City Council - Regular Meeting

Well, good morning, everyone, and welcome to City Council Chambers. We are ready to get started. Ms. Bryan?

Good morning, Mayor, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to the presentation of the Mayor's Recognitions and Proclamations. We begin this morning with a Pledge of Allegiance, and to lead us, we have Idalia Rae Chapman from Hueco Elementary School at the invitation of City Representative Lily Limon.

I got it, I got it, thank you. There you go.

That's what you wanted.

One, two, three. Thank you.

OK, Miss Brian.

Yes Sir, thank you. We move on with the premier's proclamations the 1st proclamation is in the other lane that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that

Lo voy a leer primero y luego puede decir unas palabras, okay?

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to everybody. Welcome to City Council. Today I'm going to read this proclamation in Spanish for El Salvador.

Considerando que conmemoramos el 205 aniversario del Día de la Independencia del Salvador y rendimos homenaje a su patria y a su bandera. Y considerando que honramos la memoria de quienes dieron su vida por la independencia y la libertad. Reconociendo a todas las personas con raíces en El Salvador que contribuyen al desarrollo y la diversidad cultural de la ciudad de El Paso. Y considerando que la ciudad de El Paso reafirma su compromiso de trabajar en estrecha colaboración con el Consulado General de El Salvador para promover lazos más sólidos de cooperación y amistad entre el pueblo. salvadoreño y la comunidad del paso y considerando que los pueblos del salvador y de los estados unidos continúan unidos por profundos lazos geográficos comerciales de valores compartidos y de familia Por lo tanto, se proclama por el alcalde y el Consejo Municipal de la Ciudad del Paso que el 15 de septiembre de 2026 será conocido como día del 205 aniversario de la independencia de El Salvador, firmado por el alcalde Renard Johnson.

Buenos dias.

Buenos dias. Honorable Mayor Renner Johnson, distinguished city representatives of the eight districts of El Paso, local authorities, guests of honor, and fellow competitors, it is a true privilege to stand before you today to receive this recognition. With your permission, I will proceed in Spanish and deliver my closing remarks in English. Con su permiso. It is an honor to be in front of you to receive with deep gratitude this proclamation for the Independence Day of El Salvador. In the name of our nation and of all the Salvadorans, I extend our sincere thanks to this Municipal Council. Queremos expresar un agradecimiento muy especial a la hermosa ciudad del Paso por abrirle los pasos a nuestra comunidad. El Paso no ha sido solo nuestro lugar de residencia, sino un verdadero hogar. seguro y lleno de oportunidades donde los salvadoreños hemos encontrado un lugar acogedor para salir adelante, trabajar con dignidad y aportar activamente al desarrollo económico y cultural de esta gran región. En este 2026, la conmemoración cívica de nuestra independencia nos recuerda que escribimos una nueva página en nuestra historia. Tras la búsqueda del desarrollo y bienestar de nuestros pueblos, vivimos una transformación que abona la construcción de una verdadera soberanía, paz y libertad. Los salvadoreños nos sentimos muy orgullosos de cómo podemos contar ahora nuestra historia, una historia de dificultades y la nueva vida que ahora estamos empezando como nación, priorizando la seguridad y abriendo caminos para el progreso y la inversión. A nuestros connacionales en El Paso les reiteramos nuestro compromiso de seguir trabajando para acompañarles y brindarles la atención que merecen. The Salvadoran diaspora abroad in the United States is more than 3 million. There is an estimate from a local census that says that there are around 1,000 Salvadorans in El Paso County. We believe that there are more. And these Salvadorans are integrating day by day into the dynamics of this city. These Salvadorans are contributing. El Paso has become their home. Estos tres millones de salvadoreños en Estados Unidos y los más de mil que están únicamente en el condado de El Paso, la mayoría de ellos en esta ciudad, son embajadores de nuestra identidad. Trabajan con esfuerzo fuera de nuestras fronteras y apoyan a nuestro país. Hoy celebramos una independencia que no se queda en los libros de la historia. Son hoy 205 años de lucha por esta libertad. Esta libertad que se vive ahora en cada familia trabajadora, tanto en El Salvador como en la ciudad del Paso. Y esto reafirma el fuerte enlazo de amistad que nos une con ciudades como El Paso, que nos ha acogido en esta oportunidad. On behalf of the government and the people of El Salvador, I want to express our deepest appreciation to Mayor Renard Johnson and the city representatives of all eight districts for this meaningful proclamation. Thank you for making El Paso a welcoming home for the Salvadorian community, where our people can thrive, contribute, and keep their traditions alive. We reaffirm our commitment to friendship, collaboration, and shared values between our communities. Quiero finalmente hacer una mención especial y un agradecimiento a la regidora Diana Maldonado Rocha, que nos ha abierto las puertas para esta proclamación. Agradecemos con el corazón esta oportunidad que le da a El Salvador de poder estar frente a ustedes, de poder estar frente a esta community so that everyone knows that there is a Salvadoran community that is pushing, that is flourishing in El Paso and that this comes only from the opportunities that a nation as big as the United States gives. You have a blessed land of which we are now part and we want to contribute with work. I think there used to be a different image of El Salvador, but at this moment we are sure that the Salvadorans who come are adding, they have their families, there are new Americans now who are part of the Salvadoran families. We also have a very large relationship with the Mexican community. Many of our Salvadorans have formed homes with Mexicans, with Americans, and they are integrating. a esta sociedad no únicamente binacional, sino multicultural. Así que nos sentimos muy agradecidos por darnos esta oportunidad, por abrirnos la puerta de su oficina para poder estar aquí presentes y esperamos que esta sea no la primera oportunidad, que su servidor esté aquí presente, sino que podamos trabajar conjuntamente en pro de nuestra comunidad salvadoreña, que es finalmente a quien nosotros en el Consulado de El Salvador nos debemos. Thank you very much, and may God bless El Salvador and the city of El Paso.

Very good. Felicidades on the 205th anniversary of El Salvador's Independence Day. Congratulations.

Ready, and hold right. Big smiles, count to three. Ready, one, two, three. And we have quite a few phones here for the big smiles.

Okay, Ms. Bryan.

And the next proclamation is El Paso Fire Department class one, ISO rating.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor. And if the firefighters can make their way up. Thank you, Chief. What a privilege to read this today. Whereas the Insurance Services Office ISO has awarded the city a class one public protections classification recognizing the city's commitment to excellence in fire protection, emergency response and community safety and whereas A class one ISO rating is the highest classification awarded and reflects the exceptional performance of the city's fire department, emergency communication system and water distribution infrastructure. And whereas the prestigious designation demonstrates the city's ongoing commitment to protecting the lives and property of its residents through high quality fire and emergency service. And whereas the city takes great pride in the dedication and professionalism of its firefighters, emergency personnel, and community partners whose efforts contributed to achieving and maintaining this distinguished rating. And now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and council of the city of El Paso that the city proudly recognizes and celebrates the achievement of maintaining a class one ISO rating and commends the fire department and all those whose commitment and service made this accomplishment possible. Signed by the honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. Congratulations.

Good morning.

Good morning. My name is Deborah Knight and I am the state fire marshal. I am absolutely pleased and honored to be here to recommend, excuse me.

Bless you. Sorry. Bless you.

To recognize El Paso, the community of El Paso for maintaining its ISO class one public protection classification. Before I present the plaque, I want to give a little background on what that actually means because it is a significant achievement. iso evaluates the community's ability to respond to and suppress fires within that community and what it looks like it looks at is key infrastructure of that fire protection system about 50 percent of the score is based on the fire department including staffing equipment deployment training response capabilities another 40 percent is based on the community's water supply and its distribution system, including whether the adequate water is available for the firefighters when they need it. And about 10% is based on the emergency communication system that receives the calls and gets the appropriate resources needed to the emergency. Those points are then established, used to establish a classification ranging from class one to class 10, with class one representing the highest level of fire protection capability. Insurance companies may then use that community ISO rating as one factor in evaluating the risk and determining property insurance rates in that community. El Paso was last surveyed in 2012 and earned a class one rating. Today, we're recognizing the city for continuing to maintain that class one rating. I think the word maintain is important here. Achieving a class one is difficult. Maintaining it year after year, that's an achievement. The community's infrastructure change, the equipment's age, and demands placed on public safety continue to evolve. For more than a decade, El Paso has continued to make the investments and provided the resources necessary to maintain the highest classification available. Chief Killings, I want to congratulate you and the men and women of El Paso Fire Department for your part in that achievement. And importantly, a class one rating is a community achievement. It reflects not only the work of the fire department, but also the work of the water system, the emergency communications professionals, and it reflects the continued support of the city leadership, this city council, who have provided the resources necessary to continue to make public safety a priority. Maintaining a class one takes all the pieces working together year after year. So on behalf of the Texas Department of Insurance and the State Fire Marshal's Office, congratulations to Chief Killings, the El Paso Fire Department, the City Council, and the entire city of El Paso for maintaining your ISO class rating. I'm privileged to present this plaque recognizing that achievement.

Good morning, Chief.

Good morning, Mayor, city council members. I just want to take a moment to recognize everybody standing behind me. So firefighting is a team sport. You see us on the rigs. You see us out there in the community. We're always together. We're always working together. And an achievement like this would not be possible without the team that's behind me. It goes all the way from our strategic planning department to our logistics training Everything and going through these processes makes our department better. We've learned we learned so many things that we can do better based on these outside assessments of our organization and then because of the support of you all and the community working together, we're able to take those suggestions, put them into actions, make our department better, and continue to maintain the highest level of service for our community, which is the end goal. That's what it's all about is making sure that our community members are safe. So again, thank you to you all for your continued support. Thank you to the state fire marshal's office and the ISO. But most of all, thank you to the men and women of the El Paso Fire Department for continuing to step up and achieve the mission and making sure that we're all safe in our community. So thank you.

Well, Chief, congratulations to you and the entire team. And as Deborah said, receiving an ISO rating is one thing, but maintaining it is another. And all the audits and things that you guys have to go through to continue to have the highest level of ISO rating. You make El Paso proud. We know that this isn't something easy to achieve. And, you know, and again, as she said, maintaining it is something that we have to keep doing. I do want you to take one moment to tell us about the new rig that we saw on 9-11.

Yeah. So this September 11th, we were all out at the UTEP stair climb honoring the memory of our fallen firefighters. And it just so happened that, you know, in the setting of the Sun Bowl at UTEP, we were able to bring out and unveil our newest addition to the El Paso Fire Department fleet. So Pumper 8, which was... Previous Pumper 8 is a 2006 Pierce, which is five years past NFPA recommendations for a replacement. So it's one of the oldest rigs in our fleet, and it was due for replacement. So we were able to take an opportunity when they asked, what color do you want to paint this fire truck? We said, all right, let's take an opportunity. We partnered up with UTEP, and we got permission to honor their primary service area, which is UTEP, with a rig that is minor colors. It's all decked out in UTEP minor graphics, and we were able to unveil it at the 9-11 ceremony out at the Sun Bowl. And we look forward to continuing to partner with just a staple in the community with UTEP. Super proud of it. It came out beautiful, and we look forward to driving it down the street in the parade these coming holidays, so look out for it.

Fantastic, and congratulations.

Thank you, sir.

MS. FRANK.

THE NEXT PROCLAMATION IS MAURICIO IBARRA, PONCE DE LEON DE.

REPRESENTATIVE LIMON.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. BUENAS HORAS. THIS MORNING, I have the honor of co-presenting a proclamation to honor a good, good friend, someone who's had some exceptional leadership. And given that the Consulado is located in District 8, I've asked my colleague to assist in the reading of the proclamation. So, vamos a empezar. Proclamation of the City of El Paso. Considering that the Honorable Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de Leon, Distinguished Diplomatic of Career and Member of the Mexican Foreign Service, assumed the role of Consul General of Mexico in El Paso on May 28, 2019, and since then has continued to perform sus funciones con ejemplar vocación de servicio público, liderazgo firme y un profundo y genuino compromiso con las personas y comunidades que integran la región de Paso del Norte.

And, whereas, throughout his ongoing tenure, Consul General Ibarra Ponce de Leon embraces El Paso and Ciudad Juarez as much more than neighboring communities, recognizing them as one vibrant, interconnected, binational region whose shared history, culture, family links, and aspirations transcend borders.

y considerando que ha dedicado sus esfuerzos al fortalecimiento de los vínculos económicos que unen a nuestra región mediante la promoción del comercio transfronterizo, la inversión, la integración de las cadenas de suministro y las oportunidades de relocalización de empresas. así como mediante el establecimiento y fortalecimiento de relaciones entre autoridades gubernamentales, representantes del sector empresarial, instituciones de educación superior y organizaciones comunitarias de ambos lados de la frontera.

And whereas, under his leadership, the Consulate General of Mexico continues to serve as a vital bridge between communities, supporting initiatives that celebrate Mexican culture and heritage, including through the Centro Cultural Mexicano Paso del Norte, the monumental El Sol de Paquime Megasphere, diverse bi-national culture exhibitions, and regional celebrations such as Vivamos Mexico, bringing people together through art, music, history, and tradition.

Y considerando que con motivo de los trágicos acontecimientos ocurridos el 3 de agosto de 2019, el Consul General Ibarra Ponce de León manifestó una extraordinaria calidad humana, sensibilidad y liderazgo. acompañando a las víctimas mexicanas y a sus familias, fortaleciendo los mecanismos de protección y asistencia consular y alzando de manera firme y constante su voz en contra del odio, el racismo, la xenofobia, la supremacia blanca y el tráfico ilícito de armas de fuego.

And, whereas, during times of uncertainty and crisis, including the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, he continues to promote cooperation amongst leaders and institutions on both sides of the border, working to protect the health, safety, well-being, and economic stability of border communities while reinforcing the spirit of solidarity that defines the Paso del Norte region.

Considerando que ha demostrado un firme compromiso con la protección de los derechos y el bienestar de las comunidades mexicanas e hispanas mediante el fortalecimiento de la asistencia jurídica, la promoción y difusión de los derechos laborales, el establecimiento de alianzas estratégicas con organizaciones dedicadas a la seguridad y protección, de los trabajadores y la implementación de iniciativas orientadas al beneficio y desarrollo integral de toda la región.

And, whereas, his leadership continues to be defined by a spirit of collaboration and friendship, bringing together elected officials, civic leaders, educators, business leaders, artists, athletes, community organizations, and families in pursuit of a stronger, more prosperous, and more united Paso del Norte region.

Y considerando que la ciudad de El Paso reconoce y honra con profundo orgullo la perdurable estima que Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de Leon ha demostrado hacia esta comunidad su distinguida trayectoria en el servicio diplomático y su extraordinaria dedicación al servicio de las personas y comunidades a las que representa y sirve. Por tanto, se resuelve y se proclama por el alcalde y el consejo municipal de la ciudad del Paso en reconocimiento a su distinguida trayectoria diplomática, ejemplar servicio público, liderazgo y permanente compromiso con la región de Paso del Norte, que el día 15 de septiembre the 2026 CAA, and for the present, it is officially declared as the day of Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de Leon, given and proclaimed in the city of El Paso on September 15. Congratulations, Consul.

Good morning, good morning, friend.

Well, first of all, I want to thank the city council, starting with Major Johnson, who has been always very forward in strengthening the relationship between Mexico and the United States, between our border communities. to all the representatives here in the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, Rep Acevedo, Rep Rocha, Rep Pollard Trejo, Rep Nino, Rep Fierro, Rep Canales, and last, Lily Limon, that I actually want to make special recognition to Rep Limon, because she's part of the board of Paso del Norte Mexican Cultural Center, and she has been pushing for cultural events here in El Paso. She recognizes how do we need to highlight joint heritage, joint history, so thank you very much. Thank you all of you, and I want to thank you for the work that you do on a daily basis for the community. This is amazing. It shows the leadership in this city. It's great, and this is something that I'm going to talk about in a few seconds. I am truly honored and I'm humbled to receive this recognition. It talks a little bit of some of the things that we have been able to do since I got here in 2019. But I have to say that I have to share this recognition with all the members of the Consulate General of Mexico. Today we are joined by the members of the Mexican Foreign Service who work at the consulate here, as well as some of the key staff that head some of the key areas in the consulate. And actually it's because of them that I can do and we can try to do everything here in El Paso. I still have a lot of people right now working at the consulate, serving our community, which I owe to them everything that has happened here. So thank you very much, and thank you. I would like to thank all of them for their work. I want to say that I am really honored as well, because actually my wife, Kathy, who is with me here, and Alejandro, my younger son, We have embraced this community as our second home. And why? Because this is a very welcoming community. This is a very collaborative community. The best that we have here is the people. So we have made it our second home here and we hope to be here much longer. So that's very special for me. And I want to say, you mentioned a few of the things that I promote here in the city. I'm a true believer of all the best things that El Paso has to offer. The potential El Paso has in areas such as economic development, trade, tourism, cultural affairs, everything. I think we are lucky to have such a beautiful city with such great people, with a great leadership that guides everything that's going on in this city. So I can commit that wherever I live or wherever I am in the next few years, I will be sure to keep promoting everything that this beautiful city has to offer outside the border. Everybody outside the border needs to know how important is El Paso, how engaging is El Paso and all the opportunities that they can have whenever they come and see what we have here. So thank you very much. I'm really humbled to receive this recognition and I would like to thank you all for the job that you do on a daily basis for the community. Thank you very much.

WELL, MY FRIEND, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE COUNCIL. AND YOU SAID SOMETHING RIGHT NOW, WE ARE ACTUALLY LUCKY TO HAVE YOU AS OUR COUNCIL. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. YOU DO SO MUCH. YOU DO SO MUCH. AND YOU REPRESENT MEXICO AND YOU DO SUCH A GOOD JOB IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND EVERYWHERE I GO THROUGHOUT MEXICO, EVERYONE KNOWS YOU. Congratulations on this day. We're glad to be celebrating it with you. Congratulations.

All right, ready? Yes, of course.

Just leave it right there. I'd be happy to.

I know I was like

Okay, Ms. Prime.

And the next proclamation is National Disability Voters' Rights Week.

Representative Nino.

Thank you, Mayor. We could have the honorees come up to the podium. It's an honor to read today's proclamation. Perfect. So proclamation for the city of El Paso, Texas. Whereas there are over 61 million people with disabilities of all ages living in communities throughout the United States. And whereas there are over 38 million Americans with disabilities who are eligible voters. And whereas the disability community has a critical interest in policies and decisions made and enacted at local, state, and national levels that impact our lives directly. Whereas making sure people with disabilities have access to voting is essential if these policies are not are to be met the real needs of people with disabilities in our communities. And whereas voting is one way for the disability community to have a say in the people and policies that impact our communities. And whereas Rev Up which stands for register, educate, vote, and use your power, is a national effort built to empower people of disability community. And whereas members of the National Disability Rights Community are organizing the ninth annual Disability Voting Rights Week, September 14th through the 18th, 2026. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Mayor and the Council of the City of El Paso, supporting the growing involvement of the disability community in political process, the week of September 14th through September 18th, 2026, shall be known as Disability Voting Rights Week, signed by the Honorable Mayor Renard Johnson. Congratulations.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor, City Council. We want to thank you for acknowledging Disability Voting Rights Week, which is geared by REVUP, which stands again for Register, Educate, Vote, Use Your Power. And this week, we're encouraging people with disabilities, our family members, our communities, to get registered to vote and to go out and vote on issues that affect us as people with disabilities in our community. So that's the main purpose of this week is to get our community engaged and learning about issues that are going to be coming up on the ballot on positions that affect us and what each of those candidates brings to the table in regards to issues having to do with persons with disabilities. We want to thank you all once again. We want to encourage the community to start making their vote plan, which is We have a couple of brochures here that people can actually look up on the internet at RevUpTexas.org and actually develop their voting plan for when they go and vote. They already know what candidates they're gonna go vote for and what issues are important to them. So again, thank you Mayor, City Council for Once more one more time acknowledging that the disability community has power and that we have that power and we can go show it At the polling place. Thank you

Good morning, everyone. It's good to see you guys again. And as you mentioned already, the right to vote belongs to every eligible citizen. And a disability should not determine whether or not someone should be able to enter a polling place and cast the ballot. So accessibility is your right, and we will continue to make sure we do that. I love that rev up. I absolutely love it. And I love the way Representative Nino read that. So rev up and congratulations on your day, you guys. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. And then I'm gonna help you out. Okay. Hey, you need that outside. I know, that's why I'm moving it from here. Oh, I don't want to. Okay. Thank you.

Okay, Ms. Bryan.

And the final proclamation is 915 El Paso, Lowrider D. Welcome, welcome.

Now the mayor has suggested that we read the proclamation, then we go outside and take pictures in front of the car, if you all don't mind. Mayor, thank you for allowing me to read this. When I was outside speaking to a couple of gentlemen, we were all outside taking pictures with the cars and the mascots, when a gentleman came up to me and said, you know, at one time we were all against each other, and today we're here working together. And Mayor, this is a prime example of our community comes together and works together. This first paragraph puts everything into perspective. Thank you for allowing me to read this. Whereas the lowrider tradition represents an essential part of the culture, social and artistic identity of the Chicano Mexican American community in El Paso. Whereas the number, 915, El Paso's area code is widely recognized as a symbol of community pride, unity, and identity. Whereas the date, September 15th, 915, aligns directly with 915 identity, making it meaningful, culturally significant date for this celebration. Whereas Lowriders, builders, artists, club contributors contribute to our youth, to our mentorship, skilled trades, cultural preservation, charitable services, and whereas Lowrider community strengthens El Paso's economy, tourism, and cultural visibility. Whereas September 15th marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, making it an ideal day to honor Chicano and Mexican American traditions. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Mayor and Council of El Paso, encouraging public participation through cultural celebration, education, community programming, the City of El Paso recognize and connects between 915 identity, community pride, cultural legacy of the Lowrider tradition. September 15th now be known as El Paso Lowrider Day. Signed, Mayor Renard Johnson.

Good morning, my friend.

Good morning, good morning. Good morning, mayor, city council members, community leaders, honored guests, card clubs, families, proud residents of El Paso. Today is more than a date on the calendar. Today is 9-1-5. And in El Paso, it means home. It's painted on murals, worn on shirts, tattooed on skins, spoken with pride by people who live far away, but will always say, I'm from 915. Today, on September 15, 915, we officially give that symbol a deeper meaning by proclaiming El Paso Lowrider Day. Lowrider culture is not just about cars, it's about family, craftsmanship, patience, creativity, pride. Generations working together, grandparents, parents, children, passing down skills, stories, and values. In El Paso, lowriders were built in backyards, garages, and neighborhoods. They were shaped by welders, painters, upholsterers, mechanics, artists, and dreamers. Each car tells a story. of sacrifice, resilience, and identity. For decades, lowrider culture has been misunderstood. But those who truly know it understand this. Lowriders represent discipline, artistry, and community. They represent giving back to mentoring youths, supporting charities, and showing pride in where we come from. They represent a culture that refuses to be invisible. By proclaiming El Paso Lowrider Day, this city is doing something very powerful. It's saying Chicano Mexican American culture matters, that our history matters, that the creativity born in our neighborhoods belong in our city story. September 15 is meaningful. It marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. It represents independence, identity, and pride. And as 915, it forever ties the celebration of lowrider culture to the heart of El Paso, the 915. This proclamation is not just about honoring the past. It's about inspiring the future. It's about young people seeing that their culture is respected. that their skills in mechanics, arts, engineering, and designs are valuable. What they create with their hands, with their heart, it all belongs in this city. Today we honor the OGs who paved the way. We honor the car clubs who serve their community. We honor the families who kept this culture alive. And we honor El Paso. for recognizing what has always been true. Lowrider culture is El Paso culture. On behalf of 915, thank you for this recognition, thank you for standing with the community, and thank you for making September 15 a day that will be celebrated for generations to come. Happy El Paso Lowrider Day. Muchisimas gracias.

Well, my friend, you said it best. And you guys do matter. And we thank you for all that you do for our community. You do so much that people don't even know. Turkey drives, toy drives. I could go on and on and on. but today we're celebrating you and we are so proud of the lowrider scene here in el paso and as you can see i think we have one of our drones up that are taking live shots of the cars and everything so we're excited to be celebrating this with you today And there's a huge, huge crowd behind you that's celebrating. And at this time, I'd like for those that would like to, we're going to go outside and take a picture because there's too many of us. And there is the Bowie High School Mariachis who will also play a song, and then we'll come back and convene the meeting. So at this time, we're going to go outside and enjoy you guys continue to celebrate.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council. Is that it for us? OK. No one wants any pictures?

Thank you. Thank you.

Okay, Ms. Prine, I believe we're ready.

Yes mayor, good morning. This is a meeting of the El Paso City Council for Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Mayor Johnson is present and presiding in council chambers along with Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, Representative Maldonado Rocha, Representative Boya Trejo, Representative Nino, Alternative Mayor Pro Tem Fierro, Representative Limon, and Representative Canales. It is 10.22 a.m. Will everyone please silence your electronic devices so as not to disturb the meeting and rise for the invocation delivered by El Paso Police Chaplain Nathaniel Austin.

Good morning mayor and city council members and all the city council workers and all that's in the room. We thank God for being here this morning. Let us pray. Father God, once again, we thank you, we praise you, we glorify your holy name. We thank you, God, for allowing us to just get up this morning. Thank you, Father, for all that you have done in our life. Now, God, we pray right now that you let the city representatives make sound decisions, not only for the apostle, but for the people of the apostle. We thank you, God, for each and every one that's in the room. We give you glory and honor. And we just lift your name on high. In the mighty name of Jesus, we do pray for his sake. Amen.

Amen. Thank you, Chaplain. Council, per the rules of order, no use of personal cellular devices nor personal communication should take place on the dais where the meeting is in session. Once you obtain the floor for the mayor, you will have up to 10 minutes for debate and may speak twice per debatable motion. Please speak into the microphone and refrain from any side conversations at the dais where the meeting is in session. That brings us to public comment for those that signed up to speak at 10 a.m. We'll begin with item 25, and item 25 is a discussion and action directing the city manager to ensure the removal within 60 days of all flock safety fixed automated license plate reader cameras. We have Ms. Anna Hay that signed up to speak at 10 a.m. She will be followed by Crystal Kremer, Lara McKenzie, Good morning, ma'am. You have three minutes.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning. First off, I'd like to thank Representative Canales and Representative Acevedo for proposing this discussion and action. I'm an attorney in Oklahoma, and I practice immigration law here. My primary concerns about maintaining any kind of ALPR surveillance in our city is that we have constitutional ways for police to investigate crime. There are ways that if there is probable cause or reasonable suspicion, that they can go to a judge and obtain a warrant in accordance with the Fourth Amendment. These cameras are a way for them to skirt that by first finding evidence of habits or the places people go, and then determining working backwards from that. It's kind of a slippery slope into the minority report type of policing. And that should not be something that we are moving forward with. Major cities throughout the country have done similar actions where they have removed the cameras, canceled their contracts. The suggestion that there should be maybe a change to a different vendor or a different type of technology, is only the same and actually worse because some of the Axon, I believe they're called, cameras that have been kind of spoken about in general are, they actually even record sound and in that way they're even more invasive of people's privacy. And so for that reason I urge you please to remove these cameras and also on item 26 to please vote to not permit our police or any other law enforcement that is local to continue on this path of mass surveillance. Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Crystal Kremer. Crystal Kremer, if you're in the queue, star six, please, to unmute your telephone. Crystal Kremer. I don't see the phone number in the queue. We'll move on to Laurel McKenzie. Also speaking on item 25.

Yes, ma'am. Good morning. I'm Laurel McKenzie. It's very nice to meet all of you. And I have to tell you how much I enjoyed the first hour. It was wonderful to see in such vivid detail how warm and welcoming our community is. And I think that's a really important thing to think about. And when thinking about all these cameras, and I so appreciate that speech that she made, because that was all the big main ideas. But I want you to think about this, not to betray my age, but do y'all remember life before cell phones? You remember, right? My mother would only turn hers on when she wanted to make a call. Right. And now I can track her down any time of day. I can just do it even without her knowing I'm tracking her down. And I want you to think about how that's changed and how quickly that's changed. And if we allow this type of infrastructure to become normalized, then my teenage daughter is going to have to worry about some soon to be ex-boyfriend Talking to his buddy and getting access to this and being able to be chased down. So with all of the things you think about, I want you to really think about what kind of world you want to live in and what kind of world you want to live for our kids leave for our kids. Because I had to tell her in the car this morning on 54 as we passed seven or eight of them. I know baby, this is not the world that I wanted to have for you. And I want you to really think about that, okay? The other thing I want you to think about is, in a free country, should a citizen feel nervous about coming to talk to their representatives? Should I? No, absolutely not. But I had to stop and think about that because unfortunately, we live in a world where being against fascism means you're a terrorist. Literally officially, and so I had to stop and think about that. Those cameras watched me all the way down here. I parked in a public facility. My name, my full legal name is now in the legal record, saying that I absolutely think these cameras are a terrible idea and not just the cameras, but all the back end stuff being able to pull over a kid because the insurance company thinks she doesn't have insurance. Did you hear about that one? Oh yeah, you did teenage girl brand new car two days. She's been driving it for two days. She got pulled over twice because the flock cameras communicated with the insurance company and a cop pulled her over twice because they thought she wasn't insured. You can't get pulled over for that. You have to misbehave in traffic somehow, and then they pull you over. So I'm so glad we had a lawyer here to actually say, no, really, there are ways to do this without impinging upon our right to privacy. So congratulations for having this brought up and having this on the agenda. And I seriously hope that you vote to keep us and our privacy safe. I wish our Constitution did the same. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is item 26, and item 26 is discussion and action directing the city manager to refrain from entering into executing, renewing, or extending any contract agreement or other arrangement with block safety. We have, speaking on this item, Daniela Garcia. Daniela Garcia.

She's coming.

Followed by Isidro Barreras. Good morning.

Good morning. Hi, good morning.

Hi, I want to thank you for having this on the agenda so promptly after the funding was cut. I am completely opposed to FLOG, but I would like to speak on Axon. This agenda item is about no longer doing contract with ALPR cameras. And my main concern is that the city has a contract with Axon currently active. El Paso Police Department uses Axon for their police body cameras. Because we already have a contract with Axon, I believe that it will be easier for Axon to be grandfathered in and for their ALPR cameras to be used by the city, even if the Flock contract gets terminated or there is a motion to no longer contract with other ALPR companies. So I urge you in any motion that you include Axon specifically so that we are no longer using their services, but especially their cameras. Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Isidro Barreras, followed by Crystal Kremer.

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING ME SPEAK ON THE BLACK CAMERA DEBATE. I'D LIKE TO ALSO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL NUMBER THREE FOR A FULL INDEPENDENT audit of the flat system data this the program that was used it was used by the police department in order to make sure that everything is on the up and up that we hold our city officials accountable for everything we should do a full independent review audit of the flat cameras and bring it up to the public for view What is what is happening with all this data? Where is the data going to? Where is it stored? How long is it going to be stored for and for what use is going to be used in the future? So hopefully you can consider proposal number three.

Can you hear me?

Due to the fact that, to begin with, the state misused our $1 vehicle registration fee. It was meant to be for the theft of catalytic converters. But it was used for the flat camera program. That's why the state decided to cancel the program because they were misusing this funds for something that wasn't supposed to be funded to begin with. And that's why the city decided to cancel. Well, hopefully you do cancel this program officially cancel it. So I'm asking the city council to consider proposal number three for a full independent audit review and this information to be given out to the public to make sure that everything was on the up and up by the police department. Thank you.

Thank you.

The final speaker on item 26 is Crystal Kremer. Ms. Kremer, if you're in the queue, star six, please, to unmute your telephone. Crystal Kremer, star six, please, if you're in the queue. I don't see that phone number in the queue. So that brings us to call to the public. The El Paso City Council is a local government body charged with serving the citizens, and the meetings must be focused on the meeting at charge. The city council meetings are public meetings under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Public comment is an accommodation and not a requirement of city council. All persons in attendance are expected to display civility and decorum that is respectful to other persons without the use of insulting, profane, threatening, or abusive language. Public comment will not be used for personal attacks against a person. nor may any member of the public use this forum for political statements or campaigning. Please note that during call to the public, the city council may not deliberate or decide any subject that is not on the agenda. However, council may propose that a topic brought forth be posted on a future agenda. The City Council will set aside a maximum of 60 minutes per call to the public at each meeting. This morning, we have 31 members of the public that signed up to speak. So we will divide the 60 minutes amongst the number of speakers. So each speaker will have two minutes per call to the public. We begin with Martha Loya.

And before we begin, Ms. Prine, I just want to read a quick statement. And again, as Ms. Prine indicated, public comment is now open. Each speaker will have the time allotted under the rules of order. Please keep your remarks within permitted time and maintain civility and decorum as required by our public comment conduct policy. Thank you. Ms. Prine?

Yes, is Martha Loya here? We'll move on to Phillip Sullivan. IT, Mr. Sullivan will need the Elmo, please. You'll have two minutes, sir.

Is that this?

No, sir. It's going to be to your left. Oh, OK. There you go, to your left. It should show up here in a second. There you go.

Okay. Good morning. Okay, good morning. My name is Philip Sullivan. I'm here on behalf of Flitch LLC. We're El Paso's first skate park company. You guys have seen me here before. I came in March to talk to you guys about the repair and maintenance construction of El Paso's parks. At the time, I did go meet Mr. Bristol at Carolina Skate Park, and I showed him what needs to be done. At the time, I wasn't bonded, licensed, and insured, but now I am. I also applied to be a vendor for the city. so that we can bid on jobs and do things like this for you all. We are ready to go to fix the parks, if you guys are as well. All of the parks need maintenance, quite a bit of maintenance, but Carolina especially. I have some pictures of Carolina I'll show you. I'm not going to be able to finish this at the end of time.

Okay, so we started this project called Paisano DIY

In 2019, it's a skate park under a bridge. And the reason that we did this is because of shade reasons in El Paso. We don't have any shaded skate parks. So when it's 115 degrees, it's a little brutal to skate in the middle of summer. We submitted this to city council. Farsbean and Hernandez and Anello were all working with us. And we talked to the director of, what's it called? Parks? No, not parks. Not the parks director. We talked to the director of the collection station because it's right next to the city collection center. And this bridge is notorious for getting people living under it. People would dump all sorts of different kinds of trash and stuff because the city collection station is there. So once we started this project, it started pushing people out. This is what our plan was going to be. Sorry, I had to print these, so my computer got a little bit annihilated by printing all these pictures. But yeah, this is what the current state is, and we do plan to do quite a bit more As I showed you, the city does have these plans somewhere. I don't know where, but- Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.

Yes, thank you. And council- Thank you again. I've shared Mr. Sullivan's presentation with you all. Thank you. The next speaker is Elizabeth Crawford. Ms. Crawford's topic is abortion across the border, Texas and New Mexico. Ms. Crawford, star six please. Go ahead, ma'am. Your microphone is ready. You have two minutes. IT, we can't hear Ms. Crawford. Ms. Crawford, you can start over, ma'am. We're not able to hear you. IT, we're not able to hear Ms. Crawford in chambers.

Ms. Pryor, let's move on and we'll bring her back.

Yes, Ms. Crawford, we'll come back to you. The next speaker is Claudia Contreras-Siller. Ms. Siller's topic is El Paso Strong. Followed by Cornelius Brown, Isidro Barreras, Patricia Osman, John Muñiz.

Good morning.

Hello, good morning everybody. Happy 915 day. Also, I wanna say that the, 9-11 memorial ceremony at the Sun Bowl was excellent. And we could see a lot of agencies there, FBI, EPPV, they are military firefighters honoring the victims from the 9-11 attacks. And that's pretty much what El Paso is all about. I want to mention that Thursday, I went to EPPD headquarters to report two extreme animal cruelty cases. One already talked about it here in the microphone in Trailer Park from Glenwood, extreme animal cruelty. And I went Thursday. at 7 a.m. to the EPP headquarters and they don't have water. I think that's unacceptable. They have been without water for three weeks. I was at 7.30 a.m. at the headquarters and from 7.30 to 8.10 and I couldn't stand the odor and I think it's not fair that the city is spending money in vanity projects when our police and our first responders have to stay in an old building. I said it in the past. During the Academy event, they also ran out of water. And I think you all should focus on that. That needs to be fixed. And I want to mention about the animal cruelty case. It's in Facebook under Edgar Agustin Ledezma. I've been begging you all to advocate about animal cruelty, and I don't know if you guys are afraid to lose votes from the cat haters, but you guys need to step it up. Thank you.

The next speaker is Elizabeth Crawford. Ms. Crawford, we'll try you once again. Star six, please. Your microphone is ready, ma'am. No, ma'am. We still can't hear you. We'll keep troubleshooting. We'll move on to Cornelius Brown. Mr. Brown's topic is police reporting and racial disparities.

Good morning, Cornelius. Good morning, Mayor, city representatives. How y'all doing? My name is Cornelius Brown. He's in Texas, UTEP graduate, former football player, NFL player, represent the city of El Paso all around the United States. I come here today because of the issues I have with police reporting and the racial disparities with police reporting. I have some data. I'm only doing surface-level research on the data that I do have, right? But that's, say, a 34% chance of, how can I say, an individual being arrested for racial disparities in El Paso when it comes to discrimination and, how can I say, low-level crimes here in the city. My research is not thorough and, how can I say, proven, but I will do discovery to find the facts of the issues, right? i would just ask to come to you guys because i went to eternal affairs go to open records and all these different uh avenues that you go to get information and i keep getting pushback right where the city is not releasing information and sending me letters from the doj and different things departments uh sending me through more hoops to be able to get the detailed information i need to do my research um And being a public individual here in the city of El Paso and catered to a lot of youth, I'm always getting a lot of interactions with people, right? As I've submitted a lawsuit against the city of El Paso, I've had people become a part of my situation and want to tag along. And I'm not trying to make this a big old fuss and fight about an issue, right? I just want to get the issue resolved, how can I say, and have eternal fair due diligence of reporting officers. And now let's not make El Paso seem like a safe city when we do have issues like everywhere else in the world. Thank you for your time.

The next speaker is Isidro Barreras. Isidro Barreras will be speaking on public library and public use of services.

Good morning, Mayor, City Council, City Manager. I had a discussion with my city representative Rocha yesterday and this morning on non-residents using our public library services for free. We as taxpayers pay the city our taxes to provide us with library services, police services, fire department services, emergency services, and so forth. And non-residents of the city of El Paso can go into any library for free, use any of the services according to Mrs. Rocha and our city manager for free. And now, yesterday, my city representative, myself, we googled the procedures for obtaining city services at a library. It has residence requirements and fees for To use the library, but according to the city manager that's person. Mr. Whatcha city manager that that's not true that information is incorrect and anybody within As I understand, anybody within the United States, anybody in Mexico can use our city libraries for free without paying any taxes. So we as taxpayers are losing money, and we're losing even our right to use our services due to the fact that it might be busy with other people in our city libraries using computers and all the other services that are usually used in the library. And Ms. Rutsch did tell me that Ms. Mack told her that the information that we got from Google was wrong. But your own information from your library website does have certain requirements and payment to use for non-residents. So thank you. Thank you.

We'll try Ms. Crawford once again. Ms. Crawford, star six, please. Go ahead, man.

Yes, we can hear you. Good morning. Can you hear me? Yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for your patience. I just want to briefly speak about two weeks ago, I was able to go up to Albuquerque and we were serving outside five different abortion centers there. The sad reality is that about 70 to 80% of the license plates for people driving in are Texas plates. And as we know, many women from Mexico is expanding abortion radically. God is the creator. There's a God in heaven who sees. We get bent out of shape over the cameras, which there are.

You're cutting out. Miss Crawford. We're not able to hear you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker is Patricia Osmond. Miss Osmond's topic is transparency, civil rights of citizens and disingenuous agendas. Go ahead, Miss Osmond. You have two minutes.

Are you able to hear me? Yes, ma'am. You have two minutes.

Go ahead.

OK. Real quick. Yesterday on the Vision Zero plan, what disturbed me is, although A lot of these presentations are always misleading, lacking information. For example, in that presentation, page 13, it says El Paso as one of only 20 of 101 largest metro areas that have improved their pedestrian fatalities. But not one of you asked, where do we rank now? It's 23rd. That's still pretty high on the list of cities of 101. But, you know, that's just one example of misleading the public. You know, another thing that bothers me is how my city rep allowed Hector Gonzalez, when y'all did, when y'all renamed Lincoln Park, to lie in chambers. He is not the Neighborhood Association president there. He has... a for profit conservation committee. There is a neighborhood association which he does not help fund. Okay. And you all allowed that line to move forward. It is a repeated disservice to every citizen that you all allow this to happen. The flock hammers, that's a Fourth Amendment right violation that you all allowed to be signed off by Chief Pasillas, never going into public record. He did it under a grant, by cover of night, basically. It's very disturbing how all of this is allowed. Ms. Osmond, you've reached the two minutes.

Ma'am, thank you. The next speaker is John Muniz. His topic is EMS Services, Public Health, and the Need for Optimization. He will be followed by JD Martinez, Lisa Turner, Marisa Martinez. And for the record, Representative Acevedo joined the meeting at 1024. Good morning, sir. You have two minutes. IT will need the please.

Good morning.

Kind of hard to see, but.

And I've shared it with counsel.

Oh, OK. I've shared this with you previously. And the point of today's conversation is the concern of a can that's being kicked down the road when you look at the numbers there. From 2014 to 2024, El Paso experienced a 31% increase in medical emergencies. So for the audience who's unfamiliar with the fire department, the fire department most recently experienced about 100,000 calls, 90% of which were medical related. The question, though, becomes what percentage of those are emergent? STEMI, stroke? We don't know. D'Agostino doesn't know. Killings doesn't know. Red doesn't know. that Vares doesn't know, and those are all assistant chiefs. So the question becomes, especially you, Mr. Canales, is if you had three years, and I have emailed you numerous times when it comes to this and the need for optimization, but you tend to just focus on what's trendy on Instagram, flock, data centers. when if you really cared about your taxpayers, you would be optimizing what you're looking at right there. Especially when it comes to you, Mr. Acevedo, you're driving away business. You portray yourself to be pro-health. How do you expect to fund those initiatives if you're driving away revenue? How do you expect to fund those initiatives if you're driving away revenue, but the city's also not optimizing when it comes to what you're looking at? How? Same for you, Ms. Limon. So all three of you, especially you, Ms. Limon, when you had a certain community group causing an uprising in this chamber and you were recording it, yeah, go back. Yes, you were. June 9th. And you were recording it. So the point there is, are you in those seats to actually drive a change and make a difference? Or are you there to be trendy on Instagram and to act like you're making a difference? Because Ms. Limon, you're also the one that was criticizing pay raises. But pay raises isn't killing the budget.

You've reached the two minutes, Mr. Muniz.

It's what you're looking at.

The next speaker is JD Martinez. JD Martinez. Lisa Turner. Miss Turner's topic is no food in the food bank. She will be followed by Marisa Martinez, Adriana Castro, Carla Prado, Kaylee Baker, Nevea Martinez.

Good morning, Ms. Turner.

Good morning, Mayor, Council. Sunday I learned from a local food bank that they're not getting any food. So instead of distributing every two weeks, I mean every twice a month, they can't distribute any food this month. There's no food in the food bank. They were offered coffee creamers. Coffee creamers. That's what our food bank offered them. Coffee creamers. You got somebody earning the big money, you should be filling that thing with food and getting it out to the food banks. But it's not happening. 40% of this town is food insecure. 52,000 children a day don't know if they're going to have a meal that day. 61% of the UTEP students, same way. used to sit over here, by the way, I skewered the judge, county commissioners, because they spent 3,000 plus dollars on milkshakes instead of taking care of this problem. This is an emergency in our community. We have children going without food. We have adults going without food. And we give money away for parties. The county buys milkshakes and children go hungry. I want something done, Mayor. I want you and the judge to sit down, come up with a plan, and have it out here within a month. We can find money for Paul Foster, the Hunts, the developers, or anything else in this town, but we can't find $10? A dollar to feed children in this community? Do your job. I know you're better than this. I know you're better than this. Step up to the plate. We can't win this game without you. Thank you.

The next speaker is Marisa Martinez. Marisa Martinez, star six, if you're in the queue. Marisa Martinez, star six, if you're in the queue. I don't see that phone number in the queue. We'll move on to Adriana Castro. Adriana Castro. Carla Prado. Good morning. Good morning. Your name, please? Adriana Castro. Go ahead, Ms. Castro. You have two minutes. And Ms. Castro's topic is El Paso Animal Services, Animal Welfare.

Yes, good morning, Mayor and members of the City Council. Good morning. I'm speaking today in support of Paws of Promise and asking that they be allowed to remain a rescue partner with El Paso Animal Services. Path of Promise has helped so many animals in our community. Consistently, they're stepping up and helping those animals that are vulnerable and overlooked or injured. They don't just advocate for these animals, but they also put in the work to help save their life. Rescue organizations are an essential part of our animal welfare system, and animal services cannot do this work alone. Every responsible rescue partner provides additional sponsors resources, advocacy, and ultimately more animals leaving the shelter alive. So I understand that there have been disagreements between positive promise and animal services, but advocacy should not automatically be viewed as opposition. Speaking up, asking difficult questions and raising concerns can ultimately make our animal welfare system stronger. I respectfully ask city council and El Paso animal services to work towards maintaining their partnership with positive promise. and ensure that these decisions remain fair, transparent, and centered on saving the animal's life.

Thank you. Thank you. Carla Prado, if you're in the queue, star six, please, to unmute your telephone. Carla Prado, star six. I don't see that phone number in the queue. Kaylee Baker, followed by Nevea Martinez, Elena Perez, Ron Como, all speaking regarding animal services. Good morning. You have two minutes.

Good morning.

Good morning, mayor and members of city council. My name is Kaylee Baker, and I'm here today not only as a member of this community, but someone who has personally worked with animal services and seen firsthand the condition some of these animals are left in. I'm here to speak on the behalf of Paws of Promise Rescue and its founder, who has dedicated an incredible amount of time, money, and personal effort to saving animals that otherwise may not have had a second chance. Recently, Paul's promise was suspended from working with animal services. What concerns me the most is, to my understanding, no clear explanation has been provided to the public or to the rescue explaining exactly why the suspension occurred. What makes the timing especially concerning is that this happened after a public post was made raising concerns about the care and neglect of rescue animals while they are in animal services care. I'm not here to attack individual employees. I'm here because I believe there needs to be accountability and transparency when we are talking about animals who absolutely have no voice. I have personally provided grooming services for animals at animal services. I have seen dogs come with severely overgrown nails, matted coats, and coats that have been allowed to become heavily impacted and built up. And I want to make something very clear. These are not simply cosmetic issues. For a dog already experiencing the stress of being abandoned, surrendered, rescued, or sitting in a shelter environment, being severely matted, having painful nails, or being rushed through grooming can add unnecessary physical and emotional suffering. Our grooming business originally volunteered our services because we wanted to help. We wanted these dogs to feel better. We wanted them to have a little comfort and dignity while they waited for their next chapter. But eventually, a favor became an expectation. We found ourselves being asked to groom seven or more dogs in approximately three hours. Anyone who works with animals knows that every dog is different. Some are terrified, some are elderly, some are traumatized, some have never been groomed before. These dogs need patience and they need comfort. So today I'm asking, what led to Paws of Promise being suspended and are the same standards being applied consistency to everyone, even the ones that work at animal services itself?

Thank you, Ms. Baker. Thank you. Noveo Martinez. Followed by Elena Perez, Ron Como, Anel Maldonado, Candice Castaneda, Bernadette Arenivas, Nicole Raba.

Good morning.

Good morning, mayor and city council members. My name is Nevaeh Martinez. My mother, Elena Perez, is the founder and director of Paws of Promise Animal Rescue Organization here in El Paso. I'm here today not to only speak for the animals in our community, but to also speak for what I've watched my mom endure while trying to save them. My mom runs a dog rescue, and for most of my life, rescue work has been a part of our everyday reality. I've watched her take phone calls in the middle of the night about injured dogs. I've seen her rush out to help animals When most people would have looked the other way, I've seen her spend money she didn't really have because the dog needed food, medical care, or a safe place to stay. Growing up, there were times where I felt like dogs got more of my mom's time than we did. As a kid, that was hard to understand. I would wonder why she was always running to save another dog or spending hours trying to find homes for animals. But as I've gotten older, I've realized that she wasn't choosing the dogs over us. She simply couldn't ignore animals that were suffering. I've watched her struggle financially, emotionally, and physically. I've seen her cry when a dog couldn't be saved. I've seen her stress about how she was going to pay for food, vet bills, and supplies. I've seen her exhausted after long days of caring for dozens of animals, only to wake up the next morning and do it all over again. I've helped alongside her for years. I've cleaned kennels, fed dogs, cared for puppies and spent countless hours helping animals that had nowhere else to go. Through all of that, I've seen the reality of what is happening in our city. There are so many animals that are abandoned, neglected and forgotten. Rescue organizations are doing everything they can, but they cannot do it alone. The people involved in rescues are carrying a huge burden because they care. They step in when animals have no one else. They give these animals a second chance even when it costs their time, money, sleep, and peace of mind. I'm asking you today to start supporting efforts that help our animals and the people working to save them. Whether it's a stronger animal welfare program, more resources, or better support for rescues, every step makes a difference. The animals don't have a voice. They can't stand here and tell you what they've been through. So today, I'm standing here for them, and I'm standing here for the people like my mom who have dedicated so much in their lives to helping animals that cannot help themselves. Thank you.

The next speaker is Elena Perez, followed by Ron Como.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor and members of City Council. My name's Elena Perez. I'm the founder of Paws of Promise Animal Rescue Organization. Let me be clear. This is not an attack on El Paso Animal Services. I support its life-saving efforts, and I want the shelters to succeed. But support does not require silence when something is wrong. I have received first-hand witness statements describing animals being mishandled during surgery and recovery. I have also received dogs suffering from serious post-surgical complications. Animals in veterinary care deserve safe handling, compassion, and basic care. After raising these concerns, I was suspended as a rescue partner and told the decision came from somewhere higher up. I immediately requested written notice explaining the reason and duration. I have only received vague response. This is unacceptable. I also raised concerns with the interim director, Michael, about members of the public pulling large numbers of dogs as rescue partners despite not being established rescue organizations. Who follows up to ensure those animals remain alive and safe? Mr. Walksman's response gave me the clear understanding that what happens to the dogs after they leave the shelter is no longer considered his responsibility. That should concern everyone in this room. Removing a dog from the shelter is not the same as saving his life. I'm asking you to independently investigate these complaints, establish real oversight, create transparent rescue partner requirements, track animals after they leave, and explain my suspension in writing. These animals cannot enter this room or approach this microphone. That is why I'm standing here today. You may suspend my partnership, you may make standing here uncomfortable, but you will not make me abandon these animals. This city will not silence me until animals are safe. I am not going anywhere.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Ron Cobo. Followed by Anel Maldonado, Candace Castaneda, Bernadette Arenivas, Nicole Rava, Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning. Well, let's start with the beginning of my conversations here, as always, exercising my constitutional rights into the rescue 1983. Yet here we are again. The city is overlooking federal laws, constitutional laws, which is not uncommon. No laws apply to the city of El Paso. I also want to bring up KTSM said, hey, we're having a rabies outbreak, according to CDC. Where have you heard that before? Several times, right? June of 2020, a meeting with Paula Powell in her office. I told her what was going to happen if she continued the worst policy, procedures, shelter plan in US history. It was not only the worst one, it was going to cause physical damage. Has it not done that? Have we not had more critical dog attacks? Have we not had dog attacks? Have people's pets been killed while they walked in because you illegally wanted to manage intake? Colonel Weston and one of the city attorneys had a conversation about, to the rest, the rabies flies. A few days later, after it was investigated by this person, Colonel Weston was told that, yes, managed intake is illegal in the state of Texas. I have a text message from Colonel Weston saying he told Mario D'Arestino and Terry Kepcho that they must intake the dogs, no more managed intake. The shelter has gotten away with doing whatever it wants. It breaks laws. It breaks city ordinances. We're done, people. We're tired of people that are running the shelter, are not being qualified to actually work as a greeter there. We need more of the people that stand here and tell you what's wrong, telling you all what's going on with the shelter, and you all actually listening.

Thank you, Mr. Cuomo. You've reached the two minutes. Thank you. The next speaker is Anel Maldonado. Anel Maldonado, star six, please, if you're in the queue. Anel Maldonado, go ahead. Your microphone is ready.

Hello. I'm calling to speak on behalf of Paws of Promise, a local organization that has dedicated themselves to improve and change the lives of helpless animals. These animals include but are not limited to severe abuse and abandonment. This is why I believe that it's unfair for the organization to lose access to animal services. The City of El Paso struggles with the influx of intakes on a daily basis. These animals are under constant stress Paws of Arrow provides them with safety and tranquility as well as a chance for a better life. It is her right as well as everyone else involved to speak up regarding processes that can potentially place the welfare of animals in danger. Accountability should be taken and processes should be reviewed to improve their efficacy. The focus should be supporting those local organizations and rescues that strive to aid animals. not reprimanding them for speaking up related to issues they've encountered. This is counterproductive and does not help the issue on hand. I ask you to take into account how much this rescue has done for the welfare of the animals in our community and restore the relationship between positive promise and animal services. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker is Candice Castaneda. Candice Castaneda. Bernadette Arenivas, star six, if you're in the queue. Bernadette Arenivas, star six, if you're in the queue. I don't see that phone number in the queue. Nicole Rava, followed by Liza Campos, Alfredo Campos, Kelly Corral, Nicole Gomez, Linda Steele, Monica Blasquez, Daniela Garcia.

Good morning.

Good morning. Good morning, Mayor and members of City Council. I'm here to speak on behalf of Paws of Promise and Elena Perez, the founder. I truly believe that when Paws of Promise speaks up, it is because they want what is best for the animals of El Paso. Paws of Promise recently raised serious concerns involving animal handling, veterinary care, and post-surgical complications at El Paso Animal Services. And they asked for those concerns to be investigated. They did what we constantly tell members of our community to do. They saw something and they raised the concern and they spoke up. They asked questions, they asked for accountability. And they asked for an investigation because animals cannot walk into this chamber and advocate for themselves. But now, while they're getting investigated, Paws of Promise has been prevented from transferring animals from animal services. So I have a very difficult question for you guys. Why is the rescue that asked for an investigation the one being restricted? If Paws of Promise has harmed an animal, violated a law, violated its agreement, or created a legitimate safety concern, then tell us. But if that has not happened, why are dogs losing a pathway out of the shelter? Because Paws asks questions about the treatment of animals? I work with this organization and I have seen people give their time, their homes, their money, and their hearts to these animals and many others that are already given up on them. They are asking animal services to be transparent, and that is not unreasonable. What concerns me most is that this message sends to every rescuer and every advocate in El Paso. If you see something that concerns you, you should speak up, or should you just stay quiet? That is the question no animal advocate should ever have to ask of themselves. I asked you today to please consider and investigate this and please restore And we'll pause the promise to be able to pull animals from the end. Thank you. Thank you guys.

Thank you Liza Campbell Followed by Alfredo Campos Kelly Corral Nicole Gomez Linda Steele Monica Blasquez Daniela Garcia Good morning No, IT, we need the Elmo. And for future reference, anything you place on the Elmo needs to be submitted the day prior to the meeting.

But you can leave it there.

I can leave it there? Yeah. IT, the Elmo, please.

You see that? You see that right there? That's a dog that Elena saved, rescued. And there were like over 30 of them. It was a hoarding situation under a man. He was 87 years old. He could feed them water and bread. That's all. Elena could be dressed in a couture dress, and she will go in and climb in a hole to get those animals out.

I have this dog.

This is the way he looked. It's been two years, and he's taken care of because I'm a foster failure. That's my Max. Max had never had any human touch. This woman and her family have saved so many dogs. When she partnered with animal services, more dogs had been saved. We're fosters. We've been fosters for many years. As a matter of fact, I met her one night at urgent care veterinary clinic, and she had a dog there that wasn't hers, was found, had been hit, and she was there. I had taken one of mine. And ever since then, we have fostered for her. Recently, she had knee surgery. And I told her, then I'll be careful. Don't go climbing through no holes or anything. No lights. I'll behave. Yeah. I called her up to check on her. She was on her way to Arizona in a car. And I told her, you're going to get a blood clot. Please stop and walk around. No, she had to go and do this for that. And now the day that this happened with that pup that was hurt at animal services, I was with her. And then now she is suspended. Thank you, ma'am.

You've reached the two minutes. The next speaker is Alfredo Campos. Thank you. He will be followed by Callie Corral, Nicole Gomez, Linda Steele.

Good morning.

Hi, good morning, Mayor, City Council. My wife showed you the pictures of that dog, Max. He's still very, very reluctant to human exposure, but he does get close, but he's doing much better, and he relieves with her other dogs. But the main reason, that's just one example, is what is happening to and pods. It's not right, I'm not sure what happened exactly because I don't have the complete details, but the fact that she's been put off and they want to suspend her services is completely really, really terrible. I could give you examples of other, I guess, types of services that are out there in other arenas that can mirror what she's doing. And they support the city in other ways. Food banks, homeless shelters, right? Those people doing stuff on their own. And she's doing this on her own. She gets a lot of support from a lot of people. But the fact that evidently something is going on at animal services, I think you all will look into it. I spent 33 years as a federal law enforcement officer. And I know you all will have someone to investigate that because it's obvious, it's clear something isn't right. And taking her off this is, is incorrect, and I know that you will look into it so she could be placed back on and can take care of whatever problems animal services have. I've been there many times. I can see some issues, but you know, It's not really comes to the level for anything that it's worth doing. It's not a life safety issue. These are pets that do have life safety issues, but again, I'm not sure what's going on, but having pulled her off is wrong, and I hope we can look into it. Thank you. Thank you.

The next speaker is Kelly Corral, followed by Nicole Gomez, Linda Steele, Monica Blasquez, Daniela Garcia.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor, council members, and city leadership. I'm here today as a concerned member of the community and an advocate for animal welfare. I do stand in solidarity with Paws of Promise's call for transparency and accountability. I'm here because concerns have been raised about the care and welfare of the animals at El Paso Animal Services. And I believe those concerns deserve to be taken seriously. I'm not asking council to decide who is right or wrong. I'm asking for transparency, accountability, and an independent investigation. If the concerns are unfounded, an investigation will establish that. And if they are substantiated, then the animals deserve for those issues to be addressed. I also believe that when people raise legitimate concerns about the welfare, they should not be discouraged from speaking up. Accountability should never depend on someone's position, title, or relationship with the shelter. One employee, regardless of their position, does not define an entire department. Raising concerns about the alleged conduct of an individual employee, even one in prominent position, is not the same as defaming or attacking El Paso Animal Services as an organization. And ultimately, we should remember the mission of El Paso Animal Services, to provide exceptional services while supporting high quality of life for the animals and ensuring their fight freedoms, including freedom of pain, injury, and disease. The shelter's own values are represented by pause. P, professionalism. Take this concern serious. A, accountability, willingness, and service. Let's practice what we preach. They don't have a political voice, lawyer, or microphone. They only have us. Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Nicole Gomez. Nicole Gomez. Followed by Linda Steele. Monica Blasquez, Daniela Garcia, Alicia Kuhnke.

Good morning. Good morning.

In the 14 years that I have lived in El Paso, one thing has been painfully clear, and that is a lack of care and concern for animals in the city. The prevalence of abandonment, abuse, and neglect of pets is heartbreaking for the many people here who love animals and who do what they can to step up for them. When I first moved to El Paso, I hadn't been here a week before I rescued a dog. Within a month, it was another dog and a cat, another cat. There have been several other animals since then, even a tortoise. Animal services assisted me once, but community members and different organizations within the city helped me with the rest of the animals I have found. Animal services is a necessity. However, other rescue organizations and community volunteers are needed as well, because animal services alone cannot handle the large number of animals that need care. That's where rescuers like Paws of Promise come in. Paws of Promise has helped countless dogs in this city, and we need them. However, in a seemingly retaliatory move, animal services has ended their ability to pull dogs from the shelter and give those dogs a chance at a better life. I urge you to look into this and to give Paws of Promise back their ability to save these pets. Their work is vital, and without them, animals in need are losing a lifeline and a path to a better life. Paws of Promise saves lives. Please help them continue to do so. And please provide more oversight into what goes on behind the scenes at Animal Services. Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Linda Steele. Linda Steele, if you're in the queue, star six. Linda Steele, star six. I don't see that phone number in the queue. Monica Blasquez, followed by Daniela Garcia, Alicia Kuhnke, Victoria Ordonez, and Rene Fierro.

Good morning.

Morning. Good morning, Mayor and members of the City Council. I'm here today because I believe every animal deserves to be treated with compassion, dignity, and respect, and because the way we care for the animals in our community says something about who we are as a community. We are not here to point fingers, we are not here to attack one another, and we are not here to create division between our city, our shelters, our rescues, or our residents. We are asking for transparency. Our community deserves to understand what is happening with the animals in your care, how decisions are being made, and what steps are being taken when something goes wrong. Transparency builds trust and trust is something our community needs in order to work together effectively. We are also asking that our city continue to support and work alongside local rescues and animal advocates. These organizations and individuals dedicate countless hours, resources, and their own hearts to helping animals who have nowhere else to go. They are not the enemy. They are part of the solution. And when mistakes happen, we are asking for accountability, not blame. Accountability isn't about destroying someone's reputation or punishing people for trying. It's about acknowledging when something could have been done differently, learning from it, and making sure that same thing doesn't happen again. They don't have a voice in this room. They can't stand in this microphone. Call City Hall or ask for help. We have to be their voice. We all may approach animal welfare from different perspectives, but I believe we share the same ultimate goal to see fewer animals suffer, abandoned, and more animals given the opportunity to be safe and loved. So today I'm asking for transparency, continued support for our local rescues, meaningful accountability when it's needed, and most importantly, a willingness to work together. They are counting on us to do better for them. Let it be beginning of a meaningful change. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker is Daniela Garcia. Daniela Garcia. Followed by Alicia Kumpke, Victoria Ordonez, and Renee Piet.

Good morning. Hi.

Good morning. I'm commenting on the way the city investigates and addresses mismanagement and wrongdoing by city entities. Possum Promise Animal Rescue being blocked from continuing their well-documented rescue work after they advocated for the defenseless and urging change, what they are facing is retaliation from the city. We've heard just today the conditions these animals face under city care, and I've heard from many more community members and organizers of the way El Paso Animal Rescue conducts itself for years. We're no longer tolerating these practices to be carried out. I strongly urge you to investigate Animal Rescue Administration, conduct an audit of the staff that has left because of hostile working conditions, and act to promote ethical and moral practices across the board. Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Alicia Compton. I don't see her phone number in the queue. Victoria Ordonez, also speaking regarding animal services.

Good morning.

Good morning, mayor and council members. My name is Victoria Ordonez, and I am here to support our wonderful animal rescuers and help raise awareness about the important work they do in our community. Rescuers dedicate their time, resources, and hearts to helping animals in need. They often step in when no one else will, providing care, safety, and a second chance to animals who might otherwise be forgotten. I'm here because I believe that their efforts deserve recognition, support, and a voice. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak and bring awareness to this important cause. For several years, we have reached out to the city asking for help, but unfortunately, we had very little success. We continue to look for solutions. However, thanks to the compassion and dedication of rescuers like Elena, we finally began to see someone step forward and take action. they didn't just see a problem they saw animals who needed help that is why i'm here today i want to support them but also want to make sure we address the larger problem so that these animals don't continue to suffer thank you for your time thank you the final speaker is renee pierro mr pierro's topic is 915 9 15 the day of the chucco

Good morning. Good morning. So I came to speak today because of the date, 9-15. I guess a lot of people celebrated or would recognize it as the area code here. When I was younger and growing up, it was more associated with like prison tattoos because it was an area code for all of West Texas, including like Odessa and Midland. People would put that on there to show where they were from. But now the area codes have changed, and it could change again, and we might not always be 9-1-5. But in recognition of that, it's a theme that can kind of unite everybody in the city, no matter who you are, because that's all of our area code, right? So similarly, a unifying theme for the city is the term El Chuco. Esa palabra, ese estilo, esa cultura es nuestra cosa. It's our thing. And we created it. And it's who we are. And that's what best represents us. And it's disappointing for me when I hear the city talking about we need to be like some other place. We need to have stuff like some other place. We need to be more like some other city. We need those people. We need to attract them. We need to incentivize them to come here and show us how to be better. And to me, I find it somewhat disrespectful because we do. We've created our own thing. We've created our own city. We like the way things are. We want to be who we are. We don't want to change to be more acceptable for people somewhere else. They're welcome here if they want to be here, but we shouldn't have to incentivize them. We shouldn't have to beg them. We shouldn't have to give away. We shouldn't have to take taxes from our own citizens to build for them so they'll want to come here. And I think you understand what I'm talking about as this regards to like the Meta deal, but also like all the downtown projects where we're told, well, we need a baseball stadium. Thank you.

Thank you.

That concludes call to the public. That brings us to the consent agenda. All matters listed under the consent agenda will be considered by city council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion unless separate discussion is requested by council members. Prior to the vote, members of the audience may ask questions regarding items on the consent agenda. When the vote has been taken, if an item has not been called out for separate discussion, the item has been approved. Council may, however, reconsider any item at any time during the meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem. Thank you, Ms. Prine. I make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the following revisions. Page six, item 19, revised per the city attorney's office.

And that revision is to the wording of the ordinance, and it's to strike out the words authorizing the addition of and replacing with amending title 15, public services, inserting the words after chapter 15.12, water and sewer system, to add definitions in sections 15.12.005, definitions, and adding the following sections, section 15.12.080, require disclosures for, and striking out of the El Paso City Code to require certain, and also striking out the words providing definitions, providing requirements, providing form of disclosure, providing for application, providing for violations, providing for penalties, providing for enforcement by El Paso Water, and providing an effective date, and replacing with section 15.12.082, form of disclosure, section 15.12.084, application exclusion, Section 15.12.086, violation 16.15.12.088, enforcement and adding penalty as provided in section 15.12.088 of the El Paso City Code.

Page 7, item 21, revised per city attorney's office.

And that revision is to section 5.10.18 and to make it 5.10.180.

Page eight, item 25, revised per Representative Canales.

And that is to add a co-sponsor, Representative Lily Limon.

Page eight, item 26, revised per Representative Canales.

And that's to add a co-sponsor, Representative Lily Limon.

Thank you.

Okay, we have a motion. Is there a second? Second. All right, Representative Rocha.

Thank you, Mayor. I make a motion to pull item seven from the consent agenda to the regular agenda, please, for discussion. Second.

OK. We'll move that to regular with the revisions. Thank you.

There's a motion and a second. OK. Mr. Ryan, we have public comment.

Yes, mayor, we have public comment on item number 6 from miss Osmond and item 6 is a resolution approving through FY 27 all expenditures stemming from contractual obligations regarding the contracting of hearing officers we which are required to meet the city's needs miss Osmond go ahead, you have 3 minutes.

the problem that i do have with this particular resolution and quite frankly most of what you all try to supply it in under the consent agenda so there's no rule full discussion and it's just signed off really quick is the wording of any necessary documents to be signed by either higgins or city manager now that is exactly how we ended up with slots and it didn't come in front of the public or city council. And I have a problem with it because as it's been put in public FOIA documents, there's proof that Ms. Higgins and both our city manager have failed to be a high mark of ethics for our city. So when you give just carte blanche. They can sign in in necessary documents. It makes me wonder, are they going to be able to just switch around contracts, do anything within that necessary document to tater stuff that the public is unaware? And that's what I have a problem with. Because it seems as though we're creating a monarchy in our city government. Where the people that we elect are not the people responsible for what is happening to the citizens of this city. Because you all have just signed away any responsibility to whether that be Ms. Higgins or the city manager, the city attorney. Most of the citizens do not want a city manager. Everybody was aware of that the last council and we were promised that that would change, that that would be put on a ballot and it wasn't done so that that charter change could happen. So when you all sign off to allow them to just sign off on any necessary without anything coming back in front of the public, every taxpayer should worry. about why it is we're not going to see certain things come back in front of the public. That's how we ended up with Locke. Because y'all gave Chief Pasillas, the city manager, carte blanche, signature rights. And that item never came in front of the public. So that wording right there does bother me. And I hope every citizen

is aware of how you've reached three minutes also uh miss we have miss lisa turner that signed up to speak on items nine and ten item nine is a donation of a thousand dollars from paso del norte foundation for the el paso national dance day health and wellness event and item ten is the thousand dollar donation from joe materials also for the el paso national dance day health and wellness event

Good morning.

