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CITY OF CITY COUNCIL
MEETING A-2008-R-05 CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MARCH 10, 2008 5:30 P.M.
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, 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 August
6, 2007, December 3, 2007 and December 17, 2007. V.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS Recognitions a.
Recognition of Judge Oscar
O. Martinez for being named 2008 LIFE Rancher of the Year during the 45th annual LIFE b.
Recognition of the Border
Olympics Board of Directors for their outstanding performance during the 2008
Border Olympics Event. c.
Recognition of Felix Garcia for being selected
to the d.
Recognizing the
Environmental Services Department for receiving the Community
Service Award from the Code Enforcement Association of Texas. e.
Recognition of the 2008 Mayor's
Cup-City Employee Softball Tournament Winners. Communiqués Citizen comments Citizens are required to fill out a witness card
and identify themselves at the microphone.
Comments should be relevant to City business and delivered in a
professional manner. No derogatory
remarks will be permitted. There is a
time limit of three minutes per speaker. VI.
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES a. Appointment
by Mayor Pro-Tempore Gene Belmares of Sammy Alasi to the Convention &
Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee. b. Appointment
by Council Member Johnny Rendon of Richard Perales to the Transportation and Traffic
Safety Advisory Committee. VII.
GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS 1.
a. A.
Request by Mayor 1.
Status report on the canopy for Bridge I, with
possible action. B.
Request by Council Member Mike Garza 1.
Discussion with possible action on setting a date
for a Budget Retreat. 2.
Discussion with possible action on directing the
City Manager to conduct a study to alleviate the problems on garbage pick up. C.
Request by Council Member Hector J. Garcia 1.
Discussion with possible
action regarding outstanding loans/debts owed to the City of 2.
Discussion with possible
action on appropriating matching funds to a 3 million dollar Transportation
Grant for a hike and bike trail along Chacon Creek. 3.
Discussion with possible action to consider
amending the priority procedures manual by placing the general Council
discussion items at the end of the agenda as opposed to the current order in
which they are placed. 4.
Discussion with possible action regarding the
closing of Calton Road, between Thomas and Maher Avenue, in order to provide
safety for personnel and enhance security for Police Department equipment. D.
Request by Council Member Johnny Rendon 1.
Discussion with possible action on placing speed
humps on E.
Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore Gene Belmares 1. Discussion
with possible action on impounding uninsured vehicles and those operated by
unlicensed drivers. 2. Discussion with possible action
on setting, publishing and conducting public hearings to amend the towing
ordinance to reflect necessary changes as per the ordinance. 3. Discussion with possible action
on a water distribution action plan for summer 2008. F.
Request by Council Member Juan Chavez 1.
Motion to increase funding for the Community
Action Agency Meals on Wheels, with possible action. 2.
Status report of the nationalization
ordinance, with possible action. G.
Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez 1. Discussion
with possible action regarding the purchase of Block 618 WD, located on VIII.
PUBLIC HEARINGS 2.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending
the City of Laredo Health Department Fiscal Year 2007-2008 annual budget by
appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $30,000.00 of
additional funds from the Texas Department of State Health Services for
continuation of the Health Department’s Abstinence Education Program, and
In-kind amount of $21,000.00 from L.I.S.D. for a total amount of expenditures
of $51,000.00 for the period of January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008. 3.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2007-2008 annual budget by decreasing
revenues and expenditures by $8,551.00 for a total award amount of $79,249.00
from the South Texas Development Council (STDC) for the continuation of the
Health Department’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Projects
(HOPWA) for the period of February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009 and
authorizing the City Manager to execute said contract. 4.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending
the City of 5.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending
the City of Laredo Land Development Code, Chapter 24, Article III, by
creating Section 24-56, entitled “Parkland Dedication Ordinance” and amending
the City of Laredo Land Development Code, Appendix A, by adding the Parkland
Dedication Fee Methodology as per the attached Exhibit A; providing for
severability, publication and an effective date. 6.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance
accepting funds in the amount of $245,000.00 from the South Texas 9-1-1
Regional Administration Division to cost share personnel at the Laredo Police
Department Public Safety Answering Point in accordance to Section 771.0751 of
the Texas Health and Safety Code ad Rule 251.3 Use of Revenue in Certain
Counties from the Commission on State Emergency Communications; and amending
the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 City of Laredo annual budget by appropriating
revenues and expenditures in the amount of $245,000.00 for salary expenses
for the Laredo Police Department Communications Division salaries. 7.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending
the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances, Chapter 17 Library, Article I, In
General, Section “Fines and Fees for Library Services” allowing for a change
in the passport execution fee to follow the fee schedule set by the U.S.
Department of State and providing for publication and an effective date. 8.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing
the City Manager to accept a donation from the Raymond H. and Florence L.
Sponberg Foundation of 9.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing
the City Manager to accept Fiscal Year 2008 Federal Planning Funds (PL112) in
the amount of $44,686.86 and amending the City of 10. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept and execute
an advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation in
the amount of $1,300,000.00 with a local match of $177,984.00 and to amend
the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Capital Grants Fund by appropriating said funds for
the proposed design of a rail road grade separation to be constructed over
the Kansas City Southern Rail Road Crossing located on Arkansas Avenue, near
Guadalupe and Chihuahua Streets. 11. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending Chapter 19, Motor Vehicle and Traffic,
Article VIII, Stopping, Standing or Parking, Section 19-360, Parking Meters,
of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Laredo, establishing the
availability of parking meter permit contracts for certain parking meter
spaces located west of Santa Maria Avenue and north of Hidalgo Street at a
reduced no-refundable monthly rate of forty dollars ($40.00) per parking
meter space and increase the parking meter time limit in this area from four (4)
to ten (10) hours and to provide for severability, publication and an
effective date. 12. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances,
Chapter 32, Vehicles for Hire, Article III Tow Services, Section 32-88 Duties
of Tow Services on Rotation List, Subsection (6) Time for Arrival by adding
fifteen (15) minutes; Section 32-92 Towing Fees charged by towing companies
on the City’s rotation list, by increasing and setting fees as follows: tow from $50.00 to $95.00; heavy-duty
wrecker tow for an unloaded vehicle from $110.00 to $200.00; heavy-duty
wrecker tow for a loaded vehicle from $150.00 to $275.00; use of a dolly from
$25.00 to $40.00; use of a winch from $20.00 to $75.00; lockout fee set at
$65.00; police units (marked/unmarked) towing and tire changes set at $50.00;
amending Section 32-93 storage facility Fees for less than 12 hours from
$10.00 to that allowed by state law and $10.00 for police units
(marked/unmarked); 12 hours or more from $10.00 to that allowed by state law;
for each additional day from $10.00 to that allowed by state law; truck or
trailer longer than 35 feet from $10.00 to that allowed by state law;
Preservation Fee from $10.00 to that allowed by state law, and $10.00 for
police units (marked/unmarked) providing for publication and an effective
date. (Recess) (Press Availability) IX.
INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES 13. Amending The City Of Laredo Code Of Ordinances,
Chapter 2-Administration, Article I- In General, Section 2-5 City Council
Meetings, Subsection (B), (C) & (D) by providing an option of extending
meeting times for an additional fifteen minutes, from 11:15 p.m. until 11:30
p.m.; providing for severability, repeal all laws in conflict, and providing
for an effective date. 14.
Amending Ordinance 2000-O-295
which adopted the speed hump installation policy of the City of Laredo to
change the minimum street length requirement to qualify for the installation
of speed humps from 1,000 feet to 1,100 feet and to incorporate other changes
to the established procedures and to the special provisions for the
installation of the speed humps, providing for publication and an effective
date. 15.
Amending the Subdivision
Ordinance of the City of 16.
Authorizing the City
Manager to execute a lease agreement with International Dairy Products, Inc.,
for approximately 15,000 square feet of warehouse space situated within a 2.0
acre tract of land located at X.
FINAL 17. 2008-O-028
Authorizing the City Manager to enter
into a lease agreement with Webb County Area Justice Foundation d/b/a Laredo
Family Recovery Center, as Lessee to an approximate 15,244 square foot building
situated on an approximate 1.6501-acre tract located at 2920 E. Saunders
(rear). The lease term is for five (5) years commencing February 1, 2008
until January 31, 2013 with one renewal option of five (5) years until
January 31, 2018. The initial monthly
rent is the sum of $8,384.00 and providing for rent abatement in
consideration of certain improvements to the leased premises. 2008-O-037
Authorizing the City Manager to accept payment in
the amount of $41,623.00 from the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental
Risk Pool (TMLIRP) as settlement for the replacement of a stolen 2001
Caterpillar Backhoe Loader and to amend the City of Laredo Fiscal Year
2007-2008 Capital Improvement Fund Budget by appropriating revenues and
expenditures for the purchase of a replacement backhoe loader and authorizing
the City Manager to implement said budget. 2008-O-038
Amending Section 1 of Ordinance 2007-O-134 of the
City of 2008-O-039
Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease
with Securitas Security Services, USA, Inc., for approximately 120 square
feet of office space and an exclusive office entry lane of approximately 540
square feet at Bridge II. 1. Lease
term is for one (1) year commencing April 1, 2008 and ending on March 31,
2009. 2. Monthly
rent will be $2,810.00 for approximately 120 square feet of office space and
an exclusive office entry lane of approximately 540 square feet at Bridge II. 3. The
lease may be terminated by either party with a thirty (30) day written
notice. 2008-O-040
Amending Chapter 2, Article I of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Laredo, Texas to include subsection (e) under
Section 2-3 “Fees for Services” to establish a 3% credit card convenience
processing fee for internet users and voice activated payments on all City payments. The 3% fee is based on the amount of
transaction. The fee will be evaluated
within six (6) months in order to assess its viability. (As amended) 2008-O-041
Authorizing the City Manager to accept a
$330,500.00 donation from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust and amending the City
of 2008-O-042
Authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant in
the amount of $100,000.00 from the Office of the Governor, the Division of
Emergency Management (GDEM) and to amend the City of 2008-O-043
Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of XI.
