CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2001-R-02
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
JANUARY 16, 2001
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 Alberto 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
IV. MINUTES
None.
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Mayor Flores announced that, due to the short week, she would like
to post the Planning and Zoning agenda for the meeting of January 22, 2001, on
Thursday rather than on Wednesday.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Cm. Bruni mentioned that he received a letter from H. B. Zachary
Company addressed to Fernando Roman, Utilities Director, in reference to the
secondary water source project. He
suggested that the City Manager should meet with the Utilities Director in
order to address the concerns outlined in the firm’s letter and advise them
that the City continues on track with this important project.
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. reminded everyone that there is a special
election coming up for the position of State Representative which was vacated
by Henry Cuellar. He mentioned that
there is a good slate of candidates running for office and encouraged everyone
to cast their vote this Saturday, January 20, 2001.
Invitations
None.
Recognitions
a. Recognition of Armando
Gonzalez who received Second place in fighting and fifth place
in continuous fighting at the 2000 Sport Karate Amateur
Internationals in Savannah, Georgia.
Mayor
Flores recognized Armando Gonzalez, in absentia, for his dedication to the
sport and for the awards earned at this internationally recognized competition.
b. Recognition of Irene
Flores who placed First in Points Sparring and Third in Traditional
Forms at the 2000
Sport Karate Amateur Internationals in Savannah, Georgia.
Mayor
Flores recognized Irene Flores for her dedication to the sport and for the
awards earned at this internationally recognized competition.
c. Recognition of O.J. Chavez who placed Third
in the Points Sparring and Sixth in the
Traditional Forms at the
2000 Sport Karate Amateur Internationals in Savannah,
Georgia.
Mayor
Flores recognized O. J. Chavez for his dedication to the sport and for the
awards earned at this internationally recognized competition.
Communiqués
None.
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
None.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public hearing amending
the contract with the Texas Health and Human Services
Commission and FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $30,850.00 in
additional funds for the Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) Outreach Project of
the City of Laredo Health Department for the fiscal year 2000-2001 ending
August 31, 2001.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the contract with the Texas Health and Human Services
Commission and FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $30,850.00 in additional
funds for the Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) Outreach Project of the City
of Laredo Health Department for the fiscal year 2000-2001 ending August 31,
2001.
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. Agredano
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8
Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
2. Public hearing amending
Chapter 31, Utilities, Article II Sewer and Sewage Disposal,
Division 4 Private Sewage Disposal, of the Laredo Code of
Ordinances, Section 31.81 and 31.82, authorizing an on-site sewage facility
permit fee; and authorizing a penalty for violation of this ordinance; and
providing for effective date and publication.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending Chapter 31, Utilities, Article II Sewer and Sewage
Disposal, Division 4 Private Sewage Disposal, of the Laredo Code of Ordinances,
Section 31.81 and 31.82, authorizing an on-site sewage facility permit fee; and
authorizing a penalty for violation of this ordinance; and providing for
effective date and publication.
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. Agredano
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
3. Public hearing amending
Chapter 25, of the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances entitled
Plumbing, specifically, Section 25-3, code adopted, by adopting
the 2000 Edition of the International Plumbing Code and Modifying Appending A,
Section 101.1, 106.5.2., 106.5.3., 108.4.,108.5., 305.6.1, and 904.1. of said
code in order to tailor it to the specific needs of the City of Laredo;
deleting Section 25-65; repealing all other Ordinances and parts of any
Ordinance in conflict herewith; providing for publication and effective date.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending Chapter 25, of the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances
entitled Plumbing, specifically, Section 25-3, code adopted, by adopting the
2000 Edition of the International Plumbing Code and modifying Appendix A,
Sections 101.1, 106.5.2., 106.5.3., 108.4., 108.5., 305.6.1, and 904.1. of said
Code in order to tailor it to the specific needs of the City of Laredo;
deleting Section 25-65; repealing all other ordinances and parts of any
ordinance in conflict herewith; providing for publication and effective date.
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. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
4. Public hearing amending
the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
all of Block 45, Calton Gardens Subdivision, located at 510 W.
