CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2001-R-09
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
APRIL 2,
2001
5:30
P.M.
I. CALL
TO ORDER
With
a quorum present 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
Jose
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 February 1, 2001, February 5, 2001, February 20, 2001 and February
26, 2001.
Motion to
approve.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS
AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Cm. Bruni mentioned that he was the Master of
Ceremonies for the opening game of this season for the Tecolotes. He encouraged the public to support the
Tecolotes.
Mayor Flores
noted that she had received a letter commending the extraordinary work of
Robert Eads who is the Customer Service Coordinator for the City. The letter stated that he is a true asset to
the City of Laredo.
Cm. Ramirez congratulated the Fire Department
for their quick and efficient response in extinguishing two different fires in
his district. He also commended the
Police Department for assisting the Fire Department in assuring a safer
control.
Cm. E.
Valdez also applauded the Fire Department for responding quickly to a
fire in his district.
Mayor Flores
read excerpts from the following letter:
This week, we
began the second of two heavy equipment operator training programs we are
conducting in Laredo this year. It has
been over ten years since we last conducted the program in your city. We have wanted to return during the interim,
but lacked funding to make it possible.
This past year, however, we are able to secure a grant from the Texas
Workforce Commission that made our return possible. As one of the fastest growing areas in the country, Laredo seemed
to us to be a prime location to train equipment operators to enter the
construction industry.
It takes a great
deal of effort on the part of numerous agencies to import one of our
programs. We have been fortunate to
receive great cooperation from several in your city. The Workforce Center has been helpful with the recruitment
process, acting as our primary conduit for interested students. The Agricultural Extension Service and the
Colonias Project of the A & M System have helped with the marketing. The Job Corps provided a number of the
students and their facility on Island St. for the classroom portion of the
class.
My purpose in
writing you, however is to make special mention of the cooperation we received
from those in your employ. Oscar
Medina, of your Public Works Department, was instrumental in providing us with
a location, Father McNaboe Park. He
recognized that the south end of the park, which was awaiting the site
preparation work necessary to expand the soccer fields and other recreational
areas, would be a perfect site for our program. There is no training exercise
better for our purposes than project work.
During the course of the first program the students were able to advance
the development of the Park significantly.
We will continue that work with this second program. Oscar and his employees have been the soul
of cooperation and have made it possible for us to conduct a program we are
very proud of. The representatives of
the Parks Department have likewise been very helpful and have proven to be fine
ambassadors for your City. We are
grateful for the help we have received from your employees and wish to say
thanks.
Invitations
Cm. Agredano invited Council and the public to
attend the grand opening of the newly renovated Benavides Softball Park on
April 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
Recognitions
a. Recognizing United South Panther Boys and
Girls Basketball Teams for achieving the
30-5A District Championships, Area
Champions and Regional Quarter Finalists.
The Mayor and City Council presented the
following students a Seven Flag Certificate:
Varsity
Boys Basketball Varsity
Girl’s Basketball
Brian Dunivant Sr. Lizzy
Garcia Sr.
J. C. Santos Sr. Viri
Elizondo Sr.
Jeffery Castillo Jr. Jessica
Santana Sr.
Juan Cantu Sr. Priscilla
Garcia Jr.
Jaime Lara Sr. Nancy
Hernandez Jr.
Vidal Hinojosa Sr. Lizzy
Moncivais Jr.
Reggie Lopez Sr. Gloria
Loredo Sr.
Pablo Ledezma Sr. Belinda
Macias Sr.
Bernie Elizondo Jr. Shelly
Alfaro Sr.
Rudy Martinez Sr. Clarissa
Martinez Sr.
Rafael Garcia Jr. Hefziba
Hernandez Soph.
Jonathan Jimenez Fr. Jessica
Morales Fr.
Mario Alva Sr. Christina
Ibarra Sr.
Fidel Hale Sr.
Managers: Danny
Sanchez Clarissa
Cardenas
Paul
Martinez
Head Coach: Joe Gonzalez Head
Coach: Bob Wolk
Assistants: Tomas Rodriguez III Assistants: Clara Sandoval
Dennis
Mikulin Dawn Aguilar
Ricardo
Marquez Robert
Burrier
Trainer: Shuji
Tanaka Trainer: Heather
Lash
Principal: David Del Toro
UISD
Athletic Frank Carter
b. Recognizing students from local middle
schools who have been chosen as "Eighth
Grader of the
Month" for March by the Laredo Police Department Community Relations Unit
and local school counselors.
The Mayor and
City Council presented Seven Flag Certificates to the following students:
Rene Gonzalez Mary
Help of Christians
Melissa Merano Salvador
Garcia Middle
Manuel Sanchez George
Washington
Pablo Mejia San Augustine
Communiqués
None.
VI. APPOINTMENTS
TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
a. Appointment of Mr. Don Fields by Mayor
Elizabeth G. Flores to the Tree Board
Committee.
Motion to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Amaya
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII. PUBLIC
HEARINGS
1. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo's
Code of Ordinances Chapter 2, Article II,
Sec. 2-16, which
sets forth the departments of the city, by creating the Environmental Services
Department; providing for an effective date and amending the City of Laredo FY
2000-2001 annual budget by creating two positions within the Environmental
Services Department which will be funded from reserves by the N.P.D.E.S. Fund
and the Hazardous Materials Fund and authorize the City Manager to implement
said budget.
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the
City of Laredo's Code of Ordinances Chapter 2, Article II, Sec. 2-16, which
sets forth the departments of the city, by creating the Environmental Services
Department; providing for an effective date and amending the City of Laredo FY
2000-2001 annual budget by creating two positions within the Environmental
Services Department which will be funded from reserves by the N.P.D.E.S. Fund
and the Hazardous Materials Fund and authorize the City Manager to implement
said budget.
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.
Bruni
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
2. Public hearing amending the Zoning Ordinance
(Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
Lots 1, 2, 3,
and 4, Block 1345, Eastern Division, located at 2315 Chihuahua St., from R-O
(Residential-Office District) and B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3
(Community Business District). The
Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed zone
change.
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4,
Block 1345, Eastern Division, located at 2315 Chihuahua St., from R-O
(Residential-Office District) and B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3
(Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.
Motion to open
the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk,
on behalf of South Texas National Bank, spoke in favor of the zone change.
Motion to close
the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Galo
3. Public hearing amending the Zoning Ordinance
(Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
20.73 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds, located north of Cielito Lindo Blvd. and
east of St. David St., from AG (Agricultural District) to R-1A (Single Family
Reduced Area District). The Planning
and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change.
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 20.73 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds, located north of Cielito Lindo Blvd. and
east of St. David St., from AG (Agricultural District) to R-1A (Single Family
Reduced Area District); providing for publication and effective date.
Motion to open
the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no
public input.
Motion to close
the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Agredano
4. Public hearing amending the Zoning Ordinance
(Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 12, Block
685, Eastern Division, located at 1202 Gustavus St., from R-2 (Multi-Family
Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended
approval of a B-1 Zone for only the north 57 ft. of Lot 12.
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 12, Block 685,
Eastern Division, located at 1202 Gustavus St., from R-2 (Multi-Family Residential
District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); 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.
Amaya
Second: Cm.
Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Amaya
5. Public hearing amending the Zoning Ordinance
(Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 2, Block
245, Western Division, located at 620 Coke St., from B-1 (Limited Commercial
District) to B-3 (Community Business District). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the
proposed zone change.
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2, Block 245,
Western Division, located at 620 Coke St., from B-1 (Limited Commercial
District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and
effective date.
Motion to open
the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk,
on behalf of Rene Chavez, spoke in favor of the proposed zone changes.
Motion to close
the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
Ramirez
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Guerra
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
6. Public hearing amending the issuance of a
Special Use Permit for sand and gravel sales
and storage, on
10 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located at 18015 FM
1472. The Planning and Zoning
Commission recommended approval of the proposed Special Use Permit.
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the
issuance of a Special Use Permit for sand and gravel sales and storage, on 10
acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located at 18015 FM 1472;
providing for publication and effective date.
Motion to open
the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk,
representing Laredo Sand and Gravel Company, explained that the property was
recently annexed. He added that it is
zoned M-1; however, needs a Special Use Permit for the business. He asked Council to concur and grant the Special
Use Permit.
Motion to close
the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
J. Valdez
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. J.
Valdez
7. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo
FY 2000-2001 Annual Budget in the
amount of
$70,000.00 for a donation by the Friends of the Library, Laredo, Texas, Inc.,
providing for effective date. (Approval
of Resolution 2001-R-036 is needed before Public Hearing)
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the City
of Laredo FY 2000-2001 Annual Budget in the amount of $70,000.00 for a donation
by the Friends of the Library, Laredo, Texas, Inc., providing for effective
date.
Motion to open
the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Amaya
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
8. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo
Code of Ordinances Chapter 12, entitled
Fire Protection
and Prevention, by amending Section 12-2, Fire Prevention Code-Adopted, and
adopting the 2000 Edition of the International Fire Code; Section 12-3 same
amendments, by adopting four supplementations to the 2000 Edition of the
International Fire Code as adopted in Section 12-2; creating Section 12-6 Life
Safety Code 101 and Handbook-Adopted; providing for severability; publication,
and effective date.
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the
City of Laredo Code of Ordinances Chapter 12, entitled Fire Protection and
Prevention, by amending Section 12-2, Fire Prevention Code-Adopted, and
adopting the 2000 Edition of the International Fire Code; Section 12-3 same
amendments, by adopting four supplementations to the 2000 Edition of the
International Fire Code as adopted in Section 12-2; creating Section 12-6 Life
Safety Code 101 and Handbook-Adopted; 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.
Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
9. Public hearing creating a Special Revenue
Fund to account for the proceeds of a one-
fourth of one
cent sales and use tax and the related debt service, and to appropriate
revenues and expenditures in the amount of $2,265,914.00 for FY2000-2001;
creating a Capital Project Fund to account for bond proceeds for the
construction of the arena facility, and to appropriate revenues and
expenditures in the amount of $35,500,000.00 for FY2000-2001; and authorizing
the City Manager to implement such budget and fund in current and future city
budgets.
INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE
Creating a
Special Revenue Fund to account for the proceeds of a one-fourth of one cent
sales and use tax and the related debt service, and to appropriate revenues and
expenditures in the amount of $2,265,914.00 for FY2000-2001; creating a Capital
Project Fund to account for bond proceeds for the construction of the arena
facility, and to appropriate revenues and expenditures in the amount of $35,500,000.00
for FY2000-2001; and authorizing the City Manager to implement such budget and
fund in current and future city budgets.
Motion to open
the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no
public input.
Motion to close
the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
VIII. GENERAL
COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
10. A.
Request by Council Member John C. Galo
1. Staff report on vacant land in District III
available to be used as baseball field,
with possible action.
Erasmo
Villarreal, Community Development Director, mentioned several blocks that could
be temporarily used for baseball fields.
John Viduarri,
Parks and Recreation Director, stated that there are no funds appropriated in
the budget for clearing of the blocks or for the backstops.
Cm. Galo instructed staff to contact the
American Little League and inquire how the City can best accommodate their
needs. He agreed to use his
discretionary funds for the project.
2. Staff update on the Sidewalk Project in
District III, with possible action.
Rogelio Rivera,
City Engineer, stated that he had submitted a detailed report on Sidewalk
Projects and Construction for District III, which was initiated today and would
be complete in four months.
3. Staff update on the progress of the
Chacon/Meadow Bridge, with possible action.
Rogelio Rivera,
City Engineer, stated that the Chacon/Meadow Bridge would be completed by June
2001. They are currently fifteen
percent complete.
Cm. Galo requested that this project be placed
on the agenda on a monthly basis. He
also requested video tapes of the projects progression.
B.
Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.
1. Status of animal control sweep in District
VI, with possible action.
Teresa Hill,
Cynthia Bustamante, Alvaro Bustamante, and Hector Farias, Chairman for VIDA,
appeared before the Council to discuss an animal sweep that took place in
District VII.
Mr. Hector Farias, spokesperson for VIDA,
encouraged the Council to increase funding and personnel in the City Health
Department. He also gave his
interpretation of a situation between City employees and the animal sweep that
was held in order to prevent the spread of rabies.
Ms. Bustamante, a concerned citizen, described
the behavior of the animal control officers as being unethical, rude and
arrogant. She asked Council to
encourage directors to improve the education of their officers to ensure that
laws are enforced properly. She was
disappointed that the Animal Control Officers did not follow up with the rabies
results from the animals taken from her home, and her main concern was that her
children had been handling the dogs.
Mr. Bustamante, a concerned citizen, expressed
his disappointment with the Animal
Control Officers. He said that they
threatened his wife with a $2,000 fine if she did not release the registered
Dalmatian to them. He also stated that
they took nine Labradors from his property.
Teresa Hill, a
resident of Los Minerales, complained about the procedures that the Animal
Control Officers used.
Isabel Mendez, a
representative from the Animal Protective Society, remarked that the Society is
dealing with a large amount of sick, injured, contagious or unwanted animals on
a monthly basis. She explained that
most of the animals have to be destroyed.
She added that the facility is too small to handle observing more than
10 dogs at a time.
Ms. Reed, an
employee of the Animal Protective Society, asked Council for their help and
support. She added that the shelter
needs more observation pens. She
stressed the point that every animal that enters the shelter is important.
Victor Oliveros,
Division Chief of the Health Department, advised the Council that the rabid dog
was found in the Los Minerales area.
The Animal Control Officer went to 16 houses in that subdivision and
collected 48 dogs that had not been vaccinated. He added that seven citations were issued because the residents
were uncooperative and did not allow the Officers to obtain the animals. He stated that the complaints against the
Officers were being taken very seriously and that he would report back to
Council at a later date.
Larry Dovalina,
City Manager, encouraged the public to report any unethical or immoral act of a
City employee to his office and management would aggressively pursue the
alleged accusation.
Cm. J. Valdez requested a report explaining the
qualifications needed to be an animal control officer. He also requested documentation on all dogs
that were retrieved from the Los Minerales Subdivision.
Larry Dovalina,
City Manager, stated that a report is already being compiled and would be
submitted to Council upon completion.
C.
Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez
1. Discussion on the cutting of public streets
and failure to resurface the street, with
possible action.
Cm. Ramirez stated that he would like to create
an ordinance that allots contractors a specific time to repair street
cuts. If they do not comply with the
ordinance, they should be cited.
Larry Dovalina,
City Manager, stated that his office approves all street cut applications. Other alternatives to street cuts are
considered as well. He added that if
the cuts are not patched within a reasonable amount of time that the City will
shut the Contractor’s work down.
Jesus Garza,
from the Engineering Department, who is in charge of issuing the street cut
permits, reported that the street cuts on Davis and Main will be completed in
two weeks.
2. Discussion on the flooding problems at the
intersection of Vidaurri Avenue and
Sanchez Street, with possible action.
Rogelio Rivera,
City Engineer, stated that his department is currently compiling studies and
will bring proposals back to the Council to remedy the flooding problem at the
intersection of Vidaurri Avenue and Sanchez Street.
3. Discussion on the construction of sidewalks
on the 1600-1700 block of Sanchez
Street and the 1500-1600 block of Park
Street, with possible action.
Rogelio Rivera,
City Engineer, stated that the reports were submitted to Council. He stated the street could be added to the new
if it was the desire of the Council.
4. Discussion on the cleanup and maintenance of
the 4 city owned blocks by the
River Drive Mall that are used for
parking, with possible action.
Agustin
Dovalina, Chief of Police, stated that he would direct the bike patrol to work
that area as soon as possible.
John Viduarri,
Parks and Recreation Director, added that his department is working diligently
to clean up and maintain the area. He
added that he would request for additional funding to assist in proper
maintenance.
IX. INTRODUCTORY
ORDINANCES
11. An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to
execute a lease with Border Area
Nutrition
Council for approximately 481 square feet constituting Suite No. 25 of Building
No. S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road at the Laredo International
Airport. Lease term is for one (1) year
commencing on January 1, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2001, and may be
extended for two (2) terms of one (1) year each ending on December 31, 2002,
and December 31, 2003. Monthly rent
shall be $600.00 and will be adjusted annually during the primary and extension
terms of this lease according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing
for effective date.
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
12. An ordinance to authorize the City Manager
to execute lease with Kiwanis
International
for a tract of land containing approximately 4.95 acres located on Block 1 at
the Laredo International Airport. Lease
term is for three (3) days commencing on April 20, 2001, and ending on April
22, 2001. Rent shall be $1,800.00;
providing for effective date.
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
13. An ordinance closing as a public easement
that section of the 300 block of Laredo St.
between
Springfield Ave. and the east right-of-way line of the Texas Mexican Railroad
Co. situated in the Eastern Division,
City of Laredo, County of Webb, Texas and providing for an effective date.
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
X. FINAL
READINGS OF ORDINANCES
Internet available: