CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

A-2001-R-12

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

MAY 7, 2001

5:30 P.M.

 

 

DISABILITY ACCESS STATEMENT

Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aid or services are requested to contact Gustavo Guevara, City Secretary at (956) 791-7308 at least two working days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.  The accessible entrance and accessible parking spaces are located at City Hall, 1100 Victoria Ave.

 

Out of Consideration for all attendees of the City Council meetings, please turn off all cellular phones and pagers, or place on inaudible signal.  Thank you for your consideration.

 

 

 

    I.      CALL TO ORDER

 

 II.      PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

III.      ROLL CALL

 

IV.      MINUTES

 

V.              COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

 

a.      Recognizing the affiliation between the City of Laredo, Texas USA and the City of Chenzhou, Hunan Providence, China as sister cities.

 

Invitations

 

Recognitions

 

a.      Recognizing the Health Department’s Children’s Health Insurance Outreach Program staff for being awarded the “High Hurdle Champion” Gold Award for counties with a population of 100,000 to 200,000; for exceeding the county challenge goal of having 67 percent of uninsured children in their county apply for the TexCare Partnership Program.

 

b.      Recognition of Nye Elementary School for winning the $10,000.00 “Make a Difference Day” award for adopting the Casa Hogar Elim Orphanage in Nuevo Laredo.   

 

c.      Recognition of Laredo Development Foundation’s Small Business Development Center and the Small Business Administration San Antonio District to announce the following winners:

 

 

1.  Eloy Rodriguez, CPA

Accountant Advocate of the Year

SBA San Antonio District  

                  

2.   Gilberto Sanchez

      Falcon National Bank

      Financial Services Advocate of the Year

 

3.   Charles W. Owen

      Laredo Morning Times

      Small Business Journalist of the Year

 

4.  Susana V. Garcia

      Friends Association, LLC “Skating Palace”

      Small Business Person of the Year

 

 

d.      Recognition of the Laredo Fire Department and the U.S. Border Patrol on their certification as Emergency Medical Technicians by the State of Texas.  This training provided by the Fire Department initiated a partnership with the Border Area Rescue Team Program provided by the U.S.  Border Patrol as First Responders.

 

 

Communiqués

 

a.  Presentation by representatives of Sony on their Sony Global Volunteer Day scheduled for May 9, 2001, which will include tree planting by over 100 Sony employees in City parks.

 

 

 VI.    APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

a.      Appointment by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr. of Albert Muller to the Transportation Traffic Safety and Advisory Committee.

 

b.      Appointment by Mayor Pro-Tempore Joe A. Guerra of Richard Perez and Fernando Cantu to the Redistricting Advisory Committee.

 

 

   VII.         PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

 

1.      Public hearing amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 Annual budget and appropriate revenue and expenditure upon the acceptance of a donation of $3,000.00 from Clark Hardware, Inc. for sponsorship of the Famous Chicken and $1,270.00 from Conoco for the sponsorship as well as purchase of Tecolotes logo baseballs to be given away at the park for promotional purposes.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

 

         Amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 Annual budget and appropriate revenue and expenditure upon the acceptance of a donation of $3,000.00 from Clark Hardware, Inc. for sponsorship of the Famous Chicken and $1,270.00 from Conoco for the sponsorship as well as purchase of Tecolotes logo baseballs to be given away at the park for promotional purposes.

 

 

 

2.      Public hearing amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 annual budget by creating the following positions: one (1) Parks & Recreation Assistant Director, and one (1) Administrative Assistant II at a cost of $40,000.00 including fringe benefits and a one-time capital outlay request of $7,450.00 for a total of $47,450.00 which will be funded by anticipated salary line item savings from the Parks & Recreations Department, and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

 

         Amending the City of Laredo FY 2000-2001 annual budget by creating the following positions: one (1) Parks & Recreation Assistant Director, and one (1) Administrative Assistant II at a cost of $40,000.00 including fringe benefits and a one-time capital outlay request of $7,450.00 for a total of $47,450.00 which will be funded by anticipated salary line item savings from the Parks & Recreations Department, and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.