Canal St., from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) and B-3 (Community Business
District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of the
proposed zone change. This is an appeal
from an unfavorable recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
rezoning all of Block 45, Calton Gardens Subdivision, located at 510 W. Canal
St., from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) and B-3 (Community Business
District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of the
proposed zone change. This is an appeal
from an unfavorable recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Keith Selman, Planning and Zoning Director, reported that the
applicant has moved the facility from the center of the lot into the far
southwest corner of the site. That
pushes it as close to the H.E.B. grocery store as it possibly could, leaving
approximately 100 feet between the fence line and the northwest property
line. There is also a revised site plan
by which the property owner is proposing to set up a 10-foot cinder-block fence
along the north property line. The
owner is also proposing to include some landscaping features. He added that access to the property has
also been moved from Canal St. to San Eduardo Avenue.
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. mentioned that there is monies set aside to
conduct a feasibility study to inquire whether north and south San Francisco
Avenue can eventually be connected. He
wants to be assured that this project will not get compromised with these
revisions proposed by the property owner.
Norma Garcia, concerned resident, spoke regarding the safety
issues associated with the power substation to be built at this location. She stated that they had conducted several
investigations, including some through the Internet, and found that these power
lines are hazardous and cause cancer.
She added that many children cross through this area when going to
school and during the summer they use the adjoining area as a playground.
Cesar Cantu reported that they did plenty of research on
electromagnetic field studies and found them to be hazardous and potentially
lead to formation of cancer clusters.
Olga Maldonado, CP&L General Manager for Community Services,
mentioned that their issue is that there already are existing substations
around the city. She stated that some
of those transformer boxes have already reached their maximum capacity. She explained that on the electromagnetic
field (EMF) issue and its possible link with cancer, occupants of a home would
find higher magnetic field readings throughout the home, due to the proximity
of the appliances and the magnetic fields created, than they would from a
transmission line or at a substation.
She reported that they visited some of the substations that CP&L
currently has, and the highest readings recorded were at 22 milligauss
(CP&L’s unit of measurement). She
explained that there is less of a reading from a transmission line or a
substation that would affect a person than one would get from a microwave oven
or some other electrical appliance found within the home.
Benjamin Hinojosa, CP&L Supervisor of Customer Design, stated
that there is a serious need for the station because the load density from Saunders
Avenue up to Calle del Norte has been increasing at a rate of two to three
megawatts per year. This has stressed
their outlying stations and has compelled them to propose this new station
project to cope with the increased load density in the area.
David Puente, area resident, stated that he is opposed to the
proposed zone change for the construction of an electric substation.
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. requested whether CP&L would be willing to
extend the cinder block wall for aesthetic purposes on the side of Zacate Creek
as part of the conditional use permit.
Benjamin Hinojosa replied that they would not have a problem doing
that. He stated that they might even be
able to offer some frontage along Canal Street in order to be able to widen
Canal Street.
Mayor Flores reiterated Cm. Bruni’s suggestion of approaching some
local art students to have them create murals on this site and, therefore,
requests that CP&L add stucco to the walls in order to accommodate the
proposed artwork.
Motion to close the public hearing, override Planning and Zoning
Commission’s recommendation, and introduce as a conditional use permit.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore
Guerra
Second: Cm. E.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Mayor Pro Tempore Guerra
VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS
5. A. Request by Council Member John C. Galo
1.
Status report on the Chacon/Meadow Bridge.
Cm.
Galo reported that TxDot did hold a pre-construction meeting today and a
tentative meeting date was set for January 24, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. at Daiches
Elementary cafeteria to explain the particulars of the bridge project and
invites the area residents and business owners to attend this meeting.
Cm.
Agredano stated that he would invite residents south of the bridge to attend
this meeting being that they will also be affected by the demolition of the
bridge.
Rogelio Rivera, City Engineer, reported that Summit Contracting
from Weslaco, Texas, the contractor whose firm did the work on the World Trade
Bridge, will be the one working on this project. The anticipated time line will be five to six months. They are looking for a starting date of
January 29, 2001, to begin setting up barricades and are scheduled to begin
with construction on February 4, 2001.
2.
Status report on the Chacon Creek cleanup and land acquisition, with
possible
action.
Erasmo
Villarreal, Community Development Director, reported that the City did receive
a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife for a jogging/walking trail. They have been meeting with Texas Parks and
Wildlife staff to get the project started, and are in the process of sending
some environmental assessments to Texas Parks and Wildlife so they can provide necessary
clearance for the project. Another
concern that needs to be settled before the area can be cleared is to identify
the boundaries of the land that was bought so that there is no mistake as to
where the city’s property lines are.
Cm.
Galo inquired as to the scheduled date for clearing of the land.
Erasmo
Villarreal replied that they could possibly begin immediately after the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department accepts the environmental assessments for the 54”
wastewater line that crosses through the land.
B. Request by Council Member Johnny Amaya
1. Status report on the
Albert Ochoa Park playground equipment, with possible
action.
Cm.
Amaya mentioned he received a copy of a memorandum sent to Larry Dovalina, City
Manager, from John Vidaurri, Parks and Recreation Department, which stated that
the playground equipment has been installed.
John
Vidaurri, Parks and Recreation Department Director, did have a large play
structure at Ochoa Park which was removed due to the poor condition of the
structure. He stated that they
installed a smaller play structure and completed installation of it two weeks
ago. Due to budgetary constraints, the
department was forced to purchase the smaller playground equipment. They are anticipating installation of
additional play structures within that particular circle within the next
twelve-month period.
Cm.
E. Valdez, Jr. inquired whether the Parks and Recreation Department is working
closely with Laredo Independent School District since they are going to
completely rebuild Sanchez-Ochoa Elementary and they are not going to touch the
park grounds.
Larry
Dovalina, City Manager, stated that the City has been approached by the school
district on this specific tract of land and they are working on scheduling a
Metro Government Committee meeting in order to allow for full discussion with
the City Council over the particulars on this tract of land.
John
Vidaurri stated that they have some other improvements that are being
programmed for Ochoa Park, including some lighting upgrades. CP&L has gone to the site to conduct a
study of the upgrade and the estimated cost is $5,918.00.
C. Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez
1. Discussion with
possible action regarding the City Cemetery (Veterans section)
needs and improvements.
Cm.
Ramirez commented that he recently attended a funeral during inclement weather
and the area where the services were being held was so muddy that attendees
could not stand close enough to the gravesite.
John
Vidaurri, Parks and Recreation Director, mentioned that they did have some
options to review regarding this particular concern. He submitted a photograph of one of the funerals held on that
particular day and several others within that general location. He stated that his department has come up
with some other proposals and have obtained additional plywood and carpeting
materials to provide more of a dry, sturdy surface. He mentioned that his department did check with the Catholic
Cemetery and they commented that they hold their services under the pavilion
away from the gravesite in order to avoid similar situations. He also provided several estimates for some
portable tents that the cemetery crew may set up at the paved road sections as
well.
Larry
Dovalina, City Manager, stated that the City does need to continue to strive
for improvements. He mentioned that the
cemetery staff has made great progress by putting in a water well and they have
also continued to install sprinkler systems to enhance the cemetery. He stated that he would take care to ensure
that the city buys seed or grass in order to stabilize the soil around the
muddy gravesites so there is no similar reoccurrence of this situation.
Cm.
E. Valdez, Jr. recommended that the Cemetery Ad Hoc Committee be changed to a
standing committee so the City Cemetery staff can continue to work with the
current members that have immeasurable experience.
2.
Status report on the Import lot.
Cynthia
Collazo, Assistant City Manager, stated that they have been working
continuously with GSA Regional Director, Walter Marcinowsky, for the past
couple of months. She stated that GSA
which is in the business of leasing their buildings, had Building Six at the
Import Lot location, which had not been leased and for which they were trying
to secure a tenant. They recently found
a tenant, namely the State Department.
On Friday of last week, GSA staff went through the property with an
architectural firm to review and determine what they need. She reported that the City should have a
sketch from GSA by this Friday. Now
that they have determined how much property the State Department will need,
they can advise the City as to the portion that is available to re-lease. They have the necessary funds to make the
improvements for the State Department.
As soon as the City can get that, the City Manager has approved
enlisting the Engineering Department’s assistance to perform the survey in
order to speed up the project.
Larry
Dovalina, City Manager, commented that he was in receipt of a metes and bounds
survey that was completed by the Engineering Department in connection with the
alignment of a road that ties in to Water St.
He stated that now that the survey has been completed for said road
alignment, they would be proceeding with that project as well.
3. Discussion on the
Tatangelo Walkway regarding possibility of opening for
vehicular traffic,
with possible action.
Cm.
Ramirez stated that he is intending to relieve some of the traffic congestion
buildup during certain civic functions and church services on Sundays. He is suggesting utilizing said walkway to
allow for traffic flow to ease the congestion in the downtown area without
destroying the integrity of the walkway.
Tony Garcia, Traffic Signal
Superintendent, stated that there is an ongoing study being conducted of the
downtown area which should be completed within the next 25 to 30 days. The Traffic Department is awaiting the
findings and recommendations from the engineering firm in order to submit a
report to City Council at that time.
City Manager Larry Dovalina stated that he would ensure that the
suggestion made to utilize this walkway specifically as a partial reliever of
traffic congestion during special events or activities be integrated into that
particular study.
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. inquired whether the
foundation at the Tatangelo Walkway is asphalt or brick and whether it will be
able to support the traffic flow.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, mentioned
that those are some of the issues that were discussed earlier this morning.
IX. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES
6. An Ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to execute a License Agreement with
Nextel Partners, Inc. for a 35' x 40" ground space located at
1101 Garden St., Laredo, Webb County, Texas, and being more fully described in
License Agreement; for the installation and operation of a temporary mobile
mini-cell site, for use with its communications business. Term of the lease is 90 days commencing
January 22, 2001 and ending April 21, 2001.
In lieu of rent Licensee will construct a 6ft, 35' x 40', heavy duty
chain link fence, with double-drive gate and a man gate, all posts set in
concrete, with 3 strands of barbed wire as described in License Agreement;
providing for effective date.
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
X. FINAL READINGS OF ORDINANCES
Internet availability:
//www.ci.laredo.tx.us
Motion to waive the final reading of ordinance 2001-O-011,
2001-O-012, 2001-O-013, 2001-O-014, 2001-O-015, 2001-O-016, 2001-O-017,
2001-O-018, 2001-O-019, 2001-O-020, 2001-O-021, 2001-O-022, 2001-O-023,
2001-O-024 and 2001-O-025.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
7. 2001-O-011 Authorizing the City Manager to amend the
City of Laredo FY 2000-2001
annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the
amount of $161,793.00 for the Tuberculosis Prevention/Control Federal
Project. The Texas Department of Health
has awarded a $161,793.00 grant to the City of Laredo for the period beginning
January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001. (City Council)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-011.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-012 Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
authorizing the issuance
of a Conditional Use Permit for a soft drink
distributor on Lot 8 and
the N1/2 of Lot 6, Block 485, Western Division,
located at 309 Park St.;
providing for publication and effective date.
(As
Amended) (Council Member Juan Ramirez)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-012.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-013 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
rezoning
0.403 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located
east of San Dario Ave. and south of Lost Oaks Rd., from B-3 (Community Business
District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and
effective date. (Mayor Pro-Tempore Joe A. Guerra)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-013.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-014 Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 1, Block 5, Del Mar
Village Subdivision, located at 102 W. Village
Blvd., from R-0
(Residential-Office District) to B-1 (Limited Business
District); providing for
publication and effective date. (Mayor
Pro-
Tempore Joe A. Guerra)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-014.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-015 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning
0.010 acres, as further
described by metes and bounds, located east of Bob
Bullock Loop and north
of Del Mar Blvd., from R-1 (Single Family
Residential District) to
B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for
publication and
effective date. (Mayor Pro-Tempore Joe A. Guerra)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-015.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-016 Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
14.0061 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located
north of Cielito Lindo Blvd. and east of Hwy. 83, from AG (Agricultural
District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and
effective date. (As Amended) (Council Member Alfredo Agredano)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-016.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-017 Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
129.9939 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds, located north of
Cielito Lindo Blvd. and
east of Hwy. 83, from AG (Agricultural District)
to R-1A (Single Family
Reduced Area District); providing for publication
and effective date.
(Council Member Alfredo Agredano)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-017.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-019 Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 5, Block 1018, Eastern Division, located at 1820 Bayard St.,
from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District);
providing for publication and effective date. (As Amended) (Council Member Alfredo Agredano)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-019.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-020 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 1, 2, 3 and 4, Block
3, San Isidro/McPherson No. 3 Subdivision,
located at 9802
McPherson Rd., from B-1 (Limited Business District) to B-
3 (Community Business
District); providing for publication and effective
date. (Mayor Pro-Tempore Joe A. Guerra)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-020.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-021 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by
authorizing the issuance
of a Special Use Permit for above ground fuel
storage on Lots 1 and 2,
Block 101, Western Division, located at 520
Farragut St.; providing
for publication and effective date.
(Council
Member Louis H. Bruni)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-021.