CITY OF LAREDO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M2009-R-06
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1110 HOUSTON STREET
LAREDO, TEXAS 78040
April 6, 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 Salinas led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
In attendance:
Raul G. Salinas, Mayor
Mike Garza, Council Member, District I
Hector Garcia, Council Member, District II
Mike 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., Mayor Pro Tem, District VII
Cynthia Liendo Espinoza, Council Member, District VIII
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
Motion to excuse Cm. Landeck.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Cm. Garza not present.
IV. MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of March 16, 2009.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Garcia
Second: Cm. Belmares
For: 6 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
Cm. Liendo Espinoza said that she felt that the trip to Washington, D. C. was very productive. She noted that they met with officials that advised them how to obtain funding for the City of Laredo. She said that the City of Laredo staff delegate stressed to Washington officials that Laredo is a unique border city with special issues. She continued by saying that she accompanied Dr. Gonzalez and assisted in addressing health issues that affect the border.
Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez congratulated the Sister Cities Youth Committee on a successful press release regarding their first annual golf tournament. He said that the students have been very active in the community. He asked the viewing public to attend the students’ fundraiser or donate funds to assist the students in reaching their goal to travel abroad.
Cm. Belmares thanked individuals that participated in the recent kite festival in District VI. He also thanked City staff for preparing for the Washington, D.C. trip. He noted that the vast majority of the meetings in Washington were attended by people that had to listen to what Laredo had to say, including the Department of Homeland Security. He advised that Cm. Liendo Espinoza had the opportunity to talk to the top official of DHS regarding the aerial spraying. He stressed that she would not have been able to express the city’s concerns to the DHS without making the sacrifice of leaving her family and flying to Washington to make our position heard. He further stressed the importance of the Washington trip by giving examples of other large cities throughout Texas and the United States that are traveling to Washington to tap into the federal dollars.
Cm. Rendon noted that he was very moved to be inducted as a Tiger legend. He said that he was honored to have been induced along with Rudy Gonzalez who lost his life in the Vietnam War. He said that Rudy was a very special friend and a great athlete.
Cm. Narvaez said that throughout his business career he abides by a three letter word which is “ASK”, meaning asking, seeking and knocking. He said that when the Washington Delegate travels to Washington D. C. they were asking, seeking and knocking on doors. He pointed out that when he was elected to District IV he was led to do a job for his district and for the City of Laredo and that is what he did when he traveled to Austin and Washington to seek funding. He too stressed that the City of Laredo needs to make a plea for monies in Washington, or the other visiting cities would walk away with the funding.
Cm. Landeck said that he agrees with the importance of traveling to Washington, DC;
however, does not approve of sending fifteen to twenty people to seek funding. He stressed the importance of showing a presence but noted that it is time to economize. He also noted that the City has an opportunity to strengthen bonds with Nuevo Laredo by the creation of a new adult baseball league. He said that they had held their first game and it was very successful. He announced that the Santa Fe Renovations in the Santa Fe Park have been finished. He expressed his concern about a trail derailment in his district.
Cm. Garcia invited everyone to attend the James and Maria Luisa Haynes Health and Wellness Center Ground Breaking Ceremony. He too acknowledged that the City of Laredo would not be receiving additional funds if it were not for the Austin and Washington delegations. He recognized and congratulated the City staff who attended the trip.
Dr. Landeck arrived at 5:43 p.m.
Recognitions
a. Recognizing Eloy Vega, City of Laredo Fire Department Public Information Officer, for
his heroic CPR response to a 4 year old boy found unconscious in a pool Thursday, March 26, 2009. CPR training is of up most importance in everyone lives.
Mayor and City Council presented Eloy Vega with a Seven Flags Certificate of Recognition.
b. Recognizing the First United Methodist Church of McKinney, Texas for their volunteer
work and re-construction of a fence along Ejido St. in South Laredo.
Pastor Peter Aguilar from the First Methodist Church of Laredo accepted the Certificate of Recognition for the First United Methodist Church of McKinney, Texas.
Citizen comments
Danny Gunn commended Council for placing the removal of cane eradication item back on the agenda. He spoke against the herbicide spray noting that it is not a friendly chemical.
Juan Avila asked Council to further research the aerial spraying along the banks of the Rio Grande. He also echoed the Mayor’s words in congratulating the local law enforcement agencies for finding the two girls that had been kidnapped as they visited Nuevo Laredo. He encouraged Council to reach a solution in finding ways to entertaining teenagers so that they will not seek entertainment in Nuevo Laredo.
