El Paso City Council Regular Meeting – April 1, 2025

The El Paso City Council met on April 1, 2025, from 9:01 AM to 2:27 PM, with a recess for the Mass Transit Department Board meeting. The meeting included proclamations, consent agenda, public testimony, and regular agenda items. Key actions included approval of most consent items, passage of resolutions for discretionary funding and board appointments, rejection of a proposal to make the Bond Overview Advisory Committee permanent, and acceptance of an unmodified audit opinion on the City's financial statements.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes of March 18, 2025, March 17, 2025 Agenda Review, and March 17, 2025 Work Session were approved. Council members noted receipt of campaign contributions from Douglas Schwartz for the record.
• Resolutions: Approved leases at Butterfield Trail Industrial Park and El Paso International Airport (Item 3 & 4); interlocal agreement with El Paso County for use of incinerator (Item 5); grants for Fire Department Special Response Team ($248,741.95) and Emergency Management hazard mitigation ($90,000 with $30,000 match) (Items 6 & 7); solid waste liens (Item 8 – moved to regular agenda and approved after discussion); right of entry for Castner Range munitions removal (Item 9 – moved to regular agenda and approved); tax penalty waivers for three properties (Items 10-12); termination of on-call plumbing contract (Item 13).
• Board Appointments/Re-appointments: Kenneth Bell (Fair Housing Task Force alternate), Michael Adjemian (City Accessibility Advisory Committee), Patricia A. Macias (Ethics Review Commission) all approved.
• Tax Refunds: Refund of overpayments beyond three‑year limit (17 items) and refunds over $2,500 (18 items) approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darnell Johnston (Transgender & Equality): Argued for separate transgender sports categories; stated support for allowing individuals to be themselves.
• Elizabeth Crawford (Massacre on Mount Calvary): Delivered a religious reflection on the suffering of Christ, relating it to current events.
• Claudia Contreras (Animal Cruelty): Reported three days of animal cruelty incidents; called for a third shift at Animal Services and stronger enforcement.
• Sarah Brown (Volunteer at El Paso Animal Services): Praised Animal Services staff for professionalism and care, noting the shelter handles nearly 600 animals daily.
• Barbara Valencia (Animal Services – Ghost Animals): Alleged that animals in foster care are abandoned by the shelter without follow-up; requested an independent audit of Animal Services.
• Ron Como (Constitutional Rights & Animal Services): Criticized the city for not following its own no-kill plan; demanded an apology for Ms. Valencia and a return to the original sheltering plan.
• Karen Washington (Animal Services): Urged Animal Services to accept more dogs from the county (currently limited to one per day); described a crisis of abandoned dogs.
• Rick Bonart (Mountain to River Trail): Advocated for the trail to follow a natural path through open space rather than sidewalks; noted multiple prior recommendations.
• Joshua Simmons (Texas Legislature – HB 912 & SB 1003): Opposed bills that would reduce net metering compensation for rooftop solar; argued they would benefit El Paso Electric at ratepayers' expense.
• Arnulfo Hernandez (Mexican American Cultural Center – Veterans): Noted absence of a veterans hall of honor at the center; called for a future agenda item to address the omission.
• Abel Rodriguez Jr. (MAC – Historical Archive): Urged the MAC to prioritize creating a historical archive of El Paso’s Mexican American leaders and stories.

Discussion Items

• Item 8 – Solid Waste Liens: Representative Limon inquired about the notification process for property owners. Staff explained that liens are paid through property sales and that contact relies on certified mail and appraisal district data. The item was approved.
• Item 9 – Castner Range Right of Entry: Representative Canales highlighted the importance of the step for the national monument. One public commenter opposed, arguing clearing could lead to development. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• Item 19 – District 6 Discretionary Funds for Texas Spanish Spelling Bee: Approved to sponsor the event for $1,000.
• Item 20 – Amendment to Travel Discretionary Funds: Approved to include commute costs in Austin that were inadvertently omitted.
• Item 21 – Bond Overview Advisory Committee (BOAC) as Permanent Standing Committee: Proposal by Representatives Canales and Limon. Extensive debate occurred. The City Manager raised concerns about quorum issues and potential delays on street projects, citing the 2022 Community Progress Bond. Several council members favored waiting for the ongoing review of all boards and commissions (due May 12, 2025). The motion failed 2‑7 (Canales and Limon in favor).
• Item 22 – Appointments to Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) Board: Mayor Johnson nominated Matthew McElroy, Lina Ortega, Robert Palacios, and Monica Perez. Representative Limon objected, noting outgoing members (Col. Jim Smith and former Rep. Silvestre Reyes) were not notified. She requested separate votes but was denied. The motion to appoint all four passed 7‑1 (Limon opposed).
• Item 23 – Audit Presentation for FY 2024: Forvis Mazars, LLP presented a clean, unmodified opinion on the City’s financial statements and federal/state grants. The City received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 26th consecutive year and is one of 27 “Triple Crown” winners in Texas. No action required.
• Items 24‑28 – First Reading of Ordinances: Approved unanimously (ordinances for VENU contract amendment, non‑emergency ambulance franchises for Dominion Ambulance, Elite Medical Air Transport, Elite Medical Transport of Texas, and Life Ambulance Service). Public hearings set for April 15, 2025.
• Item 29 – On‑Call Plumbing Services Contract: Awarded to local firm Bella Luna Engineering & Building Maintenance for $600,000 over five years. Approved.
• Item 30 – Budget Transfers: Approved four transfers: (1) $320,788.36 for IT radio system equipment; (2) $195,338.65 to Penguin Exhibit; (3) $285,980.63 to Doniphan & West Green traffic signal; (4) $172,090.43 for East Cave Park project. (Item originally had a fifth transfer for Endangered Species Breeding Center, but that was removed from the consent agenda per the motion.)
• Items 31‑35 – Audit Plan and Internal Control Reports: Item 31 (FY2024‑2025 Audit Plan 2nd Quarter Update) was presented for information only, no action. Items 32‑35 (Public Health internal control review, Sun Metro Money Room review, Division of Military Affairs travel audit, Vehicle Allowance Program analysis) were accepted by a single motion.
• Item 36 – Amendments to FY2024‑2025 Audit Plan: Representative Acevedo moved to remove the P‑card review and executive vacation leave project, keeping the El Paso Zoo audit. The changes were based on recommendations from Weaver and an ongoing risk assessment. Motion approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved as revised (removal of item 2 from page 10) – unanimous.
• Solid Waste Liens (Item 8): Approved unanimously after discussion.
• Castner Range Right of Entry (Item 9): Approved unanimously.
• Discretionary Funding (Items 19 & 20): Both approved unanimously.
• BOAC Permanent Status (Item 21): Failed (2‑7).
• CRRMA Board Appointments (Item 22): Approved 7‑1.
• First Reading of Ordinances (Items 24‑28): Approved unanimously.
• Plumbing Contract (Item 29): Approved unanimously.
• Budget Transfers (Item 30): Approved unanimously.
• Audit Reports (Items 32‑35): Accepted by unanimous motion.
• Audit Plan Amendments (Item 36): Approved unanimously.
• Executive Session: After returning, Council authorized the City Attorney to intervene in the El Paso Electric fuel refund case (EX2); no action on other executive items. Meeting adjourned at 2:27 PM.