Grande Valley Harley-Davidson, Inc., Pharr, Texas, in the amount of $118,745.01 for the purchase of nine (9) law enforcement motorcycles.  Funding is available in the Police Trust Fund.

 

15.       Consideration to award contract number FY 02-102 to the low bidder, Holt Company of Texas, Laredo, Texas, in the amount of $187,890.00 for the purchase of one motor grader for the landfill operation.  This equipment will be purchased using a total cost bid evaluation process.  The bid pricing includes provisions for a five-year maintenance contract and a guaranteed re-purchase price.  Delivery of this equipment is expected within sixty days.  Funding is available in the Solid Waste Fund.

 

16.       Consideration to award contract number FY 02-105 to the low bidder, AET, Inc., Laredo, Texas, in the amount of $159,875.00 for the purchase and installation of a video camera surveillance system at sixteen police substations and the up-grade of the video server at the Police Station.  Funding is available in the Police Trust Fund.

 

17.       Consideration to award a construction contract to the lowest bidder Brothers Paving Inc., Laredo, Texas, for the San Francisco Xavier Road Street Improvements in the bid amount of $618,791.44.  Funding is available in the Capital Improvements Project Street Improvements River Road/San Francisco Xavier Project and Community Development 25th Action Year San Francisco Xavier Road Improvements.

 

18.       Consideration to award a construction contract to the sole bidder, Pete Gallegos Paving, Inc., Laredo, Texas for the Santa Rita Park Improvements Phase I in a negotiated amount of $503,795.25 and approval of change order no. 1 to delete off-site public improvements to be constructed by the Santa Rita Plat requirements in the amount $68,542.75 for a net negotiated award amount of $435,252.50.  Funding is available in the Community Development 25th and 27th Action Years Santa Rita Park Phase I.

 

19.       Consideration for approval of the selection of consultant Armando Hinojosa Artist/Sculptor, Laredo, Texas, for the Veteran’s Monument Project and authorization to negotiate a professional services contract.  Funding is available in the Capital Improvement Fund Veteran’s Monument Project.

 

20.       Consideration for approval of change order no. 1 an increase of $290,000.00 to the Laredo Entertainment Center, Project Development Budget for the installation of a center-hung scoreboard.  The center-hung scoreboard will be an upgrade to the approved Laredo Entertainment Center quality arena standards based upon Bossier City Arena, which included an end-zone scoreboard with video and capability for a center-hung scoreboard.  Funding is available in the Laredo Entertainment Center Project Fund.

 

21.       Consideration to approve the Project Plaque for the Laredo International Fire and Law Enforcement Training Center.

 

22.       Authorizing the City Manager to amend the 1997 Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Contracts with the Azteca Economic Development and Preservation Corporation (AEDPC) to extend the deadline to expend funds in the amount of $178,950.00.  These said funds intended use is for the construction of four attached rental units to be located in the Azteca neighborhood.  These units are to be made available to low income families whose incomes do not exceed 60% area median family income levels.

 

23.       Authorizing the City Manager to amend the 1998 Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Contract with the Azteca Economic Development and Preservation Corporation (AEDPC) to re-direct the use of the CHDO funds in the amount of $87,850.00 from purchasing a minimum of four (4) lots in the Azteca neighborhood to utilizing the 1998 CHDO Funds for the construction of four (4) attached rental units to be located in the Azteca neighborhood.  These units are to be made available to low-income families whose incomes do not exceed 60% area median family income levels.

 

24.       Appointment of Mayor Pro-Tempore as per Ordinance 90-O-101.  City Council shall confirm one of the Council Members who shall be known and designated as Mayor Pro-Tempore.

           

25.       Authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Eduardo Villarreal and Rosa Adriana Villarreal allowing the Villarreal family three months in which to gain a safety certification for the communications tower at 107 San Dario or failing such certification to remove the tower entirely.

 

XIII.     STAFF REPORTS

 

26.       Status Report regarding the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ report concerning arsenic, chromium, lead and petroleum compounds exceeding state environmental limits in soil and groundwater samples taken from the former Laredo Air Force Base.

 

27.       Update report on the repairs to the North Tank on Lyon Street and Meadow Avenue.

 

28.       A report by the Laredo Police Department concerning the land offer made by the Heritage Park Subdivision to be used as a COPS workstation site.

 

29.       Report on the Secondary Water Supply Project.  Summary report of the findings of the completed work from the original Advanced Authorization to Proceed (AATP). Progress on the extension of the Advanced Authorization to Proceed to evaluate options for reducing the magnitude of the original project by possibly staging the secondary water supply project.

 

 

XIV.     EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The City Council hereby reserves the right to go into executive session at any time during this public meeting, if such is requested by the City Attorney or other legal counsel for the City, pursuant to his or her duty under Section 551.071(2) of the Government Code, to consult privately with his or her client on an item on the agenda, or on a matter arising out of such item.

 

XV.      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, May 29, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

                                               

                                                                        Gustavo Guevara, Jr.

                                                                        City Secretary[fp1] 

 [fp1]