CITY OF LAREDO
CITY
COUNCIL MEETING
M2001-R-17
CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
July 2, 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
Johnny Amaya, Council Member, District IV
Eliseo Valdez, Jr., Mayor
Pro Tempore, District V
Joe A. Guerra, Council Member, District VI
Jose A. Valdez, Jr., Council
Member, District VII
Juan Ramirez, Council
Member, District VIII
Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City
Secretary
Larry Dovalina, City Manager
Cynthia Collazo, Assistant
City Manager
Jaime Flores, City
Attorney
Motion to excuse Cm. Galo.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
IV. MINUTES
None.
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Cm. Ramirez extended an invitation for the public to
attend the Tecolotes game at Veterans Field on the 4th of July. He mentioned that there would be a fireworks
display after the game.
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. reported that he attended the
first annual Import-Export Convention held at the Laredo Civic Center over the
weekend and there was very good attendance from the members of the private
sector.
Cm. Bruni submitted the Southwest Texas Rain
Enhancement Association Report to City Council for Flights 28 through 34
conducted on June 21, 2001, Flights 35 and 36 conducted on June 24, 2001, and
brief summaries for Flights 37 through 40 conducted on July 1, 2001. The complete reports are available at the
City Secretary’s Office for review.
Mayor Flores asked for a moment of silence for the young
man who was killed in a motorcycle accident.
Invitations
None.
Recognitions
None.
Communiqués
Fire Chief Luis Sosa, reported that our local
firefighters have participated in a rigorous training effort for the Fire
Department Rescue Team in conjunction with rescue teams from different parts of
the world. He also introduced Comm. Juan
Alberto Sosa, from the Fire Department in San Antonio de Areco, Pronvincia de
Buenos Aires, Argentina, who has been in Laredo for a few weeks providing his
expertise in rescue operations.
Motion to proclaim the City of Laredo and the City
of San Antonio de Areco, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, as sister
cities.
Moved: Mayor
Pro Tem E. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Fire Chief Luis Sosa also announced the appointment
of Assistant Fire Chief Roberto Reyna to the Laredo Fire Department. He has been with the department for 25 years
and assumed his new position today.
Mayor Flores read a letter from
Senator Judith Zaffirini:
“Dear Mayor Flores:
Thank you for expressing your support for increased
funding for the Small Business Development Center through the University of
Texas as San Antonio. The interim at
hand affords me this opportunity to provide a progress report.
It was my pleasure to support this initiative to increase
state funding to $2.126 million annually.
This program is among my top priorities, and I am delighted to report
that as a member of the Appropriations Conference Committee, I helped secure
the request for nearly $4.3 million in state funding for the biennium. Thank you for your interest in this worthy
program.
Very truly yours,
Judith Zaffirini”
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
None.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public
hearing authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo's 2000-2001
annual budget in the amount of $57,723.00 to fund
the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant. The Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division will be
designating $51,951.00 and the City of Laredo will be designating $5,772.00 in
matching funds. Funding will be used to
pay for salaries, fringe benefits and to purchase computers. Grant period is from August 1, 2001 through
July 31, 2002. (Approval of Resolution
2001-R-069 before Public Hearing)
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of
Laredo's 2000-2001 annual budget in the amount of $57,723.00 to fund the
Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant.
The Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division will be
designating $51,951.00 and the City of Laredo will be designating $5,772.00 in
matching funds. Funding will be used to
pay for salaries, fringe benefits and to purchase computers. Grant period is from August 1, 2001 through
July 31, 2002.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Mayor
Pro Tempore E. Valdez, Jr.
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Mayor
Pro Tempore E. Valdez, Jr.
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS
2. A. Request by Council Member Alfredo Agredano
1.
Discussion with possible action on replacing the sign to the entrance of
Century
City,
which was knocked down by a car, and sits on City property.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, reported that even though the
right-of-way for the sign is on city-owned property, the sign itself is owned
by the homeowners’ association. He
mentioned that representatives from the association had assured the City that
they would not allow the placement of this sign to become a maintenance issue
for the City of Laredo and that they would take care of any maintenance needs
in the future.
Cm. Guerra suggested that city staff look into this
concern regarding entrance signs and have a report prepared by the next City
Council meeting.
B. Request by Council Member Joe A. Guerra
1. Status report on Springfield Extension, with possible action.
Mrs. June Leyendecker appeared before City Council to protest
the dividing of her property. She
mentioned that the Springfield Road extension has created property damage to
her land and she requested that the City allow her property to remain intact.
Keith Selman, City Planner, reported that Mrs. Leyendecker was
correct. The City Planning Department
staff did meet with Mrs. Leyendecker a few times to talk about alternative road
alignments for the Leyendecker family to consider. The City Planning and Zoning Department presented the different
alternatives available to the property owners that would produce different
shifts in the approved master plan. In
one scenario, they followed the westernmost property line and then swung the
property over. So what is observable in
some of the scenarios is a shift on the alignments along the Leyendecker
property. The scenario most preferred
by the Leyendecker family is the one with the northern alignment with their
property that would only bisect their property in the northernmost
section. Mrs. Leyendecker indicated
that this is an area that she is prepared to dedicate public right-of-way
for. Mr. Selman mentioned that in the
letter of response from the Leyendeckers, they indicated that they would be
prepared to dedicate along this alignment but only for the amount that was
originally to be within their property.
Cm. Guerra asked to have a determination of the
Planning Department’s study by July 23, 2001, and have staff work with Mrs.
Leyendecker and her engineer in order to arrive at an amiable solution.
C. Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez
1.
Discussion and possible action on the amount of monies that might be
available
for
Third Party Funding for FY 2001-2002 that could be used for the water park.
Jaime Flores, City Attorney, commented
over the point of law that the Tax Code reflects in regards to the source of
funding from the Hotel-Motel Fund. He
stated that the law does not allow for any hotel-motel revenue to be used for
the construction of a water park. The
only construction that is permitted through the Hotel-Motel Fund would be for
the construction of convention center facilities and visitor information
booths.
2. Report on the hiring practices and process of the City.
Cm. Ramirez stated his concern over the
hiring practices, including posting of job announcements for the general public
to become aware of employment positions within the City of Laredo.
Dan Migura, Administrative Services
Department Director, reported that the City has, by ordinance, a provision that
requires the City to post all vacant positions for at least five days prior to
selection of any applicant. He
mentioned that they try in every way possible to reach a large market by
posting the job vacancies at City Hall and have recently opened up the Del Mar
location to facilitate the filling out of applications for job applicants as
well. He stated that a job listing is
provided to several agencies throughout the city on a regular basis. Some of these organizations include SER Jobs
for Progress and the Texas Workforce Commission which make these job listings
available to their job applicants.
Motion to instruct staff to have monies
set aside for publishing of job openings in the Laredo Morning Times.
Cm. Ramirez made a motion; there was no
second. Motion dies for lack of a
second.
3. Status report on the import lot of GSA between Bridges I and
II.
Cynthia Collazo, Assistant City Manager, reported that staff has
been in frequent contact with GSA, but they have not been able to finalize this
transaction. It appears that GSA has
been working on some other projects; and, although they wanted to lease this
facility to the City, they have not given the City a final response. She mentioned that they asked for a parking
lot scheme and a survey which has already been provided to them. They now have an Acting Regional
Administrator and the City’s intent is to go ahead and communicate with them to
give more attention to the matter.
IX. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES
3. An
ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with South Texas
Development Council for approximately 2,048 square
feet constituting Suite Nos. 12, 14, 16 and 18 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
July 1, 2001 and ending on June 30, 2002, and may be extended for one (1) term
of one (1) year ending on June 30, 2003.
Monthly rent shall be $2,580.50 and will be adjusted annually according
to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing for an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
4. An
ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with South Texas
Development Council for approximately 480 square
feet constituting Suite No. 15 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 July 1, 2001 and ending on
June 30, 2002, and may be extended for one (1) term of one (1) year ending on
June 30, 2003. Monthly rent shall be
$605.00 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the Consumer
Price Index; providing for an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
5. An
ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with South Texas
Development Council for approximately 640 square
feet constituting Suite No. 19 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 July 1, 2001 and ending on
June 30, 2002, and may be extended for one (1) term of one (1) year ending on
June 30, 2003. Monthly rent shall be
$807.00 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the Consumer
Price Index; providing for an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
6. An
ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Laredo Guardian
Volunteers, Inc., for approximately 300 square feet
constituting Suite No. 23 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 June 1, 2001 and ending on May 31, 2002,
and may be extended for two (2) terms of one (1) year each ending on May 31,
2003 and May 31, 2004. Monthly rent
shall be $378.00 and will be adjusted annually during the primary and extension
terms of this lease according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing
for an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
7. An
ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the amended
lease agreement between the City of Laredo Airport
Fund, as LESSOR, and City of Laredo-Engineering Department, authorized by
Ordinance No. 99-0-113 dated April 26, 1999.
Said amendment will amend, specifically, Section 1.02, titled,
"Term", extending the lease term for one (1) year ending on September
30, 2001; Section 1.03, titled, "Option to Extend", therefore ending
on September 30, 2002; Section 1.05, titled, "Rental Obligation",
adding that the monthly rent commencing on October 1, 2000 and ending on
September 30, 2001, shall be $1,507.68; and Section 1.07, titled,
"Utilities", has been replaced in its entirety delineating that
Lessor shall provide all utilities during normal business hours, between 7:00
a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday; all other terms remain unchanged and in
effect; providing for an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
8. An
ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the lease
with
Juan Vargas d/b/a The Education Center authorized by
Ordinance No. 2000-0-196 dated August 7, 2000.
Said amendment will amend specifically, Section 1.03, titled,
"Option to Extend", therefore extending the option term until June
30, 2002, and Section 1.04, titled, "Rental Obligation", will amend
the monthly rental to $2,000.00 commencing on July 1, 2001 and ending on June
30, 2002. All other terms and
conditions remain unchanged and in effect; providing for an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
9. An
ordinance closing as a public easement that section of the 4000 block of Sta.
Rita
Avenue between Pace and Ugarte Streets situated in
the Western Division, City of Laredo, County of Webb, Texas; and providing for
an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
10. An
ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to
effectively convey an 11,640 sq. ft. Easement and
Right-of-Way to AEP Central Power and Light Company, for the installation of
certain underground electric service facilities to serve the premises at the
International Airport Passenger Terminal Subdivision on Loop 20. Said 11,640 sq. ft. Easement and
Right-of-Way being part of Lot 1, Block 1, Laredo International Airport Passenger
Terminal Subdivision, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; being generally
described below, and more particularly described by metes and bounds on
attached Exhibit "A", and providing for an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
X. FINAL READINGS OF ORDINANCES
Internet availability: //www.ci.laredo.tx.us
Motion to waive the final readings of Ordinance #
2001-O-131, 2001-O-132, 2001-O-133, 2001-O-134, 2001-O-135 and 2001-O-136.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
11. 2001-O-131 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 1, Block 526, Western Division, located at 2002
Santa Rita Ave., from M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) to R-3 (Mixed
Residential District); providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Jose Valdez, Jr.)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-131.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-132 Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit
for an auto paint and body shop on Lot 5, Block 927, Western Division, located
at 3616 Santa Maria Ave.; providing for publication and effective date. (As Amended) (Council Member Jose Valdez,
Jr.)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-132.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-133 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by
authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit
for a used car lot on Lot 2, Block 292, Eastern Division, located at 413 Clark
Blvd.; providing for publication and effective date. (As Amended) (Council
Member Johnny Amaya)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-133.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-134 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning
Lots 7 and 8, Block 1, Mims - Calton Gardens
Addition, located at 219 W. Calton Rd., from B-1 (Limited Commercial District)
to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective
date. (Council Member Joe A. Guerra)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-134.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-135 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 1, Block 1, Lago Del Mar Subdivision, Unit II,
located at 3400 Del Mar Blvd., from R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District) to
B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective
date. (Council Member Louis H. Bruni)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-135.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-136 Amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
2.4347 acres, as further described by metes and
bounds, located at 3300 Del Mar Blvd., from R-2 (Multi-Family Residential
District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and
effective date. (Council Member John C.
Galo)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-136.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
XI. RESOLUTIONS
12.
2001-R-068 A resolution
authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant from the
Criminal Justice Division, Office of the Governor in
the amount of $80,000.00 for the funding of the Violence Against Women Act
(VAWA) Program. The Office of the
Governor is contributing $80,000.00 with the City designating $35,000.00 in
matching funds for a total of $115,000.00 to fund the program. Funds will be used to pay personnel
salaries, fringe benefits and operational expenses form June 1, 2001 through
May 31, 2002.
Motion to approve Resolution # 2001-R-068.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
13.
2001-R-069 A resolution
authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant from the
Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division in
the amount of $51,951.00 to fund the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block
Grant. The Office of the Governor,
Criminal Justice Division will be designating $51,951.00 and the City of Laredo
will be designating $5,772.00 in matching funds for a total of $57,723.00 to
fund the project. Funding will be used
to pay for salaries, fringe benefits and to purchase computers. Grant period is from August 1, 2001 through
July 31, 2002.
Motion to approve Resolution # 2001-R-069.
Moved:
Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
14.
2001-R-072 A resolution
authorizing the City Manager to execute an Interlocal
Government Agreement between the City of Laredo and
the Texas Parks and Wildlife to install 1,500 linear feet of 8-inch water line
at the Lake Casa Blanca State Park. The
City will perform the installation and the State will pay the sum of $5,088.25
for materials.
Motion to
approve Resolution # 2001-R-072.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
15.
2001-R-074 A resolution
authorizing the use of surplus proceeds from the City of
Laredo -
Public Property Finance Contractual Obligations (PPFCO), Series 1997 - B, in
the amount of $6,000.00 for the purchase of furniture for the new Fire Station
No. 12.
Motion to approve Resolution # 2001-R-074.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
16.
2001-R-076 A resolution
authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to
fund the Financial Crime-Free Communities Support
Program (C-FIC): An Anti-Money Laundering Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance
U.S. Department of Justice, at no cost to the City.
Motion to approve Resolution # 2001-R-076.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
XII. MOTIONS
17.
Consideration to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract for
the purchase of
252.789 acre-feet of class "B" water
rights from Lieven J. Van Riet, for the sum of $136,506.06. The water rights convert to 101.1156
acre-feet of municipal water rights.
Motion to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
18.
Consideration to approve Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $84,796.41
to Lambda
Construction Company for the South Laredo Belt
Filter Press construction project to pay for re-piping the wash water supply
and to furnish and install a shaftless screw conveyor. Funding is available in the Wastewater 1994
Bond Construction Project.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
19. Consideration to approve Amendment No. 3 in the amount of
$12,800.00 with Camp,
Dresser, & McKee for the South Laredo Belt
Filter Press Construction Project to pay for design services related to the
replacement of an old sludge conveyance system with a screw conveyance
system. The City expects to reduce
maintenance costs and improve sludge disposal to the landfill. Funding is available in the Wastewater 1994
Bond Construction Projects.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
20.
Consideration to adopt a schedule of hearing and proceedings for
voluntary and
unilateral annexations for calendar year 2001, in
accordance with Section 43.052 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
21.
Consideration to reject all bids received for the purchase of three crew
cab truck with
service bodies (FY01-087), due to the bid pricing
exceeding budget and authorizing the purchase of these replacement through the
Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) - Cooperative Purchasing
Program, in the total amount of $91,628.38.
These trucks will be assigned to the Utilities Department - Wastewater
Collection Division with delivery expected within ninety days. Funding is available in the Waste Water
Fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
22.
Consideration to award contract number FY01-096, to the LOW BIDDER,
Crosstown
Sterling, Corpus Christi, Texas, in the amount of
$69,999.00, for the purchase of one service truck for the landfill
operations. Funding is available in the
Solid Waste Fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
23.
Consideration to award contract FY01-113, to Onyx Environmental
Services,
Baytown, Texas, in the amount of $59,873.45, for
conducting two household hazardous waste collection events for the
Environmental Services Department. The
events are scheduled for November 2001 and April 2002. The contract vendor is responsible for the
collection, categorization, packaging, transportation, and disposal of
household wastes collected at these two events. Funding is available in the Environmental Services Department
budget.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
24.
Consideration to award contract number FY01-121 to the LOW BIDDER
MEETING
SPECIFICATIONS, Sames Motor Co., Laredo, Texas, in
the amount of $93,000.00, for the purchase of three, one-ton flatbed
trucks. Two trucks will be assigned to
the Traffic Safety Department and one to the Fleet Maintenance Division. Delivery is expected within ninety
days. Funding is available in the 2000
Contractual Obligation (PPFCO) proceeds and the Fleet Maintenance Fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
25.
Consideration to award contract number FY01-122 to the LOW BIDDER, Sames
Motor Co., Laredo, Texas, in the amount of
$49,400.00, for the purchase of two, 3/4-ton crew cab trucks. One truck will be assigned to the Public
Works Department and one to the Engineering Department. Funding is available in the 2000 Contractual
Obligation (PPFCO) proceeds and the Capital Improvement Fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
26. Consideration
to award annual contract number FY01-123; to the LOW BIDDER,
Galls, Inc., Lexington, KY, in the estimated amount
of $300,000.00 for the purchase of trousers and shirts for Police Department
personnel. Funds are available in the
Police Department budget.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
27.
Consideration to award contract number FY01-126 to Precision Delta
Corporation,
Ruleville, MS., in the amount of $41,349.62, for the
purchase of duty and practice ammunition for the Police Department. Bids were requested on the following
ammunition types: .45ACP, 40 cal., 308, 00 Buck, rifle slug, 9mm, and .223 cal. Funding is available in the Police
Department budget.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
28.
Consideration to award contract FY01-127, to Sirchie Finger Print Lab,
Medford, N.J.,
in the amount of $87,225.00, for the purchase of an
evidence collection vehicle for the Police Department. The collection vehicle will be fully
equipped with crime scene power and lighting system, photographic equipment,
and crime scene search kits. Delivery
is expected within 120 days. Funding
for the purchase of this system is available in the Police Trust Fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
29.
Consideration to award contract number FY01-130, to the LOW BIDDER, Golf
Cars,
Inc., New Braunfels, Texas, in the amount of
$16,029.00 for the purchase of two gas powered utility carryall vehicles for
the Bridge System. Funding is available
in the Bridge Fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
30.
Consideration to award contract FY01-131, to Noritsu America Corp.,
Vienna, VA., in
the amount of $105,172.05, for the purchase and
installation of a photo processing minilab and related equipment for the Police
Department. This equipment will allow
the Department to develop 135 mm film to photo paper and to save them in a
digital format. Funding for the
purchase of this system is available in the Police Trust Fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
31.
Consideration to award contract number FY01-171 to the LOW BIDDER,
American
La France Aerials, Ephrata, PA, in the amount of
$604,899.00, for the purchase of a replacement Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting
(ARFF) vehicle. Delivery is expected
within ten to twelve months. Funding is
available in the Airport Construction Fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
32.
Consideration to award contract FY01-115, to fourteen qualified book
vendors, for
library materials collection development for books,
databases and audio-visual products for a period of two years. Contracts for multiple book vendors for
library materials collection development will enable the Library to assess the
services of book distributors and acquire the best competitive prices and
discounts on the market. All purchases
are contingent on available funding for the current and future budget
year. Funding is available in the
Library budget.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
33.
Consideration to authorize the City Manager to enter into a lease
agreement with Santa
Maria Adult Day Care for lease of four parking
spaces for individuals with disabilities on the City of Laredo's parking lot
located on 1411 Grant. The spaces will
be utilized by the Santa Maria Adult Day Care to transport patrons to and from
the center.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
34.
Consideration for approval of Change Order No.1 an increase of
$50,022.00 to the
construction contract with Pete Gallegos Paving,
Inc., Laredo, Texas, for the City-Wide Sidewalks Project No. 12a (33 Blocks)
and Project No. 17a (4 Blocks) for a total of 37 Blocks to add the quantities
needed to construct an additional seven (7) blocks and to add an additional 18
working days to the construction contract time. Funding is available in the District IV Sidewalks.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
35.
Consideration to award a construction contract to the LOW BIDDER Price
Construction, Inc., Laredo, Texas, in the bid amount
of $551,488.03 for the Shiloh Drive Widening Project from IH 35 to McPherson
Road. Funding is available in the
2000-A C.O. Issue Shiloh Widening.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
36.
Consideration for approval of the selection of consultant Turner, Hickey
& Associates,
Laredo, Texas, for the South Laredo Park (in the
vicinity of Kawas Elementary School) and authorization to negotiate a
professional services contract. Funding
is available in the Community Development 26th Action Year - South Laredo Park.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
37.
Consideration to amend motion # 30 of the June 18, 2001 City Council
Agenda
regarding the acceptance of the Bridge Toll System
Upgrade Project to reflect approval of the final payment to Transcore
previously approved of $841,625.67 to the revised amount of $1,006,625.67 and a
final contract amount previously reported of $9,172,946.00 to the revised
amount of $9,337,946.00. The amendment
reflects the addition of Change Order No. 4 in the amount of $165,000.00 that
had previously been approved by City Council on December 18, 2000 and had inadvertently
been omitted on the final payment request.
Funding is available in the Bridge fund.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
38.
Consideration to authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract with
URS Greiner
Woodward Clyde for professional services to prepare
an Airport Master Plan and FAR Part 150 Airport Noise Compatibility Study
Update for the Laredo International Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a grant to update both
studies and will pay ninety (90%) percent of the cost.
Motion
to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
XIII. STAFF REPORT
39. Update
on the status of the Colonias Project.
Fernando Roman, Utilities Director, reported that the
conceptual design is moving ahead. He
stated that the department is expecting a report this week from Turner, Collie,
and Braden with a follow-up report being made on a monthly basis on their
progress. He also mentioned that they
have received revised figures for the oversizing of the lines. His staff will be contacting the landowners
to inform them of the new amounts. He
expects to have some commitments from some of the landowners so that they can
instruct the engineers as to which direction their design should take.
40.
Presentation by the Traffic Safety Department regarding the status of
designating San
Ignacio Avenue as a truck route from the
intersection of Jefferson/San Ignacio to the intersection of Houston/San
Ignacio.
Juan Morales, from the Traffic Safety Department,
reported that the northern portion of San Ignacio has a block of warehouses
that can be serviced currently as the ordinance was written. The problem arises with a block of
warehouses on the southern portion of San Ignacio which can only be reached
through Sanchez St. or Scott St. He
stated what the advantages and disadvantages of this proposed option are:
Advantages
* access to
warehouses south of Scott St. when the train is blocking Scott St. and
Sanchez
St.
Disadvantages
* safety
concerns with increased truck traffic along San Ignacio
*
playground/softball field at the 2100 block of San Ignacio
* from the
1700 block to the 1300 block of San Ignacio is a residential area
* a truck
route already exists parallel to San Ignacio one block away
The recommendation from staff and the Transportation
and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee as recommended on May 31st is
that San Ignacio not be designated as a truck route.
41.
Consideration of a request by Mr. Jesus M. Sanchez representing
"Colonias Olvidadas"
to
waive fees at the City's landfill for disposal of solid waste from 13 colonias.
Jesus M. Sanchez requested the assistance from the City
Council to waive the fees.
Cm. Bruni recommended that staff identify the 13 colonias and
consider lowering the disposal fee to $30.00 per ton for
the colonias to dispose of refuse at the City landfill.
Joe Guerra, Public Works Director, stated that the City
Council had passed an ordinance charging $65.00 per ton for trash outside the
city limits. The ordinance was later
changed to give the County a reduced fee of $30.00 for pickup of their refuse
which is outside the city limits. He
mentioned that the ordinance states that for those property owners who live
within the County and where the County does not pick up their trash, they are
responsible for taking their refuse to the nearest landfill.
Mayor Flores suggested that the City should start a
discussion with the County and assist the County in proposing a regional plan
for these property owners who are not included under the Webb County refuse
disposal option.
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council hereby reserves the right to go
into executive session at any time during this public meeting, when it deems it
necessary to consult privately with its attorney about any item upon this
agenda, pursuant to the provisions of Section 551.071(2) of the Texas
Government Code.
XV. RECESS AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MUNICIPAL HOUSING CORPORATION
Motion to recess as City Council and convene as the
Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
42.
Consideration to authorize the Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation
(LMHC)
President to enter into an agreement with Laredo
Independent School District (LISD) to accept twenty-five (25) reconditioned
computers at no cost and to be utilized by students residing at the Jose A.
Flores Apartments and Tomas Flores Apartments.
This action is part of the Three Year Technology Plan by LISD.
Motion to approve.
Moved:
Cm. Agredano
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to recess as the Laredo Municipal Housing
Corporation and reconvene as City Council.
Moved:
Cm. Guerra
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
City of Laredo
M2001-S-17
July 2, 2001
Supplemental Agenda
I. General Council Discussions and
Presentations
A.
Request by Council Member Louis H.
Bruni
1. Status report on the water point on Highway
359, with possible action.
Fernando Roman, Utilities Director, reported
that his department is working on the water point. The equipment has been ordered and the manufacturer has told him
that there is a four to five week lead time before the delivery is made. He mentioned that he also has been working
on a rendition of a two-lane, two-dispenser water point. He stated that they are looking at doubling
the amount of materials needed for the project and as a result the cost will be
increasing to about $25,000.00 just for the portion of the two-lane with the
dispensers.
Cm. Bruni mentioned that he would not
want to delay the project even if it remains a single-lane facility. He stated that perhaps, as a quick solution
to the problem, he would prefer to stay with one overhead and simplify the
current design for those people who use the water point. Cm. Bruni inquired as to negotiations with the property owners or
whether there is a secondary area being considered should the negotiations fall
through.
Fernando Roman stated that part of the
work being done through the owner’s engineer has been to work out some of the
issues such as access and drainage. He
commented that the dual dispenser works well because it would allow the city to
have trucks on the property, two loading and four waiting in line, which
would alleviate the truck traffic.
Cm. Bruni mentioned that he would like
for the department to expedite this project because there is only one such
water facility available which is in the Larga Vista area at the present time.
2. Status report on the East Woods Subdivision Park, with possible
action.
Horacio De Leon, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that
the City Council is aware of the motion which is incorporated within the
supplemental agenda. The motion being
made is to award the design contract to Turner & Hickey for the design of
the park. He commented that the design
time for this project would be 90 days.
Concurrent with this design time, the department will have an
environmental assessment conducted during phase two. This would put the preliminary date at October 2, 2001. Following this timeline, the acceptance and
design requirement as well as the approval to go out on bids would be performed
by mid-October, 2001. They will then
accept bids by November, 2001, and would then award construction in December,
2001. The construction time for a
project such as this one is approximately 120 days, or April of 2002.
Cm. Bruni requested that the Parks and Recreation Director
consult with the project engineer and try to shorten the 90 days requested for
the design time.
B. Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez
1.
Discussion and possible action regarding the River Drive Mall parking
lot near
Bridge I to hold opening and establish the rate and
the 24-hour security. (Co-sponsored by
Council Member Jose Valdez, Jr.
Cm. Ramirez stated that he was not in agreement with
the rate of $1.75 an hour. He stated
that he believed that the rate to be set would be $1.50 an hour to attract the
tourists or other people who may consider using the parking facility. He stated that being that he is not in
agreement to the hourly rate, he would like to rescind the action of the
respective ordinance and set the hourly rate at $1.50.
Mayor Flores stated that the ordinance, which was
passed by City Council, could not be rescinded because that would delay the
scheduled opening of the parking facility until the City Council conducts
separate public hearings and rewrites the ordinance.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, commented that what
had been suggested was to initiate the parking facility so that it could be
accessible to all and to test the process.
He stated that if the City saw an issue with the change of the coins,
then the City could come in and make an adjustment at that time.
Cm. Ramirez requested to allow for 24-hour security
at the parking facility.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, stated that the City
would not allow for overnight parking at that location.
Cm. Ramirez mentioned that he would like to get the
other parking facility ready as soon as possible. He wants to know how much time will it take to put up the fence
and gates to this other facility.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, stated that the
contract was signed approximately two weeks ago and the fence should be
installed some time in the near future.
Roberto Murillo, Traffic Director, made a
presentation explaining the efforts being made to upgrade the parking facility
on the upper level of the mall area. He
provided City Council with the layout of the parking lot and explained the fact
that there will be 66 spaces and are opting to install some pay and display
machines rather than parking meters.
II. Motion
1.
Consideration to award a professional services contract to Turner,
Hickey & Associates,
Laredo, Texas, for an amount not to exceed $27,000
for design and preparation of plans and specifications for the Eastwoods
Park. Funding is available in the
Capital Improvements Projects.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
III. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn. Time:
7:30 p.m.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
I, Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary, do hereby
certify that the above minutes contained in pages 01 through 20 are true,
complete, and correct proceedings of the City Council Meeting held on the 2nd
day of July, 2001.
_____________________
Gustavo
Guevara, Jr.
City
Secretary