CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2007-R-05

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

MARCH 19, 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 Raul 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

            Susan E. Herrera,                                                                     Deputy 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

 

            Approval of the minutes of October 12, 2006, October 16, 2006 and October 24, 2006.

 

            Motion to approve.

 

            Moved:  Cm. Garza

            Second:  Cm. Amaya

            For:     8                                               Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

     

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

            Recognitions

 

            a.  Recognizing the Alexander Bulldogs boy’s basketball team for participating in the

                 Regional Finalists “Elite 8.”

 

Mayor and City Council recognized the boy’s basketball team and presented a Seven Flags Recognition to each member.

 

            b.  Recognizing the Alexander Bulldogs girl’s basketball team for participating in the

                 Regional Semi-finalists “Sweet 16.”

 

                 Mayor and City Council recognized the girl’s basketball team and were presented with a

                 Seven Flags Recognition.

 

            c.  Recognition of the Lyndon B. Johnson High School Cheerleaders for their participation

                 in the NCA Senior & Junior National Championship in Dallas, Texas and winning the

                 2006-2007 NCA National Champions in the Varsity-Non-Tumbling Division and Most

                 Innovative Choreography.  The team will be featured on Fox Channel 55 in April.

 

                 The Lyndon B. Johnson High School Cheerleaders were not present.

     

            Communiqués

 

                  Cm. Garza  reported on his trip to Washington, D.C.  He stated that his perception of the 

                  meeting has changed.  He thanked staff and the Mayor for his leadership.

 

                  Cm. Garcia stated that he could not attend the trip to Washington, D.C. due to an                      accident he had.  He asked for a moment of silence for one of his Campaign Managers,                   Calixto Sandoval, that passed away.    

 

                  Cm. Landeck mentioned that he too could not go to Washington, D.C..  He stated that              he was concerned about the incident involving some people who came from Nuevo                         Laredo to rob a bank and then swam back to Nuevo Laredo.  He added that there is a                               need for more first responders

 

                  Cm. Amaya congratulated Cindy Collazo, Acting City Manager, and staff for well                      prepared schedule of events in Washington, D.C..  He applauded the Mayor and the City                Council Member that attended the trip for promoting Laredo and trying to acquire                           additional funding for the City.  He announced the re-opening of the Cecilia Mae                              Moreno Splash and Skate Park in the next couple of weeks.    

 

                  Cm. Rendon congratulated 100 college students that came from out of town for                         volunteering to build two homes for Habitat for Humanity.  He also congratulated Carol                   Sherwood for coordinating the event.

 

                  Cm. Belmares congratulated the Mayor on his leadership in Washington, D.C..  He also            stated the Border Olympics this past week was a phenomenal event.  In addition, he        

                  mentioned that J.J. Bucky Hubeman, General Manager of the Dillworth Group,  passed             away and asked for a moment of silence. 

 

                  Cm. Chavez reported that he met with several citizens of his District to discuss the trip  

                  to Washington, D.C..  He conveyed their gratitude for the Council’s hard work.

 

                  Mayor Pro Tempore Ramirez invited everyone to the Seven Flags Splash Park ribbon                           cutting ceremony March 20, 2007 at 4:30 pm.

           

Mayor Raul Salinas spoke on the recent trip to Washington, D.C.  He reported that    Laredo’s inland port will be considered in the Homeland Security Bill due to Congressman Henry Cuellar’s help.  He emphasized that Congressman Henry Cuellar is       doing a great job in representing the people of Laredo and Webb County.  He added that       the River Vega project is also being included in the language of another Bill.    He              recognized Assistant City Manager Rafael Garcia on his service to the City of Laredo.

He also recognized the Laredo Airport for being named the best airport by the Federal  Aviation Administration.  Lastly, he sent his condolences to Calixto Sandoval’s family,       U.S. Border Patrolman Ramon Evanais, and to the City Secretary’s mother-in-       law Virginia Barrera.                

 

            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.

 

                  Rosendo Carranco spoke on the trip to Washington, D.C. which he attended as well, on           behalf of the Board of Directors of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce.  He commented                  on how well the City’s staff works as a team.  On behalf of the Laredo Chambers of                            Commerce, he thanked the Mayor and City Council for letting him attend the trip with          them.

 

                  Yolanda Salinas invited everyone to attend a fundraiser for the Laredo Animal                           Protective Society.  The fundraiser will be a birthday party for Princess on March 31,                      2007 at the Mall del Norte and will include many events.  She mentioned that T-shirts                   will be sold to benefit the Society as well.          

