CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2002-R-04

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

FEBRUARY 25, 2002

5:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

With a quorum present, Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores called the meeting to order.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL

In attendance:

Elizabeth G. Flores, Mayor

Alfredo Agredano, Council Member, District I

Louis H. Bruni, Council Member, District II

John C. Galo, Council Member, District III

Johnny Amaya, Council Member, District IV

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 Mayor Pro Tempore E. Valdez, Jr.

Moved: Cm. Amaya

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Cm. Agredano not present.

IV. MINUTES

Approval of the minutes of January 14, 2002 and January 28, 2002.

Motion to approve.

Moved: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

Second: Cm. Amaya

For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

Announcements

Mayor Flores mentioned that a special presentation is being made before City Council in connection with Azteca Airlines from Mexico City.

Jose L. Flores, Airport Director, introduced representatives of Azteca Airlines: Don Jesus Luz San Pedro, Special Assistant to the President of Azteca Airlines, Jose Luis Valencia Vasquez, and Myrla Garcia.

Don Jesus Luz San Pedro conveyed his pleasure in being able to begin flights from Mexico City to Laredo, Texas. He thanked all the directors and representatives of the City of Laredo for all the courtesies extended and conveyed a formal message from the airline president/owner that they are at the City's disposal to ensure that this venture will function flawlessly.

Invitations

Cm. Agredano announced that this Friday, March 1, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a pedestrian crossing bridge that was built with the assistance of the Community Development crew. He mentioned that this crossing bridge will allow school children in the vicinity of Ligarde Elementary to gain access to their school without having to cross through a creek.

Recognitions

a. Recognizing Gabriel Holguin on winning the Texas Title Belt 154 Welterweight

Champion at the Team South Texas "Rumble on the Border- Texas Title Belt" match on February 2, 2002. Also recognizing the participation of three other Laredoans who represented the City at the same boxing competition-- Victor Montemayor, Sergio Reyes, Jr., and Idelfonso "El Gallo Negro" Martinez. Recently Cesar Holguin, Gabriel's brother acted as an ambassador for Laredo when he won the 2001 United States Savate Welterweight Championship.

Mayor Flores presented Gabriel Holguin with a Certificate of Recognition for his impressive victory at the Texas Title Belt 154 Welterweight Championship.

Communiqués

Cm. Ramirez publicly congratulated all the organizers and individuals involved with the Jamboozie Festival. He stated that he hopes the City will be able to coordinate more of these events in the downtown area so the public can enjoy them. He thanked Roberto Murillo, Traffic Director, and his department for securing the use of the space underneath IH- 35 which created temporary parking space during the parades. He also thanked the Public Works Department, the Fire Department and the Police Department for the assistance they provided during the festivities.

Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. spoke about the progress of the Veterans Monument project. He mentioned that the Request for Qualifications will be going out tomorrow. He expects that an architect will be selected for this project by March 22, 2002 for submission of the design of the monument. He also thanked Mr. Cesar Merla, President of the International Soccer League, for his work in organizing a soccer tournament. He mentioned that the tournament was held at Father McNaboe Park and it was a very successful event.

Cm. Guerra stated that the widening project on Shiloh Boulevard has been completed. He thanked city staff, Mayor Flores and City Council for all the support provided to get this project completed. He reported that the next important widening project is about to get underway which is the widening of Del Mar Boulevard from McPherson Road to Fenwick.

Cm. Amaya thanked the members of the Washington Birthday Celebration Association for the outstanding work done during the festivities.

Cm. Bruni submitted the final report of the 2001 Weather Resource Management Program which is a summary of the cloud seeding activities conducted over a five-county area in South Texas during April 1 through November 15, 2001.

Mayor Flores mentioned that the Washington Birthday Celebration Association took place without any problems. She thanked Chief Dovalina and as law enforcement agencies for maintaining order and keeping everyone safe. She announced that during the Air Show, the group presented her with a State of Texas recognition as a Yellow Rose of Texas on behalf of Gov. Rick Perry.

Mayor Flores reflected on the City's accomplishments during 2001 referring to it as a banner year and pledged continued accomplishments for the new year calling 2002 a stronger year.

