CITY OF LAREDO
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS
5:30 P.M.
MINUTES
M97-S-40 NOVEMBER 18, 1997
I. CALL TO ORDER
With a quorum present Mayor Protem Perez called the meeting to order.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Protem Perez led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
IN ATTENDANCE:
JOSE R. PEREZ, JR., COUNCILMEMBER, DISTRICT I
LOUIS H. BRUNI, " , DISTRICT II
ALFONSO I. "PONCHO" CASSO, " , DISTRICT III
CECILIA MAY MORENO, " , DISTRICT IV
ELISEO VALDEZ, JR., " , DISTRICT V
JOE A. GUERRA, " , DISTRICT VI
MARIO G. ALVARADO, " , DISTRICT VII
CONSUELO "CHELO" MONTALVO, " , DISTRICT VIII
GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR., CITY SECRETARY
FLORENCIO PENA, CITY MANAGER
JERRY BRUCE CAIN, ASST. CITY ATTORNEY
ABSENCES:
City Attorney Jaime Flores.
IV. FINAL READINGS
Motion to waive the final reading of ordinances #97-O-276.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Cw.
Moreno was not present.
2. 97-O-276 Amending Ordinance No. 96-O-163, to authorize the City to
accept water rights in lieu of payment of water availability
fees, at a negotiated equivalency when the City intends to
acquire real estate for a valid public purpose.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cw. Montalvo
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. MOTIONS
3. Approval of Change Order no. 3, an increase of $24,835.00, to the
construction contract with Lambda Construction Company, New Braunfels,
Texas, for additional work on the clarifiers at the Jefferson Street
Water Treatment Plant Solids Handling Improvements Project. Funding is
available in the 1994 Bond for Waterworks - Sludge Disposal Jefferson.
Original contract amount was for $2,451,300.00. This change order will
bring the total to $2,627,000.00.
Motion to approve.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Cw. Moreno joined the meeting at 5:38 p.m.
VI. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
4. Presentation regarding the list of 1998 Capital Improvement Projects
with a discussion on the use of certificates of obligation for their
funding, with possible action.
Florencio Pe¤a, City Manager, reported that he met individually with
each of the council members in an effort
to develop a staff recommendation for the issuance of $14,000,000 of
Certificates of Obligation in January or February of next year. The
issuance of this debt will not impact the debt tax rate since a
reduction in the annual debt service will be occurring in the 1998-99
fiscal year. Our financial advisor has stated that a $14 million
issue is possible and still stay within the debt service reduction,
however, it could be less or more somewhat based on rise or fall of
interest rates in January of next year.
He continued stating that most of the council had expressed that the
allocation of Certificates of Obligation funds should be guided by the
following priorities: (1) street and drainage projects, and (2)
distribute funds equally to the extent possible to individual
districts. With these principles in mind, staff has prepared the
several funding proposals.
Exhibit I is the source used to select projects. These projects were
identified previously by City Council and is attached to these
minutes.
Exhibit II is the proposed use of the $14 million of Certificates of
obligation as follows:
1997 - 1998 CO Issue
Drainage
Texas Ave. / Price St. 1,700,000
Zacate Creek Erosion 800,000
Flecha Lane 100,000
406 W. Plum at San Francisco 50,000
Upgrade Drainage at Park in Chaparral 150,000
1200 Frost and Lyon 75,000
Tinaja Channelization (Final Design & Phase 1) 1,000,000
Laredo Manor 170,000
Subtotal 4,045,000 Streets
Alma Pierce (SW) 70,000
Santa Maria Reconstruction 2,900,000
Calton Road Improvements (Library) 700,000
School Drop Offs 500,000
Paving Project #60 500,000
South Meadow Bridge at Chacon 500,000
Trautman Elementary Sidewalk 70,000
Hilltop (290,000) and/or Gallagher (200,000) 490,000
Subtotal 5,730,000 Public
Buildings
Public Works 2,500,000
Equipment 1,200,000
Library 410,000
Canizalez Gym 170,000
Subtotal 4,280,000
Grand total 14,055,000
Exhibit III is a distribution of the cost of the projects by district.
1997 - 1998 C.O.
