Well, good morning everyone. We are going to get started here. And good morning, Miss Prime. You want to get us going here? >> Good morning, mayor. And good morning everyone. Welcome to the presentation of the mayor's proclamations. We begin with the pledge of allegiance. And this morning to lead us in the pledge of allegiance we have David Beña from Candlelighters of El Paso at the invitation of Mayor Bernard Johnson. One God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [Applause] Perfect. Awesome. All right. [Applause] Okay, Miss Brian, let's take the next proclamation. >> Yes, sir. And for those of you receiving a proclamation this morning, your group will have up to six minutes collectively to come to the podium and receive the proclamation. The first proclamation is American Legion Eastwood Post 36 105th anniversary. >> It's okay to clap. [Applause] >> Good morning. >> Good morning, Mayor, City Council. My name is David Porto. from the immediate >> and if you'll allow me to read the proclamation. Thank you. And the proclamation reads, "Whereas August 10th, 2025 marks the 105th anniversary of the American Legion Eastwood Post 36 located in El Paso, Texas. And whereas the American Legion Eastwood Post 36 proudly stands as the oldest American Legion post in El Paso County, reflecting a long-standing tradition of service, patriotism, and dedication to the community by honoring veterans through memorial events, flag retirements, local parades, and patriotic observances. And whereas in celebration of this milestone, the post will host an open house and membership drive on August 9th, 2025 in El Paso, Texas, welcoming veterans, families, and community members to participate in honoring its legacy. And whereas the American Legion is a familyoriented organization committed to serving the community with through local schools, city organizations, charity groups, and promoting leadership, citizenship, and patriotism for the youth through programs such as Boy State, Junior ROC, and scholarship initiatives. And whereas the Eastwood Post 36 includes proud members who have served in every major conflict in which the United States has been involved, including World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the conflicts in Grenada and Panama, Operation Desert Storm, the Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, and the global war on terror. Now therefore be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso honoring the American Legion Eastwood Post 36 on its 105th anniversary and extends its heartfelt appreciation to all post members past and present for their unwavering service and sacrifice. We will recognize and honor all veterans who have served and continue to serve our nation while solemnly remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. and we extend our deepest condolences to their families and li love loved ones. With enduring gratitude, we commend the strength, perseverance, and commitment of all veterans both during their time in service and upon returning home and reaffirm our collective duty to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. We encourage all Americans to reflect on the lessons of war, to listen to and honor the voices of our veterans, and to work toward a future guided by compassion, understanding, and peace. Signed by our honorable mayor, Renard Johnson. >> Thank you. I just wanted to be ahead of our six minutes. >> Good morning. There you go. >> Good morning. Good morning, mayor, city council. My name is David Porus. I'm the immediate first vice commander American Legion was post 36 and I'm currently their social media officer. On behalf of over 300 members of the American Legion, we want to thank you for this opportunity and for this special recognition. With me, on the left, we have our judge advocate Tammy Se, our commander, Jesus Chuigandra. On my right, we have representatives from the auxiliary, which is a very important part of our American Legion and help us tremendously. Miss Marin is the new incoming president and you're the vice president, I believe. Patricia Patricia parliamentarian and they're also part of our of our American Legion. Uh, Commander Gandar is going to speak on behalf of the American Legion. But before I leave the podium, I would like to personally invite all of you to our celebration on Saturday. The doors open at 4:00 and the celebration starts at 4:30. One of the functions that we're going to have is the setting up of the P prisoners of war and missing in action table. If you all have never had the opportunity to see this, I encourage you to attend. It is very somber but a very rewarding uh setup of the prisoner of war and missing action table. So on behalf again of the American Legion and myself, thank you mayor and councel for this honor. And now I present to you our commander, Jesus Gandera. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. Morning, council members. >> My name is Chewy Gandra and I'm the commander of American Legion Post 36. The American Legion was founded in 1919 by an act of Congress is the nation's largest veteran service or organization dedicated to the advocating for the needs of veterans, service members, and their families. The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to the mutual helpfulness with a commitment to disestigating mental health support and preventing veteran suicide. The organization empowers individuals to take action and offers a variety of programs and resources to support military families. Over the past century, the American Legion has made significant contributions to veterans well-being, exemplified by the record amount of VA disability benefits, secured and robust participation in youth programs. Focusing on service to veterans, service members, and communities, the league evolved a group of war weary veterans of World War I into the one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands over 1.6 million and more than 12,000 posts worldwide. The post organized into 55 departments, one each of the 50 states along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Latin America, and the Philippines. Over the years, the Legion has built its identity by achieving hundreds of benefits and services for veterans, supporting armed forces, instilling the val the values of responsible citizenship among young people from the nation. Changing of American Legion draft legion drafted GI Bill to relieve for veterans exposed to toxic contamination in that service. Veterans of the American Legion have worked over a century to improve and strengthen the nation they swore with their lives to defend. After World War I with thousands of veterans world nationwide with neurossychiatric conditions, the American Legion raised awareness to the condition later defined as a post-traumatic stress disorder. The Legion efforts resulted in the creation of the US Veterans Bureau forunner to the Veterans Administration. The Federal Veterans Administration is established in 1930 after tireless lobbying for the American Legion. Long promoted by the American Legion, National PMIA Recognition Day, accepted to be recognized annually in the 3rd Friday of September, August 10th, 1922. President Joe Biden signed into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, honoring our promise to address comprehensive toxins Act, a historic move strongly supported and promoted by the American Legion to provide healthcare for service and disability compensation to some 4 million additional veterans, mostly post 911, who were exposed to toxic contamination in the military. On October 1st, 1923, American Legion accredited service officers secure what is believed to be an all-time one-year high of VA benefits for disabled veterans with 18.8 billion claims related to the Post Act account, PAC Act account for the $4 billion increase in benefits between 2020 and 2023. The American Legion Post 36 has over 300 members, including the Auxiliary Unit 36, the American Legion writers, chapter 36, and Suns of the American Legion, Squadron 36. All these groups have met here for a variety of outings and events. The Legion sponsors scholarships for boys and girls state programs to teach students about US government. Commander Gandra, myself and the entire staff extends a warm welcome to you and to invite you and your to enjoy the atmosphere and events on this on all patriotic holidays. Our 105th birthday party will be August the 9th with se with ceremonies starting at 4 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided along with speeches from city of El Paso, state of Texas and Washington DC dignitaries reading speeches. Music will be provided by group of sass after the meeting. Our location is 3730 Shell. County Commissioner, oop, sorry, sorry, sir. Mayor and the commissioners are invited to come out and support us on this special occasion. Thank you very much for this pro proclamation, sir. Well, big congratulations to you guys and thank you for all that you do for the El Paso community and in 105 105th anniversary is is is is huge. But most importantly, thank you for your service and your and your dedication to veterans and all of the community support that you do, the scholarships, the RTC, a number of things that you guys mentioned because you make our community much better. And with Fort Bliss being here, you know, the the um Legion is something we certainly need and and you know, we're celebrating 105th and I can't wait until we celebrate the next one. So, we we are standing behind you guys and from 1919, that is incredible. So, congratulations and we're happy to be celebrating this day with you. Congratulations. Thank you. Got to call the commander. >> Commander Big smile. >> Thank you guys. Congrats again. The next proclamation is I walk beside you day. >> Good morning. Good morning, mayor, city councilman. Thank you. The proclamation reads, "Whereas Cesarino Strosai, native of South El Paso, Texas, has dedicated his career to public art that inspires positive self-expression and community upliftment, beginning with his first public mural at Buoie High School at the age of 16 and whereas holding an associates degree in advertising, graphics, and design from El Paso Community College and pursuing studies in art education at the University of Texas at El Paso and architecture at Texas Tech University." He says nostrosa has built a distinguished portfolio of murals that enhance the cultural fabric of El Paso. This includes notable projects such as the Delta Center complex, the 911 memorial column beneath Interstate 10 and ceiling rotunda murals in the El Paso State Office building and whereas innovating through the integration of sculpted relief and architectural elements. His works include Casadoto at the child and adolescent wellness center, a series for the city of El Paso environmental services department, hard work and foundations, cultural development and identity and payoff and reward and sculpted mural series for LA Clinics and El Paso Community College and whereas his participation in the international mural conference at the Chamisal National Memorial and presentations at the University of Texas at El Paso alongside esteemed muralists reinforce his commitments to large-scale public works. And whereas on August 3rd, 2019, the city of El Paso endured a trai tragic mass shooting at a local Walmart, resulting in the loss of 23 lives and profound impacts on countless families and the community at large. And whereas, as the sixth anniversary of this devastating event approaches, the city seeks to honor the memory of the victims, support the affected families, and promote healing and resilience through meaningful commemorative efforts. And whereas Cesarino Strosa's upcoming mural, I walk beside you, serves as a poignant tribute to the victims and families of the August 3rd, 2019 tragedy, embodying themes of strength, unity, and hope to foster ongoing community healing. And whereas his mural painted on the freeway support column beneath Interstate 10 stands as a permanent symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the enduring spirit of El Paso in the face of adver adversity. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of city of El Paso, honoring the victims and their families, and in recognition of Cesarino Strosa's profound contribution through the Ascension Memorial Mural, which inspires reflection, unity, and forwardlooking strength for the entire community. August 5th, 2025 shall be known as I Walk Beside You Day, signed by our honorable mayor, Renard Johnson. [Applause] Good morning. >> Good morning. Thank you so very much for this uh amazing proclamation. It is indeed an honor for me to be here. Uh you know I thought that not writing something down would be a good idea but you know I rehearse and I just come here and I forget everything which usually happens but you know should have written something but I'm going to speak from the heart and hopefully you know the message will convey. Uh I have had the honor and the privilege of working on two uh memorials for the um uh August 3rd tragedy that occurred in 2019 for the for um honoring the victims and their families. One of them is over at the healing garden and I don't know if you've all been there or seen it. I'm pretty sure you have. I've missed you this past uh weekend. Um, but I am responsible for the 3D sculptural per portion that's uh in 3D relief over there at the healing garden. And just a quick update on that project. Uh, I started it last year. Last year was what I consider to be uh phase one. This past weekend completed uh what I consider to be phase two. Phase three is getting ready to commence as we speak. And it it's going to include two 3D gigantic sculptural hands that are about as high as I am, about 6 ft. And they're representative of God's hands holding us up, right? But also, it can be seen. If you think about a bridge, you think of a bridge, what does it need? Well, it needs strong foundations. It needs strong structural supports to hold itself up, right? And the message there is that if we all kind of, you know, become that for each other, we can hold each other up and support each other and hold each other as we stand together. That's one of the projects. And then the other one is over at the freeway uh under the spaghettiable that's still currently in development. It will be done uh later on this month, but you know, I work with 3D sculpture relief. So, there's a lot of 3D stuff that's going to be there. But uh we're going to have a beautiful unveiling there. Hopefully, you can all attend. will uh send out the uh the unveiling date for that. Um but I guess my message today is that you know sometimes when these tragedies happen or these losses of this magnitude happen it leaves a big void in our souls right and this voids will never be fulfilled. And unfortunately, not all the time, but sometimes, you know, some some of us that are affected deeply by these uh tragedies or these losses, um you know, sometimes those things that we once used to love and those things that we once used to be passionate about, sometimes they become things of the past, right? We we start to become kind of almost like former uh versions of who we used to be. So my hope with these memorials is one hopefully the victims and their families and the survivors also the people that were affected directly or indirectly by this tragedy is that hopefully when they see these memorials they get a small measure of peace but also they remember that they're not alone that we're with them that we haven't forgotten about them and that that's why we're continuing to do these memorials to honor them. you know, the one that's recently in development over at Spaghettiable, that one was done because this year we finally got a sentencing. And hopefully with that with the case, you know, being closed, hopefully the the families and the people that were affected, hopefully they can get a small measure of peace, some closure. So, uh, with that being said, you know, I just want to say that I am deeply honored. I am I'm so grateful for these opportunities that I get to do these types of works as an artist. you know, I want my work to have meaning. So, for me to be able to be involved in in something of this um uh to be so honored to have this opportunity to do this, it is just, you know, uh it's my life's work. So, uh uh I just want to tell the families I thank them for their trust. I um I always keep them in mind and may God bless them all and thank you all for this wonderful opportunity. I'm so grateful. Thank you. Well, we're going to turn this right back at you and say thank you because uh what you've done for this community and the beautiful beautiful art that you have displayed around El Paso is something that we're very proud of and you you said it so eloquently that you know it gives us an opportunity to to truly start to heal through your through your art. And we had two ceremonies on Sunday, one the city had um and one at the county. And I had the the the the wonderful opportunity to go and look at your art again on Sunday. And it does bring you joy and and and a peace and comfort that um that we need to say thank you for and your passion right now. you know, we can feel that and and again, your community is behind you and thank you for all that you're doing in the area area of public art and we look forward to seeing many many many more pieces that you will uh display around our community. But we want to say thank you and congratulations. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. All right. Awesome. Oh my god. All right. Couple more. [Applause] Okay, Miss Fry, the next one. >> Yes, sir. The next proclamation is National Black Business Month. >> Represent Canales. >> Thank you, Mayor. We'll let them come up. Welcome. >> Good morning. >> Oh, thank good morning. >> Proclamation City of El Paso, Texas. Whereas National Black Business Month, founded in 2004, invites us to recognize blackowned businesses across the country and highlight their importance to local communities and the national economy. And whereas the city of El Paso recognizes the valuable contributions made by black entrepreneurs and business owners to our community and local economy in promoting economic development, job creation, and community empowerment, encouraging economic self-sufficiency, and inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs. And whereas throughout history and while being systematically isolated from investment capital, development resources, and digital visibility, black businesses have persevered and thrived despite facing systemic racism, redlinining, and even extreme violence, such as the Tulsa massacre of 1921. And whereas the city of El Paso recognizes those who have paved the way for the current increase of entrepreneurs in El Paso, giving honor to those such as John and Mary Woods, who were born into slavery and who after the Civil War married and became El Paso's first black entrepreneurs, building a network of flourishing businesses. And whereas blackowned businesses thrived in present south central El Paso along vibrant commercial main streets like Alamemeda, Copia, and Pedas, then known as the east side. And while the construction of Interstate 10 through the black neighborhoods and the passage of time erased many businesses, blackowned businesses continue to thrive in El Paso with help from prominent organizations such as the Black Business Living Museum, the Black Business Network, the Black Business Directory, and Black El Paso Voice, which produces the annual Black Business and Community Awards recognizing businesses and champions of diversity such as the El Paso Museum of History, the City of El Paso, and the Department of Parks and Recreation. And whereas black entrepreneurs and business owners bring unique perspectives, talents, and innovative ideas that enrich the fabric of our city. And these qualities are embodied by the 2025 Black Business Award recipients. Different breed performance training by Jenzel Nash and Alexis Thornton. Dukes comics by Ronnie and Alvara Dukes. Beauty Marks by active duty service member Tia Marx. And Total Eclipse Tinting by Army veteran Michael Marx, the veteranowned business of the year, as well as many others who are progressing in business and community. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso, urging all residents and businesses to recognize and celebrate the contributions of black entrepreneurs in our community. August 2025 shall be known as Black Business Month, signed by our honorable mayor, Renard Johnson. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. I just want to thank the city council. Um, of course, um, Representative Canales for always being there for us. Um, this is, uh, truly an honor to receive proclamation for National Black Business Month. And I know many people say, well, we're doing so many different things when it comes to black this and black that. But there's a reason. It's because of the importance of it. And um as I mentioned yesterday um at an event um the way that the current climate of the country is so much of black history is trying to be they're trying to banish it. So we it's up to us to you know keep it moving keep it moving forward and to celebrate those who are brave enough to even start a business you know during this time. Um, when it comes to the there's there's been about probably a 3 to 4% increase in blackowned businesses in the United States. Um, we don't have the exact numbers, but for El Paso, we'd like to have those numbers and we're that's what we're here for, too, to do something about that so that we can identify blackowned businesses because sometimes there is a different there are different challenges when it comes to being a blackowned business. But it can be done. And I'm standing here as proof. I've been here since 96 and the goal is to assist others with helping them to start a business, to serve as a mentor, um to share resources and that's one of the reasons too why the city's economic development department is here supporting us. Um we're happy to um work with them on how we can develop um even greater. Um we are in the process of creating a program so that we can actively work with the city's economic uh and international development um department so that we can assist black entrepreneurs and to get a more of an accurate number and to encourage black entre entrepreneurs um to be okay with being identified as a blackowned business because so many try to hide that and there are systemic and historic reasons on why. So, I'm just glad to be here today to to share a little bit about us and to invite you to our annual business and community awards in which we recognize black businesses and those in the community who are um assisting us in our efforts to create a greater El Paso. Um, our lifetime achievement award recipient this year is Chief Killings from the fire department and we we'll be honoring him along with uh black business owners um and also those in the community who are um championing our efforts. So, I'd like to just briefly um have some of our business owners say a little bit about themselves and their business. Good morning everybody. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. I am Taffany Hopper, the owner of the Colorful Chapters bookstore. Womanowned, locally owned, veterans owned, and blackowned. We sell culturally diverse books by diverse authors. And our mission is to share the joy of reading with the El Paso community. >> And where where are you located so people can find you? >> We are located on Instagram. We are a popup bookstore. will pop up at any event all throughout the city. >> Very good. Thank you. Good morning. >> Good morning, mayor. Good morning, city representatives. My name is Reverend Tyrone Durant McDuffy Jr. I'm the owner, founder of Counseling Care Center. Takes care of all your counseling, consultant, training needs, and you can find us online. It is a blackowned business and a veteranowned business. And our goal is to get rid of the stigma attached to mental health to let everybody know that you can seek mental health services. And what makes us unique is that we are faith-based in our mental health approach. And uh thank you for your time and praise God from whom all blessings flow. >> Good morning. >> Good morning everyone. My name is Yolanda Hill and I'm transitioning out of the military and I've launched my own business. It's called GH Glam Beauty Vending Machines and Cosmetics and it'll be at a location soon here in El Paso. So, I'm setting roots in El Paso. This is going to be my home. El Paso has welcomed me with open arms and I would like to expand with my my business. Thank you. >> And Miss Hill, where was home before? >> Uh South Carolina, Mayor. >> Well, well, welcome home now. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um you'll be able to find more blackowned businesses online. um at el pasoblackpages.com or on black elpasvoice.com. So we invite you all to follow us on social media just so that you can see what we're trying to do here in the community and in hopes of support also. Um we'll also at our event coming up on the 16th, we'll also be honoring those who supported us for Junth which um includes the city of El Paso, our partners in Junth. And this year was truly special to have the mayor and the city manager there. Um it really encouraged young um young black children. Um one young lady um I was hoping her mom would allow her to to come, but she said she was just standing there in awe like they're black. And if you understood what that means, and I can explain that a further a different day, but that meant a lot for young people to see that they can achieve something when so many unfortunately are telling them that they can't achieve anything. So again, we appreciate mayor, city council, um, for giving us this proclamation. Well, you know, thank you guys for all that you're doing. And as you guys know, the African-Americans or blacks make up about 3.1% of this community. And we are entrepreneurs. We are business owners. We provide a lot of jobs. I can personally say that I know this from starting several companies here in El Paso that are are blackowned and having relatives that have started companies that have gone on to be relatively large companies in the United States and throughout the world. So, I want to thank you for all that you're doing. And Monica, you mentioned the event on the 16th. Yes. Where is it at and what time and all? um on the 16th. This is our um third annual and each year we honor um a lifetime achievement award recipient and u it's will be at EPCC on Vic count um in the auditorium and it begins at 6 p.m. and that information can be found on our website at blackel paslevoice.com. Today is the last day for tickets as our chef said he needs the final count so I'm sure you can understand that. So we hope you all can support U come out and support. >> All right. Well, fantastic and congratulations you guys. >> Thank you. She's over there standing holding it. >> Thank you so much. too short to see. All right. So, we're going to do two rows. If you're a little shorter, go ahead and identify yourselves and come forward. >> 18, too. There we go. That looks good. All right, let's bring it in a little closer. That's perfect. Awesome. Uh, sir, can I get you to come a little bit further? Matt, could you come forward for me, please? And then put it right behind. Beautiful. All right, that looks great. Ready? Big smiles. Representat down a little bit. Perfect. All right, ready. Big smiles. One, two, three. Okay, couple more. Ready? One, two, three. Good. Awesome. Thank you so much. [Applause] Hello. How are you? And the final proclamation is Emma Costa, LULEC, Texas Woman of the Year 2025. >> Representative Roacha. [Applause] >> Good morning, Representative Representative Rocha. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good morning. Proclamation. Whereas Emma A Costa, a distinguished civic leader and lifelong advocate for equity, education, and public service, has been named the 2025 LUAC Texas woman of the year. a recognition of her remarkable contributions to El Paso and the broader Latino community. And whereas Emma Costa served the city of El Paso with honor and distinction as a city representative, mayor prom, and alternate mayor prom during which she championed environmental sustainability, infrastructure reform, transparency in city finances, and affordable housing as a board member of the housing finance corporation. And whereas Miss A Costa has been a passionate advocate for inclusion and educational access, leading the charge to expand LULAC scholarship program to include students with disabilities, seeking vocational training, a bold initiative that began in El Paso and is now garnering national attention and support. And whereas as president of LUAC Council 22269, Emma has mobilized efforts to bring the 2027 National Con, excuse me, 2027 LUAC National Convention to El Paso, an initiative that promises to bring national visibility, economic benefit, and civic pride to our community. And whereas Emma Costa organized the largest welcome home celebration for Vietnam veterans in El Paso's history. A full seven days of events honoring over 2,000 veterans made entirely free through partnerships with generous local businesses, ensuring that those who served were finally welcomed home with the dignity and gratitude they deserved. And whereas her compassion and commitment to the most vulnerable are evident in her annual blanket drive for seniors under adult protective services, ensuring that each elder receives a blanket and a personal holiday card during Christmas, a reminder that they are not forgotten and always valued. And whereas through her role as executive director of books are gems, Emma Costa has nurtured literacy across generations by providing free books to children. Free classroom resources to over 800 teachers annually and launching a new initiative inviting elected officials to read books to children on the importance of laws and civic responsibility both in person and via Facebook Live. And whereas her impact continues daily through her leadership, her advocacy, and her unwavering dedication to serving those who need it most, be they students, seniors, veterans, or working families. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso, recognizing and honoring Emma Costa, the 2025 LUAC, Texas woman of the year for her outstanding service, tireless advocacy, and lifelong dedication to empowering our community. August 5th, 2025 shall be known as Emma Aosta Day, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. Thank you. >> Good morning, representative. >> Good morning. Good morning, mayor, members of city council, and honored guest. I stand before you today with deep gratitude and humility. I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to recognize my selection as a Texas luak woman of the year and for the incredible honor of proclaiming today as Emma Costa Day. I especially want to thank my city representative Diana Roachcha Maldonado for placing this item on today's agenda and for her continued support. This recognition means so much not just to me personally but to the causes the causes in the community I have worked to unite to and to uplift. Two highlights from my nomination reflect that passion. First, the development of the students with disability scholarship program which I begin in El Paso and may go national. This scholarship program provides these students to attend vocational training and does not focus on a student's GPA, but rather on their belief that they want to be able to acquire training that will help them find employment and not rely on government assistance. This scholarship program will help open doors for deserving students who face additional challenges. and second the privilege of chairing the committee to bring the 2027 LULC national convention to El Paso. A milestone that will bring national recognition and economic opportunity to our beloved city. I'm especially proud that this initiative will re that this initiative received a letter of support from every member of this council that unified this that unified our commitment reflects the strength in heart of El Paso. And I want to thank the mayor for donating several gifts that will be provided to the to the attendees at the national lulac convention that will be held in Long Beach, California this week. So, thank you, mayor, for that for those. >> You're very welcome. >> We're looking forward to handing those out. I also want to thank my fellow LUAC members some who are here today with me as well as the Texas LULAC membership for their faith in me and for standing beside me in this journey. Their support is what made this possible. And to everyone who has ever supported my initiative throughout the years, your belief in our shared mission continues to inspire me. This recognition is not just mine. It belongs to all of us working together to build a a better, more inclusive El Paso. And I want to thank my husband, my Vietnam veteran husband is my enriquez, who always supports my initiative. And the only thing he asks is, "What are we doing next?" So, I want to thank all of you this morning. Thank you so much for this recognition. I think I know every single one of you. I appreciate all the efforts that you also make to make El Paso much better. And we want to make sure that we highlight El Paso and make it known as a city that is safe and that is uh welcoming and that we are one of the best border cities in the entire 2,000mi border between US and Mexico. Thank you. >> Wow. [Music] [Applause] Representative Viet. >> Thank you, Mayor. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Oh, >> there's some of us at But Go ahead, Representative. >> No, no, no. Wait, you guys have the mic. >> Oh, thank you. Well, we want to start by congratulating Miss Emma Costa. I am the vice president of Council 22269, which is her council, and we're very proud of her. And um I want to also thank Representative Danna Malon Rocha because um you know when when I asked you were there immediately to support her and that's what women do. Women uplift women. We don't tear each other down. And that's exactly what Emma represents. And that's what LUAC, this great, you know, recognition that she got that she earned actually is what El Paso needs. It's a spotlight on Latina strong women. Thank you, Emma, for being that. And thank you. >> Good morning, Mayor and City Council. Thank you for the honor this morning of recognizing Emma. My name is Ignasita Ramirez, immediate past president, but on behalf of LUAC District 4 and Carlos Aguilar, who is the current district director, we just want to thank Emma for her dedication and her strong drive. She singlehandedly did the uh scholarships for the students with disabilities, took it all the way to state to national and now we're the pilot program and hopefully it's going to continue throughout the years uh because we did every I think if I'm not mistaken every single council had someone uh with the students with disabilities and some had even more. Um, also she stepped up to the plate for um, bringing the national convention to El Paso. Well, hopefully we're going to be working real hard this weekend trying to get it over here. I think it would be a great honor to have Lulu in the forefront bringing this great event to El Paso. We have so much to share with you guys. And like my husband says, he refers to her as the energizer bunny. She does not run out of steam. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Good morning, mayor. So nice to see all of you. Um, it is a true honor to join you today as we recognize one of El Paso most dedicated servants, our dear friend Emma Costa, and celebrate this welldeserved proclamation. So, thank you. Emma has long been a force of good for our community as a former city representative and as a LULAC leader and most recently 2025 LULAC Texas woman of the year. Congratulations. I am also proud to present this document on behalf of the Secretary of State who has officially commissioned Emma as one a Texas silver hair legislator a state one a statewide role advocating for older Texans. We were recently sworn in in for the 21st session of the Texas Silver Hair Legislature in Austin. And Emma's presence strengthened not only our community, our delegation, which it is comprised by myself, Alysia Deon Davis, who has been serving five terms, David Johnson newcomer Dora Agira, and Mary Janes who are serving the second term. Now, together we are working to ensure that older adults across Texas are heard, respected, and protected through a smart, compassionate policies. So, thank you very much, Emma, for your lifelong commitment to this community, for your service, and on behalf of the Secretary of State, it is my privilege to present this to you. [Applause] >> Thank you. Thank you so much for that, >> Representative Vio. >> Thank you, Mayor. And I want to just congratulate Representative Aosa for being here, for all she's accomplished for our community. Thank you for u being the advocate for young people with special needs, especially when it comes to higher ed. Um, nobody's voice was louder than yours and and not even co mayor could stop Representative A. Costa during CO. She Books with Gems went uh virtual and it was it was just great. It was a breath of fresh air when we were locked in there. So, thank you for everything you've done and and thank you for allowing your husband, Isma, to be my very good dear friend. Although he he denies it, but he does like me. And and I could not move forward or stop me without saying um hi and welcome to Representative uh Elia Hernandez. And thank you for being here. It it's mayor. It's like a Hispanic chamber reunion. Here we have Elia, David, you, the former chair. It's just a reunion. But thank you so much for everything you've um contributed to our community and are still contributing. Thank you, Emma. Thank you, Elia. >> To two of those to two of your comments, uh during co and yes, I was the executive director for books gems and everything was closed. So, we came up with a bag of books giveaway. Uh so people would come in and then we would give them a bag of books depending on the ch child's age and and gender and so we gave out 30,000 books. Wow. that you know during COVID. So that was something that was I mean that we figured out we could do and then second of all to your comment about our our very well-known lulac member Elvia Arnandez for those of you that don't know Elia is the one that started the Christmas nights per the Christmas lights parade back in the day. [Applause] So there's a lot of history here. Uh but I want to thank all of you and I I want to thank you for all your support. Um I want to thank you for those of you that I know I approach sometimes for for donations for our students with uh my new initiative for students with scholar uh students with disabilities. Uh I have a grandson who is disabled and he's a young adult now. And one of the things that he said was um I learned a lot from him every day was grandma I don't have a disability I have a challenge and challenges can be overcome and so I think that with the tools that we give these individuals including the vocational training or any training that they want will encourage them to become you know members of our society that don't depend on government assistance. So this is my this is why I started that initiative. So, thank you all. Thank you very much for everything and thank you for being here serving our community. If >> I may, if I may, I'd like to also say a few words about Emma. I mean, she's she tells me, [Laughter] so we're very, very proud of her and it's wonderful to see all of you, mayor, city council, continue your hard work and is great and you're making it greater. Thank you very much. >> Ah, thank you. Thank you, Represto. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I just wanted to thank you for your leadership, Emma. You've done so much for our community. Lots of accomplishments, lots lots of accolades. This was a very long proclamation in the best way possible. And there's things that get left out sometimes. And one one thing that I remember from our conversations is that you were the person that started FOAK. >> I was what? >> The person that started FOAK. Yes, I did. And um yeah, I I was one of the ones that initiated the the FO act, the finance oversight advisory committee because I felt that this was something that the city needed. And so it was not just me. My initiative was mine and my former colleague Susie Bird and we put it on the ballot and it passed unanimously by our, you know, all our voters in El Paso. And I I'm glad to see that you're chairing it now. >> Thank you. >> So congratulations to you, too. >> No, thank you. and and it's such an important part of the city and your legacy is really ingrained in it because you put that there and I really appreciate that you did and let's hope we bring LUAC here as you're trying to convince people just tell them that we could host them all over downtown. We'll find the space and everything will be great. No better place than the border to host LUAC. So, thank you for your leadership. >> Thank you. And on a on another note, I just want to say something that I didn't know until a few weeks ago. We had the side visitors come down, some of the Lula council from from National come down to visit our city to see if it was something that was accommodating to the national convention. And the mayor happened to come in to to dinner with us that day. And so one of the things he said was uh one of the councils held by Ben Roles who was the national president. She used to hold a male fashion show. And so we found out that our mayor Anor Johnson was one of the models, one of the one of the models in the fashion show. So if you didn't know that fact, now everybody in the city knows that in his youth, he was one of the models in a fashion show for Lulu. So mayor, thank you for that as well. >> You're very welcome. Let's let's hope there's no pictures of that model show. Thank you, my friend. Uh represent Nino. >> Thank you, mayor and Emma. Thank you so much for all your leadership and also for showing an example that you know public service doesn't end here on the dis. It could continue forever. So thank you again for all your leadership for also being a friend of mine and and setting the example. I appreciate you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. And there's been so much said today that u the only things that I can close with is an icon, a civic leader, a friend, and someone that this community is truly truly blessed to have. and you have done so much um my friend that um there's not enough time to to to talk about everything you've done for El Paso, but we cannot thank you enough and we're standing with you >> and we are super excited that I'm putting the energy out there that we're going to get the Lulu National Convention here in El Paso. And if you ever have another fashion show and you need some other models, there's a few on this DAS that can help you out. >> You did it. Okay. And there there will be a fashion show sometime in October. So >> there we go. Well, we'll get you some new recruits up here. But again, thank you guys and congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. Yes I Well, good morning again, Miss Prine. We are ready to begin the the city council meeting. >> Yes, sir. Good morning. This is a meeting of the El Paso City Council for Tuesday, August 5th, 2025. Mayor Johnson is present and presiding in council chambers along with Representative Asdo, Representative Maldonado Rocha, Representative Boyer Trejo, Representative Leil Lemon, Representative Canales, and Representative Nino. It is 10:04 a.m. We begin the meeting with public comment on agenda items this morning. We have Suzanne Dip that signed up to speak on items 25 and 26. >> Miss Brian, we don't have the invocation or is that >> Yes, sir. I apologize. >> We begin the meeting with the invocation delivered by El Paso Police Chaplain Robert Hemhill Jr. Honorable Mayor Johnson and Mayor Pro Tim Chavez and council members, let's bow our heads at this time. We humbly come together loving and eternal father to ask for your divine wisdom for today's council members and mayor. Lead us oh lord while we discuss our city's problems. Strengthen our judgment. Give them the insight they need to serve all residents with compassion, justice, and common goal of the prosperous city of El Paso. We faithfully fulfill this civic duty and build a city that deserves a beacon as a for everyone. Knowing that you possess immeasurable knowledge, we ask for your grace and hopeful hearts in order to make better decisions. May you be reflected and exalted beyond all else in all we do or decide here today. This we ask in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Yes, sir. >> Can Miss Bryan call to the public? >> Yes, sir. And for the record, uh, Mayor Pope Tim Chavez and Representative Pierro have also joined the meeting at 10:06. We now go to the public comment on items on the agenda this morning. We have Suzanne Dip. She signed up to speak on items 25 and 26. These are introduction of ordinances amending title 12. >> Good morning. >> Morning, Mayor Johnson. >> Good morning >> and council. >> Pleasure to see you all this morning. Thank you for your time. I wanted to excuse me. I wanted to I'm here as a as the founder and community liaison for the Sunrise Civic Group. Excuse me. We are an organization that was founded in in 2020 and the purpose of our focus is to collaborate with not only a focus on the rim area neighborhood but all of the uptown area. We do something beyond what the neighborhood associations can do. We are a collaborative with brokers, real estate brokers, developers. Thank you. um developers, urban planners, architects, designers. So, we have we have maybe a different set of eyes when it comes to anything regarding real estate and the preservation of neighborhoods. And I know we're in alignment with you all because uh your vision talks about safe and beautiful neighborhoods. So, we'd like to stay a breast. We are recognized by the city and I constantly receive zoning changes and we weigh in on that because we want to enhance the city. So if there's any suggestions to be made definitely we spend some time on that and in I wanted to explain uh what an NCO is because our neighborhood of the rim area has the only neighborhood conservation overlay. We formed in 2001 and it was protect the third neighborhood in the city. It's got a great history. It has an incredible diverse population. We are 47% Hispanic, 34% white, 15% black. And as far as socioeconomics, we have students, social workers, teachers, all the way to former mayors and state senators. So, we have an incredible uh it's a incredible example of what a neighborhood could and should be. But anyway, 2001 we formed because we were constantly being bombarded with aggressive change that was happening on our doorstep, what is now considered the uptown. And I don't know how much time I have, but I am, you know, we we know where the downtown uptown plan ordinance should have been because I was on that committee and we had a lot of input. The uptown already is the most densely populated area of the city with UTP, two major hospitals, community college, and a state highway running down the middle of it. So pre-COVID numbers on that traffic with 33,000 cars a day. So anyway, we we are fighting off the cars and the traffic that are in our neighborhood of 400 homes. Just last Tuesday and demanding that we know anything about this implementation program. For a year, we were supposed to have been been shared this knowledge. >> You've reached the three minutes, >> Miss Prime. Let's give her another minute. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. Anyway, we just last Tuesday in our meetings with in the city hall, we found out about this uptown benefit district. It was crafted in part because of that implementation program, I believe. And if you look at if you look at our map, there are no there is no parking on Mesa, no parking on Oregon, and only 15 spots left after that street car was installed in this uptown area. Aside from that, the only area for parking, public parking, is if you're in a parking lot of a business, a commercial entity. If this plan goes through the downtown Uptown, that will eliminate all of the commercial parking. And where will the parking go? our neighborhood, which we are circumspect because part of that implementation plan, which was not given to us, shows that the city urban planning department measured our streets for load capacity. How many more cars can they load into our neighborhood? In 2018, we crafted an ordinance with the city to remove the cars from the historic streets which are very small, very unsafe when people are parked. The neighborhood was built when people had one car. >> So anyway, we are asking we we think we are being we think this is a money-making opportunity for the city where cars would park in our neighborhood and get ticketed. There's no way without parking on commercial roadways that the cars will have the businesses will have success, but also it's putting more burden. We are asking the city to listen to the citizens of this neighborhood. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Dip. And I invite you to provide additional comment during the public hearing of these ordinances on August 19th. That brings us to call to the public. The El Paso City Council is a local government body charged with serving the citizens and the meetings must be focused on the meeting 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 expected to display civility and decorum that is respectful to other persons without the use of insulting, profane, threatening or abusive language. 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 >> Miss Prime, give me one quick second. Um, Representative Rocha, >> just a point of clarification, Miss Prime, did Miss Dip sign up for two items? They're related. Ma'am items 25 and 26 are related items. >> So she only gets three minutes for both. >> You typically these items are taken together and typically public comment is not taken on the introduction of the ordinances. The comment is taken during the public hearing. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And Miss Prime, did Miss Turner sign up for item 38? >> She did, mayor, but she wishes to speak at the time the item is discussed. >> Okay, let's continue. >> Yes, sir. This morning we have 26 people that signed up to speak on call to the public. Uh typically the the time the 60 minutes is allotted for call to the public and the time is divided by the number of folks that signed up to speak. However, Mayor Johnson has has agreed to give everybody three minutes. So you the timer will be on the screen. It'll be 3 minutes. It'll show green. Once it you have 30 seconds, it'll turn yellow. And once you have 5 seconds, it'll turn red. At that time, we invite you to provide your closing statement. The first person is Claudia Contra Siller. Miss Hiller's topic is back the blue. She'll be followed by Nazi Pamela De La Hoya Flores. >> Good morning. >> Hi, good morning everybody. Uh, three days ago, I'm sorry, Sunday was the anniversary of the Walmart shooting. And I want to uh send a message to the families that the community still remembers you. And I want to thank the El Paso Police Department and all of the first responders and law enforcement because they were the ones that run into that building um to to protect everyone against danger and death. And I want to express my gratitude to the El Paso Police Department 100%. They do wonders even though they have low budget. And I want to say uh God bless the police and I want to wave the most beautiful flag >> here and I want to say thank you to the chief and everybody that risk their lives to protect us. Um last call to the public I was here and I spoke to about my friend. He died of an overdose and most likely it was fentinyl. I want to say that it's very important um to teach our kids that these drugs are out there and every single drug can be laced with it. This person, he was from El Paso and this picture is from 93. He had the 915 tattooed on his back. His dad died, his two brothers died, and his mother died. He did have medical records about mental illnesses and the ones that were always there for him was the police department. Um, everybody. So, right here in this ED, I have the police report and I have the pictures when he was found dead. And this is the worst worst thing I have ever seen. I'm an animal advocate. And the police department is always there for me whenever I feel threatened, when I'm feeling stray animals. And that's why I want to back them up 100%. And to say that they defend, they're the first responders for our human the human beings. Just yesterday, I was on 311 uh reporting animals that were loose and then I saw a break-in in a house. I got I got transferred to 911 and the police uh officer showed up and I even told them there's three males, big males that are going inside that building and just go don't go alone. And I want to say that this um uh we don't get to see everything that happens behind the scenes. So, we cannot be um like gathering to attack establishments when we don't know what's going on just because they didn't arrive for a breakin or some other it's because maybe they're taking pictures of a dead body. And I also I want to express that I am 100% with animal services. I was there yesterday and the day before yesterday I took in a an animal. I went inside the building and they took him right away for medical care under animal in distress. The dog these people are talking about was not taken inside the building. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> God bless you everybody. >> The next speaker is Nazle Pamela de Laoya Flores. I don't believe she's here. We'll move to Michael Clark. Mr. Clark, star six, please to unmute your telephone. Michael Clark, star six, please. Mr. Clark's topic is parks and recreation food truck lottery system. Good morning, sir. You have three minutes. >> Oh god. >> Go ahead, Mr. Clark. >> Good afternoon, mayor and city representatives. My name is Michael Clark, and today I stand before you or over the phone. Um, not just for an externed citizen, but as a voice for countless small business owners in El Paso who are being stifled by policies that frankly don't even seem to exist on paper. Recently, I submitted an open records request regarding the lottery and permitting process for food trucks in the city of uh city parks. I was charged $198 and told it would take 11 hours to locate the documents. Weeks later, I was refunded not because my request was fulfilled, but because the request, the records could not be found. The reason, the employee who managed those records retired, and there's no system in place to preserve his information for public access. This isn't just about paperwork issues. It's affecting real people. Small business owners, my friends, my colleagues are being denied. Opportunities because of process no one can even prove exist officially. How do we expect businesses to thrive when permits are being granted or denied based on policies that cannot be produced or reviewed? I've heard too many stories from hardworking entrepreneurs who are ready to invest in this city but are held back by a broken system. This is why I believe at this point everyone who applies for a city permit through parks and recreation should receive a permit. We cannot allow small business to be blocked by invisible policy, poor recordkeeping. El Paso deserves better, and our business owners deserve fairness, opportunity, and clarity. Um, I I really appreciate the time to speak on this. Like I said, I'm passionate about this because I'm an entrepreneur myself and the way park and recreation is going about this. Threatening use police, threatening to to use invisible policies they have not verified themselves and to open to ask for public records and not receive them in a timely manner is unacceptable. And you know, I hope the mayor and the city reps look into this and find out because your constituents are applying for these permits. People are wanting to make money in El Paso and it's not happening. So, I appreciate the time to speak on this. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Lisa Turner. She will be followed by Elizabeth Crawford, Brianna Bart Quick. Miss Turner's topic is the budget. >> Good morning, Miss Turner. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, Miss Turner. >> Good morning, Mayor of Council. I can't wait till I get a picture of you on the runway because I'm going to want to get assigned. Okay. Uh, I want to talk about the budget. Again, my city council has dumped the burden of running this city on the homeowner. They basically pay 75% of the bill. Business doesn't pay their fair share. And this council, every council has worked during the budget session to do their best to make sure that business doesn't fulfill its responsibilities in this city, that it doesn't pay its fair share. Uh, I don't know when we're going to get around to getting this fixed, but I can tell you right now, there's an easy 10% cut in your budget as it stands today. and I'll give you one of the line items that you can start off with start off with and that's the money that you pay for the border patrol agents to work overtime and given the billions that just recently got extra. They got all the money in the world. So you don't need to be paying that much. I as a taxpayer, Mr. Cortine is a taxpayer, you as a taxpayer shouldn't have to be carrying that burden. They've got the money now. It's their fault if we do it. We shouldn't be carrying that burden. That's the first thing you go. But there are other things if we want to talk about them. And I will say this, never again do I want to see in a publication that the veterans are being blamed for increases because they happen to be 100% disabled. There there was an article in the El Paso matters blaming Dem uh excuse me blaming veterans. I'm tired of this. I get I hear this every budget session. Well, it's the veterans. It's because we have to give them something that the state voted on that people here voted on. So, I'm sick and tired of it. So your homework for everybody is stop and think. If all the veterans in this town moved to Austin, what do you think where you think your economy would be? Thank you. The next speaker is Elizabeth Crawford. Miss Crawford, star six to unmute your telephone. Miss Crawford's topic is dehumanization and abortion. Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. Thank you. In June, we're horrified to read in the news about the decapitated body and later the head found just across the b border in Huarez. Then the two bodies hanging from the bridge. In God's word, one of the ten commandments, Exodus 20, thou shalt not murder. From the womb to the tomb, life is a gift from God. August has been designated as minority organ donor awareness month. While the intent is to raise awareness for people to voluntarily donate organs as a gift to help those in need, it's also critical to point out that our nation regularly engages in involuntary minority organ donations, especially in our urban areas and in the state of New Mexico. Involuntary. We as prolifers are rejoicing that the Mega Planned Parenthood of Houston, once the largest abortion facility in the Western Hemisphere, is closing down. Praise God. There are her reports documented across our nation of babies being stripped of organs even while their little hearts are still beating to be then used for research of intentional born alive babies to do better more a better more efficient job of late term organ harvesting. I'm not referencing to China. This is the United States. This occurs in New Mexico where El Paso ladies regularly go to abort. In denouncing the city of Nineveh in Assyria, the Lord spoke these words through the prophet Nahm. Naam chapter 3. Woe to the bloody city, a multitude of slain, a mass of corpses and countless dead bodies. Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts. We have dehumanized babies in the womb. They are created in the image of God. America, repent. We are a nation with decades and decades of blood on our hands. America repent. Thank you. And the next the remaining speakers will be speaking regarding animal services. I will remind everyone that this forum shall not be used for personal attacks. If you do, I will need to interrupt you. The next speaker is Brena Bartquick. Her topic is animal services. Ma'am, star six, please to unmute your telephone. Good morning. You'll have three minutes. >> I have some grave concerns in regards to the management of El Paso Animal Services. It's bad enough to be traumatized by correspondence from the Humane Society International, of which I am a supporter. However, seeing such unspeakable cruelty so close to home is another thing entirely. I'm only tangentially connected to the El Paso animal rescue community as I run a Facebook group for lost and found pets in the city. And even still, I have time and again come across absolute horror stories. I've been told that so many of the employees working at animal services are good people who want the best outcome for all of the animals in their care. And I must say that this has been my experience when interacting with them. However, they are prevented from offering full compassionate and timely and even necessary care by those in charge. El Paso, in my opinion, is a beautiful community full of wonderful people. And this is a stain on our city. We must do better. Animals shouldn't be refused intake because a good Samaritan offered them a meal in a bed the night before bringing them in and then being told that it's now their responsibility to care for the animal in full. Critically injured animals shouldn't be made to wait and suffer at the end of the line. And then there is the issue of so many animals being released back onto the streets without being spayed or neutered, which just leads to the prop perpetuation of this crisis. This is not only a safety issue for the animals, it's a safety issue for everyone and a moral failing for anyone who can step up and make a change for the better and chooses not to. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Marggo Bosa. Miss Bosa's topic also animal services. Good morning. Star six, please to unmute your microphone. Marggo Bubasa, you have three minutes. >> Good morning. Can you hear me? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you so much. So, thank you for the board members. As a volunteer for El Paso Animal Services and an animal advocate, I just like to bring the El Paso Animal Services shelter has transformed from a place of despair to one of hope. In our numbers in 2023, El Paso Animal Services has taken approximately 15,45 intakes. As of late 2024, Oprah Animal Services has taken in approximately 20,000 animals that had been projected up to 24,000 intakes per year. And at the end of the year, that was the in uh no total number and the starting of January only of 2025, 700, 700 animals taken just in January. This is a very high intake year. Uh this marks a significant increase and highlights the ongoing challenges that the shelter faces with overcrowded and limited resources. A council sources is officially a no kill shelter striving to save at least 90% of incoming animals. However, currently because of the rates that are going so high every year. It hovers around 80 86% below the no kill benchmark. Overcrowding, disease, and behavioral decline are ongoing concerns with some animals that need to be euthanized even for space. Improving our path service can build on the impressive programs that they have already made such as community outreach, education, lunch, neighborhood based pet care workshops, partner with schools, create multilingual resources for underdeserved communities that aren't in El Paso, boost, booster and uh foster and volunteer programs, also do mentoring systems, collaborate. Overall with this improvements, we do need to do more funding and we need to reorganize as this is such a broken system that gets to be just under the rug like there's no problem. There's a huge problem and the part of it is going to have to be reorganization of El Paso Animal Services and also the funding. as I myself as a volunteer I see that we are so overstressed and so overworked that we just don't know how to do be able to prevent from all the deaths that are happening from this animals. Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Barbara Valencia. >> Miss Valencia's topic is justice for Alda. She will be followed by Becky Horkwitz, Bonnie Galvan, Darlene Rinkon, Chris Bles, Ron Ko. >> Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, everybody. The name Alda means powerful in battle. Last week, a good Samaritan found a stray dog. The community has named Alda that was having seizures. She put the little dog into a box and rushed to animal services as that is a place to take sick and injured animals. At animal services, the finder was told to put the dog back in her car and wait. The finder waited in the parking lot for 90 minutes. As the dog continued having seizures with no assistance from shelter staffer management, three times the finder asked for help, but was told to wait her turn. The finder had to sit in the parking lot and watch this little dog suffer for an hour and a half. This is inhumane and animal cruelty at the hands of the department whose job is to assist the stray, sick, and injured animals in our community. A dog was left convulsing in the parking lot and was denied urgently necessary care repeatedly. And one of our city representatives took to social media to defend these actions, stating money and space as contributing factors. This dog didn't suffer because of lack of money or space. It suffered because staff followed protocols from the shelter's top leadership that prioritizes order and skewed statistical data over the lives and well-being of the animals. Protocols where staff are instructed to delay care for seriously ill or injured animals to achieve optical and falsely manipulated live release numbers. where dogs are warehoused for months on end while their physical and mental well-being erodess and deteriorates. Where good Samaritans are dismissed or ignored when they step up to help and are left feeling discouraged and helpless. Where top leadership at the sheltering in our city government has legitim legitimized animal cruelty where rescue partners are required to remain silent when seeing the wrongs committed by and at this department. This representative went on to further state that for those of us requesting an audit of animal services, the city has hired a consulting firm to do an assessment of animal services. An audit and an assessment are not the same. Our tax dollars are being used for an assessment by a company that uses the best practices of the very ones that put our city in this animal crisis to begin with. Haw and best friends. It's like we are in a never-ending Three Stooges episode. If this animal crisis issue wasn't so serious, it'd be comical. This is not an attack against the hardworking staff and volunteers at the shelter. Rather, is the one at the helm that needs to be held accountable and removed immediately. We need a competent experienced and compassionate shelter director, not a fireman pretending to be a shelter director. Thank you. >> Again, I'll remind the public, please, no personal attacks. The next speaker is Becky Horowitz. Becky Horowitz, star six, please to unmute your telephone. Becky Horowitz, star six, please. Good morning. You have three minutes. Um, I'm calling because I'm a taxpayer and a very concerned citizen and I know that we have a crisis in our city and the innocent animals are paying the price. Um the number of injured and hurt animals is exploding. And although it's the purpose of the shelter to protect these animals from hunger and thirst, pain and discomfort, disease and anything that is harmful to them, that is not happening. We are not doing that under the current leadership. And I question the training and the expertise of that leadership and not the staff and the volunteers who are trying their best to help the animals. My advice and recommendation is to work with the wonderful rescue organizations in El Paso who are doing so little with excuse me who are doing so much with so little. They have the expertise and they know the situation. Why not hire or offer the opportunity to a group of these directors to work to council the animal shelter and see what can be improved and how to improve that. It's time for change and change needs to happen now. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Bonnie Galvan. Miss Galvan, star six, please to unmute your telephone. Bonnie Galvan, star six, please to unmute your telephone. Good morning. You have three minutes. Good morning. Go ahead, ma'am. >> Okay. I will keep this short for two reasons. Um, I only have three minutes and to me this is not rocket science. El Paso and county politicians are famed for being reactive instead of proactive. Complacent until a tragedy occurs or until the news gets a hold of it, collecting paychecks and awarding salaries without solutions. Well, today we are addressing an issue that all of you know about but continue to avoid. El Paso streets and deserts are littered with dogs being dumped and neglected. Cats, too. With no consequences to irresponsible pet owners and breeders. No programs or incentives like low to no cost spay and neuter programs, which by the way is the reason the shelter is overflowing. A $22 million or so budget. and your shelter director and staff continue to cash their paychecks, paid as you are, to find practical solutions for this ongoing public health issue. And the best they can do is fill more cages, turn people away, advise that you return animals back to the street, and allow helpless animals to suffer a horrible death. See video because you have to wait your turn. impunity despite your lack of ideas, progress, or remedy. I find it hard to believe that none of you can figure out how to manage that budget better. Fire people who don't do their jobs or nor find a way to collaborate with the community to create ordinances that punish people for dumping and neglecting these animals to collaborate to find matching funds to provide spay and neuter services and mandates. may be wildlife cameras, warning signs posted in high dump, abandoned area that no mayor in El Paso, Horizon, and surrounding areas, no county judge, no rep, none of you have taken this problem seriously. What will it take? A mauling by a pack of dogs left to starve in the streets? Or do we need a consultant from Dallas to show El Paso how to fix this problem? Or maybe a good or better idea would be consult with local rescues and fosters who do your jobs for free. Maybe spend some of that taxpayer money, some of our taxpayer money on people who create real change. Either way, it's not rocket science. Please do what the community hired you to do quickly, swiftly, and with distinction. Collaborate with the people who are already doing the work. And just uh to comment on the lady that talked about animal services, no doubt uh many of them are trying to do a good job. However, >> thank you, Miss Galvan. You've reached the three minutes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Darlene Rinkon. She will be followed by Chris, Ron Ko, Loretta Hyde, Karen Washington, Carla Gallardo, Veronica Cordova, Kaylee Baker. Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. My name is Darlene Rinko. I volunteer with some of the rescues here in El Paso. I am here this morning as a concerned citizen regarding the facility at 501 Fred Wilson Boulevard responding to or accepting intake of loose animals, particularly dogs. I am referring to the use of managed intake policies that are putting both animals and residents at risk. Residents who find animals and attempt to have them picked up or turn them in at the facility are told to leave or take back to where found because shelter is full. This action is not only heartbreaking but unacceptable leading to animal overpopulation. This policy fails to uphold the five freedoms. Number one, freedom from hunger and thirst, ensuring pets have access to food and water. Freedom from discomfort, providing a comfortable living space for pets. Freedom from pain, injury or disease, offering medical care and treatment when necessary. Freedom to express normal behavior, allowing pets to behave in their natural and healthy ways. Number five, freedom from fear and distress, creating a safe and supportive environment for pets. The facility was giving an additional $2.3 million in 2025 budget 2, hire additional staff, facilitate the opening of the Westside facility, which according to Mayor Leiser 92523 would be a full-blown animal shelter to get animals off the street. I recommend there needs to be better ongoing training to include the person in charge and every other employee. Josh, just in animal care, I am referencing to recent issue of a dog suffering while finder was told to wait your turn. This is unacceptable and should never happen again. Training would also need to include how to serve the public with respect, urgency, and compassion. We all want a safe, humane comm community for people and animals. This starts with responsive services and ethical standards. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Chris Bles. >> Chris Veles, followed by Ron Ko, Loretta Hyde, Karen Washington. >> Good morning. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. >> Morning. >> Good morning. My name is Chris Vez and I actually am a nonprofit myself. Lily, I owe you a meeting. Amazing. I'm glad you're back in. Okay. My uh concern with the shelter is that it is reactive, not proactive. Okay. On average, they have about 3,300 pets on their books, right? So, that's what our budget is paying for, 3,300. But the problem is we don't know the scalability. So, what is it 3,300? Is that their capacity? Is that the max? Can we go higher? Can we go lower? Can we look at scalability? Maybe look at a city that's equal sized to see what their shelters built out to. Okay. Number two, we don't do a good job of managing our population. So, we have 3,300 dogs in the shelter care system daily, right? Well, that's the end of the month reports. 3,300 daily. Out of those 3,300, only about 1,200 are listed for adoption. So, where are the rest of the animals at? Is that the warehousing part? Do you see what I'm saying? We're paying for animals that are not available for adoption. Why are we paying for them as taxpayers? Are they a warehouse because they're behavioral issues because their medical issues because we don't know where we're at because they went out to foster. We lost track of the foster. We lost track of the animal. What's going on with that? So, as a taxpayer, why am I paying for $1,200 or 1,200 animals a month that don't exist? So, that's the other thing we have to kind of get control of is where these animals are at. The other issue we have is um what are we doing proactively as far as educating the public? We built this great little education room at the main shelter, right? But it it's basically based on people coming to the shelter. A lot of people don't even know where the shelter's at. Sad to say, but you see it on Facebook. Someone finds an animal and then rescues will walk them through with what to do with their animals. So, why can't we send out a postcard with uh call 311, take it to the fire department, get it scanned for a chip. You know, you have 72 hours to go to the shelter, get it registered, or else it's your problem, right? We know when to take out our trash cans. We know when it's a recycle day, but we don't know that we need to spay and neuter our pets. We don't know what to do when we find a lost pet. We don't know what to where to go if we have pets that are loose stray. And also, we don't know what to do when we get attacked by an animal. Do we call 911? Do we call 311? What's the protocol mean? Do I need a rabies shot? What what are the steps necessary? So, that's something that we could do maybe once a year and send out a postcard, right? Then we own the electric company, the gas company, everybody else. Why can't we just put spay and neuter on every bill? It's just a mental note, right? They hear it every day. Spay and neuter like the news channel should always end their their daily whatever with spay and neuter your pets like Bob Barker because it just puts that that thought out there, right? That continuous spay neuter. Why am I Why are they telling me this? And they start educating themselves. It's that education piece. We need to be more proactive about it. The other thing too is what is like I said the gap in what we need to have versus what we have. We're going to have to euthanize. There's no there's no way around it. Like I think the live release rate for June was 76%. The month before was 75. So we 25% of our animals, right? >> Thank you, ma'am. You reach the three. >> I'm sorry. I ran out of time, but we just need to be more proactive is what I'm saying. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> The next speaker is Ron Ko. He will be followed by Loretta Hyde, Karen Washington, Carla Gallardo, Veronica Cordova. Good morning. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, ma'am. I'll try to keep you from having to stop me. Welcome. So, let's start with some basic information. Up until 2019, we int everything everything. Period. 2020 we started the hos sheltering plan and managed intake which is illegal in the state of Texas 826.033 yet it's allowed to happen every day. So now here we are in 2025 everybody's saying there's too many strays. Why? Why is the shelter closed? Why are they managing intake? We purchased a facility to take on some of the overflow and we all sit here waiting for the city of El Paso to open up the facility for what it was supposed to be. In the meantime, we have animals being left on the streets. We have animals not being taken care of. We got animals missing that are supposed to be in the shelter and foster. We've got a catastrophe going on. When are we going to fix this? I remember a few months ago we had a conversation about a certain group of rescues that would go once a month and discuss the issues and ways to fix it and that once it was fixed we would continue this to make sure we didn't ever slip back to where we are today. What happened to that? Are we going to do absolutely nothing and continue to make the stray crisis more and more of a problem? The longer we put off fixing the issues, the more strays we are creating for the city of El Paso, the more people we're putting in danger, the more strays we're putting in danger, the more pets we're putting in danger because someone doesn't want to house a bunch of strays. So why is he at El Paso Animal Services? Come on folks, like the lady said, it's not rocket science. And just for the record, in 2019, in July, intake was 2683. So let's not get this. Oh, we did so much. No, you didn't do enough, which is what we've had since 2020. We need people that actually know how to be successful to do these things rather than people that are just collecting paychecks. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Loretta Hyde. She will be followed by Karen Washington, Carla Gallardo, Veronica Cordova, Kaylee Baker. Good morning. You have three minutes. Thank you. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, council. >> Good morning. >> My name is Loretta Hyde. I'm with the Animal Rescue League. I am the founder. Since 1975, we've been doing rescue. When I started doing rescue, I worked closely with animal services. I've been with like six directors since I've been the only person here. They've had like six directors. And each time a new director is brought in, we always offer our assistance and say that we'd love to do a task force and help you if that would be something that you'd be interested in. since we've been doing rescue for 30 years. Um, we were told, "Nope, we got it. We're good." Okay. So, I saw the little dog that was laying in the box that was suffering. And I'm saying to myself, that's just not acceptable. You don't treat animals like that. You don't you're you're somebody on the staff should get up, go look and see if the person's been in there three times to tell you that there's something wrong with this little dog. and everybody says, "Wait your turn." while that little dog is seizing and those people are sitting out there in the sun in their car. It's just unacceptable behavior for any part, whether it be a rescue or animal services. I think they should set an example and do what's best for the job that they are doing that that they took on themselves to say that I'm here to represent El Paso and Animal Services. My thing is the last time we had a meeting with with um the animal director, I asked him, "Why do the rescues always have to show up to the hoarding cases and the lost and found and go out in the desert and trap everybody and be legally and financially responsible for all these animals when it's not our job. We do it because we love and we have the passion to help rescue and take care of these babies and put them back into forever homes. And if you didn't have the rescues here in El Paso, I can't even imagine how bad animal services would have the problem of doing intakes and taking care of what they have. So I was told they do the best they can. When we go out, we assess the situation and then we end up getting the 22 dogs or the 12 dogs that's been locked in a room for 3 years and everybody's been complaining. animal services and city council has to get something going that they can find a solution and be proactive like Chris said because it's not the rescue's job to do the job that they're doing for you but we choose to do it because we love and we have the passion that it that comes with loving your four-legged friends and making sure that you know everything is what it should be here in El Paso and be proud of El Paso and not and not be you know set everybody that comes here say that we suck. You know that animals are loose. They're they're dead animals everywhere and that's just not the way I want to represent El Paso. So, please help us. >> Thank you, Miss Hyde. >> The next speaker is Karen Washington, followed by Carla Gallardo, Veronica Cordova. Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. City council mayor. El Paso Animal Services upholds the five freedoms for animals in its care, ensuring their well-being. These freedoms are freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain and injury. This dog went into the shelter in obvious pain, and so you've already seen the video, you've heard it all. Um, this should have been handled, I think, a little bit more uh compassionately. But I am Positive Rescuers of El Paso. I'm a nonprofit. I've been rescuing dogs here for a little over 20 years. Um, I do not attend these meetings on a regular basis only because from my past experiences here, I feel as though I'm not heard and nor do any of you care about this crisis that El Paso is in. The incident this past week was nothing short of animal cruelty. Once again, animal services has an excuse. We did not know how bad or sick the dog was. I for one am a taxpayer and my taxes help fund El Paso Animal Services. Our shelter has it all wrong. And until our elected officials step up and put a true animal advocate, somebody with compassion, a leader in place, we continue this horrible path. Which path is this, you might ask? Good Samaritans finding dogs and calling 311 where recently a lady was told by 311 that most likely animal control would not take the dog in because they are fool or a good Samaritan finding a dog and taking it directly to animal services only to be told take it back to where it was found. Animal services personnel have resorted to giving the public my phone number, telling them contact positive rescuers. This is not how this is supposed to work. When when will you listen to us and hear us or answer our emails? We elected you all. We deserve answers to our concerns. And the response, contact animal services, which one representative recently responded to Mrs. Carrie Hoover is just passing the buck. Please stop ignoring us. We are in a crisis and unless you all step up and implement change, these dogs will continue to suffer. I have offered in the past for any of you to meet with me oneon-one so that I can share with you my experiences on a day-to-day basis. None of you have taken this opportunity. My offer still stands. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker is Carla Gallardo. Carla Gallardo. Veronica Cordova. Veronica Cordova. >> Men Carla is not here. >> No, sir. >> Okay. >> Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Uh, good morning. >> Good morning. >> Um, good morning and thank you for your time. I come here just like everybody else as a concerned citizen and animal lover to voice and address the big problem we have of stray dogs and cats in our city of El Paso. As this problem keeps getting worse of innocent animals suffering on the streets and shelters getting overwhelmed, the only answer to show somehow alleviate the problem is a massive spay and neuter campaign. And I'm going to repeat that because I believe that's the only answer to this problem. We need a massive spay and neuter campaign. I have a friend in Huarees which I think we have a lot of more resources that they're doing that they're doing massive spay and neuter. They're doing a 100 to 200 a day. They pick them up from the streets to do that. So if they can't do it, how come we can't? I believe we have more resources than they do. Um, as most of the money comes from the city of El Paso, um, from general fund, there needs to be a way to spread the wealth and additional funding to animal welfare and somehow prevent more suffering of defenseless animals on the streets that feel hunger, thirst, and pain just like we do. Presently, I have 10 10 dogs at my house that I I have been taking. If I had more room, I would take more. But I think we need to do this as a city, as a society, as everybody. it it we need everybody involved because this problem is getting bad. If you guys ever cruise everywhere, especially the east side, there's a lot of stray dogs and everywhere. Some of them just skin, they don't nobody feeds them or whatever, but it's a problem that I see growing since I've been here in El Paso all my life. It's growing and growing and nobody seems to do anything about it. So, please hear what we're saying and we would really appreciate more help. We really need it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Kaylee Baker. Kaylee Baker, if you're in the queue, star six, please to unmute your telephone. Kaylee Baker, star six, please. I don't see her phone number in the queue. We'll move on to Elena Perez followed by Randolph Ria, Marisol Sanchez, Candace Casteda, Elena Hancock. >> Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. >> I wrote it on my phone. Good morning, city council members. My name is Elena Perez and I'm the founder of Paws of Promise Animal Rescue Organization. I'm here today not just as a rescue advocate, but as a mother, a neighbor, and a concerned resident who sees a serious public safety and animal welfare crisis unfolding in our city, and it's worsening by the day. For the past eight years, my family and I have been saving dogs and cats out of our home. In that time, we've saved over 3,000 dogs. Many of them from the street, others from abuse, neglect, and we've even pulled from our city shelter. I'm here today because the animals in our city are suffering. And despite the best efforts of a few dedicated individuals, and underfunded rescues, the need is overwhelming and getting worse. We are flooded daily with calls about strays, injured, or dumped animals. and there are too few resources, too little funding, and virtually no city-led solutions uh in place to help us. On Tuesday, a Chihuahua was found convulsing within city limits. A good Samaritan rushed her to our city shelter. The dog was clearly in distress, but she was left in a cardboard box for 90 minutes. No one came out to see her. No one helped her. That's not humane sheltering. That is neglect. This is not an isolated incident. People trying to do the right thing in our community are bringing in found strays and they're being turned away. Others are being met by staff saying there's no space and they're actually being told to put the animals back where they found them, which is on the streets to continue starving, breeding, attacking other people's pets and in some cases people. It's not fair to the animals and it's not fair to our community. We need to enforce existing laws around animal cruelty um which are tethering, breeding, and abandonment. Maybe an audit of the shelter's operations and staff performance, mandatory animal care emergency response training, a transparent intake policy that welcomes, not turns away, found animals, and a real investment in infrastructure staffing and accountability. I'm not here to place blame. I'm here to ask for leadership. Our city shelter should be a place of safety and compassion, not a place where animals die while people look the other way. Our community deserves a shelter that functions with integrity. And the animals deserve it. The taxpayers deserve it. And you guys as a city council have the power to make it happen. We are not being heard. You have a choice. We all do. We can be a community that turns a blind eye to suffering or we can become a city that leads by compassion, action, and responsibility. I urge you to hear us. Take animal cruelty and make it a priority, their welfare, not just for the sake of the animals, but for the health, safety, and dignity of our entire community. Thank you for listening and for acting. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Randolph Ria. [Applause] Randolph Ria. Maris Sol Sanchez. Maris Sol Sanchez. She will be followed by Candace Casteda and Elena Hancock. Good morning. You have three minutes. >> Thank you. Good morning. My name is Marisol Sanchez and I rescue animals. That wasn't the plan. But I can't ignore an animal in need because my morals don't allow me to do so. A few years ago, I started rescuing desert dogs because of the neglect from animal services. There was this dog that had been abandoned for 4 years. and the construction man told me that she had been in the area that long and when animal services was called, they would come and look around and then leave. So, I decided to do something about it because what kind of person leaves an animal out fending for themselves. I began feeding the dog every day and I named her Wednesday. Eventually, after 2 months, I took her home and I called animal services and they told me, "Oh, you can rehome her or keep her. She's essentially yours. I called rescues, but they were all full. This same story has repeated seven times with seven different dogs. My last rescue was just last month. I named her Meadow and she had been in the desert for 6 months. Animal services did the same thing. I've seen posts on social media with people in the same predicament as I was and as I am. Animals turned away from animal services abandoned trying to find a place to be. We shouldn't normalize what is happening. Seeing dogs die because of lack of empathy, lack of leadership, lack of training shouldn't be normalized. That's cruelty, and that is shameful. And that is happening here in El Paso. I find it hard to believe that we have elected officials that know the needs of our community yet no one is doing anything about it. The policies at animal services I' are widely criticized across the nation yet they continue in place. I find it hard to believe that a director was hired without any training or any skills for that job. And our animals are dying under his supervision and no one bats an eye. One dog forgotten, one cat neglected, one dead animal is too many. But our elected officials can sit here and go home to their nice pets and their nice houses and ignore the dogs, the cats that are beyond their four walls. Our animals are literally one step away from being the next victims of animal services from the inexperienced director. >> How can you all really not care? >> I'll ask you to refrain from personal attacks. Go ahead, ma'am. You have 47 seconds. Our animals are one step away from being the victims of animal services. Okay. How can you all not care? I'm deeply disturbed and ashamed that this is happening in El Paso and that's why we're here demanding change and demanding that our voices be heard. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is Candace Casteda. Miss Castanetta will be followed by Elena Hancock, Emily Coslett, Jacqueline Horn, and Eileen Mendula. Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. Um, good morning, council members. Thank you for giving me a few minutes to speak today. My name is Candace Casetta and I'm here as a concerned resident who cares deeply about the welfare of animals in our community as well as the people who do their best to help them. Right now, our animal services department is struggling and it's not just because of lack and compassion, but because of lack of resources and support. Injured animals are often left waiting for for too long for care because workers within the facility don't triage at check-in. In some cases, help doesn't come at all while animals are suffering either on the street or waiting their turn in the waiting queue. This is due to improperly trained staff who become overwhelmed and just simply can't keep up. There are not enough staff members to properly clean kennels, respond to calls, or care for the animals coming in. As a result, conditions inside the shelter are suffering as dogs that are too small are dogs that are two to a too small of a kennel for them have to live within their own feces and animals are being left out in the elements because there just isn't enough space inside. Animal Services needs to find alternatives to lower their population within the facility and hold owners illegally accountable instead of not following through with their legal cases. Residents who try to do the right thing are running into serious roadblocks as well. People who find stray or injured animals are being told they cannot be accepted at the shelter and instead told to figure it out or return the animals to where they where they found them. That's incredibly frustrating and confusing, especially when those same residents are there are then threatened with animal abandonment charges for doing exactly what animal services tells them to do. They're just trying to be good Samaritans. We're also seeing a major impact in rural areas. Packs of dogs are becoming more common in the county and many of these dogs are being dumped there by people from the city because animal services will not accept their pets. These this puts additional pressure on county resources that are already limited. The city needs to take some responsibility for that and offer more support to the county, especially since animal services limits the amount that county animal welfare can bring in. Local rescue groups have been stepping in to help with animal services fall short. These groups are doing incredible work, but they cannot do it alone and they cannot do it for free. They need funding and support to continue filling in the gaps and understanding that most of these are run out of their homes. We also need to invest in prevention. Offering free spay and neuter services for city residents could make a big difference in reducing the number of unwanted litters. This is a proactive solution that would pay off in the long run. Lastly, the animal services staff would benefit from basic triage training. They're often the first ones to see or hear of any animal when they are brought in to determine if the animal is in distress and giving them the skills to assess and stabilize animals quickly could save lives. I'm not here to criticize. I'm here because I believe we all want the same thing. A safer, more humane, and more effective system for animals in our city. The community is ready to help, but we need the city to meet us halfway with the right tools, training, and funding. Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is Elena Hancock. She will be followed by Emily Coslett, Jacqueline Horn, and Eileen Mendulsa. Good morning. You have three minutes. >> Good morning, mayor and city council members. Uh my name is Alana Hancock, and I'm here today as a concerned resident, animal foster, and advocate. I'm seeking not just for myself, but for the countless animals in the city and the community members who are trying desperately to help them despite being repeatedly let down by El Paso Animal Services. I work full-time and I go to school full-time. I have personally fostered 50 animals alone this year from animal services and local rescues. The city shelter is in crisis. Over the past 10 years, I fostered animals for several city-run shelters throughout the region. I've seen what it looks like when a system works, even under pressure. But here in El Paso, animal services is underresourced, unsupported, and failing at the most basic level. It's not just ignor disorganized, it's dysfunctional, and the animals are paying the price. I have found abandoned and injured dogs and taken them to the shelter only be told more than once to just put them back where I found them. Obviously, I cannot do that. That's just not heartbreaking. It's irresponsible. It's a public safety issue, and it's completely and it completely contradicts the purpose of what an open intake shelter is supposed to be. When I fostered through animal services, I've received little to no support, minimal supplies, no follow-up, no guidance. And I'm not alone. Other fosters in the city are often left to cover the costs themselves or turn to local rescues just to give these animals a chance. Meanwhile, the front desk and vet staff uh are often rude, dismissive, and lacking the basic training necessary to serve the public care serve the public or care for animals. It's not a matter of an individual bad attitudes. It's a reflection of a system that's stretched too thin and given no real tools to succeed. The burden of this failure falls squarely on the backs of local rescues, most of which are volunteer-run, operating out of their own homes, and are funded with personal resources. These rescue workers are exhausted. They're burned out, and they're doing the very job animal services should be doing with zero support from the city. This is not just a staffing issue. It's not just a fun uh sorry, this is not just a staffing issue. It's not just a funding issue. It's a leadership issue. I urge the city council to stop looking away. The problem is only growing. Animals are dying. The community is losing faith. And those who care are being left without options. Fund the shelter properly. Invest in proper foster care infrastructure and training. Equip staff with tools and resources and compassion they need. And above all, listen to the people who are here doing the work on the ground without pay, without thanks, and without city support. The pass the animals of El Paso deserve better. The city the c sorry the community deserves better and El Paso as a city can do better. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> The next speaker is Emily Coslett. Emily Coslet, star six, please to unmute your telephone. Good morning. You have three minutes. >> Good morning, Mayor and City Council members. Today I am here as one of the many animal advocates in El Paso. Um, I could share with you several examples. Over the last two years, I've lived in El Paso and my sadness for the conditions for animals, but I'll share two. In early 2025, I called Horizon Animal Services regarding a dog frantically running along Horizon Boulevard. Their response is, "We'll get there when we get there." I followed the dog for nearly 30 minutes and several miles, hoping she would stay safe and hoping someone would show up. No one did, and she disappeared. Every day I hope that she survived. Then in April of 2025, I managed to secure a wandering dog in my neighborhood. Animal services collected him from my home only to return within 10 minutes. Basically long enough to circle the block. Their message, there's no room in the shelter. You'll need to keep him or release him. At that time, I already had a foster dog and my own dog in my home. The next day, I took him to the shelter and pleaded for help. I was one of the fortunate ones. they were able to take him. However, the message is clear. If you attempt to to assist animals in need in our community, you be they become your responsibility or you can put them back where you found them and hope they don't end up one of the many animals dead on the side of the road. This raises a pressing question. Why does the city have stringent enforcement against dumping trash in the desert so strict that junk removers are afraid to operate in some areas? Yet there are no such protections for the countless animals abandoned in those same deserts. Why are dogs left in sweltering cars returned to neglectful owners without consequences? Why are packs of animals and suffering animals, including two known packs here in Horizon City, continually ignored? The shelter lacks the resources and support from city leadership. Local rescues are overwhelmed, emotionally, and financially drained with minimal support from the city. I am actively involved with positive promise uh animal rescue. They see it every day taking in neglect and abandon abandonment cases constantly. Many compassionate individuals in our community are afraid to help animals, worried that the very institutions designed to assist them will turn them away. We need change. I'm pleading with the city to prioritize animal welfare. We don't need to hear about a $20 million amphitheater or another ma massive parking structure or some other massive amount of money from city council representatives. Focus on sharing their own agendas in their meeting. What we desperately need is genuine concern for the animals in our community, enforcement against animal abuse and abandonment, expanded funding for shelter space and staff, and meaningful support for our rescues. the lives of the animals in our community and the well-being of our community depend on it. So again, I say I'm bleeding I'm pleading with city representation. >> Thank you, Miss C. You've reached the three minutes. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Jacqueline Horn. >> She will be followed by Eileen Mendula. >> Good morning. You have three. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, mayor and city council. I hope you guys are all doing well today. I am here as well with many of the community concerned about the problem that we have here with the animals. I want to begin by saying I am a veteran. I am a military spouse. I am a homeschooled mom. And I want to highlight this because that is a lot to juggle in my agenda. And I am here today because my brother stepped up coming from California to give me the privilege and honor to talk to you guys about the issue that we have here. This is a lot for us to handle on our own. We need help. We need the city to step up. I would like for us in 10 seconds to take 60 seconds of silence for this animal that suffered. 60 seconds at 2 minute mark. I ask you guys, I saw that you guys all prayed before this. I want you guys to know that every living breathing thing matters to God. Please join me. Was that my 60 seconds? Was anybody tracking? That was 60 seconds, you guys. This animal waited over 60 minutes over it. That was 60 seconds that we experience of silence. That was a lot, right? That was heavy. This is what we are all experiencing on a daily. On a daily, you guys. I went on vacation and although this did not happen in our city, this is what we experience on a daily. I found three kittens at a Walmart parking lot. I grabbed them and I came and I want to say that I have lost one of them on the 10th. I had no confidence going to the city for this. I drove to the emergency room for 16 minutes. 16 minutes where Mittens died in my hand. I cannot imagine this person. This person that waited over two hours almost an hour and a half. Two hours too long. >> Thank you, Miss Horn. >> Please, I'm pleading with you guys. >> Pay attention to us, please. The final speaker is Eileen Mendula. Eileen Mendoza, star six, please, to unmute your telephone. Eileen Mendoza, star six, please, to unmute your telephone. Good morning. You have three minutes. Uh, can you hear me? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. Uh, good morning, mayor and city council. I am a volunteer with El Paso Animal Services and I also run the rescue runners program. I'm calling in to voice my thanks to the staff at El Paso Animal Services. As a volunteer, I see what they go through day in and day out as the animals continue to flow in with most times nowhere to put them. From working directly with staff and in the work I do at the shelter myself, you can see how heavy it weighs on them. You can see them struggling just to stay above water. That's why our organization encourages the community to come out to volunteer to see what the shelter is dealing with. None of it is a secret. It's a harsh reality that you cannot even comprehend until you walk through it. All the other area shelters can close their doors when they get overwhelmed. The city shelter cannot. This makes for a very different dynamic where they are expected to just make it work. I do agree with previous callers that we need free spayneuter and that some of the protocols and training of the shelter need to be addressed. But I just wanted to voice my appreciation for all the hard work that I know is happening because I see it myself. I know these words from the callers do make it down to the staff and I don't want them to lose heart because we do see you and we appreciate you. Thank you. >> Thank you council. That concludes call to the public. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Brian. And for those of you that um from the public that showed up today, first I want to thank you for taking the time from work, from school uh to come to city council to have a voice for the voiceless and to you know many of you brought ideas and and solutions that um we were going to listen to. And I do want you to know and I think I speak on behalf of the entire council that we heard you today. So, you know, again, we want to thank you for coming out and having a civil discourse to talk about a very, very tough topic for this community and we heard you and we will we'll get to work, but thank you guys for taking the time to come give us your voice and we we have some work to do, but thank you, >> Miss Fry. >> Yes, mayor. At this time, would you like to recess the council meeting to convene the special meeting? >> Yes, please. >> Second. There's a motion and a second to recess the regular city council meeting. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed and the regular city council meeting is in recess at 11:17 a.m.? >> Good morning. This is a special meeting of the El Paso City Council for Tuesday, August 5th, 2025. Mayor Johnson is present in presiding council chambers along with Mayor Prom Chavez, Representative Aso, Representative Maldonado Rocha, Representative Boyjo, Representative Nino, alternate mayor prom Fiero, Representative Lemon, and Representative Canales. It is 11:18 a.m. >> Let's take agenda item number one. >> Yes, sir. Item number one is discussion and action on a resolution of the city council to urge the Texas 89 89th legislature to support El Paso by ensuring Fort Bliss and the El Paso International Airport remain in congressional district 16. >> Okay. >> This item was submitted by Representative Aso Rocha Eno. >> Okay. Represent Asto. Thank you, mayor, and um thank you to Representative Maldonado Rocha and Representative Nino for joining me on this item as we're seeing uh a big um power grab at at the state level to redraw maps and this is going to really negatively impact El Paso. And I think that's where we should all be concerned on this. it. The proposed map at hand really um takes out the airport and Fort Bliss and those are two vital assets that our city has. Fort Bliss is El Paso and El Paso is Fort Bliss and our airport is such a a big matter for the city of El Paso. So, I'm hoping that my colleagues will join me in passing this resolution today. The county of El Paso passed a similar resolution yesterday unanimously. So I'll read the resolution. Whereas the governor has convened a special legislative session of the Texas 89th legislature to consider legislation relating to the appoint aortionment uh of the state of Texas into districts used to elect members of the United States House of Representative a process known as redistricting. And whereas redistricting is the revision or replacement of existing electoral districts resulting in new districts with different geographical boundaries in order to equalize population among electoral districts after publication of the United States to Sananiel census indicates that the population has increased or decreased over the last decade. And whereas the Texas Senate has proposed a redistricting map that would remove Fort Bliss in the El Paso El Paso International Airport from District 16, which is an El Paso based congressional district and would place these two vital economic drivers for our community and region in district 23, which is based in San Antonio. And whereas if the proposed map is approved, a significant portion of our city, including Fort Bliss with its VA healthc care center and the El Paso International Airport, will be represented by a Cong represented by a congressional delegation member based over 550 mi away as opposed to a member based within the city, familiar with the needs and services of our city and its residents. And whereas the El Paso International Airport owned and operated by the city of El Paso is a catalyst for growth and plays an important role in the strength and resilience of our region's economy. And whereas the city of El Paso has identified the continued growth and development of the El Paso International Airport as a key strategic objective, successfully engaging in the development of airport land, including the construction of a $150 million distribution center, bringing approximately 950 new jobs to the region and generating over 48 million in revenue to the airport over the next 50 years. And whereas 15.4 4 billion worth of goods moved through the airport's foreign trade zone number 68 and 3.7 billion worth of merchandise was exported from this zone to other countries in 2024 alone. And further for the foreign trade zone number 68 is directly responsible for 2,930 jobs. And whereas with an average of 55 departures per day and an annual $4 million $4 million throughput in total passenger traffic, the airport facilitates tourism and provides local businesses with access to the global market. And whereas Fort Bliss has a $4 billion impact on the local economy, directly employs over 47,000 people and indirectly employs another nearly 84,000, making Fort Bliss the single largest employer in the El Paso region, contributing to the livelihood of at least one in five people in El Paso. And whereas in 2020 there were nearly 38,000 active duty family members that reside in the El Paso region where they live, work, and play, while an additional 3,000 soldiers released from active duty decided to make El Paso their permanent home. And whereas El Paso is proud to be one located in the veterans capital of the US. Two, ranked as one of the top 10 best places for veterans to live in the United States. and indeed three home to over 50,000 veterans who serve an integral part of our community with this population looking forward to the construction of a new VA healthc care center which will be conveniently located on three 36 acres of Fort Bliss property and whereas the city of El Paso and Fort Bliss have a history of strong cooperation ensuring our shared community has access to the services critical to public safety, education and quality of life. And whereas drawing a district bound boundary that excludes the El Paso International Airport and Fort Bliss from being represented by a congressional representative who is locally based and understands the needs of these key community assets and the critical role they play in the strength and resilience of our community removes the close working relationship that has proven vital for federal funding opportunities and constant cohesive support for both the El Paso International Airport and Fort Bliss. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of El Paso that the city council of the city of El Paso urges the Texas 89th legislature to support El Paso by ensuring Fort Bliss in the El Paso International Airport remain in Congressional District 16. >> Thank you, Representative Representative um sorry I move to to approve. >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. Representative Rocha. >> Thank you, Mayor, and and thank you, Reposa, for that. I I just wanted to provide a little context on here as well. Um, last week when I learned that the redistricting was coming up over in on the uh on the Senate side, I decided to sign up and and submit testimony virtually, which I did. And at the time when the testimony was finished, Senator Blanco asked me a question and he said, "How vital is the El Paso International Airport to the city of El Paso?" or how important is it? And my response to him was that it's vital because our location supports trade, travel, and business across the border. The airport is a key part of our economy. It not only connects people and goods to markets across the nation and internationally. But these connections also bring jobs, investment, and growth. I had a word with Mayor Johnson at the fire department graduation on Thursday evening about a possible trip to Austin the by the following morning for the House committee meeting. And while that trip wasn't made possible or wasn't possible on either of our parts, um I did submit testimony for the House meeting on Friday morning along with this resolution that's co-sponsored with Rep. Oaveto and Rep. Nino. But more importantly, uh, one thing that I that I want to highlight is that our bational and bicultural community sits halfway between Houston and Los Angeles and also has strong ties to me, Mexico. Redistricting can affect how our community is represented. We are in a very strategic location for trade and transportation across Texas. Keeping our community whole helps ensure lawmakers understand and represent our needs tied to this location and our bational role. If fragmented, our ability to influence decisions on trade and infrastructure could weaken. And protecting El Paso's voice in redistricting also ensures that our region can continue to grow and thrive as a key hub between Texas and Mexico. So, I just wanted to thank Rep. Repo and Rep. Nino for co-sponsoring uh this resolution with me today. Thank you Mayor. >> Thank you, Representative Lemon. >> Thank you, Mayor. I fully support this resolution and wish to add something to it. As a minority majority state, this redistricting is a blatant attempt to wipe out the African-American vote and the Latino vote. It is shameful that we are having to go through this in this time in our lives. and we thought that civil rights and all of the fights had been settled, but it continues to be an attempt to wipe out the African-American and the Latino history in our country, and I fully support this resolution. >> Thank you, >> Representino. >> Thank you, Mayor. And I echo what um you know, I I had a conversation also with Rep. Rocha the fire uh department's graduation and earlier this year we adopted a uh you know our our state priorities in the agenda and I felt that it was important that this council had the opportunity to just have the conversation overall we do own and operate the airport and it's such a big economic driver which is the reason why you know in this conversation with reproach and when I was asked if I could you know support this resolution I felt that it was important for this council to be able to us have that opportunity to have that conversation. So, thank you Mayor. >> Thank you, Representative Canales. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, yeah, I'm also very supportive of this resolution. I I want to be really clear, the proposed redistricting, it's not about fair representation. It's not about following the census. It's not about serving the people of El Paso or really anywhere in Texas. Um, it's it's purely about political control. And you don't have to take it from me and you don't have to take it from anyone else aside from I think the one person who's clearly pushing this forward. Just this morning, Donald Trump said the following. He said, "We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats." So, you don't have to take it from us. You're hearing it from the people pushing this plan. they feel entitled to those seats, not winning them in elections, but entitled because they feel that they deserve them regardless. Um, as you heard of in the text of of the resolution, uh, as as Representative ADA read it, under this plan, major parts of our community, Fort Bliss, the airport, they would be taken out of the district they're currently in, represented by Congresswoman Escobar, and really shoved into a different district represented by someone hundreds of miles away in San Antonio. I I think there's absolutely no argument that that's to our benefit in El Paso. really whether that representative in the future is a Democrat or a Republican or from whatever party uh we should be represented here by someone who lives here by someone local. Uh that's at the core of what representative democracy is. Uh I I think it's very clear Republicans in the legislature are doing this mid decade outside of the typical cadence of the census because they see the numbers and they don't like the the changing uh numbers that they're seeing and they're afraid of what it means. They're afraid of cities like ours. I think they're afraid of Latino and black voters and other minority communities. Uh and they're afraid of over time their agenda getting rejected in Texas. So instead of competing for our votes, they're trying to keep power on, you know, illegal technical maneuvering instead of trying to win votes. Uh again, the the maps are uh absolutely unfair. And I think regardless of party affiliation or, you know, who you think uh should be representing our district, I think we can all agree it should be someone from El Paso, right? It should be ourselves. uh choosing who represents us and not somebody else. So, thank you to the representatives who sponsored this resolution uh and called for this special meeting. I think it's really important that the council is very loud and clear about how we feel about this uh individually and collectively. It's it's not fair to El Paso. It's not fair to all Texans. Uh and ultimately it's it's not an equitable response to the fear uh that the people in power won't be able to to hold on to that power longer. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Representative Tjo. >> Thank you, Mayor. And thank you, Representative ADO, Rocha, and Nino for bringing this forth. Uh I truly support this uh resolution and in full support of it. Thank you. represent Basto. >> Thank you, mayor. And I just wanted to add a little bit more context. I I also appreciate mayor um you allowing us to call for this special meeting. There were a lot of moving parts that happened um in the last few days and we were able to get this and that's why we were able to post it as as a special meeting. And you know, I echo um what my colleagues are saying today. I I think that I want to give a little bit more perspective on what um this could mean for us and why it's important for us to pass this resolution today. After the 2020 census, they did redistricting as they usually do. And at the time, they were also proposing this change where they were going to remove El Paso and Fort Bliss. the council of um at that at that point about four years ago passed a similar resolution and so did El Paso County and that really fueled our state delegation to have more ammunition to fight this and they successfully kept the Fort Bliss and the airport. So, I'm hoping that um by this passing unanimously today, we'll be able to keep these important assets as part of the 16th congressional district. And and I I think it's it's important to have an El Paso and fighting for El Paso and not have somebody in the the largest district in the country representing San Antonio to El Paso and 500 miles. How do you prioritize at that point? Right. And just in the last few years alone, Representative Escovat has or Congresswoman Escovat has brought in hundreds of millions of dollars for Fort Bliss. And I'm not exaggerating when it's literally hundreds of millions of dollars. So, we've seen how effective the the congresswoman has been in in this position to really fight for Fort Bliss and and we need to continue making sure that we as a council, as a city, also fight for Fort Bliss and our airport that Representative Maldona Rocha gets to be the representative of. So, just wanted to add that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. And I, you know, I also appreciate um this resolution coming uh before us today. So, thank you to all the reps that that brought it to us. Um you know, I think elections matter. And I think, you know, all of us ran nonpartisan races, but I think we can all agree that at the end of the day, our city is served best because we are present in our districts. We advocate for our districts and we represent our districts. Um and that is what we are basically, you know, saying today that we want our city to be represented here locally by someone who understands us, knows us, and uh knows the needs of our community. And and so this is, I think, important for the future of El Paso, its growth, its potential, and other things that we are working towards achieving. And so I fully support this as well. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you. >> Any further discussion? Represent Fiero. >> Thank you, mayor. I want to thank the the three reps who who put this on the agenda. I think it's important that we have our voices heard and that we support um local representation. Uh when I served in the 87th session and we we addressed um redistricting, the committee was very open to El Paso being represented by somebody local. It was very open to somebody not representing El Paso who was living 500 miles away. It was important to the committee then. It was important to the chairman then. And it it it's Fort Bliss and and the airport stayed in El Paso. It's mindboggling to me that that we are talking about making these decisions a few years later and turning over representation of these two very important economic drivers to somebody who's 500 miles away. So, thank you the three of you who who put it on the agenda. I look forward to supporting it. >> All right. And before we call the vote, Miss Bryant, I just want to say that um first of all, I want to thank the the uh council members that did put this on the agenda. And we just need to say it the way it is. This redistricting, it's wrong to move these critical assets that belong to El Paso and to reassign them, you know, 500 miles away is is wrong for El Paso in our community. We deserve local representation on our airport and Fort Bliss. We've already heard the amount of trade that goes through our airport and we talked about the the economic impact that Fort Bliss has on this economy and I can tell you that that deserves to have a local voice and someone that represents us that is here in the El Paso region. So, I applaud everyone that has worked on this. I applaud the ones that have given testimony and and and and have been so vocal uh with this issue. And I also want to say that our state delegation that is in Austin going through this, you know, we we understand that, you know, they're in a tough spot and they're going to have a tough decision here when they come up to vote. So, we stand behind them as well. So, with that, Miss Bryan, would you call for the vote? We do have public comment, mayor, from Miss Turner. >> Okay. >> Good morning, Mr. Turner. >> Afternoon. >> It's morning. >> Morning. Good morning. >> Good morning, >> Mayor Council. Fully support this resolution. Now, I want to say this. What they're doing is against the law. It's a violation of the Texas Constitution. Article three to redistrict in the state of Texas. The law requires it mandates that redistric redistricting occurs after the first in the first legislative session after the publication of a new US census. Now, no US census has been published lately and it's this is not a legislative session. This is a special session. Uh legally they don't have a ground to stand on. But giving this party, giving this country's leadership, the US Constitution and the Texas Constitution apparently don't apply to anybody, especially when we want to do something. And I have, you know, why would we put part of our city in the district of somebody who doesn't have a common decent decency to show his face here except to pick up campaign donations and then he'll run away. I've never seen him. I've seen his sta staff here when they've been invited before council, but I've never seen him. He won't show his face here. He won't come here. So why bother? I mean, the way I see it, it's a violation of the Texas Constitution, and you all should be saying not no, but hell no. That's just my position. They haven't met the constitutional requirements to do this in the state of Texas. And as my representative from district A pointed out, this is what the president wants. They want to fix elections, that is illegal as all get out and they're doing it in public. And people are not being noisy enough about it. And I would suggest that you all prepare to file suit if they actually pass this because they are violating the Texas Constitution. and you need to secure your rights through a lawsuit. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, Miss Prime, we have a motion and a second. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Ato, seconded by Representative Malonado Rocha to approve the resolution on item one. On that motion, call for the vote. [Music] in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> Okay. Do we need a motion to adjurnn this one? >> Please. >> Okay. Second. >> There's a motion and a second to adjurnn the special meeting. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? And the special meeting for Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 is adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Mayor, would you like to convene Mass Transit? >> Yes, please. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. This is a meeting of the El Paso Mass Transit Department board for Tuesday, August 5th, 2025. It is now 11:41 a.m. Present in presiding is board chair Johnson. Also present in council chambers are board members Chavez, ADO, Maldonado Rocha, Po Trejo, Nino, Fiero, Lemon, and Canales. There is no public comment. 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 may however reconsider any item at any time during the meeting. There is only item number two is in consent agenda. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Second. >> Thank you. Motion made by board member Lemon. Seconded, seconded by board member Fiero. And this is to approve item number two. Let me read it into the record. And it's a resolution that the city manager be authorized to sign a marketing partner agreement between the city of El Paso and Van Wagner. Voting session is open. The voting session has closed and the item has been approved unanimously. Okay, let's take uh agenda item number three. Item number three is discussion and action to issue a purchase order for solicitation 2025 0136 camera systems parts and service to Iris infrared and intelligent sensors NA incororated the sole and authorized distributor of Iris cameras a proprietary on board camera systems for a term of 3 years for an estimated amount of 2,400 $99 and $49,995. >> Is there Okay, there's a motion to approve. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion on this particular item? >> All right. Call for the vote. >> Moved by Mr. Nino. >> Represent Lemon. >> Lemon. Okay. >> And second >> to approve item number three. Motion made by board member Lemon, seconded by board member Chavis >> Rocha. >> Roachcha. >> Voting session is open. Voting session is closed >> and the item has been approved unanimously with Mr. Fiero not present for the vote. >> Okay. >> Item number four. >> Yes. is discussion and action to authorize the issuance of a purchase order for solicitation 20250462. Trapeze software and equipment maintenance to trapeze software group incorporated doing b business as bonus the sole and authorized distributor of the transit master and response master cad and software for a term of 5 years for an estimated amount of 2,066911 to approve. >> Okay, there's there's a motion and there's a second. Any discussion on this agenda item? All right, hearing none. Call for the vote. >> Bo, uh motion was made by board member Lemon, seconded by board member Canales, and this is to approve item number four. Voting session is open. The voting session is open. board member. Thank you, sir. And the voting session is closed and the item has been approved unanimously with board member Fiero not present for the vote. >> Okay, we we need a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Anyone opposed? and the Mass Transit Department board meeting for August 5th, 2025 is adjourned at 11:46 a.m. Thank you. >> Move to reconvene the regular city council 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 11:46 a.m. Council for the per the rules of order, no use of personal cellular devices nor personal communication should take place on the day while the meeting is in session. Once you obtain the floor from the mayor, you will have up to 10 minutes for each debatable motion and may speak twice per item. Please speak into the microphone and refrain from side conversations while the meeting is in session. For those of you joining us through Teams, please make sure your microphones are muted to reduce any background noise. 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. Mayor Prom. Thank you, Miss Prine. I make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the following revisions. Page three, item four, move to the regular agenda per representative aso. Page three, item five, move to the regular agenda per representative aso. Page three, item six, move to the regular agenda per representative aso. Page six, item 16, delete per representative Fiero. Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion on the consent agenda? >> Miss Brian, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Mayor Prom Chavez, seconded by Representative Lemon to approve the consent agenda as revised. On that motion, call for the vote in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. Mayor, would you like to take the items that were moved to the regular? Yeah. Let's take item number four from the consent. >> Okay. And Representative A wanted to take four, five, and six together. If council is okay with that, >> let's do that. >> Item four is a resolution that the director of aviation or designate be authorized to submit a subzone expansion application and supporting documents and coordination with taxing entities for letters of support to the US foreign trade zone 68 to include parcel at 13551 Montana Avenue. Item five is also a resolution that the director of aviation or designate be authorized to submit a minor boundary modification application and supporting documents and coordination with taxing entities for letters of support to the US foreign trade zone 68 to include the parcel at 970 Camino de Rey Drive. Item six is also a resolution that the director of aviation or designate be authorized to submit a minor boundary modification application and all supporting documents and coordination with taxing entities for letters of support to the US foreign trade zone 68 to include the parcels at 13500 Pelicano Drive. >> Good morning. Good morning. Uh David Panko, foreign trade zone manager at the El Paso International Airport. >> Represent. Um >> I I move to approve. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. Discussion. >> Yes. So, I um I'm very supportive of this. I just wanted to get a little bit more information on this to have a better understanding on what our foreign trade zones are doing for the city. Do you know what the percentage of this area is for our tax base? Cuz I'm seeing that there's low vacancy and we're trying to expand it because there's a lot of demand on this. So, how does that affect our tax base? >> Um, this affects our tax base because of the a large amount of real estate. There's over 3 million square foot of real estate that is being used by foreign trade zone clients and we're adding a lot more clients this year, next year. So, that'll help expand the tax base because I know that we want to put more tax base to commercial versus residential. where where foreign trade zone helps in that direction >> percentage-wise and in making it you know the commercial residential do you know what impact this will have on making this tax base more commercial >> I would be able to tell you a percentage on on that >> if you could get me that information I would really appreciate it >> sure we could look >> and then um I was saying that there's some monthly activity reports that the foreign trade zone provides Are those something that we can access or or get an understanding of what's happening there >> as far as what are the new clients coming in and how how we're moving them forward. >> Yes. Uh I'm sure we could provide that to you. >> Okay. I I would appreciate that. I I I'm trying to get uh a better understanding of what is happening here. And then I also think the public should know that there's a lot of good that's happening here. And I see that there's events that are happening, regular meetings held with clients, potential clients. Um a sponsor pays for these. So I kind of want to know more about that. I I feel that I'm not getting all a lot of that information and I really love to share that with my constituents. Yeah, I'd be happy to sit down with you and and spend time with you and go through it. There's just a lot going on with the foreign trade zone today. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second, Miss Prime, on items four, five, and six. Any further discussion? >> All right. Hearing none, seeing none, please call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative ADO, seconded by Representative Nino to approve items four, five, and six. On that motion, call for the vote and the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> We now turn to page number nine to the first reading of ordinances. >> Thank you. >> These are these are items 25 to 34. >> Okay. Representative introduction of the first ordinance. Okay. >> There's a motion and a second. Any discussion? Mr. Prime, please call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Lemon, seconded by alternate mayor Prom Fiero to approve the first reading of ordinances. These are items 25 to 34. On that motion, call for the vote >> in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> All right, let's take regular agenda. Item number 35. >> Yes, sir. Item 35 is a public hearing of an ordinance amending title 2, chapter 2.04, boards and commissions and committees generally to rename and amend section 2.04.010, remove references of excessive absences and rename the section uniform bylaws and require boards and commissions to adopt the city's uniform bylaws and to amend section 2.04.020 to update the requirements of recordkeeping meeting minutes. >> Okay. Representative Lemon. >> Thank you, mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you, mayor. This is u basically a cleanup, right? We've already gone through all these before and everything. Okay. Thank you very much. Move to approve. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. Uh represent Canales. >> Okay. Any discussion on this item number 35? All right. Miss Bryan, call for the vote. >> Yes. And the motion was made by Representative Lemon, seconded by Representative Alona De Rocha. This is to adopt the ordinance on item 35. There's no public comment. On that motion, call for the vote and the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. Representative Nino not present. >> All right, let's take 37. >> Item 36. >> 36. 36. a public hearing of an ordinance repealing ordinance 008961 which enacted the city accessibility advisory committee and repealing ordinance 017082 ordinance 011469 which amended the city accessibility advisory committee. >> Okay. Is there >> there's a motion and a second. Any discussion on item number 36? >> All right. Hearing none seen Miss Pry call for the vote. >> Yes sir. The motion was made by representative Lemon, seconded by alternate mayor pro Tim Pedro, and this is to adopt the ordinance on item 36. There is no public comment on that motion. Call for the vote and the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. Okay. >> Item 37 is a public hearing of an ordinance amending title 3 chapter 3.04 property taxes by amending section 3.04.040 exemption residents homestead to increase the ad valor property tax exemption for individuals who qualify under the current code. >> Okay. Is there a motion to approve this item? >> Second. >> Motion second. Any discussion? Robert, did you want to >> Okay. >> No. Good morning, mayor, city council. So again, this is the item that we've talked about several times. So this is increasing the exemption for the over 65 disabled from currently $42,500 up to $45,000. And again, on average, that increases an $18 additional property tax savings, which would bring the total to about $342 on the average tax bill. >> Okay. >> $342 a year >> on an annual basis. >> On an annual basis. >> Representative Chavez, did you want to >> No, I I know there's a presentation in the backup. Thank you, mayor. And I didn't know if it would be useful for the community to see that. I know we've already uh discussed it during the budget if anybody would want to see. >> If you don't mind, can we go through it? >> Thank you, mayor. >> So, again, this item is to amend an ordinance amending chapter 3.04. And again, this is a section related specifically to the residents homestead exemption for over 65 and the disabled. And again, as we've talked about several times over the last few months, this would increase the exemption from the current 42,500 up to $45,000. Uh just a little bit of history on this particular exemption that the city council does provide. And so this is again a city exemption. Uh amounts are controlled by the city council. Uh you see it was created back in 2006, started at $30,000 amount, was increased up to 40,000 in uh January of 2015. uh another increase in 2021 and again this is an additional $2,500 that would be effective for 2025. uh looking at the number of individuals who have either the over 65 or the disabled exemption. Um again as I presented last week total with the certified values that we've received updated information currently 57,240 homesteads have either the over 65 or disabled exemption. You'll see that increase from the prior year about 2300 roughly. Um again we'll make sure to get the word out make sure that everybody's eligible can apply for these u exemptions. The application process is through the appraisal district. So again, this u application is not done on the city's website, but you can access the information on the appraisal district's website to be able to take advantage of this. Uh we look at the actual impact to the city as far as property taxes. So this is essentially the cost to provide the exemptions for the over 65 and disabled. You'll see last year was 16.6 6 million with this increase and the increase in the number of uh participants in the program going up to $18.3 million again of property tax relief for over 65 and disabled. As we look to the average tax bill again, information I presented last week, um you'll see essentially the exemption equates to about a 20% discount on the average tax bill. Uh, so looking at that $221,000 average value for a home, if you have the over 65 or disabled exemption, again, that'll bring that down on the average tax bill by about $342, as I mentioned. Um, again, equivalent to about a 20% discount on the average tax bill. And then again, the final requested action is to amend this ordinance or this ordinance will amend this section again, increasing the exemption to $45,000. uh it will be effective January on 2025. So again, it's based on tax year and so this would be essentially reflective immediately. So when those tax bills are made mailed out in October, they would see that increase on the city's portion of the tax bill. >> Okay. >> Representative Nino. >> Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Robert, for this presentation. One quick question. Earlier this year, I was able to host a property tax workshop for my district. I think we all were able to do that. And a constituent did reach out and ask me for this proposal or this exemption, individuals don't have to reapply, right? It automatically goes in. >> No, they do not have to reapply. >> Okay. I just want to clarify that because I know that some my constituents had reached out to ask. So, thank you for that. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Any further discussion on this agenda item? All right, Mr. P. We had a motion second. Please call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by representative Lemon, seconded by alternate mayor prot ordinance on item 37. There's no public comment on that motion. Call for the vote and the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. >> All right, let's take item 38. Item 38 is discussion and action on the transition period for the internal audit function during the recruitment for the chief internal auditor. This item was placed by representatives aso and chaveis. >> Okay. Is there a motion to approve? >> I move to approve. >> Second. >> All right. Discussion. Represented. >> Thank you, mayor. I put this item um with representative Chavez on the agenda. We're both members of FOAC and as Mr. Chair Mundo Calderon. Um his last day with the city was this past Friday and he will be with us um on vacation until October 10th. So he will not actually be at the city anymore um doing the dayto-day. He'll be available for um any guidance that we may need through that time, but his day-to-day activities are are over at this point. So this item is going to be part one of two. Uh this one is to discuss the transition period until we find uh a new permanent replacement and in two weeks we'll have another item to begin the search for that permanent replacement. So as we were talking to our legal council about this we we saw this as two two parts in terms of the internal audit function at this point. There's the operational part and there's the governance part. and Miss Smack um has offered to help with the operational you know per time cards having um that day-to-day operational task completed by someone in her office and then the governance aspect will land um me as FOAC chair and then the FOAC also to make sure that the work is continuing to move forward at this point. There are existing structures that exist right now in the internal audit function as such as the deputy internal auditor uh a manager and other positions. So we want to make sure that we just keep that existing structure intact and um move forward with with this item. Well, the the big thing here was to make sure that the internal audit function remains completely independent and with FOAC having the governance aspect of that there there will be independence guaranteed. We are in the midst of planning our next audit plan for fiscal year 26 and then um we are working through our existing internal audit plan right now. So I don't see any of that work to um be um delayed at any point. There are audits that are in the works right now and that'll move forward and then um from a governance perspective, we'll make sure that the independent stays um with with the internal audit function. >> Miss Brian, does this require action? >> It was posted for action. >> I'm not sure what the the motion reads. >> Yeah, I I I could clarify it. Um I I think let me come back to me and I'll I'll I'll let the other speaker >> repres. >> Thank you mayor. No I I had a similar question the there was a motion to approve. I I don't know what action the motion was to approve. >> Okay. Are we allowed to have debate without a motion on the floor? >> I don't think so. And I think the motion is to approve the recommendations for the transition period, >> but I'll >> Miss Neman, can you help with >> Yeah, there's >> there's there's recommendations that I set. They're not in a motion. So, I'm asking Miss Neman right now. I I set quite a bit of recommendations, actually. So pursuant to the charter, the the chief internal auditor is appointed by the council and the chief internal audit function reports operationally to the FOAC. Um it is my understanding based on representative as discussion that that the prior this this past couple of weeks the council announced that as a result of the internal auditor's retirement the council will be appointing an interim. However, it doesn't appear that the council wishes to move in that direction. Or maybe Representative Asdo is based on the charter language because there's no chief internal auditor. The function will not be reporting to the the financial oversight advisory committee. So there's a conversation that Representative Ato wishes to have about what to do in the meantime until you have a chief internal auditor whose function is to report operationally to the FOAC. Uh, Representative Asaveto, if I'm not mistaken, I believe that the motion would be um to direct Miss Mack to to assist in the function of the chief internal auditor function in the meantime while you all appoint uh the next chief internal auditor. I believe that is what you seek to to do. Sir, >> I I think what I'm trying to do here is make sure that the operational part of the day-to-day is with the city manager for now for this transition period, but the governance stays with FOAC because I want to make sure that we're ensuring the independence here. >> Correct. So, so as I as I stated just a few minutes ago, per the charter, the chief internal audit function reports operationally to FOAC. So, the function itself, right, what happens as a result of the auditor function is going to remain with FOAC. There is currently no chief internal audit auditor which is appointed by the council. It is my understanding that Representative Asdo, you were seeking to clarify for the public that there will not be an intram named but that the function operationally, the day-to-day operations about payroll, employee issues, who's in, who's out, has to have some sort of lead that is not the chief internal auditor person right now. >> Yes. So, >> but that was the conversation. I think what I'm hearing is the administrative functions will report to uh the city manager. >> Yeah, I think >> anyone that needs to take time off uh signing time cards, it wouldn't report to the FOAC. >> Correct. Since that that's not necessarily the function of FOAC. >> Understand? >> The governance structure and the legislative function of FOAC will remain at FOAC through the chief internal audit function. Okay. >> Which happens during the financial oversight advisory committee meetings. >> Got it. >> Okay. So I I move to not name an intram chief internal auditor and move the operational administrative functions of the department to the city manager's office until new chief internal auditor is named and keep the governance with the financial recent aotic committee. Is that okay? Is that something we can do? Yes. >> So, so remember you're not amending the charter by this motion. The charter doesn't change. What we're addressing is the fact that the charter has a provision that says the chief internal auditor is appointed by council and he or she performs various functions. So, all you're doing is naming a lead in regards to the administrative functions of the office and how those will be handled. In the meantime, there's no need to amend or make mention of the fact that the function remains with FOAC. That can't change u as a result of the vacancy in the chief internal audit function. >> Is that the same? >> So, Miss Brian, it it says discussion and action on the transition period. So, are we allowed to have discussion on this? Yes, you you're allowed to to debate the motion that Representative Asave just read. >> But you read a different one. >> Yeah. And I didn't get a second on it. >> Was there a second? >> No, there was no second. It died. >> So, Representative Canal, you still you still have the floor. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I um am curious as to the rationale for not appointing an interim uh to carry out the the function while the search happens. >> Okay. >> You know, I would ask the the authors of this item to >> Sure. >> uh address that. >> Representative uh Chavez or Representative Asota, do you want to comment on this? So I I think the the idea behind this is we might have people in the internal audit department apply for this position and giving somebody uh leg up on this would not be fair. We really want to have an aggressive timeline to appoint a new auditor and we're hoping that we could have somebody by October at the latest. And so we thought that with the deputy being in place right now and keeping the same structure all the way down, they could serve as the lead to liaison with the FOAC until the new person is permanently named. We're also in the midst of finalizing the Weaver report which will be finalized um rather soon and we want to make sure that um we have the new internal audit or look over that and start implementing it from day one. >> Thank you. Um, is there is there um I I know it was said there would be another item brought forward for a search. I was not aware of another item coming forward. Is there any detail about what that search would entail? Whether that's hiring a search firm, conducting an internal search, what what the intention is for those? >> Sure. >> So, HR is currently putting a package together. The idea is, and I don't know how much I could talk about that cuz I don't know if we're posted for that, but the idea is that they'll be meeting with us within the next two weeks with FOAC members. If any other council member wants to meet with them to give input on this, then I encourage you to reach out to Mary Wiggins about this, but um the the idea would not be to hire a search firm. HR has hired about 20 positions that are very high level over the last few months. So they are are putting together all of that information. I have not seen any of that information, but we were discussing that we would put it on the next council agenda to make sure that we are moving this process forward as fast as possible. >> Represent canal. >> All right. Yeah, understood. Um and and I'm not saying at all that I disagree with that method. Uh you know, I I don't know for sure. I'd like to evaluate a little further, but I I will caution that the hiring of a the internal auditor for the charter is the function of the city council and not just the FOAC. And so I'm I'm concerned to hear that staff is working without direction on a on a plan for hiring uh when they weren't given that direction by the city council. >> Well, I I think more than anything, we're going to give them that direction, but they want to have something to present to us. But if you don't want to do that and you just want to put something and then delay the process until September starting then we can do that. It it was just to have a good package to present to council on that day. >> I understand I I still would just advise that the the function is a function of the council >> and and and we completely agree. Absolutely. Yeah. >> So let me start the sentence again. Uh I would advise that it's it's a function of the council to hire um the the internal the chief internal auditor and so uh I think that direction should come from the council before there's other action taken. Um I I if this is posted to a you know I think in a way that allows that action to be taken today uh that is part of the transition. Uh obviously I don't think that we could uh direct specifically the hiring of a particular firm or anything like that. Uh but I think general direction is something that the council could give today but it it warrants in my opinion a much more robust discussion than you know it's coming in two weeks and we're going to take this interim plan in in the meanwhile. Um I I would very much have liked to have seen uh information in the in the backup documentation. every field is blank on the department on the the summary form. Uh and so the this is I think catching me I I I would imagine some others uh by surprise because this isn't something that the council has discussed moving forward with. And again, I'm not saying that I disagree with you know that that necessarily uh that that outcome. I I don't know that that will be the wrong outcome if that's what happens. But it should be a process that's driven by the the whole council since it's our function. Okay, represent Lemon. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yes, I totally agree on this. When I looked at this, it was it's it's not clear enough to me. My concern, mayor, is that to not appoint an interim. The problem with not appointing someone is that this period could last for a very, very long time and then we have the lack of leadership within the department. So, I am for the appointment of an interim auditor and let things fall where where they fall. I heard the representative state that that it wouldn't be fair if someone within the department applied for it. I I think that in essence we would be uh perhaps writing someone off with the experience with the knowledge and overall the interview committee or the interview team um search group is going to make that possible decision to weed them and then bring them to us and then we make that decision ultimately. So okay >> thank you mayor >> represent Chavez. Thank you, mayor, and uh thank you to Miss Neman. I appreciate the comments from Representative Canales as well as Representative Lemon. Um in it was um you know in discussions with Representative Asdo um Miss Neman it was uh we spoke about you know this possibility of appointing a lead instead of an interim um because of you know particular reasons that that we felt uh were were appropriate at this time. Um we do not expect this uh to take as long as um Miss Lemon stated. Hope we're hoping because it's such an important position at the city. It's such a vital position for the city that we do appoint someone fairly soon. Um and that that is why we we um spoke about the possibility of doing it internally so that the process could be expedited a little bit more. But we do not want to uh overlook the fact that it is a very important position and we do need to be very um mindful of the fact that this position we hope will be for the long term. And so that is very important. It's also very important to just reiterate that um Miss Mack um seeing overseeing the the you know the the people that work in this department will be for an operations or administrative purpose only. um that they will still be completely independent and um that you know we will be uh drafting language you know in the future for for other specific reasons that will relate more to um the hiring process of the next auditor. We don't want anybody to uh feel overlooked in this process and of course we want to continue transparency because that is important to us. Um transparency is important in general especially for the FOA right because that uh instills trust in our community and that's something that's very important for us. So again you know we thought Miss Mack would be appropriate in terms of overlooking overseeing the um administrative part of it but she would not be definitely not be overseeing any functionality or or audits or anything like that particular to that department. We want to make sure and we want to reiterate that this department would continue being independent. Thank you, >> Representative Fier. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I absolutely agree that Miss Mack should should be the administrator of the department till we till we get to the next step. But I agree with Representative Gonales and Representative Lemon that we really need to have a presentation to council as a whole and to what the options are for the next steps. Um do we want internal do we want an external company? Do we want you know those are all options that this body as a whole should have a debate and should and we could all agree 100% on on whatever the first issue is but or or or option is but I think as a body as a whole this is our responsibility and we need to to discuss it and make that decision but I wholeheartedly believe and think and I hope that that um Miss Mack is the administrator of the department. I don't think that that department should should res uh respond to FOAC as um as a committee and I I think that that um Representative um Asavo was absolutely right that it the functions of the continuing the auditing etc etc are going to are going to happen and and FAC will keep us a breast of that but as far as um our next steps I I truly believe we need a presentation to council as Okay. Thank you, Mayor. >> Representative Asetto. >> Thank you, Mayor. And, you know, hearing what um everybody has said, I I posted this language based on the legal advice that we got. So, it wasn't intentional to leave it blank. I I don't want to create any um narrative out there that this was just done without any care in the world. This was literally the language that we were advised to post. So that's why it was posted and now we're having this this conversation and so I I hear you on the direction on the HR part of it. We um we had been talking about it this and this was the option that was presented. So that's why I said this was part one of two and in two weeks we would have that. But if Miss Neman allows us to have direction um for HR or the city manager and city attorney on how to proceed on a search with the language that's posted today, I would defer to you. So if if I'm understanding correctly, you you want to use the language to direct staff to take some measure in terms of >> Yeah. I I was thinking to present options on a search for a chief internal auditor, >> right? If if the council chooses to make that that uh motion today, you you can provide us that that direction. >> Okay. Um, again, and the the intent based on my conversations was that you wanted to have a conversation in regards to what the public had been told in regards to an interim position. Um, the language allows for you to have a action about what you want to do in the transition period, which could include coming back with a proposal on recruitment. >> Okay. And so the the last motion I made, didn't get a second. The first motion was not really a motion because we don't know where it was. So there's no motion at this point, right? >> That's correct. >> Okay. So >> that's correct. >> I I want to attempt to make a motion based on what everybody has said today. Um, I I move to not name an interim chief internal auditor and move administrative operational functions to the city manager and keep governance intact with the FOAC until a new chief internal auditor is named. I further move to direct the city manager and city attorney to present options on a search for a chief internal auditor. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. We have discussion. Represent canales. Okay. Motion, second discussion. Can we hear that motion back? >> I don't have it in writing, sir. >> Okay. Can you >> I'll send it over to you via teams, Miss Prank. >> Thank you. The motion is to not name an interim chief internal auditor and move administrative/operational functions to the city manager and keep governance intact with a FOAC until a new chief internal auditor is named. I further move to direct the city manager and city attorney to present options for a search for a chief internal auditor. >> Okay. Represent canales. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, I move to amend that motion uh to add the words at this time after uh to not appoint a chief an interim chief internal auditor. >> That's fine. >> Second. >> Okay. We have amendment to the the main motion and a second. Represent Nino. >> I'm good. Okay. Are we going to Miss Turner now, Miss Prime? >> Yes, sir. >> Good afternoon, Miss Turner. You have three minutes. >> I have a serious beef with this. First off, FAC overstepped its authority. As Representative Canal said, they didn't instruct anybody to do anything. It's council who instructs staff, not boak. You're jumping council approval. You've substituted yourself for city council. I find that offensive. Greatly offensive. Now, I know what I don't understand is well actually I do now. I actually know the background. But you have run away, a man of integrity and honesty, and you want to put someone in this place who will turn a blind eye to council members or city managers or whatever, using taxpayer monies for their own personal benefits. This had never been brought up. We still have our internal auditor. Now, you can only serve one boss. You can't serve two. So, either Miss Mack is going to run the internal auditor department or the internal auditor is going to run it and be responsible. You can't split it up. You can't put it in. I know that. Any of you who have been in business know that you can't have two bosses because you can't get anything done. As far as transparency, that's a joke. It is a complete and total jerk. Joke. I expect the internal auditor to have integrity. You're going after and look for somebody who will turn a blind eye to misbehavior and il illegal actions. of council or anybody else in government. That's not what I as a citizen want. That's not what the people out here in El Paso want. As far as I'm concerned, the entire full act board should be reappointed to somebody else. They have overstepped their authority. They've gone too far. And let's talk about what's posted on the agenda. We're talking about stuff that's not posted. There is zero backup. There is a phone number to call, but there is nothing to let the citizens know what's going to happen to here today. It's a complete and total BS lie to the citizens. You've just put this big curtain up. It's behind closed doors. So, I'm going to ask you to postpone this item for until such time as council can put it on the agenda and council can start directing staff to do the proper thing and not have faux come in here and tell council how we're going to run things. >> That's what that's got to come to an end. >> You reached the three minutes. M. >> Thank you, Mr. Uh, Representative Nino. >> Thank you, Mayor. And and just for clarification, the FOC hasn't taken any direction in regards of this item. That's why we're having this item so that we could have this conversation. Correct. Okay. I just I asked Miss Bryan if she could read the motion one more times for clarification, please. >> Yes, sir. And I also emailed it to to council just a few minutes ago. And the motion reads, I move to not name an internal chief auditor. The amendment reads at this time and move administrative/operational functions to the city manager and keep governance intact with a FOAC until a new chief internal auditor is named. I further move to direct the city manager and city attorney to present options on a search for a chief internal auditor. >> Perfect. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Prem, for that. And just for a clarification, the city council will still be involved in the process. We will still get the present. We we're going to get a presentation of the options and the council is still going to be able to have input in the entire search and selecting the next uh auditor. Correct. Yes. Okay. I just want to to clarify that and um I would appreciate you know when all of this starts happening and once we do select a search firm to meet with all the council members to see what the priorities are and I think this is uh the first step of initiating all of that. So thank you >> represent Rocha. >> Sorry it's just one more thing. >> Sorry. Thank you mayor. Just one more thing. And and um in addition to all the steps that we'll be taking as a as a body for council, we're also going to be um using Weaver as guidance for for that search. So that's my understanding. Is that correct? >> Well, it's not. >> No, no, no. Not not for guidance. We're going to make the decisions, right? >> Yeah. I I think what you're saying is that the the report will will be what is guiding us in terms of, >> you know, >> what we look for, >> changes, questions, coming up with stuff like that and the report will be finalized very soon. >> Right. >> Represent Canalis. >> I think we we have the amendment on the floor and our our comments have to be limited to that until we're back to the main motion. >> Okay. and my comments my I I requested comment on the main motion. >> Okay. Any additional comments on this amended motion? >> Okay. Hearing none, Miss Bryan. >> Yes, sir. So the motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Mayor Prom Chavez, and this is to amend the main motion to insert the words at this time after I move to not name internal chief. I move to not name an internal chief auditor. The amendment is to insert the words at this time. >> At this time, correct? And there was a motion and a second. Any further discussion on this particular amendment? Represent canales. I still Okay. All right. Miss Fry. >> Yes, sir. >> The voting session is open. Council on the amendment. In the voting session. And the motion passes 6 to1. Representative Lemon voting nay. Representative Berhold not present. >> Okay, let's take the represent. >> Thank you, mayor. Yes, on the main motion, um I I do just want to make it there be clear. Um I think it invites a lot of questions from the public and I understand. I think it was just a misspeak but >> it was >> we weaver is uh the external firm that conducted the assessment of the internal audit function and uh not any individual person. >> They are not advising us on this transition. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> And it's not part of the scope of work that we hired them for to recommendations on personnel or anything else. >> Okay, that's correct. >> Just to make sure we put any question of that to bed >> with the public. Um I I do have one more amendment to make. Apologies mayor. >> Um and that is to add the words uh to include uh internal and external search options after uh to present options. >> Okay. There's a motion and a second to amend the original motion. Discussion on this item. >> Uh just to clarify, mayor. Yeah, at the end at the end of all of the language. So at the end of to present options on a search for a chief internal auditor to include internal and external search options. >> You got that, Miss Frank? Just at the end >> to present options on internal and external search. >> External. >> Right. >> Yes. At the end. So to present options on a search for a chief internal auditor to include internal and external search options. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yep. All right. Any discussions on this amended motion? Okay, Miss Brian, let's call for this vote. >> Yes, sir. So, the motion was made by Representative Canal, seconded by alternate mayor Proen Fiero, and this is to insert the words to include internal and external options at the end of the motion. >> I'm sorry. Uh, repres can you read the whole thing, please? >> Can we read the motion? >> The amended one. >> The amendment is to include the words to include internal and external options at the mo at the end of the motion that reads, I move to not name an internal chief internal auditor at this time and move administrative/operational functions to the city manager and keep governance intact with a FOAC until a new chief internal auditor is named. further move to direct the city manager and city attorney to present options on a search for a chief internal auditor to include internal and external options. >> Yes. >> Can I get a point of clarification? >> Yeah, represent uh Nino. >> Thank you, mayor. So, when we're talking about presenting options, internal and external, we're saying we would be getting a presentation of internal and external candidates where >> No. >> No. Can we can we >> just options for methods to conduct the search? >> Perfect. Thank you for the clarification. >> Okay. All right. Any other discussion on the amendment? >> All right. Miss Prime, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by alternate mayor prompto, and this is to amend the motion to in insert the words to include internal and external options at the end of the motion. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session and that motion passes 6 to1. Representative Leon voting nay. Representative Borejo not present. >> Okay. And before now we got to take the main motion. Before we do that, I want to say that um I appreciate Representative Basedto and Chavez posting this because you have to go through the discussion to get to where we landed and I certainly don't think staff should be reporting to to council members. So, I agree that you know in the interim for operational and administrative functions that staff needs to report to uh the city manager in in this this scenario. But again, it had to have a discussion to get to where to where we got today. So, is there any discussion on the main motion? And Miss Prime, do you I I know you've been reading, but would you read the main motion please? >> Absolutely. So, the motion on the floor is to move to not name an internal chief internal auditor at this time. Yes, sir. It's to move to not name an interim chief internal auditor at this time and move administrative/operational functions to the city manager and keep governance intact with a FOAC until a new chief internal auditor is named. Further move to direct the city manager and city attorney to present options on a search for a chief internal auditor to include internal and external options. Correct. Okay. Any discussions on this main motion? All right. Here, Representative Nino. Yeah. >> Thank you, Mayor. And just again for the benefit of the public, FOAC has not spoken about this. FOAC has not taken action. So, this is the first initial conversation that we're having. Um, I just wanted to make that clear. >> Yes. >> Thank you, >> Representative U. Chavez. >> Thank you. And to echo uh what Representative Nino said um just to remind the public that we cannot discuss these things um either through email or in our offices in person because that would be b uh breaking quorum. So we have to be very careful to have these discussions in public again in an effort to increase transparency and so that everything is on record on on what we're discussing. Thank you. >> Okay. Yep. Representative Aero >> and and just to add to that, the the only conversations have been more about what to post on the agenda with our legal council and that's what I had that I had that conversation and so we were looking at this meeting than the next meeting and I think the discussion today got us to a better place. So I appreciate the the discussion. >> Yep. Represent Lamont. >> Yes, mayor. How many members are on FOAC? >> Four. four and two had discussion on this, not the other two, and they've made it very clear that they had no discussion on this. I am still very very concerned about not appointing an interim auditor u for this position. For that reason, I will vote no on it. Okay. Thank you. >> You got it. Rep. Uh Mrs. Prine, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. So the motion was made by representative aso, seconded by mayor prom chavez to and this is to approve the motion as revised. On that motion call for the vote and the voting session and that motion passes 6 to1. Representative Lemon voting a representative not present. Okay, Miss Prime, before we take item number 39, I'm going to ask council would they entertain a 15minute recess? >> Second. >> There's a motion in a second to recess a city council meeting for 15 minutes. All in favor? Anyone opposed? And the meeting is in recess at 12:37 p.m. for 15 minutes. Thank you. Five or five. >> There's something going on. There's something not Never did vote for what was on the agenda. Something that wasn't even back up. Talk about disrespecting the citizens. Welcome. Welcome back, >> Council. Is there a motion to reconvene? >> So, move. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second to reconvene the regular city council meeting. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? And the meeting is back in session at 12:56 p.m. We're on page number 12, item 39. And item 39 is discussion and action on the award of solicitation 2025-00009 McCrae shared path phase 1 and phase 2 to Martinez Brothers Contractors LLC for a total estimated amount of 3,129,1579. The project will consist of construction of a shared use path for Montwood Drive to Montana Avenue. The proposed improvements include demolition, concrete curb, ADA compliant curb ramps, improvements to pedestrian crossings at intersections, irrigated landscaping with amenities, and pavement markings and signs. >> Second. >> All right. Uh, can we see the presentation please? Walking. You thought you're getting out of this one easy, huh? And while he's bringing up that presentation, I'll just uh go over the procurement side of it. >> Okay, >> so this was a low bid procurement for McCrae shared youth path phase one phase 2. There were 39 views online. Six bids were received, all from local suppliers. Uh no protesters received for this requirement and like I said, we are recommending award to Martinez Brothers uh LLC, the lowest responsive responsible bidder. >> Okay. >> Good afternoon, Mayor Council. Hain Rodriguez, uh, director of grantf funed programs with capital improvements. Um, this project is the McCrae shared use path phase one and phase two. Next slide. The project scope, as mentioned earlier, it's a construction of a shared use path from Montwood Drive to Montana Avenue along McCrae. Uh the proposed incl imp improvements include uh demolition of some existing sidewalk ADA compliant curb ramps uh irrigated landscaping with amenities and pavement markings and signs. Next slide please. Project details again McCrae Boulevard um is the location for this district's three um there is uh south terminus right at the border of district 3 and 7. Um total budget for this award is three uh 3,129,1579. This is a federally funded project as part of the transportation alternative set set aside funds issued by the state of uh federal highway administration through the state of Texas and our funding split for this project is 8020 with 20% coming from uh local government funds. Here is the proposed cross-section of the shared use path. Um, essentially what residents will see is a 12 to 14 foot shared use path within the existing ride ofway on the uh southbound side of McCrae again from Montwood up to Montana. Here is a plan view sort of of the typical section that you'll see. Um you'll see that the path does meander from uh you know having a landscape buffer to being directly adjacent to the roadway at some of the intersections. This is due to existing utilities uh some existing storm water structures um as well as uh other encroachments within the rightway. Uh this is some of the proposed landscaping uh again focused on desert and native plants um with low uh water requirements as much as possible. Next slide. Uh continuing on with some of the landscaping. Go ahead. Next slide please. Uh this project is split into two phases. Um that is due to the funding that is being used on this project. So phase one is funded through fiscal year 25 transportation alternative funds. Uh phase one is from Montwood up to Album. Next slide please. Phase two continues the project from Album up to Montana. And these are fiscical year 26 transportation alternative funds. Next slide please. Here are some of the existing conditions. It you can just scroll through these quickly. Um some of the things that we're hoping to address uh with this project existing conditions in phase two. Project costs again uh construction cost estimated for this award is 3.129 million. Uh we expect construction to last seven months and access to all properties will be maintained open at all times. Um Derrick went over the procurement summary earlier, but here's just a recap of that. Um and finally, our recommendation is to award the construction contract to Martinez Brothers Contractors LLC in the amount of $3,129,1579. Uh we do hope to start this project in the summer likely after the holidays in January. Uh once we go through the contract execution phase, that'll put us right up against the holiday. So a lot of times it makes sense to just wait until January to kick that off. Um hoping to finish construction uh fall of 26. >> Perfect. Representative Roachcha. >> Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate it. And thank you for the for the explanation and the presentation today. Uh can you tell me how long has have the constituents been waiting for this? >> Um so this project we applied for this project in 2022. >> Um had a public meeting back in 2024 regarding this project. Um but the idea of a shared use path along McCrae has been something that um representatives from district 7 and three have been asking for for quite some time. can't give you an exact year um but there has been you know a request for this um since before my time at the city for sure. >> Thank you Hen. I I asked because I understand that it's been about 3 years and I know constituents from the neighborhood association around Eastwood are expecting um they're really looking forward to this shared use path because as you can see from the pictures that are that are provided um in in this presentation it it really needs it. It's um it's becoming somewhat of an eyesore down that street and Eastwood High School as well as Scottsdale Elementary which is where um you know they're at the end and in between these projects have been renovated and so I feel like um especially the people that have this um this proposed shared use path behind their properties are really looking forward to it. So, thank you for the project and bringing it forth and I look forward to to seeing this uh start in the winter of uh or January of 26. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, Walk. >> Represent Pierro. >> Thank you, Mayor Walkin. What happens if we do not award this today? >> So, our award today is based on our procurement process that's in place today. Um not awarding this today, um we would need to coordinate with Text and Federal Highway and see what that looks like. Um but there would be a risk to those federal funds uh if we aren't able to move forward with this award. >> So there would be a potential of us losing the funding >> potentially. Yes sir. >> Thank you >> represent Leon. >> Bless you. >> Bless you. >> Thank you mayor. When you look at the entire McCrae to Montana, McCrae from Montana to Montwood is a certain distance. If you take it further and you go from Montwood to you could even take it as far as um >> Wedgewood. Wedgewood. It's less than half the distance. And I'm really disappointed that someone didn't think of this as being a complete project. That twothirds of this is going to be finished and it's going to look really nice and one-third is going to be left the way it is. I spoke on behalf of this project when I served on council 12 years ago. And here I come back only to find that it's only going to be done twothirds of the way. Whenever we do resurfacing, whenever we do any kind of a project, it is always the most difficult thing to tell your constituents, yeah, the project ends in front of your house or next door to your neighbor and you don't get the resurfacing. That is always the hardest thing to do. And so knowing the huge traffic conditions at Eastwood High School and then coming down on the um East Ridge and Desert Ridge both backing into that area, those are going to remain the same. And yeah, our constituents ask when is this going to be done? So the response is going to be it's only going to be done twothirds of the way because the entire project the entire project to do McCrae could have been done if someone had been a little bit more focused in looking at this district. So, uh, and I you you probably weren't even here, Wen, when we discussed this many years ago, but my ask to you is that as we look for new funding in the upcoming year or years that please take a look at this so that we can have a completed project rather than than one that's really not completed. It's going to be very difficult, very difficult for the constituents to look out there and see all the work on one portion of it and then not on the other. That was one of our biggest concerns when Montwood was resurfaced and uh we were able to get it all the way through and the landscaping is really very nice and very complete. So I it's just an ask. Please keep District 7 into consideration. So we can finish this project. >> Absolutely. And and I'll assure you that when we look at these projects, we do look at them holistically. Um in this case, the amount of available funds is really limited to what Tex has put out in their project call. Um that's why you'll see this project split into two phases. What was available for FY25 and FY26, we've essentially maxed that out with these two phases. Um, what I will say earlier today, um, I emailed all of you a list of the projects that we have submitted to the no for consideration. Um, you'll see that the McCrae shared use path from Montwood South to I 10, um, is included in that request from the MO. Um, we've asked that those funds be made available to the city in 2029. Um, ultimately this is all, you know, up to the MO where they put those funds and what years projects fit into. Um, but that's the request that that we've made. Um right now our cost for shared use path projects um is about $2 million per mile. Um depending on you know the landscaping, the demolition involved, there's huge differences there. Um but as other funding opportunities come up because we have created this connection from Mwood to Montana, we'll definitely explore finishing that connection. We've made a lot of really good progress on shared use paths and trail facilities um that are running east west, you know, making that county to county line connection. But something we've identified on my team right now is that some of those north south connections are missing. Uh McCrae is one of the first really significant norths south connections um that we're making. So completing that is definitely a priority for us. >> Well, and that's and that's certainly good news. and I hope that four years from now we'll have this discussion and that um we'll be able to move forward with it. Um I remember distinctly hearing that as a council member today we rat out the checks for the project to be completed for 8 and 10 years away. So maybe we'll be here at that point. Thank you. >> Thank you representative. Any other discussion on this item? All right. Hearing 199, Miss Prime, we had a motion and second. Would you call for the vote, please? >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Maldonado Rocha, seconded by Representative Canales, and this is to award the solicitation on item 39. On that motion, call for the vote. Representative Thjo, would you like to vote on this item? It's item 39, the solicitation for the shared path on McCrae. Okay. And the voting session and motion passes 5 to1. Representative Lemon voting nay. >> Okay. Miss Brian, let's take item number 40. >> Yes, sir. Item 40 is discussion and action on a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign an agreement for professional services between the city of El Paso and Half Associates for the development of a 10-year master plan for the parks and recreation department and a total contract amount not to exceed $577,300 and a 12 to 14month term. >> All right. Is there a motion to approve this one? to >> All right. >> Um, >> good afternoon, Pablo. >> Good afternoon, Mayor Johnson. Good afternoon, city representatives. >> You have a presentation for us, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Let's take a look. >> Okay. I'm so happy to be here. Uh, basically because we've been waiting for this moment for the past couple of months and uh we know the importance that parks and recreation department it's for the quality of life for the city of El Paso residents. So now we get the opportunity to work on our next vision for the next 10 years for the park system in El Paso. So with that said, uh we're going to be working very hard the next 12 to 14 months to bring the best possible product uh realistic and transparent to our constituents and to the city of El Paso. So with that said, I would like to introduce and thank uh my theme for everything that they're doing. And leading this project is our parks planning and development manager, Kla Chavez. And also let me thank uh our consultants that are actually here here to help us uh present this. So thank you so much. >> Thank you. Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, mayor and council. Uh my name is Carla Chavez and I'm with the parks and recreation department. So, as Po mentioned, uh we're eager to start with a a master plan process. Uh the master plan is a comprehensive planning document that will guide the future of the park system. Um I would like to point out that the park system is composed of parkland, community centers, senior centers, sports centers, and aquatics facilities. Uh next slide, please. So the parks and recreation master plan aligns with the strategic goal number four. And this is an overview of the solicitation process. So the request for a statement of qualifications was issued on January of this year. We received five proposals. Uh those proposals were evaluated. In March the notifications on rank on rankings were sent to the interested parties. Uh on April we received the first first cause proposal from the selected consultant. We negotiated the cost from uh between April and May. And today we are presenting the selected consultant, the scope of work, the project timeline and and and the cost. So the selected consultant is Half Half is an employeeowned Texas corporation, one of the nation's leading planning firms. They have completed parks and recreation master plans for more than 100 communities. uh they also developed the current parks and recreation master plan for the city and they also uh completed in 2019 the parks and recreation master plan for El Paso County. So they're here with me and at this point I will hand over the presentation. They will explain the scope of work and the project timeline. >> Thank you. Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. My name is Ilda Capricioso. I'm with Half Associates. Really excited to be here in El Paso. I'm excited to get the opportunity to work with your fantastic parks and recreation staff, get to know your community, your residents, learn from them, as well as listen to their desires and needs for the next uh 10 years of the parks and recreation master plan. So, just want to cover very quickly here the scope of work. So, there are about six items in the scope of work and these just outline um how we organize the project. So, our project initiation and organization is really our uh first several months of the project or first couple months of the project where we'll work with staff to make sure that we um have a project work plan and that will help um inform the rest of our project moving forward. Um we'll go through a request for information and data collection process with your staff and um meet with your staff and talk to them about uh the general inventory of parks and recreation and other other items like that. Um, one key component to the scope of work of course is the community engagement and outreach work with your media specialists as well as your PIO and park staff and u make sure that we um develop a public engagement plan that really focuses on gathering input from the community. Next slide. And then the core of the scope of work really is the long range plan elements where we are we go in and we do an assessment of the um of about a hundred different parks in uh in the inventory of the parks and recreation system. We'll look at the state of the existing system as well as evaluate the needs um that are coming out of the community and analyze that identify any trends or opportunities um that we might see um from the community through that. All of that will inform the plan recommendations and develop um uh potential uh projects um or other strategies to help improve the parks and recreation um agency here in El Paso. And then finally, all of that is put together in a forward- facing document for the public that includes that methodology, the recommendations, and um any additional information through the process. And then last but not least, of course, is plan adoption. And so our intention is to come back to council and be make sure to have that um plan adopted through uh your support. Next slide. So this is just a quick overview of that timeline. It's about a 12 to 14month timeline period. As soon as we uh receive approval for the contract, we'll be able to get started with staff, begin calendaring various events, working on that public engagement plan, and then bringing us all the way through phases 1, 2, 3, and four um to uh about September of 2026 of next year. So, and I will pass it back to Kata. >> Thank you. So the the cost for for the master plan is $577,300 and um sorry and uh our recommendation is that the city manager to be authorized to sign an agreement for professional services buying between the city of El Paso and have for the project known as the parks and recreation master plan. >> Okay. Representative Chavez. Thank you, mayor. And uh I am very excited to see this um initiative because we it is my understanding we haven't done it in 10 years. Is that correct? >> Yes, that is correct. >> And it really is a pleasure to work with the parks department. They have done a phenomenal job in in being very uh responsive to the needs uh specifically to my district and I really appreciate that. There are certain things in this in this plan and I know that we're going to get an opportunity to speak with the consultant regarding it. Um, I just want to bring up a few things that are of particular concern to me that I would like to see as part of this plan, especially since we only get to do it every 10 years. Um, as we all know and especially through the chimein survey that we recently conducted at the city, um, that quality of life is is one of the priorities for our constituents and definitely parks ties uh, directly into the quality of life um, and you know u significance in our community. So, one of the things that I would like to see is, you know, from from my conversations with the parks and recck department, there is currently uh a ranking system between A and D for playground areas. Something that I would like to see is for that um ranking to be extended into the park to the grass areas uh because we don't have a ranking system right now. Is that correct? Yeah, we don't have well we we do have it for playgrounds and that's one of the items for included on the scope of work that we will be doing conditions assessments for some of the parks and yes we certainly will be evaluating the open green areas that we have on parks. Yes. And I think that's important because many times, especially when we're trying to budget, you know, for capital improvement projects, we can really only speak to the condition of a playground, you know, in terms of trying to get the ranking improved. But because we don't have a specific system or process in place for the rest of that area, for the grassy areas or other areas of the park, then we we can't really um you know, define how to improve those areas because there is no ranking system. So I think that's a very important part of the process and that's something that I think would be very important to to change or improve um as we go through through this uh work. Uh the second thing that I would like to focus on is improving our our park score from the trust for public land. I know that in the past we were ranked about 44 in 2014. Um I think we were ranked 72 in 2024 and I think currently in 2025 we're ranked 65. So I think we are improving but um yet I would like to know how else to improve and I think EG or Pablo might be able to speak to that but again just because of the quality of life initiative being so important for us. Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council. Emo Gonzalez, assistant director for parks and recreation and the the change in our relative ranking um in the uh information you cited is really driven by a change in the parameters to what they're measuring. Um we get higher and lower scores as um we compete with larger and smaller um cohorts. So in our cohort uh the relative movement has been less significant than overall um because we continue to do best effort practices to to en enhance and sustain what we already have and then we continue to grow the system so that those variables are part of what drives the the relative ranking. It it isn't simply the case that we have fallen off in quality or in terms of um uh maintenance. it is rather that the that the way that it's measured has changed over time. And I can actually u give you some analysis of the work I've done with that to give you some sense of of how the ranking has changed, how we stand relative to other um parks in our cohort. Uh to give you a better sense of what it is we're able to deliver on. One of the chief uh mechanisms that we use to make sure that we're actually practicing um best practices is to reacredit with our CAPRPA uh accredititation system. We just gone through that process. I can tell you that 2% or so max of the parks and recreation agencies in the nation have accredited through um demonstrating an actual best practices application uh on the field. Uh we are proud to have that for a second five-year term. And part of our commitment to you then would be to assess what we own, enhance what we can, and ask for direction from consultants to be able to maximize the effort that we put forward to deliver a better final product. >> So yeah, our commitment to you is to deliver that information. I will forward it to you. >> Thank you, Eg. And I think you know that you know my comments today are with that specific intention in mind to make sure that we provide the support needed for um this specific department only because I think it does tie directly into quality of life for our constituents. We talk a lot about economic development. You know, parks are the first thing that people see when they come to visit our city. They're very visible to uh people that visit us and and also it's it's a it's a public space that people can can enjoy. And so we just want to make sure that all of our parks are, you know, to the standard that our community expects them to be. And these are just suggestions as we move forward with this next 10-year plan, which I'm very excited to see because um it it's really going to to guide us to to make those improvements that are necessary. So I I appreciate it. >> We share your enthusiasm. It really is a way for us to be better at what we do now to deliver um better quality over time. >> Yes. And and I know that we've talked, you know, right now about grassy areas, but there are other things like the playgrounds, which you just briefly mentioned, canopies that continuously tear or are broken. And many times those are no longer, you know, um, you know, with a certain um, insurance involved in it. So, we need to replace them. And all of those are capital improvement projects that we need to make sure that that are funded so that we can continue providing those services for our community. And if I can I appreciate it a thumbnail sketch of the sort of work coming forward in order to address turf conditions. Uh it would take drone technology to being able to measure photosynthetic activity, percentages of coverage, density of growth. It's all those sorts of metrics that are out there that we're going to reach for to be able to quantify not just how much of it we have but the sort of quality that it contains. Um and that sort of calculations are data driven and technologydriven and that's part of applying best practices. That's what should come forward as the overall master plan event namely do the best we can with what we have ask intelligent requests for additional help and then prove that we can deliver on those. So that's our commitment to you. >> Thank you. That that's very exciting to know. Thank you. I appreciate it. >> You're welcome >> and I look forward to this this initiative. Thank you. represent Nino. >> Thank you, mayor, and thank you, Pablo, and to the entire city team for putting this together. I know I've been waiting for this for almost a year since we last talked about it in the last budget. Um, I'm very curious in the community engagement and outreach part of this uh initiative. You know, I think it's important to always take into account that we all represent different communities. I know I've mentioned that district 5 is the fastest growing. It's also the newest district in El Paso. Have a lot of young families. So sometimes um you know outreach could be very limited to them. It's in you know please take into consideration if it's a texting campaign or a social media campaign and also involving us as you know the representatives of those districts to really engage. I know the chimein survey really gave great results in in involving all of us. Um I would really truly appreciate that. You know in district 5 we have 44 parks. A lot of those parks are just either grass or or grass and dirt. I don't have a lot of amenities. And the 2019 um plan of op the plan in El Paso in 2019 identified that the east side of El Paso has a lot of deficiencies in city services, infrastructure and um including the absence of sufficient public amenities in the areas of parks, libraries, public safety services, senior centers, recreation centers, and pools. So, I'm very uh excited to take uh you know this conversation even further because I know that District 5 uh is there's a lot happening in District 5. So, um I'm very grateful for you all in in in taking into that consideration and taking us into account too. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for that. >> Representative Tjo. >> Thank you, Mayor. This is great to be having a start working on the master plan for the city of El Paso and our quality of life. Thank you all for getting this started. I do have a few questions regarding the the master plan, the recommendations that are going to be uh given. Is it based off a budget that the city has in plan for improvements for the for the parks? Uh can can he >> is there is there a budget that the recommendations are being based off of? When you when they're looking at the recommendations, is it are they looking at a certain budget to stay within >> uh for the mass plan? >> Mhm. >> Yes. The the total budget for the master plan it's 577,000. >> That's okay. So that's the that's the plan. >> Yes. >> That's the actual planning of it. >> But the the cost or are you looking at the overall budget of what it would cost to make those improvements? Well, that that's why we need the 12 months to start planning the the actual 10 years. >> Is there is there a budget that's being looked at? >> No, we don't have any. >> No. Is this based off of the need? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. How many parks does the city have >> right now? 334. >> 334. Okay. And then the needs assessments, uh, Representative Nino mentioned a little bit about that. So, the needs assessment, are you going to be reaching out to the different districts to help uh gather that information maybe through community meetings or how will that take place? >> Yeah, we're we're going to be planning a lot of community meetings and and and workshops uh with you all uh to start engaging with the community. >> Okay. Very >> to get all the feedback from >> uh something that I would like to add is, you know, we've had individuals who have asked for big kids uh to consider the big kids. So, you know, uh, teenagers and see what opportunities are there for them there in the park as well. Uh, and so I just wanted to make that and bring that forth as as a as a thought. Uh, and then also, uh, it mentions here on your PowerPoint, recreational cultural educational opportunities. What part of cultural uh, areas are you looking at? Well, cultural opportunities, it's it's because we move with uh recreation delivers so many activities such as arts and crafts and all of that. So, that's part of the culture. Also, the public art that enhances all of our uh city sites like our recreation centers. So, we're pulling all those together for the master plan. >> Okay. And then one last thing uh to also consider the seniors. So I know you already do but just wanted to put that out there. You know the the seniors have a huge need as well in in programming and everything that can be offered for them. >> Of course. >> Thank you so much. >> A big big part for this. >> Don't forget us big kids. Okay. >> Represent Canales. >> Thank you mayor. Uh yeah I'm really excited about this too. We're happy to have you on board half. I think that's uh we we've been waiting for this process for a while. So, we're we're very happy that this will be carried out. Um I do want to I apologize, mayor. I'm going to get on my soap box for just a minute and point out uh our inventory of parks has grown and grown and grown and grown. I'm seeing a lot of heads nodding. Uh I'll look back at 2020. So 2010 we had uh appro around the start of the year we had approximately 210 parks was the number you just said uh Pablo 334 parks. >> Yes sir. >> It's like 51% growth in the number of parks that uh poor Mr. EG behind you has to maintain. Uh it's a it's a lot of parks. And so, uh, as I said, the soap box I'm regularly on, I'll say we have to be very conscious of continuing to add to the inventory that's through sprawl, through urban sprawl, um, through the types of parks that we allow in our development. Uh, I hope that this is also part of the the assessment that's done. uh because uh if if we continue to add more and more and more parks to the inventory, the the population is not growing at the same amount uh at the same rate, I should say. And so uh we have less resources per park and it's difficult to have a 10-year plan for improvement when we're not growing the pool of resources as fast as the pool of parks to maintain. >> Yes. Um, I don't mean to for it to be a downer. With that said, I think we we're very excited for what's coming in the in the plan. Um, you know, I helped in the runup to 20 to the election in 2022, uh, with packaging the the request to the council together with with moms on board, the local community group, uh, the the request for parks funding in the community progress bond. uh and we were very excited about the possibility of of adding to the parks and we've seen that happen. And I think there's been a great roll out of of those funds and we're ready now for a next step looking at the next 10 years. And so uh we charge you with that and uh you too as well have and uh I look forward to seeing what we develop over the next what's this what's the timeline here? One year 12 months >> 12 months >> over the next 12 months. Thank you. Thanks Mayor. >> Thank you sir. Pablo, we're looking forward to this as you can see. So, we're excited. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. So, we have a motion and a second on this. Any further discussion? >> All right. Miss Bryan, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Nino, seconded by alternate mayor prom, and this is to approve the resolution on item 40. On that motion, call for the vote. Thank you. And the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. Yes. Item 41 is discussion and action on a resolution that the city council reappoints Jorge Rivas and Corey Harbor Valdez as part-time associate municipal court judges to ser serve a 4-year term from August 9, 2025 through August 9, 2029. They preside over arraignments and serve as magistrates on graveyard shifts. >> Second, >> represent Canales. Okay, >> there's a motion represent Canal. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, I'm I've been very happy with the performance that I've heard. You know, I haven't experienced much of it firsthand, but from uh Judge Harbor Valdez and and J Reas, I mean, absolutely no disrespect to them. I just want to ask some questions about the process here, which I I can recall back to the last time I can remember the council made appointments here was in 2021. >> Correct. Um, >> and I recall a process with applications and interviews. Uh, the council had interviews during a public council meeting uh in front of the public. I know that this is different because these aren't vacancies necessarily. They're reappointments of of incumbents. Um, but I wanted to know what the process was what the process was for uh recommending the the reappoint of these two judges. >> Good afternoon, Mayor Council. Annabel Gases Municipal Court. Um there were some changes and thank you for bringing that up. Um I actually will be visiting with all of you to explain some of that to you and uh hopefully it'll make some time for me to to provide you with that. Uh the biggest change um uh represent representative Canales is that now um candidates anyone who is going to be appointed um needs to be um actually any application that we get uh that is vetted um is you're going to be able to interview all candidates. So um there is actually one coming up for a full-time magistrate. Um um we actually have two right now we have one vacancy. Um I haven't brought that actually um to council yet because of the many things we had and we wanted to give an opportunity actually to open up the recruitment for any others that might want to uh apply for that position. But you'll be seeing a whole list of applicants. So it'll be um coming bringing it to co to to all of you. Um and then um we need to vet them to make sure that there isn't anything. Of course, going through backgrounds, but uh we'll go ahead and uh set up a probably um on a work session depending on the list that we get. Um I know I'll work with Miss Miss Prime to uh go ahead and and schedule it. >> Okay. But for this particular one, what was the what was the process that was followed for making the recommendation? >> It's basically um the same. um they they we will go ahead and post a position through HR. Um and whatever list that we actually get um those actually positions before they were a little different. Um again, you will the city council will be provided a list. Before you would select which ones you wanted to pick and choose to to actually interview. Now all candidates that um actually get on on the list will actually become to coming to you to interview actually during an actual session. >> Okay. Okay, but we're being asked to make a reappointment of these two judges today. I don't recall having the opportunity to have interviewed them. I'm asking particularly about these two. >> Them, they actually have been reappointed or the first time they were they were appointed was in 2013. So, it was even prior to my time. >> Okay. But there's a recommendation coming to us from municipal court to reappoint these two judges. Correct. How is the determination made that these two judges should be reappointed? I I don't I don't have the that they usually this is the the normal process. Uh we bring them to council for you to um to see if you would like to reappoint at this point. So there's no actual process for this particular >> Okay. Their terms were expiring. >> Correct. Uh-huh. So this one actually be would be starting August um the the 9th 2025 to 2029. Another four-year term. >> Was there any open call for applications for these two positions? >> Not for those. >> Okay. Okay. So, the recommendation was just to reappoint the two existing >> correct >> and that's being made by the municipal court staff or who's that recommendation coming from? >> If I could, Mario Diagino, deputy city manager. So, historically, that's what it's been on reappoints is to just bring the names back. They're already in the system. What she was trying to explain is upcoming is the the new ones. So, we'll go through the interview process. But, historically, this is how we've done it. We just brought those who were there, the incumbents, and we just brought them in for a renewal. >> Okay. Um, that's all then, mayor. Okay. Thank you. >> And you've been doing this since 2013. >> These particular judges, they were the first time they were appointed was in 2013. >> Okay. >> So, they've been reappointed every four years for terms for for since 2013. >> Okay. Representative Lima. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yes, it does go back to 2013. I remember distinctly. I have had the opportunity to work both with Horge Rivas and Corey Harper Basquez Baldes Person and um I think that they are really good quality uh municipal court judges. I hope that one day uh they won't be working a graveyard shift that they'll be having a different shift, but for right now that's what it is and I'm very very happy to support this. Thank you. >> Thank you >> represent Pierro. Thank you, mayor. And I'm assuming that there's data that shows that they show up to work, they do a good job, and that's why they're being um recommended again. >> Yes, there's no issue with them. They're very reliable. Um they're great for our community. So, whenever we call on them to substitute, they're there. >> And and unlike my colleague here, I hope to one day never to be in their court. >> Yeah. Thank you, >> Represental. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I would just say again for the future it's I think uh would be fruitful to look at the the reappointment process. Um I just out of fairness to other interested candidates. Um again I I today have no problem with reappointing uh these two judges like everyone else has said I from everything that I've heard they've done a fine job. Uh, and it's not an easy job being the, you know, they they're the overnight magistrates. That's not an easy position. And so I appreciate the hard work that they've done. I I do just think out of fairness to others uh who might be interested in the position, uh it might be worthwhile to open those up in the future and uh at least to potentially allow the council to uh a little bit more time, maybe a little bit more notice on these reappoints to allow us to to interview them ahead of a of a reappoint. But that's something that we can consider into the future. Thanks, Mayor. >> Thank you. All right, Miss Bryan, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All right. Hearing none. Seeing none, Mr. Bryan, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Kanale, seconded by alternate mayor protem 41. On that motion, call for the vote. >> Miss PR, I think that motion was from Representative Fiero. >> I'm sorry. It was representative Fiero. We'll do representative I think Lemon made the motion second it by alternate mayor Tim Fiero to approve item 41. Okay council the voting session is open. Voting session is open. >> Thank you. End the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. >> All right, Miss Mar, let's take 42. >> Yes, sir. Item 42 is discussion and action on a resolution authorizing the city manager or designate to sign all documents related to the FY2024 staffing for adequate fire and respon emergency response grant in the amount of 2,545,20013 with a cash match of $1,710,929.32 for a total grant amount of $4,256,12945. The grant period is estimated to be from September 2025 through August 2028. >> All right, Miss Brown, we have a motion in a second. >> Chief, sorry you guys had to wait most of the day to to get to your item. >> No worries. >> You want to tell us a little bit about the grant? >> Absolutely. Uh, thank you, mayor. Thank you, council. Good afternoon. Um, so this is a resolution for the FY24 FEMA assistance to firefighters grant. It's the title the safer or excuse me the staffing for adequate fire and emergency response grant also known as the safer grant. Uh this grant is going to be utilized to add 21 new positions entry level firefighter positions to help supplement the staffing of new fire station 38 which is going to be opening early next year. Um there is a 25% cash match year 1 and two and a 65 in year three. But what that adds up to for a grant um award of over $2.5 million in savings for staffing. Um overall the grant has an opportunity of $4.2 million in uh grant opportunity. So again this is something that we've historically uh obtained in FY15 um FY17 which relates to the FY17 and FY23 fiscal years here. The current safer grant is going to be closing in the end of FY26. So, this is a great opportunity for us to find alternate sourcing, funding sourcing to help ensure we're meeting the uh demand of our community. Any questions? >> Fantastic. Any questions for the chief? >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Miss Bryant, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by alternate mayor prom, seconded by not sure I heard a voice on this side. Mayor Prom Chavez. Thank you. And this is to approve item 42. On that motion, call for the vote and the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> All right, let's take item 43. Item 43 is discussion and action on a resolution that the El Paso City Council authorizes the acceptance of an award from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Park Grant Program, including a $1.5 million match required from the city for a total of $3 million to develop phase 2 of the 92.4 acre El Paso Eastside Regional Park, which will include sports courts, native landscaping, and irrigation infrastructure. >> Represent Nino. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. motion in the second. Any further discussion on this item? >> Yes, Mayor V. >> Yes. >> Well, Pablo, I I truly want to thank you and also Gilbert and Miss Ivet Hernandez. Um, I know that we've been in a lot of conversation of the design for the East Side Regional Park, which is phase two, which will be hopefully breaking ground soon. Um, you know, when we talked about the original design of the park, um, it was only calling for limited amount of certain amenities, but I know that in conversations, we went back to the drawing board a couple of times and, uh, you all were able to identify potential grants that could help us achieve even adding further amenities to the park. So, I'm very grateful for you all and the team. And it's exciting because overall this is an additional, you know, this is additional funds for the park that won't come directly from the taxpayer or the general fund. So, thank you all for all the great work that you guys have done. >> Thank you, sir. >> Representative Canalis. >> Thank you, mayor. More more for my own curiosity than my opinion about this, but do we um are you able to share what the the source of the match is? The 1.5 million match. It says C and it has a funding string but I I don't recognize is it is it is this 2012 quality I mean 2012 2022 community progress bond funding. >> It's uh the the match it's coming from T. I don't know from which source but it's coming from C. >> Okay. I just wanted to understand if it's bond funded or not. >> Robert, do you have the um >> Okay. >> He's he's working on it. I can see. >> Okay. quality impact. >> It's going to come from the 2017 capital improvement plan. >> 2017 CIP. Okay. >> So, it's cos the original. >> So, it's the Yeah, the original COS for the east side uh regional park. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Representative Chavez. >> Thank you, Mayor. And I just want to um vocalize my support for Representative Nino in this uh specific agenda item. I think it's it's really great that you have an opportunity to shape your district, Representative Nino, in in a way that's going to be meaningful and very impactful for that community and um it's just it's just awesome to see it happening in real life in real time. And so congratulations. >> We have a motion and a second on this. Miss Prime, would you call for the vote? >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Nino, seconded by Representative Lemon to approve item 43. On that motion, call for the vote >> and the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Let's take item 44. Item 44 is discussion and action on a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a two-year on call agreement for professional services to perform civil engineering services on a taskbytask basis with the following six consultants. ACOM Technical Services Inc., CEA Engineering Group, Inc., Consor Engineers LLC, GRV Integrated Engineering Solutions LLC, Huitt Zers Inc., and Moreno Cardinas Inc. >> Second. There's a motion and a second. Any discussion on item 44? Represent Brocha. >> Thank you, mayor, and thank you, Gilbert, for the briefing on this last week. Um, just for for public knowledge, I I know that the professional services um when it comes to there is no hire El Paso first, correct? >> That is correct. For professional services, >> it's just professional services. And so out of these, how many how many total um proposals or bids did you receive? uh 16 >> 16 and then out of the six that were awarded, how many are from El Paso? >> Uh there's three uh local um headquarters here in El Paso. >> So I I just want I I had a conversation with Gilbert and we're looking into the possibility of um making professional services part of that hire El Paso first as well. And so I appreciate the conversation, Gilbert, last week and thank you Miss Hernandez. I see you over there. Um, as well for for that conversation to to be able to happen. So, I just wanted to make sure that I asked those questions today. Sure. Thank you Gilbert. >> Thank you. Any further discussion on item 44? >> Miss Bryan, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Mayor Proim Chavez, seconded by Representative Lemon to approve item 44. On that motion, call for the vote. >> Mayor, I'm so sorry. one. >> All right. Repres Canalis. >> Uh and sorry to do this mayor. It's actually for you. Uh there is a disclosure on the form in the backup >> for campaign donation. >> Yes, sir. >> From which one? I didn't see it logged out. So, >> can I can I do it on behalf of the mayor? >> Sure. >> Let me pull it up again. I just wanted to make sure you were aware. here. Yeah. 2500 uh CE group. >> I didn't recognize this company. Yeah. So, I did receive a con campaign contribution from CEA Ruben Chavez. >> Pardon the interruption, Mayor. I just wanted to make sure >> No, that was I appreciate that. I'll say thank you. >> Thank you for doing that. council um starting the voting and the voting session and that motion passes unanimously. The final item is number 45 and this is discussion and action on a resolution that the city manager or designate be authorized to effectuate a budget transfer to utilize investment interest funds to set up the budget for the Cedar Grove subdivision improvements project. Is there a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> So, Mr. P, we have a motion in a second. Any discussion on this item? >> All right. Hearing none, Mr. Prime, call for the vote. >> Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Maldonado, seconded by Representative Boyjo to approve item 45. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session. And that motion passes unanimously. >> There's a second >> there's a motion and a second to adjourn. Miss Bryan. >> Yes, sir. There's a motion and a second to adjurnn. All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? And the city council meeting for Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 is adjourned at 1:50 p.m. Council, please remember that there's an offcycle regular meeting next Tuesday, August 12th. So, we'll be here in one week, August 12th. >> All right. Thank you, council. Miss Prime, when will that meeting be posted? >> The that will be posted Thursday. The agenda will be posted Thursday. >> Thanks. So,