El Paso City Council Meeting - December 2, 2025

This meeting of the El Paso City Council, convened Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 10:03 a.m. with Mayor Bernard Johnson presiding, focused on celebrating community achievements through a series of mayoral proclamations and addressing routine administrative business. The Council honored the Fort Bliss Boss program, the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors (GEPAR), Bishop Mark Sites and border migrant advocacy groups, and the 35th anniversary of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The meeting included a moment of silence for the late Alicia Chacona, public testimony on religious topics, animal rights, water utility deposits, and infrastructure safety, and unanimous votes on the consent agenda, property sales, easement vacations, and personnel-related resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the consent agenda with no revisions per a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez and a second by Alternate Mayor Pro Tem Pierre.
• Unanimously approved the first reading of five ordinances (Items 10–14).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elizabeth Crawford: Expressed strong opposition to abortion based on religious conviction, arguing that belief in a God who cares leads women to choose life over abortion, especially during crisis pregnancies. She framed the issue through the lens of Hanukkah and the Advent season, urging Council to act as "the light of the world."
• Claudia Contreras Siller: Expressed full support for a rigorous selection process for the new Animal Services director. She advocated for a leader with "brave" communication skills and experience fighting animal cruelty. She argued that the city must prioritize fostering over euthanasia and urged the public to report animal cruelty aggressively, stating that money spent on animal services is "sacred."
• Laura Ochoa Todd: Expressed strong support for changing El Paso Water Utilities policy to refund customer deposits after 12 consecutive months of on-time payments. She argued that since the utility is publicly owned, it is unjust for them to retain deposit interest while citizens have met payment criteria, as currently required to close accounts to receive refunds.
• Eddie Chavez Jr.: Expressed concern regarding the safety and budget oversight of the water department's overhead tanks and backup generators. He questioned who is monitoring the budget and the financial impact of the million-dollar generators sitting idle, suggesting the city should "keep an eye" on these assets and risks.

Discussion Items

• Fort Bliss Boss Day Proclamation: Represented Chavez read the proclamation honoring the "Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS)" program for its contributions to soldier well-being and community service (hunger relief, cleanups, running). The program sponsor stated they are "integral" to the community and thanked the city for recognizing their mission readiness efforts.
• GEPAR Day Proclamation: Represented Nino read the proclamation celebrating the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors. Tony Delgado, CEO of GEPAR, expressed full gratitude and stated that realtors are "huge advocates for private property rights" and "huge advocates for affordable housing." He detailed how their advocacy contributed to property tax relief measures, specifically noting the school tax exemption increase from $100,000 to $140,000, and up to $200,000 for those 65+ or disabled.
• Bishop Mark Sites and Border Migrant Advocates Day Proclamation: Represented Limon read the proclamation honoring Bishop Sites and three organizations (Annunciation House, Hope Border Institute, Las Americas) for their humanitarian work. Bishop Sites expressed gratitude, stating the work is done with "radical love" and is a "recognition of our community." Marisa Limon Garzan, of Las Americas, expressed that they "stand in solidarity with the poor" and view their defense of rights as "radical and oppositional" in the current U.S. political climate. Dylan Corbett of Hope Border Institute voiced support for the community's unique response to migration, emphasizing that the work is born of "solidarity and... love."
• Property Conveyance (Item 15): Staff presented the sale of 331 West Missouri to Dr. Roberto Moreno for $130,000, noting the property was appraised at $90,000. The Council voted to authorize the conveyance.
• Easement Vacation (Item 16): Staff presented a request to vacate a 60-foot drainage easement north of Los Mochis Drive and west of I-10. The Planning Commission and staff recommended approval, noting utilities are no longer needed. The Council voted to adopt the resolution.
• Appraisal District Voting Allocation (Item 17): Council discussed and approved the resolution for voting allocations for the El Paso Central Appraisal District Board, specifically naming Tanny Berg and Jackie York as the candidates receiving the highest vote counts.
• District Discretionary Funds:
  • District One (Item 18): Represented Chavez moved to approve up to $5,000 to support youth, senior, and community engagement events. Council expressed full support for the initiative.
  • District Five (Item 19): Represented Nino moved to approve up to $5,000 for the initial costs of the "Adopt a Street" beautification program. Council expressed full support.
• Vector Solutions Contract (Item 20): Council approved the re-award of the Vector Solutions training management system software. No opposition was voiced.
• Stop Loss Insurance (Item 21): Council discussed the award of a one-year Stop Loss contract to Aetna Life Insurance Company for approximately $5.99 million. Representative Acevedo expressed skepticism regarding the lack of competition (only two proposals received), questioning if past disqualification of Blue Cross Blue Shield or purchasing process complexities deterred bidders. Mary Wiggins, Chief Human Resources Officer, clarified that Stop Loss for large self-funded entities is a specialized market with few providers; the annual RFP is necessary to ensure competitive rates. Aetna was noted as the sole provider of this specific coverage for the city at a 0% rate increase. Council voted unanimously to award.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations Adopted: December 2, 2025, was officially designated as Fort Bliss BOSS Day, Greater El Paso Association of Realtors Day, Bishop Mark Sites and Border Migrant Advocates Day, and the 35th Anniversary of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• Property Sale: Council unanimously approved the ordinance conveying 331 West Missouri to Dr. Roberto Moreno for $130,000.
• Easement Vacated: Council unanimously adopted the ordinance vacating the specified drainage easement in Northwest El Paso.
• Appraisal District: Council unanimously approved the resolution naming Tanny Berg and Jackie York for the Central Appraisal District Board positions.
• Funding Allocations: Council unanimously approved $5,000 discretionary spending for District One community events and $5,000 for District Five's "Adopt a Street" program.
• Insurance Contract: Council unanimously awarded the 2025-2026 Stop Loss insurance contract to Aetna Life Insurance Company for $5,987,728.
• Meeting Adjournment: The regular meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m. with a motion by an unnamed council member and a second.