CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2001-R-32
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
DECEMBER 17, 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
John C. Galo, Council
Member, District III
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
Jaime Flores, City
Attorney
IV. MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of October 22, 2001 and November 13, 2001.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Cm. Ramirez thanked the residents of District VIII and city
staff, including the Laredo Police
Department, who has worked diligently to control traffic along the
freeway. He also thanked city employees
working at the new downtown parking facility and the Public Works crew for
their great work in cleaning up the downtown area on Friday night. He extended holiday greetings to all members
of the city staff and employees.
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr., informed the general public that the Public
Works Department has started paving work on Santa Maria Ave. He extended warm holiday greetings to all
the citizens of Laredo.
Cm. Joe Guerra extended a warm holiday greeting to all his
constituents of District VI as well as the staff of the City of Laredo and Mayor Flores.
Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez wished everyone a Merry Christmas and
wanted to make sure the everyone is thankful for all the blessings received in
spite of the distressing events we all experienced.
Cm. Amaya stated that he and his volunteers will be distributing
Christmas toys to children from District IV at the Second Annual Christmas Toy
Giveaway. He also extended warm
Christmas greetings to all the citizens of Laredo.
Cm. Galo extended happy holiday greetings to everyone in the
community. He also thanked members of
the city staff for their wonderful job throughout the year as well as his
committee appointees for the excellent job they are doing for the City of
Laredo.
Cm. Bruni extended warm Christmas greetings and good wishes for
the new year to everyone. He asked
everyone to focus on the important things shared with one's family and to
remember the celebration of Christ. He
wanted to thank everyone within the City of Laredo that he has worked with over
the past eight years, including former Mayor Saul Ramirez and Mayor Elizabeth
G. Flores for their guidance.
Cm. Agredano reminded everyone that Jesus is the reason for the
season. He extended warm holiday
greetings to everyone, especially to his constituents of District I.
Mayor Flores stated that there was no better way to thank the
people of Laredo than to remind them of one of the purposes of the City
Council: to make the City of Laredo a
better community for its young people.
She introduced the Nixon Mustang football team and presented them with a
Certificate of Recognition for their outstanding achievement.
She extended to all Council Members, their families and the families
in the City of Laredo a very special and blessed Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
Invitations
None.
Recognitions
a. Recognition of the
Health Department’s Vital Records Registration Staff for being
awarded the 2002 5-Star Local Registrar Vital Registration and
Excellence Award from the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital
Statistics. Out of 540 offices in
Texas, only seven were awarded the 5 Star Award for the fourth consecutive
year.
Mayor Flores recognized Dr. Hector Gonzalez,
Health Director, and his staff for the
recognition they received in the exemplary work
they continue to perform in
maintaining accurate birth records.
Communiqués
None.
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
a. Appointment by Mayor
Elizabeth G. Flores of Manuel Guerra to the Historic
District/Landmark
Board.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm.
Guerra
Second: Cm.
Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002
annual budget in the Capital Improvements Fund by appropriating
revenues and expenditures in the amount of $80,000.00, donated by Wal-Mart Real
Estate Business Trust and Killam Oil Co., Ltd, in order to fund the
installation and activation of a traffic signal at Loop 20 and Spur 400, and
authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Bruni
2. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept a
grant and amend the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 annual budget in
the amount of $111,336.00 from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
for the Children’s Health Insurance Outreach Project of the City of Laredo
Health Department (CHIP) for the period beginning February 1, 2002 through
August 31, 2003.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
3. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 7, Block 1800, Eastern Division,
located at 2920 Musser 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 denial of the proposed zone change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Miguel Angel Munoz spoke before City Council and requested a
special use permit for the service and repair of lawn movers and blowers.
Motion to close the public hearing, introduce and override
Planning and Zoning's recommendation to allow Mr. Munoz to continue with a Conditional Use Permit until April.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Bruni
4. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2000-O-306
authorizing the issuance of a Special Use Permit for mini-storage
warehouses on Lots 7, 8, 9, and 10 Block 431, Eastern Division, located at 202
W. Saunders St; such that the permit includes a revised site plan; providing
for publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed Special
Use Permit amendment.
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: Mayor Pro Tempore
Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez, Jr.
5. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance authorizing the issuance of a Special Use
Permit and Drilling Permit to Ocean Energy, Inc. for well re-entry
and repairs which do not involve deepening or conversion on Lots 119 through
127, Block 4, Colonia Los Angeles Subdivision, Unit III, located at the 4500
block of La Joya Lane, known as L.A. Wright-Moon “A” #4 Well; providing for
publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed Special
Use Permit.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ralf Bryant representing Ocean Energy, Inc. stated that they are
requesting a Special Use Permit in order to repair tubing that is leaking.
Cm. Bruni requested that City Council allow Ocean Energy, Inc. to
repair the tubing and cyclone fence and by the ordinance that they be allowed
to leave the cyclone fence. Cm. Bruni
asked that City Council allow the company to place heavy pipe around the well
head if they need to secure the well head itself.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce as a Special Use
Permit with the changes outlined.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Bruni
6. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance authorizing the issuance of a Special Use
Permit to Libcon, Inc. for an above ground fuel storage tank on
Lot 5, Block 10, Interamerica Distribution Park, Phase 5, located at 8016
Killam Industrial Blvd.; providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has
recommended approval of the proposed Special Use Permit.
Motion to open the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce as a Special Use
Permit.
Moved: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. Ramirez
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
7. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 5, Block 296, Eastern Division,
located at 2219 McDonnell Ave., from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3
(Community Business District); providing for publication and effective
date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone change and approval of a
Conditional Use Permit for a used car lot.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce as a Conditional
Use Permit.
Moved: Cm. Amaya
Second: Cm. J.Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Amaya
8. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the
City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2 and the South 1/3 or 23.14 feet
of Lot 4, Block 1056, Western Division, located at 4201 Flores Ave., 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 denial of the proposed zone
change and approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a supermarket.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. submitted a signature list in support of the
zone change at said location. The signature list is available for review at the
City Secretary's Office.
Motion to close the public hearing, deny zone change but approve
the Conditional Use Permit.
Moved: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS
9. A. Request by Council Member Johnny Amaya
1.
Status report on operation clean-up for District IV, with possible
action.
Erasmo Villarreal, Community Development
Director, stated that they are in the
process of substituting Operation Clean-up
with a pilot program.
Oscar Medina, Assistant Director of Public
Works, explained that they have been
covering entire districts every Wednesday. On November 28, 2001, a crew
went out to District IV and they picked up approximately 17 tons of
debris
at 138 homes. They are
scheduling regular cleanup efforts every eight weeks.
2.
Status report on junked vehicles in District IV, with possible action.
Erasmo Villarreal, Community Development Director, reported that his
department will be targeting District IV. He has spoken to Roy Garcia, Code
Enforcement Supervisor, and they have agreed to use the entire crew to
do a blitz
of the district. They have also
solicited the assistance of the police department
for any vehicles that are in the public right-of-way.
B. Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.
1. Discussion with
possible action regarding street light improvements throughout
District VII.
Roberto Murillo,
Traffic Department Director, stated that they have already
begun doing an
inventory of the area. They have also
looked at the remainder of
the street that the
Council Member brought attention to the last time. He stated
that they do have a
policy about maintaining 300 feet between street lights.
However, in those dark
areas along the railroads, they will consider placing light
on both sides of the
tracks.
Cm. Amaya mentioned that
the City had completed a lighting upgrade at Villa San
Luis some time ago. However, he stated that he is still
receiving complaints
about poor lighting in
the area.
Roberto Murillo
mentioned that they did install more lighting in between the
streets, but they can
look at the area again.
Larry Dovalina, City
Manager, pointed out that the department can light the streets
going through the
complex but not the complex itself. He
asked that the Council
Member provide specific
areas to the Traffic Department so the department can
look into it.
C. Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez
1. Discussion with
possible action regarding safety around schools, in particular
L.J. Christen Middle
School and Martin High School.
Esterina
Pulido requested that more police personnel be assigned to the corner of Park
and Santa Maria Ave. during school dismissal time at 3:35 p.m. She mentioned the number of assaults taking
place at a local convenience store directly across from the middle school. The crowds that stand around the store's
parking lot are made up of students as well as non-students. She asked that something be done to clear
out that area in order to have safe passage for the students after they are
dismissed from school. The second item
she addressed dealt with the problem with the train blockage of arteries used
by students in the mornings and in the afternoons. She would like to see the creation of a committee that would work
with the railroad companies in order to assure safe passage of those students
having to cross the tracks.
Mayor
Flores mentioned that the City of Laredo has worked with legislative
consultants regarding this second concern and has been appropriated $3.2 million
in order to build grate separations and overpasses. She stated that there is an existing Rail Committee that is
working on rail transportation issues and the committee members will continue
to work with citizens and keep her informed as to how the City will proceed on
this issue.
Eliodoro
Granados, Assistant Police Chief, stated that he has spoken to the Council
Member and there are two Resource Officers presently assigned to the middle
school. He heard the comments made by
Ms. Pulido and understands the gravity of the situation that has developed
there. He stated that he would be
addressing these concerns as soon as possible.
2. Discussion with
possible action regarding the cleaning of Vidaurri Street South
of Lincoln.
Oscar Medina,
Assistant Director of Public Works, stated that the department
would look into
it. He pointed out that the sidewalks
are the responsibility of the
property owner up unto
the bank of the curb.
Erasmo Villarreal,
Community Development Director, stated that the department
already has a report
of a vacant lot at Lincoln and Vidaurri.
