CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2000-R-30
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
NOVEMBER 6, 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
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, City Manager
Cynthia Collazo, Assistant
City Manager
Jaime Flores, City
Attorney
Motion to excuse Cm. Louis H. Bruni.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Cm.
Galo and Mayor Pro Tempore Guerra were not present.
IV. MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of September 25, 2000, October 2, 2000 and
October 9, 2000.
Motion to approve the minutes.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. E.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Cm. Jose A. Valdez, Jr., mentioned that this past Saturday,
November 4, 2000, the city held Make a Difference Day in Council Districts II
and VII. He thanked all the
participants, as well as Judge Hector J. Liendo, the Code Enforcement Officers,
and Christina Fraccia from the non-profit volunteers organization whose efforts
allowed this project to be undertaken.
He stated that both Districts II and VII had many hard working
volunteers and they helped to beautify the city by removing unsightly graffiti
within both districts.
He also thanked the principal and third grade teachers from Kazen
Elementary for the invitation to speak before a group of third graders about
the functions of city government.
Cm. Agredano announced that this past weekend, District VIII held
its Fourth Annual South Laredo Scholarship Run. He thanked the police department and the fire department for
their cooperation during the 3-mile run. He also thanked Officers Cuevas, Dimas, and Mutuc who helped them
along the runners’ route. He also
thanked the Parks and Recreation Department staff for their assistance in taking
care of all the details required to make the event run smoothly.
He also wanted to publicly thank Officers David Mendoza and Omar
Barrera, Jr. who began patrolling the area in Century City and who are making
the residents of that community feel much safer now.
Cm. Ramirez announced that a paving project on the 800 block of Scott
St. was completed over the weekend and he thanked Joe Guerra, Public Works
Director, and the paving crew for quick action in completion of the project.
Marilyn and Keith Asmussen announced that
Propositions 1 and 2 dealing with para-mutual horse racing are on the November
ballot and asked for the community’s support.
Martha
Steinaff, representing the Gateway Community Health Center, provided the City
Council information on the diabetes program and the Center’s ongoing efforts to
raise awareness on the extent of diabetes in our community. She stated that they are available for
information on treatment methods and to assist people in making some lifestyle
changes to control diabetes.
Jessica
Saldivar, a student with the Alexander High School Magnet Program, talked about
the successful coordination of their first annual Diabetes Awareness Health
Fair held at the campus. She mentioned
that they had doctors on site who provided free diabetes screenings to those
attending. She emphasized that the
student body is trying to make a difference in educating the public about this
disease and will be assisting the Gateway Community Health Center in its
efforts to bring awareness to the community.
Anastacio Barrera, representing the G.I. Forum, spoke concerning
the bus service available through El Metro.
He requested that El Metro consider improving bus service and to
consider implementing a $1.00 all day fare pass for the elderly citizens of the
community.
Jesus Hernandez requested to be placed on the agenda for the next
meeting to address an issue dealing with welfare assistance programs. As a separate item, he would like to be
given an opportunity to speak on concerns over the construction of the monument
for Medal of Honor recipients.
Antonia Hernandez addressed the City Council regarding a concern
in her neighborhood which is in District III.
She stated that certain street blocks, namely Willow St. between Logan
and Hendricks Avenue are neglected and have not been paved. She further stated that there is no adequate
recreational area in her neighborhood for children and parents to go walking at
night being that the Market Street Park has expanded on its parking space. She is requesting that the City Council
consider including this concern as part of future improvement projects within
District III.
Cm. Galo congratulated fellow City Council Member Joe A. Guerra
who was recognized for his four decades of contributions to the city by U. S.
Representative Henry Bonilla.
Invitations
None.
Recognitions
a. Recognition of Carlos Hernandez, Utilities
Department employee, who on October 2,
2000, rendered
assistance to a young lady in a moment of crisis.
Mayor
Flores and the City Council thanked Mr. Hernandez for coming to the aid of an alarmed
citizen and provided refuge to her in a moment of crisis.
b. Recognition of the City
of Laredo's Customer Service Training Program by the Laredo
Chamber of Commerce's Customer Service Committee for the training
of City of Laredo employees.
Robert
Eads, Customer Service Coordinator, announced that the Chamber of Commerce has
recently revamped their Customer Service program. He stated that 60 employees recently took a training course that
furnished them with guidelines on how to provide first-rate customer service to
the public. He presented an award to
the Mayor and City Council for their efforts in encouraging and advancing
improved customer service efforts by all city personnel to the public.