"Because of the hard work and high purpose of the people of Laredo, our economy has remained strong. This year, we must reflect on what made us successful and expand our horizon. (One thing for certain, more people with jobs has made a great difference for our community. Education and skills training for all ages has made a difference in our City. People in all kinds of value added jobs will solidify our economy and continue to diversify it. We have more than 3,000 new jobs; the lowest unemployment in history. Incomes are rising. Crime rates are down. In spite of a national trend to slow down, housing starts (approximately 1,200 ) are the same as those in the last 3 years and equal in both the northern and southern parts of the city. Construction of these single family homes were made possible because of the investments of land developers, innovative construction companies, lower mortgage interest rates and the City's bond programs and aggressive down payment assistant program which assisted 144 families.

Staggering indicators to Laredo's prosperity are readily visible upon reviewing statistics kept by the Building Department. Among some of the more visible changes to the landscape include new retailers, such as Home Depot, Lowe's, Lacks Furniture, Bennigan's, Red McCombs car dealership, the International House of Pancakes and the soon to be finished super Wal-Mart. But even more important was the opening of the new Doctor's Hospital, the start of the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Laredo Entertainment Center, and the first and only 64 foot hill built for the Daimler-Chrysler test tract. The 14,814 building permits issued were valued at over $300 million. And, although the growth of warehousing slowed down, there were $25 million in warehouse permits issued, an increase of 83% since 1996.

My City Council approved a Fiscal Year 2001-2002 budget of $275,342,053.00. And 2001 was another banner year for Laredo as the Budget Department received the 'Distinguished Budget Presentation Award" for the tenth consecutive year that the City has participated. With a solid financial condition and strong fund balance, many projects are already starting to have an immediate and positive impact on the people of Laredo. We have fitted 3 lanes on Bridge II with automatic vehicle identification usage and will complete the plans for one lane to be used exclusively as an "express lane" for frequent crossing traffic. The automatic vehicle identification system is already working on the World Trade Bridge. We are resurfacing Bridge I and have made lots of progress in the acquisition of waterfront property spanning the entire city limits and making improvements to the River itself. This El Portal Project will completely revitalize downtown and preserve our historic areas. It will give us back the Rio Grande and set the stage for future economic growth in a way that will be enviable for other non-river cities. The Las Palmas project as you all know has taken a life of its own and we are very proud of the hard work of all the volunteers. The Azteca Neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, which sets it apart as being culturally and architecturally unique from a national perspective.

I want to especially thank the Council Members that travel on behalf of the City for their added contributions to the betterment of our community. Mayor Pro Tempore Eliseo Valdez, Councilmen Alfredo Agredano, John Galo, Jose Valdez, Juan Ramirez and Johnny Amaya, the administration and the staff. We thank your families and your places of employment for supporting you and our City . Our hard work, Jose Flores, endless phone calls and chain letters to our congressional delegation as well as our trips to Washington paid off big for the airport once again with $10,254,379 in 5 different Federal Aviation grants. And as if that were not enough, this same team works equally hard with members of the Chamber and the Laredo Development Foundation to finally get approval for jet service from Continental Airlines. Through the effort of this same team and additional work of our City Manager; Larry Dovalina, Joe Flores, Salvador Rodriguez, Javier Garza, yours truly and the Laredo National Bank we were successful in landing jet service from Azteca Airlines and Mexicana directly from Mexico City.

Working with our sister city of Nuevo Laredo in all aspects of city services will assure a better future for Los Dos Laredos. Contador Publico Jose Suarez, Presidente Municipal and I will hold monthly meetings with our respective top City officials to discuss challenges, offer solutions and pursue opportunities. Among the projects we will work together on will be another international crossing, protection and cleaning of the Rio Grande, a secondary source of water for the entire border, both the U. S. and Mexican side, increase of our tourist population, and the safety and security of the people of Los Dos Laredos. In addition, we will pursue infrastructure improvements at the World Trade Bridge and changes that will protect our water supply. We will work together to seek pre-clearance of trucks and drivers in the three NAFTA countries to avoid safety inspection stations on the international bridges or force trucks to make an additional stop outside of town and we will seek to increase both the technology and human resources at our international crossings and check points to speed up the traffic. After all, Laredo and Nuevo Laredo are border cities without boundaries.

