On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the El Paso City Council convened at 10:01 AM with Mayor Pro Tem Alejandra Chavez presiding. The meeting began with proclamations, followed by public comment, consent agenda, and action on multiple items including bond issuances, a memorandum of understanding for the downtown deck plaza, and various capital improvement transfers. The meeting adjourned at 5:24 PM.
Good morning. Good morning, Al Paso. Buenos días, bienvenidos. I want to give a warm welcome to everyone who is joining us in Council Chambers this morning. Thank you for being here. Miss Prime. Yes, good morning, and welcome to the presentation of the mayor's proclamations. This morning we have Mayor Po Tim Alejandra Chavez present and presiding. We begin with a pledge of allegiance, and this morning to lead us in the pledge, we have students from Coach Wally Hartley PK eight school. At the invitation of City Representative Diana Maldonado Rocha, we have Paloma White Seeker, Casey Johnson, Harper Wine, Aurora Daniel, Ian Menchen, Darwin Pimentel, Vince Bernal, Valentina Castro, Alia Lyaka, Kayleigh Boo, Isabella Salas, Lux Arenas, Kaylee Queto, and Keanu Curtis. And you all for freedom. Thank you guys. Thank you guys. That brings us to the mayor's proclamations. For those of you receiving a proclamation, your group will have up to four minutes collectively to speak at the podium and receive the proclamation. After you receive the proclamation, you will be invited to take a photo with a council. The first proclamation is Sexual Awareness Month, 2026. Representative Rocha. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez. If I can have those that are here, I see them in the audience. I saw them this morning. There they are. Here we go. Thank you for coming to City Hall today. I'm going to read your proclamation. Whereas sexual violence affects individuals and families across all communities and backgrounds, causing lasting trauma and significant harm. Studies indicate that one in three women and one in six men experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. With many cases going unreported, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and survivor support. And whereas the Center against Sexual and Family Violence has served the city of El Paso with comprehensive prevention, advocacy, support, and education for survivors of sexual assault and their families. Provided sexual assault services to more than one thousand survivors, and responded to over 240 hospital accompaniment calls across area hospitals. And whereas CASVI's theme, consent is loud, emphasizes the importance of clear communication, mutual respect, affirmative consent, and community accountability in preventing sexual violence. And whereas educating individuals and communities about consent, healthy relationships, bystander intervention, and equitable treatment, strength and safety, and respect across all settings. Excuse me, and fostering a culture of accountability and care. 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 Sexual Assault Awareness Month, 2026, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. Good morning. Good morning. It's truly an honor to be here with you, representatives and mayor pro tem. My name is Sandra Navarrez Garcia, I'm the executive director to the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence. And as Ms. Rocha mentioned, sexual assault affects all individuals and affects our community, it affects our households, family members, just everyone across the board. And oftentimes it's something that we're really unprepared for. And so in our true theme, this this particular month of consent is allowed. We want to be able to emphasize that consent should be clear, it should be active, it should be ongoing, never assumed or implied. And I think those are really important words because I think oftentimes we believe that you ask once, and that's just the answer for here until the end of time. But this conversation is very much like our theme is continuous and is ongoing year after year. These are services that we provide both to individuals in the hospital, in person, on the phone, via chat, however, it is that the individual wants to access the services because we understand that it's difficult to come forward. You obviously know we're also your local domestic violence program. And I think that those individuals victimized by domestic violence are more likely to come forward and receive services, whereas our survivors of sexual assault is really more of a challenge. And so think of you know, God forbid, anyone in this room, today you're living your most normal life. Tonight something happens, and tomorrow your world has been flipped upside down.