CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

A-2003-R-05

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

MARCH 3, 2003

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 December 16, 2002 and January 13, 2003.

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

 

Invitations

 

Recognitions

a.      Recognizing the Laredo International Airport Air Traffic Controllers for reaching a milestone of ten (10) consecutive years without a single operational error.

 

b.      Recognition of Raul "Roy" Garcia, Community Development Department Code Enforcement Supervisor, on being selected as January 2003 City of Laredo Employee of the Month.

 

Communiqués

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

           

VII.             PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the City of Laredo and U.S. Customs Service, Special Agent in Charge, San Antonio, Texas for the purpose of receiving reimbursable costs for overtime resources for joint operational task forces.  The term of this agreement is from October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2005.  These funds will be reimbursed to the City.  The total reimbursable overtime amount allowed is $13,000.00 per officer per fiscal year for seven narcotic officers (October-September).  Authorizing the City Manager to amend the 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $91,000.00.

 

2.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $47,458.00 for the Laredo Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force.  Funding is available in the opening balance of the Narcotics Task Force Fund 224 and will be used to pay overtime benefits for the period beginning March 1, 2003 through May 31, 2003.

 

3.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Chapter 19, Motor Vehicle and Traffic, Article VIII, Stopping, Standing or Parking and Article X, impoundment of vehicles of the Code of Ordinances, City of Laredo; specifically Section 19-360, Parking Meters to extend the northern parking meter boundary from Moctezuma to Scott Street and providing for publication and effective date.

 

4.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Transit System budget amendment reducing the State operating grant transfer in the amount of $541,781.00 by $11,872.00 to $529,909.00 and increasing the transfer in sales tax amount from $3,825,955.00 by $11,872.00 to $3,837,827.00 for FY 2002-2003.

 

5.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo’s FY 2002-2003 General Fund annual budget by appropriating expenditures in the amount of $189,888.00 from the Technology Fund fees collected by the Municipal Court.  Funds are being appropriated from the restricted opening fund balance and will be used to purchase the new software system for the Municipal Court.

 

6.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $45,000.00 from the Texas Association of Local Health Officials (TALHO) for Bio-terrorism Consequence Management/Automated Disease Surveillance Pilot Project for the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning January 1, 2003 through August 31, 2003.

 

7.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 Water Availability Fund Annual Budget by appropriating revenues of $2,900,000.00 from the opening balance and appropriating expenditures in the amount of $2,900,000.00 for the Water Rights Acquisition.

 

8.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s Full-Time Equivalent Positions by creating two (2) part-time with no benefits (.96 FTE) Community Service Aides positions at 19.21 hours each per week for the HIV Hepatitis C Screening Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period from September 1, 2002, through August 31, 2003.

 

9.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s Full-Time Equivalent Positions by creating three (3) part-time with no benefits (1.44 FTE) Community Service Aides positions at 19.21 hours each per week in the HIV Prevention Project of the City of Laredo Health Department, funded by the Texas Department of Health.

 

10.      Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s Full-Time Equivalent Positions by creating one (1) part-time with no benefits (.48 FTE) Community Service Aid position at 19.21 hours per week for HIV-Infected Persons Project (PSHIP) of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003.

 

11.      Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s Full-Time Equivalent Positions by allocating one (.05 FTE) Chief of Public Health Education Division position and deleting one (.05 FTE) Public Health Technician position for the Mi Futuro (My Future) Abstinence Education Program of the City of Laredo Health Department from the October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003. 

 

12.      Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing an amendment to the Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation (LMHC) Fund for FY 2002-2003 Budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $53,065.00 and authorizing the city manager to implement said budget.  

 

VIII.     GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

13.
 
 


A.        Request by Council Member Gene Belmares

1.      Discussion with possible action regarding the implementation of a traffic calming device at JSJ Estates and Springfield Road.

