El Paso City Council Regular Meeting – February 25, 2025

The El Paso City Council convened on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers and virtually. The meeting included proclamations, a consent agenda, several regular agenda items, and public comments. Key actions included approval of a contentious Operation Stone Garden grant, advancement of the Union Plaza property sale process, and adoption of multiple resolutions and contracts. The meeting recessed from 10:05 AM to 10:22 AM for a mass transit board meeting and reconvened after a lunch recess from 12:58 PM to 2:17 PM, adjourning at 2:41 PM.

Proclamations and Recognitions

• National Girls and Women in Sports Day – Recognized by Mayor and Council with UTEP athletic representatives.
• UTEP x El Paso Electric – National Engineers Week – Celebrated with UTEP, TxDOT, and El Paso Electric engineers.
• Sergeant Dan Webb Day – Honored retired Army First Sergeant Dan Webb for his community service, civil rights advocacy, and veterans’ work.
• Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month – Proclamation read by Representative Rocha; speakers from the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence highlighted events and resources.
• A moment of silence was observed for Sun Metro employee Ruben Ibada, who died from injuries sustained in the Sun Metro fire.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved as revised: Item 3 (Operation Stone Garden grant) moved to the regular agenda; Item 26 (Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority board appointments) deleted per Mayor Johnson; Item 42 (Modesto Gomez Flat Fields project) revised to reflect District 2; Item 43 (automotive fuel award) deleted per Purchasing.
• Approved items included approval of minutes, board appointments (Casey Mangan, Marco Covarrubias, Edward Houghton V, Michael Bester, Taylor Moreno, Melisa Guevara, Gabriel Gonzalez), tax refunds, notation of discretionary expenditures, and a purchase order for microchips (Pethealth Services, increase to $328,125).
• Public comment was heard on Items 14 (school flasher signals) and 15 (Downtown Bicycle Improvements) from Lisa Turner, who expressed concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety and urged representation for fixed-income residents on the Public Service Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 14/15: Lisa Turner criticized traffic signal timing, reported ambulance delays, and opposed the bicycle project due to safety concerns. She also urged council to avoid using city P-cards at Walmart and SAMS Club and called for council members to stand up against discrimination.
• Operation Stone Garden (Item 3): Several speakers commented. Lisa Turner argued that participating in the grant could erode community trust in police. Others supported the grant as a deterrent for drug trafficking and border security.
• Union Plaza Properties (Item 27): Nine speakers addressed the sale process. Supporters like Carmen Rodriguez, Senator Jose Rodriguez, and David Dorado Romo emphasized historic preservation, community input, affordable housing, and restrictive covenants. Joe Gudenrath (Downtown Management District) urged removing requirements to spur private sector creativity. Preservation Texas offered assistance with historic designations. Critics like Veronica Carvajal and Lisa Turner voiced concerns about displacement and lack of transparency.
• Workforce Initiatives (Item 28): Adrian Martinez shared his experience of being blocked from city jobs due to narrow qualification standards, urging adoption of “or equivalent combination” language. Lisa Turner argued the city’s $15.75 minimum wage is not a living wage and called for paid maternity leave and better benefits.
• Call to the Public: Nine speakers addressed animal cruelty, chickens per household, dangerous dogs, drainage repairs, contractor misconduct, and teen dating violence awareness.

Discussion Items

• Operation Stone Garden Grant (Item 3): The Police Department requested authorization to submit a $1,558,815 grant application for border security operations (no cash match). Representative Canales offered an amendment to terminate participation if Senate Bill 4 takes effect, citing risks of immigration enforcement mandates. The amendment failed (3-5: Trejo, Limon, Canales in favor; Chavez, Acevedo, Rocha, Niño, Fierro opposed). The main motion passed 5-3 (Chavez, Rocha, Trejo, Niño, Fierro aye; Acevedo, Limon, Canales nay). The Police Chief assured council that the department does not enforce immigration laws and will follow legal guidance.
• Union Plaza Properties Sale Process (Item 27): Staff presented a request for qualifications (RFQ) for adaptive reuse of 17 city-owned properties in the Duranguito/Union Plaza area. The RFQ requires an adaptive reuse plan, preservation of six National Register-eligible buildings, and sale at fair market value. Community vision emphasizes cultural heritage, local businesses, and pedestrian access. The motion to approve the RFQ passed unanimously.
• Workforce Focus Initiatives (Item 28): Presentation by Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Wiggins covered recruitment, retention, compensation, and benefits. Highlights: minimum wage increased to $15.75/hour (52% increase since 2021), 900 positions reclassified post-COVID, 73 interns in 2024, 97 Bridge Fellow participants, and no healthcare cost increases to employees since 2019. Next steps include review of PM and executive pay scales, compression issues, and workers’ compensation rates. No action taken; presentation only.
• Other Regular Agenda Items:
  • Item 39: Award of maintenance contract for passenger boarding bridges and baggage inspection system to Daifuku Services America Corp. ($13.86 million over 10 years) – approved unanimously.
  • Item 40: Architectural and engineering services for Pebble Hills Police Regional Command Center ($531,092) – approved unanimously.
  • Item 41: Sole source defibrillator equipment and maintenance from Zoll Medical Corp. ($1,815,220 over 3 years) – approved unanimously.
  • Item 42: Architectural and engineering services for Modesto Gomez Central Flat Fields ($890,015) – approved unanimously.
  • Item 44: Civil engineering services for Rojas Drive resurfacing/reconstruction ($445,900) – approved unanimously.
  • Item 45: Interlocal agreement with El Paso County to update Chapter 380 economic incentive policies (city’s share not to exceed $25,000) – approved unanimously.
  • Item 46: Adoption of the 2025 Public Art Plan – approved unanimously.
  • Item 47: Resolution authorizing the mayor to execute certificates for single-family mortgage revenue bonds (approx. $24 million in loans + $1 million down payment assistance) – approved unanimously.
  • Item 48: Budget transfers, including $77,008 for solar lights at Memorial Park (NIP Round 5) – approved unanimously. Representative Nino clarified the lights are 11,000 lumens street lights, not pedestrian, and have Historic Commission approval.

Key Outcomes

• Operation Stone Garden: Grant application approved (5-3) after amendment to terminate if SB4 takes effect failed.
• Union Plaza RFQ: Approved unanimously; RFQ to be released mid-March with responses due in fall 2025.
• First Readings of Ordinances (Items 29-38): Approved unanimously; Item 33 (zoning change at 523 Giles Road) postponed to March 18, 2025.
• Workforce Presentation: No action taken; discussion only.
• All other regular agenda items (39-48): Approved unanimously.
• Public comments: Council directed staff to review concerns raised, including animal services operations, drainage repairs, and contractor enforcement.