|
CITY OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING M2004-R-05 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER With
a quorum present, Mayor Pro Tempore John C. Galo called the meeting to order. II. PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Mayor
Pro Tempore John C. Galo led in the Pledge of Allegiance. III. ROLL CALL In
attendance: 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., City
Secretary Jaime
Flores, Motion
to excuse Mayor Flores, Cm. Agredano and Cm. Garcia. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. Belmares For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 IV. MINUTES Approval of
the minutes of Motion to
approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. Ramirez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 V. COMMUNICATIONS
AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements None. Invitations None. Recognitions a. Recognition of Doroteo
Vasquez of the Parks and Recreation Department on his selection as
February 2004 Employee of the Month. Horacio De
Leon, Parks and Recreation Director, read the following statement: The Parks
and Recreation Department is very proud in nominating their employee Doroteo “Teo” Vasquez. Mr.
Vasquez’ employment with the City began as a groundskeeper with the
Parks and Recreation Department in 1988.
With his dedication and hard work, he was promoted to crew leader in
1996. While different challenges came
about in our department, Mr. Vasquez
was not far from advancing as supervisor in the maintenance division. In December 2002, Mr. Vasquez was promoted to Building and
Grounds Supervisor. His 110%
dedication has show his willingness and capability
of taking on this new challenge in all aspects. Echoing the
new directive for “thinking outside the box”, Mr. Vasquez has initiated a maintenance plan
for converting manual irrigation systems to fully automating ones “in-house,”
throughout several of our City Parks to include: Veterans Field, Ladrillera
Soccer Field, His tenure
and proven track record with the Parks and Recreation Department demonstrate
his dependability and self initiative whenever necessary. During this month of February alone,
Mr. Vasquez successfully handled and
coordinated maintenance issues in several events that required his
expertise. The Jamboozie,
which kicked off the WBCA events, was one in which Mr. Vasquez was responsible for the placement
of all banners in the downtown area, as well as around City hall. During the WBCA events, Mr. Vasquez supervised in the maintenance of
our four downtown plazas before and after the Youth and Grand Parades. Another
demanding event in which Mr. Vasquez
demonstrated his expertise was with the Mayor’s Cup. Mr.
Vasquez supervised every maintenance issue including landscaping and
maintaining the park and playing fields at the Benavides Complex, by grading
them; and installing an automated irrigation system. The concession stand and restrooms were
also given a maintenance touch-up for this special event. Last, but
not least, the border Olympics. This
event required the painting of the press box, concession stand, and restroom
facilities at the Veterans Field Complex.
Mr. Vasquez supervised the
maintaining of the field represents the best quality ball field in the As a
supervisor his work is overwhelming, yet it speaks for itself where
supervision is rarely required by higher management. Mr.
Vasquez is on call day and night, without any hesitation whenever a
situation arises; his punctuality and attendance reflect this. There is no
doubt that Mr. Vasquez is a leader
with initiative and dependability, who leads by example and demonstrates to
his crews that he knows his field in the area of building and grounds
maintenance. Mr. Vasquez maintains a well-organized schedule
and assures that all projects have and will come through successfully. Ms. Vasquez deals with the public on occasion
and always provides good customer service.
His mission, along with the department, is to provide a fund, safe,
and clean environment for the community of His 16
years experience with the Parks and Recreation Department, demonstrate great
pride in his work and has earned the respect and confidence from his workers,
co-workers, and management.
Communiqués Cm. Amaya
thanked Cm. Belmares congratulated Horacio De Leon,
Parks and Recreation Director, and his staff for a groundbreaking ceremony
that was held at Cm. Cm. Ramirez mentioned that Little Cesar’s Pizza
and J. L. Car Wash have opened for business in District VIII. Mayor Pro
Tempore Galo asked for a moment of silence for the recent passing of Mary
J. Solis and other Laredoans
that have recently lost their lives.
He went on to congratulate individuals who traveled to
Washington. He added that he had
attended the Border Trade Alliance in VI. APPOINTMENTS TO
COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES None. VII. PUBLIC
HEARINGS 1. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning Lot 5, Block 563, Eastern Division, located at 918 Willow
Street, from M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) to R-3 (Mixed 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: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. Second: Cm. Ramirez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was
no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and introduce. Moved:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. J.
Valdez, Jr. 2. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning the west 46.30 feet of Lot 8, Block 1536, Eastern
Division, located at 2602 Ash 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: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Juan
Botello, resident of said area, spoke against the proposed zone change. He pointed out that there are two schools
in the area and he is concerned about the safety of the children. He also expressed his concerns regarding additional
vehicular traffic in the area noting that the proposed apartments would only
increase the traffic flow causing more traffic accidents. Marcial Ruben Gonzalez, future
resident of the area, spoke against the zone change for the same reasons as
Juan Botello. Motion to close the public hearing and postpone
for 30 days. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
3. 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 general
automotive repair on Lots 19 and 20, Block 30, Vista Hermosa, Unit II,
located approximately at the 5400 block of McPherson Road, 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: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. E.
Valdez, Jr. 4. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 21.88 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on
attached Exhibit “A,” located east of Havanna
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: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 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 authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for a used car
lot on Lot 4, Block 236, Western Division, located at 1309 San Dario Avenue;
providing for publication and effective date.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the
proposed Conditional Use Permit. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
postpone for next meeting. Moved:
Cm. Ramirez Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 6. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending Laredo Land Development Code, Sections
24.63.2, 24.65.14 and Appendix A, by allowing, regulating and defining
nationalization “nacionalizacion” of vehicle
enterprises in certain zoning districts; providing for publication and
effective date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended approval of the proposed ordinance amendment. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City
Council 7. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
authorizing Batista Roman Enterprises, Inc., a non-exclusive
franchise, to construct, maintain and operate a commercial container refuse
gathering and disposing service in the city of Laredo, Texas, and providing
the terms, conditions, obligations, and limitations upon and under which such
franchise shall be exercised; providing indemnity to the city; city retains
authority to regulate rates except for rate increases resulting from
increased landfill fees which are passed on to the customer; providing for
increased service rates; providing for franchise payments; and providing for
severability. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Oscar
Medina, Solid Waste Director, assured the Council that the applicant has the
capacity to comply with the requirements of the franchise once Council
approves it. He said that the City
Manager has asked staff to review the current ordinance and report back to
council with recommendations. Manuel
Bautista spoke before the Council to explain the nature of his
franchise. Cm. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City
Council 8. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
accepting a grant from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) which has awarded a $27,350.00 grant with the City of Laredo
designating $11,722.00 in matching funds for a total of $39,072.00 and
amending the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget from General Fund by
appropriating the said grant revenue to the appropriate expenditure
accounts. The grant monies will be
used to implement rapid intervention team kits (rit
kits) along with the purchase of the two (2) thermal imagers. Matching funds are available in General
Fund. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City
Council 9. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 full-time
equivalent positions by increasing one (1) part-time Health Educator position
on a total of .48 FTE without benefits
to .50 FTE with benefits in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning November 1,
2003 through June 30, 2004. Funding is
available in Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Grant. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City
Council 10. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of
Laredo’s FY 2003-2004 full-time equivalent positions by converting three (3)
part-time with no benefits (1.44 FTE) Community Service Aide positions at
19.21 hours each per week to one (1) full-time position with benefits
Community Service Aide position in the HIV Prevention Project of the City of
Laredo Health Department, funded by the Texas Department of Health to provide
continuous support services to the HIV Program clients and to maintain
effective preventive services. Funding
is available in the HIV Prevention Project Grant. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Ramirez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was
no public input. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 11. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of
Laredo’s FY 2003-2004 full-time equivalent positions by converting one (1)
part-time with no benefits (.48 FTE) Community Service Aide position at 19.21
hours each per week to one (1) full-time with benefits Community Service Aide
position for HIV-Infected Persons Project (PSHIP) of the City of Laredo
Health Department to provide continuous support services and to maintain
effective client prevention services. Funding
is available in the HIV-Infected Persons Project (PSHIP) Grant. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was
no public input. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm. Belmare Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 12. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of
Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures by
$10,000.00 which represents a contribution from Mercy Health Plans for
children’s health insurance outreach activities of the City of Laredo Health
Department for the period beginning May 1, 2004, through September 30, 2004. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was
no public input. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 13. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual
budget by decreasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $33,644.00 to
reflect the actual grant amount of
$332,590.00 from the South Texas Development Council for the HIV/AIDS
Ryan White Title II Services Program of the City of Laredo Health Department
for the period of April 1, 2004, through March 31, 2005. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was
no public input. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 14. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the amount of $10,000.00 and amending the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 General Fund by 10 |