RESOLUTIONS 18. 2008-R-013 Approving an agreement with the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the amount of
$21,000.00. The agreement’s purpose is
to reimburse cost for overtime and fringe benefits incurred by the Laredo
Police Department in providing resources to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Task Force.
The term of this grant is from October 1, 2007 through September 30,
2008. 19. 2007-R-014 Authorizing our Delinquent Tax
Attorney to arrange for the auction by
the Webb County Sheriff, pursuant to Section 34.05 of the Tax Code, of the
properties listed on the exhibits A and B; and subject to the minimum
specified herein: Property
2 3720 ½ Pinder $24,136.00 Property
3 2410 Chacon $14,630.00 Property
4 2602 Market $74,487.00 Above property is more specifically described in attached Exhibits A
& B. 20. 2008-R-015 Accepting a donation of the “Surface
Only” of a parcel of land for Chacon Creek Master Plan. Said parcel being Lot 12, Block 1, Cheyenne
Subdivision, Phase V, City of 21. 2008-R-016 Accepting a donation of a utility easement from
First National Bank, a Banking Association, in order to maintain an existing
eight-inch sanitary sewer line. Said utility easement being out of Lots 1
& 2, Block 1217, Eastern Division, City of 22. 2008-R-019 Consideration to accept a donation of a cubism
ceramic mural, entitled: “Musicians”
from Mr. Santos Rios, which will be permanently displayed at the Laredo
Public Library. 23. 2008-R-020 Declaring the public necessity to acquire
the “Surface Only” of seven parcels of land for the extension of 1.
A
tract of land containing 727 sq. ft. of land, more or less, and described by
Metes and Bounds and Survey attached as Exhibits A and B, 2.
a
tract of land containing 1.46 acres of land, more or less, and described by
Metes and Bounds and Survey attached as Exhibits C and D, 3.
a
tract of land containing 0.30 acres of land, more or less, and described by
Metes and Bounds and Survey attached as Exhibits E and F, 4.
a
tract of land containing 0.43 acres of land, more or less, and described by
Metes and Bounds and Survey attached as Exhibits G and H, 5.
a
tract of land containing 0.13 acres of land, more or less, and described by
Metes and Bounds and Survey attached as Exhibits I and J, 6.
a
tract of land containing 0.38 acres of land, more or less, and described by
Metes and Bounds and Survey attached as Exhibits K and L, and 7.
a
tract of land containing 0.68 acres of land, more or less, described by Metes
and Bounds and Survey attached as Exhibits M and N. All seven tracts being situated in Porcion
23, Abstract 283, Webb County, Texas; and authorizing staff to negotiate for
the acquisition of said parcels by purchase at market values to be
established by a State Certified Real Estate Appraiser, and further
authorizing the City Attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire
said parcels 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(s). Funding for this project is available in
the 2007 Certificate of Obligation. XII.
MOTIONS 24. Authorizing
award of 2007 Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Community Housing
Development Organization (CHDO) set-aside funds in the amount of $95,631.40
to Habitat for Humanity of Laredo, Inc., to utilize towards supplement
construction costs for the Tierra Prometida Project; and further authorizing
the City Manager to execute all documents in support of the same. 25. Amending
a Professional Services Contract previously awarded to W. D. Schock Company,
Inc. of Nashville, Tennessee, in the amount of $625,473.00, for the provision
of residential sound reduction services, as part of the City of Laredo
International 26. Consideration to award a construction contract to the lowest bidder Jimmy Closner and Sons Construction Co., Inc.; Mercedes, Texas in the amount of $2,031,820.00 for the construction of the Water Distribution Systems at the Mines Road Planning Area Colonias Rancho Peñitas West, Los Minerales, Minerales Annex and Antonio Santos, Work Order #1 -subject to the approval of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The construction |
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