CITY OF LAREDO
CITY
COUNCIL MEETING
M2001-R-05
CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
FEBRUARY 20, 2001
5:30
P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
With a quorum present Mayor 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, City Manager
Jaime Flores, City
Attorney
IV. MINUTES
None.
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
None.
Invitations
None.
Recognitions
a. Recognition of A. Ralph
Cantu Director of the Laredo Outpatient's Clinic for his
outstanding commitment in helping the Veterans of La Salle County,
Jim Hogg County, Duval County, Zavala County, Zapata County, and Webb County.
Mayor Flores reported that she has received letters from several
individuals who have expressed their appreciation for his dedication and
assistance during their time of need.
b. Recognition of United
South High School Boys' and Girls' Basketball Teams for
winning the 30-5A
District Championships.
This
item was tabled for a future date when the players could be available.
c. Recognition of Capt.
Ivan Perez, of the Laredo Police Department who graduated from
the 203rd Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's
National Academy (FBINA), in Quantico, Virginia, in December 2000.
Mayor Flores and the City Council recognized Capt. Ivan Perez for
his dedication and achievements in law enforcement and presented him with a
certificate for his outstanding accomplishments.
Communiqués
Cm. Galo submitted a letter to City Council from a concerned
parent regarding credited hours accorded to individuals who carry out community
service work.
Cm. Guerra read the following letter from the Milwaukee
Metropolitan Sewerage District to City Council:
“As a follow up to our recent conversation, I have included
information on the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s decision to enter
into a competitive contract with the United Water Services for the operation of
the District’s two treatment plants, conveyance system, and biosolids
management.
Through the first 33 months of the contract, United Water has met
or exceeded the operating standards set forth in the 10-year contract, which
are more stringent than those set for MMSD by the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources.
The United Water contract also allowed the District to give its
customers an immediate, significant rate decrease, while at the same time
offering stable rates for the foreseeable future. The agreement is expected to save District ratepayers $140
million over the term of the contract.
As a result of the contract, the MMSD Commission was able to reduce its
total user charges by 15.5 percent when it adopted the District’s 1999 Operation
and Maintenance budget.
If you have any additional questions, please contact me.”
Sincerely,
Anne Spray Kinney
Executive Director
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. expressed his appreciation to the Community
Development Department, in particular Code Enforcement Officer Roy Garcia, for
his support in coordinating a clean up effort on Bristol Road and improving the
aesthetic appearance of the area.
Mayor Flores stated that she received a commission as an honorary
admiral in the Texas Navy from Governor Rick Perry.
Luis Diaz de Leon spoke before City Council on the proposed
monument for the Medal of Honor recipients.
He mentioned that he has been in contact with several Council Members to
work on raising funds through private contributions in order to complete this
project swiftly. He stated that his
group has been told that funding for this project will be considered at some
point in the future once department funds are reviewed during the budget
workshops in August. He wants to
request that the Veterans Coalition be allowed to open a bank account
designated as the Monument Account and be allowed to accept monetary
contributions from the public at large.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, stated that there are some issues
that must be addressed. The City
Manager’s Office has offered to hold a meeting with the Veterans Advisory
Committee tomorrow to discuss this at length with the group.
Horacio De Leon, Assistant to the City Manager, stated that he
recently met with Mr. Diaz de Leon where he communicated to him that the City
Manager’s Office needs to meet with the Veterans Advisory Committee to see how
this proposal is coming forward. The
proposal initially was to build a Veterans Monument on city property with city
funds. The proposal under consideration
now is to build a monument on city property with private donations. He mentioned that the City Manager’s Office
needs to meet with the Legal Department to decide who the treasurer would be,
how these monies would be collected, who would have approval over the design of
the monument, etc.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, suggested that perhaps the group
could meet informally with Horacio De Leon to make some of these decisions at
this time.
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
None.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public hearing authorizing
the City Manager to revert the 28.5 acre-feet of municipal
water rights to the Sacred Heart Children's Home (Grantor) at the
expiration of the water rights contract and authorizing the City Manager to
execute all releases.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the City Manager to revert the 28.5 acre-feet of
municipal water rights to the Sacred Heart Children's Home (Grantor) at the
expiration of the water rights contract and authorizing the City Manager to
execute all releases.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
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
2. Public hearing amending
the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of
$12,395.00 from program income towards the purchase of equipment
for the Immunization Action Plan Project budget of the City of Laredo Health
Department for the period September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2001.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001
budget in the amount of $12,395.00 from
program income towards the purchase of equipment for the
Immunization Action Plan Project budget of the City of Laredo Health Department
for the period September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2001.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. E.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City
Council
3. Public hearing amending
the Laredo Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Administration,
Article I, In General, Section 2-3. Fees for City Services,
Subsection (b) providing for postage, certified mail - return receipt requested
at the current prevailing rate, and outside the U.S., or Priority, Express or
International mail at the prevailing rate.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the Laredo Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Administration,
Article I, In General, Section 2-3.
Fees for City Services, Subsection (b) providing for postage, certified
mail - return receipt requested at the current prevailing rate, and outside the
U.S., or Priority, Express or International mail at the prevailing rate;
providing for severability; publication and effective date.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr.
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
4. Public hearing amending
the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances, Chapter 21, Offenses
and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article V, Alarm Systems,
specifically Section 21-78(g) by clarifying the definition of "Medical
Alert Alarm Notification"; and Section 21-82, by adding a $75.00 service
charge for false fire or medical alarms; and Section 21-89, by increasing the
deadline to appeal; and Section 21-89, by increasing the deadline to appeal a
denial or suspension of an alarm permit, from ten to thirty days; providing for
severability, publication and effective date.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances, Chapter 21,
Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article V, Alarm Systems, specifically
Section 21-78(g) by clarifying the definition of "Medical Alert Alarm
Notification"; and Section 21-82, by adding a $75.00 service charge for
false fire or medical alarms; and Section 21-89, by increasing the deadline to
appeal; and Section 21-89, by increasing the deadline to appeal a denial or
suspension of an alarm permit, from ten to thirty days; providing for
severability, 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 introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City
Council
5. Public hearing amending
the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances, Chapter 31, Utilities,
Article III, Water, Division 3, Rates and Charges, specifically
Section 31-138(b)(6)(a), Water Rates and availability by increasing the
Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) check services charge from $15.00 to $25.00; and
amending Chapter 2, Administration, Article I, in general Section 2-3, Fees for
City Services, by adding subparagraph (e) to establish a $25.00 charge by all
City Departments for all returned checks, drafts and money orders due to
non-sufficient funds or Stop Payments, and also reversed Credit Card Charges,
providing for publication, severability and effective date.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances, Chapter 31,
Utilities, Article III, Water, Division 3, Rates and Charges, specifically
Section 31-138(b)(6)(a), Water Rates and availability by increasing the
Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) check services charge from $15.00 to $25.00; and
amending Chapter 2, Administration, Article I, in general Section 2-3, Fees for
City Services, by adding subparagraph (e) to establish a $25.00 charge by all
City Departments for all returned checks, drafts and money orders due to
non-sufficient funds or Stop Payments, and also reversed Credit Card Charges,
providing for publication, severability 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. Agredano
Second: Cm. E.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
6. Public hearing
authorizing the City Manager to accept and execute a Budget
Amendment to the Transit Operations Budget by appropriating additional
revenues, in the amount of $352,539.00 ($314,956.00 from additional State Oil
Overcharge Funds and $37,583.00 from Sales Tax Reserve), and increasing the
Transit Operations Expense Budget by $352,539.00 from $8,916,959.00 to
$9,269,498.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute said transfers.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the City Manager to accept and execute a Budget
Amendment to the Transit Operations Budget by appropriating additional
revenues, in the amount of $352,539.00 ($314,956.00 from additional State Oil
Overcharge Funds and $37,583.00 from Sales Tax Reserve), and increasing the
Transit Operations Expense Budget by $352,539.00 from $8,916,959.00 to
$9,269,498.00, and authorizing the City Manager to execute said transfers.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr.
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
7. Public hearing amending
Chapter 19, Motor Vehicle and Traffic, Article XVIII,
stopping, standing or parking and Article X. Impoundment of vehicles of the Code of
Ordinances, City of Laredo:
Specifically Section 19-355, Minimum Fines for Parking Violations,
Section 19-360, Parking Meters, Section 19-375, Definitions, Section 19-378,
Booting or Towing, and creating Section 19-363, Statement Fees, and Section
19-364, Special Fees and Permits, and providing for publication and effective
date.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending Chapter 19, Motor Vehicle and Traffic, Article XVIII,
Stopping, standing or parking and Article X.
Impoundment of vehicles of the Code of Ordinances, City of Laredo: Specifically Section 19-355, Minimum Fines
for Parking Violations, Section 19-360, Parking Meters, Section 19-375,
Definitions, Section 19-378, Booting or Towing, and creating Section 19-363,
Statement Fees, and Section 19-364, Special Fees and Permits, and 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. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS
8. A. Request by Council Member Louis H. Bruni
1. Status report on
acquiring regional Jet service for the Laredo Houston/Houston
Laredo route, Laredo
Dallas/Dallas Laredo route, with possible action.
Charles
Martens, Chairperson for the Airport Advisory Committee, reported that they
have posted a meeting for tomorrow to assist the Airport Director and Salvador
Rodriguez, Marketing Director, in developing strategies to secure passenger jet
service. He mentioned that last year
was the first year that there were no international flights from Mexico City
into Laredo. They were actually able to
come up with a hard figure of approximately 90,000 passengers that board at the
Laredo International Airport for points north.
They took those numbers and estimated that for every 1 passenger it gets,
the city loses two passengers. He believes
that the committee will unanimously pass a motion tomorrow asking for Request
for Proposals from commercial airlines to committing to deliver those 90,000
passengers and above at a decent and fair ticket price.
Cm.
Bruni stated that if the City cannot get commitments from Continental Airlines
to secure regional jet service to Laredo, then the City should prepare Request
for Proposals immediately.
Jose
Flores, Airport Director, stated that the City is facing difficulties in trying
to convince the major airlines to provide this type of service. He mentioned that Laredo would be very
profitable to them if they were to introduce jet service into our market. He is working with the Airport Advisory
Committee trying to structure Request for Proposals that are in compliance with
Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
They recently met with Continental Airlines and they indicated that they
would be replacing their turbo prop equipment in the Houston hub during
2002. They are also pending a visit to
American Airlines to submit a personal request for jet service. He mentioned that the Valley has provided a
subsidy to the airlines and that is one reason they were able to secure
regional jet service. He further stated that in Laredo’s case, the community
did not want to commit to providing the major airlines an incentive when the
issue was presented for approval.
2. Discussion and possible
action on posting the status of all City of Laredo projects
and ongoing projects
on the City of Laredo Home Page, with possible action.
Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary, reported that the current
projects have been updated as of today by the Planning and Zoning
Department.
3.
Status report on the proposed recommendation by the Transportation
Traffic and
Safety Advisory Committee
on placing Thomas St. and Maher St. as our new
truck route, with
possible action.
Keith
Selman, Planning and Zoning Department Director, identified what the proposed
truck route is and differentiated between off-system and on-system
roadways. He stated that what has
provided this opportunity to set up these streets as a new truck route is the
construction of Thomas Ave. tied to Gale St. which bisects the new 114-acre
industrial park.
Motion
to accept the recommendations of the Transportation Traffic and Safety Advisory
Committee to place Thomas St. and Maher St. as our new truck route.
Moved: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm.
Galo
For: 7 Against: 1 Abstain: 0
Cm.
Bruni
4. Status report on the
possible pollution of Lake Casa Blanca from present or
future commercial and
residential encroachment, with possible action.
Cm. Bruni stated that this item had been placed on the agenda
because of the new residential development to the north of Lake Casa
Blanca. He reported that he placed a
call to State Representative Richard Raymond’s office to ask his staff to talk
to the TNRCC and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and that they submit a
report to the City as to what the components of the water are. He further stated that since the
encroachment is not to a point right now where it would harm the lake, it is
important that the City carefully monitor our residential and commercial
encroachment upon the lake. Also, he
posed the question whether there are any models available to assess the shape
that the dam is in and the possibility of raising the spillway of Lake Casa
Blanca. He mentioned that he would wait
for Rep. Raymond’s office to transmit information concerning this issue and requests
that staff advise the City Council of any commercial or residential
encroachment of the lake.
B. Request by Council Member John C. Galo
1.
Status report on the drainage problem at 400 S. Seymour, with possible
action.
Rogelio
Rivera, City Engineer, reported that his department has submitted a report and
they have in the CIP’s a system for approximately $700,000.00. They could possibly design an abbreviated
system which is what they are currently working on, but it would only be a
temporary solution to the problem. He
stated that what happened at this site is that it used to be a natural drainage
way that was closed off by the fill that was placed in that particular area. He mentioned that a down drain had been
installed in that area to prevent erosion and this had allowed for the drainage
to drain down to 400 S. Seymour and into the creek. He added that they can construct the abbreviated system, however,
they would need for the City to identify a funding source.
Motion
to direct staff to proceed to survey the area in question and have the easement
identified in order to move forward with the project.
Motion
to have city staff contact Mr. Jose A. Castillo on behalf of Iglesia Metodista
Libre Church to provide the City with a public easement as well as to find the
additional funds to complete the project.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2. Status report on the
finding of additional locations for youth boxing facilities,
with possible action.
John
Vidaurri, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that he had been asked
several months ago to look at potential sites to expand the boxing
program. At that time, he met with a
group from the Veterans Coalition and some Council Members and discussed
possibilities of looking into tax foreclosure properties as potential sites for
boxing facilities. Unfortunately, none
of those properties were suitable for boxing activities. He mentioned that he did offer the use of
the Cigarroa Recreation Center to the boxing group because it is equipped with
a weight room and provides ample space for boxing. He stated that the Canizales Gym is currently being leased to the
Laredo Boxing Club through April, 2002.
Cm.
Galo requested that the Parks and Recreation department staff continue looking
into potential sites for this activity.
Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr. recommended considering expansion of one of the city’s
recreational centers.
John
Vidaurri commented that there is some space at a couple of the recreational
centers that may serve as expansion possibilities.
3. Report on the tax
relief available for residents in the vicinity of South Meadow,
who are affected by the construction at the Chacon Creek Bridge,
with possible action.
Mr.
Felix De Leon, owner of El Paisano Drive-Thru, stated the closure of the street
has affected his business to the point where he has had to close down the
business. He is incurring expenses
because he has had to keep the coolers running being that he has some
perishable goods stored there.
Phyllis
Colon, Tax Assessor-Collector, reported that the one recourse that he has is to
examine the loss on the appraised value of the commercial property. She stated that a commercial piece of
property would sell for whatever dollar amount the market would bring and this
is based on what the income is. In this
particular situation, what they foresee is about one year of possible damage to
the property owner’s income stream.
Therefore, they can fill out a form with the Appraisal District
rendering the property asking for Temporary Economic Depreciation. She mentioned that this was done on Mines
Road and on Saunders Ave. during similar road improvement situations.
C. Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore Joe A. Guerra
1. Request by Danny La
Duque and members of The BEST Organization to discuss
concerns and issues about the El Lift Vans and issues at the
Laredo Public Library, with possible action.
Danny
La Duque thanked the City of Laredo for complying with TDLR standards but noted
that his organization has been asking the Public Library to include a van
accessible parking space and it has not been done. He mentioned that in April, 2000, the local chapter hosted the
Governor’s Committee for People With Disabilities quarterly board meeting. The Executive Director of the Governor’s
Committee is blind, uses a wheelchair, and uses a van. Another one of the board members uses an electric
wheel chair and a van. These two
individuals did not have access to a parking space to unload their
wheelchairs. The Governor’s Committee
asked him in December, 2000, if the City of Laredo was going to get the Public
Library in compliance with TDLR standards.
John
W. Arndt spoke regarding the operations of the El Lift service provided by the
city to the disabled individuals. He
requested that the City of Laredo help make the transportation costs to the
passengers economically feasible and that all transportation requests from disabled
individuals be fulfilled.
Larry
Dovalina, City Manager, mentioned that the City of Laredo has complied with the
TDLR requirements as detailed in the press release regarding the issues at the
Public Library. He mentioned that all
of the city’s architectural plans are submitted to the Texas Department of
Licensing Review and they submit a response indicating that the proposed
project is approved. He stated that
the city did go through an inspection two years after the fact and not within
30 days of the library’s opening as there is no set time frame for TDLR to
conduct its inspections. He mentioned
that each and every time that an inspection is done, the city complies with the
TDLR requests. He stated that with all
ongoing construction throughout the city, he is able to provide documentation
to show that every time that any concerns are raised, they have documented the
city’s compliance with those issues.
Peter
Behrman, General Manager of El Metro, stated that he met with Mr. Arndt
approximately three to four months ago.
His concern back then was to find a solution to the El Lift limited
transportation services. He responded
to Mr. Arndt by letter with the two objectives that El Metro was trying to meet
to make El Lift more efficient. One of
those areas was the improved booking and grouping of trips and the other area
is the certification of people to use El Lift.
He mentioned that there are some individuals that are using the El Lift
service when they could be using the regular bus service. He stated that they are planning to create
a paratransit advisory committee as well as provide training to some of the
staff members to review requests and in that way tighten up the certification
so that only those individuals that really need the service are eligible to use
it.
D. Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez,
Jr.
1. Discussion with
possible action regarding traffic concerns around Farias, Santa
Maria, Finley and
Kazen Elementary Schools.
Cm.
Valdez, Jr. stated that he wanted to determine what the time schedule is for
these improvements.
Roberto
Murillo, Traffic Director, stated that in regards to the elementary schools on
Santa Maria, Farias, and also the Boys and Girls Club, some of the staff
members met regarding the safety concerns within the area. He is proposing to get an inventory of the
area in question to identify the safety concerns. He noticed that one area of concern regarding the children that
use those facilities is that there are some tractors parking on both sides of
the street. This is a safety concern
for them because it blocks the view of the children as they attempt to cross
the street. They are proposing to
install two crossroads with the proper traffic signs and two flashing beacons
to make motorists aware of the pedestrian traffic.
Cm.
Valdez, Jr. inquired whether his department could designate a “no parking” zone
being that there is an elementary school, the recreational center, and the Boys
and Girls Club all in close proximity that creates a crossing problem.
Mr.
Murillo reported that his department is proposing to set up “no parking zone”
signs all along the west side of Santa Maria Avenue. They are proposing to designate a no parking zone adjacent to the
cross walks on the east side of the street as well. He stated that in addition to these remedies, his department is
proposing to relocate a flashing beacon within the school zone on the
southbound direction to alert motorists of the children’s crossing.
Cm.
Valdez, Jr. inquired as to the amount of time it would require to install the
flashing beacons.
Roberto
Murillo stated that they would proceed with the installation of the crosswalk
signs this week and they have placed the order for the flashing beacons which
will be installed as soon as they arrive.
He reported that in connection with these school campuses, Laredo
Independent School District would be reconstructing both Santa Maria and Farias
Elementary. He has been working closely
with Laredo Independent School District in the selection of its traffic
consulting firms that were selected to work on those two schools. He stated he is looking forward to an
opportunity to review the district’s plans regarding many of these concerns.
Cm.
Valdez, Jr. mentioned that over in Kazen Elementary, the administration had
requested a “no parking” designation on the side of the school.