Yeah. Yeah. So nothing. got it. Well, good morning everyone and welcome to city council chambers. We're going to get started. Uh, Miss Bryan, >> good morning, mayor, and good morning everyone. Welcome to the presentation of the mayor's proclamations. We begin this morning with a pledge of allegiance. And to lead us this morning, we have students from Kutio High School and Northwest Early College High School at the invitation of Mayor Prom Alejandra Chavez. This morning we have Mason Gossid, Elia Sokon, Mia Vay, Moises, Agira, Leam, and Bianca Mas. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. I pledge of allegiance to the Texas one state and indivisible. [Applause] Okay, Mr. Prime, we're ready for the first proclamation. >> Yes, sir. And that brings us to the mayor's proclamations. For those of you receiving a proclamation this morning, your group will have up to six minutes collectively to come up to the podium and receive your proclamation. The first proclamation is 100th anniversary of Cathedral High School. [Applause] Good morning. Thank you, mayor, for the opportunity to do this proclamation. It's always an honor to work with schools in our city, especially exceptional schools like Cathedral High School is. And it's always nice to see our friend Spanky, principal, former assistant principal at Eastwood High School, trained very, very well. And our friend Irene Pastella over here and sees four outstanding young men. The proclamation reads as follows. Whereas September 8th, 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of Cathedral High School in El Paso, Texas, established by the Christian Brothers. And whereas Cathedral first shared facilities with the El Paso Community Center until 1940 when the high school assumed the entire building, it's home to this day. And whereas Cathedral opened in 1925 with 45 students and celebrated its first graduating class in 1927 with seven young men. Since then, Cathedral has graduated more than 8,700 students who have gone on to serve their community with distinction. And whereas Cathedral is part of the Roman Catholic Dascese of El Paso and remains the only private boys preparatory school in this bational region conducted in the Lelian tradition. Whereas a Lasalian education seeks to enrich each students cultural, intellectual physical social and spiritual development, preparing them for leadership and service. Whereas Cathedral was among the first schools in El Paso and in Texas to offer early admissions dual credit college courses through the El Paso Community College and continues to lead the way in producing Gates Millennium Scholars and other distinguished graduates. And whereas from its humble beginnings in 1925, Cathedral High School now enters its second century with the same enduring mission to help young men become the best version of themselves. And whereas recognize and commend Cathedral High School on its 100 years of excellence, faith, and brother brotherhood, and honor its lasting contributions to the people of El Paso and Sudatuarees. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso that September 3rd, 2025, shall be known as Cathedral High School 100th anniversary, signed by the honorable mayor, Bernard Johnson. >> Yeah, we're so excited. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Lily, for those kind words. Good morning, Mayor Johnson and members of city council. On behalf of Cathedral High School would like to thank you for this very special honor. It was back on September 8th, 1925 that Cathedral opened its doors to the El Paso community by the Christian Brothers and the Catholic Dascese. Our first graduating class graduated seven students in 1927. Since that time, we have proudly graduated 8,730 students. These graduates have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, judges, educators, businessmen, as well as many other successful careers. What truly sets Cathedral apart is a profound sense of brotherhood that defines our community. Our young men grow together, not just academically, but personally and spiritually. At Cathedral High School, students just don't receive an education. They become part of a lifelong family. It's a place to thrive, to lead, and most importantly, a place to grow. Cathedral continues to mold young men to be the best versions of themselves. They enter to lure and they leave to serve. This year, Cathedral will continue to celebrate the many traditions that define our campus. Next week, we have the homecoming celebration week with the lighting ceremony and the burning of the sea. We will honor our golden grads, our 50-year honors, class of 1975. The Tamalada, which is a dinner, a dance, a dinner celebration given by our alumni. The Cathedral Bazaar on October 10th, 11th, and 12th. Our annual Irish run will be done in March with a culmination in the 100-year gayla on January 24th, 2026 at the Star Starlight Battle Room. At this time, I'd like to I'd like uh my four young men to introduce themselves. Hello, my name is Jackson Ivy. I'm a senior at Cathedral. >> Good morning. My name is Santel Aayos. I'm also a senior. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. My name is Oko Sto and I'm a junior. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. My name is Julian Escalante and I'm a junior as well. >> Good morning. >> Thank you very much for this award, mayor. >> Congratulations you guys. >> Thank you very much. represent Pierro. >> Thank you, Mayor. First and foremost, um, Principal Sanchez, I don't know what Lily keeps calling you, but Principal Sanchez, thank you so much for what you do for the cathedral community. Um, it's amazing. And mayor, if you had the opportunity, you need to attend one of their graduations. It is the most touching um, spiritual leadership. You leave there feeling I felt taller when I left. That's how such a but but you know what Jordan my nephew just graduated last year along with um the mayor prom's nephew and I he should have been held back a year so he could have been in the hundth class. >> Thank you so much for all you do for the our community and for these young people. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good morning. Welcome to city hall. I just wanted to mention that I had a brother and three nephews that have graduated from Cathedral. So, uh, Viva Lakate, >> Viva. >> Well, good morning again and and thank you guys and congratulations on 100 years and uh and and principal. I think I need to hear again when is the lighting ceremony and what time and all that good stuff. The lighting ceremony will be next Wednesday, a week from tonight at uh 6 o'clock in the uh our cafeteria. And then the burning of the sea will be right afterwards about 7:30. We wait till the sun goes down. Now the lighting ceremony is when one of our seniors will pass on the torch to a freshman. Okay? And that's the week that they get the be the freshman get the beanies and there's you know it's a whole ritual. It's a great it's a great uh week of of uh celebration. >> Fantastic. And again, thank you guys for all that you do for this community and the deep impact that you've had. And I I think it's worth noting um a few of your alumni though that have gone to Cathedral and have done you know great things. And these are just a few and these are not all of them but you know the current Texas House Speaker Promp Joe Moody is an alumnest of uh Cathedral as well as Dr. Manny Delar Rosa um Saul Levas and of course Gary Poris. So you guys have a a a lineage that has just been tremendous for El Paso and the state and and for the nation. So congratulations on what you do and let's go get another hundred years. >> Mayor, >> I would just like to represent >> I would just like to recognize our two seniors. Of course being a senior my question is always where are you going to college? And one has already decided and the second one is working on a campus. So, will you share with us what you're thinking about? >> Um, my my hope is to go to Notre Dame. >> Go Irish. >> So, my brother graduated class of 2022 and he's currently attending Cornell University. So, I hope to follow in his steps. >> Wow. Congrats. Great job. >> Congratulations, you guys. represent Chavez. >> That brings us to the next proclamation and this is Josie Karum D. >> Rep. Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I'll give a minute for Josie and anyone who wants to join her. [Applause] If everyone >> good morning. >> Morning. >> Good morning. My name is Josie Kerum. I'm the president and founder of Second Chance Wildlife Rescue. >> We founded our organization in 2012. >> I I'll read the proclamation, Josie, and then >> Oh, you want to do that first? >> Can we do that first? Yes. Thank you. Good morning. >> Thank you. >> Very happy to see you here. Uh, I would like to say I met Josie when I was campaigning. I knocked on her door and I've since then discovered all the wonderful things that she's doing for our community. So, let me read this so we can celebrate you today, Josie. Whereas, the city of El Paso takes immense pride in recognizing an extraordinary individual whose compassion, vision, and tireless dedication reflect the very best of our community. And whereas Josie Karum, founder and president of Second Chance Wildlife Rescue, has devoted over three decades of her life to rescuing and rehabilitating El Paso's wildlife, serving as the only certified wildlife rehabilitator in the West Texas region with recognition extending into New Mexico and Central Texas. And whereas with a special passion for birds, Miss Karum has cared for countless native species, handfeeding baby birds, tending to injured hawks, and nurturing her beloved deer, Hhabib, demonstrating a rare commitment to the protection and preservation of our natural heritage. And whereas under her leadership, Second Chance Wildlife Rescue has grown to include two facilities in West Texas, including a newly established 7 acre Boske wetland property, both of which depend on the generosity of community support to fulfill their mission. And whereas Miss Karum's tireless efforts supported by her team of dedicated volunteers have enabled the rehabilitation and release of countless animals back into the wild with every $100 raised helping to save one more life. And her compassion continues to inspire our community to care for and protect our wildlife. And whereas the city of El Paso is honored to recognize Josie Karum's lifelong dedication, her immeasurable impact on local wildlife, and her unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and community service. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso, recognizing Josie Kum for her exceptional service, inspiring contributions to our community, and her enduring commitment to the rehabilitation and preservation of our region's wildlife. September 3rd, 2025 shall be known as Josie Karum's Day, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. Congratulations Josie. I am humbled and I am appreciative of your recognition. Uh we have some of our board members back here. They're they've been my support all along. They're hard workers. They're volunteers also at our organ at our facilities. We take in literally thousands of animals every year. In the 30 years I've been doing this, 31 now, it's been unbelievable the numbers of animals we have taken in. The injured birds, the injured mammals, the orphaned animals and birds. Uh it we work 14 hours a day, every day for five months, five straight months during the summer. We're open year round. We never close. We don't get a holiday. So I have to have volunteers. They are the strength of our organization and all of these behind me here are volunteers and board members. So I I appreciate that. I thank them. I thank Alejandra for visiting us and recognizing the work that we do. Uh the city probably has not known about us at all even though we've been doing it for a long time. My predecessors did it for a long time. Unfortunately, my predecessors are all gone and we're basically the only ones left in El Paso that help the wildlife help and we get a lot of injured ones. Car impacts, cat caught, u window impacts. There are a lot of injuries that wildlife come into and then we have all those little babies that come in that have to be tubefed, that have to be bottlefed. So, our job is very important for this county and I appreciate you all giving me the opportunity to to introduce what we do. Alejandra has been to my facility. Um, she's been wonderful. She's been a great support because I think she has seen what we do. We She has seen those babies that we take care of. So, I thank you and my board thanks you also. >> Congratulations, Miss Kum. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. And you does the board want to introduce themselves? [Laughter] Lisa Malave. I'm the vice president of Second Chance Wildlife Rescue. >> Good morning. I'm Joe Fulkerson. I'm the treasurer. >> Good morning. I'm Iris Kerwin and I'm one of the board members. >> Good morning. I'm Brian Carter and I am a board member, but I'm also the vice governor of district uh of the district 2T3 of the Lions of uh of uh state of Texas. We are all the way from uh as far west as Odessa all the way up to the New Mexico border. And we have uh just inducting the members of this board uh to become Lions. They've joined, they've formed their own Lions Club so we can support them with our other clubs, our other 13 clubs in El Paso and 33 clubs in West Texas. Uh, so they will be chartered on the 20, excuse me, on the 12th of September as a new Lions Club. >> Well, Miss Kum, uh, Represent is this you I'm sorry, represent Roachcha, I'm sorry. >> Thank you, mayor, and thank you all for everything that you do. when I saw your your name on the proclamation, um it's something that people like me, a citizen here in El Paso, don't know that your services are available. And several years ago, you helped me nurse a hawk back to health and you released re-released it in in my in at my home because that's where it got injured. And very recently, you all helped me with an owl at another home. And so I'm just so grateful that you have the services that are available where there are other resources that are not and you still have it to be able to save those lives. It's so impactful and I'm so grateful for the service that you all provide and you're right, there used to be several several others that that would be able to help in this situation and unfortunately there's not anymore. But I'm so grateful that that we still have you. So, thank you for everything you do. >> And Miss Karum, congratulations on on this this resolution that uh proclamation that the city's given you. And thank you to the entire team that supports you uh to make this u uh job that you guys do. We know that it's not easy. You know, you you said you work 15, 14, 15 hour days, seven days a week, and you're you're not able to to turn this off. So, um, we thank you for all that you do for this community and and we I mean we're just so proud of you. But I do have a question for you. I heard during the the reading of the proclamation that nurturing her beloved dear Habib. >> Can you habibi? >> You're asking about Habib. >> Yeah. Can you tell me about her? >> A deer that came to me as a one-year-old, I mean a one week old fawn. The state game wins found him at a woman's home. She had taken him in her house and kept him for a few days and unfortunately he got very sick because she was feeding him cow's milk which deer don't drink and she was letting the children play with him like he was a puppy. So when the gra game finally got to her, which was about 3 or 4 days later, a neighbor called it in, said that she had a baby deer, which is against the law, and he took it from her, and he brought it to me. And this man was a mountain of a man. He a big guy, and he was crying. And he said, "I cannot shoot this animal because that's what they do if they there was nobody to take care of deer." So he said, "Please take him." Well, I didn't know anything about raising a deer, but I had to find out really, really quickly. And the state vet helped me get him on the right diet, uh, cure his diarrhea. And so, we raised him. And now he's 8 years old. He's a full-g grown male. Sometimes he's very gentle and sometimes he doesn't like certain people. So, we have to be very careful who mingles with him. My my volunteers are very good with him. They all love him. He's got a great personality. And the first year I had him, he became very depressed because he was basically alone. I was the mother. So every time I went into the house, he would cry and cry and cry. So I'd have to go back out, give him a bottle of milk, and calm him down. Uh then I decided I would get a goat because goats are used to calm stallions. >> Goat's name is Bella and they have been inseparable. a very odd couple, but they have been inseparable for eight years. And they help each other. When one doesn't feel well, the other never leaves her side. Uh he doesn't leave her side, she doesn't leave his side until they're up and running around again. So, anytime you want to visit my facility, give me a call and I'll give you a personal card and you can call me and I'll be glad to take you on a tour of what we have. I think you would be awakened by what you see. Not only the deer and the goat, not too many people get that close to a deer, but the work we do is so valuable in this county. And we're so alone. We get supporters, but we are alone in what we do. Other rescue groups have several all over town and there are never enough rescue groups for animals, but we are the only ones that do wildlife now. And we have to be certified by the state and by the federal government to do what we do. So, it's not something that anybody can just do. We have to be certified and we are watched carefully by those entities. So, thank you. Appreciate your help. >> You're very welcome, Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just want to thank you again for your dedication to our community. Uh, may we all be as compassionate as you are, Josie. You are an inspiration. And just so that council knows, can you please tell them if hub liked me or not? >> Say that again. So council So council will know. Can you tell them if habib liked me or not? >> Oh. >> Oh yes. He liked you a lot. >> He liked you a lot. He wasn't >> pushing on you. He wasn't rejecting you. >> Thank you. >> Sometimes he can be kind of >> Yeah. >> mischievous. I call it mischievous. Other people call it scary. >> Thank you. >> Because he is a big animal. He's about 300 lb and he is a big animal. Well, maybe well maybe next time since Hhabib liked Representative Chavez so much, we can bring him to city council. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. [Applause] And the next proclamation is El Paso International City of Peace Day. Representative Roachcha, is this >> Yes, sir. I'm ready. Thank you, Mayor. >> Good morning. I'm so glad you all brought a piece of artwork. Thank you, Lori. >> And let me read. Hi. Let me read the proclamation. I'm seeing some familiar faces. I love that. Whereas El Paso is a city defined by resilience, diversity, and compassion. And choosing peace in our community allows us to honor these values and continue to build a future that ensures a safe and welcoming city for all. And whereas the city of El Paso continues affirming our commitment to a culture of kindness, resilience, and shared responsibility. And in doing so, we strive to promote innovation, social equity, environmental stewardship, and the dignity of every resident while serving as a global model of peace. Recognizing that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of compassion, collaboration and inclusion for all. And whereas peace, excuse me, so sorry, is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, compassion, and belonging. On El Paso International City of Peace Day, we honor the rich diversity of our community and commit to building a future where all are welcome, all are valued, and all can thrive. And whereas a culture of peace grows when we honor our diversity and individuality and when we choose to embrace our differences as opportunities to learn from one another to strengthen our communities and to build a future rooted in mutual respect and understanding. And whereas the youth of El Paso growing up in a vibrant bational community that bridges cultures, languages, and histories are the hopeful architects of peace. Embracing diversity and collaboration as the foundation for a future where borders unite rather than divide us and where the shared values of respect, opportunity, and understanding guide our collective journey forward. And whereas our commitment to peace, unity, and respect for every member of our community, El Paso's diversity and resilience are the foundation of our strength. And together, we strive to create a city where compassion, safety, and opportunity are at the heart of our shared future. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso that September 3rd, 2025 shall be known as El Paso International City of Peace Day, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. Yay. [Applause] >> Good morning. Good morning. I'm Lori Marshall and I'm the founder of Unity through creativity and that's the opposite of unity through manipulation, lies, force, and violence which we see spreading around our planet. I so appreciate the beautiful language that you all have created together and we want to affirm that peace is a practice. It's not a feeling. It's not just a feeling. It's the practice of doing conflict well and it's the practice of connection over uh separation. I'm so happy to have a crew with me um we all work together to uh not only have El Paso as an international city of peace, which is an organization of 440 cities around the planet that have peace as part of their primal identity. And we are also working on the international day of peace symposium on September 20th and 21st which honors the UN's uh national international day of peace a 42year-old celebration and last year 55 million people around the world celebrated the international day of peace. I bet none of you knew that because it doesn't bleed and lead. Um, I'd like to uh introduce the people who are with me. We have Orin Lux, who is a former UTEP professor. We have Pat Delgado from Pax Christie. We have Mary Leapold, um, Dr. Mary Leapold, who is a Franciscan Service Mission volunteer. We have Fernanda Lugo who is a UTEP PhD student and on the board of Eco El Paso which I am as well. And we have uh Jesse Brown who is a veteran of the US Army and Desert Storm and a government employee. We have Patty Reyes who is the founder of the Isaac Art and Wellness Center in Sakuro. We have Melissa Atkins Wardy who is now the director of the candle lighters, a organization that supports children with cancer. And we're very happy to share uh the same day that the children's hospital is here and we have um Rachel Kintana uh who is a board member of Unity through Creativity and a former city council member. We want to let you know that the International Day of Peace celebration is going to be at UTEP's Thomas Rivera Center and Unity through Creativity has a signature project called the Singing Tree Project. And this painting is the 130th painting in a series of paintings that were inspired when an eight-year-old girl said, "What if the whole world made a painting together?" And we've been inviting the whole world using the model of forests and trees to make a painting together. And for the International Day of Peace Symposium, we are making the singing tree of the light in the darkness. And it will benefit the candle lighters. Um, and people will get to add uh their imagery of the light in the dark on leaves and birds um and candles at the International Day of Peace. Did I forget anything gang? >> That is outstanding and congratulations and that is such a a beautiful piece. And I was you reading through this particular proclamation and there's so many words that we could highlight that represents this community. But a few that I pulled out that exemplify uh El Paso is kindness, dignity, building a community where all are welcome and valued. And then you you said something else. You said peace is a practice. >> Yeah. >> I think we can all use that in today's time. So that was something that you just said that kind of stuck with me as well. You also mentioned the International Day of Peace at the UTEP Thomas Rivera uh center coming up. What day and what time is it? >> It's on Saturday, September 20th. uh from 8:30 to 9:00 is registration and from 9 to 4 is uh a wonderful day filled with speakers and people talking to each other and creating art and singing. Um and then Sunday which is the actual international day of peace uh celebrated around the world. It's from 1 till 4 till 5 and uh the registration is from 12:30 to 1. And um we also um will be the Saturday will focus on taking action. I'm I'm sorry. Sunday will be focusing on how to take action. Um and we wanted to share we um your three goals mayor of um economic development uh quality of life and helping the infrastructure when we have the kind of um support for everyone's genius in El Paso to contribute their talents. Uh we have more economic prosperity when we learn how to solve our conflicts instead of having them stop us. We're able to work on the infrastructure and focus on that instead of on people harming each other because they don't know how to express their pain. And the quality of life is so improved when we connect to the creativity that is in all of us instead of focusing on the differences and trying to control each other. >> Wow. >> Oh yeah. >> Very impressive. Well, thank you guys so much and and we could all use some of that kindness that you guys are sharing and and congratulations on today. Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. I can take pictures. Yes Congratulations. And the next proclamation is childhood cancer awareness month. >> Representative Asavetto. >> Thank you, Mayor. It's great to see everyone from the El Paso Children's Hospital here and others. Thank you for being here. I'm going to read the proclamation while everybody gets settled. Proclamation City of El Paso, Texas. Whereas El Paso Children's Hospital provides the highest level of pediatric care in West Texas and southern New Mexico. And whereas close to 10,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed nationwide among children this year alone. And many infants, children, and teens will suffer from long-term effects of comprehensive treatment, including secondary cancers. And whereas thousands of children across the country will lose their battle with cancer and many medical providers and medical professionals race against time to provide life-saving treatment and medical breakthroughs to prevent this tragic loss of life. And whereas the Southwest University Pediatric Blood and Cancer at El Paso Children's Hospital is the only certified children's oncology group center in a 270mi radius which provides quality clinical trials to treat many types of pediatric cancer. And whereas that means that children are able to stay right here at home to receive the best care, the latest research and protocols in a multis-pety environment designed just for kids where they receive the very same protocols as some of the top hospitals in the world. And whereas the Southwest University Pediatric Blood and Cancer Center at El Paso Children's Hospital has been able to help hundreds of families affected by childhood cancer. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso that the month of September 2025 shall be known as El Paso Children's Hospital Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Signed, the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. All right. [Applause] Good morning. Good morning, everyone. My name is Daniel Vil. I'm the director of marketing and public information officer for El Paso Children's Hospital. Uh we really are grateful for you all having us today. Mayor Johnson and always Representative Oavdo, you all do so many great things for this community. Um the hospital's pretty much gotten to work with each of the districts here in various capacities around the community as we continue to grow our footprint here in the El Paso region. Um but first, it's not about us today, it's about the kids. So we want to introduce some of our team members. First is our director of the Southwest University Blood and Cancer Center, Miss Alli Valdespino to begin to begin today. >> Good morning. Good morning everybody. I'm Ali Vald Despino. I'm the nursing director for El Paso Children's. And I just wanted to say thank you to Mayor Johnson and also Representative ADO and everyone on the city council. If I can just talk a little bit about the importance of uh childhood cancer and September specifically which brings awareness to everything that we do. We are a member of children's oncology group and what that is is a research uh manner of where we can uh we can participate in many research uh avenues to provide treatment to these kids that would be provided all around the world and we can do this here in El Paso. We unfortunately diagnose 70 to 80 patients a year and that allows us to provide treatment for them that we would be able to provide um anywhere around the world and they're able to stay here in El Paso. I am truly honored to work alongside Dr. Kamo, Dr. Benjamin Caramo. He works tirelessly, seven days a week, no break, to make sure that he provides the best care for our patients. I also have the privilege to work with Amanda French, Katie Joe Goss, and Selene Lopez who are nurse practitioners who are working at the hospital very hard right now and cannot be here with us. And most importantly, my childlife team, Nicole and Danielle, who are here. And if I can introduce my nurses and this is Adriana Diaz, Jasmine Batanzis, and Gabby Lada. They are so important because they provide tireless support as well to our families and to the patients. And I don't want to take too much time. I do want to concentrate on what's important. I would like to introduce Adler Gardner and his mom Megan. And he is one of our patients who is currently receiving treatment for leukemia. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. We're so grateful for El Paso Children's Hospital. It's been >> Sorry. Excellent. Um, childhood cancer is probably one of the most difficult things a family could go through, but the providers and the nurses and the staff at the hospital have made it so much easier. Um, we know we're getting world class care and Adler's thriving. So, we're just we're very grateful for the hospital and that is here in El Paso and to support the people here in the city. And that's all I have to say. >> A thank you. >> And I would like Dr. Caramo to say a couple of words. Uh thank you uh good morning Johnson u uh and the the whole um city of um El Paso uh for all the support that you are providing to El Paso children and specifically our program of pediatric oncology. Um we started this program uh just in the very very infants uh about uh 28 years ago even before El Paso Chelm doors. Uh when we started there was nothing El Paso. There was uh nobody really um uh taking uh care in an organized uh research manner. Uh the children were paso and most of the children have to go out uh over Paso to receive their care and they will uh that will give uh the parents a lot of difficulties and and struggle uh having to travel um very frequently to um other cities. uh to receive the care that they needed and um that put them also at risk because uh these children they cannot be treated from long distance. They have to be treated uh you know uh side by side uh so they can be um protected from all the complications of cancer and from the complications of chemotherapy. Uh so it was um uh an incredible step for uh pediatric oncology when El Paso Children's opened doors and uh we finally had um um a a home uh to take care of our pediatric uh oncology cancer patients. Um, pastor children brought not only um um a building uh but also brought uh you know the equipment uh the expertise, the doctors, the specialties uh that we needed to better care of these uh children and um we were thankful that after two years of hard work uh we became members of children's oncology group uh which is the um organization that has been responsible uh from improving the survival of pediatric cancer from about 30% when I started my career to about 85% at this time for all children that come uh to us uh every day. So when a child crosses our doors uh he comes already with a possibility of an 85% cure. Okay? And we are talking about cure we not talking about remission. Okay? And um you know the some uh cancers uh we are doing a lot better. Uh we are reaching the 100%. Uh but some cancers we are still struggling and we are still uh you know fighting to to save these kids. And um we cannot do any of that without the support of research protocols. So at this time we have about 45 studies uh open at El Paso Children's uh for um the advancement of the knowledge of pediatric cancer and that we have uh five grants uh that we are participating on. Uh so this is u something big uh for uh El Paso something that we can couldn't even imagine that was going to happen 28 years ago and El Paso children's and the city of El Paso made it happen. Thank you. >> Wow. Congratulations. >> Lastly, we do wanted to just quickly introduce we have our chief administrative officer, Miss Terry Jordan, here joining us today and our chief financial officer, Omar Garza, who allows us to make all this happen. And our marketing team over here as well. So, uh, thank you all so much for having us. >> You know, there we've got some little little guys here holding up signs. >> What are their what are their names, >> Megan? They they had the coolest names. I asked this earlier. This is mine. >> You want to share their names or you can say too, introduce yourself. >> Hi, my name is Edler. >> Okay. >> My name's Daxton. >> My name is Silus Garner. >> Can you see your name? >> No. >> And the younger three are Tavish, Cedric, and Hollis. >> Wow. Beautiful names. Beautiful. Well, congratulations on on, you know, this uh proclamation and it is heartbreaking to know that 10,000 new cases of cancer uh will be diagnosed nationwide. That is just unbelievable. and and as a parent and any family member, I can't begin uh to imagine the unthinkable news to hear that your child has cancer. Um, we are so grateful to the doctor and the entire encology team for uh giving us a space here in El Paso where we can keep our our kids and our families together and keep them at home because we know that is very instrumental in in in their in their their their uh path to being healthy. But, you know, a 270 mi radius, doctor, that you guys have created this this facility. Uh, congratulations. And, you know, but today we're going to celebrate and we're going to celebrate the lives of of of everyone that is doing well and the young man that is is doing all the marketing there for the hospital. But, you know, >> he's going to take our job. >> Yeah. He's he's got it on camera. He's got it positioned perfectly. So, again, yeah, congratulations you guys and keep up the the outstanding work. Thank you, Mayor Johnson. >> You guys want to come up here? >> Come on over, guys. All right, guys. Front and center. Front and center. Adler. You and your brothers. Front and center. Okay. Come on, Perry. Come on. stuff. That's tough. >> And the final proclamation is El Paso Startup Week. And the proclamation reads, "Whereas entrepreneurial ecosystems are places characterized by inclusive environments which support connections, creativity, innovation, and collaboration. And whereas a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is critical for El Paso's growth and prosperity to build local wealth, allow more individuals and opportunity to participate in the economy and diversify our regional economy. And whereas small businesses are a key driver of economic vitality across the El Paso region, accounting for 84% of our local economy. And whereas the city of El Paso directly supports entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses through a number of programs and platforms, including the business one-stop shop, economic development liaison, buy El Paso rewards, supply El Paso, and the administration of over $50 million in grant funding. And whereas a network of over 30 entrepreneurial support organizations reinforce our dynamic local startup ecosystem by providing the resources connections knowledge and mentorship needed to help entrepreneurs explore creativity, grow and scale businesses and thrive in our region. And whereas El Paso Startup Week is an annual celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth, and expand human welfare. And whereas the third annual El Paso startup week accelerating regional entrepreneurship will showcase crossber interdisciplinary collaborative events designed to foster and accelerate innovation and economic impact. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso, encouraging residents, businesses, institutions, and organizations to support and participate in this inspiring celebration of entrepreneurship. September 21st through September 27th, 2025 shall be known as El Paso Startup Week, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. [Applause] >> Good morning. >> Good morning. I'll let I know we're a little bit over time for proclamations, but I'll let a few of our partners say some words, but I just want to give a shout out. We've got if you are an entrepreneur, if you are a business owner, if you are local, um this is only a portion of the support services we have and the folks working on this. And so, please, if you're watching, turn out for Startup Week, come into our office, uh work with us. We would love to have you and we'd love to see how we can help. But I'll turn it over to Nancy, who's really the kind of head of this whole thing this evening. >> Good morning, Nancy. >> Good morning. It is a community effort. Uh, I just want to say thank you. This is our third year. The city of El Paso Economic and International Development, Sun Metro. You've supported us uh tirelessly these last several years and we really appreciate it. Uh we couldn't do it without you, but really this is about the entrepreneurs in our community and celebrating them and the organizations that support them. Now, I'm going to turn it over to our ESOs. Uh, good morning, Mayor, council members, and community leaders. I'm honored to speak on behalf of ST Foundation, the greater startup community as we celebrate El Paso Startup Week 2025. El Paso Startup Week is more than just a series of events. It's really a celebration of innovation, resilience, and our collaborative spirit. Um, since its inception, um, the annual event has grown significantly. In 2024, we hosted over 12 events including hackathons, speaker workshops and um and and different workshops. This year with support from over 20 ESOs, we are now um looking at hosting over 35 events during El Paso Startup Week. Um you can check out the pool lineup at startup.org. Um thank you so much for honoring our city's entrepreneurial energy and helping us write the next chapter of innovation. Good morning. >> Hi, good morning. My name is Rubia Guo. I am a business development coordinator with the Rio Grande Colonia's Regional Food Business Center, a program led by Texas A&M Agro Life Research Center here in El Paso. Thank you so much for allowing me to share about El Paso Startup Week 2025. This year, our focus is bigger than ever. We are not only celebrating El Paso's entrepreneurs, but also intentionally reaching out beyond city limits to Sakoro, San Elisario, Horizon, Canot, and Donana County because we know that innovation does not stop at city borders. The talent, creativity, and determination that drive our economy are found across our entire borderland. By connecting these communities through El Paso Startup Week, we are building a regional network of opportunity where a founder from San Lisario can find mentorship here in El Paso. An entrepreneur from Donana can collaborate with partners across state lines. We invite you, our city leaders, to help us amplify this vision. Together, we can position El Paso as the hub of a united, resilient, and thriving entrepreneurial region. Let's ensure that the energy of Startup Week extends beyond a single week of events and instead becomes a catalyst for a stronger regional economy. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. Thank you for hanging around and listening to all of us. >> Yes. Uh, Pioneers 21. I'm Laura Butler, CEO and executive director of Pioneers 21. Pioneers 21 invites city council to join all of us for all of our events. So, we hope that you all take turns and join us. But, uh, for P21, we want you to join us for a high impact evening launching El Paso's uh, one of El Paso Startup Week's events spotlighting uh, regional innovation. Our event also marks the debut of Capital Edge, a 9ine-week accelerator designed to advance startups, and dual use innovation, government tech, aerospace, and defense manufacturing and technology. A selected company will receive a $10,000 uh grant in non-dilutive seed funding, and all participants gain access to financial experts, investors, and strategic partners. Startup weeks are more than events. They're a symbol of regional momentum, a platform for collaboration, and a springboard for investment. Startup week and events like these represent months of research, development, and coalition building, bringing together public and private stakeholders to elevate El Paso's innovation capacity. P21 will host three anchor events and welcome eight partners from across Texas and New Mexico to support El Paso's entrepreneurial growth. These efforts align with the city's goals for economic development, workforce advancement, and investment attraction. We look forward to celebrating with you and building a stronger, more resilient innovation ecosystem. And also remember, we always have tacos and tequila. >> Good morning. My name is Serena Harper and I am here representing 1 Million Cups, one of the ESOs, uh, supporting Startup Week. >> Uh, thank you mayor and city council for having us. Um, just the importance of supporting small business, startup businesses, local businesses. As said in the proclamation, it contributes so much to our local economic growth, development, and diversity. So, thank you for supporting us. And I will be very brief, but I do want to mention that during startup week, we will have 1 Million Cups on the street car and immediately after we'll have street car conversations. So, we'll be on the street car from uh 9 to noon on Wednesday, September 24th. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. >> Buenos Diaz Morales. I am the founder of the League of Business and I would like to express my excitement and how pride how proud I am of being part of the ESOs, the entrepreneurial support organizations. Not only because I am an active entrepreneur myself, but because I am an advocate for entrepreneurship in our community. I also know firsthand the importance of collaboration on initiatives like El Paso Starter Week. It takes a lot of people, work, and effort, but we have a mission and together we will make this celebration better by the year. Much gracias. >> Thank you. And a last shout out to our partners at El Paso County who have also joined us today. Um, and none of this would be possible without the work of all of these organizations. Uh, yourself, city council, our government partners. We've got uh over 40 folks in the network. So again, thank you so much for this recognition and uh we'll see you out there in September. >> Wow. A a big congratulations to each and every one of you. we see that it takes so many different organizations to to continue to work with uh our startups and our small businesses and I see the SBA's here. I see Hispanic Chamber and a number of agencies that uh were very instrumental in in in the growth of of my company. So, uh to a lot of the organizations that are there, again, you know, it's so important the work that you do to help small businesses, our one-stop shop here at the city and in our economic development department. But just here in El Paso, if my numbers could be off a little bit, but I want to say there's about 70,000 small businesses here in the El Paso community and uh they are the backbone of everything that we do. So, and they're the backbone of of the United States. So, congratulations on this week and keep up the great work that you guys are doing. We really really appreciate all the hard work that you do. Thank you. [Applause] Yeah, >> you're working on it. >> Yes. [Music] Okay. Good morning again, Miss Brian. I think we are ready to go to work. Yes, sir. Good morning. This is a meeting of the El Paso City Council for Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025. Mayor Johnson is present and presiding along with Mayor Prom Chavez, Representative Asdo, Representative Boyjo, Representative Nino, alternate Mayor Prom Fiero, Representative Lemon, and Representative Canales. It is 10:19 a.m. Will everyone please silence their electronic devices so as not to disturb the meeting and rise for the invocation delivered by auxiliary bishop Anthony Sarddan Celino. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, Mayor Johnson and members of the city council and to everyone who is present here. Thank you for your invitation, especially from Representative Lily Lemon. I'm grateful for that. Let us pray. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Almighty and eternal God, you revealed your glory to all the nations. God of power and might, wisdom and justice. Through you authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and policies are decreed. Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude. The mayor and the city councils members and all who lead our city. May their leadership be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to your people in our community which they represent and serve. May they encourage due respect for virtue and dialogue. May they be guided by your Holy Spirit in all city proceedings where laws are framed to preserve peace and promote the public good in our community. We ask you Lord our go our God to grant that conflicts be overcome by the power of love that opposition give way to reconciliation and that desire to dominate be transformed into the desire for forgiveness for justice and peace. May peace be in our hearts so that we are open to the actions of your grace in our midst. May all members of our community, especially the children, the el the elderly, those who are sick, the wicked, feel the warmth of your providence today. We ask your blessing on our leaders and on all of us gathered here. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Bishop. That brings us to public comment on agenda items. >> Okay. >> And this morning we have a few folks that signed up to speak on item 36. We have sele I'm in order here. Uh, we're not doing the call to the public on non-aggenda items now or >> we're we do agenda items and then we do call to the public after. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Miss me. Good morning. You'll have three minutes. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. Um, I'm part of the communis. We are a group of residents organizing to defend our community against being pushed out due to gentrification and displacement. Developers, landlords, and property owners don't ask us if we are going to be able to pay rent, we'll be homeless, or why we want to stay in our community. Nobody asks us, but we have been asking for protections for our community against displacement and gentrification since the passing of Onward Alamemeda and even before that. These protections need to recognize that gentrification looks different in different areas, especially in a community like ours where 93% of us are renters. We are not just lowincome. We are extremely poor. Protections are especially critical because other plans under the involve such as a future land use map, affordable housing plans for the city have been in planning stages for months. And yet months in, we are considering whether to have protections or not for communities like mine. We have been participating in these workshops and sessions. We sound like broken records. Our input and reality is not reflective in what is already being fleshed out and will soon be proposed to city council. In the affordable housing working group, we continue to be lumped into areas like Kern Place and El Paso High areas that have a starkly different than Bario Chamisal when it comes to income, investment, and demographics. Watering down the urgency and necessity of affordable housing in the Vario. In the future land use map, we continue to see language such as mixed use, giving developers free reign and encouraged to open up coffee shops, breweries, and buy out housing. We are already having to do the city of El Paso's planning and inspections job and keeping an eye on businesses opening up without the necessary permits. For decades, Bario Chamisal has been the place where developer predators go to and take advantage of the lack of oversight, accountability, and the erasure of my community. Anti-displacement and anti-gentrification protections is the first step and is also what has been stated in previously approved city of El Paso plans as necessary preventative measures. Anti-displacement and anti-gentrification protection should not just be considered. They are urgent, critical, and should be allocated and implemented with the necessary funds and resources to preventing the homelessness for the women, children, and elders in my community. women, children, and elders who already do so much work to improve the conditions of our neighborhood so that our kids and future generations can have a safe community to grow and develop and so that families and elders can live in a safe and dignified community. Thank you. >> Hi, good morning. My name is Sele and I'm with Familia Sunidas Chamisal. I'm here to speak about the reasonzoning and anti-displacement protections that are long overdue. Bario Chamisal has been used as a dumping ground for decades. I live there, I breathe there, I go to school there, I go to work there, so does my daughter. The danger and health risks that we are um facing every day are beyond human uh beyond a human's ability. We did come here to yeah last year and you all committed to form a chamisal environmental health task force which we haven't gotten an update on. It's on record that not only are we being dumped on and environmental racism racism that exists there, but the displacement as far as giving our community over to polluters. Not only polluters, predators. Britney talked about the smoke shops that are popping up in every corner and our kids are being lured into and then reprimanded in school into a prison school of prison pipeline. Come on. My daughter's getting text messages from old men at night because we're surrounded by a homeless shelter that gets bus loads of pedophiles dumped there on the daily. This isn't your vario. This is our vario. 7,000 community members, the poorest of your whole city, beyond poor. If you displace them, there's nowhere else for them to go. The most Spanish speaking, the most walkable is what you all want. They don't have cars. There's a digital divide. If you want an anti-displacement plan, have the people lead it. The vario lead it. We've been leading it for two years. Look at this binder full of examples and history of what El Paso has tried to do to our neighborhood. An anti-displacement plan coming right now after you already tried your hoopla with the zoning is not this is like an apology after infidelity. You want to talk about homelessness, talk about the women and children that are being pushed out, priced out. I went to one of those supposed you all hired them to consult with the poor people so they could buy their casitas. You know, they told me I'm too poor. I'm too poor to afford a shack in the poorest neighborhood in the nation. Your methods, as Britney cited, to dis decide where to invest is a zone of racism replicated by EPISD recently. You might remember we took them to federal civil rights court for doing it. Don't lump us up with the with your moderate and high class people. Okay? This needs to be people driven. We drove the change that we needed. We got Salasad open. We got the trucks out. We got our community center after decades of fighting. >> Thank you, ma'am. You've reached the three minutes. >> Don't let the Texas loopholes dictate what you're doing moving forward on this anti-displacement plan. There's examples and good ones that you could be using today. >> Sura. >> Good morning, sir. You have three minutes. [Applause] >> Hi. Good morning. My name is Raymond Surya and I'm also a member of Amuse the Chamisal. Because as my compet have said bario misales is one of the most or the most vulnerable community in El Paso and when we see that it's getting lumped up with other neighborhoods like oh like all of central that includes Kern Place and Sunset Heights and all and the area by El Paso High but that's that feels very unjust to us and it feels like but you're not listening to us. You're not hearing us. And we're seeing gentrification right now. We've been seeing it. We've we've been seeing rents rising. We've been seeing new businesses open up that that sell coffee for like $6 and things that like no one in our neighborhood would even go to because we don't have that kind of money. And so when you see like these businesses popping up and attracting people from outside the neighborhood because you know that they're going to next come after the residents. And with the rents rising, we have nowhere else to go. As you see by our maps, like there's no there's no bario cheaper than bario chamisa. And so as as y'all go about what >> medium income, >> dude, we're poorer than them. We're poorer than the medium medium income. And so as y'all as y'all go around like creating this anti-displacement plan, push, come to us, ask us not to tell us, oh hey, we've made a plan. What do you all think about it? come to us and say, "Hey, we are going to make a plan based on your needs." Come to us first because we as a community have been organizing for decades and we have the solutions. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Also signed up to speak at 10 on item 36 is Nadia Anttoan. Miss Antoan, star six, please to unmute your microphone. >> Good morning. You have three minutes. >> Hi. Um, good morning. I just wanted to speak against this um proposition, not so much um to to study the information, but really just the frivolous spending that we're doing um on these items. I don't know if it's there's a need there. It seems like the people that would be affected are not interested in having this um come to fruition. And I just wonder if we're just picking things out of the air and studying them for the sake of studying them and saying that you have an agenda item to do. Um I I would like if something does pass, I would like it to be capped at a certain uh amount so that we're not spending in excess dollars and also um doing privilege spending with our with our um with our staff. So when it comes to these items, if there is truly a need, great, but it needs to be capped. We can't just keep chasing things that are not necessarily things that we need in the city. and it seems that um again we haven't really talked to the people that it would affect and we're just coming up with these concepts that really don't benefit people. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And then changing to item 42, we have Marco Graa signed up to speak on item 42 which is a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the city of Sunland Park, New Mexico. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning. >> Morning. >> Uh I'm joined by a council member for uh city of Sland Park, uh Mr. Kano, but I have a quick message here uh from the uh city of Sen Park commemorating this historic uh agreement between our communities. Uh good morning, mayor and council members. My name is Marco Graeda, and I have the pleasure of serving as deputy city manager for the city of Sen Park. For over 16 years, I've dedicated my career to improving the lives of our residents here in the borderland. In that time, there is one lesson that has always stuck with me, and it's this. Our boundaries do not define us. Our people do. When we think of El Paso and Sunland Park, some people will see two cities divided by a state line. But those of us who live here know better. We are one community. We're neighbors. We're friends. We're co-workers and in many ways we're a family. Like brothers and sisters, we share the same culture, traditions, and values. We share food, faith, and family ties that cross boundaries every single day. And like a familia, we may have our differences, but we tackle them together. This memorandum of understanding being considered today is a reflection of that bond. It ensures that growth near our shared border is thoughtful, coordinated, and that both of our communities benefit from these improvements, whether it be a regional trail system, safer roads, reliable infrastructure, or smart development. Beyond a coordinated approach to infrastructure improvements, this agreement serves as a reminder that says, "Your success is my success." The Southern Park City Council approved this long overdue agreement late last month and we were honored to have been joined by key people in your staff and El Paso city councelor and mayor prom Alejandra Chaveis. Thank you. I want to thank you all for partnering with us in this effort for your commitment to your residents and this region and for recognizing that our strength comes from our unity. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. And speaking on item 43 is George Sabala. >> Yeah, you still got a little time on on this one. >> Okay. >> Good morning, Mayor Johnson. >> It is an honor to >> Just a moment, Mr. Savala. We'll come back to you. Sir, if you'll state your name for the record. >> Yes. My name is Alberto Haramo. >> Go ahead, sir. >> Thank you. It is an honor to stand before this honorable honorable city uh council and the honorable mayor of the city of El Paso. My name is Alberto Harmo and I serve as a representative of district 4 of the city of Silent Park. Today marks an important milestone as we formalize a memorandum of understanding between the city of Silent Park and El Paso. This agreement is more than a document. It is a commitment to cooperation, responsible growth, and a stronger future for both of our communities. By working together, we are ensuring the development along our shared border is safe, sustainable, and beneficial for residents on both sides. This partnership strengthens the econ econom e econ economic opportunities support responsible planning and bills long-term s stability between our two cities. I would like to acknowledge Representative Chavez for her vision and dedication as we all as well as support of staff of El Paso city of El Paso. Their efforts combined with leadership of the city manager of Silent Park, the deputy city manager and myself provided the foundation to move this agreement forward. Together, we have taken a step that not only strengthens regional collaboration, but also sets the stage for meaningful and lasting progress for our communities. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Now speaking on item 43 is Mr. George Savala. Item 43 is a resolution authorizing budget transfers as part of the fiscal year 2025 year end closing process. Good morning, Mr. Savala. You have three minutes. Good morning, Mayor Johnson, city council members. >> Good morning. >> My name is My name is George Sava. I'm uh board president and also co-founder of the possible visually impaired and blind spirits. Um I come in front of you, I guess, for understanding and clarification regarding language of $1.9 million of the ADA on demand program being transferred to community development. I guess a clarification would be if this money once this money is transferred would it stand alone in that funding or or would it be incorporated to the community development? We want to make sure that any money that's uh allocated to us should be used for us. uh because the we need to understand that money that's used for our uh to uh make it equal for us to access services and products to the city of not only good customer service also required by law and I'll close with this u just to let you know yesterday when I try to access the agenda it was inaccessible to me and this has been going on for years not weeks not months years and so myself I had very I had real hard time accessing uh their agenda yesterday and I have to be a sighted assistant whereas someone is cited doesn't have to do that and just want to make sure we understand that when it comes to a addressing ADA needs it's not only a structural impediment but also that digital impediment so with that being said I just hope that we understand that when the money is transferred that is stand alone and it's not incorporated into other account or other funding that is used for what we need and Just saying 1.9 has been unspent is concerning itself, but that's for another day. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. That brings us to call to the public. For the record, Representative Malona de Rocha also joined the meeting at 10:37. On call to the public, the El Paso City Council is local government body church with serving the citizens of the city and the meetings must be focused on the meetings at charge. The city council meetings are public meetings under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Public comment is an accommodation and not a requirement of city council. All persons in attendance are expected to display civility and decorum that is respectful to other persons without the use of insulting profane threatening or abusive language. Public com public comment will not be used for personal attacks, nor may any member of the public use this forum for political statements or campaigning. Please note that during call to the public, the city council may not deliberate or decide any subject that is not on the agenda. However, council may propose that a topic brought forth be posted on a future agenda. This morning, we have 10 members of the public that signed up to speak. The first person is Elizabeth Crawford. Her topic is abortion and 911. Good morning, Miss Crawford. Star six, please to unmute your microphone. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. Thank you. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> As we know this Good morning. As we know, this month is 24 years since 911 happened. In many ways, when we think back, it seems like a different lifetime. For me, the memories I I have, I just left for Brazil a month before, and my mom would tell me over the phone what what was going on, how very sad it was to look from New Jersey over the river and see the smoke rising day after day, the smoke rising from the rubble of the World Trade Center. As these years have passed, I've had opportunity to hear accounts of how the Lord has brought good things in people's lives, even out of the rubble of that horrendous day. Indeed, the God of the Bible is a God who specializes in creating beauty in a place of rubble. I'd like to speak about situations, other situations in which the Lord creates beauty out of ashes. A few weeks ago, I caught up with a family I had served with in Jackson, Mississippi. I noticed that they have a new little addition to their family, and I was correct in my assumption. She was adopted. I later learned this story. The boy whom God has blessed with financial means means and with a large plot of land outside of Jackson had taken a 13-year-old girl who had been raped and invited her to stay with them during her pregnancy. She gave birth to this beautiful little girl who they then were able to adopt. This precious baby girl who would even by many so-called pro-life politicians have been slated for abortion as an exception clause is today alive through the mercy of those who believe that life no matter how conceived is precious in the eyes of God. When we look at scripture as a genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ, God used an ancestral line deeply scarred by human sin, ugly sin, including adultery, a form of prostitute, quasi incest, father-in-law with daughter-in-law. Through this very messy genealogy, God brought the Christ child into the world through the incarnation. As the Virgin Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, the Lord Jesus, the God of the Bible specializes in bringing beauty out of rubble. As the Jewish prophet Jeremiah looked out over the ruins of Jerusalem centuries before the advent of Jesus, a city lying in ruins because God had judged them for their sins. We read these precious words about God's compassions. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul. Therefore will I hope in him. This God who specializes in bringing beauty out of ashes is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The so-called exception cases in abortion, rape, or incest are opportunities for God to show the glory of what he is able to do. If instead of running in panic to the nearest abortion center or Planned Parenthood, people will run in desperation to the holy God, the one who is more than able to bring beauty out of ashes. Thank you and hope you have a very good day. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Claudia Contra Siller. Miss Siller's topic is TNR trap neuter return program for homeless cats. Miss Siller Star six. Good morning. You three minutes. >> Cheryl. Good morning everybody. >> Good morning. >> I want good morning. I want to say happy birthday to our wonderful Siri clerk Laura Prime. Her birthday was a few days ago. Also, I want to say thanks to our congresswoman Veronica Govad for introducing the supporting our shelters act. Animal services as we know is very uh loaded with work. And I want to tell everybody to please incorporate the trap neuter return program in the plans for these upcoming funds. the TNR program. We we cannot do it alone. It's based on volunteers and I want to ask for more funds to hire uh people to do the trap mutter return. It's many steps. Um traps are needed. Uh the animal needs to be trapped holes for about 12 hours before going into surgery and it's already happening but it's volunteer- based. uh a uh how do I say it like it has to be uh in the agenda but like sometimes we cannot attract the cats and it we need more organization also if animal services it's present at a cat colony location it helps a lot to stop animal cruelty also I want to say that the stray cat needs our help because they do also contribute to the ecosystem controlling the rodents plagues and I want to invite everybody to always report animal cruelty to stand up for the ones that don't have a voice. Uh the animal cruelty unit needs more funds. If you call the animal cruelty unit which is 915212800, their voicemail is full all the time because they're loaded with work. expect to call 911 whenever you're reporting animal cruelty in progress. So that's the other number to call and also 311 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. That's the number to call to report animal cruelty. Also, I want to invite the judges to always take these cases very seriously because not not everybody reports animal cruelty and for them to volunteer with the police officers to have a better idea what's going on in the streets. And I want to uh send a huge shout out to the animal cruelty unit, Sergeant Ta, uh officer Gutierrez, and the investigator Portigo because they do a wonderful job all the time. Please everybody use your um creativity and I'm sure the media is going to help out the animals in everything. Thank you. >> Thank you ma'am. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Ron Kuo. >> Mr. Ko's topic is exercising his constitutional rights to the rescue 1983 animal services. He will be followed by Chris Veles, Barbara Valencia, Marisol Sanchez, Darlene Rinkon also speaking regarding animal services. Good morning, sir. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, ma'am. Happy birthday. >> Good morning. >> Hello. I can't see you with glasses on. >> Okay. So, last time I was here, we had a bunch of people here talking about the problems with a facility that we have. And I found it interesting that the person that was so proud of putting the person in charge wasn't here. So, today we're going to discuss what the employees think of the shelter. Oh, animal protection officer. These are uh exit interviews, by the way, which we keep saying you should read. Unprofessional would summarize animal services. Excuse me, I'm reading it. It ranged from hiring family to work under them to having extrammarital affairs that would inev inevit lead to better treatment and opportunities. The we made these short so you get a idea. The supervisor that was hired were not at all knowledgeable, experienced, or equipped to do handle to perform the tasks we are assigned to in my department. The supervisors that know how to handle situations do not help at all either. Another one, I applied to work in animal services because I wanted to work towards helping to make animals lives better. Unfortunately, the conditions at the shelters are pretty bad. Hostile and uncomfortable environment. Upper management bully and harass employees. Employees are shown no respect. Job went from caring for the animals to having no time and caring even for the basic essentials of the animals management. It is more concerned with image of themselves and the company rather than the welfare of the animals and employees. Folks, Mr. Johnson, I think what we need to do is Cynthia and I need to meet over in human resources this morning after this after I leave here and let's get two years of exit interviews. Let's see before these start disappearing now that we brought this out. Let's get an idea of what's going on in this facility in the eyes of the people we're losing because of the issues with control. And you know, one of the things I'd like to bring up is maybe we can hire somebody's friends at the five:00 club to eliminate the people that are causing the issues because the uh contrary to belief, this we we don't have a fully functional facility. We don't have a facility that gives us the information we need. We don't need them protected by everybody and we need it fixed. People are in danger. Shelters in danger pets strays your employees. Come on, guys. Mr. Johnson, I'm more than happy to go meet with Cynthia over in human resources. Let's get a copy of that. >> Thank you, Mr. Ko. >> We're going to do it. >> The next speaker is Chris Veles, followed by Barbara Valencia. Maris Sol Sanchez, Darlene Ringon, also speaking on animal services. >> Hi, good morning. Minutes. >> Good morning. My name is Chris. Um, my passion for animals comes back from being a service member. I retired after 20 years, 6 months, and 32 days. Who's counting, right? And I did three combat tours, three and a half because we did the 18month. And then I also did two PC peacekeeping operations. And one thing that I think that unifies myself with you guys is that we have a shared mission being a value. We we we go we just don't go through life, meaning that we believe we can do something for society. And that's one thing I miss about being in the in the service anymore is that I don't really have like a mission like I'm out there saving lives. I actually flew helicopters, by the way, but I won't do it anymore because I don't want to do it. It's fun though. But uh looking at numbers, my favorite thing to do is look at numbers. Okay? And no, the reason I'm big animal advocate is because they save my life. I have PTSD, not all the way there in the head sometimes, but animals help me through it. And it helps a lot of veterans. And I think animals, what connects us animals is they don't have a voice. They can't articulate what they need, their needs, their wants, everything else. And they operate at a three-year-old level. So they're basically not children, but they're like a children. Um Mr. Canales, I still haven't seen the ASAC meeting minutes. they still haven't been posted from February to August. So, that was one of them. And what I wanted to talk about was the live release rate. We need to get rid of it. The 90% is an unattainable value. Basically, um the 2024 you guys released a 78% live release rate, but when you remove the TNR and the return to owners, because they basically prop up your numbers, we were actually at 67% or 68%. which a lot of agencies have said to get rid of TNR and return to owner because they basically prop up your statistics. Does that make sense? I've done statistics my whole life. In my previous jobs, I've always done numbers, KPIs, that kind of thing. And these are numbers that would prop it up. Uh looking at your 2024, the strategic plan was to reduce the number of pets entering EPA. And that's what this does. Your live release rate is what reduces it because you don't want intake because it ruins your numbers. That make sense? So that's why we block block block because we don't want them in. And uh social awareness. Um we did the make adoption great again like adopt adopt, right? But we didn't look at you guys said you guys were going to try to terminate backyard breeders. That was one of the strategic plans through adoption, right? Free adoptions. Adopt adopt. But last night I went on Craigslist and they have 202 ads for puppies for sale, puppies and kittens, right? then you go on Facebook and I can pull 70 ads right now on uh backyard breeders, but we're not doing anything about that. So, it doesn't help our problem. Uh, one thing we really do need to push on is spay and neuter. If we could do a campaign on that, I think it would be very helpful. Just spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter. But we're not doing it and I think that would make a big difference. Okay, I'm out of time again, but I'll bring you next numbers next time we talk. >> And thank you for your service. >> I like numbers. >> Thank you for your service. >> Thank you. The next speaker, >> thank you for our service, your service to our city because we need you all. >> The next speaker is Barbara Valencia, followed by Maris Sol Sanchez. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, everybody. Hope everybody had a good Labor Day weekend. >> Yes. >> Uh, the rescues speak, but their voices remain unheard. The advocates articulate the their concerns only to be dismissed. The community offers its perspectives, yet the insights fall in deaf ears. Even the employees of animal services share observations, but their feedback is overlooked. And here's what some of the employees have been saying. I'll just read a few. Upper management um are uninformed of the reality of inhumane standards, witnessing the constant inhumane treatment of animals and staff. Hopefully, the care of the animals becomes the shelter's priority soon again and not the social media standpoint. Animals are dying unnecessarily as a result. Here's one SR, animal care attendant. Management was uneducated on the job being performed by their staff. They picked favorites and mistreated staff, adopting out animals to people who have documented cruelty and neglect cases. APO staff have been abused animals in front of the kennel staff. Then when it was reported, they get a slap on the wrist and then just do it again. Animal services is a toxic work environment. Next one here is SL, animal care attended. No one in upper management knows what they want or how to run a shelter. They care more about how they look instead of the well-being of the animals. They play favorites and there are no standards on how to clean or do intakes. Worst management I have ever experienced. Here's one TA, a shelter supervisor. I felt compelled to act due to the ongoing challenges within the management structure and improper training. Specifically, I have observed a pattern of passive aggressive behavior from several man members of upper management. Furthermore, I have concerns regarding the use of authority to favor romantic partners within the organization. These go on and on and on. When speaking about upper management at the shelter, employees also stated they were affected by or witnessed harassment regarding race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and national origin. violence in the workplace, including use of excessive force around or on their person, and ethical breaches for misuse of time that includes sexual encounters at the workplace on company time and mis misuse of government property. You have allocated taxpayer funds to an inexperienced consultant in Atlanta, Georgia. Despite the fact that the dedicated staff at the shelter have been identifying critical issues for an extended period of time, yet you have refused to address and resolve these issues. It is imperative for all of you to begin heeding the insights of those in El Paso who possess the experience, knowledge, and resources necessary to improve animal services for both our community and its animals, not a failed and inhumane recommendations from another best friend's entity. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is Marisol Sanchez. She will be followed by Darlene Rinkon. Good morning. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. My name is Maris Sol and I want to talk to you about the animal welfare in our border, but I want to focus on what's happening across the border in Huarees. Uh for a while I've been following what their department of animal welfare has been doing. Uh they're known as Dava and I mean they've been doing amazing things uh for their animals and their community. Uh their mayor Kruz Pescuad has stated that his administration will continue to work to ensure all beings are giving the dignity and respect they deserve and that includes animals. So I want to point out what they have done this year so far. If in any in every one of these events I will mention they always have free vaccines uh free tick and flea protection and food drives where the food collected is redistributed to local rescues. All events are held in different points in the city to aid those with transportation issues. And again, everything is completely free. They've had this year so far 26 vaccines faires, vaccine fairs. That's four per month. Um everything's free, all vaccines and meds. Three pet fairs um with vaccines and everything mentioned along with basic vet care. four runs for pets where the cost of registration is used to buy food, blankets, and items needed for rescues and 12 major pet fairs where they have free sterilization along with everything else I mentioned. And that's twice a month. And that's I mean twice a month of sterilization all the animals in you know that come to the event. And they also have daily free microchips, vaccines taking flea meds at their main office and that's daily completely free to everyone who walks in with an animal. They also have a way to report animals and animal cruelty cases through text. And according to their website, they have sterilized 3,134 animals and implanted 2,480 microchips. And that's so far this year. El Paso doesn't have any of these things. Instead, we have our animals that are being turned away at the shelter and they're being dumped in the streets because the leadership doesn't see the urgency to act. You know, if Huades can do it with fewer resources, El Paso has to do better. you know, and and it all comes down to leadership, hiring people with experience and actual care for their job, the community, and the animals. Uh, whoever is leading the city and animal services has to want to improve and actually take the steps necessary to get out of this animal crisis now. We need to act now. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Darlene Rinkon. Miss Rinkon is also speaking on animal services. She will be followed by Sylvia Tombowski, Gus Rhodess, and Patricia Osman. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. My name is Darlene Rinkon and I volunteer with some of the rescues here in El Paso. Um, I went on the website for the facility we're talking about and it states the goal is to make El Paso a life-saving nokill community. It also states, "Their mission is to deliver exceptional services to support a high quality of life for our pets, ensuring their five freedoms, which are freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury or disease, freedom to express normal behavior, freedom from fear and distress." That website also states their values, professionalism, accountability willingness and service. Why are they not following these statements that are posted on their website? They also state on the website what they are doing. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable environment in their care and the community and promote responsible pet ownership through outreach efforts and community and volunte involvement. My question to this statement questions to the statement are where is the safe comfortable environment when they are operating under managed intake? How are they promoting responsible pet ownership when they do nothing to protect the community from vicious dogs by returning to response irresponsible owners and not punishing the owners? Also on the website six for six needs to achieve final 6% to reach no kill. Number two, increasing physical capacity for care. Why is Morehead School not being utilized? This facility was designated as a full-blown shelter by Mayor Liser on 92523. Number six on that six of six community and regional partner involvement and inclusion. I would like to hear how the shelter believes they are doing this. Uh couple recent posts on Next Door. A dog was found. It was chipped to this facility that we're talking about. When Finder contacted that facility, she was told they are full and if a space opens up and she turns dog in, she would need to pay $125. Why would she have to pay if the dog is chipped to that facility? It should be the facility's responsibility to locate whoever they adopted this dog to and find out why this dog was out for 4 days. four days. Why? You know, it doesn't make sense why we're trying to do their job and the dog is registered to them under the chip. You know who it was. Another instance, find a rescue. You've reached the three. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Sylvia Tombowski. Miss Tombowski's topic is licensing a fraudulent contractor. Good morning. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. My name is Sylvia and I'm here to relay an experience and raise awareness about an incident that happened to me. >> I uh contracted FCS Broad Iron Min Aran Marivani to come and uh fabricate some gates for me and move a privacy fence. He requested a down payment of $1,700 and I gave him the down payment. uh he never fabricated anything. He kept pushing the date back and giving me excuses for installation regarding weather wind rain illnesses so forth. And uh finally he sent somebody and he brought something totally different, nothing that I had ordered. And then he just told me he he ceased communication, send me a communication saying that I needed to read my contract where I found out that he placed a lean on my home and took me to small claims court filed a lawsuit against me. Uh I counter I filed a counter claim and yesterday we went to court. He didn't show up and the judge uh rendered a a judgment in my favor. Upon doing research, I found that there are numerous reviews against him. Uh, one is uh dated here um from Carlos O. 25 days ago. I filed a police report for deceptive business practices. Promised five weeks of completion of fencing project. Never completed the project. Mr. Mivani ghosted us and never returned any of the money that was put down. My advice is to run. Look elsewhere. Don't make the same mistake I did. Reuben F. 4 days ago. avoid at all costs. Hired FCS Riron in March 2025 for a privacy fence in Pergola. The owner, Arian Marivani, promised multiple installation dates that never happened. Each time he either blamed the weather or offered another excuse, yet the work was never started. His last communication with me was July 31st. Since then, I have emailed, called, and texted him with no response. We asked for proof of any product or materials that had been produced as he claims he never provided it. Uh, and it goes on and on and on and on. And here's another one. An Anthony Paramo, please be aware of FCS Riron and Fence. My father contacted and contracted him in March to deliver and install order requested. As per contractor, Ari mentioned three weeks to prep and promised to send pictures of the product when it was done. And to this date, he still always busy to take those pictures. Company or Ari never takes responsibility. He has failed in con constantly changing dates and blaming the weather. Family emergency like all the workers are with him at the hospital holding hands and not knowing who his workers are. He blames the workers for taking long. Contract states that the contractor and the client can come to agreement to a solution and they never do. >> Thank you, Miss Tombowski. Here for three minutes. >> Thank you. >> Also speaking on the same topic is Gus Rose. Good morning, sir. You have three minutes. >> Good morning, >> Mr. Mayor, City Council. I'm here in support of Sylvia um and to raise awareness of fraudulent businessmen within this city. We've encountered numerous ones. This is the most egregious so far. Um, and my question is why is businesses such as this continued to be granted business licenses to operate and commit more fraud and create more victims of the citizens of El Paso? And what is the plan from the city council to address this? That's my questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Patricia Osman. Miss Osman's topic is data centers, transparency, first amendment, civil rights of citizens, and undue influence of donors and vendors on elected officials. Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Hello. I hope y'all can hear me. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, so at the beginning I was also with the data source and I did send because it seems as though city council needs a lot of visuals and uh to be walked through by powerpoints. I thought some uh documentaries on YouTube would be very beneficial and easy for y'all to learn the effects of what happens when data centers enter communities. Already established effects across America. So, I hope that y'all did receive those emails. If y'all could not, whether you received them or if Mr. Asame could not, stating that he did because they were sent to the mayor, all city council, city attorney, and Dion Max's email that I have on record. So, aside from that, hopefully you all do take the time to watch them because it's your responsibility or as somebody else said, a commitment to responsible growth in our community. Aside from that, when anybody speaks, there's enough speech as far as respect and so forth. But respect is not a right. It is earned. Trust is handed to each and every one of you by the votes given to you and it is up to you by your actions to make sure that you retain that public trust. I have still yet to see that because I see a lot of representatives and those on the dis who have lied to the community. There's a lot of performative prayer which honestly is blasphemous. It violates the constitution because quite frankly we have a freedom of religion. Yes. But it also is a freedom from religion. Freedom of and a freedom from. I think you all forget that I I will go in there and I'm not going to sit there and listen to somebody else's prayer, somebody else's religion because it's blasphemous to anybody else that's sitting in those chambers. So, in this respect, I'm going to go ahead because you have other people that do the same. I'm going to put this this small prayer that I found on the internet. That which would not that that which will not bend must break. And that which can be destroyed by the truth should never be spared its demise. It is done. Hail Satan. I'm not a Satanist. But you know what? If you all are going to subject everybody else, perhaps y'all should be subjected to that too. Either way, I hope you all have received >> Thank you, Miss Three minutes. Thank you, ma'am. Council, that concludes call to the public. >> Okay, Miss Prime, >> that brings us to the consent agenda. All matters listed under the consent agenda will be considered by city council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion unless separate discussion is requested by council members prior to the vote. Members of the audience may ask questions regarding items on the consent agenda. When the vote has been taken if an item has not been called out for separate discussion, the item has been approved. Council may however reconsider any item at any time during the meeting. May prom. >> Thank you, Miss Prime. P I make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the following revisions. Page 15, item 42, move to the forefront of the regular agenda after the public hearings per Representative Alejandra Chavez. Page 15, item 43, move to the forefront of the regular agenda after the public hearings per Mayor Johnson. >> Okay. Is there a motion to approve the consent? >> Motion. >> That was the motion. >> That was a motion second. >> Okay. Second. There's a motion and second. Any discussion on this? Okay. Mr. Bry. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Mayor Prom Chavez. Seconded by alternate mayor Poeno to approve the consent agenda as revised. >> On that motion, call for the vote. and the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. We now turn to page number six. This is the first reading of ordinances. These are items 16 to 27. >> Rep. I make a motion to move on the reading of the first ordinance. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. >> Second. >> Okay, >> and we do have a speaker signed up for item 27. >> Okay, >> this is the introduction of an ordinance amending title 13 to allow motor vehicles to drive and park at Lincoln Park for permitted cultural events. We have Hector Gonzalez. Good morning. >> Good morning, sir. You have three minutes. >> Morning, mayor, council. We're here to talk about the uh change of ordinance. Uh item 27. We signed up to speak under item 27. We were told that we would be moved to public comment and we would only be allowed these three minutes. So I hope we can get in our our point. Uh we were here a couple of weeks ago had len lengthy discussion about the wording in the change of ordinance. Uh Representative Ato has been working with us. Uh we received the u paperwork, the agenda, the documents and we noticed that there's a clause that has been added to this that was not agreed to that we were never informed about. and it's in section one uh number two and it's uh states that uh a a list of participating vehicles that will be allowed at these events after all the other requirements and the criteria are met uh be provided to the city manager which is uh logistically a little tough but maybe something we could do. But the thing we were more concerned with was uh the clause that states that we would have to provide proof of automobile liability for each vehicle. This is something that concerns us first and foremost. Is this something that's required at other city events? Uh there's similar events at the museum of art, at the civic center. Uh we have participated in many of those. We've never been asked to provide proof of insurance to simply go and park. Uh our group are we even authorized to take that kind of personal information from citizens and and to hold that information. There's recordkeeping. uh uh are people going to provide me their policy numbers and all that and then for me to just keep them and and how you know what if I use them in a negative way. So uh the our point is that this clause we feel is u unnecessary. Part of the discussion we had two weeks ago was that we would provide insurance. We provided the document uh I think it was a million dollars uh insurance that we provide every year for our event and uh we feel that that was enough. We understood that that was to cover damages to the park uh to the grass to if we break a bench things of that nature. uh this added uh clause uh providing the insurance from each vehicle we feel is unnecessary and uh something that is kind of been used before. Uh the Sunbull parade now provides uh now requires proof of insurance and that is to kind of steer away the low riders and and certain groups. So, this is a tool that has been used in the past in a negative light and we don't need to open that can of worms here. We don't feel that that's the intent here. I think it was just something that was added uh legal or somebody put it in there, but we just want to show that we are concerned with this and we feel it is unnecessary. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Representative Leon. Mayor, I am I'm really I am disappointed to hear about this this late in the process and I'm wondering if we could get a response on this. I know it's a first reading, but we do have a public um comment and I'm wondering where this came from. Uh hello, Representative uh Council Jesus Kintania from the city attorney's office. For the record, um I did draft uh this ordinance amendment. Um I uh worked with parks and uh risk management to craft the kind of language and protection that we feel uh council was requesting. And this was simply um just a reflection of that. Um it wasn't uh our office's intention to um to create any kind of specific burden on uh the event organizers, but this was just a means of procuring um protection for the parks. >> He did not request it. Is it necessary? So ma'am all vehicles in the state of Texas are required to carry >> it's I fully I fully understand that it's now you're asking them to provide a listing and to get recordeping. I think that once they are into this um event or project we know that all vehicles have to have this insurance and liability insurance. Why are we tasking them to provide list and list of these cars? We're talking about three to 400 vehicles. Is it necessary? >> So, was was um parks department requiring this as additional? >> And let me ask this, was this done last year? >> No. >> Never been done >> in 21 years of the history of the event and it's never been done at any similar event anywhere in the city to our knowledge. Things that we participate in all the time. >> Okay. Uh, >> so mayor, if I can, >> it's not required at the park on a Sunday afternoon. Nobody's out there checking proof of insurance of people parking at at El Park. >> If I may clarify, mayor, >> the the what is the exception to the rule is that these vehicles will be permitted to park on the turf. So, these are vehicles that are entering as an exception to all of our other parks. We all visit parks, but we don't drive our vehicles into the grass. So, this is the exception that the council has requested that we come back with as a result of repeated requests by various organizers at Lincoln Park. That was what we came back with and are asking that we have proof of insurance in regards to damage in the future. >> Okay. repres I I guess uh Miss Seaman I know this is a first reading and I don't know if we would have to wait till the second reading or if we could cuz typically we don't discuss that's why I wasn't going to say anything. So, so you all are allowing the member of the public to speak at this time, but we can have a further discussion. Also, because it's a first reading, it gives public an opportunity to meet with parks department to talk about their concerns and then see what they can work out as opposed to having a conversation >> at the first reading. >> Okay. So, any amendments to it would be in two weeks. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> And and oh, sorry. And one one more one more thing. I think the the idea here is also these vehicles are not being driven every day. A lot of them are towed in um from El Paso or from other places. So, they're just used for the day of the event and and I think that's what um Hector's trying to say. So, I just wanted to state that too. >> Okay. Represent LMA. >> Hi. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just want to make sure that we don't fall out of the sequence to make sure that we are in operation for Lincoln Park Day. want to make sure that we're not held back in any shape or form. And certainly um I I am I'm surprised with that this was added on there and I would certainly like to see how we can remove that and leave it what it's been for the 21 years. >> Thank you, mayor. >> All right. So, we have a motion in a second and this will give you guys an opportunity to work with our parks and and legal to see when it comes back to us in two weeks what what it looks like. >> We appreciate that, Mayor. and uh we passed out some flyers and we'd like to invite the mayor and the council to join us for the celebration at Lincoln Park and to experience it for yourself. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. So, we have a motion and a second on the first readings. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Lemon, seconded by Mayor Pro Tim Chavez to introduce the first reading of ordinances, items 16 to 27. On that motion, call for the vote. Representative Lemore. >> Hi. >> Thank you. And the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. We now turn to page number 10 to item number 28. Item 28 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning from RF Ranch and Farm to GMU General Mixuse and approving a master zoning plan and imposing conditions. This is at the property generally north of Talbet Avenue and west of South Desert Boulevard. >> Miss Bryan, I thought we were going to move items 42 and 43 to the forefront or >> those are have come after the public hearings, mayor, per the rules of order. Got >> you. Okay. Representative Rocha. >> Thank you, Mayor, and and Miss Prine. I had a conversation with some um some constituents. I'd like to see the the short presentations on these >> on item 28. >> Yes. On Well, I'll make the request on each of them. Thank you. >> Hi, good morning, Mayor. Morning Lamora with planning and inspections. >> Okay, here we have the presentation. Item 28. It's a resoning for property located generally north Talbot Avenue and west of South Desert Boulevard. So the property is currently uh vacant. Uh this sits uh to the west of the outlets mall. Currently it's zone RF French and farm. So the proposal is to resone to uh C3 commercial I mean to the GMU general mixed use to allow for a mixeduse development. Uh this is a future land use map. Uh that senates the areas G4 uh sub walkable. Uh it is an area uh suitable for mixed use development. Here we have the the conceptual plan um demonstrates uh the proposed development of multifamily uh town homes, apartments. There's also a retail component restaurants uh as part of this uh development. Uh this plan is binding. So the the developer will have to comply with this. Well, the city will review for compliance during construction. Elevation shows uh some of the general buildings uh complying with the height requirements. This is the that site plan superimposed on aerial imagery showing more or less uh how it would look at the end of the day. Uh there's two access points. One uh to the north on Lame Mesa Avenue and then the other one comes from uh Talbot uh through a an existing uh driveway to the outlets. This is the subject property which is again currently vacant. Uh obviously surrounding development to the north is is vacant land. To the east we have the outlet mall. To the south we have more vacant land. To the west we have single family homes across the uh the property. We did some public notice. Obviously uh before a city plan commission we're in 200 ft uh of the static property uh I mean surrounding the property. We received at the time hadn't received any communication support uh position. Now during the zipline plan commission we did get some people in opposition to it. Uh some of the concerns were traffic uh and then access to one of the local streets that exist to the west of this development. Uh so staff and city plan commission recommendation was approval with conditions. Uh and summarizing this this conditions they are for a landscape buffer. um uh the 500t distance between establishment selling alcohol and including amplified outdoor sound and a 6 foot highmasonary rock wall to protect the residential properties to the west. And with this that concludes my presentation >> motion to approve. >> Okay, thank you. Is there a second on >> second? >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. Any further discussion on agenda item number 28? All right, hearing none. Seeing none, Miss Prime. >> Yes. So, the motion was made by Mayor Protem Chavez, seconded by Representative Ganales, and this is to adopt the ordinance on item 28. On that motion, call for the vote in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. Mayor, the next two items are related. If I may read them together. >> Yes, please. Item 29 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning of lot 6 and a portion of lot 5 at 3101 North Lee Tino Drive from C1 SC commercial special contract to C2SC spec special contract and this again is at 3101 Northly Torino Drive. >> Okay. Represent Rocha. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I'd like to see the the presentations on those two, please. I know it's the same one, right, for both. Thanks. >> So with Sama with planning inspections for the record, sen 29 and 30 are related. Uh they're for the same property. Uh 29 is a reszoning for the property and 29 30 is the special permit request. So property it's an there's an existing building on this property. The proposed use is for a ballroom. Uh the current zoning is C1. So the proposal is to resone to C2 uh commercial. uh will stay same use uh well same zoning of commercial typically uh the C2 will allow a ballroom but only be a special permit. So there's the request for the special permit to allow a ballroom use. Uh future land use map designates uh the area G4 suburban also for mixed use development uh including retail and housing if needed. So it is appropriate for the development. Uh this is the detail site plan. Uh this is going to be binding uh and it obviously the applicant is proposing to use existing building uh for the the proposed ballroom. Uh you see the parking areas that are existing. Uh staff is recommending to uh request a as a condition on the special permit to provide some last landscaping along liter and pebble hills just to provide some uh buffer from the sidewalk for pedestrians uh from the parking. Uh this is the height. Maximum height is 18 feet and 4 in. Again, all this is existing. Uh this is superimposed on aerial. So you can see how it will look like uh existing pictures of the building. So it's already uh uh marketed as a ballroom. Uh as far as we know, hasn't been used yet. Um and again, it will need some uh changes still. Uh this is picture surrounding the development. To the north we have a an existing um car dealership uh operating there. Uh to the east we have a shopping center uh as well as to the south and then to the west we have some other uh like restaurants and another uh bar room the firefighters hall. We did send notices again to property owners within 300 ft of the subject property. Uh at the time we received one person comment uh in opposition to city plan commission and this came from the adjacent uh firefighters hall uh with concerns about overflowing parking into their property as well. uh city staff and city plan commission recommendation were approval of the res request and then also approval of the uh special permit request with a condition and that's as I stated previously that 5 foot landscape buffer is to protect pedestrians along liter pebble hills. This concludes my presentation. >> Okay. Is there a motion to approve this? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All right. Represent Bro. Thank you, mayor, and and thank you for the for allowing me to see the presentation. I went over it, and I know Miss Summerford, uh, the owner, is is in attendance today. Um, she owns this property with the with the the one that's next door to that, which we're talking about next. Um, I know that there is a concern about the overflow of um of parking and I know that that the restaurant that's right next door has agreed, if I'm not mistaken, to allow for some some type of overflow parking. Um, I do also know that the firefighters union is is concerned about um having it in close proximity to ballrooms. So, I want to make sure that I that I uh I put that out there as well. I appreciate that there's going to be uh recommendations to to provide the landscape buffer for it. Um and I know that the staff and CPC have both recommended approval of this. So I'm very appreciative. I think it's very important for us to see this so that we understand that the CPC has a say and staff also has the recommendations that come along with that. So I just wanted to make sure that I um I voiced those concerns. I know that there was a letter of opposition in regards to this. However, it does um follow through with recommendations from staff and CPC and so that's why I uh made the motion to approve. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you. All right. There's a motion and a second on the floor. Is there any further discussion? >> Miss Bryan, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Maldonado, seconded by Representative Boyer Trejo to adopt the ordinances on items 29 and 30. On that motion, call for the vote and the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> Item 31 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning of a portion of lot 5 at 3113 North Lee Torino Drive from C1 commercial special contract to C3SC commercial special contract and imposing conditions. I got this presentation. >> Okay. >> Yes. Again, for the record is somewhere I planning inspections. Uh item 31 is also a resing request for property. So this is next door from that previous one to the north uh 3113 uh liter. Uh so here shows the aerial showing an existing uh out of sales uh use. Uh this has been operating illegally for a while. Uh the applicant submitted an application last year to try to legalize it. So existing zoning is C1. Uh the proposal is to resone to C3 to allow the the use uh future language map as G4. Uh this again uh looks into providing missing retail and and housing uh options to this area. Uh unfortunately we don't staff doesn't think this is really a uh suitable for the auto sales. Uh here we have the conceptual plan. We chose an existing mobile office uh on the property. Uh obviously uh the the auto sales they're going to just be parking the area. Uh there's no requirements about where to park. So they're just have uh generally uh uh storage areas in the in the property. So these are pictures from the existing property shows the the outer cells already happening uh the mobile office all the way to the back uh surrounding development just as the previous one. So we have the the ballrooms uh the proposed ballroom that's on to the south that just went through the resoning. To the west we have the fireh hall and restaurant. Um to the east we have the shopping center and to the north we have another uh restaurant. So we did send notices again to the property owners. We did receive one comment in in support of the city plan commission. This came from the business owner that is currently leasing the property. Uh staff recognition was denial. uh we don't believe this is in um goes in character with the surrounding neighborhood. Uh again going back citing the future land use map doesn't go along with that one. Uh moreover the city plan commission during the public hearing they did recommend approval on a vote 5 to2 of the request. So that's city plan recommendation. So at this time that concludes my presentation. >> Okay. Is there a motion to approve this? >> A motion to approve. Second. Okay. Uh, Representative Rocha, >> thank you. And and thank you for for the information on that. I just wanted to um and I know that again the owners or part of the owners are are in chambers today, but this one I have been struggling with and I had several conversations with uh with uh planning and inspection on this particular one. Um, I I find I'm a little torn because it is a staff recommendation for denial. And the thing that I'm the reason that I'm torn about that is because no matter how we cut it, the the business has been operating illegally, not for a little while, but for several years, because I'm a neighbor in that in that neighborhood. And so um so I have been struggling with this because of the fact that I I encourage businesses and I want the right businesses in in all the neighborhoods, but I don't agree with the fact that it has been operating in this fashion. I know that there's been significant improvements that have been made to the property by including water and electricity, I believe, are the two that have been included in there. Um, but I definitely don't want to send a message to the public saying that you can operate illegally and then come come and say, "Let's let's get you approved." I admire the the actions of the owners that have come forth to correct this. Um, I think we need to revisit it at at some point to talk with the CPC and those that represent it um in recommend in in respects to what staff recommends. And I wanted to make sure that I put my comments on the record to um to know that that this this has been very difficult. And I know that they are the same owners from the ballroom that we just approved next door. And so um I still recommend to approve, but this has been very difficult for me for those reasons. But I appreciate everything that staff provided and I appreciate the owners as well to uh who have reached out and provided detailed information on what improvements have been done. I even contemplated approving with some penalties associated with it and after discussion um we decided against that. But uh but I want to make sure that those that those comments are are publicly made so that you don't think that this is something that should be happening. So thank you for that. >> Thank you mayor. >> Representative Lemon. >> Thank you mayor. So let me see if I can track this. Um item 29 is for a ballroom. >> Correct. >> Okay. And 30 is for what? >> Uh so item 29 is the resoning to C2 commercial. Uh so the ballroom uh use is not permitted by right in the C2. So item 30 is a special permit that will allow that the use of ballroom under the C2 which was approved. So 29 and 30 are for the B room different applications that are needed for for them to operate. >> Okay. And 31 >> 31 this is the adjacent property to the north and this is to allow the out of sales on that property. So, this is resoning from C1 to C3. >> As someone whose district is just marred with so many um car lots up and down the street, um I will go with staff recommendation. Thank you. >> Thank you, Representative Canales. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um in the case, well, okay. the the business has been operating uh yes illegally and you know contravening the zoning uh have they had other correct lensure or permitting to to operate the business? >> So I'm not aware of licensing the city cannot provide them a license because it doesn't allow the use. So as far as I know the city hasn't issue a license for them to operate. Now there's a license from the state. That one I'm not sure if they acquire or not. >> Yeah, I would imagine the state is probably not looking at our >> correct >> our zoning uh when they're issuing theirs, but they wouldn't have the the license to operate from the city. >> No, there's no license from part of the city. >> If the zoning is changed here to allow them to operate, would they uh have to pay triple fee on that on that license? Is that one of our established penalties? I we have a lot of situations where we charge triple fee. I don't know if this is one of them. >> Uh I'm not sure about that one. We can check on that one and provide the response. >> All right. Represent. >> I'm sorry. I think Mr. Atiway is coming up. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, Mayor Council. Philip planning and inspections. There will be no triple fee. So, if you do um a building without a permit, then we can triple fee you. But with the state license, we're not allowed to do that. >> Okay. And the existing structure at the property was permitted. >> No, nothing on this property has been permitted. So, we'll once you take your action today, we'll go back and access any fees or any uh penalties in terms of, you know, building without um uh permits uh uh fees. But right now, um everything has been suspended. It's been suspended for almost over two years now. >> Okay. Yeah. I just I I don't like the precedent that someone can come in to to legalize a business operating against the zoning with an illegal structure, uh unpermitted operation of the business. Like it's a lot of problems in one location. It's a lot of problems created by one uh by one operator. And um I I totally understand staff's uh recommendation to uh to deny. Uh I don't know if we'll have a decision to make. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Representative Fier. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh don't run, Philip. This reminds me of an of an issue that we've been having conversations about in my district and um they were trying to operate or build without permitting and our first meeting their debate was this is why we can this is why we should etc etc and Philip in his wisdom said you can't do that because there's no fire safety for what you want to do there's no in And I'm hearing if I'm correct that this business was operating without water or gas for >> electricity >> or electric or electricity. >> Is that correct? I >> I believe so. I I think the trailer was moved in illegally and um put on foundation. So I'm not sure if they were able to connect electricity or connect water to it. >> Thank you, Mayor Represent. >> Thank you, Mayor. And I I was I I see how complicated this is and I I understand Representative Maldon's Rocha's struggle with this and I wanted to kind of have an understanding of the 52 vote at the CPC and how that conversation went. >> Honestly, I can't remember the conversation. That's been a while. Um but the vote stands as as it is as 52. uh two of the commissioners were not in agreement with the rest of the commissioners. So um that was the result of the uh vote by by city the plan commission. Okay. And in terms of precedent and setting a precedent today, do you think there's other businesses that might be in the same situation and they might want to come and fix their issue and become more of a legal business and zoning and stuff like that? I >> I think so. I think we come across these maybe twice or three times a year. Sometime we make them go away and then if they don't go away we'll ask them uh to go through the um the resing process or the special permit process and our recommendation at that time may be uh denial. Uh but again CPC is a recommended body uh to city council and staff is also a recommended body. >> Okay. And historically, have we done this before at council where we approve something like this or >> it's up to council. Uh council may see different differently from staff or from CPC. uh you've c previous council have made decisions uh that is consistent with staff recommendation and sometime they've looked at something completely different and made some uh different opinion and different a taken different action on it >> and so if this is denied today scenario >> correct >> the business will just continue to operate illegally or you're going to shut it down >> they will have to give them some time to vacate the uh the property >> okay and what what Does that process look like? >> Uh the process is just you know uh citation. They've been cited several times. So we'll follow up with citation tell them to vacate the property uh within certain amount of time and then we'll take them to court if they don't leave the property. >> And how long have they been operating like this? >> I believe it's over two years, maybe 3 years. >> Okay. And they self-reported or we caught them or how >> we caught them and we issued them a citation. >> Okay. And then they ended up getting utilities. What other things do they need at this point? >> Well, >> other than the the zoning and not being able to be there, is there? >> So, they they s they also need to get a business license from the city as well. >> Okay. >> To operate. >> Okay. Perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Represent. >> Thank you, mayor. One quick question. Um, you know, besides getting the permits within the city to operate as a business when it comes to car dealership, they're also required to do a GDN number, which is a motor vehicle license number, an independent dealer number. Do we know if they have that by any chance? I >> I can't speak to that. That for us, we're just looking at the uh land use on this property. Uh so all the other associated uh processes they have to go through that's not something that you know we will preview too. >> Okay. Yeah. I was trying to do research. I I went to the Texas DMV website trying to search them but I couldn't find an active license because they are you know any motor vehicle uh is required to have a dealer license. But I just wanted to verify that prior to to me trying to make the decision. But thank you for that. >> Representative Chavez. Thank you, mayor. And uh Representative Aso asked a lot of the questions that I was going to ask as well. Um so staff is recommending denial. Can you just go over the reasons why you're recommending denial? >> I think the most overriding uh reason is that that's not an appropriate use for that location. If you look at some of the um auto dealership, they concentrated in an area. So we don't want this to become another alamea where you have small car dealership popping up everywhere where they're not uh supposed to be and we start making this zone change to allow them to be there. So that's not the idea. The idea again is to have the appropriate zoning and the the property already has an appropriate zoning. by them being there that means we have to abone the property to allow them to do so by uh you know illegal operation making it legal. >> So if if we were to approve of this today and they were allowed to have sell cars in that specific area would then we have to allow other car dealerships to move into the area. >> That's correct. I mean, we've had these um in the Alamea corridor for years, uh car dealership popping up and we just haven't had better control handle on that for years. >> Okay. Well, I would just like to ask Representative Rocha um how she sees this street specifically and why she's recommending a motion to approve um if if that's possible. >> I'll come back to you, Representative Representative Trh. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I did some have some of the same questions that uh Representative Chavez had, but I have additional questions. Uh do they own or are they renting the land? >> I believe they listing the property. >> Okay. And how long have they been operating as a as a dealership? I I have no idea how long they've been operating, but I know the for this particular property they moved in probably about over almost three years ago. >> Okay. And and when did when did you all become aware that this was uh >> about two and a half years ago. So that case had been sitting and they kept coming back and we kept saying no. Um eventually we told them, you know, if you want take a chance at CPC and city council to resign the property. >> Okay. I'm sorry. How many years? >> About two and a half years. >> Two and a half years. Okay. Um so if it's denied today, and I think somebody already asked this question, what are their options? Do they have to find another location? >> That's correct. >> Okay. Is there an what? Is there an opportunity here to correct what what's been done to correct by by approving this? Then that's giving them the opportunity to correct. >> There's no correction like M. Travis said. So you open the door, you open the door for everybody, >> right? Okay. What what is uh what is uh that area look like as far as having additional dealerships? Is that something that's even been considered? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Representative Fiero. >> Thank you, Mayor. Well, first and foremost, I I need to say that I'm not opposed to car dealerships. I think their business and if they're following permitting and and they're contributing to the tax base, I I I'm a proponent. My question is along with representative air prom chaveiso and threo if we vote no on this today they can come back fix their the issues and reapply without doing business is that do I understand that correctly >> there's no coming back to this this site is not properly zoned for that use okay >> so that's the that's that's what you're considering today um Mr. You're considering the fact that this property is properly zone or not properly zone. >> So they'll have to find another location. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um thank you mayor. >> Okay. Represent canales. >> Thank you mayor. I was just I pulled up the meeting minutes from the city plan commission meeting uh May 8th. I was just the question was asked. I was curious as well. Uh there's no notation of any discussion. Um, there was the public comment from one member of the public, Mario Garasa, who I think you said is the the business owner. Um, and then, uh, I see action motion made by Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Apoaka to approve the item to make the recommendation to the council and five eyes, Commissioners Masud Hansen Urbe Apodaka Reyes and two NAS, Commissioners Boreo, and Kario. So, no no record of a discussion in the minutes. >> Thank you for that. >> Thought I'd share it. Thank you, Mayor. >> Okay, Representative Rocha. >> Thank you, mayor, and thank you all for for coming in. I actually spoke um with uh Miss Hansen, who represents district 3 within within CPC uh prior to even it going to this um to the CPC to the vote. Um and and I think one of the things that for me I understand that there's a fear right that that it could become another Alamita for example. Um it opens the door for that. And I think more than anything, I was I was looking to be supportive of the business and all the the updates that they've made because they've gone through what I remember millions of dollars of upgrades um within the within this little property. I've had several discussions with with Philip as to um or Mr. Edway, excuse me, um about denying this and going how would that look? and I decided to go with the city plan commission based off of a conversation with that um with the person that represents the the my office. And so I know that it's difficult. I understand it. Um it's it's not an eyesore in the in the neighborhood. You know, it is very wellkept. Um the the landscaping side that they have which is a small piece of land off of Lee Trevino is is very well kept. They're in between a restaurant and then you know it'll be the ballroom in between. And so after that it's all residential area within that area. There's already a small dealership that's on the corner of Levino and Treywood and that used to be an old bank I believe. Um, and so there's not a lot of areas in in the spaces within Luchino that would be empty unless you consider possibly um the golf course and that's separately owned at this time. But those are the things that I took into consideration. Um, again, I I really worked mentally on this one because I thought, well, maybe I can do this with a penalty associated with it because I I don't agree with the route that that how things went, right? You operate and then you come back and you ask for the correct zoning for it. Um, but I also don't want to discourage people from being in business, getting cited, and then coming back and and looking for the correct zone. I know these are few and far between. That was the other piece that I understand. Um, and so those those are the reasons that I used to um or that I'm I'm looking to approve this this particular item. So mayor, if I may, if it's the wish of uh council to approve this, we do have some conditions >> imposed on the property. So I will encourage you to make sure that those conditions are imposed on this property. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Any further discussion? Uh and and um just want to make sure what is go back to the recommendation slide on page nine just so they know what they're voting. Okay. >> All right. >> Uh do you mean the >> what's the staff recommendation? >> Yeah. >> So the council would like to uh approve uh and we did evaluate under the C3 because it opens the door for other uh uses we don't want in the area which you can have you have here on the screen. Uh some conditions consider is uh not allowing parking within the 10 ft front. uh of the property just to uh keep it out of the sidewalk and uh the visibility on the street. Uh not allowing maintenance, repair or storage of vehicles on the property. Uh obviously storage of the of the stock will be permitted. A site plan requirement so the city uh staff can review what they're proposed to develop in that property. If obviously if they this will be applicable for the existing they want to keep the same layout or if they change the layout or any other new uh use we will look into those I think that that's it that's all we have for now >> okay any represent canal >> just one last question mayor that's we we have a condition uh that's being placed to require the detailed site development plan prior to the issuance of any permits or licenses. So if they're deficient on any current permits or licenses, they will have to come back with a detailed site development plan in order for that license to be issued. So yeah, so this will be applicable once they they want to develop anything else. Uh I think right now if the mobile office is not permitted, they didn't get the appropriate permits, then staff will start reviewing that for that permit. But for the license technically we don't require the the site plan. That will be separate. But again if the mobile office was placed there without permits and any other stuff that was done without permits and let's say uh any improvements to the property like again it was mentioned there was water and electricity uh they will need permits and the city can then start reviewing for those and require the detail side development plan. >> Okay. But in including a permit to legalize the existing structure. Correct. >> Okay. So, we'll expect to see them back here somewhat soon with a detailed site development plan. >> The the application will be uh reviewed on under uh administrative review. Uh there's some requirements CPC can review if needed depending on the size. There's some criteria. Uh we typically want them to go through at least the city staff first. So, typically city council doesn't review this type of development unless you if you would like to impose that condition having you review those those uh detail side development plans. >> Okay, understood. Thank you. >> All right, there's a motion and a second, Miss Pry. >> Yes, mayor. The motion was made by Representative Timonad Rocha, seconded by Mayor Pro Tim Chavez, and this is to adopt the ordinance on item 31. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session. And that motion passes 6 to2. Representative Fiero Lemon voting nay. The remainder of council voting I. The motion does carry. >> Okay. Mr. Frame, can we convene the uh Sun Metro Mass Transit meeting? >> Yes, sir. Is there a motion to recess? >> So moved. >> Is there a motion to recess? >> Council, is there a motion to recess? >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second to recess a regular city council meeting. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? The meeting is in recess at 11:56 a.m. >> Sun Metro. We're >> not >> good morning. This is a meeting of the Mass Transit Department board for Wednesday, September the 3rd, 2025. It is 11:56 a.m. Present in presiding is board chair Johnson and also present in council chambers are board members Chavez ADO Nino Lemon and Canales. Mr. Chair, we don't have any public comment. >> Mayor, can we move the conversation out of the >> Yeah. If there's a way we can keep it a little bit quieter in council chambers so we can conduct this meeting, we'd appreciate it. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> All matters listed under the consent agenda will be considered by Mass Transit Department board to be routine and will be enacted by one motion unless separate discussion is requested by board members prior to the vote. Members of the audience may ask questions regarding items on the consent agenda. When the vote has been taken, if an item has not been called out for separate discussion, the item has been approved. The Mass Transit Department board meeting may however reconsider any item at any time during the meeting. And we do have items one and two and three on the consent agenda. And item one, there's a request to revise. It should read that the Mass Transit Department board meeting minutes of July 22nd, 2025 instead of June. >> Got it. Or is there a motion to approve the >> Okay. >> All right. Representative Chavez. >> I was just going to read it into the record, but thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Okay. >> And who second it? Is there a second? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. And we do have a motion made by board member Lemon, seconded by board member Fiero. >> No, >> I mean Nino. And this is to approve the consent agenda as revised. And I do note that board member Boy Trejo just joined the meeting at 11:58 a.m. >> Voting has closed and the item has been approved unanimously with board members Rocha. He didn't he didn't do that. Okay. Board member Aso. >> Sorry, it didn't come up. Um I >> Okay, so the item has been approved unanimously and this is with board member Maldonado Roachcha and Fiero not present for the vote. >> Okay, let's take the regular agenda items. Item number four is discussion and action on the request that the director of purchasing and strategic sourcing be authorized to issue purchase order for solicitation 2025-0498 new flyer training to New Flyer of America Incorporated the sole provider of new flyer bus training for a three-year term and for a total estimated amount of 354,375. VIP I move to approve. >> There's a motion and a second. Any discussion on the represent canalis? >> Just a quick question for the department. Uh more for my own curiosity. Is are these is this an ongoing training program that's in person or is it a a digital training? >> It's a combination of in-person and then they they supply various modules. So like the air conditioning module, they'll have it set up in our training room and we'll be able to work independent of new flyer. >> Okay. And it's the trainer and then the materials coming to us. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks, mayor. >> Okay. We have a motion in a second to approve agenda item number four. Any further discussion? All right. Miss Nunes. >> Motion made by board member Lemon, seconded by board member Chavez. And this is to approve item number four. Voting session is open. Mr. Chair, [Music] >> the voting session has closed. >> Just a second. >> And the item has been approved unanimously. >> Okay, let's take agenda item number five. >> Moving over to item number five. And this is discussion and action on the request that the director of purchasing and strategic sourcing be authorized to issue purchase order for solicitation 2025-0503 hardware support service and software maintenance for passenger information display P to trapeze software group incorporated doing business as Vontas the sole and authorized distributor of the on route out for a term of 3 years for an estimated amount of $172,192. >> I make a motion to approve. Second. >> Okay. There's a motion and a second to approve agenda item number five. >> Yep. Any further discussion? All right, Miss Nunes. >> Voting session is open and we do have a motion made by board member Lemon, seconded by board member Canales to approve item number five. The voting session is closed and the item has been approved unanimously. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So move. >> Second. >> We have a motion to adjourn the Mass Transit Department board meeting for September the 3rd, 2025 at 12:02 p.m. All those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? And the meeting has been adjourned. All right. Move to reconvene the regular city council meeting. Second. >> There's a motion and a second to reconvene. >> There's a motion and a second to reconvene the regular city council meeting. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? The meeting is back in session at 12:02 p.m. >> I was going to ask council to uh I would hopefully entertain a motion for 10-minute break. >> Can we do one more? >> Want to do one more? >> We move those two items. Okay, let's do it. We'll do we'll do a couple more then we'll take a break. >> Yes, mayor. Would you like to continue in >> with item 32? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Item 32 is a public hearing of an ordinance granting a special permit to allow for a planned residential development. This is at 7233 and 7235 Dale Road. Good afternoon. Now >> with Samura again planning an inspections. >> All right, let's see the presentation. >> I'm just waiting for it. Thank you. So item 32 is a special permit request for property at 7233 and 7235 Dell. This is for a plan uh residential development. Uh currently the property is vacant zoning is A3 uh A2 an apartment zoning district. Future land use map designate this area as G7 industrial annual or rail yards. uh it does call for whenever it's not uh necessitated anymore for industrial uses, it can be retrofitted to obviously uh mixed use development or uh other uses appropriate for the area. So the request for this one is a again a planned residential development uh consisting of eight single family homes and two duplexes that means two buildings with two units each. So a total of uh 10 units I mean 12. Yeah 12 sorry. Uh so this is more or less the one or more or less it this is is the proposed layout. This will be binding. So this is what the applicant is proposing. Uh they will go ahead and continue with a platting to subdivide the property into this. So there's a proposed uh road to connect to those homes and provide frontage. Uh here we have the elevations for the proposed homes. You can see there's one story and two stories. Uh this is superimposed on the aerial imagery. This is existing uh property as it stands right now. So it's obviously a wall and fence but it is vacant. Uh surrounding development consist of other single family homes in the area. Uh we did send notices to property owners within 300 ft. Uh we have received one inquiry but not really communication support or opposition to this request. Uh well actually we did receive one phone call in support uh back then. Um the staff recommendation is approval with a condition. Uh city plan commission recommended also approval unanimously with that condition and the condition is that the proposed private street uh will be subject to any modifications uh based on the subdivision plan. So we'll see that uh once they come back and that concludes the presentation. >> Thank you represent Rocha. >> Thank you mayor and thank you again for the presentation. Um I do make a motion to approve this. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Thank you mayor. Um this is a wonderful project and I know that neighbors are very excited about this. uh it's it's beneficial to be able to have 12 units in this in this space where it's very much needed. So, thank you all and thanks to the CPC for for the um straight approvals of of the project. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any further discussion on Oh, there we have public comment on this one Mr. >> Yes, we have Mr. Ray Monetta. >> Okay. >> Good afternoon, sir. >> Good afternoon, Ray. Excuse me. Good morning and good afternoon. My name is Ray Monstead. I'm here representing the property owner in accordance with the lobby ordinance and I just want to let you know that uh we appreciate the recommendation from the plan commission from the planning department and we ask for your approval and indeed one thing I do want to mention is that uh we long time ago there was a concept called infield development. The whole idea is to bring uh residential families back to the inner city and and uh for some reason it has I don't think I'm not sure if it has been that successful because one of the reasons because you all don't put an incentive out there and I would just like to put on the record that uh to work with GEAR that are here to uh come up with an idea to incentivize coming into the inner city especially for residential And this is a good area, good example of what it is. Uh it is zone apartment. They could have gone with apartments without any permit, no authorization, just outright the authority to build apartments. But they decided to do single family homes uh to have the ability for families to own a piece of land, a home. So thank you so much and I ask for your support. Thank you. >> Thank you. any uh represent canales. >> Uh thank you, mayor. I just want to clarify for the record, we have for the last uh 10 plus years had a pretty significant infill development uh incentive policy and lots of projects have taken advantage of it. So, anybody interested in developing uh infill development in properties inside the city, uh get in touch with us. We're happy to work with people on the the infill and senate policy. >> Thank you, Mr. Ma. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, mayor. >> All right. Any further discussion on agenda item number 32? >> Miss Bry. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Maldonado Rocha, seconded by Representative Oat Trejo to adopt the ordinance and item 32. On that motion, call for the vote in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> Okay, let's take item 33. >> Yes, sir. Item 33 is a public hearing of an ordinance changing the zoning from R3 residential to PR2 plan residential 2 and from R3 residential to C1 commercial and imposing conditions. This is at the property north of Mononttoya Lane and west of Desert Boulevard. Motion to approve. >> Thank you. >> Representative Chavez, would you like to see the presentation? >> No, I've already been briefed on it. Thank you, Mayor. >> All right. Any further discussion on item number 33? >> We do have public comment, Mayor. >> Okay. >> We have Mr. David Ballard. >> Good morning or afternoon. You have three minutes. Good afternoon. And I'm just here to representing the uh property owners or the developer. And if there's any questions, be happy to address them. >> All right. Thank you. So we have a motion and a second. Seeing no further discussion, Miss Bryan. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Mayor Prom Chavez, seconded by alternate mayor prompier to adopt the ordinance on item 33. On that motion, call for the vote and the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Let's take item 34. Item 34 is a public hearing of an ordinance repealing ordinances 011469 and 019329 that created the Americanore senior advisory council of the city of El Paso. >> Can we take 34 and 35 together? >> Yes, sir. Item 35 is an ordinance repealing ordinance 015105 as amended by ordinance number 017990 to repeal references and language regarding the Greater El Paso Civic Convention and Tourism Advisory Board. I make a motion to approve items 34 and 35. This is a cleanup in the language. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion on this item, these items? >> Miss Bry. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Lemon, seconded by alternate mayor prot. And this is to adopt the ordinances on items 34 and 35. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> Please, >> mayor, can we take a 10-minute recess? >> Second. >> Motion to take a 10-minute recess. >> We have a motion and a second. That is so kind. >> There's a motion and a second to recess the meeting for 10 minutes. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? >> To clarify, mayor 12:22. >> The 12:22. >> The meeting is in recess at 12:12 p.m. and we'll reconvene at 12:22. [Music] [Music] We need two more two more members of council on the deis please for a quorum. Okay, Miss Prime, >> is there a motion to reconvene? >> To reconvene. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second to reconvene the regular city council meeting. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? The meeting is back in session at 12:25 p.m. We'll now move to the items that were moved to the forefront. The first one is item 42 and this is discussion and action on a resolution authorizing the mayor of El Paso to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the city of Sullen Park, New Mexico in order to coordinate and share development information along the shared boundaries of the two jurisdictions. >> Okay. Representative Chavez. >> Motion to approve. But can we see the presentation? Sure. Thank you. Second. >> Okay, Miss Prime. We do have a motion and a second. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, mayor and city council. Kevin Smith with planning inspections. Uh before you on this item is a proposed resolution for the mayor to sign a memorandum of understanding orou between the cities of El Paso and Sland Park in New Mexico. Um, the recommendation was, as I as I mentioned, to uh allow for this uh item to move forward. A little bit of background on this item. On July 8th of this year, the El Paso City Council uh directed staff to draft thisou um between our two cities. And some of the goals that were identified include a mutual exchange of development information to uh pro proactively uh manage growth, maintain transparency uh between our two communities. And just like any agreement, it takes two willing partners. And we I'd like to thank the city of Sunland Park for their partnership on this and their pass and their city council approved thisou at their meeting on August 25th of uh a couple weeks ago. Some of the key points um of thisou are within a thousand feet of the state line, the shared state line between El Paso and Sunland Park, the cities will notify the other of any reasonzoning uh special permit or subdivision application for comments and when the application is appropriate and a traffic study is required or TIA, the other city will have the opportunity to review for comments. We will also establish a quarterly coordinate coordination meeting between our two communities, the staff um to discuss various items that are relevant to both of us. Uh land use items, quality of life, transportation related items and see how we can help address those as well as the door is open for infrastructure coordination to consider joint coordination agreements for needed improvements. Thisou does not bind the city council nor the Sland Park city count city to um to agree into anything, but it opens the door for where partnerships do make sense to consider it. And that would be a separate item um that would be brought before uh both city councils. And as I'm alluding to right now, this agreement is non-binding. So it's not binding us in the future to agree to anything. It has to be considered and vetted and debated at that time. Uh the location is um as we're aware between the uh Texas and New Mexico state lines between El Paso and Sunland Park. It goes from roughly Executive Center um in El Paso to roughly borderland. And the area that you're seeing there in the u the hashmark is the uh the thousand foot boundary that would be applicable to thisou. Um, I'd like to thank um, Representative Chavez and the rest of city council for putting this item on the agenda and look forward to your support. And with that, that concludes my presentation. Be happy to answer any questions you may have. >> Okay. >> I just want to add really quickly that some of council members might recall a few years ago we were dealing with um, some issues right along um, with new development happening and it took a while for us to get some coordination around that. And I think thisou is really going to help us to ensure as we deal with any type of development issues or any type of collaboration that happens between people who live right along that line that we have a way of having those lines open. So I congratulate the team and the staff and the hard work. >> Very good. Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I would like to first recognize uh deputy city manager uh from Sunland Park uh Marco that's here. Thank you for coming. uh Representative Haramo from the city of Sunland Park. Thank you for being present. Um I want to also thank you know uh planning and inspections Kevin and Philip and the team for helping uh draft thisou and and putting all your thoughts and efforts behind it. Uh the city manager of course was in a meeting with the city of Sland Park earlier this year and I want to thank her for her efforts as well. uh the legal team um our um council um Miss M uh sorry Miss Neman and uh Russell who was a part of this. I I really appreciate their efforts as well and of course the mayor for you know engaging in this conversation and being willing to move forward with this important um initiative. The city of Sland Park was founded 44 years ago. Um, as I learned last week when I was at their uh council meeting when they unanimously approved thisou, nothing like this has ever been done before. Um, this is very unique. You know, the border plex in and of itself is unique. It's three uh states, two countries, and multiple municipalities that are all intertwined. And thisou is an effort, a good uh faith effort to collaborate and communicate regarding developments, both residential and commercial developments, any new developments within 1,000 ft of our borderline. District 1 shares roughly about 10 miles of uh border with the city of Sunland Park. And anything that occurs on that side of the border we know directly impacts this this side um both in terms of safety, quality of life and there are also many traffic implications when there is development. This is an opportunity for us to have conversations way before decisions are made. uh to uh like Kevin was just mentioning analyze uh traffic studies that might be needed because of these developments and making sure that projects are not overwhelming our roads or our services on this side. These are uh coordination efforts that uh will be uh with different departments at the city level. These quarterly meetings will be very helpful so that we can ensure that we are having thoughtful discussions on how these changes will affect us and that is an implication to many different departments. It could be parks, it could be streets, it could be planning and inspections. And so this will give us ample opportunity to have those discussions in multiple ways. Um I do want to make a point that this is a good faith agreement. It's not a legal contract. We still have to abide by our own state laws on both sides of the border and we understand that. But we um are putting all of our efforts into being uh a good sister city to the city of Sunland Park. I really like uh what uh deputy city manager Marco said that uh our border doesn't define, our people defines us and I agree with that and uh this is a reflection of a bond you also mentioned. I I agree with that as well. Um I uh want to talk about uh protecting residents on this side of the border in terms of what I said, quality of life and safety, but it is also a way to support businesses because we also know that economic development is important to both of us on on their side and ours as well. So we are trying to build a stronger, a safer, and a more competitive region. Um approving thisou is an investment in our shared future and we are partners not just neighbors with the city of Sullen Park and this is a demonstration of that by approving thisou today. So growth near the border uh shouldn't divide us it should unite us and we are here to create uh a more a more prosperous borderlex region uh with everybody. Again, I am deeply grateful to the city of Sunland Park for being willing to have this conversation many months ago. I know we've met regarding different uh things that have already occurred and these conversations will now continue in a more thoughtful way. Um, I I want to say that uh constituents in district 1 expect and deserve this type of coordination because like I just mentioned earlier, anything that happens in the city of Sland Park directly affects us in multiple ways. So, thank you again, Mayor Johnson and city staff and the city of Sland Park for all that you have done and I look forward to uh starting a new day with the city of Sland Park and moving forward with thisou. Thank you. Thank you, Representative Lemon. >> Thank you, Mayor Kevin. Thank you. Is this the first time we have had anou with Sunund New Mexico? >> That is my understanding. As uh Miss Chavez mentioned in her comments, um they have been incorporated about 44 years. For me, this is the first time I'm aware actually of crossing actually state lines as well. >> Okay. >> Um at least for El Paso. I I thought there had been one couple of years ago, but I'm not aware of that. >> Could be mistaken. >> Thank you, >> represent Canales. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, yes, I'll start off by saying thank you to staff as well who worked hard in this and thank you to uh Mayor Port Chavez for uh being the the bold one to bring it forward. This was something that uh you know, I I started working uh here in this building before I was elected back in in 2017. And uh I worked in the same office for my predecessor back then. District 8, our city of El Paso district 8 bordered districts 1, 2, 3, four, and five in Sland Park and we had a lot of contact with Sunland Park as uh there were some development pressures and I think we we've seen those over the last few years and so um we had spoken with the you know there there were some conversations between uh the then leadership here and the then leadership there. It's mostly different people involved now and we never quite got to the stage of developing anou. And so I'm really happy to see it come around this time. I only have now district 8 only has a a boundary that's very small uh only with district 5 in uh into the city of Sland Park. But uh I think it's very important that we're very conscious of what's happening on both sides of the state line and in both of our our jurisdictions. Um there's a lot of development happening in these areas. Uh New Mexico is looking to build a new highway that will connect through city of Sunland Park into city of El Paso or you know up to city of El Paso and and so I think it's it's important that we're working on these kinds of collaborative approaches with our neighbors. So thank you again. Thank you Mayor Prom. I think this is a great thing. >> Yeah. Yeah, I just want to add my couple comments on this and and you know, first I want to applaud the city of Sland Park, uh their city council, city manager, and certainly the mayor, uh for the work that they did on getting thisou to where we are today. And you know, having this collaboration with a a a city that joins, you know, that butts up to El Paso and the coordination that we'll get by putting something like this in place is is very important. I can tell you, you know, uh, New Mexico is going to go through some significant growth here and it's important that El Paso understands that growth and and we can adjust on our side as they're growing on on their side. Many of us have heard about project Jupiter which will be located adjacent to Sunland Park but estimates are $165 billion in in development in that area which most of the employees will come uh of that or that workforce will come from El Paso. So we've got to make sure that we're coordinating and and getting the region uh uh in in a position for economic development. So, I also applaud uh Representative uh Chavez for putting this together and you know, I'm hearing that this may be the first along a a border like this anou. So, that is that is certainly history making and and I think this will only make us a stronger region. So, again, uh congratulations on on getting this done. Okay. And Miss Prime, do we have comment on this? >> Yes, sir. We do have public comment from Mr. Richard Deu, followed by Susan Martinez. Okay. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, mayor, members of council. For the record, Richard Deub, a registered lobbyist with the city of El Paso who reports on a timely fashion. There's a little snide remark there if you didn't pick it up. Uh, Marcos, congratulations. Uh for the record, I just want to point out that I I am in support of this effort, but I would like to read some brief remarks to you. I and the clients that I represent appla applaud your efforts to enter into this proposed agreement. That said, any agreement that is entered into between the two communities must address equity within the terms such as that both communities mutually benefit. Most of you were not serving on council several years ago when the city, the no and Tex dot were considering the future mobility challenges which have come to reality um within the valley on both sides of the New Mexico Texas border. Then there were several wellthought through recommendations on how to mitigate the growing congestion. One of them was the extension of Red Road through the valley through pressure from a grassroots organization. That plan was ignored. Sunland Park has seen some very positive economic growth in the area and they are to be applauded for those efforts. Unfortunately, an an unintended consequence has been the incredible congestion of Sunland Park Drive in Donovan. And this problem is certain to grow exponentially with the construction of the new highway connecting from excuse me sanitary port of entry and McNut road known as the border highway connector. At about the same time that the red road issue was being debated, plans were set to improve both country club and riverbend. Instead of using civil engineering and common sense as a baseline for what needed to be improved, new urbanism was applied to both projects. The result, country club road is effectively a parking lot most of the day. People who live on country club try to live to their best to use other routes to avoid sitting in long lines. Once construction begins on the new highway, we will all be experiencing extensive congestion and delays that could have been avoided with better planning. We strongly encourage city council to incorporate into this agreement language that will assist both communities in achieving transportation improvements to aid in the development rather than hinder. With economic development efforts, growth occurs. It's inevitable and must be addressed boldly and thoughtfully. The devil's in the details. I I thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Susan Martinez. Miss Martinez, star six, please to unmute your microphone. Susan Martinez, star six, please to unmute your microphone. Good afternoon. You have three minutes. >> Hello. >> Go ahead, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Yes. Um I'm I'm with Zach White Neighborhood Association and we have lived in the area adjacent to Fronta Road for over 30 years. Most of our neighbors have been there for that long. Um and we agree that theou is a great tool for two communities indeed two states to uh understand future developments and prioritize part uh safety and quality of life and respect for existing neighborhoods. Unfortunately, uh, as a member of Zack White Neighborhood Association, I'm getting all kinds of, uh, rumors and they're rampant about the existence of theou. So, I would like to give Representative Chavez the opportunity to address these rumors today uh, with facts and uh, so these are my questions to her. one uh what is the status of the ballards and the gates uh for the Frontier Road project and what is the status of the $300,000 that was allocated for this project? Two, what is the status of the traffic study that El Paso um completed in 2024? And three, for planned New Mexico development of what we understand to be over 300 residences. Will Al Paso Planning and Zoning uh departments have um have a say or be involved in identifying as well as mitigating potential hazards that will affect the El Paso neighborhoods like flood control and sewer lines. Uh New Mexico has different zoning laws than El Paso does. So, we just want to make sure that those things are incorporated. And also uh is the future New Mexico traffic plan for access and egress for the proposed residential developments in New Mexico known? And if so, can you provide it to the public? So I would like to give Representative Chavez um a big applause for her work, her hard work with all of our areas, but I would like to give her the opportunity to respond to my questions. Thank you very much. >> All right. Thank you. >> Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. I think it's still morning for another 10 minutes or so, maybe. No, it's not. >> Wend Rodriguez with the Capital Improvement Department. Um, thank you, Miss Martinez, for your comments. Um, I wanted to just address a few of the things specific to the Fonta Road issue. um which as our city manager alluded to earlier um really helped kick off the uh you know making it very apparent to us that an agreement like this was necessary. Um in terms of the specific design and construction um and funding for the uh diagonal diverter and other volume management uh volume management improvements along the fronta uh corridor and the Texas New Mexico border. The design for those improvements is still planned. We're working with uh design consultant to come up with an acceptable design fee um for that um project to continue moving it forward. The funding is still available. I think one thing that um we are aware of and and coordinating internally um and closely with the office of district 1 is that the existing permits for that development at the end of Fronta Road um which really spurred a lot of this um including the traffic study, those permits have expired and at this time it's our understanding that um new permits for that development have not been requested. Um, in working with the city of Sunland Park, um, I believe there have been some, uh, there has been some momentum to change the nature of that development to greatly reduce the number of residential units that was originally proposed. Um, I can't speak to, you know, the the specifics or or where that developer is in his time frame. Um, only to what what I've seen. Um, and at this time, we don't believe that that's moving forward. Um so our strategy really is to continue to be prepared to respond to developments like that in the future and thisou really positions um city staff and city council to be able to have a strong voice in that coordination um at the time that new permits or uh new resoning uh requests come through along that Texas New Mexico border. I'm happy to answer any other questions uh council may have on those issues. >> Okay. Representative Chavez. Thank you, mayor. And uh thank you, Miss Martinez. Thank you, Hain. I know that some of those conversations uh were from before my time on council. So, I appreciate you keeping me up to date. And uh for the record, we have had uh some meetings regarding specifically this this concern for that neighborhood association. And I know just like you mentioned, um the funding is still there. Um and we are in in a design mode. Um and I for the record I'm also seeing nods from uh leadership from the city of Sunland Park uh just making sure that that development uh those permits have expired and that development is not moving forward. So uh again thisou is in the spirit of collaboration making sure that we have these conversations way ahead of time so that we can you know definitely decide what the best uh path forward is once those permits if ever get approved or are requested again. So thank you to everyone involved thank you for your efforts. Um this is an important step in moving towards uh more collaboration and you know better quality of life, more safety, um better traffic mitigation, you know, all of the challenges that come with any type of growth. Uh this is the best step forward and I uh think, you know, just like Representative Canales just mentioned, it's long overdue. Um and I and I appreciate um his support in this as well. We did have a discussion prior to today uh regarding uh this memorandum of understanding. So thank you to everyone involved. >> Okay, Mr. Brian hearing. No walking. >> If I could I don't want Mr. Dub to feel left out for us not addressing his comment as well. Um Donana County is part of our regional metropolitan planning organization boundary. Um so in terms of coordinating on traffic and transportation related issues, I think there's a lot of opportunity there for us. Um he also mentioned the border highway connector. I completely agree that there are going to be some serious uh transportation related issues that arise because of that project. Luckily working um with the New Mexico Port Authority and the state of New Mexico. The no secured funding to do a phase 2 study specifically to look at the impact of that project on our local network of streets here on the Texas side of the border. Um so hopefully those two things um will sort of um give you all some some comfort in you know that we are trying to address these at a broader level as well not just through this stronger coordination between the local governments but at the regional planning level as well. >> All right thank you walking. All right Miss Bryant seeing no further discussion on this item. Would you please call for the vote? >> Yes sir. The motion was made by Mayor Portim Chavez seconded by representative Malonado Rocha to approve the resolution on item 42. On that motion call for the vote. and the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. >> Okay, let's take item number 43. >> Yes, sir. Item 43 is discussion and action on a resolution authorizing budget transfers as part of the fiscal year 2025 year end closing process in the estimated amount of $15.4 4 million comprised from investment earnings, unspent bond proceeds, and prior appropriations to be allocated to cover specified expenditures. >> Good morning, Robert. Uh, good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council. So, this presentation is going to cover a couple of different things. So, one, we're going to go through uh what Miss Prime just read into the record. And so, one is going to be to utilize investment interest to cover a couple of different obligations, to add some additional funding into a couple of areas. Um the second part of the presentation will be related to some unspent bond proceeds and then the third portion will be um in relation to what we heard a public comment earlier on the ADA on demand funding and what we're looking to do of consolidating that funding and transferring that over to the capital improvement department. Um so as I mentioned this is in relation to closing out the FY2025. These are the three items that I just spoke to and we're going to go through each of these in um individually here on the next few slides. Um, so one of the big things that I want to point out first before we get into the actual recommendation is you've seen on several council agendas recently the use of investment interest and how we've utilize those funds to be able to add additional funding to capital projects. Um, it's been critical our strategies and the work that our treasury section does has generated over hund00 million in the last few years. And so that really helps us to be able to add additional funding where there may be operational shortfalls or in this case it's going to cover a couple of different things. So, one, a couple of obligations, but then two, it's going to add additional funding uh for some critical areas that we need to address. Some of this we talked about during the budget process. Um, so again, one of the key things here that I'll point out, this is non-general fund dollars and so we always are looking to um strategize to see how we can come up with additional funding again not to impact the taxpayers on the general fund side. So, this is going to come from a couple of different sources. Um, you'll see on the lefth hand side there where this funding is going to come from. Um the American Rescue Plan Act was federal funding that we received the city received back in 2021 and this was related to the response to COVID. And so the city allocated um or received approximately $154 million that we've allocated to uh various programs throughout multiple departments that are currently ongoing. Um as a part of that allocation or the funding that we received, the city was able to invest these dollars. We received all of that funding up front and we've done so and we've been able to generate over about $7 million in the last few years related from the ARPA investment interest. One of the great things about that funding again not only not being um non-journal fund dollars but also uh the requirements that came along with the ARPA funding do not apply to the investment interest that has been generated. Um so that's going to be about $7 million. And I'm going to go through the the purposes here one by one in the next few slides. Um, the second source of funding is going to come from our internal capital fund. So, this is a fund that we have set up where we transfer all of our payroll funding into where we have our proceeds from the sale of city properties. So, again, we have a a large amount of cash in that fund uh that we're investing as well. And so, we've generated about 2.9 million in the FY2025 year. So, a total amount 9.9 million coming from investment interest. So, um I know we have 15.4 total listed on the posting. 9.9 is going to be in the investment interest. Um I'm going to start with the ballpark. So we have a downtown development corporation meeting which all you all here just a few minutes. Um the city council annually adopts a 5-year CIP um related to the capital improvement projects for the ballpark. Um historically um in the last three years we've been utilizing again non-journal fund dollars. We've been utilizing the ballpark revenue um that we're generating through the 2% hotel occupancy tax, the lease revenue, the parking, the ticket, and sales tax from the ballpark to be able to fund the capital projects. That's been over the last three years. Um the seven years prior to that being the case, the general fund was actually subsidizing the debt payment. So, we've reversed that negative trend of having to use taxpayer dollars to fund the debt. Um the last three years, as I mentioned, we've had excess revenue from those sources to be able to fund the capital projects. Unfortunately, the situation is is that that excess revenue that's restricted from the ballpark has not been enough to cover the capital improvement projects needed to uh maintain the ballpark to the level that it's at or needs to be at. And so, you're going to hear a presentation from capital improvement department here in just a few minutes. We have projects that have been completed um as part of the 5-year cap that's been approved previously. So, there's approximately about $2.4 $44 million of projects that have already been done that we need to essentially replenish the uh ballpark capital repairs fund. So projects that have already been completed. Again, one of the things that u the capital improvement department and her team have done that you'll see on again that presentation here in just a minute is really making sure that it's clear on the process going forward with that 5-year CIP. And so we've have a policy in place. We have a very close relationship and communication with Mount Star Sports Group who's the tenant um of the ballpark what their obligations are, what the city's obligations are. So going forward, it's going to be very very clear on that 5-year CIP. And then one of the changes that we actually made this year, and you'll see again here in just a few minutes, is that you all will only be approving the first year allocation of funding. So you're not approving a five-year pot of money. or approving the first year allocation because one, we need to limit it to what we believe we're going to generate as far as the excess revenue from the ballpark. We don't want to overcommit um and put additional burden on the general fund. However, that being said, and I don't want to jump too far ahead, I've talked about this for the last several years, this will be a discussion that we need to have going forward. So, as you look at that 5year CIP, we've limited to the million dollars in FY26, but as we look to outer years, we have a facility that's a city asset. It belongs to the city. We do have a long-term uh tenant that's uh conducting the operating and maintenance cost. All of the capital projects are the responsibility of the city. So, as I mentioned, it's about 12 years old now. We need to make sure that we're taking care of and investing where we need to. Again, we don't want to run into a situation where we're deferring obligations or deferring investing in that facility, particularly because it's in the downtown um heart of our community. We want to make sure that we're maintaining that facility to the standard that it's at. The second item is related to animal services operating fund. Um so animal services primarily funded by the general fund. Uh the general fund makes a transfer into a special revenue fund for the animal services operating expenses. Um they also generate some additional revenue through the rent to locals and through the fees that they charge and collect. Um a couple of different things driving the need to replenish about $2.3 million for this particular fund. Uh one revenue has been a little bit lower than expected. uh they had built up over the last several years a little bit of fund balance that's now depleted um their expenses have been a little bit higher and then the county of El Paso which we have an interlocal um agreement with is a little bit in a rears on some of the payments that they owe the city so this 2.3 million would replenish the deficit currently in this fund again as we close out RFI 2025 the next obligation that we have are economic development obligations so the city has economic incentive agreements Um, we utilize various sources of funding to cover these agreements. Uh, you've heard us talk about the TED fund, the impact fund, the auxiliary fund, all restricted funding that comes from the Apaso Electric franchise agreement. Uh, but we also still do have property tax and sales tax rebates which essentially come from the general fund. We work very closely with the economic development department to try to time when we expect uh those reimbursements to come forward. We have two that came forward this year that we weren't expecting to come forward for another year or two uh to the tune of about 2.3 million being driven by the Marmax and the tenant facilities. Again, the economic development compliance teams reviewed all the information and the request as far as the reimbursement and these are qualified expenditures that we need to again fulfill our obligation. Again, the great thing and I started with this, the great thing about it is we're not having to utilize general fund dollars. We're able to utilize another revenue source to be able to take care of this obligation. So the next two uses of the investment interest revenue again this is the 2.9 million coming from the internal capital fund. Uh you all saw a presentation back in March. We had some discussion about this in July with the information technology department um as part of the FY2026 budget process. The department requested about $5 million in capital expenditures and none of that was approved. So we did not allocate as part of the budget process any additional dollars for IT investments on the capital side. Um so this recommendation would add an additional 2 million. Uh really the big cost being in our two data centers. We need to upgrade some end of life equipment. That's about 1.6 million. It would provide 250,000 for computer replacements which the original request from the department was about 1.8 million. So this would only provide again 250,000 for computers and then 150,000 for our phone system which is um a part of a licensing agreement which will be moving to the cloud. So that is all of the investment I'm sorry one more and facility repairs. So a lot of discussion again as part of the budget process. We know we have um aging facilities. We have a huge need for investment in our facilities as a part of the adopted budget. You all approved 4.9 million in annual payo funding. So that's annual revenue built into the budget for next year or for this year. Now we're second day of the year, third day of the year. This would add an additional 900,000 into that pot of funding to be allocated again to uh projects across the city that would again go towards facilities, repairs, and investments. So that's all of the investment interest use in those uh five different areas. Uh the next section we have is related to unspent bond proceeds. Um this is the about $3.6 million and this is the result of a project that was approved in 2018. This is the railroad drive reconstruction project. Um originally as uh a part of that cap, the project was originally approved for over $13 million. Um a budget transfer was approved by city council in uh believe late 2020 uh because it became an project. So we were going to receive federal funding for that project and so we only needed to have the city's portion and not the entire amount that originally was going to be needed for that project. Um so again that was in 2018. And in 2021, the city actually issued bonds for this project, um, certificates of obligation. And back in 2021, u this project will not start construction until 2027 or 2028. Therefore, we do not need that unspent bond proceeds that we've issued for this particular project. Um, since it won't be needed for another two or three years. Uh, you all approved again back in April of this year, uh, moving forward with looking at how we're going to fund the city's match related to our NO projects. And so the railroad drive reconstruction project is included on that list. As we get closer to the construction time frame, our capital improvement department will move forward with the application process to issue the state infrastructure bank uh loan and then the construction dollars will be allocated. We be able to move forward with it. So no impact to the project. Again, all we're doing is we've identified another source of revenue to be able to fund the city's match. And again, these bond proceeds are not needed. And so our recommendation is to transfer these into the debt service fund and use it towards making uh a debt payment. The third section on this particular item is related to the ADA on demand projects. And so you'll see on the budget column here, we have multiple projects. So the city's been allocating for the last several years funding into the annual budget to do ADA on demand type projects. And it's listed as curb cuts here. It's just the project description and our our peopleoft system, but it's intended to be smallcale um ADA on demand type request that we get. Uh we've been doing this since 2015, I believe. And so overall in the annual budgets over the last several years, almost $4.8 million have been budgeted. You'll see the actual expenditures that coming in just under $2.9 million. So that means we have almost 1.9 million of funds that we've been allocating over the last several years that we have not spent. So that's not ideal. So we really wanted to make sure that we're improving the process. Uh so the recommendation on this particular item is going to be to consolidate all of those projects of prior year allocations into one pot. We're transferring the function has previously been in the streets and maintenance department is where it's been budgeted. We're going to transfer that funding into the capital improvement department and it's going to be led by Waqen and his team. As you've heard him, he's division zero, the safe house school. He's closely involved in a lot of those type of projects and u I'm sure he's going to get that $1.9 million spent much quicker uh much more quickly than uh we have funding available for us. I'm sure that we're probably going to need to revisit this as well as we move into the future. But all this is doing is consolidating all that funding into one again and move it into the streets and maintenance department. And so again, the recommendation um is to move that ADA funding, consolidate it, move it to capital improvement department. And then again, finally, the recommendation is to utilize that 9.9 million of investment interest for those particular areas I described to transfer the 3.6 million of unspent bond proceeds to the debt service fund and then consolidate again the ADA on demand project and move it to the capital improvement department. >> All righty. Representative Roach. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Representative uh Trey. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> I uh >> can I get a motion to approve this before we have discussion? >> So move. >> Second. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Okay. Thank you. So I I move to delete the transfer of the 3.6 million of unspent bonds proceeds uh to allow more time to review the use of the of the co funds and explore alternative uh allocations. Representative, you make an amendment to this motion. >> It's it's an amendment to delete the transfer of the 3.6 million. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> We have a second. >> Yes. >> And so, if I can, so city council, so when I briefed you all, I explained the reason why we're recommending to move those funds from the capital project fund into the debt service fund. So, there are yield restrictions that apply uh when you issue tax exempt bonds. uh these particular bonds as I mentioned were issued in 2021. U there are there is a temporary exception that you're able to generate essentially unrestricted yield for three years. We've exceeded the three years and so we right now have yield restrictions on these particular bonds um which creates an issue for us and so we do calculations every year. We have an outside um agency that helps us do all of the arbitrage calculations. Uh right now it's looking like we're going to actually have to rebate to the IRS some funds related to the uh again the yield restrictions that we've exceeded on these particular bonds. And then the final thing that we're really concerned about is hedge bonds. And so what does that mean? Well, the IRS additionally has um situations or calculations that you need to meet spending thresholds really intended to limit um municipalities taking advantage of issuing tax exempt bonds and generating unrestricted yield. That's not the intent of tax exempt status. Hedge bonds means that if that were to be the case and we were to be audited by the IRS, then ultimately we could be forced to instead of being tax exempt on those interests, it could become taxable. So, one of the things that we did several years ago, Miss Marin and myself, we sat down and the city did not have a postissuance compliance policy. We've developed that now. So, every year we go through the process of looking at our bonds, looking at the spendown to ensure that we're staying within the parameters of the spendown. And if we're not, then ultimately it's my responsibility as the CFO to bring forth the recommendation. So that's where we're at today. >> Okay. Okay. >> Represent trail. >> So what I'd like to do is is um have this item deleted and bring it back for the following council meeting so that I have more time to review this. And I know uh Robert, you and I have been in in communication. So this this came forth last week, late last week, and I I really feel like I need more time to review this. I have a lot of questions. You and I have gone back and forth a few times. um because there there is that possibility of extending it to five years and so I I just I I really want some time to review this to have more more time to have that conversation and see if there is something that can be done here and the reason why I'm asking is so we have um we have a emergency project that has taken place in our district in district 4 it's uh the veterans pool and so that pool is I don't know what 50 56 60 years old. Uh it it um we have a leakage and so uh Miss Mack has been able to identify some funding, but there are some possible unforeseen issues that are coming up with the with the pool, including the showers and things like that. And so what I want to do is is see if maybe we can take a portion of that uh CO funds to designated towards Veterans Park. And so what I'm asking for here is, you know, to delete it so that we can bring it back in the next council meeting so that I have more time to talk to Robert and see what those possibilities are. >> And so you have a motion to delete this item. >> That that particular item. Yes. >> Okay. Is there >> Which item is it? Representative Threo. Are you deleting? There's seven items on the resolution. Which item number are you? >> It's the the item of transferring the 3.6 of unspent >> number six. The to transfer the debt service fund in an amount of 3.6 million. >> Mhm. It's number six on the resolution. >> Yes. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Represent Fel. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, Mr. Cortinez, first of all, thank you for being for find for putting these dollars to great use for our community. um what you you always seem to have a a magic calculator, but in regards to the the the resolution, I'm very nervous. What happens if I guess the IRS is not somebody we can play with? And what if we exceed potentially the three-year threshold? What could happen? Um what could happen? >> Let me let me take this one first, though. the one where she's wanting to delete numbers. >> Well, but yeah, but this is on that this is on the delete >> on that. Okay, perfect. Go ahead. >> What h and this if we delete this item, what happens if we exceed the three-year threshold? >> So, we've these particular bonds in 2021, we've already identified through a review in December of last year that right now we exceed the yield restriction. So, we're we've exceeded the three-year time frame. So, that temporary exception is no longer available. Um, so these bonds right now are we don't have any yield restrictions. So anything that's being calculated going forward over the next year. Um so we re have to rebate essentially any additional yield above and beyond that bond yield after the time period of the three years will need to be rebated. We need to essentially make a payment to the IRS for those funds. >> There's also a um a potential of having to tax those bond dollars. Is that is that true? >> That's correct. So um hedge bonds are something that are very clearly stated in the IRS as well as far as the time frame that you have to be able to spend those bonds down. 5 years you're supposed to have 85% spent. These particular bonds we are not there yet. However, again we don't want to wait until we get there. We don't want to be audited by the IRS and not be in compliance with IRS code. And so >> these bonds is what's the dollar amount we're talking about? >> I'm sorry. >> The dollar amount of this portion of the bond. >> So the in 2021 there's a total of 157 million that was issued. And so the >> no but the the portion that represent threo wants to to postpone or move or >> it's 3.6 million. So >> what's the potential >> 4.8 total for the project? Um 1.2 has been spent already on the project. There's 3.6 remaining as again there's no threat to the project. It's just that these construction dollars aren't needed at >> right. Well, what's a potential IR uh tax um penalty or if we had to pay taxes on that 3.6 million just ballpark? Well, and so these particular browns, we've already calculated about 2.8 million in yield restriction that we're going to have to rebate the IRS. As of right now, we don't have to rebate until year five. It's done every 5 years. >> Okay. >> So, we have another year before we'll redo that calculation. Know exactly what that amount is, but as of right now, it's about 2.8 million. >> Okay. >> Yield restriction that we'll have to rebate. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And and and just real quick, um Robert, on those rebates, is there penalties in interest that you pay back to the IRS? I >> I don't believe not on the yield restriction. we would just whatever that amount is, we would just make the payment to the IRS on the hedge bonds. That's a whole another discussion. That's something that obviously we don't want to run into that situation. We want to make sure that we avoid that. >> Okay. Represent Canalis. >> Thank you, Mayor. I had very similar questions. Sounds like we've had a very healthy yield. Kudos to our investment folks. Um but yes again if we I guess I'll ask the question from the other the other angle and that's we're looking to transfer this to the debt service fund. Correct. >> Correct. >> Uh what is the implication of not service not making that additional debt service payment. >> So bond proceeds can only be used for two things either capital projects or for debt service. And so since we don't need the funds for the capital project at this point in time, we'll transfer it into our debt service fund just like we've done just recently with you all approved a defeasence. So we can utilize those funds to make a an early payment, make an additional principal payment. We have options now that would be restricted for a debt service payment, >> right? And the additional debt service payment helps us in the long run on reducing reducing our debt obligation. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Representative Trejo. >> Thank you, Mayor. So, I you know, I'm not looking to to transfer all the funds to district 4. I'm actually looking just as a portion portion of it. Um 1 million and then the rest, the 2.6 can continue to go into the debt service fund. This is just to make sure that we're able to cover those unforeseen expenses that may take place within within this uh project. Um and then I do have a question, Robert. we're, you know, so we've already surpassed the the three-year mark and you have this 2.8 million masomeos more or less. Yes. >> Uh that's due. It it's my understanding that if you go into the fiveyear mark, so we can do if we're able to do a capital project within the five years and have 85% of that completed, then you're not you're not uh passing surpassing that mark or you're with you're still within the 5-year deadline. Would that eliminate that penalty or that amount that needs to be paid if you go into the five-year capital project that we're look we're considering here? Would that help? >> Yeah, that's something we'd have to probably get with our bond council and the arbitrage company that we use when they do the calculations on the arbitrage. >> Okay. So, >> but at this point in time right now, based on the last report that we did from the arbitrage specialist, it's arbitrage compliance specialist is the name of the company that does it for us. Um, as of right now, they've identified that we've exceeded three-year arbitrage yield restriction, currently about $2.8 million that we're looking to have to rebate next year. And and so we're from what from what I understand, and this is why I'm asking for to be postponed until or deleted until we can bring it back up because I do have additional questions. It's my understanding that if you do not make the three-year mark that you can go into a five-year uh exemption. And so, you know, I'd want to get some more clarification on this to see if there is something that we can do. We're talking two weeks. If it's not possible, then we continue forward. If if there is an opportunity that we can do something with that, I'd like to have that opportunity to do that uh in the next couple of weeks. Thank you so much, >> Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, so I have a few questions regarding um this amendment. Is the money specifically allocated to the railroad project? I mean, or could you just flip it and use it for something else? >> I don't I don't know how >> the bonds were issued for the railroad project. I mean, we've done budget transfers in the past where we've taken either excess funds or added additional funding to a capital project. It could be used for another project. Um ultimately that's not what's before you today. That's not the recommendation. But yes, the funds could be used for we checked the bond covenants facilities as one of the um allowable uses for these particular bonds. So that wouldn't be an issue. >> But this 3.6 million is that the amount allocated to to finish the railroad project? Is that the estimate amount that's needed to finish the robo project? >> Yes, ma'am. So originally there was, as I mentioned, over 13 million. I believe was about 13.3 million was originally identified that budget was reduced um in 2020 as I mentioned. Currently there's a budget of 4.8 million for railroad drive reconstruction project. So 4.8's the budget. About 1.2 million has been spent to date and so there's $3.6 million of unspent bond proceeds. >> Okay. But if you were to pull a million from this, then you wouldn't have enough to complete the other project even though you've already started it. How does it work? I mean, that's what I'm trying to figure out. >> On the railroad drive reconstructed project, so back in April, there was a list of uh projects that we've identified that are going to require city match through the NPO process. So, that's where we're leveraging PO funds, putting up the city's match in order to get these projects accomplished. One of them is now the railroad drive reconstruction project. It's an appeal project. And so, uh, the state infrastructure bank loans is something that we presented to FOAC. We presented to the full council. You all approved the list of those projects. And so, all we're doing is we're changing the source of funding that we're going to utilize to be able to fund the construction of that project. So, once we get closer to construction, Waqen and his team will identify what exactly that amount is that we need to issue that subliman for that come for you all for approval. So the projects won't be impacted in any way. >> Yeah. And I know some money to put up the city's match for the >> But I guess what what I'm not understanding is if if we're going to pull money from one project to put it into another project, which we don't even have the cost of probably, do we, Miss Mac? On the other project right now, do we have an estimate? >> So the construction um started yesterday. >> Okay. >> Um so um as you'll recall, one of the transfers we have here is for an additional 900,000 to go to facilities. Um during the budget process, we added about an additional five with additional dollars on hand. We do have sufficient funds to be able to do the roof and also to do the plumbing piece, but as the rep said, there may be unforeseen circumstances, but we're committed to getting those portions of the project done. Um that building will be closed probably for about a year. >> Okay. What I'm trying to get at is uh you know I know Representative Thjo has some projects in mind. Does does the funding need to come from this? Because I also understand the importance of of making this transfer uh for all the reasons that you've already explained. So is two things. Is it necessary the 3.6 million to complete the railroad project which I'm thinking it is? Is yes or no? basically. >> Yes. But I don't know what that amount's going to be in 2027 or 28 when we start the >> Well, with today's dollars, the 3.6 million, that's what we need to complete the B. We can't say only 2.6 and then >> presume that we'll we'll gain it back in interest or something like that, right? Okay, that's my first question. Thank you. The second question is, do we have money for this other project that she's just mentioned? We do have money for the elements that I mentioned, but as the rep said, it's an older building. Um, it does have other needs within the building, and our commitment is to make sure that the mechanical and the roof job and at least a paint job is what we have under contract right now. And that work began yesterday. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Thank Thank you. >> All right. Represented. >> Hi, Robert. So, I'm sorry if I'm repetitive. I'm probably going to be thinking out loud a little bit from everything that you've said. So, you said that the project is 4.8 million. There's 3.6 left and you should spend money in 5 years and be at 85% in terms of the amount spent, right? >> So, there's two different things. So, one is the yield restriction. And so, it's a three-year requirement. You'd have to spend down 85% of that amount. And it's not just for that particular project. We look at the all of the bonds in that particular year. So that the anytime we issue bonds, they're lumped together. We look at the spend down for that particular bond series. And so it's a three-year temporary exception that's provided on the yield restriction. >> Okay? >> And so once you exceed that three-year time period, essentially you're limited on how much yield you can generate on the investment compared to the bond yield. And there's a reason why the IRS doesn't want taxes in municipalities going and issuing taxes in bonds and generating a high investment yield because you're either issuing more of the money than you need or you're issuing too far in advance really should be limited and focused on issuing the amount that you need for projects to get projects done. And so that's um something that's in IRS code. It's been there for since 1986. Um then it's the hedge bonds. And so that's a different requirement. And then that's when you get into calculations on those spend downs. And that gets into the point about the tax exempt versus taxable. So again, it's the same concept essentially. The IRS has the things in place so that municipalities are taking advantage of tax exempt and go out and issue bonds that they don't need, trying to generate investment interest off of it again by having that tax exempt status. >> Okay. And why has this project been so delayed? >> I don't know that it was delayed. And so I'm talking to Wen. Apparently the project has always been under this time frame. >> Okay. Um, so I know that I believe they've been working on the design for a while now. Uh, I can't tell you why we issued the bonds in 2021. Yeah, it was I mean, we worked closely with the city engineer. We always put together the list of the projects and the amounts that we need. So, my understanding is that this project's always been on this timeline. Um, but again, until 2027 or 28, those construction dollars are needed. So, I mean, we're just at a point where we don't need those bond proceeds right now. We've identified another funding source. The project won't be impacted. >> Okay. And so you want to, your recommendation is cancel these bonds. When we're ready to fund the rest of the project in 2728, we'll get a Sib loan and that'll be the funding for it instead >> instead of these bonds and that's why you want to cancel them now. >> Yes. >> Okay. and Miss Mac um in terms of the the pool and you know I have two closed pools in in my area and so it it kind of hits me hard on on that front. Is there if this was if this amendment passes right now, would there be sufficient time in 2 weeks for you to come back and tell us we actually identified we need new bathrooms and give us an amount that is more real. >> I don't think we'll I think one of the concerns and I heard I think you heard the rep say it is because the age of the building and doing trenching right now. So once they do the trenching that may be where we might have some additional expenses. I just spoke with Iette. She feels very comfortable that the scope that is related to the trenching and that work will be covered. Um, in terms of the bathroom piece, I don't know that we'll have it in two weeks. Let me see. Two weeks. We could have it. >> You could have it. So, that that would give us a more real amount on what these 3.6 million would turn into. Maybe it's another 50, 100 grand or 200 grand or something like that. If it's in that range, I feel very comfortable that the facilities fund can cover that. >> The one that Yes. The additional that we're getting out of this. >> Yes. Because we're transferring 900,000 into facilities funds with this action that you're taking and we had 500,000 that we added during the budget process. So I think for those two pieces, if it's within that range, but we'll at least have that number to be able to provide to the rep. So, so then we could have this in two weeks and you could say, you know what, we have an amount and we'll get it from the facilities budget and repreh the 3.6 is not needed for the railroad project anymore. That's they're using a different uh funding for that. Just so that you had that answer on that and uh yeah, I think in two weeks that would be plenty of time to have that information and then we can know if there's additional funding that is needed and if this can just go ahead and move forward the way you had anticipated. Thank you, Robert. >> Okay, we're voting on the amendment and I believe Mr. Brian, if I get this right, the resolution number six >> and I believe the number three on the first portion that says transfer unspent bond proceeds in an estimated amount of 3.6 million from CO2021C. And then on the second portion of the resolution to delete number six, it says transfer to the debt service fund in an estimated amount of $3.6 million. Is that correct, Representative D? >> Okay. And before we vote, Robert, what's your recommendation one more time? what's before you today to transfer to death service. >> Okay. >> Repres I I just had a point of clarification on this amendment. Would it still function the same way as a deletion rather as a instead of a postponement for two weeks? >> What um staff would have to refend? We'll bring it back in two weeks. >> They would have to approve the amendment. >> You understand a direction with the deletion versus postponement? Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> So, We're voting on deletion. >> We're voting on the amended. Can you read it one more time for me? >> This is to amend the resolution listing the budget transfers and the amendment is to delete on the first portion number three that says transfer unspent bond proceeds in an amount of 3.6 million from CO201C. And on the second portion to also delete number six, the transfer to the debt service fund in an estimated amount of 3.6 million. Was there two amendments that were >> disc because the the top half of the resolution is the front. So it's the source of funding and then the bottom half is where it's going to. So it's we're deleting the front. >> It's one transfer, but it's coming from one account and going to another account. >> Okay. Represent Canales. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I understood that there was another motion to delete the entire item. >> That's what I thought it was. >> There was a second there was a second motion. >> I'm sorry I didn't catch that one. >> Okay, that's to delete the to delete the item. That's what I thought we were discussing. >> It's to delete the 3.6. So, it's item number six. >> Line item number six on the >> Again, just a point of clarification. Was there not a second motion made to delete the item? >> It was a second. Yep. >> But it was to delete the line item that she was mentioning 3.6 portion of the resolution. >> I thought she then made a second motion that said to delete the item to have time to speak with Robert and to bring it back. >> Right. So, it's to delete it the the 3.6 line number number six to return back. >> Resolution or you deleting the resolution? >> I'm deleting it because they're going to bring it back into the entire resolution. >> No, not the entire resolution. Just the the line amending resolution, right? >> Represent Canales, you want to >> I just I I made my comment under the impression that we were deleted. There was a motion on the floor to delete the entire item. That's what we had the motion in the second on. Representative U Chavez, >> I see you. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Is there a motion to delete the entire item? I want a point of clarification. Is there >> Did it get seconded? >> That's not what I motioned. I motioned to delete the 3.6, which was just that one item. >> I I understood it was to amend the resolution to delete the line item. Yeah, that's that's what I understood. >> That is correct. Okay, >> then there was a second motion. >> Wait, we we we got to let the rep say what she wants to do. And so >> I have a community pot here to delete the transfer of the 3.6 of unspent bond proceeds, >> which is line item what? Six. >> Is that correct? >> It's two. So it's line three at the top and then six at the bottom. So again, we have listed out the sources of where the money is coming from and then at the bottom it's the where the funds are going to. >> Oh, thank you. Thank mayor. Can I make my comment now? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Uh, thank you, Robert. If it's for two weeks and uh, Miss Mack feels confident that we can get an update on a price on whatever changes might be necessary, I'm comfortable with that. Anything beyond that I would not be comfortable with because I do think that this is a time-sensitive issue. We need to uh move forward with it. Um and we can't hold up money. We can't hold our our our city um accountable for any other implications that might come from not doing the right thing. So if it's two weeks, I'm okay. If there's any other time involved in this, then I would not be okay with that. >> Thank you, Robert. because I I I understand the the the necessity of of making these transfers. So, >> we're going to get this to vote here soon, too. Represent Rocha. >> Thank you, Mayor. And and Robert, I know we spoke about this earlier. Is there any risk to bringing this back in two weeks? >> Is it does it change things? >> Well, so I mean, we've already, as I mentioned, this is four years now going on when these bonds were issued. And so if the project takes another nine months, that's nine more months of essentially delayed on the calculation that's going to impact that yield restriction amount. >> So it it would impact the potentially the the debt >> potentially. I mean it again we do the calculation every year, >> right? >> And so next year when we have the consultant come in and do the arbitrage calculation, I mean at that point in time, I mean depending upon where we're at, that number could go up, it could go down. Right. >> And then the total taxable amount is not just the 3.6. Is that correct? Correct. It's the total amount of the total amount >> and the total amount of the co bond is 140 >> total was about 154 million. >> 154 million. And that would become the taxable piece to it >> versus the tax exempt. That's the potential. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Representative Tel. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh so to clarify the other thing that I that I because we're not we're not going into this yet. I mean we're looking at this in a couple of weeks, but was to ensure that the that the funds if they're transferred that they're applied first to the project and so they're used immediately to purchase material to pay the contractor and so those funds are being used immediately and within the the the time frame that is that is allowed. Uh going back to the uh the amendment, it's to delete number three, which is a transfer of unspent bond proceeds in the estimate of 3 uh 3.6 from the qual uh co bonds of 2021 and number six transfer of debt service fund which is again the 3.6 to be brought back in two weeks. Thank you. Miss Bryan, did you get that? >> I heard that. I still hear that she wants to amend this resolution to remove two line items. >> Okay. >> To bring them back in two weeks. >> Is it? >> Okay. Can we vote on this? Are we voting on two different things? >> It it would just be to amend the resolution. Just to amend the resolution because >> Okay. >> Okay. >> She just wants to remove two of the the items on the resolution. >> Okay. And Robert, did I hear you say we shouldn't be using funds for other projects? Did I hear you say that earlier? >> They can be used for other projects. Again, as I mentioned though, the big issue is the timing. It's been four years now that the bonds have been issued. That's the concern and that's the reason why I brought this forward >> and there could be risk in delaying >> potential. >> So, we've already again so we've already exceeded three-year temporary exception for the yield restriction. We've already exceeded that on these bonds. And so every day that goes by that we're not spending those bonds down >> is costing money being. >> Okay. Call for the vote. >> Okay. Council, this is on the amendment made by Representative Boretjo, seconded by Representative Nino to amend the budget resolution. And this is to strike out item number three on the first section of the resolution and number six on the bottom portion of the resolution. That's that's uh transferring the unspent bond proceeds of $3.6 million. on the amendment. Call for the vote. And the voting session and the amendment passes 5 to three. Representatives Fiero, Lemon, Canales, voting A. Representatives Chavez, ADO, Maldonado, Rocha, Boyco, and Ino voting I. The amendment passes. All right, let's take the the main one. >> And we do have public comment from Miss Osmond on item 43. Miss Osman, star six, please to un mute your telephone. Good afternoon. You have three minutes. >> Uh, good afternoon. Uh, I'm going to try to just speak really quick about some bullet points in what I've heard from Robert. one in regards to the bonds that just seems to be a bait and switch shell game with that bond money. Secondly, to use any friends to find a billionaire to do socialism for a billionaire with the ballpark is an insult, but not as bad as the disgrace that you all have on here to move ADA funds, which is American Disabilities Act funds to make sure that senior citizens and the disabled are able ble to utilize sidewalks and streets and so forth. To strip that away from streets and maintenance and put it into capital improvement is disgraceful. Where capital improvement funds can be used to again fund millionaire and billionaire projects that come about. But the cut curves are ex especially necessary. A city financial officer six years ago came to the FivePoints Business Association and he flat out admitted that the cut curbs done in central were not done to ADA specs and we're going to have to be redone. Evidence of that is there is a resident's home that is getting flooded because the cut curves are funneling flood waters onto their foundation into their home. And for you for a department streets and maintenance that is already lacking funding and you are to vote to strip that funding from you is disgraceful. Somebody ran on fixing our streets and doing better. Everybody's complaining. Read the budget. We don't have enough money for streets and maintenance. Yet you're fine with the socialism to a millionaire and billionaire class in this city when this city is also heavily senior citizens, retired and better. And you're going to strip that ADA money from that youth and toss it into capital improvement. I see what capital improvement does. They give away millions in incentives that don't help our community. It doesn't reduce our tax burden, but you're going to harm the disabled citizens in this city by stripping that money away from what it was intended to capital improvement. It is a bait and switch show game and it is disgraceful. >> Thank you, Miss Osman. You've reached the three minutes. Thank you, ma'am. Just to clarify, the ADA funding is not being taken away and being used for another purpose. It's still going to be used for those ADA on demand projects. All we're doing is consolidating all that prior year funding into one pot and then transferring the function under the capital improvement department. Still to be used for the ADA on demand projects. >> Okay. All right. I call for the vote, Miss Bry. >> Yes, sir. There was a motion made by Representative Lemon, seconded by Representative Canales, and this is to approve the resolution as revised. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> Okay, Miss Brian, I think we need to convene the downtown development corporation. >> Yes, sir. Is there a motion to uh recess a city council meeting? >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second to recess the city council meeting. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? And the council meeting is in recess at 1:35 p.m. Would you like to convene the downtown development? >> Yes, please. >> Thank you. Good afternoon. This is a meeting of the downtown development corporation for Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025. It is 1:35 p.m. Board chair Johnson is present and presiding along with board directors Chavez, ADO, Malonado Rocha, Gore Trejo, Nino Lemon, and Canales. That brings us to the first item on the agenda and this is the approval of the December 17, 2024 meeting minutes. >> All right, I'd entertain a motion to approve the minutes. >> So moved. >> Second, >> Miss Ryan call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. There was a motion made by board director Nino, seconded by board director Chavez to approve the minutes. On that motion, call for the vote. And the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. Board director Fedor not present. That brings us to item >> number two. >> I'm sorry, council. I need a motion to reconsider because I didn't get your vote. >> Yeah, >> second. >> There's a motion and a second to reconsider item one. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? We're back on item one on the minutes. >> Is there a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second to approve the minutes. On that motion, call for the vote. >> Representative Borjo. >> Hi. >> Thank you. End the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> All right, let's take item number two. Item two is discussion and action on a resolution to accept the 5-year capital improvement plan for the ballpark and approve fiscal year 2026 appropriation and an estimated amount of $1 million to be funded from ballpark debt service fund surplus revenues. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> There's a motion and second call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by director Nino. >> Thank you. Second by board director >> Pierro >> Pierro and this is to approve item number two on the resolution. On that motion call for the vote. >> Mayor I had requested to speak. >> Oh sorry represent Canalis. >> Um if possible I would like to see the presentation from staff about this. It's we only get it once a year. I think it's worthwhile. >> Let's do it. Good afternoon. >> Hi. Good afternoon, Mayor Council. Gilbert Guerrero, capital improvement department. >> So, this is the Southway Univers Park for your capital improvement uh plan. Uh so, give a little bit of a background, the timeline. Uh Southway University Park, it's owned by the city. Uh lease agreement with Mount Star uh Sports Group, MSSG LLC, on October of 2012. um with a 30-year list set to expire in 2043. Um every year a 5-year capital plan is developed and presented to city council. Um as of right now, 50 projects have been completed at the ballpark. These are all capital projects. Uh previously approved CIP uh plan was back in February 13 of 2024 uh last year and this included major projects that had to be completed and reimbursed over time. um such as a water treatment, um dugout flooring, security fencing, uh bar sewer replacement, elevator motor replacement, uh funding was allocated, uh only with a ballpark revenues. Okay. And the responsibilities, the city of El Paso, we're responsible for the prompt and timely installation and repair replacement of capital uh uh items. Um capital improvements are any work included all design, architectural, engineering, and construction work. um that is customary capitalized under GAP and is recently necessary to repair, restore, refurbish, replace or improve in a matter that extends the original useful life of capital items. Um this is in any facility, structure, city property or components of the ballpark and Mountain Star Sports Group. Their responsibilities are all the aspects of operating um expenses uh for the cost of the ballpark including all direct and indirect expenses associated associated with the teams and events. Uh routine maintenance including interior and exterior repairs excluding all the capital improvements. That's what we're responsible for. Also, uh, Mountain Start is managing concessionires, merchandisers, vendors, and obtaining all necessary permits to sell food, beverages, and alcohol. And just some of the projects that we completed back in 2017, 2020, 2017 for example, a fuel wall padding, some security ballards, Santa Fe gate, ADA ramps, uh 2018 dugout netting, and some of the items that are required by Major League Baseball um that we have to go and address. Um not going through all of them, but you know 2020 2019 we did some interior upgrades, some uh rubber floor flooring in the dugouts, um the clock repair, turf replacement, um 2020 concession air portable covers, back back stop netting, concourse ceiling. So we have done some projects uh back since 2017 and then projects completed uh 2021 2022 21 there was two uh major ones but that was a video hardware and monitor uh that's a huge video screen that you see out there in in the in the outfield. Um 22 again field wall padding additional padding that was requested and required by Major League Baseball. some turf managing equipment, everything that's needed to maintain uh the field and the ballpark. Uh 2023, 2024, um again uh we had to do some HVAC improvements, some security cameras, bird mitigation, um some site upgrades, uh again some more equipment. They they replace some of the equipment previous years. Um so we don't replacing everything at one time. So every year as the equipment breaks down or exceeds it useful life, we'll repair it. Uh 2024 we did a water treatment. Uh they're having a lot of issues with the water and all the the calcium buildup in the pipes. Um we did that additional wall padding. Uh every year Major League Baseball has a requirements and they require more padding for the safety of the players. Uh last year uh we did a elevator modernization. um the uh elevator needed to for the equipment and maintenance had to be repaired that was that was done and some production equipment as a lot of the IT items um that need to be upgraded. So the proposed 2026 to 2030 the 5-year ballpark CIP the ball ballpark is now 12 years old. So special systems and upgrades are required. These are all the IT items that just are, you know, we just need to bring them up up to date. Um, for the fiscal year, this fiscal year 2026, um, a proportion request of a billion dollars is being requested. Uh, total CIP value for the next five years of $7.5 million and and you'll see on the next slide um, the projects that are being uh, recommended uh, for the capital improvement. Um, a portion of annual CIP budget should be presented and adopted by city council and that's why we're here today. Uh, the ballpark is a city-owned facility and for the lease agreement, the city is required to satisfy its obligations without regard as to whether the capital repairs reserve fund is sufficient to cover projects. As I mentioned, that's part of our responsibilities for the capital uh portion of of the of the facility. uh the process mount start uh group they submit requests for projects to us. So they submit them to C. We have our project managers, our engineers that go out there, walk the ballpark with um uh Mountain Sports Group. We evaluate the the needs and once once we evaluate it, we're we're okay with the proposals. Uh we coordinate with a CFO and available funding sources and final recommendations to city council is made. Uh it's a little bit hard to see, but this gives you the five-year plan. Um this year some of the items that are being recommended to be replaced are the turf management equipment um which is a a John Deere spray unit which they use for the fertilizer for uh for the fields. Um fuel irrigation valves again they just old valves not that need to be replaced. Uh door access control a lot of the IT equipment that needs to be modernized and upgraded. Uh for example the the door access controls video and a audio equipment. uh replace out outdated and obsolete wireless infrastructure. That's probably one of the biggest things that need to be upgraded uh this year. Um there's also a forklift part of the items that they need for their day-to-day operations. Uh HVAC for the control room and part of the concession equipment that needs to be upgraded and and just new equipment that's needed. So we give it a breakdown on on the left uh column and then every year we break it down uh as to what the needs are. Okay. On the next page um you'll see the amounts that are being requested for this year. It's a total of 1.3 or I'm sorry $1.1 million for the architectural interior items uh the structural and the food service and retail. And then every year we're showing you the amounts that are needed. We are putting a 15% contingency to cover any additional costs, any inflation costs, anything that might um go up in price as we go, you know, year year to year. So, the total uh the five-year plan as of right now is $7.5 million. And right now, you see some of the equipment here uh some of the outdated uh forklift that's needs to be replaced. The one on the left hand side is the splash pad. Uh this year they are going to replace some of the pumps, some of the valves, everything that's underground. Next year there's some money allocated for uh the exterior portion of it, the padding, um the structures that they have, um everything that they have. And then you can see some of the equipment um looks a little bit outdated. All that needs to be upgraded. Okay. And with that, that concludes the presentation. So, we'll take questions. >> Represent Canalis, you have questions. >> Uh, yes. Thank you, mayor. Um, >> hold on. Sorry, I'm finding the right slide here. Well, I'll start off by saying, um, I think it's important for the public. I said this last year and I I'm sure the year before as well. um whether or not uh someone's in favor of the ballpark or liked the project when it was approved or constructed, um it's now an asset that the city has and it's important for us to maintain the asset so we don't lose the value. We invested a lot of money in uh in in creating this asset and we now have to maintain it. Uh and so I I think it's important that people understand um you know whe whether you liked the project or not, we have to make the investment to make sure that preserves the value >> for the public. Um on top of that, we have a contractual obligation to to do some of this work as well. Um but that that follows kind of the same the same idea whether uh someone is in favor of of the the contract or any of its particular terms or not. Um, you know, we this was not the council that approved uh that contract, but we do have to abide by it and and we do have to honor uh our commitments as as the city. And so, um I know I said that last year and a lot of people ask me about this presentation. It's maybe the number one PowerPoint that I reference every year with constituents because a lot of people ask about the ballpark. They ask about the finances. They ask about the uh the financial performance. They ask about our uh continued investment in the facility. And so, um for anybody who's choosing to tune in on a regular city council meeting late afternoon, uh know that that these are obligations that we have and we have to meet them. Um I did have one particular question. Oh, and it's a a forklift. Is a forklift part of u an operational cost that we typically would be asked to to cover? >> Iand good afternoon mayor and council. I I ran up here because I've been working very closely with Miss Margarita Marin. And so we go by the definition of what is capitalized by accounting terms for GAP. And so we actually asked Mountain Star to give us their original tickets and we verified that they did have that in their inventory and that's how we were able to approve uh the purchase of the forklift. >> Okay. Um was there a city fork city-owned forklift there prior? >> All um of the capitalized assets do belong to the city. >> All of the capitalized assets. Okay. >> Okay. So I I mean I imagine we have some very significant depreciation on these >> something like a forklift. >> Yes, that's why they have to follow the definition of gap and to make sure that we're um capitalizing by that definition because you're right, they do depreciate. So that is one of the things that we look at. >> Okay. Um I I can't recall if you said it during the presentation. Sorry, I'm very focused on this forklift, but has has the forklift the the existing forklift reached ends of useful life? >> Uh, yes, it has. >> Okay. What's our typical process for disposing of this kind of asset? >> Uh, it's they're returned back to the city to a a property control. Um, the city either can use it if it's used for life or they they auction the equipment up. It's just like any anything that we turn over from >> like anything else that goes through property control. It does go to property control. Yes. >> Uh the Yeah, I guess. Um yeah, I just uh forklift is not something I expected to see in and I understand it's a capitalized asset. I just didn't expect to see it in this presentation. Um so it caught me off guard. Uh one more thing that I had to ask. Forgive me as I scroll through the presentation here again. No. Uh I I'll find it and I'll I'll come back. Thank you, mayor. >> Represent Lima. >> Thank you, mayor. So, as the opposite of the representative, I am I was am totally against the stadium that was built. My questions and I have I think maybe Miss Mack, maybe you can help me. Is there anything in the contract that says so Mountain Star keeps raising the price of parking and raising the price of tickets? Does that give us any kind of additional income or do they keep that income and we're stagnant? >> I don't have the contract in front of me. >> All right. Maybe you can later on. I'm I'm curious about that. That's that's number one. How often is the suite used by the city? Like we have soccer and we have baseball. Do we have a certain number of days that the city is allocated the use of it at no cost? >> No. Tempo, >> I believe we have tickets for every game, but please let me verify because we're giving those out across the city to every department. >> That's fine. And and Miss Mac, while you're at it, can you um can you share as well possibly with the whole council who's using it? You know, from the city, who gets to use it? I know that city representatives get one opportunity during each season, but who else is using the park, the the suite? Thank you. >> Absolutely. We have signup sheets for that. I'll share represent Fier. Thank you, mayor. So, um, when when these recommendations or or when Mountain Star says we need a forklift or we need whatever it is, do you just blanket? Do you get the list and and then turn it into the city manager or or whomever to approve it or do you actually go through and do dual diligence of the pro of the items and make sure that they don't have to be uh replaced? >> Yes, correct. We do our due diligence. That's why they're they're approved that we bring it to city council for approval. This are the list of items that eventually they're going to run their useful live that need to be replaced. So the list that you have is what's going to be replaced. If something is cited later on, you'll have to come to us. We'll come to you for approval uh to add or delete it. >> No, no, don't answer that because that's my third question. I was reading your >> So last year, I believe when I came did the presentation, um there was items that were actually rejected and and she showed us a list and there was there were some things on there that were that was not approved, right? They they just felt that they their their shelf life, their life could have been extended a little longer and they were. Do you have any examples of things off top of your head that you all said, you know what, not this is not good for this year. We let's get another year out of it and then we'll consider it next year. Uh, for example, furniture. Uh, one of the years they did request some furniture, some some exterior seating that still look in and was still reasonable, in great great shape. >> They wanted new equipment. They wanted to look top of the line major league, but they still had use for life. They weren't broken. There wasn't anything wrong with them. We rejected those items. Say, you know what? Those still have maybe another two or three years. So, just items of that nature. Um some of the IT equipment I mean what that we use IT department they they assist us in evaluating those items. Um elevator breaks down for example I mean it breaks down it breaks down. Uh they have to do the maintenance but once it breaks down it breaks down but there are some items that we have rejected um before. >> Thank you. Uh during our briefing, um one of the things was brought up was um this new 5-year plan and and now we know how much we are going to invest. And and and by the way, is this money coming out of the general fund? >> No, it's not. >> And for how many years has it not come out of the general fund? >> U maybe three three years. >> So for the last three years, it's been paid for with the hot tax and and but not with the general fund. >> Correct. Thank you. Um, so, oh no, >> we're in a time limit. Robert, please. Robert. >> So, the resolution just to be clear, the resolution is very clear that the million dollars being requested in FY26 is coming from the restricted ballpark debt service excess revenue fund. So, it's not general fund dollars. It's coming directly from the restricted revenue from the ballpark. >> Thank you, Robert. You made me lose my spot. Mayor, I get two minutes back. Um, let's see. So, with this new 5-year plan and it's X amount per year, if if they if they if Mountain Star wants to purchase something that's in year three, they don't get reimbursed for that in year one. Am I correct? >> That's correct. We're sticking to what'sever approved on year one. >> Okay, good. And then um and then my last question Robert already answered. He threw me off blind. Thank you, mayor. >> You got it. Uh, Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor Hag Gilbert. >> Um, I also got briefed on this item. I just uh want I don't know if Avette could answer it or maybe you how did you decide to get to that 7.5 million and how did you decide how to break it down between those those five years is how what got you to that number? Basically, >> it's it's the items that we feel and with uh with their help as well that's running their useful life and they say this we're going to need it in in two years. We're going to need it in three years. Those are the items that need to be replaced. That's how we got to that number. It's what is it that the building is going to need? What is it that the equipment is going to be needs to be replaced? They're having issues with equipment right now. We can still probably get another year out of it. We have to put it for year two. We can probably move it to the year three. So just items with their communication and working with them as to what's going to be replaced. So we're forecasting what's going to have to be replaced within those five years. >> Okay. And because it's a forecast, is that capped at that amount or is there still some contingency? >> We have contingencies um allocated and and this we do have some contingencies allocated for year two to year five >> the 15%. >> Yeah. if if um prices go up um inflation, we don't know what's going to happen. So, we put that contingency uh money in there. >> I'm sure if we don't have to use it, then we can openly carry it over if needed. >> And um we've all witnessed when other you know um facilities in the city have not been maybe maintained. And so that's why I think it's so important that we stay uh on top of it, especially because it's a place that a lot of families enjoy to visit. It's uh adds quality of life to our community and it was a vital piece to uh reviving downtown in many ways. And so I thank you for being proactive and for um you know putting the time and effort into this presentation and showing us exactly uh what the best use of those funds are and also for Robert. Oh, he went he's over there. I turned that way. Um for explaining to us uh that it's not coming from the general fund. I I appreciate your efforts in and making sure that all of this money is deliberately um used >> but I would want to make sure so if I will bring up that presentation so when you look to the outer years so we really tried to limit FY26 because that's about the amount we've been generating the excess revenue from the ballpark it's been around a million dollars but when you look at what we have planned in FY27 and beyond those amounts fluctuate 1.7 1.4 4 1.5. We don't anticipate our excess revenue from the ballpark being that high. And so that's where we're going to have to work closely on again evaluating the projects, prioritizing when they need to be done, working to identify another funding source because right now the excess revenue from the ballpark is not going to be enough to fulfill this plan the way it is right now. >> But it's a forecast. >> It's a forecast. But and it's forecast, but things happen throughout the year that we don't anticipate that may not be on this list that we need to be in a position that we're able to take care of and that we're not having to impact the general fund. Ultimately, that's what it's about is identifying what those strategies are, what those funding sources are going to be going forward. >> Thank you. Thank you, Robert Gilbert. >> Represent. >> Thank you, mayor. And I guess this question could be for Miss Mack. Um, I'm looking at the different expenditures from the turf replacement and turf management. I know that every so often, I don't know if it's annually where the ballpark gives away the turf or the grass to different members of the community and I've seen that a couple of times. Um, have we ever been in conversation of repurposing some of that grass for any of our parks that might need grass? I think that would be something good to explore in the future to where we could repurpose it or you we could use it in different parks that are needing grass that we could repurpose that perhaps that could be something that we could navigate. Just something that came to mind. Thank you. >> I'll check into it, sir. >> Represent Canalis. >> Yeah, I was just wanted to say we we do and we have in the past. In fact, uh, Paul Harvey Park across the street from my house was one of the beneficiaries of the grass early on, and that grass is still going kind of strong. Pretty strong >> for transplanted grass. That turf is doing well. >> Yeah. >> Um, I don't know that that's continued. I know there was a lot of difficulty with the ballpark turf and just getting it in the hands of I at times we were giving it away uh and and it was difficult to get that turf to the user and it was difficult for us to transplant it as well. So >> I will have to defer that to parks department. I'm sure they they can answer that a lot better than than I can >> but I was very interested in this early on as well. So uh yeah it it has been happening. I don't know that it's continued because of some of the difficulty, but thanks. >> Okay. And Gilbert, just to be clear, we are only approving a million dollars for FY26 >> for this. Yes. >> Yes. Cuz, you know, if I was tuning in, you know, to city council and I just saw the slide without hearing the audio. It It looks like you you know, 7.525 is is on the screen next to the million. >> Correct. So, it's it it's lumped together to where it looks like we're approving the five-year capital plan, which we're only doing FY26. >> Yes, we're we're giving you the projection for the next 5 years on the year. >> And between FY 2018 and FY 2025, it was 8 million roughly a million a year. >> Yes. >> Plus or minus. Okay. Just wanted to be clear because the slides, I mean, you could tell a an accountant like Robert put these together. So, we are Representative Lemon. >> Go ahead. >> I got you. Represent. >> I I do I just triggered my mind that that when this contract was first initiated, um the city would get $1 off of $5. And when it was 10 and even now when it's $13 for the parking we get $1. Is that something that could be reviewed or is this contract Carla tight and can't be negotiated? the agreement the agreement can be renegotiated but I think what you're seeing is staff working through these issues on a yearly basis which is what's been intended um if the council want to do that you all would need to direct us to move forward in in that direction >> all right miss prime call for the vote >> thank you this is for item two to approve the resolution voting session is open council. >> Mr. Chair, >> thank you. And the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. That brings us to the end of the agenda. >> Mayor, I'm sorry, >> Mayor. >> Yes. I wish to reconsider that vote. >> Okay. >> Can you put it back up so I can take a picture? >> Miss Frank, can we reconsider? Second. >> There's a motion in a second to reconsider item two. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> All right. Call for the vote. >> Back on item number two. >> Yep. >> And call for the vote. >> We're back on item two. >> Yes. >> We need a motion. >> There's motion approved. >> Motion to approve. Motion and a second. Call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. There's a motion and a second to approve item number two. On that motion, call for the vote in the voting session. And that motion passes 7 to one. Representative Lemon voting nay. The remainder of council voting I. The motion does carry. >> Okay. Is there a motion to adjurnn the downtown development? >> There's a motion and a second to adjurnn the downtown development corporation meeting. All in favor? >> I >> Anyone opposed? >> Miss Bryant, we got to redo it again cuz I didn't vote. >> Okay. Is there a motion to reconsider? >> Motion to reconsider. >> I vote the first time. >> No, I didn't. I didn't give the time of the adjournment. So there's a motion and a second to reconsider item two. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? The motion carries. We're back on item two. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> There is a motion and a second to approve item number two. >> Call for the vote. >> On that motion, call for the vote. We're losing >> in the voting session. >> And that motion passes 8 to one. >> Representative Lemon voting nay. The motion does pass. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second to adjurnn the downtown development corporation meeting. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? And the downtown development corporation meeting for Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 is adjourned at 2:07 p.m. >> I make a motion to return to our regularly scheduled programming a regular scheduled meeting. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second to reconvene the regular city council meeting. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? The meeting is back in session at 2:07 p.m. and we're on page number 12, item number 36. Okay, Miss Prime, we're going to take item 38 because we have members of the public that have been here for quite some time. >> Yes, sir. We'll move to item 38, and this is discussion and action to direct the city manager to have staff work in coordination with the El Paso Short-Term Rental Alliance and return to city council within 60 days with a written report outlining identify safety issues and concerns related to short-term rentals in the city of El Paso and an update on the current state of short-term rentals within the city. This item was placed by representative Maldonado Rocha. >> Okay. Is there a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. Second. >> All right. Represent Rocha. >> Thank you, mayor. And I just I this is a collaborative effort to be able to get the information that I I know a lot of us are are looking for, but working together with the experts that um that work in this industry. And so I'm I'm very proud to bring this forward and I look I ask for your support. >> Representative uh Fier. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um Miss Mac, I have I have some questions regarding this the what we originally talked about when we talked about this issue. There was concerns from some of the um council members at that time that there was um an abnormal amount of of police calls and having to response to the short-term rentals. Uh do we have any data or has any data been put together because there wasn't any at that time. Has any data been put together on whether that issue is still occurring, ever occurred or or Oh, hi Miss Cody. >> Miss Cody knows all things about Yes, I know. I was afraid of that. >> Good morning, mayor and council. Nicole Cody from the city manager's office. >> Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. Sorry. Yes, sir. Hi, Representative Yetto. Yes. Um, so we have been we've not only been tracking the the listings of course for the short-term rentals is what we're talking about right? >> Right. Yes. Yes. I had to ask the same question by the way. >> Yes. as well as um we have been working of course we had worked with last year with 311 to ensure that the question was being asked. So what we're looking at um being able to do is a cross reference based on the addresses that we were provided during those complaints. We cross reference it to the data that we actually have and determine whether or not it truly was a short-term rental or was listed as a short-term rental because we still haven't confirmed with the property owner of course. And um the complaint was and then we always categorize it like we presented in the past. >> Sure. Thank you. And I know last time that that came up and there was a lot of um accusations but there was no data. >> Correct. >> So so thank you for doing that. >> When we presented last year we had only approximately 25 complaints over the past it was about three years. Yes sir. Now, do have we compiled any data as far as um what we're talking about in the big picture, what we're talking about, if it's if there's a tax assessed to it, if there's a fee assessed to it, if there's um regulations assessed to it. Have we have we looked at that type of data or and really in regards how it would affect this business, this short-term rental business? So we have not done uh recently a review or an estimated impact on not only the industry itself but on what type of revenue would be generated. We have not done anything recently. No sir. >> Okay. No. Perfect. And then what we're talking about here in Representative Maldunell's um um item is really a living document that it's not going to be based on what's successful or what's happening in Austin or Dallas or it's going to be um what will work or what will not work in our community um in to include back to to revert back to having the stakeholders part of the conversations and part of the the final product. Is that correct? >> Yes, that's correct. >> Okay. Oh, I thought I'm done. We we need to hold her feet to the fire. No. >> No. I just want to want to speak for your representative. That's >> Thank you. >> No. And I just want to make sure that whatever we decide at the end um it's what's best for the the community the uh for economic growth for the business environment in the city as a whole. So um when we started this conversation it was July 18th of 2023 and we had brought forth to council an an introduction to an ordinance and that's really at that council at that time directed us to really go back and ensure that we had the public's input. You need to take this out and do the outreach that we need to hear from not only the property owners but also the neighborhoods. What impact is it having on their neighborhoods? And at that time um the information that we brought back was there was an overwhelming from the uh response and they can speak to it of course from the short-term rental owners to to not have regulation. And so we had provided this uh survey in multiple areas. We did multiple outreach at that time. And then um we had been asked to come back to council and provide how are we working together though to respond to any complaints that might arise. If there is a problem, how are we going to be working together to resolve it? And so that was really the concern of council at that time. So um I'm with this report I think you just want an update is my understanding on where are we at? Are there any complaints? Are we seeing anything new? Um and then also get the feedback of course from council if there should be any changes in the policy. >> So representative um um Roachcha we're we're really even talking about potentially if we even have to do anything once the reports given to us. Is is that what you're how you envisioned this? >> Yeah, it's just an update to see where we stand. >> All right. Well, thank you for for this and thank you for letting it be a living document and thank you for letting it be pro business. Thank you, Mayor. Again, represent Canales. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, yeah, I just had a couple questions too about what the item seeks to do. Kind of like it says identified safety issues and uh to return within 60 days with a written report outlining identified safety issues and concerns related to short-term rentals. Is this safety issues identified by reports from the public identified through code enforcement or >> overall code code more more um what the city's doing if there's any issues with safety concerns regarding regarding the short-term rentals. >> Okay. But only within our own like we're not are we going to be reaching out to the platform to get a report of the plat different platforms to get their reports on on safety issues. >> That's the collaboration between the short-term rental alliance and the city >> respectfully the short-term rental alliance is not the companies. They're not they don't represent the platforms. They're individual property owners >> but they represent the >> representative will you turn on your microphone please? >> Thank you. Sorry about that. >> It is on. >> Yes. And I'm sorry. My question is for Miss Cody. >> Yes. Sorry. Go ahead. >> So, um I think we needed just a small clarification on to what you were envisioning from this request. And I think that with that information, you really want to understand what's been how is El Paso impacted? What looks what does it look like for El Paso? And so, um, if we're able to get that information as far as complaints through the Airbnb, um, Venmo platforms themselves, we can we can attempt to do so. Uh, we've struggled in the past only because we don't have an ordinance that requires them to work with us in the sense that requires a registration, requires a hotel occupancy tax. And so, in the past, it has been challenging. So I I do want to make sure that you're aware of that, but we will we will do our best to get that information. >> Yeah. I mean, surely the the platforms have the data. I I understand the challenges getting them to share that with us because we don't require any data collection. Um and then again, I mean, it says an update on the current state of short-term rentals. Is there anything in particular that we'll be looking for? Um >> what we can do is a comparative analysis of when we first brought this to the city council, what happened last year, and then just really the current environment and what we're seeing. Um we can provide that information as well in collaboration with the short-term rental alliance as well. And um I don't know if there's any other items that that Representative Rocha might have been looking for. um we had and when I talked about reaching out to each of the council members, we're intending to come and meet with each and every one of you and understand your um questions regarding short-term rentals. And also if you have um I don't know changes and or would like to in um have us research or review possible ordinance changes and the reason for that is is we've been very open about it is that right now it's in contradiction with our current um code in the sense that they are under a bed and breakfast and so with that we've been very and they We've been very open in the sense that we eventually do need to reconcile that what and what that looks like. Of course, this council will help shape, but um we do need to reconcile that. >> Um and obviously we're not proposing any policy right now. Um I would like for this report if possible just to include an estimate of the number of uh units that are currently active and uh further break that a further estimate of uh if those were paying hotel occupancy tax as lodgings uh what that figure would look like. >> Okay. >> Just as just so that we understand the the scenario. >> Yes sir. We can provide those estimates. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. represent Lemon. >> Thank you, Mayor Nicole. Are you going to be heading off this committee or this group that's going to do the review? So, this was a short-term I'm sorry. So, this was a cross functional team. Um, and I will no longer be the lead. It will actually now be um Philip Etto, our director of planning inspections uh will be uh the lead for this cross functional team. team and it was a cross functional team because it does impact multiple departments including our code enforcement police fire um of course, plan and inspections, legal was also involved and I know I'm forgetting somebody, but yes, it's a it's a multi-dep departmental. >> Well, that's good. I would just hope that you will have uh we were reminded today that things like this need to be people driven people in our community not just uh you know organizations but let's get the community um activists or community involved as well. >> Yes ma'am. >> Thank you >> representative Chavez. >> Thank you mayor. Thank you uh Nicole. Thank you representative Aldonado Rocha for putting this item on the agenda. Um, in reference to what Representative Canala said, so this summer um because of all the pool parties and things that were occurring all over the city, I had asked um Steve Alvarado from code enforcement to kind of give me a breakdown of pools in my district specifically and that was very helpful to me. He told me the total number of pools in the city and then the number of pools in district one. We happen to have or I happen to have the big the biggest number of pools in all of the cities. So, I think that would be helpful, too, if you could also break it down by district just to see where most Airbnbs are being if you could uh purchased and and put on the market um where the hot spots are maybe. Um and then cross reference that like you just mentioned to safety or 311s or whatever the case might be. um and and then see if there's patterns also um seasonal season seasonal patterns maybe or days of weeks or things like that. So that I think all that information if you're already going to put the work into it would be very useful to maybe other departments too like PD and and others that may uh find it helpful to them if they know if there are certain clusters in certain areas or whatever the case might be so that they can be just be aware. Awareness is always good. So thank you. I'm looking forward to the results and to having this discussion. I know that you came to my office and were very kind to give me the report that you had worked so hard on a few years back and and I appreciate all the information. So, I'm glad it's back. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> represent Pierre. >> Thank you. Oh, >> sorry about that, Mayor. I'm Miss Lemon's work rubbing off on me. Sorry, Miss Mack. that report that um the mayor prom received. Can you see if we could get a copy for district 6 >> and >> seven? I I thought we had talked about it, but I may have missed it in my email, but I I've been waiting for it. Thank you. >> We'll get it to everyone. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. R. I think we have public comment on this. >> Mor, there were two people that signed up to speak on this one. Uh the first person is Ernesto Garcia. First of all, thank you guys for sticking in there with us all day. We can run like Miss Cody can, too. Good afternoon, mayor and members of council. My name is Ernesto Garcia. I'm here on behalf of the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors, alongside our president, Thelma Briefa, our governmental affairs chair, uh, Sam Dracetta, and my boss, who knows everything about protesting your property taxes, Tony Delgado. We strongly support the El Paso Short-Term Rental Alliance. This alliance was built through hard work of volunteers, our association with the help of the El Paso chamber and a wonderful city staff that includes now deputy city manager Nicole Cody, staff members like Kevin Smith, Jose Dea Cruz, Philip Adawi, we want to thank them as well as they went beyond to help us put this alliance on the right track. From the beginning, the purpose has been to balance protecting private property whites while protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods. The Alliance owners and host have committed to being good neighbors. They have been working hard to address safety and parking concerns while showing how short-term rentals benefit our community. Visitors in these homes support our local restaurants and shops, which drives our economy. As necessary, STRs in our area serve our military members very strongly and their families among the largest users. Whether relocating or on temporary duty or welcoming loved ones, these homes provide flexibility and the support they need here in El Paso. We cannot overstate how crucial this is for our economy. Closely tied to Fort Bliss and testing facilities around us. The Alliance is committed to going above and beyond where it can, and we love to tell the story that we haven't had a chance to tell yet, especially of what happened not a couple years back when our neighbors in Rio needed help. All this progress has been made in an effort in a short amount of time. Volunteers and members of the alliance are eager to report on what's been accomplished and which is today's agenda matter. Directing staff to coordinate with us to be able to provide a report to allow the volunteers to show the results demonstrated since this alliance has been put together since 2023. We also ask that stakeholders continue to be a part of this conversation. The alliance has reached nearly every district in the city and has met with city police to strengthen communication and address public safety issues. These efforts prove that collaboration can produce solutions that work. Supporting this item also sends a message above above beyond El Paso. It shows that our city can resolve difficult issues and continue to make progress. The alliance plans to continue on working with the city to provide the latest information concerning the current state of STRs in our city and how today's current economy is providing more challenges for owners. The Greater El Paso Association of Realtors believes this partnership is working and we ask you to continue supporting it. Allow the alliance to present its progress and help us prepare for the future in these uncertain economic landscape times. That being said, we thank you for your time and we appreciate working with the city. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Heidi Sins. >> Good afternoon. >> I've been here since the morning. I thought it was going to be morning. >> Yeah. Well, thank you for for your patience. >> No, thank you for having me. So, good afternoon, mayor and council. My name is Heidi Sins. I am the president of the El Paso Short-Term Rental Alliance. Thank you for the opportunity to provide a quick update on short-term rentals in our city. First, I'd like to emphasize that there has been no major safety issues connected to short-term rentals in the last two years. As a community of host, safety and compliance remains our top priority, and we continue to uphold those standards. We are grateful for the work with city police to help them avoid any major safety issues and assist with important information. This past summer, we had a positive working relationship with Representative Rocha, ensuring clear communication and collaboration between hosts and the city supporting the entertainment venue ordinance. That partnership helped maintain stability, and we are eager to continue in that same spirit. Overall, short-term rentals are operating responsibly and providing value by offering flexible housing options for families, military workers, and visitors. We remain committed to being good neighbors, responsible hosts, and strong partners with the city. Thank you so much for your time and thank you so much for having us. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay, Miss Brian, >> public comment. >> All right, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Representative Lemon. >> Uh, mayor, I wish to report that I received a campaign contribution from Gipar. >> Okay, Miss Brian, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Munad Roa, seconded by Representative Bora Trejo. This is to approve the direction on item 38. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> Okay. Uh Miss Prime, let's take item number 36. >> Yes, sir. Item 36 is on page 12 and it's discussion and action to direct the city manager to explore and develop a comprehensive set of anti-displacement strategies, tools, and policies grounded in best practices and tailored to El Paso's context with a particular focus on vulnerable neighborhoods experiencing emergent economic pressures, redevelopment activity, and/or rising housing costs. This framework may include, but is not limited to, tenant protections to the extent allowed by state law, preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing, income targeted zoning and overlay tools, community ownership models such as community land trusts, CLTs, limited equity housing cooperative cooperatives, tenant opportunity to purchase, right of re first refusal programs and community development corporations, CDC's and other relevant strategies. Preliminary recommendations and potential implementation pathways shall be presented for council consideration on a timeline consistent with the implementation of other forthcoming goal 8 housing strategies. This item was submitted by representative Canales. >> Represent Canales. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um yeah, I think this is an important uh item for the council to consider as we move toward uh implementation of other forthcoming uh planning and zoning related changes. Uh some of them that were initiated by this council and some of them that are being imposed on us by the state. Um and there's quite a few of them that came out of the legislature in this in this uh last and you know somewhat ongoing session. Um really cities across the country are learning a really hard lesson when growth comes without protections and guardrails. Longtime residents of of the city can be pushed out of the neighborhoods that they help to build. Uh, El Paso, I think, has a chance to do better than we've seen a lot of other cities do with this. Um, as a as new investment comes into the city, and we've seen a lot of new investment recently, uh, we have to make sure that the people who live in those neighborhoods being invested in now, uh, particularly more vulnerable residents, young families, uh, seniors, lower income residents, um, aren't priced out of those those homes and neighborhoods and pushed out of where they live. uh when we invest in these neighborhoods, we want the people who live there now to benefit just as much if not more uh than those who are building in those neighborhoods. I think we want stability and continuity and and trust that we have the best interest of the community in mind and we heard that in some of the uh public comment that we already heard about this item. Uh anti-displacement strategies aren't just about uh housing, right? They're about neighborhoods. They're about keeping families in neighborhoods where many of them have been established for a long time. Uh right now, the situation we have in El Paso is that uh our our housing is relatively affordable. And I it's that doesn't mean that it is affordable. It is relatively affordable compared to a lot of other cities. But for the most part, it's only affordable by accident. it the the affordable properties that we have aren't protected by subsidies or any kinds of long-term agreements. Uh which means anything that causes rising rents or uh speculative purchases can really quickly displace the people who live in them and rely on on that affordability. Uh tenants in Texas have relatively few legal protections compared to other states. uh and and homeowners in these neighborhoods that are undergoing transition often worry about rising costs and and losing their either their home or the the character of the community around them uh because of the change uh in places like Chamisal and Suario, the Rio Grande neighborhood in my district and and countless other neighborhoods across the whole city. those those pressures are already being felt and people are telling us very clearly they they want action uh and really protection from from their local government. I I think it would be foolish for us to wait until the problem's too big to solve and a lot of other cities have done that. Um but also other cities have shown us that displacement isn't inevitable. So it's it's the result of what we choose. uh we can choose to do it differently than some other places have. And uh a compro comprehensive strategy for El Paso that I think will pull from the best ideas from uh across the country, other cities that have implemented them, but also be very tailored to our local context. Um that that means looking at tenant protections uh where state law allows preserving some of that naturally occurring affordable housing that we already have. Uh and then designing zoning approaches and other types of of policy interventions that stabilize the neighborhoods that are that are facing this kind of economic pressure. Um, it also means embracing models that put communities in the driver's seat of designing this, such as community land trusts, uh, limited equity housing cooperatives, uh, tenant opportunity to purchase programs, community development corporations. There are lots of methods out there that are functioning really well in other cities. uh in the backup today I I provided five different articles from five different organizations uh that show a lot of case studies of these functioning very very effectively in some other communities. Um these tools they don't just preserve af affordability in the short term. So they they lock it in over time and they give residents a real sha a real say in shaping the the future of of their neighborhood and what they want to see in terms of the development in their neighborhood. Um, I I said at the start that that anti-displacement strategies aren't just about housing, and that's true in another sense. Uh, they're also about local small businesses. Uh, I think we can have a lot of success with policies that are focused on keeping small local businesses open and thriving in their communities. uh larger businesses and you know big box stores, they have their place, but I do think that we should take care to support and protect mom and pop shops, neighborhood scale businesses that directly serve the the residents of the neighborhoods around them. um and and to do so by making specific policy interventions uh to protect them and and make sure that they are not uh out competed by much larger businesses than them. Uh and across all of this, I think it's really important to emphasize that one size definitely doesn't fit all here. Um we heard it from community this morning. what makes sense in the Chamisan neighborhood might not be the same as what's needed in the northeast or the lower valley places where uh we have again a lot of existing affordable housing that is unprotected uh the framework that we're talking about has to be flexible so tailored to the context of each neighborhood and guided really specifically I think by data like income levels poverty rate uh rental trends uh location of of new investment both public and private. Uh, and we'll really have to drill down to I think the neighborhood and even smaller census tract and even block byblock level. Um, I'll I'll emphasize uh that we're not considering any specific policy for implementation today. This isn't like the zoning code amendments that we heard a few weeks ago that were at the very end of the process uh that had been developed for for quite a long time uh and were being considered for implementation. This is the very start of a process. So the initial direction from city council to uh the city manager and and team to begin the steps that are needed to to develop a framework. Um, and we want them to do that together with community and incorporating their input. Um, and and bring that back for the council to consider in the future as we roll out these other uh changes. Again, some that we're proposing or that the council directed, but some that are being imposed on us in in the near future. Um, that that public input again will be will be really critical. Um, a lot of our residents, tenants, homeowners, neighborhood leaders, uh, they're already voicing their concerns about affordability and and the pace of change. Uh, they they feel it the most directly and I think this process will have to make sure that their voices are are heard in a structured citywide way. So, we'll do outreach uh opportunities for for community to help shape the the strategies that come forward from from this item. Um, and again, done right, I think anti-displacement uh policies and strategies will sit alongside the housing reforms that are already underway as part of the city's strategic plan. Anti-displacement is actually specifically called out in our strategic plan um as part of our development strategy. And so this is something that we have had in our strategic plan for years but have never implemented. Um I think the the benefits of this are really clear. When we invest public dollars particularly in a neighborhood we'll ensure that the people who are living in that neighborhood are the are are direct beneficiaries of of that investment. After all public dollars are their dollars. It's it's the public's money. Um today again we'll we'll hopefully move forward by giving staff direction to to work on this and to get ahead of the negative trends that we've seen in a lot of other cities. In a way, we are lucky. We're not always lucky in this case, but or in this sense, but we are lucky that we are a little bit behind in terms of uh implementation of development strategies that other cities have been ahead of us on a little bit. Uh because it gives us this opportunity to get this in ahead of time. uh it it's such a long time coming in my opinion and I can almost guarantee uh you know fellow council members that uh your your constituents in neighborhoods are almost unanimously in favor of uh because ultimately we're looking at protections to keep them in their homes and that's what people want. Um, I'll I'll quote close with just a very brief quote from quite a long time ago, Bishop Selenino's invocation this morning, uh, one of his closing lines. He said, "May the weakest among us feel the warmth of your providence today." And that struck with stuck with me, uh, in in reference to this item. So, uh, that's the end of my time. Thank you, Mayor. >> Is that your motion? >> And I move to approve. >> There's a motion in a second. Okay. Representative Roachcha. >> Thank you. Thank you, mayor, and thank you, Rep. Canales, for bringing this to the the council today. I realize that there's an important issue with rising costs really all around us, and um this is our opportunity to preserve our community identity and really our culture. We also have a responsibility to not only address the anti-displacement, but homelessness and housing instability as well. Um, one thing that that came that I know of was the Alama project. And that Alama project brought out a lot of constituents that are very concerned about displacement. And so I know that we have our own challenges, right? We're we're not San Antonio. I I agree with Rep. Canales in saying that we need to find something and solutions that are El Paso based and oriented. We're not San Antonio where we get funding from the San Antonio water system which can average about $35 million a year. We're not This is my my time where I'm going to make Robert proud. I hope we're not um Austin that gets anywhere from $und00 million from their electric company, their city-owned electric company. We do, however, need to continue to protest our taxes. And and I say this because this year we saw about 10% if I'm not mistaken roughly of homeowners that protested taxes, right? That that's it. That is all we had. And so when we talk about rising costs, yes, the the public has a right to protest their taxes. The city has a responsibility to look after those dollars. As a homeowner, I have that responsibility also that I need to go and I need to do that protest so that I can help out my fellow tech, my fellow El Pasoans and my fellow citizens to be able to bring those costs down. With only 10% of us as far as homeowners go, and I include myself in that, protesting taxes, we're not doing our maximum effort as a homeowner. What I do propose is that um in addition to this, we cannot let this community down. We have roughly about 3,000 I think homes available for sale at this time with inventory increasing if I'm not mistaken. So, this is our opportunity to be able to um to help the community and to be able to um to to be a voice for that population and for all of us. So, with that, I do I do have an amendment to this to this um Miss Prime. And the amendment is to add. So I move to add the the following uh verbiage. And this goes in between um let me see look at look at I'm looking at your item. This is to be put right before the word preliminary. So this is after the strategies in between strategies and preliminary. This is to further direct the city manager and here goes. I'll send this to you shortly, Miss Prine. Further direct the city manager to create an anti-displacement task force. And this is just to solidify the the pieces of this framework. further direct the city manager to create an anti-displacement task force composed of and informed by input from community members, housing finance authorities, legal aid, the El Paso Apartment Association, the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors, the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Real Estate Developers, Border Borderlex Alliance, Homeless Services, child care and the county of El Paso to ensure coordination and avoid duplicative efforts. Additionally, direct the city manager to host community meetings across each district to ensure public engagement and gather input regarding needs, experiences, and priorities related to housing and displacement. That's the full verbiage that I move to add in that location. And I'm sending it to you now, Miss Brennan. >> Is there a second? >> Just quick question. Is that an exhaustive list? >> No. >> Okay. >> No. Do you want me to add to that? >> It I mean it's not exhaustive. It's a starting point, but just to be able to make sure that that all stakeholders are brought to the table. Um more than just in general no direction toward that. >> Yeah. Yeah, if you could I mean um and any you know additional interested organizations or something would be helpful. It sound it sounded like it was just an exhaustive list that wouldn't include any others. >> No. Well, that would be community. [Music] >> No. >> I know for example the uh EPO the El Paso Interfaith Sponsoring Organization is very very interested in this issue. There are others that aren't on that list. we can add. Well, let me see. I didn't look to add that piece. >> Community First Coalition as well. >> Community First Coalition, yes, actually already has an anti-displacement task force. >> Well, I know that there are several neighborhood associations that also have an anti-displacement um group that they've that they've convened. And so, um let me see. Yeah, if I can add then Miss Prime to this amendment at the very end of homeless and homeless services, child care and other groups and neighborhood associations around El Paso. Will that satisfy it? Well, you want to Okay, thank you. Okay. homeless uh services, child care, and other groups and neighborhood associations around El Paso identified by city council members. >> Is that >> I I would want Well, I I would hope that it would be open to any organization. >> That's what I'm hoping. That's what I'm hoping for, >> but not just ones that are recommended by city council members. >> Right. I I would think it would be other groups and neighborhood associations around El Paso. And that's why I included community members so that it wouldn't just bring it down to these organizations. So it's not an exhaustive list. The the intention is to include that community member piece to include every other group that I may have missed unintentionally. >> Understood. Okay. >> So are you good with the original language? Further further. So I'll say this again. further direct the city manager to create an anti-displacement task force composed of and informed by input from community members, housing finance authorities, legal aid, El Paso Apartment Association, Greater El Paso Association of Realtors, El Paso Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Real Estate Developers, Borderlex Alliance, Homeless Services, Child Care, and other groups and neighborhood associations around El Paso. and county of El Paso to ensure coordination and avoid duplicative efforts. Additionally, direct the city manager to host community meetings across each district to ensure public engagement and gather input regarding needs, experience, and priorities related to housing and displacement. And that should cover the pieces on there. >> Okay. So, that's the amendment to the main motion. Yes. >> All right. And there there was already a second discussion on this amendment. >> Everyone's on here, so I'm just going to go through and I'll start with you, Representative Lemon. Thank you, Mayor. I think um represent Rocha since you started listing organizations I think that either we continue listing or put some other phrase to capture because I'm thinking of sebrand coalition who are working on this already. Uh we talked about community first coalition >> um episo and then some of these. So I guess that's my question. Do we want to outline or list every single organization or do we put a little overarching umbrella that captures captures all of them? I don't know. But if not I would like to include sbrando espansa coalition and community first coalition as well. I think your your part about the council members being able to direct additional organizations. >> All other groups. >> Yeah. >> Assembly. >> Well, all their groups >> we're going to you still have the floor. >> I just The other one was um the Chamisal neighborhood association or are you saying neighborhood associations would cover all neighborhood associations? Correct. Thank you. >> Yes. Representative Fiero, just on the amendment. I'mma come back to you on >> Okay. >> And council, I forwarded the amendment to you. >> You're good on this one. Representative Tjo on this amendment. Representative Ato. Thank you, mayor. And I think by adding other groups in neighborhood associations, it allows council members because we each have different groups within our our districts, right, that we know. And so we could kind of forward that to staff or to Miss Mack and say, "Hey, reach out to all these 10 organizations or whatever it is, right?" Um and and that would be inclusive of this amendment. That's how I see it. >> Representative Chavez. >> Okay. All right. Miss Bryan, call for the vote. >> Yes, Mayor. And so this is the amendment. The motion was made by Representative Aldonado Rocha, seconded by Representative Borette Trejo. And this is to insert the verbiage before the last sentence that reads, "Further direct the city manager to create an anti-displacement task force composed of and informed by input from community members, housing finance authorities, legal aid, El Paso Apartment Association, Greater El Paso Association of Realtors, El Paso Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Real Estate Developer Developers, Borderlex Alliance, Homeless Services, Childare, and all other groups and neighborhood associations around El Paso. and county of El Paso to ensure coordination and avoid duplicative efforts. Additionally, direct the city manager to host community meetings across each district to ensure public engagement and gather input regarding needs, experiences, and priorities related to housing and displacement. >> Okay. Call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. On that amendment. call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes 7 to1. Mayor Promcha is voting nay. The remainder of council voting I the motion carries. >> Okay, we're we're on the main item now. Representative Aset, I mean uh Vo. >> Thank you, Mayor. You know, I I I hope as we go through this exercise that we look at both sides of this issue. >> You know, some of these regulations are going to really discourage developers and builders from building lowincome um housing. some of these regulations could affect or hinder economic growth and and hence affect our our tax base. You know, how how are we going to ensure that these policies aren't are being used for the right reasons not being used? I know Representative um Canal has brought up an issue about rising rents, but rising rents don't always rise just because the landlord wants them to rise. There's other there's interest rates, there's all kinds of things that affect the the the the rental rates. I I I would like us as part of this and maybe maybe it's amendment, but I I would like us to really focus more and and intentionally on housing assistance on on support for low-income housing. So, um, you know, streamline the permitting process, work on zone reforms like we had talked about recently, you know, and put incentives in for developing and ensuring uh low-income housing. I I this is this is a balance and and I'm I'm afraid that that we're just going to be focusing in one area and not the big picture at all. Um, I I just had to share those comments, Mayor. Thank you. Okay. >> Thank you, Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, well, Chris, I mean, Representative Canelis, you gave me a lot of reading material for the weekend. I did go through all of it. Um, and I do want to share my my thoughts. Um, my first, I guess, concern was that a lot of the backup material seems to be very uh dated. Um, going back to 2016, some of uh the backup material you provided. So I I don't think that um it necessarily is a reflection of what's happening in 2025, what someone wrote in 2016. That's my first observation. The second is, and I've and I've said it before, you know, um we just recently received a a email regarding um the planning for the strategic plan. So I know you referenced it uh earlier. I I just uh would prefer to move forward on things that we have as a council together decided to to put into that strategic plan. Even though it's in there now, um I would like the opportunity for this council to revisit those things and see where we want to prioritize our resources as a city. And we just haven't had the opportunity to do that yet. We are going to do it. Um, and I'm looking forward to that. Um, I know that we also have a comprehensive plan, a housing plan, and um, others that are coming forward to council so that we can set forth our priorities as a as a new council. some of the material that you provided as a backup for this agenda item talks a lot about and and I'll quote here um one important driver of displacement and uh determinant of who is displaced is the long history of discrimination and economic injustice. Um that same uh article says that most of the reason for displacement is actual racial discrimination. Um and I can reference actually the page number. It's uh well actually there is no page number. It's the localized anti-displacement policies from September 26, 2022. There's no page number on here, but it's under economic insecurity. And um I'm wondering if that is what we're talking about here. I also would like to know exactly what areas of the city we are referring to. We heard earlier today from people from Chamisali and I definitely think that there is a conversation to be had there but I'm trying to figure out where is this occurring specifically in El Paso um so that we could direct our resources to those areas specifically um because that is what the backup that you provided is saying it in terms of the CLTs which you also uh reference in your agenda item, it talks about um city governments basically purchasing property. And then I'm not sure if if we're meant to be um you according to these articles again that that are part of the backup um I'm not sure if the city local governments um should look to pursue acquired abandoned or tax delinquent properties. And then I'm not sure if the city is is going to take on a project in terms of becoming, you know, a a financial lender, which I think that's what this is. This is basically what it's saying that local government should do. Again, according to the backup that you've provided. So I I read the backup and so all of these things to me, you know, I'm just wondering, do we have the resources to pursue this in the manner that your backup is describing? Um, and I read all of it. Um, it talks about housing demands um that also lead to displacement. I don't believe we have a housing supply problem at this time in El Paso. Um, and GEAR has, you know, briefed us on that multiple times in our offices. Um, page five of your Texas anti-displacement toolkit also says, "Neighborhoods impacted by gentrification have been shaped historically by decades of discriminatory public policies and private real estate practices that undermine property values, facilitated substandard living conditions, and generated racially segregating segregated housing patterns. So, I don't know. I just want more information. I feel like this is a very strong message. Um, I don't really know what resources Miss Mack and her team are willing to put behind this effort in terms of time and even money in terms of creating these CLTs, you know, whatever the case might be. I don't know if we're in a position right now to move forward with purchasing land and becoming a lender to others. um as the agenda item is suggesting and as the backup to your agenda item is is is basically saying is what's supposed to happen. So I I just feel like it's very loaded and I don't know um if Miss Mack wants to comment on um our ability as a city to put forth financial resources you know behind CLTs. I don't know if you have an answer for me at this time. Um, or you know, how much resources are we going to put behind, you know, all of these things because it's it's there's a lot in this agenda item. Um, so again, without us as a council having discussed what our strategic plan is going to be, um, it just seems like this is, um, just I'm just not sure if if I'm comfortable with using allocating all of our resources in the way that it's written today, this agenda item. So, I don't know, Miss Mack, if you have some some something to comment on my questions, and I maybe you don't have the answers to that or maybe that's what the agenda item would do. >> Once council makes a decision, if we're going to move forward on this item, then we would begin to map out and understand the various segments that are related to this and make sure that we're keeping you informed as we're moving along with >> And what would the cost be? Could we could we get an estimate of what the cost would be um to to do this citywide? >> Well, we we'll come back to you, Miss Mag. >> Okay. And um maybe I'll come back with a few more comments because I have a lot of things written down. Thank you, Mayor. >> Represent. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um there's a lot of information that we're trying to digest and I think for the benefit of the public, you know, this item was added by Representative Conales. you for for doing that. And um you know when I recently met with Miss Mack in my bi-weekly meeting, I had asked in regards of providing a list of all the future policies that are going to be coming forward to council. And I know she provided that for us just so that we could get the opportunity for us to review. And I think, you know, in the conversation of anti-displacement or affordability, I truly believe that it's important for us to define and understand what it means to different people or different persons. Um, you know, earlier this year, we had a conversation of the low-income housing tax credits. Out of the four applications, three of them were in district five. And I know that I verse I I voiced the concerns that I had in regards of us looking at it more holistically. Um, and what what sparks my interest in the conversation is, you know, when we started this year's fiscal budget discussions, Miss Mack provided us with background and demographics of each of our districts. And district 5 has been historically the fastest growing district in El Paso. And according to the data that staff put together from the US census, district 5 has the second lowest average income per household compared to other districts in El Paso. You know, I have a lot of young families in a very condensed district that I represent and it also has a lot of multi-generational families living together. And I know that staff has been actively working on a housing plan, a comprehensive plan, a climate action plan, and we're starting the the initiation of the conversations of our upcoming strategic plan so that we could really get input in the priorities of this body of this council. um you know and I've been reviewing the draft version of the housing plan and the comprehensive plan. I actually met with community and human development when I reviewed that and what often times has stood out to me is that there's never a mention of the far east side of El Paso. Yet the data shows that there's a housing gap of 35.7% in the east side of El Paso according to these plans that are coming forward in the future for us. Um and I know there's a lot of changes coming forward. you know, some of the state law requirements from the lot sizes. One thing that I'm interested in is navigating the conversations of promoting smaller communities, smaller homes where people could reach home ownership to build that generational wealth. That is what is important for me when it comes to affordability is how do we help individuals build generational wealth? To me, the solution is not finding lowincome housing that they could be at, rather reaching that home ownership. Um and I I think a question to Miss Mack would be do the documents that staff has been working on from the housing plan, the climate action plan, the comprehensive plan ask for recommendations and action that possibly the council is going to be bring uh taking consideration of what we're currently this item is asking for. >> Yes. So some elements of this was already included in the strategy and plan and development that was underway and I believe that's why the representative tied it to the delivery at that time frame. Some of the other elements may just be recommendations in terms of what those might look like um moving forward. There isn't a timeline associated with this and so the team would you know take this item along with the development of the other items that are in play. you understood that we are, as you mentioned, we're working on that housing strategy. We want to make sure that whatever we brought forward is comprehensive and have taken the opportunity to speak to the various folks that you have, you know, talked about and mentioned um as a part of the comp plan. We did bring on a consultant um to help us with and develop that plan. So, we may be able to tap into some of those existing resources. I would just need to be able to go dig into that offline um once this action is taken. >> Thank you for that. Yeah, and I think it's important for us to look at it holistically and and and ensure that you know um all this data that has been put together by consultants by our staff is taken to in consideration whenever we're going to make these recommendations. I know that there's no timeline for this specific item, but um and it also says may include but not limited to. So, I think definitely having the conversation with each one of the district reps of again defining affordability and anti-displacement in each one of our districts or communities that we represent um is going to be extremely important should this item pass. Um no further comments or questions. Mayor, >> thank you. Represent. >> Thank you, Mayor. And I as I look at this item there, this has been something that a lot of my constituents in South Central El Paso have brought to my attention. Just yesterday, I I went to a house and we had a little group meeting with um one of the organizations doing a lot of the work in in that area, the Urban Village Foundation, and they they were sharing stories of people coming to their houses um whether they knock on doors or they're getting calls or they're getting texts or they're leaving flyers or they're getting mail um asking to buy their house. And these houses in South Central have been generational homes that they lived in when they were kids and now they're the owners and their parents may have passed away or, you know, their grandparents were there. And so it it continues to come up a lot in in that area specifically. And the the Chamisal, the the sliver of the Chamisal that I also represent, they they've been talking about this for for years. and how, you know, a few weeks ago we we heard from different people and there was a a different perspective on on renters. And when you start looking at some of the areas in in my district, specifically in South Central, they're majority renters. And I think that's something that is left out of the conversation too often. For example, the Jamisal is 95% renters. And so this is something that they're really concerned about. And as if this item moves forward, I I think there needs to be a really curated approach to how this could potentially be implemented. I don't think it's a blanket approach across the city. What might work in district 2 might not work in district five or one or six or seven, right? And and I think that that's really really important as we kind of saw the the conversation that happened a few weeks ago. What was really difficult for people and people that were reaching out to me, you know, the ADUs, for example, were really good for central El Paso, the area that I represent, but the ADU situation was going to be a little bit different in the northeast of the part, the area that I represent. And I think that that was really missing from that conversation where we need to approach this neighborhood by neighborhood and see what works in the neighborhood and it's not a one-sizefits-all approach. And so I I hope that if this moves forward, we have that conversation. I think we each know our districts really really well and we have that expertise of what we're hearing in our district and that's something that needs to go into this. That way it's going to be something that's going to be uh a common ground for everybody and it's going to, you know, like what Repino has just shared really resonates with me where he has so much so so many people in the most growing district and that's going to be very different to approach his district than my district where I'm like I'm dying for people to come over and live in my district. You know, infill is a huge deal. That's why the casita's adus were a big deal. They're already all over central. That's going to help the school districts. And so we really need you're not going to approach repo's district the same way that you're going to approach me. And and so I I hope that that takes that's taken into consideration. And I really appreciate what you said on, you know, affordability and housing is not just low-income housing. It's getting affordable housing just in general, right? And I think we associate that way too often with, okay, affordable housing is low-income housing, and it's not. I think there's a lot of people that are struggling just in general where they're living, whether they're renting or they're owning or it's taxes or it's rent or whatever it is. And and I hope that we can have that approach in this sense because this would be really beneficial to the people in my district in South Central El Paso. I I hear it all the time. the calls do not stop coming in and um I hope we we take that approach. >> Represent Canales. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I mean I've heard the question like do we have the resources to move forward with these things? What policies make sense for us? That's exactly the agenda item. It's asking staff for an assessment of what policies might work for us, what resources we might have available. Uh developing possible strategies based on our uh available resources and and tailored approach and what we hear from the community through all the feedback and then making recommendations as we implement the the other policies that again some of them will be forced on us. Uh some of them are coming forward as part of ongoing planning processes. Um, but it's essentially building things like this. And I'm not saying this isn't directing the city manager to go establish a community land trust and buy a bunch of land. Um, this is looking at we're talking long-term strategies over a long period of time. Uh, and how those can be integrated into the planning work that we already are doing um, in our mid and long range plans. So again, there's there's no funding attached to this. It's not a it's not something to implement. Um it's a question essentially. The the the agenda item is a question. Um and then I I do want to address because I I I'm very bothered when I hear things about how El Paso didn't have uh issues with with uh racial discrimination impacting our our planning situation. I mean, we had less than less than 100 years ago, the KKK took over the El Paso school board and made all kinds of changes, renamed all of the schools after Confederate uh generals. And uh you know, again, we're talking less than 100 years ago, we had segregated schools in El Paso uh 75 years ago. uh not just uh white only and black only schools, but we had Mexican-only schools. Bell Elementary was a Mexican-on school until the mid1 1950s. Um we had when when the when the uh the Hulk was established and the government was providing home lending to Americans essentially only to white Americans. uh they classified areas of El Paso with uh Mexicans. This is what they wrote that Mexicans are the highest risk group and they would not lend to neighborhoods that had higher percentages of Mexicans. Um, they also wouldn't lend to obviously uh at that time uh neighborhoods with uh I'm reading uh black, South Italian, Greek, Russian, Polish, North Italian, uh Lithuanians. Uh basically, uh there were entire areas of El Paso where only uh white El Pasoans could get home loans. uh and that has uh greatly influenced where uh people were able to settle over those many many years when this kind of redlinining was in effect. And so we do have the effects of that. And I mean we we heard from Chamisal residents this morning like that was one of the few neighborhoods where at that time uh Mexican residents were able to live and many other areas uh were off limits. Kern Place, uh, Manhattan Heights, uh, Sunset Heights. At those times, those were white only neighborhoods, and others were not allowed either by zoning or where the zoning didn't do it, the the Hulk lending did. Um, so I I I just wanted to clarify that. I I feel bothered anytime I hear somebody say something about how El Paso didn't suffer uh racial discrimination. Um, I recommend uh we've had Mr. uh Michael Davis in here before. Um they've the the East Side Central Coalition uh is a new organization that's popped up. It helps revitalizing an area but also so recognizing the history of what used to be called the East Side. Uh it's the area around Alamemeda Pedras that that area um that was uh black neighborhood after uh black El Paso were displaced from from Sigu bario which was an originally a black neighborhood um until they were then again displaced because the the highway was built through the that old east side neighborhood. They moved to Ranchland um and Hassienda Heights out by Bair. But um Mr. Davis and that of the East Central Coalition have put together an excellent uh little museum, the uh living black business living museum uh that's at the corner of uh Alameda and Pedress. >> Yeah. >> Uh in the old Estber >> barber shop, which is phenomenal place and has a lot of this history in it. So members of the public, anybody, members of council, I invite everybody to go there. Uh, I think it's a real new gem of District 8 and they did it in partnership with our uh, Museum of History. So, sorry, mayor, that's that's a tangent. It's not totally related, but I I think it's important to talk about that history. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks, Representative Tjo. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> So, you I did want to talk about the the displacement. It is important that we that we address it because it uproots families and and children from schools. it affects uh their health and you know when we look at at district 4 in northeast we also have a lot of vent renters in that area and with that comes other needs and so you know some of the things that I that I want to bring as a thought of things to consider as we're looking at this excuse me is how are how are we going to as a city measure the success uh is it based on evacuations right How many how many evictions? I'm sorry. Many evictions there is there are uh is there affordable what is the affordable units? How many are we preserving? The number of residents that are able to remain in place. Are we looking at partnerships with nonprofits? What's the outreach? And then with all that comes the the implications of funding, right? What does that look like for the city staff? uh legal planning, finance, making sure that we're in compliance. There's all those things that we need to take a look at as we're considering this. But I but I am in agreement with that there's a need and we need to take a look at that and start looking at what we can do as a city to plan accordingly. So, thank you. >> Okay. Representative Foh. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um Miss Mack, what do you understand the direction is of this item? because may maybe I'm because it's turned into this huge huge um task and so before I vote, can you please tell me what you interpret it to be? Thank you, Miss Mac. >> We're going to be reviewing and developing anti-displacement strategies that are appropriate for El Paso's community in alignment with the housing plan and other studies that we've done. engaging the community in those discussions and conversations and bringing back recommendations that are feasible financially and otherwise within our community. >> Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I'd like to correct Representative Canelis because he um misspoke when he um said I said that there was no historical racism in El Paso. That is not what I said. Um, I was quoting from the backup that you have provided in terms of preventing displacement in areas that are experiencing racial discrimination. So, I'm talking about current day, not what happened historically in El Paso. And I'm not saying it's not occurring now. My question to you was where is this occurring so that we could focus in specific areas of our city? And that has not been answered. So, um I need to clarify that. Um and my concern here is the cost and and I'll quote it says state and local governments should increase CLT capacity management through funding and technical assistant grants. So my my whole question is if we're going to put a task force behind this, I'm just wondering what the cost implications are going to be for the city and if we're willing to take on financial assistance for people to eventually um be able to become home homeowners according to the CLTs and other things that you have suggested through your agenda item. I'm going by the language that you've uh suggested and the backup that you've provided. Um, unless I'm reading it completely wrong, I I feel like uh this might be um I'm just wondering financially what what the implications are for the city and if we have the resources to to put to put all this behind it. That's my question because we just adopted a budget. You know, we've talked regularly about different financial needs and I want to know what the financial implications of this is going to be in terms of staffing. um you know, one of the one of the uh recommendations here and and again, it's part of your backup, so I don't know how much um the city's going to take this to heart, but it talks about putting together a task force. Um it talks about grants, it talks about purchasing land. I mean, there's just so many elements to it, and I don't really know. I read through all of it and I just I'm concerned about uh this, you know, this task that's before before us um and what the financial implications of that's going to be for the city, especially just after we adopted the budget and everything else that we've discussed in terms of um funding for different projects. And that's that's my biggest concern. >> And I don't know who can answer that for me. I don't know if Miss M or Robert Cortinez or or anybody else that maybe has >> I'll give you I'll come back to you in a second repres. >> Thank you. >> I understand the direction to be to work with staff who are existing just as we would for any other item. Do the research and the homework. The implementation strategies in terms of whether you want to adopt some of those would be a later action. So I have staff already working on these. We will make sure that it fits within the plan of planning that we have right now. They always can. >> Do we have a time frame? >> So the time frame is aligned to the existing housing strategy work that we're doing. So it would be incorporated within the work that we already have underway. >> And do we have a time frame on when that comes back to council? >> We were looking at next spring. So for a few months, like six months maybe at least. >> And will there be a specific task force assigned to this? >> Pardon me. >> A specific task force within our city like some a specific group of people that will be assigned to just this. >> So just looking at this right now, I mean obviously I have, you know, folks in community human development who are aligned with, you know, housing strategies. We also have, you know, neighborhood services that are in the community. We also have um um Alex Hoffman and his team who are working on some of the comprehensive um plan pieces may bring in additional people from um planning and inspection. It really just depends on how we start to talk about what the research strategy needs to be and I will have a couple of the deputies lead that effort. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Mac. >> Represent. >> Thank you, mayor. And I I think one of the emails that I got from the Urban Village Foundation kind of asked a question on El Paso's context, right? In the in the language, it says tailored to El Paso's context. And there in parenthesis, it says, "Who will decide what is El Paso's context?" And I think that's going to be really critical in in all of this. And and I I hear um Rep. Chavez on saying, "Well, where is it? what that I think that's the the big question that we want answered, right? And I I think from just my district alone, it goes to South Central. That's where I'm hearing it the most, right? But identifying that and making sure that there is that genuine community engagement to really develop El Paso's context based on community engagement and anecdotal data from people, I think, will be really crucial or else this will explode in our faces and people are going to say that they were left out. And I I don't want to get to that point. And we could really get to that part of okay, it is here are the hot spots throughout the city. And I've seen this done in San Antonio and Austin. They both have dashboards. So I think that looking at those dashboards and kind of seeing how they did it in in those two cities will be helpful just moving forward. I wanted to throw that out there. >> Represent Canales. I think Miss Mack mostly answered in her understanding of the of the the work product here. But again, it's the the point of this is not to direct the development of a community land trust. That would happen over a, you know, that's that's something that has an effect over 10 years. Um, it's not something that would go in a budget that we would do this year. Um, we're simply asking to look at I I listed some potential tools that have been successful in other cities. Again, I said may include but is not limited to. I I welcome anything that staff thinks could be a potential uh good solution for El Paso uh and addressing anti-displacement in in our neighborhoods. Um and again maybe different strategies neighborhood by neighborhood or district by district or uh even block byb block but um there's as I said the last time this is the question right this this is asking the questions where is the where is the problem that's part of what we're asking staff to look at what would it cost to address the problem that's also what we're asking staff to look at what are the strategies that we might uh implement that's also what we're asking staff to look at so that's that's exly what this item is. It's asking for them to conduct that analysis and when they bring us the rest of of the other uh housing and planning work that's happening to let us know what we might possibly add into that in order to have this effect. >> Okay. Representative Po. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor. Just one last time, we're we're not investing what what Representative Nalis just said or just to look at suggestions could be, would be, should be, but we're not committing to anything. We're not committing to any dollars. We're not committing to any plan at this moment. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Several plans. We'll come back to you next year. >> Okay. >> Yes. We're We got public comment on this. this one as well. >> Yes, Mayor. We have Mr. Richard Beu that signed up and I did share 11 statements that we received from the public with council. >> Good afternoon, sir. >> We're about ready to say good evening. >> I haven't eaten yet either. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Good afternoon. >> Thanks. Thanks for hanging in there with us. For >> for the record, Richard Deub, Thunderbird Management Consulting, registered lobbyist with the city. Uh this is an important conversation. Uh there's no doubt about it and I listen intently to all the comments that were made by members of council. Thank you for your thoughts on this. But I'll be fairly direct with you. What I also observed both through reading and through listening, and I'm being very I don't want to push my luck, a lack of collaboration and communication between and among members of council on such an important issue. I mean it's it's almost sitting in the audience it was almost like hearing from various individuals like it's the first time anyone has spoken to you about this and that's an unfortunate statement and I I'm sorry to make that statement to you but look there's an inherent pulpable lack of trust from the business sector of this community with city council and is justif ified because the only time and I've seen this over and over and over. I'm not even using my notes. I'm so frustrated and I've written on this thing so many times I wouldn't recognize what I was going to say over and over again. The only time that the business community is contacted to get engaged is when the business community says, "Why aren't we being consulted on this?" What's missing from everything in this proposed uh initiative is meeting with the people who are the ones who are the experts, the ones who deliver the products in this community. Whether you like the product or not and where the product is located is irrespective of the issue itself, which is they're the experts. They know what works, what doesn't work. They can listen to what your concerns are. and then offer recommendations that you might then want to consider going forward before we have all these community meetings which is the standard operating procedure. It's it's just very disappointing that it's always the last effort. Uh and instead of it being the very first step to be taken to say, okay, what what do the experts know? What are they recommending we consider? What questions and concerns do you have of them when you've met with them and engaged in those conversations that might inform the future steps that you might want to take in having meetings across the community? All these organizations that you mentioned are really important and they're obviously very concerned. They're not the experts though and so you're sort of starting on the back end. From my perspective, respectfully, I say to you, council and mayor, I think you should vote no on this today. Thank you. And and Richard, we appreciate you again sticking here with you, but I'm probably going to disagree a little bit with you. And I think that it's, you know, I'm very proud of the council and the conversation that they've had today because I think in order to get to the the answer, you have to have a healthy debate and healthy discussion. I will also invite those business community members that you just mentioned to come here and and put in the time that you did today and speak to the council and give us their input on what they feel that we may or may not be doing. So, with that said, this, you know, this this is a very complex issue, uh, when you're discussing affordability and housing and and there's no magic wand that anyone can wave to to to fix this. Being a property owner and and only multifamily housing, which I do, I can tell you that when your utilities go up, the age of the facility, when you get taxes, you end up passing that on to the tenant. So, it's a very complicated uh uh mixture of what we're working with, but everyone deserves the right to to home ownership. Everyone does. You know, there's all types of displacements which, you know, uh you know, we've heard today there's direct displacement, there's indirect, and there's cultural displacement. But what I think the the the missing element is is there's not one sizefits-all uh that that we're hearing today. But I can also tell you that I'm very pleased about the conversation because at the end of the day, this reinforces that economic development, creating jobs that pay a fair wage, and lifting a community is a way to start getting out of this particular issue that we that that we're we're facing. But it it's it's every city is facing this. We are not the only ones in the country that are that are that are facing an issue like this. I do believe that the stakeholders need to have their voices heard and that's everybody businesses nonprofits the people living in the in the in the particular areas because that's how we're going to be a much better community. So, I think the conversation was very healthy today, council, and and and I appreciate it. And Representative F. >> Thank you, Mayor. Mayor, your words were from the heart and I can tell you that I for one am totally behind every word you just said. I am very disappointed that Mr. Deu felt that it was important for him to come up here and chastise and tell us how unprofessional we are. This is where we have to have these conversations. This is where I want my council representative to have these conversations. And we did include the stakeholders. They're included by Representative Maldonado, Representative um whatever your name is, Ganales and John. I mean they they went out of their way and spent 15 20 minutes to make sure they included all the stakeholders. So again, mayor, thank you for your words and I'm disappointed by the comments. >> Yeah. And I I think that the confusion here was is this this seemed, you know, we were questioning how many hours this was, uh, Miss Mack, is this going to take you seven, eight months to put this together? What are the costs? And that was kind of, I think, the confusing element that they were trying to get at. That's why it took us so long to to get to where we were. So, we appreciate you saying that you're already working on this and it's not going to be any additional costs. Uh, Miss Prime, call for the vote. >> Yes, mayor. The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Lemon, and this is to approve the direction on item 36 as revised. On that motion, call for the vote in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> All right, we're gonna I I I know I don't like to jump around, but there's some some more items we got to get through. Let's do number 41. >> All right. Now, yours is >> Yes, sir. Item number 41 is discussion and action on a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a chapter 380 economic development program agreement between the city of El Paso and Fervor, Inc. to further the municipal purpose of promoting economic development in the city in support of the business operations at the innovation factory located at 501 George Perry Sweet F, El Paso, Texas 79925. >> Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, Mayor Council Jessica Cordova, Economic and International Development Department. Today's item is a TED program incentive agreement between the city of El Paso and Fervor, Inc. This is for their expansion into the innovation factory. This project directly supports the strategic goal of expanding the city's commercial tax base and creating quality jobs for El Paso. And today we are recommending approval of the TED fund incentive agreement between the city and Fervor Inc. as it uh strengthens the supply chain in a target industry and provides a net benefit to the city. The TED fund is designed to support companies expanding into El Paso by offsetting costs related to uh workforce training, facility improvements, relocation, and Fervor's project is a strong fit under this program. Here are the projected commitments and obligations for the TED fund, including the proposed agreement with Fervit. Since council approved the innovation factory incentive and lease policy, we have been in strong demand. We've received over 20 applications and seven tenants are currently um benefiting from the city's allocation of ARPA funds that offset rent and operating expenses and that's for three years. All of the ARPA funds have been allocated since then and within the grant deadlines and in order to bridge the gap we want to go ahead and um use TED funds to connect the innovation factory framework and the advanced manufacturing district. So about Fervit is a company based from San Jose, California and they have developed an immersive cooling solution for data centers and cryptocurrency markets that lowers uh power and water consumption. Fever has been active in the innovation network of manufacturers and they presented at a power lunchon um where they were able to connect with local suppliers of components of their product. So the incentive package under consideration today totals just over 875,000 across the three-year term. It includes a recapture provision for tenant improvements and requires fervor to maintain their operations at the innovation factory or at the advanced manufacturing district for at least five years. So fervor is committed to staying at the innovation factory or the advanced manufacturing district for no less than the five years and they are committed to creating 30 jobs um or providing funding for equivalent number of hours by the end of the year three of their incentive agreement. So, in regards to the jobs, they will create 30 new positions, including engineers, technicians, assembly line workers at wages range from the median county wage of $1821 an hour um up to uh over $70,000 a year for engineering positions. And incentives will be tied directly to the creation of those jobs. So in order to be responsive to the industry conditions and trends, we are recommending a modified definition for the full-time employee to include the full-time equivalent hours. This gives fate flexibility to meet the requirements through a combination of full-time, part-time, and contracted work while still ensuring that the city receives the same level employment impact. This modified definition allows for flexibility work hours for student interns from UTEP. And so today we're recommending approval of the chapter 380 uh TED program incentive agreement with Fervorit and um between the city and Fervit as it meets the TED policy and it's a net benefit to the city. I do have Dr. Reza Zizan. He's been waiting all day along with us. Um he's available for any questions. >> Is there a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Okay. Representative uh Rocha. >> Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for the for the presentation. And doctor, thank you so much. We took a tour of the innovation factory not that long ago. And I think there's always a lot of concerns about data centers coming, right? We have the data center that's coming uh here in El Paso and then we have the other ones that are coming in Sunland Park. And you know, we understand that they do use a large amount of water and electricity. And I think that this type of of uh product that you offer gives those of us that are so concerned about water waste and electricity waste and all of that a lot of hope uh because there's you provide an actual solution for that. And so I just wanted to say thank you. I'm I'm so looking forward to approving this for you today and just um just the uh the incredible amount of work that you all do that's not just here in El Paso, but is international. And so I know that there's other countries that are reaching out to Forever to be able to provide those solutions as well. And I'm incredibly grateful that you chose El Paso to um to do this work. So thank you for that. >> And thank you for all the engineers you're hiring from UTIP. Yes, >> we appreciate that. >> All right. Any further discussion on this particular item 41? >> We have public comment here. >> Oh, yep. We have Yep. Mrs. Osman. >> Yes. Miss Osman, good afternoon. You have three minutes. >> Yes. I'm going to point out a few things. Um, in regards to the rental assistance, that's over 34 of a million dollars. >> Miss Osman, we're on item 41. Miss Osman, we're on item 41 right now. This is the 380 economic development program agreement. >> Speaking of >> Okay, that is the the data center, correct? >> No, it's the cooling 380 agreement. >> Yeah. Yes. And and they help with with that. If you read through all of this, it goes towards that. I I I read the entire p PowerPoint. So just let me break down a quick misconception of a a bit of gaslighting within the PowerPoint presentations that city employees push off in front of city council and to the public. Okay. They are. And I'm I'm on February. The incentives 87500,634.84. Believe that's part of this presentation over those three years. Those are rental assistance is what it's kind of going down to, right? But what we're getting in return is a guarantee of maybe 30 jobs or the equivalent of certain money on a medium wage of $1821 per hour. Now I'm going to tell you McDonald's in California, a regular employee makes $20 an hour. McDonald's on the East Coast about the same. McDonald's managers depending on the state make over a 100k. So we are praising this when our children can just move not even bother with being engineers and get and get much higher pay out of McDonald's elsewhere. It's the gaslighting that's upsetting. Anytime city puts out, oh well, this is good for the tax base. It's not. It's always a giveaway to all these companies and corporations for little benefit to the city and the citizens. And what what gets me is that yeah, she's probably here because you got the Juniper project, project Juniper, a data center. You got Meta coming in. So yes, hey, come on in because you know you could possibly get in on the ground because of what the city has done to our area. Cooling towers, you know what happened? Legionnaire's disease. >> Thank you, Miss Osman. >> Call for the vote. >> Yes, mayor. Motion was made by representative Maldonado Rocha, seconded by alternate mayor prompo to approve the resolution on item 41. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session. And that motion passes with six affirmative votes. Representative Lemon abstaining and Representative Nino not present. >> Congratulations. Thank you. >> Item number 37. >> Yes, sir. Item number 37 is discussion and action that the city council declares that the expenditure of district 6 discretionary funds in an amount of $5,000 to fund representative Pierro's attendance at the national association of Latino elected and appointed officials. Nellio training serves a municipal purpose of setting the standard for sound governance and fiscal management as well for a safe and secure city. This item was submitted by alternate mayor promp. >> There is a correction. It's not for my attendance. Um, it's a sponsorship of the event. The event is being held here in El Paso on September 25th. Um, it is for elected officials from throughout the country that are coming for training. Uh, the the 5,000 is is part of the sponsorship. A couple of the members on on this council, is my understanding, will be attending the training. Um and there will be events where um the city will be highlighted and we we the council among and the public is invited to. But what this also does it opens the door to the opportunity of us to um uh bid or or be present to bid for the national convention which will be held not next summer but the following summer. So, as we're there at the event or people attending, please make sure to let uh shine on El Paso so we could get their positive vote. >> With that, uh, mayor, I make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> And again, this is for sponsorship, right? Represent. Okay. >> All right. Motion in a second. Any discussion on this item, Miss Bryan? >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by alternate mayor prom, seconded by Mayor Prom Chavez, and this is to approve item 37. On that motion, call for the vote and the voting session >> and that motion passes unanimously. Representative not present. >> Yeah. Let's take item number 39. >> Yes, sir. Item 39 is discussion and action to direct the city manager to organize and host an open meeting within 60 days with local contractors to receive feedback regarding the city of El Paso's current contracting and procurement processes. The purpose of this meeting is to solicit input on how to improve contract language and bid documents. Understand factors that influence contractors decisions to submit or not submit bids for city projects. Increase competition and participation in future city solicitations. The meetings will serve as a forum for open dialogue between city and staff and the contracting community to identify opportunities for improvement and enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in the city's procurement practices. This item was submitted by representatives Maldonado Rocha and Chavez. >> Motion approve. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Represent Rocha. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, mayor. And thank you to to Rep. Chavez for co-sponsoring this. Um I do believe that this is the first step in in working to remove barriers and create that open dialogue between um this industry. The the the full goal is to make this a more competitive place. Um, I I'm really looking forward to the the mutual conversation that is going to take place between um this these contractors open-ended, right, was it depends on who who shows up, but and the city. uh just to show and and hopefully to gain gain more buyin from from those companies that either do not bid with the city currently or do bid and find opportunities. And um with that I I do want to add an amendment to this. >> Oh no, were you going to do an amendment too? uh just at the end of this um to please coordinate with appropriate internal and external stakeholder holders, excuse me, including relevant city departments, local industry groups, trade associations, and chambers of commerce to ensure meaningful engagement and additionally add follow-up meetings as needed to continue to gather feedback. And I'll send that to you right now, Miss Prime. Um Thank you. I do move to add that. Thank you, Rep. Chavez. Um, this came as feedback from some contractors that reached out once they saw the item on the agenda. And part of it is that um I believe that that they feel that there's going to be needing additional meetings in order to engage the full community. And so that is part of what um what we want to to go ahead and and add now. And I'm sending this to you now, Miss Print. So give me a moment. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. Where are you? Sorry for not being completely ready. And one moment, Miss Pring, I'm deleting the other ones that I had in there. [Music] >> Forgive me. I know we're we're all interesting time. You want me to >> Are you commenting on the amendment? >> Did you Did you get it, Miss Prine? >> I did and I'm forwarding to council. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> You are you done? >> I'm good. Thank you so much, >> Miss Bry. Is there a way to read that back? The amendment? >> Yes, sir. And is there a particular uh point where you you you would like this added? >> Add it to the end. >> To the end. Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. You can add it to the end. Thank you. >> Thank you. to add the verbiage to the end of the item and it to read, please coordinate with appropriate internal and external stakeholders, including relevant city departments, local industry groups, trade associations, and chamber of commerce to ensure meaningful engagement. Additionally, add follow-up meetings as needed to continue to gather feedback. >> Thank you, M. >> Okay. Any further discussion on the amendment? >> All right. Hearing none, seeing none, call for the vote. Yes sir. This is on the amendment. Motion was made by representative Madonado Rocha, seconded by Mayor Prom Chavez to amend the item as previously read. On that motion, call for the vote in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. Representative Nino present. All right, we're back on the main motion. Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Representative Maldonado Rocha, for co-sponsoring this agenda item with me. You know, we've heard from a lot of people that um are currently doing business, have done business, or want to do business with the city of El Paso. This is an opportunity to bring them in um for some thoughtful discussions. uh we want to understand what motivates contractors to submit bids, what prevents them sometimes maybe from participating and how we can improve the process to make sure it's more inclusive and as uh Representative Rocha said uh more than anything competitive. We are looking to provide a forum that uh includes open dialogue and an open forum actually where anybody can come. Um so um unlike what was previously discussed just today, this is going to be open to anybody who wants to participate. Uh we want to make sure that uh we are committed to responsible, transparent governance and we are ensuring that uh our taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. But by engaging with local contractors, we have the opportunity to strengthen those partnerships with the community, especially the business community, and demonstrate that their expertise and feedback is valued by us at the city. So, uh, at the end of the day, we are creating a fair, a competitive, and efficient contracting environment that benefits both the city and local businesses. Um, I want to be sure that um, it's not written in the language, but uh, Miss Mack, um, if we could just make sure that I know that we have, uh, notified you to do this within 60 days, but if we could just give ample notification and outreach to to the community to make sure that they have the opportunity to schedule this in their calendars. You know, everybody has a a busy calendar. Uh, make sure that we have um, graphics or whatever it is that we're going to put behind this uh, so that we could share it with our community in a timely fashion. and so that people can can plan and and be um mindful of whatever that's going to occur. Uh I am I'm I'm actually really excited. We want to promote businesses to do uh business with the city of El Paso. I think the the city of El Paso is a great partner and we want to definitely start uh making sure that people uh are welcomed into to to doing business with us. So, I look forward to these conversations and most importantly the results of them and improving our processes. So, thank you again and I look forward to it. >> Thank you. Is there public comment on this, Miss Brian? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> We have Mr. Israeli. >> Okay. >> I know. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your patience. >> No, I used to do this for a living, so it's just a blast of the past, you know, coming back to council meetings. But, uh, mayor and council, I just want to thank you guys so much. Uh, specifically, Mayor Pro Tim and, uh, Representative Rocher, I think this is an amazing item. I think you hit the nail on the head. I'm going to echo your words. Is this is a great opportunity for the business community and the government institution of the city of El Paso to come together in a proactive manner and fine-tune the process. It's not that the entire process is broken. It's not that everything doesn't work. It's not that there's retaliation or anything of that. It's fine-tuning the process. It's getting the contractors to understand how the process works and why it works the way it does. And then it's us sharing our experience in the contracting realm of what's not working or what may be intended to serve A, B, or C is actually not um serving that intended process. Um I've spoken to the staff already and uh you know I'm again the executive director of the El Paso Association of Contractors. We're ready to support however we can. Um we have facilities, we have over a 100 members. uh we're very happy to reach out to them and schedule those meetings, those follow-ups, uh whatever it may be, because we do believe that the dialogue between the city and the contractors is the first step to what can be um really valuable in bringing and supporting the local economy and really facilitate growing our workforce and bringing and keeping our youth and our uh future workforce here in El Paso. So again, thank you so much and thank you for everything you do. >> Yeah. And thank you for your time. >> Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. >> All right, Miss Bryan, call for the vote. Yes sir. The motion was made by alternate mayor pointo seconded by representative rocha. This is to approve item 39 as revised on that motion. Call for the vote in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. Representative Nino not present. >> All right, let's take item 40. Item 40 is discussion and action on the request that the director of purchasing and strategic sourcing be authorized to issue purchase orders for solicitation 2025-0363 flight view and flight status software maintenance to OG aviation worldwide LLC the soul and authorized distributor of flight view web components and flight view XML flight status data for a term of three years and an estimated amount of $145,6462 >> represent Lemon Mayor, I wish to make a motion to approve item 40 and reviewing it. It does reflect an increase of $7,8845 for the initial term, but that represents a 5.72% increase to a price increase for software and maintenance. And this is a non-competitive procurement. So, move to approve. >> There was a motion. >> There's a motion and a second. staff is hiding, but we'll call a vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Lemon, seconded by Mayor Prom Chavez to approve item number 40. On that motion, call for the vote. And the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. Representative Nino not present. Mayor, I believe we've gone through each one of the >> I was I was trying to do an amendment to amendment to start over again. >> Mayor May, before we start, can I apologize to Mayor Prom for stealing her uh motion to approve? >> You're welcome, >> Representative Leon. >> Mayor, when we set up the rules for our meetings, >> lunch, >> we had a discussion that we would take a break at 12:30, and we have never done that. And I think it's really hard. It's hard on us and it's hard on staff that's here the whole day. So I encourage that we look at the agenda and make sure that we are able to take a break even if it's only 30 minutes. 12:30 to 1 would be perfectly fine. We can bring a sandwich or something and just stretch our legs. But I think it's really important, Mayor. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Noted. >> Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to second. There's a motion and a second to adjurnn the city council meeting. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? And the city council meeting for Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 is adjourned at