El Paso City Council Regular Meeting – September 1, 2026

The El Paso City Council convened on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Renard U. Johnson presided, with Mayor Pro Tem Alejandra Chávez, Representatives Josh Acevedo, Deanna Maldonado-Rocha, Dionne Mack, Art Fierro, Lily Limón, and Chris Canales present. Representative Cynthia Boyar Trejo was excused. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by students from Sageland Elementary School, followed by several proclamations, an invocation by Police Chaplain Robert Hemphill Jr., and public comment periods. The council approved a consent agenda with revisions, conducted public hearings on zoning and tax amendments, and discussed a comprehensive Anti-DWI strategy. Key votes included approval of a hotel occupancy tax on short-term rentals, the renaming of Lincoln Park to include 'El Paso’s Chicano Park,' and several infrastructure contracts. The meeting recessed for lunch from 2:47 PM to 4:52 PM and adjourned at 4:54 PM.

Proclamations

• El Paso Electric 125th Anniversary: Recognized the company’s legacy since 1901, highlighting 12,000 hours of employee volunteerism, approximately $1.2 million in annual community support through its charitable foundation, and $400,000 in annual sponsorships. Council members praised the company’s reliability and community presence.
• Borderland Rainbow Center (BRC) 10 Year Anniversary: Honored the only LGBTQIA+ community center within 350 miles, which has provided food assistance, behavioral health care, and HIV prevention. A $500,000 capital gift was noted for establishing a permanent home.
• Hunger Action Month: Proclamation stated that food insecurity affects approximately 40% of El Pasoans, double the national average. El Pasoans Fighting Hunger provided food assistance to 166,000 people in 2025 through 65 partner pantries. The CEO noted the organization distributes about 50 million pounds of food annually with a staff of 69 and relies heavily on volunteers.
• 25th Anniversary of the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance: Celebrated the 2001 ordinance that made El Paso a leader in Texas. Data showed adult smoking rates dropped from 21% before the ordinance to under 15% five years later; by 2006, only 6% opposed the ordinance. The proclamation also addressed emerging e-cigarette use among youth (9.5% of Texas high school students reported use in 2023).
• Deaf Awareness Month: Recognized September as Deaf Awareness Month, with events scheduled September 18–26, 2026, in partnership with El Paso Community College.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes of the August 17, 2026 Work Session and Special Meeting.
• Excusal: Representative Boyar Trejo excused.
• Termination of WestStar Title Contract (Item 3): Initially on consent, this item was moved to the regular agenda by a 5-2 vote and later deleted (5-2-1) after city staff reported that WestStar Bank Holding Company had implemented a corrective action plan, satisfactorily addressing concerns. The city confirmed WestStar remains in good standing. The deletion motion passed 5-2-1 with Representatives Acevedo and Limón voting nay.
• Solid Waste Liens (Item 4): Approved.
• Release of Sales Tax Liens (Item 5): Approved.
• Historical Site Tax Exemption (Item 6): Approved after discussion; a public commenter questioned the property’s existence on Central Appraisal District records, but Representative Canales confirmed it is listed under owner Elizabeth A. Pimentel.
• Temporary Street Closure – 915 Tattoo Fiesta (Item 7): Approved.
• Multiple Use Agreement – PDN Paisano Trail (Item 8): Approved.
• Interlocal Agreement with San Elizario (Item 9): Approved for health, code enforcement, and environmental services at $107,930 annually.
• Appointments to Municipal Management District No. 1 (Item 10): Approved nominations of James Feagin, Brent D. Harris, and Christopher Charron.
• Appointment to MPO TPAC (Item 11): Approved Anna Mesa-Zendt.
• Tax Refunds (Item 12): Approved.
• Campaign Contributions (Item 13): Noted.

The consent agenda as revised (with item 3 deleted) was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 27 – Anti-DWI Strategy: Eileen Diaz de Leon spoke about her sister Angelique, killed by a drunk driver; criticized the justice system for delays and low accountability, urging council to turn recommendations into action. Claudia Contreras Siller praised the Sober Streets movement and asked council to prioritize public safety over vanity projects.
• Call to the Public (Non-Agenda):
  • JD Martinez: Expressed fear of going out due to reckless driving and accidents, urging focus on public safety.
  • Susan Martinez & Kim Hemley: Reported unauthorized modifications to gates on Frontera Road and Boy Scout Lane, raising public safety concerns and asking for continued attention to the area.
  • Claudia Contreras Siller: Raised animal cruelty issues and criticized council for delaying action on Marathon Refinery.
  • Patricia Osman: Linked animal cruelty to potential future violence and alleged government corruption in handling the WestStar Title case.
  • Ron Como: Stated that Houston now has approximately 1 million strays, attributing the crisis to El Paso’s sheltering plan, and called for stronger animal cruelty enforcement.
  • Eduardo Talamantes: Opposed tax abatements for large businesses (e.g., Popular store receiving millions) and criticized the proposed 15% pay raise for council, arguing funds should go to first responders and city employees.
  • Lisa Turner: Claimed PSB (Public Service Board) is running a scam regarding water pressure issues, leading to high bills and property damage.
  • Lorenza Hodges: Alleged employment discrimination and retaliation by Texas Workforce Commission and EEOC.
  • Emma Solis Sanchez & Veronica Carvajal: Demanded local action on Marathon Refinery, citing a chemical release on August 4 that exceeded state limits by over 3,000 times, a fire, explosion, and sinkhole. Asked for inspections by local fire marshal and OSHA.
• Item 26 – Lincoln Park Renaming: Patricia Osman spoke in support but asked about notification of the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association (Hector Gonzalez confirmed the conservation committee is the association).
• Item 31 – State Lobbying Services: Patricia Osman questioned the lack of specifics in the presentation and potential conflicts of interest.

Discussion Items

• First Reading of Ordinances (Items 14–18): Introduced unanimously. These included a special permit for infill development (14), tattoo studio regulations (15), public utility communications regulations (16), and floodplain administrator responsibilities (17, 18). Public hearings scheduled for September 15 and 29, 2026.
• Item 19 – Zoning Change at 6375 Montana Ave: Rezoning from C-2/SP to C-4/SP for a shopping center cleanup. Staff reported three calls of inquiry and one in support; Planning Commission recommended approval. Approved unanimously.
• Item 20 – Utility Easement Vacation at 12462 Paseo Lago Dr: To address a patio encroachment. Utility companies in favor; Planning Commission recommended approval. Approved 5-2-1 (Representative Limón nay, Acevedo not present).
• Item 21 – Hotel Occupancy Tax on Short-Term Rentals: Second reading of ordinance amending Title 3 to include short-term rentals in the definition of “hotel” and require collection of the 7% HOT and 2% venue project tax. Staff noted the tax is passed to users, not owners. Audits will be conducted. Approved unanimously.
• Items 22–25 – Discretionary Funds (District 7): $1,000 for UTEP Latino Arts Now! Conference, $400 for Mission Valley Community Fair, $1,000 for Rebuilding Together She Builds Program, and $1,750 for two tables at the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) event. Representative Maldonado-Rocha voted no citing fiscal responsibility. Approved 3-2 (Acevedo, Limón, Canales aye; Chavez, Maldonado-Rocha nay; Nino and Fierro not present).
• Item 26 – Renaming Lincoln Park to “Lincoln Park – El Paso’s Chicano Park”: Motion to approve by Representative Acevedo. Discussion included concerns from community members unaware of the change; Representative Canales mentioned an email requesting a two-week postponement. Hector Gonzalez of the Lincoln Park Conservation Committee explained the process: over 50 signatures from within a one-mile radius, unanimous Parks Board approval, and that the name addition preserves the original name. The change will enhance tourism and connect to San Diego’s Chicano Park. Approved unanimously.
• Item 27 – Anti-DWI Strategy Presentation: Executive Assistant Chief Zina Silva presented a comprehensive strategy with four cornerstones: prevention, enforcement, intervention, and advocacy. Key points: alcohol-related fatalities make up 35% of all traffic fatalities; 36% of DWI arrestees came from bars, 30% from homes; 94 motorcycle crashes Jan–Apr 2026 (3 fatal, 3 involving alcohol). Plans include revitalizing Neighborhood Watch, partnering with MADD, Sober Streets, and TABC, conducting compliance visits, and launching a “Skip the Bottle, Easy on the Throttle” campaign. Council discussion emphasized prevention, education for teens, and the need for stronger state-level consequences. Representative Nino nominated the DWI task force for a MADD Texas Award. No action required; the presentation was received.
• Item 28 – ELP Terminal Ramp Reconstruction: Award to Dan Williams Company for $21,295,295 (Base Bid $11,751,040 + Alternate 1 $9,544,255). Funded by FAA grant, PFC, and airport enterprise funds. Construction expected after holiday season to minimize impact. Approved unanimously.
• Item 29 – Resler Drive Extension: Award to International Eagle Enterprises, Inc. for $12,598,962.57. Funded by Community Progress Bond. Representative Chavez highlighted safety and quality-of-life benefits for Enchanted Hills. Right-of-way acquisition still in final stages (donations expected). Approved unanimously.
• Item 30 – Montwood Extension: Award to International Eagle Enterprises, Inc. for $18,172,452.74. Funded by Community Progress Bond. Representative Nino noted the project connects 1.4 miles from Shreya to Rich Beam, involving 15 properties; it addresses growth in District 5 (47% population growth 2010–2020). Approved unanimously.
• Item 31 – State Lobbying Services: Award to Holland & Knight LLP for an initial one-year term at $120,000, with a one-year option totaling $240,000. The scope includes monitoring legislation, supporting state appropriations, and developing legislative strategy. Mike Warner, senior policy advisor, will be the dedicated point of contact. Representative Acevedo recused himself due to a personal relationship with a non-winning applicant. Approved unanimously (Acevedo recused).
• Item 32 – Appointment of Part-Time Municipal Court Magistrates: After executive session (2:47 PM to 4:52 PM) under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 and 551.074, the council appointed Elia Garcia and Michael White. Representative Nino recused himself. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved with revisions (item 3 deleted).
• WestStar Title Termination Deleted (5-2-1) after cure process.
• First Reading of Ordinances (14–18) Introduced unanimously.
• Zoning Change at 6375 Montana Ave Approved unanimously.
• Utility Easement Vacation Approved (5-2-1).
• Hotel Occupancy Tax on Short-Term Rentals Ordinance Adopted unanimously.
• Discretionary Funds (Items 22–25) Approved (3-2).
• Lincoln Park Renamed to “Lincoln Park – El Paso’s Chicano Park” Approved unanimously.
• Anti-DWI Strategy Presentation Received; no vote required.
• Three Infrastructure Contracts Awarded: Terminal ramp reconstruction ($21.3M), Resler Drive extension ($12.6M), and Montwood extension ($18.2M) – all unanimously.
• State Lobbying Contract Awarded to Holland & Knight LLP ($240K over two years) – unanimously (Acevedo recused).
• Two Part-Time Municipal Court Magistrates Appointed: Elia Garcia and Michael White – unanimously (Nino recused).

Note: The meeting recessed for lunch from approximately 1:43 PM to 2:46 PM and for executive session from 2:47 PM to 4:52 PM. Council also held a brief Mass Transit Board meeting during recess (11:35 AM–11:51 AM) which approved items and adjourned.