They have already
contacted the property
owner who is from Chicago, Illinois.
On the other vacant
lot at Iturbide and
Vidaurri, his staff is looking at identifying that owner and
contacting that
individual. He mentioned that he has
one staff member
addressing all these
concerns along the district.
3. Discussion with
possible action regarding the paving of the 100 Block of San
Jorge.
Rogelio Rivera, City
Engineer, reported that they had submitted a report some
time ago for two
blocks: San Jorge and San
Francisco. He is recommending that
these two blocks be
paved without curb and gutter so that they can have them
maintenance free
because there are only 27 feet of right-of way there. All that is
needed is to clear
this request through the Utilities Coordination Committee and
identify the funding
source for this work which is approximately $5,000.00 per
block.
IX. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES
10. Authorizing the City
Manager to execute all necessary documents to effectively convey
title to the State of Texas, for the “Surface Only” of two parcels
of land acquired in fee simple title, as right-of-way for the Milo Interchange
Project, as per Texas Transportation Commission Minute Order No. 107439 and
Resolution No. 2001-R-077, as approved by the Laredo City Council; said land
parcels being delineated on attached Exhibits “A” & “B”, and providing for
an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
11. Authorizing the City
Manager to execute a lease with San Antonio MTA, L.P., d/b/a
Verizon Wireless for space at the Airport Water Tower located at
4903 Maher, Laredo, Webb County, Texas and being more fully described in
Exhibit “A” of lease agreement for the installation and operation of certain
antennae facilities for use with its communications business and a parcel of
land within the owned premises for the location of an equipment building and
related facilities associated with the antennae facilities. Term of the lease is ten (10) years
commencing January 7, 2002 and ending January 6, 2012 with three (3) successive
renewal terms of five (5) years. Annual
base rent shall be $8,400.00 each year during the term of the lease and will be
increased by four percent (4%) on each anniversary of the commencement date,
providing for effective date.
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
12. Authorizing the City Manager
to execute a lease with San Antonio MTA, L.P. d/b/a
Verizon Wireless for ground space at the Milmo Booster Station
located at the corner of San Luis and Milmo, Laredo, Webb County, Texas and
being more fully described in Exhibit “A” of lease agreement to construct on
such premises a 150 ft. high self-supporting tower and related equipment
building for use with its communications business. Term of the lease is five (5) years commencing January 7, 2002
and ending January 6, 2007 with four (4) successive renewal terms of five (5)
years. Annual base rent shall be
$8,400.00 each year during the term of the lease and will be increased by four
percent (4%) on each anniversary of the commencement date, providing for
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-283, #
2001-O-284, # 2001-O-285, # 2001-O-286, # 2001-O-287, # 2001-O-288, #
2001-O-289, # 2001-O-290, 2001-O-291, # 2001-O-292, # 2001-O-293, # 2001-O-294
and # 2001-O-295.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
13. 2001-O-283 Amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002
annual budget by creating
five new full-time teller positions and one new full-time
supervisor position to operate the City of Laredo Riverfront Parking Lot
Facility at the cost of $147,228.00 and amending the Parking Meters budget to
include the revenue projected from parking lot fees of $300,000.00 and
providing for effective date and publication.
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-283.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-284 Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo FY
2001-2002
annual budget in the amount of $1,750,000.00 to fund a program
under U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Service
(COPS). The U.S. Department of Justice
will be designating $1,750,000.00 and the City of Laredo will be designating
$516,950.00 in matching funds within the three year life of the grant. Funding will be used to hire 14 additional
School Resource Officers (SRO). The funding
period for this grant will be from September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2004.
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-284.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-285 Amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 annual budget in the
amount
of $3,865.00 for grant year 2001 and $78,129.00 for grant year
2000 for a total of $81,994.00 to fund the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
(HIDTA) Public Corruption Task Force at no cost to the City. Funding will be used to pay personnel
salaries, overtime, travel and operating expenses from January 1, 2001 through
December 31, 2001.
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-285.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-286 Altering and extending the boundary limits of the City of Laredo,
annexing additional territory of 10.00 acres beginning at the
existing city limits, located out of Porcion 36, as further described by metes
and bounds in Attachment “A”, specifically, the UISD Tract, providing for the
effective date and publication of this ordinance, authorizing the City Manager
to execute a contract adopting a service plan for the annexed territory, and
establishing the initial zoning of R-1 (Single-Family Residential
District).
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2001-O-286.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2001-O-287 Altering and extending the boundary limits of the City of Laredo,
annexing additional territory of 0.34 acres beginning at the
existing city limits, located out of Porcion 28, as further described by metes
and bounds in Attachment “A”, specifically, the Mejia Tract, providing for the
effective date and publication of this ordinance, authorizing the City Manager
to execute a contract adopting a service plan for the annexed territory, and
establishing the initial zoning of B-3 (Community Business District). (As amended)