CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
A98-R-17 APRIL 20, 1998
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. ROLL CALL
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. City Council Meeting of February 23, 1998
Workshop on Economic Development on February 24, 1998
Workshop with Legislative Consultant on February 25, 1998
City Council Meeting of March 2, 1998
City Council Meeting of March 16, 1998
V. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES
3. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Bowden Medical,
Incorporated for approximately 3,588 square feet constituting
Buildings #1432, #1438 and #1439. Building #1432 is located at 1803
Pappas Street, and Buildings #1438 and #1439 are located at 1719
Pappas Street.
a. Lease term is for one (1) year commencing May 1, 1998 and ending
April 30, 1999.
b. Monthly rent shall be $674.10. Previous monthly rent was $630.00.
Premises are used to store medical equipment and supplies.
4. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Texas/Illinois
Cellular Limited Partnership, by it's general partner Southwestern
Bell Wireless, Inc., (sub-tenant) to co-located on the existing self
support cellular tower constructed under that certain ground lease for
cellular tower dated September 1, 1996 between the CIT of Laredo
(Landlord) and Lar-Tex Cellular Telephone Company (Tenant) reference
96-0-132, located on a tract of land out of and a part of lots 3 and
4, Block 552, of the Eastern Division of the City of Laredo. The sub-
tenant desires to attach and construct on such premises cellular phone
antennas, and coaxial cables to the existing tower and install and
equipment building.
1. Term of the lease is 10 years with an option for 2 successive 5
year renewals.
2. Annual rent will be $2,500.00, to be adjusted on each anniversary
dated according to the changes in the Consumer Price Index.
5. Closing as a public easement PARCEL A, consisting of 175.09 square
feet of land, more or less; and PARCEL B, consisting of 254.65 square
feet of land, more or less; both parcels being out of and part of the
400 Block of Price Street between Springfield and Maryland Avenues.
Said parcels of land being encroached upon by the improvements of the
abutting properties, being Lots 11 and 12, Block 337, Eastern
Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; and authorizing the sale
of the "Surface Only" of said parcels at the combined fair market
value of $1,289.22, and further authorizing the City Manager to
execute all necessary documents to effectively convey fee simple title
to Cristina Cedillo and Librada Ramirez de Escobedo, respectively for
said parcels being more particularly described by metes and bounds and
providing for an effective date.
6. Ordinance amending Chapter 30, Taxation, Article II, Hotel Occupancy
Tax, Section 30-17; Levy; Exceptions, adding Subsections b (1,2,3,4,
and 5), amending Subsection (c), and adding Subsections (d), (1,2,3,
and 4), (e), (f), f(1), and (g) to the Code of Ordinances.
VI. FINAL READINGS
7. 98-O-098 Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 92-O-113 granting
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company the non-exclusive right
to use the rights-of-way in the City for its
telecommunications business, by amending Section 4 to extend
the franchise term for a period of two months from the date
of expiration of March 31, 1998 until May 30, 1998;
providing for publication and effective date. (City Council)
8. 98-O-099 Ordinance closing as a public easement that section of the
3000 block of Ross Street between India and Canada Avenues,
situated in the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, Webb
County, Texas and providing for an effective date.
(City Council)
9. 98-O-100 Ordinance authorizing the granting and conveyance of a 12
foot wide utility easement located behind the Freddie
Benavides Outdoor Recreational Complex to Central Power and
Light Company, and authorizing the City Manager to execute
any necessary documents of conveyance, in order to allow for
the provision of electrical services to the New Laredo
National Bank South Branch building located at the
intersection of State Highway 83 at Chacota Street said 12
foot wide utility easement being more particularly described
by metes and bounds. (City Council)
10. 98-O-101 Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease
with the City of Laredo for approximately 4,000 square feet
of office space constituting the Second Floor of Building
No. 132 located at 4719 Maher Avenue.
a. Lease term is for one (1) year commencing May 1, 1998 and
ending April 30, 1999, and may be extended for four (4)
terms of one (1) year each ending April 30, 2000, April
30, 2001, April 30, 2002, and April 30, 2003.
b. Monthly rent shall be $3,200.00, and will be adjusted
annually during the primary and extension terms of this
lease according to changes in the Consumer Price Index.
This office space was previously occupied by the Airport
Director's Administrative Staff. (City Council)
11. 98-O-102 Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease
with South Texas Workforce Development Board for
approximately 4,234 square feet constituting Building No.
1054 located at 4812 North Bartlett Avenue.
a. Lease term is for one (1) year commencing March 1, 1998
and ending February 28, 1999, and may be extended for one
(1) year ending February 29, 2000.
b. Monthly rent shall be $3,600.00, and will be adjusted
annually during the primary and extension term of this
lease. Previous monthly rent was $3,437.89.
(City Council)
12. 98-O-103 Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute an
amendment to the Lease and Specialty Gift Shop Concession
Agreement approved by Ordinance No.
97-O-322 dated January 5, 1998, between the City of Laredo
and Jesus Garcia. Said amendment will include the
requirements for operating a Retail News/Gift Shop
Concession and because of a typing error change the square
footage from 1,556 to 556. (City Council)
13. 98-O-105 Ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 1997-1998 Annual
Budget in the amount of $90,000.00, for a donation by the
Friends of the Library, Laredo, Texas, providing for
effective date. (City Council)
14. 98-O-106 Ordinance amending the City of Laredo's 1998 budget in the
amount of $356,086.00, for funding of operating expenses and
personnel for an organized Multi-Agency Financial Disruption
Task Force for the period of January 1, 1998 through
December 31, 1998. (Louis H. Bruni)
15. 98-O-107 Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of
Laredo by rezoning Lots 1 and 2, Block 1537, Eastern
Division, located on the northeast corner of the
intersection of Ash St., and Texas Ave., from M-1 (Light
Manufacturing District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential
District. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends
approval of this zone change. (Louis H. Bruni)
16. 98-O-108 Ordinance amending the City of Laredo's 1997-1998 Annual
Budget in the amount of $5,000.00, and authorizing the City
Manager to enter into an agreement with the Office of the
Comptroller for the reimbursement of $5,000.00, for funding
a Tobacco Compliance program. This money will be used to
pay overtime wages for Laredo Police Crime Prevention
officers involved in this operation. This will be the first
year the City has entered into this agreement and is at no
cost to the City. (City Council)
17. 98-O-109 Ordinance approving an amendment to the contract with the
Texas Department of Health and Budget revision for the
Tuberculosis Prevention Control Projects of the City of
Laredo Health Department to reflect two budgets: the TB
Federal Projects for the period beginning January 1, 1998,
through December 31, 1998, in the amount of $99,950.00, and
the "Los Dos Laredos" TB Binational Project for the period
beginning January 1, 1998, through June 30, 1998, in the
amount of $46,438.00. (City Council)
VII. RESOLUTIONS
18. 98-R-053 Accepting a grant from the Texas Alternate Fuel Council in
the amount of $35,000.00 with the City designating
$37,839.49 in matching funds and/or in-kind services for a
total of $72,839.49, for conversion of 12 new and used
fleet vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) from several
City of Laredo Departments from February 1, 1998 through
August 31, 1998.
19. 98-R-062 Accepting a grant from the Texas Department of Health in
the amount of $285,938.00, for the HIV Ryan White Care
Consortium Project of the City of Laredo Health Department
for the period beginning April 1, 1998, through March 31,
1999.
20. 98-R-063 Accepting Texas Transportation Commission Minute Order no.
107439, regarding the construction of the Laredo Northwest
International Bridge (Fourth Bridge) and its connecting
facilities, from U.S. Interstate Highway 35 to the
international border crossing at the Rio Grande River,
located approximately 2.5 miles southwest of U.S.
Interstate Highway 35. Said international bridge and
facilities construction being subject to the project
participation provisions enumerated for the City of Laredo
and the State of Texas, on Minute Order.
21. 98-R-064 Accepting a grant from Entex in the amount of $20,000.00,
to be used toward the purchase of dedicated CNG (compressed
natural gas) equipped vehicles or conversions of existing
fleet vehicles to CNG fuel.
22. 98-R-066 Authorizing the City Manager to execute a clinical
affiliation agreement between the City of Laredo Fire
Department EMS and Texas A&M International University
Canseco School of Nursing.
VIII. MOTIONS
23. Authorization to advertise for Request for Proposals from parties
interested in providing Tennis Pro services for the City Tennis Courts
Facilities.
24. Authorization to advertise for Request for Proposals (RFPs) to provide
professional engineering services for landfill design and permitting
services for a proposed Type I landfill site which is to include, but
not be limited to, surveying, geotechnical and hydrogeological
investigations, engineering design, preparation of permit application,
preparation of long-term cost estimates and fee analysis,
administrative/technical review and agency coordination, and project
management. The permit application will be prepared in accordance with
applicable sections of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission's Subtitle D Requirements of 30 TAC 330 Municipal Solid
Waste Regulations and Applicable Portions of 30 TAC 305. Funding is
available in the 1998 C.O. Issue Capital Outlay -Land.
