CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2003-R-15

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

AUGUST 4, 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

            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

 

            Motion to excuse Cm. Garcia.

 

            Moved:  Cm. Agredano
            Second:  Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.

            For:    7                                                Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

IV.       MINUTES

 

            None.

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

 

Cm. Agredano stated that there will be one or two ribbon cutting ceremonies later this month in District I.  He mentioned the new Mario Tijerina Park in South Laredo and the other park in the George Washington subdivision. 

 

Mayor Pro Tem Galo reported that he represented the City Council at a basketball camp with Avery Johnson.  He added that the Parks and Recreation Department did a great job and there were over 1,000 children who attended the camp.  He mentioned that Webb County held a convention for commissioners and judges and he was one of the speakers representing the City of Laredo.  He also attended a graduation ceremony for the twenty new police cadets and he thanked their families for supporting the cadets as they begin their new career. 

 

Cm. Amaya thanked the Public Works crew for the great job done in repairing a damaged bridge rail at Clark Boulevard and Tilden Street. 

 

Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. stated that he would like to commend the Convention and Visitors Bureau staff for the great job they did in putting together this trip to Lubbock.  He stated that the City of Laredo has a great deal to look forward to in the next four to five years in terms of the pageant events.  He stated that the community needs to come together in the next five years and embrace this event to provide good exposure to the City of Laredo. 

 

Cm. Belmares offered his apologies to the Del Mar Minor League Champs for not being able to attend the recognition on Saturday.  He extended an invitation to the team to come before City Council to receive its recognition for the fantastic job they did.  He also reminded the residents of District VI of a public hearing to be held tomorrow on the waste water treatment plant. 

 

Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. thanked the crew of the Public Works Department for the outstanding job done on the sidewalks repairs on Burnside Avenue.  He also congratulated the Council Members who attended the teen pageant in Lubbock, Texas.  He further congratulated the Parks and Recreation Department for its annual wrap-up event to the summer recreation program held at Father McNaboe Park.  He added that he looks forward to holding this closing event again next year.  He commended J. P. Danny Valdez and everyone involved with the successful school supplies drive held at Veterans Field.

 

Mayor Flores announced that since the last council meeting, she has been attending meetings in El Paso, Lubbock, and Austin that addressed various city government issues.  She stated the agenda for the Austin meeting was to discuss the issue of our local  9-1-1 emergency communication system.  She mentioned that staff works hard to put together agendas for these important meetings as well.  She announced that the final budget has been turned over to the Mayor and the Council Members and they are set to begin with budget hearings on August 25th.  She stated that the City Council invites the public to be present during these workshops.  Should there be some topic of interest to the public at large, she asked that the individual contact his/her respective council member to learn more about the particular issue. 

 

            Invitations

 

            None.

 

            Recognitions

 

            a.  Recognition by the Mayor and City Council Members of City Departments for their

                 contribution and participation in the 2003 American Cancer Society Relay for Life event.

 

                     Dan Migura, Administrative Services Director, reported on the success of the Relay for Life event. 

 

                     Eddie Zavala, R.E.A.C.H. committee member, reported that participation was so great that the City of Laredo employees raised $23,948.22.  He added that the City of Laredo was the City’s top contributing organization for the second year in a row.  Some of the departments received recognition for their hard work:

 

                     Bronze category recipients: 

 

Finance Department                                    -           Outstanding Team Effort

Engineering/Public Works Department        -           $1,252.00 raised

Bridge Department                                     -           $1,547.00 raised

City Manager’s Office                                -           $1,521.33 raised

Community Development                            -           $1,930.28 raised

Traffic Department                                      -           $1,842.00 raised

 

Gold category recipients:

 

Health Department                                      -           $3,569.00

City Secretary/Airport                                -           $3,898.00

 

Diamond category recipients:

 

Parks and Recreation Department               -           $5,525.00

 

Eddie Zavala mentioned that Wal-Mart has donated $1,000.00 to the Parks and Recreation Department for its contribution to the American Cancer Society.

 

The following departments also contributed to and participated in the Relay for Life:

 

El Metro, Administrative Services Department, Bridge Department, City Manager’s Office, City Secretary’s/Airport, Community Development, Public Library, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Zoning Department, Tax Department, Utilities Department, and Traffic (Fleet) Department. 

 

 

      Communiqués

 

Dr. Hector Gonzalez, Health Department Director, introduced Mr. Santos Navarrette who will be the new Assistant Health Director.  He will be responsible for program management support which involves planning and training of personnel. 

 

Mayor Flores mentioned that she received a call from Pat Somerall’s office telling her that they have a “Champions of Industry” segment where they select individuals and organizations from the United States whom they believe are doing outstanding jobs in spite of the challenges facing them.  In this case, they were reviewing police departments and our police department made the top five list.  After a long conversation with our police chief, Mr. Somerall called back and stated that the City of Laredo’s police department had been selected as the “Champions of Industry” recipient.  She added that they will be featured on a two-minute broadcast announcement narrated by Mr. Somerall and also one-minute nationally on the Headline News network.

 

            a.  Presentation by Kiki de Ayala, Arena Ventures, regarding master plan for the          

                development of land around the arena, with possible action.

 

  Kiki de Ayala spoke regarding the proposed use for developing the land around the  

  sports arena.  They are proposing a high-end hotel next to the Laredo Entertainment

  Center. He explained that they are trying to make everything flow and make the    

  necessary modifications for an exhibition center.  He explained that they could put a  

  30,000 to 40,000 square foot facility with parking.  He added that they have sites already

  committed for a bank, a hotel, and a car dealership. 

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS, AND COMMITTEES

 

            a.  Appointing Patricia Vela as Lay Representative and Aurora Juarez as alternate Lay  

                 Representative to the South Texas Library System for a two year term (October 2003 through September 30, 2005), in accordance with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Rules for Administering the Library Systems Act, Texas Administrative Code, Title 13 Part I, Chapter 1, Section 1.123.

 

                 Motion to approve.

 

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

                 Second:  Cm. Belmares

                 For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

            b.  Appointment by Council Member Juan Ramirez of Jaime Stewart to the Para Transit           

                 Advisory Committee.

 

                 Motion to approve.

 

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

 

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

            1.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $20,000.00 in additional funds from the Texas Department of Health – Office of Border Health for the Border Health Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning July 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003.  These funds were awarded specifically for the “Los Dos Laredos” Binational Health Conference that will be held on September 11-12, 2003. 

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

                 Second:  Cm. Agredano

                 For:    7                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Amaya

                Second:  Cm. Belmares

                 For:    7                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain: 0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

            2.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Chapter 30 Taxation, Article II, Hotel Occupancy Tax, Section 30-19; Reports; Payment, for the collection of monthly hotel-motel taxes instead of quarterly taxes, to coincide with the Texas Statutes, Chapter 156, Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax 156.151, Report and Payment; providing for publication and effective date.

 

      Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                  Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem 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. Belmares

                  Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

                  For:    7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                  Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

 

 

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

Parking Meter Fund budget by appropriating a draw down of $1,000,000.00 from the opening balance and appropriating it for land acquisition.  The project consists of land acquisition and construction of a surface municipal parking lot in the downtown area.  Parking Meter Fund will be reimbursed from the proceeds of a proposed Parking Meter Fund Certificate of Obligation Bond.  (Contingent upon approval of Resolution 2003-R-087)

 

 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                  Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem 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. Belmares

                  Second:  Cm. Amaya

                  For:    7                                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

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

 General Fund and Bridge System Fund budgets by transferring $3,500,000.00 from    

 General Fund and appropriating it in the Bridge System Fund.  The amendment will  

 draw down $3,500,000.00 from the General Fund opening balance and appropriate a t

 transfer out of $3,500,000.00 to the Bridge System Fund for the purpose of  

 constructing, improving and necessary land acquisition for the Bridge I Project. 

 General Fund will be reimbursed from the proceeds of a Toll Bridge System Revenue

 Bond.  (Contingent   upon approval of Resolution 2003-R-086)

 

 Motion to open the public hearing.

                

 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo 

                  Second:  Cm. Amaya

                  For:    7                                                      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:    7                                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

 

5.   Public hearing and introductory ordinance accepting a grant awarded by the Criminal

 Justice Division, Office of the Governor for the amount of $45,058.00 and amending the  

 City of Laredo’s 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $7,942.00 to fund the

 Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant.  The Office of the Governor, Criminal

 Justice Division is contributing $45,058.00 with the City of Laredo designating

 $5,007.00 in matching funds. This funding will be used to pay for the salaries and fringe

 benefits of an Administrative Assistant II position and to purchase the necessary

 equipment to expand information within its current intelligence database for its juvenile

 program. Grant period is from August 1, 2003 through July 31, 2004.  (Contingent upon

 approval of Resolution 2003-R-084)

 

 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                  Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

                  Second:  Cm. Agredano

                  For:    7                                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  There was no public input.

 

                  Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                  Moved:  Cm. Agredano

                  Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

                  For:    7                                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

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

 City of Laredo’s 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $164,778.00 to fund the  

 Laredo Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force. The Office of the Governor, Criminal   

 Justice Division will be designating $1,142,115.00, and the City of Laredo and

 participating agencies will be designating $354,778.00 in matching funds for a total

 amount of $1,496,893.00.  Funding will be used to pay salaries, fringe benefits, direct

 operating expenses, and equipment from July 1, 2003 through May 31, 2004.

 

 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                  Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem 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. Agredano

                  Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

                  For:    7                                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

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

 annual budget to reflect an appropriation for the development of the West Laredo  

 Multimodal Trade Corridor.  The appropriation of $3,250,000.00 comes from the FY

 2002 Federal Transportation Spending Bill.

 

 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                  Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

                  Second:  Cm. Agredano

                  For:    7                                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  There was no public input.

 

                  Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                  Moved:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

                  Second:  Cm. Agredano

                  For:    7                                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

8.   Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a

 budget amendment appropriating funds from the Federal Transit Administration Grant  

 No. TX 90X575 from FY 2001-2002 in the amount  of $529,620.00 to be used  for

 operating expenses in FY 2002-2003 increasing the Federal contribution from

 $3,613,392.00 to $4,143,012.00 and decreasing the sales tax match for operating

 expenses from $3,682,654.00 to $3,153,034.00 and transferring $529,620.00 into sales

 tax reserve appropriation.

 

 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                  Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem 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. Agredano

                  Second:  Cm. Amaya

                  For:    7                                                      Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

VIII.    GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

            A.   Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore John C. Galo

 

1.   Discussion on the pros and cons of acquiring Camino Columbia Toll Road, with

      possible action.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Galo requested that the City Manager talk with the bondholders or the individuals involved to inquire whether the toll road is for sale and to investigate whether there is any benefit to the City of Laredo in acquiring the road. 

 

      Motion to authorize the City Manager to investigate ownership, whether the project is for sale or not, and what the sale price might be.

 

      Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

      Second:  Cm. Ramirez

      For:    7                                          Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

2.   Discussion on the enforcement of taxicab regulations, with possible action.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Galo stated that there were several complaints made to him that the taxicabs do not have meters or air conditioning.  He added that the drivers are charging inconsistent fares to passengers and are not basing the amounts of fares collected from the meter readings.

 

      Roberto Murillo, Traffic Director, reported that there is an inspector that enforces the taxicab drivers.  In addition, there is a superintendent’s position that is currently vacant.  He explained the current rates that taxi drivers are required to charge, with a starting fare of $3.50 and a $0.35 charge for every quarter of a mile traveled.  There is an added $1.00 fare for each additional passenger. 

 

      Larry Dovalina, City Manager, mentioned that city staff has initiated a study on the taxicabs and they are trying to determine whether there are too many taxi permits and whether the ordinance may need some changes.  He added that there is some belief among staff that the issued permits are actually being sold by the permit holders.  There is a taxicab consultant that is investigating this concern and a report will be submitted to City Council later this month.

          

            B.   Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

1.   Discussion with possible action regarding the City’s purchase of heavy service

      truck tires for $1.00 during the City’s tire collection campaign.

 

      Oscar Medina, Public Works Director, reported that the City pays $6.00 per tire to someone to haul those tires off with an average of 400 tires per month.  He added that this is a business and there are two businesses that do purchase these tires and re-circulate them into the system. 

 

      Dr. Hector Gonzalez, Health Director, stated that the department has been in collaboration with Public Works and Environmental Services departments for the last one and one half years to handle special collection of tires.  He added that this project is funded through the Texas Department of Health and the City is only mandated to do residential tires.

 

      Riazul Mia, Environmental Services Director, reported that most of the program is geared for residential tires.  There are truck tires that are coming in from businesses and the City should not be paying for businesses to dispose of tires. 

 

      Oscar Medina, Public Works Director, stated that he recommends that it should be handled through as a business expense being that it is a business issue.  He added that there is nothing in the ordinance that states that the City can pay for tires except through the Health Department’s program.  They need to weigh the pros and cons to determine whether it is worth it to collect and shred these tires.   

 

      Larry Dovalina, City Manager, stated that city staff has been conducting some talks and negotiations with certain individuals who have proposed to set up a tire shredding facility.  The only thing being asked of the City is that they be allowed some space and that the City pay for the electricity generated by their machines.  They are willing to bring in their machines and set up a tire shredding operation in a portion of the landfill that is currently not permitted.

 

      Motion to pay $1.00 a tire for the first 1,000 tires brought in to the landfill. 

 

      Moved:  Cm. Ramirez 

      Second:  Cm. Belmares

      For:    7                                          Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2.   Status report on street lights at the 100 and 200 blocks of Convent.

 

      Roberto Murillo, Traffic Director, reported that the crews have checked these lights at night and they are operational.  He stated that there had been a problem with power to the second section but the lights are working at this time. 

 

3.   Request to stripe a right turn lane westbound on Park Street at the intersection of

      San Dario.

         

                              Roberto Murillo, Traffic Director, reported that the crews had placed a right- turn lane several years ago which needs to be re-striped, and the crews should have had it done by this time.  What he is looking at is adding a right-turn lane which requires major improvements because of the heavy traffic there.  He is studying the information provided by the Engineering Department and it appears that there is adequate right-of-way.   He will be looking to see what it would cost to go ahead and create a right-turn lane at that intersection. 

 

 

IX.       FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES 

 

Motion to waive the final readings of Ordinances:  #2003-O-168; #2003-O-169; #2003-O- 170; #2003-O-171; #2003-O-172; #2003-O-173; #2003-O-174; #2003-O-175; #2003-O-176; #2003-O-177; #2003-O-178; #2003-O-180; #2003-O-181; #2003-O-183; #2003-O-184; #2003-O-185; #2003-O-186; #2003-L-188; #2003-O-189; #2003-O-190; #2003-O-191; #2003-O-192; #2003-O-193; and #2003-O-194.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

Second:  Cm. Amaya   

            For:    7                                        Against:  0                                        Abstain:  0

                       

2003-O-168  Adding new Chapter 34 to the Code of Ordinances, consisting of Sections 101-109; providing for definitions; setting forth prohibited financial interest of City officers and City employees; providing for forfeiture if there is a conflict of interest as defined herein; providing for voiding of any contract entered into in violation of this ordinance; providing for relationship to Chapter 171 of the Local Government Code; providing for publication; and providing for effective date.

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-168.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    7                           Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2003-O-169  Amending Ordinance 2001-O-123 by authorizing the extension of a

 Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for storage incidental to the  

 transportation of used batteries on Lots 1, 2, 6, & 7, Block 12,

 McPherson Acres Subdivision, Unit IV, located at 802 Gale Street;

 providing for publication and effective date. 

 

 Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-169.

 

 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

 Second:  Cm. Amaya

 For:    7                          Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

2003-O-170  Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot

3, Block 1694, Eastern Division, located at 2801 Clark Boulevard, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-170.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    7                                       Against:  0                                Abstain:  0