El Paso City Council Meeting – May 12, 2026

The El Paso City Council convened at 10:06 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Council Chambers with Mayor Renard Johnson presiding. The meeting included five proclamations, public comment on multiple agenda items, and votes on a range of ordinances, resolutions, and contracts. Key outcomes included approval of a lease for the former YMCA facility in Northeast El Paso, adoption of an anti-DWI strategy directive, and zoning changes for a rescue mission expansion.

Proclamations

• Freeway Lady Keglers International Friendship Bowling Tournament: Recognized the 10th annual tournament to be held May 16 at OASIS Bowling Lanes, honoring Armed Forces Day. Speakers highlighted patriotic themes and veteran services.
• Medical Center of the Americas Foundation 20th Anniversary: Recognized MCA’s role in developing the 440-acre medical and biotechnology campus and its impact on healthcare and economic development.
• Eastwood High School 1976 UIL State Basketball Champions 50th Anniversary: Honored the team, the last El Paso boys basketball team to win a UIL state title. Coach Gary Pippen recounted the championship season.
• Police Week: Recognized May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week as Police Week. Chief Peter Pacillas and honor guard members spoke about honoring fallen officers.
• Celebration of Bagpipes 4 Day: Recognized Bel Air High School’s bagpipe band tradition and the May 16 music festival. Students performed a bagpipe piece.

Consent Calendar

• Approved as amended by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez: Item 34 taken at 11 a.m. (separate discussion); Item 37 deleted per municipal court; Item 29 originally postponed, but that motion failed (7-1), so Item 29 later discussed and voted separately. The consent agenda (items not called out) passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 29 (Landscape Ordinance): Miguel Escoto and Jay Mania urged council to delay or reject the ordinance, citing climate goals and reduction of green space.
• Item 32 (DWI Strategy): Multiple speakers, including Lupe Hernandez Luceto (Sober Streets Movement), Eileen Diaz de Leon (sister of Angelique Diaz de Leon, killed by intoxicated driver Jan. 1, 2026), and Celia Lopez (mother of Mario, killed by drunk driver), demanded stronger penalties, mandatory jail time, and a comprehensive strategy. Ashley Candelaria linked mental health and substance abuse.
• Item 34 (YMCA Lease): Seven speakers (Guillermina Campos, Carlos Sainz, Julia Curtin, Theodora Hug, Jessica Kell, Ivan Rosales, Mary Hyde) expressed strong support for the lease to Carl L. Robinson Heat Retreat, emphasizing community need for aquatics, senior programs, and youth activities.
• Call to the Public: Sixteen speakers addressed topics including animal cruelty (Claudia Contreras Siller, Ron Cuomo), mental health crisis response and use of force (Alfredo Arellano), DWI prevention (Ashley Candelaria), opposition to the Deck Plaza and YMCA funding (Carlos Sainz), federal comment deadlines (Jesus Moreno), Meta data centers (Daniel Reyes, Jay Mania, Sugar Cortecor, Mia Gonzalez, Miguel Escoto – urging termination of 380 agreement and moratorium), and epilepsy advocacy (Omar Galache).

Discussion Items

• Item 34 – Lease Agreement for 5509 Will Ruth Avenue (former YMCA): Council heard a presentation by Mary Louis Espinoza (Real Estate) and testimony from Sarah and Robert Osterlin (Carl L. Robinson Heat Retreat). The Osterlins committed to preserving YMCA programs, hiring staff, and investing $2.2 million in improvements. The lease is $12,000/year for 5 years with two 1-year renewal options (total $84,000). Market rent is $447,963/year; operating expenses $54,211/year. Unanimous approval.
• Item 29 – Landscape Ordinance Amendment: Tony Acosta (Planning & Inspections) presented amendments to simplify and clarify the code, including allowing 40-foot tree spacing for large canopy trees, requiring 15% of shrubs in frontage buffers, and codifying a 10-foot buffer between commercial and residential. Developer focus group lobbyist Richard Dayoub supported. Approved 7-1 (Representative Acevedo opposed).
• Item 27 – Special Permit for Setback Reduction at 3305 Hiawatha Drive: Luis Mora presented a request to reduce a side setback from 5 ft to 1.6 ft for an addition built without permits. Staff and City Plan Commission recommended denial. Homeowner Arturo Ramirez stated he was misled by a contractor. After debate about setting precedent, council approved 5-3 to grant the special permit.
• Item 28 – Rezoning at 210 Lee Street (M1 to C4): Request by Rescue Mission of El Paso to expand shelter capacity. Blake Barrow, CEO, outlined plans for housing families, the medically infirm, and a night shelter (currently 45/night at Corner of Hope, with 20 gaining jobs since November). Neighbors spoke in support. Unanimous approval.
• Item 31 – District 1 Discretionary Funds for Solar Lights: Representative Chavez presented data showing 800% increased park usage after installing solar lights at West Green Park. Requested $22,400 for four lights at Cimarron Park No. 2 and Park Hills Park. Unanimous approval.
• Item 32 – DWI Data and Strategy Directive: Representative Nino co-sponsored with Mayor Johnson. He reported 4,956 DWI arrests from 2023–2025, including 478 second-offense and 593 third-or-more-offense arrests; 19 fatal alcohol-related crashes in 2025; 2,000 DWI arrests in 2025 alone. He also highlighted repeat offenders and the need for a citywide strategy. Representative Chavez noted a pilot youth education program with Ganado High School. Chief Pacillas and Commander Johnson discussed DRE officers and a holistic traffic safety capstone. Unanimous approval.
• Item 35 – Sun City Lights at Marty Robbins Park: Award of $867,001.80 to MSTAR Inc. for an outdoor amphitheater with glow-in-the-dark aggregate sidewalk, landscaping, and lighting. Graciela Napolonía (Capital Improvements) presented the design. Unanimous approval.

Key Outcomes

• Item 34 – Lease approved unanimously (motion by Representative Trejo). The Carl L. Robinson Heat Retreat will operate the former YMCA with a 5-year lease and $2.2 million in private investment.
• Item 29 – Landscape ordinance adopted 7-1 (Representative Acevedo opposed).
• Item 27 – Special permit granted 5-3 (Representatives Acevedo, Chavez, Rocha opposed). The homeowner must still obtain building permits and inspections.
• Item 28 – Rezoning approved unanimously for Rescue Mission of El Paso at 210 Lee Street.
• Item 31 – Solar lights funded unanimously from District 1 discretionary account.
• Item 32 – Directive approved unanimously: City manager and city attorney to prepare DWI data overview within 45 days, develop a citywide anti-DWI strategy within 90 days, and amend the state legislative agenda to include anti-DWI priorities.
• Items 25, 26 – Property sales approved unanimously (lots in Keystone Business Park to EP Araya Properties LLC for a total of $1,151,660).
• Item 33 – Demolition contract awarded unanimously (three firms, $5 million aggregate).
• Item 35 – Sun City Lights contract awarded unanimously ($867,001.80 to MSTAR Inc.).
• Reappointments: Judges Elia Garcia and Manuel Parra confirmed unanimously.

The meeting recessed for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:32 p.m. and adjourned at 4:12 p.m.