CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS
5:30 P.M.
MINUTES
M97-R-42 DECEMBER 15, 1997
I. CALL TO ORDER
With a present Mayor Protem Jose R. Perez, Jr. called the meeting to
order.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Protem Perez led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
IN ATTENDANCE:
JOSE R. PEREZ, JR., COUNCILMEMBER, DISTRICT I
LOUIS H. BRUNI, " , DISTRICT II
ALFONSO I. "PONCHO" CASSO, " , DISTRICT III
CECILIA MAY MORENO, " , DISTRICT IV
ELISEO VALDEZ, JR., " , DISTRICT V
JOE A. GUERRA, " , DISTRICT VI
MARIO G. ALVARADO, " , DISTRICT VII
CONSUELO "CHELO" MONTALVO " , DISTRICT VIII
GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR., CITY SECRETARY
FLORENCIO PENA, CITY MANAGER
JERRY BRUCE CAIN, CITY ATTORNEY
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. City Council Meeting of November 3, 1997
City Council Meeting of November 17, 1997
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Cm. Casso was not present.
Cm. Casso joined the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
V. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES
3. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease and Specialty Retail
Gift Shop Concession Agreement with Jesus Garcia & Associates for
approximately 1556 square feet constituting Room 222 at the new
airport passenger terminal located at 5210 Bob Bullock. Lease term is
for five (5) years. Rent includes a minimum annual guarantee of
$8,400.00 or 10% of annual gross sales of merchandise, whichever is
greater.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
4. Authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the lease
agreement approved by Ordinance No. 93-O-029 dated March 1, 1993, with
International Bank of Commerce and Sanchez O'Brien Oil and Gas
Corporation, a joint venture, as Lessee, for the purpose of allowing
Lessee to sublease its leased premises. Leased premises consist of
approximately 26,965 square feet of land which includes 12,000 square
feet constituting of the west portion of Hangar No. 1309 located at
4015 North Jarvis Avenue. Lease term is for ten (10) years commencing
March 1, 1993 and ending February 28, 2003 and may be extended for one
(1) term of eight (8) years and two (2) months ending on April 30,
3022. Current monthly rent is $1,338.84 and is adjusted annually
according to changes in the Consumer Price Index and further adjusted
by fair market appraisal on the 10th anniversary.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
5. Closing as a public easement that section of the 2100 block of Hidalgo
Street between Santa Isabel and Eagle Pass Avenues, situated in the
Western Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas and reserving the
entire above mentioned property as a utility easement and approving
the improvement plan whereby the Union Pacific Railroad Company has
agreed to provide, install and maintain the improvements for the
elimination of any and all indications that said property was
previously a street at no cost to the City and providing for an
effective date.
Mr. Manuel T. Longoria who resides two blocks on the west side of
Hidalgo spoke against the closing of the street because it would harm
the value of his property.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
6. Closing as a public easement that intersection of Gonzalez Street and
Eagle Pass Avenue situated between the 2100 block and 2200 block of
Gonzalez Street, situated in the Western Division, City of Laredo,
County of Webb, Texas and upon closing of said street the City of
Laredo will retain the entire property as a utility easement and
hereby approving the Improvement Plan whereby the Union Pacific
Railroad Company has agreed to provide, install and maintain the
improvements for the elimination of any and all indications that said
property was previously a street at no cost to the City and providing
for an effective date.
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
Motion waive the regular order of business and move up items X-(a), X-
(b), X-(d) Employee of the Year, X-(e) extra holidays, X-(f)
presentation by Leroy Morin on the closing of certain streets, #66,
B(1), #63, #82 and C-(1).
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VI. FINAL READINGS
Motion to waive the final reading of ordinances #97-O-296, #97-O-297,
#97-O-298, #97-O-299, #97-O-300, #97-O-301, #97-O-302, #97-O-303, #97-O-
304, #97-O-305, #97-O-306, #97-O-307, #97-O-308, #97-O-309, #97-O-310,
#97-O-311, #97-O-312, #97-O-313, #97-O-314, #97-O-315, #97-O-316, #97-O-
317, #97-O-318, #97-O-319, #97-O-320, and #97-O-321.
Moved : Cm. Alvarado
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
7. 97-O-296 Authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement
providing possible reimbursement for part of the cost of
constructing a 356 foot, 8" sanitary sewer line and a 400
foot, 8" water line incurred by Laredo National Bank. Both
lines will be located on Chacota Street close to Hwy 83 and
the easement in the west boundary of the Zacatecas Fire
Station. (City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-296.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
8. 97-O-297 Authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary
documents of conveyance to grant an easement to Southwestern
Bell Telephone Company for the purpose of placing telephone
apparatus cabinets, concrete pads, anchors, buried telephone
conduits and cables, aerial cable and all appurtenances
thereto, as may be required by grantee from time to time.
Said easement being out of the Mines Road Fire Station plat
in Porcion 20, Webb County, Texas; being generally described
below, and providing for an effective date:
Being a 20-foot by 20-foot Southwestern Bell Telephone
easement out of Mines Road Fire Station plat and being out
of Porcion 20, Abstract 48, Bautista Garcia, original
grantee, recorded in Volume 10, Page 40, map records of Webb
County, Texas. (City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-297.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
9. 97-O-298 Ordering and proclaiming a Special City Election to be held
on Saturday, January 17, 1998, designating polling places,
designating the Run-Off date, and providing for publication.
(City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-298.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
10. 97-O-299 Authorizing and allowing, under the act governing the Texas
Municipal Retirement System, "Updated Service Credits" in
said system on an annual basis for service performed by
qualifying members of such system who at the effective date
of the allowance are in the employment of the City of
Laredo; providing for increased prior and current service
annuities for retirees and beneficiaries of deceased
retirees of the City; providing for increased municipal
contributions to the current service annuity reserve at
retirement of the employees of the City; and establishing an
effective date for the ordinance. This ordinance will allow
for the upgrading of the City's contribution to the
employees pension plan from the current 7.5% to 10%. (City
Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-299.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
11. 97-O-300 Authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary
documents to effectively convey fee simple title to NBC
Bank, Laredo N.A. and Sofia Benavides, for the sale of the
"Surface Only", at its fair market value, of certain city
property described as the former south one-half section of
Jarvis Avenue between Cleveland and Blaine Streets. Said
parcel being situated in the Eastern Division of the City of
Laredo, Webb County, Texas and hereby approving the
submitted improvement plans which are in compliance with
Section 10 of the Street Closing/Sales Policy Handbook as
approved per Resolution No. 97-R-140; and providing for an
effective date. (City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-300.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo:
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
12. 97-O-301 Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease with Duty
Free International, Inc. d/b/a UETA of Texas, Inc., for a
Specialty Duty Free Retail Shop Concession for approximately
1,254 square feet constituting suite number 223 on the
second (2nd) floor of the airport passenger terminal located
at 5210 Bob Bullock. Lease term is for five (5) years
commencing on the day the new airport passenger terminal
opens for business and will terminate five (5) years
thereafter. Minimum annual rent guarantee of $25,000.00 or
ten (10%) percent of
annual gross revenues, whichever is greater.
(City Council)
Motion to table.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
13. 97-O-302 Authorizing the City Manager to execute a License with The
Laredo National Bank for a License and Automated Teller
Machine Concession for approximately 100 square feet in the
downstairs lobby area of the airport passenger terminal
located at 5210 Bob Bullock Loop. License term is for five
(5) years commencing on the first day the new airport
passenger terminal opens for business and will terminate
five (5) years thereafter. Minimum annual rent guarantee of
$7,200.00.
(City Council)
Motion to table.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
14. 97-O-303 Authorizing the City Manager to execute a License with In-
Ter-Space Services, Inc. d/b/a/ Interspace Airport
Advertising for a License and Advertising and Display/Hotel
Panel Concession at the new airport passenger terminal for
the purpose of providing advertising and hotel courtesy
phones. License term is for five (5) years commencing on
the day the new airport passenger terminal opens for
business and terminating five (5) years thereafter and may
be extended for an additional five (5) years based on
Licensee successfully fulfilling the performance criteria.
Minimum annual rent guarantee is $1,000.00 or thirty (30%)
percent of annual gross revenues, whichever is greater.
(City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-303.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 15. 97-
O-304 Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease and Restaurant
Concession Agreement with Carlos Bella d/b/a Villa Laredo Restaurant for
approximately 1,116 square feet constituting suite number 101 on the first
(1st) floor of the airport passenger terminal located at
5210 Bob Bullock Loop. Lease term is for five (5) years
commencing on the first day the new airport passenger
terminal opens for business and ending five (5) years
thereafter. Rent shall be a minimum annual guarantee of
$16,800.00 plus a performance guarantee in the same amount.
(City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-304.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
16. 97-O-305 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 265.2185
acres, located in Porcion 33, Abstract 84, as further
described by metes and bounds, specifically the Garcia
Tract, providing for the effective date of the ordinance,
adopting a Service Plan for the annexed territory, and
establishing the initial zoning. (City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-305.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
17. 97-O-306 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 61.7122
acres, located in Porcion 31 as further described by metes
and bounds, specifically the Highway 359 Tract, providing
for effective date of the ordinance, adopting a Service Plan
for the annexed territory, and establishing the initial
zoning. (City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-306.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
18. 97-O-307 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 484.7607
acres, located in Porciones 31 and 32 as further described
by metes and bounds, specifically the Highway 359/Landfill
Tract, providing for the effective date of the ordinance,
adopting a Service Plan for the annexed territory, and
establishing the initial zoning.
(Cecilia May Moreno)
Motion to amend the ordinance to exclude two tracts, the
Leyendecker Oil and the Airwell tracts and that the area
north of the highway be amended to compensate for said
omission on the south side.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Jaime Flores, City Attorney, clarified if this is to amend
the ordinance to lessen the area of annexation?
Keith Selman, Planning Director, stated what he understands
by the motion is to take out portion and add it to the
northern side, so that they retain the 1,000 feet as it is
required under the local government code.
Mr. Pena stated that the introduction and public hearing was
held on the exact boundaries, the public hearings had the
exact metes and bounds and survey was done by the staff. He
added that state law permits the removal of areas from
annexation, but to add they would have to initiate the
annexation process again, do public hearings, conduct
surveys, go back to introduction of the ordinance. He said
they cannot add to that annexation without going through the
due process and holding public hearings.
Mr. Flores explained that Cm. Guerra was not on the
prevailing side of first reading, one of the votes that was
against the matter of the motion would have to be by one
Councilmember on the prevailing side.
There was no motion made from the prevailing side.
Dies for lack of a motion.
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-307.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 2 Cm.
Bruni Cm. Valdez
19. 97-O-308 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 4.6808
acres, located in Porcion 31, as further described by metes
and bounds, specifically the Haynes Tract, providing for the
effective date of the ordinance, adopting a Service Plan for
the annexed territory, and establishing the initial zoning.
(City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-308.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
20. 97-O-309 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 89.2252
acres, located in Porciones 31 and 32, as further described
by metes and bounds, specifically the Southern Development
Tract, providing for the effective date of the ordinance,
adopting a Service Plan for the annexed territory, and
establishing the initial zoning.
(City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-309.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
21. 97-O-310 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 35.1439
acres, located in Porciones 36 and 37, as further described
by metes and bounds, specifically the Newman Tract,
providing for the effective date of the ordinance, adopting
a Service
Plan for the annexed territory, and establishing the initial
zoning. (City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-310.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
22. 97-O-311 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 23.904
acres, located in Porcion 32, Abstract 296, as further
described by metes and bounds, specifically the Ramos Tract,
providing for the effective date of the ordinance, adopting
a Service Plan for the annexed territory, and establishing
the initial zoning. (City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-311.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
23. 97-O-312 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 15.7203
acres, located in Porcion 28, Abstract 24, and Porcion 29,
Abstract 3086 as further described by metes and bounds,
specifically the Killam/Loop 20 Tract, providing for the
effective date of the ordinance, adopting a Service Plan for
the annexed territory, and establishing the initial zoning.
(Louis H. Bruni)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-312.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
24. 97-O-313 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 362.173
acres, located in Porcion 12, Abstract 278, Porcion 13,
Abstract 51, and Porcion 14, Abstract 56 as further
described by metes and bounds, specifically the Unitec
Industrial Park Tract, providing for the effective date of
the ordinance, adopting a Service Plan for the annexed
territory, and establishing the initial zoning. (Joe A.
Guerra)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-313.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
25. 97-O-314 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 8.0044
acres, located in Porcion 22, Abstract 277, as further
described by metes and bounds, specifically the Salinas
Tract, providing for the effective date of the ordinance,
adopting a Service Plan for the annexed territory, and
establishing the initial zoning. (Louis H. Bruni)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-314.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
26. 97-O-315 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 8.0669
acres, located in Porcion 23, Abstract 283, as further
described by metes and bounds, specifically the Izaguirre
Tract, providing for the effective date of the ordinance,
adopting a Service Plan for the annexed territory, and
establishing the initial zoning. (Joe A. Guerra)
Keith Selman, Planning Director, stated for the record that
the applicant states that in the event it gets to the final
reading, they agree to it and has conceded to the point on a
voluntary basis if in fact council takes that action.
Motion to approve the Izaguirre Tract be annexed into the
city limits as a R-1A zone tract and that the service plan
for this tract be amended to not require park land
dedication or a fee instead of a park land dedication.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
27. 97-O-316 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 190.6392
acres, located in Porciones 13, 14, 15, and 16 as further
described by metes and bounds, specifically the I.H. 35
Tract, providing for the effective date of the ordinance,
adopting a Service Plan for the annexed territory, and
establishing the initial zoning.
(Joe A. Guerra)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-316.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
28. 97-O-317 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 181.2177
acres, located in Porcion 19, Abstract 47, and Porcion 20,
Abstract 48 as further described by metes and bounds,
specifically the Bridge IV Tract, providing for the
effective date of the ordinance, adopting a Service Plan for
the annexed territory, and establishing the initial zoning.
(Mario G. Alvarado)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-317.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
29. 97-O-318 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 10.6253
acres, located in Porcion 18, Abstract 21, and Abstract 591
as further described by metes and bounds, specifically the
Killam Industrial Park Tract, providing for the effective
date of the ordinance, adopting a Service Plan for the
annexed territory, and establishing the initial zoning.
(Mario G. Alvarado)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-318.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
30. 97-O-319 Ordinance altering and extending the boundary limits of the
City of Laredo, annexing additional territory of 17.8736
acres, located in Porcion 19, Abstract 591, as further
described by metes and bounds, specifically the Hurd Tract,
providing for the effective date of the ordinance, adopting
a Service Plan for the annexed territory, and esta-blishing
the initial zoning. (Mario G. Alvarado)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-319.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
31. 97-O-320 Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 2,800 square feet as further described by
metes and bounds located on the west frontage road of IH 35,
north of the Bob Bullock Loop, from AG (Agricultural
District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District).
(Mario G. Alvarado)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-320.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
32. 97-O-321 Ordinance approving an amendment to the contract with the
Texas Department of Health and Budget revision in the amount
of an additional $26,837.00, for the Immunization Action
Plan Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the
period beginning January 1, 1997, through December 31, 1997;
and revenue line item 226-0000-323-4056 from $123,696.00 to
$150,533.00, and expenditure line item 226-6058 from
$123,696.00 to $150,533.00. (City Council)
Motion to approve Ordinance #97-O-321.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII. RESOLUTIONS
33. 97-R-156 Directing publication of Notice of Intention To Issue City
of Laredo, Texas Combination Tax and Sewer Revenue
Certificates of Obligation Series 1998, in the principal
amount of $6,500,000.00 for the purpose of paying all or a
portion of the City's contractual obligations for
improvements and extensions to the City's sewer system, and
acquisition of land in connection therewith, and for paying
legal, fiscal, and engineering fees in connection with this
project.
Motion to approve Resolution #97-R-156.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
34. 97-R-157 Directing publication of Notice of Intention To Issue City
of Laredo, Texas Combination Tax and Sewer Revenue
Certificates of Obligation Series 1998, in the principal
amount of $16,500,000.00 for the purpose of paying all or a
portion of the City's contractual obligations for the
construction of drainage improvements; construction of
street improvements and repairs; construction of a new
Public Works Building; repairing and remodeling the
Canizalez Gym, Old Library Building, and Municipal Court
Building; acquisition of municipal vehicles and equipment
for municipal departments, together with a landfill
collection system, and the acquisition of land for a
municipal landfill, and for paying legal, fiscal,
architectural and engineering fees in connection with such
projects.
Motion to approve Resolution #97-R-157.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
35. 97-R-158 Authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant from the
Texas Department of Health in the amount of $192,828.00 for
the Tuberculosis Prevention/Control Projects of the City of
Laredo Health Department for the period beginning January 1,
1998, through December 31, 1998.
Motion to approve Resolution #97-R-158.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
36. 97-R-159 Authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant from the
Texas Department of Health and budget in the amount of
$190,332.00, for the Tuberculosis Elimination Program of the
City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning
September 1, 1997, through August 31, 1998.
Motion to approve Resolution #97-R-159.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
37. 97-R-160 Declaring the public necessity to acquire the "Surface Only"
of eight parcels of land for the Lafayette Street Widening
Project. Said parcels being Lots 1,2,3,4, and 6, Block 881,
the East one-half of Lot 7, Block 879, and Lot 1 and the
East and West parts of Lot 2, Block 911; all situated in the
Western Division of the City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas;
and authorizing payments to persons who will be displaced as
a result of the acquisi-tion of those properties; and
further authorizing the City Attorney to institute eminent
domain proceedings to acquire those parcels that staff is
unable to acquire through negotiations due to inability to
agree to a purchase price, conflicts of ownership, owner
refusal to sell, and/or inability to locate a listed owner.
Motion to approve Resolution #97-R-160.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
38. 97-R-161 Accepting the donation of a parcel of land containing
16,391.01 square feet (0.37628 of an acre), more or less,
out and part of the approxi-mately 200' wide Tex-Mex
Railroad right-of-way, for the purpose of providing traffic
access to the area residents. Said parcel being situated
between Arkansas Avenue and New York Avenue, northbounding
Block 1705, Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb County,
Texas; more particularly described by metes and bounds.
Motion to approve Resolution #97-R-161.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
39. 97-R-162 Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a renewed
interlocal agreement for FY 1997-98 between the City of
Laredo and the County of Webb in the amount of $110,000.00,
for locally supported public health services to non-Laredo
residents of Webb County, for the period beginning October
1, 1997, through September 30, 1998.
Motion to approve Resolution #97-R-162.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VIII. MOTIONS
40. Approval of bid specifications and authorization to advertise for bids
for the following:
a) Transmission Repairs, Annual Contract - Fleet Maintenance b) Annual
Electrical Maintenance Contract - Transportation and Traffic Safety
Department,
c) Traffic signal Lamps - Transportation and Traffic Safety
Department.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
41. Approval of the selection, and authorization to negotiate engineering
contracts to design, prepare plans and specifications for the
following:
1. Tinaja/Chacon Pilot Channel Improvements to Porras Engineering (FY
1997-1998 CDBG Capital Improvements Projects),
2. Construction of Sidewalks and Handicap Ramps on School approaches
and other streets located within the Community Development target
areas to WSBC Civil Engineers (FY 1997-1998 CDBG Capital
Improvements Projects),
3. Paving Project 61 (31 Blocks) to G.G. Salinas Engineering (FY 1997-
1998 CDBG Capital Improvements Projects),
4. Gallagher Street Improvements to be done In-House
(FY 1997-1998 CDBG Capital Improvements Projects),
5. Zacate Creek Beautification Project to Sherfey Engineering Company
(FY 1997-1998 CDBG Capital Improvements Projects), 6. El Portal
Riverfront Feasibility Study to Frank Architects/Sherfey
Engineering Company (FY 1997-1998 CDBG Capital Improvements
Projects),
7. Guadalupe Street Extension from New York Avenue to connect to
Arkansas Avenue to be done In-House, contingent upon the dedication
of the necessary right-of-way,
8. The purchase, installation and start up of a second belt filter
press at the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant to Camp, Dresser
& McKee, Austin, Texas.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
42. Approval of the construction plans and specifications and
authorization to advertise for bids for following:
1. Construction of sidewalks along Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) residential neighborhoods to provide safe walkways to
connect neighborhoods to local schools with a tentative bid award
scheduled for January 19, 1998.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to reconsider the motion.
Moved : Cm. Alvarado
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to do this project in-house.
Moved : Cm. Alvarado
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
43. Authorizing the City Manager to solicit Requests for Proposals for the
following:
1. The design of 15 "Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects" and
project coordination for the colonias' water and wastewater program
from qualified engineers.
2. The collection, packaging, transportation, and disposal services
for two scheduled Household Hazardous Waste Collection events to be
held in April 1998 and in November 1998 in accordance with the
City's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
storm water requirements from qualified environmental contractors.
3. Consulting services to assist the City in developing a proposal for
the possible privatization of the utilities functions. The
consultant will assist the City in evaluating the potential for
privatization, prepare a procurement strategy, an evaluation
criteria, procurement documents, and potentially assist in the
selection of a contract operations firm.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
44. Approval to reject the three bids received for the Azteca Neighborhood
Park and Paving Improvements Project since the bids are over the
project budget, and approval for the project to be constructed by in-
house forces. Funding is available in the Community Development Block
Grant Fund.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
45. Award of six month supply contracts to the LOW BIDDER MEETING
SPECIFICATIONS, Arnold Oil Co. dba Lone Star Lubricants, Laredo,
Texas, in the estimated amount of $30,991.10, for the purchase of
lubricants for the Fleet Maintenance Division. The bid pricing will
be firm during this six month period and all items will be purchased
on an as need basis. The City did receive a lower bid for some of the
commodities from Golden West Oil, San Antonio, Texas, however this
vendor did not submit the required specifications sheets for the
products bid. Due to this omission, this vendor cannot be considered
in the award process.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
46. Award of a supply contract to the LOW BIDDERS, Libcon, Inc. DBA
Leyendecker Materials, Laredo, Texas ($1,238,450.00) 4G Asphalt DBA
Big Buck Asphalt, Inc., Laredo, Texas ($198,325.00) Texas Fuel &
Asphalt Co., and Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas ($19,960.00), and Gator
Recycler, La Marque, Texas ($16,750.00), for the purchase of asphalt,
black base, asphalt oils and emulsions, flexible base, and sand, as
required for all city paving and construction projects. A total of
nine vendors submitted bids for these purchases. Authorization is
requested to reject the sole bid for gravel from 4G Asphalt due to the
omission of a laboratory test report and to solicit new bids.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
47. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, National Sanitary, Laredo, Texas,
in the amount of $23,080.00, for the purchase of 500,000 plastic bags
for use in the City's Recycling Program. The per unit price is the
$0.0008/bag less than the previous contract purchase. A total of four
bids were received for this purchase. Funding is available in the
Landfill/Recycling Trust Fund -Janitorial Materials, Recycling.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
48. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, G.T. Distributors, Inc., Austin,
Texas, in the amount of $13,723.60, for the purchase of twenty-two
pistols for the Police Department. The bid pricing is approximately 3%
less than the previous contract purchase. These pistols will be
delivered within sixty days. A total of three bids were received for
this purchase. Funding is available in the Police Trust Fund -Capital
Outlay and Special Police Program Fund - Local Law Enforcement,
Capital Outlay.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
49. Award of a contract to the LOW BIDDER, Mission Western Wear, Mission,
Texas, in the estimated amount of $19,260.00, for the purchase of
footwear for Fire Department personnel. Two boot styles and one shoe
style have been approved for departmental use. Footwear may be
purchased as part of the clothing allowance issued to each
firefighter. A total of six bids were received for this purchase.
Funding is available from the department's budget. The bid pricing is
the same as the previous contract period.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
50. Award of a contract to the LOW BIDDER, Balch Machine Co., Inc.,
Brownsville, Texas, in the amount of $12,500.00, to repair a 15
million gallon, 20" Fairbanks Morse pump. This repaired pump will be
used as a backup to three, raw water intake pumps at the Water
Treatment Plant. A total of two bids were received for this repair.
Funding is available in the Utilities Department - Water Treatment
Division.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cw. Moreno
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
51. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, Sysco Food Services, San Antonio,
Texas, in the amount of $17,964.86 for the purchase of commercial
restaurant equipment for the new Airport terminal. The commercial
equipment being purchased includes: freezers, refrigerators, a deep
fryer, a microwave oven, a salad unit, a hot food server, and a
dishwasher. The contract vendor will be responsible for the
installation of this equipment. Delivery of all items requested will
be within four weeks.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cw. Moreno
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
52. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, Vallen Safety Supply Co., Corpus
Christi, Texas, in the amount of $10,072.75, for the purchase of
twenty-five pack alert devices for the Fire Department. These devices
are installed on the air packs that warn the user that they are
running out of air supply. These items will be delivered within
thirty days.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cw. Moreno
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
53. Award of an asbestos abatement contract to the LOWEST BIDDER, Jupe
Company, Inc. WBE, San Antonio, Texas in the amount of $20,500.00, for
the Asbestos and Lead Base Paint Abatement as part of the demolition
of the units acquired for Lafayette Street Relocation Project. The
City received a total of three (3) bids. Funding is available in the
Community Development Block Grant Fund (CDBG).
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cw. Moreno
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
54. Setting the date of an aerial photography as the date to define the
existing colonia dwellings to be provided water and wastewater
services under the Texas Water Development Board grant umbrella. The
cut-off date is important because the Board will compensate the City
for water availability and infrastructure use only on the dwellings
considered in the facility plan. Homes constructed after this date,
will have to pay water availability, impact, or any other fees as
required by the City elsewhere; and authorizing the City Manager to
solicit Requests for Proposals if the photographic services should
exceed $10,000.00.
Fernando Roman, Utilities Director, stated they will try to do this
within 15-20 days.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cw. Moreno
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
55. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDERS:
a) Omni Computers, Austin, Texas, in the amount of $31,350.00, for the
purchase of twenty-two, pentium 200 MHz personal computers,
b) Micron Electronics, Inc., Nampa, ID., in the amount of $8,409.00,
for the purchase of three, pentium 300 MHz personal computers, and
c) Omtex Systems, Boerne, Texas, in the amount of $3,502.00, for the
purchase of one, pentium 300 MHz computer.
All vendors are State of Texas - Qualified Information System vendors.
Computers are being purchased for the following departments: City
Attorney (2), Airport (1), C&VB (2), Bridge System (4), Water
Administration (2), Water Treatment (1), Wastewater Treatment (1),
Wastewater Collection (2), Risk (1), Health Benefits (2), Police (7).
A total of nine bids were received for this purchase. Funding is
available in the Police Department Trust Fund -Capital Outlay and
Utilities Department -Capital Outlay Division.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
56. Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with the
providers listed below to provide physician coverage for prenatal care
services to clients of the City of Laredo Health Department for the
period specified on each contract.
Provider Program Contract Amount
1) Dr. Victor Maternal and $25,000.00
Trevino Child Health
2) Dr. Carlos Cruz Maternal and $20,000.00
Child Health
3) Dr. Ruben Maternal and
Bocanegra Child Health $14,000.00
4) Dr. Esteban Maternal and
Alejo Child Health $14,000.00
TOTAL $73,000.00
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
57. Amending the third party funding contracts between the City of Laredo
and:
1) Lifeline of Laredo, Inc., for Fiscal Year 1996-1997 to extend the
October 15, 1997 deadline for final payment requests to December
20, 1997 and approving the amended budget line item expenditures,
2) The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra for Fiscal Year 1997-1998 to
authorize payment of expenditures which exceed the $9,250.00, per
quarter allocation, with cumulative payments not to exceed the
original contract amount of $37,000.00.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
IX. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
58. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation for the City
Council to review, and reconfigure the composition of the City of
Laredo Street Closing/Opening and Paving Assessment Committee.
Mayor Protem Perez announced that he and Cw. Moreno would be out of
the Street Closing/Opening and Paving Assessment Committee and that
Mayor Protem would be out of the Water Issues Committee.
59. Report regarding the cost of providing fire protection to the airport.
The cost of providing fire protection to the City's airport has risen
over the past six years as a result of adding more personnel to the
Airport Crash Fire Rescue (CFR) operation. Up until FY 1991-1992, the
Airport was paying approximately 100% of the airport CFR cost.
Florencio Pena, City Manager, made the presentation stating that they
have been discussing the upgrading of the airport crash crew, that the
city had left behind the dollar for dollar contribution from the
airport fund to pay the cost of running the airport crash crew. He
added that FAA does not specify the number of CFR personnel required,
it only requires that sufficient personnel be assigned to the airport
CFR. The airport crash crew is a mandate from FAA, it is council's
decision, they are asking that council reconsider re-establishment,
because there doesn't seem to be any explanation as to why that
transfer ceased.
Jose Luis Flores, Airport Director, stated 1997-98 cost is $522,772.00
and the Airport is currently reimbursing $169,529.00. This is a
variance of $353,243.00.
Motion to direct staff to prepare an ordinance, to charge the airport
for the airport fire crash services, for this year go from October
1997 to 1998, that the actual cost be reimbursed $522,772.000 and from
now it will be the cost like it used to be prior to 1991, and that it
be brought back to council.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
60. Authorizing the City Manager to approve a request from the Laredo
Morning Times, Lessee, and Bannum Co., Sublessee, to approve plans and
specifications to modify the existing improvements located on leased
premises to accommodate a half-way home facility.
Motion to table.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 4 Against: 3 Abstain: 0
Cm. Bruni Cw. Moreno
Cm. Casso Cm. Valdez
Cm. Alvarado Cm. Guerra
Cw. Montalvo
61. Status report and possible action on proposed return to work policy
and procedure. This policy will assist city employees to return to
work as soon as possible after injury or illness and help reduce
personnel costs.
Dan Migura, Administrative Services Director, made the presentation
before the council explaining the policy. The policy is included in
the agenda book for public review.
Motion to instruct staff to proceed with the return to work policy and
bring back to council on the first meeting of January for council
action.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
62. Motion to approve the retention of the Law Firm of Bickerstaff, Heath,
Smiley, Pollan, Kever & McDaniel, L.L.P., to provide professional
legal services to the City of Laredo in the matter of the construction
of the Laredo IV/Nuevo Laredo III International Bridge Project.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Valdez
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
63. Presentation and status report on the New Main Library and Grand
Opening Ceremonies by the Library Advisory Board and Friends of Laredo
Public Library, Inc.
Janice Weber, Library Director, announced that on December 8th they
received a partial Certificate For Occupancy, they started moving on
Friday, and they finished moving in four days. The time required to
get the building ready as far as computers, etc. will be about six
weeks, they have 120-130 PCs to hook up to the network, there are many
things that need to happen before they can open the library. The
Santo Nino Branch Library will in the meantime carry some of the load
while the main library is closed. They would like recommendations
from council regarding the date of the Grand Opening, the master of
ceremonies and the keynote speakers.
Mrs. Rose Woodruff asked that if Sunday, February 1st is compatible
with the council's schedules for the grand
opening and wants recommendations from council for a keynote speaker.
Mayor Protem Perez suggested that they contact Senator Judith
Zaffirini as a keynote speaker.
Mayor Protem Perez confirmed that February 1st would be the
recommended day for the Grand Opening.
64. Discussion and possible action regarding the acquisition of a Utility
Easement from Francis Richter Farm Partners, a Texas General
Partnership. Said parcel being described as a thirty-foot wide
Utility Easement containing 1.01 acres of land, more or less, in Webb
County, Texas; with possible Executive Session for consultation with
the City Attorney as authorized by V.T.C.A. Government Code Section
551.072, and return to Open Session for possible action.
Motion to go into executive session for consultation with the City
Attorney as authorized by V.T.C.A. Government Code Section 551.072.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
After executive session Mayor Protem Perez announced that no formal
action was taken.
Motion authorizing staff to proceed to finalize negotiations with
Francis Richter Farm Partners in exchange for the release of lien in
the amount of $31,056.75.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain; 0
65. Request for Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code,
Section 551.071 (1)(B), to discuss settlement offer of pending
litigation in the case of City of Laredo vs. Pal-American dba La
Hacienda, Cause No. 97CVQ00171-D2, 111th District Court, Webb County
and return to open session for possible action.
Motion to go into Executive Session as authorized by Texas
Government Code, Section 551.071 (1)(B), to discuss
settlement offer of pending litigation in the case of City of Laredo
vs. Pal-American dba La Hacienda, Cause No. 97CVQ00171-D2, 111th
District Court, Webb County.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
After executive session Mayor Ramirez announced that no formal action
was taken.
Motion to accept the settlement offer from Pal American dba La
Hacienda Hotel in the amount of $5,278.51 for Hotel Motel Tax
regarding pending litigation in the case of the City of Laredo vs Pal-
American dba La Hacienda, Cause No. 97CVQOO171-D2, 111th District
Court, Webb County, Texas.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
66. Request for Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code
Section 551.071(1)(a)(b) to discuss pending litigation and to provide
a status report on court ordered mediation sessions held on September
3, 1997, and December 10, 1997, and a settlement offer in Cause No. E-
96-2-c, styled City of Laredo v. Jacaman Investment Group Ltd., and
return to open session for possible action.
Motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code
Section 551.071(1)(a)(b) to discuss pending litigation and to provide
a status report on court ordered mediation sessions held on September
3, 1997, and December 10, 1997, and a settlement offer in Cause No. E-
96-2-c, styled City of Laredo v. Jacaman Investment Group Ltd.
Moved : Cm. Alvarado
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
After executive session Mayor Ramirez announced that no formal action
was taken.
Motion to instruct staff to meet with the legal staff and conclude the
final negotiations for the settlement of this lawsuit and then report
back to council.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
X. COMMUNICATIONS
a) Recognizing the following city of Laredo retirees for the many years
of hard work and dedication to the citizens of our community:
a) John Amaya (29 years) Utilities Department
b) Juan O. Castillo (20 years) Library Department
c) Julian Espinoza (23 years) Fleet Maintenance Division, Public Works
Department
d) Nicolas Hernandez (36 years) Public Works Department
e) Gabriel E. Martinez (29 years) Police Department
f) Jesus D. Palacios (30 years) Police Department
g) Hector H. Zambrano (22 years) Utilities Department
Mayor Protem Perez recognized city employees and delivered
Certificates of Recognition.
b) Recognizing the Health Department's Vital Statistics Staff for being
awarded the 5-star Vital Registration and Excellence Award from the
Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics for their
outstanding job performance in the areas of: a) timeliness, b)
rejection rate, c) quality, and d) training.
Jerry Robinson presented the staff receiving the award who were
Elizabeth Flores, Yael Gomez, Sylvia Chares, and Alejandra Ramirez.
c) Dan Migura, Administrative Services Director, presented and recognized
the Employee of the Year, Mr. Jaime F. Garcia employed by the City
since 1984.
d) Request by City of Rio Bravo on assistance on the following subjects:
1) Current plans to obtain ownership of the Webb County Water
Treatment Plant located at 515 Martha Drive in our city. 2)
Annexation efforts of the immediate surrounding property including
the U.I.S.D. schools in our area.
Feliciano Garcia, Jr, Mayor of Rio Bravo, appeared before the council
to assist help from the City of Laredo to take their water and sewer
plant back from the County. He asked that the help be in technical
with management systems assistance and that they also need help on
other issues such as fire fighting and training, and assistance on the
police force. Other assistance from the City of Laredo is in
annexation process knowledge.
Cm. Casso stated his position is that the City of Laredo is going to
continue to grow and he would like to see the City of Rio Bravo to be
part of the City of Laredo in the future.
Florencio Pena, City Manager, replied that he received a call from
Judge Mercurio Martinez and he was somewhat surprised that the item
was on the agenda without their knowledge since they are owners of the
water/sewer plant. He asked that in the future, any negotiations or
discussion held with the City of Rio Bravo, if the council wishes for
the them to be involved in that process, council can do that. Second,
he said that the state law allows cities to enter into governmental
agreements, there are many things cities can do. Some smaller cities
doot have planning capabilities, do not have building inspections,
plumbing inspections, zoning, etc. but a city like us cannot do it
for free, there has to be a cost. We are prohibited from doing that,
but there is a provision in the governmental code that allows a city
to study how or what kind of an agreement a city can enter into and
how much it is going to cost and to see if it is feasible
to do certain services or not. If feasible and they are able to
afford it that would be fine, it could be anything from assisting them
on planning or building inspections, etc. He said that staff could do
a study on costs for certain services that can be provided to Rio
Bravo at cost. On annexation, the City of Rio Bravo is a general law
city which doesn't give the annexation of powers that the City of
Laredo has as a home rule city, but they do have annexation powers and
one of the issues they would like to discuss and is a topic that would
come up later is their desire to annex certain areas around their
properties to help enhance their tax collections or sales tax. The
schools that are currently out there pay utilities and the sales tax
goes to the county, and not to the City of Rio Bravo because it is not
inside the City of Rio Bravo. Things of that nature are things that
they would like to discuss to see what the advantages and
disadvantages would be to the city to allow them to annex.
Mr. Pena stated there are three things that Mr. Garcia is asking 1)
enter into a dialogue about studying how we can help them and come
back to council with a report and 2) specifically the annexation, the
pros and cons of allowing them to annex properties around their
property and 3) that the water plant is currently owned by Webb County
and any discussions regarding the water plant, that Webb County be
involved.
Jaime Flores, City Attorney, made a point of clarification, regarding
annexation, he wants to make sure that what Mr. Garcia is requesting
and council is not understanding that he is requesting council's
authorization to annex any of the city's extraterritorial
jurisdiction. That this is not an official request.
Cm. Bruni suggested that the start dialogue with the County and work
on the cost study.
e) Presentation of the Mayor's Cup trophy to the City Softball Tournament
Champions: The Utilities Department.
John Viduarri, Assistant City Manager, announced the winner of the
December 6th Softball Tournament as the Utilities Department. In
second place, the Bridge Department.
f) Mayor Protem Perez requested that staff prepare an ordinance to
include December 26th and January 2nd as holidays for 1997 and 1998 as
a one time only holiday and to post meetings for Friday and Monday at
noon.
g) Leroy Morin spoke against the closing of Seymour, Stone, Loring, and
Henricks at the railroad crossings adding that the citizens in the
area need these crossings. A petition with signatures was turned in
to the City Secretary.
Jesus Hernandez spoke against the closing of Seymour, Stone, Loring
and Hendricks.
XI. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION
67. Requests by Mayor and City Councilmembers for discussion and
presentation.
A. Requests by Mayor Pro-Tem Jose R. Perez, Jr.
1. Discussion and possible action regarding security guard services at
the four neighborhood recreation centers.
John Vidaurri, Assistant City Manager, reported that during the budget
sessions there was a motion to add security patrol in the evenings at
the recreation centers, there was discussion about a roaming patrol
from 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. and added that they have approximately
$8,000 in the budget for this project. They have a drafted contract
agreement and are in the process of going out for competitive bids for
the award of these services.
Cm. Bruni stated that we need on premise security personnel present
while the facilities are opened to take care of theft and other
possible incidents.
Cm. Perez requested that they schedule security officers and/or have
police patrolling the area while the facilities are opened or for
particular hours.
2. Discussion and possible action regarding the appointment of two
alternates to the South Texas Development Council.
Motion to accept the nominations of John Viduarri and Dan Migura as
the two alternates to the South Texas Development Council.
Moved : Cm. Valdez
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
B. Requests by Councilmember Louis H. Bruni
1. Status report regarding the ongoing negotiations between the City and
the Laredo Children's Museum, with possible action.
Ken Valls, Attorney for the Children's Museum, stated that they have
finally arrived to a point where they have the lease agreement, the
different parties are satisfied with it, except for the size of
premises. They have come to an agreement with respect to insurance,
with respect to whose going to pay for the utilities, and with respect
to all the things that are typically dealt with by a lease.
The only point of contention is whether or not there will be a
Children Museum and second, if there is, how much property will be
leased to the Children's Museum. He said that every other request
made to them by the city staff or by the representatives from the
library has been made, except for whether or not they want to place
the Children's museum at this location and if so, the size of the
property that it would encompass. The projected size of the initial
building of the Children's Museum is 24,000 sq. ft., that would be a
tremendous gift to the city because that would be paid for by the fund
that they created through the Children's Museum and the city would not
have to pick up that tap. There is no way that they can afford to
build the building and buy the land. So this is Laredo's opportunity
to have a first grade Children's Museum. They have people who are
interested in donating funds, and people who are dedicated towards
raising the remainder of the funds that need to be raised in order to
place this 24,000 sq. ft. building on this site. The amount of land
that is not being currently used by the library is approximately 3.5
acres which is the amount of property that they are talking about with
respect to this lease agreement. They have done everything they can,
they have met with members from the library, they have prepared a site
plan, and at this point they would like to go forward with the process
of approving the lease or be told that they are not going to be
allowed to put a children's museum on this location. There is only
one decision that needs to be made, whether or not they are going to
have a Children's Museum at this location.
Motion to instruct staff and the Legal Department to finalize an
agreement with the 3-1/2 acres and bring back to council for final
approval.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
C. Requests by Councilmember Alfonso I. "Poncho" Casso
1. Discussion and possible action on donation of City of Laredo Airport
property to the University of Texas for the creation of a Regional
Health Academic Center (RHAC).
Co-sponsored by Cm. Joe A. Guerra.
Cm. Casso stated this council is probably one of the most pro-business
councils in a long time, they have the opportunity to create more jobs
and to create a partnership with some of the universities, plus form a
partnership with the local schools. He knows there is a moratorium on
the sale of anymore property in the airport however, he requested that
they purchase 12 acres from the airport property and turn around and
transfer the appraised value of what that property would be
approximately $1.2 million from the general fund to the airport fund.
The airport fund would have those funds for the abatement program and
for infrastructure projects that we have been struggling to get
additional funding from FAA. Then we would turn around and give this
property to the University of Texas and they would put this Regional
Health Academic Center. It would create approximately 220 jobs,
within three years it would generate a payroll of $14 million and
would totally transform that area of the airport. It is his
understanding that we cannot lease it to the university for 100 years,
they have to have title, but before we can exchange title or anything
like that, he would like to get support from council, approach FAA and
if we have to go to Fort Worth or Dallas to try to get it done, and
then if we get the green light, then the University of Texas could
approach the legislation.
Mr. Jim Kazen, Coordinator of Border Region Health Services, stated
that it took us three years to do what it took Corpus 25 years, which
took San Antonio 50 years to bring a four year university. In Laredo
at the moment we have one of the state of the art hospitals in the
U.S., Mercy Regional Medical is going to be in the cutting edge of
hospitals anywhere it is the only hospital that is in close proximity
to an airport. Next door to Mercy Hospital there is a window of
opportunity the same one we had in 1989-90 to move through that window
quickly, there is the chair of health and human services, Senator
Zaffirini seating in a most powerful position to the legislation, you
have Rep. Henry Cuellar who seats on the Finance Committee, and Dr.
Joaquin Cigarroa who seats on the Coordinating Board which happens to
fund medical education and recently Tony Sanchez who is appointed to
the Border Region. We have the stars lined up if we can move very
quickly, there are few times in history when we can make a decision
and that decision opens up the door to many other things, but one of
the aspects of bringing the university of Texas Health Science Center
to town is research. They are talking about a diabetic research
center as part of this presence to investigate the causes as to why
there are more people in Laredo with certain kind of diseases than
there are in the rest of the state for the same kinds of things. We
need the research, this presence would do it, a three phase program
here which you would be instrumental in the first phase, (acquiring
the land) 2) setting up an administrative building quickly to get the
presence of the health science center here. The plan is to bring the
University of Texas not just a presence, but a health science center
with all its resources a medical school, dental school, pharmacy
school, graduate school and a research to Laredo.
Motion to get in touch with FAA to initiate some type of negotiations
for this project.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2. Discussion and possible action regarding the Austin legislative
consultant. (Co-sponsored by Mayor Pro-Tem
Jose R. Perez, Jr., and Cm. Eliseo Valdez, Jr.)
Cm. Perez stated he got in contact with the County Judge and they seem
to be interested in joining the City.
Cm. Casso said he was contacted by the private sector and they are
willing to participate.
He is going to initiate this and start it off, the key is to give
staff instruction after we name who the firm that will be contracted
with and see what the charge is going to be and then find out how much
the city, the county, and how much the private sector is going to pay.
Cm. Perez said to send this item to the Metro Committee so that they
can in turn can get together and start formulating ideas and at the
same time get the information of all the people that are interested in
participating and then from there see what comes out. He asked that
Mr. Pena contact the County so that the Metro Government Committee
meet with them as soon as possible.
Motion to instruct staff to negotiate a contract with Mario Martinez &
Associates and that we immediately setup some type of a meeting with
them through the Metro Committee where they can sit down in a formal
setting, discuss, negotiate as far as fees are concerned.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
3. Discussion and possible action regarding a sports complex.
Cm. Casso said that this item was brought up in the Business Council
and everyone was exited this project, supposedly LCC and TAMIU were
interested in forming some type of a partnership and wanted an
explanation as to what happened in that meeting because he was not
there.
Florencio Pena, City Manager, explained that council appointed an
Economic Advisory Council. The committee has been working in
developing a strategic plan for Economic Development and the Business
Council makes a big part of where that committee is involved. He
added that at the last meeting they discussed various goals and
objectives and identified six major goals that they would like to
pursue. One of the projects discussed was the need for stadiums, a
major facility stadium that would be used by both school districts.
At that point Dr. Janett mentioned that if we are going to do
something we need to move on a fast track because they are in the
process of going into design of a sports facility at TAMIU and they
like the idea that if it was not located within their complex, that it
be built somewhere else and that it be built in concert with other
projects where both school districts and the city could join venture.
There has been talk about an area north of the airport to protect it
from urban encroachment. He added that LCC is already building a
facility in their campus.
Our situation is that there is no money for it, what the Economic
Development Group is going to be doing is working with the Council and
developing a bond program, possibly to be funded by the sales or
property tax or whatever. Funding sources have to be recommended to
go forth with this project.
They will be meeting the early part of January with this group and
suggested that council give ideas as to how they want this project to
go and how fast they want it to go.
Cm. Casso would like see that they get together with TAMIU
to start dialogue on ideas and see what it is they want to do, and
maybe see if we can participate and see what council wants to do.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding health insurance benefits for
City of Laredo retirees, with a report from staff.
Cm. Casso stated that he was getting complaints centering around the
prescription and generic drugs.
Florencio Pena, City Manager, explained that council had made some
changes to the Retired Health Benefits by transferring a large number
of our retirees from the City's Health Pool to TML's Pool. Our
understanding was that the transfer was not going to substantially
diminish the services. The cost was going up to some extent, but the
services were going to be basically the same and council approved it
and it is in effect. It was a tremendous move on the part of the city
and in terms of its cost, without negatively affecting the retirees,
however they have recently learned that we have PCS and what that used
to provide the retirees and city employees if they bought generic
brands for $6.00 for any prescription and if they bought brand type
prescriptions it was $12.00, that was the total pocket expense. The
retirees wanted that same program, as staff they did understand that,
that was not going to be substantially different, what has happened is
that Diversified Monumental which is TML's firm that provides the
health benefits to the retirees has a different prescription program,
basically theirs is $10.00 generic, but 50% when it is brand name, so
that is substantially different from the city's.
Dan Migura stated that on July they transferred 84 retirees over to
TML Pool and sent letters to the retirees in September notifying them
of change and to date, they have gotten about 27 retirees that have
responded telling them about various concerns. 1) They were concerned
about the card coverage, whether or not they had a card and how the
card would work. 2) There were pharmacy issues, issues on the
prescription coverage as well as claim turn around time. They worked
closely with each individual when they called, they made sure they
received their prescriptions as needed. Made sure the pharmacies
covered them, as need and made sure that the cards are being
distributed as needed. They did not see that this was going to be a
significant change when they changed from the PCS coverage to
Monumental which is a diversified card, however they found that some
retirees are experiencing difficulties, where the generic drugs are not
available and they have to get a brand name, therefore having to pay
50%. When they came into the plan there were things that were
positive and they want to make sure that council is aware that in many
cases, some of these retirees were paying less in their premiums
(those that had to pay). They did not have a supplemental pool for
retirees, there were some that did not have anything, and they were
able to offer these retirees the supplemental pool as well as a lower
deductible. Under the TML Plan we have $250 deductible and under this
new plan with Monumental there is a $200 deductible. They have
contacted TML and Monumental and told them the concerns and asked them
what our options. Currently, they are waiting for their answer and
intend to look at that in light of the cost of trying to upgrade that
monumental plan if necessary, make it as equitable as they can to what
they had before and will bring it back recommendations to council
after the health fair.
He concluded by announcing the holding of a Health/Benefit Fair by TML
and Monumental on January 7th employees and retirees.
D. Requests by Councilmember Eliseo Valdez, Jr.
1. Discussion and possible action regarding the City's Employee Tuition
Reimbursement Program.
Cm. Valdez suggested that the program be modified to cover the cost of
the books up front.
Florencio Pena, City Manager, reported the policies were adopted in-
house by the previous administration and they are not council approved
policies.
Cw. Moreno stated they never proposed that the reimbursement pay
different for an "A" or "B" and suggested that they take a look at the
program, see what they have right now and what the recommendations are
and bring it back to council.
Mr. Pena said right now they have to make a certain grade and then be
reimbursed. That keeps people from doing it because they do not have
the money up-front to take the class. He said they can make that
amendment now, because registration will start soon for next semester.
He said they can do the program whereas they can pay upfront, if they
don't finish the course, the next time, they will go on the
reimbursement program. Instead of bringing the whole program to
council, they can make the modifications as suggested by council, put
it together in more detail, and will bring back the program to council
for review.
Cm. Valdez requested that they get together with LCC and TAMIU to come
up with a program, an incentive or a discount program being that they
are encouraging the employees to participate and go back to school.
Dan Migura briefed council on the policy currently in place.
E. Requests by Councilmember Mario G. Alvarado
1. Status report regarding the development of the City's Noise Ordinance.
Jaime Flores, City Attorney, reported that the ordinance is on hold
and will be ready by January 1st which is presently being prepared by
Ginger Reinert.
2. Appointing Mario Moreno to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Motion appointing Mario Moreno to the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
3. Request for a traffic signal study at the Mines Road and Inter-America
Boulevard, with possible action.
Luis Landin, Traffic Director, reported that the study is complete,
the mast arms have been installed, they had problems with the median
because they had to get permission from the state to relocate the mast
arm. The signal will be installed within 60 days. There are many
accidents in that area coming out of Inter-America into Mines Road.
During the next three months they will have three signals installed,
the next one coming up next month is Rancho Viejo, then Loop 20 at New
York and Inter America within the next 60 days, TAMIU signal and
Gale/Springfield.
4. Report from the Laredo Police Department on the number of traffic
accidents occurring on the Mines Road within the past twelve months,
with possible action.
Deputy Police Chief San Miguel reported that from January 1997 along
IH-35 there were 155 accidents of which 46 were tractor trailers. On
the Mines Road he reported a total of 143 accidents which includes all
vehicles.
Cm. Casso wants a report as what percentage of accidents occur going
southbound and what percentage is north, and also the number of
fatalities. He added that they are going to need added enforcement on
IH-35 and on the Mines Road which are where most of the accidents are
occurring.
XII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
68. Public hearing concerning the application by Goyo and Sons Plumbing
Contractors, Gregorio M. Martinez, amending the Zoning Ordinance
(Map) of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a
Conditional Use Permit for a 100 foot communication tower on Lot 3,
Block 1, Lam-Rick Subdivision, located at 105 Wright Way. The
Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of this Conditional
Use Permit.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for a 100 foot
communication tower on Lot 3, Block 1, Lam-Rick Subdivision, located
at 105 Wright Way.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
69. Public hearing concerning the application by Mary Hazel Diaz, amending
the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 42,
Block 1, El Rancho Subdivision, located on the northeast corner of the
intersection of Loop 20 and Rancho Grande Street, from R-3 (Mixed
Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Business District). The Planning
and Zoning Commission recommends approval of this zone change.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 42, Block 1, El Rancho Subdivision, located on the northeast
corner of the intersection of Loop 20 and Rancho Grande Street, from
R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Business District).
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
70. Public hearing concerning the application by Felix Cruz III, amending
the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 5,
Block 179, Eastern Division, located at 3502 McDonnell Avenue, from R-
3 (Mixed Residential District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential
District). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of
this zone change.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 5, Block 179, Eastern Division, located at 3502 McDonnell Avenue,
from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential
District).
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cw. Moreno
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Valdez
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Valdez
71. Public hearing concerning the application by Northwind Development,
Ramon Diaz Barroso, amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of
Laredo by rezoning 36.034 acres as further described by metes and
bounds located on the northeast corner of the intersection of IH35 and
the Bob Bullock Loop, from AG (Agricultural District) to M-1 (Light
Manufacturing District). The Planning and Zoning Commission
recommends approval of this zone change.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
36.034 acres as further described by metes and bounds located on the
northeast corner of the intersection of IH35 and the Bob Bullock Loop,
from AG (Agricultural District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District).
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Guerra
72. Public hearing concerning the application by Merlin Development Co.,
Ltd., amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
rezoning 9.548 acres as further described by metes and bounds located
east of McPherson Road, north of Tiara Trail, from R-O
(Residential/Office District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential
District). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of
this zone change.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
9.548 acres as further described by metes and bounds located east of
McPherson Road, north of Tiara Trail, from R-O (Residential/Office
District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District).
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Guerra
73. Public hearing concerning the application by David J. Cantu,
authorizing the issuance of a Special Use Permit for above ground
storage of flammable liquids, on Lots 4 and 5, Block 1, IH-35
Industrial Park, located at 9001 San Dario Avenue. The Planning and
Zoning Commission recommends approval of this special use permit.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the issuance of a Special Use Permit for above ground
storage of flammable liquids, on Lots 4 and 5, Block 1, IH-35
Industrial Park, located at 9001 San Dario Avenue.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: Cm. Guerra
74. Public hearing concerning an ordinance creating and adopting a new
Chapter 33 regarding Environmental Protection and adopting the
Articles therein to include new Sections 33-1 through 33-34 thereby
adopting a new City of Laredo Hazardous Materials Ordinance, which
provides for a Citizen's Environmental Committee; Hazardous Materials
Storage and Handling Permits and procedures; regulations and penalties
for discharges, facilities, transportation vehicles; transportation
route designations; and providing for severability; and providing for
an effective date.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Ordinance creating and adopting a new Chapter 33 regarding
Environmental Protection and adopting the Articles therein to include
new Sections 33-1 through 33-34 thereby adopting a new City of Laredo
Hazardous Materials Ordinance, which provides for a Citizen's
Environmental Committee; Hazardous Materials Storage and Handling
Permits and procedures; regulations and penalties for discharges,
facilities, transportation vehicles; transportation route
designations; and providing for severability; and providing for an
effective date.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Casso
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
75. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo FY 1997-98 annual budget by
reclassifying eleven firefighters to eleven assistant drivers
positions authorized by City Council effective January 1, 1998 and
authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the City of Laredo FY 1997-98 annual budget by reclassifying
eleven firefighters to eleven assistant drivers positions authorized
by City Council effective January 1, 1998 and authorizing the City
Manager to implement said budget.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
76. Public hearing to create 3 new positions as required by grant, awarded
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas
Natural Resource Conservation Commission to develop a "Watershed
Protection through Enforcement Program" for the period from November
1, 1997 through August 31, 2000 and authorizing the City Manager to
implement changes within the budget.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Creating 3 new positions as required by grant, awarded by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission in the amount of $161,121.00, with
the City designating $107,414.00, in matching funds and/or in-kind
services for a total of $268,535.00, to develop "Watershed Protection
through Enforcement Program" for the period from November 1, 1997
through August 31, 2000 and authorizing the City Manager to implement
changes within the budget.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cm. Alvarado
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
77. Public hearing amending Chapter 21 Offense and Miscellaneous
Provisions, Article V. Alarm Systems of the Code of Ordinances to the
City of Laredo.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending Chapter 21 Offense and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article V.
Alarm Systems of the Code of Ordinances to the City of Laredo.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
78. Public hearing approving an amendment to the contract with the Texas
Department of Health and budget in the amount of $190,332.00, for the
Tuberculosis Elimination Program of the City of Laredo Health
Department for the period beginning September 1, 1997, through August
31, 1998.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Approving an amendment to the contract with the Texas Department of
Health and budget in the amount of $190,332.00, for the Tuberculosis
Elimination Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the
period beginning September 1, 1997, through August 31, 1998 and
increasing revenue line item no. 226-0000-323-4042 from $0 to
$190,332.00, and increasing expenditure line item no. 226-6062 from $0
to $190,332.00.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
79. Public hearing approving an amendment to the contract with the Texas
Department of Health and budget in the amount of $192,828.00, for the
Tuberculosis Prevention/Control Projects of the City of Laredo Health
Department for the period beginning January 1, 1998, through December
31, 1998.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Approving an amendment to the contract with the Texas Department of
Health and budget in the amount of $192,828.00, for the Tuberculosis
Prevention/Control Projects of the City of Laredo Health Department
for the period beginning January 1, 1998, through December 31, 1998
and increasing revenue line item no. 226-0000-323-4071 from $0 to
$192,828.00, and increasing expenditure line item no. 226-6076 from $0
to $192,828.00.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce the ordinance.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
XIII. MOTION TO RECESS AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MUNICIPAL HOUSING CORPORATION
Motion to recess as City Council and convene as The Laredo Municipal
Housing Corporation.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
80. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, Home Art, Laredo, Texas, in the
amount of $18,790.00, for the purchase of kitchen cabinets at the Jose
A. Flores Apartments. Bids were received on finished cabinets only,
with the Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation maintenance staff being
responsible for their installation. $19,800.00 is budgeted for the
replacement of the cabinets in 15 rental units. A total of four bids
were received for this purchase. Funding is available in the Laredo
Municipal Housing Corporation - buildings.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
81. Accepting the terms of the Interim Construction Agreement from
International Bank of Commerce (IBC) in the amount of $2,205,500.00
for the construction of 50 affordable homes under the Laredo Municipal
Housing Corporation (LMHC) Lease/Purchase Program in the Riverhills
Subdivision, Unit 1 and authorizing the LMHC Vice President to enter
in agreement.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to adjourn as The Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation and
convene as City Council.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
XIV. MOTION TO RECESS AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MASS TRANSIT BOARD
Motion to recess as City Council and convene as The Laredo Mass Transit
Board.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cw. Montalvo
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
82. Public hearing and motion to realign the following three El Metro Bus
routes in order to increase efficiency, productivity, and on-time
performance and allow for the proper interlink with the two new routes
Loop 20 Shuttle and South Laredo Circulator:
a) Route #5 Marcella
b) Route #9 Market
c) Route #14 Santa Rita
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved : Cm. Valdez
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Gilbert Segovia, El Metro Manager, made the presentation which
included the following changes: to realign three existing routes and
the other two are two new routes that had been presented to council at
the budget workshops.
Route #5 Marcella is proposed to be realigned by eliminating a small
section of the route that is south of Pappas Street due to closure of
the old K-Mart store and has resulted in very low boarding and
alighting in this area. This section also requires a difficult
turning maneuver from Bartlett to Jarvis.
Route #9 Market is proposed to be realigned further to the east to
serve the United South High School and Los Presidentes area. The
section of this route that is being eliminated which is south of Palo
Blanco St. will be realigned by eliminating a section of the route
that is south of Pita Magana and east of Zapata Hwy. This section is
proposed to be served by the South Laredo Circulator. This route is
currently having trouble keeping time because of its length and train
delays.
Route #14 Santa Rita is proposed to be realigned by eliminating a
section of the route that is south of Pita Magana and east of Zapata
Hwy. This section is proposed to be served by the South Laredo
Circulator. This route is currently having trouble keeping time
because of its length and train delays.
Mr. Julian Negrete, a resident from Los Obispos, stated that people in
his neighborhood are against the change which will affect Los Obispos
area, because they will not have a route that takes them straight
downtown.
Bill Cain, representing the drivers of El Metro, stated that they had
concerns with the Santa Rita route because they think there should be
two buses rather than having an east bus and a west bus. He said that
having people transfer at Zacatecas would create a big problem, it
would overload the buses that will be coming downtwon, and it will
create a problem with the Corpus route. There are more people that
use the bus on the east side than on the west side. As far as the #9
route, since its going where the Americas route is, he is not sure
where the Americas route is going to go, whether they are getting rid
of that route or is it going to be realigned because there is no
mention of that.
Motion to close the public hearing, table the item, and send it back
to the Transportation Committee for recommendations.
Moved : Cm. Valdez
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to adjourn as The Mass Transit Board and convene as City
Council.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. Time: 10:12 p.m.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE MINUTES CONTAINED IN PAGES 01 TO 50
ARE TRUE, COMPLETE, AND CORRECT PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1997. A CERTIFIED COPY IS ON FILE AT THE CITY
SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
________________________
GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.
CITY SECRETARY