CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2001-R-30
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
NOVEMBER 26, 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 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 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. John C.
Galo.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. J. Ramirez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
IV. MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of October 1, 2001 and October 15, 2001.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Ramirez
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore
Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Mayor Flores announced that the Texas Operation Lifesaver
organization, together with the City of Laredo, TxDOT, V. M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts,
Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Mexican Railway, and Union Pacific
Railroad, will coordinate a mock crash dramatization on Tuesday, November 27,
2001. This will take place at the
railroad crossing on the 1100 block of Juarez Avenue. This dramatization will emphasize the harsh reality of fatalities
and injuries sustained in railroad crossing collisions.
a. Presentation of the
2001 Employee Leadership Development Class.
Jerry Elizondo, Training Coordinator,
reported that this is the fifth class to participate
in the Employee Leadership Program.
He introduced the employees who are members
of the 2001-2002 class:
Luis Tinajero, Laredo Police Department
Pedro Paredes, Jr., Traffic Safety
Department
Pablo Martinez, Utilities Department
Karla De La Rosa, Community Development
Teresa Esparza, Engineering Department
Rosie Cantu, Planning & Zoning
Department
Michelle Romani, Convention & Visitors
Bureau
George Leal, Sanitation Department
Joe Moreno, Laredo Public Library
Adan Guajardo, Tax Department
Lupita Narvaez, City Manager's Office
Anita Stanley, Parks and Recreation
Department
Greg Hernandez, Laredo Bridge System
Beatriz Duarte, Health Department
Genoveva Ramirez, Health Department
Edna Garza, Administrative Services
Department
Invitations
Cm. Bruni extended an invitation to the ribbon cutting ceremony on
Hwy. 359 Waterpoint to be held Thursday, November 29, 2001, at 2:00 p.m. He mentioned this facility will serve as a
water point for the outlying areas that do not have water.
Recognitions
None.
Communiqués
None.
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
None.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1a. Public hearing for the
voluntary annexation of Tract 1: UISD
Tract-10.00 acres, more
or less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Bruni
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public
input.
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Guerra
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
1b. Public hearing for the
voluntary annexation of Tract 2: Mejia
Tract-0.34 acres, more or
less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
1c. Public hearing for the
voluntary annexation of Tract 3: Heirloom
Tract-13.67 acres,
more or less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Guerra
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public
input.
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
1d. Public hearing for the
voluntary annexation of Tract 4: FESCO
Tract-66.126 acres,
more or less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Amaya
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public
input.
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
1e. Public hearing for the
voluntary annexation of Tract 5: Flores
Tract-0.96 acres, more
or less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public
input.
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Guerra
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
1f. Public hearing for the
unilateral annexation of Tract 6:
Tex-Mex Railway Tract-
228.6075 acres, more
or less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk, representing Tex-Mex Railway, stated that they would like
to request
not to proceed with the involuntary annexation of this tract. He pointed out that this
area is totally developed and, therefore, the concept of annexing it in
order to control development is not relevant.
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm.
Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
1g. Public hearing for the
unilateral annexation of Tract 7:
Lake/Life Downs Tract-776.19
acres, more or less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Guerra
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 2
Cm. Amaya
Mayor
Pro Tempore Valdez
Pete Morales, Assistant Planning Director for Webb County, stated that
they are
opposed to the annexation. He
requested that City Council follow the recommendation
of the Planning and Zoning
Commission which recommended that this site not be
annexed. Should City Council
choose to annex the land, he is requesting that Webb
County be granted an M-2 zoning designation on the Road and Bridge
Department.
Tomas M. Rodriguez, Webb County Engineer, stated that
he requests that the City not
annex the County
Road and Bridge Department.
Motion to exclude the 128 acres specifically leased from Webb
County to L.I.F.E. Downs but to include the remaining portion of the 776.19
acres including Larga Vista and including Lot 3, Block 1 (Road and Bridge
Department).
Moved: Cm.
Bruni
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 2
Cm. Amaya
Mayor
Pro Tempore Valdez
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 2
Cm. Amaya
Mayor
Pro Tempore Valdez
1h. Public hearing for the
unilateral annexation of Tract 8: Larga
Vista Tract-36.26 acres,
more or less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 2
Cm. Amaya
Mayor
Pro Tempore Valdez
Pete Morales, Assistant Planning Director, stated that their concern
with this
annexation is the annexation of county property which is the site of the
Community
Center. He mentioned that county
staff has worked with Planning and Zoning staff and
have been assured that community center type uses will be
permitted. He pointed out
that the land use charts are very specific and that government buildings
require a B-1
zoning designation. The
Commissioners Court has given staff recommendations to go
out and hire an architect to work on an addition at the Community
Center. He stated
that he would hate to see an addition made to a building that would
later be considered
non-conforming and not be allowed.
What city staff is proposing is assigning an R-3
designation, but Webb County would request that City Council not annex
two lots and
if it does, to grant the B-1 zoning designation.
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Bruni
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 2
Cm. Amaya
Mayor
Pro Tempore Valdez
1i. Public hearing for the
unilateral annexation of Tract 9:
Colombia Bridge Tract-
137.8539 acres, more
or less.
Motion to open the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Bruni
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public
input.
Motion to close the
public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Voluntary annexations of Tracts 1 through 5 total 91.096 acres,
more or less, and unilateral annexations of Tracts 6 through 9 total 1,178.9114
acres, more or less for a total of 1,270.0074 acres, as described in the tract
summaries as required by Section 43.063 of the Texas Local Government Code.
2. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 4, 5, and the East 1/2 of Lot 3,
Block 1268, Eastern Division, located at 2219 Clark Blvd., from R-1 (Single
Family Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing
for publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone
change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Louis La Vaude, representing Olga La Vaude, requested that City
Council follow the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and
deny the zone change.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce as a three-month
conditional use permit until the last meeting in April, 2002.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Bruni
3. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning 12.8447 acres, as further described by
metes and bounds in attached Exhibit "A", located south of Avenida
Los Presidentes and east of United South High School, from AG (Agricultural
District) to R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area District); providing for
publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone
change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. J.
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: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Agredano
4. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 9 and 11, Block 654, Eastern
Division, located at 1119 Travis St., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to
B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective
date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Vidal Palacios, stated that within the last six months several
businesses have opened in his neighborhood which have taken away from the
attractiveness and peacefulness of the neighborhood.
Motion to close the public hearing and postpone for 30 days.
Moved: Cm. Amaya
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
5. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2, Block 1456, Eastern Division,
located at 2505 Thurman St., from R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District) to
R-3 (Mixed Residential District); providing for publication and effective
date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Agredano
6. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning 12.41 acres, as further described by
metes and bounds in attached Exhibit "A", located east of McPherson
Road and north of University Park Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family
Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for
publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone
change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 1
Cm. Bruni
Carlos Mejia, Mejia Engineering Company, spoke on behalf of the
owner, Robert Marshall. He stated he is
in favor of the zone change being that the change is compatible with the
existing zoning designation in the vicinity.
Jorge Dominguez, representing the property owner Luz Dominguez,
stated that an existing ordinance specifically states that no person should
fill the creek or any part of the floodway.
He mentioned that the land developer is in violation of the ordinance,
and that this violation has created flooding and destruction on the property.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, stated that this has been a rather
controversial issue. He stated that
city staff is fully aware that there is litigation pending and that there are
violations by both parties. However, he
wants to make City Council aware that it is not staff's position to stop a
zoning process because of what may be occurring between the litigating
parties.
Cm. Guerra stated that there are other factors that must be taken
into consideration. He mentioned that
he has received numerous calls from residents in the area who are concerned
about the effects to the environment and, therefore, he is opposed to the requested zone change.
Cm. Bruni stated that he has known the land developer, Robert
Marshall, for over 20 years. He
mentioned that he is a very reputable individual and he has never heard a complaint
against him or his company.
Motion to close the public hearing, override Planning and Zoning
Commission and staff's recommendation, and deny the zone change.
Moved: Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Ramirez
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 1
Cm. Bruni
VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS