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CITY OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING M2003-R-017 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER With a quorum present, Mayor
Elizabeth G. Flores called the meeting to order. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Elizabeth G. III. ROLL CALL In attendance: Elizabeth G. Flores, Mayor Alfredo Agredano, Council
Member, District I Hector Garcia, Council
Member, District II Johnny Amaya, Council Member, District IV Eliseo Valdez, Jr., Council
Member, District V Gene Belmares, Council
Member, District VI Juan Ramirez, Council
Member, District VIII Gustavo Guevara, Jr., Jaime Flores, Motion to excuse Cm. Garcia, Mayor
Pro Tem Galo, and Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. Belmares For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 *Note: Cm. Garcia joined the meeting at Motion to excuse Cm. Garcia and Mayor Pro Tem
Galo from the Special Call City Council meeting of Moved:
Cm. Amaya Second:
Cm. Ramirez For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Motion to excuse Cm. Garcia from the Budget
Workshop of Moved:
Cm. Amaya Second:
Cm. Ramirez For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 IV. MINUTES Approval
of the minutes of Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS Announcements Invitations Recognitions a. Recognition of Sergeant Jorge Luis
Lugo, Jr., for serving our country in the US Army in Mayor Flores and the City
Council Members presented Sergeant Lugo with a Certificate of Recognition for
his service to our country in the U.S. Army Reserves in b.
Recognition of the Del Mar Little League for winning District Champs
and State Finalists. Mayor Flores and the City
Council Members recognized the team for winning the district championship and
for its recognition as state finalists. c.
Recognizing Manuel "Blinker" Perez as the only Coach and
Manager to have taken five teams to the Little League State
Tournament in 1978, 1981-1983 and again in 1993 and for over 25
years of dedicated volunteer service to the advancement of Little League players in Laredo. Mayor Flores and the City
Council Members presented Mr. Perez with a Certificate of Appreciation for
his dedication to the youth of Communiqués Mayor Flores read from Psalm 22 before City
Council and offered her condolences to the family of Cm. Jose A. Valdez, Jr.
for their recent loss. Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. led the City Council in
prayer for the Cm. Amaya stated that his Special Projects
Committee members will be distributing school supplies to needy students in
District IV in order to help out their families. He added that these students were selected
by their respective schools. He gave a
special thanks to the many businesses that donated the supplies and to the
committee members: Manuel Reyna,
Rogelio Rodriguez, Aurora Rendon, Alfredo Juarez, Juan Calderon, Margarito Benavides, Manuel Romo,
and Jose Chavarria. Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. thanked all his committee
members, his constituents, and the inner circle of District V for their
advice and feedback provided prior to the budget workshops. He thanked them for input provided in order
to have projects addressed during the workshops. Cm. Ramirez mentioned the “Guanajuato
en VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES a. Appointment by Council Member Jose
A. Valdez, Jr., of Jose Gamez to the Motion to approve. Moved:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 b. Appointment by Council Member Jose
A. Valdez, Jr., of Esterina Pulido
to the Motion to approve. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending Laredo Land Development Code, Section 24.77.1, entitled Dimensional
Standards, by revising the maximum building height requirements in certain
zoning districts; providing for publication and effective date. The Planning and Zoning Commission has
recommended approval of the proposed ordinance amendment. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 2. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance of an ordinance amending Chapter 3: Subdivision Design Standards, Section
3-6: Lots and Lot Arrangements,
Paragraph J. Laboratory Testing, of the Subdivision Ordinance of the City of
Laredo by allowing a developer to select the testing laboratory for ordinance
compliance, providing for publication and effective date. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: Abstain: There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 3. Public
hearing for the adoption of a tax rate of $0.641761 per $100.00 value. This is to provide revenue for the
General Fund for the Maintenance and Operation and for the payment on the
Debt Service. This rate includes
$0.500648 per $100.00 value of the Maintenance and Operation and $0.141113
per $100.00 value for the Interest and Sinking Fund of the Debt Service and
will produce a tax levy of $38,455,159.00. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 City Manager, Patricio Canavati, stated that he has been seeing an increase in taxes year
after year. He notices that some
property owners are not paying property taxes, which is an injustice to all
those other property owners who do pay taxes. He stated that there are numerous deficiencies
when it comes to public services in the community. He
is asking that an explanation be provided from where the taxes are derived,
who are the taxpayers, and where are those revenues
going. Mayor Flores replied that there is an
Appraisal District that follows a process and a formula in order to arrive at
a valuation over land and improvements.
Motion to close the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Motion to reflect a transfer of $400,000.00
from the General Fund to the Capital Improvements Fund (CIF) for
discretionary funding of $50,000.00 per Council District. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 4. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of General Fund annual budget to increase
revenues and expenditures in the amount of $175,000.00 for attorney fees paid
to De Anda Law Firm. Expenditures will only be incurred and
disbursed if the revenue is collected by the Tax Department. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Amaya Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 5. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Ordinances, Section 2-9 to provide access to
database in order to inspect City property tax records via the internet;
adding definitions and basic terms of the access agreement; changing term to
be for one (1) year with an automatic renewal for one (1) year unless
otherwise indicated by either party; deleting the equipment fee; deleting the
reference to exhibit A, “The Standard Agreement,” providing for severability
and effective date. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 6. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and
expenditures in the amount $346,993.00 in funds from the Texas Department
Health and $57,012.00 in program income for the Maternal and Child Health
(MCH-Title V) Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period
beginning September 1, 2003, through August 31, 2004; and amending the City
of Laredo’s full-time equivalent positions.
Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5
Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 7. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and
expenditures in the amount $21,657.00 in funds from the Texas Department of
Health for the Laredo Obesity Prevention and Control Project (LOPAC) of the
City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2003
through August 31, 2004. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 8. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City of Laredo FY
2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and
expenditures in the amount of $69,464.00 in funds from the Texas Department
of Health and $16,600.00 in program income for the La Familia
Health Care Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period
beginning September 1, 2003 through February 29, 2004. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 9. Public
hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and
expenditures in the amount of $81,751.00 in funds from the Texas Department
of Health in the Family Planning Services of the City of Laredo Health
Department for the period beginning September 2003, through August 31, 2004;
and amending the 2002-2003 full time equivalent positions. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Agredano Second:
Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 10. Public hearing and introductory ordinance
amending the City of Ordinances as follows: Chapter 2, Article II, Division 6 (Pay
Administration), Section 2-87.7 (12)(a) except as otherwise stated
in any collective bargaining agreement and providing for publication and effective
date of increase of 1.6%. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council VIII. GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS A.
Request by Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores 1. Discussion with possible action on request
to consider conversion of Palo Blanco Street to a one way west from by Council Member Alfredo Agredano) Mayor
Flores stated that she received a letter from Ms. Yolanda Perez, B. Request by Council Member Alfredo Agredano 1. Presentation by former gang member
regarding UISD Gang Intervention Program.
(Co-sponsored by Council Member Eliseo Valdez, Jr.) Cm. Agredano made a correction to the
item caption. Joe Espinoza, Gang Intervention Facilitator,
introduced the team assigned to the different high schools: Jose Jasso, Hector Garcia, David Volpe. He
also introduced a reformed gang member, Jose Luis Hernandez, and mentioned
that he is making a difference in our community today. He explained that a criminal street gang
is defined as three or more people with an identifiable sign, symbol, or
leadership who continuously or regularly associate in the commission of
criminal activity. He pointed out some
of the characteristics of gang involvement and the organizational levels of
gangs. He also provided some tips for
parents and educators to discourage children and teenagers from becoming gang
members. Sergeant Armando Elizondo with the
Laredo Police Department Juvenile Enforcement Team stated that mostly the
officers do work with the students and gangs.
He stated that it is against the law for a minor to have a
tattoo. He mentioned that some of
these gang members are doing the tattoos themselves. Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. mentioned that some
adults are exposing our minors to criminal activity. He suggested to the City’s legislative
liaison, Rene Gonzalez, to revive a previous House bill that never made its
way to the House floor. He would like
to see some legislation passed where you can double the penalty on the adults
who are exposing the children to drugs, crime, etc. Cm. Garcia joined the City Council meeting at C. Request
by Council Member Gene Belmares 1. Discussion with possible action regarding
City of accounts
receivable policies. Jose Castillo,
Assistant Cm. Belmares inquired
as to which accounts the City currently collects fees on. Jose Castillo stated
that there are ambulance fees, alarm permit fees, lot lien fees, rentals fees
from municipal housing, solid waste fees, etc. He said he would like
to learn how the City collects on fuel flowage fees. Jose Flores, Jose Castillo,
Assistant On accounts payable, Jose Castillo explained
that the Accounts Payable Division is responsible for reviewing all invoices
and processing payments on behalf of the City. The staff processes invoices, debit memos,
credit memos and they are processed online through the Purchasing Accounts
Payable subsystem. He added that a
purchase order must be obtained before securing any goods or services from a
vendor. The Accounts Payable Division
will not process a payment unless it is in receipt of a proper invoice. The departments must also acknowledge
receipt of services or goods before processing for payment. Cm. Belmares stated that the only issue that
he would like to address is the Accounts Receivable issue. He instructed the City Manager to provide a
report to City Council regarding the standardization of the receivables
policy. 2. Discussion with possible action regarding
the placement of “No Parking” signs and other safety
concerns at Borchers Elementary. Cm. Belmares inquired whether there is
something that the City could do about enclosing the area by the drainage
canal. He mentioned that one side of
the canal is private property but the other side with a sidewalk belongs to
the City. Keith Selman, City Planner, mentioned that the
property owner to the South has come in to be master planned but said
development would take some time. D. Request
by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr. 1. Discussion
with possible action requesting the City Manager to have Public Works
crews to construct sidewalks on east side of Motion to instruct the
City Manager to have Public Works crews construct sidewalks on east
side of Moved: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against:
0 Abstain:
0 IX. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES 12. Authorizing
the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to effectively convey a 0.0835 of an acre
(twelve-foot), more or less, parcel of land, as a Utility Easement to AEP
Texas Central Company, for the extension of an overhead 3-phase primary line
to serve a proposed wastewater lift station in the Wyndum
Terrace Subdivision. Said 0.0835 of an
acre (twelve-foot) easement being out of tract of land previously conveyed to
the City of Ordinance Introduction: City Council 13. Authorizing
the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to effectively convey two parcels of land to
the Texas Mexican Railway Company, said parcels being: Tract 1 – a 3,272 square foot parcel of
land and Tract 2 – an 868 square foot parcel of land, in exchange for two
other parcels of land: Tract 3 – a 10,640 square foot parcel of land, and
Tract 4 – a 653 square foot parcel of land.
All four parcels are situated in that section of Salinas Avenue that
lies between Washington Street and Moctezuma
Street, Western Division, City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas; and providing
for an effective date. Ordinance Introduction: City Council 14. Authorizing
the City Manager to execute a lease agreement between the City of Laredo, as Lessor
and Clemente M. Bedia, as
Lessee for approximately 624.77 sq. ft. of building space to be used as a
(WIC) Woman, Infant and Children Food Store at the area commonly known as
2300 Saltillo part of the Mario Tijerina Park site,
for a term of one year at a monthly rate of $300.00 per month and will be
adjusted annually according to Consumer Price Index; providing for an
effective. Mayor Flores noted a correction as to the term
of the lease agreement which is for a term of one year at a monthly rate of
$350.00 per month. Ordinance Introduction: City Council 15. Adopting
a new health and dental benefits rate structure by increasing all medical contribution amounts by five
percent (5%) and all dental contributions by ten percent (10%) for the City
of Ordinance Introduction: City Council X. FINAL Motion to waive the final readings of ordinances # 2003-O-206; #2003-O-207;
#2003-O-208; #2003-O-209; #2003-O-211; #2003-O-212; #2003-O-213; #2003-O-214;
and #2003-O-215. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-206
Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of issuance of a Special Use
Permit for the addition of an antenna on an existing tower on Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-206. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Garcia For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-207
Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of 2, Block 3, Jacaman Ranch Subdivision, Unit 6,
Jacaman Commercial Park, located east of Rosson
Lane, from B-4 (Highway Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business
District); providing for publication and effective date. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-207. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Garcia For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-208
Amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by
appropriating revenues and
expenditures in the amount $205,860.00 in funds from the Department of Health and $7,048.00 in
Program Income for the Tuberculosis Elimination Program of the City of Laredo
Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2003, through August
31, 2004. Motion
to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-208. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Garcia For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-209
Amending the City of Sewers and Sewage Disposal, Division I, §
31-16, Definitions, by deleting definitions; deleting Division III, Use of
Public Sewers §31-51 through 31-64; increasing sections to be reserved from §
31-69 through § 31-77; repealing all conflicting ordinances; establishing
pretreatment charges and fees ranging from $50.00 up to $150.00; providing a
penalty; severability, publication and effective date. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-209. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Garcia For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-211
Amending chapter 19, Motor Vehicle and Traffic, Article VIII,
Stopping, Standing or Parking, Section 19-361,
City Owned Parking Lot Enforcement and Section 19-362, City-owned Parking Lot
Rates and Hours of Operation, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Motion
to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-211. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Garcia For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-212
Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement with Labata Services for approximately 117 square
feet constituting AOA Office No. 3 of the Motion
to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-212. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Garcia For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-213
Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Foreign Trade Zone
Operations Agreement between the City of Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-213. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Garcia For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain:0 2003-O-214
Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement with Development Council for approximately 5,400
square feet constituting Building No. 1054 located at Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-214. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Garcia For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-215
Setting the maximum speed limit on that portion of IH35 main lanes
within the City limits of Laredo, Webb County, Texas,
as 60MPH, from milepoint 8.352 to milepoint 11.968 and from milepoint
0.000 to milepoint 1.917 and as 40 MPH on that
portion of IH 35 frontage roads from milepoint
8.352 to milepoint 11.968 and from milepoint 0.000 to milepoint
1.904, as defined n the Texas Department of Transportation control section
maps 0018-06 and 0016-05, to be in effect during reconstruction of this
section of IH 35 located north of Loop 20 providing for the installation of
appropriate signs to indicate speed changes in the designated areas and
providing for publication and effective date. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-215. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Garcia For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 XI. RESOLUTIONS 17. 2003-R-104 Accepting the donation of the “Surface
Only” of a 0.0344 of an acre parcel of land, more or less, from J. Huriel Villalobos Mendoza, as a Utility Easement, for the
Pueblo Nuevo Subdivision Right-of-Way and Easement Acquisition Project. Said parcel of land being out of Motion to
approve Resolution #2003-R-104. Moved: Cm.
Belmares Second: Cm. Garcia For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 18. 2003-R-105 Accepting the donation of the “Surface
Only” of a 0.1557 of an acre parcel of land, more or less, from Juventino Garcia, Sr. and Soledad Garcia, as a Utility
Easement, for the Pueblo Nuevo Subdivision Right-of-Way and Easement
Acquisition Project. Said parcel of
land being out of Motion to
approve Resolution #2003-R-105. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Garcia For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 19. 2003-R-106 Authorizing the City Manager to enter into
a license agreement with Proton Energy, LLP for the location and maintenance
of a 2” gas pipeline across Motion to
approve Resolution #2003-R-106. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Garcia For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 XII. MOTIONS 20. A motion to set a date of Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 21. Consideration for approval of the
selection of a consultant Killis Almond &
Associates, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, for the Convention Center Feasibility
Study Project and authorization to negotiate a professional services
contract. Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 22. Consideration to award contract number
FY03-047 to the sole bidder, Kustom Signals, Inc.,
Lenexa, Kansas, in the amount of $425,175.00 for the purchase of seventy-five
(75) patrol vehicle video surveillance systems for the Police
Department. Funding is available in
the Police Trust Fund. Motion to approve. Moved: Cm.
Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 23. Consideration to award contract number
FY03-110 to the low bidder, Holt Company of Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 24. Consideration to award contract number
FY03-107 to the low bidders meeting specifications for the purchase of safety
footwear for City maintenance personnel.
Contract pricing has been secured for boot styles approved for use by
City maintenance personnel. Each
department will have the option to choose the type of boot best suited for
the work environment and budget allocation.
All safety footwear is purchased on an as needed basis from the
respective departmental budgets. The
contract amounts are estimates based on historical usage. Contracts are recommended for the following
vendors: Gateway Uniforms Service, Motion to approve. Moved: Cm.
Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 25. Consideration to award contract number
FY03-103 to the low bidder, SBC – Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm.
E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 26. Consideration for approval of the release
of partial retainage of $66,505.52 from the total retainage amount of $67,505.52 from the construction
contract with Marshall Company, Ltd., Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 27. Consideration
to award an architectural/engineering (A/E) contract in the amount not to
exceed $122,225.00 to Sepulveda Associates Architects, Inc., Motion to approve. Moved: Cm.
Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 28. Consideration to authorize the City
Manager to renew professional services agreement with RWL Group, Inc., to
provide employee benefit services to the City of Laredo for period of twelve
months to commence on October 1, 2003 and to conclude on September 30,
2004. Funding is subject to FY
2003-2004 appropriations. Motion to approve. Moved: Cm.
Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 29. Consideration to authorize the City
Manager to renew the existing contract with RWL Group, Inc., and the City of
Laredo for a period of twelve months
by providing risk management with property and liability insurance
consulting services and authorizing the City Manager to execute a retainer
documents. Funding is subject to FY
2003-2004 appropriations. Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 30. Authorizing the City Manager to award a
contract to Carter & Burgess, Inc., for professional services in the
amount of $26,762.00 for a traffic impact analysis for the installation of a
new traffic signal at the intersection of Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 31. Consideration to approve the selection of
consultant Kimely Horn & Associates for the intelligent
transportation plan for the City of Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 32. Authorizing the award of FY 2001 HOME
Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Community Housing Development
Organization (CHDO) set aside funds in the amount of $226,200.00 to Metro Affordable
Housing Corporation to be utilized for the acquisition, design, and
construction costs for Phase I of a four family dwelling transitional housing
development, and further authorizing the City Manager to execute all
documents. Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 33. Consideration to award a construction
contract to the lowest bidder, Triple A Concrete, Inc., Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 34. Ratification of authorization for the City
Manager to execute a memorandum of cooperation to disburse funds for services
approved by Ordinances 2003-O-157 and 2003-0-140 for the enhancement of the
Bi-national Border project specifically for communication, surveillance and
vector control public health activities.
The project is a cooperative agreement between the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of Health (TDH) with
the City of Laredo Health Department and the “Secretarias
De Salud” of the four Mexican border states of
Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Chihuahua
through the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, as follows: Nuevo Leon:
$18,360.99, Tamaulipas:
$37,674.85, Coahuila: $42,450.67, and Chihuahua: $32,515.03.
Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 XIII. STAFF REPORTS 35. Legislative Report on the Seventy-Eighth
Texas Legislative Session by Legislative Consultants, including new
and amended State laws. Rene Gonzalez made a brief
presentation before the City Council.
He stated that there was a report issued by the Comptrollers Office
stating that even though taxes were not increased we have seen certain fees
increase such as the Municipal Court fees and Andrea McWilliams, Legislative
Consultant, reported that at the last legislative session over 754 laws went
into effect. Primarily, there were a
number of budget cuts especially as it relates to health and human
services. She stated that the state
budget is in dire circumstances and only the interim will tell what will
happen. She mentioned some of the
highlights from this legislative session which include: significant homeowners
insurance reform, universities being given the authority to deregulate
tuition, the increase in vehicle title fees, the new reporting requirements
for elected officials, as well as the power ball becoming a part now of the
Texas Lottery. She mentioned the Mario Martinez, Legislative
Consultant, covered other pieces of legislation that they were involved in on
behalf of the City Council. There was
some language within the RMA legislation that passed that pertained to giving
the respective RMA authority to condemn the condemnation authority to take
over bridges which would have been a significant impact to the city. Due to express concern by the Mayor and the
City Manager, they visited with and provided input to the Chairman of the
committee. He mentioned that they were
able to impact that legislation and the Chairman was very receptive to having
some language removed. Bob Strauser,
of Baker Botts, L.L.P., reported that he will be
involved in the ongoing studies that will lead to an April special session on
education and financing alternatives.
The State would like to reduce the school tax rate from $1.50 to $0.75
if they can do so. He mentioned the
RMA legislation and the opportunities for City interests to be protected and
he urged the City to become active in the process. Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. inquired
whether the State is looking at creating a formula to provide free education
to children that cross our borders. Bob Strauser,
of Baker Botts, L.L.P., mentioned that there are
committees reviewing these funding alternatives and those special needs along
the border region. 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 36. Request for Executive Session pursuant to
Texas Government Code Section 551.072 in order to deliberate on the value of,
and the possible purchase of, real property near the Laredo International Motion to go into Executive Session pursuant
to Texas Government Code Section 551.072 in order to deliberate on the value
of, and the possible purchase of, real property near the Laredo International
Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 After Executive Session, Mayor Flores
announced that no formal action was taken. Motion to authorize the City Manager
to negotiate the value for purpose of acquiring an approximate 65.78 acre
tract located adjacent to the Moved: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 37. Request for Executive Session pursuant to
Texas Government Code Section 551.072 in order to deliberate on the value of,
and the possible purchase of, real property located in North Laredo, east of
IH35, because deliberation in an open meeting would have detrimental effect
on the position of the City Council in negotiations with third persons; and
return to open session for possible action. Motion to go into Executive Session
pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.072 in order to deliberate on
the value of, and the possible purchase of, real property located in North
Laredo, east of IH35, because deliberation in an open meeting would have
detrimental effect on the position of the City Council in negotiations with
third persons; and return to open session for possible action. Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 After Executive Session, Mayor Flores
announced that no formal action was taken. 38. Request for Executive Session pursuant to
Texas Government Code Section 551.072 in order to deliberate on the value of,
and the possible purchase of, real property near the Central Business
District, because deliberation in an open meeting would have detrimental
effect on the position of the City Council in negotiations with third
persons; and return to open session for possible action. Motion to go into Executive Session
pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.072 in order to deliberate on
the value of, and the possible purchase of, real property near the Central
Business District, because deliberation in an open meeting would have
detrimental effect on the position of the City Council in negotiations with
third persons; and return to open session for possible action. Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against:
0
Abstain: 0 After Executive Session, Mayor Flores
announced that no formal action was taken. Motion to authorize the City Manager
to proceed with the acquisition of Moved: Cm. Ramirez Second: Cm. Agredano For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 39. Request for Executive Session pursuant to
Texas Government Code 551.071 (1) (A)
to consult with Motion to go into Executive Session
pursuant to Texas Government Code
551.071 (1) (A) to consult with Moved: Cm. Agredano Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 1 Cm.
Garcia Mayor Flores excused herself from discussion
at this Executive Session. She filed
an Affidavit of Recusal due to her husband’s
ownership of substantial interest. After Executive Session, Mayor Flores
announced that no formal action was taken. XV. ADJOURNMENT CITY
COUNCIL MEETING M-2003-S-12 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SUPPLEMENTAL
AGENDA I.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public hearing and introductory ordinance to adopt the annual budget for fiscal year 2003-2004; appropriating the estimated revenues, expenditures and balances reported therein for the year beginning October 1, 2003 and ending September 30, 2004, consistent with the financial plan described in said annual budget; and authorizing the City Manager to implement said annual budget. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 There was no public
input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second:
Cm. Agredano For:
6 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council Motion to reflect a transfer of $400,000.00
from the General Fund to the Capital Improvements Fund (CIF) for
discretionary funding of $50,000.00 per Council District. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. For: 6 Against:
0 Against: 0 II.
RESOLUTIONS
2. 2003-R-115 Concerning the commencement of renewal proceedings under the Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, as amended. Motion to adopt Resolution # 2003-R-115. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Agredano For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 III.
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 IV.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn.
Time: Moved:
Cm. Amaya Second:
Cm. Ramirez For:
6 Against:
0 Abstain:
0 I, Gustavo Guevara, Jr., _______________________________ Gustavo
Guevara, Jr. City Secretary |