Students from Herrera Elementary School at the invitation of City Representative Alejandra Chavez.

We have Emma Dameworth, Renee Limon.

Valentina Martinez Daniel Hurst.

Right or not?

Emma Callaway.

Rosio Montero.

Simon Nelson.

Eileen Amato.

And Gabriel Martinez.

There we go.

We respect ourselves and others.

We are responsible for our actions.

All right, yeah.

We're gonna take eight step back.

There we go.

If you're a little shorter, come on to the back.

Okay.

There we go.

Great.

Oh, can you represent me up and then come over a little bit?

Representative.

Thank you so much.

Can I help you pull that over here?

Okay.

We got everyone here.

All right.

You're right, big smile.

Okay, they're gonna close a nice category.

There we go.

There we go.

All right.

Thank you so much.

All right, big smiles.

There we go.

That was great.

All right, ready one, two, three.

Okay, Miss Bryan.

That brings us to the first proclamation, and this proclamation is for October month.

Representative Rocha.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

Can you all hear me?

Yes.

We're celebrating Archtober, so I don't know.

I believe they're here right.

There they are.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Okay.

Welcome.

Whereas the American Institute of Architects, El Paso chapter adds value to the city, county, and surrounding areas by creating places that enhance the quality of life through through the built environment for all the residents of El Paso.

And whereas the local AIA chapter is responsible for the design of many iconic buildings in El Paso, safeguards the culture of the region through the his through historic preservation, and aids in the review of local codes and ordinances to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of citizens and structures.

And whereas the local AIA chapter is one of the leading organizations in our community focusing on energy efficiency, sustainable design, urban planning, and the importance of building technology merged with design innovations helping to improve our city.

And whereas the local AIA chapter encourages citizen architects to take pride in and learn about the built environment, how it shapes our city's progress, the ability to strengthen our regional cultural identity and quality of life through buildings, historic structures, and neighborhoods.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso that the month of October shall be known as and I'm gonna say this, I'm gonna say Arctober month, signed by the honorable mayor Renard Johnson.

Congratulations.

Good morning, Mayor Johnson, City Council members, and everyone here today.

I am Lorena Olguin, the American Institute of Architects, El Paso chapter president, and behind me are my colleagues and my members.

Today we're proud to stand before you and proclaim the month of October as Arktober.

Our members invite the community to a month-long celebration of architecture and design dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of the built environment.

Hosted by AIA chapters across the country, including AI El Paso, features we featured tours, lectures, exhibitions, and special events that highlight architectural excellence and the role of architects in shaping communities.

Starting on the same weekend as Chalk the Block, we will be coordinating with the City of El Paso to bring children together and introduce them to architecture with a Lego build event.

On Saturday, October 11th, at the El Paso Museum of History, kids are welcome to assemble their own structures made of Legos and helping them spark creativity.

The submissions will be open to winning prizes.

On the next day, October 19th, we'll showcase the mid-century designs of Mabel Welch's traditional Spanish colonial homes at the Kern Place neighborhood.

She was amongst the first women to be licensed in the state of Texas and the first woman architect in El Paso.

Please join us for that tour.

And finally to conclude on October 24th, we'll do our annual golf tournament at the top golf with our construction industry's partners and leaders for a night of fun and networking to treat our affiliates and strengthen our relationships.

Our October events will foster public engagement inspire future architects and promote thoughtful design that enhances the quality of life we invite and encourage everyone to join us in promoting the importance of architecture in our community and celebrate the impact the architects create in making El Paso more vibrant beautiful and sustainable place to live.

Please visit our website AIA El Paso.org for more information on details and we'll be glad to see you on our events.

Fantastic congratulations who do you guys have with you vice president of our chapter hize past president of uh the Institute of Architects in El Paso and currently serving as executive director at the state level for our chapter.

Fantastic I'm the community director Michael Stills past president Sebastian Escobar Treasurer.

And Stephanie Barrios um chair for the women in architecture committee fantastic and thank you guys for all that you do to redesign our our skyline here in El Paso and everything that you do here in the region and I know there's about a hundred thousand members roughly across the the nation and about 17 here in in Texas but you guys cover more than just El Paso which is really really good in what you do.

Also can you talk a little bit about the conference you had here a couple years ago the AIA national so yes thank you mayor for bringing that up that was the state convention for probably 40 years the convention had not come to El Paso in my role as executive director at the state level every time I go to the quarterly meetings they ask me when is the next convention coming to El Paso because a couple of years ago when we hosted it for the first time in 40 years people from various cities in the state they were just blown out of the water with everything that El Paso is doing.

Of course at the time the children's museum was barely under construction so we were already giving them a little bit of taste of what they're up to when they come back they're going to see the children's museum hopefully they're going to see the fully renovated Crest building the Mac the Mexican American Cultural Center just everything that's going on in El Paso.

So it's a great way to promote our city not just for bringing in people visitors but also for the community here in town to be able to realize and appreciate all the great things that you know our profession is able to do architecture is not just the pretty buildings it's also making sure that the health and safety of the individuals that use the building and so that's part of the work that that we try to to convey well it took 40 years so we gotta make sure it doesn't take 40 years again.

No no it's it's within a couple of years we're we're trying to bring it back and I know I was in Austin and they were talking about how they enjoyed El Paso and that that conference so congratulations and uh I can't say it is it art how did you say it to there we go congratulations you guys I learned that heart is this Olivia she's with the library she's shadowing today and for those of you receiving a proclamation this morning your group will have up to six minutes collectively to receive the proclamation at the podium the next proclamation

And for those of you receiving a proclamation this morning, your group will have up to six minutes collectively to receive the proclamation at the podium.

The next proclamation is the 30th anniversary of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good morning.

Welcome to City Hall.

Good morning.

Whereas the Paso del Norte Health Foundation was established in 1995 with 130 million from the sale of Providence Memorial Hospital to Tenant Healthcare Corporation to promote health and prevent disease in our binational tri-state region.

And whereas for 30 years, the Health Foundation has been a driving force for positive change, ensuring residents of El Paso have access to the knowledge, resources, and support needed to lead healthy lives.

And whereas the Health Foundation has remained steadfast in its mission to lead, leverage, and invest in initiatives, programs, and policies that promote health and prevent disease, investing over 266 million in grants and charitable initiatives with more than 300 nonprofit government and academic partners.

And whereas over the past three decades, the Health Foundation has spearheaded numerous transformative health initiatives, including increasing physical activity by mobilizing residents through campaigns like Walk El Paso Walk, promoting healthy eating through cooking demonstrations, school gardens, and nutrition education programs, emphasizing fruit and vegetable consumption, expanding health education by supporting school and community-based programs, improving mental health by reducing stigma, expanding access to services, and supporting initiatives that enhance emotional well-being for children and families, investing in children's health by advancing programs focused on early childhood development and safety, advancing smoke-free policies by championing El Paso's 2001 clean air ordinance, the first city in Texas to ban indoor smoking, and raising awareness about awareness about the dangers of vaping among youth, enhancing diabetes prevention and management through education initiatives and awareness campaigns focused on reducing the prevalence and impact of diabetes, developing leadership by equipping nonprofit and health sector leaders through a state-of-the-art leadership training program serving El Paso, Southern New Mexico, and Ciudad Juarez, growing the health workforce by expanding career pathways and health occupations, including doctors, dentists, psychologists, psych psychiatrists, nurses, and occupational and physical therapies and strengthening the regional health care infrastructure, fostering community resilience by mobilizing community health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing direct financial assistance to victims and families affected by the August 3rd mass shooting.

Whereas the Paso del Norte Health Foundation's success is a testament to the vision and leadership of its board of directors, the dedication of its staff, and the invaluable collaboration of grantees and community partners.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso, proudly recognizing and honoring the 30th anniversary of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation for its unwavering commitment and lasting legacy in transforming health in the Paso del Norte region.

Let it be proclaimed that September 29th, 2025 shall be known as the 30th anniversary of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, signed by the Honorable Mayor Bernard Johnson.

Congratulations.

We're just very grateful to have your partnership.

I'd like to take a minute to just introduce some individuals that wouldn't we wouldn't be able to do the work if they weren't here with us.

Um our board chair, Amy Marcus.

Our CEO, uh, Tracy Yellen.

Our vice president of programs, Dr.

Michael Kelly.

And then members of our program team, our senior program officer, Jana Renner, um, Sandra Day, and our talented um uh content creator, Julia, who makes us look good on the social media channels, has been telling our story.

Um, but I'd like to ask Dr.

Kelly to share additional words.

Thank you, Audrey.

Michael Kelly, Vice President of Programs at the Pasolo Norte Health Foundation.

Um, as uh uh you just read, uh over 266 million in the community.

Uh but I want to pause just a second because we have a special relationship with the city because we do grant directly to the city.

And um I I can recall times of the H1 in one outbreak years ago, we partnered with the city.

Uh the city council has passed in the past a uh obesity resolution calling upon departments to do something around food service or physical activity.

Uh we've tapped into your epidemiology for planning and evaluation data.

Of course, great partners in the smoking ordinance, both kind of on the the legislative side and partnering on the signage in the community.

Eat well, which the health department also created, kind of certifying local restaurants to serve great food.

Um community gardens.

We've developed some of those across the city.

The Playa Drain Trail, of course, and the whole trail alignment project you work with us on.

And most recently the COVID response, we were partners uh with you on that, and our you know, uh sad times, but we're we're glad we were able to help where we could.

And um having said that I just look forward, and I'm sure our board and staff do too, to future partnerships with you, please call us um with any of your health concerns, and and we'll be right there.

So thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Yeah.

Well, big congratulations on the thirtieth anniversary, actually, today, which is really really good.

And there's so many initiatives that you guys have done over 30 years.

But uh 266 million dollars back into this community.

You've touched over 300 organizations.

You've done so much from as you mentioned, uh catch to walk El Paso to here just recently we were celebrating the opening of the diabetes uh center out on Montana.

So you guys have touched so many El Paso and so many organizations that we cannot thank you enough for the great work that you're doing.

So you're still a relatively young organization, so we look for another thirty years.

So again, congratulations and keep up the great work.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor.

And um, like I mentioned in the proclamation, they invest in our community in many different ways.

And one of the ways they just invested recently was in on National Dance Day.

They were a sponsor for the event here at San Jacito Plaza.

So I have a token of appreciation for them for for being there for all of us.

Thank you for promoting health and wellness in our community.

And the next proclamation is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Representative Fierro.

Thank you, Mayor.

Mayor, thank you for the opportunity to read this proclamation.

This is the third time that our office has had the opportunity to bring to the attention of our community to thank Emergence and Christy to thank uh Nel Nami and Isidrio for their partnership for everything they do for our community.

Unfortunately, suicide touches all our lives in one way or another through friends, family, neighbors.

And so thank you for for allowing me to read this, Mayor.

Whereas suicide is a second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34 in the United States, and whereas suicide was 11th leading cause of death overall in the US in 2022, whereas more women than men attempt suicide, but men are four times more likely to die by suicide.

Whereas the highest suicide rate in the US occurred among American Indians, Alaskan Native people, followed by non-Hispanic white people.

And whereas lesbian, gay, bisexual youth are nearly four times more likely to attempt suicide than non-LGP peers.

And transgender adults experiencing far higher suicide attempt uh prevailance than general population.

Whereas the US Department of Veterans Affairs reported that in 2022, an average of 17 veterans died by suicide.

Whereas the friends and family of individuals who died by suicide are left to negative tragedy, too often experiencing feelings of shame and stigma.

Whereas together spreading public awareness, educating families and friends, advocating for mental health care, expansion, improving our behavioral health system, will help individuals living with mental health conditions.

Whereas as a community, it is vital to learn the warning signs of suicide symptoms of mental health conditions and step in and connect people to help and dismantle the stigma and misinformation.

Whereas El Pasoans can text home to 741-741 to reach the crisis um text line.

Both lines are free, confidential, available 24-7, and answered by Emergent Health Network Mental Health Professionals.

Now there it be proclaimed by the Mayor and Council of the City of Paso that September 2025 shall be known as Suicide Prevention Awareness, signed by the Honorable Mayor Johnson.

Thank you so much, uh, Representative Fero, thank you all so much for the proclamation.

Our theme this month was start a conversation and be the difference and coming together in this action today helps bring that to El Paso and helps us continue the conversation around this.

Uh suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 24.

Every 11 minutes, someone in the US dies by suicide.

These are families, friends, neighbors, co-workers who staff send ripples across our communities.

Earlier this month, we partnered up with Sun City Tattoo to host an EP semicolon tattoo event.

Semicolons have come to represent suicide prevention as an author uses a semicolon to continue a sentence instead of using a period when he could have ended it.

And so this event we we have we were in three locations and we heard so many stories from our community from veterans getting a semicolon tattoo in honor of their military buddies, those who were you know getting it in honor of someone who died 15 years ago but finally found the courage to help bring awareness and and start the conversation.

And individuals like myself who got it as a symbol of continuing our journey despite our struggles.

We held our visual last week, where our community can gather memorial park preserve and again shared so many stories and came together as a community to honor those who've died, but also support those who are struggling and let our community know that they are not alone.

And so we're really grateful to our staff and volunteers at Nami El Paso who continue to offer free educational classes, support groups, and presentations.

Every year, we present to over 4,000 middle school and high school students across the city, helping end the silence around mental health and mental health conditions.

And we are so grateful to do this work alongside you all and all of our wonderful partners, like Emergence Health Network.

But the work doesn't stop this month.

We continue moving forward in a couple of weeks, a little over two weeks now.

Uh we'll be at Ascarata Park for the largest mental health awareness event, Nami Walks, El Paso.

That's October 18th.

I know Representative Fierro and his team are rallying the troops, and so we hope to see a lot of you there.

Um and again, just express my gratitude and for you all for helping spread this conversation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi, good morning.

Christy Darty, I'm the CEO for Emergence Health Network, and thank you, Mayor, City Council, for recognizing this month as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

We're great, we're very grateful for our continued partnership with the city.

You support our crisis intervention team with Al Paso Police Department and allowing the 988 uh calls to be taken at the 911 Center.

That is a great uh model that I think uh more communities should should uh take after.

Uh these collaborations make a real difference in how we respond to crisis calls.

As mentioned, we operate the crisis hotline, and uh we are one of five centers in Texas that answer 988.

So we answer for 56 counties here in El Paso.

In fiscal year 25, which ended the end of August, EHN's local crisis hotline and 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline answered more than 34,000 calls.

Each of these calls represent a neighbor, a friend, or family member reaching out for help, and it highlights why it's so critical for organizations like NAMI and Emergency Health Network to work together to raise awareness and ensure people know where to turn to in a moment of crisis.

On September 8th, we also launched a social media campaign to spread awareness with regards to the national suicide and crisis lifeline.

And some of our we had some of our child and adolescent clients paint 988 inspired rocks and distribute them throughout the community for individuals to find and share on social media.

We also encouraged our staff to take part by dressing up their dogs, and we had some cats too, in 988 bandanas.

And so we had our four-legged friends also passing that message.

We are also working to equip our community through tools for prevention through our mental health learning library.

We offer classes such as Mental Health First Aid, which help individuals recognize the first signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.

Our goal this month is to make sure the community knows this service is available, not only to those in crisis, but also to family members who may be seeking guidance on how to help a loved one.

Suicide does not discriminate.

It could be any one of us or someone we love.

This is why it's so important that we continue to raise awareness, continue take talking about it openly and continuing to work together as a community to ensure we we are always here to help each other.

And I do want to share with the the council and the mayor that I'm happy to report this last legislative session, emergence health network was the recipient of 50 million dollars to build an east side uh behavioral health campus, which will include another crisis location on the far east side.

We are um in conversations with Chief Pesillas, who has been involved with uh this conversation since it started uh in the middle of the session.

We will be keeping it in the city limits at his request.

So it will fall in somebody's district on the on the far east side.

We do have a couple of land uh locations identified.

As soon as we narrow that down, we'll let you know.

This is a huge win for Al Paso.

We will have a crisis center that will have uh extended observation beds, diversion beds, and crisis residential beds for adults and children.

There are no children's crisis beds in El Paso right now.

We will be opening those beds on the east side.

We also will uh build a can uh as on in a separate building.

We will have an outpatient clinic also in that same footprint.

So more to come.

I can tell you it will be moving very quickly.

We decided to call with HHS yesterday, and they did give us the green light to move forward on land purchase.

So that will be happening very swiftly.

Thank you so much for having us today.

Represent Fierro.

Thank you, Mayor.

Again, I cannot thank you all for everything you do for our community.

Your passion, your team is just amazing.

And again, I cannot thank you.

And Mayor, there is no truth that myself and Representative Nino are going to arm wrestle for that facility.

You made them very happy up here.

So uh again, as you know, thank you for the awareness that you bring into to this, and I've got to tell you that these numbers are staggering.

Uh when you talk about just looking at the the veterans, there's 17.6 veterans that die by suicide each and every day.

And we just heard the statistics that every 11 minutes someone dies from suicide.

So by the time we read these first three proclamations, that that will tell you that someone is as has committed suicide.

So the the work that you're doing is is is needed for El Paso, it's needed for the region, it's needed for our community, and we cannot thank NAMI and Emergence Health Network for all the great work that you're doing, and whatever we can do as a city uh to help you and support you to bring more awareness to this, please let us know.

But congratulations on today.

Good morning.

Do we have anyone?

Yes, we do.

They're walking to the podium.

Thank you.

Good morning.

This is a proclamation from the City of El Paso, whereas International Walk to School Month in October is a celebration filled with events, outreach, and competitions that promote and encourage walking as a safe and viable form of transportation.

And whereas children's lives are safer when communities prioritize pedestrian safety, and whereas a lack of physical activity can play a role in health problems among children, and being able to walk to school offers an opportunity to build physical activity into daily routines.

And whereas increasing the number of children safely walking to school can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and reduce asthma attacks.

And whereas studies have shown that after 20 minutes of physical activity, students tested better in reading, spelling, and math, and were more likely to read above their great level.

And whereas walk to school days are special events to make walking more viable, visible, fun, and rewarding for children.

Encourage parents and students to make walking to school a habit and allow decision makers to witness the value of walkable communities.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso that the month of October shall be known as Woktober walk to school month, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson.

Good morning.

Good morning.

There we go.

Sorry, okay.

Good morning, Council.

This proclamation for the month of October or Woktober is for a global public health event where residents and students are encouraged to walk and bike and get active and celebrate active transportation.

So this month does encompass also National Walk to School Day, which is on October 8th.

It's a national event where students and their respective schools are encouraged to walk to school and put together related events.

In September of 2024, the El Paso City Council adopted a safe routes to school action plan.

And that included several short-term action items, including doing proclamations such as this one today, where we acknowledge these public health events and these walk and bike to school today.

Walk and bike to school events and days.

A large part of that Safe Routes to School Action Plan and those short-term action items was also expanding education that we do here in our community for walking and biking to school.

And we're joined here today by several of the organizations who have been working on bicycle and pedestrian education, not just since the adoption of this plan, but for several years and decades, even.

These organizations are University Medical Center, Paso da Norte Health Foundation, the Action for Healthy Kids, the University at the University Medical Center.

I said that twice.

And also the police department, and we have representatives from EPISD as well.

So these are organizations that go into schools, they go into public spaces, and they make sure that students have access to resources and education related to cycling and cycling and walking.

In addition to those short-term action items and the action plan, we also have an action item to identify and award schools that are doing exemplary bicycle and pedestrian education.

So we worked with EAEP ISD to identify schools that are participating in these walk and bike to school days, are incorporating that bike and pet education as a part of their core curriculum, and are also making sure that their students have access to resources, not just educationally, but to cycling and bikes physically.

So we have the honor of acknowledging those four schools here today with the first ever Safe Routes to School Leadership Award.

Those four schools are Boy Elementary, Arrera Elementary, Coach Wally Hartley Pre-K through 8, AOA.

Yeah, those four schools.

We'd like to recognize them here today.

They're here.

I hope they're all four, right?

They're here to talk a little bit about what they do and in the community and share what's possible.

So I'm going to pass it to some of these organizations to share what they do here.

Good morning.

Hi, good morning.

Officer Lechuga, Officer Medina, we're with the bike downtown unit.

We always like to emphasize bike safety, especially with since we're on bikes.

For these purpose, we have uh bike rodeos a couple a year, in which we invite kids from all over the city.

We teach them about um the importance of wearing their helmets, having lights, having reflective best, following all science and lights, especially it's always important to teach them to look at uh driver's faces when they're riding their bikes, because a lot of drivers have these habit of not looking at the road when they're driving.

So we always focus on um being safe whenever you're walking or riding your bike and enjoying your time.

Uh we'll pass it over to UMC.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning.

My name is Anna Acosta.

I am the injury prevention and education specialist for the trauma department at UMC.

And as a level as the region's only level one trauma center, UMC is the final destination for the most severe life-altering pedestrian and traffic related injuries.

We don't just see statistics, we treat them as parents, friends, and neighbors.

Our daily work is a stark reminder that prevention is the most powerful form of medicine.

And for that reason, we proudly stand with the city's dedication to Vision Zero and Safe Routes to School.

We also extend our profound gratitude to all of our community partners, first responders, engineers, school districts, and advocates whose commitment is vital in moving the this fight out of our operating rooms and into our streets, ensuring that fewer families ever have to face the trauma that preventable crashes inflict.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Along with my uh ministrative assistant, Ms.

Seller, Dr.

Javier Carrasco is the one who maintains our middle school bicycle safety program.

He wrote the curriculum and he maintains the bicycles.

We also have another coordinator, Mr.

Paniagua, who maintains our middle school mountain bike program, which is extremely possible, extremely extremely uh uh popular with our students.

Um we also have a couple of of teachers, uh principals here who like to talk about the impact of the of the program on their campuses.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning, good morning, Mayor and City Council members and guests.

I am Dr.

Aranda.

I am the proud principal of Herrera Elementary, and you saw my polar bears here today.

Yeah.

Um, on behalf of our beautiful school and our polar bears, thank you for recognizing and uh our participation in active events such as the role and walk to school event.

We love organizing events where families come together on bikes, scooters, skates, and on foot to start the school day in a healthy, connected way.

Events like this are powerful because they bring our community closer while promoting safe, energized and ready to learn students.

Parents model healthy habits, and the whole school experiences the benefit of starting the day with movement and togetherness.

The healthy schools initiatives and wellness committees at the campus levels, which teachers like Ms.

Yeager here behind me, uh lead.

Uh reminds us that lead that learning is not just about academics.

It's about the whole child.

When students are active, they are more focused, they're engaged, and are better prepared to succeed.

Just as important when families join in, children see that health and education are shared values.

We are proud to be part of this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to create opportunities for our students and families to thrive because healthy schools truly mean healthy communities.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Um, I am the proud principal of AOA Elementary, and this is my coach Adrian Flores, and he is the one who uh does all the work with our campus as far as promoting a healthy uh transportation for our students, not only for our community right now, downtown El Paso, which is very pedestrian friendly, but also as future citizens of our El Paso.

Coach, thank you.

Thank you.

That was the first time a coach never wanted to say anything.

Yep, come on up.

Good morning, uh Mayor Johnson and Council members.

I'm the proud principal at Moy Elementary in the Northeast.

Um I wanted to share just briefly my everything that was mentioned here, all the positives, the increase in exercise, the fun that comes with learning how to ride a bike and walking safely to school impacts MOI directly, but it also I'm also very connected to what um the officers shared in UNC because we're right off direct.

And so we're at the corner of Alps in Dyer, and as a result, um it's a very dangerous roadway.

Um so our students, because they're pre uh predominantly pedestrians, they walk from home to school on a daily basis.

It's necessary for their safety to know how to do this, how to walk and ride their bikes to school safely.

So for us, it's a very impactful um initiative, and so we thank you for that and continue the hope to continue the partnership.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We got time for one more.

Yep, yeah.

You're good?

Okay.

Hello, good morning.

My name is Eric Winkleman.

Um, I'm the principal at Coach Wally Hartley, pre-K8, and I appreciate this beer recognition today.

Um I'm a fellow biker, both mountain and road bike, and I appreciate uh today, the month that we're going to face and trying to encourage our kids to do more biking and walking.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

And thank you guys for being here today in uh Walktober.

One of the things that that stood out for me is many of us on this dais have probably had to walk to school.

I know I did when I was younger.

But one of the things that was in the proclamation that says studies have shown that after 20 minutes of physical activity, students tested better in reading, spelling, and math, and were more likely to read above their grade level.

I'm glad that stat wasn't around when my parents were had the internet and everything, because they would have had me walking to Las Cruces.

But uh it's amazing that you know, with having physical activity, what it does uh for youth and and um and again we're here to support Walktober and encourage all of our kids to get out there and to to bike to ride to to do all of the good things because it the the data does show that it does improve their lives.

So thank you guys for all that you're doing.

Ms.

Bryan, the final proclamation is Al Paso Police Department Public Safety Cadet Recognition.

All right, Representative Nino.

Thank you, Mayor.

If we could have the O Paso Police Department Public Safety Cadet come forward.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Thank you, Mayor, for allowing me to read this proclamation.

So proclamation for the city of El Paso, Texas, whereas the public safety cadets from El Paso Police Departments, Mission Valley, and Westside Regional Commands recently showcased their skills at an impressive five-day conference held in Gunningston, Colorado.

And whereas these dedicated cadets proudly represented the city of El Paso and the entire state of Texas.

And whereas through their participation in training, seminars, and competitive events, they excelled in both individual and team challenges, earning a remarkable total of ten awards.

And we're asked a heartfelt congratulations to all the cadets for this outstanding achievement.

It is remarkable testament of their skills and their dedication.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and the council of the city of El Paso.

That September thirtieth, 2025 shall be known as the El Paso Police Department, Public Safety Cadets Day.

Congratulations.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

As stated, uh, we went to or our cadet program, uh, went to Gunnison, Colorado, where they were the only city outside of Colorado to participate.

Wow.

And they placed in several events.

And I also wanted to thank you for your support of the El Paso Police Department's public safety cadet program.

Uh not only um thank you for recognizing our cadets, but also our mentors who without them this this couldn't be uh achieved.

Uh but I also wanted to thank especially uh Officer John Lada.

He is the lead mentor for the city over the the public safety cadet program.

Through his efforts, this program has really thrived and it will continue to thrive.

Fantastic.

Thank you.

Fantastic.

Can we hear from the cadets?

I see the cadets hiding back there.

Can we I'd love to hear about the awards too, the 10 awards.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Thank you for having us.

Um it was really uh an amazing experience for us.

Uh thing again.

Great.

Thank you for our mentors who have trained us and have dedicated their time to us.

It really means a lot through them.

You see how hard they put their work into us, and we reflect on their work and their effort that they put into us.

Um we're really happy that we were able to bring 10 awards and make them proud of us, not only through our mentors, but all the support from our families.

And it this program really means a lot to us, and Officer John Lada really has been a lot of support and help and he has really made a great effort for us.

So we're really thankful for that.

And we this is our way of showing our gratitude to him.

And what school do you go to?

I graduated.

You graduated, wow.

Are you gonna have a career in public safety?

Um probably I'm looking into it.

Okay, good.

We'd love to have you as a El Paso Police Department officer.

Thank you.

Once again, thank you.

Um Officer Lada.

Thank you for everything.

Um I've been with the program for 26 years, and this is our first time going to this conference in Colorado, and this is the first time winning 10 awards.

So I'm very proud of this uh group.

Uh they made us proud, not only me, but other mentors.

And like you uh mentioned earlier, the city and the state of Texas.

Well, Officer Lada, thank you for all that you did to take this team up there and to win the 10 awards.

Thank you for the 26 years of dedication to the youth is is incredible in business.

Yes, I I started, I was in their shoes at one point when I was 14.

Uh also uh Officer Bert Mules was part of this program.

Uh I love this program, and look at me, I'm out here uh taking this kids.

Uh I call them my kids because their mic is there more with me.

Sorry, parents.

But um I'll take care of them, I'll discipline them as well, too.

But yeah, um it's just get them ready for our future, our future police officers.

Well, thank you so much.

Can we hear can they introduce themselves?

Some of your your kids.

So my name is Grand Chalamantes, and I go to Coronado High School.

My name is Elijah Leda, and I go to Coronado High School.

So my name is Joe Navarro and I already graduated from Riverside High School.

Wow.

My name is Adrian Lopez, and I'm in El Paso High School.

My name is Alexa Vasca, and I go to Burgess High School.

My name is Amy Gonzalez, and I go to Socorro High School.

Wow.

My name is Acil Piero, and I go to YouTube.

Oh my name is Carlos Lucio and I go to APCC.

My name is Luz Casada, and I graduated from East Lake High School.

Fantastic.

Fantastic.

Anyone else want to say anything?

Any of the other officers?

All right.

Well, thank you guys so much, and again, congratulations on going to Colorado and then winning all the awards and putting El Paso on the map.

And we hope to see many of you in the in the uniforms as you look at your career paths going forward.

But uh again, we're so proud of you and and and all the great work that you're doing.

So thank you guys for for mentoring these young kids and then and putting them on the right track.

We really appreciate it.

So thank you guys so much.

Okay, Miss Prime.

Yes, sir.

Good morning.

This is a meeting of the El Paso City Council for Tuesday, September 30th, 2025.

Mayor Johnson is present and presiding in Council Chambers along with Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, Representative Acevedo, Representative Madonado Rocha, Representative Boyatrejo, Representative Nino, Alternate Mayor Pro Tem Fierro, Representative Limon, and Representative Canales.

It is ten oh four AM.

Will everyone please silence your electronic devices so as not to disturb the meeting and rise for the invocation?

The invocation this morning will be delivered by El Pesa Police Chaplain, Robert Hemphill Jr.

To the Mayor Renard Johnson and Mayor Pro Tim Chavez and Council members.

Please stand for the implication.

Bow your heads.

So Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson, Mayor Pro Tim, and the Department Head, Almighty Loving and Eternal Father.

We humbly come together seeking your guidance.

And as for your divine wisdom for today's council meeting.

Give the mayor and our council members the insight they need to serve all residents with compassion, justice, and a common goal for our prosperous city.

May we faithfully fulfill this civic duty and build a city that serves as a beacon for Texas and the United States as a whole.

This we asked in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Thank you.

Okay, Miss Fry.

Thank you, Chaplain.

That brings us to public comment on agenda items.

This morning we have two individuals that signed up to speak at 10 a.m.

on agenda items.

The first person is David Bollard.

He signed up to speak on item 28.

Okay.

And item 28 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing uh the zoning at north of Woodrow Being Transmountain Drive and east of Restler Drive.

Good morning, sir.

You have three minutes.

Good morning.

My name is David Ballard, and I'm actually here representing the ownership uh for the project.

So I'd like to defer my time till the project comes up if need to provide the presentation.

Thank you very much.

All right.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Michael Clark.

Mr.

Clark signed up to speak on item 29, which is a public hearing of an ordinance granting a special permit at 1514 Montana Avenue.

Mr.

Clark Star 6, please to unmute your microphone.

Good morning.

You have three minutes.

Okay.

Um good morning, Mayor and Council.

I want to be clearly noted on the record that I'm opposed to agenda item, just agenda item.

This item would allow a professional office at 1514 Montana Avenue with reduced front, rear, and side setbacks and more concerning 70% parking reduction.

My question is simple.

Why is parking being limited in such an extreme way?

And what tangible benefits would a city or the public receive from this?

Montana Avenue is already one of the busiest corridors in El Paso.

Parking shortages in this area don't just affect one business.

They spill over into surrounding neighborhoods, churches, and homes.

Reduced parking means increased congestion.

Cars blocking residential driveways and frustrations for residents who already struggle with limited street parking.

We have to ask who really benefits from cutting 70% of required parking, the developer or the community.

Because right now it looks like residents and taxpayers are being asked to absorb the impact without receiving any clear benefit.

The ordinance states this meets the intent of Plan El Paso, but what about the intent of protecting neighborhood quality of life, safety, and access?

A 70% reduction is not minor, it's drastic.

It sets a precedent that future developers can expect the same.

Leaving our neighborhoods overburdened and under supported, as representative of the people, you have a responsibility to make sure city policies don't favor private projects at the expense of public convenience and safety.

If the city is going to approve such a significant waiver, the public deserves to know exactly what benefits will offset the loss of parking.

Whether that's infrastructure improvements, community investments, or something else, right now that hasn't been made clear.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge council to reject the special permit as written at the very least, demand more transparency on how the city and the public benefit for allowing a professional office to move forward with the 7% parking reduction and a heavily trafficked corridor.

Thank you.

Appreciate your time.

Mr.

Clark also signed up to speak on item 31, and this is a public hearing of an ordinance granting a special permit to allow for a 100% parking reduction and a rear setback reduction at 809 North Eucalyptus Street.

Mr.

Clark.

Once again, yes, I'm here.

According to the staff report, the development would normally require three parking spaces, but instead the applicant is asking for zero, relying entirely on surrounding all-street parking.

The applicant's own parking study admits the project will depend on 44 all-street spaces within 300 feet, with an average of only 21 available per day.

That means this office will directly compete with nearby residents, businesses, and visitors for the limited parking in an already dense corridor.

For most that are developers, want to plan anything in the city of El Paso.

Unfortunately, if you cannot find a location that can compensate the parking requirements, you have to move on to the next property or the next investment property at that point.

Allowing us to have special permit to just eliminate parking altogether is it's really insane.

Plan El Paso emphasizes the walkable neighborhood, but it does not call for completely eliminating parking and car-dependent corridors like Montana and Yandale.

In fact, Plan El Paso stresses that development must remain compatible with surrounding neighborhoods.

Once again, I don't feel like that's that's happening here.

This proposal instead shifts the burden of parking demand entirely on the public right-of-way.

The staff report acknowledges there are no vacant areas within 300 feet to accommodate off-street parking, which again proves my point that we need to go ahead and uh eliminate this.

I'm sorry if you if you selected this property and you didn't have the parking you needed, but you know, that's the part that's the cost of doing business.

Um, but I appreciate the time to speak on this.

Thank you again.

Thank you.

That brings us to call to the public.

Unknown participant is now exiting.

And call to the public.

The El Paso City Council is a local government body charged with serving the citizens, and the meetings must be focused on the meeting at charge.

The city council meetings are public meetings under the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Public comment is an accommodation and not a requirement of city council.

All persons in attendance are expected to display civility and decorum that is respectful to other persons without the use of insulting, profane, threatening, or abusive language.

Public comment will not be used for personal attacks, nor may any member of the public use this forum for political statements or campaigning.

Please note that during call to the public, the city council may not deliberate or decide any subject that is not on the agenda.

However, council may propose that a topic brought forth be posted on a future agenda.

This morning we have 14 members of the public that signed up to speak.

The first person is Elizabeth Crawford.

Miss Crawford's topic is National Baby Safety Month and Abortion.

Miss Crawford Star 6, good morning.

You have three minutes.

Thank you.

Good morning, thank you.

No doubt you've seen El Pasoans on the sidewalk.

Um has started the 40 Days for Life campaign outside of Planned Parenthood and in Southern New Mexico outside the abortion center.

September is designated as National Baby Safety Month, our baby's faith in America.

I know the participant is now joint.

It's a special place in the Lord's heart for children.

We are told by the Lord Jesus, verily I say unto you, except you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

I've hardly watched the conservative commentator, Ben Shapiro, but I've heard many speak favorably about things he says in regard to abortion recently.

I heard the excellent analogy of the pro-choice mantra, my body, my choice.

You have a neighbor who's abusing a dog, it's on his private property.

What is the ethical thing to do?

Of course, when possible, the best thing to do is to report that abuse.

But one may say that's his private property.

You have no business interfering.

We would immediately react against such an argument.

How much more?

We are talking with abortion about human beings, little human beings created in the image of God in the case of late-term abortion, literally being dismembered brutally.

When animals get put down when they get euthanized, they're given painkiller.

The process of late-term abortion is absolutely horrific.

And anyone who would object to that, I'd urge you to go online and watch the silent screen.

And the son of man that thou visited him.

God loves people so much that he not only regards them, but he sent his only begotten son Jesus to redeem them.

God places value on people.

We have no right of using and dismembering little ones created in the very image of God.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Nathan Coleman.

Mr.

Coleman's topic is now requesting more transparency on the daily operations of the paratransit system to find ways to improve loopholes found in the system.

Good morning, Council of Representatives and everyone in attendance of today's meeting.

My name is Nathan Coleman, and I'm behind the microphone as one of the many disability advocates.

