SUBJECT: FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE #2002-O-271

Closing as a public easement the 600 block of Garcia Street between San Dario and San Eduardo Avenues situated in the Western Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas and providing for an effective date.

INITIATED BY:

CYNTHIA COLLAZO

Asst. City Manager

STAFF SOURCE:

ERASMO VILLARREAL

Community Development Director

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:

On October 7, 2002, this Ordinance was introduced by the City Council.

BACKGROUND:

The Laredo Independent School District, the sole abutting property owner, requested that the City of Laredo consider closing as a public easement the 600 block of Garcia Street between San Eduardo and San Dario Avenues. This street is open to traffic and intersects at San Eduardo Avenue on the east and dead ends at the west right-of-way line of San Dario Avenue, which is a one–way street north parallel to U. S. Interstate Highway 35.

This street is not part of a major thoroughfare, and is mostly used by the nearby neighborhood residents and vehicles wishing to access IH 35. Should the proposed closure be approved, the LISD would like for the City of Laredo to either exchange or convey said street. The school district plans to incorporate this street into their existing campus located on Block 264, Western Division and to the recently acquired Block 313, Western Division for the reconstruction of a new campus for the Bruni Elementary School.

On September 19, 2002, a public hearing was held before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Property owners within a 200’ radius were notified of the proposed street closing and no objections were voiced. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted in favor of the proposed closure.

On October 2, 2002, memoranda were provided to the Street Closing Committee members with the above information.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

None.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

N/A

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends passage of this Ordinance.

ORDINANCE #2002-O-271

CLOSING AS A PUBLIC EASEMENT THE 600 BLOCK OF GARCIA STREET BETWEEN SAN DARIO AND SAN EDUARDO AVENUES SITUATED IN THE WESTERN DIVISION, CITY OF LAREDO, WEBB COUNTY, TEXAS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the City Manger recommends that the City Council close as a public easement the 600 block of Garcia Street between San Dario and San Eduardo Avenues; and,

WHEREAS, traffic flow will not be adversely affected by such closing; and,

WHEREAS, the Laredo Independent School District, the sole abutting property owner, requested that the City of Laredo consider closing and conveying said street to the District; and,

WHEREAS, should said street closing be approved and subsequently conveyed to the district, said entity is considering incorporating the street into their abutting property more generally described as being Blocks 264 and 313, situated in the Western Division, City of Laredo, County of Webb, Texas, as part of a reconstruction project for the Bruni Elementary School campus; and,

WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City of Laredo to close as a public easement the 600 block of Garcia Street between San Dario and San Eduardo Avenues.

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

1. That the 600 block of Garcia Street between San Dario and San Eduardo Avenues be and the same is hereby closed as a public easement, provided that the City retains the right to maintain, operate, repair and replace, by itself or by any licensee or a holder of a franchise from the City, any poles, wires, pipes, conduits, sewer mains, or any other facilities or equipment for the maintenance of operation of any utility now located in the street portion thereof closed as a public easement.

2. This Ordinance shall become effective upon passage thereof.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR ON THIS THE _________ DAY OF _____________, 2002.

____________________

ELIZABETH G. FLORES

Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________

GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.

City Secretary

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Jaime L. Flores

City Attorney

By: __________________________

ANTHONY McGETTRICK

Assistant City Attorney