CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
A98-R-31
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
AUGUST 3, 1998
5:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. ROLL CALL
IV. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCE
2. Ordinance amending Chapter 31, Article II, regarding sewers and sewage
disposal by deleting the provisions in Section 31-23 titled "Notice of
Violations" of the Code of Ordinances or the City of Laredo; thereby
eliminating the notice requirement when an infraction is detected and
allowing a compliant to be filed immediately in Municipal Court.
3. Amending Article IV, titled "Liquid Waste Transportation," of Chapter
31, of the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances, thereby correcting minor
language problems in the article expanding the ordinance to include its
application of secondary transporters; and adding a Section 31-170
regarding the requirements of a generator and disposal site operator;
providing for severability and effective date and publication.
4. Closing as a public easement a 666.10 square feet parcel of land more
or less (2' x 333.05') out of the 4200 block of Santa Cleotilde Avenue
between the north right-of-way lines of Tacuba and Chicago Streets,
said parcel of land, being encroached by the improvements situated on
Lot 1, Block 1048-A, and Lot 1, Block 1091-A, both situated in the
Western Division, City of Laredo, County of Webb, and authorizing the
sale of "The Surface Only" of said parcel of land at the adjusted fair
market value of $1,225.62 and authorizing the City Manager to execute
all necessary documents to effectively convey fee simple title to
Eduardo Diaz and providing for an effective date.
5. Closing as a public easement a 17.7 feet wide alley dedicated for
public use in Block 894, Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb County,
Texas, which traverses the middle of said block from east to west
through its entire length, and abuts the north side of Lots 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, & 12, and abuts the south side of Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6;
providing for the reversion of the public's interest in said alley to
the abutting owners, and providing for an effective date.
V. FINAL READINGS
6. 98-O-195 Ordinance granting Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc., its
legal representatives, successors, lessees and assigns, as
the grantee, herein, certain powers, licenses, rights-of-way,
privileges and franchise to construct and maintain in the
City of Laredo, Texas, as now or hereafter constituted, and
electric power utility system in said city and to use the
streets, avenues, easements, rights-of-way, alleys, highways,
sidewalks, bridges and other structures and places and public
grounds in said City for a period of ten (10) years with one
(1), ten (10) year renewal period subject to renegotiation by
the parties; and prescribing certain rights, duties, terms
and conditions herein mentioned and providing for the payment
to said City of a percentage of certain receipts of grantee
from its operations therein; and providing for the acceptance
of this ordinance by grantee; and containing a savings
clause, and providing for publication and an effective date.
(City Council)
7. 98-O-196 Ordinance amending Section 24-82.3(d), Off Premises Signs, of
the Laredo Land Development Code. (City Council)
8. 98-O-197 Ordinance amending Section 24-92, amendments or district
changes, of the Laredo Land Development Code, by providing
for notification to property owners within 200 feet of the
site of a proposed zone change of an appeal to City Council
of an unfavorable recommendation by the Planning and Zoning
Commission. (City Council)
9. 98-O-198 Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 7.5076 acres, as further described by
metes and bounds, located on SH359 east of the Bob Bullock
Loop, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1
(Light Manufacturing District). (Council member Alfredo
Agredano)
10. 98-O-199 Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 10.8623 acres, as further described by
metes and bounds, located on SH359 east of the Bob Bullock
Loop, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1
(Light Manufacturing District). (City Council except Council
member Alfredo Agredano)
11. 98-O-200 Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of
Laredo by rezoning Lot 1 and the west 1/3 of Lot 2, Block
2156, Eastern Division, located on the 3100 Block of Mercer
Street, from AG (Agricultural District) to R-3 (Mixed
Residential District). (Council member John C. Galo)
12. 98-O-201 Ordinance approving a contract with the Texas Natural
Resource and Conservation (TNRCC) and budget in the amount of
$25,000 to continue the operation of a continuous air
monitoring station (CAMS) by the City of Laredo Health
Department for the period beginning September 1, 1998,
through August 31, 1999. (City Council)
13. 98-O-202 Ordinance approving an amendment to the contract with the
Texas Department of Health and budget in the amount of
$95,483 for the HIV/AIDS Health and Social Services Project
of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period
beginning September 1, 1998, through August 31, 1999.
