WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. GOVERNOR STATE OF TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR AUSTIN, TEXAS 7 8 711 MEMORANDUM r- 6 4 /(/3O15,. 'lit 1 TO: GOVERNOR CLEMENTS April 25, 1988 FROM: Rich Thomas L.-- SUBJECT: Meeting with Mayor Aldo Tatangelo on Colombia International Bridge As indicated in my previous memo, Mayor Tatangelo has become a vocal opponent of the Colombia bridge at city council meetings, and has at- tempted to delay the annexation proceedings of the council. Gary Jacobs has been suggesting that you meet with Mayor Tatangelo as soon as possi- ble to seek his support of the Colombia bridge. In making contact with Mayor Tatangelo to schedule this meeting, the Mayor argued that there was now no need for another bridge in the Laredo area, noting that the Mexican officials have recently completed the con- necting road along the vega between bridge #2 and bridge #1. The City of Laredo has also completed an expansion to the truck import lot on the Texas side. Tatangelo believes that once a modified ramp is completed from bridge #2 to the Laredo Import Lot by the U.S. General Services Administration, the existing commercial traffic congestion problems should be solved. While the mayor was strongly pushing a third bridge in Laredo four months ago, currently he is saying that Laredo doesn't even need another bridge in the area. Based on a meeting with Laredo City Manager Marvin Townsend, Gary Jacobs informed me that he felt three of the Laredo City Council members would currently vote in support of the Colombia bridge and that if the Mayor would publicly support Colombia, another councilman would vote with the Mayor to provide the necessary five out of nine councilmen's votes to support the project. Gary recommends that the vote by the council to support the Colombia bridge should be scheduled if possible prior to the May 7, 1988 City Council elections. Recommendation Recommend that you strongly encourage Mayor Tatangelo to take charge of the Colombia bridge issue and to publicly support the Colombia bridge. Mayor Tatangelo needs to provide leadership in seeking a positive action from the council as soon as possible on the Colombia bridge.