El Paso City Council Meeting - March 3, 2026

The El Paso City Council met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:14 AM in Council Chambers. Mayor Renard Johnson presided. The meeting included several proclamations, public comment on multiple topics, and key votes on the Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) program, the I-10 Deck Plaza design agreement, and the Public Safety Training Academy GMP. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.

Proclamations

• Oro Temple No. 9 and Oral Court No. 20 – Recognized for their 106th Annual Potentate and Commanders Ball, taking place March 28, 2026, at the Wyndham Airport and Casino. The proclamation highlighted their charitable contributions, including donations to the United Negro College Fund, Child Crisis Center, Salvation Army, and the Shriners Health and Medical Research Foundation.
• American Red Cross Month (March 2026) – Celebrating 115 years of service in El Paso (since 1911, founded during the Mexican Revolution). Representative Rocha noted that volunteers installed 100 smoke alarms in 38 homes in Canutillo the prior weekend, with over 50 volunteers. The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation's blood supply.
• International Women's Week / Via Maria – Honored Via Maria, a transitional housing program for women experiencing homelessness, operating an 8,800 sq ft facility serving 22 residents at a time. Executive Director Sister Helen Santa Maria accepted the recognition. The program serves 65 to 75 women annually, many survivors of domestic violence or trauma.
• National Transit Employee Appreciation Day (March 18, 2026) – Recognized Sun Metro employees. Director Anthony DeKaiser announced that in 2025, Sun Metro provided more than 5.5 million passenger trips using approximately 100 buses on 50+ routes. The system achieved 91% on-time performance, a 48% increase in streetcar ridership, and a 3.6% reduction in vacancies. The department was awarded the Texas Transit Association's 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation General Manager award.
• La Fe César Chávez Day (March 31, 2026) – Celebrated the legacy of César Chávez and the upcoming La Fe Preparatory School Children's César Chávez March, which will take place on what would have been Chávez's 99th birthday. The march has been held annually since 2007.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 24 (Flock Safety): Seven speakers (David Espino, Erica Heise, Orlando Cordova, Juan Ortiz, Shailyn Cohen Jones, and others) urged council not to renew the Flock contract, citing privacy concerns, unauthorized data sharing with federal agencies in other jurisdictions (e.g., Evanston, IL; Cambridge, MA; Mountain View, CA), and the risk of immigration enforcement use. One speaker, Beth Langenbaugh, a mother of two first responders, supported the program for its role in recovering stolen vehicles and protecting officers.
• Item 25 (I-10 Deck Plaza): Six speakers (Layla Mayorga, Jimena Guerrero, Joe Gudenrath, Julio Muñoz, Diego Reyes, Patrick Butler Repp, and Manny Rodriguez) voiced strong support. They thanked Senator César Blanco for securing $10 million in state funding and emphasized the project's potential to reconnect downtown neighborhoods, create economic activity (projected $1 billion), and provide public space. Nicole Reese of the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation reported committed funds: $10 million state, $3 million federal appropriations, $1 million from the county, $25 million from the El Paso MPO, and a goal of $35 million in private philanthropy.
• Other Public Comments:
  • Pigeon Trapping: Juan Ortiz (a veteran and pigeon trapper) claimed pigeons spread diseases and cited Texas Parks and Wildlife Code allowing eradication; Claudia Contreras Siller and Marcy Chavez opposed inhumane trapping and called for regulation.
  • DWI Crisis: Lupe Hernandez Lucero and Veronica Diaz of the Sober Streets Movement cited 370 DWI arrests in two months (6 per day) and urged reforms: lowering the BAC limit to 0.05%, bond reforms, and stricter penalties for intoxication manslaughter.
  • Gas Rates: Peter Holder complained of a 7,000% increase in delivery charges (from $1.30 to $77) and a 128% increase in gas cost (from $28.74 to $65.51) on his bill from January to February 2026.
  • Animal Services: Ron Como criticized the shelter's adoption, return-to-owner, and rescue rates, alleging cruelty and mismanagement.
  • Skate Park Maintenance: Philip Sullivan (El Paso Skate Park Association) requested specialized concrete repair and partnership with the city to maintain skate parks.
  • Other: Elizabeth Crawford spoke against abortion; Patricia Osman raised ethics concerns about campaign contributions and the Deck Plaza project; Rodolfo Parra Jr. promoted the EP Hunt 2026 scavenger hunt.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 – Operation Lone Star Grant (FY27): The council approved a $500,000 grant (no cash match) for overtime to combat auto theft, burglary, and organized crime. Council debated concerns about federal data sharing and immigration enforcement. Representative Canales opposed the grant due to broader issues with Operation Lone Star. An amendment to require quarterly reporting to council was accepted. Vote: 6-2 (Limon and Canales nay).
• Item 9 – Border Zone Grant (FY27): A $242,245 grant (no cash match) for fire department vehicles and equipment for search and rescue. Representative Limon moved to strike language about "organized crime" from the grant description. After no second, the motion failed, but the grant was approved unanimously.
• Item 23 – Trump Campaign Debt: Representative Limon requested quarterly reports from the city manager and city attorney on the status of the $569,000+ debt (now over $600,000 with interest) owed by the Trump campaign for a 2019 rally. Council voted 7-2 (Boyar Trejo nay) to begin quarterly billing.
• Item 24 – Flock Safety Contract: A motion to not renew the contract with Flock Safety (ending May 2026) was defeated 3-7. Council debated privacy risks (citing incidents in 17 other cities) vs. public safety benefits (60 vehicles recovered, $600,000 in property, and multiple murder and road-rage cases solved using the system). An amendment exempting ALPR use for toll collection at international bridges passed 5-3 (Chavez, Rocha, Fierro nay). Following the vote, council directed the city manager to present a transparency report and launch a website within 60 days.
• Item 25 – I-10 Deck Plaza Design Agreement: Council approved an advanced funding agreement with TxDOT for $10.6 million ($8.04 million state rider, $2 million transportation credits, $561,001 city match from TIRZ 5) for design of tunnel infrastructure for the future deck plaza. The item passed 7-2 (Limon nay).
• Item 28 & 29 – Public Safety Training Academy: Council approved a $128.15 million GMP for Phase 1 of the Public Safety Training Academy, Fire/PD Headquarters, and Vehicle Maintenance Center on 50 acres at Global Reach Drive. The $25.2 million shortfall will be covered by $19 million in bond savings and up to $6.2 million from sale of existing public safety properties. Both items passed unanimously.
• Item 30 – Chief Internal Auditor Appointment: After closed session, council appointed Adrian Serrano as Chief Internal Auditor, effective upon successful background check. Vote was 5-2 (Fierro and Limon nay; Canales abstained).

Key Outcomes

• Flock Safety Contract: Not renewed at expiration (May 2026). Council directed staff to produce a transparency report.
• I-10 Deck Plaza: Design agreement approved; continuation depends on securing $19 million for future-proofing construction and $207 million+ for the deck itself.
• Public Safety Bond: Project will proceed without additional debt, funded by bond savings and property sales.
• Chief Internal Auditor: Adrian Serrano appointed; employment contingent on pre-employment requirements.
• Trump Campaign Debt: City will send quarterly invoices; no lawsuit was filed as of the meeting.