El Paso City Council Regular Meeting – June 24, 2025

The El Paso City Council met on June 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 N. Campbell, and virtually. Mayor Renard U. Johnson presided. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, approval of a consent agenda, first readings of ordinances, and action on a major utility rate case, among other items. The meeting adjourned at 2:07 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously after a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, seconded by Alternate Mayor Pro Tem Fiero. Later, the consent agenda was reconsidered to allow disclosure of campaign contributions from Douglas Schwartz (related to item 11) by several council members. The consent agenda was then re-approved unanimously.
• Key consent items included: approval of minutes, excuse of absent council members, airport concessions and leases (Nos. 3-8), fire department TEMAT MOU (No. 9), solid waste liens (No. 10), site development plan (No. 11), street closure for block party (No. 12), library/parks partnership (No. 13), transportation study MOU (No. 14), board reappointments and appointments (Nos. 15-20), tax refunds (No. 21), notations for discretionary funds and travel (Nos. 22-23), bid awards for infield mix (No. 24) and grounds maintenance (No. 25).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Call to the Public (10:00 AM): Eight speakers addressed non‑agenda items. Topics included the anniversary of Roe v. Wade (Elizabeth Crawford), stray cat management (Claudia Contreras Siller), animal shelter issues (Ron Como), 311 operator failures on animal welfare checks (Barbara Valencia), support for internal auditor Edmundo Calderon and concern about ICE arrests (Arnold Fortnitez). A statement from Wally Shek (“Right the Wrong”) was shared with council.
• Public Comment on Agenda Items: The City Clerk noted letters in support of item 49 (zoning change at 7600 Hunter Foster Dr.) from Christian Lopez, Michael Bester, Henry Garcia, Marcela Carrillo, and Deborah Torres.
• Item 43 (Electric Rate Case): VJ Smith (Marathon Petroleum) opposed the full rate increase as filed and requested denial and settlement negotiations. Marcy Chavez testified about high bills and smart meter issues.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations (9:00 AM): Mayor read proclamations for Nina Tawney Day, You Eat I Eat nonprofit, U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday, Project Bravo’s 60th anniversary, and El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame & Sports Commission Week. Each group received recognition and addressed council.
• First Reading of Ordinances (Items 26-41): Approved unanimously without discussion. These included dissolution of TIRZ No. 9 and No. 10 (public hearings July 8), zoning changes for properties at 1071 Country Club Rd., 525 Lafayette Dr., 341 Thorn Ave., south of Abe Goldberg Dr., 9909 Kenworthy St., and amendments to dissolve the Construction Board of Appeals and update various codes. Item 41 amended the Thoroughfare System.
• Item 42 (General Obligation Refunding Bonds): Robert Cortinas (City Manager’s Office) presented a refunding of up to $285.64 million in bonds to generate $4.6 million in net present value savings. The city’s AA/AA+ bond ratings were reaffirmed. Council approved unanimously after discussion.
• Item 55 (Defeasance of East Side Sports Complex Debt): Robert Cortinas presented a defeasance of $13.45 million to pay off $17.9 million in obligations, saving $4.4 million in interest and freeing $4.3 million in restricted TIRZ No. 9 funds. Council approved unanimously after discussion about using $2.3 million for completion projects (shade canopies, streetlights) in District 5.
• Item 43 (El Paso Electric Rate Case): Matt Marquez (City Attorney) presented the city’s recommendation to deny the full $93 million rate increase as filed. El Paso Electric representatives (Daniel Beris, Jennifer Borden, George Novella) presented their case, including a 10.7% return on equity, $1.55 billion in capital investments, and a proposed $22/month average residential increase. After extensive discussion about cost control, return on equity, customer charge, solar rates, and affordability, council voted 8-0 (with all members present voting) to deny the increase as filed and authorize settlement negotiations.
• Items 44-45 (Zoning and Future Land Use Map Amendment): Approved unanimously. Rezoned property north of Americas Ave. and west of Southside Dr. from R-F to C-4 and amended the FLUM from O-1/O-3 to G-7. The City Plan Commission recommended approval 4-3.
• Item 46 (Zoning Change at 7213 Royal Arms Dr.): Approved unanimously. Rezoned from R-3/sp to R-4/sp.
• Items 47-48 (Rezoning and Parking Reduction at 2821 N. Kansas St.): Approved unanimously. Changed zoning from A-2 to A-3 and granted a 70% parking reduction to allow densification of an existing apartment complex.
• Item 49 (Zoning Change at 7600 Hunter Foster Dr.): Approved unanimously. Rezoned from R-5/c to C-1/c and R-5 to C-1, with conditions. Developer reduced proposal from C-3 to C-1 after neighborhood input.
• Item 50 (District 2 Discretionary Funds): Approved unanimously. Authorized up to $3,000 to hire a part-time administrative specialist.
• Item 51 (Stormwater Utility Annual Report): Gisela Dagnino (El Paso Water) presented accomplishments, including 21 projects completed, 4 in construction, 4 bidding, and 26 in planning. Highlights: removal of 20,000 properties from flood zone, $11 million in flood insurance savings, and improved FEMA Community Rating System score from 9 to 7. The presentation noted a 2025 Stormwater Task Force and $280 million invested since inception.
• Items 52-54 (Bids and Contracts): Approved unanimously. Item 52: Airport west parking lot expansion ($1.64 million). Item 53: EMS stretcher parts/maintenance from Stryker ($771,850 sole source). Item 54: Vehicle offsite fueling contract ($4.85 million over 5 years).
• Items 56-58 (Audit Reports): Approved unanimously. Accepted results of Hotel Occupancy Tax Review, Airport Accounts Payable Audit, and Division of Military Affairs Follow‑Up Audit (all previously reviewed by FOAC).
• Item 59 (Traffic Signal Improvement Change Order): Postponed for four weeks (to July 22) after Representative Chavez requested a briefing. The change order would have deducted $453,371 by substituting underground wiring with wireless modems. The delay may affect ordering of equipment but allows time for council briefing.
• Item 60 (Airport Water Damage Restoration Ratification): Approved unanimously. Ratified an emergency payment of up to $171,747.55 to ServPro for water damage caused by a malfunctioning HVAC unit in January 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (with reconsideration for campaign disclosure).
• First Reading of Ordinances (Items 26-41): Approved unanimously.
• Item 42 (Bond Refunding): Approved 8-0. Estimated $4.6 million savings.
• Item 55 (Defeasance): Approved 8-0. Freed $4.3 million in restricted funds; $2.3 million earmarked for District 5 capital projects.
• Item 43 (El Paso Electric Rate Increase): Denied as filed (8-0). Council authorized settlement negotiations with the company and other interveners.
• Items 44-49 (Zoning and Land Use): All approved unanimously.
• Item 50 (Discretionary Funds): Approved unanimously.
• Item 51 (Stormwater Report): Received as information; no vote needed.
• Items 52-54 (Bids/Contracts): Approved unanimously.
• Items 56-58 (Audits): Approved unanimously.
• Item 59 (Change Order): Postponed to July 22, 2025, by a 6-2 vote (Nino and Canales opposed).
• Item 60 (Airport Payment): Approved unanimously.