El Paso City Council Work Session - October 13, 2025
El Paso City Council Work Session - October 13, 2025
This work session of the El Paso City Council was held on October 13, 2025, starting at 9:02 AM and adjourning at 12:41 PM after an executive session. The council heard presentations on capital improvement plans from the Airport, International Bridges, Sun Metro, and El Paso Water, and received an update on the federal government shutdown. Key actions included approval of the Airport's five-year capital improvement plan and settlement of two lawsuits.
Discussion Items
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Airport Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (FY2025–FY2030): Director Tony Nevarez presented the $316,083,505 plan, funded by FAA grants ($131M), airport revenue ($100M), passenger facility charges ($27M), and other sources. The plan includes recently completed projects ($51.7M), projects in design ($86M), and projects in construction ($114M). Council members praised the airport's modernization and sustainability efforts. The plan was approved unanimously.
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International Bridges Capital Improvement Program Update: Director Roberto Tinajero provided an update on projects including a $6.2M toll collection system upgrade, a $32M intelligent transportation system for Bridge of the Americas and Zaragoza Bridge (100% design, construction starting January 2026), restroom and break room improvements at commercial lanes, bridge maintenance, and a feasibility study for potential expansion of the Zaragoza Bridge ($5M). The council discussed the importance of beautification and pedestrian improvements.
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Sun Metro Capital Improvement Plan: Deputy Transit Officer Jerry DeMuro presented the plan focusing on state of good repair ($6.4M/year), system optimization (Sun Metro Rising route restructuring in 2026, Sunday service restoration by 2028–2029, extended evening hours by 2029–2030), and system expansion (feasibility study for Montana Brio extension to Beast Urban Park). Recently completed projects included 112 bus pads, transit center renovations, and bus stop enhancements. The council discussed outreach results and route-specific concerns.
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El Paso Water Capital Improvement Projects and Updates: Vice President Gilbert Trejo presented key performance indicators (water loss reduction, leak rate per 100 miles, steel plate reduction), legislative successes ($14M from state for Upper Valley river water treatment plant design), and ongoing projects (new digital meter installation at 40% completion with app in 2026, airway construction clearing for holidays, monsoon season infrastructure performance). The council discussed affordability, data center water usage, and the upcoming budget workshop (November 13, 6 PM).
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Federal Shutdown Preparation and Updates: Legislative Liaison Alejandra Gorski and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar's district director Emily Loya provided an update on the shutdown that began October 1, 2025. City services remain uninterrupted due to obligated federal funds. The shutdown is related to ACA tax credit disputes. Approximately 14,000 El Paso residents are federal employees or military. The city has a rapid response framework and is coordinating with departments. The council discussed impacts on air traffic control, child care resources, and the importance of communication.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1 (Airport CIP): Motion to approve the resolution carried unanimously (Representative Fierro not present).
- Executive Session Item EX1 (Ruben Aldaz settlement): Motion to accept settlement offer passed unanimously.
- Executive Session Item EX2 (Adrian De Luna settlement): Motion to accept settlement offer passed unanimously.
- Executive Session Item EX3 (Economic development opportunities): No action taken.
Meeting Transcript
Two order, Miss Bryan. Yes, sir. Good morning. This is a work session of the El Paso City Council for Monday, October 13, 2025. It is 9.02 a.m. Mayor Johnson is present and presiding in council chambers along with Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, Representative Boyatrejo, Representative Nino, Alternate Mayor Pro Tempiero, Representative Limon, and Representative Malonado Rocha and Representative Canales are approaching the days. Okay. Mayor, we have a quorum. Thank you. Representative Fierra, would you lead us in a pledge of allegiance? Thank you, Mayor. Thank you again, Mayor. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God. Good morning, good morning, morning. Okay, Ms. Ryan, I believe that brings us to agenda item number one. Yes, sir. Item number one is discussion in action on a resolution to approve the Department of Aviation's El Paso International Airport five-year capital improvement plan FY2025 through FY2030 in the estimated total projects cost come out of 316 million eighty-three thousand five hundred and five dollars and to authorize the city manager to make all necessary budget transfers prior to the execution of the projects. And Representative Acevedo has joined the meeting at 9.04. All right. Good morning. The airport. Good morning. While IT pulls the presentation up, I'd like to take a minute and introduce my team if you all don't mind. Sure. So in the in the crowd today, I have Vicky Ruiz, who's our capital improvements program administrator. I have Roberto Ortega, he's a project manager, Enoch Bordier, Zhuhei Monghe, project manager, and Adriana is our chief planner. So they're a big part of our success at the airport. Shane they asked, is Tony Invisible? Thank you. Tony's here. Okay. Uh just jumping into the presentation. Uh we are a um department of the city. We fall under the strategic plan goals number one, grow the core business of air transportation by expanding airport development. And then today's agenda will go over a capital improvement plan overview, recently completed projects, projects and design, projects and construction, program highlights, and then looking ahead into the future with planned projects. So a little background, capital improvement planning 101. Um we follow a regularly approved capital improvement program. It is a five-year span containing all of the individual capital projects, major equipment purchases, and major studies that we have planned. The EPA, the airport programs at CIP anticipating an annual receipt of approximately 10 million in airport revenue, 5.1 million in FAA airport improvement program entitlement funding. That is our formula grant that we receive from the FAA, so it's based on the number of passengers we receive through the terminal each year. And then 7.1 million in passenger facility charges. PFCs is the $4.50 fee that you see on your airline ticket when you book your ticket. We collect those and program them for projects around the airport. So uh airport CIP growth. Uh it was sitting at 276 million. Today we're sitting at 316 million, and that's a result of potential grant awards. We do consider ourselves or we're looking to be successful in our grant program in the future. Increased construction costs, and then continued investment in airport development.
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