2.      Discussion with possible action regarding left turn signal at Country Club and McPherson.

3.      Discussion with possible action regarding the use of City baseball fields in District VI.

 

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

1.      Discussion with possible action regarding the status of the proposed new COP’s stations.

2.      Discussion with possible action regarding the drug and gun free zones.

 

C.        Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

1.      Discussion with possible action on installing more lights at the Civic Center on the Garden Street side and replacing the south side lights.

2.      Status report on the San Francisco Javier Project.

3.      Discussion with possible action on the 911 service specifically on February 21st at 5:30 p.m. and on the failure to answer the main Police Station number of 795-2800.

4.      Discussion with possible action on replacing trees at the Center for Arts on San Agustin and Water Streets between Convent and Flores.

      

(Recess)

(Press Availability)

 

IX.       FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES 

14.
 
 


2003-O-043   Amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $94,409.00 from the South Texas Development Council for the HIV/AIDS Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Project (HOPWA) of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning February 1, 2003 through January 31, 2004.

 

2003-O-044   Authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant from Texas Parks & Wildlife in the amount of $75,200.00 with a 20% local match from Community Development Block Grant for the construction of a portion of the Chacon Creek Trail and amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Capital Improvements Projects Fund annual budget by appropriating revenues of $94,000.00 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant ($75,200.00) and a contribution from Community Development ($18,800.00) and appropriating expenditures in the amount of $94,000.00 for the construction of a portion (7,000 linear feet) of the Chacon Creek Hike and Bike Trail.

 

2003-O-045   Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s FY 2002-2003 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions by creating twenty-four (24) Firefighter/Cadet positions for Fire Station #14 located at Cielito Lindo Subdivision.

 

2003-O-046   Authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Adopt-A-Park agreement with community organizations for the purpose of gaining active support from the community in beautifying our city parks and authorizing the City Manager to accept $3,000.00 donations yearly and/or improvements in lieu of from organizations participating in the Adopt-A-Park program and amend the City Of Laredo Fiscal Year 2003 General Fund budget by appropriating $18,000 in revenues and appropriating $18,000 in expenditures for yearly maintenance and improvements at adopted park sites.

 

2003-O-047   Amending the contents of Section 24-63.2, Section 24-65.14, and Appendix A, of the Laredo Land Development Code, in order to establish regulations and performance standards governing amusement redemption machine establishments; providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-048   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 12.41 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”, located east of McPherson Road and north of University Park Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential Area) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-049   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 1.05 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located east of McPherson Road and north of International Boulevard, from R-2 (Multifamily Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-050   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 1.01 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located east of McPherson Road and south of Shiloh Commercial Subdivision, from R-2 (Multifamily Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-051   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 721, Block 44, and Lot 1, Block 44A, Del Mar Hills Subdivision, Section 2-A, Area “C”, located at 555 Del Mar Boulevard, from RS (Residential Suburban District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential District); providing for publication and effective date.  (As amended)

 

2003-O-052   Amending Ordinance No. 2000-O-012 authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit to Ricardo Paredes for a welding shop on Lot 1, Block 22, Moreno Addition, located at 1417 Harding Avenue, by renewing the terms of the Conditional Use Permit; providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-053   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit to the City of Laredo for the International Bridge I facility on all of Blocks L, M, N, and 21 and Lots 6C, 7C, 8C, 9C & 10, Block 22, Western Division and that portion of Water Street between Juarez Avenue and Flores Avenue and that portion of Convent Avenue between Ventura Street and Zaragoza Street, and that portion of Salinas Avenue between Ventura Street and Water Street commonly known as International Bridge I; providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-054   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 20.70 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located west of McPherson Road between Monarch Drive and San Isidro Parkway, from AG (Agricultural District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-055   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 8.22 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,“ located east of McPherson Road and south of San Isidro Parkway, from AG (Agricultural District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-056   Amending Chapter 12 Article IV of the Code Of Ordinances City of Laredo, Texas by adding Section 6 to waive the Fee of $45.00 for request for foster home fire inspection services and life safety inspections, within the corporate limits of the City of Laredo, Texas; providing for publication and effective date.

