El Paso City Council Regular Meeting: August 5, 2025

The El Paso City Council met on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Candlelighters of El Paso, followed by four mayoral proclamations honoring the American Legion Eastwood Post 36 (105th anniversary), artist Cesarino Strosa (I Walk Beside You Day), National Black Business Month, and Emma Acosta (LULAC Texas Woman of the Year). The regular council session commenced at 10:04 AM. The consent agenda was approved with three items moved to the regular agenda and one deleted. Major actions included approval of a homestead tax exemption increase, a controversial transition plan for the internal audit function following the retirement of the Chief Internal Auditor, and funding for a new parks master plan. A significant portion of the public comment period was devoted to concerns about animal services, with 26 speakers addressing the council on that topic. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved as revised: Minutes of July 21, 22, and March 20, 2025; requests to excuse absent members; numerous resolutions and contracts (aviation, police, solid waste liens, municipal utility districts, city committees, IT services, public health, capital improvements); board appointments (Joseph Iglesias to Bond Overview Committee, Michael Gaglio to Open Space Advisory Board, Stephen Nordberg to Fair Housing Task Force); tax refunds; campaign contribution notations; purchase order increases for solar parking at the airport and security services at police headquarters; and a bid for billiard repair services.
• Revisions: Items 4, 5, and 6 (Foreign Trade Zone applications) were moved to the regular agenda at the request of Representative Acevedo. Item 16 (board appointment) was deleted at the request of Representative Fierro.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Uptown Parking (Items 25-26): Suzanne Dip, founder of the Sunrise Civic Group, expressed concerns about the Uptown Parking Benefit District, stating it could shift parking into the historic Rim Area neighborhood and that residents were not adequately informed. She requested the city listen to citizens during the upcoming public hearing.
• Call to the Public (Non-Agenda Items): 26 speakers addressed the council, primarily focusing on animal services. Key positions:
  • Animal Services Crisis: Over a dozen speakers (including volunteers, rescuers, and concerned citizens) described systemic failures: injured animals (e.g., a seizing dog) left waiting for care, good Samaritans turned away or told to return animals to the streets, high intake numbers (over 20,000 annually), low live release rates (76% in June 2025, below no-kill benchmarks), and a lack of proactive spay/neuter programs. Speakers called for leadership change, an audit, free spay/neuter, and better training for staff. A few speakers expressed appreciation for frontline staff while criticizing management.
  • Other Topics: Claudia Contreras Siller thanked police and animal services. Michael Clark criticized the parks department’s food truck lottery system and record-keeping. Lisa Turner argued homeowners bear an unfair tax burden and suggested a 10% budget cut, specifically ending overtime payments for border patrol. Elizabeth Crawford spoke against abortion. Later, during Item 38, Lisa Turner criticized the FOAC’s role in the internal audit transition, alleging overreach.
• Public comment on ordinances: Typically reserved for public hearings, but Suzanne Dip was allowed to comment on the introduction of parking ordinances.

Discussion Items

• Items 4-6 (Foreign Trade Zone Expansion): Representative Acevedo requested information on the tax base impact and monthly activity reports. Airport staff affirmed the expansion supports commercial growth and agreed to provide data. Approved unanimously.
• Item 37 (Homestead Exemption Increase): City Manager Robert Cortinas presented an ordinance raising the over-65/disabled exemption from $42,500 to $45,000, effective for tax year 2025. The average savings per qualifying homeowner is $342 annually. Approved unanimously.
• Item 38 (Internal Audit Transition): Representatives Acevedo and Chavez proposed retaining governance with the Financial Oversight and Advisory Committee (FOAC) while moving administrative operations to the City Manager’s office during the search for a new Chief Internal Auditor. After debate – including an amendment by Rep. Canales to add “at this time” and another to include internal/external search options – the motion passed 6-1 (Rep. Limón dissenting). The council directed the City Manager and City Attorney to present search options. Speakers noted the Weaver report will guide the search.
• Item 39 (McRae Shared Path): Capital Improvement staff presented a $3.13 million project to construct a shared-use path from Montwood Drive to Montana Avenue, split into two phases due to federal funding cycles. Rep. Limón expressed disappointment that Phase 2 only covers part of the corridor, leaving a third segment unfinished. Staff confirmed they have submitted requests to complete the path south to I-10 in 2029. Approved 5-1 (Rep. Limón dissenting).
• Item 40 (Parks Master Plan): Parks and Recreation staff, with Halff Associates, outlined a 12-14 month process to develop a 10-year master plan for $577,300. Councilmembers emphasized community engagement, needs assessment for underserved areas (especially District 5), and inclusion of amenities for all ages (youth, seniors). Approved unanimously.
• Item 41 (Judicial Reappointments): Municipal Court requested reappointment of Associate Judges Jorge Rivas and Cori Harbour-Valdez for a four-year term. Some council members questioned the lack of an open call for applications but supported the reappointments based on positive performance. Approved unanimously.
• Item 42 (SAFER Grant): Fire Chief Killings announced a $4.26 million federal grant (with a city match) to hire 21 firefighters for new Station 38, opening early 2026. The grant saves over $2.5 million in staffing costs. Approved unanimously.
• Item 43 (Eastside Regional Park Phase II): A $3 million grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife (with $1.5 million city match from 2017 CIP) will fund sports courts, landscaping, and irrigation at the 92.4-acre park in District 5. Approved unanimously.
• Item 44 (On-Call Engineering Services): Six firms were selected for two-year civil engineering contracts (each up to $750,000). Rep. Maldonado-Rocha encouraged expanding the Hire El Paso First policy to professional services. Mayor Johnson disclosed a $2,500 campaign contribution from CEA Engineering. Approved unanimously.
• Item 45 (Cedar Grove Budget Transfer): A budget transfer of $987,869.25 from investment interest funds to the Cedar Grove Subdivision Improvement project (District 3) was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Homestead exemption increase ($42,500 to $45,000) for over-65 and disabled homeowners.
• Approved: Parks and Recreation 10-year master plan contract with Halff Associates ($577,300).
• Approved: SAFER grant ($4.256 million) for 21 new firefighter positions.
• Approved: Texas Parks and Wildlife grant ($3 million) for Eastside Regional Park Phase II.
• Approved: McRae Shared Path construction contract ($3.13 million).
• Approved: Reappointment of two municipal court judges.
• Approved: Transition plan for internal audit function – no interim chief auditor named; administrative operations to City Manager; City Manager and City Attorney to present search options (internal/external) at a future meeting.
• Approved: On-call civil engineering services with six firms.
• Approved: Budget transfer for Cedar Grove Subdivision improvements.
• Next Steps: A special council meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2025. Public hearings on ordinances (including Uptown Parking Benefit District changes) will be held August 19 and September 3, 2025.