good morning mayor good morning everyone with representative Kennedy we do have a poor man it's 9 A.M good morning this is a meeting of the El Paso city council for Tuesday September 12 2023 mayor Lisa is present and presiding inside council chambers along with representative Kennedy representative Hernandez alternate mayor Pro temolinar and mayor Pro tem anelo representative Salcido has requested to be excused today and representative Canales has also requested to be excused since he's caring for a family member with kobit it is 902 am and now will everyone please silence your electronic devices so as not to disturb the meeting and rise for the invocation delivered by Ministry coordinator for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and chaplain Emeritus for the El Paso Police Department San Ferroni good morning sir one of my favorite people in the world so thanks for being here thank you mayor and good morning good morning Council officials guests and if you'd care to join me as I pray I certainly invite you to Bow your heads we thank you Lord God Almighty for the blessing of another day for the opportunities each day has for all of us to make the world a better place through our words actions and attitudes and help us individually and collectively to choose to do that on a daily basis each day may we honor you and abide by the principles that you have given us to live by we have been reminded once again of that terrible and tragic day that took place 22 years ago on September 11th and so we remember and honor the many innocent lives that were taken that day and we pray for their families we remember in honor and are thankful for the First Responders who rushed into that Dreadful scene in an attempt to rescue lives of others we are saddened at the loss of first responder lives that happened that day but we are also grateful for those who were willing to enter the extreme Danger I will always remember that a fire chaplain died in the line of duty that day as he supported and prayed for his firefighters that day and so many other incidents remind us that every day is a gift and tomorrow is promised to no one so help us every moment of every day to live unselfishly for the benefit of others and most importantly to reflect your love and compassion it is a privilege to acknowledge your presence with us this morning and to ask your favor and Direction over this council meeting Grant wisdom and Direction and insight to all who will have a part in the proceedings and may there be a cohesive desire for what is good and what is right not in our eyes but in your eyes I pray for my mayor of the representatives and all officials and guests may they be aware of your love and Providence in their lives as the agenda is considered and I pray that you will please watch over all of those who truly protect our freedom and those who keep us safe God bless our El Paso and God bless America in the name of my Lord Jesus I pray amen thank you command sergeant major Gonzalez because your lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance there he is morning sir good morning good morning thank you thank you command sergeant major for the record representative Rivera is running a few minutes late this morning um good morning everyone and um I know we got a lot of people here today and and I want to thank you for being here but I do want to make sure that everybody takes uh proper precaution as our coveted numbers are starting to go up and I do want to make sure that people respect other people's space and that we do the right thing um you know there's uh nothing to be alarmed but we do see the numbers continue in the rise and we do see that the people's police wear a mask if you feel you need to wear a mask don't feel peer pressure because you're not you're the only one uh wearing one it's uh something that uh it's important to you your family your health and please do it if you feel that you need to do it and again it's um it's very important that we're aware of our surroundings and continue to be aware of our surroundings and protect ourselves and also I know that um chaplain uh kind of touched more than a little bit but talked about 9 11 and you know I think it's something really important as we look at um history was changed 22 years ago the way we live our lives 22 years ago changed and it's changed still today America became a better country and will continue to be a country that will protect its citizens and you know we're thankful for all our First Responders there's almost 3 000 Americans lost their lives that day but I think it's important to know that every morning whether it's in El Paso Texas or anywhere in the United States our First Responders get up and prepare for the unknown and on September 11th 22 years ago today the unknown did come and they didn't think twice about running in the building they didn't think twice about saving lives of not just Americans people inside the buildings that's their job and they do that here in El Paso day in and day out so I do um I want to thank all the First Responders for always preparing for the unknown and when they leave home not knowing what's in front of them they know that they took the oath to Serve and Protect and I have a lot of respect for all our First Responders and what they do you know we lost FBI agents we lost you know men in the men and women in the uniforms that went in that day um the firefighters it's um it's something that just because they took the oath they um they decided to do that it was something that it's been in their hearts forever something that they wanted to do and I'm thankful and I want to thank all the First Responders police everyone that's in here and all the firefighters and everyone in our community for always put in your life in front of ours and your life for as meaningful as ours and we thank you for doing that and below us thank you for what you do so with that I want everyone to please for a moment close your eyes and think of where you were that day 22 years ago and what you thought of when you saw it thank you yesterday when I when I got to speak at the 911 memorial at the fire station there was some Colonel Western was standing next to me and I'm sure he didn't want me to say this so I will but um he's standing right next to me and he looked and he goes mayor do you know where I was on 9 11 22 years ago and I said no sir he says I was inside the Pentagon when it was attacked you're a hero sir and everybody that wears that uniform Were Heroes and he went on and we had a long discussion that day or yesterday about that day and the chaos and it took him 19 hours to get home nine hours to contact us from family to let them know that he was okay so there's a lot of Heroes out there and Colonel Western thank you again for serving your country and for what you stand for thank you sir good morning um one more um one more thing I'd like for us to do and um in our Borderland we we lost a young man very unfortunate that a band member from Bowie High School that was at a football game and for unknown medical reasons he passed away yesterday and I want you to keep him but also his family and friends in your prayers and I'd like to have a moment of silence and remembrance of Daniel Esparza he lost his life on 9 11 2023 you know the the future always of our community is the youth and we should never bury the youth and it's a sad day in El Paso when we lose someone like that so I'd like to have a moment of silence thank you that's fine right there sir yeah that's fine um again may God bless America may God bless El Paso and its wonderful people thank you Miss Prine thank you mayor that brings us to the mayor's proclamations the first Proclamation is National Recovery month who's got that one number seven pharaoh I just turned it on sir thank you Samir thank you for allowing me to read this Proclamation we are since Inception in 1989 September has been recognized as National Recovery month through the Big Texas rally for Recovery Texans all over the state come together to honor the people families and communities that live their lives in recovery and in doing so celebrate the lives affirming progress in recruit in recovery whereas individuals organizations communities families gather together every September to celebrate recovery and in doing so challenge change negative perceptions attitudes discrimination stigma towards people and families in recovery whereas Big Texas rally is about having recovery centered celebration for individuals families communities to honor recognize and then not only recovery possible but it's alive and thriving whereas When We Gather to celebrate recovery we helped to change stigma and misconceptions surrounding recovery and in the this way allow other individuals and families to find paths to recovery whereas the city of El Paso together will spread the message to people seeking recovery You Are Not Alone there is hope there is help there is support available for others in recovery recovery is possible whereas on September 23rd El pasoans are encouraged to join paso del Norte recovery a system of care as they celebrate together with our voices in a powerful unionism proclaiming that recovery is for everyone every person every family and every Community now therefore be proclaimed by the mayor and Council that the the month of September shall be known as National Recovery month signed mayor Oscar liser thank you [Applause] someone like to say a few words good morning hi uh my name is Chris Bailey I'm a man in long-term recovery and what that means for me is I haven't had to touch a drop of alcohol or drugs since August 7th of 1997. um Mary Lisa you mentioned uh the day in 911 2001 when we were attacked and I do remember the day that I was attacked that we were attacked and um I was uh headed into my fifth year of recovery in 2001 I was getting up to get ready to attend a college class my mother had come into my room and said we've been attacked and I watched the towers um burn on that day um that's emblazoned into my mind and as awful as that day was I'm grateful that I was in recovery when it happened because I can remember it I could feel empathy for the people that died that day my last two friends in the South Tower and um it was a dark day in my life but I also had the recovery that allowed me to lean into that pain and to feel it and to grieve for the first time in a long time um recovery has given me and many of us not just our lives back but the ability to touch the lives of others to help them learn to live again and it is my hope that moving forward and I really want to express my deep thanks to the city of El Paso for getting behind this initiative for the mayor signing this Proclamation for counsel getting behind it um because we do face a lot of discrimination we do face a lot of stigma and to know that recovery is possible that they're recovering people in the world and that people that are still out there suffering that there are individuals that have a helping hand ready and available for them so I want to thank you all today thanks thank you sir thank you all for coming up and I think you're you're correct I think public awareness is so important that um you know there is help out there and uh to allow and let people know where they can go and get help is so important and then the listen to the success is even more important good morning good morning share a little bit of my personal recovery Journey with you during recovery month this year my name is Christine zimmerly and I'm a person in long-term recovery from drugs and alcohol what that means to me is that today I can be present a mother a mentor and a productive member of this community I have overcome my problematic relationship with substances life has thrown me many numerous challenges poverty homelessness food insecurity surviving domestic violence battling physical mental emotional health challenges including addiction today I stand before you as a testament to the power of resilience transformation and the unwavering human spirit my journey started with attempted suicide and overcoming the darkness of incarceration where I made a commitment to choose life and to turn my life around surviving these challenges has taught me the importance of self-worth and gave me this strength to rebuild my life from the ground up through mental health and Recovery support I discovered the power of seeking help and the incredible impact of support systems some of these challenges left scars on my soul but they also fueled my determination to break the cycle and contribute positively to society in recovery I have found healthy ways to cope and I have discovered the beauty of a life free from the chains of addiction my story is a story of Hope resilience and transformation I stand here today not defined by my past but empowered by the lessons it taught me I've worked hard to heal the wounds that once held me back and I'm dedicated to helping others who face similar challenges through mutual Aid counseling Community engagement residential recovery support education and a commitment to self-improvement I have reclaimed my life today I am a voice for those who often remain unheard a Beacon of Hope for those still struggling and a living example that no matter how dark the past recovery is possible I believe that together as a community we can break down barriers erase stigma and build a world where everyone can heal grow and thrive thank you so much for listening thank you thank you for being here and thank you all for for being here there's a couple more that want to speak I'm a woman in long-term recovery I'm here to invite you all to our Big Texas rally for Recovery it's September 23rd from 12 to 7 at Memorial Park that we're celebrating recovery I want to share a little bit about my journey found my glasses okay today I stand before you to talk about journey of resilience hope and transformation The Journey of recovering from drugs and alcohol it's a journey that touches the lives of millions worldwide Adriana speaks of the human Spirits incredible capacity to heal and rebuild when we think of recovery it's important to remember that it's not just about abstaining from substances recovery is about rediscovering oneself rebuilding relationships and rekindling dreams it's a journey of self-discovery and personal growth one that often begins with a single courageous step the decision to seek help the first step in recovery is often the most challenging one admitting that you have a problem and reaching out for support takes immense courage it's the moment where you decide that you are worth the effort that your life is worth living to its fullest fullest potential recovery is not a linear path it's filled with ups and downs setbacks and triumphs it's about facing your past making amends and forgiving yourself it's about learning new coping mechanisms and strategies to deal with life's challenges without resorting to substances support is the Cornerstone of recovery whether it's through Professional Therapy support groups or the unwavering love and understanding of family and friends having a strong support system can make all the difference we must recognize that recovery is not a solitary Journey it's a collective effort that requires empathy and understanding from all of us during recovery individuals often ReDiscover their passions and talents they rekindle old hobby old Hobbies find new interests and rebuild their lives with purpose and meaning the transformation is awe-inspiring as people emerge from the darkness of addiction into the light of a healthier happier and more fulfilling life recovery is about breaking the chains of addiction and regaining control over one's destiny it's about proving to oneself and the world that we are not defined by our past mistakes instead we are defined by our resilience our ability to rise above adversity and our unwavering determination to lead a life of sobriety while the while the road to recovery is without a doubt challenging it is also a testament to the unconquerable human spirit it's a reminder that no matter how far one may have fallen there is always a path back to health happiness and wholeness in conclusion recovery from drugs and alcohol is a remarkable journey of a self-discovery resilience and transformation it's a testament to the strength of the human Spirit and the power of support and understanding let us all be compassionate and supportive allies to those on this journey for they are not defined by their past but by their incredible capacity to recover and Thrive thank you thank you hello city council men and women I am very blessed to be here forgive me if I'm a bit nervous why are you nervous I don't know it's a new setting for me it's a very new setting for me welcome I have a couple months ago we came down here we talked about the Narcan issue and I'm very grateful for you guys helping us out with that I really am I am a person who uh I don't know if I would call it long term this Friday I'll be picking up two years clean from drugs and alcohol and I am thank you and the way my life has changed and the contrast between today and where I was at is an absolutely it's a beautiful thing I'm a person who's an experienced incarceration homelessness I was in a I was involved in a lot of let's say uh things that weren't conducive or productive in society and the fact that I can stand here before city council today and I have a voice is a very it's surreal and to be able to do this so young and be able to change my life around and be able to make a difference it's a very beautiful thing for me and it's something I'm extremely grateful I've gotten the opportunity to do and you guys making September a recovery month and you guys willing to hear us out it really gives me it helps me with my purpose and helping other people get their lives back together and I just want to thank you guys for that and uh that's all I got thank you congratulations [Applause] again thank you all for being here and um I um I appreciate uh represent Pirro and for you all to being here and sharing your story but you know on the impact and what it needs and what it means to our community so I thank you all again thank you if um go ahead for the record Representatives Rivera and Fiero are also president Chambers the next Proclamation is gold out child Cancer Awareness Month representative good morning thank you mayor Proclamation city of El Paso Texas whereas each year many parents hear the devastating words that no parent wants to hear your child has cancer we go that El Paso on families to know that they are not alone during this difficult time and they have our support we will try our hardest to help families in need in any way possible and whereas gold out El Paso honors all the children and families affected by Childhood Cancer we honor all the Warriors survivors and angels that have courageously fought this battle we honor families affected by Childhood Cancer because no child should fight alone and whereas gold out El Paso will continue to make it its goal that the city of El Paso turn gold every September and whereas children fighting cancer should never feel alone and with the help of our community all children fighting cancer will always get recognition in September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month for our children are the future and whereas we ask the El Paso Community to join in goldado palace's model when one fights we all fight when one cries we all cry when one celebrates we all celebrate we are all in this fight together now therefore be a proclaimed by the mayor and Council of the city of El Paso that the month of September shall be known as gold out for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month signed the honorable law school Leisure mayor city of El Paso [Applause] good morning good morning mayor good morning council members thank you for allowing us for the third year in a row to have a proclamation for Childhood Cancer Awareness my name is Aileen Montelongo I'm the founder of golden El Paso we are pleased to be the only organization in our city bringing awareness to Childhood Cancer and each year we're pleased that many more people schools businesses are becoming aware of what the color gold represents and that there are many children in our community who are currently or have battled this horrible disease there are many faces of Childhood Cancer and not many are aware of it until it hits close to home that could be your child a family member or friend the children featured on our yearly shirt we're one day just healthy ordinary kids until they weren't our mission is to share the raw truth about Childhood Cancer and with this Proclamation the children and parents who have hurt those devastating words know that they are not alone through this battle thank you for taking the time to acknowledge gold out El Paso and all the children our organization represents our goal is to continue to bring awareness and see that many businesses buildings and schools participate in turning the city gold for the month of September thank you for allowing us to do this a third year in a row thank you thank you good morning mayor council member city of El Paso many of you know me as Commander Major Gonzalez of Fort Bliss but today I stand here as a father a father of a of a warrior and a survivor of Childhood Cancer and I stand here to support gold out and everything that we're doing that they do for El Paso and our children and our parents who you know we're as a parent we're used to seeing a child run around in a soccer field or ride a bike out in the street but for those those children going through this horrible disease and those families that are fighting it together their childhoods are are spent in hallways walking around with an IV plugged in um and writing a tricycle down a hallway or going into an art room uh by themselves because they can't be around other people and other kids their childhood they miss so much of their childhood and just bringing awareness of that here to El Paso is what gold out is all about and we want to invite you all to turn your lights gold put on a yellow light bulb into your home into your cities wherever you are to to remember that this month bringing awareness of all of these young children and their families what they're going through and what they're fighting for every day so I just want to say thank you for a third year in a row allowing us to come up here um and and to bring this and be heard but make it public so that these stories are heard right are heard and then and you know what the sufferings is right because we see on the television those commercials about a child sitting there with no hair in a bed but until you know the pain of having to shave your child's head you won't understand it so please thank you for your support thank you for continuing support gold out and El Paso and Childhood Cancer Awareness again thank you for this privilege this morning thank you thank you command sergeant major hi my name's Alexander Martinez and on October 15 2021 I got diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and awareness he's so shy so um yeah so we just wanted to say thank you so much everyone for this opportunity um to spread awareness especially for this month this is our month and Alexander definitely did have a hard ride he's still in treatment but he's looking towards the end of it at this point and we're very happy gold doubt has helped us so much in spreading awareness and helping us financially and everything that they stand for 100 of their proceeds from all their fundraisers and donations come back to families like us and we couldn't be more grateful and like the speaker before us mentioned you know just turn on those lights make them yellow wear yellow turn your offices yellow anything we can do to spread awareness would be absolutely wonderful for us and thank you guys very much for this day and for this month thank you you know that um we know that um how's the natural chair for for um Hope on wheels for seven years to find a cure for Pediatric cancer and we've raised money nationally because we know that the trophy about 94 of all cancers are adult cancer and Childhood Cancer so there's not a lot of funding for it so it was really important to try to get funding to find a cure for pediatric cancer and I know that I would visit hospitals all across the nation and I wouldn't I couldn't see a child I couldn't go in there and see a child finally a doctor pulled me over and he said hey Oscar come here this is when you walk in there and they have a bandage on or they have an IV or they're laying in a bed they're getting help and that's what we have to strive for to make sure they get help and my goal was always to make sure that some that we would hear someday that no child would ever have cancer the numbers have gone up a lot of you know the the survival rate has gone way up now and it will continue to go up but we got to continue to fight as a community as a country and like I said I was the chair for the whole United States for seven years to try to find a cure for Pediatric cancer and we need to continue to unite because we can't lose another life it's so important that's right good morning my name is Ashley navares and I stand before you emotional and unprepared the same way that I walked into the hospital with my son his name is Irvin Vidal Nevarez and I can't express my gratitude for associations and organizations just like well that El Paso and his doctors and all the medical staff who have gotten him through so much and myself as well if it wasn't for their support I don't know how a lot of us would get through because you lose so much when your family is affected by Childhood Cancer and now I all I can say is that I'm even Beyond grateful that he's doing really well and he's now starting Public School this year and he loves it so it's definitely a blessing to see your child still continue to grow with you and every day becomes a blessing so definitely follow your instinct when it comes to your children and please continue to bring awareness and consideration to this cause that I know is slowly and thankfully getting becoming bigger and more well known so thank you so much for your time and I hope you all have a really blessed day thank you you know we'll continue to fight together and that's the important part and if this morning's honorees will please remain in Chambers the city council will have an opportunity to take photos with you once all the ceremonial items have been completed the next Proclamation is National surgical technologist week yeah you guys are up whereas for over 60 years surgical technology has grown to meet the ever increasing demand for well-educated highly skilled and versatile Surgical technologists and whereas surgical technologists are entrusted with the lives and well-being of patients and provide a critical service during surgical procedures and whereas over 90 000 surgical technologists Nationwide are an integral part of the surgical team committed to providing the highest quality of surgical care to patients and whereas surgical technologists are responsible for the application of sterile and aseptic technique in the operating room ensuring that equipment functions properly and facilitating safe and effective conduct during invasive surgical procedures and whereas surgical technologists strive to prevent life-threatening surgical site infections and maximize patient safety and whereas surgical technologists graduate from an accredited program and receive certification conferred by the national board of surgical technology and surgical assisting assisting based upon passage of the national examination and whereas the surgical technologist motto hey go to Primo the patient first reflects total commitment to patient safety and advocacy and whereas the city of El Paso is honored to join our nation in recognizing National surgical technologist week now therefore be it proclaimed by the mayor and City Council of city of El Paso that's September 17th through September 23rd 2023 shall be known as National surgical technologist week [Applause] good morning good morning Mr Mayor honorable council members we really appreciate the opportunity to be able to have you very clearly elucidate the unknown tasks and the unknown Dedication that is put into the work that surgical technologists do throughout the country it is again an unknown profession we're the people behind the mask even before covet and behind the red line in the operating room that nobody ever actually remembers most people think that it's only doctors and nurses that work in hospitals but there are many many Allied health professionals who work within hospitals in specialized areas and surgical technologists are certainly one of them our patients are typically asleep they don't remember that we were there and that is actually when we know we've done our job correctly is when nothing happens that they should have to know that we were there but the surgeons and the nurses the anesthesiologists the first assistants we are all part of a dedicated high functioning team that is our major goal as is was stated in the proclamation is agar Primo which means the patient first everything we do is to provide positive patient outcomes and be a positive force in their lives whether they are ever aware that we were there or not I stand before you not having put the proclamation forward I've done that previously the last one I have here is from 2007 but I do appreciate this recognition I I am Margaret Rodriguez and I am the program director of the El Paso Community College surgical technology program I'm a graduate of the program from 1980 so that dates me I've been a surgical tech for 43 years and I've also been teaching for 20 27 years so I very proudly behind me have not only the current class of surgical technology students but many of the graduates who have come through the program many who are working at all of the different hospitals in the city including UMC and they are here also to represent they are dedicated as well and it you know like a proud mom it does my heart good to see them having done so well and out working and taking care of all of you who are going into the surgical setting and making sure that you have the best possible outcome that you could have and as has been stated here with other groups this morning you don't know what you don't know until you have to know it and so people are not aware that we are here and we really appreciate the recognition and we'll keep doing our job to keep you safe and so that you don't know that we're there and we hope that um that there will be an enhanced knowledge that the profession exists how important it is there is a severe shortage throughout the country and that we are trying to put out as quickly as possible highly trained well intentioned and dedicated and professional individuals so thank you this for this opportunity this morning in this honor and we do appreciate it thank you congratulations and all the success Chavez I graduated from UNC 22 years ago I have been with um CC also the garage so I'm a little nervous I guess I graduated from EPCC over 22 years I have been with UMC 21 years and going and I can say that I love what I do I've seen a lot and teaching you text is also a lot of fun but the biggest part is taking care of my patients taking care of people like you doesn't matter where you come from doesn't matter what you've done I treat all my patients exactly the same because it's how I would like to be treated it's how I would like my family but as a surgical tech my patient is first and I am proud to say that I graduated I'm certified and I love working at UMC as well so thank you very much for this day we do appreciate it thank you thank you all again for um for being here no again thank you all and one of the things you said that's important and I live by this that you always treat people the way you want to be treated you'll never be disappointed and you're correct so thank you all for being here [Applause] the next Proclamation is El Paso Children's Hospital Childhood Cancer Awareness Month thank you Mr Prime proclamation of the city of El Paso Texas whereas El Paso's Children's Hospital provides the highest level of Pediatric Care in West Texas and southern New Mexico and whereas close to 10 000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed Nationwide among children this year alone and many infants children and teens will suffer from long-term effects of comprehensive treatment including secondary Cancers and whereas over a thousand children across the country will lose their battle with cancer and many medical providers and medical professionals who Race Against Time to provide life-saving treatment and medical breakthroughs to prevent the tragic loss of life and whereas the Southwest University pediatric blood and Cancer Center at El Paso Children's Hospital is the only certified children's oncology group Center in a 270 mile radius which provides quality clinical trials to treat many types of pediatric cancer and whereas that means that children are able to stay right here at home to receive the best care using the latest research and protocols in a multi-specialty environment designed just for kids where they receive the very same protocols as some of the top hospitals in the world and whereas the Southwest University pediatric blood and Cancer Center at El Paso Children's Hospital has been able to help hundreds of families affected by Childhood Cancer now therefore be proclaimed by the mayor and the Council of the city of El Paso that the month of September 2023 shall be known as El Paso Children's Hospital child Cancer Awareness Month signed by The Honorable mayor Oscar Lisa congratulations good morning sir good morning mayor Lisa and good morning city council thank you all so much for having us representative vanilla we really appreciate all your support and having us here um my name is Daniel veal I'm the director of marketing for El Paso children's hospital and uh the month of September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we have just a couple people we want to be able to share some of the great things that we do for the community but we definitely want to give gold out a major thank you I don't think they really went into detail about how much they do for our families every day in the hospital the amount of entertainment the food for the families uh just so many different things that really bring a lot of Happiness to the kids and their families and obviously we'd like to thank mayor liser and Hyundai of El Paso Oscar liser's Hyundai of El Paso um for um for uh continuing to contribute through Hyundai Hope on wheels at this time I'd like to invite Dr Benjamin carcamo he's one of our physicians with our pediatric hematology and oncology unit thank you uh thank you for the opportunity to talk to talking to all of you I have been here in the community for about 25 years I have had the honor of treating uh you know a lot of children with a pediatric cancer in El Paso uh initially we started our journey at the other institution but about 12 years ago well actually it was 2012 uh El Paso children's hospital opened doors and we were able to transfer our care to El Paso children's okay children uh Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time to honor and those with pediatric cancer is also a time to have important conversations with one another to raise awareness about pediatric cancer other Paso children's or hospital this mission is not only exclusive for one month but it's a everyday Our Lives the Southwest University pediatric blood and Cancer Center is a pediatric oncological program based at El Paso children we opened early in 2012. and we have a 24 um build unit dedicated to the care of a pediatric cancer we have an infusion clinic and that also takes care exclusively pediatric cancer and pediatric hematological problems and we also have a cancer survivor Clinic which takes care of the children after and they survive their Journey okay and and this is not a small matter we have treated 70 kids with a pediatric cancer whether that's what we did last year and most of them made it thank God we have bring it we had a treated 40 patients so far this year and 18 patients are ready and run the bill okay when we do this at this special ceremony and that we give to that to our children because they have a long journey they go through a lot not only then the parents our families it's a difficult journey and they may take months or even years so ringing of the valleys are very special for them and we do it to honor and their their life okay and and the work that they have done the suffering that that they had gone through and to make sure and that they remember this for the rest of their life okay it's a it's a very special occasion that's what that ringing of the Bell is we had 18 so far this uh this year okay you know we have we treat all kind of cancers okay the most important answer that we treat is a leukemia but we also treat a lot of brain tumors and sarcomas and many different other diseases um we are so lucky to have a community that recognize the importance of providing our children with unique opportunities during the time with us with the support of the community not only for our patients but also for our doctors our Hospital the nursing staff social workers the child life Specialists the pharmacists are a whole host of people that is completely dedicated to the care of these children and you know we are finding new ways to to improve the care of pediatric cancer and our new Specialty Center is going to be open soon and it will be an exciting a step in keeping El Paso children's Hotel a Forefront of Pediatric Healthcare in our region in the next month the community will be gaining more insights into the types of services our new facility will host and it is important for us to show that borderline region how dedicated we are in enhancing all levels of care for our children and the ability to keep over 85 percent Forever Living El Paso for the treatment of cancer um I thank you for your effort and thank you for this opportunity to talk thank you sir thank you doctor thank you Dr carcamo to close out um our very special day uh we do want to welcome um Andres Melendez and his mom and Irma and his family uh they're the perfect example of what it means to stay at home for health care that doesn't require them to leave the city so if we can have you guys come on up good morning San Andres who was diagnosed with ewing sarcoma last September his twin brother Adrian and our oldest daughter Christina we stand here before you today with a profound sense of gratitude when the news of andres's diagnosis Richard ears our world seemed to come Crashing Down the uncertainty and the fear that surrounded us was overwhelming but from that very moment you the incredible team at El Paso Children's Hospital embraced us with open arms and provided us provided us with a Haven of care and support throughout this challenging Journey we have witnessed a strong Spirit of our son Andres who has faced every treatment and procedure with courage and determination Beyond his Tender Years your dedication to his well-being and your solid commitment to finding the best course of action for his unique condition gave us hope when it seemed most elusive to each member of the staff from the cafeteria ladies nurses Pacquiao everyone and the doctors you have become more than just health care providers for us you have become our Pillars of Strength your expertise professionalism and compassion have not only healed our son's body but also mended our Spirits reassuring us that we are never alone in this fight as parents our hearts have been heavy with the weight of responsibility and concern but your unwavering support Has Lifted us of that burden from the long nights to the countless tears you stood by our side offering comfort and guidance reminding us to cherish our precious moments with our children to the volunteers and donors who have poured their hearts into making a basso children's hospital a Beacon of Hope we extend our gratitude your generosity has alleviated Financial strains allowing us to focus solely on being present for our children as we continue on this journey we carry with us the knowledge that we are not alone El Paso children's hospital and its remarkable team have become an extension of our family supporting us with love and compassion We Are Forever grateful for your dedication to transforming lives restoring hope and battling against the odds in closing let us remember that our journey is not over yet but we Face a future with Newfound strength and resilience inspired by the love and care we have received here with this gratitude in our hearts we move forward knowing that every step is taken with support of a community that has touched our lives in profound ways in our hearts youth will forever hold a special place for you have been more than just medical professionals you have been our friends our confidants and our guiding lights from the depths of our souls we are very thankful for everything you have done for us with great gratitude and hope the Melendez family foreign you know and um it's uh it's been a real honor to be able to I'd say has the dealer local dealer here in El Paso when I became the chair of seven for seven straight years for Hope On Wheels we would go around the country and donate money to hospitals to fund research for hospitals but I couldn't donate to my own City because we didn't have a research hospital we didn't have a mechanism where I could say you know what I get to make a decision where the money goes but I could never give it to El Paso we gave it to you know Georgetown University um Duke Yale we went to these huge areas and donate a lot of money but it really would saddened me that we couldn't give it to our home community and just two months ago it was incredible pleasure to be able to stand in front of children's hospital and donate half a million dollars for Pediatric research on behalf of Hope On Wheels and Hyundai of El Paso so and I'm not saying that because we want to thank you it really warmed my heart to be able to give to our community after doing it everywhere else for so many places that El Paso finally got a research hospital so kids can stay home kids don't have to go anywhere else and I can tell you as a Survivor there's nowhere like being home when you're going through treatment there's no doubt about it when when you have to go stay in a hotel somewhere and and it's probably one of the worst things you don't have your support staff you don't have your family with you you know you're you're there for treatments that be able to have it here I understand what the difference will make so I'm very happy to be able to support children's hospital but also so you all just like you all have a home and El Paso and be able to to feel like you're at home so congratulations and thank you thank you and the final Proclamation is 2023 national dance Alliance Spirit rally d1a National Title winners UTEP dance team day Proclamation Proclamation city of El Paso Texas whereas the UTEP dance team registered registered for the 2022 UDA Collegiate dance competition and was put on hold due to coveted restrictions but this has not stop them from training and be determined to bring a national title for 2023. and whereas through all the campus events athletic games and special appearances the UTEP dance team trained long hours during the holidays with zero days off to head off to Daytona Florida to compete against other division one universities and whereas on April 6 the dance team competed in the national dance Alliance division one Spirit rally category and proceeded to qualify for the top five finalists and on the final day of competition the dance team competed against some of the best dance teams in the Nash in the nation and won first place thank you and whereas within the history of the UTEP dance team this is the first time ever the team has competed at a national level winning the national title of national dance Alliance d1a Spirit rally and we're asked the city of El Paso recognizes the importance and prestige of for the UTEP dance team of winning the 2023 national dance the lion Spirit rally d1a national title and whereas the competition along with sportsmanship academics leadership and character builds Trails traits that are found in everyday lives and we're asked we encourage the El Paso Community to congratulate and show support for the YouTube dance team and therefore be it proclaimed by the mayor and Council of the city of El Paso that's September 12 2023 shall be known as 2023 national dance line Spirit rally d1a National Title winners UTEP dance team day congratulations come on congratulations Australians are you hiding back there on us come on up you know after um 35 years she decided to retire after y'all won the championship and all he figured he couldn't accomplish any more than that so he decided to retire and I know that you you gave back and worked hard and for the supervised the department for 35 years and congratulations on your service to UTEP and our community you've um you're um your admiration for what you do is is huge so thank you again uh mayor and good morning Council my name is Leslie loving me I'm sending some of my dancers here I am I'm very sentimental goodness gracious but it's because it's so surreal all of this just happened so quickly for us and we trained extremely hard but my hat and my hat goes off to the girls behind me because they put in the work the time the effort along with their studies that they do every single day they put in 12 plus hours I have I always say this I'm going to have doctors I'm going to have trainers I'm going to have psychologists I'm going to have teachers and I have it all so I'm blessed to have these wonderful dancers um I have a huge thank you to our admin Dr Gary Edens Dr sharland Dr Katie my good friend Bianca there you are also my family picks support most of all our community coming into this team five years ago it was um it's been a dream of mine born and raised here in El Paso proud teacher at Montwood high school for 13 years around the emerald dancers for 13 years great years and I came I said to my family I said one day I will become a Collegiate dance team coach doesn't matter where well it did matter because I want it to be here I wanted to stay home because this is my home and um the opportunity came and um I was given this opportunity to run this team and when I came in I told the girls I believe Emily and Caitlin who were with me for five years um Arlette as well I said um hey so what do you think about you know my first year coming in you want to do a national you know competition like sure coach has gone do it I said okay well it's going to take work and that was just year one so it took us four years and then our fifth year going in April we said we're gonna go to Daytona we're gonna go out and just see where it's uh it lands I only set one goal with these young ladies and I just said go out and have fun let's see let's see where we stand so we made it to um I said I would like to at least get to finals let's see what happens from there and uh I always ask Mo or actually everybody here how bad do you want it and they said they want it really bad so I said okay well it's going to take a lot of time and work and effort and you know so um it was our last run through before we left on that Thursday I believe we had a rehearsal at Wednesday and I said okay let's let's give it all let's see what happens it was a really bad run through by the way right so I said let's get everything out it's okay to have a bad run through because then that's when we're gonna come back and win it all so we went in we competed we went up up against some really big schools right Dr Edens the big schools and [Music] um not knowing anything I just went out the girls went out they performed and we came out they were long story short they were calling out all the teams in in an order that I didn't know I was just like oh please you know just call the University of Texas El Paso they called the first team the second team the 13th the fourth team I was like okay that's it we didn't get it um but then the fifth team came out and it said the University of Texas at El Paso just to know that they called the University of Texas at El Paso was a big accomplishment for these young ladies coming in fifth place as they were calling out I thought it was fifth place we looked over uh Dr sherlin remember we looked over the scores and it turns out that we came out number one we scored in 86.8 I believe it was and everybody else was below us and I was like oh my god when am I going to tell the girls how am I going to do this and we were in a hotel and the lobby isn't that big so I took him outside and I said I give him a speech I don't remember what I said but they do um so I said um yeah after all this you know we did good we have a lot of work to do because you are ranked number one in the nation and just to know that you know the University of Texas at El Paso is on the map stating that we are National Champion winners these girls did all the work and I couldn't be proud to be their coach and to be a part of this beautiful University and the love that I have for El Paso because I'm born and raised here and I'm going to continue to educate and be and create wonderful individuals because I love to teach and I'm proud of them so thank you El Paso and thank you everybody I appreciate you all I just want to congratulate you but you know you talked about everything but you forgot to talk about that they have a great mentor and they have a great coach and you know we can have a lot of talent but if you don't have someone that can lead you to do the best you can and they'll actually do it together as a team it's hard to win and we see that a lot in sports so congratulations on your great achievements but also the girls congratulations and um and your great achievements but now you all have a great mentor and a great coach to always be able to look up to so thank you and congratulations foreign 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 Pro Tim I make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the following revisions page 3 item two request to excuse absent city council members and that is to excuse representative Isabel Salcido and representative Chris cornelles from today's meeting page five item 14 move to follow consent agenda per representative Rivera page six item 16 move to follow consent agenda per representative Fierro page 8 item 25 delete per climate and sustainability page 11 item 37 follow Council items per representative anello in page 12 item ex2 take the item it says at 9 30 but take the item after item 16 Pro economic and International Development we have one more item representative Kennedy wanted he has a resolution on here they would like to be read prior to we break in for pictures Council please remind us prior to the consent agenda 23 23.23 is that page seven page seven yes ma'am page seven item 23 follow item 16 per representative Kennedy and Council we do have public comment on items on the consent agenda on item number five this is a resolution approving and interlocal agreement between the city of El Paso and Socorro Independent School District to allow Law Enforcement Officers to issue parking citations Ms Turner good morning you have three minutes good morning Miss Turner good morning mayor council as I read this it's uh they're not police officers they're just whatever they are security guards that are hired by the Socorro to write tickets you have no control over the quality of these people so my concern is the liability of the city there's no different than the same item we have two weeks ago Miss Turner that we spoke about and I know that the police department kind of gave an update on it last time I thought everybody was quiet good morning mayor and Council assistant chief Victor sarut when we worked in the the initial ordinance to make these modifications so we could introduce this into the local agreement uh we do have officer Joel Vera with Socorro Independent School District they are commissioned peace officers under decal standards they have the training we've offered the refresher as a matter of fact officer Joel Vera used to work with the police department for over 20 plus years so we have that working relationship and we're making sure that everyone understands the way everything works there should be no no no issue going forward we have a process to get the tickets into municipal court and notification made to everyone and and this was for parking tickets obviously they still provide a safety aspect over and above their assistance just to give them the ability to to provide a ride a parking ticket when people violate parking rules fire lanes and also the income comes to the city of El Paso is not stay within the area but they still provide over and above this they still continue to be peace officers and provide safety for the students in the schools yes sir strictly parking citations within the city of El Paso with the school districts that's okay Independent School District within their surrounding area thank you for that thank you with that we have a motion and a second Miss Turner also signed up for item six which is a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an updated interlocal agreement between the city and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles I have a question doesn't the court sent out and isn't the court responsible for notifying people that they have a uh parking ticket what's your question Mr I didn't get it is it the Court's responsibility to send that notice out I think your notice is put on your window oh that's when you get the tickets that's what I'm talking about Miss Turner this is an issue we've been discussing often lately what I Heard a Voice I just didn't hear what it was said we've brought up multiple times good morning mayor council Steve Alvarado code enforcement director the court does issue notices this is part of the interlocal agreement that we'll have with the state of Texas Department of Motor Vehicles the access that they will have is the notices after the unpaid citations sit in the system go to the municipal court system it'll allow them to run the license plate and send a reminder to pay the citation that's after it becomes delinquent that's after he gets sent over the court it doesn't get paid within a certain amount of time and then they will send it once you get a citation they don't send you a reminder you got citation once it becomes delinquent then the reminder you have not paid your credit correct that is correct but that's not what this item is I don't think so this is about registration owner information by the municipal courts police department and rental services that is correct the center local agreement will be for the municipal courts uh code enforcement with Police Department also Environmental Services municipal courts will have access to run those plates to send reminders code enforcement will have access to run plates on junk Vehicles send notices out and also ESD will have access to run plates for littering and code enforcement uh you know so we could research thank you those crimes thank you for that my next question is how do you control that that access is just solely for that one issue and it's not somebody looking for personal information on somebody else that's my concern yes uh we share those concerns so each person that has access has to sign a disclosure saying that they'll use it for law enforcement purposes only that's what the Municipal Court uh minimal people with code enforcement have access and also I think one or two people with the Environmental Services have access we have a list of people each one has to sign that disclosure that they'll use it for a lawful purpose is there a way of tracking who is who has gotten certain information from the system I'm sure there is I would have to check with you so that's one way of controlling it absolutely yes thank you thank you the next item is Turner signed up for is item seven and this is a to allow the city manager to sign a landscape maintenance agreement between the city of El Paso and the state of Texas through Tech stock we spent a lot of money on our medians making our highways beautiful and then we set these ugly trash cans out along the road so how does that work you spend all that money to make them beautiful and then the next thing you do is you put garbage out along the road it makes us look bad I've seen other cities that looked really good or good and they don't have this stuff along the side the road now I know there's an or in an issue coming up today that's on the agenda but I think we need to get rid of this thing period get these things off the streets and out of the neighborhoods thank you Miss Turner Miss Prine before we take the vote can we pull item five from the consent and can we also move item 17 to follow item 16. you said item five move to regular and you said item 17. so yeah we'll do 14 16 17 and then 23. and then go into executive okay Miss Turner also signed up for item 12. Ms Turner you signed up for item 12 as well and this is a tax refund in excess of twenty five hundred dollars explain to me how you can overpay fourteen thousand dollars I mean I track everything in my accounts down to the penny so how would you how do you do this how do you miss seven thousand dollars a year good morning mayor and Council Maria pasillas the taxpayer paid online through an E-Check and the total amount due was 14 000. and they selected to pay the full amount we have an option to pay the full amount or to pay a different amount so in this situation the taxpayer selected the incorrect button and that's how the overpayment was generated thank you thank you there's a motion made by mayor Pro temanello seconded by representative Rivera to approve the consent agenda as revised on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously representative Hernandez not present that brings us to item number 14. item 14 is discussion in action to approve by resolution that the city of El Paso honors Oscar Vanegas Maria Elena flood and Modesto a Gomez for their contributions to our community prior to the 2023 Latino Legacy Awards hosted by community and Axion this is representative Rivera zaida Robertson Rivera thank you mayor thank you sir uh committee number seven thank you do we have any of the representative for the Goldman's family here oh thank you can you come up please come on up where we can see you good morning don't be shy and before I read this I'll make the motion to to approve thank you sir thank you sir good morning let me read the resolution that uh that is uh that made a motion to approve and seconded by representative Kennedy whereas community and axion's mission statement is to mobilize Latino leaders to impact economic and social equality Equity educational opportunities and cultural appreciation and whereas community and Axion was organized in 2010 as a 501 c 3 non-profit organization and whereas community and axion's purpose is to improve the lives of the El Paso's Latino Community by instilling pride and providing leadership and we're asked community and axion's recent programs have awarded scholarships to students and spearheaded the completion of the men of Company E Monument honoring the memory of a brave man from El Paso who sacrificed their lives during World War II and whereas Community elections annually conducts the Young Achievers Forum in partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso and New Mexico State University and touches the lives of thousands of students from area schools encouraging them to continue their education Beyond High School and whereas community and actions Latino Legacy award recognizes individuals who are worthy of recognition at the highest level and whereas community and action has named the following individuals as the recipients of the 2023 Latino Legacy award first Oscar Venegas founder and until 2019 president of v e m a c Inc a successful and highly respected Construction Company Mr venega started the alumni association for civil engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso and has received numerous Civic and Business Awards for his dedication and service to our community can you come forward second Miss marielena flood Miss floods is a trailblazer in higher education and health care who advocated and worked tirelessly tirelessly for the expansion of Texas Tech school of medicine and Thomason Hospital in our community resulting in improved health care for hundreds of thousands of persons in West Texas Southern New Mexico and Northern New Mexico and Northern Mexico in addition Miss floods has been an important part of numerous Community organizations third Modesto a Gomez Mr Gomez was a World War One veteran and founder of Marcos B omnijo VFW Post 2753 he was an early civil rights leader and original member of the El Paso Housing Authority board of directors an instrumental in convincing Federal and local governments of the urgent need for federal housing in our community Mr Gomez was an advocate for improving education for schools in the South El Paso area as well as entrepreneur and National president of League of the United Latin American citizens in 1943. this award is presented I hope I said right possumsley okay thank you and uh whereas on September 16 2023 community in action is recognizing these exceptional members as our community at the El Paso Del Norte hotel in El Paso Texas now therefore to be resolved by the city of El Paso that the city of El Paso city council congratulates Oscar Venegas Mariel in a flood and the family of Modesto a Gomez encourages our community to join in honoring and celebrating the lives and accomplishments of the 2023 Latino Legacy award recipients good morning good morning mayor Lisa thank you Council and thank you representative Rivera for pushing forward this Proclamation my name is Anna Aleman I am the executive director of community and Axion and we're a member-led organization with our Focus areas our education economic opportunities and cultural Pride every year we host the Latino Legacy Awards where we recognize and honor two to three individuals who've brought about transformational change as you just read right now right now so this year's are modestoy Gomez and we have his grandchildren Raul Gomez and Mary Martinez who I'm going to invite to come up as well as we have um the family of marilena Acevedo flood and then we have Oscar Venegas and I just want to add more about Oscar because the other families are going to be able to add but I noticed Oscar doesn't say much for about himself but I just want you to know that one of the things that I found out that really stood out to me is that Oscar mentors not only does he Mentor young engineering students coming out of UTEP but he also mentors other contractors other business owners and he is credited for changing the landscape of construction in El Paso so I would like to invite the families to please come say something about the nominees good morning good morning I'm Raul Gomez is my cousin Murray Martinez we just want to thank you all for this recognition of our grandfather uh our grandfather had a great pride in the El Paso Community he invested so much to make El Paso better and the one thing that he instilled in all of us his grandchildren is that we need to do our part as well to make where we live a little bit better so we are very proud of the Legacy that he gave us and we appreciate the honor that you were bestowing on him thank you very much thank you congratulations thank you um and Modesto was very Modesto and ton says nobody really knew what he did during his time so as uh has his grandchild I learned later these various things and it uh it's a it's a wonderful thing to have that in the family and we We are continuing it but thank you all for the honor of letting us speak and well certainly the honor from Community Nixon for considering Modesto for this honor thank you all thank you [Applause] Middle Eastern Council um I'm Catherine blood Rivera and Maria Elena Acevedo flood is my mom I'm number five child of eight and Maria Elena would be thrilled to have been here today every one of the proclamations would make her so proud of El Paso she worked tirelessly as well as many of the other recipients and she took a lead from my Abuelita Josefina salazboras Nations and what she did was work in our community from 1916 all the way to her death in 72 and marilena inculcated to everyone especially her children to give back to the community and she worked not only in El Paso to make it better but in our state all of Southwest area all the way up to Washington DC fighting for Hispanic rights as well as health care Better Health Care for Women and Children she serves on so many national boards and continues to promote El Paso in her capacity as a retired individual but she would be proud of all the proclamations today and we want to support everything that has been going on in our health care not only in our education so thank you again and we're very proud to accept that on her behalf thank you [Applause] good morning good morning this is the city council members I want to say a little bit about cea CA started uh 2011. 2011. Richard Castro approached me and said I want to start something and one of the one of the things that he mentioned was Company E and to call this time to get the statue for a company so I thank Richard I thank cea for this honor I'm humbled and uh honored to be associated with Maria Elena flood and Modesto Gomez I'm getting older now so I forget and I also want to tell you that I graduated 50 years ago from UTEP and I went into the construction industry and I like to use this saying a lot and the saying goes the road to success is always under construction that applies here thank you very much thank you [Applause] I also would like to introduce Javier banales who's on our board of directors and he's the chair of this year's Latino Legacy Awards and I would like to ask our chair board chair Dr Sylvia Costa she would say a couple of things a few words hello how are you um I'm Dr Sylvia agosta and I am the chairperson of community de nacion first of all I want to say that anacion was formed as an organization that is unapologetically supportive of Latinos and by that I say we are here to honor our Latino leaders in our community we are here to support entrepreneurship of our Latino Community as well as the educational opportunities offered to Latino students the organization has been instrumental in so many ways providing scholarships for uh this the children of those people murdered at Walmart we actually have a student currently in New York City that we are supporting her education to ensure she makes it through and we've made that commitment for every single child of every single person that was lost during that tragic Day in El Paso I also want to say that our organization is made up of incredible leaders that are committed to El Paso and that are committed to the future of our city so on behalf of community on of all of our board members and of all of our members and of the many students that receive scholarships including those that do volunteer service that are funded through the Richard Guster scholarship also at cea and our Young Achievers Forum that happens in New Mexico and at UTEP at New Mexico state and at UTEP we want to thank you on behalf of all of those thousands of kids that we work with every day the scholarship recipients and our board and our members thank you thank you for that we have a motion in a second yes mayor we have a motion made by representative Rivera seconded by representative Kennedy to approve the resolution on item 14 on that motion call for the vote I think represent Kennedy's lights on that you want to say something sir I was just going to say if anybody likes some Oscar Venegas stories they should see me after the meeting voting session is open in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously thank you all for being here the next item is number 16 and this is discussion in action to recognize September as hunger action month in order to bring attention to food insecurity in our communities and this is representative pierro's item Senator thank you Mr Mayor as walking up I'll go and start whereas hunger and poverty are issues of vital concerns in Texas where 15 percent of people face hunger in our state one out of every five children do not know where their next meal will come from whereas the city of El Paso is committed to working with El Paso fighting hunger and feeding Texas a member of feeding America Nationwide network of food banks in educating people about the role and importance of food banks in in addressing hunger and raising awareness of the need to devote more resources and attention to the issues related to hunger and poverty and whereas fighting hunger has distributed nearly 100 meals over the last 12 months to our neighbors throughout the network of food pantries soup kitchens shelters and other community organizations and whereas the month of September has been designated hunger action month in order to bring attention to food insecurities in our communities and to enlist the public in the fight to end Hunger by taking action including volunteering shifts social media shares and donations now therefore be it proclaimed by El Paso mayor city council that the month of September of 2023 be recognized as hunger action month thank you so much for being here thank you representative [Applause] come on please thank you representative Fiero thank you good morning Mr Mayor Representatives I just want to make one correction and that is it's a hundred million meals not 100 meals uh my name is Susan Goodell and I'm the CEO of el pasoans fighting hunger food bank we are so grateful for your support of hunger action month there are 199 food banks that serve every County in this country and El Paso and fighting hunger is proud to serve the three most West Texas counties hospice El Paso and Culberson um the issue of hunger in America is so terribly under underestimated 34 million people including 9 million children in our nation are food insecure according to the most recent UTEP study 35 percent of el pasoans are food insecure our food bank serves 157 000 Unique Individuals on an annual basis uh my speaking of 911 uh my first introduction to Disaster Response was 9 11 2001 when the 199 CEOs of the food banks across the country were gathered in Philadelphia and we immediately gathered together and began to figure out how to get support to affected people in particular those in New York where we at the food bank I then represented where we sent millions of pounds of wholesome fresh food and staff members to New York to help with the disaster this food bank here in El Paso has been a respondent to every disaster the city has had over the last five and a half years and we stand ready to to stand with the city at Future disasters including the upcoming very likely Federal shutdown and we are preparing for that as we speak I want to thank the city for supporting hunger action month and I want to assure you that this food bank stands with this community today in the past and in the future thank you so much thank you and I know that um he's watching I'm sure at work Mr Tony Berg who you know had a huge hand in making sure that El Paso had a food bank and that El pasions were taken care of and he was always very upset that we have to go all the way to Midland to have our nearest food bank and he worked really hard to make sure that our community was represented and uh to this day you don't have a bigger Advocate than than tanning so congratulations to you and of course tany for all the work since he was the pioneer of making sure that our community was well taken care of thank you thank you it was a motion made by representative Fierro seconded by alternating to approve the resolution on item 16. on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously the next item that was moved up to the Forefront is 17 and this is discussion in action to approve a resolution that recognizes the week of September 10th to September 16 2023 as welcome week and directs the city manager to work with the El Paso Police Department to make any appropriate and necessary policy to ensure all El Paso residents feel safe and protected regardless of their race nationality or immigration status and this is representative on ello's item thank you Miss Brian I was happy to put this item up in conjunction with the county who had it yesterday as a resolution so I'll make a motion to approve and then I will read some of the resolution so it says whereas the city of El Paso has symbolized Liberty security equality opportunity for generations of immigrants refugees and Asylum Seekers by extending compassion and hospitality and whereas the success of the city of El Paso and its residents depends on making sure that we all feel welcome here in our Vital part of our community bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas starting businesses contributing to the economy and creating vibrant diversity that we all value regard whereas regardless of where we are born or what we look like we are El pasoans United in our efforts to build a strong community and by recognizing the contributions we all make to create vibrant culture and growing economy we make our community more prosperous and more inclusive to all those who call it home and then I'm just going to read the first now therefore be it resolved by the city council the city of El Paso that the city of El Paso recognizes the week of September 10th to September 16 2023 as welcome week and calls upon the people of the city of El Paso and Community organization to join to build stronger communities Motion in a second we have some speakers we do have seven members of the public that signed up to speak the first person is Sophia Avant Meyer followed by Michael Gutierrez Ivan Diaz good morning you have three minutes good morning my name is Sophia vanmire and I'm with Texas Rising I've been speaking I'm speaking in favor of item 17. El Paso was consistently regarded as a friendly and welcoming City by those lucky enough to pass through however El pasoans deserve to feel that safe and deserve to feel safe and welcome in their own city as well regardless of immigration status ethnicity or nationality uh please take the steps needed to ensure the safety respect and welcoming of all our City's residents thank you the next speaker is Michael Gutierrez followed by Yvonne Diaz good morning you have three minutes good morning Council my name is Michael Gutierrez I'm with Texas rising and I'm here today support item17. this resolution embodies the values of inclusivity and Equity that our city should always strive for by officially designating welcome week we are sending a clear message to our community and beyond that El Paso is a place where diversity is celebrated and everyone is welcome furthermore the commitment to work with our Police Department to ensure safety of all residents is a vital step towards building trust and fostering a sense of security within our community in a time where issues of race nationality and immigration statuses are often at the Forefront of public discourse it's crucial for our city to take proactive stances in protecting the rights and dignity of every person who steps foot in our community I urge Council to support item 17. thank you the next speaker is Yvonne Diaz followed by Wesley Lawrence good morning you have three minutes thank you good morning my name is Yvonne Diaz with Texas Rising uh this morning I'm speaking in favor of this item as making El Paso a welcoming place it's all something uh for all is something that we should strive for we know that during these last months a lot of ngos like us Texas rising and others have been helping with the influx of people coming to our city a lot of us are burned out and that's that I don't think that limits uh organizations like like us but also public servants such as law enforcement and bypassing this item we are not only ensuring the safety and respect for everyone that comes to our city or that can potentially be profiled but also the ethical and lawful training of those who are in charge over forcing the laws yesterday the county passed a proclamation in order to welcome uh in honor of Welcome week and today we hope that you take the Bold steps to pass this item and truly Mako pass to a welcoming place for all thank you the next speaker is Wesley Lawrence followed by Samantha Singleton good morning mayor good morning Council you know this this resolution is what truly makes El Paso special I truly believe that El Paso is the example for The Shining City on top of the hill I've been speaking to a lot of the people that are coming here from different countries uh throughout the Nate throughout the world for opportunity for Hope and for a better life a lot of them have stressed the importance of the help that people in El Paso have given them whether it's food whether it's clothing whether it's a listening ear and someone to talk to while they're waiting for to go to their next destination on their on their pathway a lot of them have stressed that they've had difficult interactions with local law enforcement officials here in El Paso so I do believe that this is a step in the right direction um I I know that the people of El Paso are very loving and that we love our neighbors regardless of where they come from and who they are and and the history of their life so I'm thankful for this resolution and I only hope that we can continue to do more for those coming here for a better opportunity I know like like Yvonne said a lot of us that work with ngos are very stressed due to capacity and due to a lot of the issues that our ngos are going through so I thank you for this resolution and I hope that you all pass it thank you thank you the next speaker is Samantha Singleton followed by America Sanchez and Lisa Turner good morning you have three good morning thank you good morning mayor good morning City reps my name is Samantha Singleton and I'm the policy director at the border Network for human rights the definition of welcoming means behaving in a polite or friendly manner to a guest or new arrival although that is the Oxford language definition this is how I Define welcoming caring for and helping others whenever possible putting your selfishness to the side and becoming selfless extending love to each and every one regardless of their wraiths ethnicity and culture as a city who has stated publicly on several occasions that we are welcoming it is it only seems to be fitting that we put action behind our words do unto others as you would have them do unto you this is the Golden Rule really it's the biblical rule that so many of us often quote so I stand before you today to ask you to do just that today you have the opportunity to look Beyond where a person is born or what a person looks like and build a stronger Community by showing your love and Humanity by and declaring this week welcoming week thank you thank you the next speaker is America Sanchez good morning my name is I am in favor of item 17. it's crucial for the local government to establish policies that prioritize their safety and well-being of all El Paso residents regardless of their race nationality or immigration status by implementing inclusive policies we can create a community where everyone feels valued protected and free from discrimination it's a step towards fostering Unity understanding and respect among all individuals who call El Paso home together we can build a stronger and more inclusive City for everyone to thrive in that's why I'm asking you to vote Yes on item 17. and the final speaker is Lisa Turner again good morning mayor council good morning Miss Turner the city of El Paso is a rather Unique city unlike other cities when people show up on our doorstep we do everything we can to help and we have seen this they ended up on our border they came in here seeking Asylum and people filled their vehicles up full of coffee and whatever to get down there to help people out my issue with this is simple you say all citizens all citizens means everybody then you break it down into three categories I'm worried about everybody that you leave out it may be me misreading it I don't know is this a needed yes does it need a fraud Amendment yeah I think it does but that's up to you all but it just to me it just seems like it's it's not really for all citizens so if you're going to say all citizens I want all citizens protected male female whatever they want them protected treated equally I don't care where they came from I don't care what church they go to I don't care what hairstyle they have what language they speak I don't care about that that's how I was raised but if you're going to say all citizens please don't designate just three categories thank you thank you mayor that concludes public comment on this item you have a motion in a second on it yes sir the motion was made by mayor Pro temanello seconded by representative Rivera to approve item 17 on that motion call for the vote and the voting session and the motion passes unanimously the next item that was moved to the Forefront is number 23. item 23 is discussion in action to approve a resolution recognizing Constitution Day and this is representative Kennedy's item no simultaneous whereas the frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is of great importance to Civic literacy and preservation of Liberty and free government and whereas the week in which September 17th Falls is designated by the state of Texas as Celebrate Freedom week in public schools and our community ought to support our students and join in the responsibility of teaching the rising generation to be free and whereas the Constitution of the United States of America having been established to secure the blessings of freedom to its framers and their posterity ought to be recognized and celebrated on the anniversary of its signing and whereas all who partake in the blessings of liberty are encouraged to read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States reflect upon the honor the sacrifices made to establish and protect our Republic join in ceremonies and activities commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution and to celebrate the inalienable rights which the government of the People by the people and for the people was for formed to secure now therefore be a resolved by city council of the city of El Paso at the mayor council and city of El Paso resolved to recognize September 17 2023 as Constitution Day and the week of September 17th through 23rd as Celebrate Freedom week approve this 12th day of September 2023 and I will make the motion that that be approved we have a motion in a second we do have public comment on this item yes ma'am we have Miss Aaron take good morning you have three minutes thanks thank you my name is Aaron Tague and I am a patriot Academy Constitution coach thank you councilman Kennedy for bringing this resolution forward and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak before you all this morning and ask that you Unite with all upon whom the blessings of liberty have been bestowed and vote in favor of this resolution few people are aware of the significance of September 17th in American history this year on this date we will celebrate the 236th anniversary of the signing of our constitution the longest standing constitution in the world the one that established a land of individual individual liberty endless opportunity and innumerable chances President Ronald Reagan and his inaugural address said perhaps you and I have lived too long with this miracle to properly be appreciative freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from Extinction George Mason wrote that no free government nor the blessings of liberty can be preserved to any people but by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles friends the last few Generations have lived in a time when the levels of Peace progress and prosperity are such that it is easy to take for granted the freedoms which have been the Catalyst for such blessings if a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization Thomas Jefferson wrote it expects what never was and never will be we must not become complacent we cannot ignore the risk of existing in a state of Civic ignorance how many of us can comprehend the gravity of the day 56 men signed their own death warrants and the precarious state of the 13 colonies following the end of the American Revolution the task before the delegates was daunting Benjamin Franklin gave a speech during the Constitutional Convention in which he said we have gone back to ancient history for models of government and examined the different forms of those republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist and we have viewed modern States all around Europe but find none of their constitutions suitable to our circumstances he then made a motion that prayer be held in the assembly every morning before they proceeded to business later he was asked what form of government the delegates had implemented to achieve famously responded a republic if you can keep it the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Jay said every member of the state ought diligently to read and to study the constitution of his country and teach the rising generation to be free by knowing their rights they will sooner perceive when they are violated and be the better prepared to defend and assert them we have a duty to ourselves our children and their children and Beyond to not only protect the blessings of liberty but also to ensure they understand the history intent and construct of our Republic's governing documents starting with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution so that they may one day assume the duties requisite to the preservation of the freedoms we've enjoyed for over two centuries thank you thank you there's a motion made by representative Kennedy seconded by alternate mayor Pro temolina to approve item 23. on that motion call for the vote in the voting session the motion passes unanimously mayor Pro tem anelo not present mayor ex2 was also moved up was Council going to recess now for photos are retiring to Executive session I think we need to reach us for photos okay is there a motion to recess Mr coaster yeah because right after that we'll have to recess for lunch there's a motion and a second to recess a city council meeting all in favor anyone opposed the meeting is in recess at 10 53 in order to take photos with this morning's honorees council members there are nine items that we are taking photographs for if I am counting them correctly so we're going to do them by order we're going to do National Recovery month first followed by gold out child Cancer Awareness Month National surgical technologist week Children's Hospital Cancer Awareness Month the dance team from UTEP and then we're going to jump to the Latino Legacy award I believe was the first I'm gonna or put them in the order that they're in the council hunger action month then the welcome week for yes for the welcome week then last the Constitution Day so we're going to be meeting in the lobby if y'all can join me outside immediately after I thank you Wesley the National Recovery medical first weeds out of the lobby Council can we please have you at the diocese representative Kennedy representative Hernandez representative Fierro can you please come to the diocese thank you motion to reconvene so we could uh do we need a motion to go to mass transit or since we're in reach as we can go okay perfect morning this is a meeting of the Department board on Tuesday September 12 to 2023 it is 11 15 A.M present in presiding as chairman Oscar liser and also present or in Chambers our board board members Kennedy molinar Mr chairman we do not have anybody signed up to speak for public comment so 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 and less separate discussion is requested by board members prior to the vote members of the audience may ask questions regarding items in 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 be considered any item at any time during the meeting and on the consent agenda we have the approval of the minutes and the request to excuse board members Isabel Salcido and Chris Canales do we do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda I think there's also a revision on page three that is to add a co-sponsor and that will be for item number four it is the ratifying the submitted Merchant agreement between the city of El Paso and Chase payment Tech and gen fair and I would be adding purchasing and strategic sourcing the call Cody as a co-sponsor thank you so we do have a motion to approve the consent agenda the motion was made by I missed it representative Rivera and second by representative seconded by Mr Rivera and seconded by Mr molinar and Hernandez the voting session it's open not mine no no it's open there okay and the item has been approved unanimously the next item is just a presentation and that is item number three it's an update updated report on Sun Metro lift survey methodology good morning colonel it can you spring up item number three for mass transit please good morning colonel good morning mayor city council I'm Anthony deciser the director of mass transit wait for the presentation to come up so today's presentation is to address the requests brought forth during the financial oversight audit specifically what is the current survey method and how many surveys are being conducted monthly foreign to thoroughly answer these questions and provide feedback what I will cover in this brief is the contract serving process customer satisfaction ratings The Paratransit advisory committee and in addition to this the survey I will talk about the Paratransit advisory committee which is another way that we get feedback from the lift customers and make adjustments to what is needed to be done with the list surveys so according so according uh with the contract the customer trip service rating portion is required to do 400 surveys a month that's about 15 surveys a day the customers are selected once per month meaning they're allowed to participate once a month these surveys are connected conducted over the telephone this is done when they're booking their trips these surveys come from some Metro and they're recorded this is so we can review them at a later date the reason why we do these surveys is to get feedback from the customers and to be able to make adjustments so MV is the one that actually conducts the surveys and they make adjustments they share those adjustments with Sun Metro in addition the sudden Metro contract manager reviews randomly reviews about 50 of the 400 surveys that are conducted monthly this is so Sun Metro gets first-hand knowledge of the conversations that are being had during these surveys so the current survey process is versus surveys are conducted at the call center they are done during the call when customers are scheduling their trips the questions are related to the previous trips not the one that they're actually making right then and there but the previous trips that were made we use a grading scale on one to five which this is explained during the survey one being the poorest and five being excellent the average rating for FY 23 is a 4.59 the questions that are asked of the customers to rate are in the following following categories one dispatch and reservation interactions the score was a 4.80 driver courtesy and professionalism the score was the 4.82 on-time service the score was a 4.26 safety driving by the driver the score was a 4.85 and finally ride time to your destination the score was a 4.63 each month a hundred percent of customers are solicited that is until the 400 um driver the 400 customers respond for FY 23 an average of 96 percent of customers chose to give feedback so to put this into perspective about and the average is 15 333 trips were scheduled a month but again we solicit every customer that calls in for uh to book a trip until we reach the 400. so the other thing we do above and beyond the survey the customer survey as we have a Paratransit advisory committee this is the other way we get feedback to how we're dealing with our customers so we haven't done this in some time but we started this again in July and now we do this bi-monthly so you've only had one so far since I've been the director but we're going to do this every other month this was the reason why we do this is because the customers asked for us to reinstate this this uh meeting that we have with them so for the information solicited and covered um the last meeting that we had were about the vehicles and the software for the lift services and you can see what what the information that we covered here last time and so the next session that we're going to have for this is in about two weeks and we're starting to advertise that with our customers so in summary of uh the lift methodology survey we covered how we do it we do it by the phone the current process is we cover this during the trip scheduling the where we're at right now we get about 98 96 of the customers responding our average rating is a 4.5 on a scale from one to five the last time we had our Paratransit advisory committee meeting which is our other way of reaching out to our customers to see how we're doing um we uh did that and we talked about new vehicles the fact that we're going to use EV vehicles and the new software that we're gonna be trying to put on in the near future is what they wanted to talk about so that's what we talked about and again right now we're soliciting them for what they want to talk about next time we're going to be having that meeting in about two weeks and so this is what what the council asks for and and um this is what I have for the presentation subject to your questions Mr Kaiser thank you mayor can I go um I know that we've spoken over the last couple weeks about the complaints that I've been receiving and I recognize and I appreciate the data but I think it's important to remember that the individuals who use the lift service or some of our most vulnerable individuals right they rely on this service to live every day and even if it's 0.5 of the people that are having complaints we need to be addressing that you and I have spoken I'm fine where we left that off but I do just want to say here publicly I'm not happy with the lift service the complaints the customer service issues have been consistent for the six years that I've been on Council I know you are new to this role I am happy to give you the opportunity to correct those I believe that you can but I do just want to State for the council and publicly that I I really have reached the end of I guess just my tolerance for this issue it really has become unacceptable again recognizing that you are new to this role and this has not been under your leadership and I look forward to working with you in finding solutions to these problems thank you no I I appreciate your words again we're doing uh things that that I think we're going to turn the corner on this and I understand that every single passenger is an individual in every single ride counts and so the on-time performance is something that we're looking at on an individual basis and like I said every single ride counts that's what we're looking at um the software we're looking at getting new vehicles within a about a year from now we'll have the entire fleet replaced whether that's by the gas vehicles the CNG vehicles or going electric and we're already starting to work with the um with CID and the electric company to put in the the infrastructure so that when we order the vehicles which we're putting in the purchase orders now so the lead time when the electric vehicles get here the infrastructure is in place also so we're looking at every single aspect and and again I appreciate your your confidence in me and we're looking at every aspect of the lift to improve it because every single ride counts above and beyond the the on-time performance it's the individuals that are using the service and I will say that that Anthony's done a great job in coming into this role making a lot of positive changes you know you know he's continually briefing me on a number of the things that he's doing you know I recognize that these things take some time but we will continue to engage with the community I hear some of it and I've had you know a great the ability to come to the district meetings and and really kind of hear the feedback from the community as well it's much appreciated and we need to hear the things that are are not only going well but the things that aren't so that we can make we can make those changes so I just want to do to let you know representative anello we do understand um and and we do want to hear when we need to make changes to our service thank you representative Hernandez thank you for the the presentation I did want to express concern with the Integrity of the survey I think we need to ensure that we do that either with a private party or not and because quite frankly the the amount of complaints that I receive are contrary to the results of the survey not accusing anybody of anything but I think it's important that we have an arms linked distance from a contractor that is required to adhere to Performance measures in their contract and then them also conducting their survey which is also performance measures so I think that's the best practice and I think that's something that we can consider in the future um I also want to reiterate that I have received numerous calls again stating that there are missed pickups which I believe is also a performance metric in their contract I would love to hear surveys in tandem with what how they're doing with their other performance measures but I think you have that in subsequent conversations or excuse me presentations but it is very clear that our constituency including mind are incredibly frustrated I feel calls text messages and at this point I don't know what to say to them so there was a question that that I did receive related to an item on your presentation which is the new software upgrade there is conversations from the contractor with our constituents stating that they're going to revert back to the software that we talked about this time last year about how that previous software didn't work in the fall we're going to implement new software because of the logistical routes that are that are being you know got to go down the street one mile but you have to go 10 miles one way and then come back to just to get to that one mile is there an effort to go back to the old software or is this a completely new software so the software that was on the lift before correct um is an upgraded software and I'm not knowledgeable about all of the problems that were or not problems that were with the old software I believe that we're working to improve the software that that is there on the list right now and I think as we move forward and make improvements I think we'll turn around the issues with the software in the direction that we're headed right now and and just like in like in summary what we were this time last year is that we're going to change the software because the software's not working so we changed it and then here we are a year later having the same conversation with software which I understand we have to do process Improvement and I support that but if we're going to be going back to the old software then I think we have a problem with um you know like which software do we use um and you know at this point you know I don't know who's procuring the software but we got to go back and look at well what are what is the standard Across the Nation and why is our community only experiencing hardship with software upgrades and so I would really like to have a conversation of what software are other lift services using across the nation which is uh you know a standard that is showing little disruption in routes or do we need to have a conversation with manually conducting routes because it be it's real it's like really like frustrating for a driver to tell a customer we're passing your destination I can't stop because the software says I can't stop but you're going to spend an hour in your vehicle before I can get you to your next destination like there's got to be some kind of opportunity for someone to correct or to have the discretion to stop yeah so it's just wasting everyone's time I think I agree the software that we need to put on the system is a software that's proven is a software that's being used at many other Paratransit companies is a software that is that they're not having problems with what we don't need is a software that's breaking into the Paratransit um into into the transit Community that's new that's unproven what we need is something that we know is solid that we know is working somewhere else right and so um the way that the way that we're we're I'm trying to to make it now is so that any software that we get is proven that I know is going to work that's not experimental that'll move us in the right direction and fix the problems that we got and as long as I'm on the watch that's what's going to happen or it's not going to happen just be aware that the contractor is saying we're going back to the other software what we heard clearly from the public that that other software didn't work so my hope is that this is a new improved upgraded version that we haven't used before and if it is an upgraded version from the prior year know that you can expect the same problem that we experience a year from now understood but thank you Mr Kaiser you know I'm a big fan of you and I really want to see these processes improve and most importantly to get people to their required health appointments I have constituents who are missing appointments for dialysis or just not getting picked up I mean this is a matter of public health now and it's it's becoming incredibly concerning and I just wanted to make sure that I I voiced my constituents concerns today but thank you no thank you ma'am thank you you know you made a statement there that you want a software that's proven that's been working in other areas and is that software out there today and if it is how quick can you be able to transition to that type of software I believe that once we work through some of the issues that we're working through that we can quickly implement this software and within 45 days ish that we will be able to make a good transition but is it out there it is out there where is it um yes under Racers I made the software we want to implement is on over 30 entities all around the country the software that we have right now it's only in four series including us thank you so so I think we're ready we're postured we're ready to go we just have to work through some final issues and and then we'll be ready to go and I think we're we're set and ready we've done our research and and I think once we we get to in the position we're ready to transition I think we'll be good so you're staying in 45 days I think once we get in the position where we're ready to to make that transition um and the the clock starts I think that's when we'll be ready you know when that'll be being very evasive mayor I can't we can't give a time frame we're working through some issues with legal on this right now and uh I ca I cannot tell you until we resolve that I'll give I'll give the council an update but there's some things that we're working on right now that we have to do first before we'll be able to explore the others we have some type of type timeline I mean that I can't give it to you right now right now mayor I'd be I would be just throwing a dart at the board I have to I have to I'm in discussions right now with the city attorney's office and uh in Sun Metro and I'll provide you a better update okay I think we've heard from representative nun disrepresentative you know Pro tem that the importance and and I know you all understand didn't see it so I thank you for that uh you know timers or the essence it seems like when we talk about Public Safety we want to make sure we we do we expedite whatever we can thank you representative molinard thank you mayor thank you very much for your presentation so I'm just going to give you a short story and so I'm out in District Four walking doing my morning exercise and I see a Paratransit there running the lights are on I could see the writer and a motorized scooter towards the front she's having a conversation with the coach operator it's none of my business but I continue doing what I'm doing upon my return to that same street so this lady is trying to flag me down sir sir can you come over here help me help you help me she seems to be in distress so I cross the street and I will go over there to listen to her and she's telling me can you get my key for me and I'm like well I don't even know what you're talking about ma'am really so with the scooter we go to the front of the house there's on the doorknob her key is there but because she's in a scooter she cannot reach to take the key out now her thing is this is that she has been telling the coach operator can you please take the key out for her he refuses to do so now I can't tell you exactly how much time has passed but finally I give the key to the lady the doors her house is secured they go back in and now the coach operator is telling him I have to leave he is refusing to take her in and he's lifting up the ramp and of course I'm thinking wow what's happening here and of course now he tells me that his dispatchers tell him he has to leave he has spent too much time at this one call okay so to me it's very simple and I'm sure there's probably policy that reduces the liability for the city and what the coach properties can and cannot do but this was very simple just remove the key from the doorknob give it to the lady load her in secure and you're on your way so what the end of the story is is the writer is frustrated coach operators frustrated the dispatcher is frustrated the next writer is more frustrated because they're not on time and so it just goes from one simple thing to more and more and more that the frustration level just goes up and I'm like I said I'm sure there's policy in place that says you what the code driver can and cannot do to help that writer but to me I'm just sharing the story with you sir because to me it would have just been so simple get the key give to the woman her house is secured let's move on so just food for thought sir yeah I mean I would be happy to get with you and and go over the rules and regulations on what they can and cannot do just for for your understanding of that thank you appreciate it okay thank you thank you no other questions next item there is no action on that item next item is item number four and this is discussion in action that the mass transit Department board ratifies the execution of the submitter merchant agreement between the city of El Paso through its mass transit Department Sun Metro and Chase payment tech for the provision of third-party Payment Processing services and the execution of the payment processing Services agreement between the city and mass transit and gen Fair a limited liability company for credit card payment processing Services connected to the continued functionality of the ticket vending machines that the public uses to purchase Sun Metro bus passes so again good morning mayor City Council this is a ratifications for a submitter merchant agreement between Sun Metro and Chase Chase payment Tech this is to provide a third per third party purchasing service from Chase is to process credit card payments for tickets and passes from the Gen Fair that's the TVM machines and this is uh to prevent the tvms from going cash only and so it's like really what it is is to allow you know our customers go up to the the TVM machine and swipe their their card and then that process so they can get their tickets and that's that's really what it is and the reason why we did this because we used to use pay easy and that software is is sun setting so we're just really just putting in another software and using Chase for that how is the charge in comparison to other companies I know that credit card charges are not as high as 5.5 but I've never seen you know with the Sun Metro type of charges but I know Merchants is not