Good morning. Mayor Council.

I will try to roll this into one Paso del Norte Health Foundation. $1,000 for dancing. We have children going hungry. You saw all these people out here for animals. It's because they the animals are seen in public and hurt, which you don't see as a child at home going hungry. Why are we spending money? Why is anybody spending money, especially a health foundation, on dance? It's not that I'm taking away from dance. It's just that children are going hungry. Children are going hungry. I need my council, my county government to get together and make something happen on 10. It's Mr. Job. I can't control what he does. He can spend his money anywhere. But I will tell you, If you've come to City Council, if you had benefit from any thing that the city has done for you or the county has done for you, let's start feeding the children in this city. What does it say about you? What does it say about me? What does it say about anybody in this room? If we're gonna let children go hungry.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That concludes public comment on consent items since item number seven is being moved to regular.

Okay. So we had a motion and a second with the revisions. Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to also request to move item 16 to the regular agenda. I have a couple questions on it.

OK.

Okay, with those revisions, Ms. Ryan, call for the vote.

Yes, sir, the motion was made and read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, seconded by alternate Mayor Pro Tem Ferro, and this is to approve the consent agenda as revised on that motion. Call for the vote. In the voting session? And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay.

Would you like to take the ones that were moved to the right?

Let's take it, yeah, item seven, then we'll take number 16.

Thank you, item seven is a resolution for a proposed substantial amendment to the City of El Paso's annual action plans for program year 2019 through 2023.

Good morning. Good morning. Nicole Rodriguez with Community Human Development, and it's a fine day to be in El Paso today.

Yeah.

You want to walk us through the presentation. Perfect. Thank you. All right. So today we're bringing forward an amendment to our annual action plans to reallocate approximately two point five million in existing home funds from the first-time homebuyer program to affordable multi-family housing development. These funds have been incredibly difficult to utilize under the current program requirements and some of the funds are also approaching their expiration dates. So what we're proposing today is to reprogram these resources so that we can put the funds into work into addressing current affordable housing needs in our community and I'm going to walk you through some of the challenges that we've seen with this program. So our first time home buyer program, some of the challenges that we've seen is that is predominantly with the regulatory requirements. And then we're also operating in a market post COVID where the housing prices has gone up. And so you'll see over to the right that The local median home price is currently valued at $279,000. However, the maximum value that a home under the federal regulation can be in our region is $226,000. And so the property has to also meet HUD's inspection standards. And what that means is that the home can't need significant repairs. So there's that big gap there. And so this slide just shows the affordability gap that individuals face when they try to meet the program's income requirements. So for example, a family of four at 80% AMI here in the, let me see if I can move the mouse, the middle column at 80% AMI A family of four can have a household income of $67,000 and still qualify for the program. But based on their income and assuming a best-case scenario, their purchasing power is around $245,000 to $250,000. So when you compare that to the local median home price of almost $279,000, they can't find a home. under under the current regulations and so that's assuming a perfect scenario with good credit no other debt a 30 housing cost ratio and then 20 down for a home payment and so even with assistance from the city there are situations where households who qualify for the program still can't afford the homes that are available in our market in fact the last time that we were able to qualify someone under this program was back in 2021 and so that's why we're recommending the change for the reallocation of these funds So staff is recommending reallocating the unused home funds from our first time home buyer program to support the development of affordable multi-family housing units. This approach aligns with the housing needs identified in our community needs assessment and aligns with the economic mobility pillar priorities. One more. So if approved, our next steps would be to submit the annual plan to HUD. If approved there, we will start the process of releasing a notice of funding availability. And so the funds are being reallocated to support multifamily development. And what that means is that we'll put out a competitive NOFA, a notice of funding availability for qualified developers to compete for those funds and produce or develop multifamily rental units for low to moderate income individuals. We look to do that hopefully in the winter. And first time home buyers continue to be a priority for us. This reallocation doesn't mean that we won't stop looking or that we don't support first-time homebuyers. It's quite the opposite. We're just trying to reallocate these funds to get these funds out into the community rather than sit and an unknown bank account and we want to get these out into the community. These have been the first-time homebuyer resources that we share with the community when they come to us for first-time homebuyer resources. And with that, I'll take any of your questions.

All right, so we can get the item on the floor. Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Is there a second? Okay, Representative Rocha.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Nicole, and thank you, Council, for allowing me to pull it to the regular agenda. I think it's really important to understand that also we have an increase in average first-time homebuyers as far as age goes. It used to be 28, and I think we're sitting more about 39, 40 years old. is what I'm understanding. And currently, it looks like the market, according to a discussion with the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors, is that people don't want big homes anymore. They want smaller homes. They want smaller yards. They want xeriscape landscaping. And since we haven't been able to spend those funds since 2021, we really need to work towards making something affordable for them to take part in it. So, Nicole, with that, is HOME one of the developers that will be included in possibly doing that?

I just want to make the quick distinction. Please. It's HOME. The funding source comes from HUD. It doesn't stand for HOME. No, I know. Okay. And then home, just for the public, is our housing authority. They share the same name, and we live with that every day. But yes, under the qualified developers, if they were to apply, the housing authority could apply. But this goes for any developer. We are actually going to host a a developers workshop ahead of the notice of funding availability to start providing technical assistance to developers so that they can understand the regulatory requirements and that way we can start unlocking different dollars in this community under what's called a community housing developer organization. It stands for CHOTO. The federal government loves their acronyms. We want to be able to unlock different resources. We'll start that technical assistance with our developers. And then I also want to say, not included in this presentation, But we didn't allocate our current year's funding for, we didn't allocate our home dollars for this current year. And so that leaves the door open for us to start getting really strategic after the adoption of our housing strategy. We'll have money set aside so that we can start tackling some of the priorities that are in there.

Thank you for that clarification. Actually, that was going to be my follow up question regarding that housing strategy. And the reason that I asked for the distinction between home where I asked that question was because there was a member of the community that reached out to redesignate the money over to home. But I wanted to be sure that they were included in that. Hopefully, if they're watching, they'll be able to understand that they are part of that. So thank you. Thank you, Mayor.

Representative Nino. Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Nicole, and Ms. Mack. I know that we've had a lot of numerous conversations when it comes to affordability and ensuring that individuals reach home ownership to build that generational wealth has been a key advocacy for me. Even last year, I did make a request about the first-time homebuyer program, and I know I've had, again, many numerous conversations with you. You mentioned that the last grant or award we did was in 2021, is that correct? That's correct. But we didn't close applications until 2025, is that correct?

Yes.

And how many applications were we receiving annually?

If this isn't an application program, they would need to come with the certification that they've gone through the first-time homebuyer program. financial literacy course they would need to come with a home and so that we would get them enrolled in the process but it's not a typical applicant pool that we would have come through so you in order to qualify you you need to qualify and that's the barrier is that no one is able to to gather all the qualifications

Yeah, and I know that this specific fund is very restrictive, like even how you shared the example of there could be very limited improvements to the home, right? Because I know that there was some homes that I was looking at just to try to understand the program even further. There's homes that are listed for $150,000, $200,000, but they don't have anything inside the home pretty much. It's just the actual structure itself. So I know that there's very limitations of how to essentially be able to be part of this program as well. I know that we also had a, I mean, I'm grateful that you reached out and we had a conversation last week about this, because again, it's been a big priority of mine. And I know that I've also shared with Ms. Mack and Ms. Neiman and yourself kind of like some of the brainstorming that I've been doing. And I'm glad that you also mentioned that it doesn't mean that we're not gonna advocate for first-time homebuyers. But I have other ideas of how we could reactivate a first-time homebuyer program, specifically how we just recently adopted our strategic plan and talking about economic mobility and mentioning that individuals see economic development happening around them, but individuals want to see economic development happening for them. And I think it's a unique opportunity for us to define homeownership as economic development as well, and taking part of the cross-functional team and having those conversations as well of how is it that we, again, different policies that could come forward and advocate for. So I'm looking forward for further conversations. Again, I know that at first I did panic when you mentioned that we were looking at allocating this funding for another purpose, right? But essentially still advocating for affordability. So thank you for this presentation.

Thank you.

Representative Canales.

Thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, just because the question was raised, I want to make it extra clear. I think I would imagine we all received the same email from a constituent asking the question. And just to clarify, Nicole, they were making the same, they had the same confusion about home, right? Because the funding program from the federal government is called HOME and our local housing authority is called HOME, but they are not the same thing. They just have the same acronym.

Correct.

And so I know a meeting was held with that concerned constituent and it was explained to them. Is that confusion all resolved?

It was resolved and she was supportive of the approach, especially when it comes down to funds are expiring. We want to make sure that we're getting those funds used. And so she was supportive of the approach. And I welcome to continue the conversation so that we can continue to advocate for first-time homebuyers and housing resources.

We got to get different acronyms for different things. Thank you, Nicole.

The next piece of legislation.

Representative Lamont.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Nicole. In looking at page 2, so we're looking at $2.5 million in home funds. Yes, ma'am. OK. And then the requested action is to reallocate the funds to affordable multi-family housing development. So I'm going to go now to page or slide. Seven. And you know, you talk about the local assistance that we still have and that's the El Paso housing finance corporation, correct? Which recently or a while back we solicited $25 million and now we've solicited a second amount. Um, would it be possible to allocate the 2.5 to the housing finance corporation since we have been very successful and um, putting that money out into the community, first-time homebuyers.

Thank you. I did reach out to the El Paso Housing Finance Corp. The really attractive thing about their program is that they don't require a lien. And the federal regulatory restriction requires a lien. So as to be a second lien holder on a property. And so if we're really talking about uplifting first time homebuyers we need to come up with a funding source, I think that wouldn't have that as a as a barrier. And so if we were to reallocate funds to it that agency that same regulatory requirement would carry over and we did have that conversation.

All right, so you bought you've already spoken to us and OK thank you very much represent trail.

Nicole, I didn't get a chance to get briefed on this, so I have a few questions. How many affordable units are expected to be developed from this?

We don't know yet. We'll put out the solicitation for the notice of funding availability. It'll vary depending on how many or what the applicant pool is applying for. The money goes to 80% AMI units and below so they can a developer can build a an apartment complex and have market rate and have Low-income you set aside this funding specifically would only go to help fund the low-income units, okay How are you all determining where those where those units would go up? Would be as long as it's within city limits and they're going to service low to moderate income individuals Okay, that's something that's coming before council. We will bring Will likely bring the the announcement that it's open to council in some sort of update the approval would come through council because it's it's similar to our annual action plans where we allocate our funding and

OK. What what program modifications were considered as far as increasing or assistance?

A lot of concessions were made on the local requirements that we could do. Unfortunately, where our hands are tied is on the regulatory, the federal regulatory side. So there were concessions made. It still did not allow the program to proceed.

OK. All right. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Can you have the discussion item number 7.

We have public comment from miss Austin. It's often star 6 go ahead, ma'am your microphone is ready, you have 3 minutes.

Okay, so what bothers me about this is basically these funds are going to be transferred to the pockets of real estate developers versus to homebuyers. now the reason why they can't afford it is our ever higher taxes and property value that has keep jacking up something that previous mayor de margo emphasized he wanted had to do so our city is the one who has priced people out of homes And what bothers me is that you're gonna funnel this money into the pockets of the same real estate developers that donate to your campaigns and your discretionary funds. Looks shady. Perhaps there should be a focus because the last time funds were done to a low income, some of those low income houses in apartments people were still priced out of. Actual low-income people couldn't afford these apartments. But right now, even homes, this information alone states that the majority of El Pasoans cannot afford to get into these homes. It's a median price. is almost $280,000. So you're going to transfer these funds to real estate developers. And what's going to happen is, what, if a regular citizen cannot purchase, then who's going to purchase these homes when you hand over $2.5 million to real estate developers to build? It's going to be investment buyers, which then strangles regular citizens out of affordable rent and affordable housing. Your own policies are pricing everybody out of this city. Higher taxes, but I mean, let's go ahead and give the real estate developers another 2.5 million versus the people. Our own city council is who has made it unaffordable for regular citizens of this city to be able to afford a home. And the fact that you're just gonna transfer, and they're not, all of these funds are not gonna expire. Some of them don't expire till 30. I don't know if y'all remember what happened in 2008, how the values crashed.

Ms. Osmond, you've reached the three minutes. The next speaker is Lisa Turner. Ms. Turner? I don't see her in chambers.

OK. Ms. Frank, go ahead and call for the vote, please.

Yes, sir. The motion was made by Representative Maldonado-Rocha, seconded by Representative Canales. And this is to approve the resolution on item 7. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session? And that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, let's take item number 16.

Yes, sir, item 16 is that the city council approve change order number three to contract 2024-0539 to the project known as Grado El Paso Landfill Cells 15 through 20 with Forex Construction Group LLC in the amount of $123,989.25 for a fire department connection FDC system. Okay, sir, okay, great.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor and Council. Joaquin Rodriguez with the Capital Improvement Department. Item 16 is the third change order for the greater El Paso landfill project. This is specifically for a fire department connection system. Next slide. Total construction costs for this project is about $17.4 million. This is being paid for out of the ESD capital fund. Notice to proceed was issued in January of 2025, and we expect final completion later this month. Next slide, please. The justification for this change order is a change in the fire department connection requirements for the site. The site was originally designed with a fire hydrant system. But during plan review, it was identified that the existing water service to the site would not support that fire hydrant. So this alternative was proposed. to provide a fire department connection system in lieu of that fire hydrant with a pump rated at 250 gallons per minute, 50 PSI, drawing from an existing 5,000-gallon water storage tank. This proposal has been reviewed and approved by the El Paso County Fire Department that will be serving the area.

