CITY OF
LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M-2002-R-024
LAREDO,
TEXAS 78040
DECEMBER 16, 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
In
attendance:
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
Gustavo
Guevara, Jr., City
Secretary
Larry
Dovalina, City
Manager
Cynthia
Collazo, Assistant
City Manager
Jaime
Flores, City
Attorney
Motion to
excuse Cm. Ramirez.
Moved:
Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
IV. MINUTES
Approval
of the minutes of October 7, 2002, October 21, 2002 and November 4, 2002.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Mayor
Flores mentioned an excellent performance by the three Mexican Tenors who were
in town for a show at the Laredo Civic Center.
She stated that they met with the crowd in the lobby after the
performance and signed autographs for everyone.
She
also presented a drawing from the University of Texas Health Science Center –
Laredo Extension that was given to the citizens of Laredo. She commented that the Ribbon Cutting/
Dedication Ceremony was held this morning and the City Council was proud to be
a part of this project. She also
thanked Jose Flores, Airport Director; Larry Dovalina, City Manager; and those
sitting Council Members back from 1999 who voted to pass the resolution to
donate this land. She stated that the
total value of the donation was over $10 million. She mentioned that the City is very proud to have participated in
this way for the future health needs of Laredo.
Invitations
None.
Recognitions
a. Recognition of Maria
G. Soliz, Assistant Library Director for Outstanding Service as the Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA), Site
Coordinator 1998 - 2003, by IRS AREA 5, Territory Manager, Mr. Billy Hubbard.
Maria
G. Soliz was presented with a plaque by Billy Hubbard, Territory Manager for
Internal Revenue Service, Area 5, for her outstanding service as a Volunteer
Tax Assistant.
b. Recognition of
members of the Laredo Commission for Women in appreciation for their years of
service to the Commission.
Mayor
Flores and City Council recognized the following members of the Commission for
Women for their eight years of dedication and commitment to all women and for
all their efforts in placing women’s issues in the forefront of the community.
Cynthia Conchas Lilian
Dickinson Lucy R.
Cardenas
Esther
G. Buckley Ana
Maria Montoya Imelda
Navarro
Sylvia
Bruni Irma
Morales Dr.
Phyllis Voltz Creamer
Blanca
Nalaschi Rosa
Elia Trevino Sister
Rosemary Welsh
Communiqués
Cm.
Agredano arrived at 5:50 p.m.
Cm.
Agredano wished everyone in his district and the citizens of Laredo a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year. He hopes
that the new year will bring added blessings to all.
Cm.
Hector Garcia wished everyone Happy Holidays and that the celebration with
family be a pleasant and peaceful one.
Cm.
Galo wished everyone a happy holiday season and hopes that everyone has a safe
and happy holiday time. He added that
there is some speeding taking place in the Santa Rita area and asked that the
police should be more vigilant on Prada-Machin Road.
Cm.
Amaya mentioned that on December 21, 2002, his special projects committee will conclude
the Council Member’s Third Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway. They will be distributing toys to 140
students from seven elementary schools in District IV. He also wished everyone happy holidays on
behalf of his family.
Cm.
E. Valdez, Jr. wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He asked that everyone stop and count their
blessings and not take anything for granted.
Cm.
Belmares extended Christmas wishes to all the families in Laredo on behalf of
his family. He stated that this week he
attended a conference of Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition and he provided
a gavel that was presented to Mayor Flores for her service to the coalition.
Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr. wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He also thanked the Public Works crew for
their work on Santa Maria and Del Mar Boulevard.
Cm.
Ramirez conveyed his wishes in writing for a wonderful holiday season to his
colleagues and all the citizens of Laredo.
Mayor
Flores extended wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas and a healthy and safe
new year. She thanked the citizens of
Laredo for allowing her to serve the community another four years and for
making Laredo a wonderful place to represent and to live in. She added that this season brings thoughts
of families and friends and the good deeds done to make our community a better
place.
She
also mentioned two opposing viewpoints from two different newspaper articles
discussing the proposed border inspection stations. She stated that in addition to the transfer trucks that come
through our city on the international
bridges, there are an additional 12,000 trucks that come into this city that
never cross the International Bridges.
If the inspection stations were to be built on the bridge, they will
never be inspected. She agrees that all
commercial trucks should be inspected.
She mentioned that 70 % of Texas trucking companies have fewer than 10
trucks, of those 5% violate state and federal safety laws. None of those trucks will ever cross the
International Bridges. Of the 33,000
trucking companies registered in Texas, only 900 were audited last year. State troopers conducted 176,000 inspections
but the majority were visual checks, not full safety inspections. She believes that there are many safe trucks
on the roadways, there are many trucking companies caring about safety. But she
believes that because these trucks travel thousands of miles, they should have
an inspection facility they can clear before they go beyond the City of
Laredo.
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES
a. Appointment by Council
Member Jose A. Valdez of Jesus Amezcua to the Library Advisory Committee.
Motion
to approve.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Garcia
For: 7
Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public hearing allowing interested persons to comment on the proposed amendment to the
2002 Consolidated Plan providing for the reprogramming of 28th Action Year (AY)
Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDGB) totaling $400,000.00 to be used
for the construction of two new Zero Depth Water Spray Playgrounds to be
located within the area of the Farias Recreation Center and at the Lafayette
Linear Park, and to eliminate funding from the 28th Action Year
Community Development Block Grant for the proposed West Laredo Park.
28th AY
Community Development Block Grant
Farias Splash Playground $200,000.00
Lafayette Splash Playground $200,000.00
West Laredo Park (Cancel) $ -0-
Total Funds Reprogrammed $400,000.00
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Belmares
Second: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm.
J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm.
Garcia
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain:
0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
2. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 13 and 14, Block 2, Jacaman Ranch
Subdivision, Unit 6, Jacaman Commercial Park, located northeast of Rosson Lane,
from B-4 (Highway 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.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk, representing the developers,
requested that City Council postpone this item.
Motion to close the public hearing and postpone
indefinitely.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain:
0
3. 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 townhouses on 9.9237
acres, as further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit “A”,
located west of McPherson Road and southwest of Ranchway Drive, providing for
publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed Special
Use Permit.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Garcia
Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Mr. Edward Garza, speaking on behalf of Vaquillas
Development, stated that they do support
the issuance of a special use permit.
Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce.
Moved:
Cm. Belmares
Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Belmares
4. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 3.2485 acres, as further described by metes
and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”, located at 7060 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 the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Mr. Frank Mireles asked for approval of the
proposed zone change.
Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce.
Moved:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.
For:
7 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 rezoning Lot 1, Block 31, Santa Rita Subdivision,
Unit XI, located at 501 Lope de Vega Drive, from R-1A (Single Family
Residential Area District) and B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3
(Community Business District); providing for publication and effective
date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk, representing Santa Rita Enterprises,
requested approval for the
consolidation of land which is under one owner. This
consolidation would allow for a shopping center to go in very close to the main
entrance of the South Laredo community college.
Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce.
Moved:
Cm. Galo
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Galo
6. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 6, 8, and 10, Block 1030, Western
Division, located at 4102 Santa Maria Avenue, 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 approval of the proposed zone change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk, representing the property owner,
requested approval for an automobile sales lot. He mentioned that this particular zone change has the support of
the surrounding neighbors. He stated
that if there is some objection by City Council in approving this zone change,
they will present to staff recorded deed restrictions which will eliminate
those uses that might be objectionable.
Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce.
Moved:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
7. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 4.3876 acres, as further described by
metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”, located at the rear of 3901 East
Saunders Street, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) and R-3 (Mixed
Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for
publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed zone
change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved:
Cm. Galo
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Jeff Puig, on behalf of Foster Engineering, stated
that he was in favor of the proposed zone change.
Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce.
Moved:
Cm. Garcia
Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain:
0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Garcia
8. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map
of the City of Laredo by rezoning 2.2924 acres, as further described by metes
and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”, located at 6801 McPherson Road, 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 approval of the proposed zone
change.
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. E. Valdez, Jr.
Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain:
0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.
9. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance
Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning
1.4151 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”,
located west of Highway 83 and north of Santa Marta Boulevard, from B-3
(Community Business District) to R-1MH (Single Family Manufactured Housing
District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has
recommended approval of the proposed zone change.
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. Galo
Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Galo
10. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 1
through 6, Block 1066, Western Division, located at the 4300 block of San
Agustin Avenue, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-3 (Community
Business District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has
recommended approval of proposed zone change.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ron Whitehawk, on behalf of the property owner,
spoke in favor of the proposed zone change.
He stated that the property owner took great care to get in touch with
the neighbors on the residential area and the owner does have their support.
Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce.
Moved:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second:
Cm. Garcia
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
11. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances by
adopting Chapter 18, Sections 18-2-1 and 18-2-2, games and amusement devices
requiring a permit for establishments operating certain game and amusement
devices; requiring payment of fee prior to issuance or permit; repealing all
ordinances in conflict herewith and providing for an effective date and
publication.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second:
Cm. Amaya
For:
7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, reported that this
ordinance is being generated because of the concern of the rapidly growing
business of eight-liners all over the city.
The new ordinance requires a permitting process in order to determine
the location of all these devices and to ensure that these businesses are
adequately covering all city ordinances. He stated that this particular ordinance by no means approves the
business itself, it merely regulates its activity.
Veronica Urbano, Budget Department, reported that they have brought forward an