CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

July 14, 2008

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

Recognitions

Communiqués

Citizen comments

Citizens are required to fill out a witness card and identify themselves at the microphone. Comments should be relevant to City business and delivered in a professional manner. No derogatory remarks will be permitted. There is a time limit of three minutes per speaker.

(Recess)

(Press Availability)

VI. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCE

1. Amending the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2-Administration, Article I- in General, Section 2-5 City Council Meetings, subsection (b) & (d) by providing that City Council may extend the meeting times of regular and special meetings, workshops and training sessions by a maximum of two (2) extensions of fifteen (15) minutes each; authorizing the city council to adopt the agenda format for regular meetings by resolution; providing for severability, repeal all laws in conflict, and providing for an effective date.

VII. RESOLUTION

2. 2008-R-079 Expressing support and granting ratification of the City of Laredo’s application, to the Texas Department of Transportation Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which seeks funding to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Program funds are eligible to cover 90 percent of total project costs. The remaining 10 percent of project costs must be covered by state or local participation. The total estimated cost of the project is $2,400,000.00 with a local match of $240,000.00.

VIII. MOTION

3. Consideration for approval to authorize the City Manager to select a general contractor Leyendecker Construction, Laredo, Texas, based on the best value proposal received for the City of Laredo Health Department Dental Clinic – Windows and Plumbing Project and approval to award a contract in the bid amount of $327,300.00. Contract time is thirty (30) calendar days after notice to proceed is issued. Funding is available in the UTHSC Dental School Grant.

IX. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

A. Request by Mayor Raul G. Salinas

1. Discussion with possible action on establishing a promotional team to promote the Dos Laredos on both sides of the border.

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

1. Discussion with possible action on allocating District VII discretionary funds for park improvements.

2. Discussion with possible action on installing street humps in District VII.

3. Discussion with possible action regarding the Police Department’s strategic plan to address prostitution and drug activity city wide.

C. Request by Council Member Cynthia Liendo Espinoza

1. Status report on the request for a name change of Matamoros Street to Mariano Matamoros Street, with possible action.

X. STAFF REPORTS

A. Discussion regarding rail traffic, rail infrastructure, rail crossings, as well as the location of the proposed new rail bridge (s) across the Rio Grande River at or near the City of Laredo, with possible action.

B. Discussion and setting of dates for legislative trip(s) to Austin, Texas in preparation of the 81^st Texas Legislative Session to discuss legislative priorities and funding requests with our legislative delegation and state agencies relative to the City’s Legislative Agenda with possible action.

C. Staff report by Mr. Roberto Murillo, Traffic Division Manager, regarding lighting in the downtown area.

XI. 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.

XII. 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 Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.

Gustavo Guevara, Jr.

City Secretary