El Paso City Council Meeting – June 9, 2026

The El Paso City Council met on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 10:01 AM in Council Chambers, with Mayor Renard Johnson presiding and all eight representatives present. The meeting included five proclamations, public comment, a consent agenda with numerous postponements, and extended debate on a motion to direct staff to negotiate termination of the Chapter 380 economic development agreement with Worldwide LLC and Meta Platforms. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 PM.

Proclamations

• Aphasia Awareness Month (June 2026): Declared by the mayor after remarks from the El Paso Aphasia Connection Center. Speakers noted that every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke, 30% of survivors develop aphasia, and an estimated 20,000 El Pasoans live with the condition. The center serves uninsured and underinsured individuals across the region.
• Northeast Rotary Club United for Good Day (June 9, 2026): Recognized the club's 67-year history and community service, including over $1 million donated since 2000. Jimmy Malver (27-year member) highlighted the club's Feed the Pig tradition, which supports polio eradication, and noted that 61-year member Sherman Barnett has perfect attendance.
• Responsible Fatherhood Month (June 2026): Declared after remarks from pastors and community leaders emphasizing the importance of father presence. Statistics cited: 1 in 4 U.S. children live in father‑absent homes.
• Rebuilding Together El Paso Day (June 9, 2026): Recognized the organization’s work since 1991, assisting 1,500 homeowners with critical repairs. They mobilize about 600 volunteers per year and run a 'She Builds' program empowering women in home maintenance.
• ALS Awareness Month (May 2026): Declared after remarks from a local ALS advocate and a veteran county service officer reading a statement on behalf of a veteran with ALS. The disease disproportionately affects veterans.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Call to the Public (10:00 AM): 11 speakers addressed topics including animal cruelty (request for TNR program and animal cruelty unit funding), religious views on Pride Month symbols, city events blocking church access (St. Clement's), a request for a municipal tree inventory, raw milk sales and food freedom, and First Amendment rights.
• Consent Agenda Public Comment: One speaker criticized city solid waste liens, urging volunteer programs instead of fines.
• Item 37 Public Comment: Over 180 registered speakers, heard from approximately 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (with a lunch recess). The overwhelming majority urged the council to vote in favor of initiating termination negotiations. Key positions included:
  • Many residents, community organizations (e.g., Sembrando Esperanza, Amanecer People's Project), and small business owners expressed concerns about water scarcity, air pollution, utility cost increases, noise, and lack of public input.
  • Several physicians and health professionals highlighted studies linking data centers to increased particulate matter, respiratory illness, and premature deaths.
  • Union representatives (IBEW 960) and construction workers argued the project provides thousands of jobs and that canceling would harm working families and the city's reputation.
  • The El Paso Chamber of Commerce and the El Paso Association of Contractors opposed cancellation, citing legal liability and the need to honor contracts.

Discussion Items

• Item 37 – Meta/Worldwide 380 Agreement: The motion was to direct the city manager and city attorney to initiate negotiations to terminate the Chapter 380 economic development agreement and related incentives. Outside counsel Sandy Gomez (Husch Blackwell) presented on the three contracts (purchase & sale, tax abatement, 380 agreement) and noted there is no termination‑for‑convenience clause. She outlined potential litigation risks: $8.5 million land repurchase, actual damages, and up to $800 million in conservative exposure. Council debate centered on whether the project has changed significantly (expanded 10x since 2023), the adequacy of 50 minimum full‑time jobs, water usage, and the city's financial exposure relative to its $655 million general fund. Representatives Acevedo and Limon (co‑sponsors) argued the community overwhelmingly opposes the deal and that Meta has not met promises (e.g., renewable energy). Representatives Trejo, Chavez, and others expressed fiscal concerns and noted the project would continue even if the agreement were terminated.
• Item 34 – Campaign Visit Cost Policy: Approved direction to develop a policy requiring an upfront deposit from candidates visiting the city to cover public safety and venue costs, after the city was left with a $600,000 unpaid bill from a prior event.
• Item 35 – Hotel Occupancy Tax on Short‑Term Rentals: Approved a resolution authorizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from short‑term rentals, estimated to generate about $3.4 million annually. Implementation within 90–180 days.
• Item 36 – District 6 Discretionary Funds: Approved $2,000 for the new Adopt‑a‑Street program.
• Item 39 – Buy El Paso Rewards Program: Approved a $200,000 Chapter 380 agreement with the Better Business Bureau to continue a rewards program supporting local businesses. Reported economic impact of $4.7 million and a 17:1 return on investment.

Key Outcomes

• Item 37 – Failed. Motion to direct staff to negotiate termination of the Meta agreement failed on a roll‑call vote: 2 yeas (Acevedo, Limon) to 6 nays (Chavez, Rocha, Trejo, Nino, Fierro, Canales). The mayor did not need to break a tie.
• Item 34 – Approved 6‑2 (Chavez and Rocha opposed).
• Item 35 – Approved unanimously (with a revision adding Representative Canales as co‑sponsor).
• Item 36 – Approved unanimously.
• Item 39 – Approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda was approved with numerous postponements (two weeks) and one revision.
• The council also approved introduction of ordinances on items 24 and 25, the sale of property (item 27), and a zoning change at 1401 N. Mesa (item 30).