CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2000-R-25

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

SEPTEMBER 18, 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 August 7, 2000, August 10, 2000, August 14, 2000 and August 15, 2000.

 

            Motion to approve the minutes.

 

            Moved:  Cm.  Galo

            Second:  Cm.  Agredano

            For:     8                                               Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

 

 

 

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

 

Mayor Flores announced the creation of the Rail Policy Committee which will be composed of Cm. Jose A. Valdez, Jr. as Chair, Cm. Juan Ramirez, and Cm. John C. Galo.  She stressed that there are many light-rail and heavy-rail issues that must be addressed in the community, and Union Pacific will send some staff to provide input on these freight rail matters to the newly formed committee.

 

Victor Jacaman announced the creation of a Trail Ride with the cooperation of the City of Laredo to benefit the children of Laredo.  The trial ride would provide a positive form of recreation for the children.  The route to be followed by the trail riders would serve to  familiarize them with Laredo as well.

 

Mayor Flores informed Mr. Jacaman that there is also a committee in place composed of city staff that is working on a trail and bike route for the community.  She mentioned that the city staff would add his name to the committee list and send him an invitation to attend the next meeting.

 

Invitations

 

Recognitions

 

Communiqués

 

            Cm. Bruni submitted a Rain Enhancement Report from the Southwest Texas Rain Enhancement Association for seeding flight activity of September 13, 2000.  This report     is available at the City Secretary’s Office for public viewing.

 

            Cm. Bruni also submitted a letter addressed to Erasmo Villarreal, Cynthia Collazo, and Arturo Garcia via e-mail by Marisela Rangel in connection with noise abatement concerns. 

 

Mayor Flores provided council members with a brief summary of the matters addressed during the Conference of Mayors which she attended in Boise, Idaho.   She mentioned that there were several important issues discussed during this Leadership Conference which she will elaborate on in her written report to the council members. 

 

Cm. Bruni read some of the Laredo International Airport’s year-to-date accomplishments and activities. 

 

·        Passenger activity is up 5 % to 62,793 in plane passengers;

·        Air cargo activity is up 12 % to 262 million pounds of gross landed weight;

·        Aircraft operations are up 10 % to 44,519 operations;

·        Completed reconstruction of the air cargo apron, several taxiways, and a portion of runway 17R representing an investment of $4.9 million dollars; 

·        Private sector investment in the construction of four cargo facilities totaling $1.6 million dollars;

·        Private sector investment in the construction of commercial buildings totaling almost $1 million dollars;

·        Process two airport improvement program grants from the Federal Aviation Administration in the total amount of $5.2 million dollars to rehab a portion of runway 17R and acquire a tract of land to extend our parallel taxiway;

·        Submit a request from Federal Aviation Administration to fund an update on the PART 150 noise compatibility study;

·        Submit a request to the Federal Aviation Administration to fund an airport Master Plan to include medical-related use of non-aeronautical properties;

·        Creation of the foreign trade policy and procedures to transfer foreign-trade-zone designations within the City of Laredo; and

·        Creation of an airport land marketing policy that enables the payment of real estate commissions to real estate brokers whose efforts result in leasing of airport property.

 

Mayor Flores heard testimony from Luis Dovalina, Laredo Police Department President,

who spoke regarding the meeting with the Chief of Police concerning their request for additional investigator positions.  Officer Dovalina reported that the city needs to plan ahead due to the tremendous growth the city is experiencing and this justifies the need for more investigators’ positions due to the increase in crime in Laredo.

 

Chief Agustin Dovalina reported on some of the options proposed to the City Manager’s Office, and he recommended choosing Option B which would be the most cost effective method to ensure that all candidates on the list are promoted and to secure the additional sergeant positions as well.

           

Luis Dovalina suggested that Option A be accepted which would require reclassification of personnel in order to increase the number of investigators’ positions.

 

Acting City Manager Larry Dovalina stated that Chief Dovalina’s proposal to the City Manager’s Office included a proposed submittal for a COPS grant for creation of 40 additional positions for which the city has budgeted the money.  He commented that the central issue here is that this request is being driven by the eligibility list on which these individuals are.  If these officers do not receive a promotion at this time, they will lose their eligibility status and will have to re-compete for the positions.  Mr. Dovalina clarified some points on the issue of annexation and the related laws that were passed.  He explained that the laws state that the city must provide comparable service to that being provided within the community; and as long as the city provides that equal service, it does not state that the city needs to increase public safety or any particular areas of the budget in order to be able to annex. 

 

Chief Dovalina affirmed that the police department does have the adequate manpower to handle the pressing needs of the community at this time.

