OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

El Paso City Council Work Session – June 8, 2026

City CouncilMonday, June 8, 2026
BodyEl Paso, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 10:09
Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

Let's start it.

0:13

Good morning, Mayor.

0:16

Good morning.

0:17

This is a work session of the El Paso City Council for Monday, June 8th, 2026.

0:22

It is 9 o'clock a.m.

0:24

Mayor Johnson is present and presiding in council chambers along with Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, Representative Maldonado Rocha, Representative Boyatrejo, Alternate Mayor Pro Tem Piero, and Representative.

0:36

Mayor, we have a quorum.

0:37

Thank you.

0:37

Representative Russia, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:01

Council, is there a motion to retire into executive session?

1:05

There's a motion and a second to retire into executive session.

1:08

All in favor.

1:09

Anyone opposed?

1:11

And the city council of the city of El Paso might retire to executive session pursuing to section 3.5A of the El Paso City Charter and the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapter D, to discuss any of the following.

1:23

Executive session item one, Texas Gas Service, a division of one gas inks test year 2025 gas reliability infrastructure program interim rate adjustment for the incorporated areas of Texas Gas Service, PUC number OS test 26-00030734, HQ number utility-78 under 551.071.

1:44

Executive session item two, rate case severed from statement of intent of Texas Gas Service Company, a division of one gas inc to change gas utility rates within the unincorporated areas of the Central Gulf, West, North, and Rio Gran Valley service areas, OS-25-0002924, HQ utility-85 under 551.071.

2:09

Executive session item three, distribution cost recovery factors and power cost recovery factors.

2:35

Under 551.071, these matters are taken into executive session under 551.071.

3:00

Okay, Ms.

3:00

Prine, I believe we're ready to go.

3:02

Yes, is there a motion to come out of executive session?

3:07

There's a motion and a second to come out of executive session.

3:10

All in favor?

3:11

Anyone opposed?

3:13

The meeting is back in session at 9 32 a.m.

3:16

And for the record, representatives Canales, Niño and Acevedo join the meeting at 9 04, 906, and 907, respectively.

3:23

We're on item AX1.

3:25

Mayor Pro Tem.

3:27

Thank you, Ms.

3:28

Prine.

3:29

Motion made seconded and carried that the application Texas of Texas Gas Service, a division of one gas inks test year 2025, Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program Interim Rate Adjustment for the Incorporated Areas of Texas Gas Service OS-26-0030734 filed on March 10th, 2026, and matter number utility-seventy-eight is hereby denied, and that the city attorney is directed to take all steps necessary, including the execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this authority.

4:11

Okay, there's a motion.

4:44

Thank you, Representative Piero.

4:46

In the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

4:52

EX2.

4:54

Motion made, seconded, and carried that the city attorney in consultation with the city manager be authorized to approve the settlement in the rate case expenses severed from OS-25-00028202.

5:11

Statement of intent of Texas Gas Service Company, a division of One Gas Inc.

5:16

to change gas utility rates within the company's unincorporated areas of the Central Gulf, West North, and Rio Gran Valley service areas in matter number OS-25-000 2924, high Q Utility-85, and to take all steps necessary, including the execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this authority.

5:44

Okay, we have motion.

5:47

There's a motion made and read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, seconded by Representative Limon.

5:52

This is on EX2 to approve the settlement on that motion, call for the vote.

6:05

Representative?

6:07

Thank you.

6:08

And the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

6:12

EX3.

6:14

Thank you, Ms.

6:14

Prime, and I will be reading two motions for this uh item.

6:18

The first is motion made, seconded, and carried that the city attorney upon review and in consultation with the city manager be authorized to number one file a motion to intervene in all purchased power capacity cost recover factor filings docketed at the Texas Public Utility Commission that affect or may affect utility ratepayers in the city of El Paso.

6:42

Number two, hire outside counsel and consultants deemed necessary for undertaking such interventions, and number three, take all steps necessary, including the execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this authority.

6:58

Second.

6:59

Okay, there's a second.

7:00

Ms.

7:00

Prime, do we need to take those separately?

7:02

Yes, okay.

7:03

There's a motion made and read into the record by Mayor Ten Chavez, seconded by Representative Canales.

7:09

This is to authorize the city attorney to intervene hire outside council.

7:14

EX3 on that motion, call for the vote, in the voting session.

7:21

And that motion passes unanimously.

7:25

We're still on EX3.

7:27

Yes, EX3.

7:29

Motion made, seconded, and carried that the city attorney upon review and in consultation with the city manager be authorized to number one file a motion to intervene in all distribution cost recovery factor filings docketed at the Texas Public Utility Commission that affect or may affect utility ratepayers in the city of Volpaso.

7:51

Number two, hire outside counsel and consultants deemed necessary for undertaking such an interventions.

7:58

And number three, take all steps necessary, including the execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this authority.

8:07

Second.

8:10

Yes, the motion was made and read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, seconded by Representative Gonales, and this is on also on EX3, and this is to intervene in all distribution cost recovery factor filings.

8:23

On that motion, call for the vote.

8:33

And the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

8:38

Okay.

8:39

EX4.

8:43

Motion made, seconded, and carried that the city attorney in consultation with the city manager be authorized to hire and retain outside council and any other necessary consultants and to file an intervention in the El Paso Electric Company to amend its certificate of convenience and necessity to include the Copperhead and Black Mountain Solar Battery Storage Facilities under the Texas Public Utility Commission docket number 59690 in matter number high Q Utility-86 and to take all steps necessary, including the exit execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this authority.

9:26

Okay, there's a motion is there.

9:28

Okay, Ms.

9:28

Bryan.

9:27

There's a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez and brought into the record.

9:36

Seconded by Representative Gonales, and this is to intervene and hire outside council and consultants on EX4 on that motion.

9:43

Call for the vote.

9:47

And the voting session.

9:48

And that motion passes unanimously.

9:51

Ms.

9:51

Bryan, I think that concludes our work session.

9:53

Yes, sir.

9:56

Second.

9:57

There's a motion and a second.

9:58

Thank you, Council.

9:59

Adjourn the work session.

10:00

All in favor?

10:01

Aye.

10:01

Anyone opposed?

10:02

And the work session for Monday, June 8th, 2026 is adjourned at 9 39 a.m.

10:08

Thank you, Council.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
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Summary of Proceedings

El Paso City Council Work Session – June 8, 2026

The El Paso City Council held a work session on Monday, June 8, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM and adjourning at 9:39 AM. The meeting included an executive session and subsequent unanimous votes on four items related to Texas Gas Service rate adjustments and intervention in utility proceedings before the Texas Public Utility Commission. Mayor Johnson presided, with all council members present or joining later (Representatives Canales, Niño, and Acevedo arrived at 9:04, 9:06, and 9:07 AM, respectively).

Executive Session

  • The council voted unanimously to retire into executive session at 9:00 AM under Section 3.5A of the El Paso City Charter and Texas Government Code Chapter 551, Subchapter D, to discuss three items: (1) Texas Gas Service Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program interim rate adjustment (PUC No. OS-26-00030734), (2) rate case severed from Texas Gas Service Company’s statement of intent (OS-25-0002924), and (3) distribution cost recovery factors and power cost recovery factors. The council reconvened at 9:32 AM and proceeded to vote on each item.

Discussion Items

  • EX1 – Texas Gas Service GRIP Interim Rate Adjustment (Incorporated Areas): A motion was made and seconded to deny the interim rate adjustment application filed March 10, 2026, under docket OS-26-0030734. The motion also directed the city attorney to take all steps necessary to effectuate this denial. The motion passed unanimously.
  • EX2 – Texas Gas Service Rate Case Settlement (Unincorporated Areas): A motion was made and seconded (by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez and Representative Limon) to authorize the city attorney, in consultation with the city manager, to approve a settlement in the rate case severed from OS-25-00028202 (docket OS-25-0002924) and to execute all required documents. The motion passed unanimously.
  • EX3 – Intervention in Power Cost and Distribution Cost Recovery Factor Filings (Two Motions):
    • First motion: Authorized the city attorney, in consultation with the city manager, to (1) file a motion to intervene in all purchased power capacity cost recovery factor filings docketed at the Texas Public Utility Commission that affect El Paso ratepayers, (2) hire outside counsel and consultants, and (3) take all steps necessary. The motion passed unanimously.
    • Second motion: Identical authorization but for all distribution cost recovery factor filings. The motion also passed unanimously.
  • EX4 – Intervention in El Paso Electric Company Solar/Battery Storage Facilities: A motion was made and seconded (by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez and Representative Canales) to authorize the city attorney, in consultation with the city manager, to hire outside counsel and consultants and file an intervention in El Paso Electric Company’s application to amend its certificate of convenience and necessity to include the Copperhead and Black Mountain Solar Battery Storage Facilities (PUC docket 59690). All steps necessary were authorized. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • All four agenda items (EX1, EX2, EX3 with two motions, EX4) were approved unanimously by the council.
  • The council denied Texas Gas Service’s GRIP interim rate adjustment for incorporated areas.
  • The council authorized settlement of the Texas Gas Service rate case for unincorporated areas.
  • The council authorized intervention in multiple utility proceedings before the Texas Public Utility Commission, including power cost and distribution cost recovery filings and the El Paso Electric Company solar/storage facility certificate amendment.
  • The work session adjourned at 9:39 AM.

Meeting Transcript

Let's start it. Good morning, Mayor. Good morning. This is a work session of the El Paso City Council for Monday, June 8th, 2026. It is 9 o'clock a.m. Mayor Johnson is present and presiding in council chambers along with Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, Representative Maldonado Rocha, Representative Boyatrejo, Alternate Mayor Pro Tem Piero, and Representative. Mayor, we have a quorum. Thank you. Representative Russia, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Council, is there a motion to retire into executive session? There's a motion and a second to retire into executive session. All in favor. Anyone opposed? And the city council of the city of El Paso might retire to executive session pursuing to section 3.5A of the El Paso City Charter and the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapter D, to discuss any of the following. Executive session item one, Texas Gas Service, a division of one gas inks test year 2025 gas reliability infrastructure program interim rate adjustment for the incorporated areas of Texas Gas Service, PUC number OS test 26-00030734, HQ number utility-78 under 551.071. Executive session item two, rate case severed from statement of intent of Texas Gas Service Company, a division of one gas inc to change gas utility rates within the unincorporated areas of the Central Gulf, West, North, and Rio Gran Valley service areas, OS-25-0002924, HQ utility-85 under 551.071. Executive session item three, distribution cost recovery factors and power cost recovery factors. Under 551.071, these matters are taken into executive session under 551.071. Okay, Ms. Prine, I believe we're ready to go. Yes, is there a motion to come out of executive session? There's a motion and a second to come out of executive session. All in favor? Anyone opposed? The meeting is back in session at 9 32 a.m. And for the record, representatives Canales, Niño and Acevedo join the meeting at 9 04, 906, and 907, respectively. We're on item AX1. Mayor Pro Tem. Thank you, Ms. Prine. Motion made seconded and carried that the application Texas of Texas Gas Service, a division of one gas inks test year 2025, Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program Interim Rate Adjustment for the Incorporated Areas of Texas Gas Service OS-26-0030734 filed on March 10th, 2026, and matter number utility-seventy-eight is hereby denied, and that the city attorney is directed to take all steps necessary, including the execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this authority. Okay, there's a motion. Thank you, Representative Piero. In the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously. EX2. Motion made, seconded, and carried that the city attorney in consultation with the city manager be authorized to approve the settlement in the rate case expenses severed from OS-25-00028202. Statement of intent of Texas Gas Service Company, a division of One Gas Inc. to change gas utility rates within the company's unincorporated areas of the Central Gulf, West North, and Rio Gran Valley service areas in matter number OS-25-000 2924, high Q Utility-85, and to take all steps necessary, including the execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this authority. Okay, we have motion. There's a motion made and read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, seconded by Representative Limon. This is on EX2 to approve the settlement on that motion, call for the vote. Representative? Thank you. And the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously. EX3. Thank you, Ms. Prime, and I will be reading two motions for this uh item. The first is motion made, seconded, and carried that the city attorney upon review and in consultation with the city manager be authorized to number one file a motion to intervene in all purchased power capacity cost recover factor filings docketed at the Texas Public Utility Commission that affect or may affect utility ratepayers in the city of El Paso. Number two, hire outside counsel and consultants deemed necessary for undertaking such interventions, and number three, take all steps necessary, including the execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this authority. Second.

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