CITY
OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
5:30
P.M.
With a quorum present, Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano called the meeting to order.
In attendance:
Elizabeth G. Flores, Mayor
Alfredo Agredano, Mayor Pro Tempore, District I
Hector Garcia, Council Member, District II
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
Larry Dovalina, City Manager
Cynthia Collazo, Assistant City Manager
Jaime Flores, City Attorney
Motion to excuse Mayor Flores and Cm. Galo.
Moved: Cm. Amaya
Second: Cm. Ramirez
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
III.
MOTION
Consideration for approval of construction plans, specifications and authorization to advertise the Inner City Park Project for bids. The project is to be located on Locust and Plum Streets between Barcelona Avenue and McDonnel Avenue. This project is funded through the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust Fund and Community Development Block Grant monies.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Amaya
Second: Cm. Garcia
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion
to recess for 15 minutes.
Moved: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. Belmares
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Mayor
Flores joined the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
IV. Presentation regarding the Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS) including current and future locations, with possible action.
Police Chief Agustin Dovalina made a presentation before City Council. Assisting in the presentation were Assistant Chief Eliodoro Granados, Deputy Chief Gilbert Navarro, and Officer Joe Baeza. Chief Dovalina mentioned that community policing is proactive, solution-based, and community driven. It takes place when police officers and law abiding citizens work together to arrest offenders, prevent crime, solve ongoing problems, and improve the overall quality of life. He explained that the concept of COPS envisions the world of the police subscribing for an absence of crime and disorder. It perceives the role of the community as an active agent and partner in promoting security. He also provided a historical chronology of community policing efforts in Laredo. He mentioned that there are four patrol sectors throughout the City. Two police precincts, namely 1 and 14, are currently without a workstation.
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. inquired as to what resources does the City have for future construction of workstations within different sectors of the city.
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, stated that although the police department budget is a cash-rich budget, there is a restriction as to what those monies can be used for. He added that our police department is leading other border police departments in technology that is being acquired such as the 911 system, audio-video equipment, etc.
Motion to proceed with construction of workstations at Precincts Number 1 and 14; to create an additional Precinct 12, and to have the project done using in-house labor.
Moved: Cm. Garcia
Second: Cm. Ramirez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to move one of the COPS workstations in the downtown area to Precinct 12.
Moved: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. Garcia
For: 6 Against: 1 Abstain: 0
Cm. Ramirez
Motion to instruct staff to research and facilitate, through the City’s legislative agenda, the creation of Laredo’s own 911 district.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 6 Against: 1 Abstain: 0
Cm. Ramirez
The City Council hereby reserves the right to go
into executive session at any time during this public meeting, if such is
requested by the City Attorney or other legal counsel for the City, pursuant to
his or her duty under Section 551.071(2) of the Government Code, to consult
privately with his or her client on an item on the agenda, or on a matter
arising out of such item.
Motion to adjourn. Time:
7:20 p.m.
Moved:
Cm. Amaya
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain:
0
I, Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary, do
hereby certify that the above minutes contained in pages 01 to 03 are true,
complete and correct proceedings of the City Council meeting held on November
13, 2002.
____________________________________
Gustavo
Guevara, Jr.
City Secretary