SUBJECT
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A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laredo, Texas, adopting the City of Laredo International Bridge Closure Policy. The City of Laredo operates and maintains multiple International Bridges (e.g., World Trade Bridge, Colombia - Solidarity Bridge, Juarez - Lincoln Bridge, and Gateway to the Americas Bridge) serving as critical points for commerce, pedestrians, and vehicular traffic. Temporary closures of these crossings may be necessary due to severe weather (e.g., freezing conditions, and black ice), safety hazards, security concerns, limited ceremonial closures, and/or other unforeseen circumstances. A formal policy will ensure consistent, transparent, and timely decision making, minimize disruptions, and protect public safety and economic interests, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all relevant documents, and any other matters incident thereto; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date.
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VIVA LAREDO PLAN ALIGNMENT
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
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BACKGROUND
The City of Laredo owns and operates four international bridges which are critical infrastructure for binational commerce, travel, and cultural exchange. The uninterrupted operation of these international crossings is vital to the economic health of Laredo, the State of Texas, and the United States, as well as to international trade with Mexico. The City Council finds it necessary to establish a uniform framework for emergency closures, planned maintenance, and limited ceremonial closures that are consistent with the shared jurisdiction of the United States and Mexican federal governments. The proposed International Bridge Closure Policy provides for:
• Emergency closure authority for the Mayor, City Manager, and Bridge Director under
narrowly defined conditions
• Limited ceremonial closures for events of binational significance, requiring Council
approval and binational concurrence
• Clear restrictions prohibiting closures for political demonstrations
• Bridge-specific rules preserving the commercial, non-commercial, and pedestrian
functions of all four (4) bridges
• Cost recovery provisions, including the option for City Sponsorship of all or part of the
costs for eligible civic events
• Bilingual public communication protocols and after-action review requirements
The City Council desires to adopt the International Bridge Closure Policy as an official policy of the City of Laredo.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council approve this Resolution.
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Fiscal Impact
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Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
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