COUNCIL COMMUNICATION


DATE  3/22/99

SUBJECT: FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE #99-O-084
Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement between
the City of Laredo and Texas/Illinois Cellular Limited Partnership
by its General Partner Southwestern Bell Wireless, Inc., for the
lease of a 1,114 sq. ft. tract of land out of the fo rmer portion of
the 1000 block of Texas Avenue between the south right-of-way line
of Chihuahua Street and the north right-of-way line of the Texas
Mexican Railroad, situated in the Eastern Division, County of Webb,
more fully described on attached L ease Agreement for a term of
fifteen years with the option of one (1) successive renewal term of
five (5) years, at the annual rent of $7,200.00 adjusted annually
according to changes in the consumer price index and providing for
an effective date.

INITIATED BY:                         STAFF SOURCE:
Cynthia Collazo                       Ricardo Mireles
CD Director                           Street Closing Coordinator

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
On March 15, 1999, this Ordinance was introduced by the City
Council.

BACKGROUND:
The Texas/Illinois Cellular Limited Partnership by its General
Partner Southwestern Bell Wireless, Inc., had requested that the
City consider leasing a 1,114 sq. ft. tract of land out of the
former portion of the 1000 block of Texas Avenue between th e south
right-of-way line of Chihuahua Street and the north right-of-way
line of the Texas Mexican Railroad for the purpose of installing and
operating a communication monopole type cellular tower.

The proposed lease is for a term of fifteen years with the option
for one (1) successive renewal term of five (5) years.  The annual
base rent being proposed will be $7,200.00 adjusted annually
according to changes in the consumer price index.

On March 1, 1999, the City Council introduced an Ordinance closing
as a public easement that Former portion of the 1000 block of Texas
Avenue between the south right-of-way line of Chihuahua Street and
the north right-of-way line of the Texas Mexican Railroad.  This
item will go before the City Council for final approval at this same
meeting .

FINANCIAL:
Estimated Revenues - annual rent of $7,200.00 with a consumer price
index increase each succeeding year.  Revenues from this lease will
be credited to the Street Closing Division Rent/Land Account 241-
0000-361-2000.


STAFF:
Staff recommends passage of this Ordinance.

The Telecommunications Commission has proposed the use of  City of
Laredo property to promote the orderly growth and placement of
cellular tower sites in our municipality.  City staff has diligently
attempted to regulate the proliferation of towers i n our community
by promoting the use of water tanks and other structures.  The
Telecommunications Commission at its meeting of September 16, 1998
approved recommendation of this lease.



                        ORDINANCE # 99-O-084

           AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
           LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAREDO AND
           TEXAS/ILLINIOS CELLULAR LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
           BY ITS GENERAL PARTNER SOUTHWESTERN BELL WIRELESS,
           INC., FOR THE LEASE OF  A 1,114 SQ. FT.TRACT OF
           LAND OUT OF THE  FORMER  PORTION OF THE 1000 BLOCK
           OF TEXAS AVENUE BETWEEN THE SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
           OF CHIHUAHUA STREET AND THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
           OF THE TEXAS MEXICAN RAILROAD, SITUATED IN THE EASTERN
           DIVISION,  COUNTY OF WEBB, MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON
           ATTACHED LEASE AGREEMENT,  FOR A TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS
           WITH THE OPTION OF ONE (1) SUCCESSIVE RENEWAL TERM OF
           FIVE (5) YEARS, AT THE ANNUAL  RENT OF $7, 200.00
           ADJUSTED ANNUALLY ACCORDING TO  CHANGES IN THE CONSUMER
           PRICE INDEX, AND  PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.


    WHEREAS,  the Texas/Illinois Cellular Limited Partnership, by
its General  Partner Southwestern Bell Wireless, Inc., requested
that the City consider leasing a 1,114 sq. ft. tract of land out of
the former  portion of the 1000  block of Texas Avenue between the
south right-of-way line of Chihuahua Street and the north  right-of-
way line of the Texas Mexican Railroad for the purpose of installing
and operating a communication monopole type cellular tower; and,

    WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends that the City Council
 approve the proposed lease agreement between the City of Laredo and
 Texas/Illinois Cellular Limited Partnership, by its General Partner
 Southwestern Bell Wireless, Inc., in furtherance of the development
 of the City of  Laredo telecommunications infrastructure; and,

    WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Laredo finds that said
lease is in the best interest of the City of Laredo.

     NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAREDO THAT:

1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a lease with
Texas/Illinois Cellular Limited Partnership, by its General Partner
Southwestern Bell Wireless, Inc. for the lease of a 1,114 sq. ft.
tract of land out of the former portion of t he 1000 block of Texas
Avenue between the south right-of-way line of Chihuahua street and
the north right-of-way line of the Texas Mexican Railroad, situated
in the Eastern Division, County of Webb, more fully described on
attached lease agreement, f or a term of  fifteen years with the
option of one (1) successive renewal term of five (5) years,  at the
annual rent of $7,200.00 adjusted annually according to changes in
the consumer price index.

2. This ordinance shall become effective upon passage hereof.


PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR ON THIS THE
_____ DAY OF _____________________, 1999


                             ________________________
                                ELIZABETH G. FLORES
                                      Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________
GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.
City Secretary

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

JAIME L. FLORES
City Attorney

By: ____________________
    RAY RODRIGUEZ
    Asst. City Attorney