Our success and our "amistad" has not gone unnoticed. The Office of the City Secretary has helped us foster and maintain all our sister city relationships. We added three additional sister cities to an already admirable group of designations. The new Sister Cities are: Chenzhou, Hunan Province, ROC; San Antonio de Areco, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; and San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. We now have 12 sister cities. The other nine are Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico; Laredo, Nuevo Santender Cantabria, Spain; Cienega de Flores, Nuevo Leon; Tlahualilo, Durango; Jerez de Garcia Salinas, Zacatecas; Murray Bridge, South Australia; Tainan Hsien, Taiwan, Republic of China; Lampazos de Naranjo, Nuevo Leon and Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon. The City Secretary's Office continues to improve our Web page. We now have video streaming of City Council meetings and Telecommunications Commission meetings.

But we cannot reflect on this past year without remembering the horrific events of September 11th. Rarely have Americans lived through so much change in their daily lives. Every family in America, every family in Laredo came closer, we re-set our priorities and we prayed for peace. For the next several years we must meet the challenges of the changes that have been brought upon us. We must find ways to deal with our terror and our fear. I want to thank our local law enforcement officers for their hard work during this year's celebration. You made us feel safe. The Washington's Birthday Celebration had a special spirit about it. The spirit of knowing that by renewing the very idea of America and deepening the meaning of our freedom we will be stronger.

And this past year marked the 26th anniversary of the City's participation in the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) through which street and park improvements, construction of public facilities, housing rehabilitation, elimination of slum and blight, and the provision of public services have been carried out in qualified areas of town. City construction crews completed 120 blocks of sidewalks. Improvements were made to La Ladrillera Facility to retrofit from a child care center to an elderly recreation center. We added the East Hachar Recreation Center alongside a police sub-station on the campus of D.D. Hachar Elementary School. Besides improving the Cruz Baseball Field, the Dryden Optimist Little League Park, 40 owner-occupants of substandard housing units were provided assistance to rehabilitate their homes.

Our new budget year is just 5 months old and we are already starting planning for next year. This is not a time to rest. It is a time to build, to build the Laredo within our reach. A. Laredo where everybody has a chance to get ahead with a good education and hard work. Where every citizen can live in a safe neighborhood, where families are strong, and where government helps provide opportunity and citizens feel responsible enough to give back to their community. One citizen is. With a Laredoan in the governor's race, we have an opportunity never before seen. For those of you still not convinced about the mistakes of Dan Morales remember this: without going into legal details, his decision ordered Texas universities to stop considering race, not only in admissions, but in all recruitment, scholarships, tutoring and financial aid. For the State of Texas, where almost half the people are either black or Hispanic, the impact was immediate. For Laredo the impact was devastating. Even President Bush has decried this act.

The City Manager recognized the importance of community service and has asked his staff to volunteer their services to community organizations, leading by example. We must all continue to work hard with the private sector to create a friendly business environment, so that they create more jobs. We must continue to work with the Laredo Webb Neighborhood Housing services and Habitat for Humanity of Laredo to increase housing starts and help families not yet ready for a new home with rental assistance. And we will continue to partner with our two school districts, our community college and our university to help remove obstacles that keep students from access to a better life through education.

The City is fortunate to have a City Attorney's Office that is involved in every aspect of the city's activities, programs and projects for full compliance with the law. Representing a home rule city is a practice of law at the level where legislative authority impacts citizens directly on a daily basis because the City ultimately is comprised of every Laredoan. We have a dynamic team of attorneys, paralegals and assistants. While we have retained litigation, counsel through the Texas Municipal League with private attorneys, the City Attorney's Office handles over 2,000 criminal Class "C" misdemeanor cases in Municipal Court and all litigation not covered by TML. Additionally, they provide legal consultation, review, and approval of all city ordinances, legal documents and contracts for the City's 30 departments, the City Manager's Office, the Mayor and Members of the Council. This department is particularly proud to have the opportunity to be the legal advocate and representative of Laredo at a time when it can be a part of helping Laredo change and grow.