 

2003-O-057   Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Texas Migrant Council for approximately 1,600 square feet constituting Suite 8 of Building 134 located at 4603 Maher Avenue at the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for two (2) years commencing on November 1, 2002 and ending on October 31, 2004.  Monthly rent shall be $1,850.00 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the consumer price index; providing for effective date.

 

2003-O-058   Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Texas Migrant Council Child Care Management Services (CCMS) for approximately 5,732 square feet of office space constituting Suites 1, 3, 4 and 5 of Building No. 134 located at 4603 Maher Avenue.  Lease term is for two (2) years commencing on December 1, 2002 and ending on November 30, 2004.  Monthly rent shall be $5,732.00 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the consumer price index; providing for an effective date.

 

2003-O-059   Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Gearbuck Aviation Services for approximately 400 square feet constituting Building No. 124 located at 4603 Maher Avenue-Rear at the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for three (3) years commencing on February 1, 2003 and ending on January 31, 2006.  However, it is agreed by the parties that the lease may be terminated by either party upon giving a thirty (30) day written notice from the party terminating to the other.  Monthly rent shall be $500.00 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the consumer price index; providing for an effective date.

 

2003-O-060   Amending the City Of Laredo fiscal year 2003 General Fund Budget and Contractual Obligations Fund by transferring $ 3,989,300 from the General Fund Balance and appropriating it in the Contractual Obligation Fund.  The amendment will decrease  $3,989,300 from the General Fund opening balance and appropriate a transfer out to the Contractual Obligations Fund.  Amending the Contractual Obligations Fund to appropriate $ 3,989,300 for the Personal Property Finance Contractual Obligation for the purpose of acquisition of automotive and machinery and equipment. (As Amended)

 

X.        RESOLUTIONS

 

15.  2003-R-019        Accepting the donation of the “Surface Only” of 0.0344 of an acre parcel of land, more or less, from Rafael Hernandez, as a Utility Easement, for the State Highway 359 Water Transmission Line Extension Project.  Said parcel of land being situated in Porcion 32, Abstract 296, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; being generally described below, and more particularly described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”.

Being a tract of land containing 0.0344 acres, more or less, situated in Porcion 32, Abstract 296, Antonio Trevino, Original Grantee, Webb County, Texas. Said 0.0344 acre tract being out of Tract A-4, Tanquecitos Partnership II, called to contain 1.0 acre as per deed dated October 3, 1994, and recorded in Volume 252, Pages 096-099, Official Public Records of Webb County, Texas, said Tract A-4 being out of a 433.1399 acre tract conveyed by J. C. Martin, Jr. to Jose M. Azios, Trustee by deed dated August 31, 1980, and recorded in Volume 624, Pages 293-303 of the Webb County Deed Records.

 

16.  2003-R-020        Accepting the donation of the “Surface Only” of a parcel of land from Hurd Ranch Company Ltd., as a Utility Easement, consisting of: Tract H5-E1- a 0.0298 of an acre, more or less, parcel of land, Tract H5-E2- a 0.2804 of an acre, more or less, parcel of land, and Tract H5-E3- a 0.0551 of an acre, more or less, parcel of land; for the State Highway 359 Water Transmission Line Extension Project.  Said three tracts of land being situated in Porcion 32, Abstract 296, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; being generally described below, and more particularly described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibits “A, B & C”, respectively.

Tract H5-E1- Being a tract of land containing 0.0298 acres, more or less, situated in Porcion 32, Antonio Trevino, Original Grantee, Abstract 296, Webb County, Texas.  Said 0.0298 acre tract being out of the Hurd Enterprises Ltd., Tract H-5 called to contain 2855.039 acres as per deed recorded in Volume 1219, Page 762, Real Property Records of Webb County, Texas.

