CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2007-R-11

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JUNE 4, 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 G. 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,                                                                        Mayor Pro Tem, District VI

            Juan Chavez                                                                             Council Member, District VII

            Juan Ramirez,                                                                           Council Member, District VIII

            Gustavo Guevara, Jr.,                                                               City Secretary

            Carlos Villarreal,                                                                       City Manager

            Cynthia Collazo,                                                                       Deputy City Manager

            Horacio De Leon,                                                                     Assistant City Manager

            Jesus Olivares,                                                                          Assistant City Manager

            Anthony McGettrick,                                                                Assistant City Attorney

 

IV.       MINUTES

 

            Approval of the minutes of January 2, 2007, January 9, 2007 and January 16, 2007.

 

            Motion to approve.

 

            Moved:  Cm. Garcia

            Second:  Cm. Amaya

            For:  8                                                  Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

 

 

 

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

            Recognitions

 

            a.  Recognition of Council Member District IV Scholarship Award recipients.

 

                 City of Laredo Council Member District IV Johnny Amaya presented awards to 28                  

                  students totaling $16,800.00.

 

                 The following report was submitted:

 

                 Since Johnny Amaya took office he has consistently given to deserving students from

                 across the community.  He has awarded a total of 84 scholarships in the amount of

                 $48,600.  The scholarship committee awards and continues to reach across the

                 community by including students from both school districts, Texas A & M International

                 University and Laredo Community College.  A total of 28 recipients were selected this

                 year and each student will receive a $600.00 scholarship.

 

                 They are as follows:

 

                 Nixon High School:                       Martin High School               United High School

 

                 Leonela Gutierrez                            Jonathon Cuenca                      Eduardo Gonzalez

                 Jessica Espinoza                              Isbeth Casas

                 Anna Beatriz Tristan                        Rebecca Longoria                    United South High

                 Esmeralda Cabrera                          Vicky Cortez

                 Nancy Torrez                                  Roberto Garza                          Jose Lozano

                 Emmanuel Romero                          Gabriel Villarreal

                 Leticia Gonzalez                                                                              LBJ High

                 Maria Teresa Cruz                           Cigarroa High School

                 Arturo Fuentes                                                                                Neldy Pena

                 Kimberly Pena                                 Rosalba Lopez

                 Vanessa Ann Garcia                                                                        Alexander High

                 Liza Acosta                                     St. Augustine High

                 Chelsea Renee Dovalina                                                                  Yajaida Osoria

                                                                        Jorge Lopez

                 Community College

                                                                        Texas A & M University

                 Saida M. Gonzalez

                                                                        Jesus Reyes

                                                                        Jacqueline Hernandez

 

            Communiqués                        

 

            Carlos Villarreal, City Manager, informed Council that the City of Laredo City Attorney and City Secretary has been served with a temporary restraining order signed by the 49th District Court Judge Joe Lopez indicating that the City shall not take action on the “The Laredo Town Center”.  He advised that there would be no public comments on the item.  The restraining order will be in effect until June 18, 2007.

 

            Cm. Garza announced the one year anniversary as City Council Member for himself and two other council members.  He noted that it has been a great year and council members have been able to accomplish many positive projects throughout the community.  He continued by naming a couple of projects including submitting scholarships valued over seven thousand dollars to high school students in District I.

 

            Cm.  Garcia congratulated the 2007 Graduating Class from all high schools in Laredo.  He wished everyone a safe and joyous summer. 

 

            Cm. Landeck shared that he was very excited to be a part of the City as a Council Member.  He added that he believes that the one year anniversary marks wonderful changes for the     community. 

 

            Cm. Amaya thanked Rogelio Rivera, City Engineer; Roberto Murillo, Traffic Engineer; and Alejandro Labrada, Public Works Director; for installing the speed humps in the Buena Vista Subdivision.  

 

            Cm. Rendon thanked the Public Works Department for working on the erosion at Zacate Creek.  He said that he is receiving calls from individuals expressing their satisfaction with the project.  He advised that he has been fortunate to distributed over $7,500 of scholarships

            to different graduating seniors from surrounding schools. 

 

            Mayor Pro Tempore Belmares congratulated Cm. Garza, Cm. Landeck, and Cm. Chavez on their Council anniversary and noted that it has been a pleasure serving with them.  He also

            congratulated the Council Members for their scholarship programs.   He congratulated   students who graduated from high school.  He thanked everyone who participated in the town hall meeting held for the North Central Park. He also thanked the City of Laredo Leadership class for assimilating material for their project on the Mercy Regional Medical

            Center.

 

            Cm. Chavez encouraged graduating seniors to pursue a college degree. 

 

            Cm. Ramirez advised that Ms. Saenz and Ms. Nigolacio, from Laredo Center for the Arts, presented him a logo for the City of Laredo that will be part of a quilt that will be made for         the All American City competition.  He further explained that participating cities will include a section for the quilt.  He displayed a picture of the new Plaza Theater with the lights on. 

 

            Mayor Salinas congratulated all the students that graduated.  He said that he had attended a kindergarten graduation and several high school graduations.  He commended all the parents of graduating students.  He continued to say that he is looking forward in attending the All American City competition. 

 

            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.

 

            Chendo Carranco spoke on the possibility of a third bridge site and the old Mercy Regional Medical Center.

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

            None.

 

VII.     GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

            1.  A.  Request by Council Member Mike Garza

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action on acquiring and protecting identified wetlands and green space locations.

 

                 Cm. Garza explained that the reason that he brought this item forward was to give him

                 an opportunity to look at city owned property where there may be environmental issues

                 that Council needs to consider with the Environmental Department and the Citizens

                 Advisory Committee.  He said that he would like to protect the wetlands before issues

                 are brought to Council with concern.  He instructed the City Manager to complete an

                 extensive report and return to Council with recommendations. 

 

                 Riazul Mia, Environmental Services Director, advised that staff has been calculating the

                 wet lands/green space through the technology of the GIS.  The green space ordinance

                 will protect the green space.  The acreage that was calculated was 1,124 unplatted acres

                 and there are 383 acres of lakes and stock tanks.   

 

                 Cm. Garza asked if these properties that have been identified can be systematically

                 identified for protection.  

 

                 Riazul Mia explained that there is a map that includes the properties and individuals may

                 view the map on the City of Laredo web site.

 

                 Cm. Landeck instructed the City Manager to identify the green space within platted

                 areas. 

 

            2.  Discussion with possible action on creating a zoning disclosure notice before the sale of

                 real property.

 

                 Cm. Garza explained that the reason he placed this item on the agenda was because of

                 frustrations voiced to him by property owners that purchase property and are not allowed

                 to use the land for the purchased intent because it is in the wrong zone.  He requested a

                 resolution that would prevent frustration from property owners by creating a zoning

                 disclose notice before the sale of real property. 

 

                 Keith Selman, Planning Director, said that the City of Laredo staff would need to

                 research the material to see if the City can initiate an ordinance that would create a

                 notice before the sale of real property.

 

                 Carlos Villarreal, City Manager, voiced that the City of Laredo has initiated this research

                 before and the problem occurs when the property owners mislead the new property

                 owner.  He agreed that staff would need to initiate a study with all the title companies

                 and return to Council with recommendations.

 

                 Cm. Garza explained that his goal is to provide documentation to the buyer in English

                 and in Spanish so they will not be mislead during the sale transaction process.  The new

                 buyer should sign the document for proof of understand their zoning.

            3.  Discussion with possible action on Planning and Zoning fees for zone changes.

 

                 Cm. Garza noted that he brought his item forward because he wanted to educate

                 himself of the zone change process fees.  He asked the City Planner to give a brief

                 overview of the fees and how they are tabulated for zone changes.   

 

                 Keith Selman, City Planner, explained the different steps that staff must follow in order

                 to allow zone change requests.  He advised that each zone change requests requires for

                 staff to inspect the property, paper notice, and many other steps; however, prior

                 information is considered when property owners consider changing their zone for a

                 second time.   

 

                 Cm. Garza instructed the City Manager to reevaluate the fee structure for the zone

                 changes to allow for a reduction in the fee if staff has pertinent information on file. 

                 He also instructed him to provide the true costs of fee structure to determine if the City is

                 receiving their cost back and return to Council with recommendations. 

 

                 Keith Selman, City Planner, said that fees are designed to offset the cost incurred for

                 providing services associated with the application.  Each zone change request is charged

                 with a new application fee.  If the applicant has been denied by the legislative body and

                 he returns for an inspection on a new site he is charged a new fee; however, if the zoning

                 requests is in cycle before they came to the legislative body and the applicant corresponds

                 to staff that they are rethinking the zone then they are not charged a new application fee.

                 The difficulty in the action is determining how long should staff wait to

                 charge a fee for reconsideration.

    

                 Carlos Villarreal, City Manager, asked Cm. Garza to allow staff some time to return                  

                 to Council because the One-Stop Shop will be opening and they would be initiating

                 comprehensive reports for Council regarding the customers and the services that they

                 receive. They will also complete a report with complete recommendations for the facility.

            4.  Discussion with possible action requiring all city contracts to have a local representative component.

 

                 Cm. Garza informed Council that there is an ordinance in Corpus Christi, Texas that requires

                  local representation for professional services and contracts.  He instructed the

                 City  Manager to initiate a study on the local representative components.

 

                 City Manager, Carlos Villarreal, said that he would like to bring back a policy statement

                 that Council can vote on regarding a local representative component.  He said that he

                 does not agree with the requirement for all components.  There are some contracts that

                 are specialty items that cannot be handled by individuals including the planning of a golf

                 course.  If this ordinance is considered the City of Laredo would need to pay for the

                 additional representation.  He added that he would return to Council with recommendation

                 on the study on the local representative components.

 

                B.  Request by Council Member Hector J. Garcia

            1.  Discussion with possible action to have police presence in the neighborhoods during the

                 summer months.

 

                 Cm. Garcia said that every year there is an increase in vandalism within the

                 neighborhoods.  He asked the City Manager to instruct the Police Department to increase

                 their neighborhood patrol in summer months.

 

                 Fructoso San Miguel, Assistant Chief of the Laredo Police Department, said that he would

                 expedite the increase of patrol in the neighborhoods.   He informed Council that the Department

                 has increased the Department by nineteen officers because of summer school.   He said

                 that the officers are school resource officers that will return to duty on campus when the summer is over.

 

                C.  Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

 

            1.  Discussion with possible action regarding parking on sidewalks.

 

                 Cm. Ramirez said that he brought this item to Council because he is receiving a lot of

                 calls from the elderly that are trying to walk in the neighborhoods and they can’t because

                 of tractor trailers and cars on the sidewalks. 

 

                 Fructoso San Miguel, Laredo Police Department, agreed to increase enforcement on

                 violators that park on sidewalks. 

 

            2.  Discussion with possible action regarding the timeline for implementing civil service.

 

                 Mayor Salinas announced that an agenda would be posted regarding the timeline for

                 implementing civil service by next week. 

 

VIII.    PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

            2.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year

                 2006-2007 Convention and Visitors Bureau Budget by appropriating revenues and

                 expenditures in the amount of $38,000.00 for the All America City Award Program and

                 accepting the donations from various businesses and/or agencies that will help defray the

                 cost of the competition.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Chavez

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce with a correction in the amount of                    $54,000.00.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Garcia

                 Second:  Cm. Belmares

                 For:   7                                            Against:  1                                            Abstain:  0

                                                                        Cm.  Landeck

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council except Cm. Landeck

            3.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance   amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year

                 2006-2007 annual budget by reducing the amount by $2,515.00, to reflect the actual

                 amount awarded of $165,085.00, as per federal mandate to the Texas Department of

                 State Health Services funding to the Tuberculosis Prevention & Control Federal Project

                 of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning January 1, 2007

                 through December 31, 2007.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Rendon

                 Second:  Cm. Belmares

                 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:  8                                             Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

            4.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the fiscal year 2006-2007 budget

                 by allocating the Utility Late Fees and appropriating revenues and expenses in the amount

                 of $90,000.00 to the Utility Billing Division provided by projected increases in

                 the Utility Late Fees.  The funds will be used in the Bank Service Fees line item to pay

                 for the increased costs of fees for credit card payments made by the Utilities’ customers. 

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Garcia

                 Second:  Cm. Belmares

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

            5.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year

                 2006-2007 Colonias Project, Wastewater and Water Annual Budgets by appropriating

                 revenues and expenditures in the amount of $277,357.00 from the Water & Wastewater

                 Fund and appropriating the transfer in and expenditure in the amount of $277,357.00 for

                 the Colonias Project Fund.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Garcia

                 Second:  Cm. Belmares

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

            6.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo fiscal year 2007

                 Waterworks and Sewer System Operating Funds and 2007 Waterworks and Sewer

                 Revenue Bond Fund budgets by appropriating a draw down of $334,800.00 and

                 $1,319,000.00 respectively from the opening balance and appropriating it for Machinery

                 and Equipment acquisition.  The Operating Funds will be reimbursed from the proceeds

                 of a proposed 2007 Waterworks and Sewer Revenue Bonds.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

            7.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo fiscal year 2007

                 Debt Service Fund and 2007 Certificate of Obligation Fund Budgets by appropriating a

                 draw down of $6,000,000.00 from the opening balance and appropriating it for Machinery

                 and Equipment acquisition.  Debt Service Fund will be reimbursed from the

                 proceeds of a proposed 2007 Certificate of Obligation Bond.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:  8                                             Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:  8                                             Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

            8.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo fiscal year 2007

                 Solid Waste Operating Fund and 2007 Solid Waste Revenue Bond Fund Budgets by

                 appropriating a draw down of $2,814,720.00 from the opening balance and appropriating

                 it for Machinery and Equipment acquisition. Solid Waste Operating Fund will be

                 reimbursed from the proceeds of a proposed 2007 Solid Waste Revenue Bond.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:  8                                             Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

            9.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2006-2007

                 approved Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Positions for the Utilities Department by creating

                 five (5) Water Conservation Inspectors under the Water Conservation Program for a

                 total estimated salary expense of $55,364.71.  Funds are available in the Water

                 Availability Fund.

 

                 Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                 Second:  Cm. Amaya

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 There was no public input.

 

                 Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                 Moved:  Cm. Chavez

                 Second:  Cm.  Amaya

                 For:   8                                            Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                 Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

            10.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance accepting a grant and amending the City of

                   Laredo Fiscal Year 2006-2007 budget by increasing revenues in the amount of

                   $54,445.00 and increasing expenditures in the amount of $57,885.00 to reflect the

                   actual grant amount of $679,130.00 awarded by the Office of the National Drug

                   Control Policy (ONDCP) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), at no cost to

                   the City, to fund the Laredo Financial Task Force.  Funds will be used to pay personnel

                   salaries, travel and operational expenses from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

 

                   Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                   Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                   Second:  Cm. Amaya

                   For:  8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   There was no public input.

 

                   Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                   Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                   Second:  Cm. Amaya

                   For:  8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

            11.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance accepting a grant awarded and amending the

                   City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget by decreasing expenditures in the

                   amount of $828.00 to reflect the actual grant amount of $99,916.00 awarded by the

                   Office of the National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) High Intensity Drug Trafficking

                   Area (HIDTA), at no cost to the City, to fund the STX Multi-Agency Drug Related

                   Corruption Task Force.  Funds will be used to pay overtime, fringe benefits and

                   operational expenses from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

 

                   Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                   Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                   Second:  Cm. Amaya

                   For:  8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   There was no public input.

