CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2004-R-07

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

APRIL 19, 2004

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 Elizabeth 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

            Larry Dovalina,                                                                         City Manager

            Cynthia Collazo,                                                                       Assistant City Manager

            Jaime Flores,                                                                            City Attorney

 

IV.       MINUTES

 

            None.

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

            Announcements

 

            None.

 

            Invitations

 

            None.

 

 

            Recognitions

 

            None.

     

            Communiqués

 

            None.

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

             

            a.  Appointment by Council Member Juan Ramirez of Ricardo Tenorio to the Ad Hoc  

                 Vehicles for Hire Committee.

 

            Motion to approve.

           

            Moved:  Cm.  Agredano

            Second:  Cm.  Amaya

            For:     8                                               Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

            b.  Appointment by Council Member Juan Ramirez of Alberto Martinez to the  

                 Telecommunications Committee.

 

            Motion to approve.

 

            Moved:  Cm.  Agredano

            Second:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

            For:     8                                               Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

            1.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Section 24-94, of the Laredo Land            Development Code, in order to revise the established standards and procedures                             governing the issuance of Conditional Use Permits; 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 and introduce.

           

                 Moved:  Cm.  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.  Garcia

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Belmares

 

            2.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the               City of Laredo by amending Ordinance No. 2002-O-058 authorizing the issuance of a                  Conditional Use Permit to David Richter for a concrete batch plant on 5.00 acres, as                      further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A” located on the west side                of Highway 83 and north of Masterson Road, by extending the terms of the permit two                  (2) more years; providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning         Commission has recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing and introduce.

           

                 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 introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

 

            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 a bar on Lot                  1, Block 5, Del Mar Village Subdivision, located at 120 West Village Boulevard;                  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 and introduce.

           

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  Garcia

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and postpone.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  Ramirez

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

 

 

 

            4.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the               City of Laredo by rezoning 13.18 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on                    attached Exhibit “A,” located northeast of Havana 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 and introduce.

           

                 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 introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  Ramirez

                 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 4, Block 1, Summerwind Subdivision, Unit 1, located                     north of Jacaman Road and east of Bartlett Avenue, from R-1 (Single Family Residential             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 and introduce.

           

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ron Whitehawk, spoke in favor of the zone change request on behalf of the applicant Norgua Ltd.  He asked Council to postpone the item for two weeks to give him time to present an alternative set of plans to a B-3.    He said that the lot has 30,000 square feet and is part of the Summerwind Subdivision at the corner of Jacaman and Bartlett Road.  He added that the lot is five times the size of the surrounding residential lots.  The zoning patterns across the street and cattycorner are B1 and B3.  He acknowledged that the original intent of this lot was an R2 zone and further stated that the B-3 may be too intensive to be on the subdivision side of Bartlett road and on the subdivision side of Jacaman Road. 

 

Luis Landin, a resident of the area, spoke in opposition to the zone change.

 

Ramiro Leal spoke against the commercial development in the Summerwind Subdivision.  He said that he does not want any business or activity that would increase the flow of vehicular traffic in the residential area.    

 

Frank Carrejo spoke against the zone change request.  He said that Summerwind has a deed restriction prohibiting commercial activity.    

 

Bobby Monson commented that he was told that the lot in questions was going to be converted into park area and that is why he purchased property in Summerwind.  He said that he is opposed to any type of commercial property being constructed in the area. 

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and postpone for two weeks.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  E.  Valdez

                 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 rezoning 2.07 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on                      attached Exhibit “A,” approximately located south of Southgate Boulevard and east of        Highway 83 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 and introduce.

           

                 Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

                 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.  Garcia

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Agredano

 

            7.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend City               of Laredo’s FY 2003-2004 annual budget in the amount of $1,250,000.00 to fund a                      program under U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing                         Services (COPS).  The U.S. Department of Justice will be designating $1,250,000.00                    and City of Laredo will be designating $369,250.00 in matching funds within the three-              year life of the grant.  Funding will be used to hire 10 additional School Resource            

                 Officers (SRO).  The funding for this grant will be from September 1, 2002 through                  August 31, 2005.  The City of Laredo 2003-2004 Full Time Equivalents will be                             amended by the addition of 10 Grade 71 Cadet Police Officers.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing and introduce.

           

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore 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:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

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

Capital Improvement Project Fund budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $12,660.00 for the school flasher/beacon program.  Revenues consists of contributions from Laredo Independent School District (LISD) in the amount $3,165.00 and United Independent School District (UISD) in the amount of $9,495.00.

 

Motion to open the public hearing and introduce.

           

                 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 introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

                 Second:  Cm.  Garcia

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

9.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance establishing a 15% penalty on the 2003

delinquent tax accounts as of July 1, 2004; to defray costs of collection pursuant to section 33.07 (a) of the Texas State Property Tax Code; providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing and introduce.

           

                 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 introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Agredano

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

10.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a

two (2) year lease agreement between the City of Laredo and the Laredo Amateur Boxing Club, Inc., for use of the “Orlando and Gaby Canizales Boxing Gym” located at 1610 Guadalupe Street, as described on attached Exhibit “A,” for an annual rent fee of $1.00; and providing for an effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

Second:  Cm.  Garcia

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ricardo De Anda, President of the Board for the Laredo Amateur boxing Club, said the club operates five days a week from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.  He added that approximately 70 children ranging in ages 8 to 15 attend the facility on a daily basis.   

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

Second:  Cm.  Agredano

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Mayor Pro Tempore Galo

 

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

annual budget by decreasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $15,479.00 to reflect the actual grant amount of $28,053.00 from the Texas Department of Health for the Texas-Tamaulipas Border States Birth Defects Project:  Neural Tube Defects (NTD) Pilot Project in Los Dos Laredos of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2004, through August 31, 2004; and authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s FY 2003-2004 Full-Time Equivalent Position by  including .27 Health Educator position. 

 

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 introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

Second:  Cm.  Ramirez

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

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

annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount for the $20,000.00 from the Texas Department of Health for the Office of Border Health:  Buena Vida Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2004, through August 31, 2004.

 

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 introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Garcia

Second:  Cm.  Ramirez

For:     8                                        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 increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $4,995.00 in additional funds from the Texas Department of Health for the Office of Border Health:  HIV Awareness Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2004, through August 31, 2004.  

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Garcia

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.  Ramirez

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:

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

annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $3,500.00 in additional funds from the Texas Department of Health for the Office of Border Health: Environmental Epidemiological Study Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2004, through August 31, 2004.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Garcia

Second:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  J.  Valdez

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

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

annual budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $2,000.00 from the Texas Department of Health for the Office of Border Health:  Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2004, through August 31, 2004.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Belmares

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

For:     8                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

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

Recreation Fund annual budget by appropriating revenues and expend