Next slide.

So again, the scope of work is the fire department connection system within 150 feet of the new break room, which includes a 12 by 16 foot prefabricated pump building, the fire suppression water supply system, domestic water supply connection, and a 400 amp electrical service. Next slide. So request for action is approval. and authority for the city manager it doesn't need to sign the change order number 3. In the amount of a 123,000 $989.25. OK represent Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Joaquin. And thank you, Nick. The only reason why I pulled this is because the change order that's in the backup, Joaquin, says that the substantial completion date is 8-12-26. And then the presentation said that the completion date was going to be September 21st. So I just saw a discrepancy there and wanted to get clarification on that.

Nicholas with Environmental Services. In talking to the contractor, they hadn't provided any dates as part of this. We've been in discussions with them to increase the time on the contract for construction. They were still working it out because they didn't know what the lead time would be once this change order was approved to get the equipment because they weren't going to order it until approval. And so we're waiting for that time on the lead time of the equipment.

So the work hasn't been completed yet.

No. OK.

So maybe this is just a typo or maybe it was initially thought to be completed previously but it has not been done.

Yes it was all associated with the cell project because this was an alternate as part of the sub project so we could get the break room completed at the level at the same time when we did the cells.

Okay, thank you for that clarity. One of the sheets says 8.12 and then the next one says the completion is 9.11. So there was just a little bit of confusion on my end there. Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate it.

Okay, any other questions on item 16? I don't believe we have public comment, Ms. Frey.

No.

All right, call for the vote.

The motion was made by alternate mayor Pro Tempiero, seconded by Representative Limon, and this is to approve the change order on item 16. On that motion, call for the vote. in the voting session and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, I believe that brings us to the first reading of the ordinances.

Mayor, I make a motion to move on the first reading of the ordinances.

There's a motion, is there a second? Second. Okay. Ms. Pryor?

Yes, and we do have public comment on item 17 from Ms. Turner, but I believe she stepped out.

She's, okay. I don't see Ms. Turner. Okay, Ms. Frank, call for the vote.

Yes, that motion was made by Representative Limon, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and this is to introduce the first reading of ordinances, items 17 through 19. On that motion, call for the vote. In the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, Ms. Bryant, let's take item number 20, please.

Item 20 is a public hearing of an ordinance granting a special permit to allow for a heli stop at the property at 12230 Pine Springs Drive.

Motion approved. Second.

Okay, motion and second. You have a quick presentation, I see. I do.

Kevin Smith with Time Inspections. Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. Item 20. Item 20 is the second reading of a special permit application request for a property located at 12230 Pine Springs. This is the existing fire station 35 for a proposed Hellas stop at this location. The property is approximately 2.9 acres in size, currently in zone C4, and is located west of Joe Battle and north of Rojas. This is a detailed site plan of the existing fire station. If you look to the more of the left-hand side of the screen, right adjacent to the purple is the area outlined in orange. That is the area of the proposed hella stop. Here are the existing elevations. Again, nothing is being proposed to change for the fire station itself. It's only for the hella stop. allowance. Here is a location of the site plan superimposed on the aerial. As is noted, the heli-stop is located towards the southern portion of the property. Here is the existing property located from Pine Springs. The area surrounding this is primarily zone C4 commercial. There's a government facility to the north and various commercial businesses surrounding, including contractor equipment, rental business, repair garage, manufacturing operations, as well as a motor carrier terminal. The applicant did notify as part of the request the Ranchos del Sol Neighborhood Association. The neighborhood was also notified within 300 feet or the properties were notified within 300 feet and we have not, staff has not received any communication in support or opposition to this request. Here's the location of the notification area. And staff and CBC recommend approval of this special permit and site plan request. And I'm here to answer any questions. And also Chief Tavares is here for the fire department to answer any questions as well.

KEN HOWARD JR.: OK. Any questions on item number 20? Ms. Ryan, we have public comment.

CHRISTIE WOODARD- Yes, we have Ms. Turner.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Council. I think this is not a good place. This sits in a hole in the ground. There are power lines there. There's neighborhoods there. There's a school in the vicinity. Okay? And if you know anything about a radar, radars can't see you when you're sitting in a hole in the ground. So the tower at the airport cannot see you. and won't seal you until you pop up a sufficient height before they can give the return. My also another concern is residential. You've got people with drones. Drones running into helicopters is not good business. I don't think the site is safe. I know it's been checked, but I don't think it is safe simply because you have neighbors nearby. Just because it might be 100 feet further away than what you have in your definition doesn't mean the helicopter won't crash into it. There's about 11.5 crashes per month of helicopters. I don't want one to be here. If you're going to have one, I want it in a place where it's safer. I want the pilot to have a 360-degree view. The pilot does not have that. These are my concerns. It's your decision.

Thank you. Mr. Prime?

Yes, sir. The motion was made by alternate Mayor Pro Tempiero, seconded by Representative Limon, and this is to adopt the ordinance on item 20. On that motion, call for the vote. Voting session is open. End the voting session. And that motion passes 7 to 1. Representative Acevedo, voting nay.

Okay. Council, if there's no objection, we've got members of the public and members of the media that are waiting on item 25 and 26. Are you okay if we move those up? Okay. Ms. Ryan, let's take item number 25.

Yes, sir. Item 25 is discussion in action directing the city manager to ensure the removal within 60 days of all flock safety fix automated license plate reader, ALPR cameras and related hardware located on or within city property, city right of way or otherwise within the city's control regardless of whether such cameras or hardware are owned by flock safety the city of el paso or any third party including by physically removing such equipment or coordinating its removal by the appropriate party and this item was placed by representatives canales acevedo and limon okay represent canalis is there a motion uh thank you mayor i move to approve okay okay represent canals thank you um

So in the last few weeks, the El Paso Police Department has halted its use of the state-funded flock safety automated license plate readers. And that came following the directive of the governor prohibiting the state funding source for that technology, specifically the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grant. What this item would do is direct the city manager to take the additional step of ensuring that flock safety's fixed ALPR cameras and all their related hardware That's either located on or within city property or city right-of-way or otherwise within the city's control would be physically removed within 60 days. It clarifies that the direction would apply regardless of ownership of the equipment and would allow the city manager to either physically remove the equipment using our own labor or our own resources or to coordinate its removal by flock safety or another appropriate party. We've seen in some other cities across the country who have for one reason or another terminated or otherwise ended a contract with Flock that there have often been significant delays or unresponsiveness from Flock in coming to collect their hardware. And in some cases, cities have had difficulty confirming whether or not Flock was continuing to operate the hardware, even though it no longer had a contract with the city to use the city's property or right of way. And so I just wanna make sure through this direction that the city manager has flexibility to do it whichever way, but that if we are asking Flock to come collect their property, that they do so in a timely manner. I do still have a few questions about the city's obligations, and I'll start off first by saying I want to thank Ms. Mack. You've been very communicative through the process and have provided us with some good updates. Are we currently bound by a contract with FLOC? Might be a question for Ms. Neiman. I'm not sure.

The terms of the contract, and let me get clarification from Eric. So we had the original terms and conditions of that agreement. Under the terms of the conditions of the agreement, we've notified them that we will no longer be using their services. And I'll defer to the chief in terms of what the communication has been, but we've notified them that we're terminating our services with them.

Right. So I understand the contract came to a natural expiration and was not renewed. So are we currently bound by the terms of that agreement?

So once we notified them of the governor's seizing of funding, that was our notification to them that we would no longer be doing service with them. So then we have to close out the agreement.

Okay. But is the agreement currently closed out?

So go ahead.

Uh, good morning, Representative Canales. Um, so, uh, Ms. Neiman's correct. We terminated. For the record? Eric Gutierrez. Thank you. For the record. Sorry, Mayor. Um, so, so Ms. Neiman's correct. We terminated the contract, um, but the specific clauses still hold in terms of the removal of the, uh, flock equipment. And so that specific paragraph talks about a reasonably, uh, a reasonable commercial time period. And that still holds.

Okay. Do you think it would be safe to say that a 60-day period is a reasonable commercial time period?

I cannot answer that, Representative Canales. I think FLOC is removing a lot of equipment throughout the country. And I think what is reasonably commercially, that phrase is very different this year than it would have been last year or the year before. We've been working with Flock in terms of communicating with them to get a time frame. We haven't had a specific detailed response on that, but we should be getting that relatively soon.

Okay. How long ago was that communication initiated?

That was last week. We emailed them last week.

Okay. Emailed them last week, and we haven't yet received a response.

On that specific? No, we have not.

Okay. Have we been in contact with the company specifically about the question of removing their hardware?

Yes, that was asked directly to the company. And we are awaiting a response from that that was done through PD.

Okay. And then, and again, this is an operations question, it might not be for you have are all of the the flock cameras and associated hardware that they installed under the contract with the city? Are those all located on or within city property or city right of way?

I would defer to operations on that, I believe so.

The cameras that we have with Flock are on city right of ways.

OK, yeah, most of them are the pole mounted. Yes, sir. Are any of them mounted on freestanding poles, or is it all co-located with our traffic lights and other?

Both.

So a combination of the two? Yes, sir. Okay. But all of them within city property or city right of way? Yes, sir. All right. Do we know, Chief, if the cameras are disabled or are they continuing to collect data or are they still operative? Is FLOC still operating?

We're not collecting any data. I can tell you what FLOC is doing. Since we terminated that contract with them, we don't have any discussions other than the letter we sent to ask them to collect their equipment.

Okay, so we don't have a clear answer of whether or not those continue to be operative. If they were, then we're not receiving the data, but Flock may still be collecting information using those cameras.

Just state your name for the record.

Yes, sir. Sergeant Longenbaugh, Paso PD with the auto theft unit. So currently no one has access to the system. No users, no, we're not in any type of share network. It's pretty much fully shut down pending flock coming and taking down there and physically logging us out of the system. OK.

So they have no direct access to any of the data collected by their partner?

I can't speak to if they're still collecting the data. I mean, the cameras are still up. I'm the only one that has it currently right now, just because I get a bunch of open records requests and stuff for the information. But again, we're bound by the 30-day retention policy and all that. So all the data is still getting purged after that. Okay.

Understood.

Yeah.

So we're still within that 30 days where there is some data that is still retained from when the cameras were operative.

Yes. I mean, we're still under the terms of our old agreement until they come and pick up all their stuff. Okay.

Thank you, Sergeant. Ms. Neiman, this might be for you. What are the steps needed for the continued closeout of the contract? Like what steps do we have remaining?

so under the terms of the agreement we just have to notify them that the agreement is terminated there there's no additional provisions in the contract that requires to do anything besides telling hey we don't have a contract and then it's up to them to remove the equipment in a commercially reasonable time so it it's operational in terms of how they go about doing that okay so there's no other steps essentially the contract is closed out aside from their need to come remove the hardware

okay um yes i guess for the record miss neiman said yes um okay yeah i think uh if if we if if this were any other provider that provided us a service and for any reason they no longer provide a service it makes sense that we would ask that provider to come collect their hardware, their belongings, their property. Again, I can understand that we may still be bound by some provisions of the agreement saying, dictating the way that the ALPRs must be removed. I think it's my opinion that 60 days is a very reasonable amount of time for Flock to either come collect their property on their own or to hire a third party, potentially locally, to do that work for them. I can't imagine that a commercially acceptable time would be more than 60 days. I guess, Ms. Mack and Ms. Neiman, are we comfortable with this amount of time as a direction?

I'm sorry, I didn't hear your question.

That's okay. Are we comfortable with 60 days as a reasonable amount of time giving direction for the removal of these?

I can't tell you what a commercially reasonable amount of time is. I'm in government work, so I can't tell you how the commercial private business works.

Okay. Who gets to determine what is a commercially reasonable amount of time?

There's another commission in the contract that says what commercially reasonable is. What we have recommended is that PD communicate with FLOC and that they come up with whatever proposal FLOC is going to decide. I mean, I know that they're probably having these conversations with various other entities across the state. So it's going to be dependent on what their operation allows them to do in terms of removing the equipment.

Based on council's decision here, our strategy would be to write to flock to allow that we have a defined timeframe based on this conversation. And separate from that, prepare and not prepare for us to have an outside contractor be prepared to remove these items and so once we receive some response to them that they have received our notification about what those deadlines will be and we receive acknowledgement of that then we would be prepared to move forward from there with the removal I think we've made it clear that there is language in the contract that clearly says that we are not supposed to touch it and so you know I won't speak on behalf of legal but I think the action here will be saying that we are willing to take YOU KNOW, ANY TYPE OF LEGAL EXPOSURE WE MAY HAVE WITH THIS DISCUSSION, THIS TIMELINE AND THIS STRATEGY.

REPRESENTATIVE CANALES, I'LL BRING YOU BACK. MAYBE THE CHIEF OR THE SERGEANT, JUST FOR THE PUBLIC, HOW MANY CAMERAS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? 150. 150? OKAY. REPRESENTATIVE FIERRO.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. Thank you chief. My first question was the question that representative can always ask is is 60 days the contract says X and we're saying 60 days does that You know, is that enough time? But but I think you had Thank You miss Mac you answer that question for us my second question to have it for both number 26 and 27 I'm sorry 25 and 26 is miss Mac and steaming and

the we're not talking about the cameras the al pr cameras on the international bridges or being disabled in the police officers cars vehicles are we it's my it's my understanding that um item number 27 did not from the 26 6 based on the backup did not include um those elements and so we're we're only on 25.

No, I understand that. The question was for both.

