[0:34] I
[2:58] What?
[3:03] Well, good morning everyone,
[3:04] and welcome to City Council Chambers.
[3:06] We are glad to have you here today.
[3:08] Good morning, city Council.
[3:09] Good morning, Ms. Prime. We're ready to go.
[3:11] Yes, sir. Good morning everyone,
[3:13] and welcome to the presentation
[3:15] of the Mayor's proclamations.
[3:17] We begin this morning with a Pledge of Allegiance led
[3:20] by Imperial Border Squad, desert Inferno Squad,
[3:23] at the invitation of city representative
[3:25] Deanna Malona Rocha.
[3:27] We have Greg Trujillo and Jaime Vial
[4:11] Republic for which extends nation
[4:15] individual liberty justice for
[4:51] Right?
[4:52] Alright, ready? Big smiles. And 1, 2, 3.
[5:18] That brings us to the proclamations,
[5:20] and the first proclamation is Sunbelt Association annual
[5:23] Tony the Tiger Sunbelt football game.
[5:26] All right.
[5:37] Good morning everyone. Representative Nino.
[5:39] Thank you, mayor. It's gonna be a great proclamation,
[5:47] proclamation for the city of El Paso, Texas.
[5:51] Whereas Assemble Association has served as guide
[5:55] to enhancing the lives of the citizens
[5:56] of El Paso for 92 years.
[5:59] And the Tony the Tiger Sun Ball,
[6:01] is known throughout the country as one
[6:04] of hospitality professionalism, fun and excitement.
[6:08] And whereas the annual Tony, the Tiger Sun Ball, has grown
[6:11] to be the largest single sporting event in the city, as well
[6:15] as one of the top entertainment values while showcasing the
[6:19] city on CBS on a national television audience for 57 years.
[6:24] And whereas the Tony, the Tiger Sun Ball
[6:27] with Duke Blue Devils versus the Arizona State Sun Devils
[6:30] as participants in this year,
[6:32] annual contest at noon on Wednesday, December 31st,
[6:37] continues to showcase the city
[6:38] of El Paso on a national stage, outstanding football teams,
[6:42] their fans, families
[6:44] and supporters right here in the Sun City.
[6:47] And whereas the Tony the Tiger Sun Ball sponsors
[6:50] by Kellogg's Samba, executive director Bernie Olivas,
[6:54] the Sobel President, Tamara GSKi and Board of Directors,
[6:58] and the Sobel Queen
[6:59] and court work to make this a football game that is embraced
[7:03] by the citizens of El Paso as their own
[7:06] and reserves as a great backdrop to the city, the people,
[7:10] and the culture of El Paso, Texas.
[7:12] Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor
[7:15] and the council of the city of El Paso, Texas, that the week
[7:18] of December 28th shall be known as Tony the Tiger.
[7:23] Sandal week, congratulations.
[7:25] Signed by the Mayor Renard Johnson.
[7:32] Good morning. Good morning,
[7:33] Bernie. Good morning.
[7:34] Uh, Bernie Oli, executive
[7:36] for the Sun Bowl Mayor City Council,
[7:38] and everybody, thank you very much for that proclamation.
[7:40] We really, we really appreciate it.
[7:42] And I just want to reiterate why the sun
[7:44] exists to begin with.
[7:46] Three main reasons that the Sun Bowl exists.
[7:48] Number one is to give the citizens
[7:50] of El Paso a quality event If anybody's ever gone
[7:54] to the Sun Bowl, I think it's a
[7:55] pretty neat event for the city.
[7:56] Number two, to give El Paso some
[7:59] positive national attention.
[8:01] And for 57 consecutive years, CBS does nothing
[8:04] for four hours, does nothing
[8:06] but sing the praises of our city nationwide.
[8:09] And third of all, most importantly, is the economic impact
[8:13] that the Sambul brings to the city of El Paso
[8:15] and surrounding area up to $25 million in one week.
[8:19] That our, that our visitors, that, that follow their teams,
[8:22] they come in, they stay in our hotels,
[8:24] they eat at our restaurants, they shop at our stores.
[8:26] And those are the three main reasons that the symbol exists
[8:30] for 92 years.
[8:32] So we're extremely happy, again, to put this, uh,
[8:35] put this on, uh, behind me.
[8:37] It brought some very important people associated
[8:39] with the Sam, our president, Tamara Kowski, our queen,
[8:42] Caroline Mann, and our lady in waiting, Janna East Milan.
[8:46] And I'd like for our president to maybe say a couple
[8:48] of words about the matchup that we have
[8:50] and how great a game it's gonna be.
[8:52] Absolutely. Good morning. Good
[8:55] Morning. Thank you, Bernie.
[8:56] We are so excited.
[8:58] We are gonna have a tremendous,
[8:59] tremendous game as you all know.
[9:01] We have the Arizona State Sun Devils facing off against the
[9:05] Duke Blue Devils.
[9:06] Um, both teams have eight wins.
[9:09] Uh, Arizona State was in the playoffs last year,
[9:12] and Duke pulled up an upset, uh,
[9:16] win over Virginia Yeah.
[9:18] To get the a CC Championship.
[9:20] So it's gonna be an amazing matchup.
[9:22] We appreciate city council's support of this event.
[9:25] It's huge. Excuse me,
[9:27] what differentiates the Sun Bowl from other bowls?
[9:30] It's, people are in the stands, it's in the enthusiasm
[9:33] of El Paso that we showcase each and every year.
[9:36] So we look forward to seeing you all there.
[9:39] Very good. Good morning. Hi
[9:43] Everyone. My name's
[9:44] Caroline Mann. I'm this year's Sun Queen.
[9:46] I'm so honored to be here this morning.
[9:47] Thank you so much for having us.
[9:49] And I just wanted to, on behalf of the Sunbelt Association
[9:52] and my lady in waiting, Janice say thank you to the city
[9:55] of El Paso for all they do for the Sunbelt Association,
[9:58] and we love having it in El Paso. Alright,
[10:01] Fantastic.
[10:05] Hi everyone, my name's Janice
[10:07] and I just wanna thank all you all for, um, you know,
[10:10] supporting us and endlessly
[10:12] and, you know, with Caroline leading our court,
[10:14] we are super excited to be a part of the Symbol Association
[10:17] and we're excited to see everyone.
[10:18] December 31st.
[10:22] Tony, you got anything to say?
[10:28] Thank you very much for, for this, you know,
[10:30] for this proclamation, for this honor.
[10:32] And I hope to see you all at the game.
[10:34] Uh, like I said, we have tickets for all of you.
[10:36] Uh, I should have brought 'em and I forgot 'em on my desk.
[10:39] Wow. But anyway, you're all invited, invited right
[10:42] to the game, and I'll make sure you all get your
[10:43] tickets, uh, for the game.
[10:45] And, uh, I hopefully the weather is gonna be the way it has
[10:49] been for the last few months.
[10:50] We've had tremendous weather. Yeah.
[10:51] We also have a couple of gifts
[10:52] for you if you, uh, indulge us.
[10:54] We'd like to pass out some things. Sure,
[10:56] Sure. Thank you.
[10:57] And Bernie, again, thank you guys for all
[10:59] that you do and, and, uh, putting El Paso on the map
[11:02] and getting us recognized nationally
[11:04] and for the, the tremendous amount of economic development
[11:07] that the Sunbelt does create for our region.
[11:09] But Bernie, I do want you to talk about all the volunteers
[11:11] that it takes to put this event on and,
[11:14] and all the people that stand behind you.
[11:16] I, I know Wayne Thornton's here
[11:17] and he's behind the camera this time,
[11:18] but tell me about all the volunteers
[11:20] and the great people that work with you. Yeah,
[11:22] And Wayne is, is a past
[11:23] bridge of the assembled association.
[11:24] But, you know, there's only seven full-time employees at
[11:26] Assemble to put on the 16 events
[11:28] that we put out throughout the year.
[11:30] We could not survive if we had 700 volunteers
[11:35] that help us put all assembled events together, 700
[11:39] volunteers free of, you know, free of pay.
[11:42] We don't pay 'em. But they're,
[11:44] they all have the same passion for El Paso that we do.
[11:47] And that's why they do it.
[11:48] They don't do it for us, they don't do it for some,
[11:50] they don't, don't do it for anybody but for the city.
[11:53] So thank you for, for allowing me
[11:55] to recognize the volunteers.
[11:56] 700 of 'em begin the year.
[11:58] We got about 400 of 'em already working the football game.
[12:01] Uh, right now. There's a ton of them,
[12:03] you know, getting the field ready.
[12:04] That field will be transformed from the UTEP field
[12:07] to the Tony of the Tiger Sun Bowl field, one
[12:09] of the best logos in football.
[12:12] And all my colleagues at the other bowls,
[12:15] they tell me the same thing.
[12:17] Boys, you guys killed it with that logo.
[12:18] Yeah. Which reminds me a great big thanks
[12:22] to Kellogg's themselves.
[12:24] You know, without them we wouldn't be able to be doing this.
[12:26] Uh, they've been tremendous sponsors
[12:28] and we've had tremendous sponsors all the way from Wells
[12:31] Fargo in 86 all the way through, through WestStar, I mean,
[12:35] through, uh, uh, Wells Fargo and Northwest.
[12:38] And, uh, uh, of course, you know, brute
[12:41] and, uh, Vitalis from, uh, you know, Helena, Troy,
[12:44] and of course Hyundai was our title sponsor for nine years.
[12:47] And now Kellogg's has been going on for six years
[12:49] and hope we can keep 'em for a longer time.
[12:51] But even if they don't, they have been a tremendous sponsor.
[12:54] Like I said, they love El Paso as well.
[12:56] So we'll see what happens.
[12:57] Thank you, mayor. Thank you City Council.
[12:59] Congratulations you guys. Congratulations.
[13:05] We Have some t-shirts and some hats
[13:08] and they're different sizes.
[13:09] So we'll hand one out
[13:11] and you all can exchange, get the right
[13:14] sizes. I call you up for
[13:18] The picture. Okay.
[13:19] You wanna go up and shake the hands?
[13:22] Yeah, you wanna go up and shake the hand?
[13:58] Should I ask you to go
[13:59] to the Yes.
[14:34] I'm gonna use the ladder. I called Tony Mr.
[14:37] Tiger on person basis.
[14:42] I was like, Mr. Tiger. Mr. Tiger. Mrs. Tiger.
[14:46] Formal a cutie.
[18:03] Two three, mayor, can I get you in there?
[18:38] And the next proclamation is Desert Inferno,
[18:41] Imperial Border Squad D.
[18:43] Okay. Representative Rocha,
[18:47] Thank you. They have
[18:48] a dramatic entrance
[19:10] As you wish.
[19:25] Good morning. Good morning, good morning,
[19:27] representative Rocha.
[19:29] Thank you. And since this is our last meeting of the year,
[19:33] I just wanna, um, really thank all of council
[19:37] for all your amazing proclamations this year.
[19:40] Uh, we've attended them, we've celebrated them,
[19:43] all the organizations, everybody that we have out here, um,
[19:47] that supports citizens within the city,
[19:50] within the county, within the region.
[19:52] So thank you all for having such,
[19:53] doing such a great job this year.
[19:55] But this group right here is, uh,
[20:00] does really amazing work.
[20:02] And so I wanna be able to read this proclamation so
[20:05] that you all understand how impactful
[20:07] this group really is within, within our region.
[20:12] Whereas the Imperial Border squad, an affiliate
[20:15] of Storm Trooper Ranch
[20:17] and Desert Inferno Squad, an affiliate of the Star Garrison
[20:21] of the 501st Legion, bring joy to Star Wars fans
[20:26] of all ages through costuming, community engagement,
[20:30] and charit charitable appearances.
[20:33] And whereas the Storm Trooper Ranch was established in 2018,
[20:38] and De Desert Inferno Squad was established in 2020
[20:42] with the mission to uphold the call to be
[20:45] bad guys doing good by working harmoniously
[20:50] with partner groups such as Rebel Legion, Mandalorian,
[20:53] Mercks Droid Builders within the area for the betterment
[20:58] of the community and local charities.
[21:01] And whereas the Imperial Border squad has volunteered
[21:04] countless hours at events that bring happiness
[21:08] and hope to children and children at heart,
[21:11] including appearances at the El Paso Children's Hospital,
[21:15] the Make-A-Wish Foundation,
[21:17] and other Community centered celebrations.
[21:21] And whereas the group's commitment to uplifting spirits
[21:25] by sharing their passion for Star Wars
[21:27] with character portrayals
[21:30] and inclusive programming has made them a beloved presence
[21:34] at events throughout the western deserts of Texas.
[21:38] And whereas the Imperial Border Squad not only fosters
[21:41] community connection through shared fandom,
[21:45] but also serves as a model for volunteerism, creativity,
[21:50] and compassion for all.
[21:53] Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the Mayor
[21:55] and council of the city of El Paso,
[21:57] that the Imperial Border Squad
[21:59] and Desert Inferno Squad be formally recognized
[22:04] for their outstanding contributions to the cultural
[22:07] and social fabric of community.
[22:10] And their continued efforts to bring light
[22:13] and imagination to residents of all ages
[22:17] to December 16th, 2025 shall be known
[22:21] as Desert Inferno Imperial Border Squad Day.
[22:25] Signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson.
[22:34] Good morning, guys. Morning. Good morning.
[22:37] The floor is yours.