VI. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
a. Appointment by Council Member Juan Narvaez of Juan Cue to the Telecommunications
Advisory Committee.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Rendon
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
b. Appointment by Council Member Juan Narvaez of San Juanita Martinez Hunter to the
Historical/ Landmark Board.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Rendon
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
c. Appointment by Council Member Johnny Rendon of Joe Martinez to the
Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
Motion to approve.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Rendon
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
VII. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept FY
2009 Federal Planning Funds (PL112) in the amount of $8,429.00 and amending the City of Laredo’s FY 2009 General Fund Budget to match PL112’s budget by increasing revenues by $8,429.00 and expenditures by $8,429.00. The PL112 funds come from the 2008-2009 approved Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).(Approved by the Operations Committee and Finance Committee)
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. Garcia
Second: Cm. Navaez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
2. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the
FY 2008-2009 Transit Capital Grants Budget in the amount of $1,155,995.00 by appropriating capital funds from the Texas Department of Transportation Vehicle Capital Replacement Grant No. VCR0902(22)042 in the amount of $959,480.00 in state match and $196,515.00 in local match.(Approved by the Operations Committee and Finance Committee)
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Garcia
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Belmares
Second: Cm. Narvaez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
3. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending 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 in an amount not to exceed $714,678.50, which consists of $595,268.25 from the 2008 Water Bond and $119,410.25 from the 2008 Sewer Bond. (Approved by the Operations Committee and the Finance Committee as amended)
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. Rendon
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
4. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year
2009 Budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $763,873.00 derived from interest earnings for various Certificates of Obligation Bond Funds in order to provide the necessary funding for the Bartlett Extension Project totaling $2,700,000.00. The closing of various project activities totaling $1,279,180.00 plus the appropriation of $763,873.00 will generate the $2,043,053.00 from Certificates of Obligations Bond Series 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006. Other funding sources that will finalize the completion of the project include funding from the Environmental Services Bonds, Water and Sewer Bonds, FTA grant and District II ($50,000.00) and District V ($150,000.00) Discretionary Funds. Amounts from these funding sources will be based on the final construction figures. (Approved by the Operations Committee)
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Garcia
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. Rendon
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
5. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the
FY 2008-2009 Annual Budget Capital Improvements Fund by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $12,950.00 and generated through cash payments in lieu of parkland dedication for the construction of Independence Hills Park also known as Vaquillas Park. (Approved by the Operations Committee)
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. Garza
Second: Mayor Pro Tempore Valdez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
6. Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to accept a
grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services-Office of Border Health and amending the City of Laredo Health Department FY 2008-2009 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenses in the amount of $7,700.00 to support activities of the Los Dos Laredos Council and The Healthy Border 2010 objectives, for the period beginning February 1, 2009 through August 31, 2009. (Approved by the Operations Committee and Finance Committee)
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Garcia
Second: Cm. Liendo Espinoza
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.
Moved: Cm. Rendon
Second: Cm. Narvaez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
7. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending Sections 13-23 penalty for
violation of article and 13-39 (fees) of Division 2 (license) of Article II (food products establishments) Chapter 13, food and food products, of the code of ordinances by increasing the annual license fee paid by a food establishment (which will continue to be based upon the number of employees in an establishment) as follows:
a.) Two (2) or fewer employees an increasing fee from fifty dollars ($50.00) to seventy
($70.00) dollars;
b.) Two (2) and not more than six (6) employees to increase fee from one hundred
dollars ($100.00) to one hundred forty ($140.00) dollars;
c.) Six (6) and not more than ten (10) employees to increase fee from two hundred
Dollars ($200.00) to two hundred eighty ($280.00) dollars;
d.) More than ten (10) employees, to increase fee from four hundred dollars ($400.00)
to five hundred sixty ($560.00) dollars;
e.) Increasing the meat and seafood markets to increase fee to one hundred dollars
($100.00) to one hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars;
F.) Increasing the “new food products establishment” increase fee of fifty dollars
($50.00) to one hundred ($100.00) dollars;
g.) Increasing a “request for inspection” fee from twenty five dollars ($25.00) to fifty
dollars ($50.00);
h.) Establishing a new fee of fifty ($50.00) dollars for late payment of a food license;
i.) A new fee of seventy five ($75.00) dollars for additional follow-up inspections.
All fees will be implemented on January 1, 2010 except for the penalty fee of not less than $300.00 and the re-inspection fee of $75.00 after second inspection effective 60 days following public hearing and introduction; and providing for publication and effective date. (Approved by the Operations Committee and amended by the Finance Committee to include items c. – i. only)
Motion to open the public hearing.
Moved: Cm. Garcia
Second: Cm. Narvaez
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
There was no public input.
Motion to close the public hearing and introduce and waive fees for A and B.
Moved: Cm. Rendon
Second: Cm. Garcia
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
8. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo 2008 Homeland
Security Grant annual budget by increasing revenues and expenses by $350,000.00 for a total award amount of $850,000.00 from the 2008 State Homeland Security Grant Sub-Recipient agreement between the City of Laredo and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Funding received through the grant agreement will be used to acquire a Mobile Command Unit (MCU) to enhance public safety response. The appropriation of said grant revenue and expenditure will account for grant proceeds and equipment purchased through the grant and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget amendment. The above said grant requires no inkind matching funds. (Approved by the Operations Committee and Finance Committee)
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. Garcia
For: 9 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Ordinance Introduction: City Council
VIII. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES