The El Paso City Council met on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10:03 AM in Council Chambers, with Mayor Renard Johnson presiding. The meeting included proclamations, public hearings, discussions on a Meta data center community agreement, water main break after-action report, audit results, and numerous zoning and contract approvals. The regular meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM, with a special session scheduled later.
Well good morning, everyone. We are going to get started. Miss Bryan. Good morning, Mayor, and welcome to the presentation of the mayor's proclamations. We begin this morning with a pledge of allegiance. And to lead us, we have Madison Olivia Flores from Paso Dale Elementary School at the invitation of City Representative Lily Limo. Okay, Miss Bryan. Yes, sir. That brings us to the 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. The first one today is Pride Month. Thanks, Mayor. Um, have the honor of reading this proclamation. I think there's a few people in the audience. Um, I'll read the proclamation and then you can speak. Proclamation City of El Paso, Texas. Whereas every June, communities across the nation celebrate LGBTQIA plus Pride Month, honoring the history, resilience, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual to spirit, and allied individuals. And whereas Pride Month began in remembrance of the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, a pivotal moment of resistance led by trans women of color, including Marcia P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, that ignited the modern LGBTQIA plus rights movement. And whereas the LGBTQIA plus community in El Paso has enriched our city through their activism, leadership, um, caregiving service, and everyday presence, shaping a borderland that is more inclusive, compassionate, and vibrant. And whereas, despite decades of progress, LGBTQIA plus individuals, especially Black, Indigenous, and Latinx transgender people continue to face systemic discrimination, violence, and erasure in health care, education, housing, and public policy. And whereas El Paso recognizes the urgent need to confront these injustices and remains committed to cultivating a community where every person, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, can live safely, authentically, and with dignity. And whereas we affirm that LGBTQIA plus rights are human rights, and that true liberation must center those most impacted by oppression, including queer youth, transgender individuals, and LGBTQIA plus people of color. And whereas this year's Pride Month will be celebrated across the city of El Paso through multiple events, including the Pride Market at Artavino's Desert Crossing that occurred on May 30th, Pride Night, and light up the star at the El Paso Museum of Art that occurred on May 30th as well. Pride night at the El Paso Locomotive game at that occurred on June 13th. Pride night at the El Paso Chihuahua's game on June 18th, which was last week. A 5K Pride Run on June 20th this past weekend. Pride night at Belon Wine Bar on June 24th. Pride night at La Nuve on June 25th. A Pride Parade on June 27th this Saturday, coupled with the Pride Festival, this June 27th as well in downtown El Paso. And finally a Pride Splash event at Wet and Wild Water World on July 5th. And whereas the city of El Paso honors the LGBTQIA plus community, not only in June, but every day, and expresses gratitude to the organization's families, leaders, and everyday people who continue to advance justice, visibility, healing, and joy for all. Now therefore be a proclaim by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso, urging all to reflect on the ongoing struggle for LGBTQIA plus rights and to celebrate the spirit of love, authenticity, and collective liberation that defines pride. June 2026 shall be known as Pride Month. Signed the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Council. Good morning, Mayor. We are super excited for this proclamation, the Pride Month Proclamation of 2026. One of the things that's been going on is obviously that we've had a very difficult time with the administration, with Texas ledge as well. And moments like this are incredibly important to our community, specifically those most marginalized and under attack. Speaking specifically of our transgender, non-binary and gender expansive community members. Uh this type of recognition, this type of visibility is so incredibly important because when we sit and we think of the young queer kids who have never experienced a time where being queer was wrong, and realizing that under this administration, we are seeing those times come back. These moments coming from people who they look up to, people that they see on TV, people that they see have true power, is incredibly important to them. Um so thank you for what you are doing. Um, and uh it it is just really a testament of all the amazing things that have been going on for Pride. When you see that giant list of things that have already occurred, um, and then you see the the few uh events that are still to come, and hopefully we will see you all at them specifically the Pride Parade. Um, and with that, I would like to introduce uh Javier from El Paso Sun City Pride. Good morning, Javier.