A brief update on the Douglas port expansion project and the Douglas International Port Authority was presented Wednesday by Victor Gonzalez, the Economic Director for the City of Douglas.

Gonzalez said the agenda of DIPA was to expand the Douglas Port of Entry, which is not only an economic hub for Douglas but also has the potential for further economic growth for the area.

The DIPA had identified several deficiencies with the current port such as inadequate parking, limited commercial area, constrained turning radius for traffic, and a lack of pedestrian bus facilities.

Gonzalez said that expanding the port would include adding 20 docks that could expand to 40 docks. Construction of the port project could begin by 2011 or 2012.

The expansion would also include the restructuring of Chino Road, which is estimated to be a $2.2 million project. This road expansion would also provide an improved access to the City’s wastewater treatment plant and the Douglas International Cattle crossing.

Chuck Ebner, the Community Development Director for Douglas, gave a presentation on the rezoning of more than two acres of property located east of Washington Avenue and north of Golf Course Road. The property would be used for residential homes. The streets as outlined in the plan will be designed so that the parking will be in the back of the property and not in front of the homes.  The streets would be 24 feet wide, which according to the developer, is enough room for fire engines and other emergency vehicles to do their work.

Lots to these homes will not be available until the city council passes the rezoning ordinance for Sonora Development L.C.

In other action the council:

√ Tabled ordinance 09-954, which reorganizes various departments. Mayor Mike Gomez was concerned about the ordinance because it would create two new positions. City Manager Curtis Shook said those positions would not be paid positions. Instead, Shook would select someone that would go above and beyond his or her role to help Shook with other administrative duties.

The council approved:

√ Ordinance 09-955, which authorized the City to lease from Cochise Investors Group LLC the western 110 feet of parking lot located between 8th Street and 9th Street at 1703 9th Street in the are commonly known as the Club 3000.

√ Resolution 09-606, which authorized a grant to the Douglas firefighters from the Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $44,500 for the purchase of a hydraulic powered ambulance gurneys.

√ Resolution 09-607, which authorized the city manager to provide a retirement incentive to retirement eligible employees by offering to pay the cost of health insurance premiums for a 12 or 18 month period post retirement.

√ Resolution 09-608, which approved a bid proposal and authorizes the Douglas Police Department to enter into a transfer and sale of property agreement with Proforce Law Enforcement sales company for a trade-in purchase of firearms and related equipment.

√ A request by Robin Brekhus of the Gadsden hotel to close G Avenue from 10th Street to 12th Street from noon on Friday, May 8 through Sunday May 10, 2009 for the Cinco De Mayo Border To Border rally.

√ An application for temporary extension of premises on May 8 and 9, 209 during the Border To Border rally for the Saddle and Spur Tavern.

√ Request to naming a street.

√ Business licenses ordinances

√ Douglas Golf Course and Clubhouse ordinances.