Advocates of this great city are one voice and are united in our call for equality access and inclusion.

First, we would like to thank Mayor Johnson for taking the time during his first 100 days in office to meet with grassroots disability groups.

And deal.

This gesture speaks volumes about your character and commitment, especially in your first term.

It is an honor to call you not only our mayor, but also a humble and engaged citizen of this great community.

For that, we say thank you.

And I want to thank and recognize Representative Chavez Acevedo, Rocha, and Nino for ensuring that their staff follow up with me with finding answers to many of my answers, as well as those who use the metro paratransit services every day to remain independent in our community.

I now urge all city council offices to work together so that we as individuals with disabilities are not left behind without getting their voices heard.

Please help keep the current character.

Um I'm sorry, current contractor, and be transit accountable to keep the commitment of putting passengers first, maintaining on-time performance, and continue making uh adjustments for scheduling trips, and finally continue to improve communication with writers and staff for a smoother experience with scheduling and writers on Sun Metro in closing.

We too deserve to live lives without barriers with your partnership, leadership, and compassion.

We can continue moving forward, and moving toward uh well, I just want to welcome everybody to the disability awareness month in the month of October, and thank you for your time.

Yeah, Mr.

Coleman, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Marcy Chavez.

She will be followed by Claudia Contreras Siller, Ron Como, Karen Washington, Darlene Rincon.

Ms.

Chavez's topic is smart meters and utilities.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

And God bless everybody.

Yes, I have been here numerous times complaining about our utilities.

I was also at the last meeting for the electric company when they wanted to raise up the utility and it was denied.

But then yet, the following month, they did raise the fee.

So my question is people that live on a fixed income, and I'm gonna say myself, uh cannot afford just paying all what I get on utilities.

And that means three utilities that's the water, the electric, and the gas.

The ones that I complain about is the water and the electric.

Because the electric and the water always just charges whatever they want to charge.

I was threatened last time when I was here to put the smart meter by the electric company individuals or staff.

And so I did not want the smart meter.

They went ahead and changed the smart meter because they threatened me to go up to the poll and cut the electric and and that it was gonna cost me more money.

At that time, they were charging me 900 and some dollars.

That was four months ago.

Then the second the following month, I paid the 900 and some dollars.

Then the following month, uh, they reduced it to 266 dollars.

Now I had to pay 400 and some dollars.

So my question is how far or who is reliable for this utility, you know, usage.

Who's responsible that I can go to directly and take care of this matter?

I demand auditing to this companies because they need to be audited, because they charge whatever they want.

The smart meter, I've been taking pictures, it shows error, and then it shows 700, and then it shows zero, and it shows this and that.

So I don't know how they're reading the meters, but you know, you tell me.

So, anyways, that's one.

The smart meters should not be threatened by whoever, you know, to put ahead and put smart meters.

Why?

Because now this month, because they were charging me another 400, they went ahead and just took the uh put the switch, and I don't have no more electric.

So this is nothing but control.

And as people that are in disability or whatever income is fixed, you know, we cannot afford rent, mortgage, insurance, car payments, utilities, nevertheless, food.

So this is a big problem here in the city.

And as you all know, I'm an activist, and I will continue seeking further if I have to go out of El Paso, you know, to take care of this matter.

If you all don't take care of this matter, because I am tired, I'm exhausted, you know, going to each office, and nobody has the time to hear the public anyways, because you're all so important, so busy.

Like our life doesn't matter.

Thank you.

So, anyways, that's what I came for.

Thank you.

And now there's a gentleman here that has the same problem.

The next speaker is Claudia Contreras.

Ms.

Siller's topic is deceptive trade practices.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Hello, good morning.

Uh, it was amazing the event from Saturday, the new animal services uh shelter.

It's amazing.

Thank you so much, everybody.

I'm gonna use the projector.

IT, we need the elmo, please.

Thank you.

So I'm here because I used to drive a Cadillac CTS.

I paid the mechanic for him to change the underbody.

What he did is he welded it.

I pressed criminal and civil charges against him, and I have the evidence, like I have receipts.

And what happened?

Like there's a lot of pictures.

Okay.

Thank you.

So here you all can see that it was welded instead of um changed like the part he welded it.

Um I have pictures of him dressed as a welder from his social media.

And I'm not gonna mention names because I know I can't.

This entire binder over here, it's full of evidence.

I have text messages.

Um what happened is that I represented myself instead of having a lawyer.

This is a car before he broke it down.

So practically I'm here because if people are going to sue whoever is messing up their stuff, you know, like the police department took my case right away.

I paid this person twelve hundred and fifty dollars.

He returned me the car, and it wasn't fixed enough.

I gave him 600 more.

It broke down because he decided to weld it.

The first time we went to court, he swore on the Bible that aluminum could not be welded, and we went to court again with a different judge, and I tried to I tried to tell this new judge, hey, he said aluminium could not we be welded, and I have paper, and I'm not gonna use names, but I have everything, you know.

Like I have uh paperwork from a school of welders, and I asked, hey, aluminum can be welded, and they said yes.

So because this person decided to do a deceptive trade practice on me.

I was without a car for three months.

I had to buy a new car, and I am very grateful for the police department, because even though I didn't have a judge, they were the ones that helped me, and I can go on and on, but I don't I don't have enough time.

Also, judges should not be invincible, and I'm brave enough to say this in public, and I have more stuff that I I will continue to talk about next time.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Ron Como.

He will be followed by Karen Washington, Darlene Rincon, Barbara Valencia, Wanda Helkison, Zion Zait, Gaetano Kreddy, Maya Resurrection, and Michael Clark.

Mr.

Como's topic is exercising his constitutional rights to the rescue 1983 animal services.

Can't imagine why the only people who are mad at you for speaking the truth are those people that are lying, uh living a lie.

Keep speaking the truth, ladies and gentlemen.

We had a petition, I didn't start it, somebody else did.

Had almost 500 signatures.

We got the typical answer.

It's my way of highway.

So here's my thought.

You all know we have an issue.

You all know it's not getting fixed.

So why don't we fix the charter so that you all can fix the problem?

Because right now we're looking at a situation where we've already had what, five years?

Five years of this?

Are we gonna have another five years?

Because friends and family or best friends is more important than doing the right thing.

Running under the Haas plan, which is only creating more strays.

Why do you think we don't have enough room for strays?

We're creating them faster than we can take care of them.

So, ladies and gentlemen, you have control of fixing the charter.

I say let's make a change in the charter and let's get people involved that can fix the problem.

Because under the current way things are being done, I don't see it getting fixed ever.

I just see it getting worse and worse and worse every single day.

I don't know if you guys saw the the Facebook post I sent you.

The lady tried to get out of her front door, and there was a aggressive pit bull in her front door, not allowing her out.

And when she called animal services, no one came out.

You wonder why things don't work.

The community is tired, the employees are tired.

Guys, it's it's within your ability to get this fixed.

Change the charter.

You can do this.

You know, I mean, we had a reporter out at the ribbon cutting thing.

He was given some misinformation, which isn't a surprise.

And we're gonna have a meeting later on today.

He called me Monday.

I haven't talked to him until Monday.

We're gonna discuss the issues.

He's gonna record it.

He's gonna report it.

He's gonna talk about the misinformation he got at the ribbon deal.

We're tired, folks.

Fix it, change the charter.

Let's get somebody in control with your cooking.

Enough.

The next speaker is Karen Washington.

Her topic is also animal services.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor, City Council.

I've brought a special guest with me this morning.

Mayor, may I have permission to have Chico the Chihuahua paraded in front of you?

I'd like you all to see him up close and personal.

So on Friday, September 26th, a picture was posted on social media of this dog enclosed in a yard at 4744 De Beer Street in the Northeast.

I was made aware of this dog on Sunday, September 28th.

I happened to be in the Northeast area that Sunday afternoon and made my way to this address.

When I got out of my car and saw the condition that this chihuahua was in, my heart sank.

Honestly, I wanted to vomit.

You see, when a dog is found and is in this emediate emaciated state, typically they've been out on the streets for quite some time.

Not Chico.

This was his home, this was his family that let this happen.

Let's fast forward to Sunday evening.

And if any of you would like to talk to me about this case, I'm I'm always available.

Chico is brought to me by animal control.

The animal control officer who brought him to me, informed me that animal control had visited this house two years prior for a standards of care check on their dogs.

Okay.

Um I'd asked specifically, why isn't the owner being charged with animal cruelty?

You know what I was told?

Because we removed the dog from the premises.

Are you kidding me?

We were supposed to leave him there to die and then press cruelty charges.

What is going on?

What is going on here?

Who's running the circus?

I don't get it.

Where do you draw the line between neglect and cruelty?

Okay, this dog is only eight years old, he's blind, he's diabetic, and they did nothing to help this dog.

And this comes from our city manager dated September 26th.

Thank you for your interest in the leadership of El Paso Animal Services and for sharing your concerns regarding the recruitment of its next director.

Although this position is not appointed by elected officials, community feedback is valued, and transparency remains important part of the process.

So just when?

When will our city manager meet with us, the community members, and hear our feedback?

Or has the new director already been chosen?

We're clueless.

And what I'm asking for is support.

Support for our local rescues, rescuers such as myself that are doing the work.

Thank you all so much.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Darlene Jincon.

Ms.

topic is also animal services.

She will be followed by Barbara Valencia and Wanda Helgison.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Okay, here we go again.

I'm here regarding the handling of dogs attacking people and other animals.

As you know, recently we had another attack here in the city.

This attack seriously injured two men.

The dog was eventually shot by a police officer.

This has been happening way too often.

Many attacks do not make the news but do appear on social media sites.

It would seem to me if a person contacts 311 to report dogs running loose.

The priority should be to get an animal control officer out there.

Not tell the person we will forward your info to animal services.

It is getting out of hand with all the loose stray dogs.

When a report is made about a found dog or one running loose, most of the time, nothing happens.

The caller is told leave the dog where found, or if finder picks up the dog, they are told that to take the dog back to where found.

Animal services has gotten almost five million dollars in the last two years.

Part of this was to hire more employees.

However, I do know the turnover due to poor management and accountability is ridiculous.

I feel there should be a citizen panel to work in conjunction with the city to oversee and try to maintain a cohesive workforce and animal services.

We need change now.

The person in charge of hiring for the animal services director should meet with local rescues and concerned citizens to get a broader aspect on the type of individual who should be hired to be the next director of animal services, and to add to this to ensure the individuals meet the job requirements.

My understanding was according to Mayor Leeser at the time, this was supposed to be a full intake shelter.

How does it go from the funds being allocated for a full intake shelter to an adoption center without it being discussed, voted on, analyzed?

I mean, we need more intake.

The animals need to be gotten off the street before they're having more puppies, they're having more cats, and it's just a never-ending cycle.

But when they don't want to pick up the dogs, then there we go again.

So my question is how do we go from a full intake to a west side adoption center?

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Barbara Valencia.

Ms.

Valencia's topic is animal services abandoned and breeding.

She will be followed by Wanda Helgeson.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, everybody.

I'm Barbara Valencia with Hocoberry Hound Dog Rescue.

I am here again to shed more light on the broken foster care system at Animal Services.

Animals are still being left in foster homes for long periods or abandoned altogether, often without being spayed or neutered.

This is what I have here is a small example of the ongoing practice by animal services of returning unaltered animals they are responsible for into the community with little or no follow-up.

This dog here, this puppy was been in the foster care system for a year, not neutered yet.

This puppy here, she's been in the foster care system for 12 months, a year, not spayed yet.

This one, this kitten has been in the foster care system two and a half years, not neutered yet.

Here's this puppy, a year, not neutered yet.

Here is this puppy.

She's been in for two years.

She is not spayed yet.

Here is this kitten, a year and a half.

Not spayed yet.

These animals are out in the community.

Here is this puppy.

Has been in the foster care system for three and a half years.

Again, not spayed.

This kitten, two and a half years.

Not neutered.

This one a year and a half.

This puppy.

And again, not neutered.

This one has been in for three and a half years, and she has yet to be spayed.

Two of the puppies I shared here right now are fully grown, recently became pregnant, and gave birth to puppies.

For an entire year, the foster home sent emails and made phone calls to animal services requesting these dogs be spayed, but their pleas went unanswered.

This is this neglect has led to animal services contributing to the overwhelming animal crisis by allowing more unwanted litters.

How many others have given birth to litters of puppies and kittens?

It must be assumed all these unaltered animals in the foster care program are breeding, as the only way to guarantee they are not breeding is to spay and neuter them.

The city manager has been aware of the failed foster care program for over a year, yet has done nothing to address or resolve the issues.

It's both incomprehensible and irresponsible that our city manager and elected officials are enabling and allowing for the breeding of animals that are in the care of animal services.

And that makes the city of El Paso, including animal services, the city manager, and our elected officials backyard breeders.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Wanda Helgeson.

She will be followed by Zion Zait.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mr.

Mayor, Council members.

My name is Wanda Helgison, and I'm the executive director of Border Rack, a nonprofit organization that serves to coordinate emergency health care and disaster preparedness amongst health care providers.

While we're behind the scenes every day, I feel certain the hospitals and the EMS agencies would attest to our contributions in the regional coordination of time-sensitive emergency health care events.

Our work has supported the community in its hardest moments.

During the Walmart shooting, we alerted the hospitals of the incident, obtained mass fatality assistance for the medical examiner's office, tracked patients, and communicated the need for blood donations.

For COVID, we opened and managed the first testing center in El Paso.

We distributed over 22 and a half million pieces of personal protective equipment.

Coordinated an additional 2,000 physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists assigned to our local hospitals, coordinated the opening of the alternate care site at the and the monoclonal therapy site at the convention center, and assisted in decedent management.

We teach bleeding control and CPR classes to the county courthouse, the airport, schools, local businesses, and the public.

We participate in local health fairs, distributing free bicycle helmets and gunlocks, conduct the Shattered Dreams programs, provide information on the signs and symptoms of heart attacks and strokes, and are working with the El Paso Fire Department on a project to decrease senior falls.

I share these with you so you understand our commitment to the community, the emergency health care system, and our disaster preparedness.

In August of 2012, the council approved a sublease at the airport for a hangar owned by TJW Aviation.

It was noted for the storage of hospital and emergency medical supplies along with disaster response equipment assets that could assist the airport in the event of a catastrophic incident, such as a plane crash.

In July of 2023, we were notified of the need to demonstrate aeronautical use of the hangar.

We submitted a plan to the city that reflected guidance provided by the airport.

After six months of no response, we received a notice of default.

We resubmitted our plan and waited an additional eight months with no response, no return phone calls, emails, or even communication regarding certified letters.

It seems our attempt to cure the default was ignored almost as if a predetermined outcome was being sought.

The termination of the ground lease came to council on the June 24th consent agenda.

I share with you a document that indicates in black what was provided to you, suggesting we were not attempting to cure the default, and in red, all of the steps we had taken to work with the city.

We were never notified that the issue was on the consent agenda, so we were not afforded the opportunity to contest the termination.

Thank you now.

I request you rescind that termination of the ground lease.

And work with us to meet the requirements.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Ion Zay.

His topic is also ground lease at EPIA.

I'll pass to International Airport.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Mr.

Mayor, members of the council, my name is Zion Zayt, and I serve as the coordinator for Region 9 of the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, or EMTF.

Texas EMTF is the medical arm of the state's disaster response plan.

We are charged with the recruiting, training, maintaining, and deployment of medical assets when disasters strike.

This includes one of only eight mobile medical units in the state of Texas.

These are fully equipped, 32-bed tent-based field hospitals, packed and ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

I also store a 53-foot command trailer there.

She's one of only two in the state.

Since 2012, when the city council approved our lease with TJW aviation, we've launched responses to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more, all from 6805 Boeing.

And while El Paso may not often face those threats directly, the hangar was our base of operations during the October 2020 COVID surge.

From there, we coordinated the distribution of ventilators, masks, and other critical supplies to keep El Paso's health care infrastructure running.

The previously mentioned mobile medical unit was deployed to expand bed capacity at University Medical Center.

EMTF also coordinated the airlift of nearly 200 El Pasoans to other hospitals across the state when El Paso hospitals were stretched past their limits and capabilities.

Over 200 EMTF personnel deployed from all over the state to El Paso's aid, and 6805 Boeing was the nexus of that effort.

Now our presence there is under threat, not because of performance or mission failure, but due to some external influence seeking to displace a proven life-saving operation.

Since 2023, our efforts to engage the city to satisfy the aeronautical use requirements have been met largely with silence for as long as eight months at a time.

That silence, followed only by an abrupt termination of our lease, sends a message that the outcome may have been predetermined and that these influences prevail over long-term public safety.

And the safety of West Texans and Al Pasoans that come along with it.

This facility and the work being done there has saved lives, and I ask that you ensure that it continue to do so.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Gaetano Tancredi.

Mr.

Tancredi's topic is the tax system.

Good morning.

Good morning to the city of El Paso.

Good morning.

I come from uh remote Italy.

Uh Vietnamera veteran.

So I chose an El Paso, my home.

I've been here about 50 years already.

So I decided to become part-time taxi driver at this moment, you know.

So I feel that where I work on the field over there down in El Paso, Texas, six Ever Paso Street.

Uh there is a space that we can use.

Uh by the wait entrance independently from wait, I already figured out geometrically the uh the city can grant us a taxi sign.

So we chase away the pirates over there.

Uh people over there that illegally park over there, and then we avoid the problem uh like with the police department that they're gonna chase those people all the time.

So by other taxi stand over there, a sign that says taxi zone A, continue continuation of the the zone A were cover a lot.

So the people that let's say they walk in the there from with downtown.

We can provide transportation quick and we chase away the legal parking with appreciates.

I don't know if you read my uh we need only to put a sign taxi uh taxi zone A.

Yeah.

That the medal sign and the spot over there.

Uh on the bottom, so taxi or whatever.

But when when they see that sign, tax is only they're gonna respect it because our tax inspector, they will issue a tickets to the illegal parking over there, activity.

I I voted myself to say some pirates over there.

Hey, take the jittery, sir.

We are professional drivers, you know.

So appreciative the city.

I'm I'm sorry, my English secondary language.

But anyway, you know, I only have a high school diploma, so I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, I did not continue college.

I really appreciate your concern to listen to me.

Yeah, thank you so much.

And God bless and God bless the city of Paso.

The last 50 years has improved a lot.

The tourists, they like it.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr.

And your English is perfect.

Yes.

The next speaker is Miwa Resurrection.

Her topic is autism understanding.

Good morning.

You have three minutes.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor Johnson and uh city representatives.

My name is Malays election.

I was there when Elipas proclaimed the airpoil as artism awareness month this year.

I'd like to blink up artism understanding today.

Unfortunately, Edupasa City had a loss of a life of a teenager boy last week.

This incident brought deep suddenness in our city, and many people are again focused on artism awareness.

And many individuals thought why he was a eloping and why he went to a very busy highway.

I'm asking the city to consider including more to learning about artism to promote greater understanding about this disorder.

I'm capable of many things, but I still struggle to do some basic things in my life.

Please help this abultion, help schools become safer for children with artism.

Open the door for job opportunities for adults with artism.

Promote a greater public understanding for people with autism.

Some of the people with autism are non-bubble, seems nervous, don't want to talk with you, or looks like enjoying themselves, but they want to connect with you.

Um information about artism or would you wanna meet two individuals with an artism?

Please contact to me.

God bless you.

Thank you.

And the final speaker is Michael Clark.

Mr.

Clark's topic is comment on Paul Albright, Mr.

Clark Star 6, please to unmute your telephone.

Hello?

Yes, sir.

Go ahead.

You have three minutes.

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

I want to address an issue that deeply affects both our veteran community and our connection with Fort Bliss.

The vacancy in a division of veteran and military affairs officer position.

This role is not just another city job.

It is a critical liaison between El Paso and Fort Bliss, ensuring that the needs of veterans, beverage members, and military families are heard and supported.

As many of you know, our last officer stepped down, fighting mental health challenges.

That reality should remind us all of us that even those who dedicate their lives to supporting veterans and themselves struggling, uh struggle under the weight of that responsibility.

Mental health is real and our community understands that.

But while we acknowledge those challenges, we also need transparency about what happens next.

The veteran community deserves to know what is being done to fill this position.

What steps are underway to ensure a community continuously uh of service between City of O Paso and Fort Bliss?

And most importantly, when can we expect this critical role to be filled?

I want to be clear.

I'm not here to make personal tax.

I'm here because our veterans and service members deserve answers.

They deserve accountability.

They deserve a city that leads with both compassion and action.

We cannot allow such an important role to say baking without clarity or communication.

Four bliss soldiers in El Paso veterans face real challenges every single day, whether it's mental health struggles, reintegration, or accessing local resources.

Without a dedicated liaison, their voices risk being unheard at a time of support is more important than ever.

I urge this council to provide true transparency on this issue.

Share with the public what steps are being taken to fulfill this position and give us a timeline for when we can expect this vital office to be staffed again.

Our veterans, our service members, and our community deserves nothing less.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Council, that concludes uh call to the public.

Unknown participants that brings us exiting to the consent agenda.

And counsel per the rules of order, no use of personal cellular devices should take place on the dais while the meeting is in session.

Once you obtain the floor from the mayor, you will have up to 10 minutes for debate on each motion.

You may speak twice.

Please speak into the microphone and refrain from side conversations at the day as when the meeting is in session.

For those of you joining us through teams, please make sure your microphones are muted to reduce any background noise.

All matters listed under the consent agenda will be considered by city council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion unless separate discussion is requested by council members.

Prior to the vote, members of the audience may ask questions regarding items on the consent agenda.

When the vote has been taken, if an item has not been called out for separate discussion, the item has been approved.

Council may, however, reconsider any item at any time during the meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem.

Thank you, Ms.

Prime.

I move to approve the consent agenda with the following revisions.

Page three, item three, move to the regular agenda per myself, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez.

Page three, item four, move to the regular agenda per myself, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez.

Page 15, item 39, delete per purchasing and strategic sourcing.

Second.

We have a motion second, Representative Lamont.

Discussion.

Representative.

I'd like to uh pull two items for discussion.

Item number 10 and item number 12 for discussion.

Okay.

Ms.

Prime, did you catch those?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

So items three, four, ten, and twelve will be moved to the regular agenda.

Correct.

And these will be taken after the public hearings.

All right, we have a motion in the second.

Any further discussion on the consent agenda?

Any further discussion?

All right, Miss Pry.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez.

Seconded by alternate mayor pro Tem Pierre to approve the consent agenda as revised on that motion.

Call for the vote.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

That brings us to page number eight to the first reading of ordinances.

These are items 22 and 23.

Mayor make a motion that we um move on the reading of the first reading of the ordinary okay.

There's a motion and a second.

Ms.

Pry.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Limon, seconded by alternate mayor Pro Tem Fierro to introduce the ordinance on items 22 and 23.

On that motion, call for the vote.

In the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

And Ms.

Bryan, if there's no objection, I want to move three, four, ten, and twelve to after item 34.

After item 34?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

That brings us to item 24.

And this is a public hearing of an ordinance granting special permit to allow for infill development with rear reduction to rear and site street setbacks at 506 Randolph Drive.

Move to approve.

Second.

Okay, there's a motion and a second.

Do you want does anyone want to see the presentation?

Nope.

All right, there's a motion and a second.

Any further discussion on item 24.

Hearing none, Ms.

Bryan.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by alternate Mayor Pro Tem Fedro, and this is to adopt the ordinance on item 24.

There is no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote.

And the voting session.

And the motion passes unanimously.

Okay, let's take item 26.

Items 25 and 26 are related, sir.

Would you like to take them together?

Sure.

Thank you.

Item 25 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning from RF ranch and farm to C1 commercial and imposing conditions.

This is at the property south of Artcraft Road and west of West Site Drive.

Item 26 is a public hearing of an ordinance amending the future land use map from O3 agriculture to G4 suburban walkable, also at south of Artcraft Road and West of West Site Drive.

Representative Chavez.

Motion to approve?

Second.

There's a motion and second.

Any further discussion or does anyone want to see the presentation?

Okay.

Ms.

Bryan, no discussion call for the vote.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez.

Seconded by Representative Nino, and this is to adopt the ordinances on items 25 and 26.

There's no public comment.

On that motion, call for the vote.

In the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, the SIG number 27.

Item 27 is a public hearing of an ordinance granting a special permit to allow for governmental use at the property located at 6500 North Mesa Street.

Representative Canalis.

Move to approve.

Second.

Motion and a second, any discussion on item number 27.

Does anyone want to see the presentation?

All right, hearing none seen, Ms.

Pry.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by alternate mayor pro tempiero to adopt the ordinance on item 27.

There's no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Aye.

Representative Chavez?

Thank you.

In the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

All right, let's take item 28.

Item 28 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning from R3A residential to PR2, Plan Residential 2.

And this is at Dewbury Drive, north of Woodrow being Trans Mountain Drive, and east of Wrestler Drive.

Motion to approve.

Okay.

There's a motion to approve.

Is there a motion in a second?

Any discussion on item 28?

Hearing none seen on Ms.

Bryan, call for the vote.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, seconded by alternate mayor pro tempiero to adopt the ordinance on item 28.

Public comment was taken earlier today on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Aye.

Thank you, Representative Chavez.

In the voting session, and the motion passes unanimously.

Ms.

Bryan, can we take 29, 30, and 31 together?

Or is that?

They're not for the same site, they're not related.

Okay, good.

All right, we'll do 29.

Item 29.

Yes, sir.

Item 29 is a public hearing of an ordinance granting special permit to allow for a professional office front rear and site setback reduction and 70 percent parking reduction at 1514 Montana Avenue.

Okay, Representative Limon.

We need a motion first, Mayor.

Go ahead.

Yes, sir.

Move to approve.

Second.

All right.

Representative Lamont.

Yes.

Mayor, um, so I'm curious because we keep hearing all these things about um parking reductions, and we've had a whole lot of conversations.

There's two on the agenda today, and I'm curious about this one because it's uh doing a uh 70% parking reduction on the property.

Can you just tell us a little bit about this?

Hi, good morning, Mayor and Council.

Luisa Mora with planning inspections.

So the the property is an existing property that they're converting uh to professional offices.

Uh there's no parking currently.

They used to have a garage.

Uh right now they're converting, they're providing three parking spaces through the alley.

Uh in the area, we we know that there's on-street parking.

The applicant actually submitted a parking study, uh, making sure that demonstrating how many parking spaces are available on the street, and then uh an average of how many are available throughout the day for this property.

I believe 115 spaces are uh in the area, 200 foot uh radius from the property, uh, with 72 spaces available on average.

Uh so this is more to um more than the required to offset the the requirement.

So uh again, this is technically an in-field project.

Uh it is an existing property, uh, it is an old older area in the in the city, uh and we're aware that there's not much parking already in the within the property, and then we do have on-street parking that can offset that requirement.

And you and you mentioned 200 foot radius that would be 300 feet.

So, yeah, so one of the requirements for for the city to bring an item to council for under parking reduction will it's do a parking study, uh demonstrate how many parking spaces are available on the street within 300 feet of the property.

Do you have any idea how many um parking uh spaces or allotments does this uh group want to put there?

I mean, how much like how much traffic are they anticipating attracting to this area?

And you know, for the public's benefit, can we bring the presentation up?

Sure.

So we're ready.

So uh again, this is for property at 1514 Montana.

This is a special permit uh requesting the parking reduction.

Well, it's a special permit allowing the use of the professional office and then uh set by reductions and the parking reduction, which is 75 70 percent.

So here's the existing property again.

It is right now, it is there, so they're gonna do technically uh remodel interior models and so improvements zoning is a two, which it allows the the use of the professional office via the special permit if council approves it.

So here's the side plan again, everything's existing.

You have a table that demonstrates the the request.

Uh we have the setbacks, uh side and the side yard setback and those things.

Um we have the parking study, so this is what the applicant provided.

Uh the red outline shows the 300 foot food radius.

Uh I know it's a little small the table, but shows all the numbers they have uh taken for how many spaces are available on the street.

Obviously, the total uh available, uh obviously not accounting for driveways, uh bus stops and those things.

Um they have provided the study from 7 a.m.

to 7 p.m.

Uh three days.

Actually, one day we have four streets that they have the numbers.

Here we have the elevations, uh maximum height is again it's existing, so whatever it is there, that's what they have.

Nothing's being changed.

This is a garage uh with uh an accessory dwelling unit on the top that it is permitted.

So they again they are kind of remodeling all the what they have.

Here's the property, and you can see uh there's uh spaces on the on the street that are available.

This is the way it is right now, so a little needs a little maintenance, so what's that's what the applicant is obviously proposing to uh remodel and fix, and then you have all this other uh properties surrounding which are compatible with the use homes and businesses already.

So we did send notifications to property owners bring 300 feet.

Uh we did not receive at the time any communication support opposition.

Uh obviously staff and city plan commission recommend uh approval the special permit requests and approval the details at development plan.

Um so one thing I'm missing is how many spaces are required.

Yeah.

Good morning, Mayor and City Council.

Hope you're doing well today.

Kevin Smith with planning inspections.

This developed development is required to have 10 spaces.

They are providing three as part of their development.

They're asking for a waiver basically of seven.

And as Luis noted, there was an average, I believe, of 72 spaces that were available on street.

Thank you, Mayor.

This is a beautiful building that's been under construction here for a while.

And so I'm very happy to see it come up.

Yeah, and it's good to be put it to use.

Uh will it be a law office?

Uh I'm not sure.

The it just it just was noted as a professional office.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mayor.

Representative Canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

And just to clarify as well, uh, I know staff you said this uh there's there was no objection from the neighborhood here, and City Plan Commission uh voted unanimously to recommend this project to us, so or this special permit to us and reduction.

Thank you, Mayor.

Representative Nino.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for the presentation.

One quick question.

I know that off-street parking has been a conversation for some time.

In the last say five years, how many applications have gone into the city in regards to requesting any some sort of you know exemption parking?

So it's hard to account how many uh we will have to do some research.

Uh, but we probably see on average probably like six.

Okay.

Uh between six and ten throughout a year.

Uh, but we'll have to check.

Obviously, that depends uh, you know, the development is not something that happens all the time.

Okay.

So it depends what comes in uh as from the applicants.

Now, how long has this option existed for an applicant to submit this request?

So it's always been uh available to the applicant.

Uh it it is more um, I don't want to say more available, but it's more likely when going through in-field development, because obviously that that's part of the incentive reducing parking.

Uh technically, the in-field development program allows it automatic 50% parking reduction already.

Uh when they want more than the 15%, then that's a request they have to do to council.

But in any instance, uh an applicant can request just the parking reduction to a special permit just for the just for that without going through infill.

Perfect.

And once the applicant applies for the special permit, it gets reviewed embedded through the staff, the CPC, and then it comes to council, right?

Correct.

Okay, no further questions.

Thank you, ma'am.

All right, any further discussion on this item?

Thank you, Mayor.

All right, hearing none seeing none, Ms.

Prime, call for the vote.

So the motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by alternate mayor pro tempiero to adopt the ordinance on item 29.

Public comment was taken earlier today on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez.

And the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

All right, let's take item number 30.

Item 30 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning to allow for a boutique as permitted in SD Special Development Zone District.

This is at 2320 Montana Avenue.

Representative Canales.

Move to approve.

All right, we have a motion and a second.

Any discussion on item number 30.

Are you hearing none scene on Ms.

Prime?

Call for the vote.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Limon to adopt the ordinance on item 30.

There's no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Ms.

Prime, I continue to have technical difficulties.

I thank you.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay.

Let's take item number 31.

Yes, sir.

Item 31 is a public hearing of an ordinance granting a special permit to allow for a 100% parking reduction and a rear setback reduction at 809 North Eucalyptus Street.

Representative Canalis.

Move to approve.

All right, there's a motion and a second.

Any discussion on this item?

Yes.

Okay, Representative Limo.

So now we're looking at a request to allow 100% parking reduction.

Can you share with us, please?

Uh just for the record, Luis Amora with planning inspection.

So on the on this property, actually, the requirement is three parking spaces, uh, and a hundred percent reduction is for those three parking spaces.

Uh same thing as the previous item.

Uh the applicant submitted a parking study showing demonstrating how many spaces are available.

Uh, and then technically they are coordinating with streets and maintenance to provide actually three spaces on the street uh to create diagonal parking as well.

And and Luis, for the public that's sitting here in the audience and maybe watching online.

Can we bring up the presentation?

So, again, this is uh item 31 or 809 north ecalyptus.

This is a special permit request for the parking reduction, and a rear setback reduction.

So here's the property uh on Ecalyptus uh north of I 10.

Uh on this property, uh, technically the construction started way before the rezoning.

Um they never completed uh and they needed to comply with requirements, so they requested the rezoning zoning AC4.

That's one of the highest commercial zoning district we have.

Um again, this is a request, not a rezoning, but a special permit request only for the parking reduction.

Uh Future Land Use Map designates the area G2 uh traditional neighborhood, which is a walkable area.

Uh most importantly, that's something that we want to well have more people walking, which sometimes uh translate to less parking.

Here's the side plan.

Uh so again, this is a building that they're proposing.

Uh that the work uh was underway in the construction.

Uh there were some issues, so they requested the parking reduction because they did not have any parking within the property to comply.

Uh, before this project, uh, before the applicant started building this, there was an old house uh which technically did not have any parking uh except for the driveway, as we typically see in this area.

So we have a quick question.

Quick question.

The blue area is that where the three parking spots are gonna be going?

Correct.

Okay, I was gonna get there.

So the blue area represents the street.

Technically, on the bottom is the street uh eucalyptus, and then on the right, that's the alley.

So as you can see here, it demonstrates the proposal of three parking spaces on the street.

That's something uh the city does not account towards the parking requirements because the street parking is open to everyone.

Uh if there's none, which actually let me go back to the pictures, and you can see there's like a the landscaping, the sidewalk.

Uh you have more uh parking on the street uh at the corner.

Uh so when this happens, uh an applicant technically any resident can submit an application to streets and maintenance uh to technically be allowed uh or to permit the construction of parking on the street.

Uh obviously with the understanding that will be parking available for anyone.

So this is not gonna be just for them.

It opens for for anyone that wants to use on street parking.

So again, the site plan demonstrated that that the applicant is undergoing through that process.

Uh here is the parking study.

So there were a lot of uh parking available throughout the area, 300 feet, uh, which is again more like uh a block and a half away from the property, which people can park and then just walk to the establishment.

Uh but again the requirement is just three parking spaces.

Uh elevations for the proposed building.

Here's kind of superimposed, more or less the footprint of that building uh once it's complete.

Uh that's pictures of what's existing right now, which again was under construction at the time when they uh started requesting permits and did not meet the parking requirement.

So that's why they submitted a special permit for the parking reduction.

Uh proposed uses, we have some other offices, commercial uh in the area, which is obviously in character with the proposal.

Uh we did send notification to property owners with 200 feet.

Uh we did receive 17 letters in support uh from the surrounding neighbors.

Uh and then we had not received anything in opposition.

And then with that, uh staff and seat plan commission recommend approval of the special permit, and then the detailed side development plan.

Mayor, um I'm just curious.

What comes first?

The permit process or the construction.

Well, technically the the permit.

So once someone wants to build something, they should be pulling permits first to be allowed, and then staff reviews, make sure they're compliant with uh at least the plans, and then we issue the permit to construct.

Are there any kind of penalties when the process in reverse?

So we can uh double fee or triple fee during the permitting.

If they did not get one, the city catches them in the act, then we can put a triple fee, double fee or triple fee in the record.

So when they come and get the permit, they're gonna get uh we're gonna charge those fees.

Okay, and that'll be in this case, Kevin?

Yes, yes, ma'am.

Again, good afternoon, good morning again, Kevin Smith for the record.

Additionally, obviously, they have to comply with all the different requirements, both the zoning and building.

So this is another one where they do have to go through this process to request it.

This is not a guarantee, obviously, it's up to city council to um consider this request.

But in terms of the permits, um, they do have to go through, get permits built, get it uh properly designed, reviewed by staff, be co-compliant as well as inspected.

If there's anything deficient, then they will have to make those corrections.

Very good.

And and you know how the important that is.

We had a a sanatorium that was in operation in district seven without permits without anything.

And so it's really important for people to understand there is a process, and that we we will follow up on that.

Yeah, yeah, thank you for that.

Yes, there is a process.

Anyone listening, um, come see us here at Planning Inspections with one stop shop.

We're at 811, Texas, and to um to make sure that they do things the right way.

Otherwise, there is um sometimes the penalties and a public process that has to um resolve any deficiencies on a property.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Great commercial there.

Uh Represent Canales.

That was good.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yes.

Um, again, this case uh I know the the city's been working with the applicant.

There are 28 angled or perpendicular spaces on that block, and they're adding the additional three.

Um the the parking study shows that they have sufficient on street parking there, and and again, uh it's not going to be a use, I think that generates a lot of a lot of uh trips or public visitors, and so uh I anticipate that this will be plenty.

And again, you can see from the 17 letters of support from the surrounding uh neighbors.

Uh plenty of support for this uh on the on the block.

So uh urge my colleagues to approve this one.

Thank you.

Representative uh Nino.

No, okay, sorry.

Yeah, sorry, thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um so this is a prime example of the in-field growth that Representative Canales has been um trying to educate us on.

And can I did I understand correctly that the applicant paid for or pays for the traffic study?

Correct.

So the applicant is responsible for uh creating the traffic study and then submitting to the city for review.

They're also responsible for the construction of the parking.

So the city does approve well may approve.

Um I'm not entirely sure what what's the process on this one?

The city may approve, uh let them construct it, and then they go on and build it themselves.

So the applicant is investing in the project above and beyond also.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, very good.

Any further questions on item 310?

All right, Miss Bryan, call for the vote.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Limon to adopt the ordinance on item 31.

There's public comment was taken earlier this morning on that motion, call for the vote in the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, let's take 32.

Item 32 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning from RF ranch and farm to R2 residential at 8172 Loud Avenue.

Representative Lamont to approve mayor.

All right, there's a motion and a second.

Any discussion on item 32 all right hearing none scene and Ms.

Prime, call for the vote.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Limon, seconded by alternate mayor pro Tem Pierre to adopt the ordinance on item 32.

There's no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote in the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

All right, let's take 33.

Item 33 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning at 201 Shadow Mountain Drive from GMU C General Mix Use Conditions to C1C commercial conditions, and at 135 Shadow Mountain Drive from GMU general mixed use to C1 commercial.

Represent Canales?

Move to approve.

All right, there's a motion in the second any discussion on item number 33.

All right, hearing none, Miss Brian call for the vote.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Mayor Potem Chavez to adopt the ordinance on item 33.

There is no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote.

In the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

All right, let's take 34.

Item 34 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning at 7750 Alabama Street from C one commercial to AO Apartment Office.

Representative.

Second.

All right, there's a motion and a second.

Any discussion on item 34.

All right, Miss Bryan Carr for the vote.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Acevedo, seconded by Representative Limon to adopt the ordinance on item 34.

There is no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

All right, Miss Prime, let's take consent.

Agenda item number three, four, followed by 10 and 12 now.

Yes, sir.

Would you like three and four together?

No.

Okay, item three is a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a consulting and planning services agreement between the City of Al Paso and David Pettit Economic Development LLC, DBA Pettit, and Ayala Consulting to provide consulting and planning services related to economic development tax increment reinvestment zones and public improvement districts within the city of Al Paso for a term of two years, not to exceed 220,000 dollars.

Represent Canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I'm not the one who pulled this for discussion, but I I th I can ask a couple of questions.

Um these are so the this is kind of an on-call standing agreement.

Uh there's no uh let's get a motion first, represent so we can discuss move to approve.

Okay, so second.

All right, now let's just go ahead there's no remuneration to David Pettit economic development unless we use their services related to tax increment zones, correct?

Correct.

This is a per project contract, so it would be up to that amount for the two years with the two-year extension and reimbursements for expenses.

They've been on contract with us uh under various agreements since 2016, and so it's really if we need to use them for the creation, removal, modification of specialty finance districts like TERS and PIDs.

And they're uh kind of preeminent experts in this uh in this area, right?

Correct, yes.

Um, and this is gonna be the case.

So this was a sole source uh procurement because of the sp specificity of regulations governing um tax increment financing in the state of Texas, um, Pettit and Ayala or David Pettit LC are sort of the statewide experts, especially in municipal contracting.

Yeah, David Pettant has been here many times throughout the years, both for establishing uh these zones and for removing or modifying them in the past.

Um he's provided a huge wealth of expertise, and so I'm happy to support uh continuing the contract with him.

Thank you.

All right, good morning.

Morning.

You want to walk us through your presentation or certainly or I don't know if there were any other specific questions, or we just wanted to go to the slides.

Okay.

Um it'll be pretty simple.

I think I rehash of what we've already talked about.

So this is a professional service agreement or consulting and planning services agreement with the city and David Pettit Economic Development LLC at DBA Pettit and Ayala.

Um is very excited to see that DPA because as we've pointed out, uh we've been contracting with them for several years.

Uh Natalie Ayala has been the secondary, and so it's glad to see her brought on as a co-principal.

Here's the summary of the contract.

So we've had various uh forms of a similar contract.

The scope has been the same, so they've developed most of the existing TURS project and financing plans, um, provided information on public uh public improvement districts and a handful of specialty development services where they bill us by the hour.

This agreement continues the same scope, um, and I think very kindly there's no contract increases, so the per project price is the same.

Uh it's a $35,000 flat fee for the creation of TURS and I think $25,000 for PIDs.

The as we pointed out, extensive expertise and TERS PID creation.

Um, these are under specific uh sections of the Texas Local Government Code and the Texas Tax Code, and so you do need to have experience and understanding of state and local regulations to work on these.

The contract term is two years with an option to extend an additional two years.

The total amount is not to exceed 2200,000 dollars with reimbursable expenses.

So occasionally we'll have him come out and do meetings or presentations.

We reimburse for the travel.

Um I will say that historically we've not spent uh I think our highest year was when we had a few of these created, so around 80,000.

Um, but we're usually averaging about one project per year with them.

And I think this is important to have renewed because we have been having conversations.

One of the recommendations of the downtown, uptown, and surrounding neighborhoods plan was the creation of an uptown TURS.

Um, this has been an ongoing conversation with things like the Duck Park project.

Um, and so being able to have that expert on standby should we need to create these districts is helpful.

It's the scope of work, so again, creation, modification, or major amendments to existing TERS.

Um, if you all were watching, uh David Pettit helped us with the amendment to TERS 11, which allowed us to bring forward uh those changes for the Cohen Entertainment Master Plan.

Um paid policy and planning.

This is a tool that we only have two active public improvement districts in the city.

But it is a good helpful tool, especially on the private development side, but they require the consent to creation by city council.

And then additional economic development support, strategic consulting services, economic development initiatives.

David and Natalie are phenomenal at taking calls, giving us a sample agreements.

So when we were negotiating, for example, with Meta, providing us the sample 380s that were being used in other jurisdictions so that we could kind of benchmark that.

And just for the full transparency, this is a sole source procurement.

It does need an exception under 252 that is stated in the contract.

So no competitive bidding is possible because this requires a unique specific experience.

And so we're allowing the city to provide that service efficiently when there are not alternatives.

And so we have that done.

So it's sole source.

Okay.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Karina, for the presentation.

I was looking at your backup, and I'm just wondering if you could walk me through.

So we've been doing uh business with them since what, 2016 or 2011?

There's two different dates, so I'm not sure.

Yeah, I think it's 2016.

It might be incorrect on the slides.

Okay.

Um I think under formal PSA since 2016, but they've been involved in projects one-off since 2011.

Okay.

And the 220,000, is that for I know it's up to 220,000.

Is that for two years or is that for four years?

That would be if we executed the extension, it would be for all four years.

Okay.

So if we exceed that amount, we would come back for a contract increase.

Okay, so it would be 220,000 for four years, up to four years and up to 220,000.

Okay.

Um I noticed that in 2016 we were paying them 42,500, then it went up to 49.

And then I'm assuming because of the two-year term, it jumped to 280 in 2018.

Is that right?

Correct.

Was that also with the two-year extension?

That was two year with a one-year extension.

Um that ran through 2021.

Okay, and then it went up to 355 and now we're back to 220.

Yes.

Okay.

And you said the most we've uh paid them is 80,000.

Yes.

From what you recall?

Um, or it's gonna be 87.

So we did 87,135 in 2018, and we did 79,000 in 2019.

Um last year it was uh 34,000 and some change with some travel expenses, um, but it's been variable.

And so that was one of the things we looked at when we were setting the contract capacity, so it averages out to about 55,000 per year, so it would be one of each type of zone.

Okay.

Um did you say to create a tours it costs us 35,000 dollars?

Is that so it's a flat rate under the contract would be 35,000.

Yes, ma'am.

Do we have something specific in mind uh for granting this contract today?

Uh as of right now, there is no active council direction to create new tax increment zones, but as I've mentioned, some of the recent plans and uh initiatives that have been adopted by city council do recommend that we have them.

And so this is a case of we'd prefer to have the experts on hand should we need those on-call services, um, then run into issues with um approvals or timelines and not have that ability.

Okay, I I know that um they have a lot of um history with the city of El Paso, and I know that they have very specific um experience in terms of what you just mentioned, tours and other things, but I'm just uh wondering about the sole source.

There's no one else in Texas that that could do this type of work.

It's very specific.

Um David Pettit and Ayala are kind of the preeminent expertise.

So most other municipal municipalities you'll find are contracting with them for similar work.

Um they're also in a unique position, which is they typically only take government contracts, so they are exclusively working for municipalities, um, counties, other kinds of governments throughout Texas, so they don't work for the private sector.

Um, and so to have that combination of knowledge, one knowing the um 211 statutes incredibly well, all of the tax code requirements, um, the reporting, the creation, the ordinances, the filings with the Texas Comptroller, and then specifically representing municipalities.

Um, they're sort of it for the state of Texas.

Okay.

Um how do you measure?

Well, first of all, what is the funding source to pay them?

Um, this is out of outside contracts, so it's a general fund um source, it's department expenses, but it's budgeted for.

How much did you have budgeted for outside contracts?

Overall, I'd have to pull that for your department, right?

Yes.

Okay.

If you want the total amount, you'll have to take me, it'll take me a second, I'll have to finance that.

Yeah.

Okay.

I'll wait.

Thank you.

My next question will be if you want to because I I know you I know.

You're very good at multitasking, so thank you.

No, go ahead.

Um, my next question was gonna be how do you measure um our investment in this type of consultant, or how have you measured it in the past?

Could you expand a little bit?

I'm not sure.

Sure.

So um, for example, $35,000 to create a new TUR zone.

We know that TURS is a reinvestment zone for our community, so maybe that's very clear on we spend $35 to create it, but in return we get X amount.

But other work that they do, how do you measure what's their KPIs?

Um, I mean it's contract performance, and so generally this is flat rate, right?

They're being compensated for their time and expertise in putting that together.

The result is that we get a TERS that doesn't have any findings with the Texas Controller.

We've never had any inquiries into any of our reporting.

Um in general, our consulting contracts, we have a number in economic development are for specialty expertise for information that we cannot otherwise perform on the staff level.

Um I think that's pretty standard.

Any type of consultant contract.

I don't know if it's there other KPIs for like strategic consulting services or assistance with the economic development.

It's an as-needed basis, and so we would give them a specific project with specific performance.

So in the past it's been something like we are working on this very specific 380.

Do you have any examples?

And they'll bill us for you know 15, 20 minutes of their time.

Okay.

And I'm asking a lot of questions, and I'll um also refer to Ms.

Mack, only because we haven't gone through our strategic planning sessions.

So economic developments at the forefront of a lot of us on council, and we've been very vocal about it.

We just haven't had the opportunity to basically give direction on what strategies we want to implement.

So it's I understand that this one's and specifically is very specific to TURS, and I agree with the benefits of that to our community.

I'm just wondering with the other services or support that you're um suggesting, you know, what direction we would give that this consultant specifically, this one specifically if we haven't really gone through our strategic planning sessions.

I mean, we do have an active strategic plan, and as you all know, we're bringing forward the comprehensive economic development strategy in the coming months.

So that's just I'm gonna say that's general language, but we do not employ contractors, I guess, but especially this one is an on-call contract.

Um it would have to be related to some sort of active project or initiative, and council does see those.

So he would he would be called there would be a specific deal that's a good idea.

It would be attached to any billing, yes, ma'am.

Okay.

And I will if you have that number, that would be great.

Is that right?

Yeah, okay.

And I was checking that my number is correct.

Um we budgeted 269,655 dollars overall for outside contracts.

And that's for fiscal year 26.

Okay, thank you.

So again, yeah, and so again, the projection on this one is we wouldn't anticipate needing to perhaps create more than one zone but for the full four-year term.

Okay.

I have other questions, but I'll wait for my the next presentation.

Mayor, if I could just chime in briefly to the questions, uh, representative mayor protent.

The this contract also qualifies under the professional services exception of the procurement.

So while it may not be a sole source, we are allowed to procure services of this type without bidding it out.

I think what I'm hearing you say is that you would be interested in having council provide a policy directive as to what type of procurement you would prefer this that we use when we do economic development.

Is that what you were saying?

I mean I I was gonna save it till the next presentation in general.

I mean, I think I would like an overview of what consulting services we're using as a city.

And I'm looking at this as a business perspective.

You know, how many consultants do we hire as a city?

What is the cost to the city for those consultants?

And is there an opportunity to develop people that we have currently on staff?

You know, we've been using them for many years.

They're very specialized, and I understand that in many cases that's a necessity because of their specialization.

Um, and I just think that it would be great to have an overview of of who we're hiring, how much we're paying them, and what what role they're they're filling or what needs they're filling that we can't develop in-house with our current city staff.

Okay, I I understand.

I just wanted to clarify for you for purposes of procurement law, we are allowed to procure these services without bidding them through the traditional business.

Yes, thank you.

Thank you.

Representative thank you, Mayor Karina.

Do you foresee this contract being used in the very near future tied in with this development of the DEC park?

Um that wouldn't require council action.

So the creation of new tax increment reinvestment zones is an authority that lies solely with the city council.

So it would require some sort of council action to move into any of the creation of these tours at which point we would execute the contract.

But you haven't done any kind of communication or contact with them regarding the besides the I mean we've talked about renewing the contract.

We've confirmed that their rates are the same and they have been the same since 2016.

But no, unless council has taken some sort of vote that I wasn't aware of.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Representative.

Thank you, Mayor.

And thank you, Gary now for the presentation.

Good question.

You mentioned that there's two active PIDs.

Correct?

Yes.

And how many active tours do we have?

Oh, you guys are gonna make me count them because they're out of order.

Um tax increment reinvestment zone number five on downtown, number six on Medical Center of the Americas, uh, number seven, which is over the uh Zaragosa property north of Blackie Cheshire Park.

Um 11 at Cohen, and we just I believe as of now nine is closed, right?

Yeah.

Thirteen um and fourteen at the airport.

And fourteen.

And PID, we have pit number two, which is in district five.

Yes.

And which other PID do we have?

Um and there's PID number one, which is not collecting any longer, but it's for Thunder Canyon.

Number one, you said Thunder Canyon.

Okay, no further questions.

I just wanted to get clarification on.

Thank you.

Okay.

Any further discussion on consent agenda item number three.

All right, hearing none, Ms.

Pry.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Limo to approve the resolution on item three on that motion, call for the vote.

In the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay.

Let's take item uh consent agenda item number four.

Item four is a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a consulting and planning services agreement between the city of El Paso and DT Consulting LLC in an amount not to exceed 250,000 for a term of two years with the option to extend for an additional two years.

Contractor will provide special light consulting and planning services to support economic development goals, initiatives, and priority projects for the city of Al Paso.

All right, Karina, your backup you want to take us to the let me get a motion.

There's a motion.

Is there a second to approve?

Okay.

There's a motion and a second.

All right, Karina, go ahead.

Thank you.

Karin, here you go.

We're good.

Um this is another professional service agreement, or I think consulting and planning services agreement.

So we're gonna be using the same provisions that we just discussed with DT Consulting.

Um this is founded and headed by David Torres, um, who is a local PASOAN with decades of economic development experience, uh, financial planning and uh academia.

So again, local, um, I was very clear when we discussed this in briefings.

I'll be completely transparent here.

David Torres was a former city employee.

Um he has worked for economic development, he has worked for the Office of Management and Budget, uh, El Paso Electric Al Paso Water, um, UTEP has extensive experience across many of these um areas, and I think has a level of specialty knowledge uh for certain projects that we are trying to complete with very specific financing parameters, creative financing solutions, um, public-private partnerships, and some of those things, and so being able to have that specific capacity separate and apart from the regular day-to-day work that we're providing is necessary to kind of achieve some of these goals.

Um, we are holding that position vacant to help pay for these costs, so it is actually a net savings to the department, um, so there's no longer those kind of benefits and overhead.

Um and so key economic development goals, and again, these come straight out of um discussions that we have had, um, but revitalizing the downtown core, looking at housing financing tools and in-fill development redevelopment initiatives, um, development of new industries, so youth sports tourism, um, and I think very specifically the conversation you all have been having a lot about different ways to increase our parks and sports fields capacity while you know remaining budget conscious, uh, business attraction and retention, and then some general ones.

Um items on this contract, this is a retainer agreement, uh, but the hours and the specific projects will need to be provided and authorized by either myself, the economic development director, or the OMB director.

Um, and Sasha's sitting right there as well.

And so there are a number of kind of financing projections, some specialized um reporting that we'd like to take advantage of.

It's a two-year contract with an option to extend an additional two years, not to exceed 250,000.

So the same situation here, it would be 125,000 per year as this is a retainer agreement.

If we needed to add those extra two years, it would come with a contract increase.

Um, and part of the goal here is also to sort of transition some of this work on the staff side, provide that specialized expertise and training.

So these are general ones here, so same things that I've just discussed.

The economic and financial analysis, these are sort of general capture terms.

This is not gonna again supplant any work that's being done by the departments.

It is just the ability to really focus, dig in, provide some of that extra reporting analysis and forecasting that we may not always have the chance to do, and really to take advantage of looking for again, I think really creative solutions, which is something that David has excelled at, and then general support.

It is again a sole source procurement under the professional services exception that Ms.

Neiman mentioned earlier, and we are recommending approval.

Is there a better way for us to get that work done?

Can we save some money in terms of how we're looking at it?

You know, in this particular situation, this person had to step away from full time and could do the work.

And for us, you know, we're not paying that 40% of benefit.

It's giving us you know an opportunity to not only utilize them in one um uh role but also in to help with OMB, but we have to be begin to look at things differently in terms of how we plug positions.

You know, we're gonna be doing that in others, and so it may not be this creative strategy, but we have to figure out how we streamline as much as we can, continuing to look at the best way to be able to approach the work.

Um, and we're always looking at it from a cost-benefit analysis perspective to ensure that we're getting as much bang as we can for the positions that we have.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Representative Canalis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, Ms.

Mackey preempted some of my questions in that uh again.

Mr.

Curtis has done a great job on staff.

Um I know again, unfortunately, he had to step away from working in the department, but uh just to clarify his hourly billing rate.

I don't know that that made it into the presentation.

It is in the agreement is 150 dollars per hour.

And so I think if we can utilize his his expertise at 150 dollars an hour instead of an annual salary and benefits, um and and you know, we're just using him in the areas where where his expertise you know fits fits perfectly and makes sense uh on these specific projects.

Um it's a great savings to the city, and and I I appreciate this approach, Ms.

Mac.

It is a good way to, you know, I it it's unfortunate that he can no longer uh be on staff, but I think it's a good way to keep uh his talents working for the organization and to do so at a reduced cost to us.

So thank you for the approach and happy to support.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Karina, for the presentation.

I mean, for the record, I appreciate Ms.

Mack.

I don't know David Torres.

Um I'm new to the city, so a lot of my questions stem from uh just an opportunity to uh see what strategies we're putting into place.

So the 250,000, Karina, is that for because the backup says it's a term for two years.

But is that the price up to 250 for two years or four years?

Same question as before.

Two years with the option to extend.

So uh as representative canal has pointed out, it's an hourly agreement.

So if we used him at full time, that would cover two years, we'd come back for a contract extension.

If we sort of taper that off, so it's gonna be up to that amount.

Um, if that amount covers the entire four years, then great.

Um, if not, we would come back for a contract increase as needed.

Okay, but I mean from what from what the backup says it's 125,000 up to 125,000 per year.

Yes.

Is that correct?

Yes, okay.

If we use all of the hours that we wish.

Okay.

Um the resolution, and I and I do want to put this in the record.

It says, whereas pursuant to chapter 2254 of the Texas government code, the city has a substantial need for the consulting and planning services, and the city does not have the ability to perform the services with its own personnel.

And that's what I was uh speaking about uh in the last item number, only because you know, there was an increase to everyone's salary at the city.

There was also an increase to the number of personnel in different departments.

And so again, I would just like to know big picture, you know, what is the city of El Paso spending?

Um, and I'm not saying it's it's not spending it wisely, I'm just wondering big picture.

What are we spending on consultants?

Why are we outsourcing these consultants?

And why, like according to um the backup here, it says we do not have the ability to uh perform these services with our own personnel.

It's it's it's a valid question.

You know, do we need to develop our personnel to uh do this types of work?

And maybe it's not just for this specific item number, but in general for the consulting services that we're I think it depends.

I think it depends on the work that we're doing.

I think it depends on the area.

I mean, in some cases, we've been um looking at some areas that we are looking at the cost of the total picture in terms of what HR is costing us, I mean uh what benefits might be costing us, what IT might be costing us.

And we have never historically sort of said we're gonna look at where we might be able to bring in consultant services for some of these key areas.

But as we continue to see the costs and expenses grow for our city, I think we have to think about how we might be able to deliver those services.

I don't think it means that we're not gonna support and grow staff in various departments.

Um I think we're always looking at how we can be more efficient, you know, in those services, but I think it it does warrant the conversation in terms of how we might be able to look at an approach that we may not have taken in the past.

This has not historically been the way that we looked at it, but I think it's a win-win for the organization in the specific case.

It may not be appropriate for some other positions that absolutely require a 40-hour presence within the organization.

We would not go that route if that was required.

Thank you, Ms.

Mack.

But it's still 125,000 a year.

So I'm not saying it's it's not worth it.

I'm just saying it's still a good chunk of money.

Exactly.

And this was a funded position.

Ms.

Torres, you know, started the fiscal year with us.

That position was valued higher than that amount.

We will freeze that position on our salary staffing table to be able to fund this contract.

Okay.

And moving forward with our strategic plan, I I would like to visit that um, you know, that topic of consulting services and how much each department is spending on them, and you know what we would like as a new council to basically strategize for uh the future.

Again, there's many opportunities for specific reasons that we do need to hire outside consultants.

And I and and I think that they're valid.

Um I just think that it's it's an opportunity for us as we do the strategic plan to review those and see uh what we would like the direction.

Okay.

And I just with caution that we need to make sure the operation continues and that we don't have a broad stroke of we don't want to have consultants not clearly understanding what those consultants bring.

You know, in some cases we're outsourcing very specific skill sets like in the area of IT, where those are not we've had huge turnover and decide to go with other consultants to be able to do that work, and so I think we need to make sure that we're evaluating those and taking a deep dive to understand why we're um asking those questions and why we're really moving in those directions.

Okay.

Thank you, Ms.

Mack.

Karina, again, um as the as in the previous uh presentation, how will you evaluate uh the return on this investment?

So this is going to be a specific um, it'll be specific tasks which will have specific deliverables as they're assigned.

And so we have a number of projects.

I think some of these are going to be developing financing tools, the successful completion of projects, those sorts of things.

Um generally, as with all of our contracts, right?

We're one of the program-based budgeting departments.

Um, and so we have KPIs for each program, our contracts are assigned to each program, um, and so some of that you will just see through general performance of the department as these are necessary for our performance and capacity.

Okay.

Specifically to youth sports tourism, do you have anything in mind?

Um it is the development of a public-private partnership model to allow for investments in increased capacity on things like tournament fields, bringing those in.

Um, and so we would be looking at a way to develop that model.

Um we have some leads on that, but we can discuss that further.

So you have some things already in the works for these bullet points.

Okay.

So it's it's uh very intentional.

Yes.

Okay.

Yeah.

Uh thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Representative.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I I think I just wanted to kind of start up and and say that I share um the sentiment that the mayor pro temp has expressed on this, and I think I've been saying this since last year, you know, we have 150, at least last year I remember looking into this.

We have 150 million dollars in contracts.

And that's fine, but I think as a council member, the frustration that I have is how are we measuring success?

How are we getting here, right?

And one of the contracts that I don't love, but I understand that we have is the custodial contract because it's too expensive to have it in-house and there's there's a whole thing there, and we've had those discussions, but more on consulting and what we're doing, can we have more of an idea of where we're measuring success and have that conversation?

I think it's not about eliminating these types of contracts, it's just more like what is what is this doing?

And at least that's from my perspective on this.

So are you asking for each one of these contracts we would be issuing task orders?

Are you asking to understand what those tasks are and when they're delivered and when they're due?

I I think that I would say more like if there was a past contract, right, and we're renewing it, we got our money here, and we got all of this done.

And now we're asking you to renew it, or we're really setting out to go do this because we want to accomplish this, this, and this, and we're gonna accomplish it by this time.

I I think it's more of that to understand how you're measuring success so we know what we're voting on when we're there.

Okay.

And with this with this specific one, I'm just kind of wondering from what has been said, it's not very clear to me.

But this is what I've picked up from the conversation is Mr.

Torres was recently employed in the department.

You had to cut that position, and now you're so or why what happened.

I I mean, David is on the line.

It's uh yeah, it's a private, you know, that's it's a personnel matter, and so we don't want to have that discussion regarding why he chose to separate from the city, but it was on you know positive turns, and we're really happy that he was able to step into this new role that we're looking at.

Okay, and I understand the personnel matter, and and that's part of the not the details but more.

I I go to your website and he's still on the website.

Yes, it's kind of awkward to be doing this.

This contract for somebody that was just recently employed separated, and we want to keep that talent here, but they're still on the website.

Like that makes me feel uncomfortable.

And this contract specifically looks like okay, well, something happened, we want to continue with this person because they're great, so this is the fix, and you're asking us to do a hiring so we could save money on HR stuff, and now we're just gonna do the 150 per hour.

I I think the the way of getting here is just kind of weird to me, and I wanted to express that.

I don't know if you have anything to say about that.

I understand.

And I think some of that is there's um again, as Ms.

Neiman pointed out, there's differences between professional services agreements and consultants where you're saying, you know, you've got to complete a project, you've got to be within a certain threshold, the timeline.

Um these are typically per project, and so we assign a specific task, um, we expect a deliverable, we receive that, we approve it, and then we pay out.

Um and so in all of these cases, it's kind of as needed.

Again, the specialization of the knowledge and experience here is hard at this time to replicate um with staff, and so part of that is looking to transition, complete some of these specific projects that we have that I frankly otherwise would have to be back burnered.

We would not be able to complete uh some of these projects.

Yeah, and and I I understand the reasoning and you know the type of procurement and what we're doing here and stuff like that.

It's just it just feels messy.

And how we got here feels messy, and that's what I'm trying to express.

And I've read through the contract, the contract looks fine, but from the beginning, you I had an initial thought at the beginning of the conversation where you had this person working here years ago, now they you know they have a lot of institutional knowledge we're bringing them back, not that this person was here this month, you know, and now we're moving to this, and we're doing a hiring decision here to keep that person like I I wish it would have been a little bit more clear.

Representative Lima.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just in reading the the description on item four, I guess.

I have a question.

Uh, do you perceive the deck park as the priority project for the city of El Paso?

For item four, um it's not something that's specifically called out in the DT consulting agreement.

Uh City Council has taken action to have us look at financing models.

I suppose that's something that David could work on.

Uh, really, what we're thinking is immediate next steps on projects were things like financing tools focusing on the work that we've been doing on housing, um, how part of that housing cross-functional team with my uh economic development with community and human development, um, working on those finance tools and then really redevelopment of downtown, but also other strategic areas.

Um, and then I think primarily sort of the sports and some of the coordination with utilities at looking at a way uh the feedback we've been getting from development community is really having coordinated incentives and approaches between the city, the county, and those utility entities, and so again that's a place where Mr.

Torres's experience and connections can help us.

Um so those are initial first steps.

Uh I'm not gonna preclude the idea that he couldn't work on something related to the deck, um, but it's not um for me in the immediate first set of task orders.

But um, I guess uh Dion, um, has the city set the deck park as a priority project for the city?

I mean, is that something that we're putting?

I know we're not putting any money in it because it's not in the in the budget, but has the city designated that the deck park is a priority, something we want we must do, we must bring forth to the community.

preclude the idea that he couldn't work on something related to the deck um but it's not um for me in the immediate first set of task orders but um I guess uh Dion um has the city set the deck park as a priority project for the city I mean is that something that we're putting I know we're not putting any money in it because it's not in the in the budget but has the city designated that the deck park is a priority something we want we must do we must bring forth to the community or is it all still just up in discussion so council still um will be uh taking under consideration several items in the next couple of months um as she said here we're really focusing on a housing plan is going to come as you saw in the presentation yesterday it's going to be a part of our comp plan so that's going to be coming to you in November so what Karina is focusing on and talking about is that strategy that we'll be bringing forth within that time frame which really is citywide it isn't specifically about um things that may be developed near um the deck plaza or anything like that thank you thank you mayor representative trail thank you mayor I I have some questions Karina uh and you know I asked them when we had the the presentation excuse my voice I I'm looking at the numbers here you know I understand contracting work can be very beneficial to to business especially when you have the institutional knowledge that can be carried on but I have some questions on the numbers okay so we're looking at 2500 for the total contract for two the maximum contract that includes a two year with a two year extension term.

Okay and so in in our conversations I asked previously this the city employee what was the their uh salary while they were working here I'm gonna have to apply Robert's got my budget handy thank you that's just salary note yeah it's uh 121731 but that's is that loaded no okay that's just based on the benefits for also 40 percent yeah that's not including benefits yeah the total again I'm sorry uh one twenty one seven thirty one but again not including the benefits or not including benefits this is full time full time that was a full time employee time salary yeah okay and so we're looking at this uh 125000 annually no benefits it's uh 150 per hour up to 125 per year and then 200 no more than 250 overall okay so what is the what is the so if he worked full time on this contract it would be 125,000 per year we'd be at our cap in two years we would have the option to add more capacity and renew or not renew.

So his his hourly rate when he was an employee was right around 58 58 dollars sixty dollars an hour at full time 58 5852 hourly salary full time and now we're looking at 150 an hour is he going to be working full time or what would be it's gonna be as necessary for the project so he'll bill hours um so we'll assign projects for the month again myself or OMB with oversight with from the CFO Mr Cortinas and we would assign projects have an expectation quoted hours uh you know do the time clocking and then pay out for those billing do you have an idea how much time you're planning to utilize the services as far as hours it's probably gonna be close to 30 to 40 hours for at least the first couple of months and then we'll kind of see where we're at on some of these initiatives.

Okay.

Very good oh the other question is he would is he uh does he have the ability to do feasibility studies as you're looking at sports uh correct okay yes thank you representing you thank you mayor and thank you Karina for this presentation I'm going back to the term period so it's 250 for 24 months with the option to extend it an additional two years but the cost itself for 250 it would not change if the cost has to change then you will come to council to make an amendment to that actual cost correct to add a cost yes okay and I'm just reading through the agreements and and and trying to get that clarification because on the exhibit A it does state um in the in the compensation client shall pay DT consultant and total not to exceed 250 over the 24 month period but now also on the term of the agreement it does say that this agreement may be extended for an additional 24 months so I just want to make sure that that's clear and the understanding okay yeah that cap is the cap so we would have to come back for any additional funding.

Perfect no further questions any further discussions on this item okay Ms.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes six to two.

Representative saceved on Nino voting nay.

The remainder of council voting.

I the motion carries.

All right, and uh Ms.

Mack, can we make sure we remove this individual's name from our website and stuff like that?

Okay, uh consent agenda item number 10.

Yes, sir.

Item number 10 is a resolution that the addition of broadband transmission polls on Mesa Street serves a public purpose of providing broadband access infrastructure and utilities to residents and visit visitors of the city.

This and that the city manager be authorized to sign a multi-use agreement between the city and the state acting by and through Text Dot for the use of Mesa Street right away for the purpose of installing and maintaining broadband polls.

Okay.

Move to approve.

All right.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Carolyn Patrick.

So this item is seeking approval for agreement signature with um Text Dot, who is the owner of the right-of-way on the Mesa side of San Jacinto Plaza.

This is part of the ARPA broadband expansion project, which includes the expansion of fiber in certain areas in the city and expansion of Wi-Fi capability in certain facilities.

And so this focuses on expansion of Wi-Fi at San Jacinto annually for certain special events, for instance, for Winterfest, we have to um install additional Wi-Fi um devices to support the attendance.

And so this would now uh make permanent that Wi-Fi uh device installation.

Okay.

Representative uh Fiara.

Thank you, sir.

Um Mayor, my question is really I understand w what the polls are for, but who's gonna utilize them?

Is do you already is that gonna be an RFQ RFP or do you already have a company that's gonna act uh use it uh uh for their services?

We already for the installation no, not for the installation, but but for digital the service is um what this will do is provide more devices for um digital El Paso is what it does.

It provides for digital passo, so for the commute any community member can be.

No, no, no, I I understand that.

But okay.

Who's going to is it gonna be um Spectrum ATT's our five city?

It's the city owned fiber, correct?

The city's fiber.

Okay, thank you.

I'm sorry, didn't understand the question.

No, no, thank you.

Representative canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, I know this has long for a long time been a problem at the like you said, but at the larger events, particularly Winterfest, where our networks get overwhelmed and um so I I appreciate the again previous direction from from the council.

I think it came from the the last sitting of the council um to invest some ARPA dollars in Wi-Fi connectivity across the city.

Um it's something that we've rolled out in a lot of places.

Um just for for the sharing a little bit of the history during the pandemic, the city used ARPA to expand, for example, coverage of Wi-Fi from libraries further out into the library parking lot so that public who didn't have Wi-Fi access could come to the come to the libraries, come to it was other city facilities as well, recreation centers, and and you know they were not open to the public, but they could sit in their cars and do whatever work they needed or school or whatever it was.

Uh it became very important to provide that additional Wi-Fi accessibility across the city, and I know that this is a project that comes out of that as well.

And so yeah, when we have larger events downtown, it will be I think definitely welcomed by the public to have better connectivity there.

Um again, I understand these will be the very nice looking decorative polls, they'll blend into what's already there at San Jacinto Plaza.

Correct, correct.

Um the temporary um solutions that we have had to use up until this point are um nothing.

A little less nice, yes, yeah, a little less nice.

Um but you know they've done the trick, but it'll be nice to have the permanent Wi-Fi connectivity there.

Um and we won't have to worry about deploying and breaking down and deploying and breaking down.

So yeah, uh happy that we're moving forward with this.

Uh hope that council will hopefully move forward with this.

Um again, I know we just have to take this step because of the location is close enough to Mesa that it's within the textile right of way, is that correct?

Correct.

Okay.

Thank you.

Representative LeMont.

Thank you, Mayor.

Kirillan, um, how many uh broadband polls are situated in the Placita right now?

Are there any there already?

We have attachments.

I would need to get the number for you on the uh uh the the polls that come to the center in the park.

We have devices installed there, and I believe on the main and mills side of the park.

Okay, so there's already numerous polls there, correct?

And so these are gonna be or stations or I'm not sure what you would call them.

We're going to install polls on the Mesa side of the park.

On the Mesa Street side of the park, so we can install devices on that side of the park.

That is not a city right of way, and so this agreement allows us, Text Dot is allowing us to install the polls for that purpose.

I understand.

But I guess what I'm maybe I'm not saying this correctly.

Maybe there are no more uh broadband transmission polls necessarily in the Placita, but there are other location for these devices already?

There are other devices in the park.

Um those have only a certain area of coverage, so we are able to expend extend coverage with these polls permanently on that side of the park, on the Mesa side of the park.

Okay.

And the Mesa side of the park, the Placita is where so many events and activities are taking place that that became kind of like a a priority to set the three polls in that site?

So we're looking to provide as much coverage to blanket the entire Santa Cito Plaza.

We have been lacking physical permanent structures on the Mesa Street side of the park.

Okay.

And is this the end or are you planning to install more?

These polls at the Placita.

No, this will be it for San Jacinto.

And funding came through ARPA.

Correct.

Okay.

Thank you very much, Carolyn.

Appreciate it.

All right.

Any further discussion on item number 10 consent agenda?

All right, Ms.

Pry.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Limon to approve the resolution on item 10 on that motion.

Call for the vote.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

Thank you.

Representative Chavez, did you want to speak on that item?

No, no, the Mayor.

I wanted to uh reconsider my my motion my vote for item four.

On item number four?

Yes.

Thank you, Mayor.

Is there a second?

Second.

There's a motion and a second to reconsider item number four.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Anyone opposed?

We're back on item four, and this is a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a consulting and planning services agreement between the City of El Paso and DT Consulting LLC.

Okay.

Representative Chavez?

Thank you, Mayor.

And I just want to reconsider my vote just because I think the process is a little messy and um I don't I don't like the idea that uh this employees picture is still on our website.

And I just think it sets a bad precedent in terms of procedure.

So that's my opinion personally.

Thank you.

Okay for the consideration.

Move to approve.

Second.

Okay.

Any further discussion on this item.

Okay.

Ms.

Bryan?

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Granales, secondary by Representative Limon to approve the resolution on item four on that motion.

Call for the vote.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes five to three.

Representatives Chavez Acevedo Nino voting night.

Nay.

Representatives Rocha Trejo, Pierro, Limon Canales voting aye.

The motion carries.

Okay, let's take consent agenda item number twelve.

Yes, sir.

Item number twelve is a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a license agreement between the City of El Paso and the El Paso Community Foundation's borderland rescue fund for the use of approximately 3,000 square feet of the city's property at 300 North Campbell for storage of pet food and supplies for the library pet pantries.

Representative Canalis.

Okay, Representative Canals.

And then thank you to uh Ms.

Mack, Mr.

Bristol, uh a lot of staff who's worked on getting this license agreement together and then corresponding staff at the El Paso Community Foundation.

Um so far the the pet pantries program.

This is the library pet pantries, but also the uh rescue pantries.

So we the the borderline rescue fund is is providing uh food and supplies as well directly to numerous animal rescue organizations throughout the community.

We just in the past week reached uh a hundred thousand pounds distributed in the past not quite three months.

And so we're very proud of that.

You know, we maybe I ruined our 100,000 announcement.

I'll get to announce the one million in a bigger way when we get there.

Um but so uh as we've received uh shipments of food and supply.

Uh we've been storing those at a private warehouse with uh a partner who has been uh extremely generous with their space and their time, and you know, we we've been in their hair.

Uh but again it's a it's a private business with a warehouse.

Uh the program has very clearly outgrown that space.

Uh and because of the excellent partnership between the community foundation and the city, uh the we're we're hopeful that the city will agree to, you know, that the council will agree to approve this license agreement to use some of the warehouse space that the city has available in the rear of this building, uh the old El Paso Times space.

It's it is empty warehouse space, largely empty.

Um and so this is uh a use agreement for that space to store some of that food and supply that comes in.

Um it's a much better site for us also in terms of pickup and and uh particularly drop-off of supplies.

Um, the other warehouse has uh loading dock access through a very narrow alley.

Uh it's been incredibly difficult for those drivers to back up some essentially semi trucks into uh a little alley in central and uh you know back up to a very small loading dock.

And so this has you know, this was uh built as a large commercial facility that was initially used by El Paso Times for the distribution of their their printed papers, uh much better access.

And uh we're we're excited for the continuation of this partnership with El Paso Community Foundation and Borderline Rescue Fund.

So council, I hope you'll uh consider approving this.

And uh again, great benefit to the community.

We we hope that this becomes a good distribution point for some of this.

100,000 pounds, that's awesome.

Representative.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um this struck me as as an interesting thing, uh Richard.

Good morning.

It's good to see you.

Um I guess my my my first thought when I saw this was I said, wow, there's three thousand square feet of city property that hasn't been used.

And so my my question is how much how and I don't know if you know this.

How many square feet of excess property do we have within this building?

I know we've got this front section, and we have the breezeway, and then what do we have?

What else do we have?

Um Richard Bristol with the city manager's office.

This is actually going to be in the El Paso Times building, which is connected to it to us, and that is a substantially sized building.

Um it will be in the area where we were housing animals for the up until we move them to the west side and also um back into the um to Fred Wilson.

So it's a it's a large area, and presently we're storing things in there.

We have our winter fist items in there.

Um some of the departments have other materials that they need to store.

Um so there's a large area that is temporarily available right now because we do not happen to be using it.

So we'll take a section of it closest to the front gate over here in the back, and that'll allow them easy access to the docks for uh distribution and to receive their inventories.

Um it'll be a managed process uh through the representative's office initially, we'll be overseeing all of it, and then we'll have also staff will be involved.

Um, and we'll also uh make sure that security knows when we're doing this as well.

But there is a sizable space in the building connected to us.

Um we do not, as of right now, have um an action plan for you.

So we're utilizing it for various reasons.

This is one of them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Richard.

And the reason that I that I bring this up is because I think that in the last, well, since January, there has been some continuous, continuous uh building and rebuilding of cubicles, specifically on the second floor.

I think that the attorney's office is I mean, I don't know how big your cubicles are now.

Carla, because they keep uh bringing in the sheet rock left and right.

I I mentioned to someone, I think you guys are working on the third floor because there's so much activity that's going on there, city manager's office, and so it's spaces, but they're being um literally broken up into cubicles.

And so my question is are there plans to extend out there and maybe bring other departments that are scattered in just different areas.

Uh that was my my question.

What the 3,000 square feet of like it's been described as a question.

We did take a look at it, ma'am, and I would love to take you on tour.

Okay.

Yes.

So we actually um had our team look a year and a half ago at how we might be able to expand and determine that space.

Um there were issues with um the elevators.

Um it's basically an open cavern.

They took out all the printing equipment and it's just completely open.

So the reason why we chose to go to route of um being as affordable as we could with in terms of taking up all of our storage space is because you know we couldn't do a capital program um to be able to utilize that space.

Um I don't see us any time in the future um having the capacity to really build in that space.

I would love for you to to be able to go and see it.

Um and that's why we just try to make the best use of the spaces that we have.

And again, um the spaces in this building were primarily to make sure that as we went having people return to work that everybody had a space within the building.

Um and for my office for the first time, all the deputies are actually in one building.

Which is which is really uh a great idea.

I but if this a great, great big place open, you know, we we had the border rack people come and talk to us.

They lost her spacing.

I mean, possibly.

We've had a couple of people, and I think um I can have real estate, you know, talk to it about uh talk to you about it.

I mean, we've had discussions with um the county at one point.

We were talking about child care.

I just think because of the heavy lift of what it would cost to actually retrofit that space, you know, it becomes really challenging for anybody sort of looking at it for anything other than warehouse.

And again, this agreement is for a year.

So it doesn't tie us into, you know, if something does come up and we do have an opportunity, then we would find additional space for all the things that we're storing here.

Um if we really had a development opportunity, but I I think that it is is a tremendous lift for anybody who's gonna make an investment.

Okay, and is there a fee for the lease?

There's no fee for the lease because of our partnership, but they are covering insurance to make sure that this there's any no damages or anything that happens in those spaces that that can be covered um under uh this agreement.

Good.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Representative.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you to staff and district eight for all the work that took place into this um pit pantry initiative with the libraries and Ms.

Mac as well.

One quick question.

Um I know that I followed up about a month and a half ago about there not being a pit pantry in District 5 at the SPEDAN someone in a library.

Um has it been installed yet?

Yes, sir.

We installed it.

Okay, perfect.

Installed it and stocked it.

Okay, great.

Yeah, because I know I had followed.

Okay, great.

Perfect.

That's my only question because I know I had followed up because there wasn't one when we started promoting them.

But uh thank you for that.

Represent Canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um yes, that was unfortunately the last one to get installed.

There were some issues with it there.

Um actually it wasn't the last one to get installed.

One was installed.

Uh and just based on the location of where it was and the way the wind hit it, it actually received some wind damage.

And so we had to remove that one and order replacement.

Um with the with the discretionary funds you had contributed.

So thank you for that.

Um we were glad to have those on hand to be able to provide a quick replacement.

And yes, it got stocked.

Uh I think it's been stocked more than once already.

So the public's using it and and it's been out for two-ish weeks.

Yeah, and I think it's already gotten two different restocks, so it's been filled three times.

Um yes, again, just to note for everybody, uh, this is the the conversation about that that space at the Times building.

Uh, you know, it's in my district.

I've I've also had a very similar interest in uh seeing that redeveloped for something productive.

Uh the Ms.

Mackin, correct me if I'm wrong, the cost estimates have been in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars to make that space usable.

Um it's it's a huge property, but it is in huge need.

Um and again, it uh the warehouse space is pretty good.

And the rest of the space, particularly where the giant printing press was, and I mean when I say giant, it's was multi-story and a huge machine.

Uh that space is in uh pretty bad state.

It doesn't even have a floor.

Like it doesn't even have a concrete floor on part of it.

Um I guess rest assured that the the staff has taken a hard look at what could be done there.

And uh for now it it's most productive as just the the use of the warehouse space and like Ms.

Mac said there's the win all the winter fests uh decorations and equipment, those are all stored back there.

Um there's some small other things that are stored in there.

I know animal services still has a small amount of material in there, but um otherwise it's basically good for warehouse floor space and really difficult for any other use.

So I I think this is a good use for it.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Okay, Miss U Prime, let's call for the vote on uh consent agenda item number twelve.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Limon to approve the resolution on item twelve on that motion.

Call for the vote in the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, Miss Prime, we have eight additional items, and I think we're coming up on the lunch at 1230.

Do you want to take a few more?

Let's do item number 35.

Yes, sir.

And this is on page number 13.

Item 35 is discussion in action to approve a resolution that the city council declares that the expenditure of district a discretionary funds and an amount not to exceed 2,000 dollars for the curation, construction, promotion, and or programming of the El Paso Museum of History Exhibit Mountain of Gold, a history of East and Southeast Asian Cultures in Al Paso del Norte in the 1880s through 1980s, serves a municipal purpose of enhancing the quality of life of the citizens of Al Paso through entertainment and by fostering community pride and encouraging civic engagement and further that the city manager designed be authorized to effectuate any budget transfers and execute contracts and/or related documents necessary to ensure that the funds are properly expended for the municipal purpose.

This item is representative canales.

Represent Canales.

First off, move to approve.

Okay.

All right, go ahead.

And thank you, Council.

I hope you'll support uh this the exhibit opened uh this past weekend.

It's wonderful if you have the opportunity to check it out at the El Paso Museum of History.

Again, it's always free.

Um and this will help them to continue with the the promotion and programming uh of the exhibit.

It will be up for quite a long time.

It's in their their larger space where they they have exhibits up for longer, so it'll be up for 18 months.

Um and they'll do you know a whole bunch of events and lectures and programming related to it.

So hopefully this is helpful to the museum to attract some more visitors and uh I hope you'll support.

Thank you, Mayor.

Very good.

Any further discussion on item number 35.

All right, Miss Prime?

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by alternate mayor pro tempiero to approve the resolution on item 35 on that motion, call for the vote.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

All right, let's take number 36.

Item 36 is discussion in action to direct the city manager to appoint a member to the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Steering Committee.

This item was placed by representatives Acevedo and Boyar Trejo.

Representative Acevedo.

Thank you, Mayor.

We are you want to make a motion?

All right.

And we're we're following up on the meeting that we had two weeks ago where we had a presentation introducing what Urban Waters is doing.

And since that meeting, we are um understanding that the county is meeting today to discuss appointing a member of their staff to the steering committee.

So by moving in this direction, we have both the city and the county on board, and I think we could kind of figure out what is going to happen next with this important project.

I know that they mentioned all the steering committee members and trying to get to an ambassador was was um the important part.

So that's the funding today.

There's no funding requested.

It's just more saying we want to have a voice in making this decision and then trying to come and find funding for that ambassador and seeing how that will work in the future, whether it's going to be um something that the county takes on, the city takes on uh nonprofit takes on, but I think it's important for our voice to be on there.

And like I said last meeting, um somebody that the city manager can designate could be from the climate office, streets and maintenance, etc.

Um that that's within her purview, but um the group will meet more um on a frequent basis because right now I think it's been a little infrequent and having the city and the county at the table, I think will give a little bit more structure to this.

So I just wanted to give that context on that.

Thank you, Mayor.

Representative Farrell.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um when this came up last two weeks ago, last meeting.

Um the young lady who was doing the presentation mentioned the embass uh the ambassador and then mentioned that there was no funding that was gonna be requested from the city, and then went back, step back and said there was gonna be some funds being asked for, and then there wasn't, then there was.

I have concerns with us spending money on projects like this.

When we have issues with um uh project downtown where we're talking about maybe cutting some funds there, or we're gonna vote on cutting cutting some funds there, but yet we're we're gonna talk about expending funds somewhere else.

And and I know that representative um said just said that there was we'd talk about it later, or who was going to take over those responsibilities.

But until I I find out if there's any money being requested or asked for or signed for, or or I think the representative just said we'd look for the funding.

Um I can't vote for this and so I just want to make sure that I had my my concern stated.

Okay, thank you.

Representative uh Trejo.

Thank you, Mayor.

I I am also asking for the support from our from our councilman, uh council members.

By appointing a city staff member to the urban waters partnership, we ensure that the city has a voice at the table with partners and another 14 federal agencies that are shaping the waterway future.

So this is a partnership that will help address the community, our needs, and then possible maximize funding opportunities.

So I ask for your support in this uh in this item.

Thank you.

Representative.

I guess I'm curious about the process, Mayor.

How will this person be selected?

Um it sounds like it should be someone very specialized, water conservation, things like that.

So I'm curious about what the process is going to be in the selection.

Representative, would you know her uh Miss Mac?

I I guess just more clarifying, do you mean the person that we would appoint from the city on to the committee?

So I thought that Ms.

Mac could kind of figure that out, and that's why we can't direct her staff, right?

We direct her, and I think um I nicely suggest that probably somebody from the climate office might be a good person or the streets department, but I think ultimately it's under her purview to kind of match somebody to this.

So I I didn't want to get too involved with um telling her who it had to be.

I I want her to have that discretion as a conversation.

Okay, any further discussion on this agenda item number 35.

I'm sorry, round 36.

All right, Ms.

Prime.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Acevedo, seconded by Representative Boyar Trejo to approve the direction on item 36 on that motion, call for the vote and the voting session, and that motion passes 721.

Representative Pierre Voting.

Okay, Ms.

Prime, it is exactly in like 45 seconds, 1230.

We have an additional six items.

It's up to council what you guys want to do.

Mayor, yes.

Mayor like to make a motion that we repeat.

Mayor like to make a motion that we recess for lunch for one hour, as we have already stated in our procedures when we set our our way of conducting our meetings.

Okay.

Thank you.

There's a motion, is there a second?

All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

No.

Okay.

I'm sorry, Ms.

Brian.

There is one me.

I'll take roll call.

Representative Chavez.

That's okay.

Acevedo.

I call it Trejo.

Hi.

Piero.

Yeah, I.

No.

No.

The motion carries it.

So the City Council is now in recess for one hour at 1230 p.m.

And we'll reconvene at 130.

But he already did it.

Please don't.

Okay, Ms.

Pryn.

Yes, sir.

There's a motion to reconvene.

There's a motion and a second to reconvene the council meeting.

All in favor?

Aye.

Anyone opposed?

The meeting is back in session at 1.31 p.m.

And we're on item 37, I believe.

Yes, sir.

And 38 is also with the same company.

If council would like to consider those together.

Please.

Okay.

Item 37.

Is discussion in action on the request that the director of purchasing and strategic sourcing be authorized to issue purchase orders for solicitation 2026-0050?

Toll system maintenance and equipment to the revenue markets in.

Okay, is there a motion to approve?

Move to approve.

Second.

All right, Representative Canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um thank you to the department.

Um it's hiding behind the pillar.

Um it's the toll collection at the bridges is due for quite an update, and so uh I appreciate you all bringing this forward and uh happy to support today.

Thank you, Mayor.

Excellent.

Any further discussions on item 3738?

Ms.

Pry.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Malonado Rocha, and this is to approve the requests on item 37 and 38 on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Ms.

Prain, can I vote?

Representative Acevedo?

Aye.

Thank you.

Representative, I'm not sure if you want to vote on this.

Okay.

And the voting session.

And the motion passes unanimously.

Representative Trejo Piero and Limonak present for discussion.

Okay.

Let's take item number 39.

Yes, sir.

Item 39 is was deleted with a consent agenda.

Okay.

Let's take 40.

Item 40 is discussion in action on the request that the director of purchasing and strategic sourcing be authorized to issue purchase orders to increase increase contract 2023-025A, collector and above street resurfacing.

2023 to International Eagle Enterprises.

The change order will increase reference contract by 1,559,200, and will allow for additional resurfacing of council approved streets under the 2022 Community Progress Bond Program to include milling proof rolling of subgrade surface, rework of existing subgrade and hot mix asphalt.

Is there a motion to approve?

To approve this week.

Okay.

Representative Rocha.

Thank you, Mayor.

And thank you all for being here.

I just have uh a quick question.

Um, and this may be more for Ms.

Mack.

When was the last time that we got an update on the community progress bond from 22?

It was probably six months ago.

You all were brand new January February.

But we're planning them right now.

So you're gonna see the um the enterprise funds come in October.

Okay, and then we're gonna follow that with the overview of all the capital improvement.

So you will have seen entire capital portfolio in October.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

And and so a question for the for the um the change order, and and I understand that it's a little over 1.5 million, right?

For the change order.

Uh what did that come from?

I know that it says increase contract capacity to allow for additional resurfacing.

How many additional streets were resurfaced with this?

Streets and maintenance department.

Um we are adding one additional street.

We're adding lowland.

So in order for us to finish it, we need to add capacity.

So we have a segment that they've already started.

And in order to complete the full segment, which we have not released any type of okay for them to go forward.

Um once you guys do approve it, we'll release a new task order for them to complete Lomaland.

And that's north of the freeway.

Thank you, Randy.

I appreciate it.

Representative Trahall.

Thank you, Mayor.

So I was briefed on this.

Uh I think it was earlier this week.

My days are all mixed together.

But I asked if you could add to the presentation the list of the streets.

I I don't see it here.

I we weren't able to add it because it was late in the day when we discussed it with you.

Um, but I did send your office the updated uh list, and I do have it, so I can amend it and send it to you, but we did send it out to your office as well.

Okay.

So my my question was if you could add it so that we could all see it.

Okay.

So if you can, I don't know, make a copy or send it to all the districts.

We'll send it to all of council.

I believe he's saying we had already posted the backup.

Okay, thank you.

All right, any further discussion on item number 40.

All right, Miss Bryan.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Malonado Rocha, and this is to approve the request on item 40 on that motion.

Call for the vote.

And the voting session and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, the sake 41.

Item 41 is discussion and action on a resolution that the city manager designee be authorized to effectuate the budget transfer to allocate budget from the master fire renovation project for the fire station A PCP.

Move to approve.

Second.

There's a motion and a second.

Uh represent Canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh quick question.

It'll definitely be for the department.

I don't know if they're here.

Yes.

Um actually more so for the fire department.

But you can probably answer the question, and that's that.

Uh I've heard there has been a rumor in the public that this fire station will be closing permanently.

I don't know where that came from.

I've told a lot of people that's not the case.

Can you confirm for me today that this is for a renovation of the project of the of the fire station and that we're not there's no intention to close fire stations in this area?

So good afternoon, Daniel Shield from CID uh repent host.

I don't have that information.

That's not something that but if we're renovating the building, then we are not closing this fire station.

Correct.

Okay, thank you.

Miss Mac, would you know that the representatives correct?

If we're investing in the building, we're keeping it in inventory.

Okay.

Just wanted to make sure we were clear on that.

Yeah, yeah, thank you.

Just uh making it clear for the public.

This one the fire station is not closing.

Good.

It will be temporarily closed while we do a renovation, but uh we hope to have a nice refreshed fire station back open for the public.

And if you look at the pictures, you can see that it really needs it.

So thank you.

All right, very good.

Any further discussion on item number 40 one, Miss Bryan?

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by alternate mayor pro tempedro to approve the resolution on item 41 on that motion.

Call for the vote.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

Let's take 42.

And the final item is 42, and this is discussion and action on a resolution approving the nine percent low-income housing tax credits evaluation procedures as set forth in attachment A of the resolution and super seats in its entirety.

The evaluation procedures adopted on October 15th, 2019.

Representative, do you want to make a motion?

Uh move to approve.

Second.

All right, and can we see the presentation?

Yep, sure.

Thank you.

All right, good afternoon.

Nicole Rodriguez, uh community human development director.

I'm here today to provide an update on the city's nine percent low-income housing tax credit policy.

This is a rewrite.

Um my presentation will walk through the recent council action, the importance of the program, and the updates we've made to ensure a more strategic approach to our housing development in Al Paso.

And I will say that this uh policy rewrite comes ahead of the comprehensive planning strategy that that Ms.

Mack has been talking about for our housing.

So on February 4th of this year, the city council approved a rewrite of our city's policy for our evaluating nine percent low-income housing tax credit applications.

That action directed staff uh to develop a new framework that includes a geographic index for location-based scoring, minimum point thresholds for eligibility, and then designated locations for application and with coming back to council with a count uh recommendation within 240 days, which is why I'm here today.

So the Dex Department of Housing and Community Affairs administers the competitive nine percent uh tax credit program to support the development of affordable housing.

Al Paso is part of Region 13.

And we typically receive about 2.5 million dollars a year annually, and that funds about one to two projects at the state level.

The city's role in this process is to evaluate applications and issue one of three responses.

We can issue a resolution of support, a resolution of no objection, or no action.

These responses are then submitted by the developer as part of the application to the state.

A resolution of support earns the application 17 points, a resolution of no objection gives them 14, or no action gives them zero for them to take competitively and and proceed with the process at the state level.

I wanted to talk a little bit about the importance of LITEC in our community.

This program is one of our only tools that we have to increase and preserve affordable housing.

In 2020, just to kind of highlight the issue here that's in front of us.

In 2020, 35% of the rental units in Al Paso were affordable to households earning 80% of the area media income or below.

But by 2023, that number had dropped to just 22%.

So this 9% Litech program is critical to preserve affordable housing within our state.

Our previous policy was adopted by council in October of 2019.

It was designed to align with the El Paso Regional Housing Plan, and it focused on maximizing units that address the affordability gap.

There was also prioritization for developers with local experience.

And it was, if you'll all recall, the old policy was limited to locations at the uptown, the downtown, and areas within a quarter mile of a Brio location.

Some of the key updates that we're bringing you today with the key changes are that we've developed a GIS based tool that promotes equitable development across all eight council districts.

Secondly, we've added a project feasibility component that awards points based on a project's budget, a developer's track record, and site readiness.

Third, is that the city now has an option to prioritize a single development that best aligns with our strategic goals.

This allows us to build in some flexibility.

And finally, we've established a clear scoring threshold that determines whether an application re receives one of those three actions the resolution of support, a resolution of no objection, or no action.

So this is a snapshot of the GIS tool that we've uh built in order to support the application process.

It identifies services located within a quarter mile of a proposed development site.

So developers looking to uh develop LITEC programs here can actually enter their address and see where they're located at.

And it's going to show if they're within a quarter mile of the services that we've identified here, which is health care, education, food, public transportation, workforce development, and community services.

These are six services that are critical to locate near for light tech purposes.

So affordable housing's best practice is that you locate within these services.

And this just helps that ensures that the projects are located in areas that support resident success.

And so you'll also notice some areas shaded in green.

These are census tracks that we've already identified as having more than four services.

So these green areas provide an additional five points.

Moving on to the evaluation criteria, the new evaluation framework is based on a 110-point scale.

Projects can earn up to 35 points just for being located in high opportunity area as identified by the GIS tool.

Another 35 points are available for maximizing affordable housing units.

15 points are awarded for promoting inclusive and accessible developments.

15 points are tied to the project's budget and financial readiness.

And then there are 10 bonus points available for projects located on city-owned land.

And it's uh application scoring 80 or above will receive a resolution of support.

Scores between 70 and 79 will receive a resolution of no objection, and then application scoring below 69 will receive no action.

So looking ahead, we'll begin outreach on the policy rewrite this month.

This will include office hours with previous Litech developers and a website with a map and information.

Late October, we will release the 2026 request for municipal resolutions allowing developers to apply.

And with that, I'm happy to take any questions.

Thank you for the presentation.

Representative Canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, I was I made the proposal back in February to uh update this policy and take a lot of these specific steps.

Thank you to the council for passing that unanimously back in February.

I think this is uh a great set of changes, and we're really due for it.

Um again, it's hadn't been revised in several years, and I think the landscape has changed quite a lot over those years.

Um couple things that I wanted to clarify.

Uh back on slide eight, those those thresholds, those are minimum thresholds, right?

So that is showing the the maximum of what would be allowed within those categories.

Um it's very possible that something could score uh between 70 and 79, but there is some reason why uh it's not a favored location by the council or something, and and it could still receive no action or the other way around.

Well, not the other way around, but for a resolution of support, for example, or or uh a project scoring above 80, it could receive a resolution of no objection, but it can't go higher essentially.

Okay.

Um then uh back to slide six, the selection of one development.

That that kind of reads like we would only choose one project, even if there was potentially capacity for more.

This to clarify that clarifying language, like it means one potential site, right?

The city could identify one site where it's a it also allows for one uh one application to move forward.

So let's say there's an application that is not scoring within those minimum thresholds of support.

It builds in flexibility for the council to say, you know what this particular um this particular project meets a lot of things, it just is not scoring really well.

So you have the ability to uh to basically go away from the thresholds of support and go with that project.

That definitely was not in the legislative intent of what I wrote in February.

I would really like for it to stick to the minimum thresholds for support for every project.

Um I didn't understand that in from our discussion in the briefing.

Um so I I'll definitely prepare an amendment here to remove that.

Um the intent was for the the allowance of or for for the city to be able to select one site as the only site on which we would uh accept uh an application and theoretically, you know, in theory that would be a city-owned site.

Um you know, in the future the city could potentially uh provide the land for a development and then say we will only accept applications, like we will only uh score applications for projects based at that site.

Um that was the discussion that we had had during the meeting back in February.

Let me read what the policy states and and then we can go from there.

So selection of the best application, which is an optional uh in the in the policy.

It says in any given year, the city may choose to prioritize a single development project based on its alignment with the city strategic goals.

This approach is in accordance with the QAP, which allows for cities to focus on projects that best meet community needs.

So the criteria for selection would be location, priority would be given at developments located in opportunity zones, community support, there's strong neighborhood support and demonstrated positive community impact, the feasibility and sustainability.

It has a well-documented financial plan and proven track records of success and then alignment with city goals.

The project must align with El Paso's strategic objectives for economic development, sustainability, and neighborhood revitalization.

The selected development will be awarded a letter of support from the city.

Other projects may receive a letter of no objection based on the points they accumulate through the evaluation process.

Yeah, again, that was definitely not the intent of what I what I wrote in February.

I'm reading from the I'm reading from my DHS from February, the direction said designated location for applications.

The policy will also include include an option for the city to designate specific locations each year where applications for LITEC funding will be considered, possibly on city-owned properties.

This targeted approach ensures that affordable developments are located in areas where there is a strategic need for housing, which could help enhance resident and neighborhood outcomes.

Um I think that maybe got like lost in translation.

I definitely don't think we should have the flexibility to waive the scoring and award regardless.

I think that's what's gotten to us into problems that we found ourselves in in the past.

Um the intention was definitely for designating specific locations and not allowing one project to override the scoring.

Understood.

So Representative Canalis, are you gonna make a an amendment?

Um I I will have to draft it.

Okay.

Um you can go around to other comments and I'd be happy to come back to it.

Okay.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Nicole, for the presentation.

I was um great speaking to you in my office about this agenda item.

And I want to thank you for all the work that you put into it, because I do agree that there needed to be some changes made to this.

Um as we discussed in my office, I do want to offer up an amendment.

Um, but first I want to give like a little explanation and background.

So if you pull up um the previous uh uh draft of the contract or the the language that we had in place before, there was uh previously, previously there were 15 up to 15 points allocated for local presence and long-term accountability in El Paso.

Those 15 points, it is my understanding from our conversation have been removed.

Is that correct?

That's correct.

Okay.

The f there's still 15 points available.

Um it I believe it was two points uh specific for for local presence.

Okay.

Um also previously there were up to a hundred points awarded, and now I think if we go to page eight of your presentation, there's uh a hundred and ten.

Is that correct?

Yes, that's correct.

Okay.

So I would like to offer an amendment.

I'm gonna email it to Ms.

Prine.

Um as I just mentioned, there were previously up to 15 points for local presence in Al Paso.

Um my amendment is going to offer the opportunity for people to be awarded up to five points, so not the 15, but up to five points, bonus points to be specific for local presence.

And um the reason why I want to offer up this amendment is because uh you know, I believe that local developers are here to support others in our community.

When we support uh local developers, and and I'm not trying to to say that other developers shouldn't be welcome in our community.

That's not what I'm trying to say, but when we do support local developers, they are rooted in our community and they understand uh cultural dynamics and specific housing needs that we have uh in El Paso.

They uh reinvest in our in our community as well by supporting others through uh their work, but also because most likely the people that they employ live, work and uh are raising families or or have other uh investments in our community as well.

I believe that keeping dollars circulating in our local economy is important.

Many times when we um you know outsource things, and again sometimes that is it is needed, but here it would be an opportunity for people to be awarded up to five points for being uh a part of our community, keeping those dollars in our community so that they can be reinvested in our community.

When we support local suppliers, we create more jobs in Al Paso, and this has a multiplying effect on our uh economy.

Local developers, I believe, have a vested interest in creating and preserving affordability for El Paso.

And um again, this would be a bonus up to five points.

So it's not conclusively five points, it would be up to five points, and really it's it's the same language you had previously.

So the previous and I misspoke, it was four points.

I just uh pulled up the language.

So uh past six the applicant has past experience involved in a development team constructing, operating, andor providing affordable housing for residents who fit the demographic profile to be served in Al Paso and is staff present of in Al Paso of at least five employees.

Okay.

Um so I'm gonna send this amendment to Laura so she can share it because um yes, it is it is it is very specific, and we'll be able to read it with the same bullet points okay that we um uh talked about.

I did add one other bullet point, so I'm only awarding one point per bullet point.

Understood.

And the last bullet point that's different from your language previously, Nicole.

Okay, so this is the only one that's different, is gonna say applicants who agree to work with businesses and contractors based in the city of El Paso limits or um our uh ETJ.

So let me just uh offer this amendment.

I would ask council to consider uh supporting local businesses that again promote economic development, umploy people from our community and are uh invested in the long term in El Paso.

So this would be uh a bonus point of up to five points.

Okay, thank you.

There's a motion and a second discussion on the amendment represent Pierre.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um Ms.

MacMear, you're we're making all these amendments to something that we are had already been presented and and understood.

Uh I I after this amendment, I'd like to make an amendment to postpone for a meeting to two weeks to really digest um the local points, really digest it, you know.

Can we do it?

And to see the changes that representative um is going to recommend and and who knows who other what other amendments are gonna come up.

Okay.

Okay, let's after this one.

Yeah.

So we were working on the amendment that Representative Chavez just presented.

Is there any discussion on her amendment?

And council, I forward it to your inboxes.

Thank you.

And if I could just make one quick point on the timeline here, because we're we're right up against the October release for municipal applications, this impacts when we're able to release without having that information.

And and I do want to point out again that it's the same language that was there previously.

So this is nothing new, and it's less points that were than were awarded previously.

Representative Rocha on the amendment.

No, that's it was up to 15 previously.

Up to 50.

If the category was for 15.

Now it's five.

Representative.

Thank you.

So Nicole, we add the five it goes to 115.

Yes, ma'am.

Now okay, just thank you.

Yep.

Representative Canales?

Do the thresholds uh adjust proportionally?

Is how how would we adjust those?

I would recommend keeping the thresholds at the same level.

Okay.

I that worries me because that means uh they're able to recommend lower quality project or proposed lower quality projects and still meet the thresholds as long as they're local.

Um it's essentially reducing the quality of projects that they need to submit in order to be eligible by five points if they're a local submitter.

Lowering it or rate uh if we lower it, then we would be awarding um resolutions of no objection below a 70.

And no, no, I'm talking about increasing it.

If we're increasing the total number of points on offer, then we would potentially increase the thresholds by a proportional amount.

I know that leaves us on uh non-tide numbers, but yes, um I I do think if we're adding points into the evaluation that we should also be increasing the thresholds to make sure that we're ensuring the same level of quality.

Proportionately correct.

Okay.

Now again, I know that it's complicated because it means it's a proportional increase for the local submitters, but not for the out-of-town submitters.

Correct.

Um it would place additional burden on anyone without this local presence in El Paso from developing in our in our area.

And but part of the whole point was that we've only had uh in in the private sector essentially two uh submitters for the last 10 plus years.

Uh until last year there was one that was awarded external submitter.

Part of the whole intent here was to try to open up the process to to greater competition to uh have a wider selection of uh potential uh submitters for for these credits.

Um I I worry that this amendment would uh have the opposite effect.

It's creating the conditions again for there to be only the two local participants in this in this process in the private sector.

Okay, and just clarification on the on the thresholds uh making it proportional.

When I think of bonus, I think of that is truly a bonus that like that's on top.

So if we if we change the thresholds, I see what you're saying, Representative Canales, but it would uh it would also be Yeah, again, though this is a bonus that some submitters can achieve and others can't in the at least in the term of a few years, like yeah, it's very easy to determine if they are or not, you know.

So right, but what I mean is that it's not that easy for somebody who wants to work in El Paso uh to reach the point where they comply with this.

It probably takes a couple years of ramping up in order to have a local office and multiple employees and five or more years of experience operating and managing affordable housing in El Paso.

That's not something that someone can just do and be competitive.

It takes at least five years, and then they have to have a commitment ten plus years into the future.

I think if there's a uh developer out there who wants to invest in El Paso, wants to develop this type of property in Al Paso, and is giving us something that is significantly better than uh some of the than the other proposers, then I I I have trouble saying yes, we'll consider you, but we're gonna reward the others more highly because they they have a local presence if their product isn't as good.

No, I understand.

Representative Fiarrell.

Thank you, Mayor.

And what's the definition of a local company?

The so the previous language that Representative Chavez was uh alluding to was the applicant has experience involved in a development team constructing, operating, and or providing affordable housing for residents who fit the demographic profile to be served in Al Paso, a staff president in Al Paso of at least five employees, five or more years experience as part of a development team financing, building, operating, and or managing affordable housing in Al Paso, and then commitment to extended affordability beyond the 30 years.

And then there was uh there was another additional point that she added.

I don't have that language representative Mayor Proton, what was the additional point that you added for uh what defines a local company?

Uh thank you, Representative Fierro.

Let me pull that up real quick.

But I do want to just uh respond to also to Representative Canada'cause because this year we awarded a contract to an outsider when our guideline stipulated even higher bonus points for someone being local, and they still were able to get a contract.

So if someone's already broken through that, that's not to say they wouldn't be able to do it again in the future, even with a less amount of bonus points awarded to them.

The last bullet point read applicants who agree to work with businesses and contractors based in the city of El Paso City Limits or ETJ.

So an outside company could get one point for this too.

Applicants who agree to work with businesses and contractors based in the city of Al Paso City Limits.

It's promoting uh local economic growth.

Thank you.

Okay.

Ms.

Prime, can you read the amendment to us?

Yes, Mayor.

And so this is to amend the procedures.

This is on page 10 and the amendment is to add under the heading bonus points to add bonus points for local presence and long-term accountability in El Paso in parentheses up to five points.

And then the bullets say first bullet is applicants that have past experience involved in a development team constructing, operating and or providing affordable housing for residents who fit the demographic, providing affordable housing for residents who fit the demographic profile to be served in El Paso.

In parentheses, it says one point.

Second point, at least five employees whose place of residence is in Al Paso, Texas, for at least the last two years.

Parentheses, a point.

Next bullet, five or more years experience as part of a development team financing, building, operating, or managing affordable housing in El Paso.

Parentheses one point.

Next bulb, commitment to extend affordability beyond 30 years by at least 10 years.

Parentheses one point.

And the last one is applicants who agree to work with businesses and contractors based in the city of El Paso city limits or ETJ in parentheses one point.

So that's how the five points are broken down.

Okay, call for the vote.

Yes, sir.

On that amendment.

Call for the vote.

And the voting session.

And the motion passes 721.

Representative Canales voting nay.

The remainder of council voting.

Aye, the motion carries.

Okay, let's go back to the main item.