25. Approval of bid specifications and authorization to advertise for bids
for the following:
a) office supplies - annual contract
b) laboratory sterilizer - Health Department
c) CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Bi-Fuel Conversions - Public Works.
A tentative bid award date is scheduled for May 18, 1998.
26. Award of contract to the SOLE BIDDER, H&V Equipment Services, Inc.,
Corpus Christi, Texas, in the amount of the $201,801.00, for the
purchase of four tractors with mower attachments. This equipment will
be assigned to the Public Works department and used in the creek
cleaning operations. This equipment will be delivered within ninety
days. Funding is available in the Public Works Department - Street
Maintenance Division -Capital Outlay.
27. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, Power Equipment International,
Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas, in the amount of $119,772.00, for the
purchase of two, 12 cubic yard dump trucks for the Public Works
Department. These trucks are for replacement and will be assigned to
the creek cleaning operation. It is anticipated that these trucks
will be delivered within one hundred and twenty days. The City
received a total of two bids for this purchase. Funding is available
in the Public Works Department - Street Maintenance -Capital Outlay.
28. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, Valu Care Cleaners, Laredo,
Texas, in the estimated amount of $43,734.00, for providing laundry
dry cleaning services for Police Department uniforms. The bid pricing
is approximately 12% less than the previous contract period. The City
received a total of three bids for these services. Funding is
available in the Police Department's contractual services, linen and
laundry service.
29. Award of construction contract to the LOWEST BIDDER, Bridge America,
Inc., Alexandria, MN, in the amount of $38,977.00, for the Pre-
Engineered/Prefabricated Steel Pedestrian Bridge for the Northeast
Hillside Recreation Center and Park. Funding is available in the
Capital Improvement Fund Northeast Hillside Park.
30. Approval of professional services contract with Dr. Maurice Click in
the amount not to exceed $12,720.00 per year to continue to serve as
the Health Department's Health Authority under Section 121.033 of the
Texas Health and Safety Code, for the period of April 1, 1998, through
March 31, 2000.
31. Approval of amendment no. 1, an increase of $6,500.00, for additional
Resident Project Representative (inspection services) to the
engineering contract with Mejia Engineering Company, Laredo, Texas,
for the Laredo International Airport Passenger Terminal Phase B.
The additional inspection services is due mainly to several
construction contract modifications and contract time extension to the
construction contract. The original contract amount was $104,000.00
and this amendment will bring the total contract amount to
$110,500.00. Funding is available in the Airport Construction
Inspection Fees.
32. Authorization to enter into Adopt-A-Park agreement with community
organizations. This agreement between the Parks and Recreation
Department and community organizations stipulates the various
responsibilities of each entity. The purpose of the agreement is to
gain active support from the community in beautifying our parks. The
agreement is for three years an automatically renews for a two year
period.
33. Approval of contract with Columbia Telecommunications Corporation to
prepare request for proposals for the institutional network equipment
in the amount of $12,402.50.
34. Refund of property taxes to the following individual or company:
a. Nations Banc Mortgage Corporation in the amount of $514.26 as a
result of a clerical error.
35. Authorizing the selection of a consultant for the West Laredo Traffic
Circulation Study. The consultants recommended for selection are
Lockwood, Andrews, and Newman.
36. Authorizing the transfer of reserve funds from the 1994 Water and
Sewer bond issues to the following projects:
Water
97-98 Recycling Project $ 20,000
Hillside Water Lane Replacement $ 50,000
Wastewater
North Laredo Belt Filter Press $349,000
South Laredo Belt Filter Press $330,000
97-98 Recycling Project $ 20,000
Privatization RFP
(Request for Proposals) $ 50,000
IX. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
37. Discussion and possible action regarding the appointment of the Ad Hoc
Cemetery Board.
38. Authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the
City of Laredo and Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever &
McDaniel, L.L.P., Attorney's at Law, to represent the City of Laredo
in Hurd Urban Development, L.C., et. al. v. Federal Highway
Administration, Kenneth R. Wykle, et.al., Case Number: A-98CA-204-JN,
in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas.
39. Request for Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code
Section 551.071(1)(a) to discuss pending litigation in Cause No. A-
98CA-204-JN, Hurd Urban Development, L.C., et.al. v. Federal Highway
Administration, Kenneth R. Wykle, et.al., in the United States
District Court, Western District of Texas, and return to open session
for possible action thereon.
40. Discussion and possible action regarding a water line reimbursement
contract with Twin Peaks L.L.C., with possible Request for Executive
Session to be conducted pursuant to Section 551.071(a) of the Texas
Government Code.
41. Discussion and possible action on the reorganization of City Hall
offices. An appropriation of $50,000 is available to implement these
changes.
42. Status report on the Regional Water Management Plan prepared in
conjunction with the South Texas Development Council.
7:00 RECESS
X. COMMUNICATIONS
XI. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION
43. Requests by Mayor and City Councilmembers for discussion and
presentation.
A. Requests by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores
1. Presentation by Audrey Salgado, Local Chapter President of the American
Association of University of Women, regarding the AAUW Convention to be
held in Laredo.
B. Requests by Councilmember Louis H. Bruni
1. Status report on the ongoing construction on Hwy 59 (Saunders), with
possible action. (Co-sponsored by Councilman Eliseo Valdez).
2. Status report on the lack of waste water infrastructure on the north side
of Hwy 59 between Ejido Street and the entrance of Casa Blanca State
Park, with possible action.
3. Status report on the Brown and Root drainage study at the Laredo
International Airport, with possible action.
4. Status report regarding the widening and storm drainage improvements to
Cherry Hill Drive between Calton Road and Bustamante Street, with
possible action.
C. Requests by Councilmember Alfonso "Poncho" Casso
1. Discussion and possible action on the city wide Rabies Vacuna Program and
the Animal Protective Society's role.
D. Requests by Councilmember Eliseo Valdez Jr.
1. Presentation by Robert Pe¤a on UPCOD, Inc. (Underprivileged Children of
Divorce).
2. Request to instruct staff to conduct a traffic study a St. James and Calle
Del Norte for the possible need of a traffic light.
3. Status report on the frequency of water line breakage in the Hillside area
particularly on Kentucky/India.
E. Requests by Councilmember Joe A. Guerra
1. Update on the status of sidewalk leading to Clark Elementary School,
request for staff to find funding, with possible action.
2. Status report on the traffic congestion problems at Unitec Industrial
Park, with possible action.
XII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
44. Public hearing amending the City of Laredo 1997-1998 (LEOSE) Account
Fund Budget in the amount of $28,307.67. Law Enforcement Officers
Standards and Education (LEOSE) Account for continuing education for
Police Officers for the period of October 1, 1997 through September
30, 1998.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the City of Laredo 1997-1998 (LEOSE) Account Fund Budget in
the amount of $28,307.67. Law Enforcement Officers Standards and
Education (LEOSE) Account for continuing education for Police Officers
for the period of October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998.
45. Public hearing amending the contract with the Texas Department of
Health and budget in the amount of $285,938.00 for the HIV/STD Ryan
White Care Consortium Project of the City of Laredo Health Department
for the period beginning April 1, 1998, through March 31, 1999.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the contract with the Texas Department of Health and budget
in the amount of $285,938.00 for the HIV/STD Ryan White Care
Consortium Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the
period beginning April 1, 1998, through March 31, 1999.
XIII. MOTION TO RECESS AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MUNICIPAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
46. 98-RMH-060 Requesting the approval from the Laredo Municipal Housing
Corporation (LMHC) Board of Directors to accept and
implement the Residential Lease/Purchase Agreement for
the prospective tenants at the Riverhills Subdivision,
Unit 1, under the Lease/Purchase Program, plus
authorization to implement a one time $500.00,
maintenance fee, plus authorization to implement a
$20.00, monthly late fee and provide the basis for the
estimated monthly rental rate for the houses under
Lease/Purchase Program.
XIV. MOTION TO RECESS AND CONVENE AS THE LAREDO MASS TRANSIT BOARD
47. Award of contract to the LOW BIDDER, R&R Uniforms, Inc., San Antonio,
Texas, in the estimated amount of $15,632.50, for the purchase of
uniforms for the El Metro bus drivers. A total of 600 shirts and 300
trousers will be purchased. The bid pricing includes sewing the
Transit patches and pant length alterations. Bulk orders will be
placed by the Transit System and issued to the operators on scheduled
intervals.
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 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1998 AT 5:30 P.M.
________________________
GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.
CITY SECRETARY