All right, good evening everybody. Ready for the recognition? We're going to start recognitions before we do city council. And today it is truly an honor to hear be here before you and recognize a distinguished educator and leader whose lifelong dedication has helped shape the future of thousands of students in our community. Roberto Bobby Santes. Let's give him a hand of applause. He served 38 years in the United Independent Schools District, including 16 years as superintendent, making him the district's longest serving superintendent. Throughout his career, he worked tirelessly to strengthen educational opportunities for the children of Laredo. Under his leadership, UISD experienced responsible and needed growth in services, including the construction of new campuses to serve our expanding community, and the development of innovative programs such as early college college initiatives, magnet schools, and Cherish Center. His commitment to education, students, teachers, and families help elevate the standards of learning and opportunity across our city. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Santos when I was the health authority and Mr. Santos was a pillar of wisdom. He guided us through the one of the most challenging times in modern history during the early days of COVID 19 and during the pandemic ensuring that education continued that student remained supported by a time of uncertainty. In recognition to his decades of leadership, service and lasting impact on educational landscape of of Laredo, it is my great privilege on behalf of the city of Laredo and its residents to present Roberto J. Bobby Santos with a key to the city, a symbol of our gratitude, respect, and appreciation for his commitment to our community. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating Robert J. Bob Santos. >> And uh >> if you like to say a couple of words. >> Sure. Again, I want to thank mayor and of course, city council really for leading our community. I think now is the time for all of us to come together in a very tiring part of our country and our the date of what's going on in the nation. Again, I want to thank you, mayor, for recognizing me as as really part of my community. Born and raised here and eventually will will be died here. Again, thank you very much. COUNCIL members are here >> right now. We'll have one more time. Okay. Ready? All right. One, two, one two. One more. >> Two more. >> Oh, two more. Ready? One, two, three. >> One, two, three. >> Can we have the family, please? There you go. Closer. Ready? >> One, two, three. Thank you. >> All right. Right here. One, two. >> Thank you. >> All right. One more. >> Okay. Ready? We're good. >> We will be right back at 5:30 to start start city council meeting. >> Call the meeting to order. C Laredo regular council meeting 11 Houston Street, Laredo, Texas, March the 16, 2026, 5:30 p.m. All stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation, indivisible with all. Texas pledge. >> Honor the Texas flag. I pledge algiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. >> Moment of silence, please. Thank you. You may be seated. >> Mr. Secretary, roll call, please. >> Yes, Mayor. >> Honorable mayor, Dr. Victor D. Trevinho, >> present. Honorable Mayor Portamp and Council Member District 1, Gilbert Gonzalez. >> Honorable Council Member District 2, Ricardo Richi Ranel Jr. >> Honorable Council Member District 3, Melissa Cigaroa. >> Honorable Council Member District 4, Ricardo Rick Gara. >> I'm here. >> Honorable Council Member District 5, Ruben Gutierrez Jr. >> present. Honorable council member district 6 Dr. Tyler King >> here. >> Honorable council member district 7 Vanessa Perez >> here. >> Honorable council member district 8 Alisa Cigaroa. >> Mayor, you have a quorum. >> Thank you. >> Mayor motion to excuse the the member missing council. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Close. Motion passes. Mayor motion to approve the minutes of January 16, 2026, February 11th, 2026, February 17, 2026, and February 26, 2026. So move motion second. All in favor? I >> oppose. Motion passes. >> We'll move to do the recognitions. We have quite a bit of people here waiting before we do this as we'll proceed with the recognitions. Yes, we'll add that one, too. >> All right, we're going to start with Popo Gonzalez is a retired educator and Texas Army National Guard veteran whose life has been defined by service to his country and community. After 39 years of military service, he retired in 2007 as a master sergeant, first sergeant, while also dedicating 36 years to education, shaping the lives of young people in Laredo. He was also a classmate with me in high school. Following his military career, Mr. Gonzalez continues his commitment to supporting services and service members and veterans. He has served as chairman of the area 13 for the employer support of the guard and reserve ESGR representing web sapata and maverick counties advocating for the rights of service members and strengthening relationship between employees and the military. In recognition to his dedication, he was named ESGR Volunteer of the Year in 2006 and later received presidential citation for volunteer service. Gonzalez has also played a key role in the Web County Veterans Coalition, helped organize the Veterans Museum, and has long been active in organizations supporting veterans and the broader community. for his decades of leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to those who have served our nation. Adulo Popo Gonzalez is recognized with a Veterans Community Service Award. CONGRATULATIONS. WELCOME AND WOULD LIKE TO HEAR A few words from Popo. Thank you. It makes me feel very proud to have so many of my fellow veterans, my family that's here also coming in from Zapata. So appreciate all of the time and the effort that you have done. It has been 30 years with the ESGR helping out on uh started in 18 18 showing my age. 19 19 96. Okay. All the way now to 2026. So it's been 30 years working and helping out. And it doesn't bother me. My wife would tell me when I retired seven, eight years ago, he said, "You're not working anymore. Why do you have to get up?" Because I do a lot of volunteer service in different organizations with the food bank. Okay. With veterans anytime shirt Friday veterans over here with LUAC and so keep active and that's the main thing. As long as you keep active, you'll be able to survive. >> THANK YOU. GO BACK THERE. Take a picture. Get your family. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you so much. >> Yeah. Can Can some of you guys get over here? >> Yeah. Can you want to move to the table? There you go. All right, guys. Right here. One, two. Thank you. One more. One two three. One two three. Thank you. Congratulations. Good luck. GOOD JOB, FAMILY. WE'RE GOING TO BRING THE veterans to take a picture of you. >> The veterans are going to come take a picture. I could ask >> you guys with me. Okay, y'all move back. >> Move back, please. >> There you go. >> Oh, >> no picture, right? >> You want It'll take forever. >> No, we're good. Yeah, we're good. We're good. >> Oh, no. Can we have you all go over there? Hey, we'll get the younger ones up here. >> Oh, okay. >> Hi, sir. How are you? >> How are you doing? Good. How are you? >> Police, right? Okay. Ready? >> Ready, guys? >> One, two, three. One more. Ready? One, two, three. Right here. >> There we go. One, two, three. Perfect. >> One more. One more. >> Yeah. >> All right. Everybody right here. >> One, two. Let me try. Let me try this. >> Suck it in. Got one more time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. LADIES, how are you? 30. >> We're going to do >> Oh, this one. Yes, this is we're going to do this one. We're going to do >> number number six here. Why? But it's it goes to this side. So, we're going to read that and then come right here. >> See? Yes. So, let's do this is my gentleman. So, let's do this one. Yeah. Number six. This is part of number six, but can we recognize him separately? All right, we'll proceed with recognitions. Serial radar mayor and council recognizes the adapted running and walking team composed of athletes with autism and down syndrome for their outstanding participation in the run runaway 5K and onem walk on January 31st 2026. The team was created to provide individual with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy sports, build confidence, and actively engage in the community through their inclusive athletic activities. The mayor and council also extend their sincere appreciation to the dedicated runners guides who participated alongside the athletes and selflessly setting aside their personal race goal to provide support, encouragement, and guidance helping ensure that every adapted athlete has the opportunity to cross the finish line and share in the accomplishment of the event. CONGRATULATIONS. MAYOR, I think we should go back. Let's go back to get a picture. >> Congratulations, Y'ALL. WHO'S the one that Oh yeah, I'll take it >> and Congratulations. Congratulations Dominic Dart. CONGRATULATIONS ANTHONY, CONGRATULATIONS. Ladies and gentlemen, >> Isabella Alvarez Leonardo CASTRO RODRIGUEZ ROSANA SCIENCE KEVIN MARTINEZ, >> Daniel Galban, >> Adrian Casares, I think that's it. >> There you go. Guys, guys, STEPHANIE, thank you so much, Stephanie. Christina, thank you so much. OKAY READY? >> ONE, TWO, THREE. >> Everybody over here. >> Hold on. Give me one more minute. >> Ready? One, two, three. All right, everybody right here. >> One, two. >> One more. One more. >> Okay, sorry. One more. One more. One more. >> Ready? One, two, three. Okay, we're good. Jenny, I'm going to hold your phone right after >> Good job, guys. All right, we have one more recognition and it is part of the group. Yes. Mayor and city council hereby recognizes Jonathan Ruiz Jr., parks department recreation specialist in recognition of being the first ever wheelchair participant in the adaptive division to successfully complete the Runaway Run 5K on January 31st, 2026. Your determination perseverance and inspiring achievement have made history and service an example of strength, inclusion, and excellence within our community. March 16, 2026. CONGRATULATIONS. WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS. >> UH, thank you guys for recognizing me for the city of Larredo. Um, I didn't know I was going to talk today. Um, but yeah, it was a good race. I was excited for it. Um, I have Hierrox coming up in two weeks. So, if you guys know what Hierrox is, that's even more uh difficult competitive than just a 5K. So, uh I'm excited about that and uh hope to see how I do. Thank you, >> Mayor. Um I also want to comment just briefly on our parks and recck department, our parks and recreation department and the adaptive programming that has occurred because of the vision of Jenny Sanchez and Jonathan Ruiz and their assistance. I don't want to in you know not include anyone but this direction the parks and recreation department has had follows with what public health department has done. It's about inclusion. It's all minds all together. We are stronger together and we want to recognize and give opportunities to everyone in our community. So, thank you so much for Parks and Wreck for taking the leadership role that you have and we're excited to see the new opportunities as they come. All right, everybody right here. One two. Ready. One, two, three. One more. One two three. Here. We're good, man. Let me get you this >> next recognition. City of Laredo mayor and council recognize Walmart store 554 for being named 2026 Division 1 Home Times Hometown Store of the year. CONGRATULATIONS. >> Any words from somebody? Who wants to say the words? >> I wasn't planning on saying a speech, but um my store manager, Miss Elena, is on vacation this week, but we're here accepting the award on her behalf, right, of all the associates. Um we were excited and surprised to have won this recognition with the our region because not only for our division, but it's our region as well. Many know the Walmart Salmonado store does not have fruits, vegetables, and meat. So, we're up against other competitors, right? But, um, it takes a lot to win store of the year. So, um, we have one of the best, um, retention for associates in Laredo and for our Walmarts. So, uh, we have associates who have been there for 40 years. So, we have about three. So, you know, we have a lot we have a lot that been there for over 30 years, too. So, it's uh it's nice to see that those associates um it's nice to for us to be recognized by the city of Laredo for this um outstanding award that we got. >> Thank you. There you go. Ready. One, two, three. Ready. One, two, three. One more. All right. One, two. >> Thank you. number. >> All right, next recognition. City Laredo Mayor and City Council recognize Harmony School of Excellence, Mighty Hawks Robotics Team, and John B. Alexander High School hot dogs robotics team and John B. Alexander High School Chili Dogs robotics team. Yes. And the Dr. Leo Saroa High School Chaos Robotics Team for advancing to the World Championships. CONGRATULATIONS. YEAH, we'll start with the Harington team. Any words from anybody the leader here? >> Yeah. Okay. Uh I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who has played a role in our advancement. We are so thankful to our community, to our parents, especially our coach who has dedicated so much of his time in teaching us and mentoring us and allowing us to get to this level. So thank you so much and we hope to uh make you all proud. All right, guys. Right here. One, two. >> Thank you. >> One more. There you go. >> Ready? One, two, three. Thank you. >> Right here, guys. >> One, two. >> Thank you. HERE'S the other team. >> Alexander High School. >> All right. These are the Alexandra hot dogs. That's why they have the flames. >> Principal, few words, please. >> Um, good good afternoon. Good evening everybody. Um, I'm Rosanna Risola Proud, principal of Alexander High School and this is our robotics team who are going to state under direction of Mr. Medina. Um, a big congratulations. They've done a great job under his direction and going all the way to state. it's difficult to do in any of these programs. And so, shout out to all of our campuses, all the campuses that are here representing Go State, but a big shout out especially to our kiddos at Alexander High School. We're extremely proud of all of them. Thank you. >> Few words. You want to say a few words? >> Sorry. >> Hello. We are hot dogs. We are the varsity competitive robotics team at John B. Alexander High School. We would like to extend a big thank you to the mayor and the city councelor for honoring us with this recognition. We would also like to say a big thank you to the family members of the hot dogs for their support and to our sponsors, the donations of Whittyup, Gene Hos, American Electric Power, IM4 Transportation, NI Emerson, Unitech Business Solutions, Polymaker, DA Transportation LLC, Falcon Bank, Pilot Company, and Goilda for their support during the season. Our season started in around September and it's definitely been a journey and we put a lot of hard work through the bumps in the road, but thanks to all the support we've received, we've been able to persevere and keep going. It's definitely been hard, but we're so proud of ourselves and we are going to the World Championship for the second time in a row. AND and this achievement just shows our determination to live up to our club motto of everlasting improvement. Last year we were the only club to take home an award from World Championship and this year we hope to surpass ourselves and keep making Laredo and South Texas proud. Thank you. We're open right here with me. >> Ready? One, two, three. >> Thank you. Right over here. >> Over here, guys. >> You want to come to the middle? >> One, two. >> Right here in the middle. >> Thank you. Oh, parents. Yeah. Can we have the parents go in there? >> Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Or can we have you all up there? Up there please. >> Is there any more parents? Okay, parents ready. I'm good. Thank you. >> Okay. Ready? One, two, three. One more. >> Ready. One, two, three. >> There you go. We're good. If you'all want to exit that way PLEASE wait for the waiting for the >> I don't know whose phone this guy, >> sir. Next recognition. Mayor and city council hereby recognizes John B. Alexander High School Jelly Dogs robotics team >> in recognition of advancing to the World Championships dated March 16, 2026. Congratulations Can Can you guys scoot in a little? >> All right. One, two. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Ready? One, two, three. Thank you. Then parents, if you want to get here in the middle, go ahead. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. So, >> hello everybody. Um, to begin this speech, I'd like to start by saying how difficult a season it's been for us. Though we've had several years of experience, this is our first year together as a team, and it's been quite a challenge to come together and get as far as we have. I will say that for us it's been exhausting. We've spent we've spent hours working on our robot, hours working on our programming, hours working on just communicating with each other as a team. It's been very very challenging, but it's also been very rewarding. We my my goal and my team's goal has always been to make it to worlds to succeed and to like just succeed over everyone's expectations, right? No one as a first year team, no one expected us to make it this far. No one had really expected us to make it to worlds and we're so happy that we've had the ability to do this. And I want to thank the Laredo City Council for acknowledging us. And I'd like to thank our sponsors, Women's City Club, Polymaker, IBC Bank, Emerson, and AGT Express for making this possible. While making it to worlds, I'm happy to show or I'm I really I'd really like to show that Laredo is full of leaders and innovators, not just from one school, not just from one club, but from everyone here. Laredo is full of leaders and innovators that can really change the world if we put our minds to it. L ladies and gentlemen, if you just want to leave your resumes and application, it'll be a four-year time stamp. You'll be back in 2030 ready to work, right? >> The parents go if you want to go up there. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Wonderful. >> Great to meet you. Okay. Right here. >> Ready. One, two. >> One, two, three. >> Thank you. >> All right. Right here. One, two. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. It is. It is. your name. >> All right. Next recognition. Mayor City Council hereby recognizes Dr. Leo Sigaro High School Chaos Robotic Team in recognition of advancing to the World Championship. CONGRATULATIONS. All right. >> Who's going to say the words? Your >> Okay. >> Oh, I >> Hello everyone. I just want to say thank you for coming here and showing us your support and love for um Laredo's teams and excuse me, but I just want to say thank you for coming in and showing love and support for not just only us but everyone everyone that you saw, everyone that came. It's all about love and support. AND I know >> is there any parents here? >> All right, everybody right here. >> One, two. >> Thank you. One more. >> Ready? One, two, three. >> Congratulations. One more. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> If council member Rangel were here, he would absolutely tell you how proud he is of South Laredo and thank you for making that come true. We're support We're supporting you 100%. Congratulations. Congratulations. All right. Next recognition. >> City of Laredo Mayor and City Council. Recognize the John B. Alexander High School swimming and diving athletes who com competed at the UIL 6A state meet in Austin, Texas. CONGRATULATIONS. Let's go back there so we can take a picture. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Let's go back there. >> And coach, maybe you want to say a couple of words. Can we have some of you? >> Good evening, community of Laredo. I want to thank you all very much for being here. Um, I my name is Claudia de la Cruz. I am the swimming coach for JB Alexander High School. Uh, we're here to present, recognize, and acknowledge these wonderful, outstanding athletes that dedicate their time, their community service to our our Laredoins. and most of all the love and passion that they have for swimming and diving. We've got Anna Lucia and Avery here that qualified for diving and we have Anali Gutierrez for for swimming. You know, uh when you get out of the Laredo community to compete at the state level physically, it's a challenge, but you know what? They are more than deserving. And I want to thank you all very much and city council mayor for having us here this evening. Thank you. >> Can you open your your certificate? >> There you go. >> Can you guys scoot in a little more please? >> All right. Uh, one, two. Thank you. >> Ready. One, two, three. >> Let's go. Three, two, one more. Thank you all very much. Kansas City. >> All right. Next recognition. City Laredo Mayor and City Council recognized Fernando J. Gongor Gaitan for his outstanding dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment over the past 20 years of service to the city of Laredo. He is retiring March the 30th. Thank you for your service and congratulations. Alunas Palas. foreign Mr. Mayor, if I may, >> just before the pictures, >> I just want to let everybody know this gentleman standing here before you is one of the hardest working people you'll see here at city hall. This gentleman has dedicated a long, long time away from his family dedicated to the city of Larredo. He deserves a huge, huge round of applause. This gentleman is working hard every single day. you know, I I I haven't got to work with him as much as everybody else has, and so it's really hard for me to say all those things, but I know he's here when I get here, and I know he's here when I leave. And so, he's always there working in there. He takes care of us very, very well. And I I'm going to I'm going to go right along those lines. Thank you so much for everything that you're doing. We appreciate everybody sharing you with us as well too, your family and all. So, thank you. I don't know if ANYBODY um Yes, thank you. I'd like to say something in Spanish also that uh want to thank him for all the dedication, all the hard work that he's put in throughout the years. U and you will be missed and we appreciate your service to the city and and to our department especially. Um thank you very much and much success. I just like to say one thing. The joy. >> All right, everybody right here. >> One, two, Ready? One two three. >> Thank you. >> Oh, one more. Mr. Thank you. Yes. Next recognition. Recognition of city officials for the selection and participation in the Bloomberg leadership program. These include Joseph W. Nib, city manager. Vanessa Perez, District 7 council member. Steve Elandine, assistant city manager. Jose A. Valdez, Junior, assistant city manager. Congratulations to everybody. and Mayor D Victor Drevinho also Can you guys move a little bit more this way? >> Yeah, we're good. All right. One, two. >> One, two. Thank you. >> Ready? One, two, three. >> We're good. And there's a message in the back. Thanks from your leadership. Keep on doing the work. Good work, Michael Bloomberg. >> Next recognition. City of Laredo Mayor and Council recognized Lesie Garcia for her outstanding participation in the annual conference of the Highgate Hotels where top honors were awarded in the categories of greatest growth, best service score, hotel of the year, and leader of the year. Congratulations to the parents. >> Okay, the parents are represented. Come on down, please. for somebody. Leslie Hotel. Leslie Corpus Christie. Can we scoot over? >> Let's back up. There you go. >> Ready? One, two, and three. >> Ready? One, two, three. One more. >> All right. One, two. >> Thank you. That'll be it for the recognition, but we will proceed with item 121, presentation by representatives of the Laredo Pantry, the launa regarding the organization nonprofit efforts, community services and future goals to support residents of the Laredo community. >> I think they're going to have a quick presentation for council and then we'll do >> Thank Thank you, Mayor. I just I wanted to say a few words and amongst all the extra extraordinary individuals that were recognized tonight this remarkable group of young leaders who are making a real difference right here in in Laredo and their student led organization is called the Ledo Pantry Laidad which has been established in in January of 2026 and we have Alex Moreno um Sophia Castanos and Gina Varrial here to share a presentation of the work that they are they're doing >> is okay. Thank you so much, Miss Sigara. Good evening. My name is Martina Varel. I am a proud sophomore in United High School and most importantly, a proud founder of our nonprofit organization, Laredo Pantrea Kumidad. A few years ago, I went on a trip to Mexico City with some family members. I went to some of the richest parts where you expect to see perfection. But instead, I saw countless amounts of poverty. My family and I went to a mall and saw this little kid asking strangers for money. And instead of giving him money, my uncle asked him what he wanted from inside of the mall. And the little kids kid said, "A toy cart." We bought him a huge pack of Hot Wheels. And when we gave them to him, I have never seen such a pure smile. He ran to show his mom and immediately started playing with his toys. And that's when I knew that helping people and seeing a smile on their faces is the most beautiful thing to ever experience. This organization came to be on a random November evening on a FaceTime call with thousands of unanswered questions but one mutual goal to help others. We all chose our roles and mine is to administer anything that is behind the scenes. All the donations, all the money that we have received through countless of donations um and to know everything is in check and organized for events like this one. Um what I seek for the future of this organization is to plan expand to every district of Loredo. Uh our first pantry at John Valls has been a tremendous success and we hope our recent installment at Solder Park thanks to Councilwoman Alisa Seoa and Esrada. We will help as much people as needed. We know somebody in every part of our city needs help and these pantries will be a true blessing for everybody. We are proud to say we have over 50 volunteers, countless amounts of food donations, and we hope this organization to reach its full potential to help hundreds of of our beloved community. This organization has been the ride of my life, and I get to do it with two of my best friends. I've known Sophia since second grade, and she's been like a sister to me, and we have experienced our whole lives together. And on my first day of middle school, I heard a hysterical laugh that belonged to Alex and I knew then we would have become best friends. All three of us have shared dreams, goals, and aspirations. We wish to achieve and accomplish every day. And it is my greatest joy to be able to do it with some of my favorite people. I want to thank everybody for the immense amount of support from our families who help and guide us in every step of the way and our friends who have volunteered and stepped up to make this youthled organization begin. And we hope to gain the support of you, our fellow council members, and especially yours, our mayor, Dr. Trevvino. Thank you so much to everybody who made this amazing project and opportunity happen. God bless you and we hope Laro Pantry becomes an organization for everybody in our community. Good evening. My name is Sophia Castanos and I'm a sophomore at United High School. Today I stand here amongst my best friends and we will discuss our newly made nonprofit organization pantry laid. It all started on a random day in November when Alex FaceTime Martina and I. We had a conversation about issues we noticed in our community. We all shared moments that forever changed our perspective in life. I brought up a memory when I was in fourth grade. I remember standing in line at Walmart watching a mother with her young son. I overheard her quietly apologizing to him as she asked the cashier to move items because she couldn't afford them all. That image of her face, the struggle of a parent just trying to provide never left me. Even then, I felt a deep ache, wishing I could do something. That night that we were on FaceTime, Alex voiced what we had all been feeling. It was time to move from discussion to action. We realized we all shared the same goal, to provide stability for those who need it. At the moment, the three of us weren't just best friends. We became partners in a mission. We are committed to this organization. We strive for a change. Our mission goes beyond just these pantries. We want to show our peers that you you don't have to wait till you're older to make an impact. You don't need a huge budget or a fancy title to change someone's life. All you really need is heart and compassion. We saw this firsthand in the beginning of January when we posted when we hosted our first pantry build. We weren't sure what to expect, but when we saw so many other teams showing up ready to help, we were ignited. We know our generation isn't just waiting for the future. We are ready to build a better one. Right now, in this organization, we each play an important role. My role is a social media manager. I control all our online platforms and promote ideas in different ways such as making flyers, sharing updates on pantry installations and food drives, and promoting donation opportunities. I highlight the impact of our work through post. My purpose is to encourage community involvement. All in all, as a student and a community member, I believe that everyone deserves stability and support. Laro Pantry is built on that belief. I am incredibly proud of what our community has helped us accomplish. Thank you for your time and thank you for your continued dedication serving our city. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Alex Moreno and I'm a sophomore at United High School. My teacher/mentor, Mr. Sea Sto that is watching me from the broadcast right now told me to speak from the heart. So, here it goes. During many speaking events, I often say the saying, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain. And this is a quote that we abide by. This is our slogan for take what you need and give what you can the radio pantry organization. Life is hard and we all see it. Sometimes we fall and we have disagreements all the time. But once you get that ache in your stomach, that's how you know you feel right. You must do something about it because that's how you truly serve others. Once you serve others with a common goal like how we found, you have the right of your life. And Mrs. SATO had told me, "If you were to block out all the noise from the world and the commotion that is going on, you'll find peace and you'll focus on a common goal and you'll set your heart to it. I want to thank many people that have supported us along the way because without them, we wouldn't be at the moment that we are right now. I want to thank our first meeting that we had with Mr. Tomas Ramirez and Miss Anita Stanley that are watching from a distance right here. We felt ache to our stomachs as we were first presenting to them. The office you should have seen it was huge and as a surprise for us it was just so honorable to see people support us along the way. Moving on from then from them we had the support of the people our volunteers that we had mentioned before from United High School and from many countless people from around the city teens like us and that's who we are representing because we don't have to wait till we are ordered to make a change. We're already making the change right here. I want to thank Miss Alisa Saro and Mrs. Estada for supporting us along this journey. With our first pantry at John Balls and our second pantry recently installed at Slaughter Park, we know we can count you can count on us and change many lives out here in Laredo, Texas because this is where we're born and this is where we will rise from. We will hope to receive the amount of support from our support from our council members that are standing among us today, from our mayor and from of course the people around us that are looking at us from a distance and from the live broadcast. Thank you so much everyone that is here to listen to us. We have a brochure that we will talk about how you guys can support us. We'll go along passing around some brochures that we have here to the district members and we'll have some copies that we will pass out with Mrs. Esmerada to the public. Thank you so much all for supporting us and for hearing us out. It means a lot. >> Mayor, Mayor, did we want to take a picture because we're also with their recognition as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. All right, everybody. One, two. One more. Right here. Ready? One, two, three. One two three. Three two >> can we have the the family please? >> Family. One more. Ready? One, two, three. Thank you. Everybody over here. Good job. >> Good job. Congratulations. Thank you guys. Appreciate it. Great job speaking. Great job. Wonderful job. I love you up there. You did a great job, honey. Congratulations guys. Yeah. >> Yeah. Right. Congratulations. Great job with it. Great job with the paper. I'll bring up your We will be having brochures um for the public out in the front if you guys wish to support us. We'll have a QR code for our cash app and for our GoFundMe. Thank you so much everyone. >> All right. Mayor, if I may, I'd like to bring up an item 105B, your item, Mayor, and 114 in that order. >> Second. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I posted motion passes. Start with 105B >> discussion with possible. This is 105. Discussion with possible action regarding collaboration with office of congressman Qua on potential federal partnership projects including, we'll start with B. establish establishment of a veterans recreational center. I brought this item forward after the meeting with Congressman Quer and the proposed earmark that the congressman would be willing to advocate to to provide a location on the city land that would be a location to provide the services and needs desperately needed for our veterans. We had another meeting this morning with the VFW, local veterans, city staff, and representatives from Hendrick's office. This was an important step in identifying the needs of the veteran community and exploring ways that the city can support a potential veteran center in Laredo. During the discussion, veterans expressed that some of the key gaps in services include the need for a centralized location where veterans can access assistance with benefits, navigation of mental health resources, peer support, and connections to federal and local veteran services. Many veterans indicated that while services exist, they often are scattered and difficult to navigate, especially for older veterans or those who need are newly transitioning from military service. I like the idea and emphasize that bringing veteran services together in one accessible location near the VA hospital could help veterans more easily connect with the support they have earned throughout their service. This is one of several meetings and the city plans to continue working collaboratively with Congressman Quail's office, the VFW and other veteran organizations to gather input, explore funding opportunities such as federal grants and congressional earmarks and identify the best path path forward to the development of veterans center. One of the most important takeaways from this meeting was the strong desire among the veteran community for a coordinated approach that ensures no veteran in Laredo falls to the cracks when seeking assistance. Our veterans serve the country with honor and it is our responsibility as a community to ensure they have access to the resources, support, and the respect they deserve. Today's meeting was an important step in listening to our veterans and working together to find meaningful solutions. So my first motion would be to instruct management to come back with a location that they feel would be appropriate with these parameters and also send the item for discussion to the veterans affair committee. >> Second. >> Go ahead. Um I I I think the discussion fully supportive of enhancing veterans care and we never want to see a veteran fall through the crack. We have several veterans organizations and so we want to make sure that all veterans organizations are included and I believe the veterans affairs committee does a does a good outreach to to do that. Um there are also uh liaons at Laredo College and at Texas A&M International University and I hope that they will too be invited to participate in those discussions because I think they can help with that coordinated effort to make sure all services are provided or acknowledged to all of the veterans in our community. >> All right, motion. There's a second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. We will now go to >> 114. >> 114. >> Thank Thank you, mayor, and go ahead. Um, thank you for co-sponsoring the item along with council member Perez. This is an item um near and dear to a lot of people's hearts up here. Um, especially if you you or your friends or family have someone um with a child with autism. And um I think we all know we have a lot of shortages in this community from a health perspective. um one one in particular that um we have a pediatrician Dr. Fernando Sosa and a um an advocate Mika Zisman um who would would like to make a presentation or well I don't know if it's in a PowerPoint or just oral presentation on the need for more applied behavior analysis ABA therapy um in our community and how along with the you know partnership with our health department and and private partners along with state federal county partners how we can better um recruit and uh bring these ABA services that have really long wait lists um for our kids with autism having to go way out of town for ABA therapy. And a lot of times this therapy is very intensive and sometimes Monday through Friday, it's not really um something that can be done uh out of town as easily. And if it is, it'll be just once a week and it's that's not what's needed. So I I'll leave it to Dr. Sosa who's here and and of course our health director, Dr. Richard Chamberlain um and just bringing the topic together to figure out what we can do because as I understand and this insurance companies actually does reimburse for ABA therapy quite well. So it's something that would not be you know off the backs of >> of all the I I'll let you go. >> All right. Go ahead and name for the record please. >> Mika Zisman. >> Thank you. >> Um I do have good evening mayor and and council members. My name is Mika Zisman. I am um a parent of a child with autism and I brought here today Dr. Sosa with me and some parents that we would like to discuss the possible ABA centers here in Laredo. Um it's actually when a child receives an autism diagnosis, it can be very overwhelming and um isolating. As a parent, you suddenly find yourself searching for answers, trying to understand what steps to take next, and wondering where to turn for help. Um, often here there's no clear guidance in the city of Laredo where to turn, where to go, uh, who do who do I ask the questions to. So, we resorted to looking, searching online, and reaching out to anyone. Just please help me out because I don't know what this is. This is the first time of me dealing with it. So, there is uh I still feel like there's no clear path or guidance available here locally in the city. Um, and um, I apologize. I'm just very emotional about this subject. So, It's um I work in a healthare system and navigating the system was extremely difficult for me. So I can only imagine how overwhelming this can be for people and the families who have no medical background. Based on the population data there's there there may be more than 2,000 children in Lo who are on autism spectrum. Even if only a small portion of these children require intensive therapy, hundreds of families in our community need access to services. No parent should feel alone while trying to help their child. This is why I'm here today to ask how can we as a community can work together to improve access to autism services and support for families in Laredo. I believe that expanding resources such as therapy services, guidance for parents, and community support networks could make a meaningful difference for many families in our city. Thank you for your time and I look forward to continuing the conversation um about how can we support children and families in our local town and I actually have here Dr. Sosa who's going to present it as well too. I'm just going to say a few couple words. Um I've been a pediatrician. Thank you Mayor Tino and Councilman for allowing us to come. >> Dr. SSA for the record. >> Yes. Uh uh I've been a pedician for 25 years and um like Mika said, you know, I see participants every day and um um sorry, I also get emotional, but um they're missing out on the the critical therapy that they need, which is ABA, because ABA is proven to uh make these kids independent by the time they reach um school age. Um so it's an essential part of their treatment which we lack. Um we do have two centers. There's two-year