that high so I'm just wondering how does that compare to the industry I'm sorry what was the question 5.5 charge plus five cents processing fee oh the the processing fee um I don't know what the processing fee off the top my head is now but it's not increasing well what I'm saying is if it's higher than most credit card processing fees in Merchants so I'm wondering why this one's that high yeah I mean I I don't know the answer off the top of my head but I can get back to you and let you know what that thing with the actual processes about half of that when you look at normal processing piece and we were talking about a lot of money it's a small change but it's a lot of money when to keep you know when you add two plus two hours goes to four and then four plus fours a I can go on and on but uh I'm just wondering that number seems a little high yes ma'am and five and five cents that's why I'm wondering what uh what that fee comparison like I said when you go I know that credit card Merchants are a lot less than that I have to come back to you with the answer I'd like to see this item postponed until we can get an answer on that do any emotional motion to postpone for two weeks the next regular meeting would be in October is that okay yes I apologize so we'll postpone it to the meeting of October the 10th that's the next regular mass transit board meeting and this was emotion made by Miss anello seconded by Mr Rivera voting session is open here can I just ask the procurement department is there any concern with laps or anything okay shaking her head no guidance here apologize Mr Molina is this too postponed for two weeks postpone until the next regular mass transit board meeting scheduled for October the 10th mayor I'm sorry what was the answer to representative Hernandez's question yes but it was impact uh no I know what the question was but I don't know if there was a headshake obviously the answer is there's no impact in two weeks just for to be clear right like I can't see someone that's standing behind the pole we have people online if there are answers to questions she said no that's why I made that comment and the item has been postponed unanimously can you just brief me also please when you get this next item is item number five and this is discussion and action on the request that the managing director of the purchasing and strategic sourcing Department be authorized to issue a purchase order to Gem Fair LLC the sole and authorized distributor for 2023-0505 or order to Jennifer ll's ticket vending machine parts for a term of three years for an estimated amount of three hundred and thirty thousand dollars this is a sole source contract is this also going to have some kind of fee for the for the card if they use a card is it going to be strictly card or cash uh I'll differ the question to the can I get the complete question again yes these vending machines are is it going to be strictly card as well or are they going to be both caps the vending machines will still be card or cash you can still use either one and then the used card is they're going to have the same it'll be the same same service transparent to the customer is there a fee for use in the card not to the to the customer that it's transparent but there's there for the city yes the the I believe the city will have a small fee fee to pay but again it's kind of the same question to before so yeah so we know what that fee is oh no no this this one for the for this for this one is for the parts there's no there's no fee this is to to just pay for the parts to fix the machines if something goes wrong okay this is a separate topic thank you Parts in terms sure there's a second there's a motion in a second we do have a motion made by Mr molinar seconded hmm seconded by Mr Rivera voting session is open and the item has been approved unanimously that's the last eight item on the agenda Mr chairman is there a motion to adjourn motion made by representative Molina and seconded by by Miss anello and Mr motion made by Mr Molina is seconded by missanello to adjourn the regular mass transit Department board meeting at 11 46 a.m all those in favor all the suppose and the meeting has been adjourned thank you emotionally convene the regular council meeting mayor did you want to wait until noon for a call to the public or did you want to reconvene the meeting well we have to move into executive because there's a press conference at one I know so that's what I'm saying so she's got 15 minutes then we got called in public at noon so we'll take item number 24. go into executive about the item pardon me please have to go into Executives Council there's a motion and a second to reconvene the council meeting all in favor anyone opposed the meeting is back in session at 11 46 a.m mayor which item would you like to move to next I don't know let's just let her finish so they can go to work because otherwise they're going to leave us and they've been here all morning so this is item 24 mayor item 24 is a TxDOT operational update on projects currently in design and estimated completion dates for construction projects to include reporting on aesthetic Landscaping elements thank you go ahead Michelle thank you thank you so much I appreciate it you have no idea good morning while it's still morning mayor and Council um I'm joined here with uh Raul Ortega who is our director of Transportation Planning and Development and Aldo Madrid our director of construction so they're the brain power here and my muscle back there so I plan to update you on current and future projects and I believe somebody is going to work the slideshow for me or yes it can you please bring up the presentation thank you so much oh thank you I can do it myself once it's up nope that's not me mm-hmm it this is item 24 please well in any case it's a great pleasure to be before you all today and it's nice to see these familiar faces and I really do appreciate this and I will be as quick as I can um if I pass through a slide too quickly please feel free to back me up all right thank you here we go this is just a snapshot of construction letting volumes that we have the fiscal year 24-27 on there are subject to change should there be projects able to be moved up which does happen frequently in our plan another snapshot we have 74 projects happening right now across our district which is the six Western counties of Texas totaling over a billion dollars I-10 widening West which is going on now now we're moving on to current projects many of you guys are uh have had the ability to have seen the work that's going on here we're expanding from four to six Lanes from Mesa Street to just south of Vinton we're doing ramp reconfigurations we're reconstructing existing Frontage roads we're doing operational improvements installing wrong way driver Advanced Technologies and currently that project is a little bit ahead of schedule they have completed the widening to the inside and they have done these um the lanes and so that also limits the ability to access the ramps and the those ramps will be coming into service over the next year as they finish the outside Lanes um the loop 375 Mainland widening project I tend to Zaragoza is an ongoing project this is now in its second phase we have an estimated completion date of 2025. again it's adding a lane adding a lane to the inside which requires a lot of bridges to also be expanded it's added the braided ramps we've already seen those and the frontage roads there that go over the railroad tracks and the uh Playa it's when it's not the Playa drain but the the irrigation canal that runs underneath there so that emergency vehicles can now get over there the Montana widening project is also one one of five widening projects we had going on we've completed the I-10 widening East uh this Montana widening project is creating a freeway out of Montana and it is started in 2019 um you can see in this lower left photograph the conditions where we are going scheduling to go under Loop 375. we ran into very uniform grains of sand and it is very difficult to dig down in there and we're having to come back at work and do some retaining walls because when you dig that it just flows in so that was a challenge that was unexpected on that project we're managing it Purple Heart widening is one of our widening projects where we're adding Frontage roads from spur 601 to Montana and that is underway it's been underway for about a year we have a joint agreement with El Paso water we are you can see on the lower um left that they're placing a giant water line there and um that relocation is just was part of the work this project has already graded where the frontage roads will go here's one that everyone's really happy about including myself but I'm gonna I'm gonna play it straight here we've got the North Mesa Street Rehabilitation some of you may remember when we did a rehabilitation project from Baltimore to Sunland this is was always the intention to pick up the other lengths of Mesa from Sunland down to Donovan and from Yandel up to Glory Road so that's what we're working on now currently crews are out there repairing curbs they have a lane closure that they pick up every day it goes nine to four it's a daily uh lane closure and I was there at four they were already picking up well before four yesterday I was happy to see it while they repair curbs and then they'll get down to the Brass tax of what the project is really about which is the resurfacing of Mesa looking forward to that one huh representative Kennedy me too the Borderland Expressway is this is the ultimate design that's shown and that is a project where we have one phase funded and that is going to uh start next month this is going ultimate design goes from Loop 375 up to FM 3255 connects to the New Mexico 213 and then 404 so we will finally have an outer loop and a way for trucks to get through the Anthony gap which is a much lower grade than what we have now which is merely Trans Mountain which is an eight percent grade which is not favorable for trucks when they have to get around so this is going to be a boon to our community phase one goes merely from dire to Railroad it is um a little bit like getting the camel's nose Under the Tent we've got phase one funded we're looking for funding for the other two phases this let in April it's got an October start date and it will just go from railroad drive again to Dyer adding uh for the frontage roads on that project and it will be built the entire project will be built in phases like that where we start with Frontage roads and we add May Lanes Artcraft is letting uh next year and this is a welcome project to people who've ever gone stuck behind a parade of fan blades coming through art craft trying to make those turns where we're adding these direct connector ramps which will accommodate those large oversized fan blades as they go through there we're also reconstructing and what and widening and adding Frontage roads in both directions there will be overpasses at Upper Valley Road and West Side Drive so that it will function more like a freeway in that area I-10 widening West these are now projects that are happening in the new near future as well I-10 widening West got that last part of it funded which goes from just south of Vinton up to the New Mexico State Line where we can do that widening and um that is has a current leading date of 2025 but as I mentioned when we were looking at the letting volumes that is uh we have it available to let next year and if some money frees up in the unified Transportation program we're hoping that we can slip that project in and begin it next year also this is one where in this portion of this project we will address Landscaping in that area and where the opportunities exist so that will be another welcome change for that area the I-10 Frontage roads from Executive Center to Sunland Park is another fairly new project it has an estimated letting date of 2025 and that is really going to change uh the complexion of the West Side in that it will add those Frontage roads westbound only at this point from Executive Center to Sunland Park they'll connect up with the CD Lanes there and there that that area has been growing and being become become more urbanized uh but there is no access at that point from the whole montecillo area and that whole area in between where Top Golf is all that down to I-10 and this will provide access lanes and then set the stage for the city to come and do Mesa Park which is a big another connection the Montana uh this phase two of the Montana project which I mentioned is uh scheduled to let in 2025. it's been designed and you can see it will go from Loop 375 West boundary eastbound ad Frontage Road and Lanes from Tierra Este to Saragosa U.S 54 main Lanes I'm really happy about this one because I know that northeast El Paso has long awaited this and it is to provide us-54 over main Lanes all the way from uh Kenworthy to McCombs it'll also provide overpasses as Sean Haggerty and at McCombs and it will include ramps and and a shared youth use path on both sides so that is scheduled to let in 2026 again it's as far as we're concerned it's available to let in 2024 and we're just waiting for the opportunity to move that up in the schedule another thing that happened this last legislative session or legislative session 87 we got House Bill 3399 passed which allows TxDOT to provide roadway services to Federal military property military installation program is what we call that and so we're looking at improvements to Han road reconfiguring three intersections there to mitigate congestion meet current standards the letting dates on these projects are all to be determined we're going to do an advanced funding agreement with Fort Bliss this is another Constitution Avenue iron Medics adding roundabouts there and then we are working with six for 601 and Global reach to just install a traffic control box there so if you don't already please follow us on Twitter you can sign up for email traffic alerts at drivetexas.org you can follow us on Facebook by liking us and you can visit us online at txdot.gov and look for El Paso news you will see every week's closures they're also available to you via email if you want me to send them to you directly and my last slide is a plea for asking you to help us and the streak we can engineer we can ask for increased enforcement but it really is up to drivers to drive to conditions make sure their vehicles are safe not drive distracted or under the influence and just watch out for workers in our work zones any questions thank you thank you did a great job you did 13 minutes 42 seconds mayor just real quickly I want to thank Jennifer and Tomas and the whole team saragosa's partly in our district we get lots and lots of questions you're always accessible so thank you for all the work that you do for our constituents of District Six thank you representative Fiera appreciate your kind words and again that uh um 54 Sean Haggerty there we've been fighting for that for quite a while and it's been what 20 some odd years in the making of so I know that uh through the mpo we've the city has fought to get that done and it's finally moving forward so we thank you for that thank you for that thank you thank you and with that I think I need to take a motion to recess and to Executive sessions thank you so much thank you ma'am there's a motion and a second to return to Executive session item number two I'm sorry check an item s yeah just ex2 okay yes ma'am there's a motion and a second to return to Executive session all in favor anyone opposed and the city council of the city of El Paso May retire to Executive session pursuant to section 3.5 a of the El Paso City Charter and the Texas government code chapter 551 sub chapter d to discuss executive session item 2 discussion on potential Economic Development opportunities in Northwest El Paso HQ number 23-1055 under 551.087 deliberation regarding Economic Development negotiations it is 12 o'clock P.M representative Kennedy thank you no we lost it we need one more I know that's what we had it but Miss Pine we have a quorum we have motion to return so moved motion to reconvene there's commotion and a second to reconvene the council meeting all in favor bye anyone opposed the city council meeting is back in session at 12 27 P.M please take any discussions outside the chamber so that Council May conduct business at this time thank you we're on Executive session item two mayor Pro Tem I'm opening the motion right now I apologize foreign to approve a term sheet for a performance-based incentive of up to three million three hundred and ninety one thousand dollars for the expansion of an existing manufacturing operation by Eaton Corporation in El Paso Texas through the addition of a new manufacturing facility located at one Helen of Troy Drive in El Paso Texas such expansion will result in the creation of 575 new full-time jobs the retention of 300 current full-time jobs and a minimum investment of 70 million dollars second some motion in a second there's a motion made right into the record by Mayo Pro temanello seconded by representative Kennedy on ex2 on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously may or may we move to call to the public yes ma'am thank you the El Paso city council is a local government body charged with serving all of 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 to displace 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 against a person or group's character or Integrity which are not pertinent to City business nor May any member of the public uses foreign 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 mayor this afternoon we have 25 people that signed up to speak if they all take three minutes it may exceed the 60-minute limit we'll we'll be okay ma'am thank you sir the first person is Elizabeth Crawford Miss Crawford star six to unmute your telephone Elizabeth Crawford star six please Ms Crawford's topic is National Abortion victims Remembrance Day go ahead Miss Crawford you have three minutes Ms Crawford you're on mute go ahead Matt Ms Crawford we're unable to hear you you may want to hang up and dial again and we'll come back to you the next person is Rene Corral 's topic is follow-up to the amount of loose abandoned and stray animals in El Paso good afternoon sir you have three minutes good afternoon good afternoon at the list city council call to the public meeting you saw and heard from many of your constituents who took time away from work school and other obligations to come here and ask the city council for change at Animal Services there are many more of your constituents that couldn't make it but are watching and paying close attention to this issue and a number of these citizens keeps on growing after the last call to the public some of us had a meeting with animal services leadership at their request to answer our concerns these concerns could not be answered which only reinforced Animal Services leaderships incompetence and dysfunctional state we are all tired of having to come here and ask you to fix this problem local Rescuers have many solutions like making the mcgoffin school a shelter which will be a win-win situation for the migrants and the dog shelter here these Rescuers are the most qualified resources that we have but Animal Services leadership is too close-minded to see that Animal Services leadership preaches the same old tired scripted rhetoric of how the current initiatives that are in place are working and how animal services are better off than they were five years ago they are all lies and some people are buying into these lies Animal Services claim they are not closed intake shelter but what they really mean by that is that it's a highly restrictive and limited intake shelter which refuses to come to take in countless of loose dogs Animal Services leadership was asked two weeks ago is it a matter of money the answer was no who in the right mind says money is not an issue at an animal shelter if money is not an issue why are we in this situation could it be that the current funds available to animal services are not being utilized properly because of incompetence and poor leadership included including proper training to staff Animal Services claims their staff is safer and therefore happier as a result of the shelters reduced intake but what about the community safety just in the past two weeks there have been three more reported dog attacks I want to go on public record right now and ask what will the city council say to its constituents or the media when a child is mulled to death by so many loose dogs because it's not a matter of if it will happen it's a matter of when it will happen if this situation is not remedied right away thank you sir thank you our next speaker is Benjamin Alba [Applause] Benjamin Alba also signed up to speak on loose cats and dogs and Animal Services good afternoon you have three minutes I was here at the previous call to the public regarding the animals in our city a few days after this previous call to the public meeting I met with the director of El Paso Animal Services at his request he wanted to hear my concerns regarding the cats and dogs one of the things I mentioned to the director was the numerous amount of people who have tried to do the right thing that is bringing in stray cats and dogs I mentioned many people are being turned away but the director told me that wasn't true he told me people were not being turned away however just as soon as I left this brief meeting I had with the director there was a lady outside the shelter with a dog waiting to be helped she thought I was an employee but of course I told her I wasn't but I did offer to help she told me she had found a stray dog and came to the shelter a few days ago wanting to Foster and adopt the animal but she was turned away and was told they were busy and about to close for the day that's fine but then she came back the next day at an earlier time but again was turned away she came back a third day so I then telephone the director and I told him hey look there's a lady here waiting outside and that this was the third time she had stopped by this is not the first time I've seen such poor service from our shelter as I mentioned a few moments ago the director stated that they don't turn people away but in fact people are being turned away such as as in this case people are frustrated your constituents are frustrated they are tired of seeing all these loose abandoned and injured animals they are tired of being treated poorly by the animal services shelter people such as myself our animal our and our our animal rescue groups have offered numerous suggestions but we are not being listened to just recently I was told a local TV channel was offering free public service announcements to the shelter but the shelter never got back to them one of the employees at the animal shelter told me well it's it costs money and it's not within our budget how could it cost money if this is a free service that the news channel media is offering we need to do something and we need to do it immediately this is just getting worse thank you Mr thank you the next speaker is Ron Cuomo he's also speaking regarding Animal Services Mr Como will be followed by Barbara Valencia Mark Piero good afternoon sir you have three minutes good afternoon ma'am good afternoon sir sorry I tripped on my tie on the way up here um I I gotta start out with good I fully appreciate the things that have been happening I know we've run into a little snag with the school and I'm hoping we can get that taken care of rapidly so we can move on one of the things that we need to discuss is the same thing that was just brought up about dog attacks um we we have had some serious dog attacks lately pets have been killed while people are trying to walk them and animal services takes these aggressive dogs and hands them back to the people that allowed them to get loose and attack people and their pets technically I believe they are supposed to quarantine the Stray and it's being handed back to the owners and they're getting tickets for licenses and no shots imagine that um we we have a situation that just happened this weekend with Ruby who is the newest ASAC member she she was bitten she was attacked her pet was killed and the dog was turned off back over to the owner the first one where they the two dogs attacked the throat and the groin they turned the dog back over to the owner and the people interviewed on channel seven said they didn't feel safe in their own Community because this dog was brought back to the owner who obviously didn't have control over the Stray we have a situation right now in northeast El Paso that happened on Saturday we have a gentleman that's out there that's blown everyone out of his mobile home and he's torn the doors off of it the roof's ripped he's had numerous calls for animal cruelty he's had numerous calls for all kinds of things the police department's been out Animal Services has been out nothing has been done well Saturday he went after one of his neighbors with a baseball bat so Petey showed up animal services showed up because they he had two more dogs one shot again same guy had the shot German Shepherd um while they were interviewing the gentleman that he damaged his truck the police officers got any physical altercation with this gentleman now understand this is not the first time they've been there and talked to this guy but because he attacked a police officer I guess they decided to check his record he had outstanding warrants for misdemeanors and felonies so They confiscated or they they took him in under arrest and contacted the shelter to pick up the dogs that was Saturday the dogs are still in in the gentleman's front yard the dogs got loose this morning and chased one of the neighbors who was carrying their child we need no more excuses about why we can't pick up strays he needs to come up with a plan people are going to die if we don't get this fixed thank you for your time and I appreciate everything that has been done thank you thank you next speaker is Barbara Valencia also speaking on Animal Services responsibility good afternoon ma'am you have three minutes okay I'm Barbara Valencia with Huckleberry Hound Dog Rescue responsibility at the last City council's call to the public portion of the meeting Mr Mark Fiero read directly from animal services website where it stated on at least two different portions of the website as an open admission shelter Animal Services management has since taken those words off the website this blatant attempt at concealing and misleading the taxpayers of El Paso has not gone unnoticed removing that statement does not absolve Animal Services nor the city of your fiduciary duties and responsibilities to the taxpayers courts across the country have ruled against cities and their Municipal shelters for closing shelter intake as violations against the taxpayers and fraud in the rulings it states open admission shelters that are operated by municipalities and are paid for by tax dollars are to admit every stray animal in their jurisdiction regardless of health age breed or temperament managed admission shelters that are municipalities and are paid for by tax dollars must maintain open admission policies to admit every stray animal in their jurisdiction regardless of health age breed or temperament limited emission shelters they may accept animals based on self-defined criteria and are to be privately funded not publicly funded which means no tax dollars Animal Services management hosted an online meeting on September 6 with several members of the public and it was stated Animal Services is not going to take strain lost animals into the shelter due to Animal Services words and actions they are operating as a limited admission Shelter by self-defined intake criteria and as such the city and animal services cannot use the 12 million dollars of taxpayers money allotted to the fiscal year 2024 Animal Services budget Animal Services now is now a limited admission shelter according to Animal Services management and must seek private funding city manager Weston mayor and city council you have two options either continue operations at Animal Services as a limited admission shelter and forfeit all the tax dollars or use the allotted tax dollars for its intended purpose and in and which means Animal Services goes back to an open admission shelter and admits every stray animal in its jurisdiction regardless of health age breed or temperament thank you Miss Valencia thank you the final speaker regarding Animal Services is Mark Ferro good afternoon Mr Piero you have three minutes good afternoon good afternoon sir thank you for your time respect El Paso cord code and ordinance 7.14.020 every dog cat or ferret coming into the possession of an Animal Welfare organization including Animal Services received in any manner other than a release by the owner of the dog cat or ferret in this case astray must be held a minimum of three full days if the dog cat or ferret does not have a registration registration tag or microchip or for a minimum of six full days if the dog cat or ferret has a registration tag or microchip before the animal may be transferred or euthanized with the exception of humanely euthanizing to end severe suffering prior to the end of the hold period animal services acos and 311 dispatchers are telling finders of stray animals if the Stray is taken in by the shelter that that animal will be immediately euthanized which would be a violation of city ordinance this is Animal Services way of guilting people into keeping stray animals they are unable to care for this tactic is not only disrespectful but also a form of psychological abuse to the finders of stray animals at this at the last city council meeting many community members took time off from work time away from their families time away from other duties and obligations they drove downtown right here and searched for parking and walked blocks to City Hall in 100 degree heat in order to come speak before you only to be disrespected by Animal Services management laughing at us yes many of us did see that atrocious spectacle displayed by Animal Services management community members want to know why the city of El Paso is so dysfunctional as to allow for management of a city Department to lie mislead the public cheat the taxpayers break local and state laws and openly disrespect the ones that are paying their salaries no other company or organization would allow any of their management employees to do all of this and remain employed with them when a community community member asks a simple question they deserve an answer not to be dismissed and disrespected thank you thank you the next speaker is Elizabeth Crawford Miss Crawford star sixth place two and meet your telephone good afternoon Miss Crawford's topic is National Abortion victims Remembrance Day go ahead Miss Crawford do you have three minutes Miss Crawford we're still unable to to hear you I'm sorry for that we'll go ahead and move to the next speaker Aurelio Valdez Jr his topic is a process and selection of the permanent police chief good afternoon sir you have three minutes good afternoon good afternoon can you all look up why are you on your phones um so I'm not happy and for many reasons and 16 I'll introduce myself first I'm really Valdez Jr I'm the founder of the El Paso General sexwise line sport you are still not looking up so are y'all paying attention or I'm speaking so in 16 years there has not been a new police chief and yet you're rushing this by this is not right there's the opportunity for substantive Community input put the pause button on this and just wait a second sexual harassment has become a pattern of practice in the police department and yet you are doing nothing stop standing by and continuing to enable this the officers who are supposed to trust and who we are the ones who are supposed to trust and we travel with our lives and there's a situation are the ones through committee crimes go forward and you have blood broken bones death on your hands by continuing to silence the community's input and stopping police brutality if you have any of these police Chiefs to become your permanent chief speaker is better Carvajal star six please to enmate your telephone is also speaking regarding selecting the next chief of police go ahead ma'am you have three minutes we're not able to hear Miss Carvajal either I don't know I.T can you please assist I'll come back to you we're asking it to assist because we're unable to hear you we'll move on to Irma Cruz Irma Cruz is also speaking regarding selection of the new Chief of Police good afternoon you have three minutes my name is Irma Cruz and I'm part of the Border Network for human rights and right now I came to to you because we want more involvement of that Community to be in the to for the process of selection of a new chief of police we the community are the ones who are in direct contact with the police and we deserve to to have a voice in The Selection so that's why I'm here and I'm asking to do more events more opportunities to people can talk to the candidates and can have an input there thank you you thank you the next speaker is Susana Herrera Susana Reda is also speaking regarding selection of the new Chief of Police after Miss Herrera will go back to miss carbajal I think the issue has been resolved good afternoon you have three minutes is gracias they said that I would also like to ask Council that the community be allowed to participate in the selection of the new chief of police our next speaker is Veronica yes can you hear me yes we can okay great thank you good afternoon mayor and Council my name is Veronica Carvajal I live in District 2. in 2007 I participated in a panel that interviewed the candidates for chief of police density manager Joyce Wilson invited me along with Fernando Garcia from the border Network for human rights Brianna Stone then director of the pastor not the Civil Rights project Carlos marantes from centros infanteras and other community members our community panel interviewed the finalists one by one we then came up with a recommendation well I do not agree with the final recommendation I was very grateful for the meaningful dialogue with the candidates as well as the community leaders to be clear Joyce Wilson did all of this before the board Network for Human Rights created the El Paso Police accountability task force this was also before the black lives matter protests and the community outrage that followed due to the aggression showed by the police at the protest this was before the late federal judge Bill mastinas issued an opinion with scathing statements about a police culture that lacks accountability for its officers this was before the multiple lawsuits and settlements about excessive force against people with mental health challenges and this would be for police officers were accused and charged with crimes including sexual harassment sexual assault and rape former city manager Tommy Gonzalez should not have been allowed to shut out the community this position is extremely important and completely out of their hands of Voters he did not set back Community engagement precedent that was established over 16 years ago I am asking that a community panel will be convened to interview not just the four finalists but all of the top candidates I find it very hard to believe that we had two finalists in 2007 who were both female and Mexican Americans and today 16 years later none of the four finalists are female this interview panel is just one of one way that the community can be involved in selecting the person who will be in charge of the most expensive Department in the city's budget for this and many other reasons we deserve a seat at the table thank you thank you the next speaker is margarita reviso margarita arviso Rocio estebane Margarita yes okay go ahead go ahead Miss Harvey so you have three minutes community Bonita for Community participation in the selection of the new chief of police the next speaker is Rocio estebane good afternoon you have three minutes my name is gracias gracias also shares the same sentiments as the previous speakers the next person that signed up to speak as Dulce Carlos she will be followed by Rosa Avila Samantha Singleton Ellen lizaraga berica Margo Fernando Garcia good afternoon you have three minutes um necessities Carlos is also a member of the Border Network for human rights and shares the same Sentiments of allowing Community involvement in the next election of the police chief the next speaker is Rosa Avila also with a boater Network for human rights good afternoon my name is gracias gracias also shares the same sentiments the next speaker also with border Network for human rights is Samantha Singleton she will be followed by Ellen De zaraga good afternoon you have three minutes good afternoon on Samantha Singleton the police accountability task force coordinator for the Border Network for human rights on February the 22nd of 2023 I emailed each of you in addition to 40 former city manager Tommy Gonzalez and Public Safety Deputy city manager Mario D'Agostino stating that when the time is right and as the city looks towards feeling this vital role it is our expectation that there will be significant Community involvement in the selection of the new Chief Fernando Garcia be an HR executive director participated in the process when the late chief Allen was selected and it is our desire that bnhr in addition to other community leaners will be extended an opportunity of involvement exclusion from this very important hiring process will send a strong message to our city upon receipts of those emails I was informed that there was going to be significant community in engagement and participation as well as Public Safety meetings and question sessions the announcement of the four finalists for this position came as a shocking and disappointing surprise to not only us but to others who had inquired about being a part of the selection process a limited number of community organizations and key stakeholders were given the opportunity to meet the with the recruiter while many have yet to be engaged in the process at all this was not just the changing of a chief of police it was an opportunity to sit down with Community leaders and key stakeholders to address the challenges that the police department has and has been facing in addition to taking a step towards changing the culture within the police department and the Outlook from the community they protect and serve no senior law enforcement leadership should be considered without input from Those whom policing will impact we understand and are aware that there is a meet and greet reception tomorrow evening however that is not enough as a community member leader and a stakeholder it is imperative that we are able to inform community members that we deal with consistently that Community leaders and key stakeholders were given their due diligence in this process I cannot truthfully say that that happened so we have a sign-on letter which includes several organizations that believe no hiring decision should be made by the city manager until Community leaders and stakeholders have been allowed to interview the finalists and make a recommendation to the city manager this is not a difficult request it's a process that has been done previously By ignoring the perspectives and concerns of community members leaders organizations and key stakeholders it sets this community engagement model back that has been established over 16 years ago thank you thank you the next speaker is Ellen is [Applause] it's also speaking regarding the chief of police election he will be followed by Betty Camargo good afternoon you have three minutes good afternoon good afternoon Council um I'm just here to Echo the message that has been shared today um I had the opportunity to make some calls to your offices yesterday to express my concern for the lack of community involvement in this election so I really hope that today that is something that you take away as Samantha said this is not a difficult you know decision to take we just simply want to get to know this candidates a little bit better we want to know their values we want to know where they stand on some of our issues at the end of the day the decision will fall back on you and our city manager we're simply asking to have a a seat at the table um so I just want to encourage all of you again to give us that opportunity we have a jet again our city has the opportunity to show our state our nation what community policing values we have the values that we have as a community and I think that this is a great opportunity again to make an example of that thank you thank you the next speaker is Betty Camargo also with the Border Network for human rights speaking on the chief of police election good afternoon you have three minutes good afternoon and thank you for the time my name is Betty Camargo on State's program director for Border Network for human rights but I'm also a community of El Paso as a member of this community I believe that the selection of the next chief of police is a critically important decision that will have a significant impact on the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods and residents it is my sincere hope that the city council will prioritize transparency and Community engagement throughout the hiring process it's my understanding that the current timeline for selecting the new chief of police does not allow for Meaningful Community input or engagement with a finalist before a decision is made this is deeply concerning to us as it suggests that the voices of those who will be most affected by the new Chief's policies and initiatives are going to be ignored I respectfully request that you delay your vote on this matter until the community has had the opportunity to meet with and provide feedback on the final candidates for the position this would not only serve to improve public trust and confidence in the police department but it would also help ensure that the new Chief is well equipped to address the unique needs and concerns of our border community it is crucial that the new chief of police is someone who not only has a strong background background in law enforcement but also who understands and respects the needs and concerns of those of us in our community by involving the community in the hiring process we can ensure that those chosen candidates as someone who's well respected and appreciated I urge you to consider the current approach and to take steps back to involve the community in the decision-making process this could include hosting Town Hall meetings or Community forums where the candidates can be introduced and questions can be asked it's important that we work together to create a strong and positive relationship between the police department and our border community and involving the community in the hiring of a new chief of police is necessary thank you for taking the time to consider our thoughts in this matter I hope that you will take them into account and make the decision to involve every stakeholder in the hiring process of the new chief of police thank you the next speaker is Fernando Garcia with a border Network for human rights speaking on the chief of police election I don't believe Mr Garcia is here we'll move on to Miss Lisa Turner also speaking on the selection of chief of police good afternoon again miss Turner you have three minutes mayor Pro tem Council I'm a sitting commissioner of the El Paso Women's Rights Commission I am the mayor's appointee therefore I represent every single woman in this city fact that the El Paso Women's Rights Commission was not even involved in this process is disgraceful the fact that two of the selectees were supervisor one as they're presently in term chief you have to understand I have a certain view of leadership as a leader your people are a reflection of you if you don't have integrity when you see something wrong to step up and say something that you should not be considered for this position if what we have seen in the El Paso Police Department as how the female officers are being treated and God knows what they're doing to the women in the community we need to reset this process this process was discriminatory from the get-go the institutional bias against women to be a chief is there you can't get around it it's the same thing because we've got a city manager selection coming up and I haven't heard a single word about involving the Women's Rights Commission in that selection process we represent all the women in this city and this Council and our city managers so far have decided to ignore the voice of the women of this community you've ignored us it's unacceptable it's disgraceful it's disgusting now I don't know how to get this across to you but my request is that you redo this search and make sure that there are female selectees and that you do involve your Women's Rights Commission and other female stakeholders in this city if you don't you're telling every one of us that we don't matter it's exactly what you're telling us and that's unacceptable thank you the final speaker on the topic of selection of chief of police's Carmen Rodriguez she submitted a statement that reads please read the following message at Tuesday's public comment period dear mayor and Council there is growing awareness among the public of the city's Unwritten policy that the public should know as little as possible about certain issues and procedures the issue at hand is the selection of the police chief the unwritten policy states on this issue the list of public knows the less they will complain this policy has been in existence for decades and it doesn't seem to matter who sits in the mayor and Council seats city managers and City attorneys have been the enforcers of this policy it is not only a policy but also a culture of secrecy that permeates down through the different levels of the city's Administration the theory of retaliation keeps city employees quiet and in line in the past year a group of citizens who believe in public oversight of the police departments use of forest practices has been trying to engage with Police Department in a very respectful and positive manner after much time and effort they have been unable to gain acceptance as a public partner to make improvements in the police department the Border Network for human rights police accountability task force is a group dedicated to this effort and now they are simply leading the demand for public input and the police chief selection process please open up this process to more public input citizens are only trying to have a more responsive and accountable Police Department we should all agree on this goal and join together to bring it about thank you for your time and service Carmen e Rodriguez the next speaker on this afternoon is Elaine Prickett topic is thanking the council for the continued support and Reporting on the success of mission 15. Elaine Prickett she will be followed by John Poland good afternoon you have three minutes good afternoon I just wanted to come and thank you once again for making such a great homecoming for our veterans first of all I'd like to introduce some of our honored veterans that are here with us today this is Joe Lopez China boy Lopez one of our Vietnam veterans that was on the last mission this is Umberto modes who was on our last mission he's also a Vietnam veteran um this is my father-in-law Kirby Prickett he was on Mission 5 Korean veteran and Mr Delgado was a Vietnam veteran on our last mission I think Mr Dixon oh Mr Dixon had to leave he was a Korean veteran that was here I also want to introduce John Poland who is our one of our board members and Linda Weber who is a board member that are here today and I also want to introduce Teresa Orr she is the wife of one of our veterans that was on Mission 13 who passed away in February and she's going to speak in a few minutes on the impact that honorfly has on families I just wanted to share with you some comments that were made and what the impact is that the city of El Paso is having on our veterans and I want to thank you for that we had one veteran say you don't know what wounds and this is at tears I'm also the videographer so through tears he's telling me you don't know what wounds it healed to know that people are proud of me and to have someone hand me a cardboard welcome home sign we also had a veteran mention that for the first time on this last trip he felt like he could rejoin the American society because when he came back from Vietnam he didn't feel like he was part of our society anymore um recently a couple months ago one of our veterans Mr Root passed away and the trip meant so much to him and the welcome home that you were able to provide that on his columbarium he had them put mission 13. that's the impact that this has on our veterans and this is the very little that we do to honor and respect them and I just want to thank the city of El Paso and all of you for allow for having such a wonderful homecoming and for your continued support and to request that you continue to have that support for us thank you very much I just want to check does anybody need a flyer are you unfamiliar with honor fly or has everybody had gotten their pin you need a PIN okay thank you thank you so much for the opportunity to speak to you the next speaker is John Poland speaking on thanking city council for support good afternoon you have three minutes good afternoon thank you honorable City Council Members I am John Poland Secretary of the Honor Flight of southern New Mexico in El Paso board of directors I'd like to add my thanks to those that Elaine just gave you for your enthusiastic support and commitment to our Honor Flight as you will hear from the stories of our veterans and family members alike the ability for veterans to go to Washington DC to see the memorials that were built in their honor allows has allowed an innumerable veterans to finally Turn the Page and come to grips with their past military careers in a positive and uplifting way I think you can see why we do what we do and I give you our sincerest thanks for coming alongside us to continue this effort God bless you thank you Mickey the next speaker is Teresa Orr her topic is speaking on behalf of her husband and other veterans that went on the Honor Flight of southern New Mexico and El Paso in May of 2019. good afternoon you'll have three minutes good afternoon council members my name is Teresa Orr and I'm here to speak about the fantastic Honor Flight of southern New Mexico and El Paso what it does for the veterans my husband Sergeant John Richard Orr also known as private cowboy a Vietnam seventh marine scout sniper had the privilege to be on mission 12 in May of October 2019. even though it is very honored to be selected he also felt as most veterans do there's a veteran more worthy than me but he did manage to go on the day of leaving for the on flight as it approached I could see how excited he was but there was also an underlying apprehension and I felt that this apprehension was due to the fact when he came home from Vietnam he did not receive a welcome home it was the complete opposite on the day of the departure as we headed to the El Paso Airport as more and more veterans arrived you could see their excitement but there was also that underlying apprehension I believe the apprehension was centered about not knowing how would the public react to them if you have never attended an honor flight departure I urge you to go to the airport to see the veterans off but I also urge you to go back when they come back to see the difference that this flight has made for them a healing took place on the trip and they finally got the welcome home and the honor that they deserved you could not only see this in their body language but on their faces they were now publicly proud of their services and sacrifices for their country it was amazing to see the before and after change given to these veterans due to the Honor Flight the Honor Flight gives them back their pride and dignity to make them feel appreciated the Honor Flight of southern New Mexico at El Paso puts many veterans that help make this healing trip for them possible they are the Angels that the veterans deserve thank you for your time the final speaker is Linda woodbur her topic is thanking the council for their continued support and Reporting on the success of mission 15. afternoon good afternoon my name is Linda woodberg I have fancy title of medical coordinator I am a board member but because of my nursing background part of my job is to review every application that comes into the to her program and look through them thoroughly call each veteran College guardian and assess their health issues and needs so that we can match and give our each veteran the proper care that they need during the trip I just wanted to mention a few numbers the as we continue to need the support that El Paso gives us we have planned only one flight for next year so far as we're not sure as to we will be able to do a second flight I just wanted to as I say mention a few numbers our waiting list right now is 124. Vietnam veterans of those 47 are from El Paso 36 are from Las Cruces and 41 are from other areas in Southern New Mexico in western Texas if we're not able to do two flights this year and again next year you can imagine how long it will take us to get our veterans without our on the waiting list to there our flight for this fall September 28th to the 30th we have 34 veterans going of those 14 are from El Paso eight are from Las Cruces and 12 are from other areas and we continue to accept applications and hopefully we can continue to have the support of El Paso we are grateful for what we do have but we continue to need support so that we can have the same effect as the trip has had for for private cowboy on all our other veterans and I just wanted to um I re I learned better when I see things so I just wanted to hold up and show you that I have three binders of this size that contain the applications and I see them every day and hope and pray that we continue to cover program and offer this wonderful opportunity to our veterans thank you very much thank you mayor Pro tem that concludes call to the public this afternoon thank you Ms Prime I want to thank everybody for coming today um I know I've heard a lot of these concerns previous today I Echo a lot of the sentiments shared here today and have expressed those to the city manager I think it is really important my understanding is that we would have a lot more public input and the chief of police search I've been disappointed myself that that hasn't happened I think we all felt that way about the city manager contract right which is why we'll be discussing that later I don't think this process should have been any different so I just want to thank everybody for coming with that Council It's 121 would you all like to take a nine minute break it's up to y'all I mean just well because I know now right now we can't get up we keep getting right on the edge of Quorum so we can't get up to use the restroom and so I just want to take this opportunity to to do that if you would want to before we lose Quorum again okay motion to recess Miss Prime for how long till till 1 30. okay there's a motion and a second to recess the city council meeting all in favor anyone opposed the meeting is in recess at 1 21 pm and will reconvene at 1 30. Council and please return to the diocese foreign you're a lawyer representative Kennedy and we will have a corn when you get up here sir Miss Prime we have a quorum now motion there's a motion and a second to reconvene the city council meeting all in favor anyone opposed the meeting is back in session at 1 35 pm may or may we go back to item five that was moved from the regular agenda absolutely ma'am thank you sir item five is a resolution that's that the city council approve an interlocal agreement between the city of El Paso Texas and Socorro Independent School District to provide authority to commission Law Enforcement Officers hired by sisd to issue parking citations for parking violations under the El Paso city code in the vicinity of schools that are in the sisd district mayor Pro Tem I apologize I wanted to clarify I don't know why I didn't ask it at the time but in public comment um there was kind of a question about what if someone just wanted to find someone's data and I wanted to clarify based on this item these will be sisd police officers or peace officers like these people will be trained officers um and so just not anybody from sisd Administration is going to be able to do citations the the internal agreement gives the Authority for the so good until the school district to have their commission peace officers issue the parking citations and they're allowed to by law in the state of Texas as a matter of fact we even allow it with our parking enforcers through ordinance and such so we provide the citation they in turn are going to be issued to citations if there's a hearing case or anything like that they're going to respond to it they're going to deliver them to one location where we're going to turn them in but it's all going to be based more of a force multiplier because there's been requests from the community and alsoever is here with me it started through two Avenues we had a meeting in one community and he had started in another one so basically we brought this together and it's an option that they have because they don't have the system set up for parking citations no traffic sites I just wanted to clarify because I think based on that questioning I wanted for public edification people to realize their actual trained peace officers so with that I'm fine and that was my only clarification so I'll make a motion to approve yeah they're appointed by the state excuse me are they State peace hopes by the state I'm not understanding are they the peace officers for the school district or state officials yes by all means yes so they have a lot of jurisdiction more than just our school district Texas commission officers standards thank you thank you sir some motion in a second yes sir the motion was made by mayor Pro temanello seconded by alternate mayor protemolinar to approve item number five on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously Representatives Hernandez Ferro not present that brings us to item number 15. no okay okay thank you item 15 is discussion in action to direct the city manager to designate the second Monday in October of each year as indigenous people's day as part of continued efforts to address systematic racism towards indigenous people and promote the closing of the equity gap for indigenous people in our community this is representative anello's item thank you Miss Prine um we know that since the 1990s communities have been recognizing the second Monday of October as indigenous peoples day you know Columbus Day was created as a recognition of Italian individuals who are receiving persecution as an Italian individual I think it is really important in this community we recognize the people that came here long before Christopher were here long before Christopher Columbus are native to this community and who have given so much culture history and importance to El Paso and with that I'll make a motion to approve one motion two seconds it's only for you so there's a motion made by mayor Pro temanello seconded by representative Kennedy to approve item number 15. on that motion call for the vote representative fierrov would you like to vote on this item thank you in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously the next item is number 18. item 18 is discussion in action to approve a resolution to direct the city manager to work with the police department the Department's designated lgbtq liaison and a community stakeholder task force to evaluate new policies and trainings to improve how transgender and gender diverse individuals are identified by the El Paso Police Department to implement a list of bias-free policies and to implement a safe place program in the city of El Paso and this is also mayor Pro tem manilow's item can we take items 18 and 19 together and then go to public comments item 19 is discussion and action to approve a resolution to direct the city manager to create a policy that ensures access for transgender individuals to freely use City facilities consistent with their gender identity and or expression in city-owned buildings and to direct the City attorney to create an ordinance amending title V of the city code of ordinances relating to single user restrooms to require single user restrooms to have gender neutral signage also mayor Pro tem anello's item mayor Pro Tem can we take public comment first mayor yes ma'am thank you yes sir will you take them both at the same time yes sir the first person that signed up to speak is Eric McNabb Eric McNabb star sixth place to unmute your telephone Eric McNabb star sixth place to unmute your telephone while he's doing that we'll move to Andy Rose this careno followed by Sophia Avant mirror good afternoon you have three minutes good afternoon good afternoon city council um so with these items uh as a transgender person these affect not only me but everyone within the transgender community and gender diverse community in El Paso with item 18 being the one that helps trans folk and gender diverse folk feel the most the most safer in El Paso um before I got my gender gender marker changed on my driver's license it was always terrifying for any any encounter I would have with an officer because if they were to see that um either when I didn't get my name changed or when I didn't get my gender marker changed both of which I got done years apart um I was scared that they wouldn't see one wouldn't see me as a woman but wouldn't treat me as a woman either and in that case if I came across anyone who happened to um you know not not take too kindly to um to myself as a transgender woman or as a person um I often feared for my safety and I know that there have been other cases with other transgender folks and gender diverse folks in the city where they've had encounters with police officers or law enforcement officers and had been blatantly discriminated against and um and had their safety uh put at risk with this item this will definitely help to at least give officers and law enforcement a better understanding of of uh transgender folks and gender diverse folks and keep keep these citizens these citizens safe safer and um have a better hopefully a better experience if they ever have to deal with law enforcement um and in terms of the second item um this helps to keep um this allows transgender to bless you this allows transgender folks to um use the restrooms that obviously um coincide with their gender identity while I may have been assigned male at Birth I obviously present and identify as a woman now to every fullest extent and um I've had experiences where I've either been eyed going to the women's restroom or been um been asked whether or not I'm supposed to be there and uh it's it's cruel it's inhumane and no one should ever have to go through that so please pass these items and thank you thank you the next speaker is Eric McNabb Eric McNabb go ahead you have three minutes hello can you hear me yes um yes if one were to follow local news Facebook pages in El Paso and read the comments made on stories involving lgbtq plus people you'll see that they were openly vilified dehumanized mocked and demonized by El pasoans of all types the hate directed towards trans people is especially pronounced you can see these bigoted and vital comments get overwhelming support from El pasoans in the form of likes there is a toxic culture in this city that is the product of traditionalism dogmatism religiosity and the poor education's many who live here that make El Paso a very unsafe place for lgbtq plus El pasoans when whole types of people are dehumanized and demonized that is when people feel allowed to or even obligated to harass fully and attack them it pains my heart reading these bigoted comments on local news Pages because I know there are trans and Gale pestilians reading them and being reminded of how unsafe they are in El Paso reminded of just how much they are hated by the El Paso Community for no other reason than being who they are they didn't choose to be gay or transgender who would choose to be the most openly hated and discriminated against types of people in the city nobody would to some extent diesel pestilence have to block out this hatred and vitriol they read on social media for their own mental well-being but they can never completely ignore it because it can cost them their lives or physical safety lgbtq plus El pasoans need to be able to trust the El Paso Police more than the average person because the statistics show they were at least nine times more likely to be victims of violence than non-lgbtq plus people the El Paso Police has the same toxic prejudices as the broader El Paso Community because that is where they come from which is why you all need to take action to reassure lgbtq plus El pasoans that steps have been taken to reduce this toxic bias as much as possible so that when they go to report hate crimes harassment threat surveillance that their concerns will be taken seriously El Paso is unsafe for these people please take actions to make it more safe for them please support training that makes our police more understanding of the humanity and concerns of the trans people they will encounter at some point while protecting and serving the community they are entrusted to please support the creation of a safe place program which will reassure lgbtq plus El paslines that their victimization will be taken seriously by El Paso law enforcement if it were to happen when hate crimes and violence go unreported the perpetrators are emboldened and emboldened and El pasoans are less safe when those planning on committing hate crimes know that their victims have a safe place to seek refuge and that law enforcement will take lgbtq plus hate crime seriously they are less likely to commit those hate crimes they intended to and the lgbtq plus Community is safer please make El Paso safer for El Paso's lgbtq plus community and vote Yes for item 18. um I I was also planning on uh thank you you've reached the three-minute limit the next speaker is Sophia avantimir followed by Michael Gutierrez Ivan Diaz Wesley Lawrence Lorena Edwards Lisa Turner good afternoon you have three minutes good afternoon my name is Sophia vonmire and I'm with Texas Rising I'm asking that you vote in favor of items 18 and 19 because our lgbtqia plus Community deserves to be treated with respect and without bias the trans and gender diverse Community needs to feel safe when using public facilities and interacting with the police just as cisgender folks would thank you thank you the next speaker is Michael Gutierrez followed by Ivan Diaz Wesley Lawrence Lorena Edwards Mr good afternoon you have three minutes can you just remind everyone since we're taking the items together there'll only be one opportunity to speak on both items thank you the discussion is taken together hello Council again uh before speaking uh for my support for item 18 and 19 I want to thank representative anello and the various organizations that helped draft this legislation ensuring the fair and respectful treatment of all members of our community regardless of their gender identity is a fundamental principle by taking proactive steps and improving the way transgender and gender diverse individuals are identified by a police force we demonstrate our commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of every member of our community furthermore through the implementation of a safe place program we send a strong message that El Paso is welcoming and safe and is a safe City for all individuals regardless of their gender identity this initiative Fosters trust between law enforcement and the lgbtqia plus Community which is essential for Effective policing policing and my bad and policy work in community building in terms of item 19 by taking this action we are clear we are sending a clear message that our city values and respects the rights of indignity of all of its uh citizens transgender individuals face unique challenges when accessing public facilities and this resolution addresses those challenges head on it not only promotes equal access but it also helps reduce the discrimination and harassment that transgender individuals often encounter additionally directing the City attorney to amend title V the city code of the ordinances to require a gender-neutral signage in single user restrooms is practical and a positive step forward and this small change can make a significant difference in the daily lives of transgender individuals and gender diverse people including myself I urge the council to vote in favor of item 18 and 19. thank you thank you the next speaker is Yvonne Diaz followed by Wesley Lawrence Lorena Edwards Lisa Turner America Sanchez Amber Perez Aurelio Valdez good afternoon you have three minutes thank you hi again um Diaz with Texas racing after uh several attacks in the community by our state legislature this past May or I don't even know when is it it's been a lot but we've been advocating for different causes including the lgbtq AIA plus community and on July 5th we were so happy that you supported the proclamation for international drag day and um I think in this Same Spirit I'm asking all of you to support item 18 and 19. I ask you to continue taking a bold action to protect the most vulnerable winner state legislators have failed to protect us the responsibility now falls on each of one of you and to create a space a safe space that we all deserve therefore I urge you to please vote in favor of items 18 and 19. thank you thank you the next speaker is Wesley Lawrence good afternoon good afternoon uh Wesley Lawrence for the record uh sd29 committee man serving El Paso all the way to um Far West Texas I want to thank representative anello for putting this item on the agenda um I can tell you that my friends in the lgbtqia plus Community especially those in the trans Community have been dealt a difficult Blow from our leadership in Austin from Republicans stopping the the use of gender affirming care for minors from Banning books for children to learn how to be themselves and to learn about the way of life from going after drag queens and from cities around the state of Texas and around the U.S having to put up with it far-right extremism throughout various States you look at Florida who just made it against the law for children to be called nicknames without the use of their parents signing a form or for them not being able to have safe bathrooms and schools this this policy is important and I can tell you talking to the different families that have been in communication with that this is a step in the right direction we need to continue moving forward keeping lgbtqia plus organizations and the loop people like the Portland rainbow Center El Paso Sun City Pride the GSA and Mountain star Pride as well ensuring that we are creating policy that ensures that every El Paso in is safe you know simple things such as City reps helping people change their their name and their gender identity on their driver's license ensuring that we have open conversations between the police department and every organization that deals with the lgbtqia plus Community I would welcome the use of of officers to becoming drip trained which is diverse students Institute of El Paso training which allows them to understand how to better work with lgbtqa plus individuals that training is offered from the Borderland rainbow Center and it's very useful I would even encourage every city rep that's here to take that training to better assist your constituents throughout the district and lastly I I've asked for it time and time again I think the time is now for the state of for the city of El Paso to join the Amicus brief against the state of Texas to finally show every city in Texas that El Paso can and will be a leader in defending the lgbtqia plus community and ensuring that El Paso can be the beacon of a safe place for every LGBT plus family that has now been come to have been forced to be political refugees in the state of Texas because of people like Governor Abbott Ken Paxton Dan Patrick and a rogue republican-led state house and state senate thank you the next speaker is Lorena Edwards Lorena Edwards star six place two and major telephone good afternoon you'll have three minutes can you hear me yes hello thank you good afternoon mayor Lisa and members of the city council I'm so sorry I'm not there today I'm actually really sick I'd like to give major thanks to representative and will for spearheading this resolution to help Foster a better relationship between our law enforcement and our community I'd especially like to mention the fact that she considered reaching out to the community itself to get feedback and data as to the biggest concerns that are being experienced real time here in our city we returned my family returned to the Borderlands to raise our kids here in the same environment that I was raised I'm currently raising lgbtq kiddos in this city and I want to be able to tell them to find our law enforcement as their protectors and not their aggressors all too often we tell our kiddos right growing up that they need to seek out First Responders and law enforcement during times of need but it's been a while since I felt like that was a completely safe option for my kiddos and instead I find myself leading them with words of caution and apprehension this resolution is a starting point to help heal that relationship and as my children near adulthood and in just a couple years my oldest friend's daughter considers a career as a paramedic in our city I'd like to be able to have the optimistic view that she would have a positive experience working alongside a properly trained and aware law enforcement agency in El Paso as far as item 19 again I would really like to thank representative anillo for spearheading this as well the increasingly aggressive political climate around trans rights affects all El Paso citizens although I am the mother of a transgender daughter as I mentioned before our family's current bathroom battles exist with our youngest child and I say channels that I need to explain that I'm speaking about my almost 15 year old non-binary kiddo not looking particularly male or female my child's appearance as a young teen is just androgynous enough that it wouldn't be completely apparent what their gender is this is important because when we're out in public and innocent bathroom break and this political climate can lead to a verbal altercation or otherwise uncomfortable interaction for my kiddo with anyone else emboldened enough to voice their opposition to the bathroom that they chose apparently this occurs when my child uses the bathroom uh of the gender that they were assigned at Birth which is the bathroom that the state of Texas declares over and over again they would like my child to use relabeling single star bathrooms as gender neutral removes this potential political ammunition for being used against my child time and time again and we would love to see the day where our children have another option so that they're not doing things like restricting liquids for hours to ensure that they don't have to use the bathroom away from home I thank you guys again for your time uh thank you again to representative vanilla for showing us that you do want our hands untied in the city I really appreciate it and I do urge you all to vote to approve thank you thank you the next speaker is Lisa Turner good afternoon Ms Turner good afternoon mayor of council I've never hidden the fact that I am a transgender woman here's the truth we see a police officer we see a threat you all see them as safety but I see a threat having been raped by one you don't hear about it because we know nothing will be done you have no training you don't care a transgender child seven years several years ago was belittled and harassed by a city employee and not a damn thing was done to correct the behavior to Institute Training not a damn thing pardon my French I'm Caucasian which means I have a 50 chance of being raped simply because of who I am and then it goes up if you're Hispanic a woman of color Native American it just gets worse what we face every day is a denial of health health care denial of being able to get a loan getting a house everything you don't want to listen to us you don't take those steps to include us to say yes you're a viable member of this community you don't want to Institute any kind of training I'm told that we had sell quote a liaison but between the police department and our community but I never knew who it was if they were they weren't active you don't hear about what's happening because I know every other transgender individual in this city knows that you'll do nothing about it and like I said when we see a police officer we don't see somebody to help us we some see somebody who's going to harm us because it's not just here in El Paso or Dallas California New York it happens to us regardless of where we are I can't even go home I can't drive home because it's illegal to use the bathroom and you know I just can't hold myself for 24 hours the laws that the Texas legislature passed are genocidal I know it you know it but nobody wants to take any action the next speaker is America Sanchez I Believe Miss Sanchez had to leave the next speaker is Amber Perez followed by Aurelio Valdez Jr good afternoon afternoon mayor council as you know my name is Amber Bettis I am the executive director of the Borderland rainbow Center and I'm here of score of course to speak on 18 and 19. but more importantly I'm actually here to speak about the fact that this is such a great opportunity for us to move forward and a great way for us to show that we are continuing a progressive conversation and that we as the Sun City truly do value each and every person in our city regardless of race identity immigration status as so many of our compatriots have spoken about today in that kind of vein I'd also like to acknowledge that just this last Friday the interim police chief did reach out to three different organizations we were one of them so we did sit and speak with them about the need for training and so I want to make sure to extend that and let everybody know that it is something that they did speak to us about along with the center against the family and children violence passive sorry and the pride Center as well it is something that I see uh that there was a conversation that was beginning right uh but in that when I went into uh headquarters it was the first time I'd ever been in I can tell you and this is something that I shared at that meeting as well was that my heart started to race and uh I am incredibly educated I am a professional and I don't even speed it's like but when I walked in I did not feel like I was surrounded by friendly faces I felt that there was risk um much again to Echo the things that Andy said earlier and the things that Lisa said and for somebody who is incredibly proud of the city that I live in and the city that I'm from uh and who wants to do nothing but help the city grow to feel that way with people that I'm supposed to tell other people to go and turn to for help is a problem I understand that this is a conversation that needs to begin and needs to evolve so I want to recognize that and I can't thank representative vanilla enough for putting this item on this bill or sorry on the agenda today but one of the things again that we have to remember is that if one of us feels unsafe we're kind of all unsafe and one of the things about working together is that it is only when those who feel the most unsafe our most vulnerable populations feel safe and feel like they can come to police can feel like they can come to law enforcement then we are all safe I know like there are some former police officers here on Council uh and I can only imagine what it feels like to hear a group of individuals come and tell you it's like you know what a lot of times we're not going to report these crimes and uh 30 percent of lgbtqi plus Community has been a victim of sexual assault like imagine that number and imagine for a moment how many haven't reported it this will help to begin the process of making sure that we can report things thank you thank you and the final speaker is Aurelio Valdez Jr all right well that was fun earlier uh good afternoon I'm really Valdez Jr I'm the founder of the El Paso genders and sexualities Alliance board so we combined 18 and 19 repinelli of my thanks for this this is some good work especially to Aimee santilan the legislative Aid some very good work on that um so just reading the uh two agenda items if you support that Community there's no reason you should vote against it that's as simple as it gets um so in favor of it vote for it um it's really kind of a vote that shows if you support the community or not this is really a vote that shows if you do or don't so thank you mayor that concludes public comment on these items thank you uh from Shard yes ma'am this is Kristen Karen from the city attorney's office on items 18 and 19 we wanted to recommend adding that this I I signed up to speak and I was not called what is your name I received an email confirmation I don't have her on my list mayor would you like to yes ma'am go ahead Miss reveles thank you thank you so much uh good afternoon mayor Lisa city council members and follow our passwords I represent their pasty Texas and I serve as a volunteer at the Borderland rainbow Center uh thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak again about issues that affect uh we my family and families like mine I'm speaking today in support of items 18 and 19. in regards to item 18. today we took a moment to Remember The Bravery and commitment of our First Responders so I'm so thankful for their efforts I also live in a constant state of fear of the possibility of my children interacting with law enforcement it may come a small surprise to you that the lgbtq population is particularly susceptible to violence and discrimination by law enforcement this is from the Williams Institute 2020. in fact I'm sure you know that the Stonewall in the beginnings of a Pride Celebration slash protest so I want to take a moment to Simply thank thank you for having these items on our agenda but it's clear that you are aware of the dangers that are facing my family and families like mine personally all directions knowing the mining city is taking proactive action to protect members of my community safety with hope and pride let's not stop only at the good intentions please let's follow through I'm also speaking uh in support of item 19. this item addresses the rampant discrimination on the basis of gender identity and presentation for members of my community and it is not about restrooms much like it was never about water fountains or States on public transportation the evidence is over suitable members of the LGBT community are more likely the recipients of hate and violence than they are the perpetrators there is no evidence to support the claim that members of my community present any danger to others however the evidence that supports the ideas that my community needs protection is vast as Citizens we deserve privacy and protection sadly we require extra protections as we are extra vulnerable thank you for recognizing our vulnerability and addressing this issue I ask you again to not leave this process in the good intention stages rather follow through to make this city a safe and affirming City for all and especially for its most vulnerable members as a mother of three beautiful and tender children who deserve like everyone else to grow up with CCM security I urge you to vote in favor of items 18 and 19. thank you Miss Hamilton thank you mayor we just wanted to recommend that both the City attorney and the city manager be directed to to carry out the actions that are being proposed in the resolutions please what did you say I'm sorry we recommend that both the City attorney and the city manager be directed to carry out the actions to direct both the city attorneys in different places I think that's what it says yeah it does say that so discussion resolution for number 18 it directs only the city manager and on the portion related to amending title V it only directs the City attorney so we would recommend that the city manager and the City attorney both be directed to amend the ordinance or to prepare the ordinance to amend title V and that the City attorney be included in the direction on item 18 to review for the legalities I'm fine with that just miss Hamilton could you let us know before the council meeting so you don't give me a heart attack thanks I appreciate that remember Pro tem yeah mayor thanks um I want to just go through some logistical stuff really quick um you know I I spoke with legal extensively Mr Gutierrez about this item um before it came up and was happy to know that these were things that the police department was already looking into as we heard from Amber earlier somehow I've lost my notes but I wanted to to clarify when we talk about facilities we're talking about public facilities not private City facilities that is not something that I was intending to impact it all I think that if we have private City facilities usually are with a lot of our unions and I don't think that we have the authority to impede or have any policy over that the other thing is Title Five I want to be really specific and I've spoken to the Restaurant Association an extension about this or an extent to this this is not requiring anyone to change their facilities it's just saying if they have a single install restroom that they would change the signage and happy to be talking with the BRC and the Restaurant Association on how we can work together to raise some funds to provide those those signs for people who might need them but I think we've heard a lot from public comment I think Miss Turner really summed it up well with all of the attacks that are going on in the state it is really important that our Police Department become a safe space for Trans individuals well there's so much conversation about criminalization it's important that we are up front that our police are a safe space and are supportive and so with that I would make the emotion to approve with the amendments there's some motion in a second to bring back and do we have any time limit or no City attorney title five uh 30 days Miss Hamilton do you have a time limit where the city Mandarin City resolution says December resolution says December I had so many today I couldn't remember all of the guidelines um okay that's fine just making sure all right we have a motion in a second yes mayor the motion was made by mayor Pro temanello seconded by representative Kennedy and this is on number 18 to direct the city manager and City attorney I'm sorry 18 and 19 on 18 the emotion is to direct the city manager and City attorney to work with the police department the Department's designated lgbtq liaison and a community stakeholder task force to evaluate new policies and training to improve how transgender and gender diverse individuals are identified by the El Paso Police Department to implement a list of bias-free policies and to implement a safe place program in the city of El Paso the action on 19 is to approve a resolution to direct the city manager and City attorney to create a policy is it that is that correct okay to direct the city manager and City attorney to create a policy that ensures access for transgender individuals to freely use City facilities consistent with their gender identity and or expression in city-owned buildings and to direct the City attorney and city manager to create an ordinance amending title V of the city code of ordinances related to single user restrooms to require single user restrooms to have gender neutral signage on that motion and this is Carla Neiman can I ask a question really quickly before you proceed of Representative anello she was clarifying at the end that it wasn't her intention to have Title Five apply to private businesses no ma'am that's not what I said I said when we talk about City facilities we're talking about public city facilities not city like private City facilities we can discuss that later we can go into depth Mr Eric and I have had a long conversation about it so I'm happy to speak with you about it okay thank you thanks and then we also on the resolution I apologize the date for the chapter the title V amendment is October and for the rest of the items was December thank you and with that a bad motion call for the vote and and mayor I think that we need to get I have a question I'm sorry go ahead be recognized um I wanted to elaborate on the question that Mrs Neiman brought up because uh on the comments from representative nello it mentioned um private companies or private businesses and so I'd like to understand from legal um so that we can clearly communicate front to the business industry what this what changes are created with the title title um five changes but particularly with like single uh bathrooms single-use restrooms so the the ordinance at this point in time the ordinance is not drafted the ordinance will be introduced at the end of October and at that point we would have more clarity on how the the code will apply and what will be regulated what we will be required of businesses so the code right now applies to all private entities correct look I'm not sure there's so in Title Five there are regulations related to business entities and obligations this would be a new section in title V related to single-use restrooms at businesses within the city limit from what I'm understanding Council to be directing today right but I'm trying to understand what direction we're giving staff so that because this will prompt additional questions from the public and so we just want to make sure we're communicating that correctly yeah so uh Eric Gutierrez with the city attorney's office so rep Hernandez the specific language that we're looking at is it going to be a new uh section in title V and the specific the specific language is to add signage for single-use restrooms specifically within commercial facilities specifically open to the public and so if it's a private bathroom in the back of a business only for employees for example that wouldn't apply to that if it's open to the public this new signage would be required it would be required for single only single use passages right so it would have a new line that essentially says all genders are allowed to use that bathroom okay and then in terms of you know any concerns or risks you all haven't done that vetting yet correct so I I I looked at this I spoke with repinello about this I know some cities in the state of Texas have this type of language in their code I know Austin has this and I believe San Antonio might have this as well um I know the Austin one hasn't been challenged and still currently on their books and it's still punishable by up to a class C citation if they don't comply with that new sign language okay so that's all really good information it's new information so I appreciate all the details thanks thank you Miss Pride yes mayor the voting session is open and the voting session and the motion passes unanimously [Applause] that brings us to item number 20. move to approve item 20 is discussion in action to authorize the expenditure of District 2 discretionary funds for fall festivals at Memorial Park Reserve Sunrise Park Grandview Park and Seville Recreation Center serves a municipal Purpose By fostering Community Pride and encouraging Civic engagement there's a motion made by mayor Pro temanello who put this item on the agenda this is representative anello's item motion made by mayor Pro temanello seconded by representative Pierro to approve item 20. on that motion call for the vote on the what next item so okay you want to wait for that one yeah yeah okay I mean we can skip this one okay go ahead there's probably session and the motion passes unanimously that brings us to item 21. this is discussion regarding the effect of resigned to run by members of city council the item was placed by mayor Lisa thank you and I and I put this on Monday agenda I've had a lot of questions about what the charter means what it says and I'd rather it be an open discussion and people can ask whatever questions they want to ask about it and make sure that they have the right advice moving forward so that's the reason why this items on the agenda because I've been asked more than once and with that um I'll open the floor for um maybe before we start can you kind of go over to miss Hamilton what what the charter says and and what it means absolutely thank you Kristin Hamilton Karen from the city attorney's office the Texas elections code and the Texas Constitution actually is the body of law from which the concept of resigned to run comes the city attorney's office again as you all know does not provide legal advice to candidates or to individual members of council but we do provide advice to the city on the effects of you know when we would have to call for an election the resigned to run concept is that if somebody uh states that they're going to run for office publicly that for a different office prior to one year and 30 days from the end of their term they have effectively resigned from their current term under the Texas Constitution a vacancy in a city council that has terms of longer than two years that vacancy must be filled by election and it must be the election must be held not later than 120 days following the announcement which would result in the resignation from a current office so the city would have to have such election no more than 120 days after somebody announces the Texas law prefers that that election be held on a uniform election date so it does allow for a an order for an election to occur no less than 46 days prior to a uniform election date 46 days prior to the November 7th uniform election date happens to fall on September 22nd of this year when is the ballot for the November election going to be creative do you know it was Brian for the November 2024 yes ma'am I mean this year when is the election this year right November 7th and when is the ballot going to be November 23. of this year the mayor is referring to the Constitutional Amendments right you're asking when the ballot is created sir for the November there's a certain time limit where the ballot has to be printed and I'm just wondering when that time limit is um because you say 46 days I thought it was prior to 46 days so what what that's the only reason I asked that I see your question well I don't know without any's obligation on when they prepare the best self candidates if um for a special election to call for uh to fill a vacant seat for city council candidates must submit their application for a seat for a place on the ballot no later than the 40th Day Before the election okay that makes sense thank you for that thank you Mr Mayor um we received many phone calls and emails in regards to this this question and the question was always is the mayor trying to tell us something yeah yeah I'm trying to tell you that I don't give legal advice no thank you great legal department and that's why I asked that he could do the best I've had the question asked more than once and again I don't want to give anyone legal advice or advice that it's inaccurate so as many times I've had it asked I figured it really would be responsible of me to put it on and allow the City attorney to really give whatever the charter says to make sure that everyone understands and with that I have representative Kennedy I was just asking for a clarification on the the 120 day requirement were you saying that it tolls for the last 46 days if you're 46 days within within a uniform election no sir it does not toll the 120 days is the deadline by which an election must occur the order for the election if you're doing the election on a uniform date may be made by Council no later than the 46th day I understand okay but it doesn't toll 120 days it does not toll the 120 days no sir the 120 days is still right so you could be in a position where we have to hold a November first election in a November 7th election uh if somebody had an announced to be a candidate 127 days before the election okay again this is not in the city Charter this is per the yeah okay thank you sir correct thank you man could you repeat that on the on the year and a month a year and 30 days they don't have to resign just to make that clear right if if a sitting member of city council announces that they're going to run for an office different than City Council prior to one year and 30 days from the end of their term they have resigned to run for a separate office one year and 30 days prior so if they announce earlier than that they've resigned right okay but a year and 30 days they don't resign within the year and 30 days okay we finished the term yes okay thank you anyone else have any questions should that answer all your questions anyone else that's a question um can you tell us what is considered an announcement so we've dealt with this before there there are uh legal opinions on on this an announcement is is a person uh applying as a candidate making a public announcement um on their social media having a campaign event can be an announcement it would be a public-facing announcement can I read to you what's in front of me so the attorney general has a bind that an officer announces candidacy for office by making a written or oral statement from which a reasonable person may conclude that the individual intends without qualification to run for office a statement made in a private conversation does not constitute as an announcement of candidacy for the purposes of resigned to run provision a statement that a person would seriously consider running if the incumbent resigns or decides to not seek recollection was determined by the Attorney General to not invoke an automatic resignation and so I just want to make clear that those are our rules set by the Attorney General those would be applicable yes ma'am just wanted confirmation on that thank you another um I think point of information is if you do decide to run for a current office that you're holding you will not have to resign you can announce it anytime correct I apologize in the office and you're running for your same office right yeah you you do not resign right you can you can announce at any time and you don't have to resign because you're holding that office correct I'm representative uh Hernandez I I was going to ask um Mrs Hamilton if you had information related to partisan elections so um our city Charter restricts party affiliations and so but it's kind of vague is there an interpretation on the from City legal if a current member of council registered with a party to run for a partisan election I do not believe we have a current legal analysis on that I think that we would need to do research and provide legal advice to council if something like such as that occurred again the city attorney's office doesn't provide legal advice to candidates on their own personal parameters on their choices to run for office but we would advise the city on what we would need to do what the city would need to do should one of those events occur thank you ma'am any other questions I'm actually trying to pull that up because I think that it is not what it says um just give me one second mayor we do have public comment whenever council's ready absolutely so hold on I think I found it Miss Turner afternoon mayor council as a voter I would like to say this if you ran for office and I voted for you I expect you to fulfill your term and not worry about running for another office now if you happen to die in office or get hurt and you can't do your job it's understandable but I expect you to fulfill your office fully and not be out running for office the other thing is is does this agenda item mean that everybody on city council is now running for office absolutely not there's no one that said they're running for any office but like I said I've had many questions in you know if this this and this and again I'm not giving legal advice to anybody that would not be what my job to tell so we have a legal department that can tell them give them the legal advice of the city I plan to be here miss Turner I plan to be here my whole term with you good good just just for your since you did vote for me I plan to be here with you most definitely I did vote for you one of the majority who voted for you I'm just saying it because of what I heard representative anello say according to our Texas Attorney General needs me to believe that every single one of you up there just announced well see to be clear I asked for what an announcement was because I didn't want someone to turn around and say that we all just announced yeah but as you read that it's basically any action that can be construed as running for office and this item on the agenda and you're all this discussion seems to me that everybody up here is going to run for for another office Miss Turner what if the job is killing you does that no that was a bad joke I said what if the job is killing you is that different than if you die in office no you you you die in place you die in office you do the honorable thing you die at the podium I will tell you when this meeting is over I'll be running for my office up on the second floor hey and your last words have to be bye Miss Turner any uh anyone else this section um so it is section 2.2 F and it says nonpartisan elections candidates for City elective office shall not be nominated by primary elections so my interpretation is that since it says candidates for City elective office any comments are you you're looking at the charter yes ma'am the city Charter yes that's correct City elective offices are nonpartisan thank you I think the question was whether filing as a party filing with a party whether that is considered um yeah so I I mean I just want to go back to the mayor said I've gotten a lot of these questions too so someone has also asked me the same question that representative Hernandez has mentioned quoting 2.2 F and so I was trying to get that answer for them and it says city election so thank you anyone else Dr bonark thank you both Dr bonus and anyone else so we have a motion by representative pharaoh and a second by representative pharaoh thank you thank you and again I was asked that like I said I just wanted to make sure that everyone got their questions so if you have any other questions please feel free to ask Miss Hamilton at any time thank you the next item is number 22 and this is discussion in action to direct the city manager to evaluate existing ordinances policies and procedures related to school zone safety in collaboration with a vision zero task force and the mobility advisory committee to draft any necessary updates to ensure safe Crossings intersection treatments and appropriate signage at all schools within the city this is Mayor Pro temanello's item um okay yeah I'm putting this up because we currently in our ordinance I believe it says that you will not have like school zones are only 1100 feet I think walking can probably clarify this for me um I know in my district we'll have several sections where there are a few there's a school zone and then there's not a school zone and then there's another school zone I know that 16 of bicycle and pedestrian um killed or seriously injured crashes occur near schools and people aged 10 to 19 are over representative and bicycle and pedestrian crashes um so I just think we I've heard a lot about this a lot of concerns about our school zones about the safety I know we got an email today about enforcement which is also an issue um it was actually Transportation adjustments and improvements were cited several times in our vision zero action plan and so I just wanted to look at our ordinances uh have Joaquin in the vision zero group come back with some recommendations on how we can be improving their school zone so with that I'll make a motion to roof you know representative um I had a couple after you put this item on the agenda I had a few board members from episd come up to me and talk to me and explain to me the importance of this item and that you know when it's not in continuous school zone people raised you know two the 20 yards to get past someone else and um I know that I had more than one School Board member said that their safety was endangered more than once while while they were in that area so I think it's a really important item that we need the support just because of when I talked to them they said they have no jurisdiction over public street so they would like for us to really look at that and see how we can make sure that we make that school zone safe instead of a 20 20 yard race zone so thank you for that there's a second yes sir represent Rivera second we do have public comment on this I'm Jessica Gonzalez Miss Gonzalez star six please to unmute your telephone Jessica Gonzalez star sixth place to a major telephone I believe she's having technical difficulties good afternoon Mr Rodriguez so I think the the directions very clear from the the agenda item language but I just if there's a specific timeline that you'd want us to come back with some recommendations on that would give us some guidance to move forward and again when it's a safety item you know obviously the the faster the better and what do you believe you can bring it back in we can come back with a strategy of sort of room for improvements that we see in the ordinances with some specific language but not the entire ordinance package itself probably within 30 days from sharonello okay so we have a motion in a second yes mayor motion was made one second I'm sorry representative Molina yes um just wanted to be make sure we're clear that there's threes in traffic engineering which what we may or may not be able to do the enforcement which like representative and Noah says we all received an email where local police are not enforcing the school zones already and what that needs to change whether it's passing in a school zone passing the school bus loading or unloading the other part the education component we need to do a better job I think through our public affairs people that we need to it's not just when school begins you know I mean everyone hey let's watch for our kiddos out there in the streets school is about to begin and it okay that's great but school is year-round now most of the school districts are year round so we always need to make sure that we're doing a better job than what we've done before and have an education component whether it's through social media through Billboards through our website whatever it takes because one last one Lost Child I mean we hear we've mourned the child the band member or excuse me the student from Bowie High School yes he's a young man be impacted forever his family is going to be impacted forever so let's just imagine a seven or eight year old child what's going to happen there you know our city is going to be devastated again so I really believe that we need to have some type of enforcement or excuse me enforcement yes but we'll also need to do with an education component for that as well absolutely and just for your knowledge we are working currently we recently filled the position of our pedestrian and bicycle program manager uh Miss Anna may says she's working with Tammy fonse and Laura Cruz acosta's team uh to come up with some educational campaigns that we can pursue not just as part of vision zero but also as part of our complete streets policy that was recently adopted by this Council so we can include some information on those ongoing efforts as well when we come back to you all with some recommendations thank you for that mayor Miss Jessica Gonzalez is ready to provide comment good afternoon you have three minutes hi good afternoon um am I coming in loud and clear yes okay cool um again my name is Jessica Gonzalez I was there um all morning I was a girl with the shades and the Adidas shirt it was actually this was my first time attending one of these uh meetings and it was my first time in City Hall so you can imagine how important this topic is for me so school safety is my utmost concern insight and