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Laredo committee plans joint kickoff and requests shared drafts for vacant building ordinance review
Summary
Members of the Development Advisory Committee discussed coordinating three subcommittees to review a proposed vacant building ordinance, asked staff to share competing draft versions and past reports, and supported a kickoff meeting (likely in council chambers) to align objectives before producing a single working draft for council.
The City of Laredo Development Advisory Committee spent a substantial portion of its meeting discussing the vacant building ordinance and the logistics of a joint review with two other committees.
Chair introduced the communications item and urged members to coordinate meeting dates so the three subcommittees can move the ordinance work forward. Staff said the city manager, Mr. Neve, hopes the committees can produce an actionable package for council consideration and suggested work realistically begin in January.
Committee members emphasized that the ordinance needs a clear, shared objective. Carol Alexander said she wants all groups working from the same premise rather than producing separate drafts that later conflict. ‘‘I’m hoping that since there are 2 different committee and multiple people, this will affect creating or identifying the objective,’’ she said, stressing a collaborative approach.
Staff told members there are multiple draft versions—one that was presented to council and at least one version submitted by the downtown business improvement district—and that staff can share both drafts so committee members can review them before the kickoff. Staff described the kickoff as a forum to allow open dialogue and to ensure all committees understand the city’s expectations for the ordinance.
A committee member also asked staff to share a prior downtown summit report and a Bloomberg/Harvard‑linked study that had been provided to council; staff confirmed an intern had led that work and that a final report exists and could be shared.
What happens next: staff will circulate the existing drafts and prior reports and the committees will schedule a joint kickoff meeting to align objectives and timelines ahead of further ordinance drafting.
