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CITY OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING M2004-R-02 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 Moved: Cm. Ramirez Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 7
Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm. Agredano
was not present. V. COMMUNICATIONS
AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
a. Presentation by Linda Payle,
Parent Involvement Coordinator for the Head Start Program. Linda Payle, Head Start Coordinator, reported that the program
has been in existence since 1966 and introduced Ms. Belen Cisneros, one of
the parents present at the City Council meeting. Ms. Cisneros extended an invitation to
Mayor Flores, the City Council and the citizens of b. Presentation by Dr. Hector Gonzalez, City
of Laredo Health Department Director, on an innovative
and creative award wining “Bienestar Program” with
funding from the National Institute of Health, Dr. Hector
Gonzalez, Health Department Director, stated that the health department has
entered into a partnership with Dr. Roberto Trevino to conduct a program for
children in elementary schools for four years. He explained that they will be making a
presentation before the school boards before bringing this project to
Invitations Recognitions
a. Recognition of Washington’s Birthday
Celebration Association for being named one of the Top 100 Events in Nick Reyna, Convention
and Visitors Bureau Director, reported that the City was able to nominate the
WBCA event for consideration by a 12-judge committee of traveling
professionals. He stated that all of
the fifty states and 12 provinces from b. Recognition of the AARP for being the most
active local chapter in the state. Cm. Jose A. Valdez,
Jr. mentioned that the citizens’ involvement in community issues keeps them
young at heart. He stated that Mayor Flores and
City Council recognized the local chapter members for their dedication,
devotion and unselfish volunteer work within the community. Juan Castaneda Olivia
Aguilar Rafael
Garcia Maria
Perez Jesus
Laurel Patricio
Perez Alicia
Laurel Lilia
Moore Maria
Martinez Modesta
Wilkerson Benita
Valdez Lucia
Salinas Carlota
P. Dominguez Pedro
Salinas Nancy
Laurel Moses
Ramirez Jose Laurel c. Presentation by E. E. Reed Construction,
L.P. to the City of “Ice Award”
Excellence in Construction awarded by Houston Associated Builders and
Contractors for the Laredo Entertainment Center Project. Kiki De Ayala, d. Recognition of the 2003 Retirees of the
Laredo Police Department.
Assistant Lieutenant Sergeant Gaspar Ambrose 35 years 6 months Sergeant Ramiro Soto 41
years 3 months Investigator Abraham Romero 34
years 4 months Investigator Hector Mitchell 25
years 5 months Officer Leonardo Gutierrez 20
years Chief
Dovalina, Police Chief, stated that all of these individuals faithfully
protected and served their community for many years. He added that these officers have served
with distinction and provided dedicated law enforcement service to their
community. Communiqués Cm. Agredano came in at Cm. Garcia
stated that out city will soon begin with the annual Washington’s Birthday
Celebration and he urged all our residents not to drink and drive. He reminded everyone to be responsible and
watch out for the youth that are also out enjoying the festivities. Mayor Pro
Tem Galo expressed his condolences to the family of Jesus “Chuy” Hernandez.
He stated that Mr. Hernandez was an advocate of the citizens of Cm. Amaya congratulated John Orfila and his staff at the Public
Works Department for their work on the five-block sidewalk project leading up
to Cm. E.
Valdez, Jr. reminded his constituents that there will be a town hall meeting
at Cm. Belmares introduced Mr. Juan Avila who extended an
invitation for everyone to attend the United Spring Festival at the Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr. congratulated Gustavo Guevara, Jr., Cm. Ramirez
extended his condolences to the family of Carlos Rendon who passed away
yesterday. He mentioned that Mr.
Rendon was his appointee to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. He also congratulated the organizers of the
Jamboozie Festival for an outstanding event and Gustavo
Guevara, Jr., Mayor
Flores stated that the delegation from the City of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato presented
her with a replica of the archangel that looks over the City of San Miguel de
Allende to the people of the City of VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES a. Appointment by Council Member Juan Ramirez
of Enrique de la Garza to the Transportation and Traffic Safety
Advisory Committee. Motion to approve. Moved:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. Second:
Cm. Garcia For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Division, located at 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. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Amaya 2. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 37.34 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on
attached Exhibit “A”, located west of Mines Road and south of Bob Bullock
Loop, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District), B-4 (Highway Commercial
District) and M-1 (Light Manufacturing 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: 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. J. Valdez, Jr. Second: Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. 3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 10.06 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on
attached Exhibit “A”, located east of Country Club Drive and south of Del Mar
Boulevard 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 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. E. Valdez, Jr. Second: Cm. Belmares For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. 4. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of
Laredo FY 2003-2004 Full Time Equivalent positions of the General Fund Parks
and Recreation Department – Recreation Center Division from 27 to 28 to
appropriate the monies to be received from the Community Development Block
Grant Program, for one Recreation Specialist for the purpose of providing a
Community Service Program at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Inner City Park, Technology Recreation Center. 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. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 5. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to accept a contribution
in the amount of $625,000.00 from Webb County through an Interlocal Government Agreement and amending the City
of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget by appropriating revenues and
expenditures in the amount of $625,000.00 for the acquisition and development
of the North Central Laredo Park. 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. Agredano For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 1 Cm.
Amaya Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 6. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the City of Parking
Meter Fund by appropriating a draw down of $400,000.00 from the opening
balance and appropriating it for land acquisition. The project consists of construction
improvements and demolition costs of a surface municipal parking lot in the
downtown area. The Parking meter fund
will be reimbursed from the proceeds of a proposed Parking Meter Fund
Certificate of Obligation Bond. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares 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. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 7. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual
budget by appropriating a draw down of $5,925,000.00 from the opening balance
and appropriating it for equipment acquisition. The project consists of twenty-five (25)
automated refuse trucks and 45,000 trashcans.
The Solid Waste Fund will be reimbursed from the proceeds of a
proposed Solid Waste Fund Certificate of Obligation Bond. 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. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council VIII. GENERAL
COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS 8. A. Request
by Council Member Hector J. Garcia 1. Discussion with possible action regarding
traffic control and safety precautions on Highway 59 during the WBCA events. Police Chief
Agustin Dovalina replied that they will have the same kind of police presence
as they had last year during those hours that the WBCA events are taking
place. 2. Discussion with
possible action regarding security for parks. Police Chief
Agustin Dovalina reported that they have advised City Council that there
would be a contingency of officers patrolling the parks. He mentioned that there are three officers
and one supervisor patrolling approximately 94 to 100 parks and they are
targeting the problem areas at different times of the day. He stated that he has already contacted
Horacio De Leon, Parks and Recreation Director, regarding several initiatives
they have in place for patrolling the problem areas. He added that they are considering
implementing a program called Adopt-a-Park where they elicit the help of the
residents in the area. Cm. Garcia
recommended that city staff look into installing some cameras in order to
deter vandalism at the parks and find out the cost for adding cameras at the
parks.
B. Request by Council Member Johnny Amaya 1. Discussion with possible action on
extending the median with stamped concrete on Motion to
appropriate $50,000.00 from District IV discretionary funds to continue with the Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Mayor Pro Tem Galo For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
C. Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez 1. Discussion with possible action on
establishing a park in the San Francisco Javier neighborhood. 2. Discussion with
possible action regarding a traffic control device at the intersection of Police
Chief Agustin Dovalina stated that they would get motorcycle officers to
patrol the area and issue citations when warranted. 3. Discussion with possible action on
improving drainage flow on Benavides. 4. Discussion with
possible action on establishing a permanent taxi parking stand near the corner of This item was
discussed under Item 39 (A). IX.
INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES 9. Setting the maximum speed limit on that
portion of IH 35 main lanes within the city limits of Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 10. Approving
the public sale of airport non-aeronautical use land located at the specifications being: Block No. 34 of the
Subdivision Plat of Laredo of approximately 3.30-acres and Block No. 35
of the Subdivision Plat of Laredo Two Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty One Dollars
and Eighteen Cents ($1,092,921.18); and authorizing the City
Manager to execute all necessary conveyance documents; providing for
effective date. Ordinance Introduction: City Council 11. Amending
Chapter 2, Administration, Article I, In General, Section 2.5 of the Code of |