CITY OF LAREDO

                                                   CITY COUNCIL MEETING

                                                                  M2003-R-10

                                                  CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

                                                     1110 HOUSTON STREET

                                                      LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

                                                                MAY 19, 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

 

            The Mayor 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

 

            None.

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

            Announcements

 

None.

 

            Invitations

 

Dr.  Jose Luis Gonzalez, extended an invitation to the Mayor and Council for a celebration in Monclova, Mexico. 

 

 

 

            Recognitions

 

a.  Recognition of Michelle Inocencio, J.W. Nixon High School graduation senior on her

     award of a 4 year scholarship to Texas A & M for her athletic and academic

     achievements.  Ms. Inocencio is a member of Club Olympia funded by the City of

     Laredo and 2-time national javelin champion.

 

Mayor Flores presented a Seven Flags Certificate of Recognition to Michelle Inocencio for her outstanding achievements as a 2-time National Javelin Champion.  The honor student from J. W. Nixon also qualified in the try outs for a spot in the United States Track and Field Team and the United States Pan American Games.  She is the first female from Laredo to ever achieve this goal. 

 

            Communiqués

 

Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano thanked the citizens of Laredo for donating over three tons of food to a food drive sponsored by the U. S. Post Office employees. 

 

Cm.  Garcia congratulated Housing Partners, a housing corporation, as they celebrated their grand opening for the Clark Crossing Apartments which is a 12.4 million dollar project.  He noted that the complex has 160 units that will assist low-income families.  He also took the time to wish United South High School Basketball players luck as they will participate in quarter finals. 

 

Cm.  Galo thanked the Parks and Recreation Department and the Police Department for their assistance with the United States Tennis Association Clinic held at United High School North and the Market Tennis Courts.  Over 500 children participated in the annual event.  He also gave a comprehensive report on his trip to Washington where he represented the Council at the Border Trade Alliance meeting.  He covered the current issues which included splitting the border in corridors, House Bill 1096 and Bill 596, extension of the entry exit, and finally the gas tax.  He stressed the City’s desire to push for modern technology that will expedite entry at our borders.   

 

Cm.  Amaya thanked individuals that were involved in the completion of the McPherson Widening Project. 

 

Cm.  Belmares thanked the Mayor for allowing him to represent the City at the Crime Stopper’s State Convention.  The Crime Stoppers is a phenomenal program that has 267 organizations throughout Texas.  He also asked the public to observe Memorial Day. 

 

Cm.  J.  Valdez thanked the City of Laredo’s Engineering and Public Works Department for doing and outstanding job with the street resurfacing project at the Dell Wood Subdivision.  He announced that more projects are scheduled for the Dell Wood Subdivision. 

 

Cm.  Ramirez thanked the City of Laredo’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Police Department for a reception that was held at Zacate Creek for the students from Texas A & M International University. 

 

 

            a.  Presentation of the 2002-2003 cooperative employees participating in the City of Laredo           Administrative and Industrial Cooperative Training Programs.

 

Dan Migura, Administrative Service Director, explained that each year the City budgets funds to provide a corporative opportunity at the local high schools to participate in our work efforts.  This year the City has 23 students that were provided funding.

 

Jerry Elizondo, COOP Supervisor, explained the process on the selection and placing of COOP students.  He introduced the following students:

 

1.  Lorena P.  Acosta          Library                                     Alexander High School

2.  Jose Aranda III              City Manager’s Office  United High School

3.  Glenda Arredondo          PARD – Tarver                        Martin High School

4.  Joe Butcher                    Health                                      Alexander High School

5.  Leticia Canales               PARD – Cigarroa                     Cigarroa High School

6.  Jennifer Garibay  PARD – Tarver                        Nixon High School

7.  Leybi Garza                    Engineering                               Martin High School

8.  Miriam Garza                 PARD – Hillside                       Nixon High School

9.  Valeria Gomez                ASD – Employee Health           United High School

10.  Gabriel Gomez PARD – Cigarroa                     Cigarroa High School

11.  Marcos Gonzalez          PARD – DD Hachar                Cigarroa High School

12.  Ruby Guerrero ASD – Training                        United South High School

13.  Alcide Jaramillo            Police                                       United South High School

14.  Ena J.  Lopez               Tax                                          Cigarroa High School

15.  Delia Miles                   PARD – DD Hachar                Nixon High School

16.  Lydia A.  Perez            PARD – Administration            United South High School

17.  Valeria Rodriguez         Finance – Purchasing                United South High School

18.  Claudia Rodriguez        PARD – Tarver                        Nixon High School

19.  Jessica Sanchez            ASD – Human Resources         United South High School

20.  Jessica J.  Thomas        PARD – Farias             Martin High School

21.  Ana L.  Vasquez           Secretary’s Office                     United South High School

22.  Teresa Perez                Bridge                                      Martin High School

23.  Rosario Velasquez        Finance                                    Nixon High School

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

            None.

 

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

            1.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 9, Block 351, Eastern Division, located at 114 Lyon Street 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 denial of the proposed zone change.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

 

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Garcia

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ron Whitehawk, on behalf of the property owner, asked for delay for a month of this zone change.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and postpone for 30 days.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Amaya

                 Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

            2.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for a child daycare facility on 1.42 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located approximately at 3351 Clark Boulevard; 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:  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.  Garcia

                 Second:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Garcia

 

            3.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 2.2882 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on                      attached Exhibit “A,” located south of Don Camillo Boulevard and west of Highway 83, from R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area 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:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ron Whitehawk, on behalf of the property owner, spoke in favor of the zone change.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Amaya

                 Second:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Galo

 

            4.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 5.02 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located east of Highway 83 and northeast of the American Towers Plat No. 2 from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed 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 postpone.

 

     Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

     Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

     For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

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

     City of Laredo by rezoning 42.44 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on    

     attached Exhibit “A,” located approximately at the 2600 block of Del Mar Boulevard,

     from R-1 (Single Family 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:   Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

     For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

     Cm.  E.  Valdez was not present.

 

     There was no public input.

 

     Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

 

     Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

     Second:  Cm.  E.  Valdez

     For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

     Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Belmares

   

     Cm.  E.  Valdez not present.

 

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

City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1A, Block 1, Pan American Mobile Home Park Subdivision, located approximately at 4502 Game Creek Boulevard, from AG (Agricultural 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.  Amaya

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

Second:  Cm.  Ramirez

For:      7                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

 

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

City of Laredo by rezoning 6.07 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located east of Highway 83 and north of Cielito Lindo Boulevard, from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed B-4 and approval of a B-3 zone change.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ron Whitehawk, on behalf of the Joe Moore family, spoke in favor of the zone change request.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce as a B-3.

 

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

           

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

City of Laredo by rezoning 4.6243 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located south of Highway 359 and approximately one and a half miles east of Loop 20, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed B-4 and approval of a B-3 zone change.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ron Whitehawk, representing the property owners, asked to allow property to go as a B-3 as recommended by staff.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Garcia

Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Garcia

 

9.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Section 23-3 and Section 23-5 of

Chapter 23 (Parks and Recreation) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Laredo to allow for rate changes in Public Swimming Pool Admission Fees from $0.50 to $0.75 for children and from $0.75 to $1.25 for adults (ages 13 and older), and to provide for the addition of Section 23-6 for New Recreational Fields Facility Fees and Section 23-7 for the creation of user fees for recreational equipment rentals; providing for publication and effective date.

 

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.  Ramirez

Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

10.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003

annual budget in the amount of $5,350.00 in additional funds from the Texas Department of Health for the OPHP-Bioterrorism Preparedness Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2002 through August 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 public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

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

grant from the Texas Book Festival in the amount of $2,500.00 and amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $2,500.00.

 

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:  Mayor Pro Tempore Agredano

Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

 

 

12.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing Aleskar Villarreal, d/b/a

Villarreal Dumps and Backhoe Service, Inc. a non-exclusive franchise, to construct, maintain and operate a commercial container refuse gathering and disposing service in the City of Laredo, Texas, and providing the terms, conditions, obligations, and limitations upon and under which such franchise shall be exercised; providing indemnity to the City, City retains authority to regulate rates except for rate increases resulting from increased landfill fees which are passed on to the customer; providing for increased service rates; providing for franchise payments; and providing for severability. 

 

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.  Amaya

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

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

an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the amount of $20,609.00 and amending the FY 2002-2003 City of Laredo budget by $1,391.00.  The agreement’s purpose is to reimburse costs for overtime incurred by the Laredo Police Department in providing resources for joint operational task forces.  The term of this agreement is from October 1, 2002 through September 30, 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 public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

 

14.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Section 2-3 of Article I of Chapter

2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances copies of public information therein set forth, the schedule of charges for copies of public information therein set forth in Sections 111.61-111.71 of the Texas Administrative Code containing the schedule of charges for producing public information under the Public Information Act, Government Code, Chapter 552, Subchapter F.

 

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.  Amaya

For:     8