CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2007-R-03

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

FEBRUARY 5, 2007

5:30 P.M.

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

            With a quorum present, Mayor Raul G.  Salinas called the meeting to order.

 

II.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

            Mayor Salinas led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

III.       ROLL CALL

 

            In attendance:

 

            Raul G.  Salinas,                                                                       Mayor

            Mike Garza,                                                                             Council Member, District I

            Hector Garcia,                                                                          Council Member, District II

            Michael Landeck,                                                                     Council Member, District III

            Johnny Amaya,                                                                         Council Member, District IV

            Johnny Rendon,                                                                        Council Member, District V

            Gene Belmares,                                                                        Council Member, District VI

            Juan Chavez                                                                             Council Member, District VII

            Juan Ramirez,                                                                           Mayor Pro Tem, District VIII

            Gustavo Guevara, Jr.,                                                               City Secretary

            Cynthia Collazo,                                                                       Acting City Manager

            Rafael Garcia,                                                                           Assistant City Manager

            Horacio De Leon,                                                                     Assistant City Manager

            Valeria Acevedo,                                                                      Acting City Attorney

 

IV.       MINUTES

 

            None.

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

            Recognitions

 

            a.  Recognition of the City of Laredo Sister Cities Youth Committee.

                

                 Eduardo Gonzalez, Chairperson for the Laredo Sister Cities Youth Committee,                         expressed his gratitude for the support that City Council has given to the Committee.  He                noted that the activities provided through the committee have allowed him the                              opportunity to share culture and languages.  He said that it has been a great honor to                     represent the City of Laredo.  He added that the youth committee assists people in                     appreciating their diversity.  The following students introduced themselves: 

 

                 Eduardo Gonzalez, President                       Senior                          United High School

                 Michael Castillo                                           Senior                          Cigarroa High School  

                 Erica Lopez                                     Senior                          LBJ High School

                 Mark Gonzalez, Vice Chair              Senior                          Nixon High School

                 Jose Chavana, Secretary                              Senior                          Martin High School

                 Karissa Lozano                                           Senior                          St. Augustine High

                 Armando Lopez                                          Junior                           Nixon High School

                 Antonio Yarza                                             Junior                           St. Augustine High

                 Yesenia Zavala                                            Junior                           LBJ High School

                 Marissa Medellin                                         Junior                           Cigarroa High School  

                 Carmen Bustos                                            Junior                           United High School

                 Nicolas Carmona                                         Junior                           Alexander High School

           

            Communiqués

 

            Cm. Garza thanked all the individuals that assisted a family in South Laredo that lost their             home by fire before Christmas. 

 

            Cm. Garcia thanked everyone that visited the City of Austin on the City’s behalf.  He             commended City staff for their hard work in Austin.   He went on the congratulate Donna             Magnon, Deputy City Secretary, for doing a great job in spearheading the youth conference             that was held in January.   He thanked everyone who attended the Border Stockman’s Ball             which is held to raise money for Border Olympics.  Finally, he mentioned the $19 million             dollar interchange along Loop 20 and Hwy. 59 where the groundbreaking was held       with the Mayor as an MC and Henry Cuellar, U. S. Congressman as the guest speaker. 

 

            Cm. Landeck asked for a moment of silence for Jorge Rodriguez, family member of seven,             who lost his life as he slept at his house when an SUV lost control and crashed into his   home.  He said that the loss should remind everyone that maintaining streets is a very high   priority in protecting families, homes, and belongings.  He thanked the Mayor for his immediate support for Jorge Rodriguez and his family.  He also thanked City staff for     assisting the Rodriguez family because they can no longer reside within the house. 

 

            Cm. Rendon advised that City staff and Council Members were very productive in the   Legislative trip to Austin, Texas.  He said that they were received with “open arms” as they             visited the State Capital.  He thanked Senator Zaffirini for inviting the City of Laredo staff           to the Senate floor.  He also thanked Representative Richard Raymond for receiving them          in his office in Austin.  Finally, he mentioned that he has been able to attend several of the             Washington Celebration activities and they have all been well attended.  He added that the Stockman’s Ball was especially nice because no one was smoking cigarettes. 

 

            Cm. Belmares echoed the other Council Members by reporting the success of the          Legislative Austin trip by City staff.  He too thanked Senator Zaffirini for assisting the City   of Laredo.  He also thanked Richard Raymond and Congressman Guillen for their guidance in Austin.  He continued by saying that they spoke with the Lieutenant Governor who         expressed his concerns for the city of Laredo.  He commended the City staff and their        diligence towards legislative trips.  He congratulated the organizers of the Jamboozie for     their phenomenal event.  Finally, he wished Joshua, his son, a wonderful happy birthday. 

 

            Cm. Chavez said that he had met with the railroad companies and contrary to what people             believe they are truly concerned about the trains stopping in certain neighborhoods.        He advised that they will be meeting with the Mexican railroads to strive for a solution to     the problems with the trains. 

 

            Mayor Pro Tempore Ramirez said that on Friday the City of Laredo held the opening of the             Sister Cities International Festival and Sister Cities Conference.  He said that it was a great             event.  He noted that on Monday the City held the ribbon cutting for the El Portal Project at             Bridge I.  He added that they also held the grand openings of the UETA Duty Free Offices             downtown.  He congratulated Carmen Salinas, Mexican actress, for being named “Senorita             Internacional.” 

 

            Mayor Salinas personally recognize and expressed his appreciation to the Acting City    Manager, Cynthia Collazo, Blasita Lopez, Veronica Cantu, Jessica Hein, and others who worked very hard in Austin, Texas.  He discussed the tedious schedule for staff members in   Austin.  He said that he was very proud of his colleagues in the Council who went to visit in          Austin.  He said that no city in the entire state of Texas does the work that Laredo does to          promote the interests of the City of Laredo.   He advised that he had to leave early because         he was appointed to a Tasks Force Committee on Homeland Security which is very vital by           the United States Conference of Mayors.  He was very humbled by the appointment      because it is so critical to the border.  He further explained that he had an opportunity to   visit with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House; Senator Hillary Clinton, Mayor Daily from             Chicago, and Mayor Villaraigoza.   He shared that he had the opportunity to work within             Public Works and personally worked on pot holes through Laredo.  He also shared that he             was very proud of the way Council Member Landeck his concern for the young life that             was taken away by an alleged drunk driver.  He also acknowledged City staff and their quick action to assist the family.  He acknowledged that that is what makes Laredo so great.  He said that helping people is the job of the City Council.  He said that the City of Laredo is             very lucky to have such a strong bond with the Mexico because they are our neighbors.  He           congratulated Senator Zaffirini, Representative Raymond, and Representative Ryan Guillen      for their appointments to different boards.  He specifically mentioned the appointment of   Representative Guillen as Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. 

 

            Citizen comments

 

            Citizens are required to fill out a witness card and identify themselves at the microphone.              Comments should be relevant to City business and delivered in a professional manner.  No             derogatory remarks will be permitted.  There is a time limit of three minutes per speaker.

 

            Bradley Wendt, Senior Officer of United Sports Equity which is the owner of the Laredo             Broncos, said that their business is to own and operate minor league ball clubs.  He thanked             the Council and the City of Laredo for embracing their team last year and is looking       forward to a great season.  He congratulated the staff of the City of Laredo for doing such          an excellent job in assisting the Broncos. 

 

            Rene de la Vina, concerned citizen, thanked City Council for being a “user-friendly” City             Council.  He said that the Mayor is doing a wonderful job with the City.  He spoke in favor        of a Civil Service for City employees.  He expressed his concerns regarding “pot” holes.    He encouraged Council to continue to advocate for the Mental Retardation families.

 

            Ed Walker, Winter Garden Ground Water Conservation District, advised that the District             had asked him to visit City Council in providing a warm welcome from the north.  He said             that they are public servants and would like to continue working with the City of Laredo.              The Water District encouraged Council to continue to support the cloud seeding. 

 

            Hilario Cavazos congratulated the Mayor and City Council for the open forum where     citizens can approach the Council with questions.  He said that the Council is very friendly          with the public because they are allowed to approach Council with their concerns for the          betterment of the community.  He added that he appreciates the openness of the City       Council. He continued by saying that he likes the way the Mayor is reaching out to work             very closely with the new Webb County Judge because that is what Laredo and Webb   County wants.  He too asked City Council to consider the Civil Service and Ethics             Commission for the City of Laredo.

 

            Luis Lopez spoke on behalf of the Day Break Rotary Club because they donated $5,000 to             the Parks and Recreation Department for the purchase of 23 Live Oak Trees for the City.              He recognized several members of the Rotary Club. 

 

Ralph Nincham, Cardiologist, read a letter thanking the Mayor for the naming of the Blue Ribbon Health Committee.  The letter, which was written by the Blue Ribbon Health Committee, encouraged Council to keep the current ordinance that prohibits smoking in all public     places in its current form.  It is especially important because there is undisputable scientific evidence which concludes that there is no risk free level of exposure to second hand smoking. Non smokers exposed to second hand smoke, at home or at work, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by twenty five to thirty percent.

 

            Chris Craddock, representing SCAN, Regional Vice President spoke against the amendment    to the smoking ordinance and to leave the ordinance as a complete ban of smoking.     

 

            Sunny Storm spoke against the amendment to the no smoking ordinance.

 

            Joe Gutierrez stated that regardless of health issues and how dangerous it is that it cannot be      a valid     ordinance unless the City of Laredo has the staff to enforce it.  He explained that            many of his regular smoking customers go to places that allow smoking.  He said that if the          City cannot enforce the law then they should allow smoking to avoid disparities.

 

            A TKO Sports Bar representative spoke in favor of allowing smoking in 21 or over bars. 

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

            a.  Patricia Alvarez, appointed by Council Member Dr. Michael Landeck, to the Laredo

                 Commission for Women.

 

                Motion to approve.

 

 

 

                Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Ramirez

                Second:  Cm.  Garcia

                For:     8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

            b.  David Cardwell, appointed by Council Member Gene Belmares, to the Library Advisory           Board.

 

                 Motion to approve.

 

                Moved:  Mayor Pro Tempore Ramirez

                Second:  Cm.  Garcia

                For:     8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

VII.     GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

            1.  A.  Request by Mayor Raul G. Salinas

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action regarding street potholes throughout the City.

 

                 Alejandro Labrada, advised that he had submitted a report regarding the potholes in the             Council’s packet.  He explained that the pothole patching is a year round activity

                 which is performed by the Department of Public Works.  He said that he has six patching           trucks.  He further advised Council that staff has been working on the week-ends to                       repair the potholes. 

 

                 Cm. Garcia expressed his dissatisfaction with the Public Works Department noting that              they should be proactive in creating solutions to repair potholes.

 

                 The Mayor suggested creating a pothole hotline for the City of Laredo.

 

                 Cm. Garza said that there is an underlying problem with the potholes.  He too said that               the departments need a strategic plan in fixing potholes expeditiously.

 

                 Cm. Chavez  instructed staff to create a bid for quality material to repair the potholes.  

 

                 B.  Request by Council Member Mike Garza

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action on establishing an ordinance that will assist the Building

                 Department to withhold the issuance of permits to contractors that have not paid

                 subcontractors for their completed work.

 

                 Cm. Garza said that he placed this item on the agenda because he has heard of some                                instances where large contractors from out of town contract local employees but do

                 not pay them.  He suggested the creation of a claim against such contractors where the               City can withhold future permits until they settle past accounts. He said that he feels that                  the City of Laredo should protect the small business person.

 

                 Erasmo Villarreal, Building Director, said that the City of Laredo has a mechanism in                                 place called a mechanics lean.  He said that any subcontractor that does not get paid by a          contractor can file a mechanics lean on that particular project.  He said that he has been                  advising subcontractors that there is a mechanics lean. 

                

            2.  Discussion with possible action to allow for a split payment program for payment of

                 property taxes.

 

                 Cm. Garza instructed staff to review the possibilities to allow for a split payment                         program for property taxes and return to Council with recommendations.

