CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2000-R-19

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JULY 17, 2000

5:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

With a quorum present, Mayor Elizabeth G. 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 Council Member, District I

Louis H. Bruni Council Member, District II

John C. Galo Council Member , District III

Johnny Amaya Council Member , District IV

Eliseo Valdez, Jr. Council Member , District V

Joe A. Guerra Mayor Pro Tempore, District VI

Jose A. Valdez, Jr. Council Member , District VII

Juan Ramirez Council Member , District VIII

Gustavo Guevara, Jr. City Secretary

Larry Dovalina Acting City Manager

Jaime Flores City Attorney

IV. MINUTES

Approval of the minutes of June 5, 2000.

Moved: Cm. Agredano

Second: Cm. Amaya

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

Announcements

None

Invitations

None

Recognitions

a. Communities in Schools and the United South Academy of Global Business/Advanced

Technology, working with the Nonprofit Management and Volunteer Center, received a

$19,000.00 grant from Cisco Systems to place United South students in summer internships with City of Laredo Network Administrators.

Mayor Flores introduced Chito Vela, Coordinator of the Nonprofit Management & Volunteer Center, who stated that this was an innovative volunteer program funded through Cisco Systems being implemented by the local Communities in Schools affiliate. He also introduced Jose A. Gutierrez who informed the City Council that this program was one of the spin-offs of the America’s Promise and Colin Powell’s Working with Youth programs. There were 300 cities that initially applied for the grant and Laredo was the third largest recipient of grant funding from the nine cities selected. He reported that these students are receiving training as well as compensation for participating in these summer internships with the City of Laredo. Karen Winch, Director, United South Global Business/Advanced Technology, together with a student delegation, spoke of the partnership that is in place with the City of Laredo that allows the implementation of this program. She praised the Superintendent of the United Independent School District who, together with the Board of Trustees, are committed to this endeavor of providing additional preparatory instruction for its students.

b. Recognition to Sgt. Jose Jalomo, Jr., of the Laredo Police Department who recently returned for the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy (FBINA) as he graduated from the 201st Session, in Quantico, Virginia, on June 16, 2000.

Recognition was postponed for the City Council meeting of July 24, 2000 being that Sgt. Jalomo was not able to attend tonight’s meeting.

c. Recognition to Sgt. Alberto Sanchez, of the Laredo Police Department for having been recently honored as Texas Narcotics Control Program's (TNCP) Task Force Commander of the Year –1999-2000, at the recent Texas Narcotics Officers Association (TNOA) Conference in Austin, Texas.

The Mayor and the City Council recognized Sgt. Alberto Sanchez for his dedication and achievements in law enforcement and presented him with a Seven Flags Certificate for his outstanding accomplishments.

Communiqués

Cm. Bruni submitted a report from Ed Walker, General Manager of the Southwest Texas Rain Enhancement Association, P. O. Box 1433, Carrizo Springs, Tx, in connection with the Cloud Seeding Flights of Project 2000. The target area for the latest cloud seeding efforts was the N.E. and N. Central Webb, S.W. tip of La Salle Counties. He stated that the activity conducted on July 9, 2000, at 7:32 p.m. under Flight #23, did not provide favorable results.

Date: 06/26/00

Weather: A sea breeze boundary from the Gulf of Mexico managed to migrate west into the target area late in the day. Pop-corn cumulus and shower activity lasting on the order of 20 minutes was over McMullen, northeastern Webb and southern La Salle counties. At 6:30 p.m., some of the small cumulus clouds converged together and formed a multi-cluster storm now suitable for seeding.

Seeding status: Seed Day #16, Seed Flight #22. Seed Flight #22 conducted over southern La Salle County from 7:17 p.m. to 8:06 p.m. Seeding success was rated “Fair” for this particular mission. Radar estimated rainfall for the seeded cell was 0.25 – 0.75 inches.

Date: 06/27/00

Weather: Some short-lived pop-corn type showers east of the target area.

Seeding status: No seeding operations conducted this day.

Date: 06/28/00

Weather: Isolated short-lived (20 minute) pop-corn showers over Dimmit and Webb.

Seeding status: No seeding operations conducted this day.

Date: 06/29/00

Weather: Mostly sunny. Some weak pop-corn convection to our northeast.

Seeding status: No seeding operations conducted this day.

Date: 06/30/00

Weather: Mostly sunny morning and afternoon.

Seeding status: No seeding operations conducted this day.

Date: 07/01/00

Weather: Some clouds morning with sunny afternoon.

Seeding status: No seeding operations conducted this day.

Date: 07/02/00

Weather: Partly cloudy morning turning mostly sunny afternoon. Hot and humid.

Seeding status: No seeding operations conducted this day.

Analysis: SWTREA Cotulla, Tx Mod Office, Cotulla, Texas, 1:00 p.m. 07/10/00

07/09/00 Storms over SWTREA target area.

Seed Day #17 Seed Flight #23

Weather setup:

Water vapor imagery indicated that a low-pressure center over the Gulf was moving west and would be near Brownsville by late evening. The dynamics of this low were already producing isolated short duration shower activity over deep South Texas most of the day. This low-pressure center combined with daytime heating, weak instability and the sea breeze front went on to produce isolated shower activity within the target area during the early evening hours. This activity was the pop-corn type seen very often here during the summer months. However, one of the cumulus clouds did manage to persist beyond the “two minute” life span of a typical pop-corn type cumulus cloud. It should also be noted that at one time during the late afternoon hours, there were as many as ten isolated showers all of which had all of their mass below the freezing level height. The clouds were producing rain via the warm cloud process and would not respond to the silver iodide we currently use for a seeding agent.

Seed Flight #23

The seed plane was launched at 7:32 p.m. to Webb County to investigate one particular cell that had managed to last longer than the “20 minute” average. Radar indicated that the cell was already in the mature stage upon launch, but cloud top heights were pulsing from the freezing level height to a height of 27,900 ft. silver iodide seeding theory dictates that at least a portion of the cloud mass be within a zone of sub-freezing temps. Although the cloud top was at times just at the freezing level, the pulse type nature of this cell meant that perhaps the cloud top would continue to remain sub-freezing long enough to receive some benefit from seeding. At 7:48 p.m., the plane intercepted the storm and reported weak updrafts of 100 ft./min. One wing generator was employed on this cloud until 7:53 p.m. The seeding plane then moved west to investigate another small cell southwest of Encinal. Again, weak inflow was noted and seeding with one generator and one flare was done from 7:56 p.m. to 8:03 p.m. Seed plane was then instructed to return to base as radar indicated that cloud and shower activity within the area was beginning to decay. Seeding success was rated as poor for this particular mission. The seeding cells were generally unresponsive to seeding. Cloud top height, mass, and area did not increase as is expected from seeding agents. I did not expect this mission to be all that great given the progress of cells over South Texas as a hole during the day. There were at times many cells precipitating, but their height and duration were very short. However, it was very much worth a launch to at least investigate the cell that had cloud tops pulsing to 27,900 ft. Seeding was done on this cell, but reaction to seeding agents was nil. This is another instance where seeding pop-corn type cumulus clouds yields very little results. Even with the low pressure center coming into South Texas from the Gulf, there simply was not enough atmospheric dynamics present to get the clouds to grow any further than the pop-corn stage. Radar estimated rainfall from both seeded and non-seeded clouds was 0.10 inches or less.

VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

a. Appointment of Dr. Cecilia Garza by Council Member Louis H. Bruni to the Charter

Review Commission.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

b. Appointment by Council Member John C. Galo of Viviana Frank Rotnofsky to the

Airport Advisory Committee.