Tract H5-E2- Being a tract of land containing 0.02804 acres, more or less, situated in Porcion 32, Antonio Trevino, Original Grantee, Abstract 296, Webb County, Texas.  Said 0.02804 acre tract being out of the Hurd Enterprises Ltd., Tract H-5 called to contain 2855.039 acres as per deed recorded in Volume 1219, Page 762, Real Property Records of Webb County, Texas.

Tract H5-E3- Being a tract of land containing 0.0551 acres, more or less, situated in Porcion 32, Antonio Trevino, Original Grantee, Abstract 296, Webb County,Texas.  Said 0.0551 acre tract being out of the Hurd Enterprises Ltd., Tract H-5 called to contain 2855.039 acres as per deed recorded in Volume 1219, Page 762, Real Property Records of Webb County, Texas.

 

17.  2003-R-021        Accepting the donation of the “Surface Only” of a 0.0309 of an acre parcel of land, more or less, from Jose R. Sanchez and Feliciana Sanchez, as a Utility Easement, for the State Highway 359 Water Transmission Line Extension Project.  Said parcel of land being situated in Porcion 32, Abstract 296, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; being generally described below, and more particularly described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”.

 

Being a tract of land containing 0.0309 acres, more or less, situated in Porcion 32,  Antonio Trevino, Original Grantee, Abstract 296, Webb County, Texas. Said 0.0309 acre tract being out of Lot 28 as per deed of January 19, 1988, recorded in Volume 18, Page 607, of the Real Property Records of Webb County, Texas, said Lot 28 being out of Lot 7 of Los Altos Subdivision as per plat of August 14, 1985 recorded in Volume 4, Page 52, Plat Records of Webb County, Texas.

 

 

18.  2003-R-022        Authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority to fund the Laredo Auto Theft Task Force for the period of September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2004.

 

19.  2003-R-023        Accepting a twelve-foot wide Sanitary Sewer Line Easement from the Texas Mexican Railway Company for the colonias located outside and East of the City limits of the City of Laredo.  Said Sanitary Sewer Line being approximately six miles in length and situated West of Loop 20 and East to the Tanquecitos Subdivision, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; as delineated on attached Exhibit “A.”

 

20.  2003-R-024        Declaring the public necessity to acquire the “Surface Only” of one parcel of land for the Santa Rita Park Project.  Said parcel being Lot 9, Block 11, Santa Rita Subdivision, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, and being delineated on attached copy of City Plat; and authorizing staff to negotiate for the acquisition of said parcel 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 parcel 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 the listed owner.

 

XI.       MOTIONS

 

21.           Consideration to post agenda on Friday, March 21st for regular City Council meeting of Monday, March 24th, due to annual Washington trip.

 

22.           Consideration to approve the selection of Architect Plus, Inc., Laredo, Texas, for the Eleden Recreational Facility and to authorize staff to negotiate a professional services contract with the selected consultant.  Funding is available in the Eleden Recreation Center Project. 

 

23.           Consideration for approval of amendment no. 1 an increase of $50,000.00 to the professional services contract with ASD Art, Inc., (Armando Hinojosa, Artist/Sculptor) Laredo, Texas, for additional design features to the original contract to the Veteran’s Coalition Committee.  The construction of the Parks and Recreation Department Warehouse/Storage Building Project under the CIF Fund will be deferred for a future date to provide funding for this amendment.  Funding is available in the Veteran’s Monument Project.

 

24.           Authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for the purchase of approximately 2,000 net acre-feet of water rights from Presidio Valley Farms in Presidio, Texas, for the sum of $2,900,000.00.

 

25.           Consideration to award contract FY03-042 to the low bidder, Ferrara Firefighting, Apparatus, Inc., New Braunfels, Texas, in the amount of $56,289.50 for the purchase of protective clothing (bunker gear) for the Fire Department.  The clothing includes fifty protective suits for conventional fire fighting situations.  The proposed gear meets all the standards all of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  Funding is available in the 2003 PPFCO Contractual Obligation bond.

