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CITY OF LAREDO ANNUAL BUDGET WORKSHOP M2004-W-04 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1110 HOUSTON STREET LAREDO, TEXAS 78040 AUGUST 11, 2004 5:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
With a quorum present, Mayor Elizabeth Flores called the meeting to order. II. ROLL CALL
In attendance:
Elizabeth G. Flores, Mayor Alfredo Agredano, Council Member, District I Hector Garcia, Council Member, District II John C. Galo, Council Member, District III Johnny Amaya, Mayor Pro Tem, District IV Johnny Rendon 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, Deputy City Manager Jaime Flores, City Attorney
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Flores led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
Larry Dovalina, City Manager, gave a brief explanation in regards to a motion that was approved at the prior budget hearing where Council moved to promote one sergeant and one investigator. He said that seven positions will be filled; however, the other positions were approved within the 2004-2005 budgets.
V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005 ANNUAL BUDGET.
A. Introduction of the budget by City Manager Larry Dovalina, including budget process, vision and goals, debt service, financial policies and proposed personnel changes.
This item was discussed on August 9, 2004.
B. Ad-valorem tax rate.
This item was discussed on August 9, 2004.
C. Personnel issues, including proposed employee pay plan and employee health and benefits plan.
This item was discussed on August 9, 2004.
D. Proposed General Fund highlights.
This item was discussed on August 9, 2004.
E. Engineering/Public Works Department funding and operations, and status of construction projects.
This item was discussed on August 9, 2004.
F. Bridge Department funding and operations.
This item was discussed on August 9, 2004.
G. Fire Department funding and operations, including the Laredo International Fire and Law Enforcement Training Facility.
This item was discussed on August 10, 2004.
H. Library Department funding and operations, including third party agencies.
This item was discussed on August 10, 2004.
I. Traffic Department funding and operations, including fleet management operations, and parking meters.
This item was discussed on August 10, 2004.
J. Health Department funding and operations.
K. Convention & Visitors Bureau Department funding and operations, including and Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.
This item was discussed on August 10, 2004.
L. Transit/El Metro funding and operations, including capital improvements.
This item was discussed on August 10, 2004.
M. Police Department funding and operations.
This item was discussed on August 10, 2004.
N. Environmental Services Department funding and operations, including NPDES and Hazmat operations.
Riazul Mia, Environmental Services Director, gave the following presentation:
Mission Statement
To provide a better quality of life by promoting a healthy and safer environment through community involvement and education as well as to protect the natural resources from environmental degradation for the citizens of Laredo by ensuring compliance with the federal, state, and local environmental laws.
Challenges in Laredo
Illegal dumping Litter Inadequate drainage Complinace with federal/state laws Traditional construction Lack of enforcement by state/federal International community Local ordinances Lack of awareness about environment
Inlet/manhole cleaning
2001 2002 2003 2004
Inspections 1409 1205 1182 442 Tons 237 174 141 35.56
HHW Collected
1996 16,946 1997 17,543 1998 22,291 1999 22,195 2000 16,705 2001 43,933 2002 34,899 2003 34,710 2004 11,889
HazMat Permits
1999 494 2000 426 2001 534 2002 572 2003 561 2004 552
Pounds of E-Waste Collected
May of 2003 21,000 October 2003 43,000 May of 2004 63,000
Pollution and Development
2000-2001 Pounds of Sediment 199,923 Dollars x 100 $199,275
2001-2002 Pounds of Sediment 144,248 Dollars X 100 $190,010
2002 – 2003 Pounds of Sediment 137,095 Dollars X 100 $194,948
2003-2004 Pounds of Sediment 123,111 Dollars X 100 $428,918
Environmental Educational Initiative
Program Goal Childcare Centers Elementary Schools Secondary Schools Binational Effort Eco-TV Program (Public Access) Eco-Theme Float @ WBCA Event
Environmental Complaint Investigations
95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 120 150 140 200 352 350 569 596 415
News Programs for 2004-2005
Los Dos Laredo Environmental Education for Daycare Facilities Extend the Educational Campaign in the UISD (Kinder & 1st Grade) Keep Laredo Beautiful Commercial Litter Ordinance More e-waste collection event
Does Laredo have a little problem?
Yes 82% No 18%
Program Level Program Cost per Acre Typical Program Features
Incidental $15-$25 Reactive incidental maintenance and regulation as part of other programs.
Minimum $30 - $50 ADD: ROW maintenance, better regulation and inspection, more staff, and erosion control.
Moderate $40 - $70 ADD: Additional maintenance programs and levels of service, better regulation and inspection, some planning, minor capital programs, and general upgrade of capabilities.
Advanced $70 - $140 ADD: Maintenance (of some sort) of the whole system, master planning, regional treatment, some water quality, data collection, multi-objective planning, strong control of development and other programs, and utility funding. Exceptional Over $200 ADD: Storm water quality, advanced food control, advanced levels of service for maintenance, aesthetics become more important, and public programs.