[22:39] Good morning. My name's Jaime Viva, I'm
[22:42] behind me are members of the Imperial Border Squad
[22:45] and five oh first, um, Garrison Legion that you spoke of.
[22:50] It's a tremendous opportunity to be here.
[22:52] It's a reward we never thought dream or imagine.
[22:56] And when we talk about dreams
[22:57] and imagination, you see behind me,
[22:59] that's all we think about all day is what nerdy things,
[23:02] what geeky things we're gonna do,
[23:04] what cool costume someone has.
[23:06] How did you make this? How did you make that?
[23:08] But that's exactly the enthusiasm we take everywhere we go.
[23:14] But by the time we leave here, I, I want, I hope
[23:16] that you have, that you remember us with two words
[23:19] or by two words, but
[23:20] before I get there,
[23:21] I'm gonna tell you a little bit about us.
[23:24] What started out with one person, then the second person,
[23:29] then the third person grew into three clubs in El Paso?
[23:34] It's odd, the state of Texas, because we've become so big
[23:37] and such a community driven program, if you will,
[23:41] support group unspoken of we are a charity.
[23:44] We cannot accept rewards or donations. So this is all us.
[23:48] This is time away from work.
[23:49] This is time away from our families.
[23:51] This is financial, what we do, all for the smiles,
[23:54] everything you all experienced this morning.
[23:56] Taking pictures is exactly what we look forward
[23:59] to every time we go to the hospitals.
[24:02] Make a Wish, we visit a terminal, terminal, kids at home,
[24:06] orphanages, social, uh, media, community events,
[24:10] epilepsy walks, Alzheimer's walks.
[24:13] It's endless what we do here.
[24:15] And this is the biggest reward we ask for
[24:17] when we go to someone's event.
[24:20] The the joke is, all we want is a room to change it,
[24:24] a bathroom, hopefully, and water.
[24:27] So to get this recognition is priceless.
[24:30] It's something that we never would've
[24:32] dreamed of or imagined.
[24:34] So I leave it at that what started out as three individuals
[24:36] with a dream has turned into a family of over 90.
[24:41] So when you think of Star Wars, El Paso
[24:44] and the rest of Texas, when they think of Star Wars El Paso,
[24:47] I hope that you remember family and community
[24:51] because that's exactly what we are.
[24:53] Wow. Fantastic.
[25:00] On behalf of both of the groups up here, I also wanted
[25:02] to extend a thank you to the entire city council
[25:05] and the mayor especially to, to Ms. Rocha
[25:07] for bestowing this honor upon us.
[25:09] Like he said, we didn't expect or, or
[25:11] or ever think that this was gonna happen.
[25:14] We got into this just to get back to the city
[25:16] and to do it maybe in a different way,
[25:18] a little bit fun way, having a cosplay.
[25:20] But it was, it was a love that we have that we share
[25:21] with the community, but then we found out we can do some
[25:24] charitable things and bring attention
[25:25] to some important things in the city.
[25:27] So I wanted to thank not only Jaime,
[25:29] 'cause it was his brainchild that kind of started it.
[25:31] And then he brought me in
[25:32] and he, he was kind enough to let me go crazy with it.
[25:35] And this is kind of the result.
[25:37] And so I'm very appreciative.
[25:39] But I also wanna thank Eric Dick, uh, storm Trooper Ranch.
[25:41] He's the founder of that. He trusted us
[25:44] to do something a little different than
[25:45] what everybody else was doing in his, his group.
[25:48] And he has let us just kind of write it out
[25:50] and we really appreciate his support for that.
[25:52] But I also wanna thank all members past
[25:54] and present for their time, their contributions, um,
[25:58] for coming in and, and,
[25:59] and doing all the things they do for the city.
[26:02] And, you know, you have to be a person
[26:04] that's willing to give up your time.
[26:05] And that's not always an easy ask.
[26:07] So the fact that they're willing to do that,
[26:09] I'm very appreciative and I can't leave out my wife.
[26:11] I know she's hiding somewhere in here,
[26:13] but I couldn't have done that without her.
[26:16] Uh, she's the one that, uh, got me the first costume
[26:19] and kind of started us on this path.
[26:21] So it's kind of her fault in a way.
[26:24] But I just want to thank you
[26:25] and everybody in the city of El Paso for being
[26:27] so kind and accepting of us.
[26:29] And we're hoping to do more with the city and,
[26:31] and continue to grow
[26:32] and give back in whatever way we can possible.
[26:35] Wow,
[26:40] Those passed Representative, um, Fierro,
[26:44] Thank you so much, mayor.
[26:45] You know, thank you all for being here and, and, and the joy
[26:48] and the smiles that you bring to this room
[26:50] and to the, the our the fellow council members.
[26:53] I cannot thank you enough. This is exciting.
[26:56] I do have a question for representative, um, Maldonado.
[26:59] Is there a reason you gave me Yoda?
[27:04] Thank you, mayor.
[27:06] He little, was that Yoda or was that Gro gu? It's gro.
[27:10] Was it Gro? See,
[27:13] Does that mean it's even smaller?
[27:18] So it's a double burn. Thank you,
[27:21] Representative Rocha.
[27:23] And not on purpose, by the way. Rep Firo. So sorry. Staff.
[27:26] Oh my gosh. Embarrassing.
[27:29] No, I just wanted to thank you all and,
[27:31] and just really quick thank you for everything that you do.
[27:33] I came across this group, uh,
[27:35] doing the human trafficking walk earlier this year,
[27:40] and it was amazing to have you all out there
[27:42] and see you out there, uh, with the participants
[27:45] and just really engaging with everybody.
[27:47] Then come to find out everything that you do.
[27:50] You know, those that are attached to, um, the,
[27:53] the orphanages and the children's hospitals
[27:56] and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
[27:58] They all know what you all do for,
[28:00] for those kids in the community that includes the parents
[28:03] and all the support that, that these, um,
[28:06] that these children receive.
[28:07] So I just wanted to thank you.
[28:09] But I do have to say I've known Greg since, gosh,
[28:14] for a really long time.
[28:16] And we didn't know, we didn't know it at the time,
[28:18] but Catherine Longoria, she's, oh, there she is.
[28:22] Yes, she, oh, Catherine, sorry, sorry,
[28:25] sorry. Catherine's over
[28:26] There.
[28:28] Oh, there she is. Okay. So, so, um, anyways, we were at,
[28:32] we were at, uh, a location earlier this week
[28:35] and come to find out
[28:37] that we were talking about the same person.
[28:40] And I won't go into how we,
[28:43] how I didn't know him by his name.
[28:45] But other than that, I'll just say
[28:47] that we've known each other for a long time.
[28:49] He played baseball with my brother for many, many years.
[28:54] And, uh, his brother has, has been a friend
[28:57] of mine I would like to thank for many years as well.
[28:59] So it's good to see you. It really is great to see you.
[29:03] Thank you for and we'll be back, yeah. Small
[29:05] World circle. Yes,
[29:06] absolutely. So thank you all for everything you do.
[29:09] I really appreciate it.
[29:11] And, and what a treat, Greg and,
[29:12] and Jaime, you guys have delivered for this community.
[29:15] Thank you for uplifting El Paso
[29:17] and the entire Borderland community and all that you do.
[29:20] And we feel the passion from each and every one of you.
[29:23] You know, earlier you were telling me some
[29:25] of the costumes were made with 3D printing and,
[29:27] and the hours that it takes to, to get to where they're at.
[29:30] And, and, and we can't thank you guys enough.
[29:33] And it's amazing that you started with three
[29:35] and it's grown to where it is today
[29:37] and you guys are throughout Texas
[29:38] and doing the things that you're doing.
[29:40] But I would like to, you know,
[29:42] and we'll never forget the family and community.
[29:44] I mean, you said it best and we won't forget that,
[29:47] but for those that can speak, maybe they can come by
[29:50] and introduce themselves and those that can't can still, I
[29:53] I'll introduce the ones in the helmet
[29:54] and then I'll let the others that don't have a helmet on.
[29:56] Okay. And we have Sonya, she's one of our jaws here.
[29:59] She's very enthusiastic, very hyper diaper.
[30:02] Um, we have Reagan, he's one of our five vaers.
[30:07] We have, uh, Zandra, she is, uh, captain Fasman
[30:10] and also a gunner and a, um, mall.
[30:14] And then we have Ed Brown, he's our bailin
[30:16] and also one of our other Vaers.
[30:18] Um, and then we have, I'll let
[30:22] David Svo.
[30:23] I'm Captain Han Solo, and I'm just in it for the money.
[30:28] Morning everybody. I'm Liz Velez.
[30:30] I cosplay as a Ray Skywalker.
[30:33] So yeah. And we could go on and on.
[30:35] All these people have costumes here and we have Aiden.
[30:38] He's also, he will never show his face.
[30:40] He's very serious in his character.
[30:41] I've known him four years now
[30:43] and I still haven't seen his face.
[30:46] It's very frustrating.
[30:47] Um, and then we have all our friends back here
[30:49] that are also participants
[30:51] and they don't have their costumes all the day,
[30:52] but they came out to support and they took time off work
[30:54] to just come out and hang out with us.
[30:56] Wow. We're very appreciative of them.
[30:58] This is our second family, really, honestly,
[31:00] we hang out on our own.
[31:01] We're gonna have a big party next week for Christmas
[31:03] because we like hanging out with each other despite the fact
[31:05] that we're cosplay.
[31:06] We still like each other outside of that.
[31:08] And the one thing I also wanted,
[31:09] like you said, family community.
[31:11] The one thing that I, I think
[31:12] that's amazing about this group,
[31:13] we have political ideologies
[31:15] from both ends of the spectrums.
[31:16] Religious ideologists from both end of the spectrums,
[31:18] but somehow in the middle, none of that matters
[31:21] because it's all about community and family.
[31:22] And we put all that aside and we come together as a group
[31:26] and remember that you have to be a decent person to come out
[31:28] to do this and that we should just care about each other
[31:31] and not worry about all that other noise.
[31:33] Absolutely. Well said. Thank you guys. Congratulations.
[31:39] Oh, yes, we're gonna,
[31:54] I am not gonna run bail
[32:08] on it's covering.
[32:10] We're framing it for him for Oh, good. Excellent.
[35:36] Yes. Can you take more over there?
[35:39] I'm just waiting for the rest.
[35:43] Okay, Ms. Brian, The next proclamation is Judy
[35:46] Marie Ram d
[35:49] Mayor, keeping in, in Represent
[35:52] The theme of, uh, family and community.
[35:54] I ask, um, oh, there they come.
[35:56] You know, we all have friends, family, neighbors, some
[36:00] of 'em sit on the council with us.
[36:02] Oh, she's gone, um, who are in the restaurant bar
[36:07] or tasting room industry.
[36:09] And but when we look at the industry at itself,
[36:12] there's almost 40,000 people that are employed
[36:15] through the industry.
[36:17] And millions and millions of dollars are
[36:18] that are directed back to our economy.
[36:21] So this is a great honor that I get to read this,
[36:25] whereas the city of El Paso is proud
[36:26] to recognize individuals
[36:28] and organizations who have demonstrated
[36:31] explanatory leadership, dedication, respect
[36:34] to the residents of our community.
[36:36] And whereas Darden Restaurant's Diamond Club status is an
[36:41] honor awarded annually
[36:42] to the general manager across the nation
[36:45] who exhibits strong leadership,
[36:47] top financial performance in the previous fiscal year.
[36:51] Whereas Judy Marie Remo, general manager
[36:55] of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in El Paso has earned this
[36:59] prestigious award, uh, the doctrine
[37:02] restaurant Diamond Club status,
[37:04] and for her unwavering devotion
[37:07] to service this past, uh, fiscal year.
[37:09] Whereas Judy Marie Remo is one of four among four Mayor,
[37:14] uh, Ruth Chris, general managers in North America to,
[37:17] to be acknowledged with this award.
[37:19] Whereas to quote Ruth Chris's president,
[37:22] Judy Marie leads a dedicated team
[37:24] that is passionate about our food, taking care of our guests
[37:28] and their community, ultimately making El Paso Ruth's Chris,
[37:32] a warm and welcoming place to work and to dine.
[37:35] Whereas the Ruth Chris team, which is includes front
[37:39] of the house, back of the house positions, is a reflection
[37:42] of the welcoming culture that defines El Paso hospitality,
[37:47] showcasing the high standards of care, community spirit
[37:51] to our residents and business consistently uphold it now,
[37:55] therefore be, be it proclaimed by the mayor
[37:57] and council of the city of El Paso
[38:00] that December 16th, 2025 shall be known as Judy Marie Remo
[38:05] and Ruth Chris' Day. Thank you so
[38:07] Much, Both signed
[38:12] by the honorable Mr. Bernard Johnson's mayor.
[38:15] Ah,
[38:17] Well good morning.
[38:18] Good morning. Thank you.
[38:20] Um, I, I heard my name and that's very flattering,
[38:24] but as like any leader would share, um, it's,
[38:28] it's not really us.
[38:29] It's all these individuals behind me.
[38:32] And this is Ruth Chris, team 9 1 5.
[38:37] So I'm really excited to have them support not just me,
[38:40] but also the city for those that don't know about us.
[38:43] Um, in August 16th, 2016, um,
[38:47] Ruth Chris Steakhouse opened their doors,
[38:50] the red double French doors here at the fountains of Farah.
