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CITY
OF LAREDO CITY
COUNCIL MEETING A-2009-R-02 CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO,
TEXAS 78040 FEBRUARY
2, 2009 5:30 P.M.
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 Approval of the minutes of November 17, 2008,
December 1, 2008, December 8, 2008 and December 15, 2008 and January 5, 2009. V.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS Recognitions a. Resolution
recognizing Lic. Héctor
Xavier Landeros Almaráz, Administrador
de la Aduana de Colombia, N.L. for his distinguished service to our area.
b. Recognizing
Albert Torres, Martin High School, Vidal M. Trevino Magnet School
Student on his selection as Youth of the Year representing the South Region of the State of Texas.
He will compete for the title of Youth of the Year for the State
of Texas on March 9-10, 2009 in Austin, Texas. c. Recognition of the City of Laredo on receiving The
Building of America Network-Community Service Award from Construction
Communications for the Laredo Entertainment Center Project. 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. VI.
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES a. Appointment
by Council Member Johnny Rendon of Anna Galo to the Historic
District/Landmark Board. b. Appointment
by Council Member Johnny Rendon of Alex Garcia to the Vehicles for Hire Ad
Hoc Committee. c. Appointment
by Council Member Gene Belmares of Wayne Nance to the Transportation &
Traffic Safety Committee. d. Appointment
by Mayor Pro-Tempore Jose A. Valdez, Jr. of Antonio Garcia to the Vehicles
for Hire Ad Hoc Committee. e. Appointment
by Mayor Pro-Tempore Jose A. Valdez, Jr. of Javier Molina to the Library
Advisory Committee. VII.
PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance
authorizing the issuance of City of Laredo, Texas General Obligation
Refunding Bonds, Series 2009, for the purpose of refunding General Obligation
Bonds; approving an Official Statement; authorizing the execution of a
Purchase Agreement and an Escrow Agreement; making provision for the security
thereof; ordaining other matters relating to the subject; including
delegation authority to the City Manager and authorizing amendment to the
City’s budget to appropriate such proceeds for purpose authorized herein. 2.
Public
hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to
execute a budget amendment appropriating operating funds from the Federal
Transit Administration Grant No. TX 90-X800 from Fiscal Year 2007-2008 in the
amount of $187,502.00 to be used for operating expenses in Fiscal Year
2008-2009, increasing the Federal contribution from $3,952,135.00 to
$4,139,637.00 and decreasing the sales tax match for operations from
$5,387,507.00 to $5,200,005.00 and amending the Transit Sales Tax Fund by
increasing capital outlay expenditures from $78,000.00, to $265,502.00. 3.
Public
hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend
the Capital Improvements Budget by appropriating expenditures in the amount
of $73,500.00 in revenues generated through cash payments in lieu of parkland
dedication for the construction of Cielito Lindo Park. 4.
Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Fiscal
Year 2008-2009 Airport
Construction Budget to recognize additional revenues from a grant received
from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program being
Grant Project No. 3-48-0136-55-09 in the amount of $3,540,981.00 to
rehabilitate Phase 4 of the General Aviation Apron and Acquire Land for
Development at the Laredo International Airport and appropriating said grant
revenue and local match to the appropriate expenditure accounts and
authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget amendment. The City’s local match of five (5) percent
in the amount of $186,368.00 is available through the land purchased in
FY2006 (Rash Tract). 5.
Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map)
of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 5, Block 1693, Eastern Division,
located at 2820 Clark Boulevard, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1
(Limited Commercial District). The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the zone change. The proposed use is a child day care. District II 6.
Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map)
of the City of Laredo by authorizing a Special Use Permit for a flea market
on Lot 1, Block 1, Ervin Farm Subdivision, located at 4210 South US Highway
83. The Planning and Zoning Commission
has recommended approval of the Special Use Permit. District III 7.
Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map)
of the City of Laredo by authorizing a Conditional Use Permit for a used car
dealership on Lot 1, Block 114, Western Division, located at 220 Houston
Street. The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit. District VIII 8.
Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map)
of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 4, Block 1396, Eastern Division,
located at 2419 Stewart Street, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District)
to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District).
The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of the zone
change. The proposed use is a second
dwelling/duplex. District IV 9. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2 and the south 18.56
feet of Lot 4, Block 228, Western Division, located at 1301 Santa Maria
Avenue, from B-3 (Community Business District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial
District). The Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended denial of the zone change. The proposed use is for commercial
purposes. District VIII 10. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the
Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lots 1-B and 2,
Block 1, McPherson West Subdivision, and Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, McPherson
West Subdivision, Unit II—Manor Plaza, located at 7210 McPherson Road, from
R-O (Residential/Office District) to B-3 (Community Business District). The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended
approval of the zone change. (Recess) (Press Availability) VIII.
INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES 11.
Abandoning
that 0.2559 acre tract which is the west 27.50 feet of a 65.00 feet wide
drainage easement dedicated in the C&H Plat, [single 6.4386 acre parcel
referred to as Lot 1, Block 1 in the plat], recorded in Volume 8 Page 48,
plat records, Webb County, Texas; directing issuance of a release of that
0.2559 acre tract from the drainage easement; and providing for an effective
date. IX.
FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES 12. 2009-O-008
Authorizing the City Manager to enter
into agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the amount of
$46,534.00 and amending Fiscal Year 2008-2009 City of Laredo Annual Budget by
reducing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $3,466.00. The agreement’s purpose is to reimburse
costs for equipment incurred in the Laredo Police Department in providing
resources for the Strike Force OCDETF (Organized Drug Task Forces)
Program. The term of this agreement is
from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. 2009-O-009
Amending the
City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Airport Construction Fund by
appropriating $100,000.00 in revenues and expenditures; which includes
$50,000.00 from the Texas Department of Transportation Routine Airfield
Maintenance Program (RAMP) Grant TXDOT CSJ No. M922LREDO and transferring
$50,000.00 in matching funds from the Airport Operating Fund; providing for
an effective date. 2009-O-0010
Authorizing
the City Manager to execute an amendment to the lease agreement approved by
Ordinance No. 2006-O-276 dated November 6, 2006, with M & M Air Cargo and
Delivery Service, Inc., for approximately 11,988 square feet constituting
Sections 2 and 3 and Building No. 170 located at 5103 Maher Avenue at the
Laredo International Airport. Said
amendment will reduced the leased area from 11,988 square feet to 2,646
square feet effective January 31, 2009 thereby deleting Section 3 Building
No. 170 and adjust the monthly rent obligation accordingly to $1,244.00
effective February 1, 2009. All other
terms and conditions remain unchanged and in effect; providing for an
effective date. 2009-O-0011
Authorizing
the City Manager to execute an easement to AEP Texas Central Company for
routing of aerial electrical facilities to serve MHOC Booster Station south
of Springfield. The said easement
containing 1,569.08 square feet tract of land, being out of a 12.417 acre
tract, recorded in Volume 296, pages 214-216, W.C.D.R., City of Laredo, Webb
County, Texas and being described in attached Exhibit A; and providing for an
effective date. X.
RESOLUTIONS 13.
2009-R-004 Accepting the conveyance from AEP Texas
Central Company [a/k/a/ Central Power & Light] of a five (5) foot wide
utility easement dated November 4, 2008, which is recorded in volume 2677,
pp.150-155 of official property records of Webb County, Texas, copy of which
is attached as Exhibit 1, and the description of the easement area is
contained in Exhibits A & B of said Exhibit 1. 14.
2009-R-006 Declaring the public necessity to
acquire the “surface only” of the following three parcels of land for the
Canal Street Drainage Improvements Project: 1.
a 676 sq. ft. tract out Lot 54, Block 506, Retama Park
Subdivision, Unit 2, City of Laredo,
Webb County, Texas, as per plat recorded in Volume 2, page 205, Plat Records
of Webb County, Texas, which tract is described in Exhibits 1 and 2; and 2.
a 4,255 sq. ft. tract out of Lot 55, Block 506, Retama
Park Subdivision, Unit 2, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, as per plat
recorded in Volume 2, page 205, Plat Records of Webb County, Texas, which
tract is described in Exhibits 3 and 4; and 3.
Lot 7, Block 70-B, of the amended Calton Gardens Addition,
Northern Division, City of Laredo, as per Del Rey Homes Replat recorded in
Volume 2, page 203, Plat Records of Webb County, Texas; save and except a
480.50 sq. ft. tract of land conveyed form Huisache Cattle Company, Ltd. to
the City of Laredo, recorded in Volume 218, pg 677, Official Public Records
of Webb County, Texas; and authorizing staff to negotiate with the owners for
the acquisition of said three (3) parcels; and authorizing the City Attorney
to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire any of said parcels if staff
is unable to acquire any of the three (3) due to inability to agree to a
purchase price, conflict of ownership, owner refusal to sell, and /or
inability to locate a listed owner. 15.
2009-R-007 Authorizing the City Manager to submit a
grant application to the State of Texas Governor’s Office in the amount of
$225,000.00 for overtime and benefits for Laredo Police Officers working
under the Gang Initiative Grant Program.
The grant is to be 100% funded by the State of Texas Governor’s Office
for the period of November 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009 at no cost to the
City. 16.
2009-R-008
Declaring the public necessity to utilize the area under IH35 between
Park Street and Sanchez Street as a parking area on February 19, 2009 for the
Annual Youth Parade and on February 21, 2009, for the Washington’s Birthday
Parade and authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Texas
Department of Transportation for the use of said property. 17.
2009-R-009 Adopting the list of Capital Improvement Projects
which will be submitted to the South Texas Development Council for incorporation
in the Overall Economic Development Program (OEDP) plan to be provided to the
U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), for
potential funding consideration and authorizing the City Manager to submit a
follow-up grant application as may be directed by EDA and to execute any and
all related documents. Projects
named include: 1.
River Vega
Improvements Project/Various Phases 2.
24” Water
Transmission Line from TAMIU/Killam Elevated Storage Tank to N. McPherson
Loop 20 3.
Extension of Ejido
Avenue (San Nicolas To Cielito Lindo) 4.
San Bernardo Avenue
Renovation and Restoration Project 5.
Professional
Baseball Facility Project 6. Extension
of Bartlett Ave. (Jacaman Rd. to Del Mar Blvd.) 7.
Plaza Theater
Renovation Project 8.
Convention Center 9.
Federal Inspection
Station (Airport) 10. Los Botines Outlet Mall Utility Infrastructure Development 18. 2009-R-010 Declaring the
public necessity to acquire the “Surface Only” of a parcel of land for the
Calton Road Grade Separation Project, said parcel being Replat Lot 3 into Lot
3A, Block 1004, Modern Industrial Park Subdivision, Section II, and
containing 1.2269 acres out of Porcion 26, Abstract 282-425, City of Laredo,
Webb County, Texas; property situated at 1820 West Calton Road, recorded in
Volume 17, Page 42, Plat Records of the County of Webb, and delineated on
attached Exhibit “A”. Further, authorizing staff to negotiate with owner for
the acquisition of said parcel by purchase at market value established by a
State Certified Real Estate Appraiser, and also authorizing the City Attorney
to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire said parcel if staff is
unable to acquire due to inability to agree to a purchase price, conflict of
ownership, owner refusal to sell, and/or inability to locate a listed owner,
and further authorizing relocation benefit payments to the business who will
be displaced as a result of the acquisition of the property, in accordance
with the provisions of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Act of 1970, as amended. Funding is available in the West
Laredo/CPL Road – Phase II account. 19. 2009-R-011 Authorizing the City Manager to enter into an
agreement to apply for a grant with the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to the
Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY 2009 Operation Stonegarden
(OPSG-09). Operation Stonegarden will
provide funding to enhance cooperation and coordination between law
enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the United States
borders. Funds will be used to pay
overtime (with fringe benefits), operational expenses and equipment at no
cost to the city. The term of this
grant agreement is from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2012. XI.