(City Council)
14. 98-O-203 Ordinance approving an amendment to the contract with
the Texas Department of Health and Budget in the amount of
$146,000 for the MCH Community Health Education Project of
the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning
September 1, 1998, through August 31, 1999. (City Council)
15. 98-O-204 Ordinance approving an amendment to the contract with the
Texas Department of Health and Budget in the amount of
$200,000 for continuation of the La Familia Health Care
Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the
period beginning September 1, 1998, through August 31, 1999.
(City Council)
16. 98-O-205 Ordinance approving an amendment to the contract with the
Texas Department of Health and Budget consisting of $392,388
in funds and $33,600 in State direct assistance, for the
Comprehensive Public Health Services Program of the City of
Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September
1, 1998, through August 31, 1999. (City Council)
17. 98-O-206 Ordinance approving an amendment to the contract with the
Texas Department of Health and Budget in the amount of
$205,928 for the Tuberculosis Elimination Program of the City
of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning
September 1, 1998, though August 31, 1999. (City Council)
18. 98-O-207 Ordinance approving an amendment to the contract with the
Texas Department of Health and Budget in the amount of
$155,809 (which consists of $93,750 in direct funds from the
State and in-kind services match of $62,059) for the School
Based Health Project of the City of Laredo Health Department
for the period beginning September 1, 1998, through August
31, 1999. (City Council)
VI. RESOLUTIONS
19. 98-R-132 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 in the
School Resource Officer Program, with compensation in the
amount of One Hundred Forty Seven Thousand Seven Hundred
Forty Dollars ($147,740.00) to be paid by LISD for the 1998-
1999 school year, commencing on August 13, 1998.
20. 98-R-135 The City Council confirmation of Mayor Flores appointment of
John C. Galo to the Water Issues Committee.
VII. MOTIONS
21. Approval of bid specifications and authorization to advertise for bids
for the following:
a) Street Sign Replacement Project - Traffic Safety Department
22. Award of contracts to the LOW BIDDERS MEETING SPECIFICATIONS, Texas
State Distributors, Austin, Texas, in the amount of $13,650.00 and C&G
Wholesalers, Dallas, Texas, in the amount of $8,945.00, for the
purchase of practice and service ammunition for the Police Department.
The City did receive lower bids, however, the Police Department is
requesting specific brands of ammunition that have been tested and
have been found to be safe and reliable. Seventy cases of practice
ammunition and thirty one cases of service ammunition will be
purchased. A total of three bids were received for this purchase.
Funding is available in the Police Department -Ammunition account.
23. Award of contract to the SOLE BIDDER, Ceres Environmental Services,
Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN., in the amount of $29,025.00, for the
grinding of wood waste materials at the City Landfill. The wood waste
consists mostly of mixed tree branches, tree stumps, pallets, and
Christmas trees. Approximately 19,000 cubic yards of wood material
will be grinded. Funding is available in the Landfill Fund Budget.
24. Award of contract to the SOLE BIDDER, Jack Harrison and Associates,
San Antonio, Texas, in the amount of $71,880.00, for the CNG
(compressed natural gas) bi-fuel conversion of twelve, 1996 Ford
trucks. The City has received grant funding from the Alternative Fuels
Council for partial funding of these conversions.
25. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, National Sanitary, Laredo, Texas,
in the amount of $23,800.00 for the purchase of 500,000 plastic bags
for use in the City's Recycling Program. The per unit price is
$0.0014/bag more than the previous contract purchase. A total of four
bids were received for this purchase. Funding is available in the
Landfill Fund Budget.
26. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, Union Metal Corporation, DeSoto,
Texas, in the amount of $26,151.00, for the purchase of traffic signal
mast arm assemblies for installation at the intersections of
Bartlett/U.S.59, Meadow/U.S.59, Arkansas/U.S.59, Bartlett/Bustamante,
and Meadow/Bustamante.
A total of four bids were received for this purchase.
27. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, Gateway Uniform Service, Laredo,
Texas in the estimated amount of $34,243.90, for the purchase of
uniforms for the Bridge Department personnel. Full service contracts,
which include alteration services, will be awarded to the low bidder.
The City has included delivery deadlines in the contract documents
requiring that the clothing be delivered within forty five days after
receipt of order. The overall contract pricing is 16% more than the
previous contract pricing. A total of two bids were received for this
purchase. Funding is available in the Bridge System Uniforms account.
28. Award of an engineering contract to WSBC Civil Engineers, Inc.,
Laredo, Texas, for an amount not to exceed $21,070.00, to design and
prepare plans and specifications for (1) 1200 Frost Street at Lyon
Avenue (Stone Avenue to McPherson Avenue) Drainage Improvements and
for (2) 400 W. Plum Street at San Francisco Avenue Drainage
Improvements along Plum Street from Barcelona Avenue to Zacate Creek.
Both projects are to alleviate localized flooding. Funding is
available in the 1998 CO Issue.
29. Award of an engineering contract for an amount not to exceed
$16,000.00, to Howland Surveying Company, Inc., Laredo, Texas, to
provide professional engineering services for surveying and providing
metes and bounds descriptions and maps for the acquisition of a tract
of land approximately 850 L.F. in length and 120 feet wide for the
extension of the University Blvd., West of the Bob Bullock Loop to
intersect the existing Casa Verde Road, and for the survey work and
mapping required to vacate that portion of Casa Verde Road North of
this intersection northward to the intersection of Casa Verde Road
with the Bob Bullock Loop and for the design and preparation of plans
and specifications for the road extension. Funding is available in the
Capital Improvements.
30. Approval of change order no. 1, a net decrease of $63,986.00, to the
construction contract with Krueger Construction Company, Victoria,
Texas, to delete storm Drainage improvements along the parking lot
already constructed through Phase B, and to add the removal of clay
subgrade, modifications to the parking lot elevations to comply with
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other related items, and to
add 39 working days for the Laredo International Airport Passenger
Terminal and Related Airside/Landside Improvements Phase C Landside
and Landscape. The original contract amount was $2,097,481.75. This
change order brings the total contract amount to $2,033,495.75.
Funding is available in Improvements Other Than Buildings.
31. Approval of amendment no. 2, for an amount not to exceed $55,000.00,
to the Resident Project Representative (inspection services) contract
with Mejia Engineering Company, Laredo, Texas, to add inspection
services for the Laredo International Airport Passenger Terminal and
Related Airside/Landside Improvements Phase D - New Parallel Taxiway
to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Requirements.
Mejia Engineering Company is providing inspection services for the
Laredo International Airport Passenger Terminal and Related
Airside/Landside Improvements Project Phase B. The original contract
amount was $104,000.00. This amendment brings the total contract
amount to $165,500.00. Funding is available in in Inspection Fees.
32. Acceptance of the Relocation of Utilities along the proposed Widening
of U.S. Highway 59 between San Dario and Ejido Avenue and approval of
final payment in the amount of $30,541.35 to Price Construction, Inc.,
Laredo, Texas. Funding is available in the Retainage Payable.
33. Acceptance of the Laredo International Airport Passenger Terminal and
Related Airside/Landside Improvements Phase B as substantially
complete; approval to retain $50,000.00, for the completion of pending
items and approval to release partial retainage in the amount of
$512,064.73, to H.B. Zachry Company, San Antonio, Texas, Funding is
available in the Retainage Account.
34. Acceptance of the Santa Isabel Reverse Osmosis Facility Project, and
approval of final payment in the amount of $32,062.89 to Ramex
Construction Company, Inc., Houston, Texas, which is the release of
the retainage for the punch list items completed. Funding is
available in the Retainage Payable.
35. Approving the submission of the 1998 Consolidated Plan to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development in request for funding
through the 24th Action Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
in the amount of $4,274,000.00 and $39,900.00 in anticipated CDBG
program income; the 1998 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
in the amount of $1,257,000.00; and the 1998 Emergency Shelter Grant
(ESG) in the amount of $167,000.00 and authorizing the City Manager
to execute all documents as a result of the Plan's submission.
24th AY Community Development Block Grant
Community Development Administration . . . . . . .$620,533
Housing Rehabilitation Administration . . . . . .$128,196
Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. . . . . . . .$350,000
Code Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$251,050
Paving Project 61 (includes anticipated program
income $39,900). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$316,900
School Sidewalk Approaches, District IV. . . . . .$150,000
Acquisition of Park Land . . . . . . . . . . . . .$200,000
East Hachar Recreation Center. . . . . . . . . . .$700,000
Hamilton Hotel - Section 108 Loan
Repayment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$148,000
Tinaja/Chacon Pilot Channel. . . . . . . . . . . .$410,000
Graffiti Removal Program . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 28,359
Acquisition & Relocation Related
to Lafayette Widening. . . . . . . . . . . . . .$675,000
Zacate Creek Linear Park
(Saunders to Canal). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$200,000
Blaine/Milmo/Loop 20 Improvements. . . . . . . . .$ 90,000
Clark/Hendricks Street Improvements. . . . . . . .$ 45,862
1998 Home Grant
New Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$345,997
Down Payment Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . .$600,000
15% Community Housing Development
Organization Set Aside . . . . . . . . . . . . .$188,550
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$122,453
1998 Emergency Shelter Grant
Homeless Prevention Program. . . . . . . . . . . .$ 47,595
Homeless Shelter Program (Operations). . . . . . .$111,055
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,350
36. Authorizing to award architectural/engineering consultant contract
for the Paseo Del Antiguo Laredo Pedestrian Facility Project, an
ISTEA Enhancement Project, to Sprinkle Robey Architects, the contract
amount is $120,000.
VIII. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
37. Status report for the Colonias Facility Plan with possible action.
38. Status report on the Santa Isabel Water Well with possible action.
39. Informing Council of the status of the Chacon Creek interceptor
project. The EPA has outsourced the environmental review and expects
to issue the findings of no significant impact (FONSI) by December
1998. Bids can be solicited immediately afterwards.
40. Report on the Urban Empowerment Zone Application process.
41. Request for Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code
Section 551.071(1)(A), to discuss contemplated litigation by Texas A&M
International University, and return to open session for possible
action thereon.
42. Advising the City Council of the transfer of line-item savings, mainly
in the contractual services of the street construction division of the
Capital Improvement Fund., to Construction projects of the same fund
for $155,000. This amount is in addition to the H.E.B. contribution of
$200,000 to fund in part the total cost of $432,331 of the Calton Road
widening project authorized by City Council on 7/20/98. The complement
to the funding required will be in the form of in-kind services to be
provided by the Traffic Department.
IX. COMMUNICATIONS
X. CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
43. Requests by Mayor and City Council members for presentation and
discussion.
A. Requests by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores
1. Consideration and possible action to contract Judith Zaffirini,
Ph.D. D.B.A. Zaffirini Communications to conduct a training
workshop on August 29, 1998 with members of Council and various
boards and commissions. (See Attached)
B. Requests by Council member Alfredo Agredano
1. Presentation by Concord Hills residents.
C. Requests by Council member Louis H. Bruni
1. Status reports on long term water supply projects with possible
action:
Water Right Acquisition
Groundwater Resources
Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project
USGS Aquifer Mapping
Effluent Reuse Strategy
Conservation Strategy
Weather Modification
(Co-sponsored by Council member Joe A. Guerra)
2. Discussion and possible action on the Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs Third Annual Colonia Clean-up in El Cenizo
on Sunday, August 16. The department would like to request the
City of Laredo's participation by waiving City fees at the
landfill.
D. Requests by Council member Eliseo Valdez Jr.
1. Status report from staff on IH35 Saunders Project.
2. Presentation by Jessie Ibarra and Fausto Sosa
concerning a taxicab permit.
(Co-sponsored by Council member Joe A. Guerra)
E. Requests by Council member Joe A. Guerra
1. Discussion and possible action concerning a 100 foot right-of-way
given by the Trautmann Investment Company for the purpose of Eden
Lane through the Eden Subdivision Plat.
2. Status report on the accident of July 18, 1998 at the entrance of
Unitec Industrial Park, with possible action.
3. Presentation by Fidel Santos requesting funds for Del Mar Little
League Baseball, with possible action.
F. Requests by Council member Consuelo "Chelo" Montalvo
1. Presentation by the Laredo Custom Brokers and Freight Forwarders
for the request of improvements to the existing road leading to
the U.S. Customs Import Lot, with possible action.
XI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
44. Public hearing amending the Laredo Police Departments FY 1997-98
budget in the amount of $92,100.00 to pay for the salaries and fringe
benefits for six police officers that will be transferred from the
COPS "Ahead" grant to the general fund due to the expiration of the
grant. These police officers were hired under the COPS "Ahead" grant
for a period of three years.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Ordinance amending the Laredo Police Departments FY 1997-98 budget in
the amount of $92,100.00 to pay for the salaries and fringe benefits
for six police officers that will be transferred from the COPS "Ahead"
grant to the general fund due to the expiration of the grant. These
police officers were hired under the COPS "Ahead" grant for a period
of three years.
45. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo Police Departments FY 1998-
99 budget in the amount of $3,000.00, to purchase a treadmill for the
Police GYM.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Ordinance amending the City of Laredo Police Departments FY 1998-99
budget in the amount of $3,000.00, to purchase a treadmill for the
Police GYM.
46. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo's 1997-1998 Annual Budget
in the amount of $3,000.00, and appropriate these funds to the Laredo
Convention and Visitors Bureau regular salary line item to establish
the position of a part-time information clerk for the information
center at the Laredo International Airport Terminal.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Ordinance amending the City of Laredo's 1997-1998 Annual Budget in the
amount of $3,000.00, and appropriate these funds to the Laredo
Convention and Bureau regular salary line item to establish the
position of a part-time information clerk for the information center
at the Laredo International Airport Terminal.
47. Public hearing regarding the proposed reprogramming of 19th, 20th
Action Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Final Statements
and the 1995 and 1996 Consolidated Plan as it pertains to the use of
21st and 22nd AY CDBG Grant funds for the purpose of reprogramming
funds in the amount of $377,500.00 for the acquisition of the Plaza
Theater.
19th Action Year Community Development Block Grant
(Fund Balances)
Paving Project #51 $15,733
J. Ortiz - E. Valdez Park $ 2,628
Tarver Improvements $ 3,483
East Central Park $ 2,604
Street Lights $ 1,881
$26,329
20th Action Year Community Development Block Grant
(Fund Balances)
Paving Project #57 Grants $ 7,042
Paving Project #58 Grants $ 5,896
Neighborhood Housing Services $28,090
Reserve Appropriation $ 3,306
$44,334
21st Action Year Community Development Block Grant
(Fund Balances)
Pace Street Drainage $74,206
Southgate Pilot Channel $20,142
$94,348
22nd Action Year Community Development Block Grant
(Fund Balances)
San Salvador/Pine/Chestnut
Drainage $198,000
Paving Project #59 Grants $ 14,012
Graffiti Removal Program $ 477
$212,489
Total of Funds to be Reprogrammed $377,500
The funds identified above are proposed to finance the following
project: Acquisition of the Plaza Theater $377,500
XII. 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
Friday, July 31, 1998, at 5:30 p.m.
_________________________
Gustavo Guevara, Jr.
City Secretary