CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2003-R-04

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

FEBRUARY 18, 2003

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

            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 December 2, 2002 and January 7, 2003.

 

            Motion to approve.

 

            Moved:  Cm.  Amaya

            Second:  Cm.  Belmares

            For:     7                                               Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

            Announcements

 

            None.

 

            Invitations

 

            None.

 

            Recognitions

 

            None.

 

            Communiqués

 

Cm.  Garcia thanked individuals that participated in organizing the Gateway to Mexico Sports Clinic.  He also congratulated Frances Wawroski, President of the Pocahontas, for their presentation of Yemile M.  Guerra, Pocahontas, and her escort, Alejandro Garza.  He extended an invitation to the public to attend the Jalapeno Festival to be held on the 25th of February.

 

Cm.  Galo commended City staff for their assistance in all the current events being held in the month of February.  He also thanked all individuals who worked on securing the 2005 All Star Game for Laredo.

 

Cm.  Amaya thanked the Streets of Laredo Committee for organizing the Jamboozie.

 

Cm.  Ramirez also thanked the Streets of Laredo Committee for organizing the Jamboozie.

 

Mayor Flores congratulated the organizers of both the Jamboozie and the Poccahontas events.  She noted that the U. S. Conference of Mayors has finished their T-21 Legislative Platform.  She added that because of the hard work of Rene Gonzalez and the City’s Washington Consultants a very important piece of legislation was added into the recommendations.  She read the following addition:

 

“revise the borders and corridors program to increase overall funding from this

program to 520 million for each fiscal year from 2004 thru 2008 and require that 60% of these funds 312 million be provided for projects within 50 miles of the border and prioritized based on the volume of traffic crossings at the border points.”

 

Blasita Lopez, public Information Officer, announced the distribution of the City of Laredo’s tabloid called “Laredo”.  She explained that 5,000 copies were printed and they would be available to constituents, businesses, and legislators.  The quarterly report will include information from the Mayor, City Manager, and City Council Members.  The tabloid will also feature different City departments and the services they provide.

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

            a.  Appointment by Council Member Alfredo Agredano of Martha L. Martinez to the   

                 Laredo Women's Commission.

 

                Motion to approve.

 

                Moved:  Cm.  Garcia

                Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                For:     7                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano joined the meeting at 6:02 p.m.

 

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

            1.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003             annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $94,409.00                  from the South Texas Development Council for the HIV/AIDS Housing Opportunities                for Persons with AIDS Project (HOPWA) of the City of Laredo Health Department for           the period beginning February 1, 2003 through January 31, 2004.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

            2.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept a  

                 grant from Texas Parks & Wildlife in the amount of $75,200.00 with a 20% local match            from Community Development Block Grant for the construction of a portion of the                         Chacon Creek Trail and amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Capital                    Improvements Projects Fund annual budget by appropriating revenues of $94,000.00                     from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant ($75,200.00) and a contribution from                                       Community Development ($18,800.00) and appropriating expenditures in the amount of                 $94,000.00 for the construction of a portion (7,000 linear feet) of the Chacon Creek Hike              and Bike Trail.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                 Second:  Cm.  Galo

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

            3.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the           

                 City of Laredo's FY 2002-2003 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions by creating                      twenty-four (24) Firefighter/Cadet positions for Fire Station #14 located at Cielito Lindo                Subdivision.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                 For:    8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                 Second:  Cm.  Garcia

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

4.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into an  

Adopt-A-Park agreement with community organizations for the purpose of gaining active support from the community in beautifying our city parks and authorizing the City Manager to accept $3,000.00 donations yearly and/or improvements in lieu of from organizations participating in the Adopt-A-Park program and amend the City Of Laredo Fiscal Year 2003 General Fund budget by appropriating $18,000 in revenues and appropriating $18,000 in expenditures for yearly maintenance and improvements at adopted park sites.

 

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.  Garcia

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

5.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the contents of Section 24-63.2,

Section 24-65.14, and Appendix A, of the Laredo Land Development Code, in order to establish regulations and performance standards governing amusement redemption machine establishments; providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed ordinance amendment including two revisions.

 

     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.  J.  Valdez

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

6.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the

City of Laredo by rezoning 12.41 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit "A", located east of McPherson Road and north of University Park Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential Area) 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:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Belmares

 

7.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the

City of Laredo by rezoning 1.05 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit "A," located east of McPherson Road and north of International Boulevard, from R-2 (Multifamily Residential District) to B-1 (Limited 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:  Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 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 1.01 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit "A," located east of McPherson Road and south of Shiloh Commercial Subdivision, from R-2 (Multifamily Residential District) to B-1 (Limited 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.  Amaya

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Belmares

 

9.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the

City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 721, Block 44, and Lot 1, Block 44A, Del Mar Hills Subdivision, Section 2-A, Area "C", located at 555 Del Mar Boulevard, from RS (Residential Suburban District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential 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.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Belmares

 

10.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2000-O-012

authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit to Ricardo Paredes for a welding shop on Lot 1, Block 22, Moreno Addition, located at 1417 Harding Avenue, by renewing the terms of the Conditional Use Permit; providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed permit renewal.

 

       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 to renew for five years and introduce.

 

                   Moved:  Cm.  Garcia

                   Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                   For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Garcia

 

11.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the

City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit to the City of Laredo for the International Bridge I facility on all of Blocks L, M, N, and 21 and Lots 6C, 7C, 8C, 9C & 10, Block 22, Western Division and that portion of Water Street between Juarez Avenue and Flores Avenue and that portion of Convent Avenue between Ventura Street and Zaragoza Street, and that portion of Salinas Avenue between Ventura Street and Water Street commonly known as International Bridge I; providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed permit.

 

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.  Ramirez

                   Second:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                   For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Ramirez

 

12.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the

City of Laredo by rezoning 20.70 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit "A," located west of McPherson Road between Monarch Drive and San Isidro Parkway, from AG (Agricultural 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:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                   For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   There was no public input.

 

                   Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                   Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                   Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                   For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Belmares

 

13.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the

City of Laredo by rezoning 8.22 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit "A," located east of McPherson Road and south of San Isidro Parkway, from AG (Agricultural 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:  Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez

                   For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   There was no public input.

 

                   Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                   Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                   Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                   For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Belmares

 

14.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Chapter 12 Article IV of the Code

Of Ordinances City of Laredo, Texas by adding Section 6 to waive the Fee of $45.00 for request for foster home fire inspection services and life safety inspections, within the corporate limits of the City of Laredo, Texas; providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                   Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                   Second:  Cm.  Garcia

                   For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   There was no public input.

 

                   Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                   Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                   Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                   For:     8