 

 

VIII.   GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

3.   A.   Request by Council Member  Alfredo Agredano

 

1.      Status report on five parks in District I,  (Los Obispos Park, Sta. Rita Park, Century City Park, South Laredo Park, George Washington Park)

 

2.      Status report with possible action on the paving of Zacatecas St. and Hwy. 359 on the east and west side, with possible action.

 

3.      Status report on the Cops Station at Los Angeles and Los Obispos Subdivision.

 

B.  Request by Council Member Louis H. Bruni

 

1.      Status report on the Eastwoods Subdivision Park, with possible action.

             

C.     Request by Council Member Johnny Amaya

 

1.      Status report on the Albert Ochoa Park with possible action to appropriate $30,000.00 for proposed improvements.

 

D.     Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.

 

1.      Discussion with possible action regarding access by residents living on properties between the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in District VII.

 

2.      Discussion with possible action regarding improvements to parks in District VII.

 

E.     Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

 

1.      Discussion and possible action in reference to the May 26th Tecolotes game to honor the Veterans by allowing them and the general public to enter the game at ½ price and children under 12 free of charge when accompanied by an adult for the remainder of the season starting with the game of May 26, 2001.

 

2.      Discussion and possible action regarding the applications for the Fire Chief position.

 

3.      Discussion and possible action regarding the AD Hoc Committee dealing with taxi transportation.

 

4.      Discussion and possible action on the progress report of the parking lot at the former U.S. Customs Export Lot.

             

(Recess)

(Press Availability)

 

 

   IX.     INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES

 

 

4.      An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to effectively convey fee simple title to the “Surface Only”, at its adjusted market value of $19,576.00, for certain property described as a 13,890.00 sq.ft., more or less, tract of land out of that former section of Poggenpohl Street between Vidaurri and Sta. Isabel Avenues to Hector Zuniga; provided that the City of Laredo retains a 12 foot wide utility easement; said tract being situated in the Western Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; and hereby approving the submitted Improvement Plans, and in compliance with Section 10 of the Street Closing/Sales Policy Handbook, as approved as per Resolution No. 97-R-140; and providing for effective date.

 

 

5.      An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease Agreement with Webb County, Texas, for and on behalf of the City of Laredo for approximately 1,820 sq. ft. of building space situated at La Ladrillera Elderly Center, 2100 Pinder, block 684, Western Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, for the purpose of operating the Elderly Nutrition Program and any other social service that will benefit low and moderate income people for a term of one (1) year with annual rent of $500.00 per month and the payment of 25% of all utility costs including electricity, gas and the monthly charge of an alarm monitoring service.

 

 

6.      An ordinance closing as a public easement that section of the 1700 block of South Malinche Avenue between Pecan and San Salvador Street situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, County of Webb, and providing for an effective date.

 

 

7.      An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Border City Rods, a non-profit organization, for the El Metro Park & Ride Lot, located at 4600 Daugherty for the purpose of holding an auto show.  The lease term is for two days, beginning 8:00 a.m. on September 1, 2001, and ending at 3:00 p.m. on September 2, 2001.  Rental fee shall be $1.00.

 

8.      An ordinance designating as a one-way northbound that section of Ejido Avenue, block numbers 900, 1000 and 1100, between Market Street on the south and Guadalupe Street on the north; providing for installation of appropriate signs to indicate one-way traffic in the designated direction and providing for publication and effective date.

 

 

         X.  FINAL READINGS OF ORDINANCES 

 

 

9.      2001-O-081     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 3.1915 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located north of Hwy. 359 and west of the City of Laredo Landfill, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District); providing for publication and effective date.  (Council Member Louis H. Bruni)

 

2001-O-082     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 3.20 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located north of Hwy. 359 and east of Coronado Ave., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District); providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Louis H. Bruni)

 

 

2001-O-083     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1C, Block 2, Jacaman Ranch-Unit I Subdivision, located north of Jacaman Rd. and west of Bartlett Ave., from B-3 (Community Business District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District); providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Louis H. Bruni)

 

 

2001-O-084     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1B, Block 2, Jacaman Ranch-Unit I Subdivision, located north of Jacaman Rd. and west of Saldana Ave., from B-3 (Community Business District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District); providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Louis H. Bruni)

 

 

2001-O-085     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning the South 93.8 ft. of Lots 7 and 8, Block 87, Eastern Division, located at 102 Rosario St., from M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) to R-O (Residential-Office District); providing for publication and effective date.  (Council Member John C. Galo)

 

 

2001-O-086     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 30.81 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located north of Hwy. 359 and west of Bob Bullock Lp., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Louis H. Bruni)

 

2001-O-087     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1, and the west 3 varas of Lot 2, Block 48, Eastern Division, located at 201 Market St., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. (As Amended) (Council Member John C. Galo)

 

2001-O-088     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 7, Block 1456, Eastern Division, located at 2510 Norton St., from R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District) to R-3 (Mixed Residential District); providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Alfredo Agredano)

                       

2001-O-089     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for a child daycare center on the north ½ of Lots 7 and 8, Block 580, Eastern Division, located at 3204 McClelland Ave.; providing for publication and effective date.  (As Amended)  (Council Member Johnny Amaya)

 

2001-O-091     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for a child daycare center on the south 1/3 of Lot 8 and the south 1/3 of the west 1/3 of Lot 7, Block 1606, Eastern Division, located at 2919 S. Louisiana Ave.; providing for publication and effective date.  (As Amended) (Council Member Alfredo Agredano)

 

2001-O-092     Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 1.527 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located east of McPherson Rd. and north of San Isidro Parkway, from AG (Agricultural District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. (Mayor Pro-tempore Joe A. Guerra)

 

2001-O-093     Authorizing the amendment of the Special Use Permit for a mini-storage warehouse on Lot 1, Block 1, Crown Ridge Subdivision, Unit 1, located at 602 Shiloh Dr.; providing for publication and effective date. (Mayor Pro-tempore Joe A. Guerra)

 

2001-O-094     Authorizing the amendment of the Special Use Permit for a mini-storage warehouse, on Lot 1, Block 1, Lago Del Mar Subdivision, Unit II, located at 7611 Bartlett Ave.; providing for publication and effective date. (Council Member Louis H. Bruni)

 

 

2001-O-095     Authorizing the temporary four (4) month extension of fixed bus route services to Muller Memorial Blvd. serving La Bota Ranch/Indian Sunset Subdivision and authorizing the City Manager to amend the Transit Budget by transferring $26,000.00 from Fund 518 Transit Reserve to Fund 558 Transit Operations to cover operational cost and salaries.    

 

 

XI.  RESOLUTIONS

 

 

10. 2001-R-046        A resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept fund distributions of $18,194.00 for Fiscal Year 2001 provided by Senate Bill-102 EMS/Trauma Systems Care Fund.  These funds will be used toward continuing implementation of our Regional Trauma System Plan, training, education, and purchases of equipment.   

 

11.  2001-R-048       A resolution expressing the support of the City Council of the City of Laredo for the development of relief routes in rural communities along Phase I High Priority Corridors.   

 

12. 2001-R-050        A resolution authorizing the City Manager to name the four newly constructed Community-Oriented Police Workstations located at Farias Elementary School, Los Obispos Subdivision, Springfield Ave., and D.D. Hachar Elementary School after Victor Pablo Serna, Pablo Albidrez, Jr., Susano Castillo and Eugenio Luna all of whom lost their lives in the line of duty as Laredo Police Officers.       

 

13. 2001-R-051        A resolution authorizing the City of Laredo to enter into an interlocal participation agreement with the Texas Local Government Purchasing Cooperative and authorizing the City Manager to execute the interlocal participation agreement.  The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate compliance with State of Texas bidding requirements, to identify qualified vendors of commodities, goods, and services, and to realize potential cost savings for the City.  

 

14. 2001-R-052        A resolution authorizing the City of Laredo to enter into an interlocal participation agreement with the Texas Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN) sponsored by the Region IV Education Service Center providing for a cooperative purchasing program for goods and services and authorizing the City Manager to execute the interlocal agreement.  

 

15.    2001-R-054     A resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Governor’s Automobile Theft Prevention Authority to fund the Laredo Auto Theft Task Force for the period of September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2002.  

 

16.    2001-R-055     A resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all related documents in order to join the South Texas Aggregation Project, Inc., a non-profit political subdivision corporation organized under Chapter 303, Texas Local Government Code, entitled, “Energy Aggregation Measures for Local Governments” as amended and authorizing payment of $15,000.00 to the South Texas Aggregation Project, Inc., as membership fees in order to become a member of said corporation.

 

 

17.    2001-R-056     A resolution approving the creation of a sister city affiliation between the City of Laredo, Texas, USA and the City of Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China.

XII.       MOTIONS

 

 

18.       Consideration to authorize the purchase of a specialized software application from HTE, Inc., Lake Mary, Fl., in the amount of $33,925.00, for use by the Police Department.   HTE's Crackdown software application is used as an investigative tool by Police Departments to track gang activity.  Funds for the purchase of this software have been made available in the Juvenile Incentive Block Grant.  

 

 

19.       Consideration to award contract number FY01-081, to the LOW BIDDER, Holt Company of Texas, Laredo, Texas, in the amount of $45,133.00, for the purchase of one, 50 ton folding gooseneck semi-trailer, for transporting heavy equipment to job sites.  Funding for the purchase of this trailer is available in the Utilities and CIP Public Works Street Improvement budgets. 

 

20.              Consideration to award an annual service contract number FY01-082, to R. Aguero Trucking, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $25,000.00, for providing hauling services for the Utilities Department.  The contract vendor will be hauling approximately 600 tons of dry sludge per month from the Water Treatment Plant to the City landfill.   Funding is available in the Water Treatment budget.

 

21.       Consideration to award contract number FY01-084, to EPI Environmental Products, Inc., Conroe, Texas, in the amount of $43,595.00, for providing all equipment, labor, and materials required to implement a pilot program for an alternate daily cover for the City landfill.  Funding is available in the Solid Waste budget. 

 

 

22.       Consideration to award contract number FY01-090, to the LOW BIDDER, Royal Treat Car Wash, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $36,000.00, for furnishing car wash services for the City's automotive fleet.  Bids were requested on car wash service with and without inside vacuum.  All services are secured on an as needed basis.   The bid pricing decreased approximately 8% from the previous contract period.  Funding is available in the Fleet Fund.  

 

23.       Consideration to award contract FY01-091, to the LOW BIDDER, Executive Office Supply, Laredo, Texas, in the amount of $17,605.20, for the purchase of office furniture for the Police Department.  This furniture is needed for the four new police substations.  Delivery is anticipated within thirty days.  Funds for the purchase of this furniture are available in the Police Trust Fund.

 

24.       Consideration to award contract number FY01-092, to the LOW BIDDER, Al and Rob Sales, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $42,699.00, for the purchase of uniforms of the Bridge System personnel.  The contract pricing will be valid for a period of six months.  The uniforms will be delivered thirty days after measurements have been completed.  Funding is available in the Bridge Fund.

 

25.       Consideration to enter into contract with Atlas Enterprises for the purpose of a pyrotechnic show immediately following a regularly scheduled Tecolotes baseball game on July 4, 2001 at Veterans Field.

 

26.       Consideration to authorize the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Texas Department of Health in the amount of $17,139.00 for the Hepatitis C Study Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2002.

 

27.       Consideration to authorize the City Manager to submit a grant application for $95,483.00 to the Texas Department of Health for renewal of the HIV/AIDS Health and Social Services Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2002.

 

28.       Consideration to authorize the City Manager to submit a grant application in the amount of $150,000.00 to the Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority Health, HHS, for a Health Status Improvement Demonstration Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002.

 

 

29.       Consideration to authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with RWL Group, Inc. to provide employee benefit services to the City of Laredo for a period of seventeen months to commence on May 1, 2001 and to conclude on September 30, 2002.  Funds are available in the Administrative Services Department budget.  For October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002 funding is subject to appropriation in the 2002 FY budget. 

 

30.       Consideration to authorize the City Manager to approve Amendment No. 1 to increase the professional services fee in the amount of $14,950.00 to Carter & Burgess, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, to provide additional work by re-mapping the flood plain of Chacon Creek.  The total contract for the project was $437,120.00 and with the amendment the project cost will be $452,070.00.  The re-mapping will be provided to FEMA to update a portion of the model currently under review.  The revised model will update the main stem of Chacon Creek from the Rio Grande to Lake Casablanca spillway.  Funding for the project is available in the NPDES Fund.

 

31.       Consideration for acceptance of the Police Substation located at Springfield Ave. at Ryan Street, approval of final payment in the amount of $12,718.50 to Laredo Class One Builders, Inc., Laredo, Texas, and approval of the project plaque.  Final contract amount is $114,000.00.  Funding is available in the Capital Improvement Fund NE Hillside COPS Station.

 

32.       Consideration for approval of Change Order No. 1 an increase of $17,420.58 to the construction contract with III PG Enterprises, Inc., Laredo, Texas, for the demolition of buildings 1450 and 1451 Laredo International Airport for labor and materials and corresponding costs for breaking of the drilled pier caps from the foundation and to add an additional 20 working days to the construction contract time.  Funding is available in Airport Budget.

 

 

33.       Consideration for approval to award an engineering contract to Paul Garza & Associates, Consulting Engineers, Laredo, Texas, for an amount not to exceed $145,500.00 for preliminary studies on siting and traffic studies in conjunction with the proposed Laredo International Bridge No. 5, City Toll Plaza and Federal Border Station Facilities and Access Roadways.  Funding is available in the Bridge System Purchased Professional Services.

 

 

34.       Consideration for approval of final Change Order No. 6 an increase of $24,458.70 for the balance of quantities actually constructed in place, acceptance of the Calton Road Widening Project at the Public Library and the McPherson Road Widening Project from Calton Road to the Culvert Drainage Channel at Cotulla’s Restaurant, and approval of final payment in the amount of $127,262.73 to Ramos Industries, Inc., Pasadena, Texas.  Final contract amount is $1,219,926.70.  Funding is available in the 1998 CO Issue Calton Road Improvements.

 

 

35.       Consideration to authorize the award of a contract in the amount of $39,000.00 to Government Relations, Inc. (GRI) for intergovernmental, informational and advocacy services to, and for the benefit of the City of Laredo.  The contract period will be from May 1, 2001 through October 31, 2001.  Funding is available through General Fund Salary Savings in the Planning Department.

 

 

 36.     Consideration to cancel the May 28, 2001 Special City Council Meeting of the Planning and Zoning agenda items due to the Memorial Day Holiday.

 

 

37.    Consideration to authorize the City Manager to retain the services of Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., Austin, Texas for professional consulting services related to the City’s proposed Laredo International Bridge No. 5.  Funding is available in the Bridge Fund.

 

 

 

XIII.   STAFF REPORT

           

 

38.       Presentation of Quarterly report on the Down payment Assistance Program under the HOME Investment Partnership Program.

 

39.       Staff report on the signalization at Jacaman and McPherson regarding the total cost of the project and consideration for using available equipment.

 

40.       Update on the privatization of the Utilities Department.

 

 

 

XIV.           EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The City Council hereby reserves the right to go into executive session at any time during this public meeting, when it deems it necessary to consult privately with its attorney about any item upon this agenda, pursuant to the provisions of Section 551.071(2) of the Texas Government Code.

 

 

 

XV.   RECESS AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MASS TRANSIT BOARD

 

 

41.    Consideration to award the contract to Sefact Lift & Equipment for the purchase of a mobile wheel contract lifting system to elevate large trucks, buses, and other vehicles at a bid price of $20,380.00.

 

 

42.    Consideration to award Security Guard Services contract number FY01-065, to the LOWEST BIDDER, C.W. Tenorio Security, Laredo Texas, at the rate of $7.00 per hour.  Security Guard Services will be provided for the Operations & Maintenance at 401 Scott St. and the Transit Center at 1301 Farragut St.

 

XVI.   ADJOURNMENT

 

 

This notice was posted at the Municipal Government Offices, 1110 Houston Street, Laredo, Texas, at a place convenient and readily accessible to the public at all times. Said notice was posted on Wednesday, May 2, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.

                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Gustavo Guevara, Jr.

                                                         City Secretary[fp1] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [fp1]