CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2000-R-16
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
JUNE 19, 2000
5:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
With a quorum present Mayor
Elizabeth G. Flores called the meeting to
order.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
In Attendance:
Elizabeth G. Flores Mayor
Alfredo Agredano, Councilmember,
District I
Louis H. Bruni, Councilmember,
District II
John C. Galo, Councilmember,
District III
Johnny Amaya, Councilmember, District IV
Eliseo Valdez, Jr., Councilmember,
District V
Joe A. Guerra, Councilmember, District VI
Jose A. Valdez, Jr., Councilmember,
District VII
Consuelo “Chelo” Montalvo Mayor
Pro Tempore District VIII
Gustavo Guevara, City
Secretary
Cynthia Collazo, Acting
City Manager
Larry Dovalina, Acting City Manager
Jaime Flores, City
Attorney
IV. MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of May 15, 2000 and May 18, 2000.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Announcements
Invitations
Recognitions
a. Mr. Jose L. Flores has been
appointed to serve on the newly created Texas Airport
Management Association Board of Directors, as the Region 4
member. Region 4 extends from Webb
County to El Paso.
The Mayor and the City Council recognized Jose L. Flores, Airport Director, for his recent
appointment to the Texas Airport Management Association Board of Directors, as
the Region 4 member.
The Mayor announced that the appointment brings honor to the City
of Laredo. She added that Laredo is the
eighth largest air cargo facility to and from Latin America.
Mayor Flores and the City Council presented a Certificate of
Appreciation to Mario G. Alvarado for serving as City Council Member from May
1996 to May 2000.
Furthermore, Mayor Flores and the City Council presented a Certificate
of Appreciation to Consuelo “Chelo” Montalvo for her service as a City Council
Member from May 1988 to June 2000.
Finally, the Mayor and the City Council presented Dr. Cecilia May Moreno a Certificate of
Appreciation for her service as a Council Member from April 1990 to May 2000.
Communiqués
a. Presentation by the
U.S. Census Bureau Representative Victor Salvatore Assistant
Manager of Field
Management and Sylvia Romero Partnership Specialist regarding the
approaching deadline of
July 7, 2000 and the opportunity to call in and report by those f
families not previously
counted in the 2000 Census at 723-2182.
Sylvia Romero, U. S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist, stated
that the Census 2000 Partnership Program was designed to create partnerships
with the government and non-governmental organizations. She added that state, local, tribal
governments, community groups and the media motivated the public to participate
in the Census. The partnership program
provided the most effective mechanism for reaching the hard to enumerate
population.
She disappointedly stated that the mail response rate was
50.02%. She noted that she would
continue working diligently to obtain the most accurate count until the Census
2000 is complete in mid August. The
final projections will be submitted in April of 2001.
She asked the City Council and the public to submit a synopsis of
“Laredo Census 2000” to the Dallas Regional Center. The address is 8700 N.
Stemmons Freeway, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75247 . The information will be important in evaluating what is
effective for Laredo.
Victor Salvatore, Assistant Manager of Field Operations, stated
that enumerators have the arduous task of following up on any unanswered
responses. He added that refusals are
proxies and are included in the Census.
b. Communities in Schools
of Laredo (CIS-L) continue to be active with the Americas
Promise Movement/Texas Pledge goals. CIS-L was invited to participate and represent the City of Laredo
at the follow-up Summit in Orlando, Florida from June 24 to 28, 2000. On behalf of the CIS Program, its Board of
Directors and the youth of our community, we are requesting the support on this
trip from the City Administration and City Council.
Jose Gutierrez, representing Communities in Schools, stated that
six students and seven staff members would be attending the Summit. He added that all the participants are
honored to represent the City of Laredo.
c. Presentation of a
$1,000.00 check donated to the Laredo Children's Museum from
Celedon Trucking on
behalf of Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores.
Patricia McDonald, Executive Director for the Laredo Children’s
Museum, and Mercurio Martinez Jr.,
Children’s Museum Board of Director, received the donation from Celedon
presented by Mayor Flores.
Cm. Galo encouraged the
public to attend the annual 4th of July “5K Fun Run” which was
created to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center. The
enjoyable event will be held on July 2, 2000 and will begin at 8 a.m.
There is an entry fee of $10.00.
Cm. Bruni recently
attended a seminar in Austin. He
presented the following report to the Honorable Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor
of Texas. He thanked Horacio De Leon for
his assistance in compiling the report.
The report reads as follows:
City of Laredo, Webb County Small Business Needs Assessment
prepared for Texas Small Business Advisory Council
Laredo, at the turn of the century, can certainly be described as
a metropolis of economic opportunity for small business and corporate
industry. This is due to its
strategically geographic location on the border between the U. S. and
Mexico. Laredo sits 150 miles north of
Mexico’s most industrial city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, and 150 miles south of
the city of San Antonio, a hub for major exporting. Laredo has been recognized as the most efficient and effective
land port in North and South America.
Small business has been the heart of this City and the foundation
to recent exponential growth. Over the
last ten years, population growth increased by 48.8%, employment increased by
52.3%, and industry sales increased by 32.9%.
It is well known that this prosperity was fueled by the repercussions of
a strong U. S. – Mexico trade cross border commerce. Since the implementation of NAFTA (1994), trade between the U. S. and Mexico has increased
200%. In 1999, over 50% of this trade
passed through Texas’ ports of entry, and over 35% passed through the port of
Laredo. As a result of this prosperity,
Laredo continues to be the second fastest growing city in the nation and the
first in the State of Texas.
The trade sector of the Laredo economy is largely comprised of
small business that include retail, wholesale and support services. Although not always viewed as “small
business’ in Austin or Washington, because of the dynamic nature of the
import-export business, it has flourished to employ 45% of our population. Despite
all this prosperity and economic development, Laredo is still plagued with a
high rate of poverty and ranks among the lowest in median income when compared
to the state data. This is much
attributed to the lack of “added value jobs”, low number of higher education
graduates, lack of skilled training for technical jobs, and the influx of
unskilled workers.
The following is an assessment of needs identified by the local
leadership and public input in the area of small business:
·
Continued
access to start-up capital
·
Employee
Health Insurance and Worker’s Compensation
·
Workforce
Training of “Value added jobs”
·
Access to
government procurement
·
Access to
E-Commerce and telecommunication infrastructure
Continued Access
to Start-Up Capital
The City of Laredo, through the Laredo Development Foundation
(LDF), offers small business development services and Small Business
Administration (SBA) Guaranteed Loans through the Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) program. These services have been very effective in assisting
small business in preparing their plans and financial data to be
“bankable”. Loan guarantees year to
date were provided for 22 approved loans to in the amount of $8.5 million and
16 pending loans in the amount of $4.5 million. This program has been executed
by a federal grant from SBA and matching monies from the LDF.
Solution: To obtain the matching funds that
were earmarked by the State of Texas for SBDC programs for Laredo. In past years all the funding has gone to
the large metro areas. Having such
additional funding will enhance programs to prepare more small business to open
their doors and to expand.
Employee Health
Insurance and Worker’s Compensation
Small business owners are in need of a health benefit package for
their employees and for themselves that specifically addresses the basic health
needs and/or liability at the work place at a feasible cost. Small business owners are recently
experiencing a shortage in workforce.
Unemployment is at its lowest in our area and competition among small
business, corporate industry and public agencies has been a concern. The lack of health benefits among the small
business employers has placed them at a disadvantage.
Solution: Legislative
action that would create a pool among small business owners much like a coop to
acquire health benefits and worker’s compensation at a reasonable cost. The
creation of a pool should decrease insurance premiums from current
providers. If not, the coop could
consider a self-insured program.
Workforce Training and
“Value added Jobs”
In the current tight job market employees are demanding
better-trained and skilled workers in all levels of work. Currently, Laredo is in need of a broad
cross section of skill workers.
(i.e. diesel mechanics, truck
drivers, computer operators, welders, tool and die workers, trailer repair
serviceman, surveyor technicians, computerized accounting, web mater, etc.)
Solution: Enhancement of infrastructure, brick
and mortar, administrative and instructional funding for current programs at
LCC and new institutions offering “tech “oriented programs that address the
needs of the business community, along with the opening of a new campus by
Texas State Technical College in Laredo to specialize in diesel mechanics,
trailer repair and other electric applied sciences.
Access to
Government Procurement
Small business is always the labor force driving the completion or
indirect services of government contracts.
While workers in small business do the lions’ share of the work, they in
turn many times have difficulty representing themselves independently and
financially responsible to perform a project. The impact of this is higher cost
for government construction and service contracts with the lions’ share of the
money (profits) taken by non-local institutions with very minimal to non local
presence.
Local efforts: The City of Laredo in partnership with the
Laredo Development Foundation had initiated research and exploration of a model
to self insure local government for the direct hiring of small businesses to
serve as sub-contractors to the City, hence eliminating the middle man. Meetings with the Texas Municipal League
were held for review of the City’s risk pool.
State statue impedes the recognition of this organizational structure
under procurement practices.
Solutions: Development of programs that allow small
business owners to obtain cost effective bonding coverage or government to be
self-bonded for projects of $250,000 to increase the number of bidders and
decrease construction cost for public projects at all levels of
government.
Access to
E-Commerce and Telecommunication Infrastructure
E-Commerce is certainly another way of doing business, and although
currently still within the minority, E-commerce is expected to catch on like
wild fire throughout the world.
E-Commerce offers small business another form of marketing, advertising,
contracting, forming buying pools, financing, sales and other on-line services
that will make small business more efficiently. Competition on the internet and availability of product and
services on the web has created another deficiency in the lack of
infrastructure and technical assistance for some small business owners. The purchase of computer hardware and
software for small business may be challenging not to mention telecommunication
services that provide online communication.
Solution: The
availability of financial and technical assistance under small business
administration loans and programs to acquire computer hardware, software, and
technology consulting to set-up a web-page on the net for those businesses that
may find themselves out of the market and unable to compete without a web page
service.
Cm.
Bruni submitted the following reports from the Southwest Texas Rain
Enhancement Association:
SWTREA
Seed Tracks and Storm Locations
Seed Flight # 20
06/17/00 (Start 5:26 p.m. Stop 5:49 p.m.)
Result: Storms responded
favorably well to seeding. Radar
reflectivity, total cell area, and resultant rainfall increased a short time
after seeding was done. The storm
complex continued to build up and moved into Frio County. Radar estimated precipitation for the storm
as 5:49 p.m. was 0.79 – 0.98 inches over northern La Salle County.
Seeding success rating: Excellent
SWTREA
See Tracks and Storm Locations
Seed Flight # 21
06/17/00 (Start 6:09 p.m. Stop: 7:15 p.m.)
Result: Storm responded
well to seeding. Radar reflectivity,
total cell area, and resultant rainfall were strong prior to this flight. However, this flight was mainly a hail
suppression mission. The storm complex
continued to build up and moved into Frio County and eastern Zavala County. l
But, the areas of hail instances were mainly in western Frio County. There were no reports of hail from this
storm. At best, only pea size hail
feel. Radar estimated precipitation for
the storm was up to 2.5 inches over eastern Zavala County.
Seeding success rating: Good
VI. APPOINTMENTS
TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
a. Appointment of Hilario
Cavazos III by Council Member Eliseo Valdez, Jr. to the
Transportation
Commission.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore Montalvo
Second: Cm.
Guerra
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
b. Appointment of Martha
Gonzalez by Council Member Joe A. Guerra to the Third Party
Funding Ad Hoc
Committee.
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
c. Appointment of Clifford
M. Black by Council Member Louis H. Bruni to the Third Party
Funding Ad Hoc
Committee.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
d. Appointment of Pepe L. Gonzalez
by Council Member John C. Galo to the Third Party
Funding Ad Hoc
Committee.
Moved: Cm.
Bruni
Second: Cm.
Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
e. Council confirmation
on Mayor's appointment of Council Member John Amaya to El
Metro Transit System Committee and of Council Member Jose A.
Valdez, Jr. to the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
f. Council Member John
Amaya District IV Committee Members:
Airport Advisory
Committee - Margarito Benavides, Jr.
Board of
Adjustment - Alfredo Juarez
Cemetery Advisory
Committee - Francisco Llanes
Citizens Environmental
Advisory Committee - Dr.
Cecilia Moreno
Library Advisory
Committee - Patricia Tijerina
Noise Advisory
Committee - Guillermo Medrano
Parks & Recreation
Advisory Committee - Gilberto Mancha, Jr.
Planning Zoning
Commission - Juan Narvaez
Plumber/Electrical
Advisory Ad Hoc Committee - Fernando
Chavarria
Telecommunications
Advisory Committee - Juan Reyna
Third Party Funding Ad Hoc Committee -
Blanca N. T. Castro
Transportation &
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee - Rick Garza
Tree Advisory
Committee (Tree City USA) - Ina Pool
Laredo Women's
Commission - Rosa Gutierrez/Aurora Rendon
Moved: Cm.
Agredano
Second: Cm.
Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public hearing
authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo Fire
Department FY1999-2000 Budget in the amount of $2,901.50 for a
total of $10,401.50 distributed from Senate Bill 102 EMS/Trauma Systems Care
Fund to be used toward the purchase of educational, communication and training
equipment. Original budgeted amount for
FY1999-2000 was $7,500.00.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo Fire Department
FY1999-2000 Budget in the amount of $2,901.50 for a total of $10,401.50
distributed from Senate Bill 102 EMS/Trauma Systems Care Fund to be used toward
the purchase of educational, communication and training equipment. Original budgeted amount for FY1999-2000 was
$7,500.00.
Motion to open the public hearing
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. E.
Valdez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance introduction:
City Council
2. Public hearing to
approve an amendment to the contract with the Texas Department of
Health and budget revision in the amount of $20,000.00 in
additional funds for the HIV/AIDS Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
(HOPWA) Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period
beginning February 1, 2000, through January 31, 2001.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Approve of amendment to the contract with the Texas Department of
Health and budget revision in the amount of $20,000.00 in additional funds for
the HIV/AIDS Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Project of the
City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning February 1, 2000,
through January 31, 2001; and increase revenue line item 226-0000-323-4058 from
$74,409.00 to $94,409.00 and expenditure line item 226-6018 from $74,409.00 to
$94,409.00.
Motion to open the public hearing
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Galo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
introduction: City Council
3. Public hearing
authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo's 1999-2000
Annual Budget in the amount of $380,000.00 for the upgrade of the
Laredo Police Department's communication system and to pay for the security
fence around the narcotics building.
The upgrade of the communications system is not to exceed
$350,000.00. Funding is available from
the opening balance of the Laredo Police Department's Trust Fund.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo's 1999-2000
Annual Budget in the amount of $380,000.00 for the upgrade of the Laredo Police
Department's communication system and to pay for the security fence around the
narcotics building. The upgrade of the
communications system is not to exceed $350,000.00. Funding is available from the opening balance of the Laredo
Police Department's Trust Fund.
Motion to open the public hearing
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Montalvo
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Jesus Ponce, interested citizen, spoke on the communication
systems that San Antonio has.
Mayor Flores informed the public that San Antonio has acquired the
state of the art radio equipment.
However, they have a much larger tax base than Laredo.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
introduction: City Council
4. Public hearing
authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo's 1999-2000
annual budget in the amount of $208,466.00 for the Local Law
Enforcement Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. This project funds the salaries, fringe
benefits, overtime, and equipment for support personnel. Two additional clerical staff members will
be added. The U.S. Department of
Justice will designate $158,466.00 and the City of Laredo will designate
$50,000.00 to fund this grant from October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2001.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo's
1999-2000 annual budget in the amount of $208,466.00 for the Local Law
Enforcement Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. This project funds the salaries, fringe
benefits, overtime, and equipment for support personnel. Two additional clerical staff members will
be added. The U.S. Department of
Justice will designate $158,466.00 and the City of Laredo will designate
$50,000.00 to fund this grant from October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2001.
Motion to open the public hearing
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance introduction: City Council
5. Public hearing to amend
the City of Laredo's 1999-2000 annual budget in the amount of
$1,552,624.00 for the Laredo Multi-Agency Narcotic Task
Force. The Office of the Governor,
Criminal Justice Division will be designating $1,164,624.00 and the City of
Laredo will be designating $175,000.00 from the opening fund balance and
$213,156.00 of personnel salary contributions for a total amount of $388,156.00
in matching funds. Funding will be used
to pay salaries, fringe benefits, overtime expenses, indirect operating
expenses, and equipment from June 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Amending the City of Laredo's 1999-2000 annual budget in the amount
of $1,552,624.00 for the Laredo Multi-Agency Narcotic Task Force. The Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice
Division will be designating $1,164,624.00 and the City of Laredo will be
designating $175,000.00 from the opening fund balance and $213,156.00 of
personnel salary contributions for a total amount of $388,156.00 in matching
funds. Funding will be used to pay
salaries, fringe benefits, overtime expenses, indirect operating expenses, and
equipment from June 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001.
Motion to open the public hearing
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against:
0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance
introduction: City Council
VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS
6. A. Request by Council Member Louis H. Bruni
1. Discussion with
possible action on a letter dated April 11, 2000 sent by Pastor
Dale Young from the First Presbyterian
Church.
Cm. Bruni submitted the following letter:
I am one of your neighbors.
I am the pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, just around the corner
from your house, and I am wondering if you can assist me. (I have tried calling you through your
office numerous times, but have not found you in. l Since I’m in and out all
the time too, I have not left a message.)
Our church made a proposal to the City of Laredo three years ago,
and we’ve never gotten a response. As
I’m sure you have experienced for yourself, the traffic around Lamar Middle
School is quite chaotic at 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Cars are parked on both sides of the street, as parents wait for
their children, leaving space for only one car to go down the street at a
time. Since there are many cars
waiting, the back-up can be several blocks long.
More importantly, it is very difficult to see the children as they
dart out from between the cars in an attempt to get to their rides. In an effort to help alleviate this problem,
we have proposed widening the street immediately across from the school to the
north, beginning at Milmo and continuing down the length of our property to
Texas, donating the land from our sidewalk to the street (thereby making it the
same width as in the 2300 and 2400 blocks).
Our letter was jockeyed around the City Engineer’s Office, the
Traffic Department, and the Department of Community Development. Then, we were lost in bureaucracy! Since you are a neighbor, and may have a
vested interest in this, I was wondering if we could speak about the proper
channel I should go through.
My home number is 712-4441.
We could simply talk on the phone, or we could meet in front of the
church on the strip of land to discuss the matter.
Thank you for your attention to this
matter.
Sincerely
Dale Young
Pastor, First Presbyterian
Motion to acquire the right of way and widen Lane Street between Milmo and Arkansas. (thereby making it the same width as the
2300 and the 2400 blocks). Also to
viciously pursue the project by retrieving funds from the mineral accounts or
other projects with available funds.
Moved: Cm.
Galo
Second: Cm.
Guerra
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
B.
Request by Council Member John C. Galo
1. Status up date on the 98 - 99 Sidewalks
Projects.
Gabriel Martinez, from Engineering Department, reported that staff
has recently received bids for the sidewalk jobs. He added that they will award the contracts at the next City
Council meeting.
2. Report on the removal of Political Signs.
Benny Salinas, Building Director, stated that 10 candidates have
been cited for violating the City Ordinance.
He said that they would continue to cite individuals until all signs are
removed.
3. Staff report on Operation Clean Up.
Erasmo Villarreal, Community Development Director, reported that
Operation Clean Up had been suspended; however, it was re-implemented on
Monday. He stated that he did not have
the final totals but he would be reporting back to council with a comprehensive
report.
C. Request by Council Member Eliseo Valdez, Jr.
1. Status report on the
flood plain study of the Upper Zacate Creek storm drainage
and the impact on the
flood plain map in District V.
Gabriel Martinez, representing the Engineering Department,
reported that this item would be in conjunction with item # 33.
D. Request by Council Member Joe A. Guerra
1. Discussion on the Webb County Appraisal
District's Appraisal Statements, with
possible action.
A report was received from Sergio Delgado, Chief Appraiser, dealing
with Webb County Appraisal District and the 52,000 notices that were mailed out
for the year of 2000. He informed the
Council that the most important goal of the district is to assure that all
properties are taxed equally and uniformly.
He stated that the values are currently in the protest stages
where the Appraisal Review Board will resolve any disputes between the property
owner and the district. He stated that the properties are appraised using the
Mass Appraisal. He indicated that in
some cases, the district would request pertinent documents in order to achieve
a more accurate appraisal.
Finally, he explained that property owners have numerous rights
and encouraged them to exercise them.
Cm. E. Valdez asked Sergio
Delgado to implement a system at the district that will “flag” accounts that
have substantial increases. He stated
that the district should investigate the increases prior to sending out the
notices.
The Chief Appraiser
submitted the following information for the year of 2000:
# Accts Market Value Total
Exempt Taxable Value
|
Webb
County |
118,888 |
7,343,056,060 |
472,565,086 |
5,782,411,104 |
|
Webb Co.
Rd. & Bdg. |
118,888 |
7,343,056,060 |
472,565,086 |
5,720,614,085 |
|
Laredo I.
S. D. |
27,757 |
1,947,635,162 |
338,771,759 |
1,372,224,661 |
|
Webb Con.
I. S. D. |
18,061 |
578,332,990 |
6,399,830 |
417,936,703 |
|
United I.
S. D. |
71,234 |
4,778,157,168 |
125,955,577 |
3,614,196,946 |
|
Mirando
City I. S. D. |
1,916 |
39,038,760 |
1,071,330 |
17,862,120 |
|
Laredo
Comm. College |
63,005 |
5,621,684,140 |
456,937,016 |
4,847,577,647 |
|
City of
Laredo |
63,047 |
561,644,440 |
456,937,206 |
4,734,072,596 |
|
City of
Rio Bravo |
1,633 |
34,557,470 |
1,140,860 |
31,793,333 |
|
City of El
Cenizo |
1,002 |
17,407,500 |
585,780 |
15,774,049 |
|
Webb
County Drain. |
702 |
64,803,360 |
142,230 |
47,840,980 |
Property Tax Protest and Appeal Procedures
The law gives property owners the right to protest actions concerning
their property tax appraisals. You may
follow these appeal procedures if you have a concern about:
§
the market
or special appraisal value place on your property
§
the unequal
appraisal of your property
§
the inclusion
of your property on the appraisal roll
§
any
exemptions that may apply to you
§
the
qualification for an agricultural or timber appraisal
§
the taxable
status of your property
§
the local
governments which should be taxing your property
§
the
ownership of your property
§
the change
of use of land receiving special appraisal
§
any action
taken by the chief appraiser, appraisal district or appraisal review board that
applies to and adversely affected you.
Informal Review
As some concerns and discrepancies can be resolved quickly and
easily, it is recommended that you meet informally with appraisal staff to
review the property appraisal and to present any information you may want to be
considered.
Review by the
Appraisal Review Board
If you can’t resolve your problem informally with the county
appraisal district staff, you may have your case heard by the appraisal review
board.
The ARB is an independent board of citizens that reviews problems
with appraisals or other concerns listed above. It has the power to order the CAD to make the necessary changes
to solve problems. If you file a
written request for an ARB hearing before the deadline, the ARB will set your
case for a hearing.
Review by the District Court
After it decides your case, the ARB must send you a copy of its
order by certified mail. If you’re not satisfied with the decision, you have
the right to appeal to district court.
If you choose to go to court, you must start the process by filing a
petition within 45 days of the date you received the ARB’s order.
More Information
You can get more information by contacting your appraisal district
at 3302 Clark or call 718-4091.
2. Discussion on a request
by Mr. C. Y. Benavides III to discuss the re-paving of the
Dolores Blvd. in the
Camino Colombia area, with possible action.
C. Y. Benavides, III, gave a comprehensive report on the
construction that will take place on Dolores Blvd. He asked that the City of Laredo enroll in the same Repavement
Management System as Camino Columbia. He added that the area in question would
not need maintenance for at least 36 months.
Gabriel Martinez, representing the Engineering Department, stated
that only 500 linear feet of the area in question are in the city limits.
Larry Dovalina, Acting City Manager, stated that the city is not
allowed to work outside of the city limits area. He added that the specifications must be cleared with the
Engineering Department in order for the City to enter into an agreement.
Motion to participate in the Pavement Management System. The city will maintain 500 ft. Dolores Blvd.
and will extend the agreement upon annexation.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore
Guerra
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 1 Abstain:
Cm. Montalvo
E. Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez,
Jr.
1. Discussion with
possible action to direct the City Staff to put in place a program
to prioritize railroad crossing for emergency vehicles
(ambulances, fire trucks, and
others) by establishing radio communication with railroad company officials, to
keep crossings open during a crisis, have trains identify positions and direct
emergency vehicles through crossings during emergencies. This will require meetings with all parties
involved before an ordinance is drafted.
Keith Selman, City Planner, pointed out that the scope and the
nature of the problem is congestion. He
remarked that commerce is moving though the city of Laredo by means of trucks
and trains, and automobiles are impeding the flow of commerce. He stated that commerce rail and truck
freight is critical to this nation’s vitality.
He informed the Council that the Metropolitan Planning
Organization is currently working on a Comprehensive Mobility Plan. The plan is specifically addressing rail
issues and it will prioritize railroad crossing. He feels that the real solution is to grade separations.
The plan will identify potential grade separations so that a
Capital Improvement Plan can be presented to Washington and other places in
order to seek financial support and get the grade separation resolved.
Cm. J. Valdez was gravely concerned about his
constituents that have medical emergencies and need immediate assistance. He asked staff to create a system of
communication that will assist the emergency driver in getting the patient to
the hospital as quickly as possible.
2. Discussion with possible action to direct
the City Staff to coordinate train
crossing to keep lanes
open between the hours of 7 am to 9 am Monday through
Friday to insure
citizens access to work and school.
Keith Selman, Planning Director, informed the Council that he
would address train coordination with the railroad representative at the next
meeting. He acknowledged the importance
of the council member’s desire to ensure that citizens have the access to
arrive to work and school on time.
3. Directing City Staff to
request the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)
to implement a traffic safety program along the Mines Road Area,
creating a non-commercial traffic lane from Killam Industrial Blvd. to Santa
Maria Ave.
Motion to direct staff to draft a letter to TxDot.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
F.
Request by Mayor Pro Tempore Consuelo "Chelo" Montalvo
1. Discussion with
possible action, on a motion to publish a notice of a Public
Hearing in the Laredo Morning Times for a hearing to consider the
election qualifications and the forfeiture of office of Juan Ramirez candidate
for City Council Member District VIII, pursuant to Section 2.05 of the City
Charter and to set a date for said hearing.
Jaime Flores, City Attorney, advised the Council that a hearing
with the Honorable Judge David Peoples took place in the morning of said date
and he ruled on three points:
1.
Dissolve the temporary restraining order;
2.
Deny the request for a temporary injunction; and
3.
Deny the request to declare Juan Ramirez ineligible.
He stated that the final result would allow City Council to
proceed with the canvassing of the election results.
Mayor Flores congratulated Juan Ramirez and introduced him as the
new Council Member for District VIII.
IX. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES
7. An ordinance ordering
and proclaiming a Special Election to held on Saturday, August
12, 2000, designating polling places, providing for publication in
reference to an election for the approval of a sports and community venue
project ("The Laredo Entertainment Center") and for a one-fourth of
one percent sales and use tax and other matters relating thereto.
Ordinance Introduction:
City Council
Mayor Flores announced that a letter was received from the
Comptroller of Public Accounts stating that the Arena would not have a
significant negative fiscal impact on the state revenues.
Fidel Ramirez, former Laredoan, did not recommend support for the
entertainment center. He suggested that
the Council resolve issues that are more important to the city.
Mayor Aldo Tatangelo expressed that he was concerned with the
arena as a profitable venture. He
questioned the Council’s decision to sign a contract without knowing all the
answers.
Michelle Martinez, representing a majority of Laredo’s Youth,
spoke in favor of the Entertainment Center.
Her plea was to enhance the entertainment opportunities for Laredo’s
youth.
Danny Martinez, representing a majority of the youth of Laredo,
thanked the council for allowing Laredoans an opportunity to say “yes” to an
Entertainment Center. He stated that
the youth is in desperate need of a safer form of entertainment.
Mercurio Martinez III, concerned citizen, spoke in favor of the
entertainment center. He
enthusiastically encouraged the public to focus on the quality of life.
Armando Lopez, concerned citizen, stated that Laredoans need to
set their sights higher. He mentioned
several occasions where Laredoans endured uncomfortable situations from the
inability to accommodate the amount of people that attend certain
functions. He stated that people of
Laredo deserve an Entertainment Center.
He asked the Council to abide by what the voters say. He stressed that Laredo is no longer a
sleeping border city but a progressive border town.
Jesus “Toro” Martinez spoke in favor of the Entertainment
Center. He stated that it would be more
affordable to keep the money in Laredo.
He asked the public to support the Entertainment Center.
8. An ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to execute a Foreign-Trade Zone Operators
Agreement between the City of Laredo, as Zone Grantee of
Foreign-Trade Zone No. 94 and with Geologistics Americas, Inc., as Zone Site
Operator of an approximate 4,810 square foot facility located at the Killam
Industrial Park, Site No. 3.
Ordinance Introduction: City
Council
X. FINAL READINGS OF ORDINANCES
Internet Available: ///www.cityoflaredo.com
Motion to waive final reading of
ordinances # 2000-O-150, # 2000-O-151, # 2000-O-152,
# 2000-O-153, # 2000-O-154 and # 2000-O-155.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
9. 2000-O-150 Amending the City of Laredo FY 1999-2000
Annual Budget by creating a
position of Administrative Assistant I within the Administrative Services
Department which will be funded from anticipated line item savings and
authorizing the City Manager to implement said Budget. (City Council)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2000-O-150.
Moved:
Cm. Agredano
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2000-O-151 Amending the City of
Laredo Fiscal Year 2000 Laredo Bridge System
Fund Budget to appropriate $70,500.00 in contributions from
various firms for the World Trade Bridge Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and
authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget. (City Council)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2000-O-151.
Moved:
Cm. Agredano
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2000-O-152 Amending the City of Laredo's 1999-2000
Annual Budget in the amount of
$115,000.00 for the
Criminal Justice Division Grant from the Office of the
Governor. The Office of the Governor is contributing
$80,000.00 with the
City designating $35,000.00
in matching funds. This funding will be
used
for the Domestic
Violence Grant under the Violence Against Women Act
(VAWA) for the period of
June 01, 2000 through May 31, 2001.
(City
Council)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2000-O-152.
Moved:
Cm. Agredano
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2000-O-153 Amending
Chapter 15, Health and Sanitation, of the Laredo Code of
Ordinances by
establishing Article VII, On-Site Sewage Disposal;
providing for
severability; and providing for effective date and publication.
(City Council)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2000-O-153.
Moved:
Cm. Agredano
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2000-O-154
Ordinance setting the maximum speed limits on that portion of FM1472
between Santa Maria Ave.
and Pan American Blvd., within the City Limits
of Laredo, Webb County,
Texas, as 45 mph, 50 mph, 55 mph and 60 mph,
as defined in the Texas
Department of Transportation Control Section Map
2150-04. (Cm. Mario G. Alvarado)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2000-O-154.
Moved:
Cm. Agredano
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2000-O-155 Closing as a
public easement that section of the 1000 Block of South
Buena Vista Avenue between Ligarde and Barrios Street, situated in
the Eastern Division, City of Laredo, County of Webb, Texas and providing for
effective date. (City Council)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2000-O-155.
Moved:
Cm. Agredano
Second:
Cm. Bruni
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
XI. RESOLUTIONS
10. 2000-R-089 A resolution authorizing the City Manager to
execute an agreement
between the U.S. Border Patrol and the City of Laredo Fire
Department to implement a First Responder Program under the Border Safety
Initiative of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Motion to approve Resolution # 2000-R-089.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
11. 2000-R-090 A resolution authorizing the City Manager to
accept a grant from the
Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division in the amount of
$1,164,624.00 for the Laredo Multi-Agency Narcotic Task Force. The Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice
Division will be designating $1,165,624.00 and the City of Laredo will be
designating $175,000.00 from the opening fund balance and $213,156.00 of
personnel salary contributions for a total amount of $388,156.00 in matching
funds for a total of $1,552,624.00. Funding will be used to pay salaries, fringe benefit, overtime
expenses, indirect operating expenses, and equipment from June 1, 2000 through
May 31, 2001.
Motion to approve Resolution # 2000-R-090.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
12. 2000-R-091 A resolution authorizing the City Manager to
accept a grant from the U.S.
Department of Justice, Local Law Enforcement Block Grant in the
amount of $158,466.00 with the City of Laredo designating $50,000.00 in
matching funds for a total of $208,460.00 to fund this project. This
project funds the salaries, fringe benefits, overtime, and equipment for
support personnel. Two additional
clerical staff members will be added.
The funding period for this project is from October 1, 1999, through
September 30, 2001.
Motion to approve Resolution # 2000-R-091.
Moved:
Cm. Bruni
Second:
Cm. Agredano
For:
8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
XII. MOTIONS
13. Consideration of
removal of hotel-motel accounts that no longer exist, owners are
deceased, ownership changed before the law that allows collection from
new owner became effective and accounts are over the statue of limitations for
collections, including tax years from 1989 to 1994. The total amount to be
removed is $8,882.72 and it includes miscellaneous receivable tax, plus
penalties and interest.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
14. Consideration to
approve monthly adjustments to tax roll.
The amount to be adjusted
for the month of May 2000, which represents a decrease in levy, is
$107,353.17. These adjustments are
determined by the County Appraisal District and by Court Orders.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
15. Consideration of
removal of personal property and mobile home accounts to an
uncollectable roll. The
amount of tax transfer to the uncollectable roll is $108,861.83 based on 1996
and prior tax years.
a. Mobile Home amount is $20,902.52
b. Personal Property amount is $87,959.31
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
16. Refund of property tax
to the following taxpayers and companies:
a. Hechinger Company in the amount of $9,833.08
due to an overpayment.
b. Laredo National Bank in the amount of
$632.46 due to a double payment.
c. First American Real Estate Tax Service in
the amount of $2,445.13 due to an
overpayment.
d. Raul & Azucena Palacios in the amount of
$687.05 due to a double payment.
e.
Fresenius Medical Care in the amount of $1,637.87 due to a double
payment.
f. Diana Morales in the amount of $9,295.98 due
to an overpayment.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Agredano
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
17. Consideration to
approve change order no. 2 for an amount not to exceed $584,869.00
to the Laredo Bridge
Toll System Upgrade contract with Transcore for the installation
of five commercial
toll booths and two non-commercial toll booths and concrete island
extensions at the
Colombia Solidarity Bridge. The
original contract was for
$8,442,136.00, for
the installation of the Toll System Upgrade at the International
Bridges; change
order no. 1 was for $145,941.00 and this change order no. 2 will bring
the total contract
amount to $9,172,946.00. Funding will
be available in our
Construction Fund
from transfer of line item "Toll Equipment" #553-4050-538-5313.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
18. Consideration to amend
the HOME Investment Partnership Program Policy and
Procedures Manual to include as part of the program, Tenant Based
Rental Assistance (TBRA). Hamilton
Housing Partners, Ltd. have requested rental assistance from the City for 50
low-income elderly residents of the Hamilton Hotel. The assistance is needed for the months of August and September
2000. The amount requested is
$25,000.00, which will cover the rental subsidies for the two months and insure
that the elderly residents are provided safe, sanitary, decent and affordable
housing. The Community Development
Department is requesting the approval to use 1996 HOME Administrative Fund
balances to fund the TBRA.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm.
Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
19. Consideration to award
contract number FY00-104, to the LOW BIDDER MEETING
SPECIFICATIONS,
Equipment Technology, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK., $58,115.00,
for the purchase of
one 1-1/2 ton truck with aerial device for the Bridge System. This
truck will be used
at all four bridge locations for maintenance and repair work.
Funding is available
in the Bridge Fund.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
20. Consideration to award
annual contract number FY00-107, to the LOW BIDDER,
StarCrete Products, Division of K3B, Inc., Robstown, Texas, in the
estimated amount of $77,760.00, for the purchase of Portland cement sacks for
the Utilities Department. Cement is
used for backfilling by the department.
Funding is available in the Utilities Department budget.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
21. Consideration Award of
contract number FY00-106 to the SOLE BIDDER, Mission
Western Wear, Mission, Texas, for the purchase of safety footwear
for Fire Department personnel.
Contract pricing has been secured for boot styles approved for use by
the Fire Department personnel. The
Fire Department's personnel have a $500.00 clothing allowance that may be used
to purchase uniforms, jackets, or boots.
The contract vendor will be required to fit all fire personnel within a
three day period. Approximately 417
pairs of boots will be purchased.
Funding is available in the Fire Department budget.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Amaya
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
22. Consideration to award
annual contract (FY00-112), to the SOLE BIDDER: Denco
One Hour Photo, Laredo, Texas, in the estimated amount of
$20,000.00, for photo development for all City Departments. This contract establishes bid pricing for
one hour/next day film processing, three day film processing and slide
processing. All services will be on a
per need basis. Funding is available in
user department budgets.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
23. Consideration to award
annual contract number FY00-108 to the LOW BIDDER,
Skaggs Public Safety Uniforms and Equipment, San Antonio, Texas,
in the estimated amount of $98,883.00 for the purchase of uniforms for Police
Department personnel. The overall
contract pricing is approximately 22% less.
Funds are available in the Police Department budget.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
24. Consideration to award
contract number FY00-111, to the LOW BIDDER, Naztec,
Inc., Sugarland, Texas, in the amount of $99,480.00, for the
purchase of traffic signal controllers and cabinets. Traffic signal controllers will be installed at the following
intersections: Muller/FM 1472 and
Marcella/ Taylor. In addition, twelve
signal cabinets and six cabinet shells will be purchased to upgrade the current
traffic signal equipment. Funding is
available in the Capital Improvement Fund and the Traffic Safety budget.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
25. Consideration to approve change order no. 2 for an
increase in the amount of
$4,770.00, for a total contract amount of $17,655.00, to ATC Associates, Inc., San Antonio, Texas,
for additional charges incurred for asbestos abatement oversight and on-site
monitoring for the Laredo International Airport Abatement at buildings 574,
1112, 1438, and 1439. The original
contract required sixteen days of on-site monitoring, however, the asbestos
removal contractor required twenty eight days to complete the project. On-site monitoring is required by state and
federal regulations. Funding is
available in the Airport Fund.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
26. Consideration to award
contract number FY00-113A, to the LOW BIDDER, National
Sanitary/Unisource, Laredo, Texas, in the amount of $54,000.00,
for the purchase of one million, plastic bags for use in the City's Recycling
Program. The per unit price is
$0.054/bag is approximately 4% higher than the previous contract purchase. Funding is available in the Solid Waste
Fund.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
27. Consideration to
approve a selection of consultant and authorization to negotiate the
professional service contract with Severn Trent Laboratories,
Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas, to provide laboratory analytical services for
storm water samples to comply with the City's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
Motion to approve.
`
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against:
0 Abstain: 0
28. Consideration to
authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract
with J & A Pharmacy to
provide pharmaceuticals to AIDS clients of the City of Laredo Health Department
for the period beginning April 1, 2000, through March 31, 2001.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
29. Consideration for
acceptance of the Street Paving Assessment Project 60 (26 Blocks)
constructed by the Department of Public Works and the Utilities
Department. Final contract amount is
$890,920.55. Funding is available
in Paving Projects #60.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
30. Consideration for
approval of final change order no. 2, a decrease of $1,400.00 as
liquidated damages for late completion of the project, acceptance
of the Laredo International Airport Asbestos Abatement at Building 574, 1112,
1428 and 1439; and approval of final payment in the amount of $60,960.00 to
Bexar Environmental, Inc., San Antonio, Texas.
Funding is available in the Airport Demolition Services.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
31. Consideration to Amend
and extend the annual supply contract number 99-038
awarded to Big Buck Asphalt Co., Laredo, Texas, to include the
purchase of concrete sand through July 31, 2000. The use of Portland cement and concrete sand is required as a
backfill material for all street cut repairs to increase the durability of
asphalt patches. The original contract
award was for an estimated amount of $227,725.00 for the purchase of flexible
base and backfill sand, as required for all city paving and construction
projects. Due to Street Cut Ordinance
#99-O-319, which required the use of concrete sand, this contract is being
modified to include these new requirements.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
XIII. STAFF REPORT
32. Presentation and
Council confirmation of Mayor Pro Tempore as per Ordinance 90-O-
101.
Mayor Flores read
the name as to seniority for acceptance.
The first on the seniority
list was Cm. Joe Guerra and he accepted.
Motion to confirm
Joe A. Guerra as Mayor Pro Tempore.
Moved: Cm.
Bruni
Second: Cm.
Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
33. Status report on the
Zacate Creek Storm Water Masterplan.
Allen Thompson, of Brown & Root from Austin, informed the
Council of the progress they have made in completing the Zapata Creek Storm
Water Master plan. He added that the
Federal Emergency Management Administrations will produce the flood plains map.
The revised maps will be complete in 12 to 18 months.
34. Presentation by Mr.
Sergio Delgado, Chief Appraiser, Webb County Appraisal District
regarding the 2000 Property Tax Valuation
and an explanation on the determination of
Fair Market Value.
The presentation
given by Sergio Delgado was given under D. (1).
XIV. ADJOURNMENT Time: 8:25 p.m.
Motion to adjourn.
Moved: Cm. Galo
Second: Cm. Agredano
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
I hereby certify that the above minutes contained in the pages of
01 to 25 are true, complete and correct proceedings of the City Council Meeting
held on the 19th day of June, 2000.
____________________
Gustavo Guevara, Jr.
City
Secretary