Communiqués
Mayor Flores read a letter from Victor Miramontes, Managing
Director for the North American Development Bank:
Dear Mayor Flores:
It gives me great pleasure as my last official duty at the North
American Development Bank to inform you that the EPA Border Fund under the VA
HUD Appropriations Bill has been increased to $75,000,000.00 for fiscal year
2000. This is a $25,000,000.00 increase
over last year’s appropriations. These
funds are a direct result of your individual efforts as well as the collective
efforts of all the border communities.
I commend you on your hard work and dedication in making this
happen.
Earlier this year, everyone came together for a common cause as
only folks along the border do. Border
communities, counties, states, individuals, the Border Environment Commission
(BEC) and the NAD Bank all came together for a common cause of promoting a
better quality of life for those who make their home along the border. The NAD Bank served as a support mechanism
for this coalition of interests and is committed to providing that same level
of human capital and resources this coming year. Our wealth has just begun.
Our state goal for these critical border water and wastewater needs
continues to be $100,000,000.00 a year for at least the next ten years.
NAD Bank’s Mexican
representative and Deputy Managing Director, Raul Rodriguez, will be stepping
into the leadership role on October 16, 2000.
Thank you, once again, for your friendship and leadership in making the
U.S.-Mexican border a better place for those who call it home.
Signed by
Victor Miramontes
Mayor Flores provided a summary of services that the Health
Department performs on a weekly basis to those people in need.
§
The Health
Department registered 13,136 new clients and updated 28,682 during revisits.
§
The Immunization
Program provided 51,811 immunizations to 25,790 persons and administered 6,000
flu vaccines.
§
In the
Maternity Clinic, 468 women received prenatal care and 807 received family
planning services.
§
The Health
Department’s pharmacy provided 16,818 prescriptions to 12,592 of its clients.
§
In the
primary care clinic, La Familia, 360 clients were seen by its family
practice, internal medicine and nurse practitioner contract providers during
the year. Clients were provided with
1,061 drug and prescription vouchers.
§
The HIV/AIDS
Program is currently providing medical, dental, counseling, housing,
transportation and other social services to 89 HIV/AIDS clients and their
families; 2,455 persons were tested for HIV.
§
The Vital
Statistics Division registered 6,425 births and 886 deaths.
§
The Dental
Care Clinic provided 11,033 preventive and treatment procedures to 3,141
children and adolescents ages 4 to 18.
§
The WIC
Program disbursed an estimated $10.2 million of food vouchers to 233,947
participants (duplicate count). The
average monthly caseload is 20,000 with 22% of them women, 56% children up to 5
years of age, and 22% infants. WIC
staff also administered 29,853 immunizations to 12,612 of its clients.
§
The Breast
and Cervical Cancer Control Project is administered by the Health Department
who subcontracted for clinical services with Mercy Health Systems; 247 women
received breast screening/mammograms and 259 received cervical
cancer screenings.
§
The Health
Education Program provided various preventive services through the Buena Vida
Program including health screenings (6,314); behavior modification clinics (385
sessions); aerobic classes (18 groups/5,765 enrollment); and 16,165 outreach
contacts by the Community Health Education Program which targets women,
children, and teenagers.
§
The
Children’s Health Insurance Outreach Program grant is charged with outreach
activities and assisting residents with completing applications; 4,700
applications have been submitted to date.
§
The Health
Protective Services Division conducted 2,505 restaurant inspections;
investigated 1,018 complaints, and held 160 food handler classes with 7,518 persons received food handler
certificates.
§
The
Department’s laboratory received 29,509 specimens and performed 260,285 tests.
§
Animal
Control Program officers picked up 8,071 strays; collected and sent 189 animal
heads to the State Health Department for rabies analysis – of these 11 bats
were confirmed positive for rabies.
During the April, 2000 Rabies Vacuna campaign, in collaboration
with the Animal Shelter and the Seven Flags Veterinary Association 3,997 pets
were vaccinated against rabies.
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
a. Appointment of Mr.