 

                  George Alget expressed his opposition to the Ponderosa Landfill.   

 

                  Carlos Blanco invited everyone to attend the Cesar Chavez March on March 31, 2007 at          9:00 am at the St. Peter’s Plaza.

 

                  Jim Earhart spoke in opposition to the landfill.

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

            a.  Appointment by Mayor Raul G. Salinas of Juanita Isabel Martinez to the Parks and

                 Recreation Advisory Committee.

 

                 Motion to approve.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Garza

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

            b.  Appointment by Council Member Gene Belmares of Marco Ramos to the

                 Telecommunications Advisory Committee.

 

                 Motion to approve.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Garcia

                 Second:  Cm. Garza

                 For:      8                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

VII.     GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

            1.  A.  Request by Mayor Raul G. Salinas

            1.  Status report from LCVB on the Mexico advertising campaign.

 

                 Blasita Lopez, Assistant Director of the Laredo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau,                      provided City Council with a handout on the Semana Santa promotions.  She reported                  on  various advertising that includes: 10 publications throughout the nation,  television                ads,  and 9 billboards. She informed City Council that marketing investments in Mexico            are $300,000 to date.  She reported on a promotional sales mission to Monterrey that will             be held on April 26 through April 27, 2007.  In addition, she mentioned that a staff                   member will be participating in the annual trip to Guadalajara for the Regional                                     Association of Airlines show.  Process of hiring a staff member for Casa Laredo in                       Monterrey which is currently staffed by only one member.  Lastly, an invitation will be               extended to the Spanish language media to invite them to the finals of Miss Texas USA.          

                 Mayor Salinas expressed his concern that business from Monterrey is going towards                               McAllen and not Laredo.  He suggested that they be more proactive with businesses                               such as “maquiladoras”.  He emphasized that they be out in the field promoting Laredo.

           

                 Cm. Ramirez added that the entrance to Laredo should be improved and more lanes                                   should be added to prevent congestion at the bridge.

            2.  Discussion with possible action on the construction of a canopy at Bridge I for

                 pedestrians.  (Co-sponsored by Council Member Chavez)

 

                 Rafael Garcia, Assistant City Manager, informed City Council that there has been                      discussion of the construction of the canopy for a few years.  He reported that the City is                ready to go out for bids for the canopy, but the money will not come from Washington,                D.C., but rather from the City.  He mentioned that the estimated cost will be between             $900,000 to $1,100,000.

 

                 Motion to do a study on the construction of a canopy at Bridge I.

 

                 Moved:  Mayor Pro-Tempore Ramirez

                 Second:  Cm. Garza

                 For:  8                                             Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

 

                 B.  Request by Council Member Mike Garza

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action on the creation of a Budget calendar.

 

                  Martin Aleman, Budget Director, presented Council with a prepared internal                                           calendar and stated that it was given to all departments to follow. 

 

                  Cm. Garza suggested having earlier meetings in May.

                 

            2.  Discussion with possible action on alternative methods for road construction and

                 financing with the Texas Department of Transportation.

           

                  Mario Medina from the Texas Department of Transportation reported that there are                               opportunities to accelerate projects.  He mentioned that as time passes the more                        expensive the project will be in the future.

 

                  Cm. Garza instructed staff to set up a workshop to discuss several funding methods.

 

                   Mayor Raul Salinas left at 7:48.

          

               C.  Request by Council Member Dr. Michael Landeck

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action regarding the City of Laredo’s Bridge System shortage

                 and overage policy.

 

                 Mario Maldonado, Laredo Bridge System Director, mentioned that on February 20,                              2007 a motion was approved to increase the amount from $5.00 to $10.00 for                                          disciplinary action and to inverse all shortages.  He requested the opportunity to have the           Bridge Department, Finance Department, and the Audit Department review additional                    changes to the policy to be able to provide input and feedback to the City Manager and                  City Council.

                             

                 Motion to bring back the item back to City Council in the next 30 days.

 

                 Moved:  Cm Landeck

                 Second:  Cm. Garza

 

                 For:  8                                             Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

            2.  Discussion with possible action on Rio Grande River water rights acquisition and status              and possible renovation/extension of the Jefferson Street water plant facility.

 

                 Carl Schwing, Utilities Director, reported that 5 members of the Texas Commission for  

                 Environmental Quality spent 3 days evaluating the Jefferson Street water treatment                     plant.  He mentioned that the report will take 4 weeks.  Their exit interview addressed:        the need for additional sites specific standard operating job procedures for the treatment            facility; periodic calibration of the instrumentation installed; and installation of back                           flow preventors in the existing coronation system.  He reported that Corola Engineers                  presented two engineering contracts to be implemented in the future which are to      

                 upgrade the electrical system and to upgrade the disinfection system.  He mentioned that            more discussion will take place with Corola Engineers to address any additional work. 

