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CITY
OF CITY
COUNCIL MEETING M-2003-R-21 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. Flores led in the Pledge of Allegiance. III. ROLL
CALL In attendance: Elizabeth
G. Flores, Mayor Hector
Garcia, Council
Member, District II John
C. Galo, Mayor
Pro Tempore, District III Johnny
Amaya, Council
Member, District IV Eliseo
Valdez, Jr., Council
Member, District V Gene
Belmares, Council
Member, District VI Jose
A. Valdez, Jr., Council
Member, District VII Juan
Ramirez, Council
Member, District VIII Donna
Copeland-Magnón, Anthony
McGettrick, Motion
to excuse Cm. Agredano. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm.
Garcia joined the meeting at Cm.
Ramirez joined the meeting at IV. MINUTES Approval of the minutes of Motion to approve. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm. Amaya For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 V. COMMUNICATIONS
AND RECOGNITIONS Announcements None. Invitations None. Recognitions None. Communiqués a. Presentation by Robert Summers, WBCA
President, regarding WBCA’s third edition of “By George,” a commemorative magazine. Robert Summers, Washington Birthday
Celebration Association President, thanked the Council for their continued
support for the event. He also
distributed a copy of their promotional magazine By George which will be distributed throughout Mayor Pro Tempore Galo
thanked Senator Zaffarini for the gavel she
presented him for being Mayor Pro Tempore.
He also thanked D. D. Hachar Elementary for
asking him to speak to the 3rd Grade Social Studies Class. He invited the viewing public to attend the
Border Trade Alliance Conference to be held November 19th . Cm. Amaya encouraged
individuals to participate in the steak plate sale to be held on November 15th
. The monies raised by the plate sale
will be used to purchase turkeys and toys for the financially challenged
families in District IV. Cm. Cm. Belmares thanked
the Laredo Police Department for making sure everyone had a safe and Happy
Halloween. He also thanked Terrace
Stewart, from United Works, for making a presentation at the District VI
Advisory Council Meeting. Finally, he
thanked Public Works for all the work they have done on McPherson. Cm. J.
Valdez praised the Parks and Recreation Department for their annual
Halloween Parties held at the different Recreation Centers. He specifically mentioned Joe Ramos, a City
employee, for doing an exceptionally great job at the Mayor Flores informed the
public that VI. APPOINTMENTS
TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES None. VII. PUBLIC
HEARINGS 1. Public hearing and introductory
ordinance amending the
City of Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. Amaya For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain:
0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. Amaya For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 2. Public hearing and introductory
ordinance amending the
City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 Motion to open the public hearing. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. Amaya For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 There
was no public input. Motion to close the public hearing and
introduce. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. Amaya For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance Introduction: City Council 3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City
Manager to accept a reimbursement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) in the amount of $10,720.00 for overtime expenses and amending the City
of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget in the amount of $10,720.00 to fund the Laredo
Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The
Laredo Police Department will assign one police investigator to the task
force. Reimbursement of overtime
expenses will commence on Motion to open the public
hearing. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 There was no public input. Motion to close the public
hearing and introduce. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. Belmares For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Ordinance
Introduction: City Council 4. Public
hearings for the
voluntary annexation of four (4) tracts of land (Tract 1: Las Blancas Tract - 419.4591 acres, more or less; Tract 2:
Las Misiones Tract - 83.0116 acres, more or less;
Tract 3: McNary and Calk Tract - 70.42 acres, more
or less; Tract 4: Zachry Tract - 256.66 acres, more
or less) totaling 829.55 acres, more or less, and the unilateral annexation
of one (1) tract of land (Tract 5: Highway 359 Tract- 622.5 acres, more or
less), for a total of 1,452.05 acres, more or less, as described in the
attached tract summaries as required by Section 43.063 of the Texas Local
Government Code. Motion to open the public hearing. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Carol Sherwood, Executive Director for
Habitat for Humanity, stated that the ten acre tract mentioned in said
hearing will provide fifty families with water. The families represent people who live in
the 25% to 49% of median income.
Habitat for Humanity has invested money in the project which includes
a Capacity Building Grant and $400,000 from Housing and Urban Development. She asked for the Council’s support for the
annexation. Richard Haynes, representing ten
different individuals, spoke in favor of the annexation. Keith Selman, Planning Director, invited
the public to view the service plans that were available at the City Council
Meeting. Motion to close the public hearing. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 VIII. GENERAL
COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS 5. A. Request by Council Member Johnny Amaya 1.
Authorization to use District IV
discretionary funds in the estimated amount of $27,500.00 for approximately 5
½ blocks of sidewalks on the west side of Malinche
Avenue between Plum and Frost Streets and the east and west sides of Bartlett
Avenue between Locust and Lyon Streets.
Construction will be done in-house by the Engineering/Public Works Department. Motion
to authorize staff to use District IV discretionary funds in the estimated
amount of $27,500.00 for approximately 5 ½ blocks of sidewalks on the west
side of Malinche Avenue between Plum and Frost
Streets and the east and west sides of Bartlett Avenue between Locust and
Lyon Streets. Moved: Mayor Pro Tempore Galo Second: Cm. Amaya For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm. Garcia was not present. B. Request by Council
Member Gene Belmares 1.
