CITY OF LAREDO
CITY
COUNCIL MEETING
M2002-R-010
CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
MAY 20, 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
Eliseo Valdez, Jr., Mayor
Pro Tempore, District V
Gene Belmares, 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 April 1,
2002.
Motion
to approve.
Moved: Cm. Amaya
Second: Cm. Belmares
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
a.
Presentation of the 2001-2002 City of Laredo Cooperative Office
Education Training
Program (CO-OP) and Industrial Cooperative Training (ICT) student
employees.
The Mayor and City Council presented a Seven Flags Certificate to
the following students for participating in the 2001-2002 City of Laredo
Cooperative Office Education Training Program:
Denise Abredo Community Development United South
Monica Arriaga Parks and Recreation Cigarroa
Aida A. Benavides Parks
and Recreation Nixon
Yanira Flores Health United
Elena R. Garcia Parks
and Recreation Nixon
Jessica Gaytan Finance-Purchasing Cigarroa
Martha E. Gonzalez Traffic Alexander
Brenda E. Gonzalez Tax United
South
Leslie A. Granado City
Manager’s Office United
Sabrina Y. Hill Parks and Recreation Martin
Tanya Menchaca Health United
Delilah Mendiola Secretary’s
Office Cigarroa
Jose L. Olivares Parks
and Recreation Cigarroa
Christina Perez Administrative Services United South
Kristy N. Perez Airport United
Cristina Sanchez Parks and Recreation Cigarroa
Joel A. Vazquez Convention
and Visitor’s Bureau United
South
Stephanie
Villanueva Parks and
Recreation Nixon
Zaida D. Zapata Parks
and Recreation Nixon
b.
Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation from Council Member Joe A.
Guerra to all his appointees to various committees.
Joe A. Guerra, former City
Council Member from District VI, presented Seven Flags Certificates to individuals
that served for him on various committees during his tenure.
Dr. Michael Yoder Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
Martha Gonzalez Third Party
Funding Advisory Committee
Laura Martens Library
Advisory Committee
Irma
Trautman Cemetery
Advisory Committee
Gene Belmares Airport
Advisory Committee
Dr. Vaughn Citizens
Environmental Committee
Richard Perez Redistricting
Committee
Mark Pease Planning
and Zoning Commission
c.
Presentation by Texas Migrant Council, Inc., regarding the address by
First Lady Laura
Bush to the children and families of the City of Laredo on April 30,
2002.
Mary Guevara-Capello, Chief Executive Officer for Texas Migrant
Council, asked City Council to continue to support "El Dia De Los
Ninos". She noted that in 1999,
“El Dia De Los Ninos" was proclaimed a national holiday.
Laura Tedford, leader of the Youth Committee for the Texas Migrant
Council, Inc. encouraged over 2000 students to write letters to First Lady
Laura Bush.
A video of First Lady Laura Bush addressing the children of Laredo was
played.
Invitations
a.
Invitation by L.U.L.A.C. Council #7 and Parks and Recreation to the 1st
Annual Memorial
Day Celebration on May 26, 2002, at El Metro Park and Ride (Airport
Grounds) from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Horacio De Leon, Parks and Recreation Director, mentioned that LULAC
Council # 7 and the Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the 1st
Annual Memorial Celebration to be held on May 26, 2002. He said that the event will provide live
music, entertainment and arts and crafts.
He invited the Council Members and the public to attend the special
event.
Recognitions
a.
Recognition
of Airport Police Captain Alejandro Martinez for exceptional meritorious
service while serving with the United States Army as Security Force Member
during Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia Herezegovina from September 17, 2001 to
April 1, 2002.
Jose Flores, Airport Director, was proud and honored to recognize
Airport Captain Alejandro Martinez for his exceptional meritorious service
while serving the United States Army as Security Force Member during Operation
Joint Forge in Bosnia Herzegovina from September 17, 2001 to April 1,
2002.
Communiqués
a.
Proclamation
recognizing the affiliation between the City of Laredo, Texas and
Mexticacan, Jalisco as Sister Cities.
Mayor Flores presented a token of appreciation to the Mayor of
Mexticacan. She read the proclamation
recognizing the affiliation between the City of Laredo and Mexticacan.
Cm. Bruni submitted a
South Texas Rain Enhancement report to be on file at the City Secretary’s
Office.
Cm. Galo welcomed Cm.
Gene Belmares to the City of Laredo City Council.
Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez mentioned the District V Scholarship
Fundraising Project that was held to raise money for graduates. He noted that the annual fundraiser has been
able to assist seniors by donating over $100,000 in the previous years.
Cm. Belmares thanked the
public and City Council for a warm welcome.
Cm. J. Valdez welcomed Gene Belmares to the City
Council. He also recognized former
Council Member Joe A. Guerra, for his
hard work and dedication for the City of Laredo. He went on to say how what a privilege it was to work with
Cm. Guerra. Finally, he congratulated Larry Dovalina, City Manager, for being
selected President of the Region VIII Texas City Manager’s Association.
Cm. Ramirez congratulated
and thanked the former Council Member, Joe A.
Guerra for his hard work and dedication to the people of Laredo.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, noted that he was successful in
bringing the presidency of Region VIII Texas City Manager’s Association to
Laredo.
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
a.
Appointment by Mayor Pro-Tempore Eliseo Valdez of Theresa Nimchan to the
Third Party Funding Committee.
Motion
to approve.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against:
0 Abstain: 0
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
(Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 10, Block 1633, Eastern Division,
located at 216 N. Arkansas Avenue, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-4
(Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective
date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended denial of the proposed change, denial of a Conditional
Use Permit for a heavy mechanic shop, and approval of a Conditional Use Permit
for a light mechanic shop.
Motion
to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Bruno
Figarroa, property owner, requested a zone change or a conditional use permit
because his business is currently closed.
Motion
to close public hearing and deny the B-4 zone change and allow for a
conditional use permit.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain:
0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Galo
2.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
(Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1, Block 1, Tesoro Plaza Plat, Unit
2, located at 5002 San Bernardo Avenue, from B-3 (Community Business District)
to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective
date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.
Motion
to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There
was no public input.
Motion
to close public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
3.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 3, Block 1579, Eastern Division,
located 2605 Bismark St., from B-1 (Limited Commercial 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 public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There
was no public input.
Motion
to close public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Bruni
4.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 1,848 square feet, as further described
by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit "A", located west of Mines
Road approximately 706 feet north of Killam Industrial Blvd., from B-1 (Limited
Commercial District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for
publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone
change.
Motion
to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Henry
Mejia spoke in favor of the zone change.
Motion
to close public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
5.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map
of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Special Use Permit for a
mini-storage facility on 2.6479 acres, as further described by metes and bounds
in attached Exhibit "A", located north of International Boulevard and
east of Bazan Subdivision; providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has
recommended approval of the proposed Special Use Permit with conditions.
Motion
to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Fred
Guerra, representing the applicant spoke in favor the zone change.
Motion
to close public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Belmares
6.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
(Map) of the City of Laredo by authorizing issuance of a Special Use Permit for
a mini-storage facility on Lots 1 through 6, Block 1175, Eastern Division, and Lots
1 through 6, Block 1176, Eastern Division, and Lot 1, Block 1176-A, Eastern
Division, located at the 2800 and 2900 blocks of Urbahn Avenue; providing for
publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed Special
Use Permit with conditions.
Motion
to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Fred
Guerra spoke in favor the zone change.
Motion
to close public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Belmares
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Agredano
7.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 1.9436 acres, as further described by
metes and bounds in attached Exhibit "A" located east of McPherson
Road and north of Northridge Dr., 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 bank.
Motion
to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Roberto
Balli, representing the property owner, spoke in favor of a zone change which
would allow the property owner to place two billboards on the property.
Lawrence
Miles, property owner of 8519 Crown Woods, urged City Council to support the
Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision to
deny the zone change from B-1 to B3.
He noted that he was strongly opposed to placing billboards in the
area.
Keith
Selman, City Planner, noted that larger Cities regulate signage and
landscaping.
Motion
to close public hearing, and follow the staff recommendations to deny the zone
change from B-1 to B-3 but approve a conditional use permit for the bank.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Belmares
8.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 1,848 square feet, as further described
by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit "A", located west of
McPherson Road and approximately 430 feet north of Fenwick Drive, from B-1
(Limited Commercial District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing
for publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone
change.
Motion
to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Leopoldo
Ruiz, owner of the billboards, spoke in favor of the zone change.
Mr. Albert Muller spoke in favor of the zone
change.
Henry
Mejia, representing the applicant, spoke in favor of a B-3 zone change.
Motion
to close public hearing, deny the request for a B-4 zone change and approve a
B-3 zone change.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Ramirez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Belmares
9.
Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY
2001-2002 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions by amending the budget to create
two (2) FTE for additional Airport Security Officer positions. Funding for
these positions is available in the Airport Fund; providing for effective date.
Motion
to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion
to close public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
10. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending Chapter 11.5 Emergency Management of the Code
of Ordinances. This amendment includes
only the City of Laredo's response to emergency situations and omits Webb
County's mutual responsibility. Webb
County will be amending their emergency management plan accordingly. The State of Texas, Division of Emergency
Management requires that all emergency management plans be updated
periodically; repealing all conflicting ordinances; providing for severability,
publication, and effective date.
Motion to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There
was no public input.
Motion
to close public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
11.
Public hearing granting Reliant Energy Entex, a division of Reliant
Energy Resources Corp., and its
successors, the right, privilege and franchise to construct, lay, maintain and
operate pipelines and gas mains in, under, over, across and along, and to use
present and future streets, alleys, public thoroughfares and grounds of the
City of Laredo, for the purpose of transporting, distributing and selling gas
(natural, artificial or mixed) for all purposes for which gas is or may be used
to the municipality and inhabitants of said City of Laredo, Texas, and to any
other person or persons, for a term of twenty years; providing for the manner
of acceptance of this franchise by Entex; providing for payment by Entex to
City for the rights and privileges granted by this franchise; and making
miscellaneous provisions in connection therewith.
Motion to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There
was no public input.
Motion
to close public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council
12. Public hearing and introductory
ordinance accepting a grant awarded by the Criminal Justice Division, Office of
the Governor in the amount of $40,000.00 and amending the City of Laredo's FY
2001-2002 annual budget in the amount of $66,576.00 for the Criminal Justice Division Grant from the Office
of the Governor. The Office of the Governor is contributing $40,000.00 with the City designating
$26,576.00 in matching funds. This
funding will be used for the Domestic Awareness Response Team Program under the
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for the period of June 01, 2002 through November
30, 2002.
Motion to open public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0