outside of the building and I know this happens everywhere of course everyone's aware it may happen at every campus but I just want to specifically point out Loma Terrace Elementary School since my kiddo goes there I'm actually waiting outside for him to get out of a class um and I I live right down the street as well so that's why it's very important to me but last year um I personally experienced um issues with drivers not making complete stops having rolling spots speeding all sorts of stuff and again I witnessed this happening with kiddos and the crossing guards having to like take out their arms trying to get the the drivers to stop so later that day I called 3-1-1 to get the crosswalk pre-tainted I went down a mission and requested to have higher Patrol this again was in the morning and Mason was actually on top of it and they were there the very next day um awesome response however it was only consistent for about three days and so then everybody went back to doing the same thing and so now this year what happened to me the other day now this is in the afternoon and again it's the same story but again uh later on in the day and what I did was again call 311 to get these crosswalks repeated I went down to Mission again there was a quick response they were here the very next day it was a Mustang uh motorcycle it was awesome to see them take care of business again consistent for three days and now it's just back to the same however there's some people that picked up that there may be Patrol coming so they're kind of weary about it but it is such an issue not only again personally since I've experienced it but not only I uh with the kiddos right it's an elementary school and it's the main um Highway again I mean Highway uh street with momoland and yermaland and actually now that I remember last year when I had reported this a couple of days later a lady was hit um at your moment on pedestrian on her feet was hit Crossing grandma and momoland and I'm like well here we go and that could have been anybody and she was actually coming from the women's Academy right down the street she walked her daughter uh to school that day so again thank you for all your concern with this issue because it's important for me and a lot of the community right here in front of the school also if I have time you haven't cut me off yet but another thing I wanted to do was get flashing lights and sign it and all of that so I asked 3-1-1 what I could do and so they sent me paperwork that I said a petition or get documentation to get signatures from everybody in this neighborhood to help push and they also told me and I've been in contact I'm always in contact with admin security um the head of Maintenance here at Loma Terrace so we're all in communication but again I need to get signatures um I need to guess thank you Miss Gonzalez thank you ma'am you've reached the three minutes oh man all right well thank you for your time thank you I appreciate it thank you man there's a motion made by mayor Pro temanello seconded by representative Fierro to approve item 22 on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously thank you for this for very important item that brings us to the first reading of ordinances these are items 26 and 27. there's a motion made by representative Rivera seconded by representative theater to approve the first reading of ordinances items 26 and 27 on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously item number 28. Miss Prime did we move 37 to the Forefront I'm sorry mayor would you like to go to item 37 no go ahead thank you item 37 is discussion and action regarding a solicitation for an executive Search firm to conduct a national search for the hiring of a permanent city manager including but not limited to consideration of the scope of work for a national search good afternoon good afternoon mayor and Council Nicole Cody managing director with today with Mary Wiggins Chief Human Resources officer so if you it can please bring up the presentation we have a brief presentation for you all today and it's item 37. so good afternoon chorus Marin Council so we are just reiterating on the executive recruitment that it will be a request for proposal process and we are looking at the following timeline with a council's motion today if we do have a final scope of work we would be able to release towards the end of this month in September that means we would advertise as well as the evaluation period would be we would have finished the evaluation period in November and hope to award by early December what we do also need to mention is that the selection committee will be chaired by Ms Wiggins and we'll include a city staff at this on this round only and then I'll turn it over to her unless you all have any questions regarding the process we will get into she'll get into the scope of work and the changes that have been recommended regarding the scope of work in the next slide and also the in-depth briefings that will occur before any recommendation is brought to council for consideration thank you and I know you all did briefing with everybody and take a lot of consideration of all the information that was given to y'all that kind of put it into what works for everybody based on everything so y'all did a really good job of that thank you thank you okay so we just want to kind of circle back and want to go over the scope of work to make sure we're all in agreement I know that we had it in the packet but I'm just going to outline really quick again the items that we added um and just to reiterate one of the things that we're coming back we're going to go back again for an RFP but we it's because we changed the scope of work there were some items that were really important to you that you wanted to be different on the scope and so we've changed the scope so that we can make sure we get the right vendor so one of the things that we're adding is we're making sure that we're going to add the consultant for the project must disclose any personal or business relationships with any member of the city manager's previous within three years or current management team to include interim city manager Deputy city managers managing directors or the Chief Human Resources officer now one thing that we thought of yesterday that we did not put in there that needs to be added is we need to add city manager because we put interim city managers we want to make sure we add city manager and then we didn't include council members so in addition to the scope that you have attached we're going to add city manager and council members okay so we're adding and and those are the ones they have to so what we're saying is that the Avenger would have to disclose those relationships we also are adding the vendor will agree that the recruitment will be at a national level and cannot be exclusively the recruiting firm's clientele so we want to make sure they're doing a true you know national campaign and that all the ones they bring us are not just from their clientele we added wording for the screening of applicants and recommendation of semi-finalists the awarded firm must disclose any personal or business relationships with the final eight candidates so if they have anything they are going to have to disclose that and then we changed we had originally we had agreed to up to four different panels for the ones that would be doing the interviewing we did not Define what those panels are yet but we changed the wording to say we'll include up to three panels and a general public forum I think we heard that was very important we wanted the public to to be able to come you know and be able to partake so we've changed it to three panels and a public forum the only other thing the last thing that we changed was in the evaluation criteria so we talked about we took some of the scoring down we went references down to 10 and the proposed approach of the vendor was at 25 and then the last thing is we added a second phase so the committee will consist of three members and so they'll evaluate all of the vendors submissions everything will be graded and then the top three we're going to ask to come back and the committee of three will actually interview do a final interview of the top three just to make sure they are understanding the scope and the expectations of what we're really asking or expecting for our vendor to do so those are the recommendations that we've made to the scope any questions on those does that outline everything that we all discussed mayor Pro Tem is that the rest of the presentation take it do you have more of the presentation uh let me see if there's I can wait I believe that was probably okay can you bring the presentation let me see if there's anything left there's one more slide so the other thing that we agreed also is that in-depth Council briefings so we agreed that whenever the committee has the final three and then the final scoring will have the one that's going to be awarded and so we've agreed to meet with each of you individually to go over how our scoring took place it won't have the the names of the vendors it'll have you know one two three four five but at least then we can show you how the committee rated them you know why you know individual scores were rated as they were so we'll be able to present that to you you know in a more detailed fashion any questions I just to say thank you I know that there were some real concerns at the last council meeting from myself you know I talked about doing it internally I think this is a great compromise I think you really listened to a lot of the concerns I had I think this is a very transparent process having conflict of interest disclosures adding that public panel are really important and this really shows that just because you ask questions and you stand up for your constituents and actual transparency does not mean that you are saying you don't want to do a process we just wanted to do it the right way and I really appreciate the mayor for supporting us on that and I really support appreciate the work that you all did that so I just really wanted to say thank you thank you we appreciate the input that you gave and and for giving us a chance to be able to to modify that thank you do we have a motion sorry I just had a quick question you've got a panel for the committee the committee of three so I just want to confirm that's the HR the the committee that will be reviewing the bids will be of three so the HR department three HR they may not all be in the Departments um at Central but at least three we had had the county where the change we're making as we had two City HR and one County HR and we've chosen this round just to go with all City okay yeah it's just it says Human Resources so I just wanted to confirm that that was your your team that would be conducting thank you thank you very much public comment um Ms Turner good afternoon mayor council members Turner any selection of anybody it will be a gender neutral process and once you select this search firm and they start looking for candidates and they bring candidates forward I expect your Women's Rights Commission to be intimately involved with this unfortunately we weren't with selection of the police chief we're gonna we're gonna have the um the community meeting and that's why we want to make sure they meet everybody anything decisions are we want to make sure everybody has an opportunity Miss Turner we we want everybody in the community everybody to show up and voice your opinion good better and different we want to hear from you we're your Women's Rights Commission I expect us to be involved I also I hope you are I want you to respect that's uh when we go out it will be a gender-neutral search I would like to point out that the the degree that most city managers have is a master's in public administration and for the last 15 years women have gotten 79 percent of those degrees but they only make up about 14 percent of the city managers in this country and there's a reason for that institutional bias and discrimination lack of mentorship to women in those cities to get them ready to go I don't want to see a bunch of men as your selectees as your semi-finalists or your finalists because I know there's good women city managers out there and if we don't see them it's because the search firm that you've contracted with to do the search didn't bother to go after many thank you thank you and to your point our first city manager was Joyce Wilson and she did that's what I'm saying she did a good job for us and she was the first one we ever had I understand mayor but when I hear that that's like saying hey I got a black friend so therefore I can't be racist okay I'm well it's not in the past I'm looking going alternative we want everybody we want to be fair and treat people correctly thank you I'm sorry I heard someone make a motion what was your motion sir to approve and what is it that you're approving is it the staff's recommendation yes ma'am okay yes are you um are you surprised the item just wasn't posted with action with a specific pick action so I just wanted to make sure what council was wishing to direct staff to do yes yes sorry about that Laura so we're asking Council to approve the scope of work as posted on the agenda yes and we got Motion in a second thank you I think we had like three seconds on this one there's the motion made by representative Rivera seconded by representative Kennedy and this is to approve the scope of work as presented by staff on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously thank you thank you may we go back to item 28. just ran please thank you item 28 is discussion in action to request that the managing director of purchasing a strategic sourcing be authorized to issue a purchase order to leads men construction DBA traffic control Specialists sales and rentals referencing contract 2021-1127 barricade rental services second you know before we do that I am huh so what is the item we're purchasing the purchasing strategic sourcing department so it's a change order to add additional capacity to the contract I believe the amount is 241 795.13 this will get us through uh the August date so you're buying where for the barricade for the Asylum Seekers and for the contractor really or was used for some of that some of that capacity was and that's why we're bringing that change what else was the other one I read it there was the minor initiative so the Winter Fest the income that comes to the winner Fest goes to destination El Paso the I'm sorry I didn't hear you what was that question the ink the income that's made from Winterfest goes to on sorry asserts so depending on what income you're referring to so like I guess rental of the ice rink yes that would go to destinational Passover for the purchase I believe they do provide Mr own can provide additional details regarding destination Apostles role in in a Winter Fest but this would be the city's portion of that we do contribute to Winterfest every year so we don't they wouldn't reimburse the city but they get the income at this point I don't believe we've got a reimbursement agreement that doesn't make sense if they get the income I'm sorry so the barriers these are these are so the street closures and things that have to happen city-wide to support activities such as Winterfest um but not but it's not something that's exclusive to that would be exclusive to destination El Paso if it's one of their events one of the events that they're sponsoring so you know that the footprint goes across the entire downtown now so we've got things that happen on the convention center on the Plaza there on The Concourse they're responsible for those costs and they set that up and then they're responsible for running those activities anything that happens though on city streets and throughout San Jacinto Plaza and throughout the city with the barriers and the barricades and that's why it's listed here there are things that have to happen throughout you know how we do street closures downtown throughout the throughout the event for the opening day we have street closures for the parade and all of that that's what these barricades are for so no sir we are not paying for anything to support their activities and exclusively if there's if they have something exclusive they're going to be responsible I don't agree with that to be honest if they're making the income I don't believe the taxpayers should foot the income for eign Seekers if we have FEMA money and are we getting reimbursed to the taxpayers to the cities FEMA money because that's what it's designated for so I want to make sure that we do have reimbursement set up yes so we track all those we track all those expenses sir and we file for those for reimbursements um but I think that what's happened is the use over time in the programming that was originally put into the contract for the the barricades there we that the concern is that we're going to run out of what's in the contract before they before the end of the the the period and that's why we're adding the 200 000. they only listed two particular events they listed the migrant crisis and they listed Winterfest but those are not the only times that we use barricades across the city and we don't want to be caught out where we don't have those because obviously there are safety there there it's a safety concern across the community and I understand all that but if I still believe that this should reimburse the taxpayers if they're taking the profit there's no reason why the taxpayers should foot the bill if someone else is taking the profit even though that's our partnership they they are in arm of the city and and I'd like to look at uh you know that because uh it um it we need to always be good stewards of taxpayers money and and I believe that this should be their responsibility for Houston and I know that it sounds like we do submit for reimbursement from the FEMA funds on any of uh barricades or anything police or anything we use so just make sure that absolutely we'll do an accounting breakout to your point where those costs are coming from the use of the barricades we'll have that discussion and I just wanted you to to and you know this it's much more than just the destination El Paso piece but but we'll take a look at that I'm just looking at the item the way it was put on the agenda yes sir and based on the way it was put on the agenda it made me believe that the reason why we're adding additional funding is for those two items and again and I don't believe the taxpayers should be responsible for both items you've already told me they're not for one of them we apologize for the the the the lack of clarity within the posting and we'll be more careful with that in the future future sir and in addition to as interim city manager Western State it will provide you with a full accounting to ensure that everything is taken care of correctly sir I would have a hard time moving forward with this item until that is broken out because I think it's important if we're going to vote for something we understand where the funding is why we're about important and where the money is going to yes sir is there going to be staff it will there be an impact or an interruption of to Services if we postpone this for two weeks to make sure that all that accounting information is provided I believe we have the streets department on the line they would be better to answer that question thank you Richard Bristol streets of Maintenance yes that is correct um the deputy city manager did explain it correctly there are other services that used this contractual tool during this contract for such reason the balances have been nearly depleted and what we need is this change order to get us uh from now until the point where we can get a new contract and the sources of paying this is the contractual tool for the service now the funding source if there's something being done in any specific service that's going to be reimbursed by FEMA it can be reimbursed by the theme of money without having to move it the uh the contract over yeah we got that clarified already I'm just concerned now about the Winterfest so that's the way the item is written and put on the agenda for Winterfest so I I understand the FEMA funding that we will make sure that anything we use will be reimbursed to the taxpayers and that's always been our agreement and just the item on here says it's for Winterfest mayor we do have um the staff can provide additional information now they do have it to hand um if you're good with them proceeding with that to continue with the briefing would you like to see that now sir we have the breakdown based on which departments have used this contract so you can see the how it really but that's not what the item says I'm going based on what the item says if you want me to start guessing what the item says then we need to put we need to put that on there guess where it's really going to go I'm reading the item on the agenda and it tells me what it's for and now you're telling me that that's not what it's for that I'm wrong then that's a bigger problem no sir no sir we're not we're not indicating that you're wrong we just wanted to make sure that you also see the portion that was going directly to streets as well no so since it is a street streets department item as Mr Bristol had also brought up representative Kennedy my concern is a 24 increase and it's again a project where it's a we have to do it now or we run out of money immediately project I get concerned when it's oh guess what it's 24 increase it's last minute it does cover some Revenue events but we're not sure how much and maybe not just Winterfest for example if there's a festival anywhere that blocks streets there could be food trucks in there that are taking advantage of it and that's fine for a good Festival but I get concerned when there could be Revenue events it's a 24 increase in its last minute I mean I just I that's my concern and we're kind of backed into a corner because it's like guess what if we don't get this thing approved we're out of money and that concerns me we'll bring it back in two weeks we'll bring it back in two weeks we'll bring you the the the the uh Clarity that you're asking for right now to see that broken down and we'll execute it thank you representative Hernandez who's going to ask to see the information if you had it handy so so we don't waste everyone's time would need to bring it up we would need to use the Elmo to be able to bring it up and what it is it's the listing of the multiple POS that have been used against this contract so we track of course anytime we track the total amount of the contract and then any purchase orders that are charged against it you'll see which department used it which would include of course the fires use of the contract to assist with the migrant crisis and also Parks use of it to assist with the Winterfest event well I mean language is clear you're giving examples and I don't think it's you know pointing just to those two activities but did you mention that you can share the information now we do have it based on the purchase orders requested by the Departments if if Council would like to see it is it electronic it's no they'd have to put it on the Elmo okay well I mean I guess you can answer the question are all streets the um any any time like there's a barricade it's on a street correct yes ma'am yeah it's not it's not like on a public property it's on a street so this is a matter of of Public Safety so it's a right-of-way all public streets or city streets so whatever the event is Winterfest or the migrant surge it is the city's responsibility to provide protections to pedestrians and to migrants who are on a public right-of-way correct yes I don't know what this hyper focus is on this contractor destination El Paso but I'm starting to recognize a pattern and I and I think that we need to focus on the business ahead I think it's important that we make sure that we know where the money is going to we're we're doing and what is being reimbursable to the city and I think if we're doing for profit and they're asking us to provide a service if they're going to reimburse us we need to know that if they're not we need to know that also so I I I'm glad that you agreed to bring it back in a couple weeks anyone want to make a motion sorry motion take City manager's recommendation bring back in two weeks all right there's some motion in a second yes sir there's a motion made by representative Fierro seconded by representative Kennedy and this is to postpone item 28 for two weeks on that motion call for the vote in the voting session the motion passes four to one representative Hernandez voting name Representatives Kennedy anello Rivera voting I representative Molly not not present that brings us to items 29 and 30 mayor there related may I read them into the record together yes ma'am thank you item 29 is discussion in action on an emergency ordinance extending emergency ordinance number zero one nine three three three authorizing the city manager to assign personnel and resources to assist in addressing the humanitarian and Public Safety crisis resulting from a mass migration through El Paso item 30 is discussion in action on an emergency ordinance extending emergency ordinance number zero one nine four eight five due to a humanitarian security and economic crisis resulting from a mass migration through El Paso a second okay let me clear the go ahead ma'am hi Chief how are you Chief I'm looking at your presentation um and I want to just be really clear on slide four you see that we have 45.9 million dollars currently in reimbursements yes ma'am Jorge Rodriguez with the office of emergency management good afternoon mayor council yes uh we currently have 45.9 million okay when does that expire so the first portion that is through the emergency food and shelter program expires on December 31st and the new funding for the shelter and Services Program that one will begin on January 1st you'll expire for the new funding it'll start 45 million dollars before December that's what I don't understand that's the funding that we have available but it expires in December correct okay and so I know um I was going to read off of these text messages but I'm not going to do that y'all are very aware of what's going on and I want to thank interim city manager Western because he and I had a conversation on Thursday about the Overflow of migrants and I know that you all stepped in and you were able to help this weekend but I see that it's happening again correct right and I I want to know what our plan is because I know that you guys you have helped I just don't want to have to get on the phone with the city manager every time there are people begging for help that our partners to get this going more smoothly and I don't know what you need from us to do that I mean is it some extra action do we you know do we need to give you specific language to be able to do that um and I'll touch on on some of the actions that we've taken uh over over the weekend and last several weeks let me just making a correction on on that reimbursement uh that's 25 million that will be expiring on the 31st thank you so so uh it's just yes sir so we have seen a increase in in our numbers over this last month of August our CPP encounters are averaging about 1 000 per day and custom support protection continues to do releases to our ngos the counties migrant Services support center and as of this weekend uh to the city of El Paso we continue to support the densation House Network the downtown shelter Network and the counties migrant Services support center through Staffing transportation and Sheltering like we've mentioned on our last briefing we have 50 Personnel assigned for a multiple of Migrant operations seven days a week this includes Hotel Sheltering navigation support at the airport NGO shelter Staffing isolation and quarantine roving teams who are assisting those those families and individuals out on the streets we also have the Environmental Services providing daily cleaning and the El Paso Police Department providing patrols near Sacred Heart we have been providing Hotel Sheltering since August the 12th and approximately we've assisted close to 2600 families and single adults during that period the scent the cbp's central processing center is currently at 54. 5400 in custody and we're currently seeing four streams of releases that are happening across the theater we have CBP ice releases that are going directly to our ngos those are primarily fam units and then we have releases going to the County's migrant Services support center from Ice and CVP and then we also have as I mentioned during our last briefing through the cpp1 releases happening at the paso del Norte that's about 170 about half of those are going into the NGO networks and the rest have means to to travel and don't require any assistance and as of this weekend we've opened up a second hotel to help support the Sheltering needs during during this period and that's primarily to assist Customs and Border Protection decompress their central processing facilities as we've touched on previously we we have three major strategies one is opening up our Welcome Center to provide more Transportation assistance processing supplemental Transportation through Charters and then lastly emergency Sheltering right now emergency Sheltering is where the biggest need is and that's where we've been assisting coordination we continue to recording with very closely on a daily basis on an hourly basis with the county helping with movements with the migrant Services Sports Center we're also in close communication with custom Border Protection and ice on on the Sheltering like I've mentioned we have staff embedded with our ngos through the Annunciation house and also through the downtown Network and that's been since mid-august to reiterate with Hotel emergency Sheltering we've been Sheltering families that are coming directly from the migrant Services support center if they don't have space to provide Sheltering through the downtown Network then they fall back on us and we're able to provide that coverage secondly we have opened up a second hotel to just receive directly from Customs and Border Protection so yesterday we took 160 single adults this afternoon we'll be taking another 100 and we anticipate this is going to be an ongoing operation until we start seeing the numbers to go down but that's where we're going to be in play running multiple Hotel operations at this point and as mentioned over the last 30 days since our the start of our hotel operations we have persisted over 2 600 migrants on the transportation piece this is another area that we're trying to build in efficiencies in the entire system uh through Sun Metro we're now helping Customs and Border Protection with transportation to the County's migrant Services Support Center since CBP in the mornings is primarily very busy doing the transports through the ngos this allows us to get the individuals from the central processing center to the counties migrant Services support center early in the morning that's when they are able to secure same-day travel and that of course helps the entire system so that's an efficiency that we built out there and then also all of the releases from CVP to the city where we're doing all the pickups with Sun Metro and they're being delivered to the to the hotel so that's just another efficiency that we're building out into the system the County's still working with Houston Catholic Charities and ngos there to help secure charters for ticketed passengers that move to from here to to Houston and that primarily helps our downtown shelter Network on the public health side we're monitoring that closely Department of Public Health is making sure our congregate settings are free and safe of any type of infectious diseases I mentioned the environmental cleaning through Environmental Services we continue to work with the with the hospital system make sure that we have plenty capacity there we are also updating our migrant dashboard to reflect all of our current operations so you can look at the dashboard and you'll see all of the movements and and numbers there and lastly we continue to work very closely with law enforcement make sure that if we have any security needs in the area we will we can address those and then lastly in the cost recovery as mentioned that 25 million is one that will be expiring on the third on the 31st of December but the new program for the shelter and services that will begin January 1st and we also just submitted an application for 10 million dollars at that the federal government has set aside for for those that were receiving so we're pending uh decision on on that thank you Chief what I think it's important that everything we do working with CBP working with all the agencies is to make sure we have no Street releases and that's been our number one concern huh I mean and I thank you for saying that mayor because that's what my concern is you know we're getting texts from the Opportunity Center that says we're going to have Street releases because we can't take anybody else for the next three days so I mean I really I I hear everything you're saying I'm supportive of everything you've been doing but we're hearing NGO saying we're going to have Street releases because we don't have capacity and I'm not hearing us say this is what we're doing to alleviate that we're doing daily communication with with customs and board protection and they will advise us when they're going to be doing Street leases but that's our goal is to prevent that so we we we're in close communication with them yeah but everything everything we do everything we do right now is make sure we don't have sweet releases and that's why we helped the um Blaine Blake uh gross to open up a second facility so there was no Street releases we actually put 65 of the employees that we have designated to go over there yesterday there was somebody happened to drop off 14 uh Asylum seekers in the middle of the park we went out there immediately and picked them up and gave them Sheltering and and that's when we decided to open the the second hotel and then moving the buses we started doing that just about a week ago where we got Sun Metro involved where we could move them from one place to the other again to prevent Street releases and one of the things I told them I said whether it's I don't care what time of night or day it is don't send me a text message call me and we'll make sure we take care of it and I call um Chief D'Agostino and Colonel Weston all hours regardless of when it is when I do get a message to make sure there are no streak releases and the message I got from CBP today I mean probably an hour ago was that we had 1341 yesterday and because of what the city is doing there will be no Street releases today thank you to the city for addition for the additional numbers that you've been able to take so those are the things we're doing and we make sure and they understand that our number one priority is the safety of our community and our number one priority is that there is no Street releases and those are going to be we need to know prior to so we can prevent it and that's what we're doing right now it's it's great to hear and I just want to ask really quick that we we have the same kind of communication with CBP and the ngos because I think they have maybe not getting all that communication and so they stress out and then we're coming through in the end and I think if we're building up that communication better they're not going to be nervous and calling me all of the time sorry yeah it's I mean it certainly is a capacity issue and I will tell you that we are very actively looking at more hotel rooms the bottom line is even when with the mobile teams you get to a certain point where you can only staff an NGO for the capacity and I've let Mario talk a little bit more about that but but this is an issue that we're we're very actively working on to build the additional capacity yes yes sir Colonel Weston um capacity issues there's only so many bets so we can only put so many employee employees or staffers within the ngos because there's only so many bits and so that's where we we turn to the hotels a big critical part of it and it's the reason why we're pursuing maybe the possible purchase of the school is to increase that capacity because it truly is a capacity issue when you see the trends as Chief Rodriguez talked about of a thousand apprehensions a day plus and now a thousand uh releases a day plus that's that's the current trajectory and so we know we're going to be heavy into the hotel operations and until we can get that large scale facility where we can have it set up we're going to be in these these kind of chasing moments well the good the good news on that though is that we've been very judicious with uh and smart about using the federal funds and so we have the federal funds to be able to to get that hotel capacity up it's a matter of us doing the coordination getting the hotel rooms to be able to take care of that if we have a short-term search that's exactly that's what we're utilizing that funding that current funding for now as well as if we can purchase that facility we'll be able to do the renovations that's needed to make it for a housing and we've already held three Community meetings and we had the opportunity to talk to every and I went to all three of them and I spoke with every resident in the area to listen to their concerns and make sure that we made them feel comfortable and what needed to be done and there was we had 100 support at the end of the day I believe we have two more Community meetings September 28th I believe it is one in the daytime hours one in the evening and that should wrap it up it should be able to go to the school board representative molinard followed by representative Rivera thank you mayor um chief of Rodriguez thank you very much for your information you mentioned we started doing a hotel Sheltering on August the 12th so here we are approximately four weeks later I know you're using the hotel please forgive me the name the 9400 Blanca Dyer and so I guess very we're receiving many calls emails let's just say for the migrants are you know they're people you know they have needs they have one so they can stay inside the rooms all day long they can't watch TV all day long and so you have them going from let's just say the 9100 block of dire all the way to the 10 000 block of dire and that's a long stretch but at night during the day and in the morning they are there and what I mean by they are there is that they're asking for food they are begging for food they're begging for clothes they're begging for work and so some people in District Four my constituents are very nervous when they go out at night with their families to restaurants to businesses they're concerned because they're being approached by these people and of course there's a language barrier and sometimes there's not but they're not sure of what's happening what's not happening how what can do so besides and I know you mentioned you're going to open a second hotel and is there anything to open a third hotel or even maybe move the people from the Northeast to another part of town and I know that sounds bad I know that sounds bad but I'm telling you these people my constituents are very concerned on what their what's happening there because the businesses are suffering they're not getting the the solicitation or the business from the people that are there and so some of them are afraid they're really afraid of going out at night by themselves or with their families can you address that sir what I can't say is with that particular one it's primarily family units and we do work very closely with law enforcement ensure we have ample patrols we have security assigned so if there's anything that's out of order uh will be addressed but do you have any concerns please forward to us and we'll we'll address those as promptly as we can yeah because I know in times past you used to have a mark pull or marked police unit and uh Mark or uniformed officers there at the hotel with a marked vehicle and you don't see that anymore yes sir well we can look at that thank you thank you mayor great presentation I got a question for you I thought we couldn't use schools for uh to shelter you cannot use it has not passed the Senate it's past Congress Congress devoted you cannot use current operating schools or schools that have been canceled and that's why we're buying the school okay so then it becomes property of the city and not a school no any longer I see so so we're going to purchase the schools the two schools that we use no only one only one but the only School we're looking at right now what area is that sir Moorhead Morehead okay all right thank you that answered my question thank you sir pardon me and a second second there is a second already thank you yes there's the motion made by representative Rivera secondary by representative Pierro and this is to approve both emergency ordinances items 29 and 30. Mr Brian can I do a verbal since I just signed out of my computer on that motion call for the vote mayor Pro temanello aye thank you mayor Lisa do you consent thank you and the voting session and the motion passes unanimously with the mayor's consent that brings us to item number 31. item 31 is a public hearing on an ordinance vacating a 10 foot and five foot public utility easement at 904 Fireside Lane Motion in a second here's a motion made by representative Hernandez seconded by alternate mayor Pro temolinar to approve item 31. there's no public comment on that motion call for the vote in the voting session the motion passes unanimously mayor Pro tem anello not present item 32 is a public hearing on an ordinance amending Title IX health and safety chapter 9.04 Solid Waste Management to delete the construction and demolition manifest requirement and to delete references to the said manifest move to approved is there a presentation I think so we do have public comments and councilman this is not for now prior for now okay I'd like to know whose idea was it to decide we shouldn't know what's going into our landfills that's exactly what you're doing that manifest will tell you what is going into the landfill so you don't know if barrels of oil is going in you won't know if any other hazardous waste is going in because there's no manifest there is no check there's no balance and again why who who brought this forward whose idea was it that we should not know what's going into our landfill I would like to know that it's putting everybody's health and safety at risk it puts our water table at risk you have to know these things can somebody help me out here yeah mayor could if I if we could I I don't know why we don't have our ESD staff person here right now to address this issue like to be able to work on contacting if we could come back to the automatic appreciated who postpone it for next council meeting well they're prepared take a motion yes sir make a motion there's a motion made by representative Rivera seconde by representative Fierro and this is to postpone item 32. for two weeks on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously mayor Pro tem anelo not present that brings us to item number 33 and this is a public hearing on an ordinance granting El Paso bench heads LLC a non-ex exclusive franchise for waste containers on sidewalks and other city property we do have public comment on this item we have Miss Turners Turner how many of you all want one of these trash containers in front of your house you do okay we'll make sure you I'll have them come see if they can pick the one up on Bartlett where I live and put it in front of representing Kennedy's house because to me it makes it look like a dumpster area I mean our area is clean it's not trashy but there it is and it doesn't even meet the regulations is supposed to be at somewhere where there's you know a four-way it's sitting in the middle of the block and code people drive by it all the time and it just sits there it's never picked up but they also come by and they also pick them up and they're also limited to 150. all I know is I can't drive anywhere in this town and not see these things and see trash rolling out of them because they don't get him if we do see that you need to contact us because their responsibilities make sure they empty them well they should be there in the first place it makes the whole city look like a trash can there's some motion in a second yes mayor the motion was made by representative Fierro seconded by representative Rivera public comment has been taken on item 33 on that motion to approve call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes 421 with representative Hernandez voting Representatives Kennedy molinar Piero Rivera representative anello not present that brings us to item number 34 this is a public hearing on an ordinance vacating new portion of city right away over a portion of mobile Street second there's a motion made by representative Rivera seconded by representative Hernandez to approve item 34. there's no public comment on this item on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously representative analog not present item number 35 is discussion in action that the city manager be authorized to execute a sub-recipient agreement between the city of El Paso and Pioneers 21 Inc move to approved Motion in a second there's a motion made by representative Hernandez seconded by representative Fierro to approve item 35 we do have public comment on this item we have Laura Butler followed by Amir Kumar Kosh and Lisa Turner good afternoon you have three minutes good afternoon good afternoon I'm Laura Butler executive director of pioneers 21. thank you Mr Mayor and Council uh we have worked with economic development and through this process to ensure that it aligns with City p21 initiatives and of course Community needs our digital initiatives web and marketing education series will provide 100 entrepreneurs support with online presence through a holistic approach in marketing education as an incubator it's important that we contribute by helping entrepreneurs adopt a tech uh adopt Tech at every stage the Miha Pioneers Miha and Miho Pioneers will Pro will help support teens with leadership and Entrepreneurship skills we want to inspire from a young age and understand that it takes an ecosystem to do so our programs require more staff and the grants do support that an application process will be required required and we will work closely with City staff on the distribution of the application to ensure equity and inclusion pre-21 has over 67 million out in Grant applications including including the recent Eda Tech Hub Grant we built the El Paso semiconductor Tech Hub Consortium recently and uh with me today I want to introduce you to ubal Corp a aerospace engineering startup that we support as of September 12th Uber Uber Corp Industries is still the only company in the entire state of Texas sanctioned for Contracting work with NASA out of El Paso Texas Carlos Gonzalez Rivera is the founder in engineering engineer for Uber Corp I also want to introduce you to a man the founder of bright Soul Tech another software as a service company that Pioneers 21 supports we again I want to thank you for your continued support and we'll be continuing to reach out to you with updates on how p21 is doing I also want to share that you are all invited on October 6th to the Texas Venture crawl I am a founding member of the Texas Venture Alliance and on October 6th All Over Texas incubators are hosting a venture crawl where you all can get to know more of the ventures that we support which I like to call the unusual suspects and you can get to know us this is a a a a program that I am partnering with the MCA with and please come join us again October 6th the community is welcome at 500 West Overland thank you for your continued support and see you soon thank you thank you the next speaker is Emmy Kumar Ghosh followed by Lisa Turner Michelle Hollis and Laura hello good afternoon good to see you art um thank you the mayor and the city council my name is Amit Ghosh I was a faculty at UTEP in information systems and then I started my software business 12 years ago and I work in this city that I love I've been working for 12 years in my business and I have a great partner in Pioneers 21 and we are looking forward to diversifying the services to some of the communities sub communities in the area that do not have access to technology and information and that this project is designed to help that so and and also the fact younger people will be involved would be a great asset so thank you for your time and uh look forward to working with you all bye-bye thank you sir the next speaker is Lisa Turner afternoon mayor council my issue here is how this is being funded uh this is arpa money money designated to help with the health recovery of Health from the pandemic and businesses that were affected by the pandemic on May 14 2022 according to your backup city council approved the allocation of 14 million dollars to small business recovery pandemic and that relief to those businesses you didn't authorize startup money money for startups you didn't authorize training for startups according to your backup so I don't think can you really use this pot of money I mean because I there's nothing here in your backup that authorizes you to use that money so that's my question we're going to answer it for you it's just coming up right behind you oh okay development for the record and yes these are allowed uses um and they're not full there's no cash that's being dispersed to the small businesses they're simply getting websites and this is just very vital and important for the digital economy the businesses need to have a platform in which to sell their products and Market their products to expand their customer base so there's no cash per se to this to the startups or to the existing businesses somebody is getting 650 000 dollars it's it's an allowable expense as well so it falls under the it falls under an allowable expense even though there's not a there's not cash being given to them there's being well I'm not talking about cash I'm talking I understand but you asked the question ma'am about whether the money is allowable under the arpa funding for this purpose and it is but I'm looking here in your backup what you have posted here and there's nothing here that indicates startup funding nothing here that indicates what's going on here so that is my question my question is do you need another different pot of money because according to what you authorized on 14 May 2022 this doesn't meet the standard I'm just going by what you have in your backup that's all I've got thank you thank you Miss Turner next speaker the next speaker is Michelle Hollis go ahead Miss Hollis hi hello okay great can you hear me yes hi hello I'm doing great thank you so much uh Council and mayor I'm so very uh excited and supported for supportive for Pioneers 21 I myself am and a budding entrepreneur in the restaurant space as you know during the pandemic there has been a lot of breakdown in the restaurant industry uh Pioneers 21 has been very very pivotal in supporting my business in a myriad of ways um right now I am in a an accelerator business accelerator that's really supportive in helping me to break down my idea and actually roll it out um also I was a server during the time of the uh the shutdown and what I've noticed is coming back into the industry is that a lot of the front of house staff has issues um communicating so that's what my business seeks to resolve I attended an event with the city of El Paso on Pioneers 21 at blazing Tree brewery and not only did I find out more about their services there I was able to plug into that accelerator and also I've made connections with other culinary entrepreneurs that want to raise and do and do great things so having access to the website and digital uh digitizing their process and having a presence on the internet so that they can engage with the community is going to be a really great asset so it's going to be for me but also for the restaurants and the food services and culinary arts experts that I work with so I I really do apprec appreciate this I do believe that the restaurant industry is one that was very impacted by the pandemic and that helping them to um to attract retain and train quality staff is going to be very helpful and and I got to thank Pioneers 21 for helping me so I do want to lend my support in that direction thank you thank you the final speaker is Laura Ortega no no okay that concludes public comment on this item and we have a motion and a second with it yes sir the motion was made by representative Hernandez seconded by representative theater to approve item 35. on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously Representatives anello not present item 36 is discussion and action requesting city council support for the submission of the staff recommended Grant application to the FY 23 strengthening mobility and revolutionizing transportation smart program for the El Paso Airport City lab Innovation Zone project a little Motion in a second and so the motion was made by representative Rivera seconded by representative Fierro to approve item 36. on that motion call for the vote in the voting session the motion passes unanimously representative anello not present thank you that brings us to the last item and that's item 38. and this is discussion in action on trails and trailheads to include deep programming to proposed Trails Alice lateral connection Trail and Carolina to Emerson Trail transferring funds from deprogrammed trails to Rio Grande Trail North and to place on hold the feasibility study above Canyon until Council recommends an alignment good afternoon Mr Hernandez good afternoon mayor and Council Ivar Hernandez with capital Improvement Department if I T could please bring up the presentation for item 38 thank you so item 38 item 38 if you'll remember back in August 15th I had this similar presentation and city council requested that we meet with osep and get some feedback so we called a special meeting with osab on August 22nd and here's the presentation with their uh motions that they filed during the August 22nd so I'll go over the the background you guys saw this on the 15th so I'll go over it quickly give you the status updates for all the projects osab's recommendations and then as Miss Laura Prime read into the record staff recommendations of what we're asking for on discussion in action um so the reason why we are here today is all these trails and trailheads that were identified as part of the quality of life Bond um it requires Council approval to either add or delete the program these Trails were identified working in conjunction with all the advisory committees you see on the right side of of this slide in addition to referring back to plans that have been voted and adopted by the city of El Paso providing the the background of where we're at with the quality of life trailheads what is the trailhead basically an area where folks can park while they take advantage of our Trails they have receptacles the kiosk information that provides the location and and how the trail meanders through the site drinking fountains and so forth here are the locations of the identify trailheads you'll see some under development and have been completed and here are the list of the completed projects that have been identified in the quality of life the Palisades and Bear Ridge those are currently working with a collaboration with El Paso water so as a recap completion of the trailheads we have four completed within Northeast and West Side locations here are some of the pictures at a thousand steps to include the shade structure kiosk trash receptacles you see water fountains water for your your four-legged friends at lazy cow roundhouse parking that has been identified also provide Ada parking Jen Summerall has the kiosk and Trailhead for this entrance so Palisades Trailhead this is one that we have not yet completed we're working in collaboration with El Paso water as they are looking to do Dam improvements and tentatively what they have communicated is construction can start next year next summer Bear Ridge this is also an area where El Paso water will be making improvements to their Arroyo and so that area that is circled is the trailhead but they will be utilizing that to Stage their equipment one thing that we've worked with boac want to make sure that everyone is aware there's going to be some changes to the trailhead and the alignment so really want to capture the mountain views so now we have angled parking um we moved the amenities to the Mountain View so as you're sitting at the Shaded structure you can partake of the views reducing the amount of parking and 188 identified parking so that brings us to the second portion of quality of life these are for the trails so here are the 16 listed Trails as they have been approved by Council the reason why we added in this timeline is that was the 16 but then you also have approvals that were done in 2017 so that brings you to the mountain to River Trail and also Bear Ridge that I just went over in brevity of the change to the layout so these are the four um recorded motions um on August 22nd um so the first one as recorded by by osab is to deprogram Ellis lateral uh Carolina to Emerson um and all remaining uh funds to remain in the master Trails account so as this quality of life project was identified six million went to the trails master account and then we divvied it up as the trails and projects were identified into individual projects so they're saying that this money should go back to the trails account secondly to recommend Council to let the Rio Grande Trail bids expire extend the Mary Francis kiesling Trailhead formerly known as Valley Creek Park to the pathway using the existing funds third to make the recommendation to city council to direct staff to investigate having the mountain to River Trailhead placed at Tom May's access road and then fourth to postpone the study until city council provides Direction and so to go over in in detail on these items and specifically what I'm asking here for Council for discussion and action is just to go over the Rio Grande Trail North um this is to the right this shows where our paved trail it's about 14 feet wide it ends um and so what you see to the left is that continuation of the trail so this really provides connectivity to Country Club Road this starts up at Vinton road so this is uh currently an existing Eight Mile Trail system and so we're looking to complete this project that has been identified in the quality of life Bond so deprogramming would impact approximately 94 000 annual users and so when we really look at the demographics of where these individuals are coming that utilize this trail system a third of them are within the local zip code and so that's the picture to the right just really understanding that we have a Trailhead I mean sorry we have a trail that is eight miles long it stops and so if you are having strollers or a walker or mobility issues you are stuck at that point so the decision to remove this Trail could potentially impact 470 000 visitors to the trail system and that's looking at current 2023. and so the second item for discussion in action is that we had requested to provide a feasibility study and this is for Avista Canyon and so just going over looking at the entire project in general the trail the mountain to River Project to combine that project both the trail and Trailhead to go out to bid we've completed the design for the trail the trailhead will be completed um I think within the next week put this out to bid and then for construction so as a recap what the paved Mountain to River Trail is it's providing wayfinding along your existing Elizabeth F Hernandez is I think the technical name but we all know that it's a paved area along Trans Mountain providing a crossing under I-10 and then as you have seen that came to council was the agreement with BNSF and that's to provide that Crossing at Borderland so this is the paved Mountain to River the avispa canyon would be your natural Mountain to River and so um what we're asked oh sorry to show in detail the the trailhead that we've been working on this is located along the Elizabeth Fernandez Trail we've been working since 2020 with TxDOT to get this agreement this is located currently or would be located in a TxDOT right-of-way we've coordinated with boak they've seen the location of this we've even walked and been out on site this is a really good location you have a protected turn if you're going east or Westbound at this intersection so you can access this trailhead here are some of the dates that we've provided Trill updates and the location of these trailheads and trails so the staff recommendation what we're asking here is to we agree to deprogram the two Trails LS lateral and Carolina to Emerson um one thing that we're asking is Rio Grande North has been designed has been placed out to bid and we currently have a contractor pending your approval we'd like to award that construction process I would like to it's not in the reso but I'd like to come back to council and provide Valley Creek connection as a future Trail project and then additionally once when we've completed the mountain to River package would like to come back to council and provide that for discussion in action would like to remain that into the current location and then number four staff recommendation we agreed to postpone the feasibility study so one thing a floor Amendment which just to make sure I know Laura read this but that whereas City staff recommends that in engineering feasibility study to determine avispa Canyon's inclusion in Mountain to River be placed on hold pending further direction for final alignment so to deprogram funds get moved to the Rio Grande Trail and then to also postpone the feasibility study that's the discussion next if there are any questions from Council we have no questions yes sir we have Dr Sharon bonard and Dr Rick bonard Elmo will need IIT will need the Elmo for their presentation please yes ma'am thank you to make sure I don't see an electronic defibrillator so you might want to add one in case one of you passes away we can bring you back so we continue to keep working you're not supposed to be funny he wouldn't say you're right [Laughter] I thought it was funny you all look so healthy well except for Miss representative molinar who's taking it very seriously I'm concerned okay I'm not going to start talking yet it will you please bring up the Elmo on the screen I'm sorry I'm giddy because I've been here as long as you have yes okay are we ready yes ma'am thank you uh good afternoon Council and mayor I'm glad to see you all are here considering the conversation that was past this okay my name is Sharon miles bonard and I am a member of the open space Advisory board but today I'm here as an individual however I did attend the special meeting on this item that you had requested open space have a special meeting because you wanted Open Spaces expertise on this item so let's get started I do want to give gives a little bit of background because uh the very lengthy uh presentation that staff just gave had mostly information that they had it did not give the uh the feeling of what was going on and what happened at that special meeting concerning the expertise and recommendations that osab discussed and since I only have three minutes I'm going to go through this very fast I believe most of you have a copy of the presentation am I correct okay number one the number one item that that staff presented was deep programming the two trails and giving that money to continue and finish the Rio Grande Trail project okay that's not what osab was recommending what osab recommended was take the money from the deprogrammed trails and put it in the master Trail account with a small amount of that money being used to create the connection between Valley Creek or Mary Frances keevesing and the Rio Grande okay the Rio Grande Trail number two we're going to skip one number two staff recommendation was to include Valley Creek which you'll remember is Mary Frances kiesling in future Trail projects that's not what osab recommended osab recommended valleytreat connection be done now no waiting the next is number three staff recommendation was designed use the designed trailed head for the mountain to River Trail that's to be located at Paseo Del Norte again that's not what osab recommended osab recommends moving the trailhead to the Tom Mays access road which as you know is part of the Franklin Mountain State Park and create connectivity to The Pedestrian Wildlife underpass if you look at the next picture okay I'm done yours so I'll finish um the next picture right here if you could bring it up so it's bigger that's Sherry my wife trying to walk from the Franklin Mountain State Park entrance over to the underpass for those of you who've never seen it this is a picture of the underpass and it's hard to get over there when you're walking so last last but not least and what's most important to me is that um we want to talk about the ask on recommendation number four yes we're in agreement you should go ahead and cancel the feasibility study because what you really need to do is acquire the property that we need to build that trail the two trails that are being canceled today are because you didn't have permission to build there and we don't want to have that same problem here so today what we're seeking from you is a motion to direct staff and they're asking for the same thing they want you to help them with the alignment this is the alignment that we prefer and the reason that it's preferred is because it was also introduced by the public service board they're the ones that brought this forward first and it's a great idea but we just need you to clarify this is where the mountain to River Trail should go so if you would please make that motion today that would be great and now going back to this item right here I'm glad to see that you all are very keen on watching the finances because that's what this is all about we're not saying don't finish this extension of the Rio Grande Trail but you prior to this approved a budget of a hundred and fifty one thousand dollars for a sixteen hundred foot long pathway that's pretty much what the normal expense would be the issue is is that you're now asking to take more than a half a million dollars and throw it at a hundred and fifty one thousand dollar project that's a four hundred percent increase to do the same thing what's the difference what changed why 400 percent more that's not fiscally responsible and it doesn't anywhere come close to what the National Association of home builders says which is there should maybe be a 25 increase in the last three years that's way over budget so if you want to build it approve the budget at two hundred thousand dollars that's a twenty five percent increase that gives us more money to do other things so I think it's prudent and financially responsible to know what the cost is limit the cost and then please a motion to direct staff to use the Avista Canyon Trail thank you thank you Dr bonard No thank you appreciate you thank you mayor I'd like to move to address each of these recommendations individually so that they can be uh properly vetted through us as City Council Members as we all know that there was a direction to meet with osab they did have an unscheduled meeting they came back with their own recommendations which is here so I think taking them all together is probably not sending the correct message or the right message and we need to make sure that we do take into consideration osab as an Advisory Board to us a city council if I could have a second there's no second then I go to representative Rivera thank you mayor thank you yeah and getting the briefings here miss uh Hernandez she did say there was a problem with having the one uh I do I do agree with your recommendations here and those were the original recommendations made from the very beginning this light changes to the Vista Canyon so we're agreeing with Osa I've been saying let's go ahead and place that on hold so from August 15th to today that is what has changed okay and and not having one at the uh at the what was it called the uh the one by the park that's kind of dangerous there when you gave me that briefing um right so um moving the trailhead from Paseo Del Norte to Tom Mays that is not recommended recommended when we've vetted the trailhead location with boak with staff we've designed it we've worked on an agreement secondly when you move it up to Tom Mays you're coming at a curve we're already on on the slope of coming down correct I know folks shouldn't speed but you tend to see increase in in space in the speed and then also there is not a protected turn if you are going uh eastbound to get to that location okay having said that and having but that is currently not within the resolution right so what we're asking for today is to deprogram to finish the Rio Grande Trail and then to postpone the feasibility study and I would I I am going with your recommendation I would make that motion as well in support of your recommendation staff's recommendations second second to accept uh estimated Mr Price yes mayor the motion was made by representative Rivera seconded by representative Hernandez and this is to approve the resolution as posted on that motion call for the vote and the voting sessions the motion passes four to one representative Molina voting nay Representatives Kennedy Hernandez Fierro Rivera boring I the motion does carry do we have a motion to retire into executive sessions there's a motion in a second to return to Executive session all in favor anyone opposed and the city council of city of El Paso May return to Executive session personal into section 3.5 a of the El Paso City Charter in the Texas government code chapter 551 sub chapter D to discuss any of the following executive session item one the city of Houston versus the state of Texas intervener city of San Antonio and city of El Paso cause number d-1-gn-23-003474 and number 0.03-23-00531-cv under 551.071 executive session item three economic incentives for company expansion and headquarters to be located in city of El Paso HQ number 23-939 under 551.087 as I get a session item four economic incentives for the expansion of a manufacturing company located in city of El Paso HQ number 23-476 under 551.087 an executive session item five workplace complaints submitted to the City by Chief internal auditor under 551.071 these matters are taken into executive session under 551.071 consultation with attorney and 551.087 deliberation regarding Economic Development negotiations it is 406 pm we need a food truck out here you can turn there's a motion and a second to reconvene the city council meeting all in favor anyone opposed the meeting is back in session at 602 PM alternate mayor Pro tem ex1 no action thank you EX3 no action thank you EX4 no action thank you ex5 motion September 12 2023 motion made second and carried that the City attorney in consultation with the city manager be authorized to retain outside counsel and any other necessary Consultants regarding the workplace complaint request for grievance process and notice a whistleblower claimed filed on July the 21st 2023 and to take all steps necessary including the execution of any required documents in order to effectuate this Authority second we do have clicked on this item we have Miss Turner anyone else no sir good evening Miss Turner question was representative Hernandez in the room when you all discussed ex5 Ms Neiman will you answer the question executive session yes ma'am so she was in the room thank you that's fine yes sir the motion was made by alternate mayor Pro tem Molina and read into the record seconded by representative Kennedy to approve ex5 on that motion call for the vote in the voting session and the motion passes unanimously representatives anello and Hernandez not present that brings us to the end of the agenda there's a motion and a second to adjourn the regular city council meeting all in favor anyone opposed all right and the regular city council meeting for Tuesday September 12 2023 is adjourned at 604 pm thank you