Javier Compean by Council Member John Galo, to the Parks &
Recreation Committee.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public hearing
authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001
Annual Budget in the amount of $3,211.00 for a grant awarded by
the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for the South
Texas/Border Region Health Professional Education Initiative for health related
materials. (Approval of Resolution 2000-R-151 needed before Public Hearing)
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo FY
2000-2001 Annual Budget in the amount of $3,211.00 for a grant from the
University of Texas Health Science Center-South Texas/Border Region Health
Professional Education Initiative, for health related materials; providing for
effective date.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Galo
2. Public hearing adopting
the 2000 International Fire Code; relating to the inspection
activities of the City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas and
enforcement of the Fire Prevention Provisions as provided in said Code,
providing for the abatement of Fire Hazards and providing for penalties for
violations of said Codes, repealing all ordinances inconsistent with this Code;
and adding or amending certain provisions of the 2000 International Fire
Prevention Code; providing for effective date; and providing for publication.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Adopting the 2000 International Fire Prevention Code; relating to
the inspection activities of the City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas and
enforcement of the Fire Prevention Provisions as provided in said Code,
providing for the abatement of Fire Hazards and providing for penalties for violations
of said Codes, repealing all ordinances inconsistent with this Code; and adding
or amending certain provisions of the 2000 International Fire Prevention Code;
providing for effective date; and providing for publication.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Fire Chief Tomas Ramirez stated that the reason for banning the
use of metal cans and vinyl bedliners for fuel storage is to prevent these
containers from igniting. He stated
that every filling station would be informed about the new provisions to be
included in the 2000 International Fire Code in order to ensure their
compliance.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore
Guerra
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Mayor Pro Tempore Guerra
3. Public hearing
concerning an application by Leyendecker Materials, Inc., authorizing the
issuance of a Special Use Permit for above ground fuel storage on
9.50 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located at 8016 Farm to
Market 1472 (Mines Road). The Planning
and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed Special Use Permit.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the issuance of a Special Use Permit for above ground
fuel storage on 9.50 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located
at 8016 Farm to Market 1472 (Mines Road); providing for publication and
effective date.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk, representing Leyendecker Materials, appeared before
the City Council seeking approval of the Special Use Permit.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. J.
Valdez
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. J. Valdez
4. Public hearing amending
Chapter 19, Motor Vehicle and Traffic, Article VIII, Stopping,
Standing or Parking and Article X, Impoundment of Vehicles of the
Code of Ordinances, City of Laredo:
Specifically Section 19-355, Section 19-360, Section 19-375, and Section
19-378, and creating Section 19-361, Section 19-362 & Section 19-363, this
amendment represents the following:
1. Raises the fine for
illegally parking in a handicap space from one hundred
($100.00) to two
hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars.
2. Provides for parking
meter rates to increase from twenty-five (25) cents per hour
to fifty (50) cents per hour and increases the time limit from two
(2) hours to four (4) hours for all parking meters located west of Santa Maria
Ave.
3.
Established a parking statement fee of three ($3.00) dollars.
4. Authorizes the Traffic
Director to install and remove parking meters in the
Central Business
District.
5. Authorizes the Parking
Superintendent to charge permit fees for exclusive use of
parking spaces and no parking zones when used for construction or
special events.
6.
It amends the definitions that govern Parking Enforcement.
7.
It amends certain provisions that apply to booting and towing vehicles.
And providing for effective date and
publication.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending Chapter 19, Motor Vehicle and
Traffic, Article VIII. Stopping, Standing or
Parking and Article X, Impoundment of vehicles of the Code of
Ordinances, City of Laredo; specifically, Section 19-355, Section 19-360,
Section 19-375, and Section 19-378, and creating Section 19-361, Section 19-362
& Section 19-363, and providing for effective date and publication.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Mr. Jesus Ponce inquired about the proposed parking lot that the
city had intended to build for the downtown area.
Mayor Flores replied that there are several properties that are
being studied for use as parking lots in the downtown area.
Cm. Agredano inquired as to what department is responsible for
issuance of parking citations for those motorists who park in handicapped
spaces.
Agustin Dovalina, Chief of Police, stated that the police
department is in charge of taking care of that particular aspect of enforcement
when the violation is in a private parking lot such as a grocery store. He also mentioned that the BEST organization
has a certified group who is trained to enforce that particular statute.
Larry Dovalina, City Dovalina, commented that the parking problem
revolves around the lack of a parking facility for the employees at the
L.I.S.D. Magnet School. He stated that
the neighborhood residents have been negatively impacted because these
employees want to use the streets as their makeshift parking garage. He mentioned that the city has repeatedly
offered to the L.I.S.D. administration that it encourage its employees to park
at El Metro Transit Center. They have
been offered a price per rental space and have been asked on several occasions
to consider this option because of the number of complaints that have been
generated. He added that the city is
trying to meet a happy medium by allowing an extended period of time on the
meters so that the people do not have to come out during working hours to feed
the meters. One of the issues that
LI.S.D. employees have brought up is that they do not want to walk the distance
from El Metro Transit Center to their work locations. The city is attempting to deal with these concerns and at the
same time make a uniform change to the parking meter rates.
Cm. Galo requested an explanation regarding the establishment of a
parking statement fee of $3.00.
Roberto Murillo, Traffic Safety Department, stated that this would
be an added fee to be tagged on to the monthly notices that are mailed out to
people who have pending parking tickets.
These fees would be used to offset the costs involved in processing of
the monthly statements.
Cm. Ramirez inquired as to the number of parking spaces for
disabled persons available in the downtown area.
Roberto Murillo, Traffic Safety Department, commented that the
current policy allows for motorists who have a handicapped sticker or decal to
park in any space for free.
Cm. Ramirez stated that he had a petition with over 100 signatures
from L.I.S.D. employees who object to raising the fares to .50 an hour. He requested to disapprove amending item
number two dealing with the proposed increase in parking meter rates.
Motion to maintain the fare at .25 per hour but increase the time
limit to four hours on the meters.
Moved: Cm. Ramirez
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez
For: Against: Abstain:
No action was taken on this item.
Mayor Flores asked the City Attorney whether the Planning and
Zoning Department could withdraw the zoning designation which was granted to
L.I.S.D. during a previous administration or could the city ask L.I.S.D.
administration to work on resolving this parking availability problem for its
employees.
Keith Selman, Planning and Zoning Director, stated that this would
require looking into being that it may have been a matter that went before the
Board of Adjustment and the Historic District Landmark Board.
Motion to table until next meeting.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
5. Public hearing amending
the FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $55,668.00 in
additional funds for the Children's Health Insurance (CHIP)
Outreach Project of the City of Laredo Health Department and extending the term
period from February 1, 2000, through August 31, 2001, and increasing the
revenue line item 226-0000-323-4082 from $111,336.00 to $167,004.00, and
expenditure line item 226-6022 from $111,336.00 to $167,004.00.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $55,668.00 in
additional funds for the Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) Outreach Project of
the City of Laredo Health Department and extending the term period from
February 1, 2000, through August 31, 2001, and increasing the revenue line item
226-0000-323-4082 from $111,336.00 to $167,004.00, and expenditure line item
226-6022 from $111,336.00 to $167,004.00.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Roger Garcia, Acting Director for the Health Department, mentioned
that these additional funds are entirely drawn from state grant sources.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS
6. A. Request by Council Member Eliseo Valdez, Jr.
1. Status report on the
speed humps for Chaparral, including a report on the street-
listing schedule for
speed humps for District 5.
Roberto Murillo, Traffic Department
Director, reported that they recently held a workshop to discuss the findings
of the last set of studies under Phase 3.
His department reported the results ratio which showed that only two
areas qualified which were Lindenwood and Stone. He stated that the direction from City Council was to include
accident data and specific criteria for schools. His department has been
working on that and will be meeting soon to discuss that issue. His plan is to present the installation
policy for adoption by City Council at the council next meeting.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, stated
that the final adoption is scheduled for the next City Council meeting. He mentioned that at the workshop there were
some objections to some of the criteria being applied. As a result, the Traffic Department was
asked to modify the criteria and they are in the process of making those
changes now. Once that is finalized,
the Traffic Department will present the policy for final adoption so they can
proceed with the complete program.
Cm.
Galo commented that there should be some criteria that would eliminate certain
streets and then some other streets would be open for consideration. So that if one council member’s streets are
not accepted for the program, he has the option to use discretionary funds
readily available to commit to having the project completed as requested.
Roberto
Murillo stated that under the existing criteria, that area does not qualify for
a speed hump. But based on the input
received from City Council in the last month suggesting inclusion of the safety
issue criterion, as in this case, then it would meet the standard.
Cm.
Guerra mentioned that in District VI, several residents have said that they are
willing to distribute the petition themselves to expedite the process.
Roberto
Murillo reported that they he has met with the spokesperson and they are now
getting the signatures so his department can review the findings as to who is
in favor or against the placement of speed humps in front of their homes.
Cm.
Agredano stated that he also has a group of residents that want speed humps and
he agrees that the speed hump program needs to get under way soon.
B. Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez,
Jr.
1.
Discussion and possible action on resurfacing or reconstructing Las
Cruces.
Cm.
Valdez commented that this is an area between warehouses and there is high
volume traffic area especially when the train blocks the Mines Road and Santa
Maria Ave.
Joe
Guerra, Public Works Department Director, reported that his crew is scheduled
to begin that resurfacing project this coming Sunday and will perform work
there for the next three consecutive Sundays.
Mayor
Flores inquired as to the training being provided to the crews who are
increasingly doing more of the in-house work for the city.
Joe
Guerra reported that some of the workers receive in-house training but others
who come on board are already skilled craftsmen. He mentioned that he does have problems retaining the top notch
workers such as crane operators, bricklayers, etc., because the pay scale is
not very appealing.
Cm.
Galo asked whether the community college provides training for heavy equipment
operators. He mentioned that the
contractors are always complaining that the experienced workers will turn
around and go work for private sector construction companies because they offer
slightly higher wages or better work schedules.