[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6117118,"mediaKeyId","2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3","parentId",2730867,"title","Port of Entry Advisory Committee elects Jose David Gonzalez chair, names Jorge Cavazos vice chair and sets next meeting","audioSeconds",322,"startMs",1896000,"endMs",2218000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3&start=1896&end=2218","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3/thumbnail_1896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117118/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Port-of-Entry-Advisory-Committee-elects-Jose-David-Gonzalez-chair-names-Jorge-Cavazos-vice-chair-and-sets-next-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117118-13973a2c6a1299408daf77b8e0c7c6b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056196&Signature=WY6dCWMCgEGpIdCR8It4oDgflGcNvr~W5qBMgpyuGtstVpERi6lfWP3XONtb-TTK9pe5-ztYle6HxaTL7VgdEaoVszaCGy2hxEUysIzIOiW77Bg1KaKt4MeiYUX4JCfJX1CjxvBC4CFdDkT5cZBrUYS-hZgylp3aFIBbXy7GQk9VlF9RXzP-4Z6u3RYdTxZ-7maI2bry-k7tndx8oXo~u-qt~l63~DKBWEo2u~q9zhLQeywQQsTMl7VL7D3w8E53Pnx869~eAdZqHBIPPykQ2wtyEuBGkeLdwfmdDOjtsTQPb3XK9lturPaXy~27gMs3Z8eO5SRuvGvQhZo1J0IS8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laredo, Texas","date","2025-03-22T00:33:25.31Z","article","The Port of Entry Advisory Committee conducted nominations and votes on committee leadership and scheduling.

Nominations and election: A committee member nominated Jose David Gonzalez for chair and Jorge Cavazos for vice chair. The committee voted to approve Jose David Gonzalez as chair and to approve Jorge Cavazos as vice chair; votes were taken by voice (ayes) and recorded as approved with no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript.

Bylaws and eligibility: Committee members reviewed the committee bylaws during the discussion. Staff explained that association presidents are the canonical representatives in the committee’s bylaws, but associations may be represented by other designees when presidents are unavailable. Committee members clarified that nominees from the assembled membership were eligible under the current committee composition.

Scheduling: The committee discussed next meeting dates and moved the recurring meeting cadence to monthly; members set the next meeting for April 23 (the transcript records motions to move to that date and a majority voice vote in favor). The meeting adjournment was approved by voice vote.

No contested ballots or formal recorded vote counts appear in the meeting transcript; actions were approved by voice vote as described on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Port of Entry Advisory Committee 031925","oneSentenceSummary","The committee nominated and approved Jose David Gonzalez as chair and Jorge Cavazos as vice chair; members set the next meeting for April 23 and approved routine meeting minutes.","taxTitle","Laredo, Webb County, Texas","taxId",2820,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117123,"Bridge operations: reports show fewer U-turn incidents after fee increase; NSF fee revenue and account counts updated",52,1086000,1138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3&start=1086&end=1138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3/thumbnail_1086000.jpg","/articles/6117123/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Bridge-operations-reports-show-fewer-U-turn-incidents-after-fee-increase-NSF-fee-revenue-and-account-counts-updated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117123-69e0457be4e0142805e044c9f0628264/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056196&Signature=MeQceijydXr7BFA5Cjg9d88AxWBZO~Y7zl6v5WBYXZEs8OCOI9cqHgk4gHBMxPSx9tRK0-jtk3tUNjHDqJzbDbHJGQPh9euILW7FZAy68te7r5T~TomQrh2RjzKQRZZs4fGnZm93-X6yh6W9jeS67aZjomCNR2AoUHSRNxzX1hZITIWgMemAXuHVnw1d81yuBPyXomJm7horXZfvFc~U0kTvHQCUou3DHnn-falTfi2BRU3PPWNxTEIfHt4AvgNAkQvp8ZSLqQNeNMy13qFzo7ZlFqB0k5rqZk0zkEQdKpTBnXjtgG55XbnGRPY9B52t9mf72h9e6nlhNB1X9hUSLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridge staff presented operational metrics for the committee, including data on insufficient-fund (NSF) penalties, repeat U-turn offenders, and auto-replenish accounts.

Crossings and U-turns: staff reported a total of 229,446 combined commercial crossings for the reporting period and 12 U-turn incidents, down from 25 the prior month. Staff said 77 accounts had recorded U-turns during the reporting period; committee members expressed concern about repeat offenders and asked whether staff could identify account names so the committee could pursue account cancellation or other enforcement.

NSF fees and revenue: staff reported NSF fee revenue for February 2025 of $13,437.50, down from about $15,008.74 the prior month. Committee members asked about repeat offenders contributing disproportionately to NSF revenue and discussed outreach and enforcement approaches.

Auto-replenish accounts: staff said total auto-replenish accounts numbered 7,265, of which 4,992 were commercial accounts. The remaining noncommercial accounts were reported in the meeting as 16,146 (as stated by staff in the report). Staff also noted the City increased the NSF/U-turn fee to $100 on June 10, 2024, and that fee change corresponded with a decrease in incidents at one bridge.

Committee members requested that staff provide account-level information to allow the committee to consider targeted action against repeat offenders and to reduce traffic impacts caused by repeated U-turns and NSF events. No formal policy changes were approved at the meeting; the report was informational.","Staff reported operational metrics: total crossings and U-turn incidents, month-to-month NSF fee revenue, auto-replenish account counts, and the June 2024 fee increase's effect on repeat offenders.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117128,"World Trade and Columbia bridge projects: environmental review, donation program and schedule updates",78,1365000,1443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3&start=1365&end=1443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3/thumbnail_1365000.jpg","/articles/6117128/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/World-Trade-and-Columbia-bridge-projects-environmental-review-donation-program-and-schedule-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117128-bec55612bd9436d816c505370aaebcbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056196&Signature=kq-UhvoI16BAsaQWm8FCTlcueVLs0p-CUQtPoisVf~4OmcOrzHnDB4PL6Kwa7EsZqxgsksFs7Ha~5VRmSvIn6Io~kGAaVqk4frHwbsbFvziLIo1afgpAayHEUtUX1i3y0eQDzZ7jj2cFtHQSyGBhQPUJZ1GWkJuRxDtpV73N-4YnGiWmw8BLebXvKic7rcEdYGGLSMwo3aby4ds62QWuL5qSflOGVdmoPw02MMWgdr3Fod2wZrCVnBo1IoIn0SyFZhzNOY-Ypki9MWAvieDgjDDZTuNecJEg0Edstg~p6tQSJeSkYyN1WNbSUZgA9H~1LhMLI1ffh~K9nT5sgf8YOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridge staff updated the Port of Entry Advisory Committee on multiple project-level issues affecting bridge expansions and adjacent projects.

World Trade Bridge and Columbia Bridge: staff and committee members reported continued federal engagement on bridge expansions but clarified that the recent Washington, D.C., trip did not finalize any funding. Members stressed the need for two complementary bridge expansions to handle projected traffic growth and specialized cargo.

Environmental review: staff said the poultry expansion project and related bridge work have been delayed by environmental review, specifically consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after the discovery of protected freshwater mussels. As a result, the construction start for the poultry expansion moved from a planned 2027 date to 2028, though engineers and consultants are exploring ways to accelerate the schedule.

Small-scale donation acceptance program (DAP): staff reported an additional $1,500,000 for a small-scale donation acceptance project that would connect the new northbound bridge to the primary inspection area on federal property. Staff said the acquisition and conveyance of the parcel involve CBP and the General Services Administration (GSA); final ownership and transaction details were described as pending and still under negotiation with federal partners.

Engineering and coordination: staff said SCA engineers and project consultants accompanied delegation meetings in Washington, and the local engineering group is working with TxDOT on specifications for an access road to an import lot. Staff said they will circulate meeting invites and Webex details for upcoming technical reviews and that a coordination meeting was scheduled for April 8 (moved for the Washington trip).

No formal votes were taken on these project updates at the meeting; staff requested continued committee engagement and promised updated timelines and meeting invitations when consultants and federal agencies provide further information.","Committee staff reported environmental delays tied to endangered mussel surveys that pushed a construction timeline from 2027 to 2028, discussed a $1.5 million small-scale donation acceptance project (DAP) for land/connectivity, and noted ongoing coordination with federal agencies and engineers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117133,"Laredo committee members say D.C. trip raised profile but did not secure immediate bridge funding",433,587000,1020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3&start=587&end=1020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3/thumbnail_587000.jpg","/articles/6117133/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Laredo-committee-members-say-DC-trip-raised-profile-but-did-not-secure-immediate-bridge-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117133-ea6e6448bfbb56f0b77dbbc29d7524f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056196&Signature=L1yWF4u9xUzJfOB3RdVa5e4CilDyS-zcPmzjI8-xL03q94u0oD6enngVKTPUXK7Ue3ZwUkunW4XtYfOz0Z1zIMaNoRfS8yqyIMuAdMoqrjffQrTm9hJd2rfjfFqXnJQrUp1gCQgGH2ocMty1k3BOMTQsBSMhErN5kWmNIx7xI7Exf2LrskyqdvWMHziikpQxTpi94De-Cn0QGk59-hst6SEdlmq6oOpd4bIp5Y84ECLvoWbnadYF~b5117i8kIEYlDZeGwP2eYHOFSpnOvQ-xBdpjN9TFAiBVEdhDtpeCPVog0NsYHWKE0qko7us6aI8WvgUsi~t6M85rRmZ39dBAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Port of Entry Advisory Committee who attended the city’s Washington, D.C., legislative trip reported that the delegation met with federal and international offices but did not return with immediate funding commitments.