Motion to appropriate expenditures in the amount of $277,150 for matching fund for the Chacon Creek Feasibility Study by Army Corps of Engineers.
Moved: Cm. Garcia Second: Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to create a new fund 259 and appropriate $100,000 for “Keep Laredo Beautiful” from the NPDES Fund.
Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
O. Parks & Recreation Department funding and operations, including Civic Center/Mercado operations.
Horacio De Leon, Parks and Recreation Director, gave the following presentation:
Mission Statement
To deliver services that enhance the quality of life of all citizens through recreational programming and effectively maintain and develop Laredo’s park system.
FY2005
Presentation Overview
Organizational Chart Department Budget History FY2004 Highlights Upkeep & Maintenance of new Park Facilities Proposed Recreational User Fees Recreational Centers Civic Center Aquatics League Fees Inner City Tech-rec Movie Premier
Parks & Recreational Department
Parks Administration 9 Full time Employees Civic Center/Mercado 14.1 Full Time Employees Cemetery 7.68 Full Time Employees Recreation/Veterans/Aquatics 30.99 Full time Employees Parks maintenance 67 Full Time Employees Recreation Center 28.5 Full time Employees 7 Recreational Centers
Budget History Comparison
2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Laredo $5,306,765 $5,360,745 $6,046,072 $6,388,676 McAllen $5,562,816 $5,911,192 $6,318,169 $6,488,000 Lubbock $7,662,119 $7,655,885 $7,931,248 $7,931,248 Corpus Christi $11,467,337 $12,559,447 $12,418,269 $13,222,207
Budget Breakdown 2004-2005 (Proposed) $6,388,676
2004-2005
Park Maintenance 54% Recreational Center 21% Recreation 12% Administration 7% Cemetery 6%
FY2004 Highlights
Inner City Park Opening El Cuatro Park Opening Mario Tijerina Park Opening Summer Playground/Camps Swimming Activities Special Events Public Information Coverage
Special Events 2004
New Grounds maintenance Areas FY2001-2004
Inner City Park 3.90 Acres Mario Tijerina Park 3.89 Acres El Cuatro Park 1.81 Acres George Washington Park .51 Acres Sta. Rita Park 22.14 Acres Loma Alta Park 6.50 Acres Eistetter Park 3.50 Acres Tree Farm 2.60 Acres Zacate Creek Linear Park 12.00 Acres
Total Additional Acreage – 56.85 Acres
New Facilities for FY2004-2005
Eastwood Park 4.16 Acres Fa. McNaboe Babe Ruth & Soccer 6.00 Acres Lafayette & Farias Spray Parks .36 Acres Farias Community Center .50 Acres Seven Flags Park 6.80 Acres
Total Additional Acreage - 17.82 Acres
Department Efficiencies
Joint Use Agreement LISD on Parks Bridge Mowing Contract for maintenance Personnel $3,038,073 in Grant Funds Parks Workforce more efficient and effective Event Sponsorship (basketball camp, 4th of July, partnerships, TRAPS, S. O. S, and 5K’s Proposed Fee Structure – Recreational Programming Operating additional Recreation Center with minimal budget impact Extended the space of City Cemetery
Newly Proposed Fees
Activity/Facility Current Proposed Aquatics – Instructional Programming $.15 $20 Per participant/per session Aquatics – Recreational Programming 60%/40% Percentage Split – Instructor/City Junior Lifeguard (14 & under) $50 Per participant/per session CPR/First Aid $50 Per participant/per session (Infant, child, Adult) (Individual lesson) $35 per participant/per session Rec Center-Recreational Programming 79%/30%\ Percentage Split: Instructor/City Summer Playground Program $25 Per participant (cap $50 per family) Recreation Center Annual Fee $5 Per participant Civic Center Meeting Rooms: 4 hours/all four rooms $320 $550 4 hours/1 room $80 $150 League Fees: per team (excluding officials) Softball $190 $200 Volleyball $90 $90 Basketball $60 $70
Motion to approve of the newly proposed fees.
Moved: Cm. Galo Second: Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Summer Camp Program Registration and Daily Average Attendance
Facility Total Registration
Arndt 170 Cigarroa 228 East Hachar 146 Farias 189 Kazen 237 K. Tarver 288 N.E. Hillside 255 United 253
Total 1766
Summer Playground Program
Program Expenditure History Amount
Personnel (Seasonal Employees) $131,000 Materials & Supplies $ 18,761 Contractual Service $ 16,062 Other (Administrative) $ 6,500 Total $172,323
Recreation Centers Division
Total Members & Attendance Rec Center Attendance Membership Tarver 133,673 10,759 Cigarroa 73,083 8,504 East Hachar 56,885 2,206 Farias 44,975 5,909 Hillside 32,539 15,787 Ladrillera 520 100 TOTAL 341,675 43,265
Other Users – Recreational Centers
Buena Vida Aerobics Boys & Girls Club Basketball League LISD Athletic, Education & Misc.
