CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2001-R-07

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

MARCH 05, 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 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

IV. MINUTES

Approval of the minutes of January 2, 2001 and January 16, 2001.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

Announcements

None.

Invitations

Bede Leyendecker, Assistant Professor of Dance at TAMIU, reported that the university dance troupe will be traveling to Little Rock, Arkansas, to participate in the American College Dance Festival and will present a flamenco master class to all participating universities.

Mayor Flores designated the dance troupe as official City of Laredo ambassadors at this event.

Recognitions

a. Recognition by the Mayor and City Council Members of employees that retired from the City of Laredo with 20 years or more of service for the period of January, 2001.

Mayor Flores recognized the following employees for their commitment and service to the City of Laredo.

Ricardo Aguilar, 35 years of service with the Utilities Department.

Javier Garcia, 31 years of service with the Public Works Department.

Eduardo Morales, 31 years of service with the Police Department.

Blasa Bluhm, 26 years of service with the Police Department.

Jose L. Villanueva, 25 years of service with the Utilities Department.

Conrado Martinez, 25 years of service with the Public Works Department.

Trinidad Castillo, 23 years of service with the Finance Department.

Gabriel D. Perez, 22 years of service with the Fire Department.

Cm. Galo recognized Roy Garcia, Code Enforcement Officer, who coordinated a graffiti cleanup campaign in District III with some individuals who had to complete community service hours. He also showed his appreciation to the sanitation crew on Truck #6083 who picked up some garbage that was littering the streets and made an extra effort to help keep the city clean.

Communiqués

None.

VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

None.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of

$148,672.00 for the HIV/AIDS Ryan White Title II Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2001, through August 31, 2001. (Approval of Resolution 2001-R-027 is needed before Public Hearing)

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 budget in the amount of $148,672.00 for the HIV/AIDS Ryan White Title II Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2001, through August 31, 2001.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

There was no public input.

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Ordinance Introduction: City Council

2. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo 2000-2001 Annual Budget in the amount of

$20,000.00 to appropriate the consideration fees paid by proponents at the time of their proposal submittal to defray the cost of the privatization study.

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the City of Laredo 2000-2001 Annual Budget in the amount of $20,000.00 to appropriate the consideration fees paid by proponents at the time of their proposal submittal to defray the cost of the privatization study.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. E. 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. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Ordinance Introduction: City Council

VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

3. A. Request by Council Member John C. Galo

1. Request for status on any open request from District III, with possible action.

Robert Eads, Customer Service Coordinator, reported on a number of customer service requests.

The first item involves a paving issue at a parking lot at 807 Guatemozin St.

Benny Salinas, Building Department Director, reported that his department cited the Tex-Mex Railway regarding the paving issue. He mentioned that he drove by the site and the parking lot is still unpaved and that he will continue to issue citations to the railway.

The next items were addressed by the Community Development Department. One involves a street encroachment by a warehouse at Willow and Tilden. A separate item involves a weeded lot with junked vehicles at Rosario Street.

Erasmo Villarreal, reported that it involved the encroachment by a Tex-Mex Railway warehouse on Tilden St. They have been working with Tex-Mex representatives trying to get them to buy this encroachment. He stated that there is a separate street encroachment problem involving residential owners as well. He has asked the Street Closing Coordinator to address this problem and to contact the residents and Tex-Mex and possibly get Tex-Mex to work something out with the City. On the issue of the junked vehicles on Rosario Street, this property had been cited back in January for several nuisances. The property owners complied with removal of the weeds, but they were cited again for the junked vehicles parked on the property. The owners have ten days to remove them, otherwise they will be taken to court.

On the next item, Robert Eads reported that the request concerns the Garcia-Vela property which would be addressed at a meeting scheduled for March 15, 2001.

On the next item, Robert Eads reported that a dump truck had been parked for an extended period of time on a city easement. He stated that the vehicle has been removed from that location as of today.

On the next item, Robert Eads reported that it involved the traffic congestion on Buena Vista and Market Streets.

Tony Garcia, from the Traffic Department, reported that they are updating the timing on the traffic signals on Market Street.

On the final item, Robert Eads reported that the request concerns the crossing at Monterrey and Laredo Streets. He stated that he spoke to a Tex-Mex representative and they are waiting on the release for the signalization and the gates to be installed. As of last Friday, Tex-Mex advised that the letter has already been received by them and they will proceed with the installation.

B. Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore Joe A. Guerra

1. Resolution 2001-R-029 A resolution recognizing the disparity of reimbursement

rates paid to Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP Border Medical Providers, and authorizing the City Manager to send a letter to Governor Rick Perry and the Members of the State Legislature encouraging them to support equal reimbursement to Laredo area health providers.

Dr. Robert Martinez, a member of the local medical society, spoke in favor of the resolution.

Dr. Judson Somerville, President of the Webb, Jim Hogg, and Zapata County Medical Society, spoke on the disparity of economic reimbursement to the medical professionals in the area.

Motion to approve the resolution with the amendment that it support any bill that addresses this issue.

Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore Guerra

Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

C. Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.

1. Request for expansion of bus route to La Bota Subdivision, with possible action.

Cm. Valdez, Jr. stated that he has received several calls from residents over this particular issue. He is recommending that the city conduct a study of potential ridership in the area.

Peter Behrman, Transit Manager, reported that his department has not yet completed the study to make a final determination regarding expanded bus service. He mentioned that his staff did look into Indian Sunset subdivision, and they have discovered that they cannot operate a bus through there due to the narrow streets and the difficulty in turning a bus around. He stated that they might have a similar problem over at La Bota Subdivision. He believes that the main gate entrance might be moved back past the school, and unless that takes place a city bus may have some difficulty with entry and exit to the subdivision. He would like to conduct a test trip with a city bus to La Bota Subdivision before offering further suggestions.

2. Presentation by C.Y. Benavides, III, Colombia Toll Road on a possible interface

with the City's Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVI), with possible action.

C. Y. Benavides, III, President of Camino Columbia Toll Road, stated that he has been meeting with Rafael Garcia, Bridge System Director, for the last couple of months to work through the initial stages of integration with the city’s AVI system. He commented that with minor adjustments, they could arrange it so that those links could be established to allow the City of Laredo’s transponders to be read off of the Camino Colombia Toll Road system. They had originally looked into allowing both Camino Colombia transponders to be read on the city’s systems and vice versa. However, they have found that it would be cost prohibitive to allow their transponders to be integrated into the city’s system. His request to City Council is to be granted permission to work with Rafael Garcia to go into the city’s AVI system and determine what it will take to integrate the city’s system with the Camino Colombia system. In exchange, the City of Laredo would be the only transponder merchant within the city and would also receive a percentage of the tolls collected should the people utilize the Camino Colombia system with the city’s transponder.

Rafael Garcia, Bridge System Director, stated that this arrangement is something to look into some time in the future. But he mentioned that he is hoping that the City Council would not give him immediate direction to begin exploring this possibility because it does require in-depth analysis before making any sort of recommendation to the City Council. He stated that any directive made to the Bridge Department right now would be counterproductive because it would diminish their efforts in getting the city’s $9,000,000.00 system in full operation.

Motion to instruct city staff to explore the benefits of having the City of Laredo integrate with the Camino Colombia AVI system and report back to City Council in a timely manner, once the Bridge Department completes the installation and promotion of the city’s own AVI system.

Moved: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Guerra

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

IX. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES

4. An ordinance amending Ordinance #99-0-165 by authorizing the City Manager to

execute a Site Ground Lease Agreement Addendum to that certain Ground Lease between the City of Laredo and Omni America Development Corp., dated June 21, 1999 for additional ground space of approximately 250.0 square feet located at the City of Laredo Calton Road Fire Station. Annual Rent will be increased by $3,850.00 prorated to coincide with the anniversary of the lease commencement date and on the first day of each year of the lease commencement anniversary date thereafter. All other terms and conditions of the lease remain in full force and effect.

Ordinance Introduction: City Council

5. An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Laredo Independent

School District for approximately 9,216 square feet constituting Building No. 1325 located at 4103 Maher Avenue at the Laredo International Airport. Lease term is for one (1) year commencing on March 1, 2001 and ending on February 28, 2002, and may be extended for one (1) year ending on February 28, 2003. However, it is agreed by the parties that the lease may be terminated by either party on not less than thirty (30) days' written notice from the party terminating to the other. Monthly rent shall be $2,305.00 and will be adjusted annually during the primary and extension term of this lease according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing for an effective date.

Ordinance Introduction: City Council

X. FINAL READINGS OF ORDINANCES

Internet availability: //ci.laredo.tx.us

Motion to waive the final reading of ordinances 2001-O-057, 2001-O-058, 2001-O-059 and 2001-O-060.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

6. 2001-O-057 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by

authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for a sales office of modular homes on Lot 1, Northgate Plaza Subdivision, located at 5820 San Dario Ave.; providing for publication and effective date. (As Amended) (Mayor Pro-Tempore Joe A. Guerra)

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2001-O-057.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

2001-O-058 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning

11.7646 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located north of

Santa Martha Blvd. and east of Organo Blvd., from AG (Agricultural

District) to R-1MH (Single Family Manufactured Housing District);

providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Alfredo

Agredano)

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2001-O-058.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

2001-O-059 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning

1.977 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located on the northwest corner of Atlanta Dr. and Killam Industrial Blvd., from R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area District) to R-1A, P.U.D. (Single Family Reduced Area District, Planned Unit Development); providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.)

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2001-O-059.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

2001-O-060 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning

Lots 1, 2, and 3, Block 204, the E 2/3 of Lot 4, Block 203, and a 0.1772 acre tract (formerly the N1/2 of Jarvis Ave., between Santa Barbara & Santa Clara Streets), Eastern Division, located at 2219 Sta. Barbara St., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) and B-4 (Highway Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Alfredo Agredano)

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2001-O-060.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

XI. RESOLUTIONS

7. 2001-R-024 Expressing the support of the City Council towards the development of

Laredo Viejo Apartment Homes, a proposed affordable housing community of approximately 108 affordable housing units by Atlantic Development & Investments, Inc. and American Communities Development Company. Affordable housing will be provided to the citizens of the City of Laredo contingent upon the approval of the submission of a State of Texas Home Application under the Home Investments Partnership Program and the approval of the application submitted to the Texas State Department of Housing and Community Affairs for Housing Tax Credits under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Motion to approve Resolution 2001-R-024.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

8. 2001-R-025 A resolution expressing the support of the City Council towards the

development of Hilltop Apartments, a proposed affordable housing

community of approximately 184 affordable housing units by AHM

Developer, Inc. Affordable housing will be provided to the citizens of the

City of Laredo contingent upon the approval of the submission of a State

of Texas Home Application under the Home Investments Partnership

Program and the approval of the application submitted to the Texas State

Department of Housing and Community Affairs for Housing Tax Credits

under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Motion to approve Resolution 2001-R-025.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

9. 2001-R-027 A resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept and execute all

documentation for a grant from the Texas Department of Health in the amount of $148,672 for the HIV/AIDS Ryan White Title II Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2001, through August 31, 2001.

Motion to approve Resolution 2001-R-027.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

10. 2001-R-028 A resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with the

Texas Department of Transportation for the Hazard Elimination / Safety Project. The Project will consist of interconnecting traffic signals and restriping along Santa Maria Avenue. The Texas Transportation Commission selected the Project and awarded a maximum of $719,089.00. The City's estimated contribution is $79,898.00. Funding is available from the Santa Maria Reconstruction Bond.

Motion to approve Resolution 2001-R-028.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

XII. MOTIONS

11. Consideration to approve the use of office space by State Representative Richard

Raymond at City Hall 3rd Floor located at 1110 Houston St. for the purpose of a local District Office.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

12. Consideration to approve a letter of intent with the Veterans Coalition for the proposed

design and construction of a Veterans Monument at the Laredo Civic Center.

Horacio De Leon, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager, reported that he had met with the Veterans Coalition group. In conversations held with the group, he learned that Mr. Luis Diaz De Leon is the project manager for the Veterans monument and not the chair of the Coalition. Upon that discovery, the City Manager’s office faxed a proposed Letter of Intent to Dr. Hector Farias for his review. He added that Dr. Farias had faxed a letter to City Council requesting that this item be tabled indefinitely due to the Coalition’s desire to wait for the budget workshops to request funding for the project at that time.

Motion to table.

Moved: Cm. Agredano

Second: Cm. Amaya

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

13. Consideration to award contract number FY01-051, to the LOW BIDDER, Record

Systems, San Antonio, Texas, in the amount of $19,162.00, for the purchase and installation of 130 sections of record storage shelving for the record retention warehouse. Funding is available in the Capital Improvement Fund.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

14. Consideration to award contract number FY01-059, to the LOW BIDDER, UTEC,

Converse, Texas, in the estimated amount of $15,000.00, for providing aerial truck inspections and repairs on the Traffic Safety Department vehicles. These aerial booms on these trucks will be inspected and repaired as needed to comply with industry safety standards. Funding is available in the Fleet Maintenance Division.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

15. Consideration to award contract FY01-061, to Border Maintenance, Laredo, Texas, in

the estimated amount of $80,908.00, for providing janitorial services for the Health Department - WIC Program. The term of this contract is from March 2001 to September 2002. The scope of work requires that the company provide all personnel, equipment, and supplies needed to properly clean the different locations. Funding is available in the Health Department's WIC budget.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

16. Consideration to award contract number FY01-064, to the LOW BIDDER, PABCO

Industries, Newark, NJ, in the amount of $53,920.00, for the purchase of one million Waste Fund.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

17. Consideration to award contract number FY01-066, to the LOW BIDDER, Park Place

Recreation Designs Inc., San Antonio, Texas, in the amount of $35,062.00 for the purchase and installation of resilient safety surface (Kid Tiles). These tiles will be installed around the play structures at the Father McNaboe Park (102 Rancho Viejo Drive) and Richter Park, 1500 Circle Drive. Funding is available in the Capital Improvement Project budget.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

18. Consideration to award contract number FY01-070, to the most responsive proposer,

for providing food and beverage concessions for all Tecolotes De Los Dos Laredos games and other City designated special events at Veterans Field. The successful contractor will be required to provide a percentage of food and beverage sales and percentage of gross receipts on all non- food items sold. All revenues derived from this contract are included in the Veterans Field budget.

Motion to approve the award of contract to J & H Concessions.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

19. Consideration to award a contract to Crane Engineering, of Laredo, Texas, for

$151,500.00 for the design and construction services of water transmission lines to serve the Highway 359 Colonias. The contract will be paid for by the Texas Water Development Board Colonias Grant.

Motion to appro