By the Honorable Mayor Reynard Johnson.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Thank you all so much for having us here.

I want uh we've been doing this for half a uh half a century, uh, community development has, and I want to really quickly put things into perspective for you.

So back in 2001, the City of Al Paso received about 12.8 million in community development funding.

That's about 20 million dollars in today's funds.

Back in 2001, Michael Jordan was still in the MBA.

Blockbuster was still in business, and some of my staff wasn't even born yet.

Today, that number is closer to 6.4 million.

And it has stayed around that level for more than a decade.

Meanwhile, the need in our community continues to grow.

In spite of all that, we make every dollar count.

We stretch these resources as far as possible so that they reach the people and create real impact.

With so many questions at the federal level, this week is an opportunity to show why these programs matter to the community we call home.

I also want to recognize the people behind this work.

To our department staff who manage these funds with integrity, urgency, and care.

Thank you.

Your work is complex, often behind the scenes, and absolutely essential.

To our nonprofit partners, developers, and community organizations.

Thank you for being on the ground and turning these resources into real impact.

And as part of community development week, we always do a service project.

And this year, uh the service project that we chose to take on is partnering with the El Paso Police Department and the Heart Initiative on an outreach effort to connect people experiencing homelessness with services they urgently need.

It reflects the kind of teamwork that makes a real difference.

Well, Nicole, you have a big team here, and and congratulations to to each and every one of you, and thank you for strengthening our neighborhoods through partnerships, through federal partnerships, and all that you're doing.

We are so so proud of you.

We're going to give the rest of the time though.

We'd like for them to at least come through and at least introduce themselves.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

Yeah, go.

Hi everybody.

Um I wasn't expecting to speak to everybody today.

Uh my name's Adrian.

Nine months ago, uh, I started my onboarding process.

I met the honorable mayor at the front door, and he greeted me and welcomed me to the team.

And it was a beautiful moment uh to really, you know, encapsulate what it means to serve the public.

Um I'm really proud of everything that the team is doing.

Um probably one of the newest people at the staff, but everybody behind me is incredibly knowledgeable.

From our finance team to our services team to our neighborhood team, our neighborhood services team, our ADA team.

Everybody behind me is very special and um happy to be a part of it.

So my name's Adrian.

Hi, everybody, and I'm glad to be part of the team.

Hi, my name is Rebecca Listerio.

I work with the foster grandparent program.

Hi, my name's Melissa Garcia, my grant accounting specialist.

I'm uh Ivan Kelina Kressbach, uh foster grandparents program, voluntary program coordinator.

Hi, I'm Michelle Rosotto.

I'm the intake specialist for Title VI and ADA.

Hello.

Rebecca Rodriguez, Senior Project Accountant.

Good morning, Joanne Rodriguez, Office of Title VI and ADA.

Good morning, everybody.

Linda Gonzalez, housing specialist for neighborhood development.

Hello everyone, Rebecca Candelaria, and I am a grant administrator.

Hello, Imanuel Tapete, grant administrator as well.

Hello, I'm Samantha Bonn, and I'm a grant administrator.

Hello, I'm Carlos Arvein.

I'm a research assistant and I manage operations at the Center for Civic Empowerment.

Morning everyone, I'm Laurette Bailon, Grant Project Manager, overseeing human services projects.

Thanks.

Thanks for all you do and all your support.

Thank you.

Good morning, Sarah Hernandez.

I oversee operations at the Center for Civic Empowerment, and I also do research.

Good morning, everybody.

My name is Linda Garza.

I'm the Civic Empowerment Coordinator for Neighborhood Services.

Pleasure to see you all.

Good morning, Sandra Serrano.

I'm the volunteer program coordinator for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I am Andrea Ornellas, and I am a neighborhood specialist with neighborhood services.

Good morning.

There's a few there, but they're a little shy.

They're a little shy.

Again, congratulations to each and every one of you for a job well done in all of the partnerships that you formed throughout our community and all of the great work that you're doing and you will continue to do for the next century to come.

So thank you guys and congratulations.

Thank you.

So if you're five, eight, and above, why don't we hear the county anti?

Let's go pick up.

And then my advice are next.

And I'm not calling you about what it is.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I was like, where's my letter?

There she is.

I haven't got a picture of the proclamation.

I'm just kidding.

I was just kidding.

Pretty decent.

I'll go on.

Go after you.

What's your name?

That's right.

All right.

Mayor, are you taller than five eight?

No, I'm just kidding.

I'm telling you, I'm talking in five here.

All right, let's get everyone to just kind of take a little shift this way for me.

Perfect.

Okay.

That's good right there.

Make sure you see.

Ma'am right here.

Can I get you to step out?

Perfect.

Mayor, can I get you to come this way just a little for me, please?

Beautiful.

Representative Nino, can I get you to come this way just a little?

Uh-huh.

Right there.

Okay, good.

And then everyone in the back on your tiptoes.

No, I'm just kidding.

All right, we ready?

Uh, Rex in the back.

Can I have you come over this way for me, please?

A little bit more.

And then Liz can have you scoot down as well.

Perfect.

Representative, you look great.

All right, big smiles.

Ready, one, two, three.

And ma'am, directly behind Mare Johnson, can I get you to come right?

There we go.

Perfect.

Ready, one, two, three.

Sure.

Ready, one, two, three.

Yeah, we got some cell phones, so just keep those smiles.

Nobody move.

Ready, one, two, three.

Hold on.

And one, two, three.

Thank you so much.

Oh.

She's training what's your name?

I'm Anna.

Anna, I'm um, yes, ma'am.

Yes, you trying to make your phone.

Sorry.

No, you're good.

Oh, awesome.

So you have the members like that.

Thank you so much.

I appreciate that.

Thank you so much.

And the next proclamation is Autism Acceptance Month 2026.

Representative Rocha.

Thank you, Mayor.

Can everybody make their way to the podium, please?

And I'll start reading this as you all are moving through.

Whereas one in three Americans are affected with autism, a lifelong developmental disability, which significantly impacts communication and social interactions, which includes repetitive activities, resistance to changes in environment and daily routines, and sensory hypersensitivity.

And whereas, while there is no single cause, it is well documented that if individuals with autism receive an early diagnosis, intervention, and appropriate education, it is often possible for those individuals to transition to greater independence.

And whereas there are many organizations in El Paso who bring awareness to autism by providing support and edification to the community.

And whereas Autism Hope El Paso promotes autism acceptance by spreading understanding, inclusion, dignity, and respect, while working to reduce stigma and barriers and advocating for access to education, employment, health care, and community participation for individuals on the autism spectrum.

And whereas tu mundo es mi mundo, your world is my world, is dedicated to raising awareness, educating the community, and promoting solutions and support for individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

Through awareness campaigns, community engagement and partnerships, we work to increase understanding and acceptance, improve access to information and services, encourage early diagnosis, and support the transition to adulthood.

Founded in 2017 by a mother of a child with autism, the organization was created to address the need for greater information, inclusion, and support within the community.

And whereas Angels Mission works for integration through inclusion, providing resources and education through conferences, outreach, partnerships, collection of donations, and through emotional and relatable support, to empower families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism and other disabilities.

Whereas Beautiful Minds, Mali, I hope I said that right, serves as an inclusive platform that empowers individuals of all abilities, including those on the autism spectrum, and their families to discover, develop, and celebrate their unique talents through expanded opportunities in science, engineering, and the arts.

And whereas Autism Society of Texas El Paso proudly celebrates autism acceptance month this April, promoting inclusion, understanding, and support for the autism community.

Through education, advocacy, and resources, they empower individuals and families.

Excuse me, so sorry.

Ensuring access to the support they need.

Autism is a spectrum of unique experiences, and every person's journey is valuable.

Together, they foster a world where acceptance means true inclusion.

And whereas autism awareness helps us understand autism as a condition, while autism acceptance celebrates the strengths, abilities, and contributions of individuals on the autism spectrum, helping to build a community where they are supported, respected, and are able to flourish.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso that the month of April 2026 shall be known as autism acceptance month, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, uh mayor and city council members.

On behalf of uh autism society of Texas Al Paso, thank you to the City of El Paso for recognizing April as Autism Awareness Month.

This proclamation helps promote inclusion, understanding, and a true sense of belonging for autistic children, adults, and their families in our community.

At Autism Society of Texas Al Paso, we support families and autistic adults through free programs, education, and guidance as they navigate diagnosis and services.

We also advocate for policies to keep our community safe, and we raise awareness about critical issues like wandering and elopement, which can have serious and sometimes tragic consequences.

Our mission is to build meaningful connections and ensure everyone in the autism community has access to all the support that they need.

We are grateful to the city of El Paso for helping make our community more inclusive, supportive and safe, and we humbly ask all council members and the mayor and the community to come and support us at our annual autism awareness run April 25th from 9:30 to 1230 at Escara Telek.

And we humbly ask all council members and the mayor and the community to come and support us at our annual autism awareness run April 25th from 9 30 to 12 30 at Escara Telec.

Thank you so much.

We are Tumundo Esmi Mundo.

We are a group of mothers, and it was magic when our paths crossed.

Like many families, we began searching for a sense of normalcy.

But what is normalcy?

Too often, misunderstanding creates barriers and limits inclusion.

Our children simply experience the world in their own way, and they deserve equal opportunities, access, and encouragement to grow and succeed.

Through awareness and community, these barriers can be removed.

And in the end, we did discover normalcy.

We were a family, living each day, overcoming challenges, and celebrating every milestone together.

We thank you for the opportunity to bring awareness and for your support in Tumundo es mi mundo's mission, giving families voice support and access to resources.

And we would like to invite the community to attend our next awareness event, Picnic and Prayer, which will take place on April 11th at Memorial Park from 12 to 3.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning, Major Johnson.

Good morning.

Hi.

And members of the El Paso community.

My name is Camille Maldonado Rivera, and I am the president of Angels Mission.

We are an organization that works with families of individuals with disabilities, helping them understand their conditions and finding resources for them.

Now I stand here before you today as both a physician who serves neurodivergent individuals and families, and as a proud mother of an autistic child, which makes this moment more than professional, a deeply personal one.

Proclaiming April as Autism Acceptance Month is not only about recognizing autism, it's about recognizing people.

As a physician, I see how much access, compassion, and early support can change lives.

And as a community, we have the responsibility to make El Paso a city where neurodivergent individuals and their families feel seen, welcomed, and empowered.

Professionals like Dr.

Fonseca, Dr.

Lopez, Dr.

Alvarado, and Dr.

Aguilar, who is here as well.

Educators, advocates, and families who continue doing the work every single day to make our city a more inclusive, accessible, and compassionate.

Thank you.

And I would also like to invite you to be part of our autism Tuesdays that start next Tuesday virtually at 6 p.m.

You can find the link at um PDN Children's or at Angels Mission.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, Maya Johnson and the City Council members.

My name is Miwa Le Zlection.

I'm the founder of Autism Hope Edu Paso Inc.

Today I'm here to champion autism acceptance, not just doing childhood, but a close lifetime.

Autism doesn't end at age of 18 and needs should our support.

We can create more pathways and opportunities that allow artistic adult to thrive and elopaso Chihuahua and autism hope.

Um please join us.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning, Major Johnson.

Good morning, everybody.

My name is Dave Marcell, one of the directors of Beautiful Minds Mali.

Beautiful Minds Mali, we provide art, engineering and science services for the community.

We'd have focused on individuals with different abilities.

We offer a platform where these individuals can embrace opportunities that nurture their growth and open the door to self-discovery.

We are them.

Some of our staff are individuals with different abilities.

And their outstanding performance is a key reason we stand here today.

Their work has become a powerful example of personal evolution and of how their unique gift can transform a classroom, a workplace, a team, or a life.

Their impact continue to inspire others and reshape what we imagine possible.

Inclusion is growth.

Opportunity is empowerment.

And we can testify firsthand when we choose both.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else?

Okay.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor, and uh thank you all of you for being here today.

I know how important it is to make sure, like you just mentioned, to include everyone in our community when we do events and other gatherings.

And I know that I participated in an event in the fall specifically for children that had autism, and it was a beautiful event.

And I would like to include some of you in my future events and programming for the district because I think it's so important.

Sometimes we organize events and we leave out that piece not intentionally, of course, but maybe we need to bring you into that conversation so that when we do plan events and community gatherings, that we always keep in mind that those children that do uh have autism and and need to be uh met where they are in terms of sensory toys or or other things that we can do.

So I'll be reaching out to some of you so that we can um get some ideas on how to do that.

Okay, and I appreciate it and and thank you so much for for highlighting this important work in our community.

Congratulations.

Sure.

He is a sensory friendly barber.

He's been cutting my son's hair since he was little, and now my son's nineteen.

So I do want to just see him back there.

Just has a couple words.

Yeah, we did.

I'm there, this is good to see you again.

Good morning, good morning.

Yeah, um, like I said, it's a wonderful world back here.

You know, support I Ray was my first sensory client when I first started getting into the haircuts, and we're still cutting it.

I'm still cutting this hair, so it's it's been it's been a journey, it's been fun, and to support, you know, these kids need that support behind them.

Fantastic.

Remind us where the shop is again.

Uh Motana Vista 147 Marvin Lane.

Okay, what are your hours?

Uh from 9 a.m.

to seven right now.

I'm headed to the shop right after this.

So we're all weekend, walk in around.

Very good.

Representative Rocha.

Thank you for calling him out because I was about to say that, but I saw him out there.

Yeah.

No, good to see you all again.

And and there is um, there was a limitation on this particular proclamation, right?

To have five groups that are out there doing the work.

There's so many groups that are out there that do the work and support this this wonderful community.

And I just want to make sure that I that I call them out too, even though they weren't included in the proclamation.

We have the PDN Children's Center that does a lot of work, the uh Ark of El Paso, Penn Project, and CITIC.

They do a lot of work um with this community, and it's a collaborative effort to do everything that you all do.

Thank you again for coming today and spending a small amount of time with us and in celebration of you.

Representative.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you all for being here today and everything that you do for our community for the for the events that you that you put together for the training that you put together for parents and grandparents like myself.

I have a uh grandson who is artistic.

And so the uh all that you the work that you all do here in our community is so much needed and appreciated.

I'll be there on uh April the 25th doing the walk there with my family.

And I'm really looking forward to it.

When we were in Washington, DC, I attended a session on hidden disabilities.

And I think I think it's so important that we have something here in our in our old city with those uh things that we need to be looking at as well.

And I brought this to our city manager.

They'll be viewing all that, and hopefully we can incorporate some of that into what we've learned when we were in DC.

Again, thank you for all that you've done.

And are continuing to my colleagues have captured this best.

So, you know, we we need to remember that people with autism are valued members of the of this community.

And as a community, we need to continue to do our part to remove those barriers uh in in our society in our parks and our play areas.

Uh we need to provide quiet rooms.

Uh we need to do uh more.

We also need to do training with our our men and women in uniform, our police departments on how to handle people with the with disabilities.

And here in El Paso, I want you know, and and someone there said it best, I believe it was one of the doctors.

We're we're committed to building a city where every resident, regardless of ability, feels seen, supported, and valued.

So thank you guys.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for what you're doing.

Um because this is a very, very important part of our community, and we need to make sure that we recognize it and take care of you guys.

So thank you so much.

Now we're gonna try to take some pictures, I believe.

Then anybody find out behind there, go ahead and make sure it's the front feet.

Oh, yes, I think you can appreciate it.

Pictures behind you, ladies.

Just keep remember that all the phones.

I'll set mine there too.

One word of the bunch.

Okay, I'm sorry.

I'll we can't get the very started without her.

Do you want to put your phone right there so she can just put this and go or do you want to go?

Oh, wait, I'll I'll start giving them to her.

All right, you guys did a great job.

All right, can everyone see me?

That looks good.

All right, so we have all the proclamations here in the front.

Let's go ahead and have the front row take a little step back for me.

The two ladies in the black lasers can actually have you come up and then man in the brown.

Can I get you to come right in between?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Matt in the brown, right here?

You guys, ma'am.

Oh my gosh.

Right over here.

All right, ma'am.

Good.

And then we're a little clear over here.

Um, ma'am in the blue dress.

Can we get you to come out just a little bit?

And then to the gentleman right behind her.

Can I get you to come this way for me?

Perfect.

And in the light blue, can I get you to get a little in for me?

Oh, man, too light blue.

Sorry.

And then there we go.

Perfect.

All right, and we have Mayor.

Okay.

And let's have you guys come.

Mayor, I can get you to come right on the other side of this gentleman.

That looks good.

Perfect.

And then Representative Washington, can I have you come right here?

And ma'am, can I get you to angle your body this way?

Perfect.

There we go.

That looks great.

Yeah.

How's everybody feel?

Can you all see me?

Everyone looks good.

All right.

Uh Representative Nino, can I have you on the other side of our famous barber, please?

Representative.

I'm so sorry.

Can I get you to come over there?

There you go.

Representative, can I get you to come right about there for me?

Representative Chavez, can I have you come out just a little for me?

And then everyone just kind of but not too much.

There we go.

All right.

Uh is there right behind in the blue dress?

Can I get you to come this way for me, please?

Beautiful.

All right, ready, big smile, and then can I get you to come in a little for me?

Okay, looks good.

Ready, big smile.

A little bit more for me.

Just a little.

Man in the blue, can I get you to step out just a little?

Perfect.

There we go.

All right.

Big smiles ready.

Making sure we see all those smiling faces.

Here we go.

Ready?

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

I have about fifty-two cell phones, so just keep those smiles.

Ready?

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

She wasn't choking.

No.

You thought I was joking, huh?

Oh, selfie.

That's it, right?

We go down that ready one.

These are all these are all done, yes.

All done.

One more.

Sorry, Brian.

Let's keep those smiles.

Ready?

One, two, three.

Yeah.

One, two, three.

Brian.

You're a little bit more.

Two more two more times.

One more, two, three.

And last one.

Maybe we should have airdrops.

Right?

Now I think of it, right?

Good.

Thank you.

Thank you all so much.

You know, it's hard to be on a ladder and give a comedy routine, but I'm doing it all.

I like these shirts.

I'm gonna have to order one.

Why does it say new work?

Just and are you coming from uh two seven coverage?

I was gonna do two.

Thank you for thinking.

No, that makes Saturday.

Oh, are you having CDI?

We're ready for the next proclamation.

Yeah, you can talk to my mom.

Yeah, uh CDI.

The next proclamation is Child Abuse Prevention Month Go Blue Day.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Hi, welcome.

Good morning.

Okay, welcome.

Whereas there were 3,212 complete investigations and 1,138 confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in the El Paso area in fiscal year 2025.

And whereas there were 2,098 youth served by DFPS prevention programs in the El Paso area in fiscal year 2025.

And whereas child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure each family has the support they need to raise their children in a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment, and by informing families about community resources and services available that could help prevent a family crisis or help them overcome one.

And whereas preventing child abuse and neglect is a community responsibility, and finding solutions is contingent upon involvement among people throughout the community.