District I 1,000,000
District II 2,400,000
District III 670,000
District IV 125,000
District V 1,020,000
District VI 730,000
District VII 3,000,000
District VIII 410,000
Public Works 2,500,000
Equipment 1,200,000
Paving Project #60 500,000
School Drop Offs 500,000
Total 14,055,000
Exhibit IV is a proposed use of Community Development Funds for fiscal
year 1998-99.
1998 - 1999 Community Development (C.D.)
Paving Project #61 980,000
Cruz Field Lighting 50,000
Tinaja Chacon Drainage (Phase 11) 742,000
Blaine / Milmo (Final Design & Phase 1) 470,000
Total 2,242,000
Exhibit V is a proposed use of Capital Improvements Fund (CIF) for
fiscal year 1998-99.
1998 - 1999 Capital Improvement Fund (CIF)
Santa Maria & Industrial Traffic Signal 50,000
Bartlett (Sandman to Hillside) 108,000
B.B. Loop @@ McPherson Traffic Light 50,000
Spur 400 Lighting 130,000
Intersection Improvements 284,000
Speed Bump Program 50,000
City Wide Sidewalks 500,000
Total 1,172,000
Exhibit VI is Paving Project 60 which is designed and ready for
construction pending Council approval of this plan.
PROJECT 60 ($900,000)
STREET NAME NO. OF BLOCKS DISTRICT NUMBER
GREEN ST. (2600) (TEXAS AVE. - U.S. 83) 1 DISTRICT I
BAYARD (2900) (NEW YORK - CANADA) 1
MORENO AVE. (CORPUS CHRISTI - TEX MEX ROW) 1 DISTRICT II
HARDING AVE. (I 800) (GUERRERO - LANE) 1
GUERRERO ST. (3500) (HARDING - DIAZ) 1
DIAZ AVE. (I 800) (GUERRERO - LANE) 1
SMITH AVE. (700 - 800) (GUATEMOZIN - MARKET) 2 DISTRICT III
GUATEMOZIN ST. (3100-3200) (INDIA - EJIDO) 2
S. NEW YORK AVE. (100) (MERCER - 1/2 BLK. SO. 0.5
S. CANADA AVE. (100) (MERCER- 1/2 BLK. SO. 0.5
SMITH AVE. (200) (PIEDRA CHINA - GREEN) 1
INDIA AVE. (100-S 100) (GREEN - WOOSTER) 2
MERCER ST. (3100) (INDIA - SMITH) 1
GREEN ST. (3000) (CANADA - INDIA) 1
CHACON ST. (900) (TILDEN- HENDRICKS) 1
McCELLAND AVE.(600)(GUATEMOZIN-SO.TEX MEX ROW) 1
McCELLAND AVE.(500)(WILLOW - N. TO TEX MEX ROW)1
MENDIOLA AVE.(600)(GUATEMOZIN -SO.TEX MEX ROW) 1
LEXINGTON AVE. (2400) (OKANE - REYNOLDS) 1 DISTRICT IV
ALLENDE ST. (900) (TILDEN - HENDRICKS) 1 DISTRICT V
LAFAYETTE ST. (2500) (ANNA - LEE) 1 DISTRICT VII
LEE (3400 - 3500) (MADISON - BALTIMORE 2
TOTAL 25
Exhibit VII is Paving Project 61 which needs to be designed. Staff
estimates four months for design, which means the project would be
ready for construction until July or August of 1998.