From design to quality control, inspection to surveying, the oversight function of the Engineering Department has been the key component to the success and operational result of many of the City's projects. As a measure to safeguard the taxpayers' money, this Department maintains a high standard in their day to day operations. They are the reason we are on time and on budget.

And so these last few years we have shaped a new kind of government. With the help of the members of the City Council we have worked as a team. A team committed to building a better Laredo. We watch our spending, we continue to strengthen our reserves, clean and protect our environment, protect our heritage, invested in health care for our veterans and recreation for our children. We built new parks and recreation centers. Many of our older parks received much needed face lifts, playscape modules, lighting, skate modules and new landscaping. A great deal of repair was made to the Civic Center pool, the Three Points pool, the Thomas Pool, and the Del Mar pool. We pursued a strategy of more police and smarter prevention with the help of citizen groups and crime-fighting partnerships with other local enforcement agencies. And we will continue to do that. New vehicles, installation of mobile data units, new firearms and a new photo lab, cameras and surveillance equipment were authorized by the Council and purchased. We have outstanding results: murder was reduced by 25%; sexual assaults by 35%; robbery and traffic accidents by 2%; burglary and arrests by 5%. Community oriented policing workstations were increased by 40% with a total of 14 areas of town now with a constant police presence. More citations beg for more courtroom space and so the Council approved a $2.8 million bond package for construction of a new Municipal Court building.

We have found innovative ways to expand the resources of our firefighters so that they can protect people's lives and property as well as the safety of their own men and women. The new regional training facilities are under construction and we have enhanced Haz-Mat team capabilities by purchasing new equipment. Enhanced EMS coverage with four new ambulances. Enhanced airport fire coverage with the addition of an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting unit and added a new station. And we partnered with the business community to implement a new fire inspection fee schedule.

Our City Manager has been a joy to work with. He has been successful in putting together a team that is responsible and effective by raising standards, raising expectations and raising accountability. He and I have worked successfully over the years on many projects but none more important than the management of this City. We recognized that with the city's growth there had to be a way to mobilize leadership, and that leadership could not just be rhetorical. There had to be the linking of management and the public role of the highest elected official, the mayor. Thanks to work the members of the Council and I can do with Larry and his team, this city continues to move forward.

And we do not plan to rest as we work harder for a better Laredo. As a result of the 2000 Census, the Planning Department enthusiastically tackled establishing new Council Districts, saving taxpayers approximately $50,000.00 by doing the work in-house. The Planning Department continued to work with the Council's Traffic Safety Committee and presented a one-way circulation plan to move truck traffic through the less traveled streets at the base instead of Calton Road. We are still the center of north-south trade and have become a regional logistical and transportation hub. It was important to continue work on a Comprehensive Mobility Plan, Comprehensive Land Use Plan Updates, and Long-Range thoroughfare Plan Updates. All this work ended in new street design, realignments, reduction of conflicts at railroad crossings and good land use for Laredo's future.

International trade accounts for many jobs in Laredo. That is why the members of the Council and I, as well as the City staff will continue to work towards improving trade, improving the flow of traffic across our international bridges and continue with our plan to build another international bridge in South Laredo for pedestrian and non-commercial traffic. We believe that when that time comes, we will have an outer loop and additional connections to downtown Laredo and north Laredo. Our goal will be to continue to work with TxDOT to enhance Loop 20 this year so that Laredoans can enjoy going to the University, the South Laredo Community College Campus, Doctor's Hospital, the Entertainment Center, and the new super Wal-Mart without competing with the truck traffic. A total of 14 speed humps were installed, new traffic signals at major crossings and 125 new parking spaces were added downtown as well as the installation of the Riverfront parking lot.

Interest in Laredo continues on the rise. Besides generating a tremendous amount of leads, presentations and responding to over 31,00 inquiries, 1,800 Paisanos were served by the Convention and Visitors Bureau rest area on south bound IH 35 during the Christmas holidays. The Convention and Visitors Bureau participated in three live television presentations in Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, and Saltillo promoting Laredo. They are developing a birding brochure, highlighting the White-Collared Seedeater, the Green Parakeet and the Clay-Colored Robin.

And growth brings trash. Public Works had a 93% increase in recyclable material collected over the past several years. 13,000 tons in 2001. They collected an additional 76,000 tons of garbage, cleaned 5,877 miles of streets, repaired over 144,000 square feet of street cuts and patched 5,786 potholes. In addition, they cleaned 4,917 storm sewers and repaired 89, cleaned 562.89 acres of creeks, and 128. 01 acres of roadside right of way. They completed concrete projects, curb and gutter projects, paving projects, sidewalk projects, and several special projects at a total cost of $725,000. Saving the taxpayers thousands of dollars by doing the work in-house. Their projects for 2002-2003 are equally aggressive.

But we cannot promote Laredo if we do not provide for the health and well being of nuestra gente. That is why the Health Department Director's choice was so critical and the work of the staff so vital to the economic stability of the City. The Department administers the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Colonia Residents Winter Health Fair. Besides health fairs and awareness programs, they opened a new Women's and Children Clinic in Northwest Laredo -- their 9th clinic. They escalated the folic acid intake campaign and the annual rabies vaccination campaign along with the annual flu immunization campaign. The Health Department is one of Laredo's treasures because they help people at a time of great need.

And, speaking of needs, the people of Laredo are no different than others. The need for knowledge and information is constantly growing. Our library staff answered 34,202 reference questions an increase of 13% from last year and served 354,868 customers. They loaned out 57,958 adult books, 91,479 juvenile books and 7,428 other items such as video, CDs, and radio media, The library enhanced their computer services with the opening of a new computer lab at the Main Library and a self check machine. Children's story time has increased by 41 % and special programs attendance has increased by 38%.

And we could not do all this work without the fees and the taxes paid by the people of Laredo. Our Tax Department is proud to report a 95.5 % collection rate. And the Council and I are proud to say that the tax rate of .576358 was maintained. One of the lowest property taxes in the State of Texas. Each one of our tax department employees handled 50,268 transactions and we collected 33% of delinquent taxes. We added 1,853 new alarm system accounts, billed 79,143 tax accounts and maintained 160 hotel/motel accounts. The department also collected 552,436 utility accounts and billed 185,101 other accounts.

Public transportation has been important to the residents and visitors of Laredo since I was a little girl. We have come a long way from the buses we grew up with. Our buses are quieter, burn cleaner fuel, they are air conditioned and heated and we continue to add new forty foot buses, low floor CNG buses with new logo, 18 passenger vans for El Lift Service. Our total rider ship for 2001 was 4.9 million people.

And how about that water and waste water. Although we lost our most respected water expert, Mr. Fernando Roman, the Utility Department continues to move along with their Colonias Water Project, privatization and secondary water source projects. The department experienced a healthy 6% growth in the number of new accounts with over 2,000 new accounts being added per year. This brings the total water and wastewater services customer base to 48,000 residential and 4,700 commercial accounts serving over 200,000 people. Water transmission lines, storage tanks, pressure booster stations, and wastewater collection/treatment facilities will have to be constructed throughout the City to serve the new corridors of growth. This investment will cost approximately $45 million and will have to be done within the next 10 years. That is why it is so important for this policy board to stay focused on our capital improvement plans and long range infrastructure needs.

The Council and I thank our committee members for their unselfish dedication to their City. Without them we could not be as effective.. This year we will be adding new council members and new committee members. But those of us that may be staying will never forget the ride we have been on. It has been exciting, unforgettable, and quite satisfying. Public service is one of the best rewards of life.

Through a very aggressive budget we will continue to work towards safe streets, safe schools and safe neighborhoods. We will help keep our children healthy and in school. We recognize that our community is only as healthy as the air our children breathe, the water they drink and the Earth they will inherit. We must work together, learn together, live together and serve together. Laredo's progress lies in the progress we make for all Laredoans, without regard to race, economic position or age. And we will do everything we can to provide recreation and extend our services for young and old and everybody in between. Our City will be the best it can be with your help.

My work is for the hard-working families of Laredo that must meet their most important responsibilities. My hope is that they are happy that they live in Laredo. A strong city must assume a strong responsibility. You can help. Around 200 years ago, a tattered flag, its broad stripes and bright stars still gleaming through the smoke of a fierce battle, inspired Francis Scott Key to scribble a few words -the words that became our national anthem. This year we have all heard the words of Star Spangled Banner with new meaning. And as we remember our past, let us imagine the future. Many of our children may well see the 22nd century. Let us find the wisdom and the strength to come together as one great city to widen the circle of opportunity for all as we deepen our meaning of our freedom. Exercise your right to vote to participate in this democracy. I hope to serve you four more years so that the foundation we build together will last for years to come. God bless you, God bless Laredo, God bless our neighbors and God bless the United States of America."

VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

None.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend FY

2001-2002 budget in the amount of $17,833.00 in additional funds for the Tuberculosis Elimination Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2001, through August 31, 2002.

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 and introduce.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Ordinance Introduction: City Council

2. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept and

execute all documentation from the Texas Department of Health for the HIV/AIDS Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Project of the City of Laredo Health Department in the amount of $55,072.00 in additional funds for the period beginning February 1, 2002, through January 31, 2003, amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 budget in the same amount.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Galo

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: City Council

3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept and

execute all documentation from the Texas Department of Health for the Tuberculosis Prevention/Control Federal Project of the City of Laredo Health Department in the amount of $161,793.00 for the period beginning January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002, and amending the City of Laredo's FY 2001-2002 budget in the same amount.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

There was no public input.

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Ordinance Introduction: City Council

4. Public hearing and consideration of an appeal of an order issued by the Historic

District/Landmark Board regarding the designations of five (5) historic schools as locally significant historic landmarks at:

a. Location: All of Block 264 W. D.

Commonly known as 1508 San Eduardo Avenue, Bruni Elementary

b. Location: All of Block 698 W.D.

Commonly known as: 1208 Market Street, Heights Elementary

c. Location: Blocks 461-520 (20.3288 acres) W.D.

Commonly known as: 1400 Park Street, L.J. Christen Jr. High

d. Location: Blocks 461-520 (20.3288 acres) W.D.

Commonly known as: 2002 San Bernardo Avenue, Raymond and Tirza

Martin High School

e. Location: All of Block 275 E. D. and all of Block 281 E. D.

Commonly known as: 2000 and 2100 Marcella Avenue, Street Joseph's

Academy building Memorial Middle School

Petitioner: Carmen Ramos Trevino, Laredo ISD

Locally significant historic landmarks.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Ms. Margarita Araiza, Executive Director of the Webb County Heritage Foundation, urged City Council to confirm the designation of these locally significant landmarks. She stated that builders would never be able to replicate comparable architectural structures with the designated budgets available.

Elsa Ibarra Valdez, representing residents of St. Peter's neighborhood, stated that the residents are not interested in new schools being built; they would rather have the schools remain as they are with some renovations. She mentioned that Laredo Independent School District, at one point in time, had agreed to work with the Historical Board on this matter to try to maintain the historical value of these campuses.

John Keck, Chairman of the Historic District/Landmark Board, stated that the selection of the school buildings by the Historic District/Landmark Board has not been arbitrary. In 1981, the Texas Historical Commission came to Laredo to assist with the inventory of our historical buildings. Then in 1996, this same process was repeated when our City instructed professionals to come to Laredo to help us discover what were the buildings of true significance within the community. The charge of the Board is to designate individual sites that are historically significant, to provide design review on the applications made, and to make recommendations to City Council on proposed historic districts. He mentioned that the action taken by the Board was simply to guarantee the inclusion of the Historic District/Landmark Board and the City in the process. He believes that Laredo Independent School District is seeking an exemption and an exclusion without a valid reason from being in the process that has already been established. He urged City Council to deny their request to designate these historic buildings and encourage Laredo Independent School District and others to work with the City and the Landmark Board to accomplish what should be mutual goals.

Carmen Ramos Trevino, President of the Board of Trustees for Laredo Independent School District, stated that her purpose is to appeal the decision taken by the Historic District/Landmark Board. As mandated by the voters of Laredo Independent School District, the District has been charged with investing more than $144 million for the construction of new campuses and improvements to existing facilities. Five of the schools were designated as historical structures by the Historic District/Landmark Board. The District agrees with the designations to three of these schools: Heights Elementary, L. J. Christen Middle School and Martin High School. However, the District disagrees with a recent designation as historic structures of Bruni Elementary and Memorial Middle. They are appealing the designation of those two schools only.

Sally Zuck, resident of St. Peter's neighborhood, spoke in favor of preserving our historic schools and buildings for future generations.

Dr. Paul Cruz, Laredo Independent School District Superintendent, spoke in favor of the appeal that the designation be removed. Of the five schools that were designated as historical structures, the District is not appealing the designation of Martin High School, L. J. Christen Middle School, nor Heights Elementary as such. There are, however, other considerations at Bruni Elementary and Memorial Middle School in connection with their construction that must be identified and reviewed. He stated that the proposal for Bruni Elementary has designated it as a replacement school.

Jorge Cabello, Construction Manager for Laredo Independent School District, stated that architects have been instructed to preserve certain features of the schools in question, namely Bruni Elementary and Memorial Middle. There are certain highlights of the facade that the architects can remove from the original structures and reinstall them on the new buildings.

Keith Selman, City Planner, wanted to clarify the issue before City Council. The Historic District/Landmark Board has not made a ruling on any application nor a ruling in regards to any of these campuses. They did not rule against any type of demolition or reconstruction involving these campuses. What they have done is designate them as historical landmarks.

Mayor Flores inquired whether it is possible for the Historic District/Landmark Board to work with Laredo Independent School District to preserve some parts of Bruni Elementary and Memorial Middle.

John Keck replied that the Board would absolutely be in agreement with that proposal.

Motion to deny the appeal, allow this to continue under the review process of the Landmark Board, and that the item be brought back to City Council if there is a problem during the review process.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 5 Against: 1 Abstain: 1

Cm. Ramirez Cm. J. Valdez,Jr.

Motion to close the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Galo

For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

5. Public hearing and consideration to appeal an order issued by the Historic

District/Landmark Board regarding the designations of Farragut Department Store Building as locally significant Historic Landmark at:

a. Location: All of Block 264 W.D.

Commonly known as: 1120 Farragut, Farragut Department Store Building

Petitioner: Flint Bourgeois

Locally significant historic landmark.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

Mr. Flint Bourgeois, representing the owners of the department store building, spoke before City Council. He stated that the owners have owned the building for over 10 years. They have no plans to demolish the building but they are opposed to the historical designation because it would negatively affect the property value.

John Keck, Chairman of the Historic District/Landmark Board stated that the Historic District/Landmark Board holds a similar position. In this particular case, no application has been made by the property owners, nothing has been presented or discussed. This was merely a designation of the Historic District/Landmark Board. He mentioned that he does not believe that any building designated as a historic landmark would be devalued in any way. He believes that the designation enhances the value of a structure.

Cm. Agredano inquired whether if another owner would buy the historically designated property at a future date, would that property owner be allowed to change the structure in any fashion.

John Keck replied that once the building is purchased, if that new owner wanted to make exterior changes to the structure, he would need to come before the Board with those proposals and a decision would be made based upon the information obtained.

Motion to close the public hearing and deny the appeal.

Moved: Cm. Galo

Second: Cm. Bruni

For: 5 Against: 2 Abstain: 0

Cm. Guerra

Cm. Ramirez

Ordinance Introduction: City Council except for Cm. Guerra and Cm. Ramirez.

6. Public hearing and introductory ordinance establishing a fee structure for Tecolote

Baseball Game ticket prices at Veteran's Field, including special rates for senior citizens age 55 and over as well as children 12 and under.

Motion to open the public hearing.

Moved: Cm. Bruni

Second: Cm. Agredano

For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0

There was no public inp