And whereas our community has taken a proactive approach in the prevention of child abuse with the formation of the Coalition of Prevention of Child Abuse that is comprised of over 70 agencies, organizations, schools, daycare centers, and businesses that are actively involved in preventing child abuse through education and advocacy.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso that the month of April shall be known as Child Abuse Prevention Month, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Thank you, Mayor and City Council members.

My name is Victoria Colón, and I am the faith-based and community engagement specialist with DFPS, the Department of Family and Protective Services.

On behalf of everyone committed to protecting the children of our community, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the City of El Paso for this proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

This recognition is more than just words on paper.

It is a powerful statement that the safety, well-being, and future of our children matter.

When a city stands up and says that protecting children is a priority, it sends a clear message that we are all responsible for creating a community where every child can grow up safe, supported, and loved.

Child abuse prevention is not the responsibility of one person or one organization.

It takes all of us families, educators, neighbors, community leaders, and advocates working together to create environments where children and families can thrive.

This month serves as a reminder that prevention begins with awareness, compassion, and action.

By supporting families, strengthening community resources, and looking out for one another, we can help ensure that every child in El Paso has the opportunity to grow up in a healthy, safe, and full of hope.

Together we can continue building a community where every child is valued, every family is supported, and every child has the chance to reach their full potential.

Thank you again for this meaningful recognition and for your commitment to the children and families of El Paso.

Small moments, as we all know, can have a big impact.

We call it the Casa Effect.

The butterfly effect teaches us that seemingly small actions today can have a big impact tomorrow in much the same way.

Casa volunteers are ordinary people making extraordinary differences in the lives of children in foster care.

Casa volunteers come from all walks of life, united by a shared commitment to giving a child a voice.

Then they report to a judge to advocate for a child's best interest.

COSS serve as a trusted advocate, helping ensure the child's needs are met while supporting their journey towards a safe, loving home, striving for reunification whenever it is safe and possible.

We are funded, the CASA program is funded through community development funds.

And I want you all to know you have an excellent staff.

We heard from them earlier, but they are so supportive.

And we appreciate as CASA the support of all of you.

And I would like to quickly have my staff members come up and introduce themselves.

They work tirelessly to support not only the volunteers, but the children that are in our local foster care system.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Mia Ressa, and I am the volunteer recruiter and trainer.

Ah, good morning.

Good morning, Mayor.

Uh distinguished uh members of the council.

My name is Andrew Cosineda.

I have the honor of serving as the executive director for the Child Crisis Center, Walpass.

So just like to take a moment to thank you for shining the light and the appreciation of putting this attention towards a very urgent matter that we have in our community.

The Child Crist Center has served as the leading agency in the area for the protection of children since 1980.

So for 46 years, we've been able to protect children and keep them safe and most importantly, preserve their future.

But we don't really don't do this alone.

We do this through the help of the community and all the wonderful organizations that are here with me today.

So I would just like to thank you for for this proclamation, as it uh truly is uh a goal that we share and that we work towards together.

Thank you.

Fantastic.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Marie It S Hernandez, and I am with CPS, which Howard Protective Services on the faith-based and community engagement, just like my colleague Victoria Colón.

And I just want to mention that we have a Go Blue event at the CPS office at 501 Hawkins Boulevard at um 10 a.m.

on Friday, April the 10th.

And we also have a 5K walk and run on Sunday, April the 19th, at Escada de Park.

If y'all can join us, please.

Thank you so much.

Very good.

Thank you.

You want to introduce yourself?

Anyone else?

We got everybody.

Okay.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I also wore blue in honor of this proclamation today.

Um I'm so happy to support this initiative, and I commend you for the work that you're doing.

I just want to tell you that the other day when when I was out and about in my district, I witnessed something that made me extremely uncomfortable.

Um and I think we just need to be educated as a community.

When do we step in?

What do we do?

Um sometimes we don't know, right?

Uh, what our role is just as community members, who do we report things to?

If we see something that we don't think is right, what's the next step after that?

Uh do we just sit there and feel uncomfortable about it, or do we actually act upon that?

I mean, that's information that I would like to know because of something that just recently happened and I witnessed.

So I'm I'm gonna be reaching out to you.

And I hope that we can get more information out there for the community at large so that we can help children who are really defenseless and um get people on the right track.

Thank you so much.

And you guys said it best already, you know, every child deserves a safe, stable, nurturing environment, and and that starts with uh all of us in community.

So we'll be doing our part to help and do whatever we can to make sure that our our children remain safe.

So thank you guys for what you're doing.

Thank you for what you're doing for El Paso.

We really appreciate it.

Thank you, guys.

Congratulations.

You know what?

I am really good.

I think they have the strips now that are expensive.

And the final proclamation is National Public Health Week 2026.

Representative Traho.

Thank you, Mayor.

If we can have our public health come up.

Good morning.

Whereas public health protects and improves the well-being of communities through prevention efforts that reduce disease, promote healthy behaviors, strengthen community preparedness, and support for evidence in foreign policy for all residents.

And whereas in 2023, five point four percent of Texas adults experience a heart attack, myocardial infection, agina, and a coronary heart or coronary heart disease.

And twelve point seven percent of Texas adults had diabetes, while chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer remain among the leading cause of death in Texas, highlighting the importance of prevention, early detection, and community environments that support long-term health and wellness.

And whereas immunization rec uh programs, maternal and child health initiatives, environmental health protections, and emergency preparedness efforts have improved life expectancy expectancy and quality of life for residents through evidence-based public health strategy strategies.

And whereas the health of a community depends on collaboration among residents, families, schools, and businesses, faith-based organizations and community partners working together to promote healthy living and reduce barriers to care.

And whereas community members play an essential role in public health by supporting prevention efforts, encouraging healthy behaviors, and protecting environment and helping create safer and healthier neighborhoods.

And whereas strong and healthy communities are built when individuals recognize that public health is shared responsibility and that each person contributes to the health and resilience of the community.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the City of El Paso, recognizing public health workers and their continued efforts to improve the health of every El Pasoan.

April 6th through April twelfth, 2026 shall be known as National Public Health Week 2026.

From April 6th to 12th, we recognize National Public Health Week 2026, which is themed as ready set action.

It is a reminder of how public health improves everyday life, helping families live longer, protecting communities, and creating conditions for people to thrive.

This week we honor the people who make up our community's quiet safety net, the public health professionals who prevent diseases, keep our environment safe, frontline workers who protect our health every day, and community partners and advocates who expand access to health care.

National Public Health Week also highlights key priorities.

Elevate public health, advancing equity, preparing for climate changes, strengthening our workforce, and ensuring every voice is heard so we can impact collectively our health of our community.

By supporting these efforts and the people behind them, uh my team behind me and at the department, uh we help ensure El Paso is ready for today's needs and tomorrow's challenges.

Thank you to our City Council in our mayor for your proclamation recognizing Public Health Week and for giving us the opportunity to highlight the work of El Paso Department of Public Health staff.

And thank you to everyone.

I know not all of my team could make it here, but they all do their part in keeping our city safe, healthy, and strong.

So I want to recognize them and thank them for this uh effort.

Thank you.

Well, you got a big team behind you.

They want to come up and good morning.

Good morning, Mayor and Council Sarah Seda, Assistant Director.

Thank you for your continued support to our community members.

Good morning, Council.

Crystal Salcido, Deputy Director for City of El Paso Public Health.

Thank you all for supporting us and our department to keep continuing to push out services to our community members.

Good morning.

Morning.

Thank you all.

My name is Brandon Roarg.

I'm one of the other deputy directors, and thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning, Jacob Ortega.

I'm the program manager for our HIV and SED prevention programs.

Good morning.

Good morning, everyone.

Vanessa Kasner, lead epidemiologist.

Good morning.

Good morning, Christina Macias.

I'm the emergency preparedness program manager.

Good morning.

Good morning.

My name is Pila Hernandez, and I'm the immunizations program manager.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm Creta Lamontes.

I'm the records and archives manager.

Good morning.

Good morning, just Lemavila.

I am the Health Education and Promotion Program Manager.

Good morning.

My name is Gabriel Mendoza.

I'm an immunizations coordinator.

Good morning.

Good morning.

My name is Christine Kamasa.

I am the health project coordinator with the immunizations program.

Good morning.

My name is Jacqueline Damia.

I'm also part of the immunization program.

I'm the outreach coordinator.

Good morning.

Good morning, Adriana Archer.

I'm the women infant children program manager, otherwise known as WIC program.

Oh wow.

Good morning.

Good morning, Raymond Lucero, Organizational Analyst, uh administration.

Good morning.

Dr.

O.

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

Thank you again for all the support to public health.

And to make our community healthier and safer.

Your decisions make a big change.

And our community is enjoying all those decisions that bring us longevity, bring us health, control chronic conditions, and prevent outbreaks.

So thank you very much.

Awesome.

And uh one final thing I forgot to mention earlier.

Uh tomorrow is the grand opening of our Medicare Centers of America Public Health Clinic.

I know some of you are slated to be there, but uh for the rest of you who couldn't make it, uh please let us know.

We'll be happy to give you a one-on-one tour at any time at your convenience.

Uh and again, what uh what timeliness for this project to be completed?

It's the in recognition of the National Public Health Week.

Uh, and we're so excited to have this uh brand new facility uh among our portfolio of clinics uh to provide services to the community.

Thank you.

Very good.

And thank you guys for all that you do to keep our community safe.

You you guys are truly at the tip of the spear because when things are happening, you guys are there making sure that our community stays safe and we stay healthy.

And I know there's been a lot of conversations that I've had with many of you about flu season and and other things to to know what we're doing and trying to gauge where we're at.

So thank you guys for being on the front lines and and I like that that uh that tagline, ready set action.

So congratulations on National Public Health Week and thank you again for all that you do for El Paso.

Thank you guys.

Thank you guys in front of the candidate is that like a public health requirement I've seen her before she used to work for Sun Metro and then um she left the public of the El Paso City Council for Tuesday April 1st 2026.

Mayor Johnson is present and presiding in council chambers along with Mayor Pro Tem Chavez Representative Representative Nino Alternate Mayor Pro Tempiero Representative Limon and Representative Canales Representative Acevedo will be joining a bit later virtually it is now 1024 a.m.

Will everyone please silence their electronic devices so as not to disturb the meeting and rise for the invocation delivered by Reverend Father Miguel Briseño good morning Mary and Council members it is a privilege to be here to do this invocation I don't know how many of you know that this year Pope Francis proclaimed the year of Saint Francis because it's 800 years since his death and so I began to think about okay what do I need to do as far as the invocation but what better way to begin this invocation is the words of St.

Francis himself.

He wrote this letter to the entire letter to the entire order before he died about 1225 twelve twenty six so this is the conclusion of his um letter that he writes to the order almighty eternal just and merciful God give us miserable ones the grace to do for you alone what we know you want us to do and always to desire what pleases you inwardly cleansed interiorly enlightened and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit may we be able to follow in the footsteps of your beloved son our Lord Jesus Christ and by your grace alone may we make our way to you most high who live and rule in perfect trinity in simple unity and are glorified God Almighty forever and ever thank you that was great okay Miss Bryan that brings us to the public comment on agenda items this morning we have Jennifer Horsley that signed up to speak on item 28 Jennifer Horsley will be followed by Gustavo Mendoza Tamina Brighton Item 28 is a an ordinance changing the zoning east of Restler Drive and north of Cimmer on Canyon Drive and item 29 is releasing all conditions placed on the same property.

Tamina Brighton.

Item 28 is a an ordinance changing the zoning east of Restler Drive and north of Cimmeron Canyon Drive.

And item 29 is releasing all conditions placed on the same property.

Okay.

Ms.

Horsley signed up to speak on items 28 and 20.

On item 28.

Yes, ma'am.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Good morning.

You have three minutes.

Good morning.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor and City Council members.

My name, as you have just heard, is Jennifer Horsley.

I'm a resident of Cimarron Canyon.

I'm here to speak on speak to opposition of the proposed rezoning and development of the school project currently under consideration.

This is not simply a matter of inconvenience.

It is a matter of public safety, infrastructure failure, and incompatible land use.

First, the proposed site relies on a single point of ingress and ingress for the entire neighborhood.

This creates a clear and unacceptable, unacceptable risk.

During school peak hours, drop-off and dismissal, traffic congestion will effectively create a bottleneck, limiting or even blocking access out of the neighborhood.

This directly impacts emergency response.

If an ambulance fire truck or police unit cannot enter or exit efficiently, response times will be delayed.

For residents who are elderly, disabled, or medically vulnerable, that delay is not theoretical.

It can be life-threatening.

I personally have an 84-year-old mother living with me.

This is a direct concern to me.

Second, the current plan does not adequately account for school bus access and circulation.

If buses cannot safely and efficiently navigate the area, they will spill into residential streets, increasing congestion and creating additional safety hazards with both for both residents and children.

Third, the traffic impact analysis appears incomplete or insufficient.

It does not fully address real work world conditions such as peak hour conditions, stacking emergency vehicles, or limitations of single entry neighborhood design.

Approving this project based on incomplete data exposes the city to unavoidable risk and sets a concerning precedent.

Additionally, there is ongoing pattern non-compliance with community standards standards, including construction activity that appears to disregard local noise ordinances.

This raises serious concerns about whether future operation conditions and restrictions will be followed.

At its core, this project as currently designed is not compatible with existing residential infrastructure.

It places an undue burden on the neighborhood that was not designed to support this level of traffic or intensify intensity of use.

Deny the rezoning request as currently proposed or require substantial revisions, including a second point of access and comprehensive and accurate stuff of traffic study and clear enforceable safety measures.

This decision is not just about development, it is about protecting the safety, health, and quality of existing residents.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

I do have other neighbor here neighbors here with me.

So I would like that consideration.

All right, thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Gustavo Mendoza.

Gustavo Mendoza.

Tamina Brighton.

I see Gustavo Mendoza is in the queue.

Mr.

Mendoza star six, please to unmute your telephone.

Gustavo Mendoza, star six, please.

Your microphone is on mute.

Good morning.

You have three minutes.

You're back on mute.

Star six, please.

Go ahead.

You have three minutes.

Hello?

Yes, sir.

Go ahead.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Can you hear me?

Yes, sir.

Good morning, Major Jameson.

Uh Major Johnson, members of the Council of Representative Chavez.

My name is Gustavo Mendoza.

I am a resident of Cimarron Canyon.

I am here to speak in the position to items 28 and 29 on today's agenda.

The rezoning and release conditions for the ad directed middle school site.

Item 29 asks you to release all the conditions previously placed on these property by ordinances 1567 to 91 555 and 9154.

The protective conditions and ordinances were not bureaucratic formality.

They were deliberate uh protections negotiated specifically to shield the residential community at this boundary, including a mandatory temple landscape buffer with evergreen trees along every residential property line required before any building permit could be issued.

Release uh releasing these conditions entirely with no greeting replacement protections, these are neighborhoods legally unprotected from uh six uh 165,000 square foot institutional structure, one of the largest construction projects in the northwest of Paso.

The applicant has provided no evidence that circumstances have changed in a way that makes these protections unnecessary.

In fact, the scale of this project demands a stronger protection, not their elimination.

Regarding um item 28, the rezoning to R3A, R3A is a high density residential district.

These councils should require a minimum a complete and verified detail side development plan as required under El Paso City Code, demonstrating how a campus of this scale complies with R development standards for parking, setbots, traffic circulation, and landscaping adjacent to our homes.

The applicant's own traffic impact analysis shows this project will create levels of service F complete failure at the school's primary exit or to reserve drive.

It shows that intersectional wrestler and Cimarron Canyon will degrade from LOSA to LOSE by 2032.

El Paso's Title 19 requires a minimum of levels of service C.

This plan does not meet that standard.

Under Section 19.06.040, the city has the authority to require traffic mitigation as a condition of zoning approval.

That authority exists precisely for situations like this, where development creates a foreseeable border public infrastructure, and yet the proposed mitigation is a traffic signal that won't be installed until 2032, five uh years after the school opens, with the district contributing only 4.3% of the cost.

I also want to address community input.

Cimarron's right.

Thank you, Mr.

Mendoza.

33 minutes.

We reached three minutes, sir.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Tamina Brighton.

Ms.

Brighton, star six, please to unmute your telephone.

Tamina Brighton.

Go ahead, ma'am.

You have three minutes.

May I begin now?

Yes, please.

Hello, good morning.

Um, my name is Kanina Brighton.

I reside at 7520 Bullworth Court in Cimarron Canyon.

That would be lot number 19 on the flat map.

Um I am in opposition to item uh 29, uh, which also in uh includes item 28.

Uh, but item 29 for the release of the conditions for the property at Cimarron and Wrestler, the site of the new school.

Um at the property as a whole, um, a condition for a vertical buffer along the shared property line should be established.

The goal of this uh buffer condition or the goals uh would include cleaner air from vehicles and building emissions, quieting noise from vehicles, sports recreation, and other um noise such as the HVAC system, and also screening light pollution and the size of the tall building structure itself.

The buffer condition was placed for a for valid reasons that still exist, and in fact, uh the condition carries more weight with the large structure size of the school, which will take up more space, having an even greater impact on the abiding residences.

Um I'm asking um to please establish a vertical buffer condition at the shared property line.

My personal line of site will be the center of the new building.

That would be looking out basically the center of my backyard, and there is a planned basketball court um right behind my residence.

A buffer would also improve natural watershed versus structural watershed only.

The natural ecology environment, uh, future beautification at the trees and plants grow and flourish, improved student and resident mental health and well-being, harmony and design, the balance of structure and nature together.

Please consider the rezoning ordinance with the condition of a bumper along the shared property line, and the school property as a whole will have a larger impact on our community of Cimarron Canyon than even the previously planned commercial development would have had on our community.

Thank you, Ms.

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Jose Landeros.

Mr.

Landero signed up to speak on item 30, which is a request for three community listening sessions with to gain support or to gain community import for next steps recommending the renaming of Cesar y Chavez border highway and renaming future City of Al Paso events.

Good morning.

Morning, Mayor Council José Loneros with the Office of State Representative and Spedes.

It was renamed this a few legislative sessions ago, about 15 years ago, because it is an on-system roadway.

It does require an act of the legislature to change the name, similar to the Korean uh veteran memorial highway in the Northeast, which also required state legislation.

And so in anticipation of this upcoming session, where there's a real possibility that uh bills could be filed to remove references of Cesar Chavez statewide.

Um, you know, there's a possibility that we've even discussed about uh bills being filed to preempt local control and remove the authority for cities, counties, school districts, universities uh to be able to make their own decisions.

Uh, there's a definite need for us to have a discussion about if there is going to be some sort of namesake or some sort of memorial attached to that highway uh beyond this legislative session what that should be.

Uh and so there's no uh representative Bedez does not have um, he's not predisposed to any ideas at this time.

I think part of our uh interest is ensuring that we hear from the community and that we have a thoughtful discussion with the residents, hear directly from them about what they'd like to see.

And so we're in support of any effort that uh allows us to engage the community and have a discussion so we can really gain some uh some input from from residents, especially those that are gonna use and see that name on the daily.

Uh so wanted again thank you for for your consideration of this item, and um, you know, we remain a resource and we may remain committed to working with uh with you all and other regional stakeholders as this moves forward.

Thank you.

Thank you, I'll say the next speaker.

Also on the same item is Jose Gastón Barriga.

He will be followed by Ms.

Veronica Carvajal speaking on item 33.

Mayor and City Council, my name is Jose Gaston Barriga, and I'm here to address the city of El Paso resolution regarding the Cesar Chavez Day, establishing August 2022.

It is a striking that the city staff received a pay holiday yesterday.

You are gathered today to react retroactively strip the day of the original namesake.

This moves to dismantle a historical legacy on moral grounds.

This is hypocritical, given that you have retained the tax funding benefits to yourself or for yourself.

Your actions imply that character and ethics are the city's guidance principles.

Yet a stringent benchmarks appear to be reserved for historical figures while while being completely ignored to ignore in the present.

Currently, leadership within the borderplace pack.

A group closely linked to the to the city efforts has publicly insulted PASO taxpayers by calling them a virus, both demanding transparency, and even has suggested to call for two arms.

Despite these digrarious remarks, no formal apology retraction has been issued to the citizens.

I formally request that the city follow its own charter regarding the modification of the César Chavez resolution at the same time.

Is the borderplex pack leadership cannot treat the Paso resident with basic respect, a change in leadership is required.

You cannot claim to a whole community values while allow while allowing the public to be treated with such disdain.

How can you enforce the standards if you don't follow yourself?

I trust that you will rectify this situation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is Ms.

Veronica Caravaja speaking on item 33, which is a presentation by El Paso Electric on Enchanted Rock certificate of convenience and necessity.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor and Council, Veronica Carvajal, organizer with Sembrando Esperanza Coalition.

Since last fall, our coalition has been trying to get rid of the Meta AI data center before different entities.

We are actively involved as protesters before the utility commission case on the McLeod facility.

As protesters, we will be sending in the next few days hundreds and hundreds of public comment sheets on behalf of El Paso Electric customers.

And at our request, state reps, Mary Gonzalez, and Vince Perez have already sent letters expressing their concerns about the facility.

We anticipate that letters from county commissioners will be sent to the PUCT as well.

In addition, one of our members, who is a low-income uh ratepayer, is an official intervener.

And to nobody's surprise, El Paso Electric challenged his right to participate, but the PUCT ruled in our favor.

And so when the P the EPE suggests that we always have recourse before the utility commission, I really want to question that because we just lost a case before the utility commission that the city is now litigating.

And in addition to that, we pay both sides of the litigation involved with any intervention.

We pay for the city's participation as well as El Paso Electrics.

Meta will need 1,000 megawatts, that's one gigawatt by 2029.

That's like in three years.

And this is from the application to the Utility Commission, page two.

We still don't know how they're gonna get there and who's gonna pay for this.

If that is the case, then why does the util the the PUCT case refer to the McLeod facility as a bridge facility that we will inherit and that will be the subject of a future rate case?

Slide 12 states that EPE will use 250 megawatts from existing energy sources.

We, the ratepayers, paid for that infrastructure, and that includes power plants that use water, so this is not a net zero proposal.

Meta knew or should have known that it could not rely solely on solar energy at this scale and at this speed, and yet it kept us and some of you in the dark.

Also, EPE's list of solar energy projects is not relevant unless Meta is going to pay for those, and if it will lead to retiring existing sources of energy that uses fossil fuels.

Saul Gonzalez will be followed by John Lanahan on item 36.

Good morning, Mayor.

Um my name is Wolf Gonzalez, and I'm an organizer with Sembrando Esperanza.

Um we have been attending the meetings that the city has hosted across El Paso regarding the data center framework.

And for those of you who have have not attended, let me give you a spoiler.

Today, item 33 is a presentation about uh the proposed bridge power plant for Meta, a power plant that our community does not need.

We already have enough polluters in our region.

We should not be adding more.

Like many of you, our community still has serious questions about the MERA project, the proposed power plan, and the impact that META and this power plant will have to our water.

Unfortunately, we have not seen the level of transparency we deserve for META, El Paso Electric, or El Paso Water.

I hope you get some answers today, but more importantly, I ask you to use your position to push for a public community informative session where residents can directly ask questions and get real answers.

Just as our Congresswoman has called for, we will be more than willing to help facilitate that.

The reality is this, this power plan has not been even built or approved, and it's already costing us.

The city is intervening, and so our residents.

As mentioned by my Vero, one of our members, a low-income community member, tried to intervene in this process.

However, El Paso Electric challenged his participation while allowing industrial and commercial entities to intervene without an issue.

I don't know about you, but I think this speak speaks volumes.

In five years, it may be us the residents who are forced to pay the cost of this project through higher utility rates, because once again, this is a bridge power plant.

In their website, El Paso Electric promotes El Paso as a region for data centers.

So we know El Paso Electric is not on our side.

They promote our region based on reliability and resilience.

But just yesterday we had a power outreach affecting hundreds of residents and business in central El Paso.

So today I ask you to stand with the people.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

The next speaker is John Lanahan.

Mr.

Lanahan signed up to speak on item 36, which is a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement regarding Operation Stone Garden to accept any so the police department can accept and administer federal grant funding.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor.

Good morning, City Council members.

My name is John Lanahan.

I'm an El Paso resident and a taxpayer, and I'm the son and grandson of El Paso law enforcement officers who dedicated their careers to this community.

I'm speaking during open public comment, but I want to address as mentioned items 35 and 36 on today's agenda.

Um the Operation Stone Garden grant application and the related the related interlocal agreement with federal agencies because I believe the votes scheduled today for today carry consequences that warrant public attention before they are decided.

I want to be clear from the outset.

I'm not opposed to tools that help law enforcement fight drug trafficking, human trafficking, or violent crime.

I know firsthand the sacrifice of this profession demands, and I support our department having effective resources.

My concern is specific.

Accepting this grant formalizes a federal local partnership that combined with surveillance infrastructure already in place, creates documented structural risks for El Paso residents that this council has not yet addressed.

Operation Stone Garden is administered through the Department of Homeland Security, the same department that houses both ICE and CBP.

Its purpose is to formally integrate local law enforcement into coordinated federal border security operations.

The city's official position is that local law enforcement will not participate in immigration enforcement.

This position and this grant are structurally incompatible.

Those two positions cannot both be true at the same time.

El Paso currently operates 150 flock safety license plate reader cameras connected to a nationwide network of over 80,000 devices.

The documented national record shows exactly what happens when a formal federal and local partnership like Stone Garden meets surveillance infrastructure like Flock.

In Virginia, nearly 3,000 searches of local flock data use terms like ICE immigration and D port C conducted by outside agencies with network access.

In Washington State, Border Patrol had backdoor access to cameras in cities that never off that were never authorized.

In California, 1.6 million unauthorized searches occurred despite policies explicitly prohibiting them.

In every case, the local policy matched El Pasos.

The Stone Garden relationship is exactly what made those policies unenforceable.

I'm not asking this council to reject border security resources.

I am asking you to pause on this grant until two things are in place.

First, a public audit of every agency that has accessed El Paso's flock data with results published before any stone garden agreement is finalized.

Second, explicit enforceable prohibitions on using stone garden operational relationships to conduct or facilitate immigration enforcement searches through the flock network with contract termination as a consequence for any violation.

Without those guardrails, accepting this grant today makes every assurance that the city has given its residents about surveillance and enforcement functionally meaningless.

My family spent careers serving this community with integrity.

I'm asking this council to hold the tools they use to the same standard.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That brings us now to call to the public.

The El Paso City Council is a local government body church with serving the citizens, and the meetings must be focused on the meeting at charge.

City Council meetings are public meetings under the Texas Hoping Meeting Act.

Call to the public is an accommodation and not a requirement of City Council.

All persons in attendance are expected to just display civility and decorum that is respectful to other persons without the use of insulting, profane, threatening, or abusive language.

Public comment will not be used for personal attacks, nor may any member of the public use this forum for political statements or campaigning.

Please note that during call to the public, the city council may not deliberate or decide any subject that is not on the agenda.

However, council may propose that a topic brought forth be posted on a future agenda.

This morning we have six members of the public that signed up to speak.

The first person is Jonathan Zayan.

His topic is Borderplex Alliance.

The recent comments against the general public and city council's actionable items in response to them.

And for the record, Representative Rocha joined the meeting at 1027 a.m.

and Representative Acevedo joined virtually at 1049 a.m.

Good morning.

You'll have three minutes.

Good morning, Council.

So our city has a code of ethics, and the minimum standard, and this is just one of them, is for city officers to increase the public confidence in the integrity of our city government.

I can tell you that public confidence in our city government is at an all-time low.

Each day that we get closer to the data center becoming a reality, the public confidence is going to continue to decrease.

One of the reasons why is because our city is paying a company for economic development, but that company does not have values that align with our own city or our residents.

Of course, I'm referring to Border Flex Alliance.

Recently, BorderPlex Alliance CEO has said that true information that shows the dangers of data centers is a virus in our community.

He also said that the people of El Paso have threatened our own city council, which you know is not true.

And furthermore, they are doubling down this increase of the data center and have even enacted a call to arms against peaceful residents of El Paso.

It's very evident that this company that we're paying cannot continue in an unbiased manner based on the fact that their own CEO is declining to even consider factual information.

So I'm asking the City Council to do three things, which is under one umbrella of cutting ties with Borderplex Alliance.

The first one is to make a public statement condemning the comments made by the CEO of Borderplex Alliance.

The second is to use the power that you have to terminate any existing grants or payments to Borderplex Alliance.

And number three, is to directly contact the public service board and have them terminate their existing contract between El Paso Water and Borderplex Alliance.

I do believe that by proceeding with these three simple steps that are all legal, that the residents of El Paso and the city government can have a stronger working relationship as we move forward together to stop the harmful causes or harmful effects that will be caused by the data center.

My name is Jonathan Zayan, and I thank you for your time.

Thank you, Jonathan.

The next speaker is Ron Como.

Ron Como.

Mr.

Como's topic is exercising his constitutional rights to the rescue 1983 animal services, and will be followed by Claudia Contreras Siller.

Good morning.

Good morning, Ron.

Morning.

So I had this all ready for today, but this morning, about 3:30, this post came across my page, and it is so spot on, I gotta read it.

It's written by Robbie Miller.

This is a hard conversation, but it's one we need to have.

Are these things wait?

Wrong one, sorry.

Same same author.

Let's talk about the municipal animal shelters are actually required to do and what's happened since the pandemic.

There has been a lot of noise and a lot of deflection and a lot of shifting expectations placed on the community.

So let's reset the conversation with facts.

Municipal animal shelters are government agencies that are funded by taxpayer dollars and exist to serve the public, not to operate like private rescues.

Here's what our the they are legally required to do.

Protect public safety, enforce animal laws, dangerous dogs, neglect cruelty, leash laws, pick up and process stray animals, attempt to reunite pets with their owners, provide basic humane care, food, water, shelter, necessary medical attention, hold animals for legal stray holds, periods, so owners have a chance to reclaim, make outcome decisions after the hold return and adopt transfer or euthanasia.

Follow rabies and public health laws, maintain records and accountability.

This is the job that they're mandated.

That is what taxpayer dollars are paying for.

Now here's what where things went sideways.

During the pandemic, a number of temporary policies were introduced and they were never meant to be permanent.

But here we are.

Managed intake.

This was supposed to be a short-term emergency strategy to control overcrowding.

Now it's being used as a long-term gatekeeping system.

Animals are being turned away.

The burden is being pushed back onto the public and the very people already funding these services.

Medical waivers and altered adoption practices, animals being released without being spayed neutered under waivers was meant to be temporary due to limited veterinary access.

This was a crisis response, not a permanent model, yet it's still happening in places creating more long-term problems and very systems that's supposed to reduce overpopulation.

Community sheltering sounds good on paper.

In reality, it shifted responsibility away from the shelter and on to the community without giving the community the infrastructure, authority, or resources to handle it.

The result is confusion, burnout, and animals fail falling through the cracks.

Let's be honest.

These ideas were sold as a solution, but many of them created new problems.

And now instead of correcting course, they're being normalized.

We're not taking animals right now.

Um that this is a failure of service, not a model.

You've reached the three minutes.

And this goes on.

Now I did send this to you.

So please, instead of deleting it, read it.

You have it.

The next speaker is Claudia Contreras Siller, and her topic is Animal Cruelty Awareness Month.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Hello, good morning.

Uh April.

It's also Animal Cruelty Awareness Month.

Much respect to all our the other causes.

Uh Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

Nobody comes to a father except through him.

God bless you, Mr.

Mayor and your parents.

I want to thank uh animal services because they're pushing the agenda to fight animal cruelty against cats during this month.

And tomorrow is gonna be the media kickoff at the West Side location.

And uh I want to invite everybody to go, not not only the news or the newspaper, but also the leaders, because this crime is being done all over the city.

This cat I'm wearing in my shirt.

He was stolen.

He was a friendly cat, was stolen from uh cat colony location during October.

That's the worst nightmare a cat lady can have.

I didn't receive justice.

On the contrary, everything was twisted on me.

And I wanna use this platform to educate the city on how to report animal cruelty for active animal cruelty.

You need to dial 911 when you're seeing something.

And have in mind that animals don't have a voice.

We need the entire evidence because the cases are very hard.

And also the judges need to start doing their job.

There was two cat killers that were arrested, the firemen and also the one that ate the cat.

And the DA dropped the cases with the fireman, and the guy that ate the cat was placed on probation.

And I want to send a message to the judges.

If you guys don't want to back up the animals, uh just quit.

Because that's your your job to represent justice, and God is the ultimate judge, and I'm not afraid to say it here because he's the one that backed me up.

And also for everybody to work outdoors, please keep an eye and a heart for the cries of our animals.

Uh, used to feed a lot of cat colonies all over El Paso, Alameda.

I'm not afraid to be on the lower valley in the trailer parks where information doesn't reach.

And I just found out animals were killed left and right.

And I wanna give a huge shout out to the animal cruelty unit.

Their number is 915 2120800.

And also I want to talk about the pigeons.

It's not okay for clandestine businesses to kill our pigeons, to use them as bait, to make a business out of them, and that's animal cruelty.

They leave the traps unexplained like exposed to the weather, and it's not it's not good for them to make a living with our animals.

And also, I want to ask about the data centers.

I want to ask our city attorney what else can be done about all of this, please for the headhouse head of the household seek legal information, and I want to thank Representative Nino because he explained to me uh about the trap we fell.

Thank you.

God bless you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Jorge Bentosilla.

Jorge Ventasilla.

We'll move on to Jose Gaston Barriga.

Mr.

Barriga's topic is El Paso 2046, the legacy of thirst.

Mr.

Barriga?

Yes.

Yes.

And he will be followed by Miss Elizabeth Crawford.

So they actually understand can see the picture.

Can you do that?

Yes.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Mayor Johnson and members of the city council.

Good morning.

My name is Jose Gaston Barriga.

Having served 22 years in the army, I understand the call to arms as a great necessity for survival.

It is there, therefore deeply informatory.

To hear the leader for the borderplace alliance use the same language to advance a corporate agenda during a private high price event, while simultaneous simultaneously break brand branding concerns local citizens as buyers.

So rhetoric remote demonstrate a total lack of respect.

And is quite frankly disqualified.

He should resign for his position immediately.

Instead of a corporate call to arms, we require a call to action rooted in common sense.

Major Johnson, I support your recent memorandum regarding the necessity for empirical research and data of this large infrastructure project.

However, data is meaningless if construction continues unabated.

Common sense dictates that a total moratorium on this mega project must be enacted while this research is being conducted.

Consider Minamara, Japan in the 1950s.

Citizens were promised that a massive industrial plant will be an economic miracle.

Yet as the environment collapsed and people fell ill from corporate pollution.

The local government chose to protect their economic interests instead of their people.

They look the other way and dismiss the dying citizens as mere inconvenience.

Today I'm here to act as a witness to the future.

If we fail to intervene now, picture your city two decades from today.

Many here may no longer be present, potentially victims of the very environmental hazards, contaminated air, water, and food that I'm highlighting today.

By 2046, our descendants could be forced to pay premium prices for water cheap from across the globe.

This will be a direct result of the decisions made blindly in 2023 and 2026 by those on power.

In this project of future, the Rio Grande has been irreversibly ruined by Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa, poisoning the land out all the way to Big Bang.

Meanwhile, in the Northeast, the meta data center has a structure and tainted nor viral on the ground reservoirs.

This is inevitable.

Consequences activating machine before reading is warning labels.

I ask you to hold construction and prioritize priorities through the research.

Do not let your legacy be define the ring of our water and liver ecosystem or a water borderlands.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Elizabeth Crawford.

Ms.

Crawford's topic is the violence of abortion.

Is she good morning, Miss Crawford?

Go ahead, ma'am.

Morning.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Um good morning.

We see images of cartel violence in the news in Mexico and our repulsed at this season.

We think about the suffering of Jesus on Calvary, realizing his body was beaten a bloody pulp and nailed to a cross, and it's impossible to fully comprehend.

And then how is it possible that we as a nation don't shrink back in horror at what goes on just across the Texas border in New Mexico, often involving women from El Paso, and of late involving contractors from El Paso in the construction of a new mega abortion center in Las Cruces.

Former abortionist Dr.

Catherine Wheeler said she committed abortions until experience a feeling of literal darkness around me.

Quote, uh during one of the procedures, he subsequently exited the industry, stating, quote, you have to blind yourself to the baby's reaction.

The words of Jesus speaking of judgment day before the king.

Well, when we all stand before the king on judgment day, the words of Christ.

And as much as you have done it onto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it to me.

Like the Apostle Paul, who is persecuting Christian, thinking he was doing right in the name of Judaism, what he thought was right until the Lord Jesus opened his eyes on the road to Damascus with the word soul false.

Why are you persecuting me?

The only right response is to repent and believe the gospel.

Subsequently penning much of the New Testament, and he could never get over awe of the fact that Jesus forgave him.

This is the gospel as real today as it was in the early church era.

This holy week, as we realize the atrocity of sin against the holy God, both our personal sin and sin as a culture.

We have the opportunity once again to look at the gospel, the simple message of salvation, the gospel of John, John 129.

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the promise to all who would repent and believe on Christ, whether this then be abortion or any near yet of things that we commit against a holy God.

Thank you.

And not your day.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Patricia Osmond.

Ms.

Osman's topic is transparency, First Amendment civil rights of citizens and undue influence of donors and vendors on elected officials.

Ms.

Osman star six, please to unmute your telephone.

You're on mute, ma'am star six, please.

Miss Osman, your telephone is on mute.

Star six, please.

I believe she may be having technical difficulties.

I don't see her microphone.

Hopefully she'll get that fixed.

Yes.

Okay.

So that would conclude call to the public.

Okay.

That brings us to the consent agenda.

All matters listed under the consent agenda will be considered by city council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion unless separate discussion is requested by council members.

Prior to the vote, members of the audience may ask questions regarding items on the consent agenda.

When the vote has been taken, if an item has not been called out for separate discussion, the item has been approved.

Council may, however, reconsider any item at any time during the meeting.

Mayor PoTem.

Thank you, Ms.

Prime.

I make a motion to approve the consent agenda.

All right.

There's a motion.

Is there a second?

Second.

Any discussion on the consent?

Representative Lamont.

Your yes, Mayor.

I wish to pull agenda item number 17 to the regular agenda.

Okay.

And um well, I do have questions on items three, four, five, six, and seven, actually.

So I'd like to pull those as well.

Three, four.

Three, four, five, six, and seven.

Okay.

Thank you.

And you want item number seventeen, move to the regular.

So three, four, five, six, seven, and seventeen.

You want to move to the regular agenda?

Okay.

Okay.

So with those items moved to the regular agenda, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

There was a motion.

There was a motion and we have public comment, Ms.

Prime?

Yes, sir.

We have Ms.

Osman that signed up to speak on item 11 on the consent agenda and item 15 on the consent agenda.

Item 11 is a board appointment.

They're both board appointments, actually, 11 and 15.

Ms.

Prime, I sure are on three, seven, and eleven.

Yes, but those are being moved to the regular agenda.

I got you.

Yes, sir.

Okay.

So Ms.

Osman, you signed up to speak on 11 and 15.

Go ahead, ma'am.

You have three minutes.

Can you hear me?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Sorry.

I don't know what happened with the calls to the public.

All right.

Um, in regards to Fred Moreau, he's been on the City Plan Commission.

He's been uh he's in District 2, and I'm very familiar with him.

Uh his business is uh in the same area that my father resided.

Uh my father had a business in.

And I personally grew up in he should not be reassigned.

A yes man is not what we need on a city plan commission.

And that is what he has been.

It's very upsetting that this has been the case.

Um projects supposedly that he worked for that area, go through.

Don't know.

Either way, and in regards to item 15, Matthew Rivara comes back to the same ethical issue that I have with the fact that District 2, my representative has Alberto Halfren in has a staff whose wife works for Paso del Norte Foundation voting on items that benefit staff.

Matthew Ivara would staff for an elo, which she was representative.

It is the exact same unethical behavior to appoint somebody.

Ms.

Osman, I'll ask you, ma'am, to please refrain from personal attacks during this time.

This isn't a personal all of this is factual.

This is not personal.

This is a thing is that it is highly inappropriate, and it shows a lack of it shows a violation of Article 2 integrity.

When when you are appointing somebody to zoning who has a deep impact that will benefit people at Paso del Norte Foundation or Borderplex Alliance in other corporate entities over the residents, the fact that he was staff for our previous representative in the same district, and our pre and our current representative has hired the husband of the previous representative that is highly unethical.

Ms.

Osman, then it's a personal attack of character and integrity.

It is not a personal attack.

This is all factual.

He is working in the office.

He is married to our past representative.

Please, Ms.

Osmond.

I'm going to have to Matthew Yvonne.

Worked previously.

Thank you, Ms.

Prime.

Yes, sir.

There is a motion made by Mayor Popan Chavez, seconded by Representative Borre Trejo to approve the consent agenda as revised.

On that motion, call for the vote.

Can I ask a question?

Ms.

Ms.

Fryn?

Ms.

Prime, yes, go ahead.

Um I legislate hasn't let me join the meeting.

Okay.

We'll get we'll get somebody to assist you, sir.

I think.

Did you get out and try to get the question?

Okay.

Representative Acevedo.

Thank you.

Representative Nino?

Thank you.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, Ms.

Prime, let's take item number three.

Yes, sir.

Item number three is a resolution authorizing the grants administrator or design need to submit, accept, reject, alter, or terminate grant applications agreements related to documents on behalf of the city to the public safety office of the state of Texas, grant application number 5897201 for the City of Al Paso Police Department Project identified as state homeland security program law enforcement terrorism prevention activities FY26 to provide financial assistance to the city requesting 380 318,585 32 cents with no cash match required.

Alright, so we can have discussion there.

Is there a motion?

Sorry, Mayor.

Um but and I know you probably have to read each one, but is it possible to take all of them together?

Item 4 is a resolution authorizing the grants administrator doesn't need to apply, submit, accept, reject, alter terminate grant applications agreements related documents on behalf of the city to the public safety office of the state of Texas.

Grant application number 5897301 for the City of El Paso Police Department Project identified as state Homeland Security Program Regular FY26, modular vehicle barrier soft target protection project to provide financial assistance to the city requesting 180,000, no cash match required.

Item 6, a resolution authorizing the grants administrator or design to apply submit, accept, reject, alter, terminate grant applications, agreements and related documents on behalf of the city to the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, grant application number 589 3901 for the El Paso Fire Department Project identified as FY2026, State Homeland Security Program, law enforcement terrorism prevention activities, special operations, multidiscipline regional reaction project to provide financial assistance to the city requesting 191,342.94 cents with no cash match required to purchase equipment including vehicles, trailers, compressors, generators for the special operations division special response team.

And item 7 is a resolution authorizing the grants administrator or designate to apply submit, accept, reject, alter, or terminate grant applications, agreements, and related documents on behalf of the city to the Office of the Governor of State of Texas, grant application number 5894 601 for the El Paso Fire Department Project identified as FY26, State Homeland Security Program, City of Al Paso Office of Emergency Management Enhancement of Emergency Operations Center to provide financial assistance to the city requesting 204,386.

With no catch match, no cash match required to purchase equipment and supplies for the OEM emergency operations center.

Okay, so we can have discussion.

Is there a motion to approve these items 34567?

Is there a second?

Okay.

Representative Limon.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just have a question, maybe Chief Killings or Chief Basillas or Dalamantes.

Any any one of you?

Any chief?

Any all the chiefs.

All the chiefs are together.

Um I just have a question.

Does the Texas Homeland Security have authority over immigration issues?

Texas Homeland Security?

Yes.

So I that that's a very broad question.

I'm not sure exactly what the part of Texas your uh what department or agency you're talking about.

Well, these um these grants are going through the Homeland Security Program.

And so my question is under their purview, and I see that there's some good things.

I think that the uh the barriers, the water law barriers are an excellent use.

But my question is does the Texas Homeland Security Division have jurisdiction over immigration issues?

So the state of Texas falls under uh Texas Penal Code Authority, so SB4 is still in litigation in the court system, so um that they're peace officers just like we are, so they wouldn't have any immigration authority.

If there were a change, you would let us know right away.

Yes, ma'am, and that and uh that all I think is tied to it.

I have to uh rely on the the city attorney on that.

The SB4 is still in litigation.

Ms.

Meaton.

Good morning, thank you.

Carla Neiman for the record.

So um, as before recently is no longer in litigation.

Um the Texas Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of that um law and it forbids local municipalities from interfering in immigration enforcement of any sort.

That's wonderful news.

Thank you very much.

Okay.

All right, any further discussions on item three, four, five, six, or seven.

All right, hearing none, Miss Prime.

We do have public comments, sir.

We have Ms.

Osman that signed up for items three and seven.

Ms.

Osman star six, please to unmute your microphone.

Go ahead, ma'am.

You have three minutes.

I just want to reiterate for all the public to know that it is public record.

A previous city council when funding was brought up that underhandedly.

Put in a contract for flock surveillance without public awareness, because without it being on an agenda item, it was swapped in.

So no one, not a single citizen had any advanced notice to come up in and raise a voice against our Fourth Amendment rights being violated.

Now I want you to understand all of these grants.

I'd like to find out, are they also going to have the same thing happen?

Where funds are saying it's for this, but then they're redirected as they were.

And it's proven Ganales put it on record.

It was a bait and switch.

And I fear that the same thing is gonna happen with a lot of these grants.

Yes, this is an immigration it immigrant rich community.

And you are giving cart block to our local law enforcement to become a police state.

We are already a cop city.

On the national register, we are a cop city.

And for the safety of our community, you all need to make sure that everything when it comes up on these agendas, what it's going to specifically purchase is listed.

Not some vague reference.

The city, whoever is leasing has access for 30 days.

Not that they do not have access.

They retain it indefinitely because the contracts they are selling to other people that are paying more, still get access to our flock surveillance indefinitely.

That is the way it works.

It is proven fact.

Those documents exist if you only care to actually read and educate yourself.

But it's shameful that you all will sell out the safety of the community in this way.

It is shameful.

And I hope the same flock situation, bait switch does not happen in this case as well.

Thank you.

Okay, Representative.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I would like to offer an amendment, and I think I can do it this way.

We've read all of them into the record, three, four, five, six, and seven.

I don't think I read number five.

Let me let me read five as a resolution authorizing the grant administrator or design to apply, submit, except, reject, alter, or terminate grant applications, agreements, and related documents on behalf of the city to the public safety office of the state of Texas, grant application number 591-3701 for the City of Al Paso Police Department project identified as state Homeland Security Program, El Paso Matrix Fusion Center, FY26 to provide financial assistance to the city requesting 450,000, no cash match required.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um the amendment is to add the same language in the same place to each of those items.

They all start with language that is identical.

Um it's to read as follows a resolution authorizing the grants administrator doesn't need to apply, submit, accept, reject, alter, and uh adding the language uh with any alterations limited to the minimus adjustments not to exceed 10% of the requested funding without the consent of the city council, and then continuing or terminate grant applications agreements and related documents on behalf of the city.

Ums Pryn have provided that to you to send to the council second.

Okay.

Uh discussion.

I know you haven't gotten it yet.

Council, but representative uh Fierro.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, Ms.

Mack, Ms.

Dieman, how does that affect the how the grants are going to be invested in our community?

And can can we tie the is this tying law enforcement's hand to be able to to invest those these dollars as they have in the past wisely in our community?

What is the motion?

I have no idea.

Good morning, Eric.

Rep Fiero, your question, um, it really has to go to the operational plans.

Um, if there is uh situation where let's say hypothetically the grant award uh comes through, and there are situations that either PD decides to change the operational plans in terms of they decide that they need less of a certain thing, like for example, one of these grants has to do with soft barriers, um, soft target barriers.

Um that that could potentially prevent PD from making those changes without coming back to council, and it could affect the grant itself in terms of getting those awards actually to the operational departments.

Thank you.

Okay.

Any further discussion on this?

Representative uh Canalvis?

Sorry, further questions.

Uh can I ask how it would uh prevent the grant from reaching the appropriate department?

Um so it's hypothetical, right?

Um I think the the main issue would be that we have the grant application in place for these specific items for PD.

Um, and if we aren't doing what's said in that resolution and that they don't have the authority to change it, we'd have to come back to council.

Um that could potentially delay it.

That would be the main concern.

Chief Killin speak, please.

Morning, Chief.

Good morning, Chief Killings.

I'll pass the fire department.

So uh in layman's terms, when when we're applying for the grants, uh there's a portion uh during the presentation where the the governing body asks if we can accept the portion of that grant, and if we cannot, uh on uh um at that time, then uh we could be ranked lower on the the um the overall approval for the application.

So Chief, are you saying you wouldn't be able to accept it?

You'd have to come back to council in order to accept it?

Right.

If if there's a limitation on the percentage that we can and or cannot accept, because as they're ranking these, um they'll they'll do the appropriation based on the number of people that qualify or present uh uh an applic an application that meets the the notice of funding.

Understood.

Representative?

Yeah, I just want to be clear.

This this has nothing to do with if the amount is being reduced, uh the 10 percent scales with whatever amount.

This is if you are changing the operational plan that the allocation of funds to one particular item or another could not change more than 10 percent uh without coming back to the council.

So when when these grants are submitted, they're submitted with uh pretty detailed plan of what the funds are intended to be spent on.

Right.

Um if there is a more than 10 percent change to that plan, that's that's when I would like for the council to see that again.

Um I I understand um the creates the two-week period.

Um but uh I think the intent here is that um you know we uh uh I I will say I was very frustrated to hear there was a case where uh there was a change in a grant, it reflected about 51 percent of the total grant uh that was awarded.

Uh I I think that's a grant application for something different entirely.

Uh we want to avoid situations where we're telling the public we're applying for a grant for certain a certain purpose, specific purpose, and then the grant funding is being used for something else entirely.

And so um yeah, I think if you need flexibility, we can maybe look at that percentage.

Um I think ten percent is a pretty reasonable threshold.

Uh but we just want to make sure that what we're promising to the public that we're going to deliver with these grant funding with these grant funds is what we actually end up uh using them for.

That's the intent behind this.

Okay, represent representative.

Thank you, Mayor.

Chief, just for my clarification, what I just heard you say is that if we add this amendment in there, it could potentially we'd have to go back and we could lose or fall in the rankings of the grant uh placement.

Correct.

Okay, Mayor, thank you.

Thank you.

Have these grants already been submitted?

They're in the the they're in the process of being uh applied for, so they have nothing.

And what is the deadline?

For submission.

I don't I don't have that.

Okay, okay.

Thank you.

Okay.

Mayor, I have concerns with the way that this is being handled.

I'm not clear on the impact for these grants.

Understood.

This item is for to give us authority to fully develop these grants.

I'm talking to the grant administrator, trying to really understand the impact completely according to the resolution ordinance, operational plans are under my authority.

I would would like that to stay, and I'm very clear about what council would like me to provide input on in terms of changes as a team.

I said we have not developed these yet, and I'm not clear on what the language would change or prohibit or limit us on or have impact on it.

I I completely understand.

I think we're going to be okay.

Ms.

Prime Car for this vote.

Yes, Mayor.

And so the motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Limon, and this is to amend the resolutions on items three, four, five, six, and seven to add the language under the after the word alter in parentheses with any alterations limited to two de minimis adjustments not to exceed 10% of the requested funding without the consent of the city council.

On the amendment call for the vote.

Mayor point of order.

I I have an issue with a member of council requesting to speak and not being allowed to speak per our rules of order before the uh before a vote.

Okay.

Representative.

Council, I've suspended the voting.

Thank you.

Then Ms.

Mack, these are not the grants.

Correct.

So we generally come to council and get authority to be able to apply for the grants, and a resolution has to be included with this type to allow for them to fully develop.

In some cases, you know, these are grants that we kind of do year after year.

And so those are developed at a different phase.

For all of these, we're not at the same phase of having the detail that may be necessary for these.

And I'm also looking at it more big picture in terms of the total number of grants, our grant policy, and how we look at this in terms of the flow of work that we do.

As you know, this season you'll see several that are coming through from PD and FIRE, but we have others in a queue from health and others that may be impacted.

And so I want to understand it from a policy perspective and also understand with my team what this really means in terms of the application.

I didn't get give a heads up, so I'm not sure what exactly you might be voting on here today.

And Ms.

Mack, it is would never be my intent to overstep or to step on your authority or what you are charged to do.

My uh question will always be, and I think if that could be responded somewhere, then I wouldn't need to ask it.

And my question will always be any time that we're talking about whether it is state or federal homeland security, the question of immigration um questioning or authority that our local law enforcement people would have.

That will always be my question.

Um when it comes in as a consent item, and we don't have a briefing on these, or to understand it that that's where I'm at.

And so if I stepped on your toes, Miss my apologies.

Thank you.

Ms.

Bryan, please help me keep track of uh the two uh ten minutes two times.

Yes.

Because I may get lost in that.

Okay.

Yes, sir.

Any further discussion on this item?

And this is on the amendment.

Yes.

Okay, Ms.

Bryan.

Voting session is open, council.

I hello.

This is Nathan Sanchez's.

Representative.

I like how this is a good question.

Representative.

Sorry, we have a representative Acevedo.

Um the voting session, and the motion fails.

Six to two.

Representatives Limon Canales voting aye, the remainder of council voting nay, the motion fails.

Okay.

Let's take items three, four, five, six, and seven, the original.

Okay.

The original motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, seconded by Representative Boyatrejo.

This is to approve items three, four, five, six, and seven on that motion.

Representative Canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I want to look at and again, I I uh plan to support these grants.

I think this is uh useful funding for the department.

Um just as an example, I'm looking at the uh Lepta grant.

It's the uh law enforcement terrorism prevention activities grant.

Um it shows in the backup like usual, a uh plan for the use of these funds.

Let me find it here.

Um it shows number of special response team personnel provided with newer updated equipment is 41, number of special response teams created maintained or enhance is three, those are the target levels for uh the grant performance.

Um it shows uh the activity of the grant is supportive first responder capabilities.

That percentage is at 100 percent.

Uh the description on that says this project will be utilized for the purchases of specialized equipment for special teams PPE sustainment to provide immediate response to active aggressor and terrorism related activities.

Um again, that reflects 100% of the of the grant.

And then there are two categories of funding equipment.

That specifically is three bomb ensemble for the bomb squad.

So these are uh bomb suits.

And then uh supplies and direct operating expenses, uh, which is for body armor, 38 ballistic vests for the EPPD special operations group.

Um again, those reflect 100% of the grant funding.

Um the the amendment has died, but uh any changes to this then could be unlimited as opposed to uh at least 90% of the grant funding being required to fund these items listed in the application specifically uh and potentially 10% shifted to any other use arising from any operational needs or changes.

Um again, I think if we are voting on the particular uh grant application, and the application is provided in the backup for us to consider as the council and for the for the public to view and consider.

Um I I just hope that we have a commitment to sticking to the plan that is provided publicly and to us, um, and that there's not a we we we don't have to uh think about the possibility that there's uh some large deviation from these particular expenditures that the grant intends to support.

Um and again, I I don't know if it it if if these are being included in the backup, is that the council signaling that this is what will be submitted?

That's not the language on a on the resolution, sir.

The language on the resolution is allowing us to apply, submit, except, reject.

My concern with the way that the 10% is being said here.

If we choose to do a different bomb suit, if I go out to purchase, and you know that that model isn't available.

Am I now coming back for each one of those items as we're going through because of the cost of those items?

So I'm I have a concern with that piece.

And we we typically use these grants for equipment.

Yes, yeah, of course.

And again, I I have no problem with these expenditures for under any of these grants.

Um Representative Canals, has there been deviation before?

There has been, yes.

Um again, particularly uh in the uh grant that ultimately funded the purchase of the uh agreement with Flock.

Uh that was not listed and in the grant application in that 2024 25 cycle and did end up constituting 51% of the of the grant uh funding.

And so that was not it was not an expense that was listed at all when the council approved that submission uh in that 2024-2025 cycle.

And so I I think again, if if this is being included in the backup, and there is the the application uh to be submitted to the to the state included in the backup, then uh I I think that constitutes a kind of a promise we're making to the public to use the funds for that purpose.

Thank you, Mayor.

Any further uh discussion on these items?

And Ms.

Prime, I think we have public comment.

Public comment has been taken on these items.

On the con she already spoke?

Yes, sir.

Okay, just wanted to make sure.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right, Ms.

Brown, call for the vote, please.

Yes, sir.

Council, the voting session is open.

Representative Acevedo.

I thank you.

And the voting session?

And that motion passes unanimously.

Ms.

Prime, before we go to Sun Metro, let's take 17 because I think this one's gonna be exciting news, so we'll we'll take this one.

Yes, sir.

Item 17 was also moved to the regular agenda.

And it is the award of task order 5K-1 for solicitation 2025-0087 on call horizontal construction 2025 to Keystone Contractors and Engineers for San City Lights, Pueblo Viejo Park for a total of 666,689 dollars ninety-eight cents.

Approval will allow the city to start construction services for district seven Sun City Lights program.

Yep.

Representative Lamont, would you like to approve this one?

I make a motion to approve item 17.

Okay, sir, a second.

Okay.

Representative Lamont.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I think we have a presentation.

Yes.

Yes.

A gorgeous.

No, she's not, so it'll just be myself.

It's a great presentation.

Thank you.

Uh good morning, Mayor, City Council.

Javier Acosta, Director of Capital Improvements.

Um I'll be going over the Cincinnati Lights, uh, Pueblo Ylejo Park.

Uh project location, uh Pueblo Viejo Park 2020 233 North Saragosta, District 7.

Total project budget under just a little over one point, a little under 1.3 million.

The funding source is the 2019 capital plan.

Project details.

Um, just to go over real quick.

This does support our quality quality of life pillar uh to enhance the environments that make daily life livable and enjoyable through welcoming spaces, accessible human services, and experiences that support well-being.

Um this had a very large community uh driven effort.

Uh design approach or very much going on the cultural identity of the region.

Um trying to do a lot of the culture and the area as far as like the folklorical theme and the movement of the dresses, and that's kind of what drove this kind of design on here.

Uh strategically located along the major corridor to serve as like a gateway.

So it'll be one of the items that you see as you're driving through down Saragosa.

Um it'll have a strong visual identity in the sense of arrival.

The lighting will be very decorative throughout the whole project.

Um, improve nighttime visibility and have more inviting pedestrian-oriented environments for both the residents and the visitors.

Sorry, I got ahead of myself a little bit on the slides.

No worries.

You guys were probably wondering, sorry about that.

No worries.

And then it's uh based on the approval contract for the horizontal construction, and the reason it's on this is because it's the $500,000 approval or more.

Uh the scope of work.

Um the pavilion will be a custom structure, um, inspired again by the folklorical dresses, uh, two concrete benches in that pavilion, new sidewalks, connectivity with lighting throughout, three concrete benches with aluminum pathway structures and motion sensors, new landscaping, shrubs and trees throughout, an irrigation system, uh rock wall monumental sign, the project location is on Saragosa.

The nearest major intersection would be Roseway.

The project rendering, you can see the pavilion, the connected sidewalks, the community garden, uh, the different trees, the monumental location, monumental signage.

There will be trees kind of throughout the site in the back as well.

All the existing trees will be remaining.

There's a closer look at the pavilion with the signage, and you can see the custom structure that will be in place.

This is a look at one of the project structures along with uh some of the landscaping features included.

So the procurement summary um it will be through the on call Horn Landal Construction 2020 25, and the recommendation is toward the construction contract to Keystone Contractors and Engineers and the amount of 666,000.

Construction schedule start the spring of April of this year and end the fall of October.

And that concludes the presentation.

Thank you.

Representative.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you very much for the presentation.

Mayor, um, I was on council when the very first Sin City Lights projects came about, and it was uh it was my colleague over here that the Cincinnati street lights were the first ones to go up.

And since then, many of the other areas have have now been they have their sin city lights projects.

This, and I really like what you said, had a very large community input, which it did.

I am when I first uh was approached, I think you bet came by my office, and then throughout this year, Apollonia has visited several times and really kept me up to date on on the project.

The image of a folklorical skirt dancing through that area with this illumination is is gonna be just very beautiful.

It is certainly in a very strategic area.

It's it's in uh on Saragossa, right as you go into the heart of the Mission Valley.

It couldn't be in any other place, I don't believe, and I know that there were a couple of um people who wrote statements against this, wanting to move it to a different area.

I think that staff has spent over a year already working on this project.

I think it's in the right place, and um I'll invite everyone to come out when we do that ribbon cutting ceremony in the near future.

Thank you for your presentation.

Thank you, Mayor.

Beautiful.

Any further discussions on item number 17.

All right, Miss Pry.

Miss Carrion star six, please to unmute your telephone.

Sylvia Carrion.

Star six, please.

Good morning, ma'am.

You have three minutes.

Can you hear me now?

Yes.

Thank you very much.

Yes.

Silvia Carrion, president of the Mission Valley Civic Association.

And I agree with Ms.

Limon to a certain extent.

It's a beautiful, beautiful project.

They went out of their way to uh cater to us in the most beautiful life and uh everything that was presented to us.

Um the only thing that I did have was a location because I thought it was going to be closer to where the residents were.

This location is not where a lot of the residents are.

And it'll be somewhere where eventually people will get there.

This is the least uh populated area of a park that I that I know of, and I've been at this park for years.

I was the one that requested all the sheds for all the picnic tables at Pueblo Viejo, all the playground equipment, like Pueblo Viejo, and so I know I'm very familiar with this part.

This project was uh given to us uh several years ago, and it was geared to be on Zaragoza and Texas 20.

Uh the bid didn't go through because Texas 20 would not allow uh Sun City Lights to build any project on their streets.

So they had to look for somewhere else.

I wish I had looked up for maybe Lucky Chester or Capistrano, a bigger park.

Uh the lighting on it is beautiful, everything is beautiful.

It's just the location where they're gonna put it.

I dare say that I hate to say it it I don't think it'll be a waste of money, but I don't see how many people will actually get to visit this area.

Maybe it'll attract more visitors to this area, I'm not too sure.

But that's the only uh mother part that I have felt.

I thought it was gonna be in another part of the park uh instead of there.

Um to sell Zaragoza.

I know they're trying to sell the street Zaragoza, and so um that's probably why they built it where they're gonna build it.

So as far as the uh the community is concerned, uh we approve the project.

We just don't like the location of where they're gonna put it.

And so I I don't know that we have a big say so on this, but uh that's gonna be our opinion.

Thank you very much, and we'll look forward to continuing working with city and some city lights.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

All right, Ms.

Bryan, any further comment on this item?

No, sir.

Okay, would you please call for the vote?

Yes, the motion was made by Representative Limon, second it by alternate mayor pro Tempiero, and this is to award the task order on item 17 on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Representative Acevedo.

Aye.

Thank you.

And the voting session?

And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay.

Is there a motion to recess?

So moved.

Second.

There's a motion and a second to recess a regular city council meeting to conduct the mass transit department board.

All in favor?

Unanimously.

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Second.

Motion made by Representative Limon, seconded by Representative Fierron.

This is to adjourn the Mass Transit Department Board meeting for April 1st at 1155 a.m.

All those in favor?

Aye.

Anyone opposed?

And the meeting has been adjourned.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Is there a motion to reconvene?

So moved.

Second.

There's a motion and a second to reconvene the regular city council meeting.

All in favor?

Aye.

Anyone opposed?

The meeting is back in session at 1155 a.m.

We are on page six.

The first reading of ordinances.

These are items 18 to 21.

Is there which to move on the reading of the post reading ordinances?

Okay.

Second.

There's a motion and a second, Miss Bryan.

Yes, sir.

There's a motion made by Representative Limon, seconded by alternate mayor Pro Tempiero, and this is to approve the first reading of ordinances.

Items 18 to 21.

On that motion, call for the vote.

Representative Acevedo.

Thank you.

And the voting session?

And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, it brings us to item number 22, Ms.

Bryan.

Yes, sir.

And 23 is related.

Would you like to take those together?

Please.

Thank you.

Item 22 is a public hearing of an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of real property owned by the City of Alpaso to MEP electric contracting inc for the purchase price of $22,000.

The property legally described as lot 11, block E, Santa Fe addition, in addition to the City of Al Paso, Al Paso County, Texas.

And item 23 is also a public hearing of an ordinance authorizing the same conveyance for the property legally described as lot 10 block E Santa Fe addition in addition to the City of Paso, Paso County, Texas.

Representative Canales.

Thank you, Mary.

Yeah, can we see the presentation here?

Sure, absolutely.

Is there a motion to approve it?

Well go ahead.

Actually, there's there's not.

Um I I notified Ms.

Mack this morning.

Um the neighborhood has some additional questions about this.

Perhaps in the presentation, some questions can be answered, but I I think most likely we will ask to postpone this for two weeks.

I apologize to the especially to the prospective purchaser of the property.

Um there were some questions that came up quite late.

Okay.

So represent you want me to make a motion to postpone it for two weeks?

Well, I guess we still see the yeah, I think we can see the presentation perhaps, and then uh I can make a motion.

Okay.

Mary Lou.

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

Mary Louis Spinoza for the record real estate division.

So this is for the presentation on 410 Charles.

This property was brought to council in July of 2025.

It was vetted as surplus property and approved for its listing.

In accordance with the Texas local government code section 253.014.

The property was marketed via a broker and listed for at least 30 days on a multi-listing service.

The property in and of itself is on the cross streets of Charles Road and ZQ Chuckone Road.

It's 0.04 acres in size.

It is currently zoned SRRH or special residential revitalization historic.

Property was listed for sale in July of 2025.

The proposed buyer is MEP Electric Contracting Incorporated.

The appraised value for this property was 22,000, which was appraised in August of 2025.

And the purchase price is for 22,000 plus closing costs.

We did receive one offer, and we are recommending to sell to the highest offerer.

Is there another presentation?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

This next property is for 412 Charles.

This was also brought before council in July of 2025.

It was vetted for surplus property and approved for its listing in accordance with the Texas local government code, section 253.014.

The property was marketed via a broker and listed for at least 30 days on that multi-listing platform.

As discussed, this property is right next door to the Ford 10 Charles property.

It is on the corner of Charles and Ziki Ochacon, also 0.04 acres in size, also zoned special residential revitalization historic.

Listed July 28 of 2025.

Same proposed buyer, MEP electric contracting.

Appraised value of 22,000, also appraised in August of 2025.

The purchase price is 22,000 plus closing costs.

We received one offer on this one as well.

Same buyer is 410, and we are recommending selling to the property, selling the property to the highest offer.

Okay, Representative Canalis.

Thanks, Mayor.

Just a couple of quick questions.

I had asked the other day if the uh prospective buyer was uh aware of the zoning and uh I they're of course not required to disclose what they plan to do with the property that it's a simple uh you know sale and purchase transaction, but um I I don't know if they were able to share that voluntarily or if we at least know that they're aware of the the current zoning of the property.

They are aware of the current zoning of the property, and they did share that their current intended uh use is to set up duplexes in the area.

Duplexes, okay.

Um I I imagine that will go a long way toward satisfying the concerns of the residents again because it's uh it's an unusual zoning district, the special residential revitalization historic.

Um it does allow for very limited commercial uses like uh kind of neighborhood scale retail and things like that, uh maybe a uh convenience store with apartments on top or something like that.

Um so they just had some questions about what the zoning district allows and then if we were able to find out what the intended use was.

Um great hardship by uh asking for two more weeks.

I think it would put the neighborhood at ease if they were able to hear this information in advance.

I don't know what the proposed buyers' timelines are.

I can definitely convey that message if the item is not approved or postponed.

Um do you think that's information that you might be able to get from them on quite short timeline today if we were to table this item and then come back to it uh later in the meeting?

I can certainly get a message over to the broker at the moment and uh I believe I have one more item and see if he can't get me that information between now and then for you.

Okay, yeah, again, I I want to give it every chance today, but uh uh again I just think that the neighborhood uh wanted to be able to understand this a little bit better.

And uh frankly, a lot of it's on me.

We we ran out of time to make sure that that happened with all of the neighbors.

And Representative Canal, should be able to message out between now and then if we table this to the constituents what we're doing?

Uh yeah, I I imagine my staff's watching and they are they'll be able to engage quickly, so we'll um we'll see if that's possible and and uh then I guess for now uh move to table these items.

Uh indefinitely is a motion and a second.

Until later during the meeting.

All in favor?

Anyone opposed?

And that motion carries.

Sorry for the change up.

Thank you, Mirla.

Thank you.

All right, Mayor Lou, you back up 24.

Item 24 is a public hearing of an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of real property owned by the City of Alpeso to Ronnie Rogers Properties LLC for the purchase price of $56,716.

Such property legally described as a portion of track 40 NKA tract 40-a OA Danielson survey 310 in Al Paso County, Texas.

Representative, okay.

There's a motion and a second.

Mary Lee, you want to go through the presentation?

Yes, sir.

Sure.

So this property sale agreement is for the property located at 1384 George Dieter.

This was uh provided by the abutting property owner.

It was a survey that was completed by the abutting property owner and was asking to acquire this particular portion of the parcel.

The comments from our planning and inspections team confirmed that the portion that the proposed buyer is uh proposing to acquire is not any portion related to George Deter Street.

The portion being sold is a narrow strip of land that does not meet the minimum zoning or dimensional standards for development on its own.

It does meet the exception to the bid notice, Texas Local Government Code Section 272-001.

So as you'll see from the image here, it is a budding George Deter and the abutting property owner.

This is where the new pollo loco is going on George Deter, just shy of Chito Samaniego.

The size of the parcel is approximately 0.05 acres.

It's zoned C4 commercial, the buy proposed buyer's Ronnie Rogers properties.

The appraised value is $56,716.

It was appraised in March of 2025.

The purchase price is the same as the appraised value plus closing costs, and we are recommending selling this property to the abutting property owner.

Okay.

Any further discussion on this item?

Okay.

Ms.

Bryan.

The motion was made by alternate mayor pro Tempiero seconded by Representative Nino, and this is to adopt the ordinance on item 24.

There is no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Representative Acevedo.

I.

Thank you.

Representative Nino.

Aye.

Thank you.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

Alrighty.

Can we take item number 25, please?

Yes, item 25 is a public hearing of an ordinance amending Title II administration and personnel, Chapter 2.40, Department of Museums and Cultural Affairs, amending section 2.40.100 Artists Market to allow for expanded artist markets outside of the union plaza footprint.

Good morning, Mayor and Council for the record, Ben Fife, managing director.

This is a relatively simple administrative cleanup of a 15-year ordinance originally established to allow MCAD to operate the art and farmers market.

Original ordinances very specific to Union Plaza.

This actually cleanups allow us to operate in our new footprint, but also recognizes the fact that we also periodically do pop-ups.

All right.

Representative.

Is there a motion to approve?

I'd like to make a motion to approve.

Second.

All right.

Representative.

Thank you.

Um, I think this is like very welcome news that the opportunity to move the market to different locations.

I know it's not something that you can decide from one week to the next, but I think with a long range calendar.

I just want to uh touch base on this is for unique arts and handmade graphs.

Correct.

And it'll stay true to that.

Yes, ma'am.

Very good.

This is not a swap meet, this is not a flea market.

This is really for uh our cottage industry artisans and and and vendors.

Thank you.

Very good.

Okay.

Any further discussion on item number 24, 25?

Thank you, ma'am.

Nope.

Ms.

Pry.

Yes, sir.

The motion was made by Representative Limon, seconded by Representative Canales to adopt the ordinance on item 25 on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Representative Acevedo.

Aye.

Thank you.

And the voting session.

And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, Ms.

Prime, the second item number 26.

Yes, sir.

Item 26 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning at 529 Schwabi Street from RF ranch and farm to R3A residential.

Representative, is there a motion to approve?

Is there a motion and second?

Okay.

Good afternoon.

Hi, it's already afternoon.

Oh wow.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council.

Luis Samora with planning and inspections.

You want to go through your presentation?

Sure.

So item 26 is a rezoning request for property located at 529 Schwav.

This is the aerial view of the subject property, is currently vacant.

Current zoning is RF, which is our ranch and farm zoning district.

Currently per density and dimensional standards development will then will be really hard to be developed here.

So the proposal is to rezone from the RF to an R3.

Um just confirm R3A zoning district will allow the development of a proposed single family home.

Uh and this will match the surrounding uh zoning districts.

The future land use map designates this area as G3 post-war.

Uh so here's a conceptual map, uh, more or less what you know what was submitted as part of the rezoning, uh, gonna look showing a single family home proposed with access obviously through Schwab Street.

Uh images of the subject property from the street.

Again, it is vacant currently.

Uh surrounding properties are typically uh single family homes uh with some commercial on the back.

Uh notifications were sent to were provided to the neighborhood associations in the area at the time of application submittal.

Uh and then all the property owners were in 300 feet uh got a notification about the proposed rezoning uh for both the C Plan Commission and the Council.

Uh as of technically today, we have received no uh just an email and support from the Mission Valley Civic Association with no other uh information.

Uh here's the notification map.

Uh we notify 32 properties in total.

And with this the staff recommendation is approval of the rezoning request.

Okay, very good.

Any further discussion?

Uh Representative uh Rocha.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you for the presentation.

Did the CPC approve it?

Yes, CPC recommended approval.

Thank you.

Yes, okay.

Any further discussion on item number 26?

Okay, Ms.

Pry.

Yes, the motion was made by Representative Limon.

Second it by alternate mayor pro Tempiero.

This is to adopt the ordinance on item 26.

There's no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Representative Acevedo.

Aye.

Thank you.

And the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, let's take item 27, please.

Item 27 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning of lots 123 and 4, block 1, Neptune subdivision at 8612 Neptune Street, 8614 Neptune Street, 8616 Neptune Street, and 8618 Neptune Street from R4 residential to A2 apartment and imposing a condition.

Representative Acevedo, you want to motion to approve this one.

Move to approve.

Okay.

We have another presentation.

Yes.

For the record Luis Samora, we're planning inspections.

Item 27 is the rezoning for uh 8612, 8614, 8616, and 8618 Neptune Street.

So here's the aerial imagery of the subject property, which is currently vacant, uh located east of uh US 54 and north of Hercules.

Uh current zoning is R4.

Uh the request is to rezone from R4 to A2 uh to allow for the proposed use of multifamily.

Uh right now it's obviously full four uh separate lots.

Uh the proposal will be to obviously have one and the multifamily.

Future land use map uh designation for this area is G3 post war.

Here's the conceptual plan.

Uh again, this is uh just as the previous one, this is kind of proposed uh at this time.

Uh access is through Neptune, and then it show the proposed development of a multifamily complex.

Here is an image from the along Neptune from the circuit property, which again is it's vacant.

Uh surrounding development, we have some single family homes to the north and to the west.

Uh to the south, we have a uh pond site, and then to the east, we have uh some commercial and vacant properties.

Uh neighborhood association got notified at the time of the application submittal.

Uh we had sent public notices to all property owners went to 100 feet of the subject property prior to public hearings.

Uh this time we have received no communication support or opposition to this request.

Here's a notification map.

Uh overall, we notify 45 properties.

Uh staff and seed plan commission recommend approval with that condition.

Uh the condition will help to safeguard the residential.

Uh and this is a 10-foot landscape offer uh along residential uh zoning districts.

That concludes my presentation.

Okay, any questions on item number 27?

Represent Canales.

Very quickly, not a question.

Um I want to uh commend the property owners.

I don't know who they are, it's not in my district, but I'm seeing on the paper the escalantes.

Um this is exactly the type of project that I think and again, not my district, so I don't want to speak for representative Acevedo, but exactly the type of multifamily infill projects that we want to see in the core of the city.

So uh commend them for looking to carry out this kind of work.

Yes.

And Representative Acevedo, I apologize, just wave at me if you want to say something.

Okay.

Oh yeah, thank you.

I'll I'll raise my virtual hand.

There you go.

All right, any further discussion on item 27?

Okay, Miss Prime?

There's a motion made by Representative Acevedo, seconded by Representative Limon to adopt the ordinance on item 27.

There's no public comment on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Representative Acevedo.

Aye.

Thank you.

In the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay.

Let's take item twenty-eight, please.

29 is also a same property.

Would you like to consider those two?

Absolutely.

Thank you.

Item 28 is a public hearing of ordinance, changing the zoning from C3C commercial conditions to R3A residential, east of Wrestler Drive and north of Cimarron Canyon Drive, and item 29 is the public hearing of ordinance releasing all conditions placed on the same property by ordinance one five six seven two, amended by ordinance one nine five five and by ordinance one nine five four, which change the zoning.

Okay, Representative Chavez, do you want to make a motion to approve this?

Okay.

All right.

Presentation.

Good afternoon.

Again for the record Luis Samora, we're planning an inspections.

Item 29 and 29, uh 28 and 29 are related.

Uh this is for a rezoning request and a condition release for property located on uh east of Resler and north of Cimaran Canyon.

Here we have a image of the subject property.

Um so it's currently vacant uh and understand it's currently going through development.

Uh zoning district for this property is C3.

Uh so the request is to rezone from C3 through to R3A, which is a residential zoning district.

Uh this will serve as a cleanup for the property owned by uh Canoty Independent School District.

Um to consolidate obviously the property under the same uh zoning district.

Uh just wanna make sure that we know that the larger uh CISD uh owns a larger portion of the property, which is where the proposed school is going to be developed.

Right now we're only looking at a little portion, which is a corner in red, which is a portion being rezoned from commercial to residential.

Uh future and land use map designation for this area is G4.

So we're run walkable.

Uh here we have the conceptual plan, and this kind of helps you uh see then the extent of the development of the property.

Again, we're focusing only on the portion in red uh which is being requested to be rezoned only.

So that that's on what the purview of council right now is for that rezoning of that portion just to match the the rest of the property.

Uh as well as part of the request for the rezoning, we have a request to release all conditions imposed on the property.

Uh right now, again, going back to that little portion.

There's some conditions uh that have been imposed during previous rezonings, uh, which include typical uh typically landscape buffers along residential, and that was to obviously assist in for any commercial development to have a buffer from residential.

So at this time, uh because of part of the rezoning to residential, uh staff don't believe it's not necessary anymore, and so they requested to release that condition and clean up the property from those in unnecessary conditions.

Uh here we have the conditions um which uh are part of the backup.

Uh so again the analysis is that what I mentioned, they're not necessary anymore.

So we have here picture of the site of property.

Again, we're looking only at that corner portion, uh, which at the time of this picture obviously was uh undeveloped.

Uh surrounding development, obviously you have the larger vacant or under development property for CISD, uh, which is the rest of it.

And then across the street, we have uh warehousing uh on on west along uh across Resler.

We have a vacant lot to the south, which is zone commercial, and well, the east again is part of the same property, larger property.

We did notify, I mean the property doesn't fall under any neighborhood associations.

Uh so no one got notified at the time.

Uh we did send notices to all property owners were in 200 feet.

Um I'll talk more about uh about that, and then at this time um I believe that information isn't correct.

So we have received obviously a petition for in opposition.

We receive a petition in support as well with multiple calls and emails in in opposition.

So I wanted to show this uh notification map.

So in total, 17 properties got notified, which includes only 12 property owners.

The majority obviously fell outside residential properties.

Uh again, because we are looking only at this portion, this corner portion of the of the property owned by CISD.

Uh so with this uh staff and C Plan Commission recommend approval of the rezoning request as well as approval of the condition release request.

That concludes my presentation.

Okay, Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for the presentation.

I know that I have some community members in the audience today, so I want to ask you a few questions, Luis.

Um the rezoning of the property today, uh, does that approve the ability for a school to get built in that land?

So not necessarily a school is already permitted in all zoning districts.

Uh this will technically uh allow them to continue other processes they have already uh kind of move forward with, uh which is technically making sure that the entire property is is combined into one single lot.

And but they this is not for allowing the use.

And who says that a school can be built in any district in any zone?

Uh the city code is the one that uh appendix A tells us that the use is permitted by right in all almost all zoning districts, uh, which includes the residential, the existing residential uh for the surrounding and then the existing commercial, uh which is what's being requested to be rezoned.

And there's a city code that says that, but is there also a state code that says that uh schools are allowed by right in any zoning zoning designation?

I'm not aware of that, but good morning, good afternoon.

I'm sorry, uh Mayor and City Council Kevin Smith with planning inspection.

So the state state code gives a foundation for development in the various cities.

It requires the adequate provisions of some of these uses, including the schools uh throughout Texas.

In our city code, uh just a quick clarification the schools are allowed in the majority of zoning districts with the exception of the manufacturing zoning districts.

So this one here that's under consideration, uh, this the small portion is allowed in both the C3, which is currently is, as well as a proposed.

This is strictly a cleanup to make sure the entire site is under one zoning district.

So the vote today is not in regards to allowing a school to be built or not to be built.

This is strictly a zoning change.

Has council ever voted on allowing a school to be built in this area?

In in this area, no, again, City Council, you're the way that it works is City Council uh establishes the city code.

And as these um these items come before you where there is a zoning change or a code change that is up for you to consider, the property owner has a right to develop it as a C C fit under that umbrella.

Again, a school is allowed in both of these zoning districts and it can't be placed here.

Okay.

So what we're uh voting on today is to rezone a small uh corner portion of the property from C3 commercial to residential to R3A.

Correct.

Okay, and we're also releasing the existing commercial conditions associated with the portion of the property.

Correct.

And those conditions were placed due to being commercial initially.

If council approves the rezoning to residential, those conditions would be obsolete and not required anymore.

Okay.

So the item today before us today is not about approving or denying the school itself.

Correct.

Okay.

And a school is an allowed use by right in both the current and proposed zoning categories.

Yes, ma'am.

Council's consider consideration today is limited to the zoning designation and condition release for the small section that we just discussed.

Correct.

That is what is under consideration and under the purview of council with these agenda items.

And uh just to confirm, all required public notices have been issued in accordance with the Texas local government code.

Correct, as well as our local code, as you may be aware, um notification for rezonings, the state law requires 200 feet.

We actually go a little farther and uh notify 300 feet.

There is also uh posting on the newspapers on uh posted agendas as well as their um large signs uh placed on the property on on the roadways to uh notify the public of this proposal.

Thank you.

And I know that we've been working um, you know, uh around this this new rezoning request.

Um Kevin and and the planning and inspections team.

I know that uh any time there is any change to any neighborhood, it it becomes uh a very um sometimes contentious matter just because of the traffic implications that could be uh a result of those changes of a result of that growth.

And I've been in contact with Ganwithium independent school district.

I know that they are building several schools in District One, and these conversations are are similar in all of these new areas where these schools are getting built.

And I know that there is a lot of concern regarding the ingress and the egress to this neighborhood, concerns that our streets and maintenance department has addressed and is continuing to address prior to the permits being uh released for uh this building to occur.

Um some of those include the installation of new traffic signals, adjusting uh signal timing and existing intersections, modifying turning bays, and installing appropriate signage.

I know that the planning and inspections department is working alongside streets of maintenance.

I know Joaquin from Capital Improvements has also been present at some of the meetings that we've had in conjunction with CISD.

Um CISD is the school district in charge of spearheading these communication efforts with the neighborhood association and ask them to not only have meetings with them but to be in constant communication with the HOA organization and others that have come together to petition against the school being built here.

Um but again, as we just determined, a school is allowed by right in both the current and the proposed zoning categories.

So I I want to thank the people that came today to speak, you know, um in in according to this item today, uh Mayor and Council.

Um I know that again I I hear them and I know that we're trying our best as a city and all of the departments have come together to try to address these concerns according to uh what I've heard directly from constituents by both by email, by text, through these meetings.

Um we are doing our best to try to mitigate the traffic implications that could come as a result of the school being built in this area.

But again, um school is allowed, is an allowed use by right in both of these zoning categories.

And so we just have to continue the conversation, and we have to be very mindful and respectful of these concerns and assure the the community that we will be addressing them as a city.

All departments are aware of them, and we will be addressing them.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Representative Kenellas.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh just very quickly, can we go back to slide six, the conceptual plan?

area but again um uh school is allowed is an allowed use by right in both of these zoning categories and so we just have to continue the conversation and we have to be very mindful and respectful of these concerns and assure the the community that we will be addressing them as a city all departments are aware of them and we will be addressing them thank you thank you representing canal of the thank you mayor uh just very quickly can we go back to slide six the conceptual plan you've said it four or five times I just want to make sure this is clear we're only talking about the portion in red correct that corner property that's correct um the rest kind of two ISD already owns the rest of the property in purple and that is zoned residential they're only looking to rezone the portion in red correct correct and the current uh zoning restrictions only uh conditions sorry only apply to the portion in red correct yes that's correct okay so is any part of that uh property in red abundant residential currently uh technically currently everything is upon residential because the rest of their the property is on currently residential but it doesn't apply the the homes uh to the east if this property was rezoned residential without removing the condition I I've never actually seen that before how how does it work if a residential property has to have a buffer abutting residential property yeah so that will create a burden for the owner because technically they will have to comply with that uh those conditions uh adjacent to their own property uh and and that's the other part where where staff is okay releasing that conditions yeah I I guess um I should have been clearer I I mean not necessarily residential zoning but act active residential uses there are no active residential uses abutting this this particular property correct correct not active residential uses okay uh yeah again I uh particularly on the condition release um I I don't see where there would be a buffer built if a buffer had to be built it it doesn't totally make sense considering that this would no longer be a higher intensity commercial use um so I I just wanted to make that clear again that we're only talking about that corner property and not the other portions that are directly abutting the I think mostly the rear yards or side yards of some of those other residential uses further uh east yes okay thank you thanks mayor yep representative brocho thank you mayor and I just have one quick question on here because I didn't see it and forgive me if I didn't hear it the City Plan Commission this went to them for the rezoning correct so let's see if City Planck Commission recommended approval of both the resoning request and condition release request.

Was that unanimous do you know yes ma'am that was unanimous okay thank you and and then just a final question so out of the uh 12 notices 17 properties that you all sent the notices to I saw there were seven calls a letter and an email in opposition to the request were any of those um opposition emails calls and letters duplicative or was it all separate so out of the twelve nine individual or separate different yeah so for that I will have to check uh the records that we have but we typically do receive multiple uh like duplicates you know they get an email uh later and then we get a call typically sometimes uh so it's possible uh we can provide that information if you want no thank you appreciate it welcome okay representative uh chavez thank you mayor I would like to to say one more thing regarding this um when this when the property was sold to uh CISD the owners of the property put some conditions on that the sale of that land so that uh the community could not um access the school directly through the neighborhood so there wouldn't be any um students allowed to be dropped off within the neighborhood this is to prevent cars from going into the neighborhood and parking you know potentially in front of people's uh homes and blocking their their uh driveways so uh that's why the ingress and the egress will be uh through a side street and not directly in the neighborhood that should be helpful um but again we will continue to monitor um this will be an ongoing conversation my my office will be in direct contact with the neighborhood um HOA that's there and others as well and I know canutillo independent school district is also keeping uh a close communication with them and all of the city departments are aware and are also working actively with me on this matter very good I appreciate their help thank you to everyone involved very good okay Ms.

I believe we have public comment public comment was taken at 10 we don't have a I mean a comment on 28 28 and 29 the folks that signed up to speak spoke at 10 a.m this particular just making sure yes sir okay any further comments or questions on item number these items 2829 okay Ms.

The motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, seconded by Representative Boyatrejo.

And this is to adopt the ordinance on ordinances on items 28 and 29.

Public comment has been taken on that motion.

Call for the vote.

Representative Acevedo.

Aye.

Thank you.

And the voting session and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay.

Representative Lima.

Mayor would like to make oops soups.

Mayor like to make a motion that we recess for one hour.

Okay.

Is there a second?

Okay.

There's a motion and a second to recess the city council meeting for one hour.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

All right.

Anyone opposed?

The meeting is in recess at 12 32 p.m.

and we'll reconvene in one hour.

Okay, Miss Prime, before we start again, I believe there was an additional 30 items we were supposed to add to the agenda.

That's correct, Mayor.

30.

For today's agenda, right, Miss Prime?

Yes, sir.

That's correct.

April Fools.

April Fools.

Council, is there a motion to reconvene?

So move.

There's a motion and a second to reconvene the regular city council meeting.

All in favor?

Aye.

Anyone opposed?

The meeting is back in session at 1 35 p.m.

Okay.

Let's pick up on item number 30, Ms.

Pry.

Yes, sir.

Item number 30 is discussion and action to direct the city manager and city attorney to host three community listening sessions within 45 days at the Mexican American Cultural Center, the Ilose Plata Senior Center, and the Chamisal Community Center with a goal of gaining input from the community to inform the next steps for recommending to our local Texas State delegation on the renaming of the Cesar y Chavez Border Highway and further renaming for future City of Al Paso holiday events, proclamations, and other city of El Paso policies, documents, locations, and events that specifically use a name or variation of the name.

Okay, Representative Acevedo, do you want to make a motion to approve this item?

We don't hear you.

Give us one second, Representative Acevedo.

Ms.

Prime, we're having trouble hearing him.

Sir, uh your microphone seems it's ready.

Let me oh there we go.

Now we can hear you now.

You can hear me?

Yes.

Okay.

Would you like to make a motion to approve this?

Yeah.

Okay.

So approved.

I'm sorry.

Okay.

Is there a second?

Okay.

Representative Acevedo.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, you know, there's been a lot of conversation around this um topic.

It's it's horrific what we have really uncovered, and the New York Times had a bombshell story on this.

And I feel that Al Paso should be at the forefront of this conversation.

We care about workers and care about survivors, we care about civil and human rights.

The item is largely about honoring the farm workers' movement with our community and holding responsible parties accountable across the nation.

Members of the public have been calling on officials to change the names of streets, buildings, schools, holidays that carry the name Sesar Chavez.

And my opinion, we should rename these in honor of the farm workers, activists, survivors, and martyrs of these movements.

The congressional Hispanic caucus stated that they are committed to work toward renaming streets, post offices, vessels, and holidays that bear Chavez's name to instead honor our community and the farm workers who struggle to find the movement.

And so what we've seen in the last few weeks is that there's communities across the United States that are taking action or they're pursuing action.

Um Los Angeles, San Jose, California, Denver Colorado.

Um Paso County changes the name of the holiday.

He slowed us considering renaming the Chavez Academy, Lincoln Park Conservation Committee that canceled their Cessap Shaves holiday event, renamed and removed the Chavez mural in the Lincoln Park, which is in my district, and ETF has removed the Cesar Chavez holiday.

And so in kind of talking to members of our delegation, um they were all very supportive of this.

Um you have Mary Gonzalez and Joe Moody that I believe sent letters out to the entire council.

Um one of them is included from Miss Prime in in the letters uh that she sent out today to us.

Um you heard Joselando speak earlier on on supporting this.

This is within Representative Federis' district.

It's also part of my district, and I share it with two other colleagues on the council where the border highway is.

Obviously, I know that the border highway is a state highway, and they're gonna have the ultimate decision on what happens there, but at the same time, it's still within our city, and it's it warrants, in my opinion, conversations with the community.

I think everybody has an idea of what they want to do.

And the state delegation I spoke personally to Senator Blanco, he was fully on board.

Um he thought that it was great that we were uniting with them, you know, commitment that they would host this with us, and that way we're not kind of doing two separate things.

And overall, um, I think that this is where we need to end up going as a city, and I'm hoping to get the support of counsel in the audience today.

Um Cassandra Urutia with Senator Blanco's office has graciously attended our meeting today to kind of talk about the process on what would happen in terms of the state level, how that plays out, um cost and stuff like that.

So, Ms.

Prime, I do want to yield the rest of my um you know, I think I have about six and a half minutes to um Miss Urutia to kind of just give us an overview of the process from the state level.

Okay, she's here.

Wonderful, thank you all.

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

Again, my name is Cassandra Urudi.

I serve as as Senator Blanco's chief of staff.

On behalf of Senator Blanco, thank you for the opportunity to speak on this item today.

He would also like to thank Councilman Ansevelo for his leadership in bringing this item forward and creating a space for a thoughtful and respectful discussion around this issue.

While the Senator regrets he's unable to join you in person as he's in Austin at a BNC hearing, he did want me to come and share a few remarks and then provide some additional context on how this would work at the state level.

Um, to rename the previously designated state assets, such uh assets such as the Cesar Chavez Border Highway.

First, we want to acknowledge the importance of the broader conversation taking place today and those that will uh continue through the proposed listening sessions.

We recognize that these discussions are not simple.

They deserve to be approached with care, respect, and a willingness to listen.

For many in our community, Cesar Travis Border Highway represents an important part of our shared history and the fight for workers' rights.

At the same time, when serious allegations are raised, it is important that they are taken seriously and that we reflect thoughtfully on the victims and how we choose to honor individuals in our public spaces.

This should not be viewed as an effort to erase history, but rather as an opportunity to engage in an honest and informed dialogue about how we recognize it.

From a process standpoint, it is important to clarify that the portion of loop 375 designated as Cesar Chavez Border Highway, specifically between Interstate 10 and Santa Fe Street in El Paso County, was established through state legislative action.

Under current law, the Texas Department of Transportation does not have the authority to remove or alter this designation without statutory change.

Because of that, any change to the name or designation must also occur through the Texas legislature.

Senator Blanco is committing to filing that legislation if the consensus is to do so.

So in order to move forward, legislation would need to be filed, passed, and signed by the governor during the next legislative session, which begins January 2027.

There are generally two potential paths to accomplish this.

One option would be to remove the designation entirely, in other words, not renaming it by amending statute.

Another would be to remove the current designation and to redesignate the highway.

Each of these options carries a practical consideration, practical considerations for the community.

For example, once the legislation is passed, there is no cost associated with removing the existing signage.

However, if the highway is redesignated, new signage would need to be required.

And it as it's it's standard practice for memorial highway designations.

This signage must be funded through private or third-party contributions.

Under section 225.021 subsection C of the Texas Transportation Code, the Texas Department of Transportation is prohibited from designing, constructing or erecting a highway memorial marker unless a grant donation or funds is provided to cover the cost.

Once those funds are secured, the fabrication and installation of the markers are coordinated through the Text Dots Traffic Operations Division.

Additionally, the cost of new signage can vary depending on the size of materials and installation requirements and cannot be finalized until a new designation is determined.

Just to provide some context, uh prior legislative designation passed by Senator Blanco back in 2021, Senate Bill 1704 for the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway had an estimated cost of approximately $18,000 for signage, including both a freeway and conventional signs.

This estimate reflects costs from previous sessions and carry can carry depending on the can vary, sorry, depending on the specific the specifics of the project, but it provides a general sense of the scale of investments typically required for these types of memorial designations.

The funds for that those signs were raised by the Korean War Veterans Association of El Paso.

At this time, the Senator's focus is on listening, ensuring that the voices of our community are heard, respected, and meaningfully included in this conversation.

He's happy to work with the City of Al Paso to facilitate this important listening and gathering of input from our community.

We know that this issue matters deeply to many families, and those perspectives deserve both space and consideration.

Our office remains committed to staying engaged, supporting an open and constructive dialogue, and remaining in and helping ensure the community remains at the center of whatever comes next.

We honor the broader labor movement and the many individuals who contribute to it, and while also having honest and thoughtful conversations about who we choose to recognize today.

Thank you again for your leadership and initiating this discussion, Rip.

We look forward to working closely with the city of El Paso as we move this process forward.

Do we have any questions?

Thank you.

Any questions?

Okay.

Representative Acevedo, you have about a minute and a half left.

You want to say anything else?

Thank you.

Yeah, I'll just say a little bit more.

Um I'm really thankful to Miss Mac and her team for really stepping up in the last few weeks to mitigate what we were going to do with the holiday and doing uh you know the celebration on how we were going to do that honoring farm workers and labor.

I I'm very happy that that was done administratively.

And just the thought behind this is also to come together as a community as this is a community that is over 80% Hispanic, and this is a significant thing for our community.

And we have only had this on the books since August 30th of 2022.

That's when the city council took a policy initiative to make this a holiday at the city.

And so as we kind of gather this feedback, I envision getting to a point where we say this is a resolution by the council, and we are getting behind this.

This gives our state delegation, Senator Blanco, a tool for them to use and say the city of El Paso has taken this position on this, and this is a step that comes down further down the line in my opinion.

So I'm hoping the um the council will support this measure today.

Thank you, Mayor.

All right, thank you.

Representative uh Lima.

Thank you, Mayor.

I I just I have a question, and I don't know, maybe to um to Representative Acevedo.

Uh the motion or the item on the agenda is discussion and action ultimately to host three community listening sessions, all within the same district.

Is there a reason for that?

Uh only being limited to that area.

Um the idea was that's kind of where the border highway is.

And if you wanted to do one in in your district, because it's also part of your district, it's also part of Representative Maldonado Rocha.

I I think we could definitely do that.

Those were the suggested locations just because they're so close to the border highway.

Um, particularly the MAC because of what the MAC stands for.

I thought that would be a really great location.

Um, but if if we need to move on to, let's say Palo Real or somewhere else, um I'm open to that.

And and yeah, that'd be a little bit easier or more equitable if we could do something in that degree.

And I'm not sure necessarily perhaps since it is being uh sent to the city manager and the city attorney to determine the best location so that it's not all crowded into the same area, but perhaps to uh designate more a variety.

I'm not sure Representative Maldonado Rocha, if you would be interested also, whether it be at um at the Valle Bajo.

I would certainly would request that one of the sessions be at the Pablo Real Recreation Center.

Um looking at this, and then I'll come back to that.

And looking at this since the beginning, since I was made aware of this, and I was aware about a week and a half, almost two weeks before the announcement came out.

My concern was specifically the renaming of the Cesar Chavez Highway, which I always refer to as the Cerchavis, and certainly not border highway.

But now is a time based on what we have learned that it needs to change.

The history, the work that César did was valuable, and it's historical, and it's not something that we can't just sweep away.

But the naming or the recognition of a person who led us down, then definitely that name needs to come off.

I made a suggestion, I guess maybe media in an media interview.

I did make a suggestion on a naming based on historical perspectives.

Cesar Blanco was the first to jump and indicate that the decision would ultimately be made by the delegation, and I respect that.

That's their job.

That's what they need to do.

This sounds like it's going to be listening centers or opportunity for people to discuss recommendations of names for the renaming.

The Isleta District does not have a policy as far as the renaming of buildings.

But they're in the process, and thanks to trustee Chris Hernandez, who extended an invitation for me to help and to serve on that committee.

I certainly will be doing it.

And then the third location that does bear the name of Cesar Chavez is Head Start Center, Cesar Chavez Head Start.

That facility will be renamed by the Parents Citizen Council, and so that's certainly going to be in their purvy for them to do.

I'm hysterical.

And that went very well.

That caused so much damage to the farm workers, their backs were just horribly affected by bending down for 14, 16 hours and using.

That tool is outlawed in the United States.

Certainly something that is commendable.

With all of those things said, um, and I don't know, Miss Mack, whether it would require an amendment, but really I would like to see if between you and the city attorney could determine perhaps a conversations.

I know I would want one.

And so I'm not sure, Representative Acevedo, whether it requires an amendment or what it requires.

But Representative, I was going to recommend and to add to the three listening tours that they're going to do to add the ones that you would want and the ones that Representative Rocha would want to add additional ones.

And I have an amendment ready to send to Miss Pine, but it doesn't include Miss.

So do you have a location?

Miss I make a motion to make an and it really would read just exactly the way it is.

The only change would be to move from three now to five community listening sessions.

And then add after Chamisal Community Center, comma, Babo Real Recreation Center, comma, and did you want Valle Bajo?

Yes and Valle Bajo and then everything else would remain the same.

Okay.

And so for the record, Laura Cruz of Coast and the Communications Director.

So this would fall under my um purview in terms of setting up those meetings.

We can certainly set those up, but I do need clarity from you all as to who's going to lead these meetings.

This is a state functionality, and so my ask is is it the state that's going to manage these meetings so that I can work directly with the state delegation in order to coordinate those meetings?

Because it is not up to the city from our purview in order to manage those.

Very good point.

Excellent.

I could I could jump in and they they were very um grateful for this and they were happy to partner with us.

I think the likely people that will be leading on this will be Senator Blanco and Representative Beddings, but if there are other members of the delegation that also want to be included and attend all of the meetings, then they could do it.

But I think just for answering your question, Laura, um those are probably the two offices that are ideal.

I don't know if Cassandra, you have something to add to that.

She's coming up, representative.

Okay.

Hi everyone.

So we're definitely happy to to partner on these.

I would assume Repacevedo and and uh Rep Limon and Rep Rocha, you all would want to be a part of them.

So if we could collaborate on these and just work with the city to get these set up, we're we're happy to do that.

Okay.

So there's a an amendment.

Is there a second to the motion?

Okay.

Representative Rocha?

Yeah, you had okay.

So thank you very much for bringing this um to council today.

Uh and I'm in agreement with making the changes and the naming and all of this, but I think it also puts the city, this is just an opinion, in an awkward position where we are trying to do something for the state, but yet it's on the city, right?

And so my question is directed to Ms.

Mack more than resources.

We we talked a lot about budget, we've talked a lot about planning, we've talked, we've spoken at length, you and I, about that.

What is the cost?

Is there is there a dollar amount?

Like, can we provide?

Is it possible for the city to provide the space and the state delegation to lead the lead those discussions?

That's ideal for us.

I mean, we have, you know, as you all know, we're working on the data center presentations.

We have another series of those to go.

Right.

I'm trying to think through what are we asking?

Right.

You know, so it's only like two questions.

Would you like to rename it?

And if you're making a recommendation for a new name, are you willing to fund that name?

And so it isn't, you know, uh, I think a robust discussion and conversations that we need to be having throughout the city.

It really is assisting the delegation to have the data that is necessary to have those discussions.

And so I just need clarification on if we're gonna be working with the delegation, I think it makes sense for us to work with their offices to understand what makes sense through the structures they have.

This conversation could be piggybacked on existing meetings, um, which would mean that we're not trying to set up an existing if they have series of meetings that are happening, if you're having meetings.

I don't know that it's a full hour or an hour and a half discussion around two or three questions.

But I think it it very much is about that partnership and it's very much just about us providing the space to allow for those dialogues and figuring out what those tools are gonna be.

I'm not clear on what that looks like, and so it's difficult for me to understand the resource the team did whisper that we need to get through our data meetings first because it's the same people.

So it isn't even a matter of I have different people to assign to set this up.

We we kind of are engaged now to we finish all this up.

Thank you.

And I think the way that I'm envisioning this is that the city provides the space.

The state delegation provides the meeting or the listening sessions versus the city hosting those sessions, right?

Because you're you're listening to uh at this point.

I don't think that we can mayor in your position, you'd probably be able to provide a letter to the delegation to be able to um say yes, we're in favor of this uh once you know this vote goes through.

But from a purpose of hosting the meeting, I don't want to take away from the resources that the city is that the city already has in providing the space that's available and letting the state delegation lead those those initiatives because then that would require each of us or all of us to be there, and we can be there.

We we have the choice to be there, but I don't want to put staff in a position where you're you're leading those meetings.

The the recommendation if I can might be that you all already have community meetings um with your constituents, right?

The recommendation and the most efficient way to do this in order to ensure you have a much larger volume of participation would be for you all to host someone from the state delegation at one of your community meetings that you've already got programmed.

Okay.

Okay.

Representative Lamont Thank you.

And and I guess that's what I tried to summarize right now.

That our only role, there is no role in reality.

Uh I think says that made it really clear, you know, that the delegation is the one that's going to do this.

I'm just curious, does the delegation or anyone do they have a plan of what they wanted to do before this came up?

No, ma'am, and I can't speak for the entire delegation.

I do just want to clarify that.

I only, you know, I'm only here on behalf of Senator Blanco, but in terms of our office, we wanted to hear from the community first before any legislation or any decision was made on what to ultimately rename this asset or or not rename it.

Um so you know, I think we would be uh very much comfortable with with attending some of your all's meetings that are already on the books, um, just for the sake of efficiency and and use of resources, so we can we can definitely continue to explore that.

But again, I I can't speak for the entire delegation, so we would have to just have that conversation with everybody else.

And I guess um, because the senator is a senator and leads the delegation, or we look at him as the as a leader, that certainly makes sense.

In retrospect, and understanding that we do not have the direct input as a counsel in the decision.

We don't have that input.

My question is whether this item is even necessary at this time.

And so because we will cover everything that was proposed by having our own community meetings meeting, inviting the delegation, and then that would be the best way to do a proposal.

So I'm gonna recommend that we delete the item from the agenda.

Second.

Do I need to take the amendment first, Ms.

Prime?

On adding the additional two locations?

Yes.

Let's do that first, represent Lamont.

The one that we added as an amendment first.

Uh Mayor, yes, I'm not sure.

Then if I could, I'd like to uh rescind my motion on that item.

Okay, is there a second second?

Okay.

She's withdrawing her amendment.

Okay.

So now my motion is to delete the item from the agenda.

Okay, representative uh my name tags on this.

Okay.

Uh Representative Lamone, I totally agree with you that if there was a way for us to channel the information, maybe through Ms.

Cosa's office, uh, Cruz Coast office from in regards to our meetings and and and inviting the delegation so we are not calling them all and she can reach out to them, give them addresses, give them times that would make it more um efficient, I think, for everyone.

Agreed, sir, and we're happy to provide any kind of support um for each of the council members if they choose to host these types of community meetings.

Okay.

Okay, so what I'm hearing is that the council members will provide the platform for some of our state members or state delegations to host a listening tour at our community events.

Okay.

Uh so there was a recommendation to delete this item by representative.

Was there a second?

Okay.

Any further discussion?

We did have Ms.

Osmond that signed up to speak.

On 30.

Yes.

Okay.

Ms.

Osmond, go ahead, ma'am.

You have three minutes.

And this is the discussion now is to delete the item.

Okay, so can I not speak about the item whatsoever or just in regards to the deletion?

Just on the deletion.

Honestly, I don't believe that this item should be deleted.

I think uh the city can stay made a resolution at one point, needs to have very fair minimum repeal that resolution.

In striker's name away.

Uh I hope that uh Guanco's office also and because it honestly this situation has become uh the Mexican Epstein files and scandal in remain.

I hope you all do consider not to rename it for Ms.

Although she is a victim, she was also somebody who did not speak up for those minors who are also sexually assaulted.

So if we do rename anything, perhaps we should do it as yes, the borderland highway.

Something to reflect what our area stands for on a national aspect, not necessarily for a person.

Because I think we need to remember how the rest of the the country sees our area, and portray it in a much brighter light.

We do need to be proud of the fact that we are a border city.

We are the borderland.

We are the one of the largest border cities across the southern border.

If you delete this, and if you have community meetings, which can be done at no cost, I know the tarot was complaining about the cost.

During your community meetings, those are already done on a monthly basis.

I don't think that would submit any extra cost to the city.

But definitely, I don't think it should be renamed for a person.

And most definitely now Miss Huerta, and if you all stripped Cesar Chavez, I think the city also should consider no longer uh elevating Dolores Fuerta either.

As having a long family history, Hispanic history in our community from the founding of El Paso.

This strikes to the core, especially.

Thank you.

Okay, Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, and I just have uh couple of questions here for clarification purposes because the item calls for um other things like it says here city of El Paso policies, documents and events that specifically.

We're talking about the deletion.

I know.

That's why I want to know if I should vote for the deletion because I want to know if there is any other documents or policies that pertain to this holiday that we would have to look at um prior to make making a decision about deletion.

I I'm just curious to know if there's anything other than the fact that we changed the the name of the holiday itself to community and labor heritage.

Is there anything else out there?

No, ma'am.

The council can make the consideration of the official name change as a part of the budget resolution with the adoption um of the new budget resolution we usually list on our holidays and so we can make that change for the next fiscal year.

We have no other policies.

Um we we did a review of the programs, those were already changed, so we didn't have anything that was in writing that needed to be revised and required the body to do so.

Okay, so there's nothing else pending at this time, no ma'am.

Okay, thank you for the clarification.

Okay.

I'm sorry, represent Savannah.

I I just kind of wanted to chime in on this and say that um the budget resolution is nice that we can do that, um, but at some point we do need to take action because this holiday at the city was not implemented administratively, it was implemented by council, and it's an ordinance change that that took place.

So if we do that when we finish the budget that this year, that's appropriate, but at the same time, we're just gonna do that with a lot of feelings with everybody kind of wanting one name or not any other name without getting official community input, and and that's what was so important to Senator Blanco, where there are a lot of people that have a lot of ideas, but if we don't get the community in one place and use that data to inform our decision, I don't think it's gonna be adequate for for us to just kind of see which name or names get the most votes in a budget resolution.

And that that is my worry of not getting that official count from the city.

I think it's minimum work, like Ms.

Max said, it's two or three questions that we ask.

We gather that data and at the same time the delegation says this is kind of where we're going with this.

And it's more of an official thing that we can rest on rather than just having our community meetings and having anecdotal data.

Okay.

Any further discussion on item number 30 on the deletion Ms Bryan?

Yes and the motion was made by Representative Limon seconded by alternate mayor Protein Piero and this is to delete item number thirty on that motion call for the vote.

Representative Acevedo No Thank you in the voting session and the motion passes five to three representatives Acevedo Nino and Canales voting nay the remainder of the council voting I have a motion to delete carries.

And you know I think this is one of those um agenda items where you know there's certainly federal, state and local conflict if you will and I think this is a good compromise of us working as a city with uh the state uh along an item that is clearly in their purview um providing them with facilities that they can host these these meetings so you know I would hope that council as many of us that could hold a meeting and invite the state delegation out to to facilitate that from that would be great.

So um Ms.

Prime let's take item number 31 please yes sir item 31 is discussion in action to direct the city manager and city attorney to draft a resolution establishing the city's institutional spokesperson roles per citywide policy and administrative matters this item was placed by representatives Pietro and Rocha Representative Piero Thank you mayor Representative Rochan you don't mind I'll go first.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion approve?

Okay.

Mayor um this is an item that we put on yes the city charge charter touches on this issue.

But if we look at read the city charter it's very vague it it just touches on it.

An ordinance will allow us to work with um Ms Neiman and her office to come up with specific guidelines, guardrails to make sure that when an issue arises of this magnitude that we're able that we understand what each of our roles are and and so that that was the reason that that I thought we needed to put this on the agenda to really focus on what our specific role is as a representative of of a district.

Thank you Mayor very good representative canales um yeah I guess based on what's provided in the backup I'm still not totally understanding what the intent is here.

It says to establish the city's institutional spokesperson roles is this to create a staff position no it's it's to uh if an if an a if you read the charter it just says the mayor speaks but we need to we need I think guardrails on when the where when we can come in and focus and speak and that's why if if we allow um Ms Neiman if we can uh a director through uh her office to come up with some um uh uh resolution we can redline it and come back with and make it really uh specific and we can all know what our roles are and the reason the backup is so vague is because we don't have anything right now and and it's really just a uh a blank piece of paper living document that will be able to uh form into policy into a resolution okay I I guess I'm still just not understanding like what the what which of the roles are not well enough defined.

I think there's no issue with with uh a good example is I I think one of the um the people who do it the best up here is Representative Lamont when she speaks on issues on her district I mean and I know she works through um Laura Cruz of this and and when I speak to media I work I do the same thing um but it it's really focus on her district it's really focused on the things that um are important to her constituents and and to mine.

That's black and white but I I think beyond that is is where I I don't understand where the guardrails are and and can I speak in your district can I speak on yeah you know it's just it's just very vague.

And this is this is just um a way for us to all be on the same page and not have any questions and and I I can just imagine if I spoke on one of Representative Lamont's um items in her district it would uh it wouldn't be a pretty site was good it was okay.

I mean I think each member of council clearly has the ability to speak about whatever they want to.

Uh they can't speak, they can't represent themselves as speaking on behalf of the city as an organization.

Right.

I think that's made pretty clear in the charter.

I I'm still just uh again, I I guess I can understand in theory what it is that you're saying you want to accomplish, but I don't I still don't understand which of the roles that exist currently are not laid out clearly.

And I think that's why we need to work through Ms.

Neiman's office to make it black and white and very clear specific.

I mean when you when the charter says the mayor speaks in regard to the the issues regarding the city, that's really all it touches on.

And now uh we'll be able to really form what the guidelines and what the roles and what the uh our our position should be.

So it's it's you're you're you're right, it's very vague because we're forming that um that that right as we speak um uh after we get the information from Ms.

Neiman's office, the suggestions from Ms.

Neiman's office.

And then what is meant by the term institutional spokesperson roles?

When you look at the charter, it says the mayor speaks on behalf of the city.

So institution was just a word that I used instead of the city.

Okay.

From my understanding it's the charter, I mean, I'm I'm looking, it says it re the mayor under powers of the mayor, section 4.1.

And if it's a different section, the welcome correction, but it's represents the city in intra-governmental and intergovernmental relationships.

Um, duties of the mayor, there's no additional language about the mayor speaking on behalf of the city.

So I think when I read it, my understanding was the mayor speaks on behalf of the city as a whole, we can speak on behalf of the city.

So I I assumed that it meant we can speak on behalf of the our own districts that we represent.

And that's again the reason that I recommend that we allow Miss Ms.

Neiman and her office to come back with guardrails to clarify all this.

I I again I just guardrails against what I guess that's the question I'm left with.

Guardrails on me speaking on uh behalf of the city in as a whole, guardrails against um me speaking on behalf of Ms.

Lamon.

I mean specific guardrails, that and that's what if we allow Ms.

Ms.

Diman to come back with something, this will uh this will give us those those answers.

Okay.

I I uh I think the other document that helps us here is the we have the adopted code of conduct.

And that does talk about how each of us is expected to communicate both internally with staff, with each other, and with the public, and outlines pretty clearly what each person's role is in different types of communication.

Um I think that you know there was there was quite a lot of work done on that in one say 2018 or 2019 when that code of conduct was developed and there was quite a lot of public input into what should be in that document.

Um definitely a lot of input from the from the council again before my time, almost any of our times.

Sure.

No, and thank you.

I'm sure Representative Mollen was here, but yes.

Um I would I still my motion is for us to allow Ms.

Um Neiman to come up with a resolution, we can redline it, we can give our suggestions.

It's a I and I don't think it I I think the resolution is going to be should be a living document and it it grows as this council um grows even beyond where when we're passed.

Okay.

I guess I uh I understand the motion.

I just I still don't know that I totally understand the intent or what this is seeking to change.

Thanks, Mayor.

Representative Rocha?

I hope I can shed a little light on that.

So it's really just to educate the public more than anything to make sure, you know, the mayor is his as the highest elected official within within the elected official group to be the person that media goes to when there are situations that arise.

I I think some of us um do a really good job.

Well, actually, all of us do a really good job going in and speaking for our districts.

This is those situations where we're on the national stage.

When we're on the national stage and everybody's watching, do we need to add a little disclaimer?

Because this is in no way saying you can't say what you want.

You can't whether you're in your personal capacity or your elected official capacity, right?

This is not impeding on that that piece of it.

But when it's a situation that arises that is, let's say citywide, and we're being we're being asked for information.

Is there a possibility when we put stuff out that we put a little disclaimer saying you know the the mayor at that time is the spokesperson for the city?

That's the purpose of it.

So it's just to educate the public on that charter, just clarifying some boundaries.

Uh, so that one, when the situation arises, and let's say the mayor's mayor's in front of uh media and doing some type of national press that we understand.

Well, I'll give you the perfect example.

When the FAA uh blocked the blocked the airspace, Ms.

Mac did not call me.

General Major General Taylor didn't call me.

Um I didn't receive any phone calls from the city at that time.

So my understanding after speaking with the mayor is that he was the one that was in contact with everybody, right?

But at that time, when it is literally across the world that everybody is seeing what's happening in our space, especially because of our proximity to the border, we need to make sure that we're in lockstep.

And that's really the intention.

So if I were to put something out, which I didn't, but if I were to put something out, just put a disclaimer that says um, you know, I'm I'm doing this on behalf of my constituents.

I'm speaking on behalf of my district instead of uh giving any facts.

I can give opinions, no problem.

But if I'm trying to create facts, would that come off or put the mayor in a bad position at a national level?

So I don't even know, Miss Neiman, if that's even possible to do, but that's the intention of the of this particular item.

And correct me, Rep Fiero, if that if I misspoke, but I believe that I captured those pieces.

Again, you're uh it goes back to guardrails and goes back to clearly defining what our our roles are and and um and duties are as representatives and as citizens.

And I'll touch on that in a minute in Representative Rocha.

Uh Representative Lemon.

Thank you, Mayor.

I believe that the first discussion that I can recall as far as the official spokesperson came about during DeMargos administration, that that was a real clear cut.

The mayor will speak if I remember correctly.

I wasn't on council, but I do stay up with the news and I read the newspaper every day.

Um I recall about that time.

And thank you for your comments.

There are some topics that are very specific, like, you know, that we have.

I think a perfect example is Cesar Chavez.

I mean, I've been in communication throughout, always making sure that I was speaking on my behalf.

I was not a spokesperson for the city in any shape or form.

And I think that all the interviews that I did were asking for personal perspectives, and so I I felt that I could do it.

I do stay in touch with Laura Cruz Acosta.

Um, and there are times where I'll be asked for interviews, and then I will simply say, No, that's not my area.

That's not something that I should be speaking about.

I'm not real sure in understanding exactly the process that this is going to take, and so I'm wondering if Ms.

Neiman, do you have a better handle as to what is being asked with this item I I'm I'm aware of the situation that has been brought up, and I'm I've drafted some information and gathered other information from other cities, but I'll tell you in me speaking with my colleagues across the state, none of the cities that have a city council manager form of government have anything like this.

So I haven't been able to find something similar.

I think that we would be drafting something that requires a little bit more nuance.

Certainly, none of the council uh lose their ability to speak as uh members of the council on behalf of their districts.

I think that probably the most based on what Representative Rota was just stating about, and we've seen it happen in the past during um prior mayors tenures when we had the national immigration issues that were coming up, and then we also had COVID, it became very important at those critical moments in time that the public heard from the head of the council, right?

So when I look at at the charter language specifically, um I'm looking mostly at the powers of the mayor under 4.1 specifically says the mayor shall be recognized recognized as the head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law.

So we understand that the mayor is given some position of authority or ability to speak on national issues, and certainly when there's a national emergency.

So I think that similar to what happened at the FAA, those were critical national issues that it became very important that the mayor speak on behalf of the city, and you saw how he addressed the public at that point with the public with the press at that moment.

So I I believe I would ask the council if I'm headed in the right direction in terms of what I believe I'm hearing that it's it's about issues that are of national importance where we need to speak as one voice and that the public needs to speak or hear from their government from one direct source how the city is going to act or behave or what policy we're following as opposed to again all the council gets to speak on the issue, but that it's not um being communicated as a different source of information or that it doesn't track along the lines of what the mayor's official position is.

Traditionally, those positions are formed after receiving information either from Ms.

Mack or from our emergency uh Office of Emergency Management.

So I think that it's it's maybe the council agreeing that there's some deference that needs to be given to the mayor, and that the council needs to not overstep in those areas.

Is that sound like what I I think that that's captures what I believe you are attempting to accomplish.

And and I think that that I'm sorry, Ms.

Mack.

I'm sorry, I just think it's it's it's actually two-way.

I think when we have things that don't rise to the level of a declared emergency, but that are at the national level, how do we ensure because lots of times because the mayor does have that intergovernmental role, he's in discussions that I'm not in.

So it's important that he's letting me know what's going on, that my communication team is then pulling that information to make sure we all still stay well aligned, but it also means that it holds us accountable for making sure you have the right level of information and that we're all paying attention, we're working very closely together, so that message is really in sync.

And I don't think it's about any other situation other than those very high-level types of things that hit a national level where you will be held accountable for every comment that leaves the organization, and just making sure that we understand what that plan looks like and even um how we might communicate during different times when things are starting to roll out after hours.

And so for us, I I've seen a plan very close to this in Dallas.

You know, they basically have a resolution and the mayor is the spokesperson, and then the city policy has the city manager on the um administration side and the and the mayor for other key elements, and it's not all that complicated, but I think it gives people expectations and workflow, not only for um existing council, but supportive training when new people come to the seat.

I think the conversation um when De Margle was here, it was primarily under a state of emergency, which is different, is clear.

It's very clear the mayor's role when we we declare an emergency, but not otherwise.

And I thank you.

Thank you.

I think that that's that's certainly true and correct.

I think that all of us, like you said, Mr.

We we receive the news of the shutdown at different hours, um, mostly through media.

Um I was made aware of it about one ten in the morning from a friend who already knew about it, but it at that role, the spokesperson is just to me obvious that that would be the mayor.

How inappropriate would it been for me or anyone else to stand and you know make statements?

I chose to not even discuss it on any of the social media uh platforms from our office.

I think it really needed to come directly from the mayor, and so that I'm very very focused on.

At the same time, I don't want my voice cut off because of any discussion that we might have here.

I think that that um and and you know, I really don't hide my feelings very well, perhaps, and and I'm very opinionated on some things.

any of the social media uh platforms from our office I think it really needed to come directly from the mayor and so that I'm very very focused on at the same time I don't want my voice cut off because of any discussion that we might have here I think that that um and and you know I really I don't hide my feelings very well perhaps and and I'm very opinionated on some things um and I'll stand up I will always stand up I won't shy from anything and I want to make sure that I continue having the relationship with the media because the media while they may be you know spoken in such a horrible manner by our in our present day um they're still friends because they're the ones that get out the information for us when we need information also I have a excellent working relationship with all media members at all levels here and in other cities across the country I just want to make sure that we don't put a um mask or a mouthpiece on us that we can't continue to speak up on the items that are so important and so critical for us thank you Representative this has nothing to do with with um not not music that thank you that's a great word muslin any of us I mean all of us have opinions not as strong or as many as yours but we all have opinions and we're very vocal with it the media is is is has been great to each and every one of us up here and and I hope that we can continue to have that relationship with them.

But this is n has nothing to do with muzzling it just has to do with specifically giving us guidelines on what and how to address things in the future.

Thank you mayor about that representative Chavez thank you mayor um and thank you to Ms.

Mack and Miss Neiman for clarifying uh some things I have also a few questions about this um general questions and then maybe more specific ones so Ms.

Neiman because I'm fairly new to government have we ever made a change like this through a resolution that wasn't through a charter and how do you decide what to do how to make changes through resolutions and not through charter changes how do you decide that so our charter is intended it's this it's the city's it's the equivalent of a constitution right so it's not intended to contain everything regarding municipal operations or policies or procedures it really lays out the framework and the powers that belong to what entities within our government it gives the governing authority the ability to have the powers that it has and then those powers are recorded either by ordinance which is our local laws our resolutions which traditionally dictate who has authority to do certain things or enter into certain agreements and then also the ability to have policies that align with those ordinances or resolutions or the charter so um you wouldn't see this type of detailed laid out specificity necessarily in the charter it it would fall within either a resolution it's similar to what you see in your rules of order how you conduct your meetings right you don't see that in a charter you find it in your rules of order and also because charters aren't supposed to be amended every Monday and Tuesday right there the constitution of of the city it makes more sense to put things that need to be massaged or quickly amended in in an in an in an ordinance or resolution or policy.

So we've done these types of changes before through resolutions in terms of communication so responsibilities and structure so traditionally you have that power given to the city manager in terms of her ability to communicate through our communications office this is more in in my experience there appears to be a desire to have the mayor the ability to speak on certain issues where the rest of the council allows the mayor to have that space without having two different conversations that's really where I believe you all are are trying to delineate the role and and it could be done um by resolution it could be done by city policy and then um the other example that we've done something like that is the code of conduct which you all have received training for and that was intended to create a governance structure for disputes or disagreements that may happen between council members but also to remind the council and and remind the staff of the role of the council versus what the role is with the city manager and her staff in terms of behavior and decorum and then it gives you the ability to kind of resolve those types of dispute and it also is intended to remind the council of the role of the press and what your engagement with the press should look like so that really lives in a code of conduct so we've seen it in different iterations but your code of conduct is another policy that you all have chosen to and your rules of order is is yet another area that you all have chosen to memorialize how you will conduct yourselves.

And then also is intended to remind the council of the role of the press and what your engagement with the press should look like.

So that really lives in a code of conduct.

So we've seen it in different iterations, but your code of conduct is another policy that you all have chosen to and your rules of order is yet another area that you all have chosen to memorialize how you will conduct yourselves.

Okay.

Thank you.

And when council comes together, we have the role of creating policy.

And we expect that policy probably to stay in place for a while.

And so my only concern is Mayor Johnson, with all respect to you because we love your leadership style and and uh your decision making process.

And I think, well, what would the future look like if there were a different mayor in place where we or maybe someone was elected to counterbalance that person's voice, right?

Um I don't know what uh what the limitations would be uh because I don't know because we haven't written the resolution yet.

So my only worry is limiting uh the voices of the elected officials to counterbalance that in case it were necessary in the future, not today, but if it were in the future.

And how do we define high level?

Because we're not we haven't had any state of emergencies.

So how would we define high level situations?

Would we would we create a definition for something like that?

So we're gonna be able to do that.

I see, since it's a lot of I'm actually here, so I can tell you what's going on.

Um I I think it's important to note, you know, when we say high level, certainly shutting down your airport's a high level uh occurrence.

Uh when you have a water main break of of that magnitude is is is what I would consider high level.

What ends up happening is when you're not getting the information, when you're not talking to Major General Taylor, when you're not in touch with your city manager, when you're not in touch with your congressional folks, and you believe you have all the information and you put it out there on social media, what ends up happening on a national level is whether I'm doing an interview and someone says, Well, Mayor, there's been a lot of damages to your city and it's been quantified at 30 to 50 million dollars, you know, by one uh one of your council members, you know, uh how did you guys determine that number?

I had no clue that we had already quantified the damages for the air the airport shutdown.

But that came from a council member, hit the national media, and then in an interview, I was set to justify a number that I had no idea about.

So I don't think it's prudent when we're on a stage like that to put out information when we don't have all of the information.

Because I also knew that we were working on getting the airspace open by a certain time.

So we were working on there was a lot of things moving during that morning, especially from 1045 at night till uh we had the press conference.

So the information was coming not only through me, but me making calls to make sure that we had all the correct information, but it is very, very difficult to be in an interview on a national stage where someone asks you a question and you can't answer it.

That's difficult.

So how could how could we and that makes sense, Mayor?

I and I I agree with what you just said, but how can we do it in a way, and maybe this is a legal question, I'm not sure, or Ms.

Mack, I'm I'm not sure who could answer this.

How could we just make sure because policy is for the future, right?

Not just for today and for tomorrow.

Right.

And so I'm just thinking about the question.

Yeah, I think I think I think what we should we we should I think what I'm hearing though is we certainly want the districts, you guys gotta be able to speak.

There's no question there.

You got to be able to communicate and talk to your districts.

I think when we have something that raises to the level of uh the airport shutdown, water main breaks, or any time that we need to make sure we get the best information out to the community working with our incredible uh media that we do have here in El Paso, that we're giving them the best information that we can at that time that's gonna go out maybe nationwide.

So I don't think this is to to use representative uh Limon and and Vierral's uh comment.

It's not to muzzle council, it's just to make sure that we are when we go out beyond the districts, possibly on the national scale that we are giving the best information about this community uh that we can with the information that we have.

And I and I agree with that, except that some sometimes those big things could happen in an individual district, right?

And so how could we coordinate so that we're not completely left out of the conversation?

Because we still have to be forward-facing with our community, right?

We can't just say I'm not allowed to speak or to represent you during this time.

So during the water main break, I can tell you that representative uh Treho was there.

She was at the press conferences, she was at the meetings at the EOC, she was at the PSB, she was she was there because it affected her district.

And could we I mean if we were to move forward with something like this, how could we write that into a resolution so that we're insured that we're not being left out of a conversation and that we're also receiving up-to-date information and and involved in the day-to-day things.

And then there's bigger issues also that affect all of the districts, right?

Like right now, we've had multiple conversations about bigger issues that impact the city as a whole that that concern the city as a whole.

So I I'd just be interested to see what what the idea is behind making sure that we're not left out of conversations that could potentially um impact the way people perceive us representing them.

That's fair.

And I don't know what the answer is, right?

Because I don't think we've done anything like this before.

What I'm what I'm able to do is that I'm I'm I'm hearing what you all are relaying in terms of your conversation, and that will be taken into consideration as part of the drafting of the document.

You also have to remember that when we draft these documents, we have to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the law.

You you are not forbidden from speaking, and it would not be written in a way that would result in being ambiguous or or unclear as to what the role of a council is individually and as a collective whole.

What I'm hearing is the desire to have some sort of policy that the council understands in what situations when this council speaks or the mayor speaks, what that means, and it'll message to the rest of you that that's the position of the city, right?

Um it'll require a little bit more massaging and some more work, but it's not something that's insurmountable, and it's not something that is out of the norm or out of the realm of reality.

I think it can be accomplished.

Okay.

Thank you, Mayor.

I mean, I just um we're just having to these this is a good conversation.

I think it's healthy.

Um I just think sometimes our community expects us to speak up for them, right?

So we don't want to say, I'm sorry, I can't say anything about that, or I can't represent you at this time because of something else.

And so just how do we handle that?

I and I agree.

I I could I could only imagine, and I wasn't here during um uh the August 3rd shooting.

But I can only imagine if eight or nine individuals were speaking at the same time and there wasn't one unified message, how the community would have maybe felt even more unsafe or so.

I I think in moments like that, those high level moments, that it's very important that we we speak as one body, we get the best information that we can, and we communicate to uh the city, you know, that you know, number one, you're safe and all of the things that we should, because I think when we do it individually and we put information out that that uh may not be the the most relevant information at that time, it could cause a little bit more confusion.

I certainly think though that everyone should speak.

I mean, that is not what I'm saying.

Everyone should speak.

Uh but I think it needs to be more coordinated and more we we need to communicate better, you know, when that is occurring to say, okay, Mayor, what can you tell me?

You can wake me up at two in the morning like everyone else did, that's fine.

And I'll be glad to tell you what information I had at that moment in time that you can easily put out yourself.

And I think coordinated is a good word to use.

Okay.

Representative Camellus.

I did already speak once.

I'm happy to move behind districts five and four if they want their first opportunity.

Go ahead.

Well, we'll we'll get you.

Sure.

Um I did pull up the code of conduct because I still think that this is a document that already pretty accurately uh describes all of these roles.

Um forgive me for just reading into the mic for a minute, but I I do want to read.

There are a few different sections that I think are relevant.

The first is elected officials' conduct with the public.

I won't read most of this, mostly just the subject headers, but um it has different different sections.

So in public meetings it says be welcoming to speakers, be fair and equitable in allocating public hearing time uh to individual speakers, be an active listener, ask for clarification, but avoid debate and argument with the public, no personal attacks of any kind under any circumstance, and follow parliamentary procedure in conducting public meetings.

And it has a second section in unofficial settings, refrain from making promises on behalf of the city and refrain from making personal comments about other elected officials.

The next larger section is elected officials conduct with other public agencies.

Again, this is when appearing in front of other public agencies.

The mayor represents the city in inter intra-governmental, so internal and intergovernmental relationships, external.

If an official appears before another governmental agency or organization to give a statement on an issue, the official must clearly state whether his or her statement reflects personal opinion or is a stance of the city.

And then there's another section, elected officials uh conduct with the media.

And this says officials may be contacted by the media for background and quotes.

The best advice for dealing with the media is to never go off the record.

And then the second bullet point there is the mayor is the designated representative of the council to present and speak on the official city position.

If an individual council member is contacted by the media, the council member should be clear about whether their comments represent the official city position, like adopted by the council or their personal viewpoint.

And then I think very importantly, there is a section at the end of the code of conduct for addressing issues and does specifically talk about council to council.

So it has like progressive steps of how to deal with uh perceived violations.

So step one is visit with fellow council member and discuss the issue.

Step two is if the behavior continues, council member will need to inform the mayor.

Uh step three is if it is the mayor's behavior in question, then inform the mayor pro tem.

Step four is mayor and or mayor pro tem we'll work with the council member to address the issue.

And the last one is if further discussion is necessary, then an item needs to be posted on the council agenda for action.

I I think that that really adequately discusses who can speak about what and when and their conduct that's expected when they speak.

Um and then the ways to uh correctly address that issue.

Um again, this is a document that all of us sign when we take office and uh do get training on, I believe annually or maybe every two years, Ms.

Neiman.

In reporting.

It's a regular training.

Just for the public, that's page nine of the code of conduct.

Uh that is, I mean, I've The council to council, the the part you were just reading.

That's on page nine and page ten, yes.

Okay.

I began reading on page six.

Perfect.