CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2003-R-20

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

OCTOBER 20, 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

            Cynthia Collazo,                                                                       Assistant City Manager

            Jaime Flores,                                                                            City Attorney

           

IV.       MINUTES

            Approval of the minutes of August 25, 2003 and August 26, 2003.

 

            Moved:  Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.     

            Second:  Cm. Ramirez

            For:      6                                              Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

            Cm. Garcia and Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. not present.

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

            Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. joined the meeting at 5:48 p.m.

 

             Announcements

            a.   Dia del Rio event update and Make a Difference Day activity preview on the efforts to               clean the river vega, forge new trails and maintain others, by Blasita J. Lopez, Public                        Information Officer.

 

                  Blasita Lopez, Public Information Officer, reported on the success of the cleanup event on the Paso del Indio Trail this past Saturday, October 18, 2003.  She stated that the City went out and supported the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Center with the creation of two new sections along their trail at the Laredo Community College campus.  She reported that they had a great turnout with 400 to 500 volunteers assisting with the weeding of cactus and the planting of native plants.  She anticipates that they will have another good turnout this coming weekend with the Make a Difference Day event.  She explained that for the Make a Difference Day event on October 25th, volunteers should report at 7:30 a.m. to the Civic Center to register.  All volunteers will then be taken to the work site which is east of Zacate Creek and below the Tex-Mex rail yard.  The work entails picking up debris which has washed up, spreading mulch, building up the nature trails, etc.  She added that the volunteers should bring their own tools such as rakes, shovels, hoes, and pitchforks. 

                       

            Invitations

            a.  Invitation by Randy Willard to the Grand Opening of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts        

                 scheduled for October 28, 2003.

Randy Willard, owner, stated that 147 employees were hired for the Laredo doughnut shop.  He invited Mayor Flores, the Council Members, and the general public to the grand opening.

 

            Recognitions

            a.  Recognizing the Texas Migrant Council for its exemplary record in serving the needs of              migrant worker families and being named the “National’s Council of La Raza Affiliate          of the Year.”

 

Mayor Flores and the City Council presented Mary G. Capello and Blas Castañeda with a Certificate of Recognition for receiving the National Council of La Raza Affiliate of the Year award.

     

            Communiqués

 

Cm. Ramirez stated that he traveled with Cm. Agredano and Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary, to our Sister City Mexticacan, Jalisco.  They met with the Mayor who will take office January 1, 2004.   He added that they met with the State of Jalisco officials concerning the Sister Cities Festival.

 

Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. acknowledged former Council Member Blas Castaneda and former Commissioner Roque Vela who were in the audience.

 

Cm. Amaya acknowledged John Charles, appointee to the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee, who was in the audience. 

 

Mayor Pro Tem Galo reported that he attended a National Aids Awareness Day ceremony with Dr. Hector Gonzalez.  He added that it is amazing how this message still requires dissemination.  He thanked the Health Department for working on a day-to-day basis with people with HIV and AIDS.  He further thanked Dr. Hector Gonzalez for the outstanding job that he and his staff are doing in educating the public on this disease. 

 

Cm. Agredano mentioned that the annual United South 5K Run will be held this Sunday, October 26, 2003.  He stated that this 5K run is held annually to raise scholarship funds for high school students from Cigarroa High School and United South High School.  He added that next year they will be including L. B. Johnson High School.   He also mentioned that he is quite embarrassed over the vandalism over at the new skate park in south Laredo.  He stated that the City worked very hard to have this park installed for the youth in south Laredo and urged his constituents in District I to take care of their park. 

 

Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. stated that he attended the AARP ribbon-cutting ceremony this past weekend.  He added that the Laredo chapter has a very good organization and that it was great meeting with this group of retired individuals to find out in what ways the City can provide assistance to them. 

 

Mayor Flores read a letter from CenterPoint Energy:

 

“Honorable Mayor Betty Flores,

 

On September 30th and October 1st, I had the distinct honor of attending the 21st NGV Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

The City of Laredo was one of twelve awardees to be recognized for their outstanding contributions toward the advancement of natural gas as a vehicular fuel.

 

Councilman John C. Galo represented the City of Laredo and participated in a panel discussion on the use of alternative fuels in municipal fleets.  Councilman Galo represented the City well.  His PowerPoint presentation highlighted Laredo’s demographics, alternative fuel initiatives in respect to the City’s fleet and El Metro’s CNG buses.  Laredo’s CNG efforts were some of the strongest considering that the City is in attainment.  The panel included representatives from New York City and Madero, California.

 

This award would not have been possible without the continued support of the Mayor, the City Council and the City Administration.  Your continued efforts to support CNG as the alternative fuel for Laredo, clean air and a better Laredo are to be commended.

 

CenterPoint Energy Entex is proud to be a partner with the City in their alternative efforts.

 

If there is anything I can be of assistance, please give me a call at 723-6351.

 

Congratulations on the award and recognition you so well deserve.

 

Yours truly,

 

Nelda I. Juarez

District Manager”

 

Mayor Flores also mentioned the TxDOT public hearing tonight on Webb County’s application for their bridge application.  She mentioned that the City is being represented by Rafael Garcia, Bridge Director. 

 

“I stand before you as an official representative for the City of Laredo.  My comments in regard to Webb County’s permit application for the construction of an international bridge crossing collectively reflect those of the City of Laredo’s governing body and its management. 

 

I would like to begin by stating that the City of Laredo and the County of Webb have enjoyed and continue to enjoy a positive and mutual working relationship as it pertains to addressing local community needs.  However, in this matter, the City of Laredo must necessarily assert its prerogative.

 

The City of Laredo adamantly opposes Webb County’s application for a permit to construct an international bridge crossing and moreover, opposes the approval of such a permit by the Texas Transportation Commission.  The City is contractually bound, and therefore legally bound, to oppose the establishment of an international bridge within the City of Laredo by any other entity, such as Webb County, which might, could, or would be in competition with the City of Laredo’s existing international bridges and which can reasonably be expected to compete with, and draw revenue and traffic away from, the Laredo Bridge System. 

 

It is the City of Laredo’s intention to submit formal written, opposing comments for the consideration by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Transportation Commission within the prescribed time limits.

 

Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you tonight.”

 

Rafael Garcia, Jr.

Bridge System Director

 

Mayor Flores thanked all the volunteers who participated in the Dia Del Rio event last weekend.  She mentioned that there is another opportunity to help with the cleanup efforts this Saturday, October 25, 2003, for the Make a Difference Day event.

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

           

            None.

  

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

            Cm. Garcia joined the meeting at 6:35 p.m.

 

            1.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the               City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 10 and 11, Block 816, Western Division, located at                      3103 San Agustin Avenue, 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. Garcia

                 Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ron Whitehawk, representing Henry and Esmeralda Hereford, stated that this property 

                 has been owned by the family for many years but it has a split zone designation.  The 

                 front of the property is a B-3 zone and the back half of the property is presently zoned as

                 a B- 1.  However, the use of the property has to be zoned as a B-3 on the back half so   

                 that the entire property can be put to use.

 

                 Eva Delgado, neighborhood resident, spoke in favor of the zone change.

 

Motion to close the public hearing, introduce as a B-3 and override Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Ramirez

                 Second:  Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                Ordinance Introduction:  Cm. Ramirez

 

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

City of Laredo by rezoning 3.40 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located north of Del Mar Boulevard and east of Burke Drive, from AG (Agricultural District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial 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. J. Valdez, Jr.

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                Ordinance Introduction:  Cm. Belmares

 

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

City of Laredo by rezoning 48.70 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located north of Del Mar Boulevard and east of Burke Drive, from AG (Agricultural District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential 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. Gelmares

                 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: Cm. Belmares

 

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

City of Laredo by rezoning 8.34 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located north of Del Mar Boulevard and east of Burke Drive, from AG (Agricultural 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. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

                 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:  Cm. Belmares

 

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

City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2, Block 1, Ramirez Industrial Subdivision and 0.3625 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located at approximately 3700 Loop 20, from M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) and M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial 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. Garcia

                 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: Cm. Garcia 

 

6.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the
     City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 8, Block 1739, Eastern Division, located at 2619 S.   

Arkansas Avenue from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited 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. Garcia

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Jesus Ortega, property owner, requested approval of his request for a proposed zone  

                 change.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce and override Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Agredano

                 Second:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

                 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 Lots 1 and 2, Block 1081, Eastern Division, located at 1901 Aldama Street, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential 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. J. Valdez, Jr.

                  For:                8                                          Against:  0                                  Abstain:  0

 

                  Luis Bruni, representing the Ramos family, spoke in favor of the proposed zone change. He added that the property owners would like to build some apartments at this location.

 

                  Ricardo Godines, neighborhood resident, spoke against the zone change request.

 

 Motion to close the public hearing and follow Planning and Zoning’s recommendation

 to deny zone change request.

                

                  Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

                  Second:  Cm. Amaya

                  For:                8                                          Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

               

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

City of Laredo by rezoning 12.12 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located south of proposed Havana Drive and east of Woodridge Drive, 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. Agredano

                 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

 

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

City of Laredo by rezoning 6.00 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located south of Casa Blanca Road, 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 B-4 designation and approval of a B-3 zone change.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                

 

Moved:  Cm. Garcia

                 Second:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Alex Villarreal, III, property owner, spoke in favor of a B-4 zone change.  He explained  

                 that the property has been cleaned up and no longer has the abandoned trucks, 55-gallon 

                 drums, etc. that were there before. 

 

                 David Garza, private citizen, spoke in favor of the zone change request. 

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce and override Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation. 

 

                 Moved:  Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.

                 Second:  Cm. Ramirez

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr.

 

 10.  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 commercial parking lot on the west ¾ of Lot 7, and the north ½ of Lot 5, Block 178, Western Division, located at 607 Washington Street and 1014 San Eduardo Avenue; providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed Conditional Use Permit.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Guadalupe Garcia, property owner, requested approval of the zone change request.  Her daughter added that they would like a 24-hour permit instead of being restricted to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for use as a parking lot. 

 

Motion to close the public hearing and deny the conditional use permit.

 

Moved:  Cm. Ramirez

Second:  Mayor Pro Tem Galo

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

11.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004

parking meter fund budget by appropriating a draw down of $511,566.00 from the opening balance and appropriating it for land acquisition and improvements.  The projects planned projects consists of land acquisition, improvement and construction of surface municipal parking lots in the downtown area.

 

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. Amaya

Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

12.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Article I Section 24.1.3.2,

Responsibilities of the Board of Adjustment, creating Section 24.1.8, Standard Technical Specification Manual Committee, Creating Article III, Section 24.58, Standard Technical Specification Manual, Creating Article VI Section 24.96, Amendment Procedures for the Standard Technical Specification Manual, of the Laredo Land Development Code of the City of Laredo, providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm. Belmares

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Mayor Flores read a letter from the Laredo Builders Association in regards to the standard subdivision specifications manual.

 

“Personally and on behalf of the Laredo Builders Association, I want to thank Council Members Belmares, Eliseo Valdez, and Jose Valdez for keeping all of us focused on completing the Standard Specifications Manual for the City of Laredo.  Over the past year and a half, members of the development community, local engineers, and city staff directed by Larry Dovalina and ably coordinated by Keith Selman have met on a regular basis to develop the Standard Specifications Manual.  Staff members from the Water Utilities Department represented by Pablo Martinez, the Engineering Department represented by Rogelio Rivera and Gabriel Martinez, the Environmental Services Department represented by Riazul Mia, and the Traffic Department represented by Robert Murillo have attended the meetings along with other staff members.

 

I especially want to thank Keith Selman and his staff for their efforts.  Rosa Silva was given the monumental task of organizing and typing in the information that resulted in the Standard Specifications Manual that is being presented for first reading tonight.

 

With rising material and labor costs, the development community wanted to establish Standard Specifications that fairly represented what other cities along the border require for subdivision development.  During our meetings, we agreed most of the time but in some cases we agreed to disagree.  One of these areas was the type of water and sewer line pipe.  Our analysis indicated that most cities and particularly those along the border, Corpus Christi, and even San Antonio specify a less costly but in no way inferior PVC water line and sewer line.  The water utility staff was concerned about the potential for a contractor to improperly install the water or sewer line and that this potential problem would be offset by a different grade pipe.  This is the reason for inspections by the Project Engineer and City of Laredo.  There is no reason to specify water line for a constant pressure of 200 pounds per square inch when the Laredo water main pressure averages 60 pounds per square inch.  We would strongly urge the council to consider changing the water line and sewer line pipe specification to DR-18 water line and SDR-35 sewer line to a depth of 10 feet.

 

Laredo has come a long way from where it was ten or fifteen years ago.  There are a number of professional engineering firms headquartered in Laredo and as licensed engineers they are capable of designing projects that meet acceptable criteria.  In the future any engineer designing a project in Laredo must include the Standard Specifications Manual.

 

While not perfect, the Standard Specifications Manual provides a foundation that can be improved on over time as we all learn from its implementation.  Most importantly, the accompanying ordinance establishes a committee comprised of city staff and six members of the development community appointed by the Laredo Builders Association.  This committee will probably need to meet on a more regular basis for the first year after implementation of the Standard Specifications Manual.