CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2009-R-013
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
July 20, 2009
5:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
With a quorum present, Mayor Raul G. Salinas called the meeting to order.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Raul G. Salinas led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
In attendance:
Raul G. Salinas, Mayor
Michael Garza, Mayor Pro Tem, District I
Hector Garcia, Council Member, District II
Michael Landeck, Council Member, District III
Juan Narvaez, Council Member, District IV
Johnny Rendon, Council Member, District V
Gene Belmares, Council Member, District VI
Jose A. Valdez, Jr., Council Member, District VII
Gustavo Guevara, Jr., City Secretary
Carlos Villarreal, City Manager
Cynthia Collazo, Deputy City Manager
Horacio De Leon, Assistant City Manager
Jesus Olivares, Assistant City Manager
Raul Casso, City Attorney
Motion to excuse Cm. Garcia and Mayor Pro Tempore Garza.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Rendon
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
IV. MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of June 29, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Moved: Cm. Rendon
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Recognitions
a. Recognizing Doctor’s Hospital of Laredo for their outstanding 35 years of service
excellence to the community and for receiving the 2008 Service Excellence Award from
the Universal Health Service Corporation.
Mr. Elmo Lopez stated that they received a very prestigious national award from Universal Health Services, only given to one hospital nationally for Service Excellence. This award is for treating patients as if they were guests and family members.
Mayor Raul Salinas and City Council publicly recognized Doctor’s Hospital and their staff for their 35 years of service to the Laredo community.
b. Recognition of Abigail Palacios, Junior at United High School, for winning first place at
the following events since August of 2008:
* Five (5) Laredo Junior Association Golf (LJGA) Tournaments
* Three (3) High School Tournaments including District 29 5A Championship
* Two (2) South Texas PGA Tournaments most recently on July 14, 2009, at Casa Blanca
Golf Course
Mayor Salinas and City Council presented Abigail Palacios with a well-deserved
Certificate of Recognition.
c. Recognition of Kassandra “Kassey” Ramirez, TAMIU student, and her seeing eye dog
“Zoogi” in partnership with the Fernando A. Salinas Foundation, TAMIU , Webb
County Judge Danny Valdez and Mayor Raul G. Salinas.
Mr. Javier Santos stated that they got involved with the funds necessary for the housing and transportation of the dog. He added that the bonding of her with the dog was the important thing. He thanked all those involved who made this possible for Ms. Ramirez, the only blind person with a seeing eye dog in Laredo.
Citizen comments
Mayor Pro Tempore Garza and Cm. Garcia joined the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Jose Gonzalez, representing LULAC #7, stated that one of the workshops he attended was on affordable housing. He said that their council was a nonprofit organization and they were very interested in an affordable housing project. He added that the obstacle was land, and so he wished that if the City Council would donate land that they would consider LULAC Council #7.
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public hearing and introductory ordinance accepting funds from D & J Alexander
Management, L.P., Laredo, Texas in the amount of $29,028.45 for the McPherson Lift Station and amending the City of Laredo FY 2008-2009 budget for the 2006 Utility Sewer Bond by appropriating revenues and project expenditures in the amount of $29,028.45. (Approved by Finance Committee)
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Narvaez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tem Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
2. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo 2008-2009
Autotheft Task Force Annual Budget in the amount of $76,056.00 to fund the Laredo Autotheft Task Force and accepting a grant award in the amount of $433,514.00 from the State of Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority. The City of Laredo will be designating $231,349.00 in matching funds, and Webb County will be designating $37,661.00 in matching funds for a total grant amount of $702,524.00. This grant is effective from September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010. (Approved by Finance Committee)
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Narvaez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Rendon
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to implement
the FY 2010 and FY 2011 South Texas 9-1-1 Regional Administration Strategic Plan as approved by the Commission on State Emergency Communication (CSEC) on July 14, 2009; and amending the FY 2010 9-1-1 Regional Administration Fund by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $86,819.00 for administrative, equipment and program budgets for Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, and Zapata counties for the period beginning September 1, 2009 and ending August 31, 2010. Funding for subsequent years is contingent upon future budget approvals. (Approved by Operations & Finance Committees)
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Garcia
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance accepting funds in the amount of $14,338.00
from the South Texas 9-1-1 Regional Administration Division to cost share personnel at the Laredo Police Department Public Safety Answering Point in accordance to Section 771.0751 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and Rule 251.3 Use of Revenue in Certain Counties from the Commission on State Emergency Communications; and amending the FY 2009-2010 General Fund Budget of the City of Laredo by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $14,338.00 for salary expenses for Laredo Police Department Communications Division salaries.
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Garcia
Second: Cm. Belmares
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
5. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2008-2009
annual budget by appropriating revenues from the Social and Health Research Center-University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (SAHRC-UTHSCSA) and expenditures in the amount of $250,000.00 for Proyecto Bienestar-Laredo to conduct an additional year of intervention in the early school health based diabetes reduction project for the term period beginning May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010. (Approved by Operations & Finance Committees)
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Rendon
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Valdez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
VII. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES
6. Designating as a one-way eastbound that one (1) block section of Denmark Lane, and as
a one-way westbound that one (1) block section of Yukon Lane, between Backwoods Drive on the east and Greenland Drive on the west, during the peak hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday, during school days and as two-way that one (1) block section of Backwoods Drive, between Denmark Lane on the north and Yukon Lane on the south, all days of the week, providing for the installation of appropriate signs to indicate one-way and two-way traffic and providing for publication and effective date. (Approved by Operations Committee)
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
7. Closing as a public easement, that section of Burnside Street between Vidaurri and Santa
Rita Avenue, also known as the 1900 block of Burnside Street, situated in the Western Division, City of Laredo Webb County, Texas; provided that the City retains the right to maintain, operate, repair and replace by itself or by any licensee or a holder of a franchise from the City, any poles, wires, pipes, conduits, sewer mains or any other facilities or equipment for the maintenance of operation of any utility now located in the street portion; hereof, closed as a public easement and providing for an effective date. (Approved by Operations Committee)
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
VIII. FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES
Motion to waive the final reading of Ordinances 2009-O-112, 2009-O-113, 2009-O-114, 2009-O-115, 2009-O-116, 2009-O-117, 2009-O-118, 2009-O-120, 2009-O-121, and 2009-O-122.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tem Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
8. 2009-O-112 Accepting a grant award under the 2009 JAG Recovery Grant Program
from the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the amount of $602,748.00 and amending the City of Laredo 2008-2009 Special Police Fund Annual Budget in the same amount. The Office of Justice Programs is contributing the full grant amount of $602,748.00 with no match obligated to the City of Laredo or Webb County. The City of Laredo will receive $574,766.00 and Webb County will receive $27,982.00. The Laredo Police Department will utilize this funding for training, ammunition, supplies and the purchase of officer safety equipment for the period of March 01, 2009 through February 28, 2013.
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2009-O-112.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2009-O-113 Amending Chapter 5 of the City of Laredo Code of Ordinance to allow the
City of Laredo to issue two (2) year Alcoholic Beverage Permits and
Licenses instead of the one (1) year which is currently issued. Senate Bill
1217 of the 80th Legislature amended the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code
to allow two (2) year permits and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage
Commission has adopted Rule 33.25 to transition to the two (2) year
permits and licenses by September 1, 2009. The City shall double the
annual fee currently being assessed for the issuance of a two (2) year
permit or license. This ordinance is also amended to update the list of
permits and licenses and provide causes for denial or cancellation.
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2009-O-113.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2009-O-114 Amending Ordinance No. 2009-O-057 dated April 20, 2009 and the City of
Laredo FY 2008-2009 budget for the Texas Department of Transportation
Reimbursement Agreement for the 2008 Utility Bond by appropriating
revenues and project expenditures decreasing the amount not to exceed
$92,555.00, which consists of $85,927.00 from the 2008 Water Bond and
$6,628.00 from the 2008 Sewer Bond.
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2009-O-114.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2009-O-115 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning
Lot 29A, Ferraez Subdivision, located at 260 W. Calton Road, from B-1
(Limited Commercial District) to B-3 (Community Business District). The
Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the zone
change. (District V)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2009-O-115.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2009-O-116 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
authorizing a Conditional Use Permit for an amusement redemption machine establishment on Lot 1, Block 1, Friends Association Subdivision, located at 9110 McPherson Road. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit. (District VI) (AS AMENDED)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2009-O-116.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2009-O-117 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
authorizing a Conditional Use Permit for accessory parking on Lot 13,
Block 6, Indian Sunset Subdivision Phase 11, located at 12921 Mohawk
Drive. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval
of the Conditional Use Permit with a six (6) month expiration date.
(District VII) (AS AMENDED)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2009-O-117.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2009-O-118 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by
authorizing a Conditional Use Permit for an amusement redemption
machine establishment on Lots 9-12, Block 1, Vista Hermosa Subdivision,
Unit III, and Lots 13A and 14A, Block 1, Vista Hermosa Subdivision, Unit
IV, located at 5517 McPherson Road, Suites #18 and 19. The Planning
and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the Conditional
Use Permit with the limitation of forty (40) amusement redemption
machines to allow for the Conditional Use Permit to comply with the
parking ordinance. (District V) (AS AMENDED)
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2009-O-118.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2009-O-120 Authorizing the City Manager to update the City’s Foreign Trade Zone No.
94 fee schedule applicable to Laredo’s Foreign Trade Zone Operators by designating an initial activation fee of a minimum of $2,000.00 and at no time exceed $10,000.00 (rate calculated at $0.04 per square foot), designating the annual fee at a minimum of $2,000.00 and at no time exceed $10,000.00 (rate to be calculated at $0.05 per square foot) and an activity fee of $5.00 as defined by the following U.S. Customs Forms: CF 214, CF 216, CF 7501, CF 3461, CF 368, release under Sec. 321, CF 7512, CF 6043 and any amendment of any of the above transactions. This fee schedule shall become effective October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2014.
Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2009-O-120.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Garza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
2009-O-121 Authorizing the City Manager to dedicate a perpetual easement to the
United States of America, General Services Administration (GSA), being 1.20 acres of land, out of a 40.00 acre tract and located adjacent to the Colombia Solidarity Bridge Export Parking lot for the purpose of providing pedestrian and vehicular ingress and egress to access the Colombia Solidarity Bridge Inspection Station; said 1.20 acres tract of land, specifically described or being out of the Webb County School Survey No. 1462, Abstract No. 502, and also out of a called 40.00 acre tract as recorded in Volume 1448, Page 101 of Deed Records of Webb County, Texas. See attached Exhibit “1”, illustrating the easement, Survey and Metes & Bounds description.