Public Meetings - El Paso, Texas

The El Paso City Council met on September 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, consent agenda, first readings of ordinances, public hearings, and several regular agenda items. The council approved the consent agenda as revised, unanimously passed most items, and engaged in extensive debate on housing anti-displacement strategies, a memorandum of understanding with Sunland Park, and budget transfers. Consent Calendar - Approved as revised (unanimous): Items 1–15, including approval of minutes, resolutions for airport agreements, interlocal agreements, and board appointments. Items 42 and 43 were moved to the forefront of the regular agenda. Public Comments & Testimony - Item 36 (Anti-Displacement): Several speakers from Comité de Familias Unidas de Chamisal (Brittany Medei, Semeli Diazlan, Raymond Suriya) expressed urgent need for anti-displacement protections, citing 93% renter population in Chamisal, rising rents, and lack of community input. They requested that the community lead the planning process. One speaker opposed studying the item, suggesting cap on spending. - Item 42 (MOU with Sunland Park): Marco Grajeda (Deputy City Manager, Sunland Park) and Alberto Jaramillo (Councilor, Sunland Park) spoke in support, emphasizing regional collaboration. Richard Dayoub (lobbyist) supported but urged equity and transportation improvements. Susan Martinez (Aquita Neighborhood Association) raised concerns about Frontier Road project and requested details. - Item 43 (Budget Transfers): George Savala (House of Vision) requested clarification that ADA on-demand funds remain standalone. Several speakers (Elizabeth Crawford, Claudia Contreras Siller, Ron Como, Chris Veles, Barbara Valencia, Marisol Sanchez, Darlene Rincon) addressed animal services issues, criticizing management, live release rate metrics, and lack of spay/neuter programs. Sylvia Tombowski and Gus Rhodes reported fraudulent contractor experiences. Patricia Osman criticized data centers and transparency. - Item 27 (Lincoln Park Ordinance): Hector Gonzalez (lowrider event organizer) objected to newly added proof of insurance requirement for each vehicle, calling it unnecessary and potentially discriminatory. Discussion Items - Item 27 (First Reading – Lincoln Park Ordinance): Discussed amendment to allow vehicles at Lincoln Park for cultural events. City Attorney clarified insurance clause protects park turf. Council agreed to work with stakeholders before second reading. - Items 28–33 (Public Hearings – Zoning and Special Permits): - Item 28: Rezone from R-F to G-MU (north of Talbot Ave) – approved unanimously. - Items 29 & 30: Rezone to C-2 and special permit for ballroom at 3101 N. Lee Trevino – approved unanimously. - Item 31: Rezone to C-3 for auto sales at 3113 N. Lee Trevino – approved 6-2 (Fierro, Limon nay) despite staff recommendation of denial; council noted illegal operation but accepted CPC recommendation. - Item 32: Special permit for planned residential development at 7233-7235 Dale Road – approved unanimously. - Item 33: Rezone from R-3 to PR-II and C-1 (North of Montoya Ln) – approved unanimously. - Items 34 & 35 (Repealing Ordinances): Repealed ordinances creating AmeriCorps Seniors Advisory Council and Greater El Paso Civic Convention and Tourism Advisory Board – approved unanimously. - Item 36 (Anti-Displacement Strategies): Introduced by Rep. Canales. Council debated scope, cost, and history of discrimination. Amendment by Rep. Maldonado-Rocha to create an anti-displacement task force with broad stakeholder representation and district community meetings – passed 7-2 (Chavez nay). Main motion then passed unanimously. - Item 37 (NALEO Sponsorship): Rep. Fierro moved to use $5,000 District 6 discretionary funds for sponsorship of NALEO training event in El Paso – approved unanimously. - Item 38 (Short-Term Rental Report): Rep. Maldonado-Rocha motion to direct staff to report within 60 days on safety issues and state of short-term rentals, in coordination with Short-Term Rental Alliance – approved unanimously. - Item 39 (Contractor Feedback Meeting): Reps. Maldonado-Rocha and Chavez motion to host open meeting with local contractors within 60 days to improve procurement processes. Amendment to coordinate with stakeholders and hold follow-up meetings – approved unanimously. - Item 40 (Flight Software Procurement): Non-competitive procurement for OAG Aviation software, 3-year term $145,646.62 – approved unanimously. - Item 41 (Economic Development Agreement – Ferveret Inc.): $875,634.84 TED Fund incentive for immersion cooling tech company, requiring 30 jobs – approved 6-0-1 (Limon abstained, Nino absent). - Item 42 (MOU with Sunland Park): Approved unanimously, historic agreement to coordinate development within 1,000 feet of state line. - Item 43 (FY 2025 Year-End Budget Transfers): Approved as amended. Council voted 5-3 to delete transfer of $3.6 million unspent bond proceeds to debt service (amendment by Rep. Boyar Trejo) to allow further review and potential use for Veterans Pool project. Remaining transfers (investment interest for ballpark, animal services, economic development, IT, facility repairs; ADA on-demand consolidation) approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda approved as revised (unanimous). - Items 28-33 all approved; Item 31 approved 6-2. - Items 34-35 approved unanimously. - Item 36 approved unanimously after amendment. - Items 37-40 approved unanimously. - Item 41 approved 6-0-1. - Item 42 approved unanimously. - Item 43 approved as amended (amendment passed 5-3; main motion passed unanimously). Meeting adjourned at 3:56 PM.

Date: September 3, 2025 Time: Convened at 1:35 p.m. (agenda listed 9:05 a.m. – discrepancy noted) Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 300 N. Campbell (and virtually) Presiding: Board Chair Johnson Directors Present: Chavez, Acevedo, Madonna, De Rocha, Gorilla, Trejo, Nino, Limon, Canales. Director Fierro was not present for the first vote but later participated. The meeting addressed two agenda items: approval of prior meeting minutes and a resolution to accept a five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) for the ballpark, with a $1.0 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026. Consent Calendar - Approval of December 17, 2024 Meeting Minutes (Item 1): Motion by Director Nino, seconded by Director Chavez. The minutes initially passed unanimously. A motion to reconsider was made and seconded, then the minutes were re-approved unanimously. All directors present voted in favor; Director Fierro was absent. Discussion Items - 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan for the Ballpark and FY2026 Appropriation (Item 2): - Gilbert Guerrero, Capital Improvement Department, presented the plan. The ballpark (Southwest University Park) is city-owned, leased to MountainStar Sports Group (MSSG) until 2043. The city is responsible for capital repairs; MSSG handles operations and routine maintenance. To date, 50 capital projects have been completed. The proposed FY2026 CIP totals $1.1 million (requested appropriation $1.0 million), funded from ballpark debt service fund surplus revenues. The five-year forecast (FY2026–2030) is $7.5 million, including a 15% contingency. FY2026 projects include turf management equipment, irrigation valves, door access control systems, HVAC for the control room, concession equipment, and a forklift replacement. - Council Discussion: - Representative Canales stressed the city’s obligation to maintain the asset regardless of past opinions on the ballpark. He questioned the forklift purchase; staff confirmed it is a capitalized asset that reached end of useful life and will be disposed of through city property control. - Representative Limon, who opposed the original stadium, asked about parking revenue and city suite usage. The city receives $1 per parking fee (rates have risen). The contract can be renegotiated. Staff will share suite usage data. - Representative Fierro asked about due diligence; staff noted some items (e.g., furniture) have been rejected in the past because they still had useful life. She confirmed the $1.0 million comes from restricted ballpark revenue, not the general fund. - Representative Trejo asked about repurposing old turf for city parks; staff will explore. - Robert Cortinas, City Manager, clarified that only FY2026 $1.0 million is being approved; the $7.5 million is a forecast. Future years may require additional funding sources. Key Outcomes - Vote on Item 2 (Resolution to accept the 5-year CIP and approve FY2026 appropriation): - Initial motion by Director Acevedo, seconded by Director Fierro. Passed unanimously. - A motion to reconsider (to allow a photograph) was made and seconded; passed unanimously. - The item was brought back for a second vote. Motion to approve, seconded. Vote: 7 in favor, 1 opposed (Representative Limon voted nay). The resolution carried. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 2:07 p.m.

The Mass Transit Department Board met on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11:50 a.m. Board Chair Johnson presided, with members Chavez, Acevedo, Nino, Limon, Canales, and Boyar Trejo (who joined at 11:58 a.m.) present. Members Maldonado, Rocha, and Fierro were not present. No public comments were received. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda (items 1-3) was approved unanimously after a revision to item 1 to correct the meeting minutes date from June to July 22, 2025. The motion was made by board member Limon and seconded by board member Nino. Discussion Items - Item 4 – New Flyer Training Purchase Order: Discussion and action on authorizing the director of purchasing and strategic sourcing to issue a purchase order for solicitation 2025-0498 to New Flyer of America Inc., the sole provider of New Flyer bus training, for a three-year term at a total estimated cost of $354,375. Board member Canales asked if the training was in-person or digital; the department clarified it is a combination of in-person training and digital modules (e.g., air conditioning module) with trainers and materials provided by New Flyer. The item was approved unanimously on a motion by Limon, seconded by Chavez. - Item 5 – Hardware Support and Software Maintenance for Passenger Information Display: Discussion and action on authorizing the director of purchasing and strategic sourcing to issue a purchase order for solicitation 2025-0503 to Trapeze Software Group Inc. (doing business as Vontas), the sole authorized distributor of the on-route system, for a three-year term at an estimated cost of $172,192. The item was approved unanimously on a motion by Limon, seconded by Canales. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda (as revised) approved unanimously. - Item 4 (New Flyer training) approved unanimously. - Item 5 (Trapeze/Vontas maintenance contract) approved unanimously. - Meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.

The El Paso City Council held a work session on September 2, 2025, beginning at 9:05 AM and recessing into executive session at 10:42 AM, returning at 2:27 PM and adjourning at 2:33 PM. The primary focus was a presentation by the Environmental Services Department on the city's Median Maintenance Program, followed by council discussion on the challenges of weed abatement, staffing, and funding. After executive session, the council voted on several legal claims and utility matters. Discussion Items - Median Maintenance Program Presentation: Nicholas Ybarra of Environmental Services presented an overview of the program, which covers approximately 18.3 million square feet of medians, walking paths, islands, downtown trees, and cul-de-sacs. The program maintains medians on both city streets and state roads under an agreement with TxDOT, adding 6.2 million square feet. The department employs 47 full-time staff (with 7 vacancies) organized into 6 crews, working Monday–Friday 6 a.m.–4:30 p.m. with voluntary overtime on Saturdays. Additionally, 26 beautification staff (6 crews) assist with property cleanups, and a third-party contractor covers the top 20 most traveled roadways for $1.2 million annually but historically completes 3–3.5 of the 4 contracted cycles. - Weed Abatement Challenges: Ybarra reported that the city has experienced above-average rainfall (5.58 inches through August 13, 2025, vs. annual average 8-10 inches), leading to rapid weed growth. Herbicide spraying is used but restricted by state law when wind speeds exceed 10 mph. Two dedicated spray crews have been added. Cleanup of a typical mile of median (52,800 sq ft) takes 1.5–2 weeks. Additional duties include accident cleanup (1–2 per week, costing $25,000 in man-hours annually), removal of visual obstructions, post-weather cleanup, and illegal dumping removal. - Council Concerns and Questions: Multiple council members expressed frustration from constituents about overgrown medians. Representative Chavez noted the public's perception and called for more resources. Representative Canales emphasized that the TxDOT agreement since 2018 added significant responsibility without proportional funding. Representative Nino highlighted the need for proactive design changes (e.g., weed barriers) and better community outreach. Representative Trejo questioned the bidding process (lowest bid vs. best value) and suggested performance-based contracts. Representative Acevedo and Limon discussed collaboration with code enforcement and the difficulty of hiring and retaining manual labor staff. - Safety of Crews: Ybarra reported incidents of crews being subjected to verbal abuse and even BB gun shots. Council members unanimously stressed that public anger should be directed at council, not the workers, and emphasized crew safety as paramount. - Funding Options: City Manager Dionne Mack noted that median maintenance is funded through the environmental fee, which council can adjust. A $1 increase would generate approximately $2 million annually. However, raising the fee is a policy decision requiring public input. Council members indicated openness to discussing the fee increase with constituents. Key Outcomes - No formal action was taken on the median maintenance program (discussion only). - After executive session, council voted on the following: - EX1 (Claim of Jessica Gallardo Larock): Motion to deny claim passed unanimously. - EX2 (Claim of Marina Flores): Motion to deny claim passed unanimously. - EX3 (Claim of Cheryl Gropp): Motion to deny claim passed 7-1 (Rep. Acevedo voted nay). - EX4–EX7: No action. - EX8 (El Paso Electric Macho Springs reassignment): Motion to accept settlement passed unanimously. Multiple council members disclosed campaign contributions from El Paso Electric Employees PAC. - EX9: No action. - EX10 (El Paso Electric interim fuel refund): Motion to hire outside counsel and file intervention passed unanimously. - EX11–EX14: No action. - Council directed staff to improve public communication about median maintenance efforts and to explore design changes, performance-based contracts, and partnerships with HOA maintenance companies.

This was a special meeting of the El Paso Mass Transit Department (Sun Metro) Board held on August 19, 2025, at 11:56 AM. The sole agenda item was discussion and action on a resolution to approve the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. The meeting adjourned at 11:58 AM after unanimous approval. Discussion Items - Resolution approving the FY 2025-2026 budget for the Mass Transit Department (Sun Metro): The proposed budget, filed by the city manager with the city clerk on July 18, 2025, covers the period from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026. Board members present included Chair Johnson and members Chavez, Rocha, Trejo, Niño, Fierro, Limon, and Canales. There was no public comment or debate prior to the vote. Key Outcomes - Motion and Vote: Board member Fierro made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by board member Canales. The motion passed unanimously with all seven board members voting in favor. The board then adjourned the special meeting and reconvened the regular city council meeting.

The El Paso City Council met on August 19, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers and virtually. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, approval of the FY 2025-2026 budget and property tax rate, adoption of several ordinances, and discussion on housing policy, internal auditor recruitment, and neighborhood improvement projects. The meeting adjourned at 4:54 PM. Consent Calendar - Approved the consent agenda as revised, including approval of minutes, resolutions, contracts, and appointments. Notable items included a second amendment to the ground lease with ELP Land Holdings I, LLC (Airport), a ground lease with Cattle Baron Restaurant, Inc., a Fire Prevention and Safety grant of $948,769.33, a drug testing contract with Fastest Labs of El Paso ($196,250), approval of solid waste liens, interlocal agreements with EPISD for shared facilities, and establishment of several advisory boards (Animal Shelter, Parks and Recreation, Museums and Cultural Affairs, Open Space, Committee on Border Relations) and dissolution of the Regional Renewable Energy Advisory Council. Also approved were amendments to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority agreement, advance funding agreements for Traffic Management Center upgrades (Phase 4 and 5), a pharmacist contract, termination of a contract with Legend + White Animal Health Corp., acceptance of the Service and Assessment Plan for Public Improvement District No. 2, a multiple use agreement with TxDOT for a trailhead, board re-appointments, tax refunds, donations, and campaign contribution notations. Procurement awards included police motorcycles ($652,065.84), janitorial services ($3,903,881.25), overhead door maintenance ($1,250,000), traffic signal installation ($1,278,120.25), animal food ($1,476,648), and traffic signal installation. Public Comments & Testimony - Animal Services: Multiple speakers criticized the city's animal shelter policies, including lack of transparency, failure to enforce dangerous dog ordinances, and hostility from officers. Speakers urged council to review policies and leadership. - Title 20 Amendments (Items 48-50): Over 20 speakers opposed the proposed changes to accessory dwelling units (ADUs), off-street parking requirements, and definitions. Concerns included lack of public outreach, potential for investor-owned rental properties, increased congestion, reduced property values, and insufficient data on parking demand. Two speakers supported the changes, citing housing affordability and infill development. - Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP): Several speakers supported specific NIP projects, including pickleball courts, native landscaping, and playground equipment. One speaker opposed due to overlapping district boundaries for the Ralph T. Cloud Neighborhood Association. - Budget and Tax Rate: Patricia Osmond criticized the $6,000 travel allocation for council members and the property tax rate, arguing it burdens seniors and low-income residents. - Other: Enrique Romero (Libre Initiative) urged property tax reform. Richard Dayoub, Linda Troncoso, and others spoke against the Uptown Parking Benefit District amendments and Title 20 changes. Discussion Items - FY 2025-2026 Budget and Tax Levy (Items 43-45): The council adopted the proposed budget, ratified the property tax rate of $0.759649 per $100 valuation (a 4.3% increase over the effective rate), and levied the tax. The budget includes a $6,000 travel allocation for each council member, but Representative Lily Limón requested that the $6,000 not be included in District 7's budget (approved unanimously). The budget was adopted 7-1 (Limón opposed). - Chief Internal Auditor Recruitment (Item 72): The council directed city human resources staff to conduct a nationwide search with Lee Ream as facilitator, added a step for a special meeting to select the number of candidates to interview, and approved the process. The cost of an external search firm would have been $54,000, while Ms. Ream's fee is approximately $5,500 (20 hours at $275/hour). - Neighborhood Improvement Program (Item 68): The council approved 28 projects totaling $5 million from the 2022 Community Progress Bond, with $625,000 per district. Representative Acevedo moved an amendment to reallocate funds among three projects in District 2 (approved unanimously). Construction is expected to be completed by 2029. - Accessory Dwelling Units and Parking (Items 48-50): The council considered but ultimately deleted these items after extensive public opposition. A motion to delete passed 5-3 (Acevedo, Trejo, Niño, Fierro, Limón in favor; Canales, Chavez, Maldonado-Rocha opposed). Staff had proposed allowing ADUs citywide with no owner-occupancy requirement and eliminating off-street parking minimums in the downtown-uptown area. Representative Canales offered amendments to retain owner-occupancy in single-family zones and to exclude the Rim Area Neighborhood Conservancy Overlay, but these were not adopted. - Uptown Parking Benefit District (Items 46-47): The council approved amendments to restructure the advisory committee and expand the boundary to allow use of accumulated funds ($400,000+) for parking enforcement in adjacent neighborhoods. Item 46 passed unanimously; Item 47 passed 6-2 (Trejo, Limón opposed). - Sound and Food Ordinances (Items 60-62): The council adopted amendments to align with state laws (SB 1008, HB 2844), including exemptions for restaurants from outdoor sound permits, decibel limits (70 dBA, 75 dBC), and fee adjustments for food establishment inspections. Approved 7-1 (Acevedo opposed). - Weed Abatement (Item 64): Directed the city manager to present a plan within two weeks addressing weed overgrowth on medians and other areas, including staffing, schedules, and public communication. - Hotel Occupancy Tax Audit (Item 69): Accepted the results of Round 9, which identified $1,417,289 in additional taxes owed by 20 hotels (15 paid, 4 under re-audit, 1 on payment plan). Approved an amendment to provide quarterly status updates to council. Key Outcomes - Budget Adopted: FY 2025-2026 budget approved (7-1). Property tax rate set at $0.759649 (7-1). - Chief Internal Auditor Search: Internal HR recruitment approved with Lee Ream as facilitator; council will select top five and then vote on number to interview. - NIP Projects Approved: 28 projects totaling $5 million, with amendments to District 2 allocations. - Title 20 Amendments Deleted: Items 48-50 removed after public opposition (5-3 vote). - Uptown Parking Benefit District Revisions Approved: Board reforms and boundary expansion passed. - Sound and Food Ordinances Adopted: Alignments with state law approved (7-1). - Weed Abatement Plan Requested: City manager to report within two weeks. - Hotel Tax Audit Updates: Quarterly status reports to be provided to council. - Other Items: All remaining agenda items (63-71) approved unanimously or with noted votes.

The Mass Transit Department Board held a public hearing on August 18, 2025, at 9:32 AM, to receive public comments on the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2025, and ending August 31, 2026, as filed by the city manager on July 18, 2025. No members of the public signed up to speak, and no action was required on the budget item itself. The hearing was closed at 9:34 AM, followed by adjournment. Public Hearing on Proposed Budget - The public hearing was opened at 9:32 AM by Ms. Bryan. No one came forward to speak, and no one had signed up to address the board. - Representative Canales raised a point of order that a motion to close the public hearing was necessary under state law before adjournment. Key Outcomes - Motion to close the public hearing was made and seconded, and carried unanimously (all in favor) at 9:34 AM. - A subsequent motion to adjourn the Mass Transit Department Board meeting was made, seconded, and approved, ending the meeting.

The El Paso City Council held a work session on August 18, 2025, from 9:35 AM to 3:43 PM (with an executive session from 10:39 AM to 3:41 PM) to review the third and final session on the Procurement Sourcing Policy and Process, focusing on contract administration and vendor outreach. No public comments were heard. The meeting included detailed presentations and councilmember discussion on performance evaluations, change orders, supplier outreach, and procurement timelines. Discussion Items - Contract Administration Overview: Claudia Garcia, Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing, presented the key functions of contract administration: record keeping, compliance, performance evaluation, and conflict resolution. The user department designates a contract administrator responsible for day-to-day contract management. - Vendor Performance Evaluation (VPR) System: Garcia explained the 0–10 scoring scale (10 = significantly exceeds all terms; 7–8 = meets obligations; 0–4 = unsatisfactory). Evaluations are stored in a central repository and used for responsibility checks on future bids. Councilmember Trejo asked about typical scores and how non-compliance (e.g., missed timelines) is assessed. Anthony DeKazer (Mass Transit) gave an example: a janitorial contractor dropping below required staffing would receive a lower score. - Change Orders and Contract Modifications: Change orders can be triggered by changes in contract time, amount, or scope. State law limits change orders to 25% of contract value. Purchasing Director and City Engineer have delegation authority up to $100,000 for construction. Councilmember Canales asked about value engineering through equivalent products; city staff confirmed deductive change orders are used when cost savings are achieved. - Performance Report Delivery: Councilmember Acevedo raised concerns that some vendors have never received their VPR reports, calling it a basic failure in communication. Staff acknowledged the issue and noted that improved training for contract administrators is a planned initiative. Councilmember Chávez questioned the fairness of the VPR system when contractors are evaluated on factors beyond their control (e.g., bid price set too low, delayed project starts). Staff said they review each contract on its own terms and can adjust expectations based on agreed schedules. - Timing of VPR Completion: Councilmember Niño clarified that VPRs are completed only after the project is fully finished. Staff explained they use weekly project meetings with two-week look-aheads to monitor progress and adjust schedules. - Supply El Paso and Vendor Outreach: Nicole Cody (City Manager's Office) presented the Supply El Paso initiative (launched January 2024), a multi-agency effort to strengthen the local procurement economy. The initiative is based on a playbook developed with the Aspen Institute and Drexel University. The 13th annual Procurement Expo (2025) had over 1,700 attendees. The next Expo is scheduled for April 7-8, 2026, and is free to help local businesses access contracts and cooperative purchasing. - Certifications for MWBE/Veteran-Owned Businesses: Councilmember Trejo asked why the city does not use those certifications in procurement. Staff responded that it would require policy changes and funding source considerations; council could explore that further if desired. - Procurement Timelines and Delays: Councilmember Acevedo expressed strong frustration with the length of procurement (e.g., nine months for a simple park project). He asked for industry benchmarks and suggested council policy to set maximum timelines. City Manager Dionne Mack explained that delays often stem from departments developing scope of work and quality control, not just purchasing. She committed to providing a report with average procurement times by category and comparisons to peer cities. Councilmember Chávez asked about rules for time between bid opening and award, and for contract start after award. Staff said there are no specific rules, as it depends on procurement complexity; Chávez suggested considering benchmarks from other cities like TechStock. - Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award: Garcia announced that El Paso received this award for the 11th consecutive year, one of 87 cities nationally and along with Austin and San Antonio as the only large Texas cities. - Industry Meetings: Councilmember Maldonado-Rocha expressed interest in restarting industry meetings with vendors who do not currently bid on city contracts, to identify barriers and improve competition. She volunteered to host such meetings. Key Outcomes - No formal actions were taken on the procurement presentation; it was informational only. Staff will continue working on initiatives including: improving contract administrator training, providing average procurement timeline data, and enhancing vendor communication. - Executive Session Items: The council reconvened from executive session at 3:41 PM and took the following action: - EX1 (Claim of Willie Jenkins – Claim 786): Motion made and seconded to authorize the City Attorney and City Manager to deny the claim. Vote passed unanimously (Representative Boyar Trejo absent). - EX2 through EX10: No action taken on legal consultations, economic development discussions, real property, or personnel matters. - Meeting adjourned at 3:43 PM.

On August 18, 2025, the El Paso City Council held a special meeting at 9:02 a.m. to conduct a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget (September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026) and to consider amendments. The council also held a required public hearing on the mass transit budget. The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 a.m., with the final budget adoption postponed to August 19, 2025. Public Comments & Testimony - Michael Clark (private citizen): Expressed concerns about the lack of strong income streams, specifically the hotel occupancy tax not meeting projections, and called for more thorough auditing and transparent oversight of fund management. He did not take a position for or against the proposed budget. Discussion Items - Budget Amendment for Council Travel Fund: Mayor Pro Tem Alejandra Chávez introduced a motion to amend the proposed budget by allocating $6,000 from the general fund for each of the eight district offices, to be used exclusively for official travel supporting the city’s strategic plan. Unused funds would revert to the general fund travel budget at year-end. The motion was seconded by Representative Cynthia Boyar Trejo. - Supporters: Mayor Pro Tem Chávez argued the fund would allow council members to advocate for the city in Austin, Washington D.C., Mexico, and other locations, emphasizing that travel is essential for economic development and legislative affairs. Representatives Josh Acevedo, Deanna Maldonado-Rocha, and Art Fierro expressed support, noting the fund would enable testimony at the legislature and reduce reliance on district discretionary funds for travel. - Opponents: Representatives Chris Canales and Lily Limón opposed. Canales stated he would rather have the $6,000 added to his discretionary funds, which he could use for travel or district needs, and favored the existing process of putting travel on the agenda for full council approval. Representative Iván Niño strongly opposed, asserting that constituents perceive travel as “partying” and that he personally paid for his own travel expenses. He argued council could effectively advocate without costly trips and criticized amending the budget before its adoption. - Amendment: Representative Art Fierro proposed a successful amendment (accepted by the motion’s maker) that unspent funds would not roll over; they would revert to the general fund at fiscal year end. - Clarifications: City Manager Dionne Mack confirmed that currently only the mayor’s office has a travel line in the general fund; staff would identify savings or reallocate existing funds to support the new line. Chief Financial Officer Robert Cortinas provided details on general vs. non-general fund travel budgets. Key Outcomes - Vote on Budget Amendment: The motion (as amended) passed 6–2, with Representatives Limón and Canales voting no. All other council members voted yes. The $6,000 per district travel fund will be included in the budget, with unused amounts reverting to the general fund at year-end. - Postponement of Budget Adoption: A motion to postpone the final vote on the proposed budget until August 19, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. was made by Representative Maldonado-Rocha, seconded by Representative Niño, and passed unanimously (8–0). - Representative Limón’s Request: Representative Limón asked that no allocation be made to District 7 for the travel fund, requesting the $6,000 remain in the general fund. City staff stated they would address this request. - Adjournment: The special meeting was adjourned at 9:31 a.m., followed by the convening of a special mass transit department board meeting.