Discussion with possible action on
enforcement efforts to control roadside vendors. Cm. Belmares expressed
his concern for the safety of pedestrians while vehicles are
approaching/departing from the vendor’s site.
He also questioned the issue of sales tax for roadside vendors. Finally, he was concerned about the buyer
beware issue. He noted that the buyer
does not have the opportunity to exchange or refund the products. Officer
Enrique Mendoza mentioned two vending characteristics which include the
public right-of-way vendor or the private property vendor. The Laredo Police Department deals with the
public right-of-way vendor. He said
that the officers have been issuing many citations to the vendors who set up
on the right- of-ways. He added that
the Laredo Police Department has been coordinating with the City of Cm.
Belmares inquired
about the fine for roadside vendors. Keith
Selman, City Planner, said the typical violator is cited for conducting their
business from an unenclosed structure which is a violation of the Zoning Ordinance. The fine for the violation has a maximum of
$2,000.00. He added that the violator
is issued a warning the first time and is given a citation if they do not
desist. Cm. Belmares expressed
his desire to increase the penalty for street vendors who continue to
violate. Anthony
McGettrick, Assistant Keith
Selman, City Planner, said that his staff will issue citations to the vendor
and the property owner. Officer
Enrique Mendoza said that property owners can avoid being cited if they send
a letter to the Laredo Police Department stating that they are opposed to
having vendors sell merchandise on their property. When a letter is on file, the Laredo Police
Department has the authority to arrest the vendors for criminal
trespassing. Cm. Belmares asked if
the City has a policy for seasonal vendors.
Motion
to instruct staff to amend the current Ordinance by raising fines for
individuals who use the City of Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Galo For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm. J. Valdez
spoke in favor of a permit system. 2.
Discussion with possible action on
creating on aircraft viewing area as recommended by the Jose
Flores, Cm. Belmares asked
staff to place the item back on the agenda with recommendations to the Council.
3.
Discussion with possible action
regarding expansion of parking permit pilot program and other traffic control
programs in District VI. Motion
to amend the ordinance to include Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Galo For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm. Belmares asked
the City Manager to have the traffic control devices on International and Agusto removed. Motion to extend the railing
at International and St. John. Moved: Cm. Belmares Second: Cm.
Galo For: 7 Against: Abstain: 0 C. Request by Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr. 1.
Discussion
with possible action to create an International Trade Commission.
(Co-sponsored by Council Member Gene Belmares) Cm. J. Valdez
asked Council to consider creating a Commission of International Trade Commission. He recommended that each Council Member should
appoint one member from their district. The Mayor should appoint three
individuals including a custom house broker, a freight industry person, and an
individual from a financing institution.
He instructed the City Manager to come back to Council with a strategic
plan for creating an International Trade Commission. Motion
to create an International Trade Commission. Moved: Cm.
J. Valdez Second: Cm.
Ramirez For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm. 2.
Discussion
with possible action to authorize the construction of a retaining wall for
approximately 400 linear feet at the Bristol Road low water crossing for
flood control; and authorization to use District VII discretionary funds in
the maximum amount of $5,000.00 to be constructed by the Department of
Engineering/Public Works. Motion
to authorize the construction of a retaining wall for approximately 400
linear feet at the Moved: Cm. J.
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Galo For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 IX. INTRODUCTORY
ORDINANCES 6.
Authorizing the City Manager to grant a Right-of-Entry Permit to the America in the area encompassed by the
following City-owned blocks, for use as a work area for environmental
exploration and survey, Southward and Eastward up to Tilden Avenue, including
any public right-of-way abutting said blocks and any river vega land. Said blocks being delineated on attached copy
of City Plat: all of Blocks 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 57, 68, 414, 415, 416, 425,
450-A 629, 630, 644, 645, 658, 659, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 680, 708,
708-B & 724; all being situated in the Western Division, City of Laredo,
Webb County, Texas; and providing for an effective date. Ordinance Introduction: City Council X. FINAL Motion
to waive final reading of Ordinances # 2003-O-262; # 2003-O-263; #
2003-O-264; # 2003-O-265; # 2003-O-266; # 2003-O-267; # 2003-O-268; #
2003-O-269; # 2003-O-270; # 2003-O-271; # 2003-O-272; # 2003-O-273; #
2003-O-274; # 2003-O-275; # 2003-O-276; # 2003-O-277; # 2003-O-278; #
2003-O-279; # 2003-O-280; and 2003-O-281. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-262
Amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-262. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5
Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-263
Amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 3.40 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located north
of Del Mar Boulevard and east of Burke Drive, from AG (Agricultural District)
to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective
date. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-263. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-264
Amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 48.70 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located north
of Del Mar Boulevard and east of Burke Drive, from AG (Agricultural District)
to R-1 (Single Family Residential District); providing for publication and
effective date. Motion to adopt Ordinance
# 2003-O-264. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-265
Amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 8.34 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located north
of Del Mar Boulevard and east of Burke Drive, from AG (Agricultural District)
to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective
date. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-265. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-266
Amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 2, Block 1,
Ramirez Industrial Subdivision and 0.3625 acres, as further described by
metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located at approximately 3700 Loop
20, from M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) and M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing
District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and
effective date. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-266. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-267
Amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-267. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-268
Amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 12.12 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located south
of proposed Havana Drive and east of Woodridge Drive, from AG (Agricultural
District) to R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area District); providing for publication
and effective date. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-268. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez,, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-269
Amending
the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 6.00 acres, as
further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A,” located south
of Casa Blanca Road, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-4 (Highway
Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-269. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-270
Amending
the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 parking meter fund budget by appropriating a
draw down of $511,566.00 from the opening balance and appropriating it for
land acquisition and improvements. The
projects planned projects consists of land acquisition, improvement and
construction of surface municipal parking lots in the downtown area. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-270. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-271
Amending
Article I Section 24.1.3.2, Responsibilities of the Board of Adjustment,
creating Section 24.1.8, Standard Technical Specification Manual Committee,
Creating Article III, Section 24.58, Standard Technical Specification Manual,
Creating Article VI Section 24.96, Amendment Procedures for the Standard
Technical Specification Manual, of the Laredo Land Development Code of the
City of Motion to postpone for 30 days. Moved:
Cm. Belmares Second:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm. Garcia and Cm. Amaya
were not present. 2003-O-272
Amending
the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount
$8,400.00 in additional funds from Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-272. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against:
0 Abstain:
0 2003-O-273
Authorizing
the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget by
transferring unexpended funds in the amount of $19,950.00 from FY 2002-2003
from the United Independent School District to FY 2003-2004 for the
Immunization Program of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period
beginning July 3, 2003, through July 2, 2007, contingent upon availability of
funds and yearly contract renewal. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-273. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-274
Authorizing
the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-274. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-275
Amending
the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget by appropriating revenues and
expenditures in the amount $15,000.00 in funds from the Texas Department of
Health to conduct the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program of the City
of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning November 1, 2003,
through June 20, 2004; and amending the FY 2003-2004 full-time equivalent
positions by creating one (1) part-time Health Educator position for a total
of .48 FTE. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-275. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-276
Authorizing
the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget by
transferring unexpended funds in the amount of $73,500.00 from FY 2002-2003
from the Laredo Independent School District to the Immunization Program of
the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning April 1, 2003,
through August 31, 2003, contingent upon availability of funds and yearly
contract renewal. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-276. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-277
Amending the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget by
decreasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $143,387.00 to reflect
the actual grant amount from the Texas Department of Health and decrease
in-kind funds in the amount of $48,150.00 from the Laredo Independent School
District for the Mi Futuro (My Future) Abstinence
Education Program of the City of Laredo Health Department from October 1,
2003 through September 30, 2004. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-277. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5
Against:
0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-278
Amending the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 annual budget by
decreasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $690.00 to reflect the
actual grant amount of $169,293.00 from the Texas Department of Health for
the Tuberculosis Prevention/Control Federal Project of the City of Laredo
Health Department for the period beginning Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-278. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-279
Amending
the City of Laredo FY 2003-2004 Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-279. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-280
Electing
for the City of Laredo to make current service and prior service
contributions to the City's account in the Municipal Accumulation Fund of the
Texas Municipal Retirement System at such rate within legal limits, as the
actuary annually determines is required to fund within a period of
twenty-five years from the most recent valuation date, the costs of employee
benefits payable from, or chargeable to, the City's said account in said
fund. Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-280. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 2003-O-281
Closing
as a public easement that section of the 2000 block of Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2003-O-281. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 XI. RESOLUTIONS 8. 2003-R-131 Authorizing the City
Manager to submit a grant with the Office of the Governor,
Criminal Justice Division. The City
Manager is authorized to apply for,
accept, reject, alter, or terminate a grant.
The Office of the Governor,
Criminal Justice Division will be funding 90% of the Juvenile Accountability
Incentive Block Grant and the City of designating 10%
matching funds. Funding will be used
to pay for the salaries and
fringe benefits of an Administrative Assistant II and to purchase
necessary supplies in support of the juvenile program. Grant period is from Motion
to approve Resolution # 2003-R-131. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against:
0 Abstain: 0 9. 2003-R-137 Accepting the donation of the “Surface Only” of a 0.003 of
an acre (143.574 sq. ft.) parcel of land, as a
perpetual easement, from the
Ike Alexander Estate for the
parcel of land being out of the East 35.55 feet of
Block 35, Western Division, City of Motion to approve Resolution # 2003-R-137. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 10. 2003-R-138
Accepting the donation of the “Surface Only” of a 0.006 of an acre
(241.791 sq. ft.) parcel of land, as a perpetual easement,
from the Ike Alexander Estate for the Iturbide
Street Urban Mall Project. Said parcel of land being out of the West
27.78 feet of out
of Motion to approve Resolution # 2003-R-138. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 11. 2003-R-139 Accepting the donation of the “Surface Only” of a 0.002 of
an acre (95.908 sq. ft.) parcel of land, as a perpetual
easement, from Mrs. Raymond Robinson for the being out of the East 27.78 feet of Motion to approve Resolution
#2003-R-139. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 12. 2003-R-140
Accepting the donation of the “Surface Only” of a 0.001 of an acre
(55.077 sq. ft.) parcel
of land, as a perpetual easement, from Jung Soo
Yoon, for the 24.56
feet of Western
Division, City of Motion to approve Resolution #2003-R-140. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 XII. MOTIONS 13.
Consideration to relinquish any interest in acquiring surplus
right-of-way located on the southeast corner of IH 35 frontage
road and Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. Ramirez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 14.
Consideration for approval to reject the two bids received for the
Laredo International Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. Ramirez
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 15.
Consideration for approval of Change Order No. 1 a decrease of
$2,806.50 acceptance of the Lafayette Street Park Project
and approval of final payment in the amount of $26,328.20 to Pete Gallegos
Paving, Inc., Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. Ramirez
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 16.
Consideration to award contract number FY04-012 to the low bidder, A-1
Dry Cleaners, Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 17.
Authorizing the City Manager to accept a Toshiba digital camera as a
donation from Office Communications Systems/Toshiba
to be used by City departments. The
camera has a retail value of $290.00. Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 18. Consideration to award contract number
FY04-013 to the low bidder, AAR Inc.,
Houston, Texas, in the amount of $117,800.00 for asbestos abatement and
demolition of building S-1, the old Customs building, and the SER building at
the Laredo International Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 19. Consideration to award contract number
FY04-006 to the low bidder, Clean Harbors Environmental
Services, La Porte, Texas, in the amount of $30,795.00 for conducting two
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events. Funding is available in the Environmental
Services Department budget. Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 20. Consideration to award software maintenance
contract to the sole source provider, H.T.E., Inc.,
Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 21.
Consideration to authorize the City Manager to enter into a user
agreement between the Texas Department of Public Safety and
the City of Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 22.
Refund of property tax to the following taxpayers and companies: a.
A
refund in the amount of $3,196.18 payable to Wells Fargo Real Estate Tax
Services, LLC. Wells Fargo paid
account in error. Account
#968-81001-010. b.
A
refund in the amount of $2,449.37 payable to United Independent School
District Tax Office. American Tower
Corporation sent payment over the amount due.
The overage belongs to c.
A
refund in the amount of $524.98 payable to Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service/Refund Department. Account was
paid by Webb County Title and Abstract and Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service. Account #980-70001-200. d.
A
refund in the amount of $999.96 payable to Transamerica Real Estate
Tax Service/Refund
Department. Account was paid by Chase
Manhattan and Transamerica
Real Estate Tax Service.
Account
#989-52002-030. e.
A
refund in the amount of $1,030.42 payable to Transamerica Real Estate
Tax Service/Refund
Department. Account was paid by owner
and Transamerica Real
Estate Tax Service. Account
#991-00002-150. f.
A
refund in the amount of $671.33 payable to Transamerica Real Estate
Tax Service/Refund
Department. Account was paid by Border
Title and Transamerica Real Estate Tax Service. Account #980-90002-010. g.
A
refund in the amount of $866.10 payable to Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service/Refund Department. Account was
paid by Border Title and Transamerica Real Estate Tax Service. Account #990-20001-010. h.
A
refund in the amount of $1,876.78 payable to Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service/Refund Department. Account was
paid by Vaquillas Development and Transamercia Real Estate Tax Service. Account #900-90311-137. i.
A
refund in the amount of $663.45 payable to Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service. This account was paid by
Border Title and Transamerica Real Estate Tax Service. Account #970-60015-200. j.
A
refund in the amount of $676.18 payable to Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service. Account was paid by Neel Title and Transamerica Real Estate Tax Service. Account #965-21001-020. k.
A
refund in the amount of $580.22 payable to Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service. Account was paid by Neel Title and Transamerica Real Estate Tax Service. Account #969-00002-170. l.
A
refund in the amount of $940.50 payable to Transamercia
Real Estate Tax Service. Account was
paid by Webb County Title and Transamerica Real Estate Tax Service. Account #970-60013-040. m.
A
refund in the amount of $14,031.78 payable to Albertsons Inc. due to a double
payment. Albertson’s Inc., and H. E. B. paid the
2002 tax. Account #801-01095-010. n.
A
refund in the amount of $739.68 payable to Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service. Account was paid by Neel
Title and Transamerica Real Estate Tax Service. Account #983-40001-040. Motion to approve. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 23. Authorizing
the City Manager to enter into contract and award 2003 Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds made available by
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the amount of
$23,000.00 to Sacred Heart Children’s Home for the rehabilitation of a
residential cottage; $27,000.00 to the Laredo Homeless Coalition (LHC) for
operation of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Resource Center located at 815
Hidalgo; $53,500.00 to Catholic Social Services of Laredo, Inc.(CSS) for
operation of La Frontera Halfway House; $22,500.00 to Bethany House for
Homeless Prevention assistance; and $22,500.00 to the Laredo Webb-County
Community Action Agency (CAA) for Homeless Prevention assistance. Motion to approve.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr. For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 24.
Consideration for approval for approval of the consultant T.N.T.
Construction Co., Inc., Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 25.
Authorizing the City Manager to execute a release and settlement
agreement with Laredo Police Officer Ricardo Reyes,
Jr., whereby Officer Ricardo Reyes, Jr., will reimburse the City of Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 26.
Authorization to use District II discretionary funds in the estimated
amount of $10,000.00 for sidewalks on the west
side of Motion to approve. Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. J. Valdez, Jr.
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 XIII. STAFF REPORTS 27. Presentation by recommendations on Bruce Schaller, from Schaller Consulting,
gave the following presentation: Overview Issues Methodology Findings Recommendations Issues Number of taxicabs Adequacy of current service Enforcement Taxi stand operation Vehicle inspections Potential areas for new business
Methodology Document review Site visit in late June Sample of taximeter and odometer
readings Taxi
Stand/Company Visits Key Findings 1.
Oversupply of Taxicabs Taximeter readings show: - 4.7 trips per shift -
$68 per shift fare revenues (gross) $20 – 40 driver take-home income 2.
Cab Dispatch Operations Return to taxi stand/base after
each trip Fairness
and cost are barriers to using modern dispatch systems and methods. 3.
Reliance on Tax Stands Two-thirds of cabs use stand as
base of operations Pros and cons: -
Easy to get cab downtown -
Uses more street space than necessary -
Remote from outlying calls -
Cabs use stands as a substitute for off-street base, accountability 4.
Quality of Service Drivers very experienced and
committed to industry Vehicles generally in good shape Some problems with: -
Some old vehicles not in good condition -
Overcharging -
Drivers not using meter -
Unlicensed operation 5.
Recommendations 1. Increase market for cab service -
Paratransit services/El Lift -
Senior transportation programs -
New taxi stands 2.
Explore reducing number of cabs -
Not re-issue revoked/expired permits -
Offer buy-out -
Incentives to combine multi-cab operations Modernize cab industry - Require off-street premises - Require dispatch using two-way
communications - Contingent on bringing supply and demand
into balance Other recommendations - Devote Taxi Inspectors to enforcement - Replace older cabs that break down
repeatedly - Post customer information at transportation
hubs and inside cabs - Issue picture IDs to drivers and display in
cab - Consider limousine regulations Review
of Submitted to City of Executive Summary This
study was commissioned by the City to review the current number of cabs in
the City, evaluate whether service, enforcement and vehicle inspections are
adequate, assess how taxi stand should be operated and evaluate opportunities
for new business. Findings
and recommendations are based on a 2 ½ day site visit in late June that
included interviews with taxi owners, taxi drivers and City staff and visits
to taxi stands, taxi company offices, hospitals, hotels and the Laredo
Entertainment Arena. The
central conclusion of the study if the The
excess number of cabs profoundly shapes operations of the including the lack
of dispatch technology and extensive reliance on taxi stands. The oversupply of cabs also results in low
revenues per cab and thus creates an incentive for drivers to overcharge
passengers. The
problem of oversupply can be addressed in either or both of two ways;
increasing the demand for taxi service and decreasing the number of
cabs. The City should explore the
following approaches of correcting the imbalance between taxicab supply and
demand: Paratransit service contracts – It might be
possible for El Metro’s Senior
transportation programs – Another possibility is to use cabs to provide
locally funded senior transportation services. Depending on the type of service needed,
taxicabs can reduce costs and provide additional flexibility for
patrons. New
taxi stands – Establishment of a new stand at the Reducing
the number of cabs – Tow possible method of reducing the size of industry are
a buyout program for taxi owners and (b) incentives for taxi permit holders
to combine the operations of several taxibcabs. Preferably, reducing the number of cabs
would be combined with increasing the market for taxi services to bring
supply and demand into alignment. Addressing
the oversupply problem should be the City’s first priority. It should be followed by taking steps to
modernize the taxi industry: Require
modernization of taxi companies’ dispatch systems through use of two-way
communications systems (i.e. two-way radios or cell phones.) Require
off-street premises for each cab company.
Currently four of the eleven cab companies have off-street premises
while seven companies base their operations at on-street taxi stands. Current
cab operations that center on taxi stand use inefficient call-assignment
procedures in which the driver who has been waiting the longest amount of
time gets the next passenger, no matter which cab is closest to the
caller. This approach is
understandable given the need to equitably distribute the relatively small
number of passengers among drivers. As
the number of trips per cab is increased, equity among drivers will become a
less critical concern and the efficiency of call assignment will become more
important. the companies will start to need and will benefit form a modern
dispatch system which enables them to dispatch trips to the cab nearest to
the pickup location. Passengers will
benefit by shorter waits when they call for a cab. Off-
street premises will provide a place for storage of vehicles and records and
for dispatch of telephone request for service, and will enable the City to
reduce the space allotted for taxi stands.
The number and size of taxi stands should be reduced, but sufficient
spots should be maintained to provide and adequate number of cabs for walk-up
customers, particularly in the downtown area. Off-street
premises combined with dispatch operations will also build a more structured
industry with stronger accountability, including means of dealing with
customer complaints. Other recommendations are: Increase
enforcement, particularly against unlicensed activity. Mandate
replacement of older cabs that experience repeated breakdowns. Post
customer information at transportation hubs and inside cabs. Issue
larger picture ID cards to drivers and display driver IDs in a place visible
to passengers. Consider
adopting regulations for limousine services. The
overall objectives of our recommendations are to modernize the operations of
the taxi industry, improve service and increase accountability of the taxi
industry. Recommendations will benefit
all three constituencies – passengers by improving the quality of service,
particularly in outlying areas of the city; the taxi industry by raising
incomes for drivers and owners; and the City by reducing the use of public
street space for taxi stands. Purpose and Methodology Taxicab
regulation is the responsibility of the Laredo Traffic Safety division, which
licenses taxicab vehicles and drivers, inspects the vehicles and enforces the
City Ordinance as it pertains to taxicabs.
The Traffic Safety Division currently licenses 78 taxicabs. The authorized size of the industry is 79
cabs but one revoked permit has not been re-issued. This
study was commissioned by the City to address several issues concerning
taxicab regulation and operation: 1. Are there currently enough taxicabs in
service? 2. Is service adequate? 3. Is there enough enforcement? 4. How should taxi stand be operated? 5. Is the City’s inspection program adequate? 6. What are potential areas for new business? The
consultant collected and analyzed a range of information to serve as the
basis for analysis of these issues.
Documents reviewed include the current City Ordinance, proposed Ordinance
changes, and sample of customer complaints, summonses and staff, interview
with taxi divers and owners at each of the major taxi stands and at off-street
taxi company offices, a visit at the airport at which we met with the airport
director and talked with taxi drivers serving at the airport, a visit to the
Laredo Entertainment Center and later telephone interview with the General
manager, and brief interviews with front-line staff at major hotels and the
two major hospitals, Mercy and Doctors. As described
below, City staff collected taximeter and odometer readings in July and
August to quantify the number of trips and fare revenues generated by the
taxi industry. This
study was carried out by Bruce Schaller, Principal of Schaller
Consulting. Schaller Consulting
specializes in taxicab regulatory and operational issues. Bruce Schaller has extensive experience
with taxicab issues in cities ranging from Findings Taxicabs
are an important means of transportation in Taxi ownership and operation Of 78
cabs, 68 are operated through 11 companies, each of which own between two and
11 taxi permits. The other 10 cabs are
owned and operated individually. Four
companies operate from off-street premises:
A-1, Red Fox, Red Top, and tops Taxi.
These cabs primarily respond to telephone requests for service and
return to the off-street premises after each trip. There are also some walk-up customers. Trips are assigned to the driver who has
been waiting longest, thus spreading trips evenly among drivers who are on
duty. A-1,
Red Fox and Red Top drivers do not have two-way radio communications with the
base, although some drivers receive calls from customer on their cell
phones. Tops Taxi drivers use two-way
radios to coordinate responding to some calls. Cabs
for the other companies stage at taxi stands located on city streets,
primarily in the downtown area.
Drivers queue at the stand.
Trips are assigned to the driver who is next in line and has been
waiting the longest amount of time.
Trips are generated by walk-up customers and, in some cases, through
customer telephone calls to a nearby telephone. The
taxi stand on the east and north side of Drivers
consider all the other stands as belonging exclusively to certain company(ies) and “respect” each other’s turf. This system of “respect” appears to be a
very long standing practice. One
airport driver who has been driving 25 years said the system was in place when
he began to drive a cab. Garza
uses the taxi stand on Yellow
and International stage from stand on the north and west sides of Aero’s two cabs and about four individually
owned cabs operate during the daytime from the airport taxi stand. These drivers almost exclusively serve the
airport. Two drivers have Nextel
phones to coordinate pickups. The
airport is considered to be these drivers “turf” during the daytime, but
other drivers pickup at the airport at night. Ace and
Flash use a taxi stand on the 1000 block of
Approximately
one-half of the cabs are driven one shift a day and the other half are
double-shifted. A few cabs are
double-shifted on some days but not consistently. Whether
cabs are single or double-shifted tends varies with the base of
operations. Three-quarters of the
taxicabs working out of the Drivers
typically work 10 to 13 hour shifts.
The permit holder or family members drive many of the cabs, while some
are leased. Trip volumes and fare revenues For the
purposes of this study, the City’s Taxicab Inspector collected taximeter
cumulated totals and odometer readings from taxicabs at various locations.
Two sets of readings were collected, separated by several weeks. Subtracting the second set of readings from
the first set yields the number of trips, mileage and revenue for the
intervening time period. Drivers were also
asked whether the cab is driven by another driver (double-shifted) or only by
them and how often they carry passengers across the border. Meter
readings were taken from just over one-half of the city’s cabs. Data were edited for consistency and reasonableness
and outlying or inconsistent results were disregarded. Analysis of valid readings produces the
following profile for taxi operations.
