Calling the meeting to order. City of Laredo regular council meeting council chambers 11th Houston Street February February 2nd 2026. All stand please for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it standy and justice for all. Texas flag. >> Moment of silence, please. >> Moment of silence, please. Thank you. May be seated. Comments are recognition. >> Recognition. Oh yeah, >> Mr. Secretary, roll call, please. >> Yes, mayor. >> Honorable mayor, Dr. Victor D. Travinho, >> present. >> Honorable mayor promp and council member for district 1, Gilbert Gonzalez, >> present. >> Honorable council member, district 2, Ricardo Richie Ranel, Jr. >> here. >> Honorable council member, district three, Melissa Sigaroa, >> here. Honorable Council Member District 4, Ricardo Rick Carson. >> 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. Honorable Council Member District 8, Alisa Cigaroa, >> present. >> Mayor, you have a quorum. >> Thank you, >> Mayor. Motion for the approval of minutes of January 20th, 2026. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Oppos? Motion pass. We're going to proceed with recognitions before we go on to C. >> Recognition of Councilwoman Vanessa Pettis present. >> Yes, mayor. >> Thank you. recognitions. City of Laredo and Mayor Council recognized Karma Athletics who competed on December 22nd, 2025 at the Redline event in San Antonio, Texas, earning first place and the title of Grand National Championships in their division. The team took home two championship rings and two medals and championship jackets, making an outstanding achievement. CONGRATULATIONS. a few words. >> Coach, where are you? Coach. Okay, the coach will say a couple of words. I just >> No, there it is. >> Coach, congratulations. If you have a couple of words to say, please. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Uh, so like as they mentioned, we are from Karma Athletics. This is our level two team and we're just recognizing our athletes for doing a wonderful job in San Antonio, Texas at Redline competition where they not only placed first in their division, but they got grand champions. And so I mean this is a competitive cheer team and so every time they are able to go out there and do a wonderful performance, we just always want to recognize that because aside from being an athlete, right, they also have their duties at home, they have their duties at school and so we know that it takes a lot for them to uh you know be successful in this in this sport and um yeah, we're again we're just really proud and we always want to recognize all the hard work that not only they put in but parents as well and all the dedication that they put into it. So, thank you guys so much. And again, we are so proud of you guys for going out there and being able to execute a great performance. Thank you. >> Thank you. Congratulations. Let's step back for a picture. >> You guys want to go back there, girls, for the picture? >> Okay, I'll go back there. You can take a step back little further back. >> Mayor, you want to go back to >> girls? Go ahead and go ahead and step back. Scoot over. Squid more. >> Okay, I'll just hold it up >> right there. Just don't cover your face. >> There you go. Right here with Isabelle. We got one, two, three. >> One more here. One, two, three. >> Right here with me. >> Thank you. Parents, if you all want to take pictures, come up here and take pictures. Okay, over here. Ready? >> Over here, girls. >> Ready. One, two, three. >> Another one, two, three. >> I see that you all have your rings. Can you show me your rings? >> Go like this, girls. Show your rings. Like this or like this? One more here. One, two, and three. Cheese. >> Perfect. Next recognition for Roberto Rodriguez upon his retirement from the Texas Department of Transportation Text Dot after 26 years of dedicated public service. Mr. Rodriguez is honored for his close collaboration with the city of Laredo and his professionalism, commitment, and significant contributions to transportation projects that had been benefit to our community. The city of Laredo extends his our appreciation and wishes for his continued success on his retirement. Thank you very much. You want to say a few words? Thank you, uh, mayor. Really, uh, uh, privilege, you know, to receive this, uh, recognition from the city of Laredo. Um, no doubt that times flies when you were doing something that you really, really like to do. I remember back at 27 years ago, um, we were all worried about finishing a roadway to connect World Trade Bridge. That was our biggest goal, $80 million. We were happy about it. Um, this past three years, as as you all know, we we reach about a billion dollars in construction just in web county. Now that's that was not a a a coincidence you know that that it's a lot of work from the of course Texas leadership and the partnership and the collaboration from the city of Laredo um city engineering department um the council members you know always uh on the meetings always supporting this projects um the county the no of course the mayor and um now that that that we know you know how how things could get done in Laredo uh let's keep going you know let's keep the momentum going let's keep doing great things for Larredo thank you all for for for your support on all these projects and and hopefully I mean I'll be around. I'll be still working and I will be committed to continue helping out the community. God bless. >> Can I say a few words? >> Uh I just want to thank you for all your hard work as a representative of the MO. I've worked with you for the past five years and we've pushed a lot of project. we push for more funding and uh a lot of these the infrastructure that everybody uses they don't realize all the hard work that goes behind it. So I am going to miss you. I'm going to miss your partnership but I am going to keep your number and I will be calling you. So enjoy your retirement but just you know >> so being part of the field my first year >> surely is you kept you kept me up to to speed and now coming in kept me to speed. So thank you so much for your service. Thank you for the the great projects that we go we're doing right now. Um the overpasses you're one you know you you spearheaded you know everything the all of those projects. So for that I thank you Salaro. Thank you for everything you've done for us. Hope your your retirement is a success. If not come back and hopefully we can do better project better you know better the city. So thank you so much for for this uh for this moment to for us honoring you. >> Mayor May I >> Yes. Go ahead. >> And I also Mr. Rodriguez, my time on the no, you were invaluable to the entire committee. Mr. Rodriguez was often tasked with explaining the projects to the rest of us and your partnership and finding ways to partner with the city and leverage the resources that we have and also looking for more money at the state of Texas at that level. It's deeply appreciated and I hope you understand that your work will be visible in all of these projects that are going up now. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. HERE we go. One, two, three. One more >> right over here. >> One more. Ready? One, two, three. Yeah. Come here. City of Laredo Mayor and Council recognizes students from UISD and LISD who competed in the annual American Legion ortorial competition hosted by the American Legion Aruro Tenavid Memorial Post 59 in Laredo. High school students delivered prepared speeches on selected topics and about the US Constitution and scholarships were awarded. The program was led by District 23 Commander Jose M. Gams. CONGRATULATIONS. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> Thank you. My name is Jose Gomez. I'm the 23rd district uh commander for the 23rd district and person commander of American Legion Post uh 59 Aruro Tibides Memorial Post. I'm very proud uh to be here with Aron and Jose. Uh they were our two finalists and uh mayor, thank you for having us and it's a very welld deserved uh recognition for these two young kids. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations again. UCL. Why don't we just take a picture? >> Want to go back? >> Can you all squoot over me? Squid over more. More. Right there. >> You want this? >> Yes. >> Over here. One, two, three. One more. One, two, three. Ready. One, two, three. One more. Ready? One two three. >> Perfect. We're good. YEAH. All right. We'll proceed with communications presentation by mayor providing general comments on city manners, city matters, upcoming initiatives and other relevant updates for the city council and the public. I want to be begin by thanking our city departments especially state of the city committee for their extra extraordinary work in putting together successful state of the city. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and more importantly it gave our community positive and more importantly an update a clear update on both the challenges this council has faced and the progress we have made over the past year. Among the highlights were a 4% reduction in our poverty rate. Ranking number one as the safest city in Texas, ranking number one in affordability in Texas, once again ranking as the number one port in the Western Hemisphere, and major progress in addressing our aging water infrastructure with over 40,000 feet of pipe replaced. And in 2025, for the first time in more than six years, Laredo did not experience a boil water notice. This is not no small achievement. And I do want to specially thank the utility department and its employees for their hard work and dedication to public health and reliability. And I know that we're still we still have a lot of work to do, but this is a good start to our year. And looking toward the future, I want to address an issue I raised during the state of the city, one that I have been fighting for for over 30 years in South Florida, which is where the majority of the underser exists. And now we are at a crossroads when you're almost dead last when it comes to primary care physicians per capita of population in our county and country. The issue of medical under service has plagued our city for far too long. This is also a monumental opportunity for the city and for those seeking to lead web county as the next county judge. Medical under service is not a political talk political talking point. It is a shared responsibility to our community and we must explore meaningful solutions such as a hospital district or a county hospital to expand desperately needed service like pediatrics and specialty care. I have been asked by constituents why this discussion of it centers around the county and the answer is simple. We're not shifting responsibility. We are acknowledging the structure and the current law that exists. Under article nine of the Texas Constitution and chapter 61 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, counties are explicitly asked with indigent care, health care, and are structurally organized to create taxup supported hospital districts. That does not mean that the city steps away. In fact, today residents who live outside the city limits already rely in our city health department for many services. But that alone is not enough to meet the scale of the needs. And as mayor, I'm the only official who can speak on behalf of the city as a whole. Let me let it be clear. If the county chooses to move forward, the city will meet you halfway. I'm pretty sure no one will object to this collaboration. And ultimately we should put this question before the people and allow them to decide the future of health care in Laredo and Web County. And before closing I want to share a few announcements. Today the city through our health department has launched the healthier Texas community challenge encouraging residents to track healthy activities through an app. The top 15 part precipitants will be recognized and awarded special prizes in celebration with their commitment to health and wellness. We also continue to promote active living as we're having our unique one-of-a-kind 1K by national kids race, a 5K, and a K 10k that will cross our Columbia Solidarity bridges. This race will be on February 22nd at 800 a.m. And finally, I do want to thank our parks and recreation department and volunteers for another successful race event at the airport this past weekend with nearly 1,000 registered participants. An event that not only promotes health, but also improves our quality of life and community pride. Thank you. This is the work of a city moving forward thoughtfully, responsibly, and together. This is the end of my communications. >> All right, >> we'll proceed. >> Go ahead. >> Just add one thing on your communication. Go ahead. >> I just want to say thank you very much for bringing up the uh the hospital district item. I think it's uh it's as you mentioned it's very delicate because as a city we don't want to look like we are telling the county what to do but it is something that only the county can do. We're in this healthc care crisis together obviously both of us in primary care. We we need 40 more of us uh in this in this county not to mention all the other subsp specialties that we're lacking. Um and and you know a hospital district is is a way that counties like El Paso County, Bear County, um Corpus Christiey's county that I can't pronounce. Um and so many other counties in Texas benefit and create these wonderful uh health systems, you know, such uh like, you know, when you have the UT Health Science Center, uh obviously I mean El Paso has a medical school, a dental school, they have a 70-year head start on this. their their hospital district started in the 1950s. The last hospital district to be created in Texas, I think was 2004 with Tarant County. So, it's been a while since a new one's been created and um it's complicated, but yeah, Web County and the candidates that are, you know, listening um you know, we I just want to echo what you said about um the city will stand ready to work together um because healthcare affects all of us whether you live in the city of Laredo, Web County, or both. Um, so yeah, thank you so much for bringing that up. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mayor. If I may, motion to uh approve appointments to commissions, boards, and committees 7 through 11. >> All right. Before we go on presentation of confirmation by city council of uh >> mayor, I asked, excuse me, I'm sorry, point of order. I asked to approve 7 through 11 only so we can bring up six because of discussion. >> All right. Okay. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I post. Motion pass. Motion to bring up number six on appointments >> comments first >> and then proceed to a longer discussion so that the people who are waiting can >> we see how many citizens we have one on number six on number six we have one >> mayor um somebody sent in they tried to send in a written comment but I actually have it so I would read another comment on six >> okay all right let's see number Six. >> Mayor, there there were two comment cards that were submitted for item number six, Mayor. >> All right. >> Yeah. All right. We'll do citizen comments on number six. >> General number six. >> All right. Was there a motion? >> I just for the order of the agenda. >> All right. Okay. How many for number six. That's the only one. Okay. >> Okay. >> Apologies. My >> general comments are on item numbers. >> Uh if we can return to citizen comments on the agenda. Yes. I'll move that we do that. >> Okay. We'll do citizen comments. >> These are numbers. All right. I guess we can ask now after we can do it now. All right, we'll proceed with citizen comments. The comments are to be orderly, respectful, non- derogatory, and no profanity. If you can abide by these, we'll proceed with you. >> Yeah. All right. one. Aila, do you want to speak on the item now or when the item comes up? >> I'll speak now, mayor. >> All right, go ahead. >> Good afternoon, mayor, members of the city council. My name is Juan Ail. I'm a citizen here of of Web County. I'd like to say a little couple of words. First of all, I'd like to take thank uh our Laredo City Police Department. I know lately it's been getting crazy here. We just had a shooting. We just saw the pro news on it. You know, things are getting crazy around Laredo. We need just get together and pray on it. But thanks to the Laredo City Police Department for the fine job that they're doing out there. I'd like to start off with uh saying on this appointment that it's uh presented before y'all of Mr. Javier Montayor Jr., Mr. Mr. Mayor has a long story not only by himself but with his family especially his father. May he rest in peace but he was a fine man, an outstanding citizen. He was dedicated. he was for the citizens of Laredo and that was coron like you know our county judge has that word and I felt I feel tonight that to it is no it's not a big thing to really it's not a puzzle that you've got to be looking for the pieces this piece is already put together because Mr. Mortayor has served and serves at the UISD board. He serves as a family man. He serves as a man for Laredo. Why? Why I say this? Well, not because he's a good friend, because he is his brother, his dad, his family. I'm here because I think we are on the right track. Mr. Dominguez is making this uh recommendation to y'all. We already got an associate judge from the last presentation that uh appointments that we have. So I feel that we are on the right track and leading the municipal court on the right directions. We've been getting plenty of funds in. That's something to look at. We got three uh two more uh courts in that in that building when other judges had been there and had not been expanded. So, the recommendation that he's doing tonight is for y'all to really just approve it because it's already he's already in play. He already serves the citizens. He already serves his community. And I think that the recommendation that they're doing tonight, it's for the right track. So, please don't think about it too much. It is something for the good and the benefit of Laredo. And we are for Laredo. And that's the main the main category. Mayor, thank you so much. Council, thank you so much. and hopefully you will approve this appointment. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> All right, Jose de on item number six or now. >> It's good to see that uh Mr. Aila and I go back many years. Sometimes we don't agree, sometimes we agree. And then with all the restrictions you put put on what I can say, it cut my speech down considerably on what I can't say. But anyway, I'm here not because I have an interest in the horse that's being presented to the council. >> I'm here because uh I want to give you all a perspective that you all may name for the record, please. >> Jose Salvador Tees. I'm here because I want to make a comment about the appointment tonight. Uh, and I want to give you a little perspective. Some of you may know me, but then you don't know me. In the '9s, I was the associate municipal court judge from 1986 to 92. In the '9s, I was the city attorney from 92,93 and 94. Most recently, most of you remember me as the elections administrator, but I'm not here as an elections administrator. I'm here because when I was the associate municipal court judge and then subsequently I was appointed city attorney, I lobbyed extensively as a city attorney. I was on what charter revision committee as legal advisor to the charter revision committee? Then I was appointed three times to the charter revision committee to at least shepherd what has the municipal court turned out to be now nowadays. I was the one, if I may say so humbly, that moved to make it a court of record. Moved to make the judges attorneys because I felt that civilians should not be in judicial positions either at the municipal court or even at the JP level. But that's another issue that's not before this court. My position was that the municipal court judge court and the municipal court judges should be persons of high integrity and be a able to hold the position without any recourse against them. What I don't like about the way this is happening is that I found out that there was an appointment scheduled for today, an informal chitchat and and an event that I was not supposed to be at. I'm not questioning Mr. Montayor's qualifications. It's the lack of transparency that is being uh presented here today. And I'm going to tell you why. When I was the city attorney and I lobbyed for the municipal court judges to be attorneys, we wanted to bifurcate the elected official from the appointed position. We didn't want the municipal court, associate municipal court judge's position to be a reward to anyone because it was a backroom deal made to put somebody there because there was an election going on because there was other things going on. We wanted the municipal court judges to have integrity and independence from each other regardless of who recommended them. And I looked at your charter commit provision. >> Three minutes, mayor. Well, may I ask that you have an extended time because of my previous experience? >> Go ahead. >> Okay. And I looked at your charter uh provision that that deals with the appointment of associate municipal court judges. There is an inherent contradiction in that paragraph that says that the elected official shall make a recommendation. Then the next sentence says city council by a vote of six members should uh confirm the appointment. And then the last sentence of that paragraph doesn't make sense. It uses the adjective verb appointment. This is not an appointment. We should not be allowing any elected official to give a daso like they do in Mexico to name his successor in whatever position. that position the way when if you look at legislative history and you go back to my participation on the charter revision committees the HR department was supposed to accept applications screen them the elected official is not supposed to be the one who announces the position accepts the applications and brings a recommendation to the council the the HR department supposed to give the elected official three choices that he recommends from the three choices selected by the HR department because they have screened the people. I'm not quot I'm not critiquing Mr. Monteor's qualifications. I just remind you that there needs to be transparency in the process of appointing an associate municipal court judge in light of everything that has happened in this community in the last 10 years. Okay? And I'm asking you that this particular item should be referred to HR to go through a screening process. And if Mr. Monte Mayor is one of the top three and Mr. Dominguez wants to recommend them to the to the council, so be it. But have go through a transparency process where people are screened and they are and they are vetted for you. Don't allow an elected official to tell you who he wants to because that's Max of oldtime politics. I was here when we were transitioning from I hate to use these words because I was brought here by someone that was part of the partido Vjo and then I transitioned to being part of the what I used to call the new vendidos. But that's another issue. But but nonetheless, we cannot allow the system to go one step backwards. Mr. Monttoayor may have the qualifications, but the process does not pass the smell test. That's all I'm asking you to consider. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next comment. >> Justin Heather, that's on item 51. Do you want to present that? >> All right. Julian Renonowski on number 55. Do you want to present now or wait? >> Okay. Samantha L decker on number 68. You don't want to wait or present now. >> Okay. Um, mayor and city council members, thank you for your time in listening to citizen comments. I am Samantha Lang Decker and I'm a resident of District 8 and I wanted to discuss item 68 with regard to facade protections. Um, we have so many people and organizations working to make downtown a vibrant place, a place that's a destination for our city, and potentially an economic engine. Um, as I see bu buildings being demolished, I've been feeling more inclined to discuss a subject of great importance to our neighborhood. Um, we have a unique urban fabric that has so much potential to become a truly unique place. And with buildings that are real treasures, the historic construction cannot be rebuilt, and to demolish them is something permanent and irreversible. Each building that is destroyed is a project that will no longer come into existence. If enough are torn down, we diminish the potential that downtown Larredo has. So, I ask city council and the mayor to just please consider an ordinance for facade protection so that our urban fabric can be preserved and so that the vision for downtown Laredo does not lose its momentum. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh on number 19, do you want to wait to present? >> Go away. >> Dr. Christopher Shadock on number 19. You want to present? >> You're going to wait. >> Dora Maria Ramirez on number 19. >> I'll wait. >> You'll wait. Veronica Jimenez on number 19. Melissa Ramirez on number 19. >> Everybody's waiting and uh Heroni Motinho number 19. >> You'll wait. Okay. Mayor motion to bring up or open a public planning and zoning public hearings ordinance 12. Well mayor >> actually, I think we should do six and then 19. >> Motion to approve number six like that. >> Well, to bring it up. >> Yeah, bring it up. >> Motion second. >> Second. All in favor >> to bring it to bring up number six and number 19. >> Six and 19. >> All in favor? >> I post opposed. Motion passes. On number six, presentation for confir for confirmation by city council of Javier Emonayor Jr. as associate municipal court judge for the city of Laredo as recommended by municipal court judge position one Jesus M. Dominguez in accordance with section 5.02 of the center of the city of Laredo. Mayor, >> I'm I'm going to abstain myself on this vote upon the advice of my council since Mr. Monte was previously at one point my attorney. >> Mayor, if >> yes, go ahead. >> Um, I had a public comment that was sent in. They tried sending it in, so I I said I would read it. Um, can I read it? >> Go ahead. >> From Mr. Jesus Luna III. Uh his comment is, "I'm speaking tonight as a concerned citizen to express my opposition to the appointment of a sitting school board member, the president in fact, to a municipal court judge position within our city government. School board members are entrusted with making decisions that directly impact our children families educators and taxpayers. That role requires independence, transparency, and freedom from political pressure. Appointing a current school board member to a judicial position within the same local government creates at minimum the appearance of a conflict of interest and perception matters when it comes to the public trust. Judges must remain impartial and above political influence just as school board members must remain focused solely on the best interests of students and schools. Holding or transitioning into a powerful cityapp appointed role while serving on the school board blurs the lines and raises valid concerns about divided loyalties, influence and accountability. Our community deserves clear ethical boundaries between governing bodies. Even if no wrongdoing is intended, this appointment risk undermines confidence in both our school system and our judicial process. I urge city leadership to reconsider this appointment and to prioritize transparency, ethical governance, and the public's trust above all else. Thank you. >> Go ahead. >> This is Dominguez, municipal court judge. >> Go ahead. The people voted in 2024 that the charter would have uh that section 5.02 would be amended to have two positions for the municipal court judgeship. As such, it also included as part of the of the voting that each member would be able to appoint his or her uh own associate judge. Now going back in legislative history, we can see that in 2008 at a city charter revision committee that I served on at that time, we took the task and we revised the way the to accept what was recommended for as a court of record and and look at how the municipal court was structured. And at that time it was done and it was sent to the voters that the city manager would recommend one associate judge and the elected official or the elected judge would select another one with the new charter that just passed. Now there's two positions and it was recommended at each one each we took it away from the management and they put it on each judge. This amendment passed overwhelmingly by 86% of the people that voted at that time. They left it in our trust to select the person that we that the judges would be working with. So that's what the things. So when I came in as a judge back in 2018, I selected mine, my selection was Eduardo Davila. And Eduardo Davila uh came in young with little experience, no experience on the bench. And now you all selected him. Only two people applied. And he overwhelmingly had the qualifications to be the judge. that you all unanimously selected him as your judge. You trusted the system the way it worked. I selected him since the beginning. You all selected him on the application process. Right now, I'm bringing forth Mr. Javier Montayor to be a point associate judge as duly allowed by charter. And also, I'm bringing you him because he's got 29 years of experience. In fact, him and I went to law school together and we've been practicing law for the last 29 years. Some of those years that he practice, he also was a criminal uh he was also a juvenile referee. What is that a referee? It's a judge just with by a different name. And he's got that experience also that he sat before the bench. Not a lot of people here have taken those appointed positions in the city of Laredo. I know I know Javier. I've been working with him. I've seen his work. He's got excellent work. He has no complaints against him uh publicly under the state bar. He's uh well-rounded in every area of the law. He's practiced before the municipal court also a city ordinance and he's been entrusted by the people at United Independent School District to represent them. He's been in that position since 2010. I think uh I can't speak for him on what his plans are on on what he's going to do with that position, but the United Independent School District when they file their cases, they don't file them, the police department, they don't file them at the municipal court. They go file him either with Judge Pepe Salas at JP4 or they go file him over there at the JP2 either with Judge Kintana or Judge Dominguez in South Ledo. That's where they're handled the USD cases. So, and this is not and the position that I'm in is not a governing body. There's not going to be a conflict of interest as I not said any policy. I only execute. I only listen to the law. Apply the rule of law. Apply your ordinances that you all create and and try to see and make a decision on the facts that are dealing with those type of of problems that are going to be in front of us. Javier, I have trust that he will follow the law. Uh he's done it in in all his career. I think it's it's the excellent choice for him to be appointed. I don't have an associate judge anymore. Remember, he became a judge now. So, I need an associate judge and I think it's time for uh for one to be appointed. We did budget for this back when I was telling you, let's prepare. Uh they wanted me to appoint somebody immediately back when when it came out, but not thinking about all the logistics of what was going to be taking forth. Well, so we prepared, we budgeted, there's budget, there's money in the budget to appoint a Monte Mayor >> as as an associate judge for this position number one. >> Go ahead. >> I mean, and this just to be clear, thank you so much. Uh, just to be clear, this would be to finish out the current term basically from now until the end of the year. So, it's it's just finishing out a term because again, let's remind everyone, we had a rare situation happen where a charter was passed that gave an additional judgeship that we had to appoint that took away the associate judge. Now, that vacancy is clear. Um, I just just for the record, let's I'd like to read the section of the city charter that explains associate municipal judges. Um, so the associate municipal judge judges shall be licensed to practice law in the courts of the state of Texas. Mr. Mer, each municipal court judge shall recommend one associate municipal court judge to work with him or her during his or her term. The associate municipal court judge shall serve at the pleasure of the judge appointing him or her. I think that's a really important sentence. Serve at the pleasure of the judge appointing him or her. Each associate municipal court judge must be confirmed by the affirmative six votes of council at least and then the associate municipal court judge may be removed at the sole discretion of the municipal court judge who appointed said associate municipal court judge. So for me it's just reading what the charter says. Um we do confirm it. I for me personally I anytime there's been a confirmation whether it's from the city manager whether it's in any case the way I treat it personally is if if someone is appointed that's qualified that fits um the charter um I don't feel that it is my uh role to uh question the role of the person where the charter gives the authority to choose the person especially when it explicitly says serve at the pleasure of the judge appointing him or her if we don't like the way this isn't next time we should try it again uh in the as far as in the next time we do charter review. Um so I don't feel it's my place to say you know I don't really like this because of X Y and Z. It's it's really about is this person qualified to serve at the pleasure of the current judge. So for me that was my that's my logic for supporting >> this. So >> so Mr. Mr. Dominguez right now my I know you have the appointment Mr. um as your your choice, but you said that you had the other judge that we appointed, Mr. Davila was has an associate judge judge as well, right? Does he have another does he have an associate judge already pending or is he ready or what I'm asking are the both associate judges, you know, saints fulfilled or just you're just feeling yours right now? Right now, I'm just here in front of to fill mine. >> Okay. >> Mr. Judge Davila would come in and and fill his. >> So, I'm asking management, have we had that opportunity? Because I know there was another associate judge. There was two associate judges. >> And now, what happened to the other associate judge? >> There will be two associate judges, mayor, city council. So, yeah. And each judge will appoint or or will select one of their own to serve as the associate judge who will fill in for the judge when he is not capable to do the work that he has to get done. But what I'm asking is do we have the associate judge or has the other associate judge already >> judge deila has has a a name in play but what he wanted to do is he wanted to see because because these positions are directly related to the judge and they they serve at the pleasure of the judge. We had to create a different structure for how an associate judge would be uh operated through the city. These are contracted positions that follow the judge's term. And so that's the intent is is that so what because the judge appoints or or selects who who they want to have serve as the associate judge and it serves for that term. So we set we established this as a contracted position uh which has an base rate plus a 38% uh that'll cover retirement and insurance as a contracted position very very similar to what we've done with the doctors that we've done in contracted weight as well too. So we treat this profession the same way within that structure. Uh so Mr. Mr. Deila wanted to see that information prior to bringing a name forward but he is working on that >> with your permission Mr. >> Mr. Dominguez has two associate judges right now one of his permanent judge >> you step please clarify something because you'll be misled a little bit >> we'll give you a little bit of order >> okay >> Mr. Dominguez is the elected official. >> He had two associate judges. >> Name for the record. >> Jose Salvador Tees. He has two associate municipal court judges. Nathan Chu still serves theoretically under him because he appointed him originally. If you follow the charter, this appointment should belong to Mr. Davila if you want to follow the charter. Okay? Not to miss Judge Dominguez. If you want to clarify that answering your question, what happened to the other judge? He's still there. So what you're going to have to do also with that my humble opinion and Mr. Zona Gwen can confer you're going to have to designate whether if Mr. Monte mayor gets appointed today, whose associate judge is he? Is he judge Dominguez or Judge Davilas? Because if he's judge Davilas, then his term ends when Judge Davila is up for reelection. Not when Judge Dominguez leaves the bench because you didn't designate who position was judge. See, right now he's a judge. He should give a choice to be in. But if the charter as Dr. If king read it is read verbatim, then your choice has to determine who is Mr. Montto going to serve under because then his term may last till judge Davila's term ends because Judge Dominguez already had two. >> He's not the newly appointed one. I just want to clarify that that you need to consider that. And if you want to give him a term to 2028, that's fine. But you need to make that decision. There used to be a provision in the charter before that an associate municipal court judge was supposed to be reappointed every two years. That was omitted and I respect that. But now you have that task of determining who's he going to serve under. >> All right. >> Because Judge Dominguez has Nathan Chu under him right now. >> Okay. Thank you for your comment. >> And for the point of order here. Yes. To clarify, I started saying that with the new charter when I started, I had Judge Tabula appointed under my selection. Robert Yeets and Rosario Caveo nominated at that time Judge Chun. Is that correct, Mr. Nep? >> Mr. Mayor, Mayor, that is correct. We went back and checked the minutes on that to confirm because we wanted to make sure that this was was as clean as it could Why is it that we didn't stop mayor if I may why didn't we stop that right now instead of hearing all that you should have said >> this was what's what's happening >> and this menace were were already you already appointed that so we went through all the the whole ordeal you know that's council >> I did I did mention it in in my introduction to you you all >> okay that he was my appointment and that's why I saying and he was selected by you guys after being selected in the by me but >> far in between or what nobody's misleading anybody. We're following charter. That's the way charter reads. I have I have the duty to appoint somebody and I am. I'm exercising it. That's part of what the people voted for. 86% of the vote came out and said, "Judge, you're going to be able to point your selection." So, I'm just following what the will of the people is >> and I'm exercising it at this time and asking >> for your confirmation. >> Joan, can you give us a little enlightenment there? >> Well, this is a new charter provision and uh we're stopping the the old system where the social justice judges were uh uh city employees. So, we're removing those FTEEs and it's it's something that can be done because, you know, like hiring a plumber or a doctor or or a judge, you know, they can exercise independence. So, we're going to proceed on with two independent contracts and and one each judge elected judge will appoint uh his uh associate judge and today we have judge uh Dominguez here to recommend the appointment of uh Mr. May. >> Yes, go ahead. >> I I just want to clarify a little bit about like what Dr. King said as far as the charter and all that, but it does basically rely on council to confirm. So, we do still have a duty to oversee regardless of the suggested appointments just like we have in the past with all the other appointments that we still have a a say in. So, if the charter wanted it to be the sole discretion of the municipal judge, then we would not be having to confirm it. So, I just want to clarify that one point. Um, but the other question I do have is for if I may ask Mr. Monteota a question. >> Go ahead. Yes. For the record, Jav Mont. >> Okay. Uh, so how do you feel about the concern that the citizen brought up as far as the conflicting loyalties go? Speaker, >> I don't have conflicting loyalties. Uh, council member, uh, I've served as the representative in district 5 for United since 2010. The voters there uh, permitted me to to serve them. They elected me overwhelmingly three, four times now. And I take that very seriously just like I do the law every day when I when I'm in court and uh you know representing my clients. I do that you know to to the full extent just like I do at UISD. Uh it's all about applying the law to the facts when it comes to to being a judge being fair and impartial when it comes to being a judge. experience is necessary and I have extensive experience in not only litigation in practicing before municipal courts being a prosecutor for municipal court in Houston. I've represented I represent now the county. I've represented the city of Rio and I've represented the city of Elsenu. When it comes to being a trustee, I've been there for a long time. Uh and uh as you know that uh UISD is going through some deficit issues and uh you know we're talking about consolidation of schools. We're talking about uh changing boundaries and uh I will finish my term out. Appointment all due respect appointment or nor appointment I will finish my term out because I do not want to leave my district unrepresented. Uh the changes are very important to what to what's going on now and uh I will uh I will look to finishing out my term. Uh and I will not I'll say for the record I have not told anybody but again appointment and nor appointment I will not be seeking re-election to the USD school board. Uh and my wife is here and she's probably going to be not very happy with that but but uh no I I I I you know I I respect everybody's opinion. Uh I respect everybody's view and and you know that's just that's just my nature. Uh but I will I will hold every position that I've held. I held it I I held it, you know, to a higher standard. I I I respect everybody and I will, you know, do my job. I'm a hard worker. You find me there at 7 o'clock on Saturdays and Sundays as well. So, uh there is no conflicting loyalties. There is no no conflict at all. May >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Um I appreciate the answer. It's just uh the I guess the appearance. Some people do have a concern with that. But just a follow-up question. Um my understanding is right now you have your your private practice, correct? And then you have a contract with the county, correct? >> Then you have a a position on the school board with UISD. >> And then after this confirmation, you would have a position at the city government. >> So basically all the taxing entities almost >> you would have some kind of position or some kind of role in there. So, how would you balance all of all of those responsibilities? >> Well, I represent the county in the collection of delinquent taxes. Uh, I work with the people there uh to make sure that they can afford uh, you know, paying their taxes, that they, you know, we can work out payment plans. We we work in the courts on that. It's all court related. Uh, the the school district is it's governance. It's a governance thing. U, I don't vote on on tax rates for the city or for the county. I don't I don't uh vote on on policies with with with the county or the city. Uh so there is no no conflict at all legally. >> And so uh that's >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Thank you. Um Mr. Montto, welcome to council. Thank you so much for accepting the appointment from Judge Dominguez. I um have always found our interactions to be very professional and um uh I I believe that you are um you have the temperament to serve as a judge, but I have also received calls from constituents and they also have shared the same that they believe your character to be outstanding and that you would be a great addition and a benefit to the city serving in this role. So, thank you very much. >> I appreciate that >> consideration of it. Any other comments? >> No. >> Mayor on the same recognized I have one question. >> Okay. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> I'm opposed. >> How many rolls do we need for this? >> We need six. We have six. >> We have eight. >> Let's do a roll call. All right. >> Number one. >> Four. >> Four. >> Four >> against. >> How many do we have? >> We have seven. >> We're good. >> Eight. Good. >> Eight. Four and one against. >> No, the mayor. No. Sorry. I'm sorry. >> I didn't vote. So, we're still good. >> Seven and one. >> Yes, sir. All right. >> Okay. >> Congratulations. Motion passes. >> Mayor, if I may, >> Mayor, can I just recognize real quick just for one comment real quick? >> Go ahead. >> Mayor, thank you again. Uh, one for the record. Mayor, we've always done citizen comments through either internet or we having to be in person. We've never accepted comments from a council man or woman through a phone or through a list or anything. Talking about transparency, we're talking about being, you know, forward with everybody. Then we need to follow that same protocol. I would have loved that she would have put uh Councilman Vanessa would have put the comment here where everybody could have seen it instead of having that judgment that where is the transparency. We hold y'all accountability. This is accountability. She needs to be more transparent. She need She would have showed it to us here on the on the film. Well, like, oh, okay, there it is. I see it. But then again, she's really I'm not saying she's lying. I'm not saying she's anything else. But transparency and that's something that you have mentioned through your team members a lot and I'm asking y'all for that transparency. I didn't see it. She was reading it but I didn't see it. >> So therefore where is the transparency? >> Thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um Zone is there anything wrong with a council member reading a statement that was sent to them? >> Yeah, just backing up a little bit. You know, during COVID, we allowed uh statements to be sent in and and read by staff, but now after CO, you know, just to to ensure the legitimacy of of the public comments, we we ask them to to appear in person. However, you all are council members, you can speak whether you speak based on a reference that I believe it's allowable for you to to read something based on your discretion. >> And and just for the record, mayor, if those were my personal words, I would have just said them. They were mine. So, it was sent in. So if anybody wants to see I have the phone number, the name for transparency purposes of the person, they can call them and verify like they do on LMT. But again, if those were my personal words, I would have just said them myself. >> All right. Thank you. Anybody else? Mayor, >> Mr. Mayor, >> you want to say >> Mr. Manell, can you clear up? Can you clear that up for us? The other day, you had Mr. Wonales read a one of the comments. So I just want to clear up. Why is it the last time that there was a public comment, you asked us to read it? >> It was it was a comment that was submitted and the council allowed for it to be written. >> So we we allowed the for them that comment. >> If I may, I'll answer that. If I may go ahead. >> Again, we we stopped the the submission of written comments and then having staff read. So the it would not have been read by staff. However, because the council member wants to read it, it's the same thing as you you getting recognized by the mayor and starting. >> Thank you. >> Mayor, if I may, I had already called for this uh calling for the approval and the acceptance of appointments to commission, boards, and committees 7 through 11. >> Second. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion pass. >> Motion open planning and zoning public hearing introductory ordinances 12. We had already motioned to bring up number 19 as part of the previous motion. >> Number 19 was next. >> All right, let's go ahead and track my motion. >> Number 19. Number 19. We have comments, mayor. >> All right. Go number 19. That's a different number 19. An ordinance of the city of Laredo, Texas, amending chapter 15, article 6, section 78, definitions of the code of ordinances by redefining bar providing that this ordinance shall be cumulative, providing a severability clause and declaring an effective date on this item. Melissa Ramirez. >> Hello, Mayor and City Council. Um, if you allow me to pass out some packets. >> Yeah, for the record. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Minister Ramirez. >> Yes. And I can I will need access to the projector. Do I >> Yeah, go ahead. >> So, >> oh, okay. >> Okay. So, uh good evening, mayor and city council. My name is Melissa Ramirez and I am a program director at serving children and adults in need, also known as SCAN. Um, I I just passed out a packet to each of you. Um and so on Wednesday, uh January 28th, um Scan hosted a press conference, uh Scan hosted a press conference regarding item number 19 on tonight's agenda, which is the possible change to the no smoking and public places ordinance to benefit the tobacco specialty retail stores and cigar lounges. Mr. Never mind. >> Thank you. >> Um, so I would like to share a few a few key points with you. So, SCAM was originally formed in 1982. Stop child abuse and neglect. Today, serving children and adults in need, otherwise known as SCM, is a community- based nonprofit social services organization with a 43-year history of providing a variety of comprehensive and culturally sensitive uh prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support services. Scan has over 40 programs providing services in 17 uh South Texas counties and has satellite offices in five counties. Scan also has a budget of more than 15 million uh and currently employs 240 individuals. Established in 1989, the web county community coalition of scan um has over 60 members from all sectors of the community. However, as of today, it is it has increased to 86. On April 3, 2006, the no smoking and public faces ordinance was passed by city council on a 5 to3 vote after a three-year grassroots campaign spearheaded by members of Scan's Web County Community Coalition. So, this ordinance has been in place for a total of 19 years. There have been only two major changes to the ordinance since it was first passed. The first change was to benefit tobacco specialty retail stores by allowing them to be placed in locations that were not freestanding, therefore weakening the ordinance. The second change was adding electronic smoking devices to the ordinance, therefore strengthening the ordinance. The current proposed change would once again benefit tobacco specialty retail stores by allowing them to operate as bars for smoking is allowed, significantly weakening the ordinance. Um, changing the long-standing definition of the term bar in the ordinance to exclusively benefit tobacco specialty retail stores or cigar lounges is bad public health policy. The ordinance currently has an option in place for tobacco specialty retail stores or cigar lounges to operate as private clubs where there customers could consume tobacco products, alcohol, and food inside their establishments. I would like to show you a sample of some public Okay. Um, so I would like to show you a sample of an existing private club in Corpus Christie, Texas that that opened in July 2025. These are um there are currently dozens of private clubs like this throughout the state of Texas. So, as we can see here in the picture, um this particular private club is called Prohibition Private Cigar Lounge in Corpus Christie, Texas. Here we see a picture of their front door. Um, a picture of the the bar or lounge area. And as it says here, join Corpus Christiey's uh only private and exclusive cigar lounge. Then we see a picture of several bottles, a picture of someone smoking, a picture of even food that they saw at at the place, as well as a picture of the different memberships that they offer. So whether it's a visiting onetime membership, a three-month membership, a founding member, or an or as a regular member as annually or monthly. So right now, the business owner that is asking for the change in the ordinance can technically operate tomorrow doing everything they want to do where customers can both consume tobacco and alcohol products in their establishment. Um, it just needs to be set up as a private club. The ordinance does not need to be changed and the business owner can technically operate doing everything that they want to do. So, as mentioned in the last Can I just have a few? >> Yeah, go ahead. Finish up. >> As mentioned in the last city council meeting on January 20th, um there are currently only two cigar lounges in Larredo. The primary focus of these establishments is to provide customers with opportunities to consume deadly tobacco products on their premises. And as we know, the use of tobacco products is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Consequently, the Web County Community Coalition, SCAN, and many others are asking why the city of Laredo would be actively advocating to change one of the strongest no smoking and public places ordinances in Texas to benefit these anti-public health establishments by giving them special permission to serve alcohol and allowing smoking inside their establishments. Before voting to weaken the ordinance, we are requesting that you kindly table the item at this time and host a public workshop where community members can um can voice their opinions and provide input in a collaborative manner with the mayor, city council members, and city of Laredo staff. We do not believe there is any necessity to fasttrack such a significant um change and in doing so without without public input runs counter to building trust and fostering transparency with constituents. We are also requesting that the that the Laro Public Health Department be allowed to play a role in explaining how this change would violate public health best practices and how it could negatively affect the community in the long term. Ultimately, we hope that the mayor and the majority of city council members um to be public heroes and resoundingly say no to modifying the ordinance to benefit tobacco specialty retail stores. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. We have uh on this item Veronica Himenez. >> Good evening. If I may, share. >> Good evening. >> You can stand in the middle here. >> Yes. Um good evening, mayor and council members. My name is Veronica Himenez. I am the proum director for the web county community coalition of serving children and adults in need scan. I'm here today to ask you not to make a change in the no smoking in public places ordinance since this will allow many potential establishments to allow customers to consume alcoholic beverages um and smoke tobacco products inside their premises. There is a common misconception that cigars are less harmful than cigarettes or other tobacco products. However, there is no safe level of consumption of tobacco products. Don't believe the hype like in that um worksheet says, don't believe the hype. Um secondhand cigarette smoke is hazardous. Um a single full size cigar may contain almost as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Secondhand uh cigarette smoke contains the same uh toxic uh chemicals that secondhand uh cigarette smoke does. The secondhand uh cigar cigar smoke can cause um or contribute to lung cancer and heart disease. Cigar cigar smoking can cause uh cancer of uh oral cavity um esophagus and lung cancer. uh cities, cities and states uh should not create um exemptions to accommodate cigar smoke uh or exposing the the workers uh to deadly uh smoke from cigars. Therefore, I ask that you please not make any changes to this uh no smoking and public places ordinance. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, >> Donna Maria Ramirez. on the same item number 19. >> Good evening, mayor, council members. For the record, my name is Dora Maria Ramirez. Um, so I would like to ask your permission if I could also share a document that I'll be talking about. But before I do that, I just want to briefly go over this. I am the director of prevention services at Scan Inc. and I was here two weeks ago asking to please uh go vote against this amendment. I'm also a certified prevention specialist and a licensed chemical dependency counselor in the state of Texas. So for 30 years, I have been in public health initiative in Laredo. I was one of the first original members of the web county committee coalition which advocated for a smokefree environment beginning in 2003. It took us three years to try to convince people that this was the best thing that we needed to do for their safety. Right? And so with this no comprehensive smoking in public places ordinance, it's secured, right? for the people to be protected, all workers, all individuals. At this time, I'm going to ask I'm going to go ahead and share this document. Hopefully, I can do it the right way where it uh shows. Is it correct? Okay, perfect. This is for the record so that you can see why I'm asking why I'm opposing the alcohol sales and tobacco specialty store cigar launches. I strongly urge the city council not to amend the no smoking in public places ordinance to allow this establishment to sell alcohol for following reasons. Number one, allowing alcohol to be sold creates a high-risisk environment where co-use of both alcohol and tobacco products will increase and co-use significantly increase the addiction risk and impair judgment. The recommended amendment contradicts contradicts the original intent of the no smoking place to harmful which was to reduce exposure of customers and employees in public places to harmful substances and protect public health. That was the whole thing that we wanted to do. Alcohol sales in tobac tobacco stores cigar lodges will bring additional safety concerns including increased disturbances, impaired driving and enforcement challenges. By allowing the tobacco store cigar lunch to sell alcohol creates an uneven playing field which was the guiding principles in the establishments of the original ordinance. Bars and restaurants will sell alcohol but couldn't allow customers to smoke. Tobacco stores could allow customers to smoke but couldn't serve them alcohol. So, the proposed change gives the tobacco store cigar launches an unfair advantage. The no smoking ordinance already permits business establishments to identify to identify as private clubs which would allow their customers to smoke tobacco products and consume alcohol inside their premises. The potential economic benefits to the tobacco stores cigar louners do not outweigh the potential public health cost which is what we were trying to do. Finally, communities like Laredo with strong, consistent tobacco and alcohol regulations experience fewer preventable health issues and safer neighborhoods. For this reasons, I ask the city council one more time to keep the no smoking ordinance intact and reject this and any future amendments that would allow alcohol sales in tobacco store cigar lounges. Following the COVID 19 pandemic, I believe it is more important than ever to work in a collaborative matter to preserve our good public health. Thank you for your time and for allowing me the extra minutes. >> Thank you, >> Mayor. I have a question. zone uh to address her point there as far as registering as a private club. What is the difference in going that route for these cigar lounges to register as private clubs versus having an ordinance change? I mean, what what is the process for for that? >> Well, to be a private club, obviously the big business difference is you're going through memberships, require memberships as opposed to being uh open to the public. But can you be registered with the city as a private club and not have memberships? >> Like are there what are the guidelines? >> Yeah, I can look that up. But uh that's what I was about to do to to be honest. But uh I believe that membership is is a main component of private club have a private club. >> But who regulates that? >> Let me let me double check that because I >> because that mean that's actually a good idea. I mean if they just become a private club then they can satisfy both things, right? Instead of being called a cigar lounge, they could be the cigar lounge club. So, that's actually a good point. >> Chair question doesn't it fall to open up that business or that club or to get a um uh to open it up? Doesn't it have to be doesn't it have to follow on the same ordinance? >> Uh no. I mean the the obvious one in town is the Loyal Country Club that that's that's a a club and u I can give me a minute. I I'll double check the our ordinances to see about the private clubs because I wasn't anticipating this. >> So >> my question also to management is are there stricter regulations placed on bars than on tobacco shops and cigar lounges? As far as uh sorry uh as far as cigar lounges, a main difference is you have to have like a separate HVAC system as opposed to like a bar and such. Yes. >> So is there Well, I guess I'm I'm just trying to find out is there an incentive for bars to convert to, you know, having a little tobacco shop, a cigar area, and circumvent then our regulations against smoking in bars. If I may, uh, what what's being proposed is a change to the health code because the health code definition of bar is bit more expensive in consumption of alcohol or serving alcohol versus the land development code that follows the traditional state requirements of you know 51% or more serving alcohol on premises. So that that's what's being uh uh that's what's before you. So if it passes for instance in the health code definition mirrors the the land development code that the only one that that would take advantage of it right now would be you know a cigar lounge that be allowed to to serve alcohol and then if a bar wants to to convert to that then it would have to convert to the same criteria as that smoking lounge. Yes. >> Which is the HBAC. >> Yeah. Which is a separate H system. Yes. So, but we're suggesting that bars could then try to qualify for this exemption of smoking. >> Mayor, if I may >> on smoking, I should say. >> Mayor, go ahead. Spoken out. I >> I wasn't going to comment until after everybody said their comments. Um, would you all like to continue with your comments and then I can say my piece on it? Is that okay? Would you all like to do that? Go ahead. Yeah, we can continue. Dr. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Next. Next is Dr. Christopher Kra on this item. Can I start here? >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Good evening, mayor, council members, and city staff members. Um, my name for the record is Dr. Christopher Kretic. I'm the chief operating officer for serving children and adults in need called SCAN, where I've worked for almost 28 years focusing primarily on public health prevention and intervention. I'm also a longtime member of the Web County Community Coalition. Mr. and I were one of the first ones that when it was established in 1999. It's been there a long time and I'm here tonight to speak as a coalition member. So when I say we, I'm referring to the coalition and the members when I say we. So I placed a copy of an award that I received for being a part of the smoke freedom radio committee that worked for three years. It's a grueling years from 2003 to 2006 to implement the current smoking public places ordinance. I just wanted, you know, to show this because a lot of times people can just say it, but I was there at the beginning. So was Mr. Rimedz. We were in the trenches and it was a tough battle and we're so thankful to the city council members that took so much heat to implement it because it was a landmark ordinance at the time. So just in the middle of it says, imagine a rate of smokefree once a vision is now a bright future for Laro. So to most of you, the no smoking ordinance is most likely just a words on a piece of paper. for me and the many people like Mr. Ramirez that work so hard to implement it. It's deeply revered document. It's very special. It's almost sacred to us that it has tremendously helped to improve public health in the community. Okay. We had two main goals when we started. We wanted to protect children from ever having to be exposed to public in public places to secondhand smoke especially in restaurants. But the second goal that we had, and it was a tough one to get this across to everybody, is we wanted to protect all workers from being exposed to secondhand smoke, regardless of where they worked. Whether it was bars, whether it was restaurants, we wanted to protect them because everybody has the right to work. People would say, "Oh, but they choose to work there." You know, people don't need to be exposed to the smoke wherever they work. So, the last time that people could smoke tobacco and drink alcohol in the same public establishment here in LA was way back in 2006. So, what y'all are wanting to do is literally turn the clock back 20 years to that time and it's going to open the door, we feel, for other people to take advantage of this option. As the city attorney mentioned in a previous meeting, the the health code has a superior I'm going to use this term uh city attorney, but has a superior definition to what's in the land code development. And he said that that one, you know, outweighs it. overseas any other organ. So what's in the land development code is a weaker definition and y'all are using that weaker definition just to benefit one business person. You're not talking about five businesses for one business we're going to throw away 20 years of no and that's something I know Miss Mossa mentioned in her presentation why you're willing to do that for one business when he has the opportunity to establish himself in a private club. Mr. clearly showed that that model is working throughout the state of Texas. Um it's working in Corpus. Corpus is actually doing more than the gentleman here. He because in Corpus they're selling food where he wants to continue he wants to sell alcohol and and tobacco. So I want the first time that we found out about it as a coalition was on you know January 17th. That was it. It hadn't made the news but the minute that we heard about it we started contacting every one of y'all. Hopefully I read your emails. As you should know, I've been emailing all of you regularly and many of our members and many people in the community. So, you know, based here our issue is this. Based on the information on November 17th, we know that the business owner he said he started contact email in August and he's had personal contact with one council member that was mentioned at the meeting several times. All we've been able to do in two weeks is to just have contact with you through email. We have not been able to talk with you, talk to city staff. So, What we're asking for simply is this. Oh, the other issue public, you know, doing surveys. The public health department and the city have already done a survey on the border wall. They just started one on autism needs. We would like to have a survey done before decisions made. Do people want this ordinance to be changed? Maybe it goes our way, maybe it doesn't. But I think you'll need to hear that information. People mentioned tonight about being transparent, involving your constituents. Well, we would like to have a chance at a public workshop, hopefully more than one, where we can dialogue with you on that. So, tonight, I know Dr. Richard Chamberlain's here. I would like him as the health department director to speak to you all because what I've seen and all the meetings that I've watched, you've never asked him once. Not in a public forum. He's our public health expert. We should hear from him. If y'all wanted to change something with public safety, I think y'all would have to ask the chief of police and the fire chief before you decided to change a major public safety ordinance, we should do the same here. So, I'm asking for Dr. Chamberlain to please be allowed to speak tonight just to tell us his expertise on how weakening the ordinance could hurt the city of Laredo's public health. And I think last thing, just a couple things. I think there's a better way forward to achieve the balance that you all want to do as business. You want to be business friendly. We understand that. But you also have to protect public health and we think that we can dialogue with you in a public uh workshop it can make it happen. So I would say this if you approve the change to the bar definition we feel that it's going to trigger several other changes. I apologize where there's because there's some deficiencies and flaws that we have to be brought up again. So we're going to be coming back to you asking to address those flaws because once you change that definition you're going to have to have other definitions. We feel like you're going to need to make changes in the enforcement section because it's not clear how you're going to enforce the alcohol sales portion when it's based on a quarterly B the reports from CBC. So I think based on the information the city attorney isn't clear on the private club the thing to do tonight is to please not vote on it. It's obvious that it needs to be tabled so we can have some more dialogue and maybe we can work together in a collaborative manner to make that happen. Okay. So thank you very much. >> Thank you. Mayor, if I may just >> Yes. Go ahead. >> For information for council, uh, our ordinance 15-79B5 allows smoking in private prison as well as, you know, private res and so forth, uh, which exempts it from the the no smoking uh, uh, ordinance that we have. Also, uh, ordinance 5-11B3 defines a private club uh, through TABC. Private clubs are defined by TABC. So to answer the question from earlier uh who enforces it be TABC. So you have to be uh qualify as a private club under TABC then you can uh have uh smoking and alcohol uh to get out. But you know it's it has to be a members only uh social fraternal uh organization. Um it's not open to the public. That's is >> just on on Z's point. Um so you're saying that the city then would not in charge of enforcing any regulations that would be left to the tobacco alcohol and bureau commission. Is it a commission? >> TABC. Uh as far as whether it's a legitimately a private club or not, it's it would be licensed through TABC. Yes. >> Right. Just to say that then we would have the city would have the benefit of having another official organization there to oversee and make sure that they're the requirements that are being met. It they're running through a state agency also. >> Yes. Just for point my understanding, you not an expert on it. Looking at the the land development code, the way that it would work is y'all would be monitoring the sales of alcohol through two ABC's reports because of their monthly and you would be trying to determine does this person do they have sales that exceed 50% revenue, right? The idea is that they can't exceed 50% on alcohol has to be more tobacco. So you would be looking at that, but you would also have to get a report from the business owner on what the tobacco sales are because you're going to have to balance that. doesn't collect the tobacco sale information. >> Right. But I I'm sorry. My my comment was to suggest that if it stays under this private club designation that TABC would be responsible for um enforcing a lot of the regulations for that private club. >> The concern the concern going forward is >> that's a good point. >> If the bar definition it's going to be a nightmare in terms of regulation and how are you going to penalize that? Right now it talks about the penalties are focused on businesses that violate the smoking ordinance. So now you're going to have to modify as I'm saying you would have to modify the ordinance here on what the penalties are going to be when the alcohol says lower level what January it's at 65% February you know it's at 40 and then maybe you know in March it's 30 but it has to average out but if it doesn't what are going to be the fines does he get fined for January it was over the other two weren't it's a mess but the idea is is a private club is really the way to go and it's in the ordinance He's allowed to do everything he's asked. And even in the mail, it says in his letter that he sent to y'all, this is for public record. This is from, I believe, in the November 17th meeting. He's telling you he has a formal request for a special use permit to operate cigar lounge with limited alcohol spirits. But the key point is it's a refined adult establishment and he's focusing on having premium cigars, fine spirits, and crafted cocktails in an upscale environment. The target populations for these types of organizations are typically higher economic soio economic range 35 and older. It's not really the general public is not the target population anyway. So the private club is the easy way to go and we're done with this. We don't have a complaint. If you following the ordinance, he's allowed to do it. He can do everything he wants to do technically starting tomorrow if he has the TBC license to sell alcohol. >> All right. >> And we're done. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next comment on this item. I am Dees. >> Hello. Good afternoon, mayor and council and uh city staff. Uh God bless you everyone. I'm here in concern to the same item 19. Um I'm a pastor here in Oredo. Uh >> your your name for the record? Iran Tees. I'm Pastor Iran Tees. Yes. Uh and uh I'm uh uh the founder and president of a organization called Grace Center Kasarcate. It's a place where Jesus Christ is transforming the life of the addicts, people that have drug addictions, and we've had so many good testimonies. We started since 2021. And I'm also uh a member of the wet uh county uh community uh coalition with SCAN. And I'm also a member of the drug and alcohol awareness committee with the city of Laredo. And uh we get to work a lot with people that have drug addictions that are struggling. And my concern is that if that is meant a m if that if that ordinance is changed, it would be a free for all uh in regards to obtaining a license where they could sell alcohol. And now there's more access to our youth. you know, as as in changing that that uh a city ordinance where any other establishments are going to see dollar signs and see it's good for business. As a business person, it's good, but is it good for our community? You know, my my grandma used to say in in Spanish, you know, I know the work mayor and city council and the city of Laredo have done. You know, I'm part of the drug and alcohol awareness. We saw last year we had less death of fentinel and we've been pushing forward. Why step back? So, I humbly come and and and and voice uh my opinion in regards to this item and and I ask you not to approve it just because it's going to affect our youth. Right now the trend in vaping it's way higher with a younger community than older community that if we give them an access to these places that they could come and smoke and now drink in our facility. I guess we have seen the problem we have downtown with the alcohol on the weekends and kind of changing that to give him more time to go and enjoy a cigar and have a time but now have a drink and causing that that's equals DWIS that that equals uh accidents and and and and I see Dr. you know, 2006, uh, pushing and moving forward. And now that I'm, you know, before five years ago, I didn't know much about, you know, coalition and and and and being involved with our community and and and doing work, you know, where we're giving awareness. But now that I see the community, it's it's it's a lot of community that's working to better our community with alcohol, with cigars. for me the way it is that's just a gateway for other drugs and other addictions that we don't need. I thank you and I bless you. May the Lord bless you and thank you for all your service. Thank you for listening. >> Next uh is uh Heroni Motion on the same item. Uh, good evening, mayor, council members. Uh, for the record, my name is Hony Mtorinho, and I am here in favor of the proposed ordinance change as the future proprietor of the SCAR Labs. Types of bar. Uh, there are many definitions as it relates to bar. It can be a collective group of attorneys, iron bars across the window for security, or a location like a counter or a place to serve drinks and food. For example, meeting at the bar inside of the restaurant. Uh bar may mean to prevent or forbid. It may be to measure music or a commercial classification as referenced in Laredo's land community or land development code of 2013. Loredo's uh when you have two conflicting definitions, it leaves um in the key components of the ordinances, it leaves too much room for interpretation. In the code of ordinance, bar is mentioned eight different times in three different context. Uh I would venture to state that when the no smoking ordinance was written, it wasn't referring to a sign with a red bar across it or a location uh inside of the restaurant. Um of course not. He was referring to the business of a bar, the commercial classification. Why the change to eliminate the conflicting definitions and establish a clear measurable um standard of enforcement? I've attached the proposed ordinance for tonight's agenda. I don't know if anyone's actually read it, but all it says is it's going to mirror the definition of the land development code and place it in the code of ordinances. That's all it's doing. Um to hear everything about changing and allowing smoking and everything, it it just uh shocks me. This just gives us a unified front. Is this common? Uh yes, other major cities have incorporated. Uh Larredo defined it 13 years ago. Uh Waco defines bar 50%, Dallas sets a threshold at 75%. Uh TABC uh regulates licensing, but they do not define bar. It is up to the city to define bar, which we have done since 2013. Um, excuse me. I'm sorry. We need to stop calling everything a bar. Uh, on premise alcohol is not the determining factor. Many establishments have on premise alcohol. I mean, should we reclassify some of these uh establishments? That wouldn't be very logical to do. If bars are the concern, the most statistically uh abused classification as it relates to alcohol is restaurant. Will this affect the no smoking and public ordinance ordinance? Absolutely not. Bars is still number 19. Uh it's on the list and now that we have on our now that we ordain a clear definition um we know what that means. It is common to focus on the prohibited areas but in the 20 years of the ordinance existence whether you like to admit it or not tobacco specialty retail stores have always been exempted. The reason being this is the only classification of business that directly contradicts the ordinance. Eradicating their existence was not practical then and is not practical now as these establishments predicated the ordinance. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you. Um we mustn't forget that there is a special use permit that must be applied for and granted. It goes before planning and zoning committee. It goes before city council. Must be read three times. It has restrictions on the land development code. Uh, learning firsthand a dedicated HVAC system isn't as simple as having your own unit. Every business has their own unit, but a unit that actually extracts smoke and addresses the odors as defined in the code of ordinances requires an energy recovery ventilator, an ERV. Uh, this is significantly more expensive and mostly found in hospitals and clinic, which I will incorporate. Uh, these are the demanded SCP standards. There's so many of them. Any smoking establishment, smoke shop, vape shop, they require an SUP. Uh we have approximately two dozen smoke shop throughout Larredo. How many SUPs have you all seen? Uh they must be 21 years older, proper zoning, comply with gross revenue percentages. Uh cannot stay open past midnight. Yet I still see 247 signs out there. Uh we just need to look at the standards that are already in place. We have them already. They exist. Uh I got a lot of doctors on the panel. If my white blood cell count is low, do I have cancer? Like, no. I could be anemic. I could be I could have a infection. It could be hereditary. The totality of the circumstances is what we need to look at. I may not be the first establishment with cigars, but I'm definitely the first that has incorporated every single requirement. And um cigar lounges are regulated through layer framework, all of which are already there. Economic growth shouldn't suffer for those doing the right thing and because others don't understand the totality of the circumstances. I care about my city and the people within. I've gone above and beyond to make sure of it. Uh please pass this ordinance so I may proceed pending. Any questions? Thank you. >> Mayor man. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Um sir, you know, we've had the discussion about the ordinance already allowing for private clubs and that your business could fall under that private club. allowance as it exists right now. Why did you not choose to follow that path? >> Because it it does take it out of the does it takes it out of the city's hands. Believe it or not, I do want there to be regulations. I do want there to be standards because and I actually embrace that I could be that template moving forward. Uh and I do want it to be open to the public. I don't want people to just go in there and pay $1,000 of membership. It should be. It's also a retail store, too, because not everybody that enters is going to have a drink. So, people just walk in, buy some uh some cigars, and they they leave. They don't have to stay. And if I limit that to members only, then I have to have a security at the door, some kind of mechanism to enter. You can't come in just to buy a smoke. It's just it's not the business plan that I want. Believe me, I reviewed it at the time. I can't tell you everything because it's been so long, but I knew that I was against it because it just didn't seem feasible. >> So, is my understanding is that membership is set the membership rate would be set by you. It wouldn't necessarily be $1,000 per member. That that is something that >> normally they're higher. Now, cigar lounges are up there. Believe it or not, it's not something that I want. uh memberships uh that I do have are going to be minimal because I want there to be the loyalty program, the discounts to offer to everybody. And again, if you walk into the establishment, you're 21. It's a it's a it's a niche. That's all it is. It's not open to the public like like everyone says it is. There's certain guidelines that have to be met. 21 years older. I mean, there all these little things have to be there. And I'm doing it. I I want to do it. Well, I I believe um just the last thing I believe that um I I I think the hesitation here is that we have we have removed smoking from bars because we see that as a city as a significant public health risk and um and all all respect for people who who choose to smoke, but it does negatively impact your health. And so if we remove this um how how will other tobacco shops we just We allowed one to open in front of Laredo College in the south. How does this prevent other tobacco shops from not taking this course and incorporating alcohol into their business? And now we're having bars that allow smoking. >> No, that's not true. Well, first of all, the whole point of the presentation is that we're not bars. We need to kind of get away from that. I know it's hard to do, but I agree smoking should not be allowed in bars, but this is not a bar. the the land of code came out with the three definitions in 2013. Smoking establishment, tobacco shops, and drug paraphernalia. The smoking shop that you're talking about, they don't have alcohol. That's not allowed. It's only the smoking establishment that does, which includes a cigar lounges. And I may have had that here. It's only, this is a special use per smoking establishment. And it says there I have to be 50% under and include cigar lounges. I have to have the HVAC system, the special use permit. like all these are already there. They're already in place. So just to say that it's just going to happen and flood the system or the city with with bars transitioning, it's not that simple. It's a significant increase in cost to change the HVAC. And I like I said earlier, you can't just say, "Yeah, I have an HVAC system." No, you need that ERV system to be a part of it. And that's expensive. Not everyone's going to do that. >> Yes. Go ahead. Um, okay. Let me let me comment on this because this ordinance change is coming because of me. Uh, Mr. contacted me about it and he wants to open up the cigar lounge in district 5. And as you all know, I'm extremely businessfriendly and I want business to open up here in Laredo. I don't like putting a wall for businesses. I like to make it as easy as possible for them to continue developing um and continue investing in our cities. So, this this boils down to really a personal choice at the end of the day. We all know what's good for us and what's bad for us. We know smoking is terrible for us, Mr. Tino. I'm sorry, but I will never visit your shop because I don't smoke. I've never smoked a day in my life. I've never smoked a cigarette, a marijuana stick, anything, a cigar, whatever. I've never smoked anything. My parents smoked my entire life when I was growing up and I hated it, which I thank them for it now because I won't pick one up. But it's my choice. If I should want to pick it up one day, smoking for whatever reason, that is allowed here in the city of Laredo. We're not changing that. We're not changing that. The simple difference is that we're allowing a cigar lounge to be able to serve alcohol. That's the difference. So, this is an establishment not for families, but for adults over the age of 21. And that's what we need to differentiate. I'm completely completely in favor of continuing the ban of smoking in bars, in restaurants, because I frequent them often. Let's just start banning French fries now because we know they're terrible for us. They cause heart disease. They cause cholesterol. They cause high blood pressure. Where does the regulation stop for government to come into your life and tell you that you you can't do something legal because smoking is still legal in Texas, in city of Laredo, in the United States. That's an issue that I have. You're specifically going to these businesses to smoke. That's what you're going for. And at the end of the day, you know it's terrible for you. We all know that. We've been told that for years and years and years as I've been growing up and I've never picked one up. But these are personal choices. Another thing, when this business, if this business should ever cross a 50% line of alcohol sales, it becomes a bar. And here in Laredo, a bar, you can't smoke in there anymore. Do you think this gentleman is going to spend thousands and thousands of dollars for a cigar lounge to go to 50% of alcohol sales to say, "Okay, you can't smoke here anymore. You're not considered a cigar lounge anymore." And that's why I considered the change of this ordinance specifically. It's specifically for these types of businesses. It's not for a bar to come in here and start asking for it or restaurants come in and start asking for it. Every single restaurant that we go to, I mean, you all see them all the time. I'm not going to mention my favorite ones, but there's designated areas to smoke. It's already allowed, guys. It may not be indoor, but it certainly is outside. Speaking about employees, employees are outside serving their customers regardless. They're in and out of it. And I understand that 100%. I wouldn't want to work there, but but sometimes we need to do that. My point is there's already places here in public that smoking is allowed. You go I was going to mention a restaurant, but I'm not going to mention them. Um, there's restaurants that we see all the time. There's designated spaces for them. And that's what we need to understand. This is not for families. This is not families to go visit. You need to be over the age of 21. You're an adult. In Texas, you're an adult at 18. But this, you have to be over 21 years of age to frequent these places or to even go visit these places. That's my point. On top of the extractor ventilators, there's plenty of restrictions the city of Laredo has to become a cigar lounge. There's plenty of them. There's not going to be any places like this open up next to a school because this council has stood against that. We're not going to allow that. Any tobacco shops or anything like that next to schools because we want to keep our children safe. Again, I revert to the same thing. This is an establishment of 21 years of age or older. It's not for children. It's not for families to go visit these places. And that's that's the reason why we we we brought this. And just please please keep in mind if if the establishment should reach 50% of alcohol sales, it becomes a bar and therefore there's no more smoking. So it' be even better for us, right? But Mr. Trevino would like to be here and develop and invest money in the city of Laredo. Of course, with investment comes opportunities for jobs, and we need to see that. We just can't keep our mind closed from what happened 20 years ago because we're always conforming into different things. And to stop me because I want to pick up smoking now and I'd like to have a cognac or a brandy when I'm having a cigar. I don't think the city of Laredo or any other type of of of city should be restricting us to be able to do what I legally want to do. My thoughts on Mayor Go ahead. >> Can we just clarify what the definition of a cigar lounge is zone? And I think you had it on the slide, Mr. Chvinho, but um if you take the liberty of using your slides, if you don't mind um but basically there's a can we just how difficult is it to get into this status? Like for example, can a vape shop just and it's already he's already referenced it, but I just want to confirm you all these vape shops that we've seen coming up because I mean for me the youth vaping is the issue that obviously we see uh as an epidemic right now in our in our nation. Um I I don't see 17, 18, 19 year old kids getting into cigars. But my question is, you know, a vape shop, for example, would they be able to use this change to sell alcohol? So, in order to become uh the smoking establishment, you have to have that that special HVAC system, a separate HVAC system. So, if you're a cigar lounge, then you probably have that already because that's how you gain that status. So, yes, with this change, then cigar lounges can offer alcohol up to the 50% level. But on the flip side, a bar in order to be able to allow smoking would have to reduce their set consumptions of alcohol to below 51% and then uh installation. >> And who from the city of this is for the public, but who from the city of Laredo confirms 50% or alcohol or more? We just rely on reporting from >> TABC. Correct. So they regulate that and they give reports to to >> is it just going to public correctly? Yes. Again that we've all kind of seen it like public carries where you said 51% or more. So that's kind of what we all have have been operating under and it's through GABC's public record. So there's no way he could cross that 50% mark and get away with misleading the public and maintaining this status and you know continuing to um sell alcohol as a cigar shop. >> There will be an enforcement mechanism. Yes. >> And just his own compliance as well as you know enforcement. Yes. and just walk the public through what it would take for a vape shop or any other entity to convert themselves into this status as a cigar shop because the the idea out there is that it would just be, you know, so easy and just open the door for all I just want to know walk us through what the steps would be for someone to abuse this new ordinance to allow smoking or to smoking and alcohol in the same place. They'd have to the HVAC >> HVAC and keep alcohol sales below 51%. >> Moreover, the SU >> Yes. and and and so every single time this happened a SUP would have to come to us come to us and obviously if that if the concerns of the community that came out there did happen where all of a sudden we're getting 10 20 30 SU requests we would see okay there was a mistake or there was this could have been an issue but I guess my thing is um there's there's I mean San Antonio I know for a fact have uh you know, cigar lounges that sell alcohol. Uh the nation's capital, I've you know, I've seen cigar lounges that serve alcohol. Um you know, it just seems a bit I'm a physician, Dr. Chvin, we're we're both primary care physicians. We counsel patients every day on quitting smoking. That is that is what we do. Um but I do agree that um at the end of the day, uh this gent this gentleman came to us way back. He had a clear business idea about what he wanted to do. They and replicate what other cities have done. Allow for a cigar lounge that sells alcohol. I remember when I lived in McAllen, those existed. San Antonio, they exist. Washington DC, they exist. For us to say, oh, well, I mean, I I I want us to be a leader in public health, but in this case, it's it's it's um I'm not seeing uh how it's and if you listen to Mr. Trovinho's story about and his passion for his business. He I I you know I don't believe he's you know trying to harm the youth. I think he's trying to open up a legitimate business. Uh and we found a contradiction and this is a way for someone designated as a cigar lounge to add on alcohol as sales. I mean I um you know I I I don't see it being a slippery slope. I don't see it being abused. And I want to say that I truly appreciate the hard work that it took um this the group from scant who speak uh from 2006. I didn't live here but I was living in another community that was going through this around the same time because this was a time when that change was happening. Um but I do feel like this is um a different um situation and I I don't see it how it opens up floodgates as the concern is out there. But it was mentioned by um one of the professors do Dr. um >> that uh you know that this that that document is is is sacred and I and I can understand why with all the hard work that that must have gone into it. I just I guess I'm not seeing how um this goes against that as it relates to you know bars, restaurants. Um, so, uh, especially with how difficult it would be to become this status. So, that's and and yeah, and as far as private clubs, I was looking into the TABC's, you'd have a private club also has to be a nonprofit. Um, from what I was understanding, zone, if you want to correct me on that. >> Yes, the membership owns the club. Yes. >> Yeah. So, you also would be forcing the business owner to become a nonprofit if you make him become a club and and you know, so that's another So, >> yeah. >> Mayor, if I may, >> before we do that, I'd like to call Dr. Chamber a little, see if you can give us some insight. >> Can I ask a question comes up? Is there a way zone for us to require signage so that for example to address some of the concerns that they brought up as far as you you know you go into an establishment you you're uh all of a sudden now there's this fear that there's going to be like smoking inside. Um, is there a way that these cigar lounges could have be required to have signage that says you're entering a a cigar lounge, there is smoking inside, that the establishment has HVAC systems or whatever, just so people know that they're walking into an indoor smoking facility. Bars wouldn't have bars wouldn't have that, right? So, um, at least people can know that the difference cuz maybe somebody wouldn't know like is it's kind of a technicality. >> It's already part of it. It's it's there. It is. Uh, it is going to say 21 years and older only. Uh, smoking in there and it will say no vaping, no cigarettes, it's only cigars because they're not the same thing. They really are. >> All right. Dr. Chamberlain. Good evening, mayor and members of the council. My role in this discussion is not to weigh in on any specific business venture, but to stand before you as a diplomat of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and your public health director. Lifestyle medicine emphasizes the avoidance of harmful and risky substances, including tobacco and excessive alcohol use. Both are leading contributors to preventable disease and when combined, especially in indoor environments, the health risks are amplified not only for patrons but for employees and the broader community. From a public health standpoint, any policy change related to smoking and alcohol should be narrow, carefully defined, and highly enforceable. I appreciate council's thoughtful approach to this issue and stand ready to support solutions that balance regulatory clarity with our responsibility to protect community health. >> All right, what would happen if uh the establishment sells more than 50% alcohol and the cigar? >> You could revoke the SGP. >> If I may just ask a question to clarify. So if a vaping shop for the record, pastorant, if a vaping if a vaping shop installs that vacuum system and invest in that, can they sell liquor then? >> No. >> That's my concern. >> No, because they need to come to us for an SU. That's not going to happen. >> Okay. That's my concern that if you change the ordinance, right, >> you know, now it's free for all because, you know, if it's a businessman that is looking to make money, you know, you'll hire an attorney and you'll see, you know, like it's it's it's changed the amendment. That's my concern. Not, you know, the cigar or, you know, if they sell the the the the 50%, you know, that's a business that that I believe it's already, you know, they already have cigar launches here. But the concern is that if it if it changes or my concern is if they change the and and in and the the the city ordinance, other business could come and say, you know what, I'll invest. And you know, that's what it's all about. You know, businessmen invest to make more money. And my my concern is that those vaping shops are, you know, more frequently visited by younger >> of our community members. And even if it's older communities that smoke, what we do in our community is for men, women, family, adults, you know, because what we're trying to prevent or what I see working with the the problem that we have with drug addictions and and and drug addicts and and people that have addictions is that they started when they were young. So, what we're trying to do is to prevent when they're young so we don't have to do that hard work when they're older. You know, they already they don't do that. and and the vaping shops, it's an a youth magnet that if if they change that ordinance and they could install, you know, whatever, now it's going to be, you know, even a worse problem with those vaping. Let me speak just on my behalf, my opinion, if that were to happen as far as because I know how bad it is with children and vaping. I would certainly say no. Those businesses would have to come to us specifically and ask for SUPs for that to happen. And as far as my opinion is concerned, absolutely not because I think our children are extremely important and we need to keep them away from that as much as possible. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. I just want one last comment on that. >> Yeah. Oh, go ahead. Ask >> Dr. Christopher. >> So, you know, go ahead. >> If if a vape shop decides to meet every ruling requirement to become a tobacco specialty retail store, and you're saying that you would say, well, we we wouldn't allow it. If they meet all the rules, you're just you're telling us you would just approve the business owner that's here. Any business that meets the requirements and applies to be a tobacco specialy retention puts in all the requirements for the HVAC whichever and for you to say no, we're not going to approve you because we just don't think you deserve it. I mean, it's about discrim discrimination and it goes back. They can definitely do it and they'd be able to sell alcohol. And just want to point out in your definition that you came up with, you're doing it over a three-month average. So these stores could sell over 50% for three months and then that's the question goes what's the penalty the ordinance will be flawed the minute that you change that definition you're going to have to change so many other things that's why we're asking table the issue let us have some workshops let us dialogue with you there should be no reason to be afraid to talk to the community you haven't you've only talked to the business owner give a community give me I've never talked to you've never talked to me you haven't replied to my emails so I'm just saying give us a I received an email from your service. >> I sent that's the point and on your system I want to point this out. When you send an email it says do you want a copy confirmation it doesn't work all the people who said it. I've sent you numerous emails >> to every single one of you. I don't know if anybody I was told by the assistants that you got them. Every single assistant I asked and they told me that every single one of you got the messages. Yeah. >> So the point is you've talked to Mr. Tinho numerous times in person. give us a chance to dialogue with as he's already his business is going. He's not it's not like he's not being able to sell cigars and have people smoke. Give us like 30 days, do the public workshops, let's dialogue it and we understand how you want to balance it. But the fact is he can go into business doing everything he wants to tomorrow. And you have he was talking about the membership fees. I just want to point it out again real quick. >> Melissa Ramirez for the for the record. This is this is the >> the business in this is the business in Corpus and these are their membership fees. I don't know this kind of structure. >> Going back to the cost, this is in Corpus Christie, Texas. It's open. It's been open for five or six months. So they're charging. >> So So they're they do have the visiting member which is a onetime fee $20 per individual or $30. >> If you decide, you know, two or three times a month you want to go, you pay the 20 or $30. go in there and you can do smoking and drinking and eating if you want to. >> Then they also have the three month membership for $150 for three months >> and you can >> Yes, >> Dr. It's a huge difference from a vape shop to a cigar lounge. It's an enormous difference because the vape shop opening the door. >> Let me let me finish up. >> Yes. Okay. >> The first part is it allows 18 year olds to go in there first of all in a vape shop. This is not going to allow that. >> I'm not saying moreover we are adults. Once you're at the age of 18, you're an adult and you make the choice whether you want to step in there or not. Whether >> you're But you're enough when you're 21. >> You have to be 21 to smoke or vape in Texas. That's the state law. >> You can >> you you have to you have to be 21 years of age. >> That's my point. And this particular type of establishment is going to be exactly that. It's for an adult. And the personal choices that we make, sir, like I just mentioned earlier, there's terrible food for us. There's Mexican food for us every day that I eat every single day. And I know it's terrible for me. Tamales, for instance, I love those things. They're terrible for me, but I eat them all the time. Are we going to start just controlling that also because I need to lose weight? >> It goes back to work. >> Personal choice. It goes back to personal choices. >> Protecting workers. Let's just say this. He had if he told me he has five employees. Just say that. Five people. You're going to say, "Will they choose to work there?" Going back. They're working and smelling secondhand smoke. That's deadly. If we have 10 of these open, it's 50. If we have 20, I mean, it just expands. You could easily and it's protecting workers. You say, "Well, don't work there." That was the whole reason when we put it in. We wanted to protect all workers and all bars, all restaurants. You're opening the door. If his model works, I'm vape shop. I'm telling a little bit. I can apply to be a tobacco specialty retail store legally. Put an HVAC and I can start selling alcohol. You're selling You're then having smoking in public places. >> You're restricted, Mr. >> He's about to do it right now. >> Yes. Right now, he is. You're right. Because of where he's situated, but fact of the matter is vape shops can't just open up and start selling alcohol because of where they're at. is smoking in >> the city of Laro has ordinances that it restrict that from happening. >> Is it would his would his place be a public place? >> Yes. >> Okay. No smoking in public places. That's the title of the ordinance. Keep it that way. There's no reason to go back to 2006. Period. >> You're going specifically for that to smoke. That's what you're going for. >> But he's but he's going around it. He's wanting to sell the minute that he sells alcohol. Y'all can use whatever mental linguistic gymnastics you want to. It's a bar. It's a lounge. the cocktail lounge, the club, the any common sense person when they look at it and they say, "Oh, do they sell alcohol in there? You can drink in there? Yeah. Can you smoke in there?" Yeah. What is it? It's a bar where you can smoke in public places. But it is you said it yourself and you said back in pre I'm going to read your own words. Give me one second. There was a comment that you made a second right here. Okay. In November 17th meeting, these are your quotes. This is not me reading it. This is verbatating what you said. I've spoken to M to the owner, Mr. Trovin, about it several times. And it says, if we allow this to happen with alcohol and smoking, every other bar is going to ask for the same thing. And there will be no recourse for us to say no. We won't be able to. Right now, we're abiding by the law. It is the law. The issue with this is we violating the health and safety code. It's a public place. Why? Why do you want to go back so far? Y'all did such an awesome thing putting the electronic smoking devices. It just doesn't make sense. And y'all have so many issues that you raised. Like I said, if you make this one change, we're going to be back here asking you for several changes in the fines and penalty section. And you don't even get you don't even define what a smoking establishment is in the code of ordinances. You have that in the land development code. It's there's going to be so many flaws. That's what I'm saying. You need to really think about this because the minute you do that, you're not going to be able to enforce this because there are no fines and penalties for the alcohol portion when he violates that if it happens. >> That's all I'm saying. You need more time to think about this. Y'all are trying to do a quick fix to let one business owner. That's what we don't get. It's not like you have 20 business owners coming to you. You have one person asking to change this. So, you're willing to risk to us on public health the profits of one business owner over the entire public health in the community. It's baffling to me. mind-blowing. So, please, the ordinance doesn't say no smoking in public places except it just says except tobacco specialty retail stores, but it doesn't say smoking establishments. That's not in there. It's going to be flawed. So, you need to think about it. We're asking please just schedule a public workshop. Give us a chance to dialogue. You've already talked to him since at least August. We know because he gave you sent a letter to you. You're saying you haven't seen my emails. just don't be afraid to at least have a discussion and then when you come back and make your decision we'll say it's informed you heard both sides that's what we're asking for and whatever you decide of course we'll live with it but then we may in the future you know say how it is we might try to tighten it up again in the future but right now y'all don't have all the information Dr. chamber gave you a little bit of information. We have a lot more we would like to give like to dialogue on it instead of just making the decision right now. You know, another two weeks or four weeks. Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Um so number one question on the mechanical engineering side. What are you bound by I'm not speaking to the owner. Are you bound by uh any engineering specs to put the uh type of ventilation system that you're going to need? Once again, I don't want to hear you for the record. Uh, absolutely. Yeah, the MVPs are there. >> Um, ERVs were recommended and significant cost and I I presented it when I first uh applied for my um special use permit. >> Smoke heaters are meant for uh to uh drastically reduce the amount of secondhand smoke that's in there. They're specifically made for that. >> So, there's ERVs. I'm sorry I didn't mean to cut you off, but I'm also adding the smoke eaters with the charcoal filters to address the odors, right? >> So, there's different mechanism in place because >> the goal is to be smoke free. When you walk in, you're not going to walk into a cloud of smoke, >> right? >> Okay. It's supposed to be smoke free. That's the entire vision. That's the plan. I'm investing the money to do so. I honestly I believe it's more detrimental to ask my patrons stand 10 feet away from a door and having the secondhand smoke blowing into establishments, you know, as you walk into a business. It's all contained. It's taken care of. The air that is being released is going to be filtered air. It's clear. It's clean already. Once coming in with the ERV is fresh air. I mean, there's not very many if if at all regular businesses with this type of ventilation system. >> Right. Right. So now, first of all, I just wanted to commend you because you've been coming out here for almost a year already and uh from day one, I knew you were doing your due diligence on this. I know nobody wants to go into business thinking that uh how can I circumvent the the process. Uh you did your homework. Uh you put everything into play. Um it's been out there. This is what your fourth time that you're here >> more or less at least. So, uh, and no disrespected to you all because I'm totally against the public smoking part of it also, but I do agree with you having the right to open your establishment given all the due diligence that you put to it and and all the money you've already invested to it. So, I don't think that any public hearing or 30-day stalemate is I mean, are you going to have uh more information out there that's going to try and and and change your mind to not open it? Is it is this what we want to do? Uh we have more public sessions like this. It'll be for something else that might happen. You're following the rules. I would suggest that we start having conversations about how do we prevent vape shops from doing the same and and so so just so you everybody will know the the city of Laredo the SUP will not deter him from or shut him down if he goes above 51%. TABC will shut you down, not us. you you don't you don't follow the strict rules and T let me put it very clearly TABC is very strict when it comes to these policies. They will hunt you down and they will get you on an audit and they will shut your business down if you if you don't follow the 51% rule or the 50% rule. So, I just don't see any um uh you me personally, like I said, not a smoker, but I'm just uh not uh I'm just very impressed with the with the process that you have to have gone through to do this uh to make sure that you're following every rule that we we have set as far as all the ordinances are concerned and and and you're you're doing it only to satisfy one section of society that wants it in their lives. And so uh again everybody uh the work that scan does and and all the people from over there do is absolutely needed. I'm 110% behind them. But in this particular case I'm with Mr. Utteras and saying look you you've already come over here. We've set a bunch of hurdles in front of you and you've jumped them all and I'm thinking that it set you back one more month to try and have more conversations about telling you not to open I think is detrimental to you personally. So, I think if anything that we need to do is have the conversations how to keep other establishments that are vape shops and all those type of things from getting to the position where you're going to be. But as far as I'm concerned, you've done all your due diligence and I'm I just commend you for that. >> Mayor, if I may, with that thought, can we just add an amendment that this is for cigar sales only? Vape shops wouldn't even be able to to apply and I think that'll take care of everything else. Cigar cigar sales only. That's the amendment to for the for the approval of of number 19. >> Question the restriction is that to restrict the ability also of the lounge to sell vape products. >> Correct. Yes. Cigar no cigar sales. >> Absolutely. Yeah. I don't want vapes. It's not it's not part of the plan. I don't want it. It's not allowed in there. I see somebody smoking a vape or cigarette, I will ask them to step outside, stop, whatever the case may be. the only for one product. Um, then tobacco shops are not the same thing as cigar launchers. They're they're just not tobacco shops sell vapes. They sell other products and they themselves have a 45% uh sales restriction as well. That's something that you can look at through, you know, stopping smoking tobacco coming up everywhere. Like I said, there's two dozen two dozen of them throughout the city. and I can um I can offer help. Now, since 2015, there was an ordinance that modified the land chart zoning and it required them to be in B4, M1 or M2 just kind of like what smoking established for and that's just not the case. Somehow it got overlooked and that's why they've been popping up everywhere. That's a question that you've been asked. like you said, we should be talking about that, having that conversation because there's been a lot that have slipped through the cracks. >> Mayor, may >> Yes. >> And I just I just want to clarify um what my um friend, council member GarcA was saying. I I I do believe when we're talking about following the rules. He is doing his research, but he proposes a change to our rules. the current rules that exist now would allow his business to continue under that private club setup. It would be different because as I understand the the membership and the sale of alcohol has to be private and in other words the business is not allowed to make money from the alcohol if it's set up as a private club. So that the focus really is just cigar sales and that the the business um the percentage of sales from cigars is higher than the 50% it would have to be 60%. So it is to encourage that really it is all about cigars and and joining this club to enjoy your cigar and the alcohol really is secondary. It's just a more minor thing. So under our current ordinance he could open his business in that manner. Not not to say that you haven't done your research, but it is not the city that is preventing you from opening a business. It is that you would like a modification to what you would be allowed to do under our current ordinance. >> Not necessarily because the definitions already there. They exist in the SCPs. Uh it's just that there's been a misinterpretation between the court of ordinance and the the land development code definition of bar because once again, I'll stand by it. I'm not a bar. I never wanted to be a bar, nor will I ever be a bar. And we need to stop, like I said earlier in the presentation, not everything is a bar. We need to kind of >> Right. But I I believe the distinction here is public place versus private place. And the the health ordinance is really to try to pro protect those public places and as was stated, the workers who work in public places. So that's the distinction I think that we were trying to make in passing that ordinance before my time. Right. >> Nothing would change from that though. Bars are still prohibited. They've always have been and they always will be. I'm not a bar. Tobacco, real tea, specialty stores have always been exempted since day one. Even when this thing was passed, they were allowed because that was the only business out of all of them, restaurants, the entire thing that sold tobacco. So, they couldn't eradicate them. They left them in place. They they've always been exempt. It's just that this is something, you know, that's unfamiliar. We're not used to it. But, I'm not changing anything. It's always been there. A motion to close and approve. >> All right, there's a motion amendment >> second. I have a question. If this passes, will workshop be needed to address some of the other specifics? Way that >> it's up to council, but as far as this direction that I believe you're you're voting to to pass the the amendment, the change to the definition bar under the health safety code uh health code, and then uh you want to also restrict it to only lounges which to be honest it may require changing other >> sales of cigars right >> only sales of cigars that's it >> I understand your purpose I'm saying that it may require bring back ordinance >> it will need a new definition >> there is a motion >> and a second >> and a second >> yeah all for the question all in favor >> how many of those >> one I in favor in favor All in favor? >> One, two, three, four, five. Against >> three. Motion passes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next item. Like to bring uh number um 55. Second. Okay. All in favor? >> Motion pass. Number 55. Discussion with possible action on Central Lo Management District CLMD and any matter related there too. The reason for this item on the agenda was because I received several phone calls from the downtown business owners that were concerned about this new tax. I explained to them that this CLMD entity is a separate entity from the city and it was passed through the state legislation and if they wanted to hear more about it, how it functioned to come to city council today so we can get them informed on CLMD plans. Knowing that, I still believe that the public should be informed as to what goes on on their districts and give their input. With that said, the mo my first motion is that we hear presentations and we will be able to request a workshop where there we can discuss any any concerns in detail. >> Motion second. Can I ask just to clarify is is this in addition to or different from the the workshops that we've had on the other downtown strategies and um there was one on a vacant building ordinance. Is that going to wrap up a lot of these issues or is it very specific to one? >> This is different. This is just about the tax, >> mayor. They're actually separate issues. They they coordinate together but they're actually still separate. So the the central district is an entity that that has a specific >> there's a way we is there a way we can amend it and just add add that that part to the same workshop >> yeah there's there's no problem amendment >> all right motion >> there's a motion second >> all in favor mayor >> any comments >> there were two public comments >> oh sorry okay it's uh Julian Ripinowski number 55 Mayor, council members, Julian Rutnowski, for the record, thank you for the opportunity to speak today about the Central Laredo Municipal Management District, also known as the Business Improvement District and its importance to the future of downtown. I want to start with context. This district is not new. council created it in 2013 because downtown requires tools that are different from the rest of the city. At the time at the time first service plan was contemplated total assessed value within the district was approximately $345 million. For most of its existence, however, the district was effectively dormant. No services, no assessments, no ability to act. During the same period, downtown did not stabilize. It declined. Today, in 2025, the total assessed value within the management district is approximately $152 million. That's a nearly $193 million loss and a 56% drop in just over a decade. That is not that that is not market noise. It reflects declining confidence, rising vacancies, deferred maintenance, and a downtown that has been losing ground, not gaining it. Only this past year did the district finally become operational. We adopted a service plan, seated an active board, and began assessing because without assessments, a management district cannot function. I want to be very clear about what the assessment is and what it's not. This is not a tax imposed by the city. These funds do not go to the city's general fund. This is this is downtown property owners organizing themselves under state law to fund services that directly benefit downtown. Those services are clearly defined in the adopted service plan. They include enhanced cleaning and maintenance, coordination of public safety, parking initiatives, and lightning maintenance. The board is accountable for delivering those services and and property owners can see where every dollar goes. This model's proven this model is proven. Business improvement districts like this one are widely regarded as one of the most effective tools in stabilizing or revitalizing urban cores because because they are targeted, self-funded, and accountable. These services are not abstract. They are budgeted, implemented, and reviewed annually. I also want to acknowledge concerns that have been raised. Anytime a district moves from inactive to operational, especially when assessments begin, there will be skepticism. That is expected, but it's important to separate antidote from data. To date, the district has received 31 signed petitions of support representing approx approximately 91 properties and 78 million in assessed value in downtown Laredo. That represents a substantial share of the R remaining taxable value downtown. That does not mean every owner agre. >> Thank you. That does not mean every owner agrees to every detail, but it does mean there is meaningful, measurable support for allowing the district to operate and be of evaluated on performance. I will also want to briefly clarify a broader point about assessments. The city has discussed programs that includes fees related to vacant properties. Those funds flow into the city's general fund and do not get reinvested directly into the downtown or into additional services. The management district operates differently. Every dollar assessed through the district stays in downtown. Every dollar follows adopted service. The adopted service plan and every dollar is overseen by a board of downtown stakeholders who are directly accountable for results. This is not about whether fees exist. It's about local control, transparency, and reinvestment. After nearly 10 years of inactivity, this district has just begun operating. As a board member, I'm here to answer any questions council may have. Thank you very much. >> Any questions? >> I have a question there. >> Go ahead. >> Um, for Zone. >> Oh. Um, does this uh entity have foreclosure power for people businesses who don't pay? >> Yes, it does. >> And who and what is the process of foreclosure? Uh, I'm not an attorney, so I can't speak on those. >> But you're a board member, right? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. So, the board would be the one to initiate the foreclosure process. >> Um, >> correct. >> I'm assuming if it if it's pro if they're not paying the assessment, the the taxes being can be collected through foreclosure. >> Okay. Yeah. Because it's very what I'm understanding is very similar to like a homeowner association that can foreclose on people's homes for not paying. So, I just wanted to clarify point of order. Can we can we get legal? Mayor, can we get wait for legal for that clarification? >> Well, usually board members would know because it's in their bylaws. >> All right. >> Okay. Any other question in the meantime? >> Yes, I do. Uh, Mr. Roki has So, it seems as if this uh business improvement district is just finally getting started finally assessing these or collecting these assessments in order to move forward. So suffice to say, you've never encountered a situation where you would pursue foreclosure. >> No, we haven't done so. >> Okay. And that these these um the business improvement district I understand I mean we see this the council sees the um um agendas run across our announcements. So they are are they open to the public or is it just for the board members? >> They are. So they are open to the public and If I can do a slight plug because right now we don't have administration like you all have. We've been trying to at least since we weren't getting any funding function efficiently. We I actually took it upon myself pro bono. I created a website. So, anyone listening, it's um ledo central um the central lored bid.com and you can go on there and you can actually subscribe to get a mailer of our posted board meetings and they're also posted here at the city. The city staff assists us with posting it outside also. >> And has the bid developed projects that have been implemented at this stage or is that upcoming? So, so the exact process of getting to the assessment is you have to first develop an initial service plan and I know there's other board members here that can speak upon that but I'm not sure if uh council members I think it was mid2024 we had the downtown summit that was us working with the city and other stakeholders including Main Street on basically getting feedback on our proposed service plan which we then adopted. Once that plan is adopted, which I will totally act, could it be amended at any point, you know, depending on the feedback of our constituents, once that's adopted, that's what we go out and get uh signatures for. So, no one just signed a petition saying, "I'm in favor of an assessment." It's actually attached to the service plan. So, all the petitioners that signed are well aware of the services that we we provided in the service plan. >> All right. Yeah, there was a question that uh Zone needed to answer. >> Yeah, I apologize. >> Can I ask him to can I ask it to >> ask it again, please? >> Um Zone, so uh this entity has foreclosure power and Mr. Ruffnoski confirmed that. Um can who has the terms for that? because that's a big alarm bell for me because those of you that remember before I got on council, I had fought specifically for an abusive homeowner association board that was foreclosing people's homes for not paying dues. So, what they would do is, let's just say they they raised the dues, you got behind, then they would tack on attorney fees. They would tack on attorney fees and late fees and all kinds of fees. So really when the homeowner owed like maybe $1,000, they had to pay5 $10,000 and all these fees just to get out of it. Then when they initiated the foreclosure, they would start tacking on those fees as well. Like a bunch of people ended up losing their homes because of this. And I am hesitant to go down that same route where you're attacking on assessments for good purposes, great intentions. Just like an HOA, everybody's supposed to do their part and contribute. However, sometimes people fall behind and there are predatory practices that I've experienced with these types of entities that use these little trip ups to kind of oh, gotcha and now I'm taking your property. I What safeguards do we have to prevent that from happening for these business owners? Well, as far as the law goes, I mean, if you're going to have assessments and you know, you have that that enforcement mechanism and enforcement mechanism under 375 local government code is to tag on uh interest on the assessments which could lead to leans on the property which could lead ultimately lead to forclosure. >> Is there a threshold like a minimum amount that you have to be in a rears or can they do it even just for a dollar? Because I know some homeowner associations, even if you're late $1, they can start, you know, the process of trying to get your home. >> By statute, >> is there a threshold? >> By statute, there's no threshold. >> So, if there somebody's laid a dollar on their fees, theoretically, I'm not saying you're doing this, okay? I'm just just please understand this is >> part of my not so um happy past of experiences um that people have lost their properties because of this type of structure. And if let's say you have a downtown business owner who for whatever reason doesn't agree with paying into this board, they choose not to pay because they're frustrated. They don't they don't know where their money's going, which is a frequent, you know, problem we have with homeowner associations. Where's my money going? I don't see the maintenance, whatever. They don't agree with it. Then they refuse to pay. Now you're slapping on a lean, slapping on foreclosure. They lose their property. Who gets the property? Does the management district become owner of the property or does it go to auction and does it get sold and then recover the fees? How how does it work? >> Well, yes. That that would be just the mechanism. I know uh he's giving me some some more information from the the statute, but that that would be the the rules of that uh that board, right? So, I mean, they take over the property, they auction it off. They can they're going to be the owners if they're taking it from >> and that's all because the owner doesn't doesn't pay. >> Yes. >> Even and there's no minimum amount. >> It's an assessment. So, >> so the business is being held hostage, which is exactly what I was against. I don't like these types of structures for those types of reasons. I'm not they're not good. I'm not saying they don't have their purpose. I just don't like the foreclosure component to it. Is there is there a way that we can mitigate that? >> Well, the the board can establish these minimum uh thresholds. >> Yeah. What what I can speak on at least as as an individual board member is it that is nowhere close to our goal because I can tell you right now I I don't know about HOAs when residential but to take a predatory practice like that would essentially be hurting the downtown because it would be taking buildings away making more vacancies. That is not our mission at all. So, I could I can pretty much promise as as an individual board member of myself, um, we'll go deeper into what those how we can lay out those procedures. Our our goal is for the community in the downtown to all have buyin together. I think there's a difference between predatory practices like you're highlighting, which I'm sure do exist in in the real world. They do, >> um, versus us, which we are essentially we're we're extension of the state. That is not This is an economic development tool. Everything you're saying sounds more like how a I wouldn't even say HOA, but maybe a property management company could take advantage of the whole situation. That's not how we're structured. We are board members that that are appointed by council. >> Mayor, if I may, >> go ahead. >> Just to clarify, Mr. Robnoski, the property management company doesn't have the authority to do that. It's the board. the board would. But >> I'm sorry, you brought up fees. That's the only >> in the HOA. I'm talking about like it's not the management company that that does those predatory practices. It's the board that does it. Right. But what I'm saying here in this case is that for this entity, I would like to see some safeguards against those types of things as far as how do you treat people who don't pay? What is the threshold before you actually initiate the foreclosure? What is the purpose in terms of like getting cooperation? And then how do you handle the ones that don't pay? Um I think we would need I would want to see those types of terms hashed out because you might be a well-intentioned board member, but it all depends on who serves on these boards. Um it could the next round it could be somebody else with different, you know, ideas and say, you know what, they don't want to pay for close and let's get their property and we'll sell it and we'll get rid of them kind of deal. And forgive me, I'm not accusing anyone of doing this or anything. I'm just saying that the structure would be there for them and and that's something I've experienced over the years. I've seen it. >> I would just highlight to to that extreme that you're saying if if that is what this board started to do, the ultimate ultimate power is the council can dissolve us if that's what we're doing. So if there is some comfort in the fact that if what happens or in theory, you know, like you're saying this this board becomes evil and takes predatory practices that that this council thinks our predatory the council does have the ultimate power to dissolve us if we do do something like that which I will highlight once again that would go directly against our mission because if we are taking businesses out that hurts you know that hurts us as a district. I I always like to relate downtowns, you know, when malls were built in the 70s and 80s, they completely dominated because they were essentially these enclosed ecosystems where all the property owners essentially or not the property owners but tenants work together with this whole m managing factor. This is a way for downtowns to operate very similar similarly with marketing towns with you know cleaning the common areas that that is the ultimate goal of the business improvement district is to improve business um and and that's all I'll say to that but I I completely understand your concerns. >> All right. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. So just this was a created in 2013 u with council ordinance but ultimately started by um the business owners downtown. >> It it was a petition to the business owners to the city and the state. The city took it to the state and basically got it >> and how many signatures were needed to create it or to >> that that was before my time. I don't honestly remember how many. >> And then basically since then it's kind of sat >> dormant >> up until a few years ago >> about I I think I think council started reappointing seats in mid mid to late 2023 and then we finally really started meeting um December 1st of 2023. So I and it this is similar to a public improvement district of a P. Correct. >> Yes. And and so there there is um >> which only benefits the boundary the property owners are of the the boundary which which it sits in >> the public improvement district. So so public >> and pits have that in common. Correct. >> They do have commonalities. Public improvement districts like what you see in San Antonio. I don't know if council members have been downtown in San Antonio. You see those yellow vests? That's their public improvement district. They assess both residential and commercial properties. So basically pretty much everything in their downtown. We are different in the sense where um residents so residential properties are considered four units and less. Um we assess multifamily and commercial only. >> Okay. >> Go ahead. Uh could you just highlight a couple of the and and might I suggest the um uh bringing up the issue about the HOA is is was one of my concerns uh when I spoke to to Justin about that but I it it certainly seems to me that um at least that I'm concerned. I don't know about anybody else that I I'm I'm glad that the item came up because I think we need more clarity or I need more clarity as to what you're going to do or what it is and I look forward to u sitting down with you all to to get a better understanding on how this is going to happen or or how it's been happening and and sort of to push it to get momentum we we move forward with it. The things that I like that I spoke to that that I gathered were the the involvement that you have by uh having the having your own people clean the downtown area, not waiting on city services to get it done. Um um beautifying the area in any way any means that that you need and plus and most importantly is the safety factor that you all will provide by doing this. So there's a lot of upside to this and only because u right now as it sits downtown on the weekends all the bars that are open down there it takes away our police from where they need to be to be over there and having these uh this improvement district in there would allow for security your own security to be monitoring that and and and bring our police as needed. And so there's a lot of upside to it. There's probably more upside that I'm thinking of that that I don't know about, but I'm certainly wanting to know a little bit more as we move forward. And I think this council will benefit from more information as we move forward with it. >> And and I really do appreciate council putting this on the agenda because for us, what we're truly trying to also be is a conduit for the constituents in our district, but also like you said, working with the city because I think the city is a little busy with a lot of different services they provide and what a municipal management district and a business improvement district is is us essentially creating that little, you know, board of our own to work strictly for the benefit of downtown stakeholders. Um, if I can just briefly highlight to to your point how we can operate and how how imaginative it can become and beneficial. At our last meeting that we just had, um, a constituent came basically and I had no idea because I am a property owner myself. I'm not a owner. So, I'm not they're constantly during the hustle and bustle, but we were notified that um vagrants are posting up at city parking lots and private parking lots and pretending to be attendants and collect um collect money from people and saying, you know, it's $20 to park here. And if they didn't pay, they slashed their tires. So, we just were notified of this, I think, a week ago. So, what I immediately did, and I'd like to commend um my god, let me see his name. Uh the assistant chief, he's been uh talking to us. He's given us a liaison. So, we're going to work closely with the police to see how that can be solved. Now, that's just that's just communication wise, pe um constituents showing up to these meetings and talking about issues. But on a truly effective side, one of the things that we discussed as a board is we are allowed to enter into public private partnerships. So what we discussed is the fact that you know here's this issue. We have these opened up parking lots. Thank you to the city because they used to be closed at night. So it it it helps the night life and it benefits and adds a little bit of security. But obviously the city can't put attendance there. You know, there's private lots that usually get gated up because once again, it's not really beneficial for those owners to put attendance there. But what we can do is enter into P3s with either the city and also the private constituents to put business improvement district and do profit shares where we're managing these these properties and activating parking for the downtown which I'm sure any downtown property owner that's here is listening knows the most aggravating thing is parking. That's one of the things we're working on in our service plan and that was one thing that was discussed which we're discussing that alone tackled security and parking and those are the things we're working toward. So if if there's an ask at least for me as a board member is truly allow us to operate and work with our constituents and and connect us to them. Like I said I appreciate you having this meeting because it brings it out and people know to go online so they can know where to show up at these meetings. We host him here. So, um, and Justin, there we we established a schedule for this year. It's >> Yes. >> You remind me. >> Sorry. Justin Heather, chair of business improvement district. >> We uh have had monthly meetings. >> Justin, are you going to speak also? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Justin Heather, item 55. Go ahead. >> Thank you. >> Bring you up for your public comment. >> Yeah. For your public comment. >> This will all work together. Uh Justin Heather again, chair of the business improvement district. Uh thank you alone mayor and city council members. We have uh had monthly meetings since January of 2024 when I took over as as uh chair of the business improvement district. We have a website. We have had uh we established at our last meeting the third Tuesday of every month will be our monthly meetings. So that uh we do welcome individuals from the public to attend. Um, you know, over the last several years, we've had several meetings outside of our monthly meetings with folks, received quite a bit of feedback. We've adjusted our plans that were ultimately adopted based on that feedback. Um, as a certified economic developer, I can tell you that these tools are very important for revitalization of downtown. We've seen it in El Paso, we've seen it in Corpus, we've seen it in San Antonio with central uh central San Antonio. So, my uh you know uh background as well as the experience we've had, we have several members of the business improvement district here today as well as several members who have come to our meetings on a very regular basis. I get texts all the time from uh members downtown that ask about this or that. Um, as uh Julian noted, LPD graciously attended our our meeting in December and they had three officers there that uh were very helpful and you know were able to I think the most important thing to take away from today is that the city sought the creation of this in 2013. Instead of doing just a regular municipal management district under chapter 375, we went to Austin. We had our own central Laredo MMD created. We have now activated that statute and the purpose of that statute is revitalization of downtown through supplementing city services and you know I think that you know based on the conversations that we've had with the city over the past several years. Um I'm very hopeful that this organization will do that. >> Mayor, go ahead >> again. Mr. Heather, do you all have governing documents or docu founding documents that outline, you know, the rules, the board, um, the jurisdiction? What are you going to how are you going to handle people that don't pay? How are you going to handle foreclosures? >> There's a statute that governs our operations. There are bylaws that we've adopted. There's an investment plan that we've adopted. Um, we have not yet yet had a foreclosure or a tax because we this is the first assessment. They are the assessments are the the lean is placed just like a tax lean. If the city could foreclose for a dollar, we could foreclose for a dollar. Not saying we're going to do that. As as Mr. Rottnowski noted, that would be counterintuitive to what our purpose is, which is to support downtown business improvement. >> No, no, I completely understand like I'm just saying that you can do it, right? Not I mean you just because you won't do it doesn't mean you can't do it, right? And I think it's important to um outline some of these things just because it can happen. It could happen. And uh um of course, just like with an HOA, the goal is that we're all going to pay together and we're all going to take care of our area and we're going to have this beautiful common areas and but there's a lot of people that don't want to pay. They're they don't want to pay their assessments. They don't believe in what the board is doing. They don't believe that they should have to pay an additional fee. And that's where you get problems. like you're not going to get 100% participation. So, how are you going to handle the business owners that don't cooperate? That's what I would like to hash out. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. One of the things I may add to that, uh there's a lot there was a lot of false information. >> People believe that it this was an illegal tax and the good idea is that you're putting this information forth. And I believe the council had passed it before. Is that true? the council have passed it before they could they could do this kind of tax. >> Well, as far as the central >> Yes. >> district, >> but just the fact that you know it was passed established by uh the state and now I think we're geared up. >> But as far as authority, yes, the authority is there. >> All right. So, that depends on putting out that information when people know it's not an illegal text. >> Absolutely. And we of course welcome anyone including members of city council to attend any of our uh monthly uh meetings. Uh council member Sigeroa has attended as a representative district 8. Um I know that several council members were in attendance in our downtown summit in late spring of 2024 packed house uh probably because of the chiefs not us. Um but you know there there is uh this is an open open book on our end and we have we followed public records requirements of posting and uh the city has graciously been posting the the videos for our meetings and helping us post the agendas for years. And so uh if anybody has questions I know that anyone on this board is more than welcome to to answer those or or to have those discussions. >> And those videos and the if I could just highlight those videos um the board meetings and our service plan are all on the website now. So you can see all that >> here. >> Yes, go ahead. >> Yes, thank you. So I would just want I'd like to reiterate what has been stated and and the fact is that we we did um approve the the the members of the the board several years ago so that way that the the business improvement district could be activated. There's been a and I would really like to thank every member involved for the work that they've done as volunteers. Everybody has a full-time job and there after over a decade, we're finally seeing the the attention that the the business improvement district deserves and the the the support needed from the majority of the the property owners. So when you most downtowns have adopted and activated and the city has supported the these initiatives decades ago and you see central San Antonio. You go and you see the beautiful marketing and the flowers that are on the streets and you hear the complaints in Laredo all the time. Why can't Laredo downtown have this? Why can't the city do that? Well, the fact of the matter is the city does not have the attention to detail or the focus to be able to have that kind of capacity for our downtown. And when if we really want to see improvements, I again, we welcome the conversation. We invited everybody to the focus group that the city we brought down the International Downtown Association two years ago for the summit. We invited all of council to be part of the focus groups. We invited them to participate in the summit all day. Not everybody was there. and I understand but I'm just the conversations have been happening and again we welcome more because we we need to keep this at the forefront but I do I I would appreciate you know again come be a part of the conversation I hope that we can continue to support and uh our our our downtown property owners and those that are truly putting in the effort the research bringing their expertise to to the to the table. >> I have go ahead. >> Um yeah, I appreciate the I appreciate the comments and of course my my goal is not to um hurt the downtown, right? Like the goal is to to help. But again, in theory, this is a great idea, right? We have other places to do it. The kink for me, the devil is in the details. What do you do when people don't pay? How do you treat people who don't want to cooperate? We've not had anything like this before. And I can tell you right now that a lot of people are very hostile towards additional taxes. They're hostile towards additional fees. HOAs have a low uh high delinquency rates. Uh a lot of HOAs choose not to foreclose. They they make that choice. A lot of taxing entities choose not to foreclose, but then you end up with a bad board or a bad, you know, committee and they say, you know what, we have the power. Let's just do it. And then you end up like all of a sudden now you're, you know, there's no way you're going to catch up because they're not going to wave any of the attorney fees. They're not going to wave the interest. There's no way you can pay it. So, the lean's already there. You can't even take out a refinance on your property because they've have a lean there. A lot of them will put leans and a lot of people don't realize that when you have a lean on your property, you can't refinance. There's a lot of limitations that you have on your property now because of a lean. So just because you're not foreclosing doesn't mean that you're not also like putting these restrictive penalties on people. And here you have business owners that have been part of this map, this area for a long time, have never had to pay this additional fee. Some of them might be struggling because you know like you noted in your in your stats earlier the downtown has decreased in value over the years. We just pumped in money into the TUR which is unheard of right turses are not supposed to be getting like supplemented by government you know fees and so there's all these things that are happening with our downtown that we're all trying to help it come back and revitalize it. We're all trying to put our heads together. Again, I agree with what this board is trying to do in theory. My concern are the details, right? And those kind of workshops, those are not fun workshops like, hey, come and listen. Like, this is more of a council and board. Let's get together and hash out these details to make sure that some of these things don't happen to these people that don't want to participate or pay. And how are we going to treat them? because that's not like a fun topic, but it's important for me that we hash those out because I can't support an entity with the power to take somebody's property. >> All right, >> mayor. >> Okay, >> go ahead. >> So, I I just wanted to thank you for your work. I council did establish this B in 2013, and I do believe they understood what not only the mission was, but any taxing entity has an enforcement mechanism. the city does too. And you know, the argument is it's for the better good. So I um I I I hope that the discussion doesn't anyway malign the board because we understand you're operating under what the statute tells you how to operate. And as Mr. Robnoski made clear, the goal is to increase the ability for these businesses to attract customers. It is to revitalize our downtown and B seem to have been business improvement districts have been very successful in San Antonio in El Paso even in Brownsville I believe. Yes. So we had a um I've attended these downtown workshops and there's very interesting because they have so much hope and optimism. People who come and visit our city are so impressed with our downtown even in the condition that it is in because of its history. the buildings just give you that. And how do we reactivate those spaces? It takes money and attention. And it's something that cities need to leverage their their resources in the community and enter into partnerships with something like a B to make sure that work gets done. So, I really commend you for the the work that you're doing and and appreciate it. And I think it's so important now because now we do have a major investment in downtown. It makes perfect sense that the vi the business improvement district chooses now to reactivate because we're going to see change and we want it to be in collaboration with city goals with of course these business owners how important they are because they're they're everything. They're the key to getting a revitalized downtown. >> We have a motion and a second for a workshop. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. >> Thank you. Item number 56. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Motion to move item number 56. Second. Second. All in favor? >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. So, item number uh 56, discussion with possible action to support the 2026 Special Olympics opening ceremony to be held again at the Saints Auto Arena and any other matters incident there. And we have a small presentation uh from UISD this evening. >> I'll make a motion to second make a motion to to accept or to to uh support the Special Olympics >> motion. A motion. We have a second. >> Yeah. So, there's a motion to second just to >> listen to the presentation. >> All right. >> Good evening, city council. Good evening uh mayor. >> Uh, for the record, my name is Mel Chavez. I'm a special education coordinator with United Independent School District. Um I know that many of us have you know many job duties just like myself but there's always an item that you know you take to heart uh one of the things that you do in in your in your profession in your in your job and uh this is one of mine that is one of my favorite things to do. Uh before I start, I want to thank each and every one of you because a year ago we were here um my adapted PE coaches which are my team and myself, we are big advocates for uh pushing inclusive settings for our students. As you know, our students with learning disabilities are growing every year. uh our numbers are growing every year and they don't have too many uh different activities to participate. I want to share with you all uh a couple of things that we do with United Independent School District. We have a fall and a spring uh uh special Olympics and we invite Jim Hog. Sapatai is the Harmony, of course, United Independent School District is always a hosting district. Uh the adult daycare centers and of course our cherish center that we have with United Independent School District. In the fall, which is usually in October or November, we have a bowling Olympics and once again we host it in the Jet Bowl. Uh we service over a thousand students and uh they participate in their special Olympics fall uh event which is uh the bolathon. It's it's very tedious. Uh we take long hours in planning this event but it's very very meaningful. Uh once again we are the advocates of of these students. Uh we are in charge, my team and myself, of gathering uh volunteers and making sure that safety is number one priority for all of our students and of course all of our community. Um our special Olympics in the spring event, the reason that I am here is we traditionally have it in the sack and as you know the heat is major. Um it's approximately two hours maybe three that we have our opening ceremony and whenever it's not extremely hot uh sometimes we get thunderstorms. Lorto is so weird um and in reference to the weather. So unfortunately this big planning for students sometimes um you know it's it's unsuccessful because of the weather. uh last year. With that said, you all made a big difference and I commend you all for for that. Uh thank you very much uh Mr. Gonzalez for he was one of our uh uh volunteer one of our spokesperson for our event and it was such an amazing event that we did for the community. As you all can see um the numbers are not little. uh we have it open for all of our parents but more importantly this event is for all of our students within our community and uh we did it for the very first time thanks to you all uh at sames out arena uh we planned one day before we prepped up the entire stage the entire arena you know and make it very meaningful u not in the sun under the AC and you know So, it was such a great experience for once again our community of Laredo. Uh once we are done with the um the opening ceremony, uh we have three days of competition. We have adult uh daycare centers and then we have a middle school and high school. And at the end of the the third day is elementary. We report to the sack where our students compete in different track and field events. And there are some pictures where, you know, they they're competing, they get their medals. And once again, this is only for our different learning disability students. Uh moving forward, the the la the last couple of weeks in March, we have just the same way that we focus for our third, fourth, all the way to high school. and of course our daycare centers and our cherish. We also have um our event that is called the the yap which is the young athletic program. This focuses for kinder uh kinder first and second grade students. So they participate in a similar event but only for them this year once again because we are growing so much. We're going to have to be doing it in uh twoday sessions uh just for it to be more meaningful. But these are the events that um that we do and we would want your support to make it once one more time meaningful for students. So thank you all for your attention and once again thank you all for your support. Mr. Chavez, really quick um for for uh uh the our council to know do you have the cost that was last year and the cost that'll be this year knowing that uh Mr. J Smith has been a great addition to our your arena and works well especially with the nonprofit events. >> Yes. Last year it was 14,000 uh and once again this was uh only for for half a day or >> um and this year the exact amount for the cost uh is the exact cost 17,50. >> Okay. >> So, they increased um >> u well we know also well I'm going to defer and I'm going to let council member Seattle offer discussion. Go ahead. >> Thank you. Um, uh, thank you so much for the work that you do and the population that you serve and I think it warms everyone's hearts here to hear of of that work and how important we consider our our children with special needs and their families. Um, is there a reason why LISD Performing Arts Center isn't a better venue for this? Um the number of of students that we service is over 1,200. Um it's >> the size of the size of the facility requires it to be well that's the only facility right now that could host such a large number. >> Correct. And those are very good questions because I'll give you an example just so that you all can can understand. Um this is my fourth year with in my position and my first year when we did the um the Special Olympics fall event. Traditionally we we would always do it in the Jet Bowl the Jet Bowling alley and they would always tell me this is the way that it's always done. My first event we had over a thousands not mind you it's an event for the students. Parents go and see. Parents go and support social media. Parents go and take pictures. The capacity is 655 approximately at we're violating a lot of so the numbers are increasing. Well, our numbers are always increasing and for safety reasons, we want the best. We want to evolve with our numbers. We want to make sure that we give them, you know, the safety is number one. My that's my number one priority. I don't sometimes I lose sleep because I want to make sure that I have more police uh department, more securities, more safety is number one. So the numbers are increasing. So uh and I'll tell you exactly last year from one of our reps from SS Auto Arena that they said, "Wow, we underestimated your event. We thought that it was it was going to be little." Oh, it's not little. It's a it's a big event and it's very thankful once again for families uh with students with uh different learning disabilities and different needs and we want to pay attention to them and this is my fourth year and every year I want to make it better. So thank you. >> So just at at the amount that's being requested uh and to management I believe if the um would the appropriate way do this would be through promotional. >> Well, no, let me let me uh go ahead and and and I appreciate uh Mr. Chavez's presentation. Uh I know this year, earlier this year uh during the summer actually, and I commend the management for creating uh that special account for citywide uh um you know, for citywide presentations such as these. I know we're two months away from half of the fiscal year. Mr. M uh you gave each each district $25,000 in specific uh for for citywide projects such as these, right? I believe it if divided by nine if everybody is willing to to uh participate on this great event for for the you know children with disabilities from from all over the city and actually surrounding areas. That's right, Mr. Chavis for Heville and Brun and all those areas as well. uh it would probably be around 1,800 uh of each of us from th from those uh $25,000 accounts from each district that the management had the vision of creating for such uh for events such these. Am I right, Mr. Ne? >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> And Mayor Potm, if I may real quick. Um, excellent. Thanks for the point. Uh, also I wanted to take the opportunity because it's at the same venue, right? we did the uh the cook off uh and uh we asked for $1,000 when you all voted for each one of you all because we have an outstanding invoice still pending from that event. Uh >> and and that's why I remind my colleagues that uh we're two months away from happy half the year the fiscal year and and I'm sure everyone has probably nobody has tapped into that account. Maybe I'm not sure but if that's the case hopefully I ask for the you know for the support for this uh great event. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. >> So, with that being said, I know there was a motion and a second uh uh just amend to uh divide by nine, which will be around $1,800 >> $1,888 each. >> Uh again, I thank my colleagues and I know without challenging them, they will be there this year at the event so they can uh see firsthand of of such great things that you all do for our our children and our students with disabilities. >> Yes, definitely. Thank you. Uh call for the question. There's a motion and a second on the floor. All in favor? >> I >> uh against. Okay, motion passes. Just remember the amendment for uh uh divided equally between 90. >> Sure. >> Thank you everyone. Appreciate it. >> Okay. Uh may >> Yes, sir. >> May I bring up uh item number 59, please? >> Definitely. Yes. So, there's a motion >> 59. Second. >> Second to bring item number 59. All in favor? I >> against motion passes. Item number 59 by Mr. Rick. Uh council member >> I brought this item and status updated with possible action related to the leche organization translated into more like elote organization and the potential development of the eastern bredo optimized transportation plan and the letter of support for the city and any other matters therein. Um, I wanted to just check to see what uh I know there's been communication between both parties. I wanted to just get an update as to where we stand there from our city manager. Now, Mayor Croim and city council, I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Chavez for a second because he has wor been working a lot closer with Aote uh for for pulling together some information. So, he has some updates and then I'll kind of close it out from that. >> Thank you. Go ahead, Mr. Thomas. Yes, honorable mayor promp. Uh, thank you. Uh, so yes, we have been in communication with Mr. James Gonzalez and Mr. Joe Gage uh, as it relates to this project. Uh, we did send out uh, an email uh, earlier uh, this month with some information that we requested uh, through our office. And so I've been working together with Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. Gage uh, to get this information all together through our office. >> Uh, ultimately there. So you're still having initial contact well contact to to iron out all the little uh points of that we need to get so we can create this uh uh partnership. >> Yes sir. So part of the information was to uh provide the defined scope and deliverables. Uh we are looking also at the property owner agreements uh that we're working with them and so as of this morning we were having conversations as well as to how uh they might may present this information to us. >> Okay. Thank you. and Mayor Pro Tim and city council. Yeah, just a little bit more background on this. We do believe that the uh web county is serving as a sponsor of this this activity, this this effort that we have. Uh and all we're trying to do is actually work with ELO. Their job is an an advocacy group for lack of a better way to say that. And so they're actually helping pull all the teams together and everything. And so along with that information, they've been pulling that information together. I know they've uh they've went up and spoken with the state and the feds as well too in order to to talk about the transportation dollars that they're going to need for this vision. And u and so all we're doing is we're just trying to mark the boxes in order to get it done as quickly as possible for what they are presenting. I do know they have a draft um interlocal agreement prepared as well too. And so we have been in contact with Web County as well as the RMA uh in order to make sure that we're all in sync with what's being what's being sought. >> Okay. Uh well uh before we I guess we move forward with it, I'd like to make a motion that we u approve the the uh ongoing relationship that we have and and take it to the next level and create the necessary partnerships that we need to do. uh but with a stipulation that all the necessary documentation that is needed be done before we enter any into any agreements. >> Second second >> there's a motion there second volume council member >> I just wanted Mr. Gage here and I wanted to ask if there's anything that you feel that we need to know or did we did our management team pretty much cover the bases Uh good evening, council. James Montales for the record. I'm the president of Leche. Um to answer your question, council. Uh the the man the city manager's office has been extremely grateful in helping us understand the requirements necessary um to assuage the concerns that they have. Um right now, as Mr. Chavez mentioned, um we are working to address their points and we hope to have uh most of I think their points um to them uh for review of course to to Mr. 11 legal uh hopefully by the end of the week. Um so uh we are working fac uh faciduously to to address their issues. >> Great. >> Great. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you all. >> All right. So there's a motion and a second to proceed. All in favor? >> I against. >> Motion passes. Uh I guess we're up to mot uh items to bring up. Just wanted to thank everybody for their support >> to bring uh bring up planning and zoning items 12 >> through um and ordinances through 32 with the exception of 19 as already heard >> um actually 12 >> the number >> 13 14 and then we'll introduce yeah just those three 12 13 and 14 is there a motion >> second this is just to bring them up Yes. And be read to the record. Uh a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Against? Motion passes. Mr. >> Go ahead, Mr. Secretary. >> Yes. Number number 12, public hearing an introductory ordinance amending the zoning ordinance map of the city of Laredo by reszoning approximately 1.3 acres as further described by meets and bounds in attach exhibit A located south of Anita Los President and west of Lonear Loop from R1 single family residential district to B1 limited business district. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change and staff supports the application. Number 13, public hearing an introductory ordinance reading guidelines and criteria governing tax abatements by the city of Laredo in accordance with the requirements in section 312.002 002 of the Texas Property Code, providing for serability, providing for an effective date of February 22nd, 2026 through February 21, 2028, and providing for publication. Number 14, public hearing and introductory ordinance amending chapter five of the state of radio court of ordinances Senate bill 10008 enacted by the leg by the legislation legislature of the state of Texas under section 437.01235 and which became effective September 1, 2025 changes and/or effects the cityo ability to charge certain food service establishments with uh liquor licensing fees. The city of Laredo currently charges liquor licenses fees to businesses that sell liquor in addition to food. This a this amendment formally incorporates the the recent legislate legislative changes into the city's code of ordinances by clarifying that as of the effective date of the new legislation September 1, 2025 of the city of Larredo no longer charges any alcohol permitting fees to the following establishments under the following conditions. Number one, food service establishments with a valid health permit obtained from the city of Larredo public health department. Number two, establishments that have been that have already paid a fee to operate as a food service establishment to the Texas Department of State Health Services, DHS, or any other local jurisdiction. This ordinance also is this ordinance is also amended to update the list of permits and licenses and provide causes for denial and cancellation. >> All right. So, uh, for number 12, 13, and 14 12 for number 12, four or yes, four or against, four or >> I have a, um, question. >> No, a a comment. So, this this, uh, may I be recognized? Thank you. So, this item is in district three. I don't know if we have the property owners here. Um, so the intent of this zone change is to create the ability to open a gas station and we are looking right now um on the for a new ordinance. It's it's just being discussed so obviously it would have to pass but that would restrict put a buffer zone between the venting of any underground storage tanks uh gasoline tanks and the property line. um the residential property line. And when we talked, you know, in in our recent past, we had a very controversial issue because we allowed uh zoning to occur way back in the day of accepted uses that could perhaps impact public health. Those uses the property owner was allowed to normally go forward with them. here the property owner is asking for a zone change in order to create a gas station and we should think about public health while they're doing that. So I would like to ask for a restriction of 100 ft buffer zone between the venting of the underground storage tank. So this is not talking about preventing the business from opening. It's just that it is u been found and I've discussed this with the environmental services director that ft boundary between the venting of those tanks and the property lines is enough to protect the health of uh people living in the adjacent homes that would abut this property. >> Do we have anybody? >> Thank you. Miss >> probably should let you explain it. >> Help me. Um this is actually a zone change. So, uh, that restriction, the 100 foot would need an ordinance amendment to enact that. We can't put it here. So, um, >> you can't have a restriction like a special use. No, >> this is this is a straight up zone change. So, there's no conditions. Um, that's that's not part of the ordinance. It's just plain J. If if the ordinance is I understand that an ordinance considering this item is being discussed right now, planning and zoning. If that ordinance were to pass, would that impact this zone change or would it be quote unquote grandfathered in? >> I'm going to say >> most most likely be grandfathered in. I mean, whatever uh enactments will go prospectively into the future. We've looked it up that the vesting uh happens uh under the state code at the time of the submittal of the permit. So once they submit the building any kind of building permit that does grant very specifically under the state code vesting. >> Okay. Then for that reason, I'd like to move to table the item so we don't come into conflict with a public health item that could impact owners that are their their backyards will abut this uh proposed gas station. >> Second. There's a motion in a second to table. Uh we have Yes, sir. >> Retract the table so we can >> Yes, I'll I'll retract the table. I apologize. >> All right. Then uh second motion and and original motion will be retrieded. >> Sir, did you sign up? >> I did not. >> Yeah. Okay. Items up. Go ahead, sir. >> For the record, Steven Loredo uh with Circle K. >> All right. >> My last name is >> Uh yes. I'd like to thank uh the uh city council um for the time today and the opportunity to speak and um you know obviously share my support for the for the reszone. Um the specific site um is on the southwest corner of Los Presidentes in the future Concord Hills. Um it's a platted you know hard corner 1.3 acres um uh with you know curved cuts and paved aprons in place already. Um, prior to my time at Kok, I was a real estate appraiser in San Antonio. Um, you know, and this site highest and best use is obviously for commercial use. Um, it is, uh, you know, anchors the new Los Presidente subdivision. Um, you know, which will bring, you know, hundreds of new homes, uh, to Laredo that, you know, will need a safe and convenient place, uh, to purchase fuel and polar pops. Um I do hear your concern and you know we will you know see what we can do redesign anything to meet that 100 foot uh minimum requirement if you know that ordinance were uh to go into effect prior to us applying for our building permit. Um just you know at a high level is a a focus market for Circle K. Um we enjoy operating our storage in Laredo. We enjoy developing in Laredo um to date um along with the proposed resoning site. Um we have me