 

Officer Jorge Luna reported on the crime statistics compiled and the level of increase in crime from July, 1999, to July, 2000.

 

Officer Luis Martinez stated that Option A is the best solution for personnel as well as for the city in ensuring public safety to the community.

 

Officer Anthony Carrillo spoke regarding the number of investigators that are needed within each division.  He stated that the supervisors of each separate division recommend a minimum number of two investigators in order to adequately serve the department. 

 

Officer Ricardo Taguma restated the reasons why the city needs more investigators, including the need to reduce the number of cases assigned to the limited investigative personnel.

 

Motion to bring up as a secondary motion consideration of Item B (1) from page twelve of the agenda.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore

Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

For:      8                                              Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

            Motion to accept Option A recommended by Officer Luis Dovalina.

 

            Moved:  Cm. Guerra

            Second:  Cm. Bruni

            For:      6                                              Against:  2                                            Abstain:  0

                                                                        Cm. Bruni

                                                                        Cm. Galo

 

June Leyendecker addressed City Council to voice her objections over a zone designation change and to protest a paving project which bisected her property by Springfield Avenue.   Being that Springfield Avenue is now fully paved up to Michigan Avenue on Hilltop Road, she is concerned that this paving project will cause uneven deterioration of the sub-base and uneven curing since the road is only partially paved lengthwise to her property line. 

 

She is requesting that the routing of Springfield Avenue be carried out as it had been proposed initially by the Planning and Zoning Department in 1991.  She stated that the originally proposed route would direct Springfield northward, which is the preferred and logical direction for the road. 

 

Charles Martens spoke to City Council on behalf of U.S. Filter and Killam Ranch properties regarding the city’s secondary water source.   He stated that the firm has made a financial commitment of approximately $700,000.00 of its money to drill two test wells in order to find out their sustainability.  He emphasized that they have the resources, the easements, the water source, etc., but they cannot take on their commitment without a Letter of Intent from the City of Laredo.  

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

a.  Appointments by Council Member Juan Ramirez of Rosa Elia Treviño to the Laredo

Commission for Women, Arturo Tijerina to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Lily Perez to the Re-Districting Commission, and Richard Gentry to the Tree Advisory Committee.

 

Motion to approve.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Guerra 

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.  Public hearing to amend the City of Laredo FY 1999-2000 budget by appropriating

revenues and expenditures by $8,150.00 in the Convention & Visitors Bureau Fund - Special Events budget due to receipt of donations from the private sector for the annual City of Laredo Washington Trip to meet with members of Congress and federal agencies and incurring expenditures associated with said project and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the City of Laredo FY 1999-2000 budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures by $8,150.00 in the Convention & Visitors Bureau Fund - Special Events budget due to receipt of donations from the private sector for the annual City of Laredo Washington Trip to meet with members of Congress and federal agencies and incurring expenditures associated with said project and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Agredano

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

 

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

additional revenues from a grant received from the Federal Aviation Administration being grant project no. 3-48-0136-27-00 in the amount of $4,400,000.00 for the purpose of constructing a portion of a parallel taxiway to Runway 17L/35R and appropriating said grant revenue and local match to the appropriate expenditure accounts and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget amendment.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the City of Laredo FY 1999-2000 Airport Budget to recognize additional revenues from a grant received from the Federal Aviation Administration being grant project no. 3-48-0136-27-00 in the amount of $4,400,000.00 for the purpose of constructing a portion of a parallel taxiway to Runway 17L/35R and appropriating said grant revenue and local match to the appropriate expenditure accounts and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget amendment.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Bruni

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:  City Council

 

3.  Public hearing concerning an application by Petra Limon amending the Zoning

Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2, Block 290, Eastern Division, located at 605 Clark Blvd., from B-1 (Limited Business District) to B-3 (Community Business District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission  recommended denial of the proposed zone change.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2, Block 290, Eastern Division, for use as a car lot, located at 605 Clark Blvd., from B-1 (Limited Business District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Bruni

For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Fernando Limon, a family member representing Petra Limon, requested a conditional use permit.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce as a Conditional Use Permit with staff comments.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Amaya

                 Second:  Cm.  Agredano

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Amaya

 

 

 

4.  Public hearing concerning an application by Gerardo Mendoza amending the Zoning

Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1 and the W 16' of Lot 2, Lot 12 and the W 16' of Lot 11, Block 1231, Eastern Division, located at 2101 Kearney St., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of the proposed zone change. 

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1 and the W 16' of Lot 2, Lot 12 and the W 16' of Lot 11, Block 1231, Eastern Division, located at 2101 Kearney St., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Agredano

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and table.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Agredano

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

   

5.  Public hearing and adoption of Resolution 2000-R-126 adopting the 2001-2005 Capital

     Improvement Program for the City of Laredo.

 

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2000-R-126

     Adopting the 2001-2005 Capital Improvement Program for the City of Laredo.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Agredano

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Keith Selman, Planning and Zoning Director, provided a summary to the City Council regarding proposed projects and their respective revenue allocations.   He commented that it is the responsibility of the Planning and Zoning Commission to provide recommendations to the City Council on the Capital Improvement Program.  He mentioned that as part of the requirements in the Capital Improvement Program process as outlined in the Charter provisions, the Capital Improvement Program goes to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration.  Mr. Selman stated that there were two public hearings held at the Planning and Zoning Commission level over the Capital Improvement Program, and that it is the responsibility of the commission to provide recommendations to the City Council. 

 

 

Cm. Bruni called for a motion to include in the Capital Improvement Programs the extension of Bartlett St. from Hillside to Gale and from Gale to Jacaman Road.  Mayor Pro Tempore Guerra stated he would second the motion provided there was a stipulation that District VI be granted $800,000.00 for additional projects needed.

 

Mayor Flores stressed that before the City Council votes on the bond issue, she wants to make sure that the projects under the Capital Improvement Program can be started immediately. 

           

                 Cm. Bruni withdrew his motion to reserve an additional portion of the revenues under the Capital Improvement Program for the Bartlett St. extension. 

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and adopt the Capital Improvement Program subject to future revisions on the mentioned projects.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Bruni

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

6.  Public hearing and adoption of Resolution 2000-R-136 adopting the Comprehensive

Plan of the City of Laredo without amendment in compliance with Article IX, Section 9.03 of the Charter of the City of Laredo.

 

ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2000-R-136

Adopting the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Laredo without amendment in compliance with Article IX, Section 9.03 of the Charter of the City of Laredo.

 

     Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  E.  Valdez

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and adopt.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

                 Second:  Cm.  Agredano

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

7.  Public hearing to identify and grant retiree medical benefits to employees who retire

between October 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001 with the exception of Firefighters and Police Officers who are provided for under a collective bargaining agreement and providing for and effective date of October 1, 2000.        

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Identifying employees and granting retiree medical benefits to those employees who retire between October 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001 with the exception of Firefighters and Police Officers who are provided for under a collective bargaining agreement and providing and effective date of October 1, 2000.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Bruni

                 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:  City Council

 

8.  Public hearing to amend the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances as follows:  Chapter 2,

Article II, Division 6 (Pay Administration), Section 2-87.7 (12)(a) except as otherwise stated in any collective bargaining agreement and providing for an effective date of October 1, 2000.  

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances as follows:  Chapter 2, Article II,   

Division 6 (Pay Administration), Section 2-87.7 (12)(a) except as otherwise stated in any collective bargaining agreement and providing for an effective date of October 1, 2000.    

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Bruni

                 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:  City Council

 

9.  Public hearing to amend the City of Laredo FY 1999-2000 Annual Budget by

appropriating Revenues and Expenditures in the Fleet Management Fund by $240,000.00 due to the increase in fuel costs.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo's FY 1999-2000 annual budget in the amount of $240,000.00 for fuel cost increase.

 

     Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Bruni

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

                 Second:  Cm.  Galo

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

          10.  Public hearing amending the contract with the Texas Department of Health and budget

     in the amount of $17,139.00 for the Hepatitis C Study Project of the City of Laredo

     Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2000 through August 31,   

     2001.

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the contract with the Texas Department of Health and budget in the amount of $17,139.00 for the Hepatitis C Study Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2001; and increasing revenue line item 226-0000-323-4085 from $0 to $17,139.00 and expenditure line item 226-6036 from $0 to $17,139.00.

 

     Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Bruni

                 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:  City Council

 

          11.  Public hearing amending the contract with the Texas Department of Health and budget

     in the amount of $2,654,500.00 to operate the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

     Program, and to issue approximately $13,000,000.00 in federal food vouchers by the

     City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning October 1, 2000, through

     September 30, 2001.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the contract with the Texas Department of Health and budget in the amount of $2,654,500.00 to operate the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, and to issue approximately $13,000,000.00 in federal food vouchers by the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001; and increasing revenue line item form the WIC Program 226-0000-323-4037 from $0 to $2,654,500.00 and expenditure line item 226-6035 from $0 to $2,654,500.00.

 

     Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Agredano

                 Second:  Cm.  Bruni

                 For:     8