CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
A-2002-R-08
CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110
HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
APRIL 15, 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
a.
Alexandra Ortiz and Alexia
Quintero, 7th grade students from United Middle School, will sing National
Anthem.
b.
Presentation and demonstration
of the Hercules Robot by the United Engineering and Technology Magnet staff and
students.
Invitations
Recognitions
Communiqués
a. Friends of the Library donation in the amount of $23,000.00 to the Laredo Public Library.
VI. APPOINTMENTS
TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
VII. PUBLIC
HEARINGS
1. Public
hearing granting Reliant Energy
Entex, a division of Reliant Energy Resources Corp., and its successors, the
right, privilege and franchise to construct, lay, maintain and operate
pipelines and gas mains in, under, over, across and along, and to use present
and future streets, alleys, public thoroughfares and grounds of the City of
Laredo, for the purpose of transporting, distributing and selling gas (natural,
artificial or mixed) for all purposes for which gas is or may be used to the
municipality and inhabitants of said City of Laredo, Texas, and to any other
person or persons, for a term of twenty years; providing for the manner of
acceptance of this franchise by Entex; providing for payment by Entex to City
for the rights and privileges granted by this franchise; and making
miscellaneous provisions in connection therewith.
2. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Fiscal Year
2001-2002 budget of the City of Laredo in the amount of $10,000.00 in
additional funds from the Texas Department of Health for the HIV/AIDS
Prevention and Education Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for
the period beginning January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002.
3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to
amend the City of Laredo FY 2001-2002 annual budget by appropriating revenues
and expenditures in the amount of $30,000.00 for Project Alcance. This program will support outreach and
educational services of the Promotora Program.
Driscoll Children’s Health Plans of Corpus Christi has awarded a
$30,000.00 grant to the City of Laredo Health Department for the period
beginning September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2002.
4. Public hearing and introductory
ordinance
repealing Ordinance Number 2001-O-279 and authorizing the issuance of a Conditional
Use Permit for a portrait studio on Lots 4, 5, and the East ½ of Lot 3, Block
1268, Eastern Division, located at 2219 Clark Blvd; providing for publication
and effective date. On September 20,
2001, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of the originally
proposed B-1 zone change.
5. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance Map
of the City of Laredo by rezoning Blocks 14, 46, and 75, Eastern Division and
those portions of Willow Street and Cedar Avenue which were previous public
right-of-ways, located at 420 Logan Avenue, from M-1 (Light Manufacturing
District) to M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing District); providing for publication and
effective date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended denial of the proposed zone change.
6. Public hearing and introductory
ordinance amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 2.6479 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds in attached Exhibit “A”, located north of
International Blvd. and east of Bazan Subdivision, from R-3 (Mixed Residential
District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District); providing for publication and
effective date. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended denial of the proposed M-1 designation and approval
of a B-3 zone change which will require the applicant to apply separately for a
Special Use Permit for a mini-storage warehouse.
7. Public hearing and introductory
ordinance amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Blocks 56, 67, and
68, Eastern Division and those portions of Cedar Avenue, Piedra China Street,
and Logan Avenue which were previous public right-of-ways, located at 301 Logan
Avenue, from M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) to M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing District);
providing for publication and effective date.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the
proposed zone change.
8. Public hearing and introductory
ordinance authorizing the City Manager to
accept and execute the Vehicle Capital Replacement (VCR) grant 0201 (22)
contract no. 51222F6007 with the Texas Department of Transportation in the
total dollar amount of $773,126.00; consisting of federal funds of $773,126.00
and providing for a soft match of $193,282.00 state toll credits and amending
the FY 2001-2002 budget by appropriating all grant funds in the total amount of
$773,126.00; and providing for grant/contract funds to be deposited in the City
of Laredo Transit Fund.
VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS
9. A. Request
by Council Member Louis H. Bruni
1.
Status
report on the brick pavers on Clark Blvd.
2.
Status
report on Eastwoods Park.
3.
Discussion
with possible action on the intersection of Saunders and Milmo.
4.
Status
report on the empty lot on Los Ebanos Subdivision.
B. Request by Council Member Joe A. Guerra
1.
Request by Chris Notzon to
discuss the possibility of a moratorium on sexually oriented businesses in the
City of Laredo, with possible action.
C. Request
by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.
1.
Discussion with possible action
on resurfacing Markley Lane between Santa Maria and the furthest railroad line
west of Markley Lane.
2.
Discussion with possible action
on widening the entrance to Rancho Viejo to include a left turn lane.
3.
Discussion with possible action
regarding sidewalk requirements for new home construction throughout the City
of Laredo.
4.
Discussion with possible action
to approve skate park equipment in District VII.
C. Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez
1.
Discussion with possible action regarding
suspension of Taxi permit #047 issued to Nora Madrid.
2.
Discussion with possible action
regarding a public access program for City Council to inform their district of
current developments.
3.
Discussion with possible action
regarding improving San Bernardo Avenue to include resurfacing, removing of
telephone poles and possibly adding traffic lights.
4.
Discussion with possible action
regarding the increase of Council Member requests to 6 six items per council
member.
(Recess)
(Press Availability)
IX. INTRODUCTORY
ORDINANCES
10. Setting the maximum speed limit within the city limits of
Laredo, Webb County, Texas, as 50 miles per hour from mile post 1.100 to mile
point 7.008 of Loop 20 as defined in the Texas Department of Transportation
control section map 0086-14 to be in effect during the reconstruction of Loop
20.
11. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a
Lease Amendment to the lease agreement authorized by Ordinance No. 2001-0-138 dated
July 16, 2001, between the City of Laredo and South Texas Development Council
for approximately 2,048 square feet constituting Suite Numbers 12, 14, 16 and
18 of Building No. S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road. Said Amendment will decrease the leased area
from 2,048 square feet to 1,376 square feet by deleting Suite No. 16 and
decrease the monthly rent accordingly from $2,580.50 to $1,733.78, effective
October 1, 2001. All other terms and
conditions remain in effect and unchanged; providing for an effective
date.
12. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease Agreement with
South Texas Development Council for approximately 300 square feet constituting
Suite Number 22 of Building S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road at the Laredo
International Airport. Lease term is
for one-year (1) year commencing on April 1, 2002 and ending on March 31, 2003
and may be extended for two (2) terms of one year (1) each ending on March 31,
2004 and March 31, 2005. Monthly rent
shall be $375.00 and will be adjusted annually during the primary and extension
terms of this lease according to changes in the Consumer Price Index; providing
for an effective date.
X. FINAL
READING OF ORDINANCES
13. 2002-O-065 Amending Chapter XI, Truck
Traffic, Division 2, Truck Routes, Section 19-410 Truck Routes Designated and
Section 19-415 Departure from and Return to a Designated Truck Route, of
Chapter 19, the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances by deleting Lafayette Street
westbound only from IH 35 to Santa Isabel Avenue, clarifying U.S. 83 to include
Houston and Matamoros, designating all of Loop 20 to the World Trade Bridge and
eliminating the restrictive location for services and repairs off the truck
route; providing for publication and effective date. (As
amended)
2002-O-079 An ordinance establishing a 15%
penalty on the 2001 delinquent tax accounts as of July 1, 2002 to defray costs
of collection pursuant to Section 33.07 (a) of the Texas State Property Tax
Code; providing for publication and effective date.
XI. RESOLUTIONS
14.
2002-R-036 Repealing
Resolution Numbers 96-R-108, 96-R-109, 96-R-110, 97-R-028, 97-R-029, 99-R-024,
2000-R-039, 2000-R-072, 2000-R-133, 2000-R-134, and resolving that the City
Manager is authorized to execute a new Subordination, Non-Disturbance and
Attornment Agreement between the City of Laredo, as Lessor, L.A. Ventures,
Inc., as Lessee, and International Bank of Commerce, as Lender, thereby
encumbering the leasehold interest regarding Lot Numbers, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, and 10 and consolidating the existing debt in the amount of $3,225,000.00
and reducing the interest rates on the ten (10) cargo buildings constructed by
Lessee on the referenced lots located in Block No. 1 at the Laredo
International Airpark Subdivision at the Laredo International Airport. The term of the Subordination,
Non-Disturbance and Attornment Agreement is to March 31, 2016; providing for an
effective date.
15.
2002-R-037 Authorizing the
City Manager to apply for a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Fire
Grant for the acquisition of an Emergency Vehicle in the amount of $597,587.00
in which the City of Laredo has to provide thirty percent ($179,276.00) of this
amount and FEMA seventy percent ($418,311.00).
This grant is to be used to purchase a Hazmat Response Unit for the
Laredo Fire Department
16.
2002-R-038 Confirming the
appointment for a member of the Fire Fighter’s & Police Officer’s Civil
Service Commission of the City of Laredo to be determined by the City Manager.
XII. MOTIONS
17. Consideration
to award contract number FY 02-084 to the Low Bidder, Roberto Lopez, DBA Al
& Rob Sales, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of $47,650.00 for the
purchase of uniforms for Bridge Department personnel. The contract pricing will be valid for a period of six (6)
months. The uniforms will be delivered
thirty days after measurements have been completed. Funding is available in the Bridge Fund.
18. Consideration
to award contract number FY 02-083, a thirty-six month rental contract to
Office Communication System, Inc., San Antonio, Texas in the base amount of
$35,640.00 for providing a color copier for use by all City departments. The copier is assigned to the City
Secretary’s Office. The cost per copy
is $0.37, which is approximately 44% less than the current rate. Each user department is charged for their
actual usage. Funding is available in
the respective departmental budgets.
19. Refund
of property tax to the following taxpayers and companies:
a.
A refund in the amount of
$610.36 payable to Rogelio and Anna Eliza Martinez due to double payment by
Neel Title Corporation and Alliance Mortgage.
Account # 923-00026-527.
b.
A refund in the amount of
$590.36 payable to Ricardo Rendon and Veronica Rodriguez due to a double
payment by Webb County Title Company and the mortgage company. Account #985-83003-190.
c.
A refund in the amount of
$598.43 payable to Armando Diaz Cortez due to a double payment on behalf of
Border Abstract and the mortgage company.
Account #980-60003-130.
20. Approving
monthly adjustments to the tax roll.
The amount to be adjusted for the month of March 2002 represents an
increase in levy of $3,506.10. These
adjustments are determined by the Webb County Appraisal District and court
orders.
21. Consideration to award a contract for collection of delinquent
taxes with the firm of Ricardo de Anda, Attorney at Law, to be renewed for the
period of July 1, 2002 to September 30, 2005.
22. Consideration
for approval of change order no. 1, a decrease of $37,524.06 for the balance of
quantities actually constructed in place, acceptance of the 2001-2002 Street
Recycling Project (133.5 Blocks-Revised) and approval of final payment in the
amount of $42,013.23 to Cutler Repaving, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas. Final contract amount is $315,269.94. Funding is available in the Infrastructure
Maintenance Street Materials/Cutler Paving.
23. Consideration
to authorize the purchase of one (1) four-door truck and one sports utility
vehicle (SUV) through the Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments
(HGAC)-Cooperative Purchasing Program in the total amount of $52,690.58. These vehicles will be assigned to the Fire
Department’s Training Division.
Delivery is expected within 90-100 days. Funding is available in the Fire Department Capital Outlay
budget.
24. Consideration
to authorize the purchase of one (1), regenerative air sweeper mounted on a
Freightliner Cab and Chassis through Houston Galveston Area Council of
Governments (HGAC) – Cooperative Purchasing Program, in the total amount of
$109,669.00. This sweeper will be
assigned to the Public Works Department.
Delivery is expected within 90-100 days. Funding is available in the 2002-A PPFCO Contractual Obligation
bond proceeds.
25. Consideration
to award contract number FY 01-034 to the Low Bidder, The Newman Group, Dexter,
Michigan, in the amount of $70,077.00 for providing an annual maintenance
contract for the City’s Institutional Network (I-Net) switching equipment. This contract includes technical support,
equipment replacement for defective parts, and software upgrades for all I-Net
equipment purchased by the City.
Funding is available in the respective user departmental budgets.
26. Amending
a contract with Harry Jewett Associates, Inc., Laredo, Texas for $15,610.00 to
include aerial photography surveys and additional surveying services required
to acquire easements for the water distribution lines on Mines Road Area. The amendment brings the total contract
amount to $220,780.00. Funding is
available in the Colonias Fund Project Engineer Fees.
27. Amending
a contract with Crane Engineering Corporation, Laredo, Texas for $8,645.34 to
include additional surveying services required to acquire easements for the
water transmission line on Hwy 359. The
amendment brings the total contract amount to $160,145.34. Funding is available in Colonias Fund
Project Engineer Fees.
28. Consideration to award a professional
service contract to Trott Communications Group, Irving, Texas, in the estimated
amount of $98,000.00, for conducting a study and analysis of the current public
safety radio communication system and the preparation of a communication
plan. This contract calls for the
design of a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) system and possible upgrade of the
existing public safety radio system.
The contract vendor will be responsible for the preparation of Request
for Proposal (RFP) documents and for oversight responsibility regarding the
design and implementation of any new systems.
Funding is available in the Special Police Program-COPS MORE MDT
Grant.
XIII.
STAFF REPORTS
29. Presentation
on the Interior Color Scheme for the Laredo Entertainment Center.
30. Staff Report on the Laredo Corridors & Intersections Analysis-Phase II.
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council hereby reserves
the right to go into executive session at any time during this public meeting,
if such is requested by the City Attorney or other legal counsel for the City,
pursuant to his or her duty under Section 551.071(2) of the Government Code, to
consult privately with his or her client on an item on the agenda, or on a
matter arising out of such item.
31. Request
for Executive Session pursuant to 551.071 (1) (A) & (B) of the Texas
Government Code to discuss a settlement offer in pending litigation, Jose Luis
Ramos vs. City of Laredo presently pending before the Fire Fighters and Police
Officers Civil Service Commission.
XV.
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, April 10, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.
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Gustavo Guevara, Jr.