CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2000-R-15

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JUNE 5, 2000

5:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

With a quorum present Mayor Elizabeth Flores called the meeting

to order.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL

In Attendance:

Elizabeth G. Flores, Mayor

Alfredo Agredano, Councilmember, District I

Louis H. Bruni, Councilmember, District II

John C. Galo, Councilmember, District III

Johnny Amaya, Councilmember, District IV

Eliseo Valdez, Jr., Councilmember, District V

Joe A. Guerra, Councilmember, District VI

Mario G. Alvarado, Councilmember, District VII

Consuelo "Chelo" Montalvo, Mayor Pro Tempore District VIII

Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary

Cynthia Collazo, Acting City Manager

Larry Dovalina, Acting City Manager

Jaime Flores, City Attorney

IV. MINUTES

Approval of the minutes of May 1, 2000, May 10, 2000 and May 22,

2000.

Moved : Cm. Guerra

Second: Cm. E. Valdez

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

Announcements

a. Mayor and City Council introduces the Laredo Metro, Inc.

Board of Directors and invites downtown Merchants and the

general public to witness the unveiling of Laredo's and EL

METRO'S first Bus Wrap themed, "Re-Live the Good Ol' Days,

Shop the Streets of Downtown Laredo". The LMI Board of

Directors and EL METRO believe that this theme will help the

effort of supporting Downtown Laredo and will unlock the

potential of increased commerce and tourism.

Cm. Alvarado introduced the following Laredo Metro, Inc.

Board of Directors:

Members Representing

Mayor Pro Tempore Montalvo, City Council

Alfredo Agredano, City Council

Les Norton, Downtown Business Community

George MacDonald Jr., Academic community

Francisco Javier Salas, Disabled Transit Riders

Dora A. Gonzalez, General Public at large.

Peter Berhman, El Metro Director, explained a promotion that

was launched in order to stimulate interest in the downtown

shopping area.

The Mayor and the City Council was impressed with the

innovative ideas presented by staff to increase revenue for

El Metro and downtown businesses. Viola Sanchez, Marketing

Coordinator, discussed the new bus wraps that the City has

acquired. She ad ded that the staff's goal is to encourage

Laredoans to shop downtown.

She submitted the following information:

"The Park & Shop Merchant Program is another cooperative

effort between Public and Private Business in Laredo"

Bus Wrap

El Metro's first Bus Wrap themed, "Re-Live the Good Ol'

Days, Shop the Streets of Downtown Laredo" is the

introductory project to the Park & Shop Merchant Program.

The Transit Committee, LMI Board of Directors, and El Metro

staff believe that this t heme will help the effort of

supporting Downtown Laredo and will unlock the potential of

increased commerce and tourism.

The City of Laredo is rapidly growing and El Metro is

taking an aggressive approach to this new concept of

advertising by offering more options to advertisers in

Laredo and around the country. El Metro is currently

developing guidelines for this type of advertising and will

work with local, regional, and nation-wide advertising

agencies that are interested and willing to offer this

advertising option to the public. Bus Wrapping is becoming

increasingly popular among other transit systems throu

ghout the country. This concept differs from the billboard

advertisements and buses with wraps are mobile and travel

throughout the City of Laredo.

Parking Pass

El Metro has designed a parking pass that offers three

hours (3) of FREE parking to the public. These passes are

pre-sold to participating merchants for $1.00 each at a

minimum of $50.00 per transaction.

Participating Merchants receive one "car card" space for

advertising on El Metro buses for one month for each $50.00

purchase.

The Parking Passes includes an area where the public can

write their name, address and phone number to enter a

monthly drawing for merchandise donated by downtown

merchants.

Participating Merchant Stickers

El Metro has designed stickers that participating merchants

display on their business front door window to identify

them as an "El Metro Park & Shop Participating Merchant".

Park & Shop Participating Merchant Advertising Tag

El Metro is requesting that participating merchants "tag"

their advertising with the El Metro Park & Shop

Participating Merchant logo.

Yearly Parking Contract

El Metro is offering a payment discount for prepaying a

parking space for an entire year. This discounted amount

will be approximately $400.00 per year. The party may use

the pass or provide it to an employee at a savings of

$80.00

Parking Sings on I H -35 & Bridge II

The City Traffic Department in cooperation with TxDot will

be placing parking signs on IH-35 & Bridge II to direct the

public to the Transit Center Parking Garage.

Invitations

Recognitions

a. Recognition to the Laredo Crime Stoppers Inc., for their

state awards.

Mayor Flores and the Council presented the Laredo Crime

Stoppers Association, Tony Reyes and Rene Lopez, with a Seven

Flags Certificate for bringing honor to the City of Laredo.

The Laredo Crime Stoppers' Board of Directors that attended

the meeting were: Lorenzo G. Hernandez, President; Carolyn

Leyendecker, Executive Director; Tony Reyes, Coordinator;

Ramiro Saucedo, Treasurer; David Blumberg, Board Member and

Rene Lopez, actor in award winning video.

Laredo Crime Stoppers submitted the following press release:

Laredo Crime Stoppers, Inc. Board of Directors are proud to

announce that Laredo Crime Stoppers, Inc. has won prestigious

State awards. Two first place in two categories. The Laredo

Crime Stoppers, Inc. Board of Directors attributes winning

the awa rd to the support of the community, media and area

law enforcement agencies.

Awards won were:

* Texas Crime Stoppers Advisory Council

Productivity Award 1999

Greatest Dollar Recovery

Population 100,000-249,999

Laredo Crime Stoppers, Inc.

* Texas Crime Stoppers Advisory Council

Television Competition 1999

Best PSA/Special Production

Market size 101+ Laredo Crime Stopper, Inc. and

Time Warner Communications

These awards were presented at the 12th Annual Texas Crime

Stoppers Advisory Council State Conference sponsored by the

Office of Governor George W. Bush May 15-17, 2000 in Corpus

Christi, Texas.

* There are 215 Crime Stoppers Programs across the State of

Texas. We were proud to announce that Officer Antonio "Tony"

Reyes, of the Laredo Police Department won the Texas Crime

Stoppers Advisory Council Coordinator of the Year for Laredo

Crime St oppers, Inc.

* The First place awards for the Greatest Dollar Amount of

Recovery of Stolen Property and Narcotics were as follows:

Recovered Stolen Property $101,700

Narcotics seized $22,798,693 for a grand total of $22,900,393.

This is the largest amount in any population category in Texas

Crime Stoppers

* The award winning Public Service Announcement was produced by

Ramiro Saucedo of Time Warner Communications.

Laredo Crime Stoppers, Inc. Board of Directors is proud of the

track record of providing an opportunity for community

involvement and still maintain necessary anonymity. The public

is reminded in this day and time when nearly all phones have

caller ID that Laredo Crime Stoppers, Inc. TIPS line (956)

727-TIPS or 1-800-558-TIPS) does not have a caller ID and never

will.

As you see from the amount of drugs taken off the streets of

Laredo in 1999, drugs are the major reason for the increasing

crime rate. Drugs are eroding the fabric of our society from

top to bottom. Crime Stoppers has made an impact on combating

dr ug trafficking and other drug related crimes in the

community, but much more needs to be done.

Laredo Crime Stoppers will continue to serve the community in

the fight against crime with the continued support of

individuals and businesses as yourself.

End of document

Communiques

The mayor congratulated the 2000 graduates. She read the

following information:

Martin High School had 425 graduates. The Valedictorian was

Celia Macias and the Salutatorian was Gerardo Valdez.

Nixon High School had 414 graduates. The Valedictorian was

Adriana Romero and the Salutatorian was Arturo Briseño.

Cigarroa High School had 293 graduates. The Valedictorian was

Dinorah Sepulveda and the Salutatorian was Adriana Gonzalez.

United High School had 296 graduates. The Valedictorian was

Allison Lyn Frecsko and the Salutatorian was Raquel Garcia.

Alexander High School had 423 graduates. The Valedictorian was

Horacio Vela, III and the Salutatorian was James W. Lacy,

III.

United South High School had 471 graduates. The Valedictorian

was Magdalena Mar and the Salutatorian was Rebecca Buckley.

Cm. Guerra read the following letter:

Dear Mr. Guerra:

As a member of the Board of Directors for the Streets of

Laredo Urban Mall, Inc., an employee of Central Power and

Light Company, and a constituent of your district, I would

like to recommend that any monies allocated for the "Downtown

Restoration Pr ojects" remain as originally planned.

A proposal to re-allocate $150,000 from Downtown Street

Project, along with $100,000 from the Renovation of the Plaza

Theatre Project, is being considered to fund the River Front

Project Feasibility Matching Grant Fund.

Although all three projects are most important, monies should

not be taken from one project to fund another. It is very

important for the economic development of the Downtown Area

and the City of Laredo, for all projects to be funded as

originally d esignated.

Thank you for you continued support in these most worthy

endeavors.

Cynthia M. Salinas-Snyder

Cm. Guerra expressed his concerns with the year 2000 Webb

County Appraisal District's Notice of Appraised Values. He

requested that staff include a presentation explaining

appraisal procedures from Sergio Delgado, Chief Appraiser for

Webb County Ap praisal District, on the next agenda.

Mayor Pro Tempore Montalvo introduced David Featherstand from

Public Utilities Commission of Texas. He stated that he is

currently developing an expanded local calling pilot program

that would allow for toll free calling between Laredo and Nuevo

Lar edo.

Cm. Alvarado expressed his sincere gratitude to his family and

friends that supported him in his re-election bid and during

his tenure as Council member for District VII. He stated that

he was honored to be a part of the City Council that was the m

oving force behind multiple infrastructure projects in all

areas of Laredo. He added that he would eagerly continue to be

of service to the community of Laredo.

Cm. Bruni submitted the following reports from the Southwest

Texas Rain Enhancement Association.

SWTREA

Seed Tracks and Storm Locations

Seed Flight # 10

05/28/00 (Start 6:45 p.m. Stop: 7:45 p.m.)

Result: Storm did not respond well to seeding because it had

already entered an advanced decay stage over

Northeastern Webb County. Also, because of

communications problems seeding plane was not able to

interrupt large storm clusters over Zapata/We bb line.

Radar total rainfall on the storm over northeastern Webb

county were around 0.05 inches walls storm over Zapata

county averaged around 1.00 -1.75 inches.

Seeding success rating: Poor (Storm was well into the

decay stage prior to seeding in NE Webb Co.)

SWTREA

Seed Tracks and Storm Locations

Seed Flight # 1 1

05/29/00 (Start 5:55 p.m. Stop: 8:15)

Results: Storm responded favorable well to seeding. Storm tops

remained high with total storm area increasing until

the effects of daytime heating died off. radar

reflectivity for all the seeded storms were strong.

Radar estimated rainfall was around .075 inches just

northwest of Encinal to 0.05inches southeast of Carrizo

Spring as well as 11 miles south of Cotulla to 0.25

inches over Cotulla.

Seeding success rating: Good/Excellent

SWTREA

Seed Tracks and Storm Locations

Seed Flight # 12

06/02/00 (Start 4:07 p.m. Stop: 6:00)

Result: Storms responded favorable well to seeding. Radar

indicated that seeded storm continued to intensify and

grow in total area after seeding had taken place. The

life span of the seeded cells was also longer than that

of the non-seeded cells. Radar estimated rainfall for

this day ranged from 0.50 inches in central Zavala to as

much as 1.00 -1.50 inches in central and western Dimmit.

Seeding success rating: Good

Cm. Bruni submitted the internet address for the

Southwest Texas Rain Enhancement Association is as

follows www.vsta.com\-synoptic

Cm. Galo informed the public that the Mobile Home Ad Hoc

Committee strives to guide themselves with the growth of Laredo.

He re-assured the public that no individual would be asked to

move from his or her mobile home.

Cm. Agredano reported on the flags that were used for Veteran's

Day. There was a total of 2,523 flags and 1, 945 were issued.

He also thanked the volunteers that were present to place the

flags.

VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Public hearing providing community residents an opportunity

to comment on the preparation and submission of the City of

Laredo 2000-2005, Five Year Consolidated Plan and One-Year

Action Plan on the use of the 26th Action Year Community

Development Block Grant ($4,316,000.00), Program Income

($39,900.00), 2000 HOME Investment P artnership Program

($1,356,000.00), and 2000 Emergency Shelter Grant

($152,000.00) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD).

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved : Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Erasmo Villarreal, Community Development Director, submitted

the following information:

What is the Consolidated Plan?

The Consolidated Plan is one process and one document made

up from many City sources that receive funds from local,

state, and federal governments. The plan has to indicate

what programs and resources will be used over the course of

the long-term st rategy.

The Consolidated Plan is also the planning, application,

and performance reporting requirements of three programs

run by Community Planning and Development (CPD) and the U.

S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):

CDBG (Community Development Block Grants)

HOME (type of block grant only for affordable housing.)

ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant)

What does the Consolidated Plan cover?

CDBG's

a. Community Development Plan

b. Statement of Objectives

c. Grantee Performance Report

Home's

a. Program Description

b. Annual Plan

ESG's

a. Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan (CHAP)

Why is the Consolidated Plan important?

The Consolidated Plan plays a very important role for the

City of Laredo because it requires a jurisdiction to

identify all of its housing and community development

needs, and then come up with a long-term strategy for

meeting those needs.

How is information obtained for the Consolidated Plan?

