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CITY OF LAREDO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING M2005-SC-03 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS1110 HOUSTON STREETLAREDO, TEXAS 78040 June 13, 2005 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 G. 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 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 Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary Cynthia Collazo, Deputy City Manager Jaime Flores, City Attorney
Motion to excuse Cm. Galo and Cm. Ramirez.
Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Mayor Pro Tem Amaya For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
IV. FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE
Motion to waive final reading of Ordinance # 2005-O-134.
Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. Garcia For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 1. 2005-O-134
Amending the City of Laredo
Fiscal Year 2004 General Fund
Motion to adopt Ordinance #2005-O-134.
Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Valdez For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 V. MOTIONS
2. Consideration to award a professional engineering services contract to Structural Engineering Associates, San Antonio, Texas, for a fee of $615,000.00 for final designs and preparation of plans and specifications for the Santa Ursula Connector, a one way south bound bridge ramp that will initiate at the IH 35 west access road (Santa Ursula Avenue at Zaragoza Street) and provide access from Bridge II to the lower level of Bridge I and the River Front Parking Lot. All designs, drawings, and layouts of the project are to be done in conformity with the requirements of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). Funding is going to be contingent upon a Council approval of a transfer from General Fund. The funding will be available in the Bridge Construction Project.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. Garcia For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
3. Consideration to authorize a contract with Columbus Country Ford, Columbus, Texas, in the total amount of $85,912.00 for the purchase of eight (8) mid size trucks. These trucks are assigned to the Utility Billing Division. Funding is available in the Utilities Department Budget.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Mayor Pro Tem 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
SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
I. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.
1. Discussion with possible action to consider Police Officer Barbara Goodman’s request for an extension of injury leave with pay in accordance with 143.073 (b) of the Texas Local Government Code. (Co-sponsored by Cm. Hector Garcia).
Dan Migura, Administrative Services Director, provided a summary to City Council. He stated that Officer Goodman was originally injured on December 21, 2002. She was given full duty pay for 216 work days which took her through April 26, 2004. He explained that on August 2, 2004, the department requested from City Council an extension at which time City Council granted a 45-working day extension and at that time the City had reasonable expectations that Officer Goodman would be returning to work. On November 15, 2004, the department went before City Council on a second extension request. At that time, City Council granted Officer Goodman a 90-working day extension which expired on November 29, 2004. On January 10, 2005, there was a third request made for an extension of injury leave and City Council extended that injury leave with pay provision by another 60 working days. Mr. Migura mentioned that this leave expired on February 21, 2005, and tonight Officer Goodman is requesting a fourth extension. He added that based on the conversations he has had with Officer Goodman, she is requesting an extension from February 22, 2005, until July 19, 2005, at which time she would be expected to return to work. Mr. Migura stated that he has reviewed this case in detail and stated that there is a provision under the Workers Compensation guidelines known as the maximum medical improvement rating. After an employee has been off for 105 weeks, it is required that an assessment rating be applied. At which time, the City goes before the Workers Compensation Commission and request that a designated doctor perform an exam. In December, 2004, an examination was performed and it was determined that there was a 24% maximum medical improvement rating. He mentioned that because of the high percentage, the department had some doubts that the employee would be able to return to work. He stated that the information that he has been provided does not support that she is going to return to work as a full duty police officer. It indicates that she is going to have a 24% impairment rating which the department is trying to reconcile. This is a very high rating and it indicates that she will not be able to function as a full duty police officer.
Motion to approve to go back to February 22, 2005, and extend the injury leave with pay for Barbara Goodman up to July 19, 2005.
Moved: Cm. Garcia Second: Cm. Valdez For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
II. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. Time: 6:04 p.m.
Moved: Cm. Rendon Second: Cm. Agredano For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
I, Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes contained in pages 01 to 03 and they are true, complete, and correct proceedings of the City Council meeting held on June 13, 2005.
___________________________________ Gustavo Guevara, Jr. City Secretary |