                 In addition, he reported that they are proceeding to obtain additional water rights to meet           the expanded plants capacity of 75 million gallons a day.

                 

                Cm. Belmares added that currently we have approximately 49,500 acre feet of water in             the Rio Grande and last year we came within 1,600 acre feet of water running out. 61                    millions gallons a day can be treated improvements to the Jefferson Water Treatment                     Plant would only take us to a treatment capacity of 75 million gallons.  To purchase an                          additional treatment of 10 million gallons (11,000 acre feet) of water a day from the Rio        Grande would cost approximately $40 million.

 

                Horacio De Leon, Assistant City Manager reported that water rights are acquired on a                             daily basis and will be done on the interim of a secondary water source.  After the report           from Corola Engineers a recommendation will be brought back to the City Council for                   the expansion of the Jefferson Water Treatment Plant.  

           

                Martin Aleman, Budget Director, reported that as of December 31, 2006 there is                      approximately a balance of 13 million dollars in the funding which 3 million are                   currently encumbered leaving 10 million for future acquisitions. 

                  

                 Mrs. Collazo stated that staff will look into a conservation and enforcement program.                 

           

                 Mayor Salinas returned at 7:59.

 

            3.  Discussion with possible action on initiating an investigation pursuant to Section 2.06 of

                 the Charter into those City departments and individuals involved with (1) street

                 construction and maintenance, and (2) contracts for street construction and maintenance. 

                 (Co-sponsored by Council Member Juan Chavez)

 

                 Cm. Landeck suggested that along with the Legal Departments advice there should be an           investigation on the issue of street construction and street maintenance with the                    Departments to avoid all of these problems.

 

                 Valeria Acevedo, Acting City Attorney mentioned that Section 2.06 in the Charter is                              general and does not outline specific procedures.  She stated that what can be done is to            schedule a special meeting, post it and go to Executive Session to discuss the particular      employee.  She also stated that the employee can elect to have the hearing in open                  session as opposed to closed session, but it can be posted as an executive session.  She                commented that if there are other employees that will be used as witnesses, they can                             be included on the agenda and be brought forth in open session. She stated that it would         

                 be similar to that of a regular open meeting unless it is to discuss with an employee their              possible disciplinary action/evaluation/review of his/her performance or lack there                           of which could be posted in Executive Session.  She reiterated that the employee could           ask that it take place in an open session. 

           

     Cm. Landeck explained that he needed more information on the specifications of the  

     streets and how does the City compare with other cities or with TxDOT.  He stated that

     his main reason is to identify whether we are utilizing specs in existing streets and

     perhaps certain streets need to be reclassified.  He brought up that  the current

     completion of Eijo Street is already starting to have problems. He emphasized that he

     just wants to know what is being done.   

 

            4.  Discussion with possible action regarding the demand that members appointed to all

                 city, standing and ad hoc committees must meet the requirement of being a currently

                 registered voter in the City of Laredo; and that this qualification will be applied to all

                 presently appointed and serving committee members.

 

                  This item was tabled.

 

             D.  Request by Council Member Gene Belmares

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action on consolidating all City offices under one roof with an

                 emphasis on the old Mercy Hospital building and requesting that the 2006-2007                        Leadership Class adopt the feasibility study as their class project. 

                   

Cm. Landeck expressed his concern of the old Mercy Hospital tested for any  environmental contamination.  He stated that if  it is issued a “clean bill of health”,          Council may proceed with feasibility studies.

 

                 Cm. Belmares reported that the City is currently looking into: a “One-Stop-Shop”                     building for $18,000,000, a Fire Administration building for $10,000,000, and the                          expansion of several different facilities.  He stated that because of this, the City needs to                  look at consolidating into one building.

 

                 Motion to bring back a feasibility study by the Leadership Class.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Garcia

                 For:     7                                          Against:  1                                            Abstain:  0                                                                               Cm. Landeck

 

                 Mayor left at 10:06 and returned at 10:16.               

 

             E.  Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore Juan Ramirez

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action on sewer problems on Convent and Salinas Streets.

 

                 Carl Schwing, Utilities Director, reported that when the storm sewer was rebuilt at the                                 bottom of Flores Street it was done approximately six inches higher and the existing