[38:53] Um, our restaurant was established originally in New
[38:57] Orleans, Louisiana, and,
[38:59] but we opened our doors here in El Paso, Texas.
[39:01] Our, our vision is to be the most beloved steakhouse here,
[39:05] um, in the state of Texas.
[39:07] We actually have over five locations in the state of Texas
[39:10] of Ruth Kris Steakhouse.
[39:12] But as our team vision, we wanted people to know
[39:15] who 9 1 5 is.
[39:17] When you think of Texas, um, you know,
[39:20] I'm a little guilty sometimes when you think of Texas,
[39:22] you might think of Dallas, Austin, or Houston,
[39:26] but some people forget about Team 9 1 5 El Paso.
[39:30] And my team, as well as my vision is
[39:33] to make sure people know that El Paso is here.
[39:36] It is an incredible city, it is a growing city,
[39:40] and we want people to know that you can come pass
[39:43] through El Paso
[39:44] or come visit us here at, um, El Paso,
[39:47] the fountains of Farrah.
[39:48] So I'm super excited, um, that we're here
[39:51] and we're here to stay and we're here to grow.
[39:54] Uh, for those, um, that have not joined us
[39:56] before, I want you to know that white linens do not,
[40:00] do not let it scare you.
[40:02] We are here to serve you from, from the northeast
[40:07] to horizon to con we want you to, um, come check us out.
[40:12] And here our sizzling plates, um, that I, that is our, one
[40:16] of our competitive advantages is to be fine dining
[40:19] that's approachable.
[40:20] And we thank the community of El Paso
[40:24] who has supported us since 2016.
[40:27] I know I see some familiar faces, um, in front of me,
[40:32] but also a lot of familiar faces in the community.
[40:34] And we just wanna say thank you on behalf
[40:37] of my executive chef, a Don DeLillo, my manager,
[40:41] Joan, my other manager.
[40:43] Fernie, we just wanna say thank you so much
[40:45] for continuing to support us.
[40:47] We understand that El Paso has an incredible amount of, um,
[40:52] numbers of options of beautiful, amazing restaurants,
[40:56] and we are just happy to just be one of your selections.
[40:59] So we appreciate that.
[41:00] I do wanna take the time just to say
[41:02] and introduce to, um, my team here.
[41:05] I do have Nadiem.
[41:06] He's part of our private sales coordinator.
[41:09] Christian is actually one of our servers.
[41:11] Diana is one of my key employees
[41:13] that also have serve you as well.
[41:15] And then we have Marlene who makes all your cocktails.
[41:17] So just ask her, um, Alfredo runs all your food.
[41:22] Matthew right behind me also runs your food.
[41:25] Augustine, if you love the bread pudding
[41:27] or creme brulee, he is your go-to individual.
[41:31] Um, right behind him is Caleb Castillo.
[41:35] He also prepares all your happy birthday
[41:38] celebration, special occasions.
[41:40] And then of course, Fernie here, one of my managers as well
[41:43] as our traveling coach who opened Puerto Rico
[41:46] and Rochester, Minnesota with me.
[41:49] And then Joan Ruan, um, also one of my, uh,
[41:53] right hand, um, managers.
[41:54] So on behalf of Team El Paso, thank you for continuing
[41:58] to support us and I look forward
[42:00] to seeing you all tonight at Happy Hour.
[42:05] Representative Liman.
[42:09] Thank you, mayor. Representative Fierro, always,
[42:14] whenever there is a discussion, will ask me.
[42:16] Were you there? Were you there in the past when
[42:19] things have been signed?
[42:21] I was there when you opened in 2016
[42:23] as a city representative.
[42:25] Awesome. And it was a fabulous event.
[42:27] We got to see the, uh, mayor when he sliced
[42:31] that first steak that came out,
[42:33] it was just a wonderful event.
[42:36] And so I can tell you that special events in my life,
[42:40] my birthday are anniversary, are always spent at Ruth Chris.
[42:45] So thank you for the excellent service
[42:47] that you provide to this community.
[42:49] Thank you. I appreciate we know
[42:51] your favorite table, by the way,
[42:54] And the mayors too. Yes.
[42:55] Oh yes. In
[42:57] The corner tables next To mine. Exactly.
[42:58] Representative Chavez,
[43:00] Thank you Mayor.
[43:01] And I had the pleasure of meeting you just earlier this day,
[43:04] um, this morning.
[43:06] And of course I've seen you at the restaurant before,
[43:09] but I just wanna congratulate you.
[43:11] I have a very special place in my heart
[43:12] for people in the hospitality industry.
[43:14] I know this is an extremely busy month for all of you.
[43:17] So we thank you for taking the time out of making your,
[43:20] your bread pudding and everything else this morning,
[43:22] which I know you're probably in a hurry to get back
[43:24] to doing, uh, but we will be there to enjoy it.
[43:27] And congratulations
[43:28] and please give a shout out to everybody
[43:30] that's working in the restaurant. Awesome.
[43:32] Thank you. Appreciate
[43:33] It. Yeah. And, and a
[43:34] big congratulations to you guys on the,
[43:36] the Diamond, uh, award that you received.
[43:39] But I do wanna talk a little bit about your founder in
[43:41] 1965 in New Orleans.
[43:43] Uh, when Ruth, uh, uh, Tel founded, uh, Ruth Chris,
[43:48] she was a single mother who mortgaged her home
[43:51] to buy a small steakhouse called Chris Steakhouse.
[43:56] And after it burned down, she decided she wanted
[43:59] to reopen another restaurant
[44:01] and she renamed the Steakhouse Ruth Chris.
[44:05] So, and now you have over a hundred locations under the
[44:07] Darden umbrella.
[44:09] And for you to have put El Paso on the map like you've
[44:12] done, is incredible.
[44:14] So you are in the top
[44:16] of all the Ruth Chris's in the country.
[44:19] Tough forest, sir. Oh, she's what? It's
[44:22] Top four outta six. Top
[44:23] Four, yeah.
[44:25] Beating all Florida and being, well,
[44:27] We gotta get to number one.
[44:28] Okay. We're top four. We gotta get to
[44:29] Number some work to be done. Yeah,
[44:31] There's some work to be done.
[44:34] We gotta get to number one,
[44:35] but that is incredible to be number four in the Ruth Chris,
[44:39] uh, franchisees throughout not only the US
[44:42] but internationally as well.
[44:43] So a big congratulations to you guys
[44:45] and remember the follow the sizzle
[44:48] and be the Ruth of your restaurant.
[44:50] How's that? There you go. Thank you. Congratulations.
[44:52] You guys
[45:21] Up, you, you
[47:37] And the final proclamation this morning is Lata Patia
[47:40] 75th year anniversary.
[47:44] Good morning everyone. Representative Limon.
[47:47] Good morning. Good morning mayor.
[47:51] So we're going to continue, um,
[47:54] with wonderful food from our city.
[47:57] This is a proclamation from the city of El Paso.
[48:00] Whereas La Patia Inc first opened its doors on
[48:04] September 20th, 1950, originally
[48:08] as a corn mill tortilla
[48:11] and tamal factory in Isleta, Texas by Marcellino
[48:15] and Felipa Galvan.
[48:17] And whereas in 1970, the Galvan family sold Lata Patia
[48:22] to a partnership which included Gus Rawles,
[48:26] Ted Rawless, and former El Paso Mayor Ray Alazar.
[48:31] And whereas in March, 1979,
[48:34] local political trailblazer, Alicia Rosen Kranz Chacon,
[48:39] a lifelong resident of Isleta,
[48:42] purchased Lata Patia in partnership with Edward Alvarez.
[48:47] And whereas in 1994,
[48:50] Alicia r Chacon sold the business to her sister
[48:54] Esther Rosenkranz, who along with her sister,
[48:57] birthed them on si vice preserved the authenticity
[49:01] and warmth that defined Laia over decades.
[49:06] And whereas in 2020 Lada Am Rosen Kranz daughter
[49:11] of Esther Rosen Kranz inherited the business as well
[49:15] as her mother's spirit
[49:17] and devotion to continuing the success
[49:20] of the family enterprise.
[49:23] And whereas Lata Patia signature stone mill ground corn
[49:27] for tortillas and tamales, as well
[49:30] as traditionally prepared ingredients such as Nx, Tamal,
[49:34] and Stone Mill Ground, Chile, Colorado continue
[49:38] to be its distinguished hallmark and source of pride
[49:42] and wears in recognition
[49:44] and gratitude to its employees for their passion, devotion,
[49:48] and service to traditionally crafted Mexican food products,
[49:53] which are renowned throughout the El Paso community,
[49:56] and wears in deep appreciation to its individual customers,
[50:01] businesses, and institutions whose loyal Patronist has
[50:05] supported and sustained the continued growth
[50:08] of Lata Batia Inc for the last 75 years.
[50:12] Now therefore be it proclaimed by the Mayor
[50:15] and council of the city of El Paso,
[50:17] that this will be Lata Patia 75 year anniversary
[50:22] day signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson.
[50:27] Thank you. Thank you. Good morning.
[50:31] Good morning. Thank you, mayor. Thank you City Council.
[50:34] It's an honor to be here, uh, with our community.
[50:37] It's, um, a great privilege to be able to,
[50:40] to run the business with my cousin Karl La Vice.
[50:43] And we, we keep the family tradition alive every day.
[50:46] It's in our heart and our blood and we love our community.
[50:50] We love what we do, and we're so grateful for our loyal, uh,
[50:55] customers and our heart, uh, felt thanks
[50:58] and gratitude to our, to the heart of our members,
[51:01] the people who work at La Patia.
[51:04] And so we have with us two, two people who are part
[51:07] of the heart of Laia who have been there since 1988,
[51:11] I think even before them.
[51:13] No
[51:32] Good morning to everyone.
[51:34] As Laura mentioned, it is a privilege to be here, especially
[51:37] because we're celebrating, uh, this family owned business
[51:41] that, um, has done nothing but bring joy to its community.
[51:45] Uh, we're so thankful to the community
[51:47] that has supported us throughout all of these years.
[51:49] I think the generations that ran this business
[51:52] before us would, would be proud
[51:55] because, uh, not one recipe has been changed.
[51:58] You know, that true. When we think of our business,
[52:01] we think tradition that is a word that defines us.
[52:04] Nothing changes, but the year, but our food tastes the same.
[52:08] And that pride that, that we have in the products
[52:12] that we make, um, really all of our gratitude is
[52:17] to our employees, 26 of whom are represented by
[52:22] Norma and Walter here today.
[52:25] Um, they take such a,
[52:27] a pride in every little aspect of what they do.
[52:30] Uh, this, they, we wish all the employees could have come,
[52:34] they would've been proud to,
[52:36] but somebody's gotta be making the tamales right now,
[52:39] especially at this time of year.
[52:41] And so, you know, I don't know Norm,
[52:50] Oh,
[53:08] Walter
[53:13] Eno
[53:39] Mayor, um, just, uh, a short story.
[53:43] Um, so as a good friend of Alicia Chacos,
[53:47] who originally owned it, when she was appointed
[53:51] as the Small Business Administration director
[53:55] by Jimmy Carter, that's when the, the Lata Patia was sold
[53:58] to Lara's mother Esther.
[54:02] And when Laura was in college, I remember a conversation,
[54:07] um, Alicia Esther and George McCall
[54:11] and I were sitting there and George turned around
[54:15] and looked at Esther
[54:16] and said, when is Laura going to learn
[54:20] the business of La Patia?
[54:22] She was in college. There were plans, there were things
[54:25] that she was going to do and how life changes.
[54:30] And she came forth
[54:31] and has inherited the business, a long standing business,
[54:36] a long standing business.
[54:37] I thought Ruth Chris, 2016 and going strong.
[54:41] But this is since September 20th, 1950.
[54:46] And there are stories in the community
[54:49] how Isleta students would go to Laia at lunch
[54:53] and order atal and a tortilla, and that was their lunch.
[54:58] And so, so many of the kids, well adults now amongst us, um,
[55:02] that that share that story.
[55:04] And so just so that you will know that tamales that
[55:08] we all receive from destination El Paso are from Latia.
[55:12] Ah, so that when you eat those, you'll understand.
[55:16] And that also was a collaboration that started oh,
[55:21] back when I was on council and referred them to Laia
[55:24] and said, these are literally the best in the valley.
[55:29] And so there's another story, mayor, that when, um,
[55:32] representative Paul Moreno was at the State House,
[55:36] that there was a Christmas event,
[55:38] and it was also perfectly organized
[55:42] that they knew the flight
[55:43] that Southwest Airlines would take in the morning.
[55:46] They delivered the tamales hot, they were put on the plane,
[55:51] they were taken and delivered to Austin.
[55:53] And Paul Moreno would distribute tamales
[55:55] at the, at the capitol.
[55:57] Wow. So this is their, this is their story.
[56:00] And when you think of tortillas,
[56:02] and they don't just make tortillas for the restaurant,
[56:06] they make tortillas for the industry, for restaurants.
[56:09] And perhaps you could share a few of them if you can.
[56:13] I don't know that you can, but if you can,
[56:15] I I think they would be proud too.
[56:17] Okay. Then we, Uh, you know,
[56:18] we support their success, of course.
[56:20] Uh, and, uh, we've been, uh, we've had a longstanding, uh,
[56:24] agreement with Chico Tacos, for example.
