CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

A-2003-R-012

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JUNE 16, 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 minutes of March 3, 2003, March 24, 2003 and April 7, 2003.

V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

Announcements

Invitations

Recognitions

a. Recognition of Maria Teresa "Terry" Gonzalez, of the Parks and Recreation Department, for being selected May Employee of the Month.

Communiqués

VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

a. Appointment by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores of Clema Owens to the Third Party Funding Committee.

b. Appointment by Council Member Hector J. Garcia of Francisco Gonzalez to the Vehicles for Hire Ad Hoc Committee.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by reducing revenues and expenditures from $2,000.00 to $1,000.00 for a grant from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio for the South Texas/Border Region Health Professional Education Initiative. State funding for academic programs correlate to this reduction.

2. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 Airport Budget to recognize additional revenues from grant agreement CSJ Number M322LREDO from Texas Department of Transportation under the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) in the amount of $30,000.00 for the purpose of airport airfield maintenance at the Laredo International Airport. The local match for this project in the amount of $30,000.00 is available in the Airport Construction Fund (433) under the Land Sale Proceeds Division; providing for an effective date.

3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by increasing expenditures and revenues in the amount of $43,833.00 from the Texas Department of Health and $30,000.00 in program income for the Immunization Action Program of the City of Laredo Health Department and extending the grant period from September 1, 2002, through August 31, 2003 to September 1, 2002, through December 31, 2003.

4. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $363,668.00 from the South Texas Development Council and $2,000.00 in program income for the HIV/AIDS Ryan White Title II Services Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period of April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004.

5. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 0.424 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located at 413 Shiloh Drive from R-2 (Multi-family Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

6. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 9, Block 351, Eastern Division, located at 114 Lyon Street from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone change.

7. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 5.02 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located east of Highway 83 and northeast of the American Towers Plat No. 2, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone change.

8. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 5.27 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located south of Loop 20 and east of Monarch Dr., from AG (Agricultural District) to R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

9. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 7 and 8, Block 8, Country Club Commercial Subdivision, Unit I, located at 3608 E. Saunders Street, from B-3 (Community Business District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone change.

10. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 1, 2 and 3, Block 1072, Eastern Division, located at 2801 Garfield Street, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) and B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone change.

11. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Block 2, Rancho Viejo Subdivision, Unit 1, located west of Mines Road and south of Rancho Viejo Drive, from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

12. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 59.62 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located southeast of the intersection of Del Mar Boulevard and McPherson Road, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) and B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

13. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 22.97 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located south of Loop 20 and east of Monarch Drive, from AG (Agricultural District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

14.

A. Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore Alfredo Agredano

1. Status report regarding Mario Tijerina, George Washington and Los Obispos Parks.

2. Status report on the vacant property located two blocks south of Cigarroa High School for a possible park.

3. Status report regarding land acquisition for a future City cemetery.

4. Discussion with possible action on the connection of South Merida and North Merida.

B. Request by Council Member John C. Galo

1. Update on the new at-grade crossing on Bartlett between Market and Cortez, with possible action.

2. Staff report on the Chacon Creek clean-up project and hike and bike trail, with possible action.

3. Status report on filling the vacancy of the tennis pro position at the Market tennis courts, with possible action.

4. Discussion on the implementation of City Ordinances on businesses that require State and Federal permits, with possible action.

G. Request by Council Member Gene Belmares

1. Discussion with possible action on the creation of a Para-transit Advisory Committee appointed by the Mayor and City Council. (Co-sponsored by Council Member Eliseo Valdez)

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

1. Discussion with possible action to consider the construction of Phase I to include land clearing and preparation for an elderly community center to be located adjacent to the Farias Recreation Center on City property.

2. Discussion with possible action to request that City crews construct a concrete stairway from the upper level to the lower level at Father McNaboe Park.

I. Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

1. Discussion with possible action on installing a stop sign at the intersection of Zaragoza and Santa Cleotilde.

2. Discussion with possible action regarding authorization to include a two-hour parking fee exemption on value cards for downtown shoppers.

3. Reconsider Clark Boulevard bus route, with possible action.

4. Discussion with possible action regarding Transit Center’s budget overtime expense and El Lift Program.

(Recess)

(Press Availability)

IX. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES

15. Closing as a public easement the section of Dorel Drive between Cheyenne Drive and the West boundary line of Doral Drive as shown on the amended plat of Cheyenne Subdivision, Phase I, recorded on Volume 18, Pages 6 & 7, Webb County plat records, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; which section is also depicted as a 0.274 acre tract as described in Exhibit “A,” save and except that within such 0.274 acre tract there continues to exist (1) A 0.073 acre gas line easement which is described in Exhibit “B” and a 849 square foot easement in favor of Centerpoint Energy (Entex) which is described in Exhibit “C”.

X. FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

16.

2003-O-137 Amending Section 2-3(D), of Article I of Chapter 2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances, in order to conform the schedule of charges for copies of public information with that specified by the Public Information Act, Texas Government Code, Subchapter F.

2003-O-138 Amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by decreasing revenues and expenditures, as per the Texas Department of Health, in the amount of $2,679.00 in the Tuberculosis Elimination Program budget of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003.

2003-O-139 Amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by increasing expenditures and Program Income/Revenues in the amount of $5,500.00 for the Tuberculosis Elimination Program budget of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003. (As amended)

2003-O-140 Amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $111,757.00 for the Los Dos Laredos Binational Neural Tube Defects (NTD) Pilot Project of the City of Laredo Health Department and extending the program period from April 1, 2002 through March 31, 2003 to April 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003.

2003-O-141 Authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the lease agreement approved by Ordinance No. 98-O-053 dated February 17, 1998, between the City of Laredo, as Lessor, and UETA of Texas, Inc., a subsidiary of Duty Free Americas, Inc., as Lessee, to amend the lease area at the Laredo International Airport Passenger Terminal and rental obligation, extend the term of the agreement by 30 months, consolidate duty free and news/gift shop merchandise, provide for additional modifications and improvements to the new leased are and amend hours of operation, providing for effective date. (As amended)

2003-O-142 Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement with South Texas Development Council for approximately 240 square feet constituting Suite No. 7 of Building S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road at the Laredo International Airport. Lease term is for one-year (1) commencing on April 1, 2003 and ending on March 31, 2004 and may be extended for one year (1) ending on March 31, 2005. Monthly rent shall be $312.00 and will be adjusted annually during the primary and extension term of this lease according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing for an effective date.

X. RESOLUTIONS

17. 2003-R-064 Accepting the donation of the “Surface Only” of a 0.264 of an acre parcel of land, more or less, from Patrick H. Alexander, as a Utility Easement, for the Colonias Water Service Lines Extension Project. Said parcel of land being situated in Rancho Peñitas West Subdivision, Lot 65 Unit IX, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; being generally described below, and more particularly described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibits “A, & B.

Being a 0.264 acre tract of land situated in Porcion 7, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, said 0.264 acre tract being out of Rancho Peñitas West Subdivision, Lot 65, Unit IX, recorded in Volume 4, Page 32, Webb County Map Records.

18. 2003-R-065 Authorizing the City Manager to enter into and execute an Interlocal Government Agreement between the City of Laredo and the Laredo Independent School District for the participation of the City of Laredo Police Department School Resource Officer Program. The Laredo Police Department will provide eight (8) officers that will be assigned to various middle and high schools, and the Laredo Independent School District will reimburse the City of Laredo up to three hundred forty nine thousand five hundred eleven dollars ($349,511.00) for the 2003-2004 school year.

XI. MOTIONS

19. Confirmation of the Mayor’s Declaration of a Local State of Disaster to Severe Windstorm Damage which occurred on June 2, 2003, in accordance with the City’s Code of Ordinances Section 11.5-21.

20. Ratification of submission of grant application for the Homeland Security Overtime Program from the US Department of Justice COPS Office. The total amount of funds requested is $239,080.00 from the United States Department of Justice and $79,694.00 from the City.

21. Ratification of submission of a grant application for 60 new police officer positions under the Universal Hiring Program from the U.S. Department of Justice’s COPS Office. The total amount of funds requested is $4,500,000.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice and $5,415,840.00 from the City over a three (3) year period.

22. Consideration to award a construction contract to the lowest bidder Ramos Industries, Inc., Pasadena, Texas, in the bid amount $169,337.00 for the Hillside Road 18-inch sanitary sewer line. Funding is available in the Hillside Trunk Line Project Account.

23. Authorizing the City Manager to execute professional services contract with Martinez Pharmacy not to exceed $75,000.00 to provide pharmaceutical services to HIV/AIDS clients of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning July 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004. State grant funds are utilized for these services.

24. Authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Association for Library Service to Children for the NASA @ your library™ traveling exhibit.

25. Consideration to authorize United Water Laredo to subcontract the installation of a sludge transfer pump station at a cost to the City of Laredo of $54,777.00. Funding is available in the Sewer Fund.

26. Consideration to authorize United Water Laredo to replace the existing sewer inspection vehicle with televising capabilities, at a cost not to exceed $75,000.00. Funding is available in the Sewer Fund.

27. Consideration to award a construction contract to the lowest bidder Gilmar Construction, Ltd., Laredo, Texas, in the bid amount of $132,570.00 for the CDBG Sidewalks City-Wide Project No. 22 (30 Blocks). Funding is available in the Community Development Block Grant 28^th Action Year-School Sidewalks.

28. Amending a contract with Sherfey Engineering, Co., Laredo, Texas for $34,480.00 to include additional basic engineering and surveying services required to change the alignment for the Chacon Extension wastewater trunk line from the Casa Blanca Golf Park to the east Airport property. The amendment brings the total contract amount to $373,280.00. Funding is available in the 1998-A Bond Issue Chacon Interceptor.

29. Consideration to award contract FY03-079 to 4 Alarm MES, McAllen, Texas, in the amount of $67,706.00 for the purchase of rescue equipment for the Fire Department. The equipment includes 32” hydraulic spreaders, cutters, pneumatic impact tools, and Kevlar airbag systems. The City did receive a lower bid from Wilson Fire Apparatus and Equipment, New Braunfels, Texas; however, this vendor did not bid on the specific equipment requested by the Fire Department. The department has standardized the rescue tool systems and only Hurst emergency products were requested. The Fire Department has extensive training on this type of equipment. Funding is available in the 2003 PPFCO Contractual Obligation Bond.

30. Approving monthly adjustments to the tax roll. The amount to be adjusted for the month of May 2003, represents a decrease of $9,497.62. These adjustments are determined by Webb County Appraisal District and by court orders.

31. Refund of property tax to the following taxpayer and company.

A refund in the amount of $ 2,545.66 payable to Citicapital Commercial Leasing due to an overpayment by Citicapital. Account #801-01002-201.

XII. STAFF REPORTS

32.

a. Discussion with possible action regarding progress on the Development Standard Specification Book.

b. Status update regarding Capital Improvement Program process.

c. 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 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.

33. Request for Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.072 in order to deliberate on the value of, and the possible purchase of, real property near the Central Business District, because deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the City Council in negotiations with third persons; and return to open session for possible action and direction to staff.

XIV. RECESS AS THE LAREDO CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MUNICIPAL HOUSING CORPORATION

34. 2003-O-143 Authorizing the Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation (LMHC) to establish a revised rental structure by amending Ordinance 2000-O-289, for the houses managed on behalf of Laredo International Airport’s Noise Compatibility Program.

XV. RECESS AS THE LAREDO MUNICIPAL HOUSING 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, June 11, 2003 at 7:30 p.m.

Gustavo Guevara, Jr.

City Secretary