El Paso City Council Regular Meeting - October 14, 2025

The El Paso City Council convened on October 14, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, consent agenda approval, public hearings, and action on multiple resolutions. Key topics included a shared-use path project, a partnership with UTEP for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, updates on 311 operations, and several economic development and infrastructure items. The meeting adjourned at 3:54 PM.

Proclamations

• Raymond Telles Day: Recognized the first Mexican American mayor of a major U.S. city; his daughter spoke.
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month: The Center Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV) reported serving over 3,000 individuals in the past year; all services are free.
• Tom Lea Celebration Month: Honored the El Paso artist with 20 events planned.
• American Red Cross Sound the Alarm Day (Oct 18): Volunteers will install free smoke alarms in Northeast El Paso, aiming for 125 homes.
• Environmental Services Department (ESD) Day: Recognized staff for community bonding, including a sanitation crew's relationship with a young resident.

Consent Calendar

• Approved consent agenda with revisions: Item 9 moved to regular agenda; Item 11 corrected from reappointment to initial appointment; Item 34 to be heard at 11:00 AM. All other routine items approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Immigration Enforcement: Frank Leal urged stronger protections against ICE actions, citing risks to El Paso's majority-Mexican American population.
• Abortion Opposition: Elizabeth Crawford argued abortion is captivity, citing biblical references.
• Animal Services: Multiple speakers (Claudia Contreras Siller, Ron Como, Pamela de la Oya) criticized Animal Services, citing stolen pets, lack of enforcement, and called for a new director with law enforcement background.
• Airport Hangar Lease: Wanda Helgeson (Border RAC) reported improper termination of their sublease; a JP judge denied eviction.
• Ethics & Transparency: Patricia Osman claimed neighborhood association presidents receive special favors and that city processes strip citizen rights.
• Climate Action: Ian Valdez encouraged council to prioritize the Climate Action Plan with external funding to avoid tax increases.
• No Kings Protest: Luis Reese warned of potential violence at an upcoming protest, attributing radicalization to Antifa rhetoric.
• Speaker on Item 15: Patricia Osman argued that stakeholder notification via a single letter to a neighborhood association president is inadequate.
• Speaker on Item 23: Ms. Osman questioned the location of a trunk-or-treat and the funding source for District 2 events.
• Speaker on Item 24: Ms. Osman criticized accepting a grant from Marathon Petroleum, citing environmental concerns.
• Speaker on Item 25: Ms. Osman reported 311 inefficiencies, including lack of resolution and misrouting.
• Speaker on Item 26: Ms. Osman alleged conflicts of interest between Jordan Foster Construction and a city employee.
• Speaker on Items 29 & 30: Ms. Osman opposed use of TED funds for Schneider Electric and port feasibility, arguing funds should benefit broader community.
• Speaker on Item 32: Ms. Osman cited previous capital improvement mismanagement, calling for broader audits.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – Sunland Park Shared Use Path: Awarded professional services contract to WSP USA Inc. ($799,621.05) for a shared-use path from Mesa to Cadiz. Representative Chavez raised concerns about travel costs ($12,000) and local firm participation; Representative Rocha questioned stormwater scope. Approved 7-1 (Rocha dissenting).
• Item 34 – UTEP Build Back Better Partnership: Approved partnership to jointly manage $10 million in federal funds for aerospace and defense manufacturing. UTEP will focus on technical expertise; city will handle administration. Unanimous vote.
• Item 17 – Condition Release at 5662 N. Mesa: Approved release of outdated zoning conditions (from 1970s) for medical clinic property. Unanimous.
• Items 18-20 – Zoning Code Amendments: Adopted three ordinances to comply with state laws (SB 1341, HB 24, HB 2464) regarding manufactured home definitions, home occupation uses, and protest procedures. Unanimous.
• Item 21 – TML Board Appointment: Appointed Representative Lily Limón to Texas Municipal League Board. Unanimous.
• Item 22 – Appraisal District Nomination: Nominated Jackie York for El Paso Appraisal District Board. Unanimous.
• Item 23 & 24 – District 2 Events: Authorized $2,000 in discretionary funds and accepted $4,000 grant from Marathon Petroleum for fall festivals and trunk-or-treat. Unanimous.
• Item 25 – 311 Operations Update: Cross-functional team presented improvements, including redesigned customer relations manager role, 45 call agents, and 11 KPIs met. AI pilot for after-hours calls reached 4,265 calls. Council requested better data, user-friendly app, and coordination with Monday.com.
• Item 26 – Westside Medians Project: Awarded $9,297,781.75 to Jordan Foster Construction for lighting and landscape improvements on multiple corridors. Unanimous.
• Item 27 – Chapter 380 with RFD Beaufort: Approved incentives up to $151,074 for defense/aerospace company creating 70 new jobs and retaining 140. Unanimous.
• Item 28 – Downtown Management District Interlocal: Approved 5-year agreement with $310,000 starting annual cost for sanitation, event permitting, and grant programs, with 3% annual escalation. Unanimous.
• Item 29 – Northwestern Drive Traffic Safety: Approved $100,000 from TED fund for improvements near Schneider Electric campus, following a pedestrian fatality. Unanimous.
• Item 30 – Ysleta/Zaragoza Port Feasibility: Approved $5 million from TED fund for study to expand commercial lanes, in preparation for BOTA closure. Unanimous.
• Item 31 – Paseo del Este MUD Bonds: Approved issuance of $1.4 million in bonds for water/wastewater facilities; not city debt. Unanimous.
• Item 32 – On-Call Services Audit: Accepted audit with 4 findings; CID procedures updated. Unanimous.
• Item 33 – Vehicle Allowance & Take-Home Cars Audit: Accepted audit; HR developing citywide take-home vehicle policy by Nov 15, 2025. Unanimous.
• Item 35 – Desalination Plant Expansion: Authorized mayor to sign resolution for DEAAG grant application ($4 million) to expand Kay Bailey Hutchison plant from 27.5 to 33.5 MGD. Unanimous.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All items except item 9 passed unanimously. Item 9 passed 7-1 (Rep. Rocha opposed).
• Consent Agenda: Approved with revisions (items 9, 11, 34).
• Ordinances: First reading for zoning changes at South of Artcraft (item 15) and 4806 Atlas Ave (item 16) – public hearings set for Nov 4, 2025.
• Grant Application: Council authorized application to Texas Military Preparedness Commission for $4 million for desalination expansion.
• Policy Updates: HR to finalize take-home vehicle policy by Nov 15, 2025; 311 improvements to continue with council input.
• Audit Follow-up: CID to implement audit recommendations; FOAC will monitor.
• Public Input: Multiple public comments addressed animal services, immigration, and contract transparency; council noted concerns.

Meeting Adjourned: 3:54 PM.