El Paso City Council Regular Meeting - July 7, 2026

The El Paso City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, presided over by Mayor Renard Johnson. The meeting included proclamations honoring individuals and organizations, public comment on a range of issues, and action on several agenda items. Key topics included advocacy for behavioral health funding, the contentious Piedra Street Reconstruction Phase 2 project, a comprehensive DWI data presentation, and approvals for downtown development and audit results.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved as revised, including postponing two items and pulling Item 23 to a specific time. Revisions: Item 23 taken at 11 a.m.; Item 24 postponed two weeks; Item 31 postponed two weeks. The motion passed unanimously.
• First readings of ordinances (Items 14–16) were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Victoria Kinola spoke in favor of establishing a local research program on raw milk versus pasteurized milk, suggesting federal or state grants for scientific study.
• Marco Sanchez urged council to adopt Item 23, emphasizing the need for sustainable state funding for the Behavioral Health East Campus, citing that youth often only have access to underfunded school counselors.
• Leticia Diamond (Five Points business owner, 35 years) opposed the Piedra Street project, stating it "would kill all the businesses on the street."
• Anthony Duncan (Manhattan Heights Tavern and Grill) detailed a $1 million investment and 35 employees, noting a previous city project closed Lee Trevino for 18 months causing a 40% sales drop; he asked council to "stay out of the way."
• Rico Velez (Dewey's Corner Pub) opposed the project, questioning why small businesses get no tax relief while large corporations receive incentives. He stated, "Cancel this project… real leaders will build one that the people want to stand behind."
• Nicole Stewart (employs 65 people) stated her business would be affected and urged council to think of the domino effect on employees and vendors.
• Christina Munoz (Jovita's Bohemian Cafe) supported the project vision seven years ago but now opposes it due to economic reality; she asked for cancellation, saying "don't forget who brought you to the dance."
• Paul Dip (Economy Wholesale Grocers) supported the business owners, advocating for communication and collaboration.
• Andres Martinez (El Paso Youth Alliance) spoke in favor of canceling the project.
• Claudia Contreras Siller emphasized listening to local businesses and the district representative, and advocated for funding police and first responders.
• Robert Estrada (Five Points business owner, 16 years) asked for a vote to deprogram the project, noting that starting now would extend into the holiday season.
• Tony Labrado (Five Points Development Association) urged deprogramming, stating the project threatens businesses' survival and was funded through certificates of obligation without voter approval.
• Eileen Diaz de Leon spoke emotionally on Item 26 (DWI strategy), describing her sister Angelique killed by an intoxicated driver on January 1, 2026. She demanded stronger consequences, mandatory ignition interlock devices, and faster action. She noted collecting over 2,000 signatures for a petition.
• Elizabeth Crawford (America at 250) spoke about abortion and the Bible, calling for a return to biblical truth.
• Lisa Turner criticized the council's 15.2% raise while Social Security recipients get 2.8%, and challenged council to put a charter commission on the agenda.
• Luis Ponce (Rio Grande Neighborhood Association) reported two total fire losses at abandoned structures on June 29, 2026, and asked the city to secure properties, place liens, and enforce code compliance. He also requested restored funding for the Welcome Center.
• Sabrina Soto (Rio Grande Neighborhood Association, Sembrando Esperanza) echoed concerns about fires and vacant buildings, and asked council to visit shelters and neighborhoods.
• Saul Gonzalez (Sembrando Esperanza) cited alarming numbers of fires in abandoned buildings, including a body found in a dumpster fire, and urged a comprehensive transition plan after closing the Welcome Center.
• Marco Sanchez (second appearance) rebutted El Paso Water's claims regarding Meta data center water use, stating the conservative estimate of 480,000 gallons/day is equivalent to four golf courses, not one, and criticized John Ballou's presentation as containing lies.
• Elisa Aguirre echoed concerns about the Meta center, accusing El Paso Water of lying and urged council to prioritize people over corporations.
• Elliot McQuery opposed the Meta data center, stating taxpayers would pay for water use while Meta profits.
• Selena Serrano asked council to investigate YMCA branches for alleged misallocation of funds, claiming a member donated $50,000 and the YMCA raffles houses while claiming inability to pay rent.
• Other speakers addressed topics including dangerous buildings, the 2028 presidential election (Pierre Andre Uzaraga), abortion, and pride.

Discussion Items

• Item 23 – Behavioral Health State Legislative Agenda: Representative Nino introduced a motion to amend the city's legislative agenda to advocate for sustainable state funding for the Behavioral Health East Campus (operated by Emergence Health Network). The facility will be located on Saragosa and Hmiz in District 5, funded by $50 million in state construction funds, but operational funding is needed. It will include 16 diversion adult chairs, 16 extended observation beds, 16 residential crisis beds, and 8 youth beds (first dedicated youth crisis beds in the county). Crystal Davis (COO, Emergence Health Network) spoke in support. The motion to direct the city manager to amend the legislative agenda passed unanimously.
• Item 25 – Piedra Street Reconstruction Phase 2 (Deprogram): Representatives Fierro and Maldonado Rocha proposed deprogramming the project due to severe business impacts. An amendment was offered to keep any remaining funds in District 2. After extensive public comment and council debate, the main motion with the amendment passed 7-1, with Representative Acevedo voting no. The project, originally approved in 2017 via certificates of obligation totaling $1.9 million, was canceled. Funding will be transferred to the unprogrammed projects balances fund for future District 2 projects.
• Item 26 – DWI Strategy Presentation: Chief Silva presented a comprehensive overview of DWI data, covering 2023–April 2026. Key stats: 81 alcohol-related fatalities (35% of all traffic fatalities), 1,889 alcohol-related accidents, but speeding is the leading cause of accidents. DWI arrests are trending up (~1,700/year, 90% first-time offenders). Most DWI offenders are males aged 25-34 coming from private residences. The DWI Task Force has 13 officers. Council discussed prevention strategies: activating neighborhood watches, social media campaigns, continuing education, partnerships with rideshare, and stricter consequences. Mayor suggested requiring defensive driving every driver's license renewal. No formal vote on strategy; council asked staff to return with recommendations.
• Items 28 & 29 – La Popular Facade Improvement Grant: Council approved an amendment to the interlocal agreement with the Downtown Management District (DMD) to allow task orders, and approved a $1 million allocation from TIRZ No. 5 for exterior improvements at La Popular (301 San Antonio). The project is a $50 million redevelopment with 99 residential units and retail. The grant, administered by DMD, is reimbursement-based. Both items passed unanimously.
• Item 30 – Airport Accounts Payable Follow-up Audit: The auditor confirmed that all three findings from the March 2025 audit were resolved and implemented, including updated procedures, elimination of payments for former employees, and improved timeliness and prevention of duplicate payments. Council accepted the audit results unanimously.
• Other Items: Item 21 (Pride Square improvements using District 8 and 6 discretionary funds) and Item 22 (authorizing expenditure for Representative Fierro to attend NALEO conference) were both approved unanimously. Items 17-20 (property sales, speed zone amendments, bench franchise termination) were also approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item 23 (Behavioral Health legislative agenda): Approved unanimously.
• Item 25 (Piedra Street deprogramming): Approved 7-1 (Representative Acevedo voted no; Representative Maldonado Rocha absent). Funds to remain in District 2.
• Item 26 (DWI strategy): No formal vote; council directed staff to develop a comprehensive anti-DWI strategy and return with recommendations within 90 days.
• Item 21 (Pride Square improvements): Approved unanimously.
• Item 22 (NALEO conference travel): Approved unanimously.
• Items 28-29 (La Popular facade grant): Approved unanimously.
• Item 30 (Airport audit acceptance): Approved unanimously.
• All consent agenda items were approved as revised, and first readings of ordinances passed unanimously.
• Representative Nino requested her comments on Items 23 and 26 be included in the record; no objections.