CITY OF LAREDO

                                                CITY COUNCIL MEETING

                                                            M-2003-R-012

                                              CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

                                                  1110 HOUSTON STREET

                                                    LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

                                                             JUNE 16, 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,                                                                    Council Member, District I

            Hector Garcia,                                                                          Council Member, District II

            John C.  Galo,                                                                          Mayor Pro Tempore, 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

 

            Cm.  Alfredo Agredano joined the meeting at 5:58 p.m.

 

IV.       MINUTES

 

            Approval of minutes of March 3, 2003, March 24, 2003 and April 7, 2003.

 

            Motion to approve.

 

            Moved:  Cm. Belmares

            Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

            For:    8                                                Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0 

 

 

 

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

 

None.

 

Invitations

 

None.

 

Recognitions

 

a.    Recognition of Maria Teresa "Terry" Gonzalez, of the Parks and Recreation   

       Department, for being selected May Employee of the Month.

 

Horacio De Leon, Parks and Recreation Director, described the accomplishments and mentioned that Terry Gonzalez has worked for the City of Laredo for over twenty years.    

 

Maria Teresa Gonzalez thanked Horacio De Leon, Parks and Recreation Director, Mayor, Council Members, and Co-workers for the opportunity to be employee of the month.

       

Communiqués

 

Cm.  Garcia thanked the City Manager and other City departments for keeping the Council Members and the public abreast of all situations during a storm that pounded the City on June 2, 2003.  He specifically applauded the Police Department, Fire Department, United Water, Traffic Department and the Utilities Department. 

 

Mayor Pro Tempore Galo echoed Cm.  Garcia’s by thanking City staff for doing such an outstanding job for District III during the June 2, 2003 storm.  He commented that his constituents have been calling him expressing how thankful they are to City staff for helping them clean up the storm debris.  He also said he had the pleasure of representing the City of Laredo at the American Cancer’s ‘Relay for Life’.  He thanked the employees for their fund raising efforts for non-profit organizations.  Finally, he submitted an article from the McAllen Monitor called “Booking the Big Ones…What does Laredo have and McAllen doesn’t.” to be on file at the City Secretary’s Office.   

 

Cm.  Amaya also thanked City staff for an excellent job responding to the June 2, 2003 storm.  He specifically congratulated the City Manager. 

 

Cm.  E.  Valdez reiterated the other Council Members by congratulating and thanking City employees for their efforts in cleaning up after the June 2nd storm.  He especially thanked Beto Ramirez and United Water for assisting constituents in his area. 

 

Cm.  Belmares also took the time to thank the City employees for their hard work during the June 2, 2003 storm.  He recognized the Bridge Department for their fund raising efforts held at H. E. B.  He said the Bridge Department raises monies throughout the year so they can help the children at the orphanage have a brighter Christmas.

 

Cm.  J.  Valdez concurred with the other Council Members about the excellent job that the City employees did during the June 2, 2003 storm.  He noted how much he appreciated their efforts. 

 

Cm.  Juan Ramirez thanked City staff for their hard work during the June 2, 2003 storm.  He also thanked Olga Maldonado, from AEP, for working hard to restore electricity to all the homes.  He invited the public to attend the 4th of July celebration which will be held at Veteran’s Field Stadium where he will distribute free apple pie and ice-cream.   

 

Mayor Flores acknowledged the hard work of City employees during the storm.  She went on to thank Eddie Zavala, Customer Service Coordinator, and the City Manager/Mayor’s Office for receiving all the telephone calls with complaints/concerns about the June 2, 2003 storm.  She also mentioned a news advisory where the City had received recognition for their “Blue Bag Curb Service”.  An application for the award was completed by Cynthia Collazo, Oscar Medina, Blasita Lopez, and Xochitl Mora. 

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

            

a.       Appointment by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores of Clema Owens to the Third Party Funding Committee.

 

Motion to approve the appointment of Clema Owens to the Third Party Funding Committee.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    8                                          Against:  0                                Abstain:  0 

 

b.      Appointment by Council Member Hector J. Garcia of Francisco Gonzalez to the Vehicles for Hire Ad Hoc Committee.

 

Motion to postpone the appointment.

 

Motion to postpone

 

Moved:  Cm. Agredano

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    8                                          Against:  0                                Abstain:  0  

 

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by reducing revenues and expenditures from $2,000.00 to $1,000.00 for a grant from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio for the South Texas/Border Region Health Professional Education Initiative.  State funding for academic programs correlate to this reduction.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem 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. E. Valdez, Jr.

                     For:     8                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                     Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

2.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 Airport Budget to recognize additional revenues from grant agreement CSJ Number M322LREDO from Texas Department of Transportation under the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) in the amount of $30,000.00 for the purpose of airport airfield maintenance at the Laredo International Airport.  The local match for this project in the amount of $30,000.00 is available in the Airport Construction Fund (433) under the Land Sale Proceeds Division; providing for an effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem 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 Tem Galo

                     Second:  Cm. Amaya

                     For:    8                                       Against:  0                                Abstain:  0 

 

                     Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

3.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by increasing expenditures and revenues in the amount of $43,833.00 from the Texas Department of Health and $30,000.00 in program income for the Immunization Action Program of the City of Laredo Health Department and extending the grant period from September 1, 2002, through August 31, 2003 to September 1, 2002, through December 31, 2003.

 

 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

 

 

 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem 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, Jr.

                     For:     8                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                     Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

4.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $363,668.00 from the South Texas Development Council and $2,000.00 in program income for the HIV/AIDS Ryan White Title II Services Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period of April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem 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:  City Council

 

5.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 0.424 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located at 413 Shiloh Drive from R-2 (Multi-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:  Mayor Pro Tem 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. Ramirez

                     For:     8                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0 

 

                     Ordinance Introduction:  Cm. Belmares

 

6.           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:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

Second:  Cm. Belmares

For:    8                                       Against:  0                                Abstain:  0 

 

Ron Whitehawk, representing Luis De Leon, asked to withdraw this request.

 

                     Motion to close the public hearing and withdraw the request.

 

                     Moved:  Cm. Amaya

                     Second:  Cm. Ramirez

                     For:    8                                       Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

7.           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 zone change.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    8                                       Against:  0                                Abstain:  0  

 

Manuel Escamilla asked to table this item.

                    

Motion to close the public hearing and table.

 

                     Moved:  Cm. Agredano

                     Second:  Cm. Ramirez

                     For:    8                                       Against:  0                                Abstain:  0 

 

 

 

 

8.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 5.27 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located south of Loop 20 and east of Monarch Dr., from AG (Agricultural District) to R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area 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:  Mayor Pro Tem 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. Agredano

                     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 Lots 7 and 8, Block 8, Country Club Commercial Subdivision, Unit I, located at 3608 E. Saunders Street, 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 denial of the proposed zone change.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    8                                       Against:  0                                Abstain:  0 

 

Andreo S.  Rodriguez spoke against the zone change request.

 

Mary Lopez and Tomas Lopez spoke against the zone change request. 

 

Jesus Martinez, resident of the Country Club Subdivision, spoke against the zone change request. 

 

Ron Whitehawk confirmed that the owner did want to withdraw the zone change request. 

                    

                     Motion to close the public hearing and deny the zone change.

 

                     Moved:  Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.

                     Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

                     For:    8                                       Against:  0                                Abstain:  0 

 

10.       Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 1, 2 and 3, Block 1072, Eastern Division, located at 2801 Garfield Street, from R-3 (Mixed Residential 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 denial of the proposed zone change.