waiting list. Other cities, you know, they might have three months and so forth. Um so I did reach out to everybody. Um I'm supposed to be with meet with Senator Sapirini, uh Henry Guy. Um I reached out to the health department. I reached to Tammy U. everybody was interested. So, I thank you uh for allowing us to talk um and um we just need to figure out how we're going to help these families who are in dire need of this therapy which is crucial. So, I guess I'll >> Thank you, Dr. Sosa. Thank you, >> Dr. Richard Chamberlain, your public health uh Loretta public health director. I did want to mention to council and also to all the members in the room that on Friday we did publish our autism service and action barrier report um specifically looking at the ava therapies in Laredo um providing you updated data providing you estimates on the total counts providing you data from a survey that is ongoing right now in the community too each one of the each one of you as council members does have the survey there as part of the packet that I did leave for you also you're able to share share that as well to so we were able to collect more information from the members of our community about how are we doing and what do we need and that um specific report did let us know that many parents don't know where to turn as mentioned right now when they are told that they have a diagnosis or they need to um pursue ABA therapy and so with that we did put together this report which is there for council to review with also a potential proposal as a pathway forward not with city of Laredo solving the issue at hand, but being a contributor to the solution for increased access to ABA therapy in the community. And I'll pause there for any questions. >> Yeah, mayor. >> Yes, go ahead. >> And this is definitely something, as I mentioned, uh the city cannot do alone, and I'm glad you echoed that. We need all of the all people on deck. So, I'm glad you're meeting with um Senator Zephrini and other state um representatives. Um it's also the discussion that the mayor's brought up as well about eventually a hospital district in in in web county uh which could bring more resources to something like this. But my question perhaps for Dr. Sosa um and for Dr. Chamberlain are we seeing that if a patient can get into this off the wait list will insurance generally cover it generally insurance Medicaid private insurance covers so it shouldn't be and and my plan was to have nonprofits so we can grow and have several centers and be self-sufficient with the help of you know TAMU which I think you already tapped in and I reached out to them and and they were very supportive >> because I have a this is an informal conversation with a friend whose daughter is studying this masters and wants to come back to Laredo and and start her own practice. And when we were looking at what the reimbursement it the reimbursement looks quite appealing so I'm wondering why you know is it just there's the qu there's just not enough of them in the state overall and we need to attract them more. You mean the therapist or you centers? >> Yeah, these these centers I mean >> just because my understanding get >> nobody has done it you know quite well other cities they have short waiting list like the valley and San Antonio it's just we're behind >> it's like you know they're all private centers so we don't have I think Laredo has like four BCAs here um that I personally know um and some of them work with advanced therapy from San Antonio. So, uh, and she actually wants to open a center, but it it just takes, you know, some coordination. But I figured that we've been waiting so long. And, you know, us as pediatricians, we're frustrated >> because we can't give that therapy. >> I think a lot of the people that go into this masters are thinking they'll likely work for a nonprofit or a government or an agency, but in reality, they could open a private practice and do well financially. and it thinks maybe it's about recruiting that type of person who might be willing to come down and I think a bank would be more than happy to give a loan out uh for a practice as such because it's pretty much guaranteed to be successful. Um, so I think >> I mean if if we're nonprofit or we generate nonprofits, you know, uh, we should have federal and state funds available >> and just like just like Gateway Community Health Center that's in FQC, they also see private patients, right? They see they love seeing patients with commercial insurance along with their, you know, um, for for um, non-insured patients. So there would be a way to be a nonprofit but also um, bring in revenue to cover the operations of things. So Um I think it's just a matter of getting >> the fact that the insurance pays for it, you know, that that should cover um >> and then so LEDC has a healthcare committee and the city has partnered with that subcommittee on Laredo Economic Development Corporation and we've in we've stated to the hospitals to anyone in the community who wants assistance in recruiting a physician or or any provider health provider for a critical need. We have not done it yet as a city council. We did pass a motion last year that we would be willing to help in you know recruitment bonuses and we have not officially formalized that policy but we did make that motion as a council. So that would be something whenever the time is right to come back to us and if there's anything that legal says that we can do um from a helping the recruitment aspect. I mean we >> well I think you know Tammy you can help in in in um um generating the BCAS or the BCBAS the the board certified you know behavioral analysts who run and then the RBTs so you know we should do it in-house instead of recruiting because every time we recruit specialy physicians they leave >> currently we don't have a BCBA which is a board certified behavioral analyst master certificate here in the community >> in the entire community >> in in the entire community. Are they accessible online? They are accessible online from Texas A&M at San Antonio and Utrgb in the valley. But as mentioned by Dr. Sao, I did ping the university with the provos and letting them know about the situation, letting them know that they do have an RBT, which is the registered behavioral technician, which is works underneath the BCBA to initiate the therapies. They do have that program here at TAMU. It's about $1,300 per individual to become certified. And that was part of my proposal through economic development looking into the budget process to be able to fund 4550 RBTs through this next budget process. So we do have a applicant pool for BCBAS to come into Larredo and know I have 50 people to hire already from one day to the next. Let's turn this on for the radio please. Sorry. I don't know if any of that was caught, but I was just explaining the the difference between the BCBA >> but they for the record. >> Oh, Dr. Richard Chamberlain. >> Yes, sir. >> And are they if you if you can make them acquainted also with the autism task force as well. They meet monthly, right? what we no longer have is the specific autism task force as they were a component of the persons or the blue ribbon committee for persons living with disabilities which is we are inclusive of all persons living with disabilities that um that committee does meet on a monthly basis and this has been part of their discussions as well as well as we do have the all kinds of minds master plan which this AVA element is being included as an additional um piece of information for parents in the community to be able to access to know where they can gain access to these services aside from of course the ones that are online. The very limited number that we do have here for a brickandmortar in-person service. But that was the whole purpose of this discussion to be able to to drive that additional request for the workforce which is on the economic development side and then of course such as the council would wish any small program at Laredo Public Health to help out as well. >> Mayor if I may if I just make a motion that we >> if we have Dr. chamber and stay in contact with this group and when they've met with the rest of the people they need to meet with if you can bring us back any tangible actions that we as a city council can make we'd appreciate that time >> second. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I motion passes. >> Thank you so much. >> Mayor if I may. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Motion to go into executive session for item 10 and number eight. >> I'll second for discussion >> to meet with attorneys that are here from out of town with a presentation discussion regarding the border wall and environmental impacts. If I may, Mayor Zone, can you explain to the public why we need to go to executive search for number eight, please? >> Well, uh I believe that the mayor has uh some uh uh things to put out to the public uh regarding number eight. However, if it's relating to the the border wall issues, we do have Jackson Walker available to you all to to give you an update regarding a potential litigation on that end. And with that that would require uh executive session on jury 551 >> because of the litigation >> protection litigation. Yes. >> The discussion. Thank you. Um I do believe that it would be unwise for us to go into executive session before we have let the public speak. They've been waiting for an hour and a half now. They signed up for public comments. This in no way this in no way uh steps on any type of litigation that may or may not go on that we choose. This this is the opportunity for the public to speak to us. And so I would amend that so that we can go to executive session after we have heard from the public. They have been very patient. They have opinions and we should hear that before we go into executive session. >> You accept the motion? I accept. Absolutely. the amendment so that we do public comments first. Absolutely. Thank you very much. >> Any other comments? >> Would well if if uh there's an amendment. >> We're going to do all public comments whatever is here which is tax. So yeah, we'll listen all public comments before. >> Absolutely. And then if you would like to bring up item 109 and 110 so that you know that many of the comments are related to that we're welcome to bring up the my items first to go right now before we head to executive session from our first. >> All right motion as amended. >> It was seconded. Yes. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Okay. Public comments. >> Public comments. Dr. Ronaldo. >> Thank you, city council mayor. Uh, thank you for the motion. Melissa, this is a uh DVD that I'm uh that I'm giving to the mayor, the city council, and everybody in the city. This is a 4 and a half billion year history of our planet climate history. The the bottom line is that the high the worse that methane and the carbon gets, the worse the the worse the the worse the temperature becomes and that's make that's why you're seeing copasy going through the crisis because they didn't plan ahead for climate change and this is an excellent documentary so there's I'm going to I'm going to do this handout for for the for the mayor and the city council and anybody and everybody wants to read it so the Rio Grand River has about 600 milligrams per liter of total dissolved solids plant gets the river water brings it down to 211 7 milligrams per liter of dissolve solids and that is our drinking water. Our effluent water that's the water that that's in the city gets the water that we've used as a city takes it back to the plant and then makes it and into an effluent water which is about 270 milligrams per liter and that's what we throw back. But that's where El Paso is now a liter. They're just making a plant that takes three years to take the effluent water and make it drinkable. That's the best thing that the mayor and the city council can do short term. You can make you we can use all that water back again. Underground water is about 1,700 milligrams per liter dissolved solids, but can go as high as 35,000 again. 600. We take it from the river. We make it into 211. We're going to dump it back at 270, which we can use to make it drinkable. The least expensive secondary source of water for the city of Laredo is those millions of gallons of effluent water that the city produces every day. We have two plants. So what APA is doing, they're putting one of the when they're making this plant at one of their plants and they're drinking it again. That's the best and the fastest thing we can do. As I was here the last time, we got on some experts because of climate change more the the river the water gets more evaporated. So we have 18 to 24 years according to those experts or by the year 2044 to 2050 to do what El Paso is doing. El Paso right now only relies on 18% of the river. They're 82% non river dependent now. So we need to start moving forward and not be caught like Corpus Christi. So this is the this is the documentary. It's called Gobo Warning. You don't you can't get it on Prime Video, but you but here it is for all of you to have. My handouts are here. and something that has to do with this that I would never thought I would find it on on prime video and it's it's King Charles and it's called finding harmony that king when he was a prince has been a person that believes in harmony with our environment and making it sustainable though this is about making the city of Laredo survive be sustainable and in the future anything is possible but we got to have water for the city to have all these things that people need for all of us that love this city and we can We can be leaders. Thank you very much. Here's your handouts. Here's your DVD that I want you to all share with everybody else. And thank you for letting the public have their comments because this is a city that belongs to all of us. We love the city, but we have to have water for the city to survive. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next comment. Rosemary Welsh. Look at this young people. >> We're already working on it. >> Thank you all very much. >> How are you all doing? Okay. >> Good. >> Good. Excellent. Uh my name is Sister Rosemary Welsh. Uh I am a proud member of the Rio Grande Riverfrred Coordination and Advisory Ad Hoc Committee. I have read the report that you're going to read go through tonight and this is a life ordeath issue. We need to do everything possible as a city to get more information. Please approve further studies immediately and make it clear that this is not just about infrastructure but this is about protecting the lives and safety of our residents in Larredo. On my way here today and I just have one more comment. People asked me why do you care and why are you going to go and what are you going to say why do you show up and I all these kids today you all >> all these kids today that's why we show up >> and the other thing is that um there's a saying when um good people do not speak up bad things happen so that's what we're all all of us are of goodwill we all of this community. We all want the best, but we need to study and speak up when it might not be so popular. So, I thank you very much. God bless you all. >> Thank you, >> Adrian Tristan. Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Adrian Tristan and I live in District 5. I'm a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where I studied government and public policy. And I've proudly returned back to my hometown to continue my professional journey working on issues regarding public health, community safety, and people centered empowerment. I've never spoken at a forum like this before actually, but I built up the courage to speak to you all today because I, like so many of my friends, relatives, and neighbors in Generation Z, believe that this city finds itself at a critical juncture. I am deeply concerned by the Tomkins report and what it means for Laredo and specifically for my generation, Generation Z. The Tomkins report makes it clear that the combination of W and buoy systems pose a real threat to our critical infrastructure, particularly our bridges. If any of our bridges are destroyed or even if they are just damaged and have to be closed for prolonged rep repair damage due to the buoys, this can have serious consequences for our local economy. I ask this council, has that even been factored into your thinking? Have you tabulated the potential economic risks and costs to the city? That cost of repair to deal with the with a catastrophe will largely fall on this city, on my generation, and on all of us. Where is your study on the political impacts and the potential economic disasters that our city and our infrastructure will have to deal with? We can no longer keep our head in the sand. We need to wake up and get a clear picture of what this project could be. I urge this council to commission those studies immediately. As today's leaders and as frankly people who my generation looks up to, this council must meet the moment. The decisions that you all make today will certainly impact and determine who lives and who dies. THANK YOU Jose Rene Rodriguez. Sandra Rodriguez Sandra Rodriguez. Pakistan construction. forch. Okay. Extermin. Fore! Foreign! Foreign! Order please. Gracias. >> GRACIAS. >> Garen Munoz. Good evening, council and mayor. >> My name is Karen Munos and I live in district 8 here. >> Okay, >> thank you. Um I live in district 8 here um in Laro. I'm here today because I'm concerned about the future of Laredo should the border wall and buoy barrier become a reality. I've read Dr. Mark Tommpkins report which clearly shows that the border wall and buoy system are an existential threat to Laredo especially to some of the most vulnerable disinvested neighborhoods. I urge you to do everything that you can everything in your power to ensure the health and safety of your community is protected. If the wall is built and if flooding does occur as has happened and as will eventually happen. What will the effects be? Will families be displaced? If families are displaced, what response is the city prepared for? flooding would create an emergency situation in areas that have already again experienced severe lack of investment. Has the federal government promised to provide support in a situation like that? Um if they do, should we trust that's going to happen? Even what investment has the city made? What investment will the city make? What will what investment will the city be forced to make to ensure that families are protected? Last week, the Laredo Morning Times reported on the water crisis facing Corpus Christi. And two years ago, this council learned that we will also be out of water come 2044. And this is the context in which we are having these conversations today. This project, a wall, buoys will only serve to worsen this problem. Buoys of course will inevitably deteriorate deteriorate which will inevitably release microplastics into our river contaminating what is our primary source of water. I share that to say that the implications of this project are wide and farreaching, and we don't even understand some of them. The city should should absolutely not agree to move forward with any infrastructure plans while the federal government has yet to show you the plans, has yet to show you what the practical effects of this infrastructure are. You simply can't negotiate with such little information. I urge you to reject the installation of any buoys in the river, to demand the full engineering plans for the wall in a buoy system, and to hire an independent expert to review those plans and advise the city about those effects before any decisions are made. I understand the position that the federal government has put you in here. Still, this wall will affect Laredo residents long after this president is gone. And I urge you to do everything that you can to again put the safety and community of this of this community and of this river um first. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Adrien Sapata. Good evening, uh, mayor and members of the of the council staff. For the record, my name is Adrian Sapata. I'm a longtime resident of Laredo and a business advocate for our economic opportunity for our region. I'm here tonight to respectfully urge council to oppose the installation of buoy barriers in the Rio Grande. For me, the the river is not just a line on the map. Uh, I've been a river enthusiast since 1998, since I was in seventh grade when I won a a uh citywide uh science fair project studying erosion. For nearly three decades, I've I've celebrated the river as a defining part of our region's history, culture, and identity. But tonight, I'm here to talk about something equally important, which is the risk to our infrastructure and to our economy. According to uh the expert analysis engineering analysis prepared by Dr. Doc Mark to Tom Tomkins the proposed buoy system would obstruct as much as 8% of the river's convey conveyance area altering how water moves through the Rand potentially increasing flood levels during high flow events. The Rurand already experiences extreme floods. We saw that in 20 between 2020 2010 and 2018 several major floods impacted our region pushing the river beyond its banks. Uh huge amounts of debris tree vegetation trash they all they all accumulated and this debris came down and imagine if that was on on some of these buoy chains. It's going to increase the pressure on them and eventually they're going to break free and go downstream. And what happens those loose sections can become trapped along the river banks and and our bridge pierce. And that is why I think that everybody in this room should be concerned of that because Laredo isn't just the number one inland port in the United States. We're the number one inland port in the entire Western Hemisphere. 20,000 trucks move throughout the throughout the city every single day. $330 billion in trade, international trade crosses our bridges every single year, representing 40% of all the US Mexico trade. So all of our bridges, all four of them are are not just local assets. They're critical economic arteries for North America. Even if one of those bridges were to be damaged by river flows, debris, accumulation, or erosion caused by the buoy system, the economic consequences could ripple across the entire continent. billions of dollars in trade disrupted overnight. And we don't have to look too far to understand what flooding can do to Texas. Just a a year a few months ago in in the Hill Country area, we saw the billions of dollars of damage damage that that happened there because of the flooding because of the uh the debris in the river that was caused by the flooding. So the real grand is is is already a dynamic shifting river and introducing hundreds of debris catching uh buoy chains. It's the system just adds a level of uncertainty. So I respectfully ask city council and the mayor and city staff to just you know do do your research on this and just oppose the barrier system uh the buoy barriers. Thank you very much for your time and uh any resources that we could be or I could be whether it's any to any political office, we're here to help you guys out. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> And even Good afternoon, mayor, council, city management. We don't get to choose the times that we live in. We only get to choose what we do in those times. This is not the situation that anyone wanted to be in. And we know that there's no perfect options. But yet, here we are. Look at what's happening just up the road from us in Corpus Christi. Look at the situation that Eagle Pass has been in. You have tried to negotiate in good faith with the federal government. You have tried to be reasonable and no doubt you have been polite and professional. In return, has the federal government shared any plans with you? Have they entered into good faith negotiations with you? Is the federal government doing anything anything to protect the safety of our residents? It seems that the answer is no. This is a time for you to have your plan B ready. This is a time to have courage. Let us look at our fellow Americans for inspiration. Other cities that have shown us the way. When cities stand up, both their leadership and their people together, they win. In Minneapolis, the mayor stood up to the federal government. The city council stood up. The people stood up. And the federal government left. Look at what's happening in Corpus Christi. The governor can't wait to get his hands into that city. Don't let the government, state, federal, to come in and take our city. What's happening in Laredo is no different than the situations that these three cities have faced. The city and our leadership can come together and stop a very harmful and destructive force. Don't be afraid of your own voice and don't be afraid of your own power. Let the river be a source of life, not a death threat. Stand up for us and we will stand with you. >> Stand up for Laredo. Maria Selenas. Mariana Selenas. Good afternoon, Mayor Trevinho, council members and city staff. I know you have seen me before and you may say honor again. My name is Mariana Salenas, president of the Sakatic Creek Green District Coalition. I come before you mayor not only as a resident of the Akeka but as a community leader of the neighborhood representing and concerned group of citizens who are in the opposition of the proposed border wall. The community which I represent opposes the border wall for a variety of reasons as it represent wasteful spending. eyesore on our city preventing Aztec residents from accessing their only green space and most most important reason of all which is public safety. On March 1926, Dr. Mark Tommpkins, a highly respected youngologist, presented the city of Laredo River front committee with a detailed reports on the destructive and deadly outcomes that will result during a flood of the bios are in installed in the river and the border wall is built. The report mentioned that the result of such actions are one the increase of debris in the river. Two plots will be higher and faster. Three wall section will be f and be danger to the bridges which will paralyze international trade hurting not just laro but the result of the nations with sorders shorters and higher prices on goods. for a threat to life and property. As a resident of Esteka Riverfront neighborhood and as a community leader, I am extremely concerned about the threat of life and property and how it will have a deadly and destructive impact and all riverfront neighborhood which will result in citizens of Laredo losing their lives. The people of this neighborhood deserves to know the truth about the deadly danger that awaits them. You must take these warnings and Dr. Tomkins report seriously and not close your eyes to the information presented to you because if you don't do nothing, you are gambling with people's life. It angers me that our city government has not done more study the deadly impacts that the buyouts and border will have especially in neighborhoods along the river. The time for action is now because we might never get a second chance. Now is not the time to have a wait see approach because time is running out to do so playing politics with people's lives and that was not what you were elected for. Mayor Trevinho, City Council, when you were elected, your main duty is to uphold public se safety and the what I respected and demand that you prioritize. You must you're not you're not live in neighborhood that will have deadly impacts from flooding made worse by the border wall, but many of my fellow citizen do. citizens do. Are their lives worthy any less than those who live in better of neighborhoods? I hope you don't need to think about the answer to that question. Some members on the city council may support the wall because they fear the reaction of the federal government if they oppose it, oppose it. But what they really need to fear is the loss of life and destruction of property that will happen. Their pri priority needs to be on the people of this city and not bending over backwards for any admin administration. Thank you very much. Ricardo and >> good afternoon city council. >> My name is Ricardo Deanda and I'm a member of the riverfront advisory committee. I don't mean to speak for them but I will say this. Every member of that advisory committee loves Laredo and every member of that advisory committee does not want any harm to happen to this city. They have asked you to conduct further studies so that we as the committee can be informed as to what any dangers that Naro may face so that we can properly advise you. Why is this important? It's not about the presidential permit anymore. It's a different issue that we're facing now. This is what Dr. Tomkins said and I'm quoting that because of the walls and buoys, inevitable catastrophic flooding and potential deaths will occur. Inevitable, he says. Why inevitable? Well, because it's a project that's going to last hundreds of years. Are we going to have a strong rain event during 200 years? You're going to bet. And when it happens, he says, we're going to suffer inevitable catastrophic flooding and potential deaths. Now, this is not the city's expert. This is an expert that was commissioned by a nonprofit, paid for by the land land owners. We're concerned about damage to their property. We're not concerned about deaths. You guys should be concerned about deaths. You guys need to look deeper into this and find out what is that potential. Now, why do we find ourselves in this situation where a an engineering project is causing the risk of flooding and death? >> Well, because the the laws that protect us have been waved. The laws that would that would normally not allow this to happen have been waved. I hate to do this to you, Mr. have. But you are our last line of defense. You are all we have. You, mayor and city council, because the law has been stripped from us, is our only defense. We can't be concerned about presidential permits anymore. We need to be concerned about Lasca. It's not going to be the neighborhoods in Delmare or the Heights that are going to be affected by flooding. >> It's the neighborhoods like Last Tekka that are going to be harmed by flooding. They're the ones that are at risk, the bars of Larredo, and they rely on you because the law has been stripped from us. Now, it's it seems to me that we want to be able to gather whatever evidence we can gather as to this inevitability so that we can effectively negotiate with the federal government. If there's anything that will cause them to keep us out of this situation, if there's anything that's going to cause them to accept Mr. Ne's proposal of alternative security systems, it's evidence of death to this community. Now, think about it. This wall will go through the middle of a of an area that holds 750,000 people. There's no other place in this border along the Rio Grande where that occurs. That's not the situation in Brownsville. That's not the situation in El Paso and Suarez. It's the situation here. 750,000 people right down the middle of it. You don't need to be an engineer to understand that that could be a problem in case of a storm and in case of any impediment to the to the flow of that water. The committee has asked you to commission a study. Granted, we don't have all of the plans and specifications. There were engineers from Crane Engineering. We were at the committee meeting. One of them said that their engineers looked at the Tomkins report and they agreed with every single word in that report. I don't know whether we can accept it fully, but let's study it because it does raise some serious issues. And if you ignore that report, if you go into executive session and deal with this issue in executive session and cut out the people from issues involving public safety, it could be tragic. Now, we may not be able to have anything to do with it. They may be able to cut us off and build a wall anyway. In that case, you may need to change your emergency preparedness plan and you should have this study at least so that you'll know what are the risks and what can you as a city do to protect us from those risks. And so on my behalf as a member of the committee, I ask you to please commission that report so that we can open our eyes fully to what's happening here. The second thing that the commit that that the committee has done is asked that you broaden the scope of our review. We want to be able to take a broader look at the situation and not be limited solely to city-owned assets, solely to the city's critical assets. We want to look at this from a broader perspective. And we're asking the council to vote tonight to give us that broader perspective scope so that we can be more useful to you. >> Thank you very much. >> THANK YOU Maxo Prao. Maximilliano Prao. >> Good evening, Council Mayor. My name is Maximiano Prado with the Laredo Immigrant Alliance. Speaking of agenda item 109. Year after year, the federal and state government keep investing in the border fund on projects and programs that our community does. but on projects that our community does not need. In just the past year, $4.1 million was approve were approved for license plate readers that violate the privacy of our community. $85 billion to ICE that is being used to poach our local law enforcement officers and create fear in our communities. And now a total of 1.38 uh 38 billion for the Laredo border wall and buoys in our only source of drinking water. Not only is this going to hurt our environment, but it's going to create more problems for our only source of water that's already one of the most endangered rivers in the nation. For decades, our city has let itself be affected by state and federal lawmakers who do not understand the needs of our city. Each time they decide to invest billions of dollars to border security, and we let them. We have reached the point that having the military along the border has become our normal for our community. The contract for construction of the border wall and buies are for Laredo totaled 1.38 billion dollars. With this money, all of Laredo's water pipeline system could be fixed. The budget deficit of United ISD uh could be uh could be paid off. Laredo city health department could get the expansion that we so diversely desperately need. Our roads improved and Hamilton senior apartments could have gotten all their improvements. All this could be accomplished with that money and we still would have $395 million left over. That money could be uh used to keep investing in the needs of our community. Well, I understand that we do not have a choice on how this money is being spent. Our community will never get the investment we have needed for years if we keep suddenly letting them do what they want with our community. We will not stop being perceived as a dangerous border if we let keep letting this happen. People from outside Larredo will see the military, the billions given to eyes, the border wall, the buoys, and say, "If Laredo is so safe, why does your community need all that? Pushing back against the national narrative is not going to be easy. Fixing that water problem is not going to be easy. Stopping the militarization of our community is not going to be easy. Pushing back against a border wall and buoys is not going to be easy, but we need to. The people of Larredo, the people of our community are going to be here to deport you all if you do push back. Isn't an impossible choice, but it is not. You all have a choice to make on the behalf of the people, and we are here telling you what our community needs. Thank you. Edia seor. >> Hey guys. For the record, my name is Edgar Vasor. Good evening everyone. Thank you mayor and city council for this opportunity to speak today. I'm here on behalf of my neighborhood Santaita in Southside Laredo District 2. I have lived in the south most of my life and I love my park. I read the Dr. Tomkins report and the report shows that the risks to my neighborhood and other riverfront neighborhoods is great. The border wall concern is no longer just about the potential damage to our natural environment. It isn't just about access to our riverfront for fishing, birding, recreation, or even the very real risk to our city infrastructure like our bridges. The findings on this report show that the border wall construction has become a missionritical public safety issue. According to the Dr. Tomkins report, the construction of a border wall through our riverfront communities presents a direct life or death threat. It is your obligation to protect our community. And if the feds won't do it, you guys should be taking steps to do it. You have our community at stake. We have more than 20 riverfront neighborhoods all the way from Deer Creek, Deer Creek down to College Heights and beyond, not mentioning Rio Bravo and Elsenisu. We are now being asked to take unacceptable risks and we cannot allow this as a community. You are our representatives. The city needs to immediately conduct these studies. We need to protect our safety. Please find the courage and protect our community. Thank you guys. MARGARITA RISER. >> Good evening, mayor, honorable council members and staff. My name is Margarita Arisa. Um, in 1954, the Rio Grande rose up and flooded after Hurricane Alice came down uh through several counties and uh and uh created havoc in our community. Uh the Sakata Creek flooded all the way up to about Lafayette Street, Saunders Avenue. Um and uh and the result was was devastating. People had to be evacuated. Uh the health care community had to take emergency steps to inoculate people against typhoid. It was a a disaster. Laredo is unique. We can't just I'm sorry. Yeah, just we can't just say well other cities have a wall so we will be fine or other cities have buoys so we will be fine. We have over 20 urban communities neighborhoods right up against the river which is not true in most border cities. The river ro flows strongly here and it floods which is not true in most border cities. If anything goes wrong the lives and property of our residents will be directly impacted which is not true in most border cities. We have unique risks here and those have not been addressed at all. You need to stand up and protect the lives of our city residents. It's time to stop being complacent. The unique risks to our infrastructure and communities must be understood and addressed. I urge you to immediately move to approve the necessary studies to protect the safety of Laredo residents. Don't wait. And please, I hope that no city representative ever again says there's nothing we can do or it's out of our hands. That is not an acceptable response to this life and death issue. Thank you. Dr. Alisa Hadley. Alissa Hadley. Good evening. My name is Dr. Allison Hadley. I am an associate professor of anthropology and a professional archaeologist. My presence here, my views and my perspectives and my opinions are mine alone. As a private citizen and as a 10-year plus resident of Laredo, I do not represent those and they do not represent those of my employer or any other institution with which I am affiliated. To re reiterate, my words spoken here are mine alone. I'm currently conducting a study on both the aquatic and the terrestrial archaeological cultural resources that will be impacted by both border barriers. Cultural resources include prehistoric archaeological sites that can date back to 12,000 years. Historic towns ranches forts cemeteries trails, and highways, all of which we have here. And it can also include underwater prehistoric and historic resources such as sunken structures and vessels. I'm here to add just another perspective um about the cultural resources and to ask you to please consider the cultural resources when making future decisions about the border barrier systems. Thank you. Thank you, >> Sylvia Brun. >> It was worth the wait. Sylvia Brunie and I am the uh I'm a Laredoan first and foremost but representing the Web County Democratic Party as our party chair and I would venture to say that on behalf of that party representing thousands and thousands of Laredoans who agree and endorse with every single comment that you've heard from community today. Uh I've read the well I haven't read the report but I know that the report forecasts dire consequences and you've heard about you've heard elaborations of that tonight. I want to point out something else which literally underscores why we should not have to be speaking of this period punto. You're very proud of the fact and I see the signs here on the side. We're what the safest city in Texas. I thought for a while there we might even have been the safest city in the United States. We are a safe city. We continue to be a safe city. Unfortunately, the folks in Washington don't seem to grasp that. But I want to remind you of a story of something that happened in 2024 that if anything underscores why it is that this wall and these buoys are absolutely nonsensical. In 2024, many of you will remember what happened. There was a surge. Actually, the propagandist, the folks at market propaganda on the other side took it as an advantage. We had in Ledo over 350,000 migrants who arrived in a rush. Many of you will remember that they were coming by the bus loads. They were not crossing the river. They were coming by the bus loads. we would learn and I know this for a fact from our friends at uh holding. They were coming from Arizona. They were coming from California. They were coming from New Mexico. They were coming from anywhere where there was a border town because what they had learned was that in Laredo we had a very rapid and efficient processing system. They were being dropped off by the bus loads holding and Catholic social services were the two nonprofits. And I know that the city at the time took took steps because we were being inundated. But in all that time throughout those 350,000 that came to Ledo, there was not ever I keep asking for verification. There was not ever one indication that one of those committed a crime. No crime was committed by the migrants that came through and were literally dumped in Laredo. It's a reminder to you and it's a reminder to the community. It should be a reminder to the administration that continues to play with us actually to punish us that this is not a city that merits or deserves a useless, senseless, destructive wall and buoys. Uh I I agree. Just one one minor my my mother when we got into trouble would say a reminder take steps to stand up to them and God willing we're able to hold off until we have a turnaround in that administration. But in the meantime, Manda, thank you so much. >> Catalina Giller Good evening, mayor and council. My name is Catalina Marie Aguilad and I'm a resident of District 7 and a proud constituent of Councilwoman Councilwoman Vanessa Pettis, who is unfortunately not present right now. Um, but I'm here to speak on agenda item 109. To be honest, I'm not much of a political person and I've never attended a city council meeting before. But a few days ago, I was on social media and came across a report by a river expert, Dr. Martkins, and what I read genuinely scared me. As a Laredoan, born and raised in District 7. I grew up on our riverfront parks, on our raetball courts, and along our walking trails. These aren't just patches of land to me. There where my family gathers for Sunday Carneasadas and where I've made my favorite memories. When I read Dr. Tomkins analysis, I realized these proposed structures, the walls and the buoys create a physical bottleneck in the Rio Grande. In a major storm, this combination wouldn't just block people, it'll block water. It'll turn our riverfront into a debris trap that puts our neighborhoods and our international bridges at risk. For those of us in District 7, this isn't just a project on paper. This is about our homes. It feels like the city is being asked to wait and see if our living rooms will flood, if our drinking water is contaminated, and that's a risk we cannot afford to take. This has become a matter of public safety and to be frank, a matter of life and death. I'm here tonight as a concerned neighbor and to this ask this council to prioritize our families over vague proposals. I urge Councilwoman Bettz and the rest of the council to one oppose the installation of these buoys in our historic Rio Grande, two hire an independent river expert, someone who has a radial interest at heart to review this project, and three, refuse to negotiate with the federal government until we, the local government and citizens see the full engineering plans. We cannot move forward blindly while our community safety is on the line. I thank you for the work you do for our city and I ask that you put the safety of our homes and the health of our river first. Thank you all for your time. >> Thank you, >> Valentine Ree. Thank you, mayor, council members, and our city manager, Valentin Ruiz, Laredo Veteran. I strongly support the border security, but you can secure the border without poisoning our water with buoys that emit cancer-causing forever chemicals. Every person in this room drinks the water from the Rio Grande Rio Grandeto. Independent engineers are warning that installing buoys, wall infrastructure in the Rio Grande would increase flood risk, trap massive debris, and damaged bridges. These buoys could drag through neighborhoods, dragging houses and people up against the wall. This is a death trap for people on both sides of the border that should concern every responsible responsible person for protecting this city and that is you the city manager and our city council. It's only what it and you need to protect our only water source from contamination. Supporting border security should never mean increasing flood danger or risking contamination of our water supply for the residents dependent on that water every day. So my question to this council and especially to you, our city manager, is simple. Will the city of Laredo demand full engineering, transparency, and independent flood risk studies before allowing this project to move forward along our river? Because protecting the border should also mean protecting the American communities that live along it. Those mamos elaw Rio. So tonight, the people of Laredo and the veterans standing behind me are watching you to see who will stand up for our river and who will stay silent while decisions are made that could affect our only water source of our people. Blas kamati. Gracias. Thank you. Thank you, Desmond Vega. Is there a timer anywhere? I know it's three minutes, but how do I know how many minutes? >> He says a little bell to advise you. >> Okay. Um well, thank you mayor and council members for hearing me today. My name is Jasmine Vega. Um I'm here to discuss um item 109 like a lot of people have uh been discussing today, the CBP's uh proposed smart um wall infrastructure. And I'm um as you can tell, super emotional. This is very crazy to me that we're even having this conversation right now. Um, I feel very personally impacted by this. I live in, um, if you guys are familiar with neighborhoods, um, I live in Antonto. So, um, I am a stone throw away from the border, from the river. I use the thresos park and loredo college every day for work for walking around. You know, we're from a low socioeconomic um neighborhood. So, we don't have a lot of options there. We we're so limited in what we have and um hearing that we may be getting these taken away from us is heartbreaking. And then not to mention, like people have touched on today, our lives more importantly. Um I fear I you know I like others here have read the report. I am so scared. Um I remember when I was in second grade a huge flood that happened that um went up to the Rio uh drive mall and I remember fearing for my life back then. I can only imagine the impact that kind of flood would have if we had buoys and walls in place. It would absolutely hit my neighborhood. And there's only three exits from my neighborhood. One of them Saragoa often blocked by the train. The other an underpass San Francisco Javier which would definitely be covered if a flood were to happen. The third Laredo College which if the entire neighborhood was trying to exit through Laredo College would be insanity. So, I fear for all these people that can't be here today that, you know, my um family has been in that neighborhood since the 1800s, as a lot of people in that neighborhood. They're older people that they don't see social media. They don't even know what's going on. And I cannot stand by and not advocate for them. And you guys should be the ones advocating advocating for us, for them, for the people who can't be here today. So my ask of you, our city council, is to advocate for us and say no to buoys, say no to the border wall. Um and um like others have mentioned, it's super crucial that we Larredo do our independent study on how it it will impact our neighborhoods. I don't understand why we would even consider this without having this information. It's super super crucial. Um, so again, I think that we shouldn't agree to anything until we have the facts in place of how it'll affect our neighborhood. And you know, someone else touched on it, but I've been reading this sign all evening for the past 2, three hours I've been sitting here. >> So, I don't understand if we are the safest city in Texas, why we're even talking about this. THANK YOU. MARY SULGALINDO. Good evening, mayor, >> city council, and staff. For the record, my name is Mary Sugalindo, and I'm here to speak uh on behalf of the river and the city of Laredo and against the desecration and the destruction of our community. I think you know in your heart of hearts that a border wall and the Bowies would bring nothing but disaster and destruction upon our people. The federal government doesn't care about brown people. This wall is a monument to hate. It is not needed. We are the effing safest city in the state of Texas. So, somebody, some contractor is going to make a lot of money. And that's what this is about because this has been one of the most corrupt administrations ever. And they don't care about our safety. This is a hoax. This is a sham. And our community is at stake. The health and safety and dignity of our community is at stake. We just saw these robotic teams. We were applauding science and the magnificent things that we can do with science. Well, we need to embrace science and we need to look at reports and we need to have studies and we need to take a page from the Trump playbook and sue the federal government and delay and sue and delay and sue. And we need to hire attorneys who have experience suing the government because we need that kind of expertise because we cannot stand by with our hands behind our backs not knowing what to do. We have no answers. This is an unusual situation that we find ourselves in. But I know, mayor, that you have a good heart. I know all of you care about the community. You have a good heart. FIGHT FOR US. FIGHT FOR US. FIGHT. Juan Los Sano, Dr. Conilio. Express. Greg Catastrophe Rio. Rio is a for the construction. constructional much. Bless you. WE had a motion to go to executive sessions. >> Mayor Council >> question ask if you all can accept an amendment to bring up the mass transit. I believe there's a small presentation and also item number 87 if possible. >> All right, we can do that first. And would would we be able also if if council member agrees to bring up 109 and 110 because I know several of these people who reference that report we're speaking about it and we have that for the public to see through council. >> We'll go with you. >> Yeah. So they can advise us before we start on the item. So we have a motion that's pending voting. >> I'm sorry. The motion is to bring up number 87 >> and mass transit >> and the mass transit. Motion. I'll second that. Mayor. >> Okay. Motion second. All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion pass >> for number 87. Mayor motion to accept. Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I post. Motion pass. >> I believe mayor there is a presentation associated with that item. >> No, with the mass transit. The M. >> The mask. That's another Yeah, another item. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Motion to approve. A second. >> Motion and second. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. Mayor. Motion to adjourn as Laro Mass Transit Board and reconvene. I'm sorry. Excuse me. Motion to adjourn as the Laredo Council and convene as Laro Mass Transit Board. Second. >> Motion and second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. >> Mr. Mr. R.J. Got I think you have a presentation for us. >> Mayor, there was a request from uh Metro to table item 101 101. >> Motion if you would consider that. >> Okay. >> Motion and second. All in favor? I >> oppose. Motion passes. >> Presentation mayor from Mr. Garson. >> Yes. Mr. Garson. Your presentation please. >> Good afternoon. RJ Garca for the record. Um, transitive director. >> Mr. Garca, one second, please. >> Order, please. I can't hear the presenter. Keep it down, guys. >> Go ahead. >> Good evening. >> RJ Garca for the record. Um, transit director. Uh we'd like to go ahead and and begin with our presentation uh to discuss and consider Metro's performance and operational efficiencies review with possible action. Um I'm very I'm pleased uh >> Excuse me, Mr. Garson. One second, please. The audio is having problems picking you up. Can you hold a second till everybody vacates, please? >> Yes. >> There we go. >> Okay. I'm pleased to to um to go ahead and and do a presentation. We have a a video to to to show you a brief video. Um and then if you have any questions after that, we're we're here to answer. Oscar Gomez is our um public um communications manager. We have staff members here present as well in case um we get a real tough question. Welcome to El Metro Transit System presentation. Progress, performance, and the path forward vision. Our promise to the community is to provide a safe bus, a clean bus, and a reliable bus that is operated by a professional coach operator that practices excellent customer service. Our mission is to promote and provide highquality, cost-effective public transportation services that address the needs and demands of the citizens of Laredo, Texas. The momentum the data through 2024 shows that Laredo Transit is an essential lifeline. Our fixed route ridership grew by 13% over two years and our paratransit service lyft saw a massive 30% surge. These numbers prove the community's deep reliance on our services. The current reality, however, we must address the shift we've seen since January 2025. While our long-term growth is strong, we've observed a localized change in writership patterns. It is important to note that Laredo is not alone in this. Transit systems in border and immigrant heavy cities across the region are reporting similar trends due to broader external factors. The outlook while these regional market realities are currently impacting our numbers, the foundation of our growth remains solid. Tech stack. Laredo Transit is officially operating with a world-class tech stack that rivals major metropolitan agencies. First, we've prioritized the passenger experience. With Swiftly, our riders have real-time tracking, while Samsara gives our team instant alerts for late or missed stops to keep the fleet on time. Behind the scenes, we're using Remix, a powerhouse data visualization tool to solve complex scheduling and routing in minutes. Paratransit modernization. Our next major upgrade focuses on our most vulnerable riders. We are officially transitioning our paratransit planning to spare, an industry-leading platform designed for modern mobility. By moving Lyft onto the same high-level planning ecosystem as our fixed route system, we are creating a smarter, more unified network. This transition allows us to automate complex scheduling and significantly increase efficiency in our specialized route planning. We are using the best technology available to ensure that our passengers with disabilities receive the most reliable and dignified service possible. We aren't just upgrading our software. We are upgrading our commitment to accessibility. The cashless revolution. Our next goal is the cashless revolution, a transition to a fully integrated tapandgo system. By introducing reusable smart cards and digital fund management, we're ending the era of cash fumbling and paper transfers. This means boarding times drop to seconds, directly improving our on-time performance. But the real win is operational. Currently, it takes four staff members every morning just to process physical cash. Going cashless allows us to reallocate those hours toward higher value transit operations. Plus, the digital data helps us refine schedules with pinpoint accuracy. We're moving from counting coins to capturing data. the passenger environment. We are fundamentally transforming the passenger experience in Laredo thanks to key funding from the Federal Highway Administration in TXDOT. We are installing 12 state-of-the-art ADA bus stops. >> These aren't just stops, they are high-spec, universally accessible spaces designed to provide a safer, more dignified >> presentation tied to because item 101 was item 102 is about auto parts. So, what is that presentation? Which item is it referring to? >> We're on item 103. >> 102. >> It's an open 101. >> 101. Yeah, >> we're on 10. >> We're on 102. 103. >> Yes. 102. 102. I'm sorry about that. I thought we moved on to 103, but uh 102 is to consider a renewal contract for our parts uh for our buses, our support vehicles, everything that we have. Um >> motion to approve 102. >> Okay. >> I'll second for discussion, but I have a question. >> Okay. Yeah. Motion second. All in favor? >> Discussion. >> No question. Go ahead. >> Um 25% is is a lot of an increase. It's a very high increase. Um, if we're going to approve this, I'd also like to include an audit from the auditor so that they can audit the open POS to make sure that that the inventory being purchased is utilized and it's not just sitting there and that everything that's being purchased under open POS is directly related to parts. So, >> I'd accept the amendment. >> All right. Motion as amended. >> Second. Second. All >> in favor? >> I oppose. Motion pass. Three. >> Three. >> 103. Now >> continue with presentation. >> Thank you. >> Waiting experience for our seniors and riders with disabilities. But we aren't stopping there. We are also launching a massive amenity refresh, replacing aging seating with 200 brand new bus stop benches across the entire city. This isn't just about comfort. It's about enhancing the visual appeal of our corridors and showing our riders that their experience matters. Smart signage. We are officially bringing our bus stops into the digital age by replacing our entire signage network with next general smart signs. The centerpiece of this upgrade is instant access. By scanning a QR code, passengers get real-time route info on their phones. For those without a smartphone, we've integrated a text or call feature. Riders simply provide their stop ID to hear or see exactly when the next bus arrives. Most importantly, we are ensuring no one is left behind. Every physical and digital touch point is fully bilingual, providing equal access in English and Spanish. We aren't just putting up signs, we're giving every rider a personal transit assistant at every stop in Laredo. Strategic optimization to ensure El Metro remains a responsible steward of public funds. We are proposing a strategic optimization of three specific routes, the Kllum, South Laredo, and Riverside circulators. Currently, these routes show disproportionately low ridership during off- peak hours compared to their high operating costs. By transitioning these specific lines to peak hour service only, we can focus our resources exactly where they are needed most during the morning and afternoon commutes for our workforce and students. This shift allows us to maintain essential connectivity while reducing our annual overhead by nearly $300,000. >> Mayor, >> yes. Go ahead. >> To bring >> um RJ, so when I came on council, we didn't have bus ridership past Kellum. We incorporated Green Ranch. We brought the buses into that neighborhood and now we're reducing services because when we added Green Ranch, we never included Sundays for them. So the way that we implemented some of these routes, we didn't make it so that the people who utilize the these routes could actually convert to bus ridership and they still have to have their own vehicle to get around because if you're not offering buses on Sunday, if you're coming to the bus stop once every two hours, we've talked about this before, is that you can't just start a service, make it very difficult for people to use it and then turn around and say, "Oh, nobody used it, so let's cut it." That's what we're doing here because here we are couple years later and now we're reducing that service because we're saying that people aren't writing it. Well, they're not writing it because it comes very late. It comes not it's inconsistent. It's once every two hours and it doesn't come on Sundays. So, how is somebody supposed to, you know, switch their vehicle for to to utilize the bus when they they can't get around efficiently? So, I feel um I can understand from a cost standpoint, but it doesn't seem fair the way we've rolled these things out to um it's not like we gave them full service and we said the bus is going to come every 30 minutes and we're going to come on Saturdays and we're going to come on Sundays just like we do downtown and they're not using it. No, we gave them a schedule that makes it hard for them to use it and now we're taking it away. Well, thank you, Councilwoman. Um, ma'am, we we we're not proposing to eliminate uh the routes or the circulators. We're not we're not proposing that at all. Actually, what we're seeing is that is people are wanting to use more of the mines road area and and Rosa here, she's a AGM for operations. She can share that information. But what we're proposing here only and for consideration is only during we'll have the service during the peak time when when people are actually really utilizing it. The savings is when they're not using it and we've conducted surveys but with our drivers as well. So >> no I can I I can understand like I know exactly what's going on. People want to use it because mines road traffic is congested. This would help alleviate some of the congestion by reducing some of the vehicles off the off the route, but they can't depend on it because they still have to be able to get rides and to and from places within a reasonable period of time. We were supposed to start that Bartlett exchange and have the trucks flow. I mean, right now we do the exchange >> parking lot. We we are willing to uh consider increasing the service when the demand is there. If we can reach a better demand, then it it makes sense to go ahead and allow. We want the wrership. That's all that's what we want to accomplish, but at the same time, we want to be as efficient as we can possibly uh do with these three and they're they're they're quite effective for a lot of people. And I understand people use this service, right? and uh maybe not as much as a regular fixed route, but they are utilizing it. We are seeing some good numbers, not not the best numbers, but we're just trying to reduce it to where it where people use it, that's when we'll have the service, but it's just a consideration. It's it's not a a great amount of money. I mean, it's we're talking about close to 300,000 savings, but um we can we can go this route and as we see an increase in demand, we can always make changes, modifications to to bring to make it better. >> Well, you're not going to see an increase in demand when you decrease service. You're going to see an increase in demand when you increase the service. That's always been my argument with the circulator roll out is that give them the full scope uh option and let them choose to use it or not, but don't give them, you know, a couple hours and then not Sunday and then hold it against them for not using it because who's going I mean, that means you can't go anywhere on Sundays or you're going to have to call somebody for a ride or you're going to have to take an Uber or you're going to have to have a vehicle. And if you have a vehicle, then why are you going to take the bus? So that's where it doesn't make sense on some of these. Are you going to give us more details on this efficiency and and this method and this strategy or are you just presenting it to us >> like right now? Council woman, we are just presenting >> Mayor Rosto for the record. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Uh apologies. We are wanting to modify where because we have run surveys and have the service say because we've get we get high ridership in the mornings and late at night or late in the afternoon. They are requesting for an extra trip. So if we reduce the times that there is no wrership and added towards the end we'll we'll end up bringing those people that we're leaving behind. Those are the modifications that we're looking at. Now another modification would be on mine road which we could use that route to service the killum area since we don't have the circulator running. Those are are things that we're looking at because writers are requesting those those services >> for Saturdays. >> Nobody has requested anything for Sunday that we know of. Um but those those what what I just said they are requesting an extra trip on uh on no in a circulator for for Green Ranch. They are requesting for Saturday service and they're requesting for the Kellum Industrial Park. So, what we're trying what I've been looking at was to modify the mines road, which is the one that's currently running, and just have it do that trip right there at that that section to the actual route, the existing route. >> Okay. I just don't want to reduce services to the neighborhoods, especially when they went decades without having access at all >> and they just got access within the past few years. and I don't want to take it away from them, especially the ones that have come to rely on it. And so I would care be careful um to to reduce services, make sure that we're not leaving anybody behind. >> Yes, ma'am. And we have been, like I said, we have been running surveys uh with the driver writing in where he's picking up >> certain people so that we don't affect anybody. If there's one person that we pick up, we do not make those changes. We don't take that service away from them because they you they do use it for for work. >> Okay. >> Yes. Um R.J. I've got a couple of questions. Um first and foremost, a few slides back you mentioned or was mentioned on the video uh going cashless, completely cashless. Uh, do you see an issue with that, especially with our elderly population that may not have access to a bank or doesn't have a debit card or a credit card? Because I know a lot of people, especially our elderly, still um uses cash. I'm I'm one of them. I'm not that elder, but I still use cash. Um, that's a concern because a lot of our people, they they use cash. >> Yes. Uh, that's a good question, Councilman. We we're not u eliminating the cash concept. If people want to pay with cash, they still can. But we we do we are getting a lot of uh demand from even like college students and >> Yes, absolutely. >> Uh people that have is hey you just take credit card and things like that. >> So uh we are seeing that. >> Yeah, I understand moving with technology and moving forward. I just don't want to leave the people behind that are you know a little older that >> we're not proposing to eliminate the cash ability. We're still going to allow cash. A lot of people are used to just cash and right and as as we transition into that then we're going to be able to know well how much how much is really coming in and how much all this there's a lot of systems or uh uh San Antonio is a good example that they they're not accepting cash right >> but uh we're we're not we're not proposing that at this time not at this time >> great great and then number two survey was mentioned a few minutes ago miss I think it is yes ma'am um just to recommendation. Have you all sent out notices to people that live in those particular areas, those neighborhoods, mailing something out to them, asking what service they require, what times, or is it just going by the writership that's been limited? >> We are going by the writership. >> Okay. Is there something that maybe a metro can do? Yeah, maybe a metro can do something to send them out entire neighborhoods, right? Some type of a survey saying, "Hey, I I need a service at this time. This would be great." If you have 100, 200 people, they're saying, "Yes, I need the service at I'm just shooting out a number, right?" 6:00 a.m. >> You all can make it work. >> Yeah. >> Uh, would that be possible? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Please. I think that would help us and you all plenty. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Mayor, if I may. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> R.J., are you going to finish with the report? Is there still Are you still have the presentation to go? >> Yes. I think there's a minute and a half left. >> Okay. That way you can finish and then I have another question. >> Okay. Everything together. The vision for Elmet Metro in 2026 is built on strength modernization and accountability. We have established a rock-solid foundation proven by our 13% growth in fixed routes and a massive 30% surge in our paratransit services. To support that growth, we have implemented a big city tech stack and a roadmap for cashless revolution that prioritizes passenger speed and driver safety. By making the strategic decision to optimize underperforming routes, we are reclaiming nearly $300,000 in annual operating costs. I want to be clear, this is a reinvestment strategy. We are pouring those savings back into our hightra core and into transformative infrastructure like our 12 new state-of-the-art ADA stops and the phase 1A maintenance facility. Our goal is to provide more than just a ride. We are providing a dignified, elite, and reliable transit experience for the 1.8 million passengers who call El Metro their lifeline. We are building a smarter, faster Laredo, and we are just getting started. Thank you for your time and your continued support of our mission. At this time, I'm happy to take any questions you may have. >> I want to thank you for listening to our presentation. I hope you we all learned a little bit. Also, with the public that's uh uh seeing this same time, I wanted to go ahead and let uh I didn't introduce my my boss. He's here in the in this uh the room. His name John Hendrickson. He's the HCG president. >> Welcome. Uh if you have any questions for for us, we're pleased to answer any any additional questions. We are seeing a increase in ridership and the fixed route like 6% this year. This this year's changed uh from last year. We're getting the 6% increase uh in in in fixed route and a 10% increase in writership on the LF program. So, it's been working very well. We we um I like your your suggestions about uh each each of the services and proposals that we're putting out and and I I we understand perfectly about uh wanting to be be able to be there for the public that truly needs it. There's a lot of people, a lot of students that rely on the service daily. We understand that. We just want to make it the best that we possibly can. And um modernize it a little bit more than what we currently have where uh staff's doing a great job doing that. And we'll we we will reach out to neighborhoods and find out uh not just in certain those areas but all in all different areas maybe not all at once but Laredo has grown quite a bit. We want to we want to hear from the public see what their demand their question their wishes are. >> Mayor. >> Yeah. >> Um I appreciate that R.J. I just I am concerned about the fact that we've had this discussion before as far as I I go I'm going to go back to Green Ranch, right? Because I remember that they didn't have the service and we've talked about doing surveys to the neighborhoods. We've I've asked how Elmetro is doing surveys and you know you'll do a survey and you'll get 200 responses and go off that. And I questioned that last time saying how could you because the the number was a wrership of 10,000. So if you have a writership of 10,000, why are you only getting 200 responses? Then my question was, are you having your survey takers sit on the bus and survey them as they're on their way to their destination? And the answer was no. We interview them while they're, you know, in between their hectic time basically of going from to getting on the bus, which of course nobody's going to have time to talk to you when they're trying to get on the bus and they're about to sit there for like an hour, especially if they're going to the south. That's the perfect time for you to interview them. So, as far as the surveys go, um, it is disappointing that there hasn't been more of a an outreach. And then the cashless thing or the the electronic, we brought that up like four years ago. I remember bringing that up four years ago when I first came on council, 5 years ago even. So I understand you're putting it in a slideshow, but at this point it should have already been implemented. >> We were able to implement it now because of the new buses that we purchased that that you all purchased, right? We um the 19 and we changed out all the equipment from the rest the older units and we introduced a a uh new firebox system that will allow us to do those do those things. The others the the old one system was outdated. It it wasn't we weren't able to do that at that point. But with this one we are going to be able to move into that. >> Mayor I have a question. >> So this was a presentation right? But it says here that you're um have an efficiency review. So do you have data that actually shows us all this numbers like efficiency study type numbers? And then I remember one time you had suggested looking into the efficiency of possibly for us to look at taking the operations internal as a department. I remember that conversation. >> So do we have any of that data that we can see in a report because this is just a presentation. So >> I can go ahead and email it to you, but I do have a copy of it. If you want, I can. >> Is it just numbers or is it methodology? >> It It's based on the 2020 census. >> Okay. But that's not an efficiency study. I mean, we can get that too, but do you have like the actual efficiency study that you use to base your presentation off of? >> Yes, we do have it actually. Um, we will actually mail it to you guys. Um, I believe that it was already mailed to you guys. I don't know if you guys received it. Uh, it was back in January. No, June. It was sent out. Yes. >> Of last year. >> Yes. >> And we're barely getting the presentation in March because we get a lot of emails. >> Yes. >> I think it would been better if we could get a refresher and get so we can see that. >> Yeah, we have that ready. I'm not sure if that study has all those components to it that I asked about, but we had talked a lot about efficiency. >> Okay. I just want to make sure we have that because I don't want to approve cutting routes until we've exhausted all options. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next item. >> No. All right. So, >> RJ, did you need us to approve >> 103 to continue >> with this performance and operational efficiency review or >> we we had it in there in case you wanted to take action at this time. Um that's why we had that that uh item in there for to discuss and consider uh the efficiencies that we're recommending. >> Um >> next yeah next meeting can you bring it back to us the efficiency study and then we'll go and take that action let me take off. >> Yes. Okay then I'll go. >> Yeah we'll do it then. >> All right. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Motion to adjurnn as the radio mass transit board and reconvene as the radio city council. Second motion second. All in favor? I oppos. Motion passes. We're going to second session. >> Yeah, we need to go to executive session. Motion. >> No, we already motion. Yes, sir. >> Let's do it. >> Any second motion? >> Yeah. >> Executive session. Back to the executive session. No agreements were done. >> Mayor motion for number eight. No action. Well, no motion necessary. No, no action taken on number eight. On number 100 for staff to proceed or motion for staff to proceed as directed. >> Second. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. >> Mayor, a motion if I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Motion to table number 86. >> Second. >> Second. >> 86. Motion second. All in favor? >> Oppos? Motion pass mayor motion to bring up your items your communication and my items as well and mine are are timesensitive >> number 111 and 112 sir. >> All right motion >> mayor um my item it's been four meetings in a row please. >> All right. >> What number is that? >> 113 clear number 113 as well. Okay. >> Start with comm communications number eight. We need a motion. A motion second. Okay. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? I. Communications >> the table we already voted on. Yes. Table 86. Yes. >> All right. >> All right. Number eight. Communications >> presentation by mayor providing general comments on city manners upcoming initiatives and other relevant updates for the council and the public. The announcements include we will be having a school forum meeting with the parents at Mary Help as a continuation for safety initiative on the 24th to discuss what we can dialogue about we're seeing what we're seeing in our community when it comes to youth crime especially as it relates the trend we're seeing with gun violence. These events do not happen by chance. It is created through multiple things happening in our community like the lack of adequate supervision or active role models, unlocked firearms, and glorification of this type of behavior to name a few. And number nine, as we moved to the next Harvard Bloomberg leadership program focusing on largecale negotiation geared towards city leaders. This new program will combine rigorous hands-on work and real-time focus on critical negotiation challenge facing our cities. We'll announce the acceptance into the program in the next couple of weeks. However, I did want to recognize the city officials for this for uh in their selection and participation in the last Harvard Bloomberg leadership program. Mr. Joe Neb, city manager, Vanessa Perez, District 7 council member, Steve Ladine, assistant city manager. Joel Valdez, Jr., assistant city manager. I want to thank you for taking time off your schedule especially to finish this program as alumn alumni and continue to participate in the course offerings as they become available and to speak on number 10 update of status of previous affluent water actions related to Lake Casablanca and any matters related there too. I wanted to touch base since I brought up this agenda item on 7224 and then commissioners commissioner's court took out took it out on 92324 for the public. This item was to store the water that the city was purging from the pipes which at that time was 30 mill gallons 30 million gallons a month and the water rights that sometimes we did not collect because we did not have storage cap capabilities. So the water that this was water we're losing. I thought that Casablanca was a potential site and at that time I was trying to get the city to take advantage of the fact that Congressman McQuaya had funds for dredging under the water resources development act. A status update on the installation and request for city flag pole. This responds to the public inquiry on the 308 foot flag pole that was removed from the PNC building on 600 block of Matamoto Street. This was bank property and it was sold and the pole was also sold which originally $300,000 it took to build. Now, according to what I'm being told that this is one of the tallest flag poles in the US and the Mexican flag pole across the river is one of the tallest in Mexico. So, I believe it should be looked at and I did present the idea when I was I was in Washington DC uh to be presented to the president where the federal government could install it on city property. We'll keep the public informed. report from the border wild advisory committee chairman regarding the recent committee meetings. I had a chance to speak to the chairman Steve Lundine and was I was given an update on some of the issues that were raised associated with the information presented at the last meeting with regards to the federal government's plan for the buoy system in our area. We have had a chance to discuss what the next appropriate step would be with our attorneys from Jackson Walker. I do wanted to go on record that the city of RA understands the importance of border security and we respect the role of federal government in protecting our nation. However, we must very be very clear about the fundamental responsibility that we have as a mayor and local leaders. It is protecting the health and safety of our residents and if necessary the proper emergency declaration will be made and for the same reason the discussion of the buoy system is wholly appropriate for the mayoral ad hoc committee to discuss in their advisory capacity for Loredo the Rio Grand is not just a border it's our primary source primary source of drinking water any project that altered the river may must be carefully ly studied to ensure it does not jeopardize our water supply on the long-term sustainability of the river system. With regards to the damage to the international bridges, recent discussions with the city consultants that building our international uh bridges do not feel that these buoys pose a risk to these infrastructure. But we're going to look at the data any data and schematics as it is made available. So more discussion needed pending uh to the installation of these floating buoys in the Rio Grande which does raise legitimate questions from our community scientists and environmental experts. We need clear answers how these structures might affect water intake system, river flow during floods and envir environmental balance that supports both sides of the border. But I I need to be very clear. This is not opposing security measures. It is about ensuring that security efforts do not unintentionally threaten the water source for more than 250,000 people in our community. We will continue working with the US core of engineers, federal agencies, regional stakeholders to obtain the data necessary to make responsible decisions. And our positions are simple. Protect border security. Protect Rio Grande. protect the drink drinking water of the people of Loredo until we have complete transparency and scientific certainty that the city will continue the city will continue advocating for careful review and responsible planning but because when it comes to water supply we cannot afford to get it wrong. >> Mayor May I >> now let me just continue here. General council discussing presentations 104 discussion with possible action regarding the issuance of requests for proposal or FPS and the sign services for the expansion of the same solder arena and convention center and any matters related there too. >> Second >> motion second. All in favor? >> Oppos? Motion passes. Now the reason we brought this up is a growing city and a global gateway for trade, culture and tourism. As the largest inland port in the United States and a community for more than 250,000 people, we must continue investing in infrastructure that supports economic development and the quality of life for our residents. One of the key investments is the development of a convention center. And for many years, businesses and organizations have expressed interest in bringing conferences, trade shows, and large meetings to Laredo. Unfortunately, we often do not have a single facility large enough to accommodate those events. As a result, we sometimes have to rely on universities, schools, or multiple locations to host gatherings that other cities can accommodate in one place. The Mon Convention Center will allow Loredo to attract visitors, conventions, and business opportunities. These events being economic benefits for hotels, restaurant, and small businesses, and transportation services. In other words, a convention center and not just a building. It's an investment in tourism, jobs, and economic growth for the entire community. And from a practical standpoint, expanding around the same sold arena makes a great deal of sense. The area is already a city-owned facility built on approximately 25 acres, and it has proven to be a successful venue for concerts, sports, graduations, and large community events. Because the city already owns land adjacent to the arena, expanding there could be one of the most coste effective solutions. By utilizing existing property and infrastructure, parking, utilities, road accesses, and proximity to hotels, and the airport, we we reduce the need for costly land acquisition and new infrastructure. In addition, placing a convention center next to the arena creates a true entertainment and event district alongside nearby hotels, restaurants, and facilities like Unit Trade Stadium. This kind of cluster allows the to host multiple events at once and create destination experiences to our visitors. Our goal is simply to build smartly, responsibly, and strategically. By expanding near the arena and leveraging property that the city already owns, we can maximize our investment while minimizing unnecessary cost to the taxpayers. And ultimately, this project is about preparing Laredo for the future, strengthening our economy, attracting visitors, and ensuring city the city continues to grow and thrive. So my motion is to instruct management to begin the process of request for proposal that's RFPs and design services for the expansion of same slaughter arena and now convention center. >> Second motion second may >> all in favor. >> Thank you. Um regarding the request for proposals is our engineering department in agreement with this. Are we on the time frame proposed by by them? or or in accordance with that >> mayor and city council. We we'll put together that data. I'm not sure exactly where we're all at. I do know that the arena expansion including the convention center is on our CIP >> and we've been able to confirm that as well too. So, let me let me pull together for that because one of the the things that we're making sure that everybody that you've asked me to work on is kind of a three-step process of within our planning because we want to make sure that the funding is available to get there. So we will start putting that information together. >> M >> sorry just just to request then following um Mr. Neb's recommendations because in my reading of this a request for proposal is very specific and it's to ask for already the contracts to come in and we don't have that scope of work yet but I think um maybe amending the motion to develop that scope of work so that we could then move forward for a request for proposal because I don't think the engineering department has a request for proposal information to be able to >> well and mayor and city council the the nice thing is that if we if we even if we go down the RFP process, we're still going to bring it back to you and say this is this is the data and this is what we need to have. So, in my mind, I can take this directive and I can move from that in order to put together a request for proposal and if I have any problems getting there because you you as a body would actually say yes, we're ready to go >> for that. And so, I'll bring it forward to that and then we'll make some adjustments at that at a later date. So, >> okay. Go ahead. If I could just add that this this goes well with the >> project finance zone that we're pursuing with the state legislature. Senator Zephrini's already drafted the legislation. We've already done a resolution. I believe you've signed it already. Mayor >> Webb County is going to do a similar resolution. We're waiting on the economic impact study to get started. Mr. Neb is that was the other third things that Senator Zfini wanted. Yeah, we were we were preparing the data that was going to be needed in order to go out and do >> she's prepared to enter that in January of 27 which would allow us to keep uh a significant portion of the sales tax. It goes back to the state of Texas uh for us to keep it here outside of our two local >> economic development was working on the >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion pass numbers >> mayor >> 105. >> Mayor, may I may I ask because you you already mentioned the riverfront advisory committee and you spoke about the buoys and we know that the riverfront advisory committee has looked for an expansion of their scope and if you'll allow I'd like to move that we go forward. We do have Martin Castro and and Hector Alanise and and Ricardo Deanda from that committee to be able to explain the expansion of scope. Okay, let me just finish up with >> my mayor. Point of order. We also already voted for the other items to come up as well. >> All right, so 105 and 105 then we have >> Okay, the other three from there. Okay. >> All right. >> Motion extend >> the motion. Second. All in favor? >> Oppos? Motion passes. Which you're >> on 105A. Mayor >> 105A. All right. All right. 105A. Discussion of possible action regarding collaboration with office of Congressman Henry Qu on a potential federal partnership projects including development of and improvement of Laredo Animal Care Facilities. I know that Dr. Chamberlain had been involved in some discussions with the various equipment and needs that the city has at our animal care facilities, not limited to desperately needed spay and neuter services to control the alarming animal population in the city, which is costing the city millions of dollars to mitigate. So my motion on this item would be to instruct management to have a stakeholder meeting and coordinate with Congressman Quao's office to line up the appropriate earmark with the associated needs. Second >> motion second. All in favor? >> I >> post. Motion passes. >> You're on C now, sir. >> C. Number C. Improvements and enhancement to downtown street. Augustine s. >> Is that it? >> Yes. Downtown August. >> Yeah, that's the one. >> Improvements and enhancement to downtown St. St. Augustine Plaza and any matters related there too. Downtown Loredo in my opinion is the heart of our city and San Augustine Plaza is one of most historic and minimal spaces. As a city we're committed to improving and revitalizing this area so it continues to attract visitors, support local businesses and showcase the culture and history that make Laredo special. By enhancing the plaza and surrounding downtown district, we can reduce crime, create a more welcoming destination for tourism and community events while highlighting landmarks like Sanin Cathedral that make our historic district unique. At the same time, we're advocating for greater crossber connectivity with our city. One exciting opportunity is working towards allowing the passenger train that operates there to eventually cross into downtown Laredo. Bringing passenger rail directly into our historic district would create a new gateway for visitors and strengthen tourism and economic activity. Laredo has always been a city that connects people and cultures. By investing in our downtown and advocating for projects like passenger rail, we're bu building a stronger, more vibrant future for our community. I want to thank Congressman Quan with this proposed air. So my opinion would be to instruct management to coordinate with the congressman's office and align the improvements with the appropriate funds. >> That's your motion there. >> That's a motion. >> I will second that motion. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion pass. Mayor number 111 discussion with possible action to authorize the use of the same auto arena for the 13th annual Driscoll health plan back to school health fair taking place on July 15, 2026 and any managers incident there too co-sponsored by mayor promales and council member Ricardo Rick Gara. >> Motion second all in favor >> I opposed motion pass. Number 112, mayor, discussion with possible action on hosting the 6th annual family night under the stars, an overnight camping event on April 10th, not the 9th. That's going to be amended. Uh April 10th through the 11th, 2026 at Havita Park as authorized under section 21-272A2 and 3 of the city code and any amendments in there too sponsored by council member. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Mayor just probably least favorite on this planet. I'm sorry till 11 for I think four meetings in a row. So >> I appreciate you. Can you just quickly update us on the issue probably on the north side and South D probably number one complaint the lately has been the issue with the u you just continued worsening situation with the wild hogs tearing up yards causing thousands of dollars of damage. Um could you give us an update on the plan that we're looking forward uh to kind of addressing this? >> Yes. Um, for the record, Lauren Bluestone, um, Laredo Animal Services, um, the we were asked to, um, do an RFQ for a company, um, that could mitigate these types of situations. Um, we have done so. Uh, we have kind of vetted this company. Um the next step would be to uh go into contract negotiations. Um it's both lethal and non-lethal methods. It would be lethal for the uh hogs, the feral hogs, which is certainly legal. Um but for the havalas because of the restrictions, um it would be the contraceptive uh where would it have bait stations and and stuff like that. Um the company uh has had past experience in this and we're very comfortable with this company. Um but there's two more steps. One is the negotiation and the other is where is this funding coming from? >> And mayor, I mean, this cost I think you know, mayor, you probably get calls as well about this just costing people thousands and thousands of dollars and it's just as we grow, you know, it's just really unfortunate that, you know, obviously we're invading their their space as well, but we just the people can't live like this. Um, I get complaints every single day. Um, so do we have a rough estimate on the cost? Are you going to can you bring it back to us so we can try to budget it in this upcoming fiscal year or what would be the >> I mean I can give you what I think the cost would be. It's up to you guys. Um or I can go back negotiate >> maybe not and public we don't do that. Just can you can you my motion would be that you initiate management and staff initiate negotiations and bring us back >> plans for uh cost and possible revenue sources andor budgeting uh planning for fiscal year 27 >> motion second. >> Mayor, can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Um so zone, this is a legal question. Um, it's my understanding that these wild animals belong to the property owner. If they're on their property, like they're, you know, they're undeveloped property, it's their they're their animals. Correct. >> Is that technically correct? >> Not necessarily. I mean, if they're like feeding them be different, but if you know, they're just traversing it. Well, cuz what? Well, cuz my question is going to be, is there a way for us to require property owners to fence their property to contain the animals even when they're developing? Because what happens is they start developing and then all the animals just start running everywhere. There's no containment. There's no Are we Is it the landowner's responsibility to kind of manage these animals versus letting them run wild all over the city? Is there some way to kind of maybe we could approach this for the ones that already exist, but moving forward, is there a way to put some require some kind of fence around property to require them to contain the wild animals before they start invading their habitat and then deal with them themselves as part of the development process? Is that appropriate at all? >> I I'll look into that, but Can I can I >> not quite sure about the facts as far as like there's there's land within the ETJ >> right >> can we can we put allow by ordinance put a pig fence you know because remember you're you're asking a wildlife to to coexist with with new development and I think it's not a bad idea to consider figuring out a way to protect those people that are being uh their properties being damaged by this and and it keeps us out of the loop over here because it's going to cost us thousands of dollars to maintain something that in my mind and we said this last year that I think is something that takes parks and wildlife should be doing not us. So it's just something that uh we really need to take a good look at it because uh for Dr. King's uh district they're developing is expanding more and more into wild wildlife country. So uh I think it might be a good idea to revisit that ordinance. >> Yes. Yeah, we will do that. We'll look at that. >> Mayor, mayor, may I? >> Sure. >> Thank you. Um, so, uh, considering that what what council member Garcia is proposing, then we do need to realize that the city will also be on the hook for fencing. So, we have wildlife havalas that that are living in the Chakong Creek corridor. And so development up north upstream is pushing those animals to neighborhoods in my area and those animals are finding ways to cause destruction and chaos to people who live who are in older homes who live right by Chuckwon Creek. So if if um we're going to move forward with asking for fencing from property owners, it's also going to impact the city. >> Sure. Sure. Let me explore this and see the parameters if I may. >> Yeah. as long as it just doesn't. >> Sure. >> I think zone it's important to distinguish between developing and not developing, right? Because if we just have pro animals that come onto our land and go off, that's different from you have a piece of land with habitats and now you're, you know, flattening that land and then you're not containing these animals or making any effort to rehabilitate them like re re find a new place for them. and then maybe there's a a program we can implement or something that along the lines. So, you know, that's what she's trying to do. >> Miss Bluestone, may may you please copy Commissioner Anna Glo with Texas Parks and Wildlife? I know they were very receptive to programs such as these to help uh the city of Bedo last time we were in in Austin. So, please uh copy her with the with the plan you may have. the um just so you know a member of uh the staff of the uh agency that we >> um asked is part of Texas Parks and Wildlife as well. >> So yes, >> there's a second already. Oh yeah, second. There's a motion in a second. All in favor? Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Thank you, >> mayor. Motion to approve appointments to commissions, boards, and committees. >> There's a motion. >> Second, >> and a second. All in favor? I >> any opposed? Motion carries. >> Mayor Mayor, I'm sorry. Before we get into just the council to introduce number 23, 24, and 25, no motion necessary to do so. And then a motion to approve the consent agenda 43 through 97 with the exception of 87 because that's already been approved. >> And exception 48 and 96, please. >> 48 96. >> Second, >> but I would like to do >> Okay. Can you repeat the numbers again, please? Yes. The entire consent agenda is going to be from >> 407 43 to 97 >> 43 to 97 correct >> - 4896 >> - 4896 >> 48 >> 86 was tabled >> 86 was tabled and 87 was already heard >> 86 was tabled already >> was tabled tabled already >> yes >> okay there's a motion in a And what about >> what about it? >> No. Do you need to get that one out? >> We discussed. Okay. Wait, we'll take out 50 as well. >> 50 as well. Motion second. >> There's a motion in a second. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Sure. >> 224 25. Yeah. The intro. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We don't need a motion. Yeah. >> All right. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> We're on 48. >> So motion carries. Item number 48. Discussion with a possible action to approve the proposed design as one of the official designs to be adopted and utilized by the city of Laredo for various municipal and community related purposes. >> Hello, Miss Ramos. >> Hi, good afternoon. So, I've asked to to look at this because it it seems to me that the proposed designs um it's very limited in in what it is and it also um is very similar to a a the district 7 logo. And so while it it it is a a cute design, I don't know if it meets the standards of being utilized as an official um city logo. And so I want to know your reasons for proposing it. >> So we're not proposing this as a city logo. Um this is this is and I'm working together with PIO. Uh we're working on a brand guideline um system, a process. Um this is this is the first step or one of the first steps in the process and it is um including the different designs. So this is this is not necessarily a logo because it includes a logo of the Loredto Texas. It's a design. Um and so what we are uh looking for is including all these different designs that are used in the city um to be approved and go through a process so that they can be used in different um different items different different uh uses basically. So it is not to be approved as a as the the official logo for the city. is just to be approved as a design that can be used in different use have different uses and uh with the understanding that we are working on this is an interim procedure um applies to proposed designs intended for placement on city facilities, infrastructures or assets including but not limited to public buildings, park features, water towers, gateway signage, municipal fleet vehicles, banners and other prominent community related uses. So it is not it is not the approval is not for it to be the city level or um the visit. >> Right. So but you're suggesting that there will be a multi-step process to make the determination. So why are we making the determination for this design if it has not gone through this proposed process? Shouldn't we vote on the process first and then bring this back for review? >> The pro the process is in the works. So we don't have the process yet. Uh however there was a request to um bring this this if I may. >> Sure. Go ahead. So um utilities is working on one of the water towers and in the past we put different designs up that aren't official of anything. And so it was either going to say city of Laredo or it's located in district 7. So part of the idea was since this design has been used in district 7 and has been paid for by the city, we wanted to see if council would consider making an official design so we can paint the tower as quick as possible and get that up and running because then it won't be able to do the tower um anytime soon. Well, I I I think at issue is just this idea that because it's so closely associated with a a logo that is specific to a particular person for District 7 that it it doesn't seem it doesn't I I don't mean to suggest it's not ethical, but if we're following guidelines that kind of separate official city business from the personalities that sit on council, I think I think we do need to be very careful about what we're placing on on a city facility. You know, in district two before uh council member Ranel came in, um we had uh council member Rodriguez and in that case it was blatant, right? It was a picture of his face on public facilities on a basketball court and on the scoreboard at a public park. And I do think it just um engenders kind of this idea in the public that council members live kind of in their own little fft. And I think we just need to be very careful about that. And so I I believe that this process is a great idea so that it goes through a multi-step process and and we can prove to the public that this isn't a oneoff that it isn't, you know, based on one personality, that it actually has gone through and we've had different departments look at it and they have approved it. But doing it in this manner seems to me to um risk losing that that public trust of how we determine you know what should be on our our public facilities. >> Sure. Go ahead. >> Um so I think if you look at what has been painted on water towers, we've had school logos painted on our city water towers. We've had all kinds of designs, public art painted all over under bridges and you name it. We've had all kinds of art painted everywhere. The simplest thing for these companies to do is paint a logo. And um the city logo is a little bit intricate in the colors and the design that it's a little bit beyond the scope of like the standard what's included in these water tower packages or whatever. Um the logo for district 7 was created because at the time there was push back on us using our names. So we created logos for the districts and and since then other districts have created their own logo. The logo does not include the name of the council member. Um it is a logo and you see the whole I love you name it. I love is there. And the logo includes a heart that has half of it is a truck is a road with a truck because Laredo has a lot of trucks in it. We're like the largest port. So the idea that I've heard from others is just to use that heart for I love Laredo and that's where you know we have this pin, we have pins, we have things that we've made and so it's not related to me. It's the district and people in district 7 associate with that logo because that was the way it was designed originally was that the district carries the logo, not the council member. So um I don't see a problem with it. But I know there was an issue with the colors because in some of them I have kind of the colors that I use for my campaign, but the intention on this one would be more neutral, you know, red and blue or like red, you know, other colors that are more appropriate, I guess, for for like the city or whatever. But Dr. Marte when he was on council had an I love Laredo design ready to go for one of his water towers. So it's kind of the same thing. Uh I don't it's not intended to be representative of only one person and so I I don't see an issue. >> Mayor Pro Tim, may I share a little bit more? I may reiterate some of it as well too. The the challenge we have is that we have this water t water tower and it has been cleaned and updated. So before we fill it up that we can't paint it after we fill it up because the condensation will not allow it. That's why there's this sense of urgency on this. what I would ask I mean we can separate out the two items from the utility and the idea of creating these designs but I think the the challenge we have and I I and I did talk with some of you today about this as well too we don't have a procedure in place as to how to deal with these things and that's a challenge I would also state that the difference between what happened with district 2 before that was a physical representation of that council member rather than a logo of this nature and so there there is a difference between those structures as well too. But we we if you wanted to hold on this one, we still need a decision on the on the tank itself because it needs to be completed and and brought up. So what what we thought would be the best way was to bring forward our our analysis of how we want to determine these things in the future, including tonight, and move forward with uh finishing off that the painting of that water tower. Right now we can do the water tower at no additional cost based upon that what what was there to what we're actually recommending. >> Mayor prom. >> Sure. >> Um so if this design were not to move forward what would the design be? What process was there to determine what the design would normally be >> there? There mayor proim there is no process in place for this. Uh, I was told three years ago that the director would choose on their own in order to put whatever on there. But I do know if you go back even farther, there have been com that the council has gotten involved in what they're going to put on the water tanks at the time when we clean them off. >> Well, I I think that is >> that's the challenge we have, >> right? That's how the the personal logo ended up at the the yeah the field the Freddy Benervas field is because it was directed by the council member right and I I again I'll I'll just reiterate that I I do think that a process is important but if we're going to establish one then we kind of need to follow it. I so this is continuing how it was done before versus having a standard in place and again it's a reflection of public trust. How do we make this as objective as it can be? >> I I would argue that the reason we're here having this conversation is because we are trying to change the process >> and we we actually and so that's where that's where we're at with that that background and the information. So >> yeah, go ahead council. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, does this item have to be approved for the the approval of the water tower? >> Well, I would say because of the use of the water >> we need to finish. >> Correct. expected is this. But could could that uh not move forward approving the design specifically for the water tower >> and maybe considering different colors? >> We need to have a design on the water tower. If we're going to put a design on, we need to do it before we >> correct. But why does does this have does this have to be approved through CBB? >> The CBB their portion of this conversation is developing out a process in order to do this. the same way every time we talk in rather than to put you at a at a at a at a at a speed of of >> surprise. Right. Mayor time mayor. >> Sure. >> Um just a question, please. Um this was a design designed by the city. >> Yes, sir. >> Is that correct? The city of Laredo designed this. Yes. >> Okay. And then second, I was called two and a half years ago to do the tower at the at the base and what I wanted on that tower. And for me it was a bulldog because well I represent you know Alexander High School. So I yeah I think if it's not anything political and it's not representing me my bald head there you know I think it should be okay. Uh that's just my opinion. Um so I motion to approve. >> Second. >> There's a motion in a second. All in favor? Sure. Still discussion member. >> Well and and the confusing part I guess here Mr. is that since it wasn't asked for approval from the last councilman to do that uh that it didn't have to go through this process of getting an approval here. Why are we doing that now? Is is it because it's you all bringing it forward to us? Because the notion that I love Laredo I mean it didn't start here. It started in New York. I love New York. This is how it started. So, um I'm just not not understanding the process why they're having they're they're having they're having to uh bring it to us rather than just say Vaness you know what do you want there? >> I I guess the well and on the water tower itself if the if the decision of the council is that the the council member that has the water tower in their district has the ability to choose the logo or the design. I'm sorry. I've been told not to call the logo as well too. It is more of a design because the logo is our logo but because and so that's that's what we're asking as well too is that because I we want a system in place so that there is no confusion going forward. Well, so my point from there would be that then then uh if if this was the way to change the system by this method right now, then either we stick to this or we go back to the other system because this this is just in my mind a uh um not a well thought out process to get this thing done. should have just been. No, what what I would recommend is one of one of two things that happen is that this this item here that we're talking about right now, this could actually wait and have a longer conversation. >> That's only a great idea. We have a lot of things to do, >> but but the uh we we do I'm going to call for the question. We have a motion in a second. Thank you for your call. >> Yeah, but the Okay. The colors can be changed. >> There's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes. We got two host >> request that the colors could be changed. >> Is that going to be an amendment? >> I think it's understood. >> Okay. Motion passes. Okay. Uh number number 50 table number 50. I'll second the motion. >> It's motion and second for a table. No discussion after the second. >> There's a motion and a second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Any opposed? >> Well, there's no discussion. Next item. >> Next item. >> We already We already motion. >> Yes, we may have a roll call. Uh but we still haven't voted there. >> Yeah, we did. >> We have a motion and a second. All in favor table. Right. Exactly. >> To table it. >> To table. >> If that if that's if that's the case, a motion to table. The answer is why table >> staff asked. >> Yes. >> Yes. Because it's been there's no discussion on it and it's been motion. It's been second. >> There's a second. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes. >> Could we roll call it, please? >> Yes, we're going to roll call. >> Yes, number 50. >> If we could roll call the vote. >> Yes, >> you put that on. Yes, >> sir. Mayor put order. There is a deadline for tomorrow and so if it's not approved we'll probably lose a grant. >> Correct. >> Mayor prom staff mayor >> prom because we are waiting for web county to address the issue. >> Because we have not been able to confirm that web county is going to provide their portion of the funds. If we accept the grant then we don't know if we will have all of the funding in order to do the project. >> Know if we're going to get reimbursed. >> So we just need to have an answer. So if if you are to choose based upon this this this timeline then we need to have the caveat that we can actually have a further discussion because we will be two million short if the county chooses not to participate >> and when does the county meet. >> So so mayor proton we do have an update on that. They did agree but with saying that they wanted to pay the 2 million over three years >> to pay it. So we have to come up with the money initially if council wants. That's why we wanted to discuss it. Tomorrow's the deadline. They just met, I think, this past week and we didn't have time to put it on the agenda until this meeting. So, we did try to put it as soon as we could once we officially got notice from it. >> You would ask for a contingency. >> Yeah. So, you take it off the table and uh vote to approve contingent on motion. Motion to remove >> motion to resend the table. >> There's a motion and there's a second to to resend. All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. So, bring our discussion. >> I'd like to move that we accept it with the contingency of accepting the three-year payment if uh if our legal or finance department agrees. Is that a good contingency? So that we can move forward with this federal grant that we requested and we have been awarded. And I also would like >> there's a second. Can we hear if there's a >> second second? Thank you. >> There's a second in the discussion. Council >> to verify that we're going to actually get reimbured because we have to put the money out and then we have to get reimbursement. So we have to come up with the $8 million and then rely on the federal government to reimburse us. So I think we also need to add that in there to make sure that we're going to get that money back before we go out and spend $8 million on. Will we will we have an answer staff by tomorrow? >> We'll do the contingency when it >> Okay. Sure. Sounds good. All right. Second. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Item number 15 passes. >> Mayor, if I may. >> Sure. >> Uh, Mr. Neb, in the future when there's a time-sensitive item, it would if there is if there's a way for you guys to designate that on the agenda because we went through the whole evening talking about all kinds of logos and stuff and then there was like a crucial item on here and we didn't find out till 10 minutes before the end of the night. >> Yes, ma'am. >> We're on number 96. Thank you. Is that correct? >> 96. >> Item number 96. consideration to award service contract RF uh B2026-045 to the lowest responsive responsible bidder Murphy Pipeline Contractors Sunrise uh Florida in the amount of 11,153,320,000 $320 for the waterline installation by pipe bursting and or horizontal directional drilling HDP for the utilities department. Estimated time for completion of this project is 220 working days. Funding is available available in the waterworks fund- 2024 water revenue bond. A move >> there's a motion and I will second. >> Yes. >> Discussion for discussion >> and we're and we'll just have a a brief presentation. The reason why I asked to be pulled >> is so that we so maybe in two sentences and I really apologize for this Dr. But I think you should be uh this is an exciting time for our public to understand that we've moved forward with our aging infrastructure replacement and this is just the next step in that. Thank >> I'll be very brief. So again the stats in front of you that's phase one. That one is almost done. You can see that we're 95% below ground on terms of the pipelines and the percentages of each uh line, you know, in terms of pipas, how much installed, water services and all of that and how much asphelt restoration. So remember, you install this underground and then you put the the water service and then the pip pass and the last piece is the restoration. So we're in very good shape. We finished the first batch. We spent around 14 million. We covered 40,000 uh school line feed and now the second phase now and these are pictures of the areas per district. I have a 300 megabyte file that I can show you per map for each district where the area we can we can share that with you as a print out maybe later on or a pin request. >> Yes. >> Absolutely. And the last one I think the next one is >> which I can I don't know why that's not working now any >> this is the last piece I want to show you. This is phase two. That's another 41,000 lines feet uh of lines in different districts. We're moving to second phase. This is the same contractor we which is uh Murphy Engineering and we will proceed as scheduled this this in this today upon the council approval. We'll proceed with doing more. We're going to improve the the process, make it more more uh deal with the issues that sometimes we've seen before, not leave things behind. And we're again open to areas where we see if we haven't covered that through this initial list, we can do more if needed based on requests or based on urgency. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. We approve this. >> Yes. Motion second. Please get this out on every PIO possible because it needs to be known to the public to what's happening. >> All right, there's some Yeah, thank you. >> That's a second. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Motion. >> Motion and a second already. All in favor? >> All opposed? Any opposed? Motion number 96 carries. >> Mayor prompt open public hearings 12 through 18 planning and zoning and public hearing ordinances and number 19, 20, 21, and 22. Mr. Walkin Rodriguez, you need very quickly, please. The motion may have a second. >> Yes. Uh >> mayor pretend number 24 also needs to be read. It's a public hearing off number 24. Number 24 as well number 24. >> I need a second 12. >> 12. Okay. 12 and 24. Okay. Got it. >> All right guys. All in favor. >> Any opposed? The motion carries. Go ahead. Mr. Olas. >> Number 12. Public hear ordinance amendments map city by reason approximately 8.0432 0432 acres as further described meets and bound exhibit A located south of inspiration park east of Bullet group at from R2 to B3. The plan zoning commission recommend approval of proposed zone chain of staff does not support the B3 zoning but will support the B1 zoning district. Number 24 public ordinance authorizing the establishment of fees terms and conditions the lease and use of Elmet metro park and ride owned by the city of Laredo and operated by the national airport located at 1819 hillside Laredo te Texas 78041 providing for authority administration insurance requirements operational conditions and cost recovery providing for several billion and providing an effective date just those two right >> no >> 13 okay that was number 20 that was number 24 public directory ordinance amending new ord one block 5 river hill subdivision phase one located 401 no lane from R1 MH to R2 the plan zoning commission recommend approval the proposal zone change establishment supports the application number 14 public ordinance of any zoning or ded by zoning approximately 55.27 27 acre track as described by meets and bound exhibit A located south boulevard in and west of Guentos road from R1A to R1B. The Pson zoning commission recommend approval of the prop zone chain. Staff supports the application. 15 public ord west 83 ft of lot 7 and 8 block 765 division has further described by meets and bounds in exhibit A located 289 photos avenue from R3 to B1. Plans commission recommends approval of pro zone change and staff supports the application. Number 16 of introductory ordinance to amend zoning last authorizing addition of conditional use permit by a baseball bat manufacturing woodworking shop on west 83 feet of lot 7 and 8 block 765 wish division further discrets and bounds attached to a located 2819 avenue the plan commission recommend approval of proposed zone change and staff supports the application 17 public in order to man by reszoning lots 2 and three block 76 to the north northeast east last bottom subdivision phase 2 located 11082 and 11 110 capatina drive from R2 to R1B. The plan zoning commission recommend approval of road zone chain and stats. The application number 18 public ordo by resoning lot 6 and the east half of lot 5 block division is further describe meets and found the detectives A located at 720 LO street from B1 to P3. The plan commission recommend approval of zone change supports the application. >> Keep going. >> Yes. 12 to 18. >> Yes. Yes. That's 12 to 18. >> Okay. >> All right. 12 four against. Four against four against. >> Those introduced. Motion introduced. There's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Any oppose? Motion carries. Number 13. Four or against. Four or against. Four and against. >> Motion. Introduce. >> There's a motion. >> And a second. All in favor? >> Motion pass. >> Motion passes. Number 14. Four against. Four against. Four against. >> Motion to close. Introduce. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Number 15. Four against. Four against. Four against. There's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Number 16. Four or against. Or against. >> Four or against. >> Well, I have a >> There's a motion uh with this discussion. >> Yes. Um I'd like to see if we could amend this to bring back the cup in three years. >> What was that? >> C in three years. >> I'll accept the amendment to the amendment. There's a motion to the amendment. Yes. >> And a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Number 17, four against. Four against. Four against. >> Motion. >> Second. It's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Number 18, four against. Four against, four against. >> Motion to close. >> Second. There's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. >> Did we approve final reading of ordinances? >> Yes. >> No. Motion. >> Motion to approve final reading of ordinance 27 through uh 42. >> Second. >> And I think you wanted to pull one out. >> The 36 >> except 36. >> 37. >> Oh, we're not going to have >> All right. It's 11 o'clock. >> Okay. >> I have to motion. You got one minute. >> Number 24 was read. Number 24 was read to the record. >> Four against. >> Four against, four against. >> Motion close. Introduced. There's a motion and a second. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. >> 11:00. >> 11:00. >> We'll just adjourn. Can we add these items to the Wednesday workshop for final approval and everything? Motion to >> We will if there was no uh issues with the posting or anything like that, we will >> motion to adjurnn. There's a second. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. We need a journey.