 

                   Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                   Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                   Second:  Cm. Amaya

                   For:  8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

            12.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept

                   Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Federal Planning Funds (PL112) in the amount of $30,000.00

                   and amending the City of Laredo 2006-2007 General Fund Budget to match PL112

                   Budget by increasing revenues by $30,000.00 and expenditures by $30,000.00.  The

                   PL112 funds come from the 2006-2007 approved Unified Planning Work Program

                   (UPWP).

 

                   Motion to open the public hearing.

 

                   Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                   Second:  Cm. Amaya

                   For:  8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   There was no public input.

 

                   Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

                   Moved:  Cm. Belmares 

                   Second:  Cm. Amaya

                   For:  8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                   Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

            13.  Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of

                   the City of Laredo by rezoning .72 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in

                   attached Exhibit “A”, located at 18211 F.M. 1472, from AG (Agricultural District) to

                   B-4 (Highway Commercial District).  The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended

                   denial of the zone change.  District VII 

 

                   Motion to table.

 

                   Moved:  Cm. Chavez

                   Second:  Cm. Belmares

                   For:  8                                           Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

                               

IX.       FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES 

 

            Motion to waive the final reading of Ordinances 2007-O-084, 2007-O-090, 2007-O-091,             2007-O-092, 2007-O-093, 2007-O-094, 2007-O-095, 2007-O-097.

 

            Moved:  Cm. Belmares

            Second:  Cm. Amaya

            For:  8                                                  Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

            14.  2007-O-084  Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Ground Lease with T-Mobile

                                        Texas, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, for ground space at 2417 N.

                                        New York Avenue, Laredo, Webb County, Texas and being more fully

                                        described in Exhibit “A” of Ground Lease, to construct on such premises

                                        an equipment building or cabinets on a platform and a 110’ monopole

                                        tower (“Tower”), more fully described in Exhibit “C” of the lease

                                        agreement, for the purpose of providing cell services and for co-locations,

                                        if approved by Landlord, and related equipment for use in connection with

                                        its communications business.  The term of the lease is five (5) years

                                        commencing June 5, 2007 and ending June 4, 2012 with four (4)

                                        successive renewal terms of five (5) years.  Annual base rent shall be

                                        $15,000.00 each year during the term of the lease and will be increased by

                                        five percent (5%) on each anniversary of the commencement date, providing

                                        for effective date.

 

                                        Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2007-O-084.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                      Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

                  2007-O-090  Authorizing the City Manager to execute a two (2) year concession

                                        agreement between the City of Laredo and Miguel Angel Inclan, D.B.A

                                        “La Sabrosita” for the right to sell food and non-alcoholic beverages from

                                        a cart at the corners of Lincoln and Convent, and Hidalgo and Convent for

                                        a total lease amount of $565.00 per month. 

 

                                        Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2007-O-090.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  2007-O-091  Authorizing the City Manager to sign the supplemental agreement to the

                                        standard utility agreement of March 12, 2007, with the Texas Department

                                        of Transportation, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A; authorizing

                                        and amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Sanitary Sewer Construction

                                        TXDOT improvements line item to increase the amount appropriated to

                                        $81,310.00 for construction of a wastewater line at the

                                        Highway Loop 20 from 0.2 miles North of Spur 400 to 1.68 miles North

                                        of US Highway 59; and authorizing Kiewit Texas Construction L.P. to

                                        construct the sanitary sewer line as proposed in the supplemental

                                        agreement No.1 U-11024 approved by the Texas Department of Transportation.

 

                                        Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2007-O-091.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  2007-O-092  Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by

                                        authorizing a Special Use Permit for a communication tower on .92 acres,

                                        as further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit “A”, located

                                        on the West side of Bob Bullock Loop North of Winfield Parkway;

                                        providing for an effective date and publication.

 

                                        Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2007-O-092.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  2007-O-093  Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning

                                        9.98 acres, as further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit

                                        “A”, located North of Shiloh Drive East of Livingston Drive, from R-1

                                        (Single-Family Residential District) to R-2 (Multi-Family ResidentialDistrict);

                                        providing for an effective date and publication.

 

                                        Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2007-O-093.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  2007-O-094  Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning

                                        all of Blocks 1713 and 1782 and 15,433.46 square feet out of New York

                                        Avenue, bounded on the North by the South line of Chacon Street, on the

                                        East by the West line of Block 1782, Eastern Division, as further

                                        described by metes and bounds in attached “Exhibit A”, from R-3 (Mixed

                                        Residential District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District); providing

                                        for an effective date and publication.

 

                                        Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2007-O-094.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  2007-O-095  Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by authorizing

                                        a Conditional Use Permit for a duplex on Lots 1, 2 and 3,

                                        Block 998, Eastern Division, located at 1803 Chacon Street; providing for

                                        an effective date and publication.  (As amended) 

 

                                        Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2007-O-095.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                  2007-O-097  Defining the actual and necessary expenses which may be reimbursed to

                                        the Mayor and Council Members pursuant to Section 2.02 of the City

                                        Charter and providing for the procedures for such reimbursement.  (As

                                        amended)

 

                                        Motion to amend Section 2, letter f, by replacing paid in place of annual.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Chavez

                                        Second:  Cm. Garza

                                        For:     8                               Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

                                        Anthony McGettrick, Assistant City Attorney, amending Section 6: should

                                        Read, “no final payment may be paid on any reimbursement for expenses

                                        until the supporting paperwork is provided as required by section 5, (not

                                        section 3).

 

                                        Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2007-O-097 as amended.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

X.        RESOLUTIONS

 

            15.  2007-R-040  Accepting the donation of a twelve-foot-wide Utility Easement from

                                        Melton Truck Lines, Inc., in order to provide sanitary sewer services to

                                        the Gutierrez Industrial Park, Phase I, Subdivision, and surrounding areas.

                                        Said Utility Easement being a strip of land 12.00 feet in width, containing

                                        1,429.23 square feet or 0.328 acres, more or less, lying over, under,

                                        across, and upon a portion of that certain 20.00-acre tract conveyed to

                                        Melton Truck Lines by deed recorded in Volume 1077, Page 153, Official

                                        Public Records, Webb County, Texas, situated in Porcion 22, Abstract

                                        277, Maria Jesus Sanchez, Original Grantee; and described by Metes and

                                        Bounds and Survey attached as Exhibits A and B.

 

                                        Motion to approve Resolution 2007-R-040.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

            16.  2007-R-043  Authorizing the City Manager to enter into and execute a

                                        finance/ownership lease with Baystone Financial Group, through the

                                        Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) cooperative

                                        purchasing program contract, for the acquisition of twenty five vehicles

                                        (25) for the Police Department for the total amount of $451,033.20; and

                                        authorize that the finance/ownership lease transaction include a

                                        $100,000.00 down payment; and authorize that sixteen of those vehicles

                                        be purchased from Dallas Dodge, Dallas, Texas in the principal amount of

                                        $300,311.00 and that nine (9) vehicles be purchased from Caldwell

                                        Country Chevrolet, Caldwell, Texas, in the principal amount of

                                        $204,023.00.  Funding for the lease purchase payments and the down

                                        payment is available in the Police Trust Fund budget.

 

                                        Motion to approve Resolution 2007-R-043.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

            17.  2007-R-044  Expressing support and granting ratification of the City of Laredo’s

                                        application, to the Texas Department of Transportation Safe Routes to

                                        School (SRTS) Program, which seeks funding to enhance the school zone

                                        of four elementary schools consisting of: Arndt, Colonel Santos

                                        Benavides, Fasken and Malakoff.  If selected and fully funded, the total

                                        amount of state funding will result in one hundred percent (100%) of the

                                        total estimated cost of $51,080.00 with zero matching funds.

 

                                        Motion to approve Resolution 2007-R-044.

 

                                        Moved:  Cm. Belmares

                                        Second:  Cm. Amaya

                                        For:  8                                  Against:  0                                Abstain:  0

 

            18.  2007-R-045  A resolution expressing official intent to reimburse $6,000,000.00

                                        associated with the purchase of machinery and equipment for various City

                                        wide projects.  Funds will