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CITY OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING M2003-R-016 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER With a quorum present, Mayor
Elizabeth G. 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. Juan Ramirez, Council
Member, District VIII Gustavo Guevara, Jr., Jaime Flores, IV.
MINUTES Approval of the minutes of Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. Garcia For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS Announcements None. Invitations None. Recognitions a. Recognition of the Del
Mar Little League for winning District Champs and State Finalists. Motion to postpone
for Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 b. Recognition of Irma A.
Gonzalez, of the Laredo Public Library, on her selection as July Employee of the
Month. c. Recognition of Laredo
Fire Department softball team for participating in the 21st Annual Texas Firefighter Olympics in Wichita Falls, Texas by beating
Odessa, 17-12 in the championship game and receiving the gold medal. The Mayor read the following statement: The Cm.
Ramirez presented Wesley Parades a Seven Flags Certificate of
Recognition for exemplifying the qualities of a true public servant as a
police officer. Communiqués Cm.
J. Valdez asked all drivers to
observe the speed limit in school zone areas.
He also acknowledged that he was privileged to welcome First Class
Private Alberto Reyna Jr. as he arrived home from Cm.
Belmares thanked Constable Tino Juarez for helping in the safety zones for the
school districts. He noted that the
Constable does a phenomenal job directing vehicular traffic in school and
church zones. He also mentioned that
the United Independent School District Officers are doing a great job
patrolling the safety zones. Cm.
Cm.
Amaya thanked Cm. Joe Valdez and Cm. Agredano for
helping him welcome home Marine First Class Private B. J. Reyna, his nephew
who served in Mayor Pro Tempore Galo thanked Public
Works for completing the sidewalks at San Augustine School. He also congratulated Cm. Agredano and the
Parks and Recreations Department for their completion and grand opening of
the Cm.
Garcia reminded individuals to drive safely in school zones. He thanked the Laredo Police Department for
their assistance in directing traffic in the school zones. Cm.
Agredano mentioned the ribbon cutting ceremony
for the George Washington Ceremony. He
thanked Mayor Flores and other staff members for attending the George
Washington ceremony. He also thanked
United Water for replacing water pipes for one of his constituents that was
having problems at her resident. Mayor Flores mentioned the opening of VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES None. VII.
PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public hearing
concerning a denial order issued District/Landmark Board regarding the demolition of a portion of
the structure located behind the Location: North 6' of
Lot 5 & North 6' of the Eastern
37.25' of Lot 4, and all of Lots 6-7, Block 25, Western Division Commonly known as: Petitioner: Patricia Benavides San Agustin National Register District Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Garcia Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ron Whitehawk, representing the Mrs.
Patricia Benavides, read the following letter from David Zuniga Dear Council Members, I was asked to determine if it is feasible to demolish an old Jitney
Jungle Store leaving in tack the apartments, which constituted south east
rear quadrant. On July 18th
an 19th I conducted sight visits to assess the property and I
conclude the following: 1. Demolition of the main
foundation will compromise the structural integrity of the foundation
and will require a new grade beam system. 2. The roof and second
story wall structures of the apartment section normally demolished first would present a life safety
hazard during demolition of surrounding sections and would require extensive
shoring systems. 3. The west and north
walls of the apartment portion would have to be enclosed after demolition and the new walls would have the meet
the esthetic standard continent with the existing construction. 4. The apartment facod
reinforced concrete and the sub flooring systems steel are the only surface able elements of the apartment
portions of the building. The roof and
floor structures show extensive fire and water damage. Neither is competent to receive working
loads and would have to be replaced for occupancy. Even in areas not destroyed by fire and
open to the elements the roof is not weather tight. The beautiful architectural door and window
trims are rotten beyond repair. All
window frames are missing or beyond repair.
All door frames, doors, interior finishes will require replacement. The plumbing and electrical systems will
require removal and replacement as well.
We estimate the cost of restoration of the apartment building at
450,000 to 600,000 depending upon the availability of skilled partisans for
each trade. In our opinion the
suggested demolition will present insuperable obstacles to market by
availability and owner liability leaving aside the considerations of the
historical restoration. David Zuniga. Ron Whitehawk, representing the
property owner, went on to say that the issue was brought before the
Historical/Landmark Board. He said
that they agreed to remove the Jitney Jungle only if damage would not be done
to the apartments. He said that you
can not take down the Jitney Jungle without adversely affecting the
apartments. Motion to close the public hearing
demolish the entire building and introduce. Moved:
Cm. Ramirez Second:
Cm. J. Valdez For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 1 Ordinance Introduction: Cm.
Ramirez 2. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tempore Galo Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Guadalupe Garcia, property owner, spoke in favor of the zone
change for a restaurant or commercial parking lot. Motion to close the public hearing. Postpone and send back to Planning and
Zoning for specified business use. Moved:
Cm. Ramirez Second:
Cm. J. Valdez For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by authorizing a Planned Unit Development Overlay
District (PUD) for Lots 1-27, Block 5, Lots 1-8, Block 6, Lots 1-9, Block 7,
Lots 1-3, and 5-7, Block 8, Green Subdivision, Phase I and 13.36 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit "A,"
located north of Mines Road and south of Green Boulevard; providing for
publication and effective date. The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed Planned
Unit Development Overlay District. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tempore Galo Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
postpone. Moved:
Cm. J. Valdez Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 4. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 2.8347 acres, as further described by
metes and bounds on attached Exhibit "A," located at approximately
4309 Highway 359 from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) and 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 M-1
zone & approval of a B-3 designation. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tempore Galo Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Sonia Ruiz, a representative from the neighborhood, spoke
against the zone change. She asked
Council to agree with the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the proposed
M-1 zone. Motion to close the public hearing and
deny zone change M-1 and B-3. Moved:
Cm. Garcia Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 5. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 6, Block 1415, Eastern Division,
located at 2419 Guatemozin Street from R-3 (Mixed
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 zone
change. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tempore Galo Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Mr.
Eralio Serna spoke against the zone change
request. Ron Whitehawk, representing the
property owner, submitted a petition with 16 signatures in favor of the zone
change. Maria De La Luz Rubio
spoke against the zone change request. Vicenta
Garcia stated that she was against the zone change request. Celina Rubio requested
that Council deny the zone change request.
Keith Selman, City Planner, explained that under the current
ordinance the business cannot apply for a Conditional Use Permit. He went on to say that staff is revising
the ordinance which would take two months. Cm. Galo said the
landowner/business would not be allowed to park in the street. Motion to close the public hearing and send back to Planning and
Zoning for consideration for a Conditional Use Permit. Must comply with all requirements and wait
until ordinance can be modified to allow Conditional Use Permit in B-4 to
require proper off street parking. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tempore Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 6. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Special Use
Permit for the addition of an antenna on an existing tower on Lot 1, Block 1,
SBMS Garza Replacement Site, located approximately at 4111 Zapata Highway;
providing for publication and effective date.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the
proposed Special Use Permit. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tempore Galo Second:
Cm. Garcia For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Agredano 7. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2, Block 3, Jacaman Ranch
Subdivision, Unit 6, Jacaman Commercial Park, located east of Rosson Lane, from B-4 (Highway 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. Garcia Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Flor Ayala, representing Jose Ponce Jr.,
spoke in favor of a B-4 zone change request for use of apartments. Cm. Ron Whitehawk, representing the
applicant, said the owner would be willing to donate the avigational
easement to the City of
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. E.
Valdez, Jr.
Second: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr.
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. 8. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating
revenues and expenditures in the amount $205,860.00 in funds from the
Texas Department of Health and $7,048.00 in Program Income for the
Tuberculosis Elimination Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for
the period beginning September 1, 2003, through August 31, 2004. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 9. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the
amount of $4,900.00 in additional funds from the Texas Department of Health -
Office of Border Health for the Environmental Binational
Health Conference "Food Management and Safety" of the City of
Laredo Health Department for the period beginning July 1, 2003, through
August 31, 2003. These funds were
awarded specifically for this conference that will be held on August 28,
2003. (Subject to approval of Resolution 2003-R-101) Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input.
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