FY2005 Action Plan
Pass Park Dedication Ordinance Chacon Creek/Zacate Creek Development Acquisition of River Vega Continue to pursue grants, endowments, & other innovative financing Joint use/Interlocal CIP Agreements Convention Center Feasibility Study Project Management of CIP Package for 2005-2009 Bond Program
Summary of Survey Findings all Issues in Survey Top Two Most Important Issues
Improve Streets 52.6% More parks & Recreation 52.0% Improve drainage 31.0% Downtown revitalization 24.4% More library branches 14.2% Enhance Tourism 12.8% Other 7.8% No Opinion 2.0%
Significant Findings
Parks & Recreation
Most important park and recreation facilities Playgrounds for children (86.8%) Picnic areas (85%) Multipurpose fields for children (80%) Hike/bike/walk trails (76.6%) Waterpark (72.8%) When residents were asked to rate the top two most important park and recreation facilities the tope two were water park and playgrounds followed by picnic areas, a zoo, trails and recreational centers. Drainage Projects Importance of drainage projects Calton Rd. at West Gate (45.5%) Fletch Lane (43.8) Maryland Ave. at Taylor Street (36%) Other Issues Provide public incentives to attract job creating indus. and businesses to the city (89%) Improve drainage city-wide (86%) Develop efforts to enhance tourism to the City (76.6%) Build a new convention center to bring in business and tourism to Laredo (46.2%)
Summary of Survey Findings Parks and Recreation
Respondents were asked to rate various park and recreation issues on a scale from 1 to 7 with “1” being not needed and 7 being definitely needed. The table below presents the results of the findings. The mean rating scale is: 7 – definitely needed, and 1 – not needed. Those who had no opinion or were not familiar with the issue were excluded from the mean score calculation.
% rating 6 or 7 Mean
1. Playgrounds for children 86.8% 6.47 2. Picnic areas 85.0% 6.36 3. Multipurpose fields for children/adults 80.0% 6.25 4. Hike/bike/walk trails 76.6% 6.18 5. A water park 72.8 5.88 6. Baseball/softball tournament complex 69.6% 5.84 7. An indoor community recreation center 67.6% 5.73 8. A zoo 65.8% 5.62 9. Basketball Courts 60.8% 5.62 10) Soccerfields 60.6% 5.58 11) A swimming pool 56.6% 5.28 12) Tennis courts 48.4% 5.19 13) Skateboard park 46.4% 5.06 14) A municipal golf course 37.2% 4.34
Summary of Survey Findings Demographics
The typical resident interviewed has lived in Laredo 26 years and is 45 years of age. 54% have children 18 or younger residing within their household. 42% were male and 58% female.
Summary of Survey Findings Demographics
The typical resident interviewed has lived in Laredo 26 years and is 45 years of age.
Analysis of Parks Budget FY ‘05
Original Proposed Original 2003-2004 2004-2005 amount
Materials and Supplies: Parks Administration 3,110 3,984 4,450 466 Parks maintenance 3,115 332,475 343,283 10,808 Recreation 3,120 92,538 102,700 10,162 Recreation Centers 3,125 186,000 172,780 (13,220) Cemetery 3,130 27,348 28,085 737
Total materials/supplies 642,345 651,298 8,953
Contractual Services: Parks Administration 3110 11,300 11,700 400 Parks Maintenance 3115 790,534 888,485 97,951 Recreation 3120 87,200 89,770 2,570 Recreation Centers 3125 217,700 217,700 Cemetery 3130 51,205 52,171 966
Total Contractual Services 1,157,939 1,259,826 101,887
Analysis of Parks Budget FY ‘05
Total M & S Contractual Servs 1,800,284 1,911,124 110,848
Less: vehicle maintenance Less: inet charges Less: insurance total 138,796 260,759 121,963
Net Total Increase or Decrease 1,661,448 1,650,368 (11,123)
