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Laredo board hears safety, lease delays for 1415 Chihuahua Street; votes to find interim space and get ADA portable toilet
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Summary
Board members were told city risk management has fenced and deemed the house on the property unsafe; the board voted to seek temporary storage and an ADA-compliant portable toilet, and to delay further actions until a signed lease is in place.
The board discussed the condition and lease status of the property at 1415 Chihuahua Street in Laredo after city engineers and risk management fenced the house and found safety issues.
District council member said the building was fenced after an engineering assessment and explained a roof leak and prior repairs contributed to deterioration, and pledged to prioritize repairs: "I pledge to you to get this bottom level fixed so we can get it open again to the public." The board heard that the city has placed a moratorium on discretionary spending but that district discretionary funds may be available for initial repairs to the first floor.
Board members and staff described operational constraints while the lease remains unsigned. City staff told the board a preliminary lease had been prepared and sent to the city, and that the board does not yet have an executed (signed) lease from the city. City staff said the lease package is scheduled for city council consideration on June 16 and again in July, and estimated execution "by no later than August." Staff recommended excluding the house and the storage room from any initial executive lease so the organization can use other parts of the property while repairs are addressed.
Board members discussed short-term options for inventory and storage of equipment and plants currently at the site. Suggestions included temporarily moving items to a nearby Regional Food Bank or a food-bank warehouse, and asking a city representative to accompany anyone entering fenced areas to remove equipment. A city staff member said staff would "probably refer someone to be present" to retrieve items.
After discussion the board voted on a bundled motion to defer a separate contractor-item until July 7, to locate an interim space for operations, and to acquire an ADA-compliant portable toilet for the site. The motion passed. The board also voted to adjourn into and later exit an executive session authorized under Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074 and 551.076; the chair reported "There was no action taken, during executive session."
The board directed staff to inventory equipment, coordinate temporary storage, and return with a plan for repairs and lease finalization at the next meeting. City staff reiterated they will pursue the council approvals required for the lease and said a signed lease is required before the city will allow substantive rehabbing activity under the city-controlled facility schedule.
Board members and volunteers were told they may continue gardening activities in areas outside the fenced, restricted zones but must not enter fenced portions deemed unsafe. The board asked that communications be posted to volunteers and that events be relocated or rescheduled until access clarifications are complete.
The board will consider repairs and any use agreements again once the lease situation is clarified and engineering completes an assessment; staff estimated implementation of a signed lease and related approvals could occur by August.