and my colleagues have um uh approval of upwards of $30 million to deploy in Laredo for new stores. Um soon you'll be able to see what a brand new SR K looks like. They look very different than the SRES are open uh currently today on the southeast corner of Lomels and Aido Avenue. Um it's under construction right now. It'll be open at the end of April. Um very excited about that. Um I've seen the thoroughare plans for for the raid. ing the vision that you guys are creating for for you know the city 10 years down the line. Uh it makes me very excited to continue to pursue sites and new developments in Laredo. Um you know additionally with these new stores the tax revenue that you know these stores generate um is substantial along with the local residents that we employ averaging around 7 to nine uh employees per store. Um, so yeah, I just like to close out by reiterating that, you know, we'd like to make sure the citizens of Luo continue to have a clean and safe option when they are uh when it comes to fuel and convenience. So, thank you. Thank you. >> So, um, are are your plans are I'll just one last question. Are are your plans already set as to because you this does require underground storage tanks, >> correct? for this material. And and I I was told just to um make clear that the it's a closed system. So when there isn't continuous venting that's going on with these tanks that when um gas goes into the cars, the uh fumes are contained in the tank and then when the tank is refilled, your system allows those fumes to go back into the truck that's actually filling with the new gas. So it isn't as if there is a continuous release of emissions going on, >> right? But it's more um in in in my consideration, it's more a safety issue so that if anything were to happen at that ventilation point or at that point where they're refilling um the gas that uh having that type of buffer zone would allow for remediation that it's a safety issue for the the people who live abudding that that station. And in this particular location, there are residential homes that are planned for for there. >> Yeah, understood. Um, yes. And again, you know, Circle K, we have, you know, operate thousands of stores across uh the United States. Um, we have an entire environmental department that solely focuses on tanks, noxious odors, anything that, you know, could have certain liable for for anything that you just mentioned um of that kind. So, um, yeah. Do you think that you would be willing to comply with that buffer zone if and again we we don't know yet if it'll be passed but it is under consideration? >> Yes. Yeah, we would we would comply. You know, obviously if that goes into effect prior to us applying for our building permit. Um we we're we spent I don't know the number off the top of my head, but multiple tens of thousands of dollars on this site so far specifically on civil design on um you know just attorneys legal cost while we're, you know, we're under contract on that property currently today. Um, >> and and I guess this brings up another question. So, why does the zone change come after the development instead of requesting the zone change before you know if council is going to pass it? >> We will need the zone change prior to being able to apply for permits. Um, and it's also, you know, kind of sort of pay process. uh my ability to purchase the property is contingent on having that appropriate zoning in place at the time of closing. >> Go ahead. >> I think the question is um why you've already purchased the property? >> Not yet. No. >> But you've spent tens of thousands of dollars on >> on site design, you know, uh due diligence due diligence costs. >> Okay. So, you have not purchased the property? >> No, sir. Oh. If I can go ahead, >> thank you. Um, so I'm looking at a map of the location. I do see that there's platting for it looks like residential right along the um edge, one of the edges, but there are two main roadways on two of the edges and then there's undeveloped land on on one of them. So, is there a way that you can accommodate uh the concerns of the council woman as far as like the venting goes and all that off to one of the street like locations instead of where the neighborhood is? And then um I have a question for for planning and zoning real quick if I'm going to ask the director. >> Hey, um you see this a lot, right? Okay. So, um how theund eight buffer amendment that was proposed. It how would that impact this property line right here where the houses are? >> Yeah, I was uh uh talking about talking uh about this with the environmental director a little bit ago and what they would need to do is probably move it such that the injection point for the tank is meets that 100 foot. So you'd probably want to push it closer to the street so that you'd have the street the rightway width to accommodate that more of that 100 foot buffer. >> And the 100 feet is how much how much is that? I mean normally we deal with 500 feet which I do know is what's the what's the width of a street? >> A local street is 50 >> 50. Yeah. So it be two street >> just a regular plane J. The street in front of your house is 50 a 50 foot right away. >> So it would be like a collector or half a collector. >> Yeah. Uh collectors go from 60 to 80 just depending on on how big they are. >> Okay. Cuz that's kind of a big um >> So this one these are minor arterials. >> Yeah. >> So they're I want to say this is 100% is 100. >> So would you be able to accommodate? Okay. Thank you, Miss G. >> Thank you Mr. Laredo. >> Yes. >> Um Would you be able to accommodate that that venting off to one of the streets or would that not work for you? >> I cannot answer that um at this moment. Um I would need to get back with my civil engineer. >> So right now you haven't built anything yet. We don't have you don't have the schematics of how or the plans of how it's going to look or where your where's your your um injections going to be your your tanks. >> Not at this time. >> You don't have them that yet. You're just right now you're just doing the you have we still have you still have time to move or to reconstru you know construct them different way so you know so it won't uh affect the people or the residents behind it or have a boat am I correct >> we're doing time you're doing time right >> theoretically yes with with the tank I >> I guess I'm not knowledgeable enough with you know the civil side and and the fuel system design as to um exactly where the ventilation point or >> but right now you don't have a ventilation point like for concrete say I was going to be on the left side or it's going to be on the right side or it's going to be closer to the street. >> No, not right now. I have my tank placement right now but not the ventilation point. >> You have your tank where's your tank placement? >> The tank the tank placement is along the frontage of Los Presidente. >> So it's the front edge of the right map. >> So it's the front edge of President. >> Yes. It's kind of tricky. It's kind of it's kind of a tighter site. 1.3 acres. So when we have our fuel uh trucks that come and dump >> fuel into the tanks, they have to unload on the passenger side. So that kind of limits because we needed the design the truck to be able to route through the site >> and be able to get to the tanks on the passenger side >> without having them go in front of the store and stop right in front of the store in order to dump the >> So that kind of is >> Go ahead. So I I So again, this is this is an R1 zone and right across the street from it is a B3 zone. >> So how is it that you're studying an R1 zone and not a B3 zone? The Why are you studying land that is already that is zoned R1 >> versus studying land that has already received a B3 designation? We didn't fit on the B3 designation land and they wouldn't separate because it's it's already platted. So, they carved out just one acre and they only wanted to sell that one acre which I don't fit on but I fit on the 1.3 acres on the south side. >> It's still um so that I that is the hesitation that that it is it is our one but um we don't know yet if the the venting will be prevented. Could I actually and I um Z is it all right if we ask our environmental services director to comment? I don't know if he wants to. >> And and sir, I it's it's it's just because when when we set out these um zoning, people have an expectation when they're buying homes, if they're buying homes next to an R1, that that is who their neighbor will be. And so we're when we're talking about changing zones, I I just want us to be very careful and weigh those decisions carefully. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Hello, Bishop Wagner, environmental services director. Um, do you when we're considering the buffer zone for the venting of these tanks, why do you what is the public health issue we're trying to get at with that buffer zone? >> So, particularly when when you're dealing with hydrocarbons, it is it is not the aerosolization of the hydro or the fumes that are they're typically contained within the systems that they use for collection and transportation. What you want a buffer for is really for any kind of release that would happen in the subsurface. Um, and the reason that you want the buffer is so that if there's fuel that that would leak into the into the soil, it gives you enough time. It slows that transportation to where you're able to remediate that, get that soil out. They can place wells to monitor to make sure that material doesn't move off of the site and then uh replace the soils if need be in that area. Um the as far as the the fumes and the and the the smell of gas um it is really dimminimous in its in its negative health effect uh in these kind of scales. Now when you get to large petroleum refining uh facilities then things tend to be a little bit different and and they're regulated a lot harsher. Uh in in my opinion, the um 100 foot buffer would really work well for the to be able to slow down and capture any potential uh uh release transportation that would happen in the subsurface. So, um, do we do you know if you have a 100 foot buffer there on this piece of land >> in between the tanks where they're shown currently to the property line of the um, if you're not know we're probably pretty close to that 100 pretty confident we are. We need Circle K needs at least like 250 ft to lay out our traditional offering which is what we're showing today. So, I would imagine Um but I don't want to say fully 100% on this um but probably >> and and can you assure this council that you can meet that 100 foot requirement or would you like a couple of extra weeks and wait until one more round if we're able to? >> I know that our site is deeper than 100 ft. So I can pretty confidently say that our where we are now, our tanks where they are now is 100 feet away from the southern property line. I can't say for sure about the western property line which also >> stand. >> Can we can we do a conditional approval on a zone change based on an assurance on a future plat request? >> We can't do contract zoning. >> We can't do that. across that before where you conditioned approval based on you know the development process. >> Well zone why don't you step in and stop her questioning? >> I thought we were going to go a different direction. >> No, I mean she's going down the conditional approval route. >> Yes. Then um what what recommendations do you have? I think sorry >> that's the thing is the table. >> Yeah. Uh, Mayor Prom, our recommendation is to go ahead and approve this already as it is. Uh, that uh the uh customers is uh indicating that the that the property line is further than 100 ft. So, we recommend approval. Uh, if you choose to table this, then what's going to end up happening is they're going to have to start over. And so, we recommend approval. >> I have a question for Miss Gar. Mr. Gar, the original uh planning commission, did did we have any opposition from the R1 uh residents around? >> No. >> No, >> no, not at all. We sent out uh several letters to the surrounding property owners >> and we had uh no none in favor and none against and uh the planning and zoning voted uh seven to zero. >> Unanimous. >> All right. So then I guess it all points it's all pointing to wondering what the recommendation >> may promp if I may real quick. Uh this is a public hearing an introductory ordinance. So it will still have to come back for >> final. >> Very true. >> So a motion to close it and >> second and there's a second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> Uh motion to approve. >> Are you actually is your last name actually? Yes. With with an L O R. >> Do you change it for every city you go to? One of your things, right? >> Yeah. I'm going to be Steen McAllen. >> Yeah. Right. >> San Antonio next week. >> Thank you. >> Mayor number 13. Mayor >> number 13. Four or against. Four or against. Four against. Motion to come. Introduce. >> Motion. Second. All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion passes. >> 14. Four against. Four against. Four against. Motion to close. Introduce. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Against. Motion passes. Council to introduce number 15. No motion necessary. Uh motion to approve the final reading ordinances 16 through 32 including number 19 because it was already approved. Second. >> Motion second. All in favor? I >> vote. Motion passes. Mayor Bill indulge me. I'd ask and request motion to extend the meeting to 11 pm. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. >> Uh, mayor, if I may, >> go ahead. >> Staff, is there anything on the consent agenda that is timesensitive? >> Motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> May I? Mayor, we need we need to amend one item on the consent agenda. >> Which one? >> Number 43. >> Number 43. >> 43. All right. With exceptional 43. >> Yes. All right. Motion. Second. Second. All >> in favor? I post. >> Motion passes. >> Mayor for number 43. Right. The amendment will read after $818,89.77 with big truck rental using Omnio Partners Cooperative Contract 2019-0000319. That's the amendment. Motion to approve it. >> Second, but go ahead. >> Can we make all that if it wasn't posted that way? That's a big amendment. >> What was the again? Sorry. big truck rental using Omnia Partners cooperative contract the contract >> because we're circumventing the public notice if we're making these big adjustments. >> It's a cooperative agreement. So it's it's going to be >> okay motion. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Well motion pass. >> Mayor motion to go into executive session. Hold on. >> Mayor, can we bring back number 45? >> Number 45. Motion >> second. >> Second. All in favor? >> Motion passes. Number 45. >> Where's Okay. >> 45. Consideration to select or uh negotiate RFQ to 2026-006 professional consolidating services contract with a top score. uh I don't know if I'm saying this coral energy energy incorporate Dallas engineers city surfaces water and treatment plants the assessment will evaluate the performance efficiency and condition of the Jefferson Street and El Pico water treatment plants with a focus on filter assessment process optimization re uh reanability and long-term capital planning department contract I'm getting old for one year uh and is contingent upon annual budgets. Okay, but I'm reading already. So appropriation of firms the response to our scores were >> so uh Dr. Ch why is it coral engineer when what's the difference? I' I'm just I've never seen this and I'm gonna be this I ask you what's the scoring what's that scoring one scoring two can you explain to us? So scoring one to to four is the is the CL classes where each uh uh engineering firm ranked according to the criteria that was set originally in the RFQ which is detailed in the original in the procurement department specifics for different things like expertise uh uh knowledge engineering capacity and all of that. So all of these ones there actually can be there is more details in the original submission that is done by the experts in the department. >> So are you asking to change right now? >> No, we're done. We're we're pick we're going with the first RFQ based selecting corollo engineers to >> but a cor was it was it already there or are we changing? >> No, it was already there. >> Okay, >> I have some questions. >> Yes, go ahead. >> Um perfect. So, it's my understanding that um we have not had a whole a boil water notice in all of 2025. Correct. >> Correct. Correct. >> And whose company were we under for that? >> Uh it's not with with any company for that. It's really the department the distribution team working with the plan team. So, it's directly >> we didn't we were not consulting with a company to help us with our >> not not not I mean we have engineering firms for different reasons. We we have people to do technical work. >> Which of these partners were we working with major? >> We had Garver, we had Ardora already uh for different pieces of of the our business. >> And when it's cuz it's my understanding that when we've had boil water notices in the past that these two companies that are one and two were were responsible for some of the work that was being done at the city during that time. >> Correct. So, this goes back to what I've been saying as far as dinging past companies. And so, my understanding is that we've also been working with um Ardura. >> Yep. >> Right. And so, I I'm just curious to know how it is that you came up with these things and did we ding companies that were with us during the boil water notice times? >> So, so counselor, first thing the water bar advisory the from Ardora I think he's here today is was focused on helping us to do the inspection and passing the TCQ issues related to our distribution system. This is a very niche and very unique work that is related to our plants in terms of calibration of our filters of our treatment capacity of our clarifiers. We have we've had the first better again we're in RFQ yet is a is an authority in that space. They have their own research center across the US. They are the one we every city probably goes to for advice. So we're bringing the top best company based on the technical evaluation that we have. Now it doesn't diminish Aldora or others who are working with us in different capacity but we're trying to bring the best to get the job done. >> So mayor if I may. >> Yes. Go ahead. So I, you know, I did some research and I've been, you know, boil boil water notice 2016 was we had how do you say Corolla? Coral >> 2016 >> 2016 what's the name of the company we're what you getting right now >> that you're we're trying to get >> I'm sorry >> the company that we're trying to get right now what's >> coral >> coral okay so we had a bo notice in 2016 another one in 2017 uh another another one in 2019 and another one in 2020 and another in 2021 >> so my >> they're not company they were not there I think for there probably been a piece of the 16. You can can ask him, but for the rest it wasn't Mr. Nacho because he's been here and knows the history of the of that. >> Oh, Mr. Mr. Do you have the >> the information? >> Well, you're you're asking >> I'm just because he's been here longer than I am, so he would know. But I want >> So we should have him. >> You Yeah, you might ask him if you want. >> No, I'm asking you. I wasn't I wasn't here in 2016 counselor but I will tell you right now everything related to the water buyer advisor was not >> are we did we have a boil water notice on 2024 >> yes I'm sorry >> 2025 >> yes but it wasn't related to the plants >> the plants are not related to the water boil advisory it was related to contamination in the distribution system because of certain breakthrough and ecoli into that distribution system this project is to do with our class because right now we don't have support to deal with efficiencies improvement and ensuring that our carbon filters the order and taste that you have all of us of you sensed last summer are very serious issues due to blue and green blue algae and we need subject matter experts that are niche to that job again I want to clarify these were selected based on technical reviews and therefore that's why we're we're here today to nominate this >> just don't feel comfort Yes. Go ahead. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Post. Motion passes. >> Okay. One against. >> Mayor. Motion to go to executive session number 50, 51, and 52. >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? 54 >> to add those as well for executive session 54 and 65. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Post. Motion passes. Executive second. >> Sorry. Just for the record that be for consultation of attorneys and real estate matters and litigation as amended. Second. Back to the second session. No action was taken. Okay. Mayor for number 51. Just a motion for staff to proceed as recommended. >> Second. >> Motion. Second. All in favor? >> Opposed. Motion pass for number 52 for staff to proceed as directed. >> Second. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Oppos? Motion pass for number 50. No action was taken. >> And then what else did we go? >> What else we go through? >> We just did those. >> That's all we did, right? Okay. >> And just a motion for the rest of them to continue with the next meeting. >> Just motion. Uh I'm just going to do 62. We'll move up item 62. Just a quick one. >> All right. Go ahead. 62 >> second. All in favor? >> Motion pass. >> Thank you. >> Uh this is an item we brought back a few had a few months ago um to create a public finance zone uh designation u through the state of Texas. Uh we've been in contact with um Senator Zaffirini's uh office on this and basically this is a way to create a threemile radius um around S's Auto Arena because that's the only place we have in the radio that qualifies for the state designation. It has to be SS Auto Arena because we don't have a convention center at this time. But it would allow us to keep some of the sales tax that we send to the state uh in this three mile radius. Um and so what we need to make it happen a few things is a resolution from the city that we support the idea a resolution from web county commissioners court that they support the idea always already been in contact with some of them and then all three the two state reps the state senator need to support it which senators afterini said she does so we're just you know pinning everybody's approval but also an economic impact study on on what this could do so we need to go out for an RFQ uh uh for an economic impact study on what it would cost uh what it would bring to the city if we were able to get this PFC designation to go towards a future convention center or expansion of the same auto arena into a convention center >> ahead and just clarification if you have something to contribute or I'll direct it to management but Would this type of resolution and this discussion be uh tied to our convention center discussion and is that an upcoming workshop so that when we're discussing the convention center then we can wrap this financing mechanism to it? >> Yes, go ahead. >> Thank you for co-sponsoring, mayor. Uh and the thing is uh Senator Zini says she would love to introduce this into legislation in January of 2027. um if we can get all the RP pieces ducks in a row over this next year. Um so it's obviously and it's still to be determined whether or not the state legislature would approve it, but of course if it's coming from her that that obviously will help. Um but nonetheless obviously that's still to be determined. But I think it'd be important to include it in hopeful discussions but I think with the you know any convention center items that we have coming up you know it's we can't guarantee that this PFC will get approved. So, >> okay. Is that your motion? >> Yes, sir. Second already. >> We have a second. >> Well, it's a location. Is there still is that could we is it still for discussion or >> it's because this specific PFC, you know, as of now this is this could change, but as of now, you know, basically the only entity in Laredo that exists currently that would qualify for the center of the radius iss Arena. >> We have motion and second. All in favor? I >> oppos. Motion pass. >> Mayor, uh, timesensitive item. I'd like to motion to recess as the Laredo City Council and convene as a Laredo Mass Transit Board. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. >> Motion to approve number 53. >> Second. >> Motion second. All in favor? >> Post. Motion passes. >> Motion to adjurnn as Laro Mass Transit Board and reconvene as Laro City Council. >> Motion and second. All in favor? >> Opposed. Motion pass. >> Motion to adjourn. Keep all the items for the next portion from the next executive. >> Motion and second. All in favor? I >> oppose. Motion passes. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned.