El Paso City Council Regular Meeting - September 16, 2025

On September 16, 2025, the El Paso City Council met in regular session from 10:01 a.m. to 2:01 p.m., with a lunch recess from 12:30 p.m. to 1:31 p.m. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approval, and several discussion and action items. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Proclamations

• In Her Element Foundation – Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month (September) and the foundation’s work empowering Latinas.
• Communities en Acción – 15th anniversary and awarding the 2025 Latino Legacy Award to Dr. Richard Castro.
• Lincoln Park Day – Celebrating the 21st annual event on September 21, 2025, at Lincoln Park, featuring murals, music, and cultural activities.
• Edgar Scissorhands Day – Honoring barber Edgar Guerrero for his sensory-friendly haircut services for children with autism.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of August 19, 2025, September 3, 2025, and the September 2, 2025 Work Session.
• Approved resolutions for environmental services on-call agreement with WSP USA ($500,000), interlocal agreement for P25 radio system, 2025 City Employees Charitable Campaign guidelines, reappointment of Tanny Berg to Central Appraisal District, appointments to Downtown Management District and various boards, and purchase order increases for security services at international bridges and museums.
• Noted discretionary fund expenditures for July 21–August 20, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denise LaBeouf, James Ashby, Terry Ashby, Sammy Hubbard, John Strickland, Elaine Prickett (Rio Grande Honor Flight) – Spoke about the transformative healing experience for veterans, especially Vietnam War veterans, through trips to Washington, D.C. They requested continued community support and noted guardians pay $1,200 each to accompany veterans.
• Mustafa Rifai, Rico Velasquez, Mia Refai – Opposed the proposed Piedras Street closure and beautification project, citing lack of community consultation, harm to small businesses (Rico’s Dewey’s Corner Pub generated over $7.6 million in sales), and non-urgent nature of water line repairs. Requested delay and better communication.
• Elizabeth Crawford – Linked abortion and suicide, advocating for life and noting higher suicide rates among post-abortion women.
• Claudia Contreras Siller, Ron Como, Chris Velez, Barbara Valencia, Wanda Helgeson, Rob Campion, Eric Barbosa, Christian Tercios, Lisa Turner, Daniel Deanda – Topics included animal services (desire for new director, transparency, trap-neuter-return program, independent audit), termination of a ground lease at the airport for Border Rack (emergency preparedness), wage disparity for PCSI workers at the airport (earning $10–$11/hr vs. city minimum $15.75), school violence prevention forum, and an update on Montana Avenue construction (not a city project).

Discussion Items

• Item 20 – Lincoln Park Vehicle Ordinance – Amended to strike requirements for vehicle list and insurance proof, and to remove “at least two weeks” for walkthrough. Approved unanimously.
• Item 21 – FSW Investments Entitlement Amendment – Approved to allow a 45-acre sale to Texas DPS for a regional headquarters, retaining 300 jobs, adding 200 new jobs, and creating 1,500 temporary construction jobs with an $18 million indirect economic impact.
• Item 22 – Adopt-a-Street Program – Approved direction to return within 60 days with recommendations for a program modeled on TxDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway, including options for parks and spots.
• Item 23 – Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) – Presentation by America Alvarez (USGS). Discussed the need for a city representative on the steering committee and potential funding for an ambassador. Council expressed interest; Representative Acevedo and Trejo will bring back a directive in two weeks.
• Item 24 – Budget Transfer Audit A2025-04 – Accepted audit results; finding that OMB lacked documented policies (since remedied).
• Item 25 – Streets and Maintenance Permits Review Follow-Up Audit A2025-06 – Accepted; noted progress on policies, code updates, and inspection checklists (completion expected December 2025).
• Item 26 – El Paso County 911 District FY2025-2026 Budget – Approved; district faces a shortfall but has long-term plans.
• Items 27 & 28 – South Mesa Hills I Housing Project – Approved resolutions for $12 million in tax-exempt bonds and no-objection certification; all 64 units affordable; project total cost $25 million.
• Item 29 – Budget Transfer of $3.6 Million for Debt Service – Approved; funds from 2018 bond proceeds to service debt; $500,000 also allocated for Veterans Recreation Center repairs (fire suppression, HVAC, etc.).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• First reading of ordinances (Items 16–19) approved unanimously; public hearings set for October 14, 2025.
• All regular agenda items (20–29) approved unanimously.
• Council recessed for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:31 p.m.
• Meeting adjourned at 2:01 p.m.