You're correct that those are not included based on the way that this item was posted.

Thank you for the answer.

Okay.

Representative Acevedo. Thank you, Mayor.

So we've been talking about this for the last six months now, and I think there's been a lot of Heartburn and anxiety from the public on flock and overall I do feel that the the police department we went through one of the simulations about six months ago on how flock was being used and the guardrails that the police department put in and how 50 people had access to flock overall so In the time that we've been using Flock, I don't think there's been an egregious situation where people that shouldn't have been accessing the system came in and did something, right, Chief? Correct. Okay. And so overall, as you've used this as a tool, I think From your end, it's been effective, right? But what has been problematic with it is these companies cannot be trusted. They cannot be trusted with the data that they're using. They say 30 days. It may not happen. So I don't think there was anything that the city of El Paso, specifically the police department, did wrong. It's just more the distrust with companies like Flock, like Axon, et cetera, that are providing these services. And I think this is where it's really important where we saw the red light cameras were outlawed seven years ago. But seven years ago was a very different time, even though it was just seven years ago, right? We're talking about AI and there's a lot of stuff that's really developed over the last couple of years regarding AI. And part of that has been this big brother like surveillance system, right? And so that is the worry that I have with flock and keeping these cameras up. A lot of the red light cameras are still up, but they were not doing remote access things that could be surveilling people. And I think that's the big difference here. And it's really important that we remove these cameras because we don't know what Flock is doing with these cameras that are theirs. They were leased by the city of El Paso. The contract is over. I worry about leaving 150 cameras up throughout the city of El Paso. I think a lot of citizens of El Paso are also worried about that. And If flock is just coming in remotely looking at these cameras doing who knows what with it I think that's why it's so important that we get this within 60 days I wish we could get them all done by tomorrow but also I think it is reasonable to give two months to remove all of these cameras. Would say even putting some stickers on them would be great, but that requires a lot of work It's just maybe let's get to removing them I appreciate the the city manager reaching out to to flock in the last week and the city attorney's office I think that's really important if this does pass today. I think there's a lot more weight coming behind coming from the the city council and and seeing what options we have miss mack thank you for explaining what would happen if flock can't remove the cameras within the next 60 days i think there there is a good plan of action on how um a contractor that we would hire would remove them and then we would ask flock to come and get their their supplies from what you said that's what i understood okay thank you and Overall, I think the public is seeing this across the country. We're seeing not just the state of Texas, right? The governor made his decision to take away that funding specifically for flock. From my understanding that is a LP ours as well but it's not very clear so I think that's why the next item is so important that way we are not using this technology and giving people peace of mind. I think we could put all the guardrails in the world and chief I appreciate you putting all those guardrails in but we can't trust the other party and. And that's what I want to make very clear. And I'm really hoping that this item does pass. We hear, we heard from people this morning worried about their constitutional rights. The Fourth Amendment was brought up. Axon has been a replacement in other communities specifically in Denver. I know that they got rid of flock and then they went with axon but Overall, I think we just shouldn't be using this technology no matter what company is behind it. I don't think they have those guarantees to provide comfort for people to feel safe in their neighborhoods, so Hoping that the the council will just forward. Thank you.

Okay represent canalis. I Oh, go ahead.

Thank you, Ralph.

I appreciate it.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just a couple of questions, and this may not be for you, Chief, but thank you so much. And I fully support the item to remove them. They're not working. They're not functioning as far as we know today. But Ms. Mack? Per the contract and just real quick because I know that we've referenced it a little bit In the contract there's section 10.1 that says it provides that the city may not remove reposition reinstall tamper with alter adjust or otherwise take possession or control of flock hardware except as otherwise expressly permitted by the agreement and In regards to that, Ms. Mack, by any chance, or Ms. Neiman, what is the penalty in the contract, if any, if the city removes these cameras without FLOC's agreement?

So the agreement is silent as to what would happen, but we would likely receive a complaint or some sort of breach of contract allegation that we violated the terms of the agreement.

If it's a breach in contract, let's say, is there a penalty that's associated with that within the contract?

They'd likely make a claim that whatever the value is of what they believe we've done, and then submit it to the city as a claim.

OK. So it would be submitted, you think, to the city as a claim?

That's one of their options, right? They have various remedies under the law, and they could choose that as the easiest route. ratcheted up if it wasn't replied to their specifications or to make them whole.

OK. Thank you. And this may be for you, Ms. Mack. Have you at this point been able to assess, let's say we bring in this third party vendor, what is the cost to the taxpayer to remove these cameras if FLOC does not respond or remove them themselves?

We have not taken a look at who we might hire and so our thinking was with DCM D'Agostino that we might be able to find a company that actually does this type of installation so if we're taking down the equipment we have some protection that they actually know how to handle it and so it just wouldn't be you know a random company who does this kind of work and I think that would give us a little bit more protection as a city if it's a somebody who's sort of certified to do the type of installations. So we have not gone out to figure out what that costs or what that looks like, but we know it's more complicated than just the simple mounting because of other connections that are happening there.

So in the interim, let's say flock doesn't respond and the city has to go and remove them themselves. We know that that's not part of what's included within the contract. where with the money come from in the budget. The money would have to come from contingency to be able to do this. Thank you miss Mac I appreciate it.

Thank you, representative else.

They are the revenue speak once or I want to make sure everybody gets the opportunity for the collapse of representing the mayor.

I'm grateful for the different questions that have been asked, and thank you, Chief, for always having that open communication. I know that I've asked numerous questions for the past year. I think it's also important to highlight that we're only talking about city right of way. There's multiple other devices that are installed in other areas, like Home Depot, for example, that we have absolutely no jurisdiction over, right? Correct. And I'm also grateful for the different concerns that were shared by the council in regards to ensuring that there's guardrails and protections for our community. And I know that you all had been looking, ensuring that there's a lot of different guardrails And it's also important, as Representative Acevedo mentioned, that no one in the El Paso Police Department has misused this equipment, which is important to highlight because we should not be characterizing the El Paso Police Department as such. Correct. Question for Ms. Mack. Did we ever enter into a new agreement with FLOC?

we did not so this happened just as we were in transition and we had had the discussion and conversation with council and made the commitment that the team would take some time looking at other types of products that would be available I think I shared with a few of you that they had already come up with some pricing we were already in the process of bringing some test items to the city and so we were actually in that in between you know period I think the announcement came out on like the 24th And I think the contract was up on the 1st. I think we were moving out of that contract. And so we were kind of in that in between of where we would be going next. And so we already had some of the costs associated with four other or three other different type of products that we were looking at. I believe you had made the request, sir, for us to broadly apply for the grant under ALPRs rather than specifically that block product, which we did.

So we never entered into a new agreement. Now there was a letter sent to flock notifying that we will not be using their services. When was that letter sent?

I have it on the 4th.

On the 4th. And I know that the question was asked of what is the determination or definition when a commercially reasonable time period, and I know that that's a trick question, but is there statute or any determination as to when an equipment can become abandoned?

Another looked at that question. In terms of abandoning equipment, we can certainly look into that. I think that because the agreement is not defined, we would traditionally defer to the parties to come to an agreement as to what is commercially reasonable.

Okay. Yeah, I think it would be good to look at what we could determine as an abandoned, right? The reason I ask this is because, say that 60 days pass and then we start removing the equipment, what happens with the equipment? Do we take possession of that equipment? What are the next steps? Or do we turn that equipment back to flock? I'm curious to know as to what are we going to be doing with that equipment and what liability do we have when we start removing this equipment?

Yeah, we'll have to... If you're asking whether we are gonna make a legal determination that the equipment is abandoned, if that's something that council wishes us to do, we'll look at that. I think that for the time being, what we are operating under is that They're going to be given 60 days, and we think it's reasonable. They may come back and say, I need another whatever day. But if the council's direction is to say that after 60 days they have not complied, that we will deem them abandoned, then we'll go back and tell you whether or not we can support that legally. But it's a council's direction in terms of what the position is that you want to take.

Okay, yeah, I think I really want to understand that definition of the time period, and I know that it's very difficult to make that determination, but I do think that if 60 days pass and say that we weren't able to remove them, but a year passed, at what time period are we saying they've abandoned their equipment and now they belong to the city? It's like when you have a lease, right, and you're renting something to an individual and you're using your property, you could give them a notice to vacate within a certain time period, otherwise they really abandon their property. Okay, I have no further questions. I was just trying to get that understanding of really what the communication has been and ensuring that we have those conversations. Thank you, Mayor.

Okay, Representative Cadalas.

Thank you, Mayor. I want to make sure that we offer the flexibility to city staff, to the police department, to coordinate for the removal. I think that there are some other steps potentially that we can take, especially if, and I hope this is the case, we hear back from FLOC and they give us a time frame during which they can remove their hardware. And so I have an amendment to offer and I think I hope it will give a little bit of additional flexibility Miss prime, let me send it your way first OK, so I move to append the following language to the end of the main motion. If full removal of all flock hardware is not possible within 60 days, enclosing the remaining cameras and all accessory hardware, with the exception of poles affixed to the ground, within fully opaque bags or covers that fully restrict their use is an acceptable interim alternative for an additional period of 30 days, after which all flock hardware must be fully removed.

Okay, there's a motion and a second. Okay, comments on the amendment? Okay, Ms. Bryant?

Yes, sir, the motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Acevedo, and this is to amend item 25.

And this is to add to the wording at the end.

If full removal of all flock hardware is not possible within 60 days, enclosing the remaining cameras and all accessory hardware, with the exception of poles affixed to the ground, within fully opaque bags or covers that fully restrict their use is an acceptable interim alternative for an additional period of 30 days after which all flock hardware must be fully removed. On the amendment, call for the vote. And the voting session and that motion passes unanimously.

OK. Representative Canales?

You're good.

OK. Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor. And thank you, Ms. Mack, for clarification on if there would be a cost associated with removing these cameras, if I could get an update on how much the cost would be, just so that I have that information, if it comes to it. Thank you. Chief, you put out a statement publicly. I'm sure most of us have already read it. I'm just going to read the last sentence of it, and I want you to expand a little bit on this statement, if you could. It says, the El Paso Police Department remains committed to providing efficient, transparent law enforcement while protecting civil liberties and exploring solutions to keeping our community safe.

Yes, ma'am.

I appreciate the fact that you did put out a statement to the community because I think it's important that we hear directly from you as the leader of the police department. Could you maybe expand on that a little bit?

So as technology evolves, we have to use it responsibly, ethically, and within our constitutional policing philosophy on there. The El Paso Police Department will not go out there and violate anybody's constitutional rights. So courts have ruled that all of us driving up and down the streets and highways, there is no expectation of privacy out there when we're out there in the public. In general, when it comes to cell phones and things of that nature, we still have to get search warrants if we're investigating a crime that are reviewed by a judge to obtain somebody's cell phone. But vehicles moving on a public highway or street, there's no expectation of privacy when you're looking at the license plates in general. I'm talking very broadly here. We are a member of the Major City Chiefs organization and have been as long as I've been on the department to the best of my knowledge. The Major City Chiefs Association has also sent out a letter to federal representatives both on the Republican side and Democratic side And our stance is that this technology is coming our way as an investigative tool for police departments and law enforcement across the United States. But yes, there needs to be strong controls and measures. And the El Paso Police Department, once again, was way ahead of the curve on this when we went into the LPR business. We had very strong policies and procedures in place that we were not going to violate. And we limited the number of people within the organization that had access to the cameras to be able to work within that. On top of that, we had audit systems in place that we checked on there. And as we spoke before and earlier, we have not violated that. We just had a capital murder over the weekend out there. Right now, our crimes against persons, our gang unit, and several of their officers are working on this investigation. They're following up leads. Right now, we do not have any viable leads to be able to help identify that person that committed the capital murder over the weekend it's going to take time but during that time you do have somebody out there that committed a capital murder

Yes, and of course, I think we can all agree that safety is a priority for all of us in our community. So we thank you for that statement again. Chief, I think it's important for the community to know, I think Representative Nino touched on this a little bit, that there are cameras already placed shopping centers and in other areas of our community that are not related to the cameras that we're talking about today that we're discussing today just just to make sure that we're clear on on who's operating what cameras do you know of any other law enforcement agency in our community that has cameras that they're operating

In the region, Horizon is operating them. Las Cruces is operating them. And I can't remember if Doña Ana is also operating LPRs in their community. But for sure, Horizon and Las Cruces.

Are there any federal agencies currently operating cameras in our city?

Not that I'm aware of.

Okay. So not now?

Not that I'm aware of, yes, ma'am.

Okay. Thank you, Chief. I appreciate it.

Representative Limon.

Thank you, Mayor. Chief, is there presently a separate LPR system working parallel with FLOC in the city?

A separate LPR system? We have LPRs in our vehicles.

Are they working in parallel with FLOC? No, it's an Exxon system. OK, so we do have the Exxon system in place.

We have Axon body cameras, we have Axon tasers, and we have Axon mobile vehicle recorders that are in our patrol cars.

Okay. And Chief, how frequently are the audits done on the use of the flock system?

Monthly.

Monthly. Have we had any incidents of misuse of the information released or gathered through flock?

No, ma'am.

None?

None.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, thank you, Chief. Ms. Friant, let's take public comment, please.

Yes, sir, we have Michael Remillard. Michael Remillard, David Espino. Michael Remillard or David Espino?

I'll call you.

No, no, sir. Patricia Osman, Ms. Osman, star six, please. David Espino is here. Okay, mr. Espino.

Go ahead I'm gonna say what I I do have an issue with the fact that Miss Osmond just a moment, please.

We miss Osmond. Just a moment. Go ahead. Mr. Espino. I didn't see you back there Go ahead sir, you have three minutes Thank you.

Hi Mayor City Council. My name is David Espino. I'm an El Paso resident and And I sent everybody an email overnight regarding open records request about