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CITY OF LAREDO WORKSHOP M2007-W-09 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1110 HOUSTON STREET LAREDO, TEXAS 78040 OCTOBER 8, 2007 5:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
With a quorum present, Mayor Raul G. Salinas called the meeting to order.
II. 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 Ramirez, Council Member, District VIII Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary Carlos Villarreal, City Manager Horacio De Leon, Assistant City Manager Jesus Olivares, Assistant City Manager Raul Casso, City Attorney
Motion to excuse Cm. Chavez
Moved: Cm. Garza Second: Cm. Amaya For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Raul G. Salinas led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCE
1. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease and joint use agreement with the Laredo Independent School District, copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1; said agreement is for a term of 5 years and pertains to the following City property block 240, eastern division, Galveston Street between Mcdonnell and Monterrey; and Mier Street between Mcdonnell and Monterrey, to be used as part of the land for the J.C. Martin Elementary School presently being reconstructed; and providing for effective date.
Motion to amend the said Ordinance to read that staff shall negotiate with Laredo Independent School District for usage of the land for a park to be located on Park, Santa Isabel and Viduarri Street for a park.
Moved: Cm. Ramirez Second: (There was no second.)
Cm. Garza suggested working closely with the District without putting it in a motion.
Miguel Pescador, Parks and Recreation Director, explained that the lease is a five year term that will allow the City of Laredo to use the south parking lot, gymnasium, and library for City use. Throughout the five year term, it is the District’s intent to purchase the City blocks mentioned above.
Introductory Ordinance: City Council V. RESOLUTION
2. 2007-R-082 Declaring the public necessity to acquire the “Surface Only” of eight parcels of land for the Chacon Creek/Guatemozin Street Acquisition and Relocation Project. Said eight parcels being Lots 1, 2, 3, & 4, Block 2109, and Lots 1, 2, 3, & 4, Block 2110, all being situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, and delineated on attached copy of City Plat; and authorizing staff to negotiate with the owners for the acquisition of said parcels by purchase at market values established by a State Certified Real Estate Appraiser, and also authorizing the City Attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire said parcels if staff is unable to acquire due to inability to agree to a purchase price, conflict of ownership, owner refusal to sell, and/or inability to locate a listed owner, and further authorizing relocation benefit payments to persons who will be displaced as a result of the acquisition of those properties, in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970, as amended. Funding is proposed using reprogrammed CDBG funds.
Motion to approve Resolution # 2007-R-02.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore Belmares Second: Cm. Garcia For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VI. STAFF REPORT
3. Presentation by Tomas Rodriguez, Utilities Department Director, on the different options of providing water to the Citizens of the City of Laredo and selection of a proposed project, with possible action.
Tomas Rodriguez, Utilities Director, explained that the water system at the Jefferson Water Treatment Plant has a capacity of 60 MGD and can be increased to 65 MGD. He explained that they are having problems delivering water to north and south Laredo. The idea plan is to provide water from the north and start pumping downhill into Mines Rd., Interstate 35, and San Isidro. He said that the City is pumping 40 million gallons a day as an average and last year the plant was pumping 60 million gallons a day. He commended the Water Conservation Plan.
Carlos Villarreal, City Manager, noted that the city of Laredo has been blessed with the
summer rains which is helpful. He expressed his concern for future summers. Water Alternatives 20 MGD
Water Alternatives 40 MGD
Water Alternatives
(Total Comparison-Annual Cost)
Water Alternatives
Total Comparison
Least Cost Alternatives
(4/1000 Gallons)
NW 20 1.56 NW40 1.68 NL 1,500 a c 1.82 County School 1.94 Dimmit 20 2.27 Dimmit 40 2.27 Lake Casa 3.09
Water Alternatives
Project Completion Water Cost Completion
Dimmit 20 MGD $120,000,000 Dec 2010 Dimmit 40 MGD $120,000,000 Dec 2010 NLWTP 20 MGD $111,445,360 Dec 2010 NLWTP 40 MGD $216,095,360 Dec 2010 County 10 MGD $ 59,150,000 Dec 2010 Lake 20 MGD $243,209,200 Dec 2011 1,500 AC 5 MGD $ 33,380,000 Dec 2010
Motion to build a North West Laredo Water Treatment Plant at 40 MGD.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore Belmares Second: Cm. Ramirez For: Against: Abstain: (No voting was taken on this motion.)
Tomas Rodriguez, Utilities Director, informed Council that within two years they City should be able to afford $120 million dollar bond issue and that is why he is proposing the item in phases because the City is receiving revenues which will afford 20 MGD.
Mayor Pro Tempore Belmares said that he would like to amend his motion with the following caveat that states once the City of Laredo has a financial advisory address the issue of what the increases already built in will generate and what revenues the bond issuance or debt service that the City can generate out of those rates if it is available and that the MGD be moved to 40 MGD, because there is no guarantee on both the construction or the water rights in the future. He further explained that the Jefferson Water Plant is an aging plant and may not be able to properly pump the water in the future.
Tomas Rodriguez, Utilities Director, said for financial reasons he recommended for Council to expand the MGD in phases.
Motion to instruct the City Manager to begin feasibility studies necessary to build a 20 MGD Water Treatment Plant in North West Laredo with the caveat that the City should increase the MGD to 40 when the funds are identified for the project.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore Belmares Second: Cm. Ramirez For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII. 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.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. Time: 6:43 p.m.
Moved: Cm. Landeck Second: Cm. Amaya For: 7 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 05 and they are true, complete, and correct proceedings of the City Council meeting held on October 8, 2007.
______________________________ Gustavo Guevara, Jr. City Secretary
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