 

26.           Consideration to award contract FY03-025 to National Reimbursement Services (NRS), Inc., Houston, Texas, for providing billing services for the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS) operation.  NRS will be responsible for obtaining reimbursement services provided by our EMS Division utilizing their expertise in dealing with Medicare and private insurance companies.  In addition, they are required to provide, at no cost to the City, new and specialized computer equipment for each ambulance crew with docking stations for these computers at the fire stations and at both hospitals.  The term of this contract is for a three-year period with options to renew for three additional one-year terms.  NRS will charge the City 10% of all collections received as a result of their billing services.  It is anticipated that with the services provided by NRS the City’s collection rate will increase approximately twenty percent.

 

27.           Consideration to award contract number FY03-027 to the low bidder Mr. Camera, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $20,534.00 for the purchase of photographic film and $25,638.00 for film processing.  A base price has been established for a twelve-month period for the purchase of 35mm and Polaroid films and photo development services for all City departments.  The majority of the film will be purchased by the Police Department, Community Development, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Engineering and Building Services Departments.  Funding is available in their respective budgets.

 

28.           Consideration to exercise the renewal option for contract FY99-124 awarded to UTW Tire Collection Services, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated of $28,000.00 for the renewal and disposal of tires at the City landfill.  The City has a renewal option for one additional year.  Staff estimates that approximately 260 tons of tires will be removed, however this contract is based on actual tons of tires removed and disposed from the landfill.  Funding is available in the Solid Waste budget.

 

29.           Consideration to award annual contracts (FY03-030) to the low bidders Fleetpride, Laredo, Texas, in the base amount of $35,820.48; Rush Truck Center, Laredo, Texas, in the base amount of $27,628.16; A & A Automotive Supplies, San Antonio, Texas, in the base amount of $17,196.10; and O’Reilly Auto Parts, Springfield, MI, in the base amount of $9,8120.05, for the purchase of general repair parts.  These replacement parts will be purchased on an as needed basis for all City fleet vehicles.  The contract items include oil/fuel filters, front end parts, hoses, clamps, belts, lamps/bulbs, service lubricants, and brakes.  Funding is available in the  Fleet Maintenance budget.

 

30.           Consideration to award contract FY03-041 for the purchase of dealer repair parts for the vehicle fleet:  Sames Motor Company, Laredo, Texas in the estimated amount of $70,000.00; Paul Young, Laredo, Texas in the estimated amount of $25,000.00; and North Park Lincoln, San Antonio, Texas in the estimated amount of $20,000.00.  All parts will be purchased on an as needed basis.  Funding is available in the  Fleet Maintenance budget.

 

31.           Consideration to authorize the City to negotiate a contract with InCode Invision, Lubbock, Texas, to provide a comprehensive software package for the Municipal Court operations.  Two vendors submitted proposals for consideration and after various site visits and demonstrations staff is recommending that InCode InVision be selected.  The negotiated contract will be presented to City Council at a subsequent meeting for final approval.  Funding is available in the Municipal Court budget.

 

32.           Consideration to award annual service contract number FY03-037 to the lowest bidder, Star Operations, Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas, in the amount not to exceed $400,000.00 for the furnishing of materials, machinery and equipment, labor and all other services necessary for the maintenance of street lights (not maintained by AEP/CPL) and traffic light signals and street lights and for installation, construction and underground work, for new and/or upgraded traffic signals and for the installation and maintenance of street lights.  This contract also contains provisions for the City departmental electrical service projects and repairs.

 

33.           Consideration to approve change order No. 3 for the net decrease of $27,494.50 to Lambda Construction Company for the Jefferson Street High Pump Station construction project.  Decrease in contract is due to the effective use of existing 48” butterfly valve on hand instead of purchasing new valve.

 

34.           Consideration to fund an additional year of the contract with the Southwest Texas Rain Enhancement Association for $77,397.53 to cover the cost of the 2003 program.  The program, which will run through December 2003, provides coverage of the entire surface of Webb County.  The City will guarantee the full payment of the program and will collect donations and other commitments from the county government and residents to defray the cost.  Funds for this project come from the Water Availability Fund.

 

35.           Consideration to award annual contract FY03-033 to the low bidder meeting specifications, Laurel Battery, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $29,557.80 for the purchase of automotive batteries for the City’s fleet.  This contract will be for a period of one year.  Since no battery inventory is maintained at the maintenance facility, all batteries are purchased on an as needed basis.  The City did receive lower bids from another vendor; however, the batteries proposed by this vendor did not meet the minimum acceptable cranking amps or the reserve capacity rating required by the City.

 

36.           Consideration to award contract number FY02-135 to Motorola Inc., San Antonio, Texas, in the amount of $1,117,233.00 and H.T.E., Inc., Lake Mary, Florida in the amount of $462,195.65 for the procurement of a mobile data communications system for the Police Department.  The system will utilize a notebook or laptop computer and an automated vehicle location (AVL) system integrated as part of the mobile data system’s vehicular terminal.  Motorola, Inc., will be responsible for the design and installation of the communication system, which includes seventy-five mobile terminals that will be installed on patrol and detective vehicles.  H.T.E. will provide the automated vehicle location (AVL) system, which will provide real-time, fleet monitoring and mapping display including all associated hardware.  H.T.E. will provide the interface with the City’s existing computer aided dispatch (CAD) system and the data terminals.  Funding is available in the Special Police Program Grant.

 

37.           Consideration to authorize the purchase of sixty Motorola portable radios through the Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) - Cooperative Purchasing Program, in the total amount of $192,675.23.  Delivery is expected within sixty days.  Funding is available in the Police Trust Fund budget.  

 

38.           Authorizing the selection of a consultant and to enter negotiations for the Existing Land Use Assessment for Laredo, TX.  The consultant recommended for selection is Alliance-Texas Engineering Company.  The MPO has budgeted $80,000 for this project using federal planning grant (PL112) funds, pending an internal line item transfer.

 

XII.      STAFF REPORTS

39.
 
 


A.                 Presentation on the plan of Finance by Noe Hinojosa of Estrada-Hinojosa & Co., Financial Consultants, on a proposed sale of various issues including a personal Property Finance Contractual Obligation and Certificate of Obligation Bond Issues.

 

B.                 Presentation by Killis P. Almond, FAIA of Killis Almond & Associates on the Plaza Theatre Feasibility Study.

 

C.                Presentation by Jessica L. Hein, City Manager's Office, regarding status of 2002-2003 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

 

D.                Discussion with possible action  regarding the City’s Down Payment Assistance Program.

 

E.                 Discussion with possible action to consider firefighter Ramiro Garza’s request   for an extension of injury leave with pay in accordance with 143.073 (b) of the Texas Local Government Code.

 

XIII.     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.

 

40.           Request for executive session pursuant to Texas Governmental Code Section 551.071 (A) & (B) for consultation with the City Attorney regarding settlement offer for pending litigation, being Webb county, Webb Consolidated Independent School District, Mirando Independent School District, City of Laredo, and United Independent School District v. Mr. Sergio Delgado in his capacity as Chief Appraiser for Webb County, et al., Cause No. 2000-CVQ-000819-D1, in the 49th Judicial Court of Webb County, Texas; and return to open session for possible action.

 

XIV.     RECESS AS THE LAREDO CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS THE     LAREDO MASS TRANSIT BOARD

 

41.      Authorizing the City Manager to accept and execute all documents for this second amendment to Texas Department of Transportation grant contract agreement No. 51322F1033.  The maximum amount of the grant after the change is $529,909.00. 

 

XV.      RECESS AS THE LAREDO MASS TRANSIT BOARD AND RECONVENE AS   THE LAREDO CITY COUNCIL

 

XVI.   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, February 26, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.                                                                   

 

 

                                                                        Gustavo Guevara, Jr.

                                                                        City Secretary