MOTIONS 20. Consideration to authorize the purchase of park equipment for
Slaughter Park in the estimated amount of $78,342.00 from T.F. Harper and
Associates, LP, Austin, Texas through the BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing
Program. Three (3) companies submitted
BuyBoard prices on assorted park equipment needed for Slaughter Park. Funding is available in the 2006
Certificate of Obligation Bond-Slaughter Park Construction Project. 21. Consideration to renew contract FY09-008 awarded to Ferguson
Waterworks, San Antonio, Texas, in the estimated amount of $250,000.00 for
the purchase of PVC pipe used by the Utilities Department. This is the first of eight sixty (60) day
supply extensions. These materials are
purchased on an as needed basis for construction and repair projects. Funding is available in the Utilities
Department budget. 22. Consideration to award contract FY09-023 to the low bidder, Broadcast
Technical Services, Houston, Texas, in the amount of $143,240.93 for the
purchase and installation of computer editing equipment to be installed at
the City of Laredo Telecommunication Center.
This contract is for the purchase and installation of computer editing
equipment replacing current editing equipment that has been in service since
2000. Funding is available in the
Information Services and Telecommunications Department budget-Public
Education and Government (PEG) Fee Fund. 23. Authorizing the City Manager to award a professional services
contract to USA Shade and Fabric Structures, Inc., Dallas, Texas, in an
amount not to exceed $225,000.00 for the design, construction and
installation of shade structures at seven (7) designated park sites. Funding for this project was made available
through the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust Grant Award and accounted for in the
Capital Improvements Fund. 24.
Authorizing the City Manager to award a professional
engineering services contract in the amount of $500,000.00 to Porras Nance
Engineering, Laredo, Texas for engineering and surveying to develop reports,
plans, specifications, bid documents, as-built drawings and cost estimates
for the 24/36-Inch Water Transmission Main from Loop 20 and International to
IH-35 and Union Pacific Railroad. Funding is available in the 2008 Revenue
Bond. 25.
Authorizing the
City Manager to award a professional services contract in the sum of
$1,225,000 to Black & Veatch Corporation associated with Civil
Engineering Consultants Corporation dba Jeff Puig Engineering, for the
design, bidding, and construction services, of the 60-Inch Water Transmission
Main. The project consists of 32,000 linear feet of a 60” water transmission
main from El Pico Ranch on Mines Road to IH 35 at an estimated cost amount of
$12,800,000.00. Funding is available
in the 2008 Utility Bond. 26.
Authorizing the City Manager to approve Amendment No. 1
(NADBANK- Work Order # 3) to ARCADIS, Laredo, Texas. The consultant shall
credit the City of Laredo in the amount of $11,142.88 for the construction
phase not performed by the consultant on the house to line connections. This amendment will bring the total
contract amount to $58,500.12. This
project is funded by the North American Development Bank (NADB) and funds are
available in the Colonia’s Project Fund. 27.
Authorizing the City Manager to approve Amendment No. 1
(NADBANK- Work Order # 4) to Crane Engineering, Laredo, Texas. The consultant
shall credit the City of Laredo in the amount of $9,359.25 for the
construction phase not performed by the consultant on the house to line
connections. This amendment will
bring the total contract amount to $53,035.75. This project is funded by the North
American Development Bank (NADB) and funds are available in the Colonia’s
Project Fund. 28.
Authorizing the City Manager to approve Amendment No. 1 to
the engineering services contract with Carollo Engineering – Austin, Texas in
the amount of $26,800.00 for a new total amount of $3,688,800.00 for the
additional engineering services in relation to the Jefferson Street Water
Treatment Plant Expansion. Funding is
available in the 2008 Utility Bond. 29.
Authorizing the City Manager to amend the engineering
services contract with Dannenbaum Engineering Company – McAllen, LLC in the
amount of $404,824.86 for a new total amount of $8,098,637.52 for the
additional engineering services in relation to the new 20 MGD Water Treatment
Plant in northwest Laredo. Funding is
available in the 2008 Utility Bond. 30. Consideration for approval of change order #1 to Holloman
Corporation, in the amount of $68,841.79 for the Jefferson Street Water
Treatment Plant Disinfection Facilities. This change order is to provide for
electrical and chemical changes needed for the expansion project and provide
for site condition changes unforeseen during the design. The construction contract time is to be
extended by 30 days to a total of 230 calendar days. The revised contract
amount is $4,792,841.79. Funding for
change order is the 2008 Utility Bond. 31. Consideration for approval of change order #1 to Holloman
Corporation, in the amount of $87,398.86 for the Laredo Raw Water Pumphouse
No. 2 Improvements. This change order is to provide several changes including
installation of the necessary conduits, cable, and manholes during this
construction to alleviate the time and cost for the large expansion
project. The construction contract
time is to be extended by 30 days to a total of 230 calendar days. The
revised contract amount is $833,050.86.
Funding for change order is the 2006 Utility Bond. 32. Authorizing the City Manager to award the construction contract
to QRO MEX Construction, Granite Shoals, Texas in the amount of $430,832.00
for the rehabilitation of the Santa Rita 36” Sewer Collector. The construction
time is 150 calendar days. Funding is available in the 2007 Sewer Bond. 33. Consideration to acquire the “Surface Only” of Lots 3B and 3C,
Block 1, William Bejerano Replat, located at 3504 East Saunders, City of
Laredo, Webb County, Texas, in an amount not to exceed $1,250,000.00 plus
relative closing costs and eligible relocation benefits for use as part of
the Runway Protection Zone in Runway 35R of the City of Laredo International
Airport. Funding for this project is available
in Airport Improvement Grant 46 and 53. 34.
Consideration for approval of Amendment No. 2 an increase
of $152,600.00 for revisions to construction plans, surveying, hydraulics and
hydrology and plans for earthen channel to the professional services contract
with Sherfey Engineering Company, L.L.C., Laredo, Texas, for the Shiloh
Boulevard Extension and Backwood Drive Extension of 1,500 linear feet of the
60-ft. right-of-way (41-ft. back-to-back) from Eskimo Drive to the
intersection with Shiloh Boulevard.
Current engineering contract amount is $296,600.00. Funding is available in the 2007
Contractual Obligation Bond Proceeds. 35.
Consideration for approval of Amendment No. 2 an increase
of $160,800.00 to the engineering contract with SCS Engineers, Bedford,
Texas, for additional services, construction quality assurance services, and
related surveying, mapping, permitting and related services for the New Type
I Cell in the City of Laredo Municipal Landfill Located at 6912 Hwy. 359. SCS scope for Construction Quality
Assurance and surveying services in the currently approved scope of services
dated February 16, 2007, was based on Cell 13 (8.9 acres); the current
project includes Cells 13 and 14 (17.9 acres). Current engineering contract amount is
$507,900.00. Funding is available in
the Solid Waste Account. 36. Consideration
for approval of Amendment No. 2 for an increase of $158,587.00 to the
professional services contract with Carter & Burgess, Inc., Fort Worth,
Texas, for the Laredo International 37.
Consideration for approval to award a professional
services contract to Civil Engineering Consultants, Don Durden, Inc., dba
Puig Engineering, Laredo, Texas, for an amount not to exceed $86,700.00 for design and preparation of plans and
specifications for the Downtown Sidewalk and ADA Improvements. Funding is available in the 2008 Bond
Sidewalks. 38.
Consideration for approval of change order no. 3 a
decrease of $6,408.75 for the balance of quantities actually constructed in
place, release of retainage, acceptance of the City of Laredo Riverfront
Parking Lot Reconstruction and approval of final payment in the amount of
$37,377.10 to StarTech Construction, Laredo, Texas. Final construction contract amount is
$385,948.00. Funding is available in
the Parking Meters Fund. 39.
Consideration to authorize the purchase and installation
of a sports field lighting system from MUSCO Sports Lighting, Inc.,
Muscatine, IA, through the BuyBoard Cooperative Program in the total amount
of $86,664.00 for Slaughter Park.
Funding for this purchase is available through 2006 Certificate of
Obligation funds for Slaughter Park improvements. 40.
Consideration to award a demolition contract to the lowest
qualified bidder Zertuche Construction, LLC in the amount of $15,990.00, for
the demolition of five (5) substandard residential structures located at 3103
Guatemozin, 3105 Guatemozin, 3107 Guatemozin, 3201 Guatemozin, and 3205
Guatemozin, to alleviate periodic flooding in that area and provide green
space and recreational park area.
Funding is available in the 33rd AY Community Development
Block Grant account. 41.
Approving monthly adjustments to the tax roll. The amounts to be adjusted for the month of
December 2008, represent an increase of $161,293.45. These adjustments are determined by Webb
County Appraisal District and by court orders. 42.
Refund of property tax in the amount of $2,317.98 to the
following companies; 1.
A refund in the amount of $817.98 payable to Countrywide
Home Loans due to an overpayment.
Account # 985-30016-020. 2.
A refund in the amount of $1,500.00 payable to Countrywide
Homes Loans due to an overpayment.
Account # 985-10010-160. 43.
Award of a
professional services contract to Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam (LAN), Inc.,
Houston, Texas, in the association with Crane Engineering, Laredo, Texas in
the amount of $269,395.00 to provide consulting services for the Flores
Street Drainage Improvement and Sanitary Rehabilitation Project. The project is Phase I of the City’s
efforts to improve the drainage systems for Flores Street from south of
Iturbide to Water Street and eliminate the illegal connections to the storm
drain. Funding is available in the
2008 Contractual Obligation Bond Proceeds. 44.
Consideration
for approval of Change Order No. 1 to Antares Development Corporation, in the
amount of $30,205.00 for Phase II of the archiving/preservation services of
the City of Laredo Health Department’s Vital Statistics Program. Funding is available in the Health
Department’s Vital Statistics operating budget. 45. Consideration to execute a five (5) year service agreement with
Embarq in the amount of $83,251.20 for the maintenance of the 9-1-1 Public
Safety Answering Point (PSAP) equipment and mapping software (Mapped ALI) for
the Laredo Training/Back up PSAP (subject to appropriations and availability
of funds). Funding is available in
the 9-1-1 Regional Fund. 46.
Authorizing
the City Manager to grant a public fireworks display permit for the
Washington’s Birthday Celebration (WBCA) for February 22, 2009. WBCA will be having a fireworks display
show at Life Downs. The technician for
the fireworks display will be Melrose Pyrotechnics, Incorporated. 47.
Authorizing
the City Manager to execute the State Homeland Security Grant Program
Sub-Recipient Grant Agreement between the City of Laredo and the Governor’s
Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) to perform certain projects for the
period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending January 15, 2011 and accepting
the total grant award in the amount of $850,000.00. 48.
Consideration
to award a software maintenance contract to the sole provider HTE Sungard, in
the amount of $285,264.29. This
maintenance contract provides customer support and service for the HTE OSSI
computer system utilized by ending on December 31, 2009. Funding is available in the Police and Fire
Department annual budgets. 49.
Authorizing
the City Manager to execute a contract with Laredo Main Street in the amount
of $50,000.00 in support of the Laredo Main Street Program. Funding is available in the Hotel-Motel
Fund. 50. Authorizing the City Manager to act as signator to the Leyendecker
Plat, which dedicates for public use the Right of Way Easement, to be located
across the Old R.G. & U.P. Railroad line, built on City of Laredo
property. 51.
Authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with
Dr. Amando Garza, III who will render services on an as-needed basis, for the
collection of evidence and courtroom testimony for cases involving sexual
assault victims in an annual amount not to exceed $55,000.00, beginning
January 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009. This agreement also enables the City
of Laredo to be reimbursed expenses incurred, by the Crime Victims’ Compensation
Program of the Office of the Attorney General, for those costs associated
with forensic sexual assault examinations of victims in the maximum aggregate
amount of $700.00 per victim. This agreement will allow the City to continue
reviewing each future case individually for additional reimbursements by the
Office of the Attorney General Crime Victims Compensation Program to the
City. XII.
GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS 52. A.
Request by Mayor Raul G. Salinas 1. Instructing the City Manager to develop cost savings initiative and
report to City Council. 2. Update on restricting and/or prohibiting the use of cell phones in
school zone areas in order to improve safety for the children in our
community. 3. Motion to create the Laredo Youth Blue Ribbon Committee. (Co-sponsored by Council Member
Johnny Rendon and Council Member Juan Narvaez) B.
Request by Council Member Mike Garza 1. Discussion with possible action regarding utility charges for elderly
customers. 2. Update and discussion with possible action on the possibility of
standardizing requirements for the various zoning classifications. 3.
Update and discussion with possible action on hiring a
consulting firm for Project Management to assist the Utilities Department on
Capital Improvement Projects.
(Co-sponsored by Council Member Gene
Belmares and Council Member Cynthia Liendo Espinoza) 4.
Calling for an election for May 2009 for possible City
Charter amendments, with possible action. C.
Request by Council Member Juan
Narvaez 1. Discussion with possible action requesting that the petition
submitted by CUTFAT Committee “Petition for local option election to appraise
local properties for property tax purposes every three years” be submitted to
the voters at the next called City election or related action. D.
Request by Council Member Johnny
Rendon 1. Status report on the fencing project at Jose Flores Affordable
Housing. 2. Status report on the dome for the Blas Castañeda Park. 3. Status report on the signal light at the intersection of Loop 20 and
Lakeside Subdivision. 4. Status report on the resurfacing and waterline improvements in the
Belmont Subdivision. E.
Request by Council Member Gene
Belmares 1. Discussion with possible action on adding traffic calming devices on
Plantation East. 2. Instructing the City Manager to obtain a legal opinion as to the
Municipal Court current status as a Court of Record and to determine whether
said court designation creates a new court requiring changes in election for
such, with possible action. 3. Status report on Industrial Park Streets Recycling Bond Program. 4. Discussion with possible action on recreating the Telecommunications
Advisory Committee and creating new charge to address issues of public
access, consumer advocacy, and community telecom needs. F.
Request by Mayor Pro-Tempore
Jose A. Valdez, Jr. 1. Discussion with possible action regarding the Laredo Fire
Department's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations and the EMS training
program accreditation requirements. G.
Request by Council Member
Cynthia Liendo Espinoza 1. Status report on the renovations for Jarvis Plaza, with possible
action. (Co-sponsored by Mayor Raul G.
Salinas and Council Member Gene Belmares) XIII.
STAFF REPORTS 53. a. Presentation of plan of finance by Noe Hinojosa, Estrada Hinojosa
& Company, with possible action. b. Presentation by City Manager, Carlos Villarreal on the current status
of the FY 2008-2009 Annual Budget to include current revenues and
expenditures and a recommended plan of action to meet budget should revenues
decline due to current economic conditions. 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. 54. Request for Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code
Section 551.071 (1) (A) to consult with attorney on the pending eminent
domain case of City of Laredo v. Luis Montano, et. al., Cause No.
2008CVQ00134D1, in the 49th District Court, Webb County, Texas;
and return to open session for possible action. XV.
RECESS AS THE LAREDO CITY
COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MASS TRANSIT BOARD 55. 2009-RT-001 Authorizing the City of
Laredo to file an application with the Department of Transportation, Federal
Transit Administration, United States of America, in the amount of
$1,619,931.00 for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 and authorizing the Transit General
Manager to execute all related documents. 56.
2009-RT-002 Authorizing the General Manager to enter
into an Interlocal Agreement with the San Mateo County Transit District
(SMCTD) and Laredo Transit Management to utilize the assign ability clause
(piggyback) from SMCTD request for proposal #09-SAMTR-M-001 for the purchase
of one (1) twenty-nine (29) foot trolley in the amount of $369,807.00 from
the Gillig Corporation in Hayward, California; and authorizing the Laredo
Transit General Manager to sign all required documents. Funding is available in the 2007
Contractual Bond Proceed. 57. 2009-RT-003 Authorizing the Transit General Manager to accept and execute
the Texas Department of Transportation Vehicle Capital
Replacement Grant No. VCR 0902(22)042 for Fiscal Year 2009, in the amount
of $959,480.00 and a 17% local matching of $196,515.00. The grant is for the
capital purchase of seventeen (17) paratransit vans with bus lifts to replace
El Metro’s El Lift Department van fleet.
The vehicles acquired will be in compliance with the Americans with
Disability Act (ADA) and Clean Air Act (CAA).
XVI.
ADJOURN AS THE LAREDO MASS TRANSIT BOARD AND RECONVENE AS
THE LAREDO CITY COUNCIL AND ADJOURN 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
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
________________________________
Gustavo Guevara, Jr.
City Secretary |