Motion to table.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

c. Appointment by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr. of Braulio Martinez to the

Cemetery Advisory Committee, Nelda Benavidez to the Planning and Zoning

Commission, Carlos Castillo to the Tree Advisory Committee, and Norma Castilla to

the Laredo Commission for Women.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. J. Valdez

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

d. Appointment by Council Member Juan Ramirez of Hector Noyola to the Airport

Advisory Committee, Herminio Martinez to the Cemetery Advisory Committee, and

Rosalinda Gonzalez to the Library Advisory Committee, Enrique T. De La Garza to the

Telecommunications Commission, Juan Martinez, Jr. to the 3rd Party Funding Advisory

Committee, Miriam Marez to the Transportation Traffic Safety Advisory Committee,

Irma Morales to the Laredo Commission for Women, and Sergio "Keko" Martinez to the

Redistricting Commission.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Agredano

Second: Cm. Amaya

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Public hearing to establish and create Policy and Procedures to consider requests for

Foreign-Trade Zone Boundary (FTZ) Modifications that temporarily transfer FTZ

designation from the Laredo International Airport Site No. 1 to private sites not currently

participating in the FTZ Program; establishing an Administrative Fee of $200.00 per

acre per month, subject to Foreign-Trade Zones Board approval; and authorizing the

City Manager to implement said Policy and Procedures; providing for an effective date.

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Establishing and creating Policy and Procedures to consider requests for Foreign-Trade

Zone Boundary (FTZ) Modifications that temporarily transfer FTZ designation from the

Laredo International Airport Site No. 1 to private sites not currently participating in the

FTZ Program; establishing an Administrative Fee of $200.00 per acre per month, subject

to Foreign-Trade Zones Board approval; and authorizing the City Manager to implement

said Policy and Procedures; providing for an effective date.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Amaya

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

There was no public input.

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Ordinance Introduction: City Council

VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

2. A. Request by Council Member Alfredo Agredano

1. Presentation by the Veteran's Coalition of a proposed Veterans Monument honoring

the Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients, with possible action.

Cm. Agredano introduced Mr. Jorge Sanchez who gave a presentation to City Council on their proposed plans for the Veterans Monument. Mayor Flores mentioned that along with Mr. Sanchez, there were additional members of the Veteran’s Coalition in the audience, Mr. Hernandez, Dr. Farias, and Mr. Rossell, who would be making additional comments as well.

Cm. Guerra indicated that he wanted clarification from the Legal Department about the use of the word “Hispanic” in honoring these Medal of Honor recipients without offending other ethnic groups who have served in the Armed Forces.

Jaime Flores, City Attorney, mentioned that he had presented this concern to the City Manager. The conclusion was that since City funds are being used for this project, the appropriate treatment would be to include all Medal of Honor recipients.

Dr. Hector Farias spoke before the Council about the Veterans Coalition work on this project. He stated that this undertaking had gone through extensive scrutiny and he expressed his thanks to Cm. Alfredo Agredano, Cm. Joe A. Guerra, and former Cm. Mario Alvarado who were involved in some of the appointments to the Veterans Advisory Committee. Dr. Farias commented that they had had numerous meetings on the issue, the issue had been put to a vote, and the decision was unanimous in favor of erecting a Veterans Monument as a tribute to all local Medal of Honor recipients.

Mr. Jesus Hernandez expressed his gratification in being part of the Veterans Coalition after many years of being the sole voice for all veterans before the City Council. He urged the City Council and members of the audience to pay close attention to the presentation to be made.

A presentation followed by Mr. Jorge Sanchez explaining the design and construction of the monument. Mr. Sanchez, who initiated this project, addressed City Council and commented to the Council that he had compiled a 14-month report on the research involved in completing the project. He added that this was the fourth version of the project after having gone through several modifications in accordance with the sites that were being made available to them. He presented the model of the proposed monument to be erected at the selected site, which depicts a soldier climbing a mountain peak. The sculpture is made completely from bronze and will rest on a concrete base. There will be two walls on either side of the sculpture which will have a brief history of the honorees, as well as a photograph of those veterans to be included in the tribute.

Mayor Flores inquired from Ms. Janice Webber and Mr. Benny Salinas, whether a steady flow of pedestrian traffic is currently generated from those people conducting business either at the Public Library branch or at the Building Department. She mentioned that this was a noble endeavor that a large number of people have been diligently working on for an extended period of time. She further stated that she wants to ensure that the location is the most suitable one for the construction of the monument so that it would be viewed and appreciated by the community at large.