PROJECT 61 ($980,000)
STREET NAME NO. OF BLOCKS DISTRICT NUMBER
JARVIS AVE. (2400) (SALTILLO ZACATECAS) 1 DISTRICT I
NORTON (1900) (BUENA VISTA - US 83) 1
VICENTE ST. (2000)(MEADOW - WEST 1 BLOCK 1
BOULANGER SI-. (2200) (BARLETT - JARVIS) 1
EJIDO AVE. (2700) (PRICE - KEARNEY) 1 DISTRICT II
MORENO AVE. (100) (GUADALUPE- 219 SOUTH) 1
CANADA AVE. (2300 (CLARK - O'KANE) 1
RYAN ST. (W200-W400) (SAN FRANCISCO -MCDONELL 3 DISTRICT V
RYAN ST. (300 - 400) (MARCELLA - MARYLAND) 2
PACE ST. (500-600) (SAN DARIO - SAN FRANCISCO) 2
SANTA RITA AVE. (3800 3900) (RR ROW NORTH) 2 DISTRICT VII
PHILADELPHIA (1900)(SANTA RITA - 1 BLOCK WEST) 1
BURNSIDE ST. (1900) (SANTA RITA - VIDAURRI) 1
PIERCE ST. (2000-2100) (VIDAURRI - EAGLE PASS) 2
SANTA ISABEL (3600 - 3700) (BALTIMORE-BOSTON) 2
SHERMAN ST. (1900) (STA. RITA - VIDAURRI) 1
LEE (2700) (JEFFERSON - ALAMO) 1
PINDER (2700) (JEFFERSON - ALAMO) 1
ALAMO 2300 - 2400) (SAN IGNACIO LEE) 2
ORILLA (MANN RD. - INDUSTRIAL BLVD. 2
GARZA ST. (2300) (SAN IGNACIO - PINDER) 1 DISTRICT VIII
SAN IGNACIO AVE. (800) (MATAMOROS - HOUSTON 1
CALLAGHAN (2200) (SAN IGNACIO - EAGLE PASS) 1
COKE ST. (STA. ISABEL - VIDAURRI) 1
TOTAL 33
Exhibit VIII is a list of the projects identified by council which are
not included in the above-noted program.
UNFUNDED PROJECTS
Raquel Gonzalez Park 720,000
Bartlett Extension 1,200,000
Airport Recreation Complex 1,500,000
Other Parks N/A
Recreation Center, Spur 400 700,000
Blaine/Milmo Drainage, Phase II 1,030,000
Century City Park 400,000
Park/Ride 400,000
Sidewalk ADA 408,000
6,358,000
Cm. Casso spoke of one area that is not on the list, that was not
added, but that he would like to discuss the extension of Bartlett all
the way to Del Mar. He said that this area is extremely important
because that whole area is going to boom. There is talk about a
Regional Health Academic Center being built, and if that happens it is
completely going to change that area. They will need more
infrastructure in the area because that project is about $4 million
and they need to start working at design work which is approximately
10% of the project which is $400,000. He concluded by saying that
they need to start looking at this and start doing something in the
area.
He also spoke of the extension on Cm. Valdez's district, the area of
McPherson past Calton. He said they need to start looking at this
area for a long term solution, they need to look at the cost because
of the right-of-way acquisition and as to how they are going to
displace these residents, unless council wants to come back in the
summer and go with an Economic Development Corporation or something
else.
He concluded by saying that they need to start looking long term,
because that area is going to be a disaster in terms of traffic
congestion. Bartlett is going to extend to Gale which is part of the
plans, but they do need to connect it to Del Mar Blvd., they need to
find those $400,000 to start making the design as soon as possible.
Cm. Valdez was agreeing with Cm. Casso especially on the segment on
McPherson between Calton Road and Saunders because the land use is
going to change dramatically within the next couple of years. He said
it needs to be addressed and looked into.
Mr. Pena stated that the Bartlett extension is on "Exhibit 8" on
unfunded projects, it is all the way to Del Mar for $1.2 million.
They need to look as to how they are going to fund these projects and
possibly others so they can develop their funded Capital Improvements
Program after this program is wrapped up. There is an Economic
Advisory Committee that will be working with Council in identifying
projects that Council and the community feel that need to be
implemented. They need to have a plan to do that. He is hoping that
in the first and second quarter of 1998 they will focus on what those
projects need to be so they can prepare a bond election to do some of
these projects and establish the CIP for the next three to five years.
Cm. Bruni stated that they need to start finding the funding and need
to expedite the Bartlett extension at $1.2 million cost, and then from
Bartlett to Sandman to Hillside is $108,000 for a total of $1,308,000.
He asked if they are looking at a total of $1,308,000 to complete the
project?
Mr. Pena stated that $4 million does not include right-of-way
acquisition. The project might be more than that, the figure should
be $4 million.
Cm. Casso stated that the hospital is going to open in November of
next year, there will be a lot of traffic, they need to earmark at
least 10% for the design and need to start moving in this direction,
they need to design five lane roads, because it will be a traffic
nightmare if they do not anticipate what is going to happen.
Cm. Bruni said that they need to earmark for at least the design this
evening.
Cw. Montalvo stated there is estimate of $2,400,000 for Cm. Bruni's
district and wants to know if they can cut down in one of the projects
for the Manor Apartments.
Cindy Collazo, CD Director, spoke in reference to the Manor
Apartments, she said that staff had met with Mr. Ozuna and Ron
Anderson from TG-108. Initially the estimate was $1.8
million, they brought it down to $644,162.00 they had indicated that
they had $183,000 set aside for this project now if the city proceeds
to provide the $170,000 as presented this evening that would mean that
they are still $291,162 short. In a letter they indicated that they
have approached the County Commissioners for assistance, they don't
say that they would or that they did commit other than say they would
help to find a solution, but that project would still be short
$291,000.
Cw. Moreno requested that when the list of projects is approved and if
it is approved the way it is, that one of those projects (the Frost
Project) in her district, that this project be one of the first ones
done because they affect people and individual homes, whereby water
comes into their homes and they have drainage problems.
Noe Hinojosa, City's Financial Advisor, presented the Council with a
spreadsheet on funding rates and funding periods, interests, etc.
Note: No spreadsheet was given to the City Secretary for public
review.
Mr. Rivera stated that $400,000 would take them a long way even if
they have to make the feasibility first and they can determine the
actual cost that it would take. They can start the feasibility study
and right-of-way acquisition with those monies.
Motion to include the $400,000 contingent on surplus funds in the
future and contingent upon the sale of bonds, to do the feasibility
study and the design of that project (the Bartlett extension) even
though that project is going to be developer geared, and that if there
are additional monies that other projects be identified, then Council
will come back for additional funding, if available.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cm. Alvarado
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Rosalinda Ramos, Manager of Manor Apartments spoke of drainage and
flooding at Manor Apartments and showed video of the drainage problems
that exist.
Cm. Guerra stated that the owners of the apartments are bringing
$183,000 and are participating on the cost of the overall project.
Cindy Collazo stated that if Council approves the $170,000.00 then
that leaves a balance of $290,162, and based on their letter they are
trying to get a loan from Federal Home Bank and were turned down
because they were not bringing anything down to the table. Their
letter indicated that they will pursue other funding sources.
Maria Elena Perez resident of the Laredo Manor Apartments spoke of the
drainage problems and the flooding that occurs when it rains and said
that students and residents cannot go to work or school.
Mr. Torres stated if they are going to approve the $170,000 they can
come back to Council with a plan on how they can secure the
$291,000.00 so that the project gets funded and built within the next
12 months.
Mayor Protem Perez stated they will be looking at the project at a
future date.
Mayor Protem Perez read a letter from the Sierra Vista/Los Obispos
area residents requesting the City to provide the parks that were
scheduled to be built in that part of town for the 1997-1998 fiscal
year. They urge council to continue aggressively with these projects
without any delay. The letter included 17 signatures.
Motion to accept the projects as presented, and add the $400,000
depending on the sale of the bonds, and the market at that time.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ms. Linda Barrera, Manager of Versalles Apartments, spoke of drainage
problems at the apartments.
Mr. Rivera stated that the drainage system in place takes care of the
problem there. The problem is that the parking lot is low, there is
positive drainage towards IH-35, but when the ditches along IH-35 get
full that drainage will not flow, it flows very slowly because the
parking lot is lower
than Santa Maria. He concluded by saying that the drainage project
that is ongoing will help.
Cm. Guerra stated he has a concern with Hilltop Project Phase II and
wants to make sure that it is fully funded.
Mr. Rivera stated they had a meeting with G.G. Salinas, engineer for
the project, and added they were proposing a bond for $290,000. They
have gone through the cost of the project in order to make the project
go. In the plans they would be accessing property owners. The owners
will be putting the entire cost for the sanitary sewer and part of the
installation of the new water lines. The city will be footing the
bill for replacement and/or adjustments of any existing water lines
and services. The last figures that they have are $290,000 in the
bond there is about $12,000 difference.
Mr. Salinas stated that project goes back three years, there are
approximately 40 property owners, to this date they do not have
sanitary sewer, and they don't have paving. He did all the
engineering and surveying and not only he can benefit from developing
the land, but the other neighboring property owners will also benefit.
He said they are about $11,653.00 apart, he has tried to meet the
$290,000.00 but this is as far as they got.
Keith Selman stated that they might have some room within the
Gallagher proposal. He added that the Gallagher Project might not
come out to $200,000 (it might be lower) and if it is lower then they
can supplement this project there.
Motion to add $12,000.00 to complete the Hilltop Subdivision Project
to the overall projects, contingent upon the bond sale.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to secure $20,000 for the two block stretch on Calle del Norte
west of Amparo Gutierrez School that need sidewalks to connect to
Springfield, contingent upon the sale of the bonds and as a joint
venture between the City and UISD matching 50/50.
Moved : Cm. Valdez
Second: Cm. Guerra
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Cm. Perez clarified the motion, that they will add $20,000 to the
$14,467,000.00 and now the total will be $14,497,000.00 and that it
will be a joint venture with Amparo Gutierrez Elementary School.
Mayor Protem Perez also said there is a proposal for
$1 million for drainage at Tinaja and wants to see if they can get
$50,000 from that project for a parking lot at the Cigarroa Complex
together with the Laredo National Bank and a traffic light on Santa
Barbara and Highway 83. He added that there will be construction at
Chacon/Meadow Bridge and it will be difficult for people that live in
the area to get out unto Highway 83. There is no study at this point
for this project, but he would like to set aside those $50,000 in case
they qualify and once the study comes in.
Motion that Jarvis next to the Aldo Tatangelo Day Care Center under
Project 61, be changed to be done first under Project 60, and that the
3000 Block of Bayard under Project 60 be reversed and be done under
Project 61. To amend that from the $1 million under District I that
$50,0000 be for a parking lot at the Cigarroa Complex as a joint
venture with the Laredo National Bank and a for traffic light on Santa
Barbara and Highway 83, if warranted.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion to accept the projects as amended with the different
allocations as follows: $12,000 to complete the Hilltop Project and
the $20,000 for sidewalks on Calle del Norte to connect to Springfield
for a total of $14,497,000.00.
Moved : Cm. Guerra
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Mayor Protem Perez said there were also some projects presented for
1998-99 under the Community Development Section and read them into the
minutes as follows: Paving Project 61, Cruz Field, Tinaja/Chacon
Drainage (Phase II), Blaine/Milmo (Final Design & Phase I) these are
for council to consider for next year. Under CIF (Capital Improvement
Fund) they have the Santa Maria & Industrial Traffic Signal, Bartlett
(Sandman to Hillside), Bob Bullock Loop at McPherson traffic light,
Spur 400 lighting, Intersection Improvements, Speed Bump Program, and
city wide sidewalks. He asked that they be included in the minutes
and that they be included in next years budget workshops as priority
projects because they are contingent to projects that they just
accepted.
Motion to incorporate the 1998-99 CIF recommended projects and the
1998-99 Community Development Projects.
Moved : Cw. Moreno
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
5. Presentation regarding the City's Three Year Street Recycling Program,
with possible action.
Rogelio Rivera, City Engineer, delivered council a list of the
proposed 1997-98, 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 Street Recycling Project
list. He went over the projects and stated that the first year covers
about 159 blocks, those have been cleared by utilities, but there are
some utilities that have not responded to their requests for work
pending. They have 159 that are ready to go and if approved they can
start the design. There are a total of 529.5 blocks for the three
years.
Note: See attached lists for proposed street recycling projects.
Cm. Bruni said that on previous meetings council recommended several
streets that they wanted incorporated into the Street Recycling
Program that are not shown on Mr. Rivera's list and asked the City
Secretary for the minutes where those streets
are mentioned. He wants a report of the streets recommended by
council to be included into the Recycling Program.
Motion to accept the Three Year Street Recycling Project and if there
are certain streets were left out by staff, that they be incorporated
as part of the motion and that they be incorporated on the first year
of the Three Year Recycling Project, unless it substantially affects
the program.
Moved : Cm. Bruni
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII. COMMUNICATIONS
None.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn.
Moved : Cm. Casso
Second: Cm. Bruni
For: 7 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Adjournment time: 7:50 p.m.
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE MINUTES CONTAINED IN PAGES 01 TO 13
ARE TRUE, COMPLETE, AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
THE 17TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1997. A CERTIFIED COPY IS ON FILE
AT THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
________________________
GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.
CITY SECRETARY