 

                 Elizabeth Martinez, Tax Collector/Assessor, said that it is something that the City of                   Laredo could offer the tax payers of the City of Laredo.  She said that there would be a                  monetary consequence because during the months of January and February the City

                 collects fifty percent of their levy which is twenty seven million dollars.  She said that

                 there would be a shifting of that money and 10.1 million would be moved over to

                 November and the other half by June. 

 

            3.  Discussion with possible action on establishing a campaign  to assist Habitat for

                 Humanity of Laredo with the collection of aluminum cans from City buildings for a

                 specified period of three months.

 

                 Cm. Garza said that Commissioner Jerry Garza has implemented a program to collect                              enough aluminum cans to build a house for a family which is 80 tons of aluminum.  He                added that he wanted to initiate a program to assists the Council but was told that he                       couldn’t because of legal issues.  He continued by instructing staff to establish a                  campaign to assist Habitat for Humanity of Laredo with the collection of aluminum cans

                 from City building for a specified period of three months.

 

                C.  Request by Council Member Dr. Michael Landeck

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action on developing a Strategic Comprehensive Plan to                       address the water conservation issues.

 

                 Cm.  Landeck stated that this item was incorrectly posted because he wanted to discuss            water infrastructure and not water conservation issues.

 

                 Motion to table.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Landeck

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                D.  Request by Council Member Johnny Rendon

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action on the streets deteriorated streets in the Lakeside

                 Subdivision, specifically 300 Lake Como Street.

 

                 Gabriel Martinez, Engineering Department, said that there was a waterline break in the

                 Lakeside Subdivision causing damage to the streets.  He advised that staff needs to

                 continue to investigate the current problem.  He continued to say that the City is not

                 responsible for a subdivision phase until it is complete. He said that this particular

                 subdivision phase has not been accepted by the City.  If the City has not accepted a            

                 phase the developer is responsible for repairing potholes.

 

                 Cm. Rendon instructed staff to investigate whether or not the city has accepted the                     subdivision Phase IV and if the City has they need to repair the potholes immediately. 

 

            2.  Status report on the playground canopies at the Eistetter Park.

 

                 Miguel Pescador, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that the City of Laredo does

                 have a problem with the vendor that provided the shades for Eistetter Park.  He said that

                 Eistetter is only one of five different shades from the same vendor and staff is diligently

                 trying to contact the company regarding the warranty.  He advised that the canopies are

                 covered by the warranty. 

 

            3.  Discussion with possible action on placing a walkway underneath McPherson Street at

                 the Blas Castañeda Park.

 

                 Cm. Rendon said that the reason that he placed this item on the agenda was because                               there are a lot of children that are crossing McPherson Road to go play at the skate park. 

 

                 Gabriel Martinez, Engineering Department, said that he reviewed the site and it would                be feasible to place a walkway underneath the McPherson Street.

 

                 Motion for staff to return to Council with recommendations to include a walkway                       underneath McPherson Street at the Blas Castaneda Park.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Chavez

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

               E.  Request by Council Member Gene Belmares

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action on installing guard rails at Village Boulevard, east of

                 Springfield Street.

 

                 Motion to approve staff to use discretionary fund on installing guard rails at Village                     Boulevard, east of Springfield Street.

 

                 Moved:  Cm.  Chavez

                 Second:  Mayor Pro Tempore Ramirez

                 For:     8                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

            2.  Discussion with possible action on re-designating streets to be recycled in District VI.

 

                 Tabled for next meeting.

 

            3.  Discussion with possible action on implementing a water distribution action plan for

                 summer 2007.

 

                 Tabled for next meeting.

 

                 F.  Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore Juan Ramirez

 

            1.  Report on the Sister Cities Conference and Festival.

 

                 Mayor Pro Tempore presented a video which reported on the Sister Cities Conference                            and Festival. 

 

                 The video said that the Sister Cities Conference and Festival provided the background

                 for the U. S. Mexico Sister Cities Annual Conference this year.  Mayor Raul Salinas

                 honored almost 500 delegates from Mexico and the