CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

A-2002-R-02

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JANUARY 28, 2002

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

 

Invitations

 

Recognitions

            a.  Recognition of the winners of the Mayor’s Cup Softball Tournament.

 

Communiqués

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

a.      Appointment by Council Member Joe. A. Guerra of Tony Trevino to the City Charter Commission.

b.      Appointment by Council Member Alfredo Agredano of Tom Mitchell to the City Charter Commission.

 

VII.      PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending section 24.80 of the Laredo Land Development Code by revising citations to the Texas Administrative Code in Section 42.80.2 (D), creating Section 24.80.3 requiring improvements and a plat to be filed for the subdivision of a parcel of land into two or more lots five acres or less which is intended for residential purposes within the corporate limits of the City of Laredo, creating Section 24.80.4 (D) requiring all water supply systems to be consistent with the standards developed by the TNRCC and as set out in 30 TAC Chapter 290, creating Section 24.80.4 (E)(2)(i) prohibiting pit privies, portable toilets, and on-site sewage facilities that do not meet the wastewater treatment standards developed by TNRCC and set out in 30 TAC Chapter 285; and providing for publication and effective date. 

           

2.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1, Block 547, Eastern Division, located at 901 Gustavus St., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone change. 

 

3.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 252, Block 13, Del Mar Hills Subdivision, Section 1, Area "A”, located at #2 Lindenwood Drive, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to R-O (Residential-Office District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone change.

 

4.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 4, Block 1653, Eastern Division, located at 2719 Clark Blvd., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the proposed change. 

 

5.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 5, Block 1108, Western Division, located at 102 Matamoros St., from B-1 (Limited Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed change. 

 

6.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 49.95 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”, located west of Bob Bullock Loop and south of the proposed Jacaman Road extension, from AG (Agricultural District), R-1 (Single Family Residential District), and M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed change. 

 

7.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 6.19 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”, located north of Kimberly Drive and east of Chris Lane, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area District); providing for publication and effective date.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed change. 

 

8.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the FY 2001-2002 annual budget in the amount of $13,147.00 in additional funds for the Medicaid Administrative Cost (MAC) Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002. 

 

9.         Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2001-2002 General Fund annual budget and Contractual Obligations Fund annual budget by transferring $2,202,940.00 from the General Fund balance and appropriating it in the Contractual Obligations Fund.  The amendment will draw down $2,202,940.00 from the General Fund opening balance and appropriate a transfer out of $2,202,940.00 to the Contractual Obligations Fund.  Amending the Contractual Obligations Fund to appropriate $2,202,940.00 for the Personal Property Finance Contractual Obligation for acquisition of machinery and equipment, automotive equipment and building improvements. 

 

VIII.     GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

 

10.       A.        Request by Council Member Louis H. Bruni

1.      Status report on the City of Laredo and Webb County Colonia project, with possible action.

2.      Status report on the Casa Verde acreage water and wastewater project, with possible action.

3.      Status report on the FAR 150 Noise Study Project.

4.      Discussion with possible action on extending the median brick-pavers from Spur 400 and Arkansas to the 2400 block of Clark.

B.        Request by Council Member Johnny Amaya

1.      Discussion with possible action on a traffic study to slow

down traffic in the Buena Vista area.

 

C.        Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore Eliseo Valdez, Jr.

1.      Discussion with possible action on drafting a resolution asking our legislators to draft a bill to change the state laws regarding the discharging of fire arms in the city limits.  That the responsible act be considered a felony because of the endangerment of lives and the concern for public safety.  That the same process be followed as was done to change the fines and penalties for poaching.  That the law allow law enforcement agencies to take action based on complaints and phone calls from citizens, and that the law enforcement officers be able to take action without necessarily having to witness the discharging of the fire arm, that they be able to secure a search warrant based on the complaints.  Discussion to include a report from staff, Customer Service Representatives, Legal Department, and the Police Department.

 

2.      Request for status report on the continued development of the Zacate Creek Linear Park, with possible action.  Report should include information on the status of Phase II, Phase III, the enhancement grant for the beautification and conversion of the Union Pacific Bridge to a pedestrian bridge.  Also, a request for status report on what staff has done to assure the contractor that worked on Phase I, repaired the pitted and cracked sidewalks.

 

3.      Request for a traffic study to consider the reduction of the speed limit on Loop 20 at or before the intersection of the Loop and Del Mar to include the area all the way to the entrance of the University and the new fire station.  The study to also consider lighting, signage, and the creation of an acceleration lane for the traffic attempting to get on the Loop off Del Mar. 

 

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

1.      Discussion with possible action regarding Veteran’s monument.

2.      Discussion with possible action pertaining to status report on Santa Maria reconstruction.

3.      Consideration to request bids for skate park modules at the Father McNaboe Park to be funded through discretionary funds and requesting the assistance of City crews to construct the concrete slab for the modules, with possible action.

 

E.        Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

1.       Discussion with possible action regarding the request of more funds for the Jamboozie Festival.

2.       Discussion with possible action regarding the request of more books and videos for the downtown library.

3.       Discussion with possible action regarding children crossing at Washington and Corpus Christi to J.C. Martin Elementary.

4.       Discussion with possible action regarding parking for parade underneath freeway at Santa Ursula and San Dario.

         

(Recess)

(Press Availability)

 

IX.       FINAL READINGS OF ORDINANCES 

 

11.      2002-O-013   Accepting a grant awarded by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for the South Texas/Border Region Health Professional Education Initiative for Public Library health related materials and amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 Annual Budget in the amount of $2,000.00. 

 

2002-O-014   Amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 Annual Budget to appropriate $80,000.00 in the Friends of the Library Fund.

 

2002-O-015   Accepting a direct aid grant from the Texas State Library--Lone Star Libraries Program and amending the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 Annual Budget in the amount of $22,131.00.  

 

2002-O-016   Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 9 and 11, Block 654, Eastern Division, located at 1119 Travis St., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. 

           

2002-O-017   Amending the City of Laredo 2001-2002 annual budget by appropriating $612,860.00 from the Bridge System Construction fund balance into the Toll Plaza Improvement Account.  Funding will be used for Bridge I rehabilitation of the bridge deck and removal of submerged concrete components in the river near Bridge I. 

 

2002-O-018   Establishing a payment plan for cemetery burial plots and services.  Payment plan sets penalty and finance charges assessed on Cemetery Accounts Receivables of 2% for those accounts not liquidated after 90 days and a finance interest rate of 8% per year; providing for effective date and publication. 

 

2002-O-019   Amending the City of Laredo’s FY 2001-2002 annual budget for the Hazmat Fund to appropriate $150,000.00 from the fund balance to pay a portion of the remodeling cost for the new Environmental Services Department office at 619 Reynolds Street. 

 

2002-O-020   Authorizing the City Manager to amend and appropriate the FY 2001-2002 annual budget in the amount of $30,000.00 from the Texas Department of Health Local Projects Grant.  The grant award of $30,000.00 will be assigned toward the purchase of an ambulance for the Laredo Fire Department. 

 

2002-O-021   Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association, Inc., for approximately fifteen (15) acres of concrete ramp located on the southwest cargo ramp of the Air Operations Area of the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for one (1) day on February 24, 2002.  City Council finds and declares that a valid public purpose would be served in setting the rental fee at $1.00; providing for an effective date.  (As amended) 

 

2002-0-022    Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with San Antonio MTA, L.P., d/b/a Verizon Wireless for ground space at the McPherson Water Tower located at 8711 McPherson, Laredo, Webb County, Texas and being more fully described in Exhibit “A” of lease agreement to construct on such premises a 120 ft. monopole and related equipment building for use with its communications business.  Term of the lease is for five (5) years commencing January 28, 2002 and ending January 27, 2007 with four (4) successive renewal terms of five (5) years.  Annual base rent shall be $8,400.00 each year during the term of the lease and will be increased by four percent (4%) on each anniversary of the commencement date; providing for effective date.  

 

2002-O-023   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 $4,005.00 for certain property described as a 18,520 sq. ft. more or less, tract of land out of the former section of the 600 Block of Jarvis Avenue between Cleveland Street and the south property line of Block 1292-A, Eastern Division to Jesse J. Martinez, Hector F. Martinez and Jorge R. Martinez provided that the City of Laredo retains a 15-foot wide drainage easement; said tract being situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, being described in Exhibit “A” and providing for effective date. 

 

2002-O-024   Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with the Laredo Little Theater, a non-profit organization, for the El Metro Park & Ride Lot located at 4600 Daugherty for the purpose of holding a concert.  The lease term is for one day beginning Thursday, February 14, 2002 at 8:00 a.m. until Saturday, February 16, 2002 at 3:00 a.m.  Rental fee shall be $1.00.  (As amended) 

           

X.        RESOLUTIONS

 

12.  2002-R-008        Expressing the opposition of the City Council of the City of Laredo to the proposed rules, as written, implementing a revised Frontage Road Policy by the Texas Department of Transportation. 

 

13.  2002-R-009        Adopting the Vehicles for Hire ADHOC Committee’s Charge, holding the committee responsible to advise the Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, on issues pertaining to proposed amendments to the Vehicles for Hire ordinances to include Article II Taxicabs, Article IV Scenic Tours and Charter Convention Service, and Article V Commercial Vehicles for Hire.  The committee is also charged with submitting proposed amendments for approval by the Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.

 

14.  2002-R-010        A resolution expressing official intent to reimburse the cost of $2,202,940.00 associated with the acquisition of automotive, equipment and building improvements for various City of Laredo Departments. 

                                                                                           

XI.       MOTIONS

           

15.       Consideration to approve regular City Council meetings for March 2002 scheduled for March 11th and March 25th due to the annual Washington trip.

16.       Consideration to award a contract to the sole bidder, Business Integrators, Inc., Mc Allen, Texas, in the amount of $202,428.00, for the upgrade of the Police Department’s AS/400 system.  The AS/400 computer maintains the Police Department’s dispatching report software and the upgrade is essential for the implementation of the portable display stations that will be installed in the patrol units.  Funding is available in the Police Trust Fund-Capital Outlay Budget. 

 

17.       Consideration for approval of Change Order No. 1 a decrease of $60,817.40 for the balance of quantities actually constructed in place, acceptance of the City-Wide Sidewalks Project No. 12b (33 Blocks) and approval of final payment in the amount of $27,059.22 to Atlas Commercial Services, Laredo, Texas.  Final contract amount is $220,822.20.  Funding is available in the Community Development 26th Action Year Sidewalks.  

 

18.       Consideration for acceptance of the Administrative Offices & Scale House for the City of Laredo Solid Waste Division and approval of final payment in the amount of $36,314.00 to Laredo Class One Builders, Inc., Laredo, Texas.  Final contract amount is $338,255.00.  Funding is available in the Solid Waste Fund Buildings & Retainage Payable Account. 

 

19.       Consideration for approval of Change Order No. 2 an increase $38,094.25 for the balance of quantities actually constructed in place, acceptance of the City-Wide Sidewalks Project No. 13 (16 Blocks), Project No. 16 (12 Blocks) and Project No. 17b (8 Blocks) plus additive alternates 1 and 2 (2 blocks in Project 16) for a net total of 38 Blocks and approval of final payment in the amount of $87,758.85 to Pete Gallegos Paving, Inc., Laredo, Texas.  Final contract amount is $354,915.75.  Funding is available in the Capital Improvement Project. 

 

20.       Consideration to authorize the City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with local Little League Associations.  This agreement authorizes the use of league fields for a fee of $1.00 and term of twelve (12) months.  The primary purpose of this agreement is to institute a baseball program for the youth of Laredo. 

 

21.       Authorizing the City Manager to amend a contract with Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc. for an amount of $398,800.00 under the Odor and Corrosion Control Project of the 1998A Contractual Obligation, for design of odor control facilities for the Zacate Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, inclusive of a chemical injection study, and additional rehabilitation of process treatment facilities.  The total amended contract will be $568,600.00. 


 

22.       Authorizing the City Manager to award a professional services contract to Ferris & Flinn, LLC, Harlingen, Texas in the amount of $87,400.00 for inspection services of the Jefferson Street Water Treatment Plant 60 MGD High Service Pump Station. 

 

23.       Approving monthly adjustments to the tax roll.  The amount to be adjusted for the month of December 2001, represents an increase in levy of $14,097.99.  These adjustments are determined by Webb County Appraisal District and by court orders. 

 

24.       Consideration to have the City Manager enter into a standard performance contract with CPL/AEP in order to receive incentive payments based on energy savings by replacing a portion of the incandescent light bulbs with light emitting diodes for traffic signals throughout the city of Laredo. 

 

XII.      STAFF REPORTS

           

25.       Update report on the status of the Colonias Waterline Project.

 

26.       Report on the Secondary Water Supply Project.  Presentation by Consultants, CH2MHILL on the status of proposal evaluation from the January 15th submission.

 

27.       Presentation of the fiscal year 2000-2001 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) prepared by the City of Laredo’s Financial Services Department and audited by the Independent Audit Firm of Garza, Martinez, & Co. 

           

XIII.     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.

 

XIV.     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, January 24, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.

                                                                       

 

                                                                        Gustavo Guevara, Jr.

                                                                        City Secretary[fp1] 

 [fp1]