From a zero percent growth
P. Solid Waste Department funding and operations.
Sanitation Operations Garbage Pick Up Recycling Lawn Clipping Pick up Vehicle maintenance
Revenue vs. Operating Expenses
2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/3004 2004/2005 Revenues 4.6910 5.0036 5.3479 5.4192 5.6793 Expenses 4.5211 4.2496 4.5694 4.9651 5.4106
Landfill Operations
Scalehouse Working Phase Methane Gas Leachate Collection Daily Cover Branch to Mulch Tires Appliances
Completed Projects
Added nine new methane gas collection wells Beautified areas with trees and fence Added employee lunch and meeting room Installed new automated scale for commercial customers Built new fueling station Initiated new post shell program and an alternate daily cover
Revenue vs. Operating Expenses
2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/3004 2004/2005 Revenues 4.1616 4.6549 5.1332 5.4450 5.7173 Expenses 2.9975 3.3003 3.0878 3.9929 4.4256
2004/2005 Major Projects
Initiate Plans for Composting Facility Complete Storm water Perimeter Channels Surrounding Landfill Begin Construction on Cell # 17 Construct Citizen Drop-Off Center Reconstruct Parking Lot Replace Scale # 1
Landfill Facts
Passed TCEQ Inspection Processed over 338,481 Tones Served over 114,000 Customers Recycled over 6,000,000 pounds
Q. Utilities Department funding and operations, including capital improvements.
Pablo Martinez, Utilities Director, gave the following presentation:
Mission of the Utilities Department
Provide the community with safe drinking water, on demand, and in sufficient quantity; and to remove and dispose of wastewater and its by-products in an environmentally sound manner.
Major Accomplishments FY2003-2004
Lyon Street 6 MG tank repairs. Colonias 24” wastewater line extension along Tex-Mex R.O.W. North Laredo WWT Plant effluent pond improvements Colombia Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit amendment. 2003-2004 street recycling project Iturbide St. improvements CIP Projects
Major on-going projects FY2003-2004
Colonias project on SH-359 and FM 1472
Permit amendment and plant expansion for North Laredo WWT Plant. Permit amendment and plant expansion for Unitec WWT Plant. Chacon truck line extension. Bridge of Americas lift station relocation. Santa Clara Wastewater line extension. TxDOT Utilities Relocation Hwy 59 widening. McPherson lift station upgrade. Effluent water reuse agreement. 12” Sewer line at Calle Del Norte
Colonias Groundbreaking May 26, 2004
Work Order # 5 includes the construction of a Ground Storage Tank and Booster Station at a construction cost of $606,050. The project will provide water to colonias located in the SH 359 planning area.
Colonias Groundbreaking May 26, 2004
Work Order No. 6 includes the construction of an Elevated Storage Tank at a construction cost of $913,950. The project will provide adequate pressure to colonias within SH 359 planning area.
Performance measures
System Statistics
Miles of Water Mains 599 Water Average Daily Production 32 MGD Water Plant Capacity 66 MGD Miles of Sanitary Sewer 400 Sewer Daily Average Treatment 16.3 MGD Number of Sewer Treatment Plants 5 Maximum capacity of Sewer Treatment 21 MGD Number of Lift Stations 73
Water Accounts
No. of accounts
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 44,885 47,370 49,984 50,820 57,970
Sewer Accounts
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
43,329 45,483 47,925 49,378 49,581
Water Rights
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 42,369 42,439 46,678 46,038 46,042
Water Rights Pending Owner Municipal Ac/ft Transactions Presidio Valley Farms 2000 (NC) Sundown Enterprises 200
Metered Water Sales
FY00-01 FY01-02 FY02-03 FY03-04 FY04-05 Actual Actual Actual Estimated Proposed $13,680,241 $14,404,785 $13,347,052 $13,828,178 14,728,460
Rainfall Statistics
FY00-01 FY01-02 FY02-03 FY03-04 Actual Actual Actual Actual 20” 18” 25” 22”
FY00-01 FY01-02 FY02-03 FY03-04 Water Meter Sales $13,680,241 $14,104,795 $13,347,852 $13,626,176 Rainfall 19.85 16.06 24.67 21.61 -2mo
Sewer Services Charges
FY00-01 FY01-02 FY02-03 FY03-04 FY04-05 Actual Actual Actual Estimated Proposed $11,989,434 $12,352,210 $12,954,358 $12,341,754 $13,077,731
Capital Improvement Program
Water Capital Improvement Program FY2004-05
Project Name FY2004-05 Transmission Line (12,600 L. F. 24”) $1,650,000 McPherson To TAMIU
Transmission Line (7,900 L. F. 24”) MHOC To McPherson $1,200,000
Jefferson Water Plant (Rehab Lower $425,000 Filters & Raw Water Pumps
MHOC expand pump capacity $400,000
Street Recycling 01-05 $200,000
Sewer Capital Improvement Program FY2004-05
Project name FY2004-2005
Zacate Creek WWTP Corrosion Control $2,900,000 North Laredo WWTP (2.9 MGD) $1,650,000 Zacate Creek WWTP Rehap $1,400,000 Unitec WWTP (1MG) $ 200,000 Zacate Creek WWTP Primary Lift Pump $ 180,000
R. Mayor and City Council Department, City Manager’s Department, Airport Department, Budget Department, City Attorney’s Department, City Secretary’s Department, Community Development Department, Financial Services Department, Municipal Court Department, Planning Department, and Tax Department.
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.
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