Mr. Sanchez summarized the time line that will be required to complete construction of the monument and add landscaping features. He stated that it would take seven months to complete the sculpture together with the adjacent walls that will carry the names of the honorees.

Mr. Jesus Ponce addressed City Council and added a few remarks. He provided some background on the project that was initiated by Mr. Hernandez. Mr. Ponce stated that when the Veterans Affairs Committee was first assigned to this project, they were told it would have to go through the Veterans Coalition given that the Veterans Coalition was to be the vehicle for bringing the Veterans Affairs to the public eye.

Mr. Richard R. Rossell, Treasurer of the Veterans Coalition, commented in regards to the plaque with the Council’s names to be placed on the lower portion of the monument.

B. Request by Council Member Louis H. Bruni

1. Discussion and possible action on adding the 3400 and 3500 block of Lyon St. to the

current speed hump project.

Cm. Bruni requested that the City Council include Sheffield and Newport streets, which are part of the Eastwoods Subdivision, as part of the speed hump project. He thanked Robert Murillo for his prompt response to Cm. Bruni’s request for information regarding one of his constituent’s concerns on speeding traffic coming off of Spur 400.

Roberto Murillo, Traffic Safety Department, reported that the previous request made by City Council was to work on a project there at the entrance to the subdivision. He mentioned his department has installed two speed humps as part of the pilot project at that location. He stated that he would go ahead and include these streets to the list that his department has pending under the pilot program.

Motion was made to include the 3400 and 3500 block of Lyon St. and to add Sheffield and Newport streets to the speed hump pilot program.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

2. Status report on the proposed park at the Eastwoods Subdivision, with possible

action.

John Vidaurri, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that Eastwoods is a 4.16 acre park located in Eastwoods Subdivision. The park plat was recorded in July 1997, the park appears in the proposed 2001-2005 CIP as a project that is being recommended for general revenue funding in FY 2002 in an amount of $75,000.00. They have recommended certain park improvements, which are subject to City Council review and approval. These include the installation of a sprinkler system, some landscaping, playground equipment, and basketball courts. The proposed 2001-2005 CIP also recommends an additional $50,000 in funding in FY 2003 for the construction of some hike and bike trails, together with the installation of playground equipment, park furniture, and park shade structures. Mr. Vidaurri mentioned that this proposal had appeared as part of CIP for previous years, but lack of funds have precluded the department from working on this park site.

Mayor Flores commented on her successful trip to Washington, D.C. regarding an urban bill currently under consideration by the U.S. Senate for a $450 million federal allocation to communities for urban parks projects. Mayor Flores, together with several mayors from the State of Texas, has lobbied for assistance in this area. Mayor Flores stated she is confident that a portion of those monies will be sent to several communities in Texas. She pledged to maintain close attention to any developments on this federal grant to ensure that the City of Laredo receives a portion of the funding.

Cm. Bruni commented that this is an area where young families abound and the children do not have a safe place for recreation. Constituents’ families are still playing on the streets while other projects receive approval. He reiterated that he made a promise to these residents that he would obtain some type of funding to construct the entire park. Cm. Bruni insisted that the City Council should search for and earmark some funding wherever necessary to construct this particular park. Cm. Bruni made a suggestion that the City Council consider acquiring some money from the Oil and Gas account. He recommended to the City Council that a motion be made to build this park from residual funding available from certain capital improvement projects or the Oil and Gas account.

Mayor Flores requested input from Mr. Dovalina as it relates to the capital improvement projects and budget proposals to the City Council. She inquired as to the possibility of prioritizing funding for this particular park idea. Mr. Dovalina commented that Cm. Bruni had identified the appropriate funding source for the project and stressed to City Council where the money should be taken from.

Mayor Flores made an inquiry to Mr. Guerra as to whether there was some money left over from the project he is building.

Response from the audience: Mr. Guerra stated that he did not have the money to begin with.

Mr. Vidaurri informed Cm. Bruni that the total cost for this project was $156,000.00. In response to the concern for funding sources, Mr. Vidaurri commented that he had inquired from Mr. Villarreal whether this project was eligible for block grant money and he was told it did not.

Cm. Galo seconded the motion to earmark the money necessary to construct this park from any surplus money remaining from completed projects. Cm. Bruni then interjected and requested that the balance be taken from the Oil and Gas account and that this project get underway as soon as possible. Furthermore, Cm. Bruni asked that a status report be submitted at the next City Council meeting to explain from where the funding would be allocated in order to get this project underway.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

3. Discussion with possible action on establishing a Police Substation at Fire Station

No. 5 located at Bartlett St. and Stewart St. (Co-sponsored by Council Member

Johnny Amaya)

Cm. Bruni stated that both he and Cm. Amaya and at one time Cn. Moreno discussed the possibility of placing a substation in this area because there is a great need for additional law enforcement protection. He urged Chief Agustin Dovalina to provide some input on the matter.

Chief Agustin Dovalina addressed the City Council and agreed that the City Council should consider establishing a police substation in this area. The area under consideration is centrally located and is a viable alternative. He explained that what his department has been doing is assigning a greater number of police officers to this particular district. What he would like to do in the future is study the area to determine whether this, in fact, is a feasible location in order to proceed with plans to build a police substation there. He has also spoken to Fire Chief Tomas Ramirez regarding the availability of space at that particular location because the Laredo Fire Department has got some training sights for the firefighters on that street block.

Chief Tomas Ramirez went on to address the City Council. He informed City Council that at the present time, they are being forced to use that particular space for most of their personnel training. He pointed out that they recently conducted physical agility exams for the proposed hirees. He related to City Council that his department has been placing an item on the CIP’s for the last five or six years as far as constructing a Fire Department/Administration Building in that particular space. He asserted that if this project is brought to fruition, the Laredo Fire Department would need all the available space it currently has to set it aside for a parking area.

Cm. Bruni reminded Chief Ramirez that the residents in that district have requested that a police substation be built at that particular location.

Mayor Flores inquired of Chief Ramirez if, taking into account that the training facility might be relocated to a different site, would that eliminate any objection on his part.

He reiterated that the fire station is looking into creating an Administration Building at that location being that the present Administration Building is a component of the fire station at the moment and said department has expanded tremendously over the years. The floor space being utilized no longer provides any room for expansion. He asserted the department’s dire need to secure additional staff and floor space.

Cm. Bruni stressed that this department has a full city block there along with a tower that is not being used any longer. He inquired from Chief Dovalina as to how much space would be needed to build the police substation there.

Chief Dovalina stated he would follow the same format being applied for development of the other three substations currently being built and it would be sufficient space there. He requested additional time from the City Council to study and review the feasibility recommendations regarding building a substation at that location.

Cm. Galo suggested looking into the possibility of using portable buildings such as those housing a local doctor’s office as a temporary site for this police substation.

Cm. Joe A. Valdez, Jr. stated that in the Rancho Viejo Subdivision, Doctor’s Hospital has set up portable building facilities. Cm. Valdez made a suggestion that these buildings be considered as a temporary site for the Farias police substation as well.

Cm. Eliseo Valdez, Jr. inquired as to the status of the police substations that the City has broken ground for.

Mr. Dovalina reported that the City is getting ready to award the bid on two of the substations.

Mr. Rogelio Rivera, City Engineer, reported that two bidders for the police substations were received and two of them can be awarded and will be submitted at the next City Council meeting. He further commented that the Farias police substation received only one bid, which was incomplete and, therefore, was unacceptable. His department posed a question as to whether the Farias bid is one that can possibly be worked in under Community Development.

C. Request by Council Member John C. Galo

1. Discussion on the development of a City Ordinance to limit the number of railroad

cars a railroad company may transport at any one time within the city limits with

possible action.

Cm. Galo wanted clarification as to whether the ten-minute time frame applies to railroad cars that are moving continuously.

Mr. Dovalina commented that the City Manager’s Office would have to conduct some legal research on this matter and submit a report to City Council at a future meeting.

Cm. Galo asked for input from Gerald Scott from the Texas Department of Transportation and Keith Selman, Planning and Zoning Director, regarding the overpasses at Chihuahua St. and Guadalupe St.

Keith Selman reported that this was a project already identified in the Laney Report. However, he stated that it has not been put in the Texas Transportation Institute report as of yet. He confirmed that the project is one for which funding has been allocated.

Cm. Bruni requested a report regarding the conceptual design for the project.

Fitzgeraldo Sanchez reiterated that there is funding for this particular project and that there is some preliminary work being done at this developing stage of the project.

D. Request by Council Member John Amaya

1. Discussion with possible action on the operation of the traffic signalization placed

by TXDOT at Saunders St. and Buena Vista Ave.

Cm. Amaya mentioned that a traffic signal had been installed approximately eight months earlier but is still not in operation.

Roberto Murillo, Traffic Safety Director, stated there had been a request to look into installing a traffic light at that intersection in anticipation of the traffic that would develop with Mercy Regional Medical Center. He commented that the Texas Transportation Institute had already done a study and, based on their projection of anticipated traffic, his department installed a traffic signal there. However, TxDot stated that they would not be able to activate the traffic signal until they would see the volume of traffic being generated.

Fitzgeraldo Sanchez made similar comments explaining postponement of the traffic signal operation. The other issue being given attention was the need to look further into other warrants, particularly the systems warrant. He mentioned what the requirements to be met for the systems warrant are and one of those deals with the adjacent traffic signals. At present, traffic volume numbers are not the actual figures that allow them to place the intersection in operational mode. He said people from his staff will be looking into this requirement and, if there is a consensus between TxDot staff and the Traffic Safety Department, they will notify Mr. Murillo at once.

2. Discussion with possible action on a turning signal at the traffic signalization at

Meadow Ave. and Lyon St.

Roberto Murillo, Traffic Director, stated that on this intersection of Meadow and Lyon St. a turning lane is already in place. His department will be looking at getting a volume count to determine whether the placing of a left-turn signal will not create more delays for the intersection overall. The other problem at that intersection is that the equipment currently installed cannot accommodate a turning signal. He commented that City Council had approved at a previous meeting the purchase of some equipment from the City of Dallas and his plan is to replace the equipment at this intersection once the equipment is obtained.

Cm. Jose A. Valdez, Jr. inquired as to the status of the equipment purchase from the City of Dallas.

Mr. Murillo replied that the City of Dallas is awaiting approval from its City Council in August for the sale of said equipment to the City of Laredo.

3. Discussion with possible action on placing a traffic signalization at Lyon St. and

Cedar Ave.

Mr. Murillo mentioned a newsletter that the City Council should have received reporting the outcome of a study conducted by his department. He stated that the findings on traffic volumes at this intersection do not warrant the installation of a traffic light. He recommends that some safety enhancements be implemented at the intersection. His department is planning to install some flashers, increase the sign of the stop sign, add pavement markings, etc. to minimize the number of traffic accidents at this location. However, if that should fail they will seriously consider the installation of a traffic light.

Cm. Amaya voiced his concern because of the proximity of the intersection to K. Tarver Elementary.

Mr. Murillo noted that his department has reported that most of the accidents are occurring from traffic traveling eastbound. He said the implementation of these safety enhancements would take approximately two weeks. Following the implementation, his department will monitor the area for six months to see whether these safety enhancements have reduced the incidence of traffic accidents or not.

Cm. Galo mentioned the installation of new traffic signals should not be too close to existing signals. He suggested consideration of the intersection at San Francisco Ave. and Lyon St., where there is heavy traffic build-up, for the installation of a traffic light.

E. Request by Council Member Eliseo Valdez, Jr.

1. Discussion with possible action on a request referencing a tower at Cruz Field and

the relocation of the perimeter fence and the landscaping of the area by the current

tenant.

Acting City Manager Dovalina stated that the request has been made to the tenant (Southwestern Bell) and they should be making arrangements to move the perimeter fence and to work on the landscaping around the area.

2.