CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M-2003-R-013

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JULY 7, 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 Elizabeth G. 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

           

IV.       MINUTES

 

            Approval of the minutes for April 21, 2003, May 5, 2003, and June 1, 2003.

 

Motion to approve.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Agredano

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                               Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

 

            None.

Invitations

 

None.

 

Recognitions

 

a.       Recognition of Larry Dovalina for receiving the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) Professional Development Award as the city management professional who has made contributions to the development of new talent by implementing outstanding career development programs for local government employees.

 

Mayor Flores and City Council publicly recognized Larry Dovalina for receiving the Texas City Management Association Professional Development Award.

 

b.      Recognition of employees retired from the City of Laredo with 20 or more years of service.

 

Dan Migura, Administrative Services Director, announced the following employees who  were recognized for their years of service to the City of Laredo:

 

Sergio C. Aguero               21 years                       Carlos Hernandez                     24 years

Antonio Aguilar                  20 years                       Felix F. Lerma                          27 years

Pedro Araiza, III                21 years                       Jorge Lopez                             21years

Jose D. Barron                   22 years                       Maria M. Lozano                     21 years

Alberto A. Cantu                20 years                       Hector E. Martinez                   24 years

Jose L. Casarez                  21 years                       Jesus J. Melendez                     22 years

Rodolfo C. Centeno, Jr.      22 years                       Raul S. Montiel             22 years

Raul Chapa                        25 years                       Salvador E. Pena                      21 years

Roberto Z. Chapa              21 years                       Rosana Rodriguez                     25 years

Jose E. Chavarria               27 years                       Victor A. Rodriguez                  20 years

Heriberto Fuentes               21 years                       Humberto Salinas                     24 years

Rafael Garcia                      34 years                       Carl R. Scruggs, Jr.                  23 years

Raul Garza                         21 years                       David A. Siegfried                    29 years

Arturo Gomez                    22 years                       Jose L. Sotelo                          20 years

Fernando Guillen                23 years                       Amador Tijerina, Jr.                  26 years

Natividad Hernandez          24 years

 

c.       Recognition of Mary Mireles of the Tax Department for being selected June Employee of the Month.

 

Mayor Flores and City Council publicly recognized Mary Mireles as the City of Laredo’s  Employee of the Month for June. 

 

d.   Recognition of Pfc. Derly Bernardini  for his tour of duty in Iraq.

 

Pfc. Derly Bernardini was publicly recognized and presented with a Seven Flags Certificate by Mayor Flores for serving our country while assigned to the Army’s 75th Exploitation Task Force and Artillery Battery Special Unit in pursuit of freedom and democracy in Iraq. 

 

Communiqués

 

Cm. Ramirez thanked everyone involved with the event held during the July 4th celebration at Veterans Field.  He thanked the staff of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Parks and Recreation departments for the outstanding job done in putting this event together.  He mentioned that next year’s event will hopefully be a much bigger and greater celebration. 

 

Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. asked for a moment of silence in memory of former Commissioner Mike Urdiales who passed away last week.  He also mentioned the success of the July 4th parade held last week.  He publicly thanked the parishioners and the bishop of St. Jude Parish for inviting him to a ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating their new parish hall. 

 

Cm. Belmares thanked City Manager Larry Dovalina, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Collazo, and Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Hein for participating at the latest District VI Advisory Council’s monthly meeting. 

 

Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. mentioned the fine work the staff has done in putting together a draft of the new city budget. 

 

Cm. Amaya congratulated Cm. Juan Ramirez and the Parks and Recreation Department for the fine job done in coordinating the Fourth of July celebration.  He also thanked the Public Works Department crew for the speedy work done in repairing a damaged handrail at Clark Boulevard and Tilden St.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Galo thanked everyone from the Fire Department and the Police Department for the excellent job done in responding to all issues related to the Fourth of July events held last week. 

 

Cm. Garcia thanked the Police Department and Fire Department for their hard work during the Fourth of July events.   He congratulated Lite Productions for the entertaining children’s play put on this weekend.  He thanked the constituents of his neighborhood for participating at the block party during the Fourth of July weekend.  He also thanked Ms. Garcia from D.D. Hachar Recreation Center for hosting a Menudo bowl for the neighborhood. 

 

Cm. Agredano submitted a petition with over 150 signatures from families within the Los Angeles Colonia.  He mentioned that they are asking that bus route #20 be reinstated.

 

Mayor Flores thanked everyone who participated in the parade and Fourth of July activities that the City hosted.  She stated that there were many great events held this past weekend for all Laredoans to enjoy.  She mentioned that the fireworks display following the games at Veterans Field was outstanding.  She stated that she also attended a first annual car show put on by the Outsiders Car Club this weekend.  She also extended her sympathies to Commissioner Mike Urdiales’s family and thanked him for all the years of service he provided to the community.    

 

a.       Analysis by Dr. John Adams, Executive Director of the Laredo Development Foundation, regarding the Milken Report.

 

John Adams made a presentation regarding the Milken Report of the top 10 performing cities for 2003.  He stated that one of the biggest factors applied by the Milken Institute as a gauge is an outcomes-based measure as well as exploring what dynamic economic diversity is found within the community and the public/lprivate sector.  He provided some employment figures as well as the number of new jobs created since May, 2001 for Laredo and other South Texas cities that showed the workforce growth in Laredo.  He included a comparative study on employment figures and reported that in the past two years Laredo has created 6,003 jobs.  He added that it is advantageous that the current City Council is a business-oriented council which supports business expansion, job training, etc.  He mentioned that this is the kind of information that they like to provide to companies that shows the steady growth found in Laredo, Texas. 

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

a.   Appointments to the Para Transit Advisory Committee:

i.         Roberto Santos by Council Member Hector J. Garcia

ii.       Maria Cuellar by Council Member Eliseo Valdez, Jr.

iii.      Sammy Amaya by Council Member Alfredo Agredano

 

Motion to approve the appointments. 

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                               Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

City Attorney will look into Sammy Amay’s appointment if he is related to Cm. Amaya.

 

b.      Appointment by Council Member Juan Ramirez of Elvira Gonzalez to the Laredo Commission for Women.           

 

Motion to approve the appointment.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Agredano

Second:  Cm.  Belmares

For:     8                                         Against:  0                                Abstain:  0 

 

VII.           PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 1 & 2 and the north 10.8 feet of Lots 7 & 8, Block 1343, Eastern Division, located at 2301 Market Street from B-3 (Community Business 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 Tempore Galo

Second:  Cm.  Agredano

For:     8                                      Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0 

 

Ron Whitehawk, representing the Rodriguez family, requested that the zone change be approved or, in the alternative, that City Council grant a conditional use permit.  He urged that the City Council allow the family to continue to operate for a period of one year to provide evidence to the neighbors that the business can operate in a friendly atmosphere.   He provided a petition signed by customers and friends of Rodriguez Pipe and Steel requesting that City Council approve the conditional use permit so they can remain in operation. 

 

Diana Rodriguez, daughter of the property owner, stated that it is important that the business be allowed to operate at this location and requested approval of the zone change.

 

Claudia Gonzalez Liendo, speaking on behalf of San Juanita Liendo, stated that the property owner is not cooperating and requested that the zone change be denied.

 

Joel Pena, a neighbor, requested that City Council allow the property owner some time to correct the problem.

 

Miguel Amaro, resident of 1717 Guadalupe, spoke in support of Mr. Rodriguez’s request and asked that he be allowed to continue his business at the current location.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce and allow a Conditional Use Permit

for a period of one year.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

Second:  Cm.  Agredano

For:     2                                      Against:  6                                            Abstain:  0

Cm. Galo                                     Cm. Garcia

Cm. Agredano                             Cm. Amaya

                                                    Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.

                                                    Cm. Belmares

                                                    Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

                                                    Cm. Ramirez

 

Motion fails.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and approve denial of zone change.

 

Moved:  Cm. Belmares

Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

For:    8                                       Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

2.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 7,070.0 square feet, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located at 2301 Market Street, from R-3 (Mixed 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 Tempore Galo

Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez, Jr.

For:     8                                      Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0 

 

Claudia Gonzalez Liendo spoke against the zone change.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and approve denial of zone change.

 

Moved:  Cm. Belmares

Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez, Jr.

For:     8                                      Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

3.           Public hearing allowing interested persons to comment on the 2003 Consolidated Plan which identifies the projects proposed to be funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the 29th  Action Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $4,407,000.00, the 2003 HOME Investment Partnerships Program in the amount of $1,454,026.00 and the 2003 Emergency Shelter Grant in the amount of $150,000.00.

 

Motion to open the public hearing. 

 

 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

 Second:  Cm.  Agredano

 For:     8                                     Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0 

 

 Erasmo Villarreal, Community Development Director, made a presentation on the consolidated planning process.   He stated that citizen participants wanted to see the federal funds used for the following:  continued down payment assistance, affordable rental housing, rehabilitation of owner and rental housing units, implementation of summer youth programs, creation of more neighborhood parks and community centers in West Laredo and La Azteca neighborhoods, and better maintenance of the Zacate Creek beds.   He stated that the CDBG allocation for next fiscal year has increased by approximately 1% for an allocation of $4,407,000; the home programs allocation has decreased by 3% or an allocation of $1,454,026.00; and the emergency shelter grant had a slight decrease of 2% or an allocation of $150,000.00.  He added that these services are geared for low to moderate income citizens within the community.   

 

Motion to close the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                      Against:  8                                            Abstain:   0

 

4.           Public hearing to change the San Eduardo route from Clark Boulevard back to Gustavus Street due to the safety issues of the elderly in that neighborhood.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

 

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                      Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0 

 

Tom Lucek, Transit General Manager, stated that at the last City Council meeting City Council inquired as to why the change was made.  He reported that the reason was to reduce costs and approximately $250,000.00 was saved.  Since an issue of safety has come up and a Safety Committee has been created and a report was put together to provide an alternative for consideration. 

 

The alternative proposal would be to leave the bus route as it is now it is acceptable.  He anticipates that next year they will have a budget with no growth.  The proposal does take the bus off of Clark Boulevard in a key area but does allow for a 30-minute bus service.  With the new proposal the bus goes through San Eduardo Avenue, makes a right-hand turn on Gustavus Street down to Urbahn Street. This eliminates the safety concern on Clark Boulevard for those senior citizens who ride the bus and they would not have to cross Clark in order to board.  Instead of going into the DPS office, the bus will take a left turn on Bullock Loop and continue on the Loop to Highway 59.  They will set a bus stop at Campos Street and the Loop.  It will then go straight on to Hwy 59 and go into San Jose, Heritage, and Casa del Sol subdivisions.   

 

Motion to adopt Transit’s new proposal.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Amaya

Second:  Cm.  Ramirez

For:     8                                      Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0 

 

Motion to close the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez, Jr.

For:     8                                      Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

5.           Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $74,157.00 for the Border Health Vector Control Project (a binational effort) of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning June 1, 2003 through August 31, 2003.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.