[56:26] Uh, so when Walter wakes up every morning at three o'clock
[56:30] to begin the tortilla production with his team,
[56:33] we distribute daily, um, we have a driver
[56:36] that goes out continuously to Chico Tacos
[56:38] to give them the product that they need
[56:40] to make their famous rolled tacos, which I love.
[56:44] And we have other taquerias, um,
[56:47] and other businesses in town.
[56:48] And our tortilla is special
[56:50] because ours is made specifically for frying.
[56:54] And so it fries really nice and crispy
[56:56] and uh, that's, that's one of the things that we're known
[56:59] for, apart from our delicious tamales.
[57:02] Well, now that we're hungry, well
[57:06] what an incredible, you know, everyone has a story,
[57:09] but your story is, is certainly incredible
[57:11] and congratulations to LADA
[57:14] and the entire team on being locally owned
[57:17] for over 75 years.
[57:19] That is hard to do.
[57:22] I mean, not many businesses last that long.
[57:24] And you guys, you mentioned it earlier,
[57:26] you've been a neighborhood favorite for many, many,
[57:28] many years and you've created so many memories for
[57:32] so many people in the El Paso Borderland region
[57:34] and we can't thank you enough.
[57:36] So we're just getting to 75.
[57:39] There's gonna be more success coming out
[57:41] of La la Tap's restaurant and we're gonna continue to grow.
[57:44] So thank you guys for all that you do
[57:46] for El Paso and for this region.
[57:48] And your story is incredible.
[57:49] But we've gotta get to another 75 years. Yes.
[57:52] All congratulations guys. Thank you.
[58:27] And then we'll
[58:39] I get you to come right there, please.
[58:43] Right there. Perfect. That looks great. Alright. Ready?
[58:46] Big smiles. Ready?
[58:48] 1, 2, 3, 19, 1.
[58:53] Ready? 1, 2, 3. One more. One more.
[59:00] 1, 2, 3.
[59:20] Counsel, we have about three minutes until roll call.
[59:40] You're fine.
[1:02:00] Next one. Your witness. Witness.
[1:02:02] Okay, Ms. Friend, I think we're ready to go.
[1:02:05] Yes, mayor. Good morning. This is a meeting
[1:02:06] of the El Paso City Council for Tuesday,
[1:02:08] December 16th, 2025.
[1:02:10] Mayor Johnson is present
[1:02:12] and presiding in council chambers, along
[1:02:13] with Representative Acevedo, representative Malona Rocha,
[1:02:17] representative reco alternate mayor Prom Firo
[1:02:20] Representative, Limon Representative Canales.
[1:02:24] It is 10:00 AM Will everyone please silence your electronic
[1:02:27] devices so as not to disturb the meeting
[1:02:30] and rise for the invocation delivered by El Paso Police,
[1:02:33] senior chaplain David Mayfield.
[1:02:38] Good morning. Good morning Mayor Council,
[1:02:43] if you would allow me some leeway.
[1:02:47] It's been a tough week in a season
[1:02:52] that is almost universally acknowledge
[1:02:57] to be a season of peace of brotherhood.
[1:03:03] That peace has been shattered from
[1:03:09] Bondi Beach in Australia all the way to Brown University.
[1:03:12] Basically in our own backyard.
[1:03:18] A piece shattered by people so filled with
[1:03:24] animus, with hatred that
[1:03:28] the only way they could express themselves was through
[1:03:32] violence against innocent people.
[1:03:38] I would ask before I deliver the invocation
[1:03:42] that those present join me in a moment
[1:03:44] of silence in remembrance, particularly for those
[1:03:49] at Brown University,
[1:03:50] but for all victims
[1:03:52] of senseless violence around the world.
[1:03:59] Let us contemplate peace.
[1:04:30] Thank you. And now those who are are of a mind,
[1:04:35] join me as I pray.
[1:04:41] Holy one. We come together today with grateful hearts
[1:04:44] for the privilege of serving this community
[1:04:47] as we gather in this season.
[1:04:50] When many observe holidays of light, hope
[1:04:53] and renewal, we pause to honor the rich diversity
[1:04:57] that shapes our city.
[1:05:00] May the spirit of compassion found in these celebrations
[1:05:04] guide our thoughts and actions.
[1:05:08] Grant to these leaders the wisdom to listen deeply,
[1:05:12] the patience to understand one another
[1:05:15] and the courage to choose what is right over what is easy.
[1:05:22] Help them embody servant leadership, placing the wellbeing
[1:05:27] of neighbors above personal gain, seeking solutions
[1:05:31] that uplift the most vulnerable
[1:05:34] and stewarding resources with integrity.
[1:05:39] We ask your blessing on every conversation, every decision
[1:05:44] and every moment of deliberation.
[1:05:48] May cooperation rise above division,
[1:05:51] respect temper disagreement,
[1:05:54] and a shared commitment to the common good.
[1:05:57] Lead the way forward. Strengthen
[1:06:02] all who serve elected officials, staff
[1:06:06] and citizens alike, so
[1:06:08] that together we may build a community marked by justice,
[1:06:13] safety, and opportunity for all.
[1:06:18] We pray this in the name of the Father,
[1:06:20] the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[1:06:22] Amen. Thank you
[1:06:25] Chaplain Mayfield. Thank you.
[1:06:26] That was well
[1:06:27] done Ms. Prime.
[1:06:31] Yes Mayor. That brings us to
[1:06:34] public comment on consent agenda and regular agenda items.
[1:06:39] This morning we have Ms. Turner that signed up
[1:06:41] to speak on item number 20 of the consent agenda.
[1:06:47] And item 20 is the award
[1:06:49] of solicitation 2026 dash 0 0 6 vehicle Washington,
[1:06:53] sun City Echo Wash LLC.
[1:06:55] Good morning Ms. Turner. You have three minutes.
[1:06:57] Good morning. Good, good morning.
[1:06:58] Before I get started on this, I'd like to issue a challenge.
[1:07:02] If you're somebody from California between here
[1:07:04] and New York City, I can guarantee you one thing,
[1:07:08] the best Mexican food can be found here in El Paso, Texas.
[1:07:12] And I can guarantee you that there's not anybody in Austin,
[1:07:17] San Antonio, Dallas
[1:07:19] or Houston, they can do a better burrito than
[1:07:22] this hillbilly from Kentucky.
[1:07:25] Now on
[1:07:27] to item twenty a hundred seventy eight point
[1:07:32] 18% increase.
[1:07:33] And I can guarantee you you didn't double the number
[1:07:37] of police vehicles.
[1:07:41] So somebody's got to explain this.
[1:07:44] Somebody has to explain this.
[1:07:47] You went from an initial $198,000 contract to
[1:07:54] 550,800.
[1:07:57] So what are we washing?
[1:08:02] There's nobody here. Okay.
[1:08:04] Can you have somebody get to me
[1:08:06] and explain to me why this has gone up?
[1:08:10] 'cause I know you didn't buy vehicles
[1:08:11] for the police department to justify this.
[1:08:18] Y'all are allowed to talk. You know that Right?
[1:08:21] Under local government codes,
[1:08:23] you can provide a factual answer
[1:08:24] and you can provide, tell them to do something.
[1:08:32] So that's my concern.
[1:08:36] 178 point 18% increase.
[1:08:40] And I know you haven't bought
[1:08:42] enough vehicles to justify that. Alright, thank you
[1:08:47] Ms. Turner also signed up for item 38.
[1:08:49] And this is discussion
[1:08:50] and action to direct El Paso water utilities to schedule
[1:08:53] and conduct eight city council district community meetings
[1:08:56] regarding their proposed budget and rate increase.
[1:09:00] Let me point out to you that one,
[1:09:03] the PSB board doesn't represent, represent all El Paso ones.
[1:09:07] There is not a single elderly person sitting on that board
[1:09:11] who lives on a fixed income
[1:09:13] who can put in that view.
[1:09:17] Apparently PSB doesn't care.
[1:09:20] And since you all do the appointing, you don't care.
[1:09:24] So I'm gonna ask you that you change that.
[1:09:27] The next thing I'm gonna point out is yes,
[1:09:30] we need these meetings
[1:09:31] because let me explain something to you.
[1:09:34] I used in the last 14 months, I never broke two CCF
[1:09:39] for water, but I got charged for five CCF to replace
[1:09:43] and I got paid charged for five CCF for sewer.
[1:09:49] I don't mind paying for what I use,
[1:09:52] but I object to paying for what I'm not.
[1:09:55] I'm not gonna pay for something that I'm not using.
[1:09:58] And this is what's happening.
[1:10:00] This is what's happening with via PSB.
[1:10:05] Uh, these are, this is outrageous.
[1:10:10] They seldom talk to the people. They seldom listen.
[1:10:15] Communication is more than just talking. It is listening.
[1:10:19] And they don't listen. They don't care.
[1:10:21] And my God, I'm gonna see you got the water,
[1:10:26] electric and gas probably gonna see
[1:10:30] 50% increase in our utility costs.
[1:10:35] How are people supposed
[1:10:37] who live on a fixed income supposed to survive?
[1:10:41] Okay, I want y'all to think about that.
[1:10:44] I want you to think about adding somebody who will represent
[1:10:47] the disabled, not only the disabled community,
[1:10:50] but the elderly community
[1:10:52] and those living on the fixed income on the PSB board.
[1:10:55] That voice has to be there
[1:10:57] and that is your all's responsibility
[1:11:00] to make it happen. Thank you.
[1:11:01] Thank you Ms. Turner. And Ms. Turner signed up
[1:11:03] for item 48, and this is discussion
[1:11:06] and action on a resolution authorizing the city manager
[1:11:08] to execute a first amendment to
[1:11:10] that certain three 80 economic development program agreement
[1:11:13] between the state of El Paso and Mills Plaza Properties.
[1:11:19] Sorry, I forgot about
[1:11:20] that one. You said 48?
[1:11:25] Yes, ma'am. That the three 80? Yes.
[1:11:30] Oh, I totally object to any three 80 agreement.
[1:11:33] You constantly give out our tax dollars
[1:11:36] and we get nothing in return.
[1:11:40] You turn around
[1:11:41] and tell us that, oh, we're going
[1:11:44] to charge you x dollars a month just to drive on the roads.
[1:11:48] Uh, and what it comes down to is,
[1:11:53] what I see is you serve the city council of El Paso,
[1:11:57] Texas does not serve all El Paso citizens.
[1:12:00] You serve about 200 people.
[1:12:03] We have billionaires
[1:12:04] who get our tax money, they don't need it.
[1:12:06] We have multimillionaires
[1:12:08] who get our tax dollars, they don't need it.
[1:12:11] And then you turn around and charge us extra
[1:12:15] for things we've already paid for. Thank you.
[1:12:18] Thank you Ms. Hernia, Mayor and counsel.
[1:12:20] On item number 20, uh, the increase for the vehicle wash,
[1:12:24] we went from a quantity of 500 vehicles to 900 vehicles.
[1:12:29] In addition, they did add, um, an option for hand washing
[1:12:33] for certain specialty vehicles as well.
[1:12:36] So from 500 vehicles to 900 to 900. Okay, thank you.
[1:12:40] All right, Ms. Brown, believe that
[1:12:41] brings us to call to the public.
[1:12:43] Yes. Mayor, that brings us to call to the public.
[1:12:46] And the El Paso City Council is local government body
[1:12:49] charged with serving the citizens.
[1:12:50] And the meetings must be focused on the meeting of charge.
[1:12:52] The city council meetings are public meetings under the
[1:12:55] Texas Open Meetings Act.
[1:12:56] Public comment is an accommodation
[1:12:58] and not a requirement of city council.
[1:13:00] All persons and attendance are expected
[1:13:01] to displace civility in the quorum that is respectful
[1:13:04] to other persons without the use of insulting, profane,
[1:13:06] threatening, or abusive language.
[1:13:08] Public comment will not be used for personal attacks,
[1:13:10] nor may any member of the public use this form
[1:13:12] for political statements or campaigning.
[1:13:14] Please note that during call to the public,
[1:13:16] the city council may not deliberate
[1:13:17] or decide any subject that is not on the agenda.
[1:13:19] However, council may propose
[1:13:20] that a topic brought forth be posted on a future agenda.
[1:13:25] This morning we have eight members of the public
[1:13:27] that signed up to speak.
[1:13:28] The first person is Elizabeth Crawford. Ms.
[1:13:31] Crawford's topic is Bethlehem and choosing life.
[1:13:34] Good morning, Ms. Crawford Star six, please.
[1:13:40] Ms. Crawford
[1:13:42] Star six to unmute your telephone.
[1:13:45] Thank you, ma'am. Good morning. Good morning. Three minutes.
[1:13:47] Thank you. Good morning. In the Hebrew scripture,
[1:13:50] centuries before the advent of Jesus,
[1:13:52] the prophet Micah Penn's words
[1:13:54] of scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit.
[1:13:56] But thou bethlehem, thou thou belittle
[1:13:59] among the thousands of Judah.
[1:14:00] Yet out of de shall he come forth unto me, that is
[1:14:03] to be ruler in Israel, who's going forth has been from
[1:14:06] of old, from everlasting.
[1:14:08] In mid-November, our world focused on the International
[1:14:11] Climate Conference held in Belen, Brazil.
[1:14:14] In 2001 to three, I had the privilege of living
[1:14:16] and serving in that city of Belan,
[1:14:19] teaching English at Amazon Valley Academy
[1:14:21] and helping a little with my roommate's
[1:14:22] ministry to the street children.
[1:14:24] The word in Spanish, Navida and Portuguese is Al.
[1:14:28] Al is a time when many Brazilian people remember an event
[1:14:30] that took place centuries ago.
[1:14:32] In, in Lan is Portuguese for Bethlehem.
[1:14:36] My roommate Lynn from Great Britain worked
[1:14:38] for almost 20 years with Brazil street children.
[1:14:41] She told me one day, you know,
[1:14:42] these kids think Jesus was actually born here.
[1:14:45] We laugh because it's cute,
[1:14:47] but in many ways that lesson is profound.
[1:14:49] The incarnation God with us, the Christ child,
[1:14:52] he knows the suffering of mankind
[1:14:55] that is deeply meaningful in a place such
[1:14:57] as the Lang Brazil, where there's unspeakably deep
[1:14:59] suffering, kids often born to parents who don't want them
[1:15:02] conceived in the wild party atmosphere that permeates much
[1:15:05] of the culture, throwaway kids suffering
[1:15:08] generation after generation.
[1:15:10] In our nation, we also have countless throwaway kids.
[1:15:14] Just a different method.
[1:15:15] The majority of people use to throw, throw kids away.
[1:15:20] The abortion industry is exploding in New Mexico
[1:15:23] and the culture is suffering.
[1:15:25] I was in shock the first time I went to Albuquerque,
[1:15:27] as you know, it's a rough, dangerous city.
[1:15:29] And New Mexico Pres upon young ladies from El Paso
[1:15:32] among other ways via abortion pills we're very relieved
[1:15:36] that now Texans, as of December 1st, are being encouraged
[1:15:39] to file lawsuits against those shipping abortion pills into
[1:15:42] Texas to sue those responsible for the sending
[1:15:45] of those abortion bills.
[1:15:47] We know these are very tough times financially for all
[1:15:49] of us, and worries about finances drives many couples
[1:15:52] to abort, but there's absolutely no reason to do this.
[1:15:55] El Paso is full of pro-lifers who would be thrilled,
[1:15:58] so honored to help couples struggling
[1:16:01] with unplanned pregnancies and raising their kids.
[1:16:04] A beautiful name given to Jesus is Emmanuel.
[1:16:07] God with us, for those who know Christ the Savior,
[1:16:09] he has promised to be with his children
[1:16:11] and care for them along all the journey of life, the days
[1:16:14] of rejoicing and the days of hardship.
[1:16:17] Emmanuel God with us.
[1:16:19] And she shall bring forth a son
[1:16:21] and now shall call his name Jesus.
[1:16:24] They shall call his name Emmanuel,
[1:16:26] which being interpreted is God with us.
[1:16:29] Thank you and hope you have a very good advent season.
[1:16:32] And Avida, thank you.
[1:16:34] Thank you, thank you. The next speaker is Gloria Kran.
[1:16:42] And for, for her comment, she will be speaking in Spanish.
[1:16:45] If you wanna follow along with simultaneous translation,
[1:16:48] please scan the QR code on the screen.
[1:16:53] Yes. Good. Good morning. Good morning, ma'am. You have
[1:16:55] But please, um, I would like to speak
[1:16:57] to Mayor Johnson, please.
[1:16:58] There, there is a reason that I'm here if he,
[1:17:03] I can wait or
[1:17:06] He's, he's returning to the day.
[1:17:07] Yes, ma'am.
[1:17:09] Uh, thank you.
[1:17:18] Good morning. Good morning. My name is Gloria Koran.
[1:17:22] I am a widow and I live on a fixed income.
[1:17:26] This, this happened in 1996.
[1:17:30] My sister, Luca Maria
[1:17:32] and I, uh, As the city
[1:17:37] for a loan for house repairs.
[1:17:40] Um, the loan was accepted, the repairs were made
[1:17:45] and the payments began from that time
[1:17:50] to this time, it's been 29 years
[1:17:56] until, until a supervisor Ellizabeth
[1:18:01] called me and she said, um,
[1:18:05] with the city, we have no way of proving anything.
[1:18:10] We don't know if you pay, if you did not pay,
[1:18:14] how much were you paying?
[1:18:16] Do you remember? She asked me,
[1:18:18] do you remember how much you were paying?
[1:18:20] And I said, ma'am, my sister Lu was the one
[1:18:24] that was making the payments,
[1:18:26] but she, she added, I think that you still owe us the money.
[1:18:31] So I'm gonna open another account. Yeah.
[1:18:34] And, uh, since you owe us the money, your house has to be
[1:18:39] assured with insurance.
[1:18:42] So she did, and she demanded the insurance.
[1:18:46] From there, we started looking for an insurance,
[1:18:50] but there was no way here in El Paso that no insurance
[1:18:55] would ensure that he
[1:18:58] lock roof, nobody.
[1:19:01] So she just kept quiet and she opened the account
[1:19:05] and I'm still paying for the roof
[1:19:08] and the house doesn't have a roof.
[1:19:11] And that is the reason that I've been asking for help
[1:19:14] for almost years now.
[1:19:16] Um, finally the city,
[1:19:21] the city introduced me to the manager,
[1:19:25] the grant manager, um, Rick,
[1:19:30] he was the, uh, the city, uh, he was supposed
[1:19:33] to or okay.
[1:19:35] He asked me for, for what, what was the problem?
[1:19:38] I explained it to him. He was the grant manager compliance.
[1:19:43] And he asked me, what is the problem? So I explained it.
[1:19:46] He took all the information
[1:19:47] and he said, we are gonna do your roof.
[1:19:50] Um, my assistant will be going to your house
[1:19:53] and he's gonna tell you
[1:19:55] to move whatever the instructions were.
[1:19:58] And he did. His, his assistant was in my house four
[1:20:03] or five times and he did.
[1:20:05] And I waited and I just waited for my turn
[1:20:10] for more than 20 months.
[1:20:13] And it was a lie. A lie.
[1:20:16] And then another city manager, he also suggested you.
[1:20:20] Thank you, ma'am. You've reached the three minute limit.
[1:20:22] Mr. Johnson, please, I ask you
[1:20:25] once again, thank you, maam.
[1:20:26] In the name of God, please give me one appointment.
[1:20:30] Yes, thank you. Before, but please Mr. Johnson. Thank you.
[1:20:33] Okay, thank you. Does not even The
[1:20:35] Next speaker is Claudia Contrera Siller.
[1:20:39] And her topic is Christmas.
[1:20:41] She will be followed by Ron Cuomo. Good morning.
[1:20:45] Good morning. Good morning. Merry Christmas everybody.
[1:20:47] Emmanuel God with us.
[1:20:49] Um, I'm hosting a painting party, a Christmas painting party
[1:20:53] to back the blue cats
[1:20:55] and dogs of the city fighting animal cruelty.
[1:20:58] Uh, there's a time for everything.
[1:21:00] A time to fight animal cruelty, and a time to celebrate
[1:21:03] and honor the people that are doing the hard work.
[1:21:06] And I got two confirmations from officers also.
[1:21:10] Animal services is going at 11.
[1:21:12] They're taking a kitten, doing a presentation,
[1:21:15] educational presentation.
[1:21:17] They're also taking a backdrop
[1:21:19] and sunny the mast from animal services.
[1:21:22] I wanna wish a merry Christmas to everybody,
[1:21:25] especially the ones that work outside in the weather
[1:21:29] and during the weather and all law
[1:21:30] enforcement, uh, agencies.
[1:21:34] Uh, I'm very thankful, uh, to be a part of El Paso.
[1:21:37] I really love advocating for the cats.
[1:21:40] The reason I'm always here is to either advocate
[1:21:44] for the cats against animal cruelty or to back the blue.
[1:21:48] Those are my two priorities.
[1:21:49] Also, I wanna, uh, thank Ms. Mack
[1:21:52] because she hired a perfect, uh, person for the job
[1:21:56] that has experience for the director position.
[1:22:00] And, uh, I wanna invite her to, to the Christmas party,
[1:22:05] to spend time with us and get to know the community.
[1:22:08] This painting party is very special.
[1:22:10] The community helped me prepared it, uh,
[1:22:14] because they believe in the mission
[1:22:15] to pitch the animal cruelty unit number
[1:22:19] 9 1 5 2 1 2 0 8 0 0.
[1:22:22] They're doing an excellent job, just like animal services.
[1:22:26] And since I'm an, I'm an animal advocate,
[1:22:29] I cannot leave without saying
[1:22:31] that more animals are being killed.
[1:22:33] I sent an email about Fiero Street.
[1:22:36] Four cats were murdered, sat Sunday,
[1:22:39] and I think a dog, I'm not sure the person called me.
[1:22:41] She was very worried.
[1:22:44] Also, everybody knows about the black cat that was stolen
[1:22:49] from a cat colony.
[1:22:51] Uh, what I did, it's, I exposed the person
[1:22:54] that it has been lying.
[1:22:56] Saying she works with animal services is not true.
[1:22:59] Saying she's with a rescue is not true.
[1:23:02] And, um, the cat, uh, I most likely appear dead.
[1:23:07] And I wanna read what she has on her Facebook.
[1:23:10] Demons don't cry.
[1:23:12] I become, I became a monster
[1:23:13] because I didn't want to cry anymore.
[1:23:16] I cried until my tears ran out and, and,
[1:23:18] and I dried up inside.
[1:23:20] I became one of them a demon. Okay?
[1:23:23] A lot of people can think that she's referring
[1:23:25] to herself, but it's not true.
[1:23:27] She posted a cat just like the one
[1:23:29] that was killed and stolen.
[1:23:32] And this is referring to a Satanic ritual. Okay?
[1:23:35] This is psychological, um, against me.
[1:23:39] So I wanna ask,
[1:23:40] when are the leaders gonna start fighting animal cruelty
[1:23:43] against cats, please.
[1:23:45] Thank you.
[1:23:47] The next speaker is Ron Cuomo.
[1:23:49] His topic is exercising his
[1:23:51] constitutional rights to the Rescue.
[1:23:53] 1983 Animal Services. He'll be followed by Malik Tarik.
[1:23:57] Mahmud,
[1:24:03] Good morning. Morning,
[1:24:05] Morning. Morning.
[1:24:06] 
[1:24:08] Uh, ladies
[1:24:09] and gentlemen, you know, I I I send you a lot of stuff.
[1:24:13] I do. Do you look at it? Do you read it?
[1:24:16] I mean, my god, that's probably a 20th of what I receive.
[1:24:22] It's, it's, it, it picks apart Haas,
[1:24:27] it picks apart best friends.
[1:24:29] It picks apart Austin pets alive.
[1:24:32] Other cities picks apart El Paso.
[1:24:38] What are we doing? Okay, we, we've,
[1:24:43] I've just learned, we've hired a new director.
[1:24:46] I hope this one's actually qualified.
[1:24:49] I hope this one is not affiliated with best friends.
[1:24:52] Austin Pets alive
[1:24:54] and does not support the ha sheltering plan.
[1:24:57] 46,405 less strays were picked up in the
[1:25:01] first four years of house.
[1:25:04] Where did they go? How many of those dogs got killed?
[1:25:08] How many times the rescues have
[1:25:10] to pick up puppies under 10 weeks old, half eaten
[1:25:13] because the strays, the person
[1:25:18] that's in charge of the shelter, the people
[1:25:21] that have been in charge of the shelter
[1:25:22] for the last five years need to be removed.
[1:25:26] They're not qualified.
[1:25:28] And I'm speaking, let, let me just bring this up. Okay.
[1:25:33] You guys did a positive meeting.
[1:25:35] This positive meeting, did it come up with a, a fix
[1:25:38] for your, your toxic work environment?
[1:25:42] We read actual statements.
[1:25:45] Why wasn't that brought up and fixed
[1:25:48] before it got to the point it's at now?
[1:25:50] Because a protected one didn't like it.
[1:25:54] Okay, so here, let's do this again.
[1:25:58] Who in here has done adoptions at the city
[1:26:00] of El Paso at animal Services?
[1:26:04] Who here has done rescue at the shelter?
[1:26:09] How about transport?
[1:26:11] How about the first person who was a volunteer
[1:26:14] that was authorized to work with behavioral dogs
[1:26:19] Who Put out more strays
[1:26:24] across the country,
[1:26:29] Animal services, what they put out every month
[1:26:34] and what I was transporting out to the group I was dealing
[1:26:36] with and I gave you a solution and I guarantee it.
[1:26:40] Nothing was done because nothing's ever done that.
[1:26:44] Other people suggest we, I I,
[1:26:48] I really don't know who the director is,
[1:26:52] but we got a new year coming up.
[1:26:54] We'd like to hear from all of you that Haas is gone.
[1:26:58] Best friends is band Austin Petalite is band,
[1:27:02] and Paula Powell has absolutely nothing to do with the city
[1:27:05] of El Paso when it comes to animal services.
[1:27:08] Thank you, Mr. Cuomo.
[1:27:10] The next speaker is Malik Tariq Maud topic is
[1:27:14] regarding a press release
[1:27:16] to condemn the terrorist attack in Australia.
[1:27:19] Good morning. I respect respected mayor,
[1:27:23] respected council members,
[1:27:25] and my beautiful audience,
[1:27:31] peace and blessings of God be with you all.
[1:27:35] I'm Maik Maud Imam
[1:27:38] and missionary of Amia Muslim community,
[1:27:43] and I'm here to present some important words
[1:27:47] of his holiness.
[1:27:49] Raza Ahmad, the supreme head of the worldwide
[1:27:54] AMIA Muslim community, utter right
[1:27:58] after the terrorist attack
[1:28:02] against the innocent, innocent members
[1:28:05] of Jewish community in Australia.
[1:28:08] So I start His Holiness says,
[1:28:14] on behalf of the Amiya Muslim community worldwide,
[1:28:19] I condemn in the strongest terms, the heinous
[1:28:23] terrorist attack targeting innocent members
[1:28:27] of the Jewish community in Australia.
[1:28:31] Nothing can ever justify such acts of violence.
[1:28:37] Islam upholds the absolute sanctity of human life
[1:28:42] and declares that the killing of one innocent person
[1:28:46] is tantamount to killing all of humanity.
[1:28:50] Acts of terrorism and hatred are
[1:28:54] therefore completely contrary
[1:28:56] to the true teachings of Islam.
[1:29:00] As Muslims, our faith requires us to show love,
[1:29:05] compassion, and grace to the people, people
[1:29:08] of all faiths and beliefs.
[1:29:12] Our heartfelt sympathies are with all those
[1:29:17] affected by this tragedy.
[1:29:19] And we pray for the swift recovery of those
[1:29:23] who have been injured.
[1:29:26] Thank you, mayor. God bless you. Thank
[1:29:28] You, sir.
[1:29:29] Thank you. The next speaker is Patricia Osmond. Ms.
[1:29:32] Osmond's topic is transparency.
[1:29:33] First amendment, civil rights of citizens,
[1:29:35] and none influence of donors
[1:29:37] and vendors on elected officials.
[1:29:38] Good morning, ma'am.
[1:29:41] Good morning, Mr. Canales.
[1:29:43] As a citizen, I'm gonna come up here
[1:29:45] and say I was wrong yesterday on that number in regards
[1:29:48] to the gallons in the percentages.
[1:29:51] But this is a thing is that as a citizen
[1:29:53] and somebody who expects, um,
[1:29:58] my political representatives to,
[1:30:02] uh, also admit when they're wrong,
[1:30:05] I have no problem doing so.
[1:30:07] So I hope y'all can do the same.
[1:30:09] Uh, and I'm gonna kinda wing some of this because Mr.
[1:30:13] Fierro, I mentioned Ms.
[1:30:15] Gloria Carou yesterday,
[1:30:19] and I was here when she came
[1:30:22] before Oscar Lisa in this counts in some of the members
[1:30:26] of this council before asking for assistance.
[1:30:29] I was here when she was shuffled away
[1:30:31] by Ms. Mack when she was a deputy city manager.
[1:30:35] And she had spoken to
[1:30:37] who she was mentioning Rick, that she forgets.
[1:30:40] His name is Rick Thoreau. He was not the head of the grants.
[1:30:43] Rick Thoreau actually went to my house once before too,
[1:30:46] because of the scams that happened in the Community
[1:30:49] and Human Development Department.
[1:30:51] Okay. So I think in fact the, the contract,
[1:30:55] 'cause I did go in, uh, I, I took, uh, me and Ms.
[1:31:00] Kran had met over a year ago, uh,
[1:31:03] because she wanted more help.
[1:31:04] And people, it, it's sad
[1:31:06] because citizens know that I come here
[1:31:08] and I don't like to come here,
[1:31:10] but it's more often than not when I'm out in public,
[1:31:14] I get somebody to thank me for speaking out.
[1:31:17] And that's sad. I don't take that as a compliment.
[1:31:21] I take that as a sad state of our city affairs.
[1:31:26] But she told me her story when we're sitting at Denny's
[1:31:30] and quite frankly, the city having her sign
[1:31:32] that other contract, that's not only a breach,
[1:31:35] but it was illegal.
[1:31:36] It was coercion. Okay?
[1:31:39] And I think it's something that Ken Paxon should look into,
[1:31:43] should look into the practices
[1:31:45] because he is looking into El Paso and the transparency.
[1:31:47] And that's another thing on top of everything else.
[1:31:50] And the other documents that I have shown,
[1:31:51] because you know what?
[1:31:53] Regardless of our city attorney trying not
[1:31:55] to let people have the foil documents they request,
[1:32:00] there are huge issues in our city government.
[1:32:04] And quite frankly, we do need to look behind the curtain.
[1:32:07] And you all are the curtain up here on the diocese.
[1:32:10] You are the curtain and everybody behind.
[1:32:12] And what is going on in the back of the house needs
[1:32:15] to be addressed
[1:32:16] because there are huge problems within our city.
[1:32:23] It is citizens.
[1:32:26] Now you all need to realize it is not let's do
[1:32:30] what we used to do on a federal level.
[1:32:32] We are seeing the corruption going on.
[1:32:34] And I, like I tell everybody, it starts local.
[1:32:37] They didn't get there, but they started locally
[1:32:42] and that's where they ended up. Thank you,
[1:32:43] Ms. Osmond. You've reached the
[1:32:44] three minutes.
[1:32:45] The next speaker is Eddie Chavez, Jr.
[1:32:49] He'll be followed by Lisa Turner. Mr.
[1:32:52] Chavez's topic is utility rates.
[1:32:56] Good morning, sir. You have three minutes.
[1:32:58] Good morning, Ms. Chavez.
[1:33:00] Good morning, city Council. Good morning.
[1:33:01] Yesterday I was at, uh, the county, uh, meeting
[1:33:06] appealing for the people that live out there in p prior
[1:33:10] East Montana Vista that don't have water
[1:33:13] or sure, it's like a third war out there.
[1:33:16] There's a lady that has,
[1:33:18] she came out on the Texas Tribu Tribune
[1:33:21] where she is taking water out of the, uh,
[1:33:23] atmosphere to get water.
[1:33:26] That's how desperate those people are.
[1:33:28] There was a, I was, um, look, go, uh,
[1:33:34] uh, scrolling through my, um, uh,
[1:33:38] Facebook, uh, no, Google.
[1:33:40] And I found that there was a program back in June,
[1:33:43] I think it was June 8th, 2023 for the Montana Vista.
[1:33:47] It was named Montana Vista Water Insured Development.
[1:33:53] And this was for the colonials,
[1:33:55] which is what I'm talking about.
[1:33:56] There's people there that I know
[1:33:58] that have lived there 20 years, don't have water
[1:34:01] or sew, which is bad for the environment also.
[1:34:05] Now, when I talked to the, the commissioner out there, um,
[1:34:09] in the county, she said that, uh,
[1:34:13] they're already on phase two.
[1:34:15] Well, I investigated on it. Yeah.
[1:34:17] Phase one was where they're building, uh, a development for,
[1:34:21] I think it's like 6,000 houses they're gonna make on,
[1:34:23] on South West part of,
[1:34:27] uh, Montana Vista.
[1:34:29] And that's being paid by the developer.
[1:34:32] So that's nothing to do with the $31 million
[1:34:34] that it was allocated by the state.
[1:34:37] And, uh, Tommy Gonzalez was part of it.
[1:34:41] And, uh, everybody seems to be like, uh,
[1:34:45] hush hush on the, not even moving on.
[1:34:46] These poor people that are staying over there,
[1:34:48] the people don't wanna come out
[1:34:50] because they, lot of 'em don't speak English.
[1:34:52] And a lot of 'em gotta work during the week,
[1:34:53] so they don't have time to come way out
[1:34:54] here to the county building.
[1:34:56] They should make a county building over there where the,
[1:34:58] the, uh, the constituents are
[1:35:01] where they can show up and complain.
[1:35:05] But, uh, I'm the only one talking for all these people.
[1:35:08] 'cause I feel bad for 'em. I'm only visiting there
[1:35:10] 'cause I moved out there 'cause I sold my house.
[1:35:12] But I'm, I'm planning to go back to Northeast,
[1:35:15] but I don't know the, the things I see out here, I want
[1:35:20] to go and represent them.
[1:35:22] I'm gonna run against John Lina now back when he was out.
[1:35:26] But, uh, the way the Northeast people treated Sam Morgan
[1:35:29] and don't appreciate it, that's what, uh, knocked me out.
[1:35:34] But I'm gonna try to do it again.
[1:35:35] I come back with you guys, see how it feels being on
[1:35:38] that side over there with you guys
[1:35:39] through this port hole that you guys go through.
[1:35:41] Thank you. Have Merry Christmas. All
[1:35:43] Right. Happy holidays. Thank
[1:35:44] yous.
[1:35:45] The final speaker is Lisa Turner. Ms.
[1:35:48] Turner's topic is diverting the income from general fund
[1:35:50] and imposing fees on Al pe.
[1:35:52] Ones, ones
[1:35:54] Again. Good morning. Good
[1:35:55] morning, mayor.
[1:35:57] You know, I'm, I'm at home laying down, recovering,
[1:36:02] and, uh, I see this article in the, uh,
[1:36:08] El Paso matters about Representative Corino.
[1:36:11] And, you know, we're wanting to charge everybody
[1:36:14] who drives a monthly fee.
[1:36:17] And I'm thinking, now, wait a minute.
[1:36:20] We give tax dollars to Paul Foster.
[1:36:23] We give tax dollars to the hunts.
[1:36:26] We support all the downtown businesses with TURs.
[1:36:30] We do all of this.
[1:36:32] And then you wanna turn around
[1:36:33] and charge the hardworking El Paso,
[1:36:35] who's actually just trying to put food on the table, money
[1:36:40] to drive on blasted roads.
[1:36:43] Now, explain to me, I wanted somebody,
[1:36:47] please explain to me why a billionaire
[1:36:51] needs our tax dollars.
[1:36:54] They have more than enough money for their own projects.
[1:36:57] So why do we have to kick our dollars in?
[1:37:01] That is money that can solve problems in this city
[1:37:06] that can solve the problems
[1:37:08] that you've been wanting to solve.
[1:37:10] Roads, parks, increased pay for your employees
[1:37:15] so they're not, you know, having
[1:37:18] to work three jobs while working this one.
[1:37:23] Why? All that money's being captured by the people
[1:37:27] who don't pay taxes for decades.
[1:37:32] For decades, the homeowner in this town has always paid
[1:37:37] about 75% of the property tax
[1:37:41] and businesses 25.
[1:37:45] It's time that the burden is equalized
[1:37:47] and this is how you do it.
[1:37:49] No more. Three eighty's.
[1:37:52] You want a three 80, you want money, then you're gonna have
[1:37:55] to pay us twice the amount.
[1:37:58] And then you can write that you make a donation
[1:38:00] for twice the amount, then you can take it off your taxes.
[1:38:04] But we can't afford to subsidize billionaires
[1:38:07] and multimillionaires in this city anymore.
[1:38:11] I mean, you've got to understand that I'm sitting here
[1:38:13] and I'm looking at it and I says, well, you know what, Lisa,
[1:38:19] the City Council of El Paso,
[1:38:20] Texas has always represented about 200 people in this city
[1:38:24] and forgot about the hundreds of thousands left.
[1:38:29] You look at the homeowners, you look at the rest of us,
[1:38:34] and you reach into our pocket and you take our money,
[1:38:37] and then you give it to people who've already got money
[1:38:40] who can already fund their projects out of their own pocket.
[1:38:44] That is what you call capitalism.
[1:38:46] What you're doing now is called communism.
[1:38:50] Now, if we're a capitalist,
[1:38:52] then they can fund their own project.
[1:38:55] Thank you, Ms. Turner. That concludes call
[1:38:58] to the public counsel per the rules of order.
[1:39:00] No use of personal cellular devices
[1:39:02] nor personal communication should take place on the day
[1:39:04] as while the meeting is in session.
[1:39:06] Once you obtain the floor from the mayor, you will have up
[1:39:08] to 10 minutes for debate
[1:39:09] and may speak twice per debatable motion.
[1:39:12] Please speak into the microphone
[1:39:14] and refrain from side conversations at the day
[1:39:16] as when the meeting is in session.
[1:39:18] For those of you joining us virtually,
[1:39:19] please make sure your microphones are muted
[1:39:21] to reduce any background noise.
[1:39:23] That brings us to the consent agenda.
[1:39:25] All matters listed under the consent agenda will be
[1:39:28] considered by city council to be routine
[1:39:29] and will be enacted by one motion
[1:39:31] unless separate discussion is requested
[1:39:32] by council members prior to the vote.
[1:39:34] Members of the audience may ask questions
[1:39:36] regarding items on the consent agenda,
[1:39:38] when the vote has been taken, if an item has been approved,
[1:39:41] has not been called out for separate
[1:39:42] discussion, the item has been approved.
[1:39:43] Council may, however, reconsider any item at any
[1:39:46] time during the meeting. Mayor po Tim.
[1:39:49] Thank you Ms. Pine. I make a motion
[1:39:51] to approve the consent agenda with the following revisions.
[1:39:54] Page three. Item five, move
[1:39:55] to the regular agenda per myself, representative Chavez,
[1:39:58] page four, item 14, delete per representative canez.
[1:40:03] Page five, item 19, move
[1:40:06] to the regular agenda per representative Acevedo.
[1:40:09] Page eight, item 21, delete per real estate division.
[1:40:14] And that was item 18.
[1:40:17] Move to the regular per representative.
[1:40:19] Page nine, item 19. Oh, I'm sorry, 19. Thank you ma'am.
[1:40:23] Say that again. Page five, item 19, move
[1:40:28] to the regular agenda per representative Acevedo.
[1:40:31] The last one was page eight, item 21,
[1:40:33] delete per real estate division.
[1:40:38] Representative Limo,
[1:40:40] I'd like to Mayor, I'd like to request, uh, to move
[1:40:44] to the regular agenda item number six, please as well.
[1:40:48] Okay, thank you.
[1:40:55] Is there a second on the consent agenda? All right.
[1:40:57] And I believe we have public comment. Ms. Brian?
[1:40:59] Yes, mayor, we have Ms.
[1:41:01] Osmond that signed up to speak on item four.
[1:41:03] These are the so solid waste liens
[1:41:10] Come Up. I'm gonna try
[1:41:11] to speak about it.
[1:41:13] Uh, so y'all approved a program that Mr.
[1:41:16] Uh, representative Nino had placed, uh, to get volunteers
[1:41:21] to clean up what city employees are supposed to clean up.
[1:41:25] So you want residents to, uh, make sure
[1:41:29] less employee hours.
[1:41:32] But again, I will implore you to try
[1:41:35] to do a volunteer program so that residents homes,
[1:41:42] some of these people, whether it's elderly, disabled,
[1:41:45] what have you, do a program in your area,
[1:41:50] set up some volunteers.
[1:41:51] If you're gonna throw some money at saving El Paso
[1:41:56] City tax dollars, by having residents do that,
[1:42:01] you're gonna kick in $1,500 to them, which, uh,
[1:42:05] is far less than what city employees doing
[1:42:09] that work would receive.
[1:42:11] But if you're gonna do that, I would say
[1:42:15] actually help your constituents,
[1:42:17] not just make yourself look good
[1:42:20] and, uh, do a volunteer program.
[1:42:22] Each of your offices could set something up
[1:42:26] for constituents in your area so that they don't have
[1:42:29] to do these liens because there's liens in district two.
[1:42:32] There's liens in several of these districts around the city,
[1:42:37] and it's really upsetting that y'all will
[1:42:42] do a program, make yourselves look good, throw in
[1:42:47] that $1,500 for the volunteers to save
[1:42:52] city tax dollars
[1:42:54] because the, that, that money is just saving employee hours.
[1:42:58] But you won't do the same thing so
[1:43:01] that constituents aren't stuck with these liens.
[1:43:05] $350, whatever.
[1:43:07] Do you understand that's those same monies
[1:43:11] that you're putting to save employee hours
[1:43:15] you won't put to help residents avoid these liens.
[1:43:21] I find that, I don't know, rather interesting,
[1:43:27] interesting, appalling one of the two,
[1:43:30] but it doesn't make you look good.
[1:43:33] It, it, it really doesn't
[1:43:35] because in one, you're saving employee hours
[1:43:38] and that throwing out, yeah,
[1:43:41] that $1,500 from your discretionary fund,
[1:43:45] which is just donate donated dollars,
[1:43:50] but you won't do the same so
[1:43:53] that constituents don't get these $350 liens and such.
[1:43:59] And I'm saying, hey, look, some
[1:44:01] of those are probably corporate properties real,
[1:44:04] you know, fine.
[1:44:06] But some of those are also people in the area
[1:44:10] that can't afford it.
[1:44:14] Ms. Brian believe, uh, Ms.
[1:44:16] Osmond also signed up for item number 23.
[1:44:18] Oh, that's Okay. Item 23.
[1:44:22] Sorry, I didn't realize it was on the consent.
[1:44:25] No. Item 23 is an introduction. Okay.
[1:44:28] Okay. Um, and I know typically you don't, we're we're,
[1:44:32] We're not Taking a, we don't begun introduction.
[1:44:33] Yeah. But if I could just, uh, Mr.
[1:44:36] Vedo, just so if you're aware in district two, Ms.
[1:44:40] Oman, we're not on that item, ma. Okay.
[1:44:42] We're we're still on the consent agenda. All thank
[1:44:44] Yeah. My, my fault.
[1:44:45] Okay.
[1:44:46] There's a motion in the second, uh, with the revisions
[1:44:50] of moving items.
[1:44:52] Number five, number six and number 19.
[1:44:54] That's correct, mayor. Okay. Any further discussion?
[1:44:59] All right, Ms. Prime call for the vote.
[1:45:00] Yes, sir. And it also includes the deletion
[1:45:03] of item 21 and 14.
[1:45:05] Yes. On that motion call for the vote
[1:45:13] and the voting session and that motion passes unanimously.
[1:45:17] Alright. Would you like to work
[1:45:18] through the items that were moved to regular?
[1:45:19] Yeah. Let's go to item number five. Yes sir.
[1:45:22] Item number five is a resolution
[1:45:23] that the city manager designee be authorized
[1:45:25] to take all necessary actions
[1:45:27] to dissolve the El Paso Public Improvement District number
[1:45:30] one Thunder Canyon District.
[1:45:34] Good morning, mayor and council. Margarita Marin.
[1:45:36] Deputy CFO Comp controller.
[1:45:39] Representative Chavez,
[1:45:42] Can we see the presentation first please?
[1:45:44] Sure. Thank you.
[1:45:47] Okay. This is a presentation
[1:45:52] of the Public Improvement District number one, uh,
[1:45:55] the Thunder Canyon, as we call it.
[1:45:57] And I understand why Ms.
[1:45:58] Chaz pulled from the consent agenda
[1:46:00] because it is actually a very beautiful story about the
[1:46:05] community coming together, working in partnership
[1:46:07] with a non-profit organization
[1:46:10] and the city, the local government to,
[1:46:12] to preserve this land.
[1:46:15] The strategic alignment for this is Goal six
[1:46:18] set the standard for some governance
[1:46:20] and physical management.
[1:46:28] So I'll walk you through, through the story of the pit.
[1:46:31] Um, everything started in 2004 when some
[1:46:35] of the residents observed
[1:46:36] that there was a developer working in the area
[1:46:39] with the intention to, to build something in this area.
[1:46:42] So the developer reach out to the,
[1:46:49] To the, to the, uh, Frontera Land Alliance.
[1:46:53] And in order to preserve this, this land,
[1:46:56] and together they reach out to the city wanting
[1:46:58] to see if there was something that could be done.
[1:47:01] So then in 2006, um, the, the owners
[1:47:06] of the area, they filed a petition to for the city council
[1:47:10] to consider creating a pit under the authority given
[1:47:14] through the Chapter 3 72 of the local government code.
[1:47:19] Then six months after, in January of 2007, the city council,
[1:47:23] um, created a resolution
[1:47:26] to actually create this, the district.
[1:47:28] And then furthermore, in April of 2007,
[1:47:31] the city council finally adopted an ordinance to pass this,
[1:47:35] um, service and assessment plan to vy the taxes
[1:47:38] for this, for the, for the area.
[1:47:41] May, 2007, um, the city signed a conservation easement
[1:47:45] with the Frontier Line Alliance
[1:47:47] to preserve the open space in perpetuity.
[1:47:50] And then in the same month, in order to acquire the land,
[1:47:53] the city issue, um,
[1:47:55] special assessment revenue bond in the amount of $400,000.
[1:47:59] And that in conjunction with the donation of some
[1:48:03] of the residents in the area, they came together to to,
[1:48:07] to the acquisition of the land that was donated to the city.
[1:48:11] So since then, in 2008, annually, the city came back
[1:48:15] to the city council, did a review
[1:48:17] and evaluation of the annual, assess the annual assessment
[1:48:20] to make sure that it was still appropriate
[1:48:23] to cover the payment of the bond.
[1:48:24] During those 12 years, the city, uh, found
[1:48:27] that the assessment was appropriate
[1:48:29] and no changes were made.
[1:48:31] Lastly, um, in August of 2020,
[1:48:34] we did the final payment for the bond.
[1:48:39] And, um, after that, no assessment
[1:48:42] or taxes has been levied on any residence of this area.
[1:48:46] And it was a win situation for everybody
[1:48:48] because the city got to acquire this land
[1:48:51] with no expenditures related to the maintenance of the land.
[1:48:55] And then the owners got to save this beautiful space
[1:48:58] and preserve it in perpetuity.
[1:49:01] So today is more of a formality to legally close this pit
[1:49:05] because financially we did everything that needed to be done
[1:49:08] to extinguish the debt.
[1:49:10] All payments has been made.
[1:49:11] There's no funds available anymore.
[1:49:13] So financially this fund actually has been
[1:49:16] closed since 2020.
[1:49:17] And today we're just here again as a formality to close it.
[1:49:21] And that concludes the presentation. Any questions?
[1:49:24] Okay, representative
[1:49:25] Chavez, is there a motion to approve this?
[1:49:26] Motion to approve? Second. Okay. Representative Chavez.
[1:49:29] Thank you Mayor. And I'd like to,
[1:49:31] to read a statement and to the record.
[1:49:32] Thank you, margarita for the presentation today.
[1:49:35] Thunder Canyon exists today
[1:49:37] because neighbors in district one chose community over
[1:49:41] convenience and preservation over development.
[1:49:44] Nearly 20 years ago, when this aroyo on the west side
[1:49:48] of the Franklin Mountains was at risk of being developed,
[1:49:52] residents came together with a shared goal,
[1:49:55] protect open space
[1:49:57] and preserve the natural character of their neighborhood
[1:50:00] for future generations.
[1:50:02] Rather than asking the broader city to shoulder the cost,
[1:50:05] approximately 90 neighboring households voluntarily agreed
[1:50:11] to tax themselves through the creation
[1:50:14] of a public improvement district.
[1:50:15] Number one, that decision allowed the city
[1:50:19] to purchase the land upfront, secure the canyon
[1:50:23] as open space,
[1:50:24] and repay the cost over time, using assessments paid
[1:50:29] directly by those residents.
[1:50:32] This was a deliberate place-based effort rooted in
[1:50:35] stewardship and civic responsibility.
[1:50:38] Those neighbors understood the value of open space,
[1:50:42] flood control, wildlife habitat,
[1:50:45] and quality of life, not just for themselves,
[1:50:49] but for the entire community because of their commitment.
[1:50:53] Thunder Canyon is protected today
[1:50:56] and remains a natural area
[1:50:58] that residents across El Paso can enjoy.
[1:51:01] That protection is not temporary.
[1:51:04] A conservation easement was established to ensure
[1:51:07] that the property will be retained forever as open space.
[1:51:11] It is a lasting safeguard that reflects the intent
[1:51:15] of the neighbors who came together to save Thunder Canyon
[1:51:19] and guarantees that their investment will continue
[1:51:23] to benefit future generations.
[1:51:26] I applaud their efforts
[1:51:27] because throughout the time that they were making payments,
[1:51:31] it is my understanding that none
[1:51:33] of them defaulted on those payments.
[1:51:34] So they gave their word to the city that they would commit
[1:51:38] to preserving Thunder Canyon,
[1:51:40] and that is exactly what they did.
[1:51:42] The neighbors, uh, of Upper Hills, uh,
[1:51:44] neighborhood Association, I commend them for that.
[1:51:47] I also wanna read into a, the record,
[1:51:49] a statement from the executive director
[1:51:52] of Front Land Alliance,
[1:51:53] who was very much involved in this effort.
[1:51:55] And you can find videos
[1:51:57] of when this effort initiated on YouTube,
[1:51:59] which I did myself.
[1:52:01] And Janae's statement reads the following,
[1:52:03] thunder Canyon PID concept was new
[1:52:06] to the Frontera Land Alliance in 2006.
[1:52:09] It turned out to be a very effective instrument
[1:52:12] to conserve important open space lands within neighborhoods,
[1:52:17] and was a testament to how dedicated the neighbors were
[1:52:21] to the conservation of the Thunder Canyon Arroyo
[1:52:24] and all the habitat and wildlife it protects.
[1:52:27] The PID paired with a conservation easement proved
[1:52:30] to be a great way to conserve neighborhood lands
[1:52:33] for the community, for flood control and water recharge,
[1:52:37] and while providing the public access
[1:52:39] to natural open spaces, end quote.
[1:52:42] So, uh, mayor and council and everybody here
[1:52:45] and listening online, uh, this PID is a testament to
[1:52:49] what can happen when our community comes together
[1:52:52] with our local city government to really create quality
[1:52:55] of life spaces for all of us to enjoy.
[1:52:58] Um, uh, this PIDI think was, its first of its kind
[1:53:02] and is unique because there are, in my understanding, uh,
[1:53:05] just one other one
[1:53:06] that exists currently within our community.
[1:53:09] So, uh, I commend again,
[1:53:11] the efforts from Upper Hills Neighborhood Association,
[1:53:13] from the Land Alliance City staff,
[1:53:16] and everybody who worked on this project,
[1:53:18] and I appreciate your presentation today.
[1:53:20] Margarita, thank, thank you so much. Thank you
[1:53:22] So much. Congratulations.
[1:53:23] Thank
[1:53:24] You. Thank
[1:53:25] You. Yeah. Congratulations
[1:53:26] everyone.
[1:53:26] Alright, there's a motion and a second on this item. Ms.
[1:53:29] Brian. Item number five.
[1:53:30] Yes, sir. The motion was made by Mayor Prote Chavez,
[1:53:33] seconded by Representative Nino to approve item five on
[1:53:36] that motion call for the vote
[1:53:48] in the voting session.
[1:53:50] And that motion passes unanimously.
[1:53:52] Okay. Let's take item number six.
[1:53:53] Item six is a resolution
[1:53:55] that the city manager designee be authorized
[1:53:57] to sign an overhead electrical easement granting an easement
[1:54:00] to the El Paso Electric Company to provide electrical power
[1:54:03] to property owned by the city
[1:54:04] of El Paso within the municipal limits of the city.
[1:54:08] Mayor, Make a motion to approve this sign. Okay.
[1:54:10] Second. Alright, Joaquin. Morning,
[1:54:12] Mayor. Councilman,
[1:54:13] Representative Lemore. I'm
[1:54:14] Sorry, I, I don't think we Joaquin.
[1:54:16] Thank you. I don't think we need a,
[1:54:17] a presentation necessarily.
[1:54:19] I'd just like to know the location, the exact location.
[1:54:22] This is at the City's Traffic Management Center over off
[1:54:25] of San Paulo.
[1:54:28] Thank you. Thank you, mayor. All right.
[1:54:32] Thank you. Walk all.
[1:54:33] There's a motion and a second to approve Item number six.
[1:54:37] Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Limon,
[1:54:39] seconded by Representative Canez
[1:54:41] to approve the resolution on item six.
[1:54:43] On that motion call for the vote
[1:54:50] and the voting session.
[1:54:52] And that motion passes unanimously.
[1:54:54] All right. The stick item number 19.
[1:54:57] Yes, sir. Item number 19 is the award
[1:55:00] of solicitation 2025 dash 0 0 3 1 R,
[1:55:04] real Estate Appraisal Services Airport
[1:55:07] to the following suppliers, number one C-B-R-E-E,
[1:55:11] number two, Steve R Greg, DBA, Greg, risk Management,
[1:55:15] LLC number three, Lawry Property Advisors, LLC
[1:55:18] and number four, Wilkinson, Pendergrass and Associates.
[1:55:22] Representative Vado.
[1:55:25] Thank you Mayor. I was looking at the backup for this item
[1:55:29] and was kinda seeing, seeing
[1:55:34] that there's, sorry I lost my
[1:55:38] place in the agenda.
[1:55:42] Um, I, I was kinda seeing how there were several
[1:55:47] companies that were, um, selected on this.
[1:55:51] So has this have, have we had appraisal services before
[1:55:54] and we're re redoing it?
[1:55:56] Or is this the first time that we're actually doing it?
[1:55:58] Good morning, Krista Bus
[1:55:59] with purchasing and strategic sourcing.
[1:56:01] So the city does have, um, other, um, that's
[1:56:05] what I thought appraisal services with
[1:56:06] like the real estate division.
[1:56:08] Um, this is the first one directly just for the airport.
[1:56:11] And what was the reasoning for that?
[1:56:14] Um, I'll go ahead and defer that to the department.
[1:56:16] Okay.
[1:56:23] Good morning. Debbie Olivas with the airport.
[1:56:25] So it is necessary for us to have a contract at the airport.
[1:56:28] We have over 400 leases that we, um, oversee
[1:56:32] and so we need the services, uh, to reappraise, um,
[1:56:37] the, the land.
[1:56:39] And so we do it every 10 years for some of our leases.
[1:56:45] For some, but not for all, For most, yes.
[1:56:48] Okay. 'cause I, I've kind
[1:56:50] of been hearing it's been a little complicated with
[1:56:54] some rents going up
[1:56:55] and communication issues and stuff like that.
[1:56:58] So I'm trying to understand if this was holding that up
[1:57:02] or how do you feel this is gonna
[1:57:04] make that work more efficient?
[1:57:06] No, so right now we've been using the contract under, uh,
[1:57:10] the real estate division
[1:57:12] and CID so we have a process in place Right now,
[1:57:15] it has delayed a little bit
[1:57:17] because we have to request permission from those departments
[1:57:21] to use their contracts,
[1:57:22] but it's only about two weeks that we've seen a delay.
[1:57:27] Okay. And so the two week delay
[1:57:33] using the appraisal services that we already have
[1:57:37] and getting your own is going to eliminate two weeks
[1:57:40] and it's just gonna be easier or
[1:57:42] Well, yes. 'cause now we'll
[1:57:43] have a contract in place
[1:57:45] and so what we'll do is what we'll rotate
[1:57:48] between the different, um, vendors
[1:57:51] and so we'll have 'em on call.
[1:57:53] We'll just request, um, a quote from them and move forward.
[1:57:57] It's just a lot of money when we're kind of already using
[1:58:01] when we already have services in place.
[1:58:03] Right. So I'm trying to understand a little bit more,
[1:58:06] and I'm not getting the clarity that I need. It's
[1:58:08] Actually the same. So we
[1:58:09] have the major contract that we've had
[1:58:11] and as you know, we are working through over the next couple
[1:58:15] of years looking at our entire inventory of property.
[1:58:17] And so really the amount of property
[1:58:19] that we are having going through appraisals is much higher
[1:58:21] than we would've had historically.
[1:58:23] And so I think this is allowing
[1:58:25] that the real estate division has the capacity it needs on
[1:58:27] the contracts that it has in place,
[1:58:29] but also this is allowing us to utilize other companies
[1:58:33] to be able to make sure that we can do the appraisals
[1:58:35] to be able to renew the leases,
[1:58:37] which is a requirement for the airport.
[1:58:39] They're still, I mean, if you're looking at the, the cost
[1:58:41] of those appraisals, those are comparable, you know,
[1:58:44] until the contracts that we have, it just allows for us
[1:58:47] to have on call more companies
[1:58:49] that can get this done quicker so that we can move
[1:58:51] through those leasing processes.
[1:58:53] Okay. And then the, each appraisal is gonna be $1,800
[1:58:58] to $15,000.
[1:59:00] Is that gonna be based on who you call
[1:59:02] or is that just a general thing
[1:59:04] that all four companies will have
[1:59:07] It? It's based on
[1:59:08] the actual property.
[1:59:09] Okay, so it's based on property and Yes.
[1:59:11] Then each one will charge you. Yes.
[1:59:14] And then I guess on the,
[1:59:16] when this was listed out on the following suppliers,
[1:59:19] I think it was just listed out based on the score sheet
[1:59:21] that was there and not necessarily in order of
[1:59:26] who got, um, first, second, third, and fourth.
[1:59:30] Was there reason for that? No. No.
[1:59:33] Yes. So the, the ones that we're awarding,
[1:59:36] they were all in the same range.
[1:59:38] So, um, because it's on a rotating basis
[1:59:41] and we have a, a scale that we're using, it doesn't,
[1:59:47] it wouldn't make a difference in the order
[1:59:48] that we're providing them to you here.
[1:59:51] Oh, 'cause of the way you're gonna
[1:59:52] utilize the services. Yes.
[1:59:54] Yeah. So they'll be on a rotating basis, um,
[1:59:57] that way it's fair for all of them.
[1:59:59] And were the two El Paso ones Wilkinson
[2:00:02] and Steve, Greg, um, part of by El Paso?
[2:00:08] Uh, so, so
[2:00:12] because for all of our airport solicitations,
[2:00:16] we include federal, uh, provisions, we're not able
[2:00:19] to include higher El Paso first into
[2:00:22] these, uh, solicitations.
[2:00:23] Okay. So that had nothing to do with No. Okay. Alright.
[2:00:27] Thank you.
[2:00:29] Okay. Yeah, it's, is there a, is there a second?
[2:00:31] Art Representative? Canales.
[2:00:33] Thank you Mayor. I think one other important thing
[2:00:35] to point out and that's that the, uh, the contracts
[2:00:40] that we have through for appraisal services through, uh,
[2:00:43] the, the real estate division are funded
[2:00:45] with the general fund, is that correct?
[2:00:46] This is airport enterprise funds.
[2:00:48] And so, uh, this is
[2:00:51] theoretically leave capacity on the general fund, uh,
[2:00:54] funded contract and, and,
[2:00:56] and instead utilize airport enterprise funds for the,
[2:00:58] the contract at the airport.
[2:01:00] Airport always paid.
[2:01:01] So we always charge back to the appropriate funding code.
[2:01:04] So if it's some metro or airport utilize a real estate,
[2:01:08] we, we do that alignment
[2:01:09] Back to Right. But it does
[2:01:10] use up the capacity on the contract
[2:01:13] that is at real estate.
[2:01:16] Okay. Um, yeah, for that reason, I think it's, uh,
[2:01:19] it's a good thing for the airport to have its own
[2:01:22] contract if the capacity is going to be, uh, fairly high
[2:01:26] or if, if the, the utilization is going to be fairly high
[2:01:28] and you're not burdening the other contract. Thank you.
[2:01:31] Alright. Any further discussion on this item?
[2:01:36] Alright, hearing none Ms. Prime call for the vote? Yes,
[2:01:38] Sir. The motion was made by
[2:01:39] Representative Limon, seconded
[2:01:41] by alternate Mayor Proto Piero
[2:01:42] to award the solicitation on item 19.
[2:01:45] On that motion call for the vote
[2:01:53] and the voting session and that motion passes unanimously.
[2:01:58] Ms. Brian, I believe that brings us to the first readings.
[2:02:01] Yes, sir. That brings us to the first
[2:02:02] reading of ordinances.
[2:02:03] These are items 22 to 24.
[2:02:06] Is there a motion to mayor?
[2:02:08] Make a motion to move, um,
[2:02:10] on the reading of the first ordinances?
[2:02:11] Is there a second? All right. And Ms.
[2:02:13] Prime, I believe we have public comment on item number 23.
[2:02:17] That's correct. We have Ms.
[2:02:18] Osmond that signed up to speak on the introduction
[2:02:21] of an ordinance amending Title 18 building
[2:02:23] and construction, outdoor lighting code
[2:02:25] of city owned facilities.
[2:02:30] I just wanna make sure that, uh, my representative
[2:02:33] ro is aware honestly, this lighting code, Hey,
[2:02:38] like anybody that's gone to San Diego, been
[2:02:43] to the Hillcrest area, other areas across the US
[2:02:47] little arches kind of looks cute,
[2:02:51] but history for El Paso is, we've done this
[2:02:55] before, past city councils
[2:02:58] and city government has wasted tax dollars
[2:03:01] in the same way before.
[2:03:03] And proof on how long it really lasts
[2:03:07] is in district two.
[2:03:09] You could pull it up on Google Maps, Coron
[2:03:12] of Travis and Cambridge.
[2:03:17] The foundation posts are still there at least on one side
[2:03:21] because they're used to be one of these arches
[2:03:24] in that neighborhood as well.
[2:03:26] Not everybody knows the history of El Paso as well as I do.
[2:03:30] Um, but then again,
[2:03:35] not everybody's family's been here from the
[2:03:37] foundation of this city.
[2:03:39] So, um, it, it's, look,
[2:03:45] it looks cute in current place, the one in five points,
[2:03:52] especially where it's gonna be put.
[2:03:54] I think it's a total waste of funds.
[2:04:01] And I understand, um, our city wants to try a turn.
[2:04:05] The what, what anybody who knows the area
[2:04:09] actually calls it Bohemian block.
[2:04:11] You know, Vinnies is at Dewey's.
[2:04:14] You know, Christina started the whole thing with Vinnies,
[2:04:20] but trying to turn that whole area
[2:04:23] to relieve the issues that Kern place was having
[2:04:27] with the Cincinnati area hasn't done good
[2:04:30] for our area either.
[2:04:34] Um, in highlighting it with that arch
[2:04:37] and wasted tax dollars, again,
[2:04:41] honestly, I think our city needs
[2:04:42] Teamwork and belonging.
[2:04:44] Charlotte, though only four years old
[2:04:47] had a remarkable spirit.
[2:04:49] Her parents have shared so many of her, sorry.
[2:04:52] Her parents have shared that she made it her mission
[2:04:55] to ensure that everyone around her knew what love was.
[2:05:00] She would probably, she would probably say Al is for love
[2:05:04] and will make a heart shape with her hands.
[2:05:08] A simple yet powerful reminder that the kindness
[2:05:11] and joy she brought into every space.
[2:05:14] This item is deeply important
[2:05:16] because in El Paso, we are all family.
[2:05:19] Sebastian, Sr. And Stephanie, their parents who are here
[2:05:22] with us today, have shared so many loving memories
[2:05:26] of the children with me.
[2:05:27] And it was important to ensure that Sebastian
[2:05:29] and Charlotte's memory and the love that they represented
[2:05:33] continues to live on, not just in our hearts,
[2:05:35] but in a place where children play, families gather
[2:05:38] and our community is built.
[2:05:41] I want to sincerely thank the neighbors
[2:05:43] and the community members and now all of El Paso
[2:05:46] for coming together, who stood alongside with his family,
[2:05:50] including Mr. Carl Jackson, who is also here with us today,
[2:05:53] and his wife Karen, for their support
[2:05:57] and ex exemplifying
[2:05:58] what it truly means to care for one another.
[2:06:01] I want to also thank Sebastian Senior for her service
[2:06:04] and for the strength and grace that he
[2:06:06] and Stephanie continue to show us.
[2:06:10] Renaming This park is more than an act of remembrance.
[2:06:12] It's a reflection of who we are as a city.
[2:06:15] Once again, the city of El Paso stands together as family
[2:06:19] and remain here to support the Trotter family today.
[2:06:22] And always counsel I respectfully ask for.