Public Meetings

Public Hearings

Non-Profit Agency Input

Citizen Input

Housing Survey

Homeless Count

Public Meetings

Cigarroa Recreation Center

Tarver Recreation Center

Farias Recreation Center

Civic Center

Public Hearings

Non Profit Agency Input

Grant-writing training

More state, local, or federal funding

Participation from the private sector

Better coordination among non-profit organizations to

maximize resources

Affordable land to provide housing

Volunteer help from the community

Citizen Input

Sidewalks approaching schools

Bike trails in neighborhoods

Skating ring

Downtown housing

Fences along creek

Assistance to food bank

Housing Survey

Conducted by TAMIU's Texas Center for Border Economic &

Enterprise Development

Consisted of a 10% sample of the City (approx 5,700

surveys) Housing Stock Needing Rehab

* 30% CT 4, 5, 6, 14

* 40% C T 1.01,3,7,8,12, 16

Homeless Count

Participants Males Females

Police Department Count 33 4

Support Housing Program 1 6

Wood Living Center 4 2

Casa de Misericordia 6 10

Sacred Heart Children 16 10

Salvation Army 18 0

Lomas Alta 10 2

La Frontera 2 5

SCAN Youth 3 3

Mi Casita 1 5

Total 94 78

CDBG- National Objective

The Plan must comply with national objectives for the use of CDBG

funds.

Criteria for national objectives:

Activities benefiting low - and moderate-income persons

Activities to address slums or blight on an area basis

Activities designed to meet community development needs having a

particular urgency.

Proposed One-Year Action Plan - CDBG 2000-2001

Proposed Activities Proposed Budgets

Community Development Administration $ 665,662.00

Housing Rehabilitation Administration $ 168,980.00

Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program $ 250,000.00

Code Enforcement $ 271,492.00

Hamilton Hotel - Section 108 Loan Repayment $ 234,000.00

Graffiti Removal Program $ 28,462.00

Zacate Creek Railroad Bridge $ 142,000.00

Sidewalk Approaches $ 958,452.00

Demolitions $ 50,000.00

Centro Iturbide Street Improvements $ 300,000.00

Ejido Street Extension Project $ 50,000.00

South Laredo Park $ 200,000.00

Villa del Sol Park Lighting $ 40,000.00

Acquisition of Riverfront Property $ 455,304.00

Chacon Creek Improvements $ 250,000.00

Plaza Theater $ 350,000.00

Estimated Proposed Budget $ 4,414,352.00

Proposed One-Year Action Plan - HOME 2000-2001

Proposed Activities Proposed Budgets

Administrative Costs $ 135,600.00

Loans to CHDO's $ 203,400.00

Downpayment Assistance $ 600,000.00

New Construction $ 112,000.00

Substantial Rehabilitation $ 180,000.00

Tenant Based Rental Assistance $ 125,000.00

Estimated Proposed Budget $ 1,356,000.00

Proposed Activities

Homeless Prevention Program $ 45,900.00

Operations/Rehabilitation $ 105,600.00

Administration $ 500.00

Estimated Proposed Budget $ 152,000.00

Cm. Valdez stated that he would like to appropriate $25,000

to initiate a feasibility study to connect North and South

San Francisco located behind H. E. B.

Motion to close the public hearing with the correction of

$1,356,000 instead of $1,346,000.

Moved : Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

2. Public hearing to amend the City of Laredo FY 1999-2000

Annual Budget by creating a position of Administrative

Assistant I within the Administrative Services Department

which will be funded from anticipated line item savings and

authorizing the City Manager to implement said Budget.

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the City of Laredo FY 1999-2000 Annual Budget by

creating a position of Administrative Assistant I within the

Administrative Services Department which will be funded from

anticipated line item savings and authorizing the City

Manager to implement said Budget.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved : Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

There was no public input.

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

Moved : Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Bruni

3. Public hearing to amend the fiscal year 2000 City of Laredo

Bridge System Fund Budget to appropriate $70,500.00 in

contributions from various firms for the World Trade Bridge

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and authorizing the City Manager to

implement said budget.

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2000 Laredo Bridge

System Fund Budget to appropriate $70,500.00 in contributions

from various firms for the World Trade Bridge Ribbon Cutting

Ceremony and authorizing the City Manager to implement said

budget.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved : Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

There was no public input.

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

Moved : Cm. Alvarado

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Ordinance Introduction: City Council

4. Public hearing to amend the City of Laredo's 1999-2000 Annual

Budget in the amount of $115,000.00 for the Criminal Justice

Division Grant from the Office of the Governor. The Office

of the Governor is contributing $80,000.00 with the City

designating $35,000.00 in matching funds. This funding will

be used for the Domestic Violence G rant under the Violence

Against Women Act (VAWA) for the period of June 01, 2000

through May 31, 2001.

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the City of Laredo's 1999-2000 Annual Budget in the

amount of $115,000.00 for the Criminal Justice Division Grant

from the Office of the Governor. The Office of the Governor

is contributing $80,000.00 with the City designating

$35,000.00 in matching funds. This funding will be used for

the Domestic Violence Grant under the Violence Against Women

Act (VAWA) for the period of June 01, 2000 through May 31,

2001.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved : Cm. Alvarado

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

There was no public input.

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

Moved : Mayor Pro Tempore Montalvo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: