[{"_1":2,"_75":-5,"_76":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6487519,"mediaKeyId","5595909-77a4afc358b6a97be7aa69e5418fb343","parentId",5595909,"title","Laredo council tables fluoride study, approves ethylene-oxide monitoring, street preservation and wastewater contracts and backs federal veterinary shortage bid","audioSeconds",413,"startMs",5583000,"endMs",5996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595909-77a4afc358b6a97be7aa69e5418fb343&start=5583&end=5996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595909-77a4afc358b6a97be7aa69e5418fb343/thumbnail_5583000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487519/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Laredo-council-tables-fluoride-study-approves-ethylene-oxide-monitoring-street-preservation-and-wastewater-contracts-and-backs-federal-veterinary-shortage-bid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487519-8937fe6d4cd966a056600327460505fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449321&Signature=kMX8sOtN3MRMAiOBEp1MRuvO3YbE3WA6pTfs1KaAaUuG9VPKVPLgclZ-BA3AFs61EQe0BEn5AjwRPRhXs3enUAeSRkJ0ABdhe3-ZeXlZ8fS98d3jIOeHIt-mSvtOSQ0PvaXs9aBrU~mrnQu1kPpiPm2gUCaSh5qcJ6gbjXgFKvxSxdyLQRguLu1s01TPATUGd6wPU6g5AXzHKnZz~8JDVMwz3YEZlfQmGeHG9BYl5tvJ0QjY8RABG9XVAtfLuBWBV8nOUOGhtqjEsvddX-P4iwu204jGJ6P~LVX~GCExD8J~ja1CUn7V7rJdBtDgsjmpw2dibclyGLhipaReujGEpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Laredo","date","2025-08-18T00:00:00Z","article","LAREDO, Texas — The Laredo City Council on Aug. 18 tabled consideration of adding fluoride to the municipal water supply and approved a package of public-health, infrastructure and animal-welfare measures.

Council members voted to pause study of mandatory fluoridation after presentations from the mayor, utilities staff and public-health officials showed Laredo’s river-sourced water already runs near the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s recommended fluoride level and after several residents urged caution. The council separately approved a short-term ambient air monitoring contract focused on ethylene oxide, authorized a pavement surface preservation program, awarded a contract for repairs at the Sagata Creek wastewater treatment plant and directed staff to pursue a federal veterinary-shortage designation for the border region. The council also approved continued adopt-and-foster campaigns for the city animal shelter.

Why this matters: Fluoride, ethylene oxide monitoring and sewer improvements affect everyday public health and city services. The council’s decisions will determine where limited city funds go this year and what testing and outreach the public sees in coming months.

Fluoride discussion and outcome

Mayor Victor Trevino, a physician, introduced the topic and put the question to staff and the public. \"If we had too much fluoride in the water, this can lead to the staining of teeth and could also impact the development of enamel in small children,\" Trevino said during council discussion. He asked utilities and the public-health director for findings and recommendations.

The utilities director reported that Laredo’s drinking water has measured roughly 0.65–0.70 parts per million (ppm) of naturally occurring fluoride in recent years and that the CDC’s current recommendation for community water fluoridation is 0.7 ppm. The utilities director summarized: \"The short answer, counselor, we're in good shape. We're exactly where you think we need to be without doing anything.\" (statement attributed to utilities staff member; transcript excerpt).

Several residents and speakers urged the council to decline additional fluoridation or put the question to a public vote, citing health and consent concerns and citing CDC, FDA and other authorities. After nearly two hours of public comment and staff points, the council voted by voice to table the item and directed staff to continue monitoring and to bring any new data back to council. The motion to table passed on a voice vote.

Air monitoring contract for ethylene oxide (approved)

Council authorized the city manager to award a professional services contract to AECOM (contract amount not to exceed $92,856) to conduct targeted ambient air sampling for ethylene oxide over two 30‑day intervals and to provide community outreach and training to city staff. Richard Chamberlain, the city’s public-health director, described the sampling plan’s 5‑day/24‑hour canister rotations and said the goal is to build a baseline and then transition capacity to Laredo Public Health. The contract funds: field monitoring ($58,614), community outreach ($1,482) and purchase of sampling equipment ($32,760). Council approved the contract by voice vote.

Pavement surface preservation program (approved)

Public Works proposed a pavement surface preservation program meant to extend the useful life of streets with moderate remaining condition. The council authorized an RFP and initial funding; after amendments by council members the approved authorization was for up to $3,000,000 (using prior-year bond/reserve funds plus a contingency allowance and with an option for council members to contribute district priority funds). Staff said a $2.0–2.5 million award would treat roughly 31–39 miles depending on final pricing; the $3.0 million authorization left more room for changes and additional contributions. Council approved the motion by voice vote.

Sagata Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements (contract awarded)

Council awarded a construction contract to RAVA Construction LLC of Spring, Texas, in the amount of $1,947,000 to replace a ductile-iron piping header, install a new telescoping assembly and make related repairs at the Sagata Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Utilities staff said the work is driven by TCEQ compliance needs and occasional leakage in aging piping; staff also reiterated that long-term odor and capacity concerns at Sagata Creek would be addressed further as the city brings a new plant online. Council approved the award on a voice vote.

Veterinary services designation (direction approved)

The council unanimously approved a motion directing city staff to work with federal representatives to seek a formal federal “underserved” designation to address veterinarian shortages that affect companion-animal and livestock care on the border. Public-health and animal-care staff briefed council on existing USDA shortage-designation categories and on a local model (USDA designation TX55 covers Webb County and nearby counties for food-animal services). Staff recommended pursuing a companion-animal designation and increased loan-repayment incentives; council authorized staff to coordinate with the county’s federal delegation and neighboring border communities.

Animal-shelter adopt/foster campaign (approved)

Council approved continuing and expanding adopt-and-foster events and directed management to develop a clear public messaging campaign and stronger enforcement and education around pet ownership. The motion noted a recent unplanned animal intake of 29 animals and multiple adoptions following a \"Clear the Shelter\" event; council approved the item by voice vote.

Other notable items and presentations

- Council approved multiple routine zoning ordinances and fee updates (building permit/plan-review fees and cemetery columbarium fees) during final readings. Those zoning actions had limited public debate at tonight’s meeting and were advanced as part of the regular agenda.
- Several department heads briefed council on capital and operational priorities: Parks and Recreation summarized a new adaptive-athletics initiative and park projects; Fleet and Solid Waste outlined heavy‑equipment replacement needs and a landfill methane-to-energy planning effort; Planning & Zoning described online permitting upgrades and a proposed “recode” update. Those presentations informed budget priorities but did not require immediate council action.

Votes at a glance (formal motions recorded during the meeting)

- Item 36 — Discussion with possible action to investigate adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water: Motion to table the item — outcome: tabled (voice vote). Notes: Council asked staff to continue monitoring and return with data if levels change.

- Item 20 — Award contract F125‑075 to AECOM for ethylene oxide ambient air monitoring: Authorized award not to exceed $92,856 — outcome: approved (voice vote). Funding: Public Health Department fund (Air Quality Division).

- Pavement surface preservation program — authorization to issue RFP and commit funds for pavement preservation: Authorization amended and approved up to $3,000,000 (initial target $2.0–2.5M; contingency and district contributions possible) — outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Item 30 — Award contract to RAVA Construction LLC for Sagata Creek wastewater plant piping and related work: $1,947,000 — outcome: approved (voice vote). Funding: 2022 Sewer Revenue Bond.

- Item 33 — Work with federal representatives on a federal veterinary underserved designation and to pursue loan-repayment incentives: Motion to continue coordination with federal representatives — outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Item 34 — Create/expand adopt-or-foster opportunities and public messaging to reduce shelter transfers: Motion to continue campaigns and direct staff on public messaging and enforcement — outcome: approved (voice vote).

What’s next

Council directed staff to continue the investigations and follow-ups described above. Utilities and public-health staff will return with monitoring data and any recommended regulatory or policy changes; the air-monitoring contractor will begin the first sampling period on award and staff will provide updates to the council. The pavement-preservation RFP will be posted and brought back for construction authorization as required by procurement rules.

Reporting note: Most votes were taken by voice; where no roll-call tally was recorded in the official transcript, this article reports outcomes and funding as stated in council motions and staff presentations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Laredo - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","LAREDO, Texas — The Laredo City Council on Aug. 18 tabled consideration of adding fluoride to the municipal water supply and approved a package of public-health, infrastructure and animal-welfare measures.","taxTitle","Laredo, Webb County, Texas","taxId",2820,"location","headline","","shortSummary","actionData","errors"]

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Laredo council tables fluoride study, approves ethylene-oxide monitoring, street preservation and wastewater contracts and backs federal veterinary shortage bid