(Per shift figures assume that the drivers work 6 days a week): 4.7 trips per shift $15.25 average fare for 4.2 mile trip $410 peer week in fare revenue or $68 per shift 38% of
total mileage is with a passenger 50% of
cabs are double-shifted It
should be noted that the 4.3 mile average trip with a $15.25 average fare
implies that about 50% of the trips incur the $9 cross-border surcharge. Asked during meter readings how often they
cross the border, however, all drivers said less than 25% of the time. This would imply that drivers sometimes
charge the $9 cross-border charge when staying in the The
taximeter results are consistent with trip volumes reported by drivers. In interviews, drivers report trip volumes
of 3-7 trips per shift – very consistent with the taximeter data average of
4.7 trips per shift. The
meter data showing $68 in fares per shift is toward the high end of the range
given by drivers, who report grossing $30 - $40 a day on low-revenue days and
$70 - $80 a day on good days. The
issue with the $9 surcharge may account for some of this discrepancy. Driver
and taximeter trip data are consistent with information reported by airports
staff, who estimate that there are 40-40 taxi trips per day from the
airport. Most of these trips are
served by six drivers who work daytimes at the airport, which computes to
about five airport trips per cab per shift. Driver payments Cabs
that are not driven by the permit holder or a relative of the permit holder
are generally leased to driver (s).
Drivers pay a daily lease fee to the owner. Lease fees generally vary between $20 and
$30 per shift for cabs that are leased on a shift basis; the amount can vary
day-to-day depending on the amount of business. Drivers
who own their own permit obviously do not pay lease fees. Many owner-drivers do pay a fee to the
company that has taken control of the taxi stand, however. These fees range from $5 a month at Driver incomes Driver
take-home income is the sum of fares and tips for the day minus the lease fee
and gasoline cost for lease drivers, or minus operating costs (e.g., vehicle,
insurance, gasoline and other operating costs) for drivers who won the permit
or use permits owned by relatives. Drivers
estimate that their take-home income varies from about $20 - $40 a day,
although some days they may make very little and other days considerably
more. Although I did not conduct a
detailed financial analysis, typically in the taxi industry, operating costs
are aobut one-half of fare revenues. This would imply that drivers’ take-home
incomes are about $34 a shift (one-half the $68 daily fare revenue). This estimate is consistent with lease
driver incomes estimated to be $20-$40 a shift. Incomes
for all drivers are substantially higher during the Christmas holiday season
and other holidays. Complaints and quality of service Information
was gathered from several sources to give an indication of the quality of
service and customer satisfaction with service. The
City records and investigates complaints received about cab service. The number of complaints is relatively
small – one or two per month.
Complaints received are primarily far-related, e.g., overcharging,
charging individual fares for groups, etc.
In many cases, persons making a complaint do not follow up with City
staff after the initial contact, and thus no enforcement action can be taken. In
addition to the formal complaints process, City and airport officials also
report hearing of instances of overcharging (often from the airport), airport
drivers transferring passengers to unlicensed vehicles after leaving the
airport property and inappropriate dress. The
City’s Taxicab Inspector regularly checks cabs and issues summonses as
appropriate. Problems found in this
process most commonly involve failure to display licenses or lack of a
license, use of a non-taxi for taxi service, not charging the correct fare
and dress code violations. Interviews
with front-line personnel at five hotels uncovered no complaints about cab
service. Hotel personnel reported that
cabs arrive in 5 – 10 minutes. The
number of cabs used per day varied from 5 – 10 per day at the Holiday Inn to
one per day at the Marriott and only “occasionally” at the Monterrey Inn. Enforcement and vehicle inspections Each
taxicab is inspected once per year by the Taxicab Inspector. The checklist items is used for
inspections. Defects are required to
be corrected and the vehicle returned for re-inspection. The
Taxicab Inspector also conducts spot-checks on the street and issues
summonses as appropriate. He is often
assigned to other duties, however, and currently spends only about on-half of
his time on taxicab enforcement and vehicle inspections while the other
one-half is spent on non-taxicab related duties. Conclusions The
core conclusion of this study is that Oversupply of taxicabs Does Thus,
the most important conclusion of the study is that Oversupply
can be seen quantitatively in the relatively small number of trips provided
daily by each cab – an average of about 5 trips per shift. This is about one-half – or less – than the
typical situation. Cabs in other
cities typically provide 10 – 15 trips per shift and major cities 20 -3-
trips per shift. Thus, The
current low number of trips has come about as a result of the economic
downturn and as other transportation providers have attracted trips
previously taken by taxicab. These
include cross-border trips now served by bus carriers, airport trips served
by hotel courtesy shuttles and trips from truck stops served by limousines. The
problem of oversupply can be addressed in either or both of two ways: increasing the demand for taxi service or
decreasing the number of taxicabs.
Both solutions are discussed in the recommendations section below. Taxi dispatch operations The
current call-assignment method for taxicabs is quite primitive. Drivers wait at tax stand and off-street
premises for walk-up passengers and telephone calls for service. They then drive to the pick-up locations
(for telephone calls,) drive passenger (s) to the desired destination, and
return to the driver’s base of operations.
Inherent to this mode of operations is that drivers spend the majority
of their time in non-revenue service as they wait for the next passenger,
drive to the passenger pick-up location and dead-head back to their base of
operations. Cm. Cm.
Valdez asked about the sell of their permits.
Cm.
J. Robert
Murillo, Traffic Director, noted that the item has been discussed at the
Transportation Committee. They were in
favor of making changes once the items are more specific and the details are
ironed out. Cm. Galo noted the importance of each company
operating from an enclosed office rather than conducting their business on
the City’s property. 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 28.
Request for Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.072 in order to deliberate on the value of,
and possible exchange of real property, being Blocks No. 34 and 35 and a
portion of Block No. 25 of the Subdivision Plat of Laredo Motion to go into Executive Session pursuant
to Texas Government Code Section
551.072 in order to deliberate on the value of, and possible exchange of real
property, being Blocks No. 34 and 35 and a portion of Block No. 25 of the
Subdivision Plat of Laredo Moved:
Mayor Pro Tem Galo
Second: Cm. Amaya For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 After Executive Session,
Mayor Flores announced that no formal action was taken.
be replaced with the word
“sale”. Motion to authorize the
City Manager to sell by sealed bids for purchase of:
1) Blocks 34 and 35,
Moved: Cm. E. Valdez, Jr. Second: Mayor Pro Tem Galo For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm. Garcia and Cm. Amaya were not present. 29.
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 a 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 a
detrimental effect on the position of the City Council in negotiations with third
persons; and return to open session for possible action.
Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. Amaya For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
After Executive Session, Mayor Flores announced that no formal action
was taken. Motion that Council authorize the City
Manager to acquire the west 30.56 feet of Moved:
Cm. Ramirez
Second: Mayor Pro Tem Galo
For: 5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cm. Garcia and Cm. Amaya were not present. 30.
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 in the City
of Laredo, because deliberation in an open meeting would have a 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 in the City of Laredo, because deliberation
in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the
City Council in negotiations with third persons; and return to open session
for possible action. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second:
Cm. Amaya For:
5 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 After
Executive Session, Mayor Flores announced that no formal action was taken. XV. ADJOURNMENT SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA I. GENERAL
COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS 1.
A. Request by Council Member Eliseo Valdez, Jr. 1.
Discussion
with possible action regarding the drainage issue at Mission Viejo
Condominiums located at Jose Flores,
owner and member of the Board for the Mission Viejo Condominiums, said the
problem stems from when John Orfila,
Recycling Program Coordinator, noted that he was approached by the chairman
of the condominiums association with the drainage problem. He said that staff responded
immediately. Staff cleared the
entrance to the inlet which is City right-of-way. The problem is not the grade inlet because it
is low enough for the water to flow. The
problem is the parking lot is lower than the grade inlet. It has deteriorated in time. He recommended for them to hire a
contractor to raise the parking lot so the water can flow to the inlet or run
some type of drainage pipes into the grade inlet from their parking lot where
the water will drain from the parking lot into the inlet. Cm. John Orfila
responded by noting the parking lot is private property. Gabriel
Martinez, Engineering Department, said that staff can meet with the owner to
give him some options. He added that
the owners will have to do some reconstruction within their private
property. Staff can also advise him of
services to tie into as far as existing storm sewer. Cm. B. Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez 1.
Discussion
with possible action regarding mosquito problem along Zacate
Creek and the railroad tracks in District VIII. (Co-sponsored by Council Member Jose A.
Valdez, Jr.) Hector
Gonzalez, Director of the Health Department, advised that staff has been sectioning
the entire county for fogging to decrease the growth and the breeding of mosquitoes. In addition, staff has been using minimal
amounts of pesticides. Our staff has
also been applauded for distributing minnows in the lakes and the creeks to
eat the mosquito larva. 2.
Discussion
with possible action regarding the installation of a guard rail on the
northwest side of the Motion
to install a guard rail on the northwest side of the Moved: Cm.
Ramirez Second: Cm.
J. Valdez For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 3.
Discussion
with possible action on naming an official mascot for the City of Cm. Ramirez suggested naming an official mascot
for the City of Mayor
Flores said that a lot of funds are being spent on the Viva Laredo
Campaign. Cm. Garcia mentioned that he is happy with the
Seven Flags as a mascot. 4.
Discussion
with possible action on the removal of the Zacate
Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. (Co-sponsored by Council Member Jose A.
Valdez, Jr.) Beto
Ramirez, Utilities Director, explained that the City has several competing projects
within the Capital Improvement Plan that are needed to meet the demands of
the infrastructure growth. Cm. Ramirez stressed his desire to expedite the
removal of the sewer plant. Motion
to instruct staff to research the possibility of removing the Zacate Creek. Moved: Cm.
Ramirez Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Galo For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 II. MOTIONS 2.
Consideration
to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Laredo
Chamber of Commerce to share in the cost of operation of the Laredo Trade and
Motion
to approve. Moved: Mayor Pro Tem Galo Second: Cm. Amaya For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 3.
Consideration
to authorize the City Manager to amend the contract with Interlex
Advertising, L.L.C., for marketing and promotional efforts, including the
development of a media plan to promote the City of Motion
to approve. Moved: Cm. Amaya Second: Mayor Pro Tem Galo For: 7 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. J. Valdez, Jr. Second: Cm. Ramirez For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 I, Gustavo
Guevara, Jr., _________________ Gustavo
Guevara, Jr. |
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