|
CITY OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING M2005-R-012 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, 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. Juan
Ramirez, Council
Member, District VIII Gustavo
Guevara, Jr., City
Secretary Larry
Dovalina, City
Manager Cynthia
Collazo, Jaime
Flores, City
Attorney IV. MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of Motion
to approve. Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements Cm. Garcia
expressed his appreciation to all his family and friends for their prayers
and condolences for the Garcia Family following the passing of his
brother. He also presented Mayor
Flores with a recognition plaque from the Womens’
City Club. He invited the public to
the Seven Flags - Seven Cultures Festival to be held this Cm. Galo offered his condolences to the family of Army
Sergeant Roberto Arizola, 31 years old, who became
the second casualty from Mayor Pro
Tem Amaya congratulated Patricia Taylor, Convention
and Visitors Bureau Interim Director, together with the Convention and
Visitors Bureau staff for the outstanding job they did in executing the special
events that culminated with the Miss Texas Pageant this past weekend. Cm. Rendon
invited the constituents of District V and surrounding areas to the Third
Annual Veterans Parade. The parade is
set to begin at the corner of Cm. Belmares commended the City of Cm. Valdez stated
that the members of the City’s delegation had very productive meetings and
brought issues to the table that are of concern to our city. He added that the bond ratings will reflect
the success and outcome of those meetings.
Cm. Ramirez
invited the community to attend the 4th of July parade that starts
at Mayor
Flores read a thank you note from the Class of 2005 graduate Angie Natalie
Coronado to Mayor Pro Tem Amaya for the financial
assistance he provided for her to pursue her course of study. Mayor Flores also thanked Invitations None. Recognitions a. Recognition of District IV Scholarship
Committee Co-Chair, Ricardo De Anda and 2005 District IV recipients: Danilea Fuentes, Melinda Yvette Peña,
Angie Nataly Coronado Sala,
and Jennifer Tellez of Yolanda Valdivia
of A. Reyes of United Community College. Mayor
Flores and Mayor Pro Tem Amaya presented all the students
with Certificates of Recognition for their achievements.
Communiqués a. Mayor Elizabeth
G. Flores reports on the City of Laredo Tax Department. Mayor
Flores stated that the mission of the Tax Department is to bill, collect, and
receive the funds for the City of They
increased the current year property tax collection rate from 95.36% to
96.83%. They
increased the prior year property tax collection rate from 32.31% to 39.46%. They have
collected $2.2 million above budget projections in the overall collection of
property tax, hotel-motel occupancy tax, and other miscellaneous receivable
accounts. They
improved the effectiveness and efficiency of the department by electronically
interfacing utility pay station payments, name and address changes on the tax
rolls, mortgage payment files, and property tax refunds. During
FY03-04, a total of $39,009,208 was collected in property taxes. In addition
to property taxes, the Tax Department collects on the following: utility water payments, hotel-motel
occupancy tax, paving assessment, alarm permits, liquor license permits,
force cleaning, hazardous material spills, and demolitions. Overall, the Tax Department collected over
80 million dollars in FY03-04. The Tax
Department continues to look for ways to better serve the citizens of ·
Continue to increase
the current year collection rate and attain 97% ·
Continue to increase
the prior year collection rate and attain 40% ·
Enhance the Tax
Department website by including:
on-line payment options, links to informative websites, answer to most
frequently asked questions, forms and applications, and account information
such as ownership and balances. VI. APPOINTMENTS TO
COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES a. Appointment by Council Member Alfredo Agredano of Mike Garza to the Third Party Funding Committee. Motion to
approve the appointment by Council Member Alfredo Agredano
of Mike Garza to the Third Party Funding Committee. Moved: Cm. Galo Second: Cm. Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 b. Appointment by Council Member Johnny Rendon
of Mike Chapa to the Historic / Landmark Board. Motion to
approve the appointment by Council Member Johnny Rendon of Mike Chapa to the
Historic/Landmark Board. Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by authorizing a Conditional Use Permit for a Nationalization of
Vehicles Service on Lot 1, Block 857, Western Division, located at 3302 Santa
Ursula Avenue; 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. Galo Second: Cm.
Garcia For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ms. Sandra
Rocha Taylor spoke in favor of the zone change. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm. Second: Cm.
Ramirez For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. 2. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning Lot 1-6, Block 1, Sierra Vista Subdivision, Unit IV-A,
located north of Sierra Vista Boulevard and west of Wright Way, 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 zone
change. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm.
Garcia Second: Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Mr. Pedro
Lugo, of Ms. Maria
Guadalupe Garcia stated that there are traffic problems in their
subdivision. She mentioned that the
traffic problems keep mounting in that part of the city. She would like to preserve the subdivision
the way it is without the addition of a multi-family apartment building. Ms. Melba
Medrano, resident, stated that she is against the construction of the
apartment complex within the subdivision.
Mr. Abraham
Zarate spoke in favor of the apartment project they
intend to build. He stated that there
is a tremendous need for rental housing in the area. Motion to
close the public hearing and deny. Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain:
0 3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 15.95 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in
attached Exhibit "A", located south of Hwy 359 and east of Concord
Hills Boulevard, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1 (Light
Manufacturing District); providing for publication and effective date.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the zone
change. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Galo Second: Cm.
Garcia For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was
no public input. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm.
Garcia Second: Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Garcia 4. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by authorizing a Special Use Permit for a bar on Lot 4, Block 33,
Western Division, located at 903 Lincoln Street; providing for publication
and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended
approval of the Special Use Permit. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm.
Garcia Second: Cm. For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Mr. Claude
Goldsmith spoke on behalf of Laredo National Bank. He stated that he was against the
recommendation to approve a special use permit for a bar. He mentioned the proximity of this location
to Bethany House which provides meals and assistance to our needy. He encouraged the City Council to be
selective in the way it seeks to invigorate the downtown area. Ms. Shirley
Mathis, representing Bethany House, stated that she was opposed to the
issuance of special use permit at this location and asked City Council that
it be denied. Mr. Rene
Carlos Hinojosa stated that he is the one that is planning to open the
location downtown. He mentioned that
he is planning to open an upscale bar with operations from Thursday through
Sunday from Motion to
close the public hearing and deny. Moved: Cm.
Ramirez Second: Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 5. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 10.54 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in
attached Exhibit “A”, located south of Southgate Boulevard, 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
zone change. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. 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. Agredano Second: Cm.
Garcia For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Agredano 6. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 7.49 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in
attached Exhibit “A”, located approximately east of the intersection of
Peoples Blvd. and Port Lavaca Street, from R-1MH (Single Family Manufactured
Housing 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
zone change. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm.
Garcia Second: Cm. Agredano For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Mr. Ron Whitehawk, representing the property owner, stated that
this area is part of a master planned development. He noted that the density will not change
and what they are requesting is a change from mobile home development to
single family residential development.
He mentioned that the property owner has the same request for the next
two items that follow. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm.
Ramirez For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 1 Cm. Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Belmares 7. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 28.86 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in
attached Exhibit “A”, located approximately east of the intersection of
Peoples Blvd. and Port Lavaca Street, from R-1MH (Single Family Manufactured
Housing 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
zone change. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm.
Garcia Second: Cm. Agredano For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 1 Cm.
Valdez There was
no public input. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 1 Cm. Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Belmares 8. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 13.36 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in
attached Exhibit “A”, located approximately east of the intersection of
Peoples Blvd. and Port Lavaca Street, from PUD R-1MH (Single Family
Manufactured Housing District) to PUD R-1A (Single-Family Reduced Area
District); providing for publication and effective date. The Planning
and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the zone change. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm.
Garcia Second: Cm. 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: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 1 Cm. Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Belmares 9. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by rezoning Lots 3-6, Block 1569, Eastern Division, and adjacent .076
acre tract out of Mercer Street R.O.W., as further described by metes and
bounds in attached Exhibit “A”, located at 102 N. Zapata Hwy., from B-3
(Community Business District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing
for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission
has recommended approval of the zone change. Motion to
open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Garcia Second: Mayor Pro Tem Amaya For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was
no public input. Motion to
close the public hearing and introduce. Moved: Cm. Galo Second: Cm. For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: Cm. Galo
10. Public hearing and
introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of
Laredo by authorizing the amendment of Ordinance 2002-O-275, which permitted
an outdoor children’s amusement service business, on Lots 7 and 8, Block 305,
Eastern Division, located at 818 and 820 Clark Boulevard, by amending the
hours and days of operation and eliminating the fence requirement; providing
for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission did
not support the applicant’s proposed conditional use permit amendment.
The Commission recommended approval of the modifications as recommended by
staff. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Galo Second:
Mayor Pro Tem Amaya For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ms. Susana Garza, resident, stated that she
agrees to eliminate fencing which is adjacent to the
property. Keith Selman, Planning Director, explained
that there is a provision that whenever a commercial use abuts a residential use there
must be an opaque fence requirement because of the
commercial use at that location. He
stated that the second element of the amendment was to reduce the time of
operation currently under the conditional use permit. The owner wants to change that from recommendation is
to move that to Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce with amendments as recommended by City staff. Moved:
Cm. Amaya Second:
Cm. Belmares For: 8 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Amaya 11. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of |