El Paso City Council Meeting Summary - November 18, 2025
El Paso City Council Meeting - November 18, 2025
The El Paso City Council convened on November 18, 2025, to approve a series of proclamations, review city operations, and advance capital improvement projects. The meeting opened with the presentation of five mayoral proclamations honoring public health workers, family caregivers, the 50th anniversary of the CD Jarvis Basketball Tournament, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, and Eddie Guerrero. Following public comments addressing housing transparency, animal cruelty, and municipal ethics, the Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, delinquent hotel tax collections, zoning changes, and key agreements for crisis intervention and community development programs.
Consent Calendar
- Approved with Revisions: The consent agenda was approved unanimously after Representative Chavez requested the reclassification of the Delinquent Hotel Occupancy Tax report (Item 14) to the regular agenda for transparency. Two items regarding animal services department expenditures (Items 23 and 24) were deleted from the consent agenda per department request.
- Delinquent Hotel Occupancy Tax: The Council accepted a notation of delinquent hotel occupancy taxes as of October 31, 2025. Staff confirmed that an internal audit process identifies non-compliance, with a portion of the debt now in litigation with an external collection agency. Council members expressed support for creating an FAQ to clarify the audit process for the public.
- First Reading of Ordinances: The first reading of Ordinances 17 through 22 was approved unanimously. (Items 23 and 24 were deleted).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Elizabeth Crawford: Expressed strong support for life and anti-abortion positions, sharing a testimony of a person named Antonio who avoided being aborted due to family decisions.
- Wanda Helgeson (Border Rec): Expressed opposition to the city's handling of the ground lease termination at El Paso International Airport for emergency medical supplies, stating the city ignored attempts to cure a default and that the eviction notice was improperly processed. She described the city's actions as baffling and a refusal to engage.
- Claudia Contrera Siller: Expressed concern and opposition regarding the leniency of the judicial system in animal cruelty cases, citing a specific killer of a cat who received probation instead of prison time. She called for the hiring of experienced staff to fight animal cruelty.
- Ron Como: Expressed strong opposition to the management of Animal Services, criticizing the reliance on a single director and "misinformation" from city-paid consultants. He argued that the "no kill 2025" goal is unachievable and that the city must stop relying on one person for decisions.
- Patricia Osman: Expressed strong opposition to the transparency and ethics of city dealings, specifically criticizing the incomplete housing presentations as misleading to developers rather than citizens. She argued the city prioritizes donors over citizens, citing a disparity in how quickly a $350 lien is processed for a resident versus hundreds of thousands owed by businesses.
- Eddie Chavez Jr. & Chris Hernandez: Expressed concern regarding street maintenance, specifically regarding the installation of speed humps and the quality of street materials under Proposition A. They advocated for transparency on how the $236 million bond funds are being spent and argued against new fees without answering public questions about existing project timelines.
- Eviana Book: Expressed concern and opposition regarding the conditions at the Fort Bliss detention center, citing 60 violations and urging the Council to investigate the treatment of detainees given El Paso's border location.
- Item-Specific Comments:
- Paso del Norte Community Foundation: Ms. Osman again expressed opposition, arguing that the city's resolution to use this foundation for veteran vehicle gifts would siphon donor money away from established veterans' charities.
- CIT Agreement: Ms. Osman expressed concern regarding the effectiveness of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), citing a personal tragedy where her neighbor was arrested after four failed CIT calls, arguing the current process is not working.
- Climate Action Plan & CAPER: Ms. Osman expressed suspicion regarding the Community Human Development department, citing past "ill practices" and a lack of transparency in how federal funds are allocated to specific recipients.
- Municipal Management District One: Ms. Osman expressed strong opposition to the approval of the five-year CAP, labeling the lack of individual council approval for each project as a "red flag" and potentially misleading.
- Adopt a Street Program: Ms. Osman expressed mixed sentiment, supporting the volunteer concept but raising concerns about the difficulty in contacting Streets and Maintenance staff for regulatory questions and the need to assist seniors.
Discussion Items
- Proclamations:
- Public Health Thank You Day: Represented by Dr. Ocaranza and the Public Health team, who emphasized the unseen, behind-the-scenes role of health professionals in disease prevention and community safety.
- National Family Caregivers Month: Represented by AARP El Paso and family members Bridget Jordan and Gilbert Blancas, who shared emotional stories of the financial and emotional toll of caregiving.
- 50th Annual CD Jarvis Basketball Tournament: Represented by the El Paso High Alumni Association and students, highlighting the tournament's role as a cornerstone of community spirit and a pathway to college for athletes.
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Month: Represented by airport staff and parents of children with autism, who shared how the sunflower lanyard program provides inclusion and reduces anxiety for travelers.
- Eddie Guerrero Day: Represented by Eddie's family (Sherilyn and family members), who honored his legacy as a wrestler and cultural icon. The Lincoln Park Conservation Committee proposed a new mural concept to replace a deteriorating 25-year-old mural.
- Delinquent Hotel Occupancy Tax (Item 14): Staff and the City Attorney explained the audit process, the stages of collection (Controller, Legal, External Firm), and the risks of non-compliance. Council directed staff to create a public FAQ to prevent misinformation.
- Zoning Change (Item 25): Approved the rezoning of the westerly portion of Modesto Gomez Park from M1 to R5 to consolidate the parcel under one zoning district. Staff and Council reaffirmed that the park's use will not change and it remains a dedicated park facility.
- Crisis Intervention Team Agreement (Item 35): Approved the interlocal agreement with Emergence Health Network to continue the CIT program. Council members praised the program's history and requested more public communication regarding its capabilities and limitations.
- Ordinances Complying with Senate Bills 15 & 840 (Items 26-29): Approved amendments to the municipal code regarding water/wastewater fees, traffic impact analysis, zoning definitions, and the Smart Code to align with state housing laws. Staff clarified that these changes authorize specific small lot developments and mixed-use conversions but do not mandate them.
- Median Maintenance Program (Item 30): Department of Environmental Services presented the status of their median cleaning efforts, including increased spraying crews, partnerships with Streets and Maintenance, and parks. Council members raised concerns about parkway maintenance responsibilities and proposed a review of ordinances regarding homeowner liability for parkways near bus stops.
- Climate Action Plan (Item 31): Presented an update on the regional climate action plan, highlighting 140 community engagements, 3,700 unique inputs, and a goal to reduce emissions by 21% by 2030. Council commended the robust public engagement and noted the plan's limitations regarding the international border.
- HUD Programs Report (Item 32): Presented the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for HUD entitlement programs. Staff highlighted the successful investment of $5.1 million in neighborhood infrastructure and vulnerable resident support.
- Capital Improvement Plans (Items 33-34):
- Environmental Services: Presented the five-year CIP, including landfill expansion, new citizen collection stations, and the East Side Municipal Service Center, all funded by the solid waste fee.
- Destination El Paso: Presented the FY2025-2026 Capital Improvement Plan ($4.16 million funded by Hotel Occupancy Tax) for downtown venues. Council members emphasized the need for long-term capital planning for aging facilities like the Chavez Theater and requested a full review of facility revenues and costs.
- East Side Regional Park Phase Two (Item 36): Approved a budget transfer of $4.6 million from investment interest and project savings to complete the second phase of the park, which includes pickleball courts, restrooms, and landscaping.
- El Paso Municipal Management District No. 1 (Item 37): Approved the five-year capital improvements and maintenance plan, allowing the District to issue bonds without further city council approval for individual projects.
- Adopt a Street Program (Item 38): Approved the establishment of a new volunteer program to clean parkways on collector streets and minor arterials. Council members pledged discretionary funds to kickstart the program, with multiple representatives committing to adopt specific streets.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous Votes: The following resolutions and ordinances passed unanimously:
- Approval of the revised Consent Agenda.
- Acceptance of Delinquent Hotel Occupancy Tax report (Item 14).
- First Reading of Ordinances 17-22 (Item 15).
- Adoption of zoning ordinance for Modesto Gomez Park (Item 25).
- Approval of the Crisis Intervention Team interlocal agreement (Item 35).
- Adoption of ordinances 26-29 to comply with Senate Bills 15 & 840.
- Approval of the Destination El Paso Capital Improvement Plan resolution (Item 34).
- Approval of the budget transfer for East Side Regional Park Phase Two (Item 36).
- Approval of the Municipal Management District No. 1 five-year plan (Item 37).
- Approval of the Adopt a Street Program resolution (Item 38).
- Directives & Next Steps:
- City Attorney's Office to create and publish a public FAQ regarding the hotel occupancy tax audit process.
- Environmental Services to bring back an ordinance review regarding parkway maintenance responsibilities near bus stops and multi-ownership parcels.
- Destination El Paso to provide a comprehensive briefing to the full Council on facility revenues, management fees, and the 5-year capital plan for venues.
- City Staff to integrate the Adopt a Street Program into the "Keep El Paso Beautiful" initiative and launch a pilot project in the spring.
- Public Sentiment: Significant public concern was expressed regarding the lack of transparency in departmental spending, the perceived leniency of the judicial system regarding animal cruelty, and the need for more aggressive collection of municipal taxes from corporate entities." }
Meeting Transcript
The mask and everything that's here in City Hall. So we're going to get started. And we're going to begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Yes, sir. Good morning, and welcome to the presentation of the Mayor's Proclamations. We begin with a Pledge of Allegiance. This morning we have students from Saint Mark's Elementary School. At the invitation of City Representative Alejandra Chavez. Brian Plundo and Camille Plundo. And so they're right for which is status. And then all the right things. That brings us to the mayor's proclamations. For those of you receiving a proclamation this morning, your group will have up to four minutes collectively to speak at the podium. We'll have a timer on the monitors in chamber so you can keep track of your time. The first proclamation this morning is public health thank you. Thank you, thank you, Mayor. If we could have oh, yeah, here they're coming through the crowd. Representatives for public health day today. Dr. Taneja, are you here? There you are. Good morning, everyone. Come forward. Good morning. This is the proclamation from the City of El Paso. And it reads like this: whereas public health professionals improve community health by preventing illness and injury before they occur, complementing the work of health care providers who treat individuals. And whereas public health professionals help everyone by ensuring that all community members have access to resources necessary for a healthy and safe life. And whereas public health professionals work in diverse roles, including many behind-the-scenes positions to support local communities through disease prevention, health promotion, emergency preparedness, and equitable access to services. And whereas public health professionals collaborate with local, state, and national partners to address public health challenges, ensuring strong support systems for health care and long-term care facilities. And whereas there is a growing need to support public health professionals through investments in workforce development, mental health resources, adequate staffing, and professional growth opportunities to sustain their essential work. And whereas on this occasion, the City of El Paso joins all El Pasuans in expressing profound gratitude to the dedicated public health servants whose unwavering commitment to service continues to make a lasting difference in the community. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the City of El Paso, recognizing the invaluable contributions of public health workers and the importance of supporting their efforts to protect and improve the health of all El Pasuans. November eighteenth, 2025 shall be known as Public Health Thank You Day, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. Thank you very much. These principles guide our daily work. By investing in workforce retention, we reduce turnover costs, maintain institutional knowledge, and ensure continuity of services that protect every El Paso resident. Today is a day to recognize the invaluable contributions that we make to the health and well-being of our communities. We are on the unspoken, often unrecognized heroes who keep our city safe, healthy, and strong on this aligns with this principle. Health care is vital to all of us some of the time, but public health is vital to all of us all of the time. Our work extends beyond the technical aspects of health. It is driven by passion, by empathy, and a commitment to inclusiveness. We work tirelessly to protect and support our community members, offering guidance and resources to those who need it most. Our compassion and resilience are key to maintaining trust in our health systems and ensuring that the communities we serve stay informed and protected. This supports the notion that public health works to serve the local communities and public health benefits everyone. Much of our work may unfold quietly, but its impact echoes across our community. Every day we save lives by stopping diseases before they spread, by building environments where health can thrive, and by ensuring that every person has the opportunity to live well. And though our efforts may not always be visible, their effects are deeply felt in the lives we protect and the futures we strengthen. And this speaks to the big idea that public health focuses on preventing people from getting sick or hurt. And we ensure safety and accessibility to critical resources such as health education, screening and treatment. We are responding to immediate health needs and laying the groundwork for long-term health improvements that will benefit future generations.
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