Committee members said the delegation — which included city, county, chamber and private-sector representatives — met with U.S. Department of Transportation staff, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) headquarters, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Embassy and state government-affairs staff to press for infrastructure support at Laredo’s ports of entry.

Rick Laredo, who attended the trip, described it as productive. “It was a very productive legislative trip to Washington, DC,” he said. Committee members said meetings focused on the need for improved port infrastructure and on the rationale for expanding multiple bridges to handle traffic and specialized cargo.

Committee members and staff emphasized two points: the trip’s purpose is relationship-building and advocacy, and federal funding decisions can take years rather than weeks. When a committee member asked whether the trip had produced immediate funding for previously discussed bridge projects, staff and attending members said it had not.

The delegation also discussed operational and regulatory topics, including the role of CBP programs, the new CTPAT office and state-level transportation coordination. Committee members said the trip reinforced the importance of ongoing, repeated engagement with federal partners rather than expecting one-time outcomes.

No formal committee action or fiscal commitments were recorded at the meeting in connection with the Washington trip.","Members who attended the City of Laredo’s legislative trip to Washington, D.C., described broad engagement with federal agencies and legislators but said the trip did not result in immediate grant or appropriations awards.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117138,"City of Laredo introduces Elsa Hinojosa as new bridge director",143,137000,280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3&start=137&end=280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730867-c341a6d8ef581245b14cb1d566c32fd3/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6117138/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/City-of-Laredo-introduces-Elsa-Hinojosa-as-new-bridge-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117138-672472e7c231da323cbd0a5306ba767a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771056196&Signature=liwGXl1ffLzgOFo6Y0RzfrjMMOQ3zof~ZNISq302vuYIADHdGF-OGVlJ2HT5yxDX7C~l0Yex84jPcOpJ1-qcBnJSQ7azReyCbPLRqavKAz2zhK1qlBc8xwBUzWSqUsLwI5ombSQe4RptB~jKF3fs8Ld9Zoc0g01QmXRCClSDTFrUAmaeV61wbkUTKM8Uu1xyiYQcyYWMMRwJYF8aAu1z-ZaT7-R~~5f2IsdkBWpGYD-jajQl3LPWZ7ZIcFfYiyJQjtluSdFLt1vDdQ1yOx3I8vtwQuYgMjrNsZH9NbJClo87zOoSskBnyeGzfrjd9XsUEnScYBGTdhgRapCjcAJ76A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port of Entry Advisory Committee on an unspecified date introduced Elsa Hinojosa as the City of Laredo’s new bridge director.

Hinojosa, who said she has worked for the city for 17 years across several departments, told the committee she will conduct a multi-division assessment of bridge operations and expects it to take about three months. She described experience in community development, the city manager’s office, municipal housing, grant management and an interim role in the building department.

The assessment will include work with bridge staff and the committee’s liaison, Eva Lozano, who Hinojosa named as the primary contact for committee requests while she completes the evaluation. Hinojosa also said committee members may still contact Assistant Director Ken Richard if needed.

Committee members welcomed Hinojosa and said they anticipated working with her and offering subject-matter expertise from the private sector and committee membership.

Hinojosa said in her introduction, “I’ve been with the city for 17 years, worked in different departments of the city of Laredo, starting community development… I have a lot of experience working with state, federal, and treasury grants.”

The committee did not take any formal action related to the appointment during the meeting; the item was informational and intended to establish staff contacts and an early work plan.

The committee asked staff to include Hinojosa and Lozano on committee distribution lists for meeting updates and agendas.","The Port of Entry Advisory Committee was introduced to Elsa Hinojosa, the City of Laredo's newly appointed bridge director, who outlined her 17-year municipal career and a three-month assessment plan for bridge operations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Port of Entry Advisory Committee elects Jose David Gonzalez chair, names Jorge Cavazos vice chair and sets next meeting

Bridge operations: reports show fewer U-turn incidents after fee increase; NSF fee revenue and account counts updated

World Trade and Columbia bridge projects: environmental review, donation program and schedule updates

Laredo committee members say D.C. trip raised profile but did not secure immediate bridge funding

City of Laredo introduces Elsa Hinojosa as new bridge director