CITY OF LAREDO

ANNUAL BUDGET WORKSHOP

M2003-W-005

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

AUGUST 27, 2003

5:30 P.M.

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

            With a quorum present, Mayor Elizabeth G.  Flores called the meeting to order.

II.        ROLL CALL

 

            In attendance:

 

            Elizabeth G.  Flores,                                                                 Mayor

            Alfredo Agredano,                                                                    Mayor Pro Tempore, District I

            Hector Garcia,                                                                          Council Member, District II

            John C.  Galo,                                                                          Council Member, 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

            Allen McGraw                                                                          Assistant City Attorney

 

III.       DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004 ANNUAL BUDGET.

           

A.  Introduction to budget by City Manager Larry Dovalina, including budget

process, vision and goals, update of current bond projects, and proposed new personnel.

 

This item was discussed during the M2003-W-003 meeting.

 

B.     Debt service review, including debt service indebtedness.

 

This item was discussed during the M2003-W-003 meeting.

 

C.     Personnel issues, including proposed employee pay plan and employee health and       benefits plan.

 

This item was discussed during the M2003-W-003 meeting.

 

 

D.    Proposed General Fund highlights.

 

       This item was discussed during the M2003-W-003 meeting.

 

            F.  Proposed FY 2004-2008 Capital Improvements Program.

                       

            1. MOTION

 

To publish a newspaper advertisement for public hearing for 10 consecutive days 

to inform the general public that three copies of the capital improvements program are available at the City Secretary’s Office and Public Library, pursuant to Section 6.07 of the City Charter.

 

This item was discussed during the M2003-W-003 meeting.

 

            G.  Engineering/Public Works Department funding and operations, and status of                

                  construction projects.

 

       This item was discussed during the M2003-W-003 meeting.

 

H.    Environmental Services Department funding and operations.

 

      This item was discussed during the M2003-W-004 meeting.

 

I.   Fire Department funding and operations, including the Laredo International Fire

     and Law Enforcement Training Facility.

 

     This item was discussed during the M2003-W-004 meeting.

 

J.  Convention & Visitors Bureau Department funding and operations, including and

      Hotel Occupancy Tax.

 

     This item was discussed during the M2003-W-004 meeting.

                       

K.  Traffic Department funding and operations, including fleet management

      operations.

 

       This item was discussed during the M2003-W-004 meeting.

 

L.     Health Department funding and operations.

 

       This item was discussed during the M2003-W-004 meeting.

 

            M.  Library Department funding and operations, including third party agencies.

 

                   Janice Weber, Library Director, gave the following presentation:

 

Who …. Do we serve?  What programs and services are we providing?  Where do we   

provide these services? 

 

Who do we serve?

 

What programs and services are we providing?

 

·        Material check out – books, book-on-tape & CD, musical CD’s, videos, DVD’s

·        Computer & Computer Classes

·        Room Rentals

·        Reference Services

·        Bookmobile Service

·        Tours

 

        Total Materials Circulation:  308,995

        Total Computer Usage:  76,613

        Total Room Use:  3,393

        Total Room Attendance:  21,500

        Total Reference Questions Answered:  79,805

 

        Story Hours

 

       Total Story Hours presented:  106

       Total Story Hours Attendance:  3,917

 

        Special Programs:

 

        PBS Character
        George Shrinks

        Scholastic Books “Franklin

        National Library Week

        VITA (The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

        Total Taxpayers Assisted:  1,039

 

        Collaborations

 

        Texas A & M International University

        City of Laredo Health Department – Health Fairs

        Webb CountyInterlocal Agreement with Headstart

        TAMIU – Summer Literacy Camp

        Gateway Astronomical Society – Star gazing parties

        LCC – ESL & GED classes

        Laredo Chess Club – Information Fairs & Tournaments

        LISD & UISD – School Visit, Tours, Story Hours

        Dale Carnegie Training – Courses start September

        TWU – Women’s Club Exhibit

        Daughters of the American Revolution – (local Lucy Meriweather Chapter)

        Exhibit on the Korean War

 

        Dia de los Ninos….Dia de los Libros

 

        Community organizations that participated:

 

Children’s Museum, the City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department, the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Center, SCAN, Center for the Arts, Girl Scouts, Crime Stoppers, and the Army National Guard.

 

KLDO’s Hora de Cuento

Total Attendance:  1308

 

Center for the Arts Summer Arts Splash

Total Attendance:  720

 

New Webpage (English & Spanish)

Online Resources

 

                    Generations Online – Website especially for seniors.

                    Learn-a-test – online practice test

                    Mitchell I – car repair

                    College Source – college catalogs

                    Online Homework Help (Tutor.com) – live homework 4th – 12th grade

                    Online Book Club – book club via email

 

                    Third Party Funding Fiscal Year 2003-2004

 

Name of Agency

Actual

Agency Request

Committee

Staff Recommendation

BEST, Inc

14,063

20,000

10,547

10,547

Bethany House

20,000

50,000

5,000

15,000

Border Area Nutrition Council

35,000

45,000

26,250

26,250

Boy Scouts Gulf Coast Council

18,000

30,000

13,500

13,500

Boy’s & Girls’ club of Laredo

90,000

150,000

67,500

57,500

Casa de Misericordia

15,000

45,500

11,250

11,250

Catholic Social Services

15,000

25,000

11,250

11,250

Children’s Intl’ Advocacy

60,000

75,000

45,000

45,000

Club Olympia

5,000

5,000

3,750

3,750

Communities in Schools

15,000

25,000

11,250

11,250

Community Action Agency

39,000

75,000

29,250

29,250

Girl Scouts Paisano Council

10,000

7,500

7,500

7,500

L. I. F. E.

4,500

20,000

3,375

3,375

LISD Campus Crimestoppers

7,500

7,500

5,625

5,625

Laredo Crime Stoppers, Inc.

15,000

25,000

11,250

11,250

Laredo Regional Food Bank

25,000

25,000

18,750

18,750

Laredo Veteran’s Coalition

60,000

60,000

45,000

45,000

Webb County Child Welfare

4,500

12,500

3,375

3,375

Webb County Food Bank

30,000

50,000

22,500

22,500

Webb NHS. Inc.

15,000

20,000

11,250

11,250

Literacy Volunteers of America

7,000

10,000

5,250

5,250

Rio Grande International

20,000

30,000

15,000

15,000

Ruthe B.  Cowl Rehab

75,000

125,000

56,250

56,250

S. T. C. A. D. A.

5,000

45,732

3,750

3,750

Sacred Heart Children’s Home

5,000

10,000

3,750

3,750

Serving Children & Adoles

36,000

40,000

27,000

27,000

Special Olympics Texas

4,500

10,000

3,375

3,375

Red Cross

10,000

15,000

7,500

7,500

Laredo Guardian Volunteers

 

15,000

 

 

Laredo HSDA HIV/AIDS

 

10,000