CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M-2004-SC-01

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

MARCH 8, 2004

12:15 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 called the meeting to order. 

 

III.       ROLL CALL

 

            In attendance:

 

            Elizabeth G. Flores,                                                      Mayor

            Hector Garcia,                                                              Council Member, District II

            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

            Jerry Cain,                                                                    Assistant City Attorney

 

            Motion to excuse Cm. Agredano and Mayor Pro Tem Galo.

 

            Moved:  Cm. Amaya

            Second:  Cm. Ramirez

            For:    6                                                Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

IV.       FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES 

 

            Motion to waive final reading of Ordinances # 2004-O-052 and 2004-O-053. 

 

            Moved:  Cm. Amaya

            Second:  Cm. Ramirez

            For:    6                                                Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

1.  2004-O-052  An ordinance of the City of Laredo, Texas, finding after reasonable notice and hearing, that AEP Texas Central Company’s electric transmission and distribution rates and charges within the city should be changed; determining just and reasonable rates; adjusting street lighting charges; adopting recommendations of consultants; providing recovery of rate case expenses; preserving regulatory rights of the city; and providing for repeal of conflicting ordinance. 

 

                           Rosario Cabello, Financial Services Director, explained that the City of Laredo belongs to a group of 86 South Texas cities that have come together to discuss electricity and rate cases in order to have the provider adjust its rates for service.  She explained that legal counsel advised that the City should not favor AEP’s plans to raise their rates but rather should demand that AEP reduce their rates by 21% within the city limits based on the current expenses on transmission and distribution lines. 

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2004-O-052.

 

Moved:  Cm. Ramirez

Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

For:   6                                      Against:  0                            Abstain:  0

 

2.  2004-O-053  Approving an amendment to Ordinance No. 2003-O-247 dated October 6, 2003, hereby deleting the public sale of Tract B to Dr. Ricardo G. Cigarroa, L.P.; providing for an effective date.  

 

Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2004-O-053.

 

Moved:  Cm. Ramirez

Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

For:    6                                     Against:  0                            Abstain:  0 

 

V.        MOTION

           

1.      Authorizing the award of a contract in the amount of $190,300.00 to Wilbur Smith Associates for the development of the Laredo Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update.  Funding for the project is available through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) account using Federal Planning Grant (PL112) funds.

 

Motion to approve.

 

Moved:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

Second:  Cm. Amaya

For:    6                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

 

VI.       EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The City Council hereby reserves the right to go into executive session at any time during this public meeting, if such is requested by the City Attorney or other legal counsel for the City, pursuant to his or her duty under Section 551.071(2) of the Government Code, to consult privately with his or her client on an item on the agenda, or on a matter arising out of such item.

 

           

VII.   ADJOURNMENT

 

Motion to adjourn.                                                                                    Time:  12:37  p.m.

 

Moved:  Cm. Ramirez

Second:  Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.

For:    6                                                Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0