CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2002-R-013
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
JULY 1, 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 Flores led in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
III. ROLL
CALL
Elizabeth G. Flores, Mayor
Alfredo Agredano, Mayor
Pro Tempore, District I
Hector Garcia, Council
Member, District II
John C. Galo, Council
Member, District III
Johnny Amaya, Council Member, District IV
Eliseo Valdez, Jr., Council
Member, 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 May 20,
2002.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Ramirez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Cm. Garcia congratulated the Laredo
Community College on the groundbreaking for their second campus. He also thanked Chief Dovalina and his staff
for joining him along with United Independent School District for providing
input on training sessions being scheduled with school administrators.
Cm. Galo submitted reports from the
Southwest Texas Rain Enhancement Association for Flight numbers 33 through
42.
Cm. Amaya urged everyone to have a safe
and happy Independence Day celebration.
Cm. Eliseo Valdez, Jr. thanked city
staff for the great job done in putting together the workshop last
weekend. He also asked the community
for prayers for those missionaries who were involved in a serious traffic
accident.
Cm. Belmares extended his gratitude to
Deputy Chief Fructuoso San Miguel and
Keith Selman, Planning Director, for attending a meeting with Del Mar
residents.
Mayor Flores expressed her condolences
to the families of Coach Barton and Dan Hinojosa for their loss. Mayor Flores also provided a brief review
of the Strategic Planning Session held by City Council last weekend. She thanked the Council Members for their
vision in planning for Laredo’s needs and anticipated issues for the years 2010
and 2020. She stated that the
workshops fostered a renewed sense of commitment among City Council and staff
to work together as a team for common goals.
Invitations
Cm. Ramirez invited everyone to the July
4th celebration at Veterans Field.
He mentioned that there will be two baseball games featuring the
All-Stars from South Texas. There will
also be a fireworks display following the games.
Recognitions
a.
Recognition of City employees for their participation and contribution
to the 2002
American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Dan Migura, Administrative Services
Director, recognized the participants from the
various city departments:
Donna Magnon Most
Money Raised by an Individual
City Manager’s Office and Most Money Raised by a Team
City Secretary’s Office
Larry Dovalina Special Recognition
The following employees were also recognized
for their efforts:
The Steering Committee members include Linda Teniente, Blasita
Lopez, Lucia Antu, Eddie Zavala, Robert Eads, Sylvia Arrellano, Anita Stanley,
and Donna Magnon.
The Parks and Recreation Department participants include Santiago
Loa, crew leader, and his staff who set up the tents.
The Mayor’s Office staff which assisted with the team registration
fees.
The Environmental Services Department and El Metro staffs which
purchased the team t-shirts for
the participants.
For top contributors in the $4,999.00 category:
Donna Magnon City Secretary’s Office
Celina Rivera/Gloria Garza Parks & Recreation Dept.
Sylvia Arrellano Health Department
For top contributor in the $3,999.00
category:
Osvaldo Guzman Community
Development
For top contributor in the $2,999.00 category:
Evelyn Luciano Bridge Department
For most funds raised by an individual category:
Donna Magnon City Secretary’s Office
Cordy Barrera mentioned that total
contributions this year were $76,004.00.
She further
stated that the City’s contributions collected totalled
$28,629.62, a significant increase from last year’s contribution of
$11,256.00. She presented Mayor Flores
with a small token of appreciation for the contribution of her first month’s
check to the organization.
Communiqués
a.
Appreciation of City of Laredo Code Enforcement employees by Judge Oscar
Martinez for their efforts in
keeping Laredo beautiful.
Judge
Oscar Martinez stated that these individuals worked every Sunday for the past
three years in a program known as “Keep Laredo and Webb County Clean”. They not only perform community work but
they also provide counseling and guidance.
He recognized the following employees for their dedication to the
program:
Elda
Rivera Eusebio
Benavides
Rolando
Perez Carina
Ramos
Lauro
Valle, Jr. Luis
Villa
Mario
A. Gutierrez Raul R. Garcia
Mario
Casarez
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
a.
Appointments
by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores to Laredo Housing Authority.
Motion to confirm the appointment of Maria del Carmen Rodriguez as
Project Resident representative.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
b.
Appointment by Council Member Johnny Amaya of Tomas M. Rodriguez, Jr. to
the
Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
Motion to confirm the appointment.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
c. Appointment by Council
Member Hector J. Garcia of Rosie Centeno to the Vehicles for
Hire Ad Hoc Committee.
Motion to confirm the
appointment.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
d. Appointment by Council
Member Hector J. Garcia of Chantal Cantu AIA to the
Cemetery Advisory
Committee.
Motion to confirm the
appointment.
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 authorizing the issuance of a Special Use Permit
to East Country Limited for a mini-storage facility on 3.8955 acres, as further
described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit "A", located at the
3500 Block of Del Mar Blvd.; providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has
recommended approval of the proposed Special Use Permit with a condition.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ray Rodriguez, attorney for East Country Limited, stated that they
are asking for issuance of the Special Use Permit.
Motion to close the hearing and introduce as a Special Use Permit.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. Belmares
2. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Code of
Ordinances, Chapter 15, Health and Sanitation, Article VI, Tattoo
and Body Piercing, providing definitions, establishing a tattoo and body
piercing permit program; providing for exemption from requirements, terms of
permits, terms of renewal, terms of denial, and terms of suspension or
revocation; providing for injunctive relief and severability; authorizing fee
of $100.00 for tattoo or body piercing permits; and $200.00 for a combined
studio permit for issuance or annual renewal of permits, and a $10.00 fee for
replacement; authorizing a penalty for violation of this Ordinance; providing
for publication and effective date.
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 hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
3. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending Ordinance No. 97-O-114
authorizing the City of Laredo Health Department to increase the
fee from $10.00 to $20.00 per person not registered in a clinic as Health
Department patients for phlebotomy services at the Health Department
Laboratory; and providing for publication and effective date.
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 hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Belmares
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
4. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending Chapter 15, Health and Sanitation,
of the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances by amending Article VII,
Swimming Pool Permit, providing definitions;
establishing a swimming pool permit, terms of swimming pool permit,
establishing authority to inspect swimming pools, authorizing a fee of $100 for
issuance or renewal of a swimming pool permit, authorizing a fee of $10 for
issuance of duplicate permits; terms of renewal, terms of denial, and terms of
suspension or revocaton; providing a waiver of permit fee to the City of Laredo
Parks and Recreation Department; providing for injunctive relief and
severability; authorizing a penalty for violation of this Ordinance; and providing
for publication.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. Belmares
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
5. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002
annual budget by appropriating additional funds in the amount of
$212,470.00 from the Texas Department of Health for the HIV/AIDS Ryan White
Project of the City of Laredo Health Department and extending the grant period
from April 1, 2002 through August 31, 2002 to April 1, 2002 through March 31,
2003.
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 hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. E.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
6. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002
annual budget by appropriating revenues in the amount of
$39,337.00 in additional funds for the HIV/AIDS Housing Opportunities for
Persons with AIDS Project of the City of Laredo Health Department to extend the
program period from February 1, 2002, through August 31, 2002, to February 1,
2002, through January 31, 2003.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City
Council
7. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending Section 13-21 definitions, Article
II (Food Products Establishments) Division 1 (Generally) of
Chapter 13 (Food and Food Products) of the Code of Ordinances to revise the
definition of a food products establishment, providing for publication and
effective date.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Amaya
Second: Cm. Belmares
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
8. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending Section 13-39, (Fees) of Division 2,
License of Article II (Food Products Establishments) of Chapter 13
(Food and Food Products) of the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances to increase
the annual license fee to be paid by a food establishment, which will continue
to be based on the number of employees per establishment. Establishing a fee of $50.00 for a new food
establishment application and fee of $25.00 for request for inspection
services, providing for publication and effective date.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
9. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Code of
Ordinances, Section 13-81 (Fees) of Article IV, Permitting of Food
Service Operator, Chapter 13, Food and Food Products to raise the fee of ten
($10.00) to thirty ($30.00) for a Food Service Operator Permit; providing for
publication and effective date.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 7 Against: 1 Abstain: 0
Cm.
Ramirez
There was no public input.
Motion to close the hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 1 Abstain: 0
Cm. Ramirez
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council except Cm. Ramirez
10. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept a
reimbursement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in
the amount of $19,717.00 for overtime expenses and amend the City of Laredo's
FY 2001-2002 annual budget in the amount of $19,717.00 to fund the Laredo
Border Region Violent Crime Task Force (LBRVCTF). The Laredo Police Department will assign one Investigator and one
Police Officer to the Task Force.
Reimbursement of overtime expenses will commence on October 1, 2001
through September 30, 2002.
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
hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
11. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending Ordinance No. 90-O-177 by
increasing the fee of $8.00 to $15.00 per sample for the
bacteriological analysis of water and allowing for a waiver of the fee to the
Health Department; and providing for publication and effective date.
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
hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
E. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm.
Belmares
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 1
Cm. Amaya
Ordinance
Introduction: City Council except Cm.
Amaya
12. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Laredo Code of Ordinances,
Chapter 2 (Administration) Article I (In General) Section 2-3
(Fees for City Services)
Subsection (b), increasing the fee for certified birth
certificates from $11.00 to $13.00 to include an administrative fee; providing
for severability; and providing for publication and effective date.
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
hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Belmares
For: 7 Against: 1 Abstain: 0