CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2002-R-011

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JUNE 3, 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:

 

            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

            Cynthia Collazo,                                                           Assistant City Manager

            Jaime Flores,                                                                City Attorney

           

IV.       MINUTES

            Approval of the minutes of  April 15, 2002.

 

            Moved:  Cm. Agredano

            Second:  Cm. Amaya

            For:    8                                                Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

             Announcements

a.  Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation from Council Member Joe A. Guerra to all  

     his appointees to various committees.

 

Invitations

 

Recognitions

1.  Recognition by the Mayor and City Council Members of City Departments for their  

contribution and participation to the United Way Campaign, Laredo Fire and Police Departments for outstanding group contribution, Dan Migura for receiving the Distinguished Officer Award, and Larry Dovalina for receiving the highest recognition--the Corazon Award.

 

2.  Recognition by the Mayor and City Council Members of City Departments for their

     contribution and participation in the American Heart Walk.

 

3.  Recognition of the Zapata High School Teachers-Job Shadow Day participants.

 

4.  Recognition of recipients of the Distinguished Business Award.

 

5.  Recognition of Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores by Cigarroa High School Coach Sylvia

Barrera and students for her leadership in developing and sustaining a program entitled "Secrets to Success: For Women Only."

     

            Communiqués

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

            None.

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo’s annual budget

by increasing revenue and expenditure appropriations in the amount of $751,944.00 for the lease purchase of 30 police sedans for the Laredo Police Department.  The vehicles will be purchased from the Police Trust Fund.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

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.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. Agredano

For:     8                                          Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

2.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance accepting a grant by the Texas Book Festival

in the amount of $2,500.00 and amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 annual budget in the amount of $2,500.00; providing effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

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. Agredano

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

3.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002 annual

budget in the amount of $5,000.00 for a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ General Preservation Assessment Grant Program; providing for effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm. Agredano

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. Agredanoa

For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

4.   Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year

2002 Capital Improvement Fund annual budget by appropriating revenues of $75,100.00 in the form of transfers in from General Fund for $16,800.00 and Contractual Obligations for $58,300.00 and appropriating expenditures in the amount of $75,100.00 for the Eastwood Park Project.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. Agredano

For:  8                                             Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm. Amaya

Second:  Cm. Agredano

For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

VIII.    GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

5.  A.  Request by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores

                        1.  Recognition of Council Members.   

           

                 B.  Request by Council Member Alfredo Agredano

1.  Discussion with possible action on the paving of the 100-800 blocks of South

     Ejido Street and 3400 block of Pecan Street.

 

2.  Status report on South Laredo Park and George Washington Park. 

     

                 C.  Request by Council Member Louis H. Bruni

1.  Discussion with possible action on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ report

concerning arsenic, chromium, lead and petroleum compounds exceeding state environmental limits in soil and groundwater samples taken from the former Laredo Air Force Base.

 

2.  Discussion with possible action on storing 100% of the treated wastewater from

the North Laredo Wastewater Facility at Lake Casa Blanca for future reuse, and consulting with our State legislators for the possible reuse of stored water.

 

3.  Discussion with possible action on consulting with the appropriate State agencies

to conduct a study at Lake Casa Blanca concerning the depth, increasing the water capacity, raising the water spill level, and conducting a test on the integrity of the existing dam.

 

4.  Discussion with possible action on the status of Eastwood Park.

           

                 D.  Request by Council Member John C. Galo

1.  Report on the signalization requested at the intersection of Market at Seymour  

     and Market at Stone, with possible action.

 

2.  Discussion on ways to create a reservoir to pump and store excess water from

     surplus water rights, with possible action.

 

3.  Report from staff on how we structure reimbursement contracts when utility lines

     are extended, with possible action.  

     

                E.  Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.

1.  Status report on the widening of Rancho Viejo Drive, with possible action.

 

2.  Discussion with possible action regarding impact fees.

 

3.  Discussion with possible action regarding down payment assistance for first time

     homebuyers.

 

4.  Discussion with possible action regarding signal light study on the entrance of

     Big Bend and Mines Road.

     

      F.  Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

1.  Discussion with possible action regarding Civic Center improvements.

 

2.  Discussion with possible action regarding the denial of transfer of Ms. Madrid’s  

     taxi permit.

 

3.  Status report regarding the Plaza Theatre renovation project.

 

4.  Report on past studies on Zacate Creek.

         

IX.       INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES

 

6.  Authorizing the City Manager to enter into and execute an oil and gas lease between the

City of Laredo, as Lessor, and Pogo Producing Company, as Lessee, upon approximately 3.7 acres of City-owned land within a 40-acre drilling unit and including the following boundaries:  the Eastern boundary of Columbia Street to the West; 50 feet North of the North boundary of Columbia Street to the North; the South boundary of Pecos Street to the South; and the original Laredo City Limits to the East, as reflected on the plat attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, for a primary term of 3 years, and so long thereafter oil, gas and other minerals are produced from said land or lands with which said land is pooled there under.  In exchange for this lease, Lessee shall pay to Lessor a 25% royalty payment on all oil and gas produced from said land, and in addition, Lessee shall tender to Lessor a signing bonus in the amount of $1,000.00 upon execution of the lease.  

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

7.  Authorizing the City Manager to cancel the 1978 parking lot lease which was previously

amended in July 2000, between Riverdrive Mall, Inc., and the City of Laredo now declaring the necessity to re-acquire the remaining two tracts of land of the lease, described as Block “X” and Block “Y” situated in the Western Division, Laredo, Webb County, Texas for a public purpose and public use in order to provide and enhance additional downtown local, tourist and visitor parking and shopping opportunities.

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

X.        FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES 

 

            Internet Availability:  www.ci.laredo.tx.us

 

Motion to waive the final readings of Ordinance # 2002-O-104, # 2002-O-105, # 2002-O-106, # 2002-O-105, # 2002-O-106, # 2002-O-107, # 2002-O-108, # 2002-O-109, # 2002-O-110, # 2002-O-111, # 2002-O-113, # 2002-O-114, # 2002-O-115, # 2002-O-116 and # 2002-O-117.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    8                                                Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

8.  2002-O-104  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-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.  (As amended)

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-104.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:   8                                 Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2002-O-105  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.

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-105.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                 2002-O-106  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. 

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-106.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2002-O-107  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. 

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-107.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 2002-O-108  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. 

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-108.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2002-O-109  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. 

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-109.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2002-O-110  Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by authorizing

the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for a bank on 1.9436 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit “A” located east of McPherson Road and north of Northridge Drive; providing for publication and effective date.  (As amended)

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-110.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 2002-O-111  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-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.  (As amended)

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-104.

 

Moved:   Cm. Bruni

Second:   Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2002-O-112  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 adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-112.

 

Moved:   Cm. Bruni

Second:   Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

                 2002-O-113  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 adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-113.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 2002-O-114  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 adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-114.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against: 0                                 Abstain:  0

2002-O-115  Amending the City of Laredo’s FY 2001-02 annual budget in the Fire

Training Facility Fund by appropriating revenues and expenses of $37,500.00 from available interest earnings for the purchase and installation of fiber optic cable at the Laredo Fire / Public Safety International Training Facility, and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-115.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 2002-O-116  Authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to

effectively convey fee simple title to the “Surface Only”, at its combined market value of $22,241.00 for certain properties described as follows to their respective abutting property owners and providing for an effective date.

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-116.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

   Parcel A – consists of 8,112.59 sq. ft., more or less, to Carlos J. Vergara at the market value of $14,524.00; said parcel being out of Milmo Avenue between Blaine Street and the north right-of-way line of Loop 20, situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas being described in attached Exhibit “A”;

Parcel B-consists of 3,858.36 sq. ft., more or less, to the Carmen Jacaman Family Limited Partnership at the market value of $7,717.00; said parcel being out of Milmo Avenue between Blaine Street and the north right-of-way line of Loop 20, situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas being described in attached Exhibit “B”.

 

     2002-O-117  Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Texas #20 Rural

Cellular, Inc. d/b/a “U.S. Cellular”, a Texas corporation, for space at the South Laredo Elevated Water Storage Tank located at 2210 Mexico Ave., 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 five (5) years commencing June 3, 2002 and ending June 2, 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.

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-117.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2002-O-118  Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement between the

Airport Fund, as Lessor, and Laredo Candle Company, LP, as Lessee, for Building No. 1005 consisting of approximately 28,800 square feet and located at 4608 Daugherty Avenue at the Laredo International Airport.  The lease term is for sixty (60) days commencing May 21, 2002 and ending on July 18, 2002.  Monthly rent shall be $11,500.00 payable in advance. The monthly rent obligation shall commence effective May 21, 2002.

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2002-O-118.

 

Moved:  Cm. Bruni

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:     8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

XI.       RESOLUTIONS

           

9.  2002-R-045  Identifying the Cuatro Vientos Road as a priority project and an extension

of Loop 20 and recognizing the need to expedite the design and construction of the road as a six-lane major arterial and that discretionary funds be sought to upgrade Loop 20 and Cuatro Vientos to an expressway with frontage roads or superstreet  (including feasibility study, environmental assessment, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction) and that, other than Cuatro Vientos, said funds shall not be reallocated from currently funded projects.  

 

Motion to approve Resolution # 2002-R-045.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. Bruni

For:    7                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  1

                                                                                              Cm. Belmares 

10.  2002-R-048  Confirming the appointment of a member to the Fire Fighter’s & Police

Officer’s Civil Service Commission of the City of Laredo to be determined by the City Manager.

 

  Motion to name Luis Landin and approve Resolution # 2002-R-048.

 

 

  Moved:  Cm. Galo

  Second:  Cm. Bruni

    For:    8                                Against:  0                                Abstain:  0       

 

XII.     MOTIONS

 

11.  Consideration to award contract number FY 02-100 to the low bidder Envirosolve,

L.L.C., Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the amount of $62,030.00 for conducting two Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events and two conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) collection events.  Funding is available in the Environmental Services Department budget.

 

Motion to approve.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. Bruni

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

12.  Consideration to award contract number FY 02-111 to the sole bidder, Royal Treat Car

Wash, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $42,000.00 for furnishing car wash services for the City’s automotive fleet.  Bids were requested on car wash service with and without inside vacuum.  All services are secured on as needed basis.  Funding is available in the Fleet Fund.

 

Motion to approve.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. Bruni

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

13.  Consideration to award contract number FY 02-098 to the low bidders, Video Services

of America, Lincoln, NE, in the amount of $58,165.60 and Commercial Video Systems, Inc., Austin, Texas in the amount of $1,728.00 for the purchase of replacement audio visual equipment for the Public Access Channel operations.  Funding is available in their capital outlay budget.

 

Motion to approve.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. Bruni

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

14.  Consideration to award contract number FY 02-106 to the low bidder Rio Grande

Valley Harley-Davidson, Inc., Pharr, Texas, in the amount of $118,745.01 for the purchase of nine (9) law enforcement motorcycles.  Funding is available in the Police Trust Fund.

 

Motion to approve.

 

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. Bruni

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

15.  Consideration to award contract number FY 02-102 to the low bidder, Holt Company

of Texas, Laredo, Texas, in the amount of $187,890.00 for the purchase of one motor grader for the landfill operation.  This equipment will be purchased using a total cost bid evaluation process.  The bid pricing includes provisions for a five-year maintenance contract and a guaranteed re-purchase price.  Delivery of this equipment is expected within sixty days.  Funding is available in the Solid Waste Fund.

 

Motion to approve.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. Bruni

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

16.  Consideration to award contract number FY 02-105 to the low bidder, AET, Inc.,

Laredo, Texas, in the amount of $159,875.00 for the purchase and installation of a video camera surveillance system at sixteen police substations and the up-grade of the video server at the Police Station.  Funding is available in the Police Trust Fund.

 

Motion to approve.

 

Moved:  Cm. Galo

Second:  Cm. B