Call the meeting to order. Senator Laredo regular meeting agenda, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 5:30 p.m. All stand for a pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Texas pledge. >> Honor the Texas flag. I pledge algiance to the Texas. One state under God and one indivisible. >> Moment of silence, please. Thank you. You may be seated. Mr. Secretary, roll call, please. >> Yes, mayor. >> Honorable mayor, Dr. Victor Dravinho, >> present. >> Honorable mayor for 10 and council member for district 1, Gilbert Gonzalez. >> Honorable council member, district 2, Ricardo Richie Ranel, Jr., Honorable council member, district three, Melissa Cigaroa. >> Honorable council member, district 4, Ricardo Rick Gara. >> Honorable council member, district 5, Ruben Gutierrez, Jr. >> present. >> Honorable council member, district 6, coun council member Dr. Tyler King, >> here. >> Honorable council member, district 7, Vanessa Perez. Honorable council member district 8, Alisa Cigaroa. >> Yes, Mayor, you have a quum. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Secretary, if you can the notice of uh Council Member Gilbert Gonzalez and Mayor Pepe is present as well. >> Noted. Thank you. >> Yes, mayor. >> Mayor. >> Thank you, Mayor. Motion for the approval of the minutes of February 2nd, 2026. >> Second motion. Second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. And we'd like to proceed with a certificate of recognition before we continue. Testress. Thank you. We're going to provide this certificate of recognition. The mayor and city council hereby recognizes Alexa Marion and Ohosa. JB Alexander High School in recognition for your outstanding achievement in winning the 100yard backstroke in region 6A and for representing JB Alexander High School at the state competition in Austin, Texas for the second consecutive year. Congratulations We'll have a few words. A few words if you want to say so. >> Just thank you. >> Oh, thank you. >> All right, let's get a picture back here. So, in her behalf, I think she's very satisfied. Thank you. Can we have you all slide over a little bit? Perfect. Okay. Over here. Ready? One two three >> take a picture with her >> please. He'll take a picture. He'll take a picture for you. Get up here. Don't worry about it. Absolutely. >> All righty. Again. One, two, three. >> Perfect. >> Going right here. Ready. One, two, three. One more. Ready. One, two, three. Perfect. >> Great. Congratulations. You have I haven't All right, we'll proceed with citizen comments. We have for public comment Melissa Ramirez. Hi, good evening uh mayor and city council members. My name is Melissa Ramirez and I am a program director serving children and adults in need, also known as SCAN. and I'm joined today by my colleague Dora Maria Ramirez who is the director of prevention services at the agency. First and foremost, uh we are here tonight to officially thank Mary Trevinho, council member Lisa Searoa, and council member Melissa Searoa for their vote at the last city council meeting which were against changing the definition of the term bar in the no smoking and public places ordinance. This change was made to benefit one business owner of a cigar lounge/smoking establishment. On behalf of SCAN, the web county community coalition and thousands of Laroans, we want to thank each one of you for prioritizing the public health of many over the pro the business profits of one person. The three of you truly are public health heroes. Now, I would like to show something on the projector. Um, in one week alone, um, >> is it up? Oh yes. In one week alone, we collected 747 signed advocacy letters asking the mayor and city council members to keep the original definition of bar in the no smoking ordinance and to prioritize the public health of all Laroans over the profits of one business owner. A sample copy of the letter has been placed on the projector and some of the key messages in the letter are highlighted in yellow. We collect a letter from constituents um in all of your districts and again within the span of one week. The top three districts that had the highest number of signed letters were district 6 with 111 letters. Um district uh one with 104 letters and district five with 100 letters. At this time, mayor, we would like to provide you with the copies of these letters if we may. And we do have them organized by district. Um, since the ordinance first went into effect in April 2006, the city council has modified it two times specifically to benefit tobacco specialty retail stores. Therefore, we are also here tonight to ask that in the future, city council quit rewarding these retail establishments with special exemptions or carveouts. These establishments have a primary focus of selling and facilitating the consumption of the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Furthermore, we ask that in the future you do not weaken the no smoking and public places ordinance for any other reason. All workers, regardless of where they are employed, deserve to work in safe and smokefree indoor environments. Please know that we look at the change you made to weaken the ordinance as only a temporary setback. Uh we will continue to actively protect the ordinance and we will continue to act to advocate for returning the ordinance to its original strength both now and in the future. Finally, Mayor Travinia, as detailed in the city charter, you have been given veto power. Therefore, we would like to ask that you please consider exercising this veto power tonight to nullify the vote to modify the ordinance that was passed by city council at the February 2nd meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Reverend Mike Smith, public comment. Takes me a minute. >> Good evening. >> Evening. >> Uh, I just want to say thank you for allowing me a few minutes of your time. Uh, I know that, uh, >> Reverend, your name for the record, please. >> My name is, uh, Michael Smith, and, uh, I'm a pastor with the United Methodist Church at Holding Institute. Um, I know that uh there's a lot of things in this world right now that divide us. Amongst them is uh im immigration and and what I believe is the criminalization of color. But uh I think we can all work together and seek a better place. I just have just two things I'd like to share with you. one I'd like to read from you read to you a quote from the from the book of Isaiah chapter 42 and it says verse three a bent reed he will not break off and a dimly burning wick he will not extinguish he will faithfully bring forth justice he will knit he will not be disenheartened or crushed until he has established justice on the earth so we struggle daily we all struggle daily with what what side of the fence to be on on on multiple issues, but I want you to know that that u I believe in my heart that God recognizes where you are and where you're at. And just I would like to encourage you tonight to uh take a stand, whatever stand. I'm not asking you to pick a particular site. Just take a stand, be vocal. It's this is not a time to sit down for any of us to be seated in any manner. So, I believe we've all uh we're all strong enough to make some kind of impact, whatever you choose. With that being said, I would like to uh extend an invitation to uh council members or your proxy, your staff, your cousins, department heads, whomever would like to attend. Uh this Thursday uh 9:00 in the morning uh we'll have a a a small uh breakfast available at my office at holding institute. Uh there will be no no signin sheets. There will be no media. There will be no rolls called. There will be nothing like that. There's no questions that are off the books. Uh I'll be available to answer any and all questions from anyone that would have any questions. So, I would encourage you to send someone or be present or send a representative or elect from your body to have someone present and uh I would like to make myself available for that again Thursday at 9:00. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Right. Next public comment, Nidia Robas. Hello media roles for the record Laredo Main Street Executive Director. U we're just here to invite um everybody to our next our 25th annual Weta Jambuzzi coming up in March 21st. We're so excited. It's been 25 years that we celebrate this uh beautiful event in the downtown area. We uh will provide some invit personal invitations to you all for next Wednesday. We're we're hosting the press conference at La Pada hotel at 10 in the morning. So I would like to invite everyone personally to join us and just see um a little bit of what our jambusi is going to be this year. And again, I just want to thank you all for supporting our mission for downtown Laredo and these events continue to help our local community to support local and to um just continue to show the community that we have a beautiful downtown. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. Next public comment. Victor Jr. is he in here? >> Yes. >> Oh, there he is. >> Good evening. Uh, for the record, Victor Thringer Jr., mayor, city council management. I will take up mo most of your time. The, uh, it was for item number 7777, but I'll go ahead and talk about it now. Uh, good evening. Um, as as a commercial pilot instructor, I would like to propose an aviation mentorship program in line with the broader mentorship program offering under item 77, which I would like to bring back in a future city council meeting once I get the applications out to the school by April this year. I would like to propose an innovative opportunity that exposes our youth to aviation and possibly a career in aviation if they choose. As many of you know, we we what we expose to our children at an early age can change their lives. This is the third year that we do this and and once again, my law firm would like to sponsor youth participants, preferably between the age of 13 and 16, and train them through the ground school portion of flight training, which typically consists about 35 hours of instruction, flight school books and equipment. Uh all will be paid for. I would like to start with youths, youths from areas with limited access with these types of opportunities. I know I've spoken to some of you. I'd like to start in South Laredo if possibly. Um, so in the United States, uh, you have to be 15 years of age to take the FA written portion of the exam. And once they pass this test, uh, with a passing grade, they can hold it for about 24 months. The reason why that's important is because in order to go solo, uh, in an airplane, you have to be 16 years of age. And in the United States, you have to be 17 years of age to actually get obtain a private pilot's license. Uh, ground school for a private pilot's license covers essential aeronautical knowledge required by the FA. But more importantly, it exposes kids to things that they wouldn't be exposed to in a traditional classroom such as aerodynamics, weather theory, uh, flight systems, navigation, meteorology and weather interpretation, flight planning, and so forth. So even if a student ultimately chooses not to pursue aviation professionally, the exposure alone builds, responsibility, com confidence, focus, math skills, science skills. Aviation uh demand structure requires accountability and sound judgment. The very qualities we're trying to c cultivate in our youth. I'm going to tell you that when a young person sits in a cockpit for the very first time, they see a horizon that is bigger than their own personal consequences. That kind of perspective can change a young person's life. It did for me. So, I ask you to keep this mentorship program in mind if you choose to move forward and I'll I'll be bringing it forward in a future council meeting. I know I've spoken to some of you and um I'll be speaking to uh the council members in the south to start basically those applications. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We have two other comments on item 87 unless you want to speak about them right now. It would be Edward Garca. You know what? You want to wait until the item or do you want to come right now? Edward Garca, >> he's not he's not present. >> What about Len Garcia? >> Not present. >> All right, we'll wait for the item 87 to proceed on that. We'll proceed with communications. Mayor, if I may, along with your communications, mayor, can I add to your item number three, my item number 84 because it's in direct um correlation to to your item and then after mayor of course to add number 69 as well, the commission for women to be the presentation. >> 83 and 69. Okay, motion second. All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion passes. Communications, general comments and announcements. I would like to take a few moments to provide updates on several important matters affecting our city and to share information of upcoming initiatives. Town hall and youth violence. Tomorrow evening, we will host a town hall meeting at the Hannes Recreation Center to address emerging concerns surrounding the recent wave of youth violence in our community, particularly incidents involving firearms. It is critical that we get in front of this issue now. As parents, we understand that teaching our children is what is right and what is wrong at a young age is important and providing them with positive alternatives. This makes all the difference. Prevention begins at home, but it must be supported by community, schools, law enforcement, and city leadership working together. We also want to ensure that parents, especially those in single parent households, know that they are not alone. We will be sharing information about mentorship programs, recreation opportunities, and support resources available through the city. I have all I have also asked our police chief to bring the Laredo Police Department's easy child ID program, which has been very wellreceived in our community. This program provides identification cards for children under 13, giving parents an added layer of safety and peace of mind. In the end, it's about protecting our children and strengthening our neighborhoods. Mr. Dem, I think we have someone else to discuss the proposed mentorship program here. Do we have anybody? >> Okay. No. Okay. We can do that later on. Also to talk about the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. I will be nominating a team of three city leaders with the recommendation of the city manager to this program which is an a intensive program designed to help this designed to help CAD secure stronger outcomes and complex negotiations that are central to the city of Laredo priorities. This is a continued partnership from the mayoral leadership program that we have with the Bloomberg Center and Harvard University. This program is geared towards experienced city leaders. The program combines rigorous hands-on work with realtime focus on critical negotiations challenge facing our cities. Participating teams strengthen their ability to shape negotiating environments, manage conflicts and conflict and advance durable arrangements. Participation is fully funded by the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative including tuition, accommodation, most meals and even airfare. Now to speak about ethylene oxide monitoring. We'll soon hold a press conference to discuss our findings and recent reports regarding ethylene oxide emissions monitoring in our community. This update comes in the context of the city receiving the renewal application response following our contesting hearing request alongside other organizations and individuals. We take these environmental and public health matters seriously, particularly given the vulnerability of medically underserved situations and populations in our community. We will continue to keep the public informed as this process unfolds. Transparency and accountability remain our priorities. and to speak about school closures. I also want to inform the public that we will be meeting with school officials regarding their proposed plans for school closures in our community. While we respect autonomy of the United Independent School District as a separate governmental entity, we will be sharing our concern about the broader impacts that this closure may have in our communities. From the city of Laredo standpoint, we must prepare for potential ripple effects, including impacts on youth well-being, food insecurity, poverty, and access to public health services. Our schools are foundational pillars in keeping our youth engaged, supported, and off the streets. I have placed an agenda item tonight that highlights the importance of our schools preventing negative influences and maintaining strong community structure. Now speaking about the 2026 financial trade and logistics conference, I will be joining LaCalesa my good friend Carmelia Canto Rosas at the 2026 financial trade and logistics conference to discuss our shared infrastructure, environmental and long-term planning challenges. As two sister cities, our s success depends on collaboration, mutual respect, and forwardthinking policies that strengthen our region on both sides of the border. Now, speaking about veteran affairs reports and veteran of the month, I will be reacting reactivating regular veterans affairs reports in our communication sector and continuing the recognition of veteran of the month in collaboration with our veteran affairs committee. It is important that we consistently honor those who have served our country and our community with distinction. I want to thank Dr. King for co-sponsoring this initiative and everyone on council that serves our veterans affairs committee. So it is truly my pleasure to help ensure that our veterans receive the recognition they deserve. Now to speak about secondary water agreements. Finally, I would like to briefly discuss the progress of our secondary water source agreements and I want the public to stay informed as we proceed. We are moving forward through the evolution of these agreements. Water safety is not just a policy decision or discussion. It is a long-term investment in Laredo's sustainability, growth, and resilience. And I know we have a related item related to this item number 84 and I would like to bring that forward followed by my agenda items number 77 number 78 and open the floor to any other members who wish to address the carried over items from previous meetings. >> Second mayor motion second. >> All in favor? >> Oppos? Motion pass. Mayor, if I may read my item number 84 that was already motioned on before. >> I have number 77 and we can then proceed with that. 7778. >> Number 77 discussion with possible action on the creation of citywide campaign to empower neighborhoods, engage our youth and families, and curb the recent rise in youth gun violence and any matters related there too. Mayorunations. >> All right. Okay. Okay, let me go back to communication cation number three and skip that part. Last part was secondary water source agreements. Think >> we went through that. >> We already went to secondary. >> We haven't discussed it. May the people here presenting. >> All right. Okay. >> And then my item is correlated with it or directly related. >> Let's hold off on on the items that we said and have some presentations on the on the communications. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Just for the council member. >> All right. Council member, for the record please. >> Mayor, if I may read my item. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Status update and possible action regarding companies with which the city of Laredo has executed memorandums of understanding including but not limited to the status of funding received from the state of Texas. Sponsored co-sponsored by Mayor Potm Gilbert Gonzalez. Mr. Darl, if you'd like to go ahead please. >> Yes, mayor, council members, management, staff. It's my pleasure to be here today. My name is David Earl. I'm general counsel for the legacy water supply corporation and uh like to give you a brief update on the status of the sub uh secondary water source project and program initiative. I want to compliment the city on how much work they've put in and your staff has put into this concept over the last number of years um as it's been building. Recently, the bond council for the legacy water supply corporations provided copies, drafts of agreements to the council for legal council for the city as well as the county and the legacy municipal management district. Um, this represents the the opportunity to come together and actually legally bind the groups to move forward on this secondary water project. And I'm pleased to inform you that we've been having a number of very productive discussions with the Texas Water Development Board regarding funding for the project from the D fund from the state revolving fund as well as u federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers who have taken this project in looked at it vetted it and placed it in a holding pattern for future congressional funding through the federal budget. Um, in addition, we're looking at private sources of funding through NAD Bank, which is a quasi governmental entity, um, to provide additional funding. Long and short of it is this. Laredo has the opportunity with its partners to provide a secondary water source that's viable, sustainable, at the most cost-effective manner through this nonprofit operation. And um, it's moving very quickly now. If uh things go according to schedule, we could have uh funding in place and actually moving forward on on acquisitions and construction later this year uh possibly toward the first part of the second quarter of the year, having the funding finalized, and then moving into acquisitions and construction immediately thereafter. The project's been fully vetted, looked at. U we've had conversations with all the players. I want to compliment Joe Neb and and the utility staff for coming to various meetings as well as on the county side commissioner Wally Karina who was appointed to represent them in the process as you all appointed the city manager to represent the city as well as the folks from the legacy municipal management district who worked very hard to come to this point. So we look forward to moving forward in the next steps. We've had meetings with uh conversations with your financial adviserss as well as ones for the county and the districts and we're very excited about where it stands because we finally after decades are looking at a solution to a secondary and emergency water supply for the city of Laredo and Web County including the Colonials who desperately need the water as well. Happy to answer any questions you have. >> Mayor. >> Yes, go ahead. >> Yeah, Mr. Earl. Um thank you for being here. I really appreciate the time of course. Um, a couple of questions. You said the bond council, um, well, let me start with off withus that are signed with you with the city of Laredo, first of all, >> and your funding. I know that was a huge hurdle that you all needed to get through. Did you get anything as far as from the state of Texas is funding to be able to supply Laredo with the water that we had spoken about? >> So, direct update on the funding. There's several different programs. You know, the state has many different buckets of money that go to this. Some come from the federal government, come some come from the state. Um, one of the most promising methods of funding is the voters approved over $2 billion of funding specifically for new water projects. And in the process of doing that, when that legislation was passed last legislative session, I went and testified before the Senate committee. Senator Perry, who who basically heads up the entire water initiative for the state of Texas, made it a point in that testimony to call up the director of the executive director of the water development board to confirm that this project would qualify for that funding. Once the water development board got through its regulatory process of creating the rules and regulations of application and submitt, which they're working on as we speak, we're being integrated in that process to make sure that that is done in a way that will facilitate this project receiving that funding because that funding is grant money. It's not a loan. is grant money which can help solve the issue with regard to secondary water. So that's going very well. With regard to the other programs, we've had a number of meetings. Uh we filed applications. The state has ranked those. Um we did well in the ranking and in the next round which is due on March the 6th um for the for the revolving fund. U we should come up at a point where this project qualifies for formal submission for funding financing. That is a combination of grant money as well. We also applied for the defund. The defund application was due December 31st. We've gone through and we've been acknowledged by the state as being administratively complete for that program funding. And we went to the first technical review meeting last week on Friday. Um, some of the things that may uh delay that funding coming in, frankly, is a new law that requires the participants, the county to send specifically to have their audits completed in time for submission of the packet. The packet's due the first part of March. By law now, the city and county have to have their 2025 audits complete by the end of April, but that only gives us a few days to get everything in. And so we may not make the first round of funding for that, but talking to the Texas development board, we may be able to come into a second round of funding for the defund. The defund provides very, very low interest financing. And so that's going to be available to us in the future for the project. But we have to get started and put the stake in the ground among the parties in order to be able to move forward because without the written contracts, um these funding mechanisms, although they're available on a preliminary basis to apply for, in order to actually get the funds, the parties have to be in contract with each other and that's why it's so critical we focus on that step. Now, >> Mr. Earl, my understanding is that you did not get a grant back in November of last year. Is that correct? >> Because what what you're telling us now sounds great, right? Months months away from it from getting the funding for it. >> Correct. >> But were you not just denied a few months ago or you weren't able because your application wasn't completed? >> Uh no, we we completed all our applications. >> So what was what was the problem with that? >> The issue with the application back in at that stage stage of the game was that the water development board had a program to looking at scoring and we had two two actual submitts. One got all the points for disadvantaged communities, specifically the colonialism. The other one got all the points for regionalization, all the other things, but they wouldn't combine the two of them regulatory or administratively, bureaucratically, they wouldn't combine the applications. Had they combined them, we would have been in the money, so to speak, where we've been qualifying for funding. But because they didn't combine them, we had to wait till this cycle to reapply. As a result of that, I will say the consultant Steve Walden specifically and others for the system um worked with Texot, I'm sorry, worked with the water development board as well as TCQ to revise the way they look at disadvantaged communities because it was creating a disadvantage for communities like Laredo to get that funding. That has now been resolved. And so we look forward to uh Texas Water Exchange who's helping us get through this funding cycle which is due application due March the 6th to be able to qualify for for that funding. And that funding the amount of for that funding is would that get water to the city of Larredo? >> Absolutely. Yes. >> And the amount that we're looking at >> that total amount of of the phase one, two, and three of the project is a total of $290 million. That would put in uh the additional wells. It would acquire existing wells and piping and configurations that are put in place now about $45 million worth. Although the purchase price would not be that high, but it would get those infrastructure pieces into the system and build the pipelines from the well fields and treatment facility, which has all been approved by TCQ down to the city of Laredo and tie into your 60-in water man >> to bring that water to the city because you can have wells up there and treatment systems, but if you don't have that pipeline coming down and connecting it, it's not going to do any good. >> Okay. >> So, it's one one combined project. >> And Mr. Darl, ju just for the for the community to to understand if this funding should take place and be allotted for you all, how long are we looking at approximately to be able to get that pipe here to Larredo? >> So an approximation obviously, right? It basically is going to take at least two years to get construction to the point where the pipelines are are moving to Larredo, possibly three years to get them complete and operational because you have to get through the funding cycle, get the money in place in escrow and then award the contracts for construction. So, it's not going to be immediate process. You can't just flip the switch. Sure, >> you got miles of pipeline to put in, but it's designed. It's ready to be done. And so, we have promise and hope that it will be done within that time frame. I know the city manager has been very very adamant about getting going on, you know, this water supply as quickly as possible and we're trying to do that um despite some bureaucratic headwinds which we prevailing over. So >> great. Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. One one last question. It's just on my item. Uh to the city manager, sir, we have otherus signed with another company if I'm not mistaken, maybe even a third one. Can you enlighten us on how many others we have out there uh besides Legacy? Thank you, >> sir. mayor and the city council I believe and then we have Dr. Alabet here as well too but I believe we have two otherus right now one is with the nuis river authority and the other one is with eagle pass >> and how how far along are they as far as uh their funding mechanisms are they as far uh as as if I could have gotten as far >> I'll let Dr. Alabet cover how far we are with building Dr. Thank you. So I actually was preparing a presentation for the mayor communication piece. I wasn't aware of that but it seems the stars are aligning. So it hits both for with one stone. So if five slides quick I won't take much time of it but I'll talk about the secondary water source in general and also legacy project and other ones and to answer your question counselor about the otherus that we have right now. So um I don't know if you can see this. So this is a briefing if remember last in se I believe in October we've been tasked by establishing a new uh secondary water task force in internal one led by the ECM Mr. Chavez and we've been meeting regularly since then and we have been vetting different proposals submitted by different companies different interest groups and all of that. So we've been working through all of that and we look at always for the efficacy of the submission, how much money we have to borrow, how much debt that going to impact the city, the technicalities of all of that. So right now the high level 30,000 ft right now just getting you high level on the technical side legacy group had the real two two deep wells. I think there are around $4 million totally there. The proposal is probably 22 plus and more wells down the road as when when the funds are available there. They're at deep 3,000 ft. They're brackish, high temperature around and uh highly u mineralized. Uh they are working we are working together with the legacy on the water quality blending. So right now we have chipped in as a utility and as a city $50,000 uh to support a study that is a tripartate agreement between the city of Larido, the county and legacy group. So we are at this stage waiting for the results of the blending. What does that mean? When once you blend the the 1700 ppm plus 600 from the river, we need to know is that what happens when you mix two types of water? How much you have to blend? One to how much? One to two, one to three or one to 10. And that will tell us if that source is actually trying to tell. So we wanted to tell that they're hearing us. What you're waiting for is see the water that we have in the river mixes >> with the water the water from the well. >> See, if you want to mix one, 1700 ppm with a 600 ppm, you need fresh water more to dilute the 1700. So we need to know is it feasible there as a secondary or not. I think there are some optimistic results. We don't know yet. I'm still hoping that we get the draft results soon. But technically we're not yet verified the efficacy of the technicalities of the water source whether qualitatively or quantitatively because as I mentioned there is two wells right now 3,000 deep. Normally at the size of this project you're looking around 180 to 200 million. You need to do modeling and engineering assessment and all of that. And we're still at the early stages of that. >> Mayor, if I may. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> I'm sorry, Mr. Alabet. I I hate to repeat myself, but let me ask you again. With the second and third company that we're dealing with, we know where Legacy is at, which is great where they're at. >> Correct. >> The second and third company, how far are they along with being able to supply us with water? And if they're even further along or even caught up to what Legacy has done for us so far, how far are they as far as funding from the state of Texas? >> So that's number two and number three on the slide. You will see there that the third one actually is Eagle Pass and that's an MOU we had way before my time. I reached out directly to the director of the utility department there and they are still trying to sort this issue themselves. So thatou counselor has not been yet uh finalized because they're also struggling with understanding where the source is. So that would basically they're still trying to process where the money is and where that. So that probably answer in a way your question. >> Yes. >> Babe Dawson it's actually a rancher an owner which is 15 it's 30 30 miles north of Laredo like twice the distance from whatever leg is because legis is 15 right. They have a freshwater source uh like not a brackish that's what they claim now that's what they should >> and this is what company I'm sorry >> doen peps do pep dousen dabinvort ranch >> okay davport okay >> and we have we are meeting with them we're trying to understand their technical visibility work before we even look into it seriously so that's in the next two weeks or three weeks we're going to have those discussions now that's really on the high level there there we had received people who say we have water somewhere we have to flow it through the river and then you have to pull it through the river which defeats the whole idea of a secondary water source. >> Yes sir. >> Now on the question of that question to you did anyone any one of those have received funding from the state? None. >> Okay. >> We are that's very clear. >> I'm sorry to say that but it's none at all. >> I know everyone is trying their their best. I heard the um the gentleman there that he they applied and I I left some of those meetings. We've been actually applying together. We're trying but it's a very difficult competition. Everyone is trying to fight for the same resources. But right now the city of Larido actually have applied to all those EPAs, corps of engineers, every one of those that are there. We're trying also to reach out to them for different funding as well to cover the issue of secondary water source. >> Thank you, doctor. Appreciate it. Yes. So, of that two billion that was, you know, approved by voter approval a couple years ago, proposition, it's just one billion, right? That's right. That's >> it's so that's $1 billion for a state that has a need of $82 billion in water projects statewide. So, that's that's why that's such a competition uh to the point that you were making. And when you mention you're waiting response from Eagle Pass, you don't literally mean like you sent an email and they just haven't responded. You mean you've made contact with them. >> I did with him and I talked to >> and you're waiting like a formal resp. Okay. Correct. >> Make sure that we're not just >> No, it was an email exchange. I I there was a lot of history there. So I want to make sure it's there. Uh I just want to really this is one slide only that I want to shed the light on secondary water source for everyone understanding. uh any secondary water investment any any you would think of that means brackish water any other one you're looking at 180 million and north of that as simple as that if you're looking at emergency water investment like using uh the Kazablanca lake as a treated waste water and pulling the water back you're looking around 85 million probably as around that number now if we go with a borrowing approach like we borrow in very low interest rate through our financial advisors. You will see a major spike and a sticker shock on the rates if we pay it and then we have to pay over over a period of time. Uh just to give you apples to apples measurement, Mckllen uh borrowed 185 million from the uh Texas Water Board to build to drill eight groundwater wells to receive 6 million gallons a day, which is really a fifth of what we use daily. And they are on the hope for 36% increase in the rates for the next 30 years. 36% 17% on water and 17% on wastewater collectively for the next 30 years. >> Doc, let me just clarify that just so the public hears this. I'm sorry, mayor. May I please >> 36% >> sticker? >> Correct. But that's over the course of 30 years. >> Yes. Or are we talking about sticker shock that's going to happen the first day >> immediately? Once the once the council >> a 36% increase in one year >> or over the course of the 30 years >> over the course of the 30 years. >> Okay. Okay. Because >> I just want I just want to clarify that >> 100 million 180 million is you can't just pay it over few years. You have to raise the rates because it's a borrowing money and you have to and it's still low interest but you have to pay. The moral of the story what I'm trying to say here our best strategy as a city is to secure grants see wherever grants which I'm trying desperately and we're crying through the city we have been diligently trying to reach out to everyone to secure funds not just for the secondary water source but also for the emergency water source. If we can do one let's do at least the other one. So anyway, this is the slide. I just want to get everyone up to speed where we are on all of this. And u Yeah, >> Mayor Mary. >> Thank you, >> Mayor Mary. >> Go ahead. Comment. >> Um Dr. Elizabeth, when we're looking at secondary water and we're thinking about in uh 20 years or now that that clock is ticking down that our water demand will exceed the available supply of the river. Um it is not one it is not that the river is going to dry up and we're not going to have any water and it'll be from one day to the next we won't have water. That is not the scenario. >> But at the same time we are looking for other sources and the effluent that we produce is around 23 million gallons a day. >> Correct. >> So there are other communities in the state of Texas and other error communities that are looking at ways of reusing their effluent because it is a water source. Correct. And in this case, it is nearly 23 of the average use of 35 million gallons a day that we use today. >> Correct. >> So we also should be looking and I believe you are at uses so that we are not just discharging all that water to the river and not having grabbing onto it for secondary reuse. And that could solve some of the issues that we have with the the uh water quantity that we're looking at diminishing in the future. So that there is another source in a way of these 23 million gallons of water. This is not to um diminish the fact that we're going to have to look at uh how you store it and how you clean it and all of that, but we will not be the first community to look at reusing the effluent that we're producing. Council woman, I can assure you the proposal to use the the treated waste water and recycle through the Casablancas has been already submitted. We are asking for 25 million to at least start the initial work probably some work at the lake understand the the engineering aspects of that. So it is already submitted and we're trying to secure funds because that's my call an emergency supply not just that and 23 million is an excellent source. Actually we treat it to a level which is perfect. We just need to do extra few things and it could be suitable for discharge to the lake. And the beauty of this even the lake at the end goes back to the river. So if you don't need that resource the river is not completely deprived from that. It actually goes back to the river which makes the whole ecosystem is is in the in the right place. And again remember we have also water loss reduction. our our daily rate of losses in the distribution network is around 4 to 5 million. If I can fix that, that 5 million we're trying to buy externally, we can just do it by saving on on repairs and asset. >> And is our current pipe replacement program addressing that issue as well? >> It is. It's it's making a dent. It's not that big because we're really there is hundred thousands of lines there and but we are working on on where those worsta cases are and trying to tackle them. But on a 10 years if we invest every year around 15 million last year we invested 15 and now another 15 every year for the next 10 years we're way ahead of of the whole issue there. And it's conservation supply demand management that we're trying to do and not just focus on one side versus the other. Thank you for the comprehensive question. Mayor, can I ask a question? >> Yes, go ahead. >> Um, we had talked years ago multiple times about the idea of capturing the water that we flush, right? We flush every day water. We just open the hydrant and the water goes down the drain. And we hear it all the time from constituents that we're wasting water. And since we're talking about secondary sources and conservation and reclaiming and effluent reuse and all these things that we're looking at, where are we on that looping of the lines um to kind of cycle that the water from the dead ends back and the capturing of the water that we flush? >> Are you talking about gray water or uh just treated just waste water? >> No, just when you open the hydrant, you flush the water. We talked about grabbing that water >> and somehow doing something with it other than flushing it into the street. >> So, so the percentage of flush water to total production is 3%. And if you compare that to any other city, we're way below that. Unfortunately, flushing is a must. You have to flush the whole if unless you change the whole distribution system and change the looping, you'll never get out of it. Now, do you how do you use that? It is not easy task. You can basically divert the water when you flush for an hour and come back in two months to do that again. So unfortunately, it's a side it's a byproduct of the to keep the system, you know, fresh and not having issues there. So I don't think we can ever be able to not flush or use that in a different uh meaningful. >> No, I'm not talking about not flushing the water. I'm talking about capturing the water and not throwing it in the street. We talked about getting some kind of truck or doing some kind of changes to our practices to grab that water and then take it somewhere and actually use it instead of flushing it down into the creek. And I appreciate that you said that some of the water would go into the creek, but unfortunately all we're doing is produ putting more water in the river for downward stream communities. That doesn't really help our community. So we had these conversations and we had talked about there I I'm not an expert but I remember we talked about there's technology or there's methodology out there that allows you to capture that water and utilize it versus you mean flushing it into the creeks. So have we looked into that at all? I that's the first time but I can look into it and see if there's a way. >> I think that would be helpful because I understand 3% seems like a small number but every day we do it and it's not also doesn't look good for the public to see us doing that when we're asking them to conserve water. >> Mayor me. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Yeah. Thank you Councilwoman Bettz. I brought the item up two years ago before you were here. Right. So we I brought the items specifically talking about trucks or filling up even our lake when we have to you know get rid of water let's just say in Lakeside for instance to fill up Lake Asablanca that lake simply can't be used you can't put a boat in there you can't put a jet ski in there people are not able to use it like it was meant to be used correct >> and and obviously different entities use that water for different purposes but the fact of the matter is the city of Larredo our citizens can't use that lake can't be out there and enjoying it the way they good versus flushing that water back into the ground and evaporation, especially the 110 degree weather here in Larredo. We lose a lot of that water. So, why can't we reuse it, get trucks in there? And again, it was before your time. It was over two years ago that I brought the item to bring in trucks. The director then said it just wasn't feasible to do so. >> Fact of the matter is feasible. Without water, what are we going to do? City of the radio won't exist. It doesn't matter what it costs. At the end of the day, if we can be putting water away for our citizens, we need it. Without water, we simply can't live. We won't have a city of Laredo anymore. And that's something we need to really, really think about. If you could please go to the drawing board again and uh discuss it with your staff, other people, other professionals in your line of work, of course, to see what they can do, what we can do with that water versus just putting it down the street and people seeing millions of gallons of water being literally wasted or just reused, loop it, obviously not back into our water line because then we're going to be running into into chlorine problems. Correct. And we understand that now. >> Correct. but something else that you can bring to us so we can save that water versus just flushing it out and letting it run into a creek then running into the Rio Grande and us not being able to utilize it. >> Let me do some research on that counselor and I'll see if I if there is some kind of technology or something that is you know applicable that we can do that uh and come back to you. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes, go ahead. >> Yeah, I remember this conversation back when I just first started as a as a council member back in two February and March. I brought this up and I asked about the, you know, the tankers, you know, connecting themselves to to the lines and to see if we can get that that water that was going to be distributed. I also was wondering just if there's way we could reroute that water somewhere else or create an area. We have a lot of areas that we have that are that are flood those >> reservoirs, right? >> Yeah. So, the reservoirs, is there a way we could, you know, store that water there while we're waiting for the tanks to pick up that water and then >> Yeah. No, I I get the I get I get the point. I get the issue here. But honestly, imagine this. You have like a small street somewhere and we have just fixed a 20-inch line and we have to flush for 15, half an hour, sometimes an hour to ensure that the system is fully chlorinated and we're we don't open one hydrant. We open three in the same time and we ensure the pressure is correct. So everything has to be perfect before we say people can drink the water. So it's really a very massive tense coordination event and we are with DCQ on the call and we get the guy. So really try to get this and wait for a truck and I don't know the pressure even a truck can take the pressure of a of a hydrant on a 50 PSI sometimes we get 70 PSI. It's so strong that I don't think even the truck can withstand that pressure. But they connect themselves to to uh to firefighter trucks. >> Well, yeah, but we look there and we're slowly trying to but fire trucks are also designed differently, not like a regular track. But again, I will look into it and see if there is anything. >> How much water does it? 3%. >> Uh I have to come back, but I did the math and the office and it I was thinking it's way higher than that, but it's really very low and it's a must in order for us to have a safe system. >> Super. All right. I think >> yes. Go ahead. >> Dr. >> Yes. >> 85 which is about this. Did you have more? >> It's the CIP I think and the status of the department and some of it also talks about secondary water. So >> my discuss like the upcoming CIP for utilities for two years and hiring of assistant directors. >> Okay. I have a public comment for undecided. Okay. After the public. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Dr. Reinadoz, comment on this item. >> Good evening, Mayor, City Council. U name for the record, please. >> Dr. Martin High School Tigers. Um, everybody just withdraw your questions are excellent. El Paso, they they're started by 2029. They're going to reuse all their water for El Paso drinking water. They're already starting to plant now. The plant will be ready in 2029. I gave this I I printed this out and the your assistant is going to give you all the copy, but it's there in there on El Paso which says 10 million gallons of water per day. That's the El Paso project. They're exactly doing that. They're not throwing it away. They're using it. In fact, El Paso has been looking at the river going dry for more years and they're have they're only using now only 18% of the river. There you go. >> 90 80. The other 80 the rest of it is they got multiple things and they've been reusing water and they use a lot less water per person than we do. So there's a lot of people that are ahead of the curve. Uh 50 million gallons of water per day, drinkable water. San Diego has been doing that for years. They're using it from the endless supply of water that San Diego is doing in San Diego, California. 15 million gallons of water, drinkable water per day. They already have it in place. And so that's more than that's basically what we need. Everybody should and and it's good that you all we the public has to know 18 to 24 years from now according to the experts the river is drying. That means that by the year 2024 2044 to 2050 the river is going to be dry. Those are facts. I may not be here to see that but those are facts. Most of you will be here. We have to think in terms of what does a radio need for thousands of years. So, Corpus Christi this this month this this year they're already doing everything else that to start their 30 million gallons per day water plant. It's it's not a no-brainer. Thousands of years are right there next to us. Thousands of years are right there next to us. Whether we do it alone like Corpus and then ask no to to partner with because everyone gets the water free. We need to basically go for what is here for thousands of years. uh many years back uh 95% of the city taxpayers pay for study that was done by the county. 95% of the people in the county live in Laredo. They looked at Web County underground water. The summary was it's not it's it's going to dry up because it doesn't get recharged. So they'll pump it dry. We we'll pump the underground dry like the river's getting dry. thousands of years in the Gulf and uh and there's a right now there's a one being done in China the cost is very reasonable so everything is everything has to be on the table the pipes that are leaking the things that are being thrown away the water that we're throwing the back that we can use like the El Pas is doing it so I give you all the summary of that and this all of us want Laro to survive and that's what it's all about it's surviving but can Laro can survive the San Diego pipe pump 5 pipe to Larredo we got 50 million gallons the corpus Christie plant 30 million gallons there's it's look without water >> without water there is no city thank you very much for your help and your time and stay focused you know it can all be done when we do it together everybody who has who wants to survive must work with this thank you for your time >> thank you mayor >> I have a quick question >> yes go ahead We had anou with the county on the dredging of the Casablanca. >> So what's the status on that? Because we were talking about it right now and we I mean we're already rolling on that plan, aren't we? >> We should be I'll follow. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> I'm sorry. Sorry. Is that you consist with the consistent with what the overall plan is and are we going to get a figure as to because it's not the counties, it's the states, >> right? >> We we got we got an army corpse of engineers grant when got it for us and we worked out an agreement with them somehow to dredge the lake to make it deeper so it can retain more water. I remember the mayor brought that item forward. Um, do you have a comment on it? >> Mayor, can I ask? >> Yes, go ahead. >> Good evening, Victor Jr. That was that was an agenda item that was placed on on the city council meeting. It was anou to get an agreement with uh Texas Parks and Wildlife. uh Commissioner Gallo facilitated that through a uh through an agreement, but Texas Parks and Wildlife basically said that the county is in charge of Lake Casablanca. So that's why theou was created with the county in which uh Mr. Zwen went to the county and was able to get that. So there's an existing in place right now. And what I think uh uh council member Ruben Gutierrez at that time brought up was the fact that whether the flushing into Casablanca Lake would be would endanger the fish and the wildlife. Remember and so that's where Texas Parks and Wildlife are going through through all those studies right now. But there's an existing agreement right now. Mayor >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Um Mr. Neb or Mr. when I do believe that our congressman Guer had talked about trying to locate equipment to be able to do that dredging and the idea was to either dredge at the time it was a discussion item about dredging Lake Asablanca or even dredging um the Rio Grande because of the sedimentation that has occurred over the years. So um I know that he was looking into different programs at the federal level to see if we would qualify for any of that type of funding. Maybe it's time to loop back around and ask him where that stands. >> All right. >> Any other com? >> No. May I was just going to motion that we just in the spirit of continuing with the theme of water. Uh we have item 85 I'd like to bring up. >> Second. >> All right. I had 77 here. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. >> After your motion and a second here. >> All right. Okay, we have a motion and second for 77 >> for 85 here. >> For 85 after yours after yours to make this. >> Okay. >> Second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion pass. Start with 77. Discussion and possible action on the creation of a citywide campaign to empower neighborhoods, engage our youth and families, and curb the reason right in youth gun violence and any matters related to there too. Now, the reason I'm bringing this up is because I want to go ahead uh and state a prevalent trend emerging in our community, youth violence, and specifically young gun violence. This is about prevention, empowerment, and accountability. While enforcement will always remain critical, we we must always address the root causes. disengagement, lack of mentorship, family stressors, and limited structured opportunities for our youth. Strengthening neighborhoods. We can focus on the campaign with the following things. Strengthening neighborhoods engagement, which we have already begun through town hall meetings. Partnering with our schools, churches, nonprofits, and businesses. Efforts already underway with Chief Rodriguez, police chief. engaging schools and what with our recent outreach to the business community to provide internships and job opportunities so our youth can learn structure and responsibility early on. Providing parents, especially single parent household, with support resources so they know they're not alone. Reinforcing safe firearm storage awareness and education because prevention beings begins at home. And our goal is to create a unified message across the city. Laredo protects its youth. Laredo invests in prevention. And Laredo empowers families. This initiative will coordinate efforts across parks and recreation, public health, Laredo Police Department, and community stakeholders to ensure we are proactive and not reactive. This is about protecting our children and preserving our future generations. Therefore, my opinion would be to instruct management to develop and implement a citywide campaign aligned with these goals. >> Second. >> Motion second. Mayor >> Mayor, before before we you call for the question, we have Chief Gonzalez, I think, that wants to speak on the item. >> Chief, go ahead. >> Honorable mayor, distinguished members of council, good evening. Caro Gonzalez, state chief. For the record, uh you are correct, mayor. Uh in comparison, this time uh last year to this year, we've had an increase in crime involving juveniles. Uh particularly, we've had uh discharge of firearms from two incidents to four incidents this year. Aggurate assaults, one incident to four incidents, and of course, a murder zero to one. U our arrests have also increased almost doubled from 54 to 84 having juveniles. So that's indicating a trend that obviously there's a problem with their youth. And you are correct. We can't do it alone. Even though we are out there, we're trying to enforce as best as possible. The solution is prevention. And we need to leverage all all our uh partnerships with every single department, every stakeholder out there to be able to uh send a message advocacy for prevention more than anything. So we are initiating several programs to with uh our school districts, but we're also going to initiate several programs with city departments. As you mentioned, we'll be working with the city manager to make some proposals to initiate several other programs to the ones added to the ones that we currently have out there. >> All right. Yes, go ahead. >> Um, hello. on this. Um, what do we how do we compare with other cities um that are similarly sized as far as those statistics that you were giving us about juvenile arrests and these incidents of assault and um gun discharges? >> They're still low as you saw. They're still most of them are single digits. All of them are single digits except for the arrest. But we we don't like to compare ourselves to other cities because we know our other cities are in peril. We want to maintain our loan numbers or that is our standard and we want to keep it there. >> And and I in no mean way mean to diminish that. I I do believe in in preventative programs and I think engaging the youth is is very positive. But I'm just wondering um instead of looking at this from a place of fear, if we could just understand how we compare to other cities. Not that we shouldn't be being proactive. I think Laredo is a a very familyfriendly place and we're all pulling the same direction to give our youth every opportunity available to them, right? Um and trying to reach all youth. But I just want us to understand how we compare in the national picture because overall these past few decades crime has been decreasing dramatically. So when um my generation looks back at the crime rates in the '9s let's say compared to now it is really decreased and I would say a good deal here in Laredo thanks to the efforts of the police department. I think um you all are so proactive in looking where there are hot spots and being out there in the public and trying to get the public engaged so that you can have community policing that has really made an impact. >> So yes, you are correct. Um and that is the I guess our the secret of our success is we we try to anticipate problems before they get out of hand. Obviously, the the numbers seeming uh double even though they're just our numbers compared on a national trend. They're not uh they're not something to might not be a concern in other areas, but to us it is. Um we we like to get ahead of it. So, we don't see that issue become a big a bigger problem that then you can control. >> So, compared to other cities, we are very low even though absolutely we want to be proactive. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. Yes. Go ahead. Uh just really quick if by uh if allowed by Dr. King if I could bring up uh item number 79 which is tied into gun gun violence. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Motion. >> Motion point of order. We have a motion. >> We have a motion. We have a motion right now >> and it's still being discussed. We can bring it up after the discussion after we can make a comment about the item. >> Yes. Go ahead. Uh, so one of the things we were talking about was better utilizing the rec center uh offerings for teenagers. Um, I know like the Hannes has a summer program. They have a pool table there. They have some some video game systems. I know we have some video game systems at the wreck as well in the Mines Road area. But I think if we can have that as part of that marketing plan, mayor, have the parks and rec staff look at what we offer at the rec centers and see what we can do to pull more kids in on the after school hours because I think keeping them off the streets is is a good way to curb a lot of this um um bad behavior that some kids might engage in. So um Miss Stanley, can I ask you a question? Um >> Yes, ma'am. What what is the what are the plans for teenager uh activities there at the rec during the after school hours normal programming? Do we have anything? >> Okay. Good evening. Anita Stanley, assistant parks director. We have currently after school programs in seven of our rec centers and the children that participate are uh grade school kids. A lot of the schools are adjacent to a rec center. So you've got uh Margarito Benavides uh Faras Rec Center. Hannes is the only one that we don't get um grade school kids at. We do get teenagers come, but a lot of them come for classes, especially at Hannes. Um >> Well, you're saying that you don't get >> Thank you. >> But you don't get high school kids there after school or middle school kids? >> No, ma'am. Not at Hannes. >> Is there a reason? >> Uh the demographics. So each demographic in in the rec centers are different based on where they are and what the population is in that particular community. And so what we did is ask the parents, people who were visiting the rec center. So we've done several surveys throughout the years, how can we better help you? And so what they asked us for is programs um that would entertain their children while they continue to work and get off because the kids get off um the parents, I'm sorry, get off work 5:30 or so. And so we allow children uh ages 6 to 15 until 7:00. So it gives parents an opportunity to finish work, get off uh and then come pick up their kids. >> But the rec center is open till 10, right? >> Correct. So, I mean, maybe we can look at ways to get even up to 18 year olds in there, maybe up to seniors and and and um stay open a little bit longer somehow for them. That way, they can frequent that rec center a little more so we can utilize it. I I just think that as part of the marketing campaign, we just need to be able to provide resources for them and things for them to do. I mean, my son went to the summer program there and he liked the pool table and all that stuff that you all have. I think that's one of the few wrecks that has one. But if we can create like a teenager corner, teenager friendly, you know, thing um area for them. I think that would >> during the school year is what you're referring to, >> correct? >> Yeah. just basically have it available, you know, have them be I mean I know at the fast skin they have a small room. >> So we we really only have a I mean if you look percentage-wise at the square footage of the entire building the amount that we dedicate for kids for after school is like maybe not even five or 10% of the entire square footage. >> Well the good thing about Faskin is that we do have a community center community room and multi-purpose room. So it's shared by the library, by our seniors, by our youth. And so we've done a lot of activities in there to accommodate that, >> right? But we don't I mean it doesn't have like a it's not like an arcade. It's not a pool, you know, it's not a already kind of outfitted where they can just walk in there. There has to be some programming. I think if we can just maybe invest in some kind of video game consoles. We were talking about other other investments that we can make to have maybe some iPads they can check out and play for people that don't have Wi-Fi at home or something. Um I think that would go well with the program. >> If I may. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Jose Jr. interim uh director for parks department. Yeah. If you'll allow us to look at the programming that we're doing. I know exactly what council member is saying. Uh part of the design when the rec center out on uh Mines Road was built was with that intention of doing u having activities for the kids of that nature. And so if you'll allow us to talk and uh get back to you with some sort of um programming or things that we can implement. Uh we Yeah, definitely we'll look at that. >> May uh just uh just a comment on that. Uh back in the early or mid 80s, Nancy Reagan started the say no to drugs campaign. She intended that campaign not to help. Well, not intended to help, but we knew that the in order to fix that problem, it had to start at the K one, K2, K3, K4 level, first grade, second grade, elementary level. This I think there's a lot of these programs that were defunded over the years and we used them at the schools. They have the RAD program. The sheriff's department had a very good program called the RAD program. Uh they we used to have something at the police department in the 80s, 90s. Uh and all of a sudden those those programs just kind of dwindled away. And so it stands to reason why a lot of these things are happening. If you really look at over the last 20, 30 years, you know, while these things happen. Well, it really does because if you don't have the educational component in there and continuing the support that education program from the school to the after school, if you don't correlate it together, put it together that all the messaging is the correct thing, we're just going to be going in every different direction to get this thing done. This requires I'm sure it's going to require some funding. I'm sure it's going to require a little bit more thinking about how we're going to pursue this and really really really coordinate with both school districts and and really figure out a way what they're doing right and what we are not doing correct and maybe put them together as as as one program so that everybody can be messaging the right thing every day because I'm I'm not saying that the kids now in high school and a little bit above are lost because there's there's time to catch them. But if you really want to put this program where it's going to really really make a difference, you really have to start at the ground level and you have to change the culture, you have to change the mentality for parents and all these things. But just having a I sounds bad, but if you want to have a babysitting service at the day at the at the rec centers, it is what it is. It's you're going to get that. You're just going to find a place for them to play in the after school. But really, how do you measure whether it's going to be successful or not? So there are a lot of valuable tools and materials out there that can work. The Boys Club has one also. So you might want to consider before we get together and do all these bring this program together. We really need to bring everybody to the table and say that we're trying to get ahead of the problem because this can become a pandemic type deal, an epidemic of violence and and we we can regress as a society with with kids going through all these processes without having the you know the proper programs in place to to satisfy that need. So we we kind of have to even it takes a little bit longer to get it done and it's going to require funding. We need to get a good smart look at this before we move forward with it in my mind. >> Yes. And in order to keep that uh going, Laredo wasn't the safest city a long time ago and we obtained that status and we have to be proactive not to lose that safer city status and I think we can do it but we have to be proactive. We have to look at all these measures. >> Go ahead. Thank you. Um yeah, I agree with Council Member Gapsa. I I think the Boys and Girls Club were here a few months ago asking for us to use our our um recreation centers. I think it's a great idea to get together with them specifically to see what they can do because they do target children that are of course from prek all the way up to 18 years old which is a great thing that they do already for us and we've already started this discussion mission I think it's it's a great thing uh to really look at and and address with them because I think they work very differently than what we do as a city and I think if we bring them into this program it'd be a wonderful wonderful thing um just to kind push that uh chief question um I I wanted to ask you specific specifically on these crimes that you just reported on. >> Thank you, Mr. Um, are these children being or these youths? Youth, like they said on that movie, youth. What's a youth? Um, >> cousin. >> My cousin Vinnie. Correct. >> Um, excuse me. I apologize. Um, are these children are these youths being hired by cartel members, gang members, drugrelated? What have you seen during the course of the investigations that these children are involved in? Because I don't want to alarm the community thinking that this is happening in public places or anything like that. From what I know of it, most of the time it's it's at home or at parties and the stuff going on. But are you seeing the cartel and gangs related to these crimes that are happening now? So, mayor, um, council members, yes, we see those cases where, uh, our youth are very prone to be influenced by these, uh, these gangs like the Mexican mafia that are connected to the cartels in Mexico and they'll employ uh, these juveniles because the laws tend to be um, more lenient with them and the more we see money and cars and all these things that happens. But it's also right the uh the the trend now of these parties and so forth where even kids that are not tied into cartels get caught up in in the pressure of things and those are the ones that more than anything we want to go the other ones we have all these mechanisms in place where we constantly go after gangs. Uh now we have to get more involved because we know how how bad it's getting right. Uh but uh we want to go beyond that as well. Sure. and these other kids that are not in cartels or connected to to cartels but are insilently easily influenced. We want to prevent that as well. >> But are you seeing these cases targeted? I mean I I don't want to see obviously anything happen at a Target, Walmart, HB, whatever it might be, right? Are you seeing these instances targeted for people that owe money because of drugs or that owe money because of a cartel or that owe money because of a gang? Are you seeing them situated in that in that scenario? Um, mayor, council members, yes. Uh, they're not uh randoms acts of violence. They're they're connected to criminal activity um connected to again gangs or that they're starting to get involved with drugs um or other type of illegal activity and it bo differences or uh through violence or brutality and so forth. >> Thank you, Chief. I appreciate that. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Uh all right. >> We'll proceed to number 78. You have >> 79 motion motion to uh to bring it up. >> Yes. Second >> motion. Second. All in favor. >> Both. Motion passes. >> Thank you, colleagues. Uh number 79. I know the high miss family is here. If you would like to stand here on the podium and I'm going to read the item as is. It states a discussion and possible action to designate designate the walking trail located at Independence Park as the Moyes Highness Walking Trail in honor of Moyes Highness with an S. A district resident whose life was tragically lost as a result of a stray bullet in November on New Year's Day and any others matters incident there too. Um, I know as uh interviewing and speaking with the family, me, myself, and the Laredo Police Department and Parks Recreation, uh we know that this would not only be uh uh dedication or recognition to to be there at the park as as per the late uh Mr. Montes, this would be nothing he would want. uh it's it is now up to the family and the sons and daughters that want to create yearly awareness uh throughout that small quiet area of Los President Centry City. So if you all if you want to say some words behind this this highness >> um good afternoon I'm Jessica Highness and thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. I'm here on behalf of my family to bring awareness and dedicating a trail at Independence Park in honor of my father. A man whose life reflected hard work, integrity, and a deep commitment to the people he loved. My father was a kind of person who showed up every single day. He worked hard. He provided for his family and he treated everyone with respect. He lived quietly but powerfully through his actions and disciplined in the way he cared for others. He believed in creating a positive space families and believed in doing what was right, even if no one was watching him. On New Year's night at 12:2 a.m., my father was struck in the head by a straight bullet fired into the air by celebration. He passed away the next day from his injuries too severe for him to handle. His loss was sudden, preventable, and devastating, not only for my mother and my younger siblings and me, but for everyone who knew him. We lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and a cousin. And a good man because of a careless act that should have never happened. This trail and his name will honor the life he lived and the values he stood for. It will give my family a place to walk, reflect, and heal. It will also serve as a reminder of the importance of safety and responsibility in our community, a reminder that our actions affect others, and that every life matters here. This trail would turn tragedy into something meaningful. Something that bring awareness, peace, and hope for others. My father also had a deep respect for the police department. He believed in the work that they do and the responsibility they carry in the protecting our community. As we honor him in this trail, I hope my hope is that this case continues to receive the support and attention it deserves. Our family is still waiting for answers. I trust and hope my father can res receive the same amount of respect that he gave to the police department to bring him justice. The same goes for the community. If anyone knows of anything that happened or anyone that shot into the air, I ask that you come forward. Even if you weren't the one who pulled the trigger, staying silent still contributes to the harm. While some people were celebrating the new year, my family is suffer suffering the consequences of this decision. Speaking up is the only way to help prevent this from happening again. Serve as a reminder of justice, not silence. I'd like to thank Councilman Gonzalez for this honor on behalf of my late father. He will walk these trails every morning with my mother and having his name there with a story will will hopefully make a difference to stop using guns as celebration. His life deserves to be remembered in a way that reflects who he was. Steady, hardworking, and committed to his family and community. Thank you. >> Thank you. And again, I want to remind my colleagues and the public that this is not just a random dedication. It's a it's a park. It's a trail where the family and Mr. would visit and would walk on a daily basis. I believe they would start at 4 or 5:00 a.m. in that quiet area. Uh so again, and this is to year round create awareness in this quiet area there in Los President throughout Sentry City as well. So with that I would uh put this in the form of a motion. Second motion second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion pass. >> Thank you colleagues for unanimous support and for the family we'll get together with parks. I want to thank Parks uh and Rex uh LPD the family and Christy Lada for helping out with this deer project. Uh that means so much to us. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. We'll see you soon. >> We're very sorry for your loss. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Number 78. Yes. Would like to bring back number 78. We have a >> I'm sorry. >> 77. Number 77. We have a motion in the second. >> All in favor? >> We already have a motion in a second on 77. Do >> can can we have the motion so that everybody >> number 77? My motion would be to instruct management to develop and implement a citywide campaign aligned with these policy goals that were described. >> Second. Motion second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. >> Thank you. 78. >> Number 78. Mayor >> on that item real quick. >> Yes. >> Just to kind of um go in line with um the the previous the item 79. I think that um we could probably use this incident as as something to kind of build into a bigger campaign with the gun violence as far as you know putting putting out there the story and uh figuring out something in some way to kind of make it about um him as in his life and use that as an example for the guns if they could consider that for the marketing campaign we already pushed for. >> All right. Great. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Number 78. Discuss with possible action on the addition of a tiny home within the Lafayette tiny homes development specifically allocated for veterans experiencing homelessness or transitional housing needs to be built with the mayor's priority funds and any matters related there too. Now, I bring this uh item forward because it reflects our continued commitment to those who have served our country. The Lafayette tiny home development has already shown how innovative housing solutions can provide dignity, stability, and hope for individuals transitioning out of homelessness. By allocating mayor's priority funds for one dedicated tiny home specifically for veterans experienced homelessness or transitional housing needs, we send a clear message. We honor service not just with our words, but with our actions. We recognize that some veterans face housing insecurity after returning to civilian lives. We're willing to invest locally to provide stability and opportunity. This unit will serve as a transitional stepping stone connecting veterans to wraparound services, employment assistance, and long-term housing pathways. And as mayor, I firmly believe that those who defend our freedoms deserve our community support when they needed the most. Therefore, my motion would be to instruct management to utilize my priority funds for the construction of this dedicated veterans unit with the within the Lafayette Tiny Homes development. >> Second. >> Motion. Second. >> Mayor. >> Mayor >> for discussion. >> Discussion. >> Have a question. >> Go ahead. Um, and I I think perhaps um, Miss Rodriguez. Oh, >> just just to see about the funding source because I know that um, the reason how the tiny homes project was developed in the first place was with federal funds. I do believe they required a match from the city. >> Uh, Tina Rodriguez, community development director. No, there um, through our citybg and and home allocations. This was home through our HUD allocations. Um there's no there was no match for this project. >> And when you discussed having a phase two of this project, was that something that was already in process or is that something that you're looking towards grants to begin the next phase? >> So So we do have a phase two possible. We just don't have the funding for it. So we were going to have to uh continue looking for other grants or other or other ways to fund the phase two. And then I guess the other the last question would be if um do we have veterans who are experiencing homelessness who are looking right now for housing? Is this um an issue? Because if if and and mayor, forgive me, if if there aren't any applicants for an extended period of time for this tiny home, would it be available to any uh needed uh transitional housing applicant? And I don't know if that would be something that this council would decide or how that would move forward in the case that an extended period of time has passed and we just don't have an um an applicant who happens to be a veteran. >> So to answer the first question um there currently we are monitoring our homeless veteran population with a a monthly u meeting that we have with all our partners in our community and we do have an like four to five um homeless veterans um in that list. Unfortunately um those are very um chronic cases. Um some of them are living in the shelter and some of them are living on the street and they're not a they're not ready to be housed. Um so um I would like to present once we we um finalize um this part of the project I would like to present an option and I can present it to management and and to council and to the mayor uh as you know what would indicate us to be able to switch. I know I know he uh the mayor wrote it as experiencing homeless or transitional housing. So I would like to present a plan where we can say after x amount of time if I would I would hate to leave a vacant unit it in in a community that affordable housing is such a great need. So we could present to you a plan to management and and we could say after x amount of time would it be able to transition to the next category >> if that's acceptable. >> Yes. Go ahead. Um, thank you for bringing this item, Mayor. Um, I so the original project was originally designed for veterans, right? We went through this whole exercise and um, you know, it got changed because of the funding source or whatever, but we still have our veterans waiting in line and in line with everybody else. And when we originally discussed that it was supposed to be transitional housing. So I think even if we have one unit that's not filled for a small period of time, it's still available for for the for that veteran who needs that transitional support. So, mayor, I would I think that if we're going to talk about serving the veterans the way this was intended, I think that we should keep it for veterans only because we already built eight units that were supposed to be where veterans were supposed to have been given preference and now they have no preference. At least now we can say this is for veterans, which is what we had originally intended was something for them. So, I I I don't mind a unit staying un unrened or whatever for a couple weeks or a month because if we have four cases, five cases or however many cases we have, at least they have a place that we can house them because I know Miss Rodriguez, you did mention throughout this process that small one unit or efficiencies are hard to find and that's exactly what this would be. So it would be utilized for the purpose that it's intended. So I don't I don't think we should rush to fill it if it's for veterans. We designate it for veterans and we let them have that unit for that for them and for that for their for that community. But >> it might make sense was to present something like if it was extended amount like four six months and and we don't have anybody that's ready to be housed. That would be something that I would want to present as an option. But again, it's it's updated. >> Mr. Aldez, did you have a com? >> Yeah, mayor. Uh, thank you very much. Before you vote, I just was going to ask if you could consider amending your motion um that your discretionary funds be the first option, but in case they're not allowed to be used because we're looking through our bond bond council to make sure that they are um that that just instruct staff to find that money that's needed. >> All right, I'll amend that. in case in case um the priority funds do not qualify then you can look for the others. >> Yeah, but of course we'll go with your money first. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Mayor, >> yes. Go ahead. >> Are we talking about one unit or completing the rest of the the the project with the eight >> homes? We never talked about phase two, >> right? >> This would be part of phase two. Just a little bit of background on that. Each one of these tiny homes is right around $100,000. And so that's the commitment that we are contributing to. The intent based upon what we were walking through with the the first phase to this next phase was we were actually trying to look for funding for two two homes was what we were hoping to do. Uh we appreciate the mayor's efforts and the council's efforts to start on this. This is the start of the phase two. Uh, if we were going to look at doing all of the homes on phase 2, I would I would suggest a longer conversation during our CIP. >> Is that Yes. Go ahead. >> I just I I would I I would um like to ask if the council would consider that we look for this funding to complete the the phase two so that we continue opening up opportunities to house >> individuals in our community. >> You have a comment? >> Well, I I I do. The thing is I I'm not comfortable supporting a phase two because again we created phase one and phase one was supposed to be for veterans to have priority and now we're adding an additional home for veterans because we didn't give them that purpose in the first phase. We haven't even talked about phase two. We haven't looked at plans for phase two. So, I think the mayor adding a house for for for the original intended purpose is just to supplement the deficiencies in phase one. And if we have a lot that's big enough, we could carve that unit out for that intended, you know, to satisfy that intended purpose of phase one. And then we can look at what phase 2 encompasses. But as of now, we've never even seen a presentation or anything on phase 2. It's just been floated out there as a concept. >> Yes. And may I clarify I >> I was specifically requesting that we look for funding through city funds, not necessarily federal federal funds, which is what prohibited the use of you. >> All right, we do have a motion and a second. All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. Mary, you have number 69 on the table now. >> Number 69, presentation by the Laredo Commission for Women regarding selected nominees for the 2026 Hall of Fame with possible action and any matters incident related. >> Thank we approach to yes distribute this Hey, thank you. Uh, good evening mayor and council members. >> I'm Lupe Ramirez, chair of Laredo Commission for Women, along with these other ladies, also members of the com of the commission. We submitted a list of honores and we respectfully ask for your approval. These ladies were selected by the Laredo Women's Hall of Fame committee. It was a difficult selection as there were many talented and deserving women of this worthy honor. >> So, >> all right. >> Okay. I would like for you to take a look at the list, >> Mayor. And these are the ones that were selected by >> Yes, these were the ones that were selected. >> We had a total of 19 lady uh applicants >> and these were the ones selected by the committee. >> Yes, go ahead. >> So, you know, Midas gave me a call. She was all excited and and telling me that this is the first time it was more than three. Yeah, we usually have a smaller number, >> but this year we were expecting like seven or eight applicants and we got 19. >> Wow. >> Uh it was the committee got together and it was difficult because there were so many that we had to select from and they were all so qualified. There's so many out there outstanding women that we want to honor. >> So, quick question. What is it now that we have to do? Just, you know, look, we're looking at the list. What's the next step? >> Yeah, for you to approve the list. >> And after you approve the list, we're going to have well, we need to notify them. That would be tomorrow to let them know that they have been selected. >> Okay? >> And then we would have a press release where we meet with them and uh we let them know. and that's going to be on February the 26th at the Valvidian Event Center from 6:00 to 8:00. After that, then we're going to have the Laredo Women's Hall of Fame event and that will take place also at the Valvidian on March the 29th. That's on a Sunday from 11 to 2. You will be receiving your invitations because we expect to see you there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And so that's >> motion. Motion to approve this. >> Okay. Motion second. Hold on. How long is our term or how often do you do you select this? >> We do this every two years. >> Every two years. >> Yes. >> Two years. >> So every two years you would come back and >> with a new slate of applicants of honores. >> All right. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you. Um I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to hunt down all of the nominations. I know that you were out there in the community asking for people to submit and I'm so happy that they did because I agree with you that there are so many deserving Larredo women. Yes. Who whose contributions to our community really deserve to be recognized and thank you for doing the work, taking the time and then I know the event will be lovely. >> Thank you. >> We have a motion second. >> Oh, did you want to? >> Yeah. Just really quick, uh, I want to thank you all for the hard work and know that I feel honored to have uh, Mr. Ramirez uh, district uh, one uh, appointee as chair this this term. So, thank you so much for your work and everyone else. >> Thank you, Mr. Gonzalez. >> All right. Okay. Motion and a second. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next item. >> Okay. Go ahead, Dr. King. >> Well, Dr. Elizabeth, I'm guessing you're still in the audience, right? Yeah. >> I was trying to just piggyback you back to back. Hopefully got some coffee. No. Uh 85. Mayor, this is an item I've had repetitive uh the last three meetings. Just just a general item. uh requesting a utilities update on the fiscal year 2728 as we do our utility CIP on two-year intervals and that's coming up um you know this coming August we'll be approving that noise uh sorry um for the next two years so that'll be coming up for August and and I just wanted um Mr. Alvet to kind of get us prepared uh because this would be huge investments in our utilities infrastructure for the next two fiscal years. So, we just kind of and then also I know you have two assistant directors that have not been hired or or hopefully will be soon. And like for me, frankly, it's not fair to you that you're doing all the work that you're doing for uh this city since you've been here. When did you start again? >> June. June. >> So, we're getting close to a year and you've been operating without assistant directors. And I think that's ridiculous. Um so so I'm sorry on behalf I mean I'm going to speak on behalf of the council. I think that's unacceptable. Um like it's too big of an apartment. It's too important. Um so I really want you know would love to hear from city management what's taken so long and um because for me if if we don't support him, we're not going to be able to keep him. Um, and I think you've done a great job with the with the with the situation you've been dealt since you came here last June. Um, but I think it's unacceptable that we're not supporting you. Um, and I just want to preface that and I don't mean to make it uncomfortable, but I just I I I want you to know we appreciate the work you're doing and we look forward to getting you some help. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, Lor Ken. Appreciate that. So um I think their question was about you know the status of 2728 infrastructure uh commitments uh the status of employees how many staff and vacancies especially on the high senior positions and I really wanted to start you know with a good note first about what has been done so far that was actually a success story for the city of I won't repeat everything on this slide I know you have a very mp packed agenda today but I can tell you that we're really in good shape. The culture in the department is positive. Uh staff are feeling the change. We are focused more now to focus on proactively than reactively. We're ahead of I think we're ahead of the kind of issues that we've been there. But again, to your point, it's a massive department. There is hundred thousands of lines and regularity issues. So I would just wanted to say that we're in we're in good shape. There is no doom and glooms anymore in this so far. But I would like to talk about to answer your first question about the senior positions right now. If you see see at the lower box here, these are the top position. The two assistant directors, the fiscal service administrator, engineer, manager and civil engineer. Uh the two assistant directors actually were already in the system. I think since I came I think the problem is I don't know where is it but we cannot get people to hire. These positions were posted for like five months since I've joined and before my time and we did not receive a lot of interest for those positions. We actually tried to change the salary rate a little bit, improve it. I work with HR and still we're not getting much traction and for that we really were trying to juggle with everything going on right now. So what we did eventually and city manager supported that is actually retain a hiring firm. Basically the the one they hired me actually we we went to them and said listen we need nationwide search for those positions and the competition is actually closing in the next couple of days. So we'll see what they're getting there. Um, some of them are we might have some, the others are not that great, but I think now we're using all the all the resources possible to hire more people there to get there. So, >> okay. Okay. Thank you. Just I don't want to stop, mayor, if I may. >> Yeah. Just >> this is I know it's in public, but the public deserves to know um why why has it been so difficult to fill uh these positions uh for Mr. Dr. Albet? I'll ask anyone from management who'd like to answer. if you want to start. >> Okay. Uh honorable mayor, me members of the council, this particular issue uh with the assistant directorship positions uh were vacant even during the period of of the former director Aruro >> Garcia. >> Uh at the time that we hired Dr. Alphabet he himself um uh put out a new structure change of his organization the city manager's directive to us ACM as we worked with Dr. Alvet was that he was going to develop out his department and his vision he would roll it out and that we wouldn't become an obstacle for him as he rolled out his vision. Um as you heard Dr. Alabet say a few minutes ago, Dr. King and Mayor Councel is that the interest from the public for these positions uh with the local advertisement uh was not much. Uh so Dr. Alabet went to his supervisor Mr. Chavez and and uh spoke to him, Mr. Valdez, myself, Mr. Nev, and we uh authorized for him to proceed with a search firm. And at this point the positions have been posted and as Dr. Alvet said um that the position uh uh with the search firm will get back to him with any interested candidates and then the process will take its place. Uh there was probably what contributed to some of the delays on the part was the whole restructuring of the organiza of his department. the way he wanted to lay it out. We had to do uh uh JDQs for that which uh like pretty much sector off uh and uh each of the positions customized to the way he wanted to see it roll out. We do fully support Dr. alphabet and he knows that uh and we're trying to this is the first time in that I know of that we have to go to a search firm to hire at a level under a directorship >> and so that's where we're at Dr. King Mayor uh with this I'm not sure if Mr. Deb wants to share any additional comments. >> Well, I I'm just going to say that I know at least district 6 is the newer part of the area. Like we knock on wood, you know, get less waterline breaks than the rest of the community. Um, but I still get the updates about the waterline breaks in in in in the rest of the districts and it's just um it's it's a monster of uh you know utility system that that Dr. Alcette created. And this is this is just me concerned that it's g I I feel like it's a very uh difficult uh job and and and a utility system to take over. So I just you know and I'm I'm just wondering if there's an issue as far as you know does for example and this is just me asking does does does Dr. Alabet has full autonomy over hiring process or does he have hurdles to go through with HR >> and mayor and and city council and and let me uh let me let me start as well too just saying that we've got Dr. Alzette fully covered and fully supported within the structure. Some of this is taking longer than we would ever want. My marching orders have been ever since Mr. Garcia was there uh go into when Mr. Pisker was there. My first request to each and every one of them is hire these positions. So, and again then we then we walk through that structure in order to get there. Dr. Alabet did go through a uh repositioning or restructuring back in August right at the end of August in order to align up the expertise that he needed in the in the different areas. I think I think that restructure actually bought us a little bit of time as well too as we as we continue to place people in there. And if you remember all the way through the uh the bond uh well the the boil water notices and everything of course we took our engineering department and we overlaid over the top. So we we had this relation the synergy within there. Um I won't I I won't downgrade that Dr. Alabet hopes that it moves a little bit faster than what it has been. But we've had everything covered through throughout that structure. I agree with you Dr. King as far as uh it is a it is a beast of a department and it needs the right people in the right jobs and I think that's where the selection process for the right people. We're going to keep looking for the right people. We don't want to put the wrong person into the into a into a job and then have to deal with that. So the idea of going through that now back to your question about whether or not there are there are there are conditions within our system and it does go through HR as well too as far as the JDQs as far as all that criteria that is in there. Then we when we get it into the system then we have to wait till we have a a critical capacity of of enough employees to actually or enough potential applicants to look through that. And so there are some things that take a little bit longer. We would definitely not want to I don't think any of us want to be here today trying to find these positions as well too. >> Uh we do have all the openings within the engineering department as well too of of trying to fill these slots. This is a very difficult sector to fill. >> Yeah. >> And so that's where we have to that's why we went national anyway as well too is to try to find uh those resources to come into us. And so, uh, I I can't tell you that it is a, um, was a true detriment walking through the HR processes in order to get there. But it's almost like building your your house. You have to start with a strong foundation before you start looking at telling people to come and move here and and and to take on this new role. And I think that will pay dividends for us in the long run. It is it is problematic on the other side. But I was just looking at our email on our Monday our restructure plan back at in August and uh we had hoped to get these positions out even earlier for that. I think we've been out a couple times and just had limited success on trying to fill these spots. Uh Dr. Alabed also has the ability and we talked about this just last week as well too that if push come to shove, we have to get our jobs done no matter what no matter which way you go. it doesn't have whether it be an internal person or an outside firm to do that. And so when I've talked to him, the idea about bringing in an outside firm to cover some of this work that would normally be internal work is that you pay a little bit higher premium because of the the profit margins and everything of the company, but he's got full ability in order to bring those resources back to us because the work can't wait. >> Yeah. I guess I'm asking if it enterprise departments such as you know utility it's you know it's its own enterprise fund like do is their hiring process the same as a regular director and should if that's the case >> should it not be treated differently as an enterprise fund >> yes sir the hiring the hiring process is the same because they've all become city employees within that structure the only difference between an enterprise and and the general fund is uh the decisions as far as how where how they're paid for Right. >> Essentially, because all the all the insurance, all the benefits, all the criteria in a job description are all the same depending on what it is. The engineer works with utilities has to have utilities background experience. An engineer within the city has to have more of a civil civil type process. And so I I would I would argue that being an enterprise fund or or a regular general fund doesn't have any impact on on the hiring of those. Is it true we still I mean do we still not have a single professional engineer inside the utilities department? >> I believe the one that we hired we lost. >> We don't have any PDS now. >> Okay. And so my thing is I know salary is a big thing because we have to compete with the private sector and they can pay more. If there's a good candidate and they're getting other offer like do we have the flexibility to pay them properly? Can you guys come to us and say, "Okay, this was not approved in the budget, but can we have a budget amendment to pay them properly so that we can get people hired?" Like what what do you need from us if anything to get across the finish line in some of these? >> The the fast answer on that one is yes. So we when we went through the the seagull study three years ago, four years ago now, I think it creates a minimum and a maximum level of where we can hire somebody. What we have found and and we saw that when we hired our director and everything is that we could not get them on in the lower percentage of that scale. So the minimum levels even though they met the industry standards right because we're we're looking at engineers through across our industry uh we have to look here we have to look outside of as well too for public safeties such as police department because we're the the other agencies can steal them from us as well as engineers go to oil and gas. we have that space on there. What we have so we post and and I saw that on Dr. Alabete's slide is that we post the minimum and the maximum for each one of those positions and what happens once we have the the proper candidates within there. It is a negotiated based upon the qualifications, the experience and and the you know it it's based upon that candidate. If that person has 20 years of experience and and they're at the at the higher end of that scale, we should bring them in at the higher end of the scale. Yeah. >> Because and I know Mr. Chie, we talked about this how the perception in the utilities department is you get a promotion to engineering department or at least that's what it seems like to me. It's like for me it shouldn't feel like you get promoted out of utilities to go to engineering like like if it pay is the issue or I don't know if prestige is the issue or if it's just a >> I just feel like if if it takes more pay to keep them in utilities I mean it's like and I and I don't I don't disagree with that. I think there there have been disparities before we did the seagull study. There were disparities in different similar jobs but not not exactly the same. There should not be anybody jumping from one department to another just because of the pay difference. It should be because they they want to do that work of what whatever that service is provided. And I think that is something that we've had to work on um significantly within that structure. >> Okay. Thank you. Sorry, it's been three meetings of me trying to get this item on. So, um so I just sort of vent venting here, but okay. Mr. Dr. Albet, if you could continue. >> Thank you and appreciate everyone's support again. I'm here. I'm staying here. I it's I'm enjoying every day watching the change, the transformation, the department. It is positive. I promise you guys, people are happy. They're more than happy to spend hours because they love this city. They love everything here. I'm just the latest addition to all of this. I just want to assure you that um I try my best and we will try different scenarios. If this competition doesn't bring us back, I promise you I'll I'll keep back on to the to to the city manager and to Mr. Raman to ask maybe change some way the rate scale so we can attract people there. uh generally I wanted to talk about CIP because that was the other question uh when I came on board I wanted to understand what's going on what project do we have ongoing promises made before I came promises going forward so I looked at everything in the capital master plan for water and wastewater the renewal projects basically asset management growth driven new areas that we're going to expand what we need in terms of infrastructure and of course regularity compliance so if there is a third there just to simplify that you have a piece of the pie is growth, another piece of the pie is regularity requirements and the other one is really asset management capital CIPs. Those are the top three in any established utility. When we look at what we need to deliver, of course, number one, we should address compliance, safety and high impact risk reduction. Number two, renewals that improve relability and then growth and then resequencing. Now these are at the last line are the kind of projects or categories or bundles that you can think of pipeline renewals, pump station, secondary emergency source, regularitydriven improvements, scatter system and all of that. So there is a whole logic of how do you organize a CIP in a midsize utility like city of Loredo. We're a midsize, we're not a small, we're not super big, but we're actually a midsize. So you have to look at all those issues and prioritize where do you spend the money wisely and have the maximum bang for the buck. Now with that again we're looking at 27 28 everything we've looked at basically trying to look under each stone to see what are we missing what do we have to do and we had consultant who came for us we had more than five workshops with more than 30 men and women in a room trying to make sense of all of these massive commitments and we're talking about 70 to hundred million dollar worth of projects a year that's a lot of capital infrastructure that we have to connect and make sense of it and do we have it how much do we have even engineers who can oversee that work how do we manage all that big undertaking now on the on the level of change that we're going to and hoping for the best if we move to 27 and 28 we might not be able to fulfill all those project that we're seeing now and that's a normal fact in any utility there is not enough money normally for everything. But the point is as a as from a transparency point of view, the council has to be aware of it that whatever rates we have today and I'm not going to get into numbers. We haven't done our homework yet is not going to be enough eventually to capture all these massive things that I've just mentioned earlier. I want to also add that the secondary water source incremental financial impact. Forget everything about the 5% and the 6%. If that project comes to fruition, that's a massive undertaking. As I mentioned, other cities 36%. So, we have to figure out how we going to fund this grants, rates. So, there's that kind of thing that keeps me awake at night, but I'm trying to focus on our priorities. So, the co the cost optimization ideas we can think of. We can increase rates and that's something we have to do very carefully. understand the what can be done, what cannot be done realistically. Split cost between water and wastewater when it's possible to transfer funds within the bonds process which is not normally the case and collocate construction. Sometimes we can do economy of scale try to see things and try to optimize on that and bundle delivery. Now Dr. came to your action. The question is today is for the council is really just to um reflect on all of this. Understand this is 2728. If everything goes well and we have the right people there and we're moving in that trajectory, we're going to have a massive capital infrastructure budget that we have to address. We have for example next year 27, we're looking at probably $20 million of pipe bursting. Just as a simple example there, we're looking at clarifiers. We need to improve our water plants. There's tons of things that have to be done and improve. Of course, just to give you a flavor, the Zakata Creek wall just to stabilize the wall from not falling into the creek. The potential capital cost of that wall is $10 million. We did not plan for this before. We never saw that coming, but it's a regularity issue. DCQ put it there as a condition for us to operate. We have to do it. So there are these issues and plus every one of those big sinkholes that you see in the street after an emergency situation they are in the 300 $400,000 each case and I come here again for ratification. So these are the cost of infrastructure is not cheap anymore and we have to be conscious of that. So anyway I'm here today just to present and respond to your questions and and seek advice about how you would like to proceed in the future. Yes, go ahead. >> You know, obviously with the budget workshops coming up, we started in May of last year um uh as far as preparing for the August workshops to prepare for fiscal year uh 27. The utility CIP, it's different than the other our general uh fund CIP in the sense that we typically do it for a two-year uh CIP plan. Um and obviously Dr. Dr. Alabet's referring to well he's expecting that our current rates not uh cover the cost of of a of as much of the things that he is going to recommend. Um one question I have for whoever in the room has the institutional knowledge to elaborate. Has the utilities department always done it on a two-year um cycle or has it ever been done one year um at a time? Does anyone know the answer to that? or what would be the pros and cons? Uh because you know it's we're fe it's it's in February decisions would have to be made if you're some of the decisions you're talking about um and we need we need community engagement. We can't just throw new things at constituents like that. So >> um so I guess my question is you know are there projects that you expect that could be funded with the current rate structure in a on a one-year basis or um is that do we need again mayor I think we are going to need a workshop for I know we have a lot of workshops planned but I can't think of anything more important than than this um so I guess before any my motion is that we you know do prioritize this in our workshops coming up uh until All right. >> Motion and a second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion pass. >> Okay. >> You do the workshop. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Oh, you you weren't going to try to answer it. No. Okay. >> But we have a two years bond system since 2022 24 and now we're in 26. So we're using the 24 bonds to fully use them in 26. So every money we have today is from the 24 bonds. So we can get to end of 26 and then we have to start again two years bond process. During that workshop, we could really get into the weeds about exactly what like currently has funding that hasn't been done yet, what can be moved to which side, what's you know, if we can just really get into the details, that would be great. >> Right. >> All right. Okay. Are you going to present your next title? >> No, sir. That's the only one I have. >> You have 87. >> Well, oh, yes. Uh, yeah. If if you'll accept. Yeah. 87. Yeah. That's uh discussion about the possibility of widening Carriers Drive uh as it relates to traffic congestion at Unitech Industrial Park. Um >> we have a public comment on that. >> Yes. Yes. Yes, sir. And um believe is it a public comment? >> The public comment is uh Edward Gotison. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> How do I get the presentation? just trying to go back. >> And while that's going up, just for the public's record, um you know, Unitech is part of my district in the east side of I35 up up up up north. um and they resent their property owners association meeting and with a a long list of requests from the city. Uh but I think by far the number one thing that um they would appreciate the city >> looking into is widening carriers drive and um thankful to Jet Brown from the regional mobility authority for already putting it on the agenda last month and they're you know they are considering ways they could possibly uh support if if there's funding available in that realm. But um but yes, thank you Mr. Merc. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the city council, Mr. City Manager. Uh my name is Edward Garca. I'm the principal engineer with Crane Engineering. I'm also here on behalf of the Unitech Property Owners Association. Uh also with me in the audience is our president of our POA, uh Mr. Ned Garcia. He's been our president since we've been involved there with the Unitech POA uh association in the collaboration. So tonight, uh, I want to I I want to thank Dr. King for allowing us to make this presentation this evening. I basically want to give you a status report on everything that's going on at the Unitech area because there's a lot happening and I think this is an opportunity a great opportunity for us to redevelop our collaboration as a as a public private partnership. So uh my my uh presentation tonight is collaborative public private partnership for infrastructure sustainability and efficiency within the within the unit industrial park uh PA text dot city of Laredo whip county regional mobility authority. So just to give you some background the unitech industrial center background you know this area has been platted since 1988 to the year 2000. So everything in that park infrastructure wise is between 26 and 38 years old. It's been it was platted over 11 phases almost 800 acres 143 lots. It is a rail served industrial park one of the few in Laredo. Uh it has almost 7 milesi of public streets in it and the street rightaways range from 60 ft to 140 ft which is good. Tax revenue in this area has gone up over over time. uh the uh the revenue average about has been gone about 43% over the last 5 years. This just to give you a glimpse of what the the tax revenue is for the different taxi entities from the Unitech Industrial Center. Uh 2023 totals about 7.5 million in taxes. The Unitech POA currently maintains four detention ponds uh uh roughly about 22 acres of land, 20 acres of drainage channels and 7 acres of rail line. So it's through it is through association dues that we charge the uh the the ownership in which we're able to develop the funds to hire the contractors to maintain the PA assets. >> Yeah, >> thank you. I just wanted you to Can you um uh announce what POA is? >> Oh, Property Owners Association. >> Thank you. Sorry. That's a fine. Thank you. >> So, just to give you a glimpse of some of the major companies located at Unitech. Uh there's over 83 of them. I don't want to go through all of them, but uh you know, some major ones that we're aware of, Daniel B. Hastings, Warner Enterprises, Swift. Uh there's there's a there's a pretty good big operation of industrial users in the Unitech Industrial Park. And all these companies employ uh a lot of people out in this park area. uh and support all the local families and contribute to our economy. Uh when I go out there in that area, um I'm constantly seeing a lot of uh a lot of truck traffic and a lot of people working that in that in that part. >> All right, go ahead. >> Thank you. So, just to give you a glimpse on textile operation, textile I35, the text's about to bid left the I35 project. They're going to invest $296 million to improve I35 from Carriers Drive to the new Rootinger interchange, which is going to be built new. They're also going to be uh reconstructing Uni Royal Interchange as well as part of that project. The bids are supposed to be uh let in March of this year, next month. And in speaking with the engineers at Texot, uh they're projecting this to be a four-year project. So, just to give you a glimpse about this, these are these are maps from the Texot, but we added some of these features coming off of Carriers Drive. Carriers is a very important access point for Unitech because it's the only overpass over the railroad that that Unitech has. But the good news is that uh in looking at carriers and doing improvements to carriers over the same period that Tex's about to go to construction, we can see how there could be some benefits to Tai carriers and be more and move traffic more efficiently by providing access directly with a new on-ramp lane that Tex Dot's going to build that's shown there in red to be able to allow truck traffic to go northbound. And then with the new uh U-turn at the interchange of Uni Royal in blue, the truck traffic and traffic can also take advantage of the new turnarounds in blue that will show how truck traffic can also maneuver to the to the north and then make their way around and go southbound into Larredo. So even though carriers is not going to be improved by text, the improvements that they are making are going to provide some form of benefit to recirculate traffic coming out of carriers. So this is a good time for us to look at these turning movements and how carriers and the i8 and and the textile improvements can work together. These are just other images that we were able to get to show the new ramps that the textile is proposing. But uh this next one represents the the uh ruinger interchange which is uh you know the the chart ruinger road as you all know is under construction. Uh it's at it's moving at a faster pace than scheduled and with the I35 project they're going to be constructing a brand new overpass at Rutinger but they're only going to go up to the to the railroad right away and so there's still a need to look to the east between I35 and the outer loop which is uh text is currently has a planning group looking at it but this yellow arrow on the on this image represents the point where we've been talking about the relief route that this city council is supporting and through to the MO right now. This is the point of connection for that relief route. And I'll show you an image of that here shortly. This is the termination point of the I35 project just going northbound. But so the the key is is that Tex DOT is is is committed to this project that they're currently going to have to bid. Another commitment that they have is they're currently have already hired the engineering firms to perform the schematic design for the entire outer loop from start to finish. And they're going to start that work in March of 26. And these engineering firms will be doing all the schematic and they're given they're been they've been they're going to be given four years contract time to do that work. Also text is also doing some preliminary studies to to extend SH84 which is what they call the Ruth Achar road state highway 84 to the now to the east from I35 to the future outer loop that's currently being looked at in a very preliminary uh standpoint at Textop. So in looking at that on this image you can see the red star represents Unitech Industrial Center which is right there at mile marker 12 about 13 there on I35 and SH84 east is shown in yellow and the alignment that has been uh preferred at this moment for the outer loop is what's shown in green the alignment C and so this kind of represents you know the significance of of the unit industrial park and how uh with these new improvements coming in the future how everything can be integrated and we can move uh commerce a lot more efficiently. >> Mayor May. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> And so State Highway 84, that extension that you just presented, that is the Ruth and Road. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. Uh but the east side is east side is just it's just in concept form as far as thinking right now. Uh it's the west side that's in full construction. So right now, Unitech has been working over the years with with the city of Larredo. Uh Unitech POA. We've been working with the city. We've been talking about widening Carriers Drive to perhaps five to six lanes. Uh we we've been the people there have been suffering from water pressure uh issues. And the good news there is the city's already about to go out to bid on a new 16inch water line along I35 right away that should be going out to bid in April. So that'll help sustain that water pressure in that area. Uh we've been talking about reconstructing the streets there and adding traffic signals, you know, older plat, older streets, older engineering methods. The criteria for engineering road design has changed in with the city of Laredo over the last 10 10 years. And so we're we're designing better streets. Uh there's also a brand new road that was just built by a developer in this area, Railroad Drive inside uh uh Port Laredo. And so that's ready that's that's already inside a recorded plot, a public street made out of concrete that's ready to be open to the public. It's currently closed as we speak. So talking specifically about Carriers Drive, uh the good news on Carriers Drive is that it's has an overpass over the railroad. As I mentioned, it's my understanding that the overpass directly over the railroad is owned by the city of Laredo. That's what I've been advised by Techtop engineers. where the tech stop where the bridge over I35 is owned by texttop. So there obviously is a collaboration there between uh state and city when it comes to ownership of of of crossings. The rightway there of I35 is 100 foot wide and it transitions down to 80 ft. So uh the existing condition of carriers right now u shown in this diagram is basically a 49 foot wide street and the way it's it's being operated as we speak out there none of the street is striped but the truck traffic makes its own lanes and so right now there's two lanes that travel westbound to I35 and one lane that travels eastbound off of IH35 frontage road or crossing over the carrier's bridge and the traffic makes its own way through there. Uh but we have enough rightway in place where we can start planning for for widening of carriers drive where we can consider looking at at dual lane uh uh uh uh direction and also plan for a dedicated first responders lane to allow and improve efficiency for first responders into and out of the park. And so we can go as wide as 64 foot back to back and 100 foot 40 foot riderway all the way up to 76 foot back to back. But we can even look at a dual right turn lane which corresponds with the other exhibit I just showed you with what text dot is doing with the red and blue colors. And this allows traffic to move more effectively and efficiently. And as you get into the 80 foot rideaway uh into the park, then the transition the current use there is also a 49 ft backtoback street that can easily be excuse me striped into a a four-lane road. Uh it can it can be striped into a two-lane with left turn turning movements at the intersections. And then it can also ultimately be be increased to a 64 backto back giving you five lanes. Four four lane for travel and a center lane for first responders. So when you look at the whole scheme of things what's happening at Unitech. So we uh Unitech relies on three major major access points. Uh Uni Royal which is at grade carriers which is an overpass and now and now the new railroad drive which is um shown in red at the bottom of this map. Everything in blue represents existing streets and roads and then everything in red represents newly constructed roads that have been built over the last 12 months. So the railroad drive has been built and then over to the and to the east uh there's been about 1.2 miles of what is classified as the relief route been constructed already by the developer. So now we need to continue the planning and and pursuit of of these roads to improve the traffic circulation especially with the upcoming 4-year construction time period of IH35. So we provided uh we provided we've been coordinating ourselves uh representing the POA with your city engineer and your city manager. We've already had a couple of meetings, had formal discussions, and we we we we provided this traffic circulation plan as an idea to not just to improve traffic circulation to identify potential locations for traffic signals. Also look at possibly restriping, redirecting traffic, even closing or red or converting two-way streets into one-way streets. And this is just an opportunity here to have an open dialogue with the city and try to develop a a game plan because we need to continue to come up with solutions to improve traffic flow within the unit industrial park as well as it interacts with with with the interstate system. So some of these these are some of the ideas that we presented officially to the city. Uh and hopefully there's you know obviously the next point of discussion is you know a funding source. How do we derive funding sources for all these things? So with the city and the no uh this is already part of the no project. The relief route is on the no project list. So uh we've been working with with your no on that. And then uh the city's also working with Port Grande right now on a new site for a fire station within the Port Grande development. And so on this next map, that red triangle shows the proposed location of that fire station. And those different colored dots represents the relief route that we've been that we presented before this council in 2023. And and the different color represents what portions of that road that's already been constructed, which is the yellow and the blue. And we still have the red and the green to to build out and and and pursue that uh to tie into that red dot on I35 which represents the the a chart we think are interchange that's going to be constructed by I30 uh by text. All that red cloud on this map represents the construction zone that the text dot's going to be undertaking. And so obviously there's going to be controlling of traffic and such during that period of time. So imagine all this truck traffic trying to maneuver through a construction zone. The RMA is involved. We made a presentation to at their board meeting last month. We've already had initial meetings with the general engineering consultant of the RMA and looking at having try to get the RMA more involved in maybe serving as a sponsor of the relief route and and and also look to see how we can maximize funding sources. We're all concerned. We're looking at making a formal presentation at their board meeting in March. So, we talk about the relief route. This is in conjunction with an overall transportation package to improve traffic circulation. It it involves carriers. It involves uh improvements within the park and then development of a new road that we call the relief route. So, Port Grande has already built about 1.3 miles of it when they did their phase 2 plat. Uh that road was designed for higher standards current city standards and above industrial type full width roads four five lane width uh for full capacity. We still have about 1.6 6 milesi pending and uh and the proposed city fire station would be placed along this relief route route uh to take advantage of the connection and and allow our first responders to move efficiently over interchange and be able to to to address fires west side of I35 at the same time. Right now our cost estimates about roughly 19 million for the portion of the relief route that's still pending. So here's another image uh that I showed just to kind of you know re uh reissue this. You can see uh other things also is a future outer loop is shown in yellow on the far right which represents that that alignment C that they've been looks like they're more in in accepting that alignment. So roughly from the Ruth and interchange would be about a little over six miles from the I35 to the auto loop. So as all these projects start to take a shape, the the relief route is can be a part of this and it would allow to improve safety with the truck traffic in this area. Get them away from I35, get them into the interchange system that is now modern and more more comprehensive in this area and really improve safety for all concerned. So again, just reiterating the the existing the existing road system that's there now. The blue and red is existing. We still need the light blue uh there's still there's still that need and uh there's basically three property owners that would be involved in a rideway acquisition process. Uh and uh and so basically one of the funding sources that we have talked about here is the TUR at Port Grande. Uh the city has approved that TUR. Uh we were uh our firm we were actually uh starting meetings with Miriam Castillo before while she was the economic director. So, we need to rehash those meetings now with your new economic director. Uh, the RMA has shown an interest. Uh, and obviously the people there that own property and and have been at Unitech all these years are ready for something to be done to help them improve their ability to move their trucks around. It's a quite an extensive uh task, but if we can if we can manage to create financial sources, then we can cut the pie in smaller pieces and and phase out this improvement plan over time and c and and take advantage of the investments that are being programmed by the state of Texas and and by uh private investment in the area as well. So, I appreciate the time allowed to present this. Uh our goal tonight was to explain to and show all of you what is currently uh happening at Unitech and what are the possible solutions for that and allow us to still work together with all these agencies and and capitalize on the $300 billion investment that text. >> Thank you very much. >> Yes, go ahead. >> Um thank you so much Mr. Garasan for the very comprehensive look at um that area. I know that the traffic inside the Unitech area has been an issue at the MO for years and just I my question is particularly on Carriers Drive. The image that you showed suggested that it would be a restriping project to begin with to increase the capacity of that road to carry traffic. Um I' I'd like to ask Mr. Chavez if uh if it is as simple as that because it has been discussed for years about how to improve the traffic flow there is is there um an issue with the restriping. >> So uh again this was this information was presented to us in anticipation uh to this meeting and we've had been having discussions with Mr. Yatsa on this as far as the striping is concerned. Uh it's not only the striping but the maintenance that comes with it too. And so we're trying to look at see uh if that uh uh application of the pavement markings is enough for the truck traffic uh to allow for it to be maintained uh on how how often and so so forth. So those are the things that will probably sit down not only with Mr. Ga but with staff as well just to see how we can effectively do that. >> Yeah. and and councilwoman full disclosure I also my firm also represents Majestic Realy and we were doing the planning work at Cor Grande and in 2015 we started the the phase one process 2015 and at that time Majestic Realy hired uh Kimley Horn out of Dallas office to do a TIA of of not just their development but of the entire Unitech industrial area because they knew that needed to be done as a function of their overall development and in that in that report Kimley Horn had had provided provided short-term and long-term solutions. The short-term solutions was the restriping of carriers of Uni Royal because they knew that that's easier and it costs less money, >> right? >> That was uh that was one of their solutions recommendations for short-term long-term it's it's a bit more costly. But this was just this was this was a these were solutions that were presented back in 2015 when we were doing the master planet phase once a middle. And so of course you you know the city has gone through several traffic directors in that period of time. But so you know what what what assistant city manager Mr. Chavez has said is that is a viable solution. Uh it just needs you know the maintenance side of things is is important because truck traffic is going to be driving over those stripes and we're going to we're going to find ourselves having to restripe that every six months or every 12 months. So how do we continually fund that operation? So, that's that's that's the $10,000 question right? >> Well, I I would hope that um that could come back a realistic proposal because from all of the discussions I was involved in on this item, and I know that they've continued since I left the MO, it is such a need for the area and it's paint. And I understand it's not that simple, but of all of the items that we discussed there, paint just seems to be the most doable. And as you were saying, a short-term solution for a really thorny problem. And I think if it is a city street, then we need to be in the business of finding solutions for these issues. >> Yes. Let us evaluate that and we'll sit down with Mr. Gasa just to look at the the cost for the the pavement markings and and look at the maintenance as well. See how much that will cost us in manual basis. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Another short-term solution, just if I may, Mr. Mayor, is opening Railroad Drive. It's closed. >> I do. >> So, it's I don't know why it's closed. It's a public street. It's a recorded plat. So, officially, in my experience, yes, >> it's a public right away. >> So, I can answer that. So, uh we're currently working with the developer there on the final inspections and I see that uh being accepted by the city more than likely within the next 30 days at most. >> Awesome. Yes, >> we had talked about doing um re restructuring the and this is for Ramon. We had talked about restructuring the the the flow of the streets to incorporate oneways and force the traffic to follow a certain pattern. Have we looked into that? >> So I know there was a study uh done by uh TTI, the Texas Transportation Institute that had uh some recommendations. I I know the previous uh traffic uh uh director may not have been uh I guess in full support of that. Uh again, I know that that's something that we can definitely look at now with new uh administration, new city engineer so we can see how that can be implemented. We can have those discussions as well here at least with Mr. Yasa because he's very familiar with all that area and and knows exactly what uh uh those traffic patterns look like as well. And another thing that we talked about at Mo because we did kick this problem around over there. And I know um that they you all the trucks used to cross kind of like made a makeshift uh railroad crossing that was um basically cut off by the the railroad. And the county had um kind of suggested that they build like a roadway uh parallel to the rail line that would get the trucks up to the next crossing and then they can cross over. I don't know if we can u maybe put this on the next MO agenda, not tomorrow, but the next time to see where the county's at on that dirt parallel road. But I don't know where we stayed on that one, but I think if we can get those trucks to cross through the railroad up north on that next crossing. >> Council, are you referring to the doctor's road crossing that was once there? >> Yes. >> I'm not exactly sure the name, but >> that's the one. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There was a crossing. We tried we from the POA perspective we reached out to Union Pacific to the railroad company because we we deal with them on other issues at the park and they were we tried to reopen that for those reasons especially with access point right there to the city's wastewater treatment plant and they were adamantly it was a big not only was it no but it was you know what no. >> Yeah. No, no. I I we Yeah, we were I remember that that that um that slam door, but uh we were talking about a parallel road to the a rail line that would take the traffic up to the next available crossing that already exists a little bit up north >> and let the trucks cross from there. And I remember the county um I don't want to speak for the county, but we did kick that idea out and I think that the suggestion was thrown out there of them possibly assisting with a county road to the next crossing. >> Okay. Well, we will certainly listen to uh anything on the FPL side. >> And mayor, if I may, I believe this railroad uh drive that you're referring to, doesn't that have a night grade crossing? >> It does. >> Right. So, uh again, let us just evaluate that. I know that we're in the process of of working with the developer there uh on the final inspections and as soon as that uh uh uh is accepted, it will be open to the public and we can start looking at all this as we sit down with Mr. Gatso to look at our options. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. And mayor, I guess just motion >> to have would be to to have staff come back with some concrete tangible both short-term, medium-term, and long-term suggestions for, you know, this area because um >> second. >> Okay. Motion second. >> Within 60 days. >> All right. Within 60 days. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. >> Next item. Mayor, if we may continue, please. Motion to um motion to approve appointments to commissions, boards, and committees four, five, six, and seven. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? >> I post. Motion pass. >> Motion to open up public planning and zoning public hearing ordinances 8 through 17 and public hearing ordinances 18 through 24. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I post both. Motion pass. >> Number eight. Number eight, public hearing and introductory ordinance concerning a voluntary annex action request by Jose Kulo Gutierrez and wife Judith Elen Gutierrez altering and extending the boundary limits of the city of Laredo to annex approximately 0.25 25 acres of land, more or less, located south of FM1472 and east of Iron Mine Road, providing for an effective date of the ordinance authorizing city manager to execute a contract adopting a service plan for the annex territory and establishing the initial zoning of M1 light manufacturing district for approximately 0.25 25 acres of land more or less as described by meets and balancing attached exhibit 8 planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the annexation and initial zoning of M1 light manufacturing district. Staff supports the annexation and initial zoning of M1 light manufacturing district. Number nine, public hearing and introductory ordinance concerning a voluntary in accession request by Russell Palmer on behalf of Lasita Ranch LLC altering and extending the boundary limits of the city to annex approximately 59.89 89 acres of land more or less of land located northeast of FM1472 and Max A Mandel Municipal Golf Course providing for an effective date of the ordinance authorizing city manager to execute a contract adopting a service plan for the annex territory and establish an initial zoning of B3 community business district for approximately 14.40 acres of land and approximately 1.039 39 acres of land more or less and R1A single family reduced area district for approximately 44.452 452 acres of land more or less as described by MS and bounds in attach exhibit A. The planning and zoning recommended approval of the annexation and initial zoning of B3 community business district and R1A family single family reduced area district. Staff supports the annex annexation and initial zoning of B3 community business district and R1A single family reduced district area district. Number 10, public hearing and introductory ordinance concerning a voluntary inexession request by Alasari Noosa on behalf of Ben Bell LLC altering and extending the boundary limits of the city of Laredo to annex approximately 13.735 acres of land more or less located on FM 1472 of Benhur Ranch Road providing for an effective date of the ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a contract adopting a service plan for the annex territory and establishing the initial zoning of M1 line manufacturing district for an approximately 13.735 acres of land more or less as described by meets and bounds in attaching planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the annexation and denial of the proposed initial zoning of M1 L manufacturing district recommending B1 limited business district zoning designation instead. Staff supports the annexation and does not support the initial zoning of M1 light manufacturing district. However, staff supports the recommended B1 light business district initial zoning designation. Number 11, public hearing and introductory ordinance concerning a voluntary accession request by Alejandro Ramos on behalf of North Industrial Park Ltd, altering and extending the boundary limits of the city of Largo to annex approximately two 275.67 67 acres of land more or less located west of IH35 north of Belway Parkway and south of Ruth Parkway. Providing for an effective date of the ordinance and authorizing city manager to execute a contract adopting service a service plan for the annex territory and establishing the initial zoning of M1 L manufacturing district for approximately 275.67 acres of land northless described by meets and bounds in in in the attached exhibit A. The planning zoning commission recommended approval of the annexation init and initial zoning of M1 L manufacturing district. Staff supports the annexation and initial zoning of M1 L light manufacturing district. Number 12, public hearing and introductory ordinance concerning a voluntary annexation request by David Ruinger on behalf of Ruthinger Living Trust altering and extending the boundary limits of the city of Lago to annex approximately 562.7735 acres of land more or less located northwest of FM 1472 and FM 3338 intersection providing for the effective date of the ordinance authorizing city manager to execute a contract adopting the service plan for the annex territory. and establishing the initial zoning of M1 land manufacturing district for approximately 562.7735 acres of land more or less as described by meets and bounds in attach attach exhibit 8. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the annexation and initial zoning of M1 light manufacturing district. Staff supports the annexation and does not support the initial zoning of M1 light manufacturing district for the entire track. Instead, staff supports the initial zoning of M1 Line Manufacturing District for an area approximately of 2,200 feet in width along with adjacent to the existing M1 zoning to the west and B3 community business district for the remainder of the track as shown in attached staff recommendation exhibit number 13. Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the zoning ordinance map of the city of Laroo by reszoning lot one block 796 eastern division located at 1401 watosine street from R3 mix residential district to B1 light business district. The zoning the planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change. Staff does not support the application. Number 14, public hearing an introductory ordinance amending the zoning ordinance map of the city of Laredo by reszoning approximately 13.74 acres as further described by meets and balancing attached exhibit A located south of Avenida Los Presidentes and east of Brownwood Street from R1 single family residential district to R1A single family reduced area district to R1B3 single family high density district. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change staff supports the application. Number 15, public hearing and introduc in introductory ordinance amending the zoning ordinance map of the city of radio by reszoning approximately 2.15 acre track as further described by meets and bound and attach exhibit A located south of North Bland Avenue and west of Harper Lee Drive from R1 single family residential district to B3 community business district. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of this proposed zone zone change and supports the application. Number 16, public hearing an introductory ordinance amending the zoning ordinance map of the city of Lo by amending ordinance number 2023 094 which authorized a special use permit for mini stoages on lot 4B, block 3 amending plat of D and J Alexander commercial subdivision phase 15 lots 4 A, 4 B, 4 C, and block three located at 7121 Bartlett Avenue. in order to amend the site plan to include additional storage units and parking on approximately 2.15 acre track as further described by meets and bounds in an attached exhibit A located south of bar north Barlet Avenue and west of Harper Lee Drive. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the proposed uh special use permit amendment with following recommendations. Amend condition number three to add and add the adoption of and or zeroscape landing. Amend condition number five by adding the dumpster area shall be no less than 200 ft within the res a residential line. Staff supports the application. Number 17, public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the zoning ordinance map of the city of Laredo by reszoning lots 6 and 7 block 851 Eastern division located at 1504 and 1518 east street from R3 mixed res mixed residential district to P1 limited business district. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change and staff supports the application. Number 18, an ordinance authorizing city manager to amend fiscal year 2025 2026 noise payment fund budget by drawing down fund balance and appropriating expenditures in the amount of 61,162.89 cents representing funds awarded to the Texas Municipal League related to a residential fire. Funds were received in fiscal year 2025 and deposited into the operating revenue account and will be utilized for the noise abatement building improvements in fiscal year 2026. Number 19, an ordinance of the city of Laredo, Texas, amending chapter 23, parks and recreation department of the court of ordinances of the city of Laredo to amend chapter 23-6 section two fee and schedule 4 Buista sports complex to allow for gate fees, retail vendor space, rental fees and also amend the definition of hours of usage from all day from all day to mean the period of time from 8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. providing for publication and effective date providing for serverability. Public hearing and introductory ordinance adopting and implementing the Laredo International Airport's revised noise compatibility program in concurrence with the Federal Aviation Administration FAA record for approval. The NCP was prepared pursuant to 14 CFR part 150. The revised noise compatibility program establishes a stand standardized process for assessing air crest noise exposure and identifying measures to promote compatibility land use in areas supporting airports providing and ser providing for serability and effective date. Number 21, authorizing the city manager to grant a nonexclusive franchise to Deb Co. LLC to use the the present and future streets, avenues, alleys, roads highways sidewalk easements and other public rightways of the city of RO, Texas for purposes of constructing, maintaining, and operating a commercial container refuge gathering and disposing service. Setting forth it setting forth terms and conditions to govern the franchise providing for serability clause is a savings clause and an effective date. Franchise fees will be deposited into the general fund. Number 22, public hearing and introductory ordinance of the city of Laredo, Texas, amending the city of Laredo's fiscal year 2026 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expendes expenses in the amount of 2 million 24,582 in the sewer system fund 2015B and 2020A revenue bond and waterworks fund 2020A revenue bond. The interest earnings being appropriated are for the arbitrage liability payment due to the US US Treasury. An ordinance of this number 23. An ordinance of the city of Larredo, Texas amending chapter 2 administration article one in general of the court of ordinances section 2-3 fees for city services to update section 23 fees for city services to amend the schedule of fees and providing for an effective date. Number 24, public hearing, providing community residents an opportunity to comment on their housing and community needs and the projects they wish to see funded. comments receivable will be will be made part of the city's 2026 2027 one-year action plan that will outline how funding for the programs listed below will be utilized grants made available through US department of housing and urban development. The city's community development uh department is planning its 2026 projects activities based on the current allocation amounts released by HUD as estimated below. Community service block grant 2,859,543 Home Investment Partnership Grant home 946,92.88 Emergency Solutions Grant 266,495. Any changes to the activity projects due to changes in allocation will be reflected in the city's 2026 one-year action plan. The public may comment via the this public hearing by visiting the offices of community development via email cdaredo.x tx.us or by filling out a survey online in English on surveymonkey.com r comments26 or Spanish surveymonkey.com commentarius 26. >> Thank you Mr. M. We heard the bell so you exceeded the time. I'm sorry >> I hit it by mistake. So uh moving to number eight or against or against or or against motion to close introduce >> motion in a second. All in favor? >> It's against motion passes. Number nine. Four or against. Four or against. Four or against. >> Second. There's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Against. Motion passes. Moving over to uh to number 10. Four against. Four against. Four or against. >> Second. >> I have a question. >> There's a question. Go ahead. >> Yes. Um Miss Gera or or is this or maybe it's management? Will this uh passage uh follow the recommendation of a B1 limited business district with a with a positive vote on council as it's presented here? I would don't I would assume it would be what's presented, right? The the M1 >> the >> it would be the M1. >> It says recommended a B1 limited business district instead of the M1 designation. That's >> that's that's a staff's recommendation and planning it is owned recommendation, but what's on the agenda is the request for the M1. So so >> I guess let's clarify. >> I think for clarification purposes, you may want to say as per >> planning is only recommendation because I think if you close and introduce, you're actually closed and introducing the item as it is. >> So then could could we have an amendment to that for recommending the B1 limited district limited business district zoning designation as proposed by the planning and zoning commission and staff instead of the M1 designation? That has I have to propose that as amendment. So it won't it will fail if there's not a second. >> Second. >> Oh, would you have to accept an amendment? So the second was for the men and they can vote on that. >> So I I I will ask Miss Gera the the reason why the recommendation is for a B1 instead of an M1 is the proximity to Santa Isabel Creek. >> That's one of the that is one of the the considerations that we took into account with that. Um I have a presentation if you'd like to see it. Would you want to see it? >> Yes, please. again. Okay. Okay. Just a brief overview. The petitioner is Baltasari Noosa on behalf of Benbal Lac. Of course, this is a voluntary annexation of 13.735 acre tract. It's located north of uh FM1472 in Benhur. Uh the proposed use is M1 light manufacturing proposed zone uh similar. It's for the approximately the entire 3 13.73 acre tract. Um the site is currently vacant and undeveloped and is part of a parent tract located inside the city limits with frontage along 1472. So here we have sort of a location view. You can see it's it's up north. This is an aerial map. This is the the tract in question. This is sort of closeup. This is again the the tract. All of this is 1472. This is the zoning map. You see all that green? That's currently zoned AG. You have the gray, that's M1. Uh, and those reds are B4 with the pinks being B3. This is the future land use map. You see it is designated as mixed use center. So with that designation, it puts you into a commercial zoning. That's what's recommended by the comprehensive plan. Here's a survey and the recommendation as you um identified. Planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the annexation and denial of the initial M1 zoning and instead recommended the initial zoning of B1. This was in line with staff's recommendation. staff supported the annexation did not support the M1 and recommended the B1 zone. It aligns with the comprehensive plans land use uh which designated this area as mixed use center and allows for limited commercial uses. >> Sure. >> I I did struggle with this one because for me it doesn't put back the the >> that one right there. >> This one? >> Yes. Um, put the one before it, please. Okay. Oh, no. Hold on. Yeah, that one. >> That one. >> Yeah. So, you can see that the frontage is not a budding mine's road. >> So, I just I struggle with this one because I do appreciate the consideration for the proximity to the creek. But as far as a B1 zone, realistically, um, I don't see businesses putting up B1's there. Um, there's just not enough residential out there to support commercial development. We have trouble getting businesses to open up closer in on Mines's Road where there are a lot of residential. I can appreciate the fact that the planning and zoning commission and committee and also your staff and your department are looking at the comprehensive plan. However, I do have concerns with the comprehensive plan for this particular area because it designates a lot of this as residential, which we know that the demand right now is not there for residential. Um, how close are is this track to the Max Mandel golf course? That was the one. My understanding is it's really close by. >> I just don't I just I I I agree with the annexation. I just don't really realistically see how B1 is going to make sense there because that's not what the demand for this area showing. and we're basically going to leave them with a strip of commercial that it's not even off the frontage and um I don't see customers going over there just to turn on that street just to then turn on that little strip of frontage or that little strip that they're going to have of business. Um, it doesn't make sense for that to be commercial, but I haven't really heard much from the petitioner uh as far as were they okay with this recommendation. >> Well, they they want the M1. That's that's their preference is the M1. That's what they asked for. That's what they want is the M1. Um just I guess just to follow up a little bit on the recommendation, we just wanted to you know of course we want to always support the comprehensive plan for this area or the whole the whole uh city of Laredo and we thought that um being that it is not exactly along the highway, it would provide an opportunity for a gradual transition from the more intense maybe M1's or B4s along the highway and then backing up to, you know, gradually decrease in intensity as you get along away from the highway. Um, it wouldn't prevent somebody from coming along later to ask for another zone change or conditional use permit if a specific use did come along. So, um, for those reasons and its proximity to the to the to the water feature, that's why we that's why we had our recommendation. >> Right. No, and I I I I I respect that and I understand that and I'm okay with it either way, >> but just it doesn't it doesn't really fit the I I I think we need to tweak some of this comprehensive plan um reliance on this particular part of the county city area because um that's just not what the market's dictating right now. It's outdated. It's not following the trends. >> We totally understand. The other I guess the other thing that we didn't mention was we're seeing just just a proliferation of the M1 to the exclusion of everything else. So there is no commercial store somewhere where you could get gas, get, you know, some coffee, get some lunch for, you know, workers that might be out there. So we thought that this may also provide opportunities >> for those sorts of uses. >> No, and I appreciate that. It's just not really realistic. I think we're talking ideal in that scenario because if somebody's going to stop off the highway for gas or coffee, then they're going to stop off off the frontage usually and that's where the gas stations come come in. So, but I mean it's it's if there's already a motion to approve it with the B1, but I just I'm fine either way. >> So, would you accept the amendment or >> Yeah, it's fine. It's just one >> second motion. Second. >> Would you accept the amendment as well? The first motion. Okay. So, there's a we have a motion and a second with the amendment. All in favor? >> Uh, any against? >> Motion passes. >> Number 11. Four or against. Or against. Or or against. >> Motion to close and introduce. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Against? Motion passes. Number 12. For or against. Four or against. or or against. >> Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Any against motion pass? Uh we have one against number 13. Uh still motion passes. Uh number 13. >> On number 12 there was >> there was one against. >> Yes. Oh, >> okay. >> Okay. Item passes. Number 13. Four or against. Four or against. Four or against. >> Motion to give me. Let me ask. >> We have a motion in a second for discussion. >> Yes. Do you have any information what they try to do number 13 >> 14 what? >> They didn't they didn't mention a specific proposed use. We've heard several. Um the last that we heard was going to be a tailor shop. Um which we wouldn't be opposed to a tailor shop. I mean obviously that would provide an amenity for the neighborhood. I guess what our concern was with the B1 is, let me show you. See if I can get there very quickly. >> Is there a business there already? >> There was a business there. They have told us that that has moved out. It used to be an air conditioner repair place with lots of sort of business vehicles and then it became like a printer sign shop. Um, and what they've told us is that it's now empty. Uh, intro cases. Here we go. I guess if we look at the map, you see this all this brown area. This is all completely R3, right? So it would introduce, you know, an isolated zoning district, maybe something different than what the neighborhood already uh provides. So we thought a conditional use permit would provide some comfort for the surrounding area. The the location is surrounded completely by residences with with the exception of the um Girl Scouts of America is Caddy Corner. So, we thought, you know, a condition use permit would probably be a better fit. >> Okay. >> So, we have a motion in a second. I I know there's someone uh in the audience that wants to make a public comment. Go ahead. Hi, I'm La Gara. I'm the owner of that property and right now the only thing that I want to tell you it's a tailor like they do curtains. It's a company. I'm trying to sell that place that was an old grandfather location with a warehouse before, >> if I'm not mistaken, 1987 when the city started with the zoning plant, but the warehouse was already there. So the people that are want to buy want to secure their I guess their investment that all my renters are going to stay there and this this person has a contract. So I'm trying to do it right that the person that's trying to buy to me. So but it's not a it's an R1. I know it's a residential. So I'm just trying to do all my first step and second step >> but it's a me. Yeah. >> Something like that. Curt. >> All right. >> And thank you for hearing me. >> All right. Well, thank you for your comments and we have there's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I >> uh No, I believe he's with her. >> That's with her. >> Uh we have a motion in a second. All in favor? >> I >> against. No one against. So motion passes. Uh number 14. For or against. Four or against. For or against. >> Motion to close and introduce. >> Second. Have a motion. We have a second. All in favor? >> Any against? Motion passes. Number 15. Order against. Order against. Four or against. >> Motion to close and introduce. >> We have a motion. And a second. All in favor? >> Any against? Motion passes. Moving on to number 16. Four or against. Four against. Order against. >> Motion to close and introduce. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Any against? >> Motion passes. >> I'm just really quick, there was some uh >> recommendation from planning and zoning. They wanted to amend the conditions with the amended conditions. >> With the amended conditions, correct? >> Thanks. >> With amended for the record. Okay. Moving on for number 17. Or or against. Or against. Or against. >> Motion to close. Introduce. >> Second. >> We have a motion in a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any against? >> Motion passes. Public hearing and introduction uh introductory notices. So, uh, do I have a motion for number 18? >> Four or against. Or against. Or against. Motion to close. Introduce. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Any against? >> Motion passes. >> Number 19. Or against. Or against. >> I have a comment. Uh, >> yes sir. Go ahead. >> Appro consider removing the gate fees at this time and approving the other two changes that we're recommending. >> Oh, okay. Uh yeah, we have a comment by uh inram parks and rec director to remove the gate fees. >> Yes, that's that's what we're asking >> for the record. So again, council, >> I'll second that motion. I'll accept that motion. >> I I sorry, Mayor, I have a question. >> Sure. Go. >> I'm sorry. Why is staff recommending this >> to remove the gate keys? >> Yes. >> Um in some locations they have them, some they don't. We were thinking of putting them in, but at this time we want to make sure that that people are utilizing the facility and so eventually we want to revisit that in the future. At this time we we recommend that we don't. >> Okay. >> So if there if if a private entity comes and rents it and they uh assess park fees, uh would that be applicable or nobody can access access uh implement park fees? >> I'll let um H please >> comment on that. Yeah, because it's I know it happens in other cities. >> Good evening, >> council members. >> I'm sorry, your name, sir. >> Greg Lasage, the superintendent. >> So, they would be able to charge gate fees as part of their operations, but we would allow them to capture 100% of their gate fees. >> Okay. So, this is just to remove any city events to capture gate fees. So, we wouldn't require the um the person the entity that's renting the facility, >> they can choose to card. There's not, but we wouldn't we wouldn't capture any of that revenue. All that revenue would go. >> Yeah. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. Makes sense. Okay. So, that's >> to help to help the organizations and so that they >> of course. Yeah. >> Makes sense. >> Yes, sir. >> And also, I know it's not in the item, but are we looking forward to the to the fencing net, right? We're going to >> Yes, absolutely. Yes, sir. Because I mean how are we able to collect gate? Anybody is able to collect gate fees without which is just being open >> but we'll we'll look into that later. Thank you mage. Appreciate it. >> Motion to close in. >> I know there was a I mentioned motion uh four against twice. Let me mention it the third time. Four against. We have a first and a sec. Uh motion >> and a second. All in favor. >> Any against? >> Motion passes. >> Number 20. Um, >> four against. Four against. Four against. Motion to close and introduce. I have a motion to close and introduce. >> Second. >> And a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any against? Motion passes. Number 21. Four against. Four or against. Four or against. Motion. Introduce. We have a motion. And a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any against? Motion carries. Number 22. Four or against. Four or against. or or against. >> Introduced. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any against? Motion carries. Number 23. Four or against. Four or against. Four or against? >> Motion to close. Introduce. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any against? Motion carries. Number 24. Or against. Or against. Or against. Um, may or may not let me pretend. >> Um, Mr. Rodriguez, I was wondering if you could just highlight the survey because I read that you're trying to collect information about the needs of the autism community in Laredo with the survey. Is is that included in in this particular survey monkey that's being promoted at this item? Um I don't recall uh Tina, community development u director. I know we do have um different questions. They're similar every year to allowable projects um that are are able to be done with community development block grants. I don't recall if there's one. We do ask for programs in in general for disabilities, but I don't know if there's one specific to that. >> Okay. And I unfortunately I can't confirm or deny. I wrote down my notes that there was an autism component to it, but I I could have read that someplace else. Also, >> I believe there was another um committee survey out there. So, I I'll double check, but I don't believe ours had specific questions to that disability. >> If if you do find one in particular, could you send it to us so that we can promote that on our >> if there's something? Yes. Okay. Yeah. I'll let you know. Motion to close and introduce second. >> There's a motion and a second. All in favor? I. >> Any against? >> Motion carries. May >> approach council to introduce number 25 and 26. No motion necessary. >> Okay. >> And motion to approve final reading of ordinances 27, 28, 29, and 30. >> Second. >> We have a motion, second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any against? Motions carry. >> Mayor prom. Uh before we continue to the consent agenda, there's an item on the agenda that we need to discuss in the executive session. So my motion would be to go to executive session for number 74, 75, and 76 to include staff, legal, and any other person deemed necessary to do so. >> Is yours on there also >> to include number 88 as well? >> Second. >> So motion and a second to uh go into executive session 74, 75, 76, and 78. There's a motion and a second. >> 88. >> 88. I'm sorry. Correction for the record. 88. >> Um, there's a motion and a second. >> Yes. And um, if I might, could I get a response from Mr. Win about my item about the environmental impact studies regarding the effects of the border wall and buoy construction? And if we could maybe consider that an executive session since we're going to enter into negotiations with the federal government, would would it qualify? Uh unfortunately, uh contract negotiations do not qualify for municipalities. There some some reason counties can have go in executive session for for that, but but not uh >> that's fine. I just wanted to clear that up and it'll it can come up on the regular agenda. That's fine. >> But for litigation >> for litigation, we could or consultation >> litigation. >> Well, then >> yes, for that reason >> perhaps then we should be look considered in the back if if that is allowed to be included. I think we should. >> So, we'll we'll add motion number. >> It's item number 83. >> 83 to be considered for litigation. >> I'll accept the amendment. >> Potential. Potential. >> Second. >> Thank you. Yes. Potential uhation. Okay. So, we have a motion in a second. All in favor? >> Against? >> Motion carries. We move on to executive session at 8:44 p.m. >> All right. Next item, >> mayor for number 74, uh, an executive session item, a motion for staff to proceed as directed. >> Motion second. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor? Seated directly. >> Do we do a pass? >> Yes. Motion. All in favor? >> I. >> Both. Motion passes. Mayor for number 75 motion to proceed as directed as well. >> Motion second. All in favor? Motion pass >> for number 76. No decision was made >> for number >> 83 for motion to proceed as directed. >> Motion to extend the meeting till 11. All right. Motion to extend the meeting till 11. All in favor? There's no second. No second. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor? I >> posted. >> Who are we waiting on? >> Yes, we made it. Wait for the extension. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we got >> Yes. 10:29. We have time >> according to that clock. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. >> Uh for number 83, Mr. Secretary, did we get that motion clarified? Motion to proceed as directed for number 83. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I motion pass. >> And for number 88, executive session item motion to proceed as directed. >> Second. All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion pass. >> Mayor, motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Three to take. 33, 48, and 55. >> 33, 48, and 55. >> Yes. >> Number 57,000. >> Item number 57 >> from 90,000 to 347,500. Why? That's too much. >> Why so much? >> It's a grant application. >> It's a grant application. Uh PD is here to explain. >> It's a grant. Okay. >> I don't freak out about 347. >> We're asking for money. >> Grant. Okay. >> That's okay. >> All right. >> Okay. Consent agenda. Okay, we have a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of those of those three and the amend number 57. >> Motion second. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor? >> I post. Motion passes. >> Yes. um authorizing the city manager to enter into a licensing agreement with the US Customs and Border Protection to allow officer employee agents and contractors standard city property to operate, maintain, repair and or remove temporary and relocatable surveillance and communication systems in andor about yes >> the Maxmandel golf course and any other matters incident there too. And um I think with the recent incident at the Max Mandel with uh Border Patrol agents who were um perhaps not acting uh within the boundaries of >> Yes. Looks like they got >> all the consent agenda items were approved. Anybody here that didn't understand that that's still waiting? Okay. Yeah. I just >> because a lot of people were waiting on those specific items. >> I just let them know. >> They were. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Go ahead. Proceed. >> Um at any rate, that's fine. That's fine. Uh, I just wanted to see if we could ensure that the language of this border patrol uh border patrol agreement will uh strike out the in or around and be more specific with the language of of where those surveillance systems will will be located. If and if we could be very careful about restricting entry to solely reflect this described objective and that it doesn't bleed into any additional um permissions because of the separate work that's being done by the federal government in regards with the border wall. So I I understand that this agreement is not that and I know that our local border patrol agents are just trying to do the you know fulfill their mission but I want to make sure that the language is tight so that we don't have any overlap of these two very different objectives >> Joan can you give us an insight on that what are the ramifications or implications >> well the idea was for them to to come and and uh be able to to enter and work on these uh these surveillance apparatus because they were in place and they were planned, but we understand that that there's concerns about them overreaching. >> Mayor and mayor and city council. Yeah, this agreement here is very similar to other agreements that we've had uh that they've expanded when they increase their technology and everything. So, this one here is related to the Max Mandel and what they want to do is they want to add some additional security cameras. I think there's one that'll be on its own base. So, Ramon, I I believe when we looked at that, right? And then there's a couple up and down the river that they would like to add some camera systems in there. We're always happy about the technology and the camera systems and everything. So that's why we brought it forward for that. We'll go back and check the language to make sure that it doesn't leave the door open for these other conditions. Exactly what what we're concerned about. >> Thank you. Thank you. And you know, with the um US uh I'm sorry, the state of Texas House representatives coming down and visiting the border, we found out that 50% of the cameras are perhaps needing some um repair or being looked at. >> And so within that, we understand this follows that mission, but I'm glad that you'll be tightening the language. And I'll move to approve uh number 33. >> Yeah. All right. >> Okay. Is that your motion? >> Yes. >> Motion second. Second. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion pass. >> Mayor, may I? And on number 48, >> yes. >> Um, authorizing the city manager to terminate professional services agreement with vital med urgent care for the fiscal year 25-067 after hours physician and medical services for city of Laredo employees, employee employees, dependents, and city of Laredo retirees enrolled in the city employee health basic plan medical services. the the agreement is funded through the human resources risk management fund and um hello. I guess my question is are we is there some plan to replace those services or what is the alternative being considered? Thank you. >> Absolutely. And good evening mayor and members of the council, Dr. Richard Chimman, your Laro public health director. I'm going to ask Miss Erica Martinez, your assistant public health director, to jump in as she has direct oversight of the employee health and wellness clinic. and I'll pass out some data for you. >> All right. >> Good evening, Mayor and City Council. Erica Martinez for the record, >> assistant director of public health. Um, yes. So, we are necessitating termination of this contract due to some irregularities, but we are asking to begin the rebid process as soon as we have your authorization to term. >> So, it it will be rebid so that these services will be provided in the future. >> Correct. Yes, there is an expectation of continuation of services. If there is any gap, that would be advised to the city employees, but of course, we do have our employee health and wellness clinic that still serves them services during regular hours. >> And will information be being provided to employees so they understand what is going on? Okay. >> Um, >> yes. Go ahead. >> I remember uh we just approved this >> in October. Yes, ma'am. >> In October. four months ago. >> And during that time, it was a recommendation from human resources, I believe, that we cancel or that we cancel the one we were using before, the Buena Salude, I believe, and now go with Vital Med. And there was already concerns about doing that. And here we are four months later now cancing that. Why? There was an RFP uh that was extended and um vital was the one that uh was um recommended for the contract. Um now that they've serviced uh the the contract for about four months, there has been uh irre irregularities identified which uh are seen in the graphic that was provided to you. um at this time we don't feel that it's fiscally sustainable or in the best interest of city employees for us to continue with this uh project. So we are asking to rebid. >> Okay. I I get that and I appreciate the answer. No m the only thing that I'm concerned with is that there were concerns with us making this switch four months ago. There was it was a little bit of a of a concern that the company we had been using before was providing the service at a for a longer period of time at a lesser rate and then for some reason that we don't know. We just decided to go with this company and now here we are four months later now backtracking that it was not a I guess the best of moves, >> right? It did go through the RFP process. it was the provider that was selected. At this point, um through our evaluation, we do feel that this is in the best interest of the city to proceed with this action. >> Well, I'm fine with cancelling it. I'm just concerned that, you know, it's a fourmonth move when we could have stuck with the company that we had before. Mayor, uh, we've tried, uh, Matt, we've tried working with them, uh, we've inquired with them to, to get some data from them on on their fee structure and how they're charging uh, the city for the services and uh, they haven't been very transparent with us uh, with that. And so, for that reason, we're recommending uh, uh, moving on every time. Well, I understand, mayor, and I I understand that there's concerns, but there were red flags being raised back then about doing this, and we did it anyways. >> So, >> may I I'll move to approve >> item 55. >> Second. >> Motion 48. Sorry, apologize. Item 48. >> There's a motion and second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Um, may I proceed with item 55? Go ahead. >> Thank you. >> Item 55, a resolution of the city council of the city of Laredo, Texas, authorizing the city manager to submit a grant application in the estimated amount of $40,000 to the office of the governor public safety office criminal justice division for the FY fiscal year 2027 violence against women justice and training program grant for the period of October 1st, 2026 through September 30th, 2027. This grant will provide funding for crimes against women training intended for the Laredo Police Department personnel. The 30% required match for the city of Laredo is approximately $12,000 from the general fund. Funding will be available in the special police fund. And hello, Chief Honas. How are you? And I just wanted to highlight this item because when we're talking about crime statistics, according to Laredo Police Department, domestic violence and sexual assaults, these are the crimes that have increased. This is where we really do see an increase in these crimes. And so I want to congratulate the police department for placing a focus on this very sensitive issue and making sure that personnel are trained in how they approach victims. And I know it's for in service of gaining um trust and access to all of the evidence necessary so that you may pursue these crimes. And I I do want to thank you also for the increased arrests arrest rates that you have had with these particular crimes over this past couple of years. So the in the data that I saw was from 2024 to 2025 and the changes that we saw and um again these are the crimes that are increasing and so the fact that the police department is is grabbing on to that and being proactive in how you treat these crimes it's it's very much appreciated. No, I think I I just wanted to highlight when we're talking about crime that here we do see an actual increase and the police department >> is focused on it 100% and I think that reflects very positively on the department's leadership. >> Thank you very much. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you. >> Do you have any questions for me Gonzalez? >> Chief for the record. Um >> so correct. Uh that's uh we've seen an increase this the type of crime that we want to change our methods and how we attack them. They're very hard to go at because they happen be behind closed doors, domestic violence, our sexual assaults as well. So uh we're investing heavily in the specialized training. We're also changing the way we go about u investigating these crimes, trying to get ahead of them. Uh so we're very hopeful that hopefully we'll we'll be able to reduce these these crimes. So we'll we'll be tracking them very closely. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And I will move to approve uh item 55. >> Second. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I post motion. >> Mayor motion to bring up item number 71 and 72. We are timese. >> Second. All in favor. Both. >> Motion passes. 7172. Thank you. Good evening, Elsa Noosa from your Lorto Bridge System. Bringing this two items for discussion under staff report. On October 6, 2025, um it was approved a um bridge closure um um resolution uh we wanted to bring to you anytime there's a bridge closure. So, we created a policy, we created an application as well. any um entity or any organization agency that wants to apply for this should be done 60 days in advance giving the bridge department and staff um being able to organize and able to um uh advise staff you know to coordinate properly and also we have uh uh waiverss as well just to end indemnify the city in case there's any incidents or accidents due to this bridge closures. The first one number 71 is a discussion with possible action to approve the temporary closure of international bridge one at the request of the secretar exterior submitted by consulan Carlo Mendoza Sanchez in order to hold the uh 9th annual the international de la event on Friday March 626 at 9:30 >> motion. Second any second >> second for discussion >> second for discussion. >> Yes. 9:30 a.m. for number 71 until what time? How many hours are we expecting? >> 15 minutes. >> 15 minutes. >> Thank you. >> The one was number 72 for 4 hours where there's a loss of revenue of uh an approximately 3,400 because we're closing >> 72. There's a 4 hour period. >> It's a 4-hour period that we closed the bridge north and southbound um bridge number two >> and a loss of revenue. >> $3,400. >> $3,400. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion pass. >> Mayor, back to number 70. >> Number 70. Okay, go ahead. Good evening, council. I'm Bishop Wagner. I'm the environmental services and solid waste director for the city of Laredo. I've uh prepared a brief uh presentation. Upon our last uh discussion, there was there was some uh I think some comm confusion about what the the department that I'm uh the director of does and and I wanted to kind of get some of that cleared up and and also uh look at some of the the ordinance that I operate under in my role. So if I if you'll indulge me. So the depart departmental responsibilities were divided into two primary divisions. the solid waste division and the environmental services division. And I'm going to start with the solid waste division first. Um here we collect and manage and dispose of all residential wastes which include uh regular garbage, your electronic and your household hazardous waste, paint, brush, tires, and we also deal with all the special events and services that happen throughout the city with in both the um containers and the collection and pickup. We also operate the landfill and all of the trans transactions. We deal with the permitting applications for uh our type one landfills of which we have two. Um type one are uh municipal solid waste landfills that are permitted to take all the useful wastes here in in the uh the state of Texas. Um they're lined landfills. We've got they were what are concern considered subtitle D landfills. We have an old section of the city of Laredo landfill that was before that law. Basically, it's a liner that's in that. All landfills after 1991 are designed in the subtitle D. And so, both the new Ponderosa landfill and the uh city of Laredo landfill as it's acting now operate within that line facility. Um there's quite a lot of of of plumbing, so to speak, that goes around to to manage the leech and to manage the gases and uh and we're in charge of all of that. So that's our our land our leeate and gas management requirements for the landfill as well. So we collect, we dispose and we we uh safeguard it for many years to come. So in the environmental services division, we have uh similar but different um operations. Uh so we manage all of this the citywide storm water management. So that's that's everything from creek and ch channel management, catch basin and line imagery and and all of the cleanout that happens within those structures. Um both preconstruction or or before a construction project is released and then after it's been released and been utilized by the public if it gets clogged. Um we do inspections of that. We do the pre-construction uh work and and all the emergency cleanout activities that may happen like after a storm event when structures get material that get clogs up clogged up in them. We also do all of the hazardous waste permitting and inspections. So we go through all of the the has permits that are in the city. Um we provide the permits. We collect new and the renewal fees and we inspect all permitted both on the initial uh service and in any popup that comes up uh if they hit for random. Um we also enforce all of the has waste storm water and illegal dumping code uh through the department. Um and I currently have a staff of four individuals that are doing that for 270,000 people. We also have a keep keep Larredo beautiful which falls with underneath that environmental services division uh umbrella which educates on environmental initiatives facilitates and coordinates beautifification project product projects and encourages a community engagement. So here's some examples uh on the screen of what we would do um for example in a warehouse on some of the the inspections that we do to look at. So, it's important for inspectors to know what these materials are, how they're placed placarded, are they stored appropriately? Do we have materials that are in their appropriate playing in places? Are they meeting all of the requirements of this permit? And as you can imagine, this role in and of itself is pretty hefty role in a city that has so much warehousing and and um and storage of materials. Um, we also deal with all of the waste that's illegally dumped and and that's thrown on the side that doesn't fall within our ordinance. And I placed the chapter 14 uh 3- uh-3 uh part 9 subp part D. Um, heavy accumulation such as brush, glass, broken concrete, ashes, sand, dirt or gravel, automobile frames, dead trees, and other bulky heavy non-producible material shall be disposed of at the expense of the owner or a person controlling the same by a method directed by the city. So, I want to add to that ordinance to clear some some things up that were in this last time. We were both right. I was wrong and uh and and you were right. Um the uh >> uh >> no so so so what I found in looking deeper into this look >> still recording I believe >> yes you get one of those uh in 2026 no the uh so what I found in the ordinance is that it is it is written in conflict so the beginning and the purpose of the ordinance and this statement in the ordinance are very clear on what is legal and what isn't legal. Everything works out beautifully till you get down to a portion where it says fees. And where it says fees, it says waste outside of residences collected at a at no charge to the to the resident. Um, that is in conflict with this because this says that you're the steward at your cost. So, um, we may want to to look at how we want to clear that clean that up uh to make sure that they're consistent with each other in the ordinance because it is conflicting. that when I looked at the fees at that's advertised on my own web page, I see that it just says free for everybody that's outside there, which can be equally confusing and uh and trust me, frustrating for me as well as I saw it. But um so to give you a little bit of background where I'm where I was coming from and where I've been coming from, but this is these images here are are the why, right? So it's never just brush. It's never just some grass clippings. It's always a pile of everything. Like if somebody sets a tree or has a company come and cut a tree down here like this, these uh folks over here with them, somebody will come along and put a couch on top of it. And I can't put those in one >> in I've got to take those all to the landfill. I can't pick them up and send a couple trucks up there to do it. So it really makes it a problem with managing that material in in an environmentally effective way. >> Okay. So yes, go ahead. Um, so thank you. And and it is a problem. It's been a problem. It it's it's a concern that we do need to address. I think we need to find a way to um manage that as far as how do we tackle that problem because uh people want the community to be clean and it's going to cost a lot of money to everybody else in forms of taxes and ser for the services for us to be going around and picking up this type of stuff. So, there has to be something that we can implement legal. Uh maybe we can come back with some uh ordinance amendments where we can maybe set a fee and then let the owner dispute that fee somehow and just kind of tackle these issues one at a time, but um set the fee on the property address and whoever's responsible, if they're renting it and it was their tenant, then that's up to them. But at ultimately the property owner is responsible for whatever it's costing us to pick this up. So you know if it's $20, $30 or whatever it is, then maybe we just add that on to the address as a fee and then let the owner dispute it. If not, it becomes due at their next uh utility bill or something like that. Work in coordination with the utilities department and add that fee onto their utility bill for the or the storm water fee or whatever. you you all are in charge of that storm water fee, right? Or that's >> So they are they're act we are in charge of them. They're they're two different fees that are associated all through the water bill. So, they are kind of separate, but we could figure out I'm sure we could find a way. >> We can come up with a way to just tack a fee on there, move on, pick it up, tack a fee on there, and then basically we're expecting to get that money to reimburse for those services and then let the owners dispute that somehow through municipal court or however we decide to structure it. But uh definitely appreciate you highlighting the issue and bringing forward the recommendation so we can tackle this once and for all in the correct way. Give the public notice that we're making changes or how we're going to tackle it. But it is unfair that everybody else is paying to collect this this trash that's being left out there. >> Ma'am, >> so Mr. um Bishop, good question. just something that we're just seeing this right now and you're letting us know that that you know I'm just going to reiterate you know continually saying this PZ was right and you were wrong right? Yeah. So what I'm saying is have we given violations to people because having this outside their property? >> Yes. >> Do we have a record of that? >> Yes. In fact, Friday I did 50 houses in your district. >> Um and uh I know >> we did another couple warehouses in district 8 Friday as well. And we are going throughout the city and doing that. But but our approach is is not we're not I'm not looking for for money. My my main goal right now is education, right? So a warning gets attention. >> So what I'm saying but we have given violations to >> Yes, absolutely. >> So what are we going to do? Are they were going to give them a voucher or are we going to give them some something back to the community saying that we were wrong? >> No, they didn't get charged anything. >> They didn't get charged. >> No, they we picked up we gave them a warning for education purposes and we you've been given warnings. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. I've I've there's only been a couple instances where we've taken somebody where they've gone to the position where they were in that illegal dumping range. But I I want to be clear too on this is that we have a mechanism within the ordinance outside of this >> this mess up with this that could accommodate 99% of this material is is that we do get you get two scheduled collection pickups a year. >> Call up call them up we come and pick it up. And that's the thing that I think is missing in in more often than not in the average operation of a human being. they don't generate more a half a garbage truck worth of worth of waste more than two times a year. If they do, there's something else going on. And what we find is it's typically uh a multi-story uh uh like an apartment building when somebody moves out and somebody moves back in or we have a spot where there's an uninhabited piece of property where one person throws some stuff on it and then other people pile that stuff on it. um which starts to attract that waste. And those are really what we're trying to that's what I'm really interested in in getting taken care of, giving opportunity to the people that want to do it the right way and have some op options. And we've been doing the mobile collection events to try to get bring that accessibility closer to the people. But the other side of it is we we also need them to get educated. And part of this warning uh deal is they're communicating with our staff and our staff are telling them, "Hey, do you know that you have this option to you? It's already in your in your fees that you're being charged for us to come on appointment two times a year. So if you've got if you're doing spraying or fall cleanout, you're doing your backyard, your front yard, call us, put it out there. We'll take care of it. We got it." >> Mayor May real quick. Um I appreciate that. The only concern I have well recently is that somebody called 311. 311 said we don't do that. So, there was some miscommunication there. Um, and then we we're so specific in the terms that we only pick up like three items and after that we charge like $15 per additional item. I think we need to tweak the terms on that. >> You're absolutely right. In fact, that number I can't find where that limited number is written anywhere in ordinance either. So, there are some things that were done that I walked into in this role that are that we need to clean up that I I want to get some clarity and work with you all on coming up with a better a better way to do that and then make sure that the public know what's what's available to them as well. >> Another another thing that the public has what how do you pick up the dead animals like dead dogs? >> We do pick up the dead animals >> at the same time you pick up the trash. >> What will we get called? We've got a different crew that picks them up that pick them up with a different vehicle. >> Mayor, >> yes. Go ahead. >> Um I know we're running out of time. I just should should for the community should they call 311 or you know the the other number that's out there? The 7961098 is probably the best way to get a hold of us for direct pickups because we can what we do is we get the information and then we will put the ticket into 311 so it's tracked so we know who's got how many calls they have a year but also we can get it's a whole lot more effective and efficient for us to go directly and we can maybe be able to dispatch as as rapidly as that day. Perhaps that would be a PIO thing to get that number and not that you want to be bombarded but just so people are aware and then mayor can we >> yes >> motion to bring this back at the next meeting just I know we're about motion and second all in favor >> opposed motion pass >> thank you very much thank you may now that we have a minute left motion for just for the council members to bring up their items with their assistance if they want to bring up a way to get to everything a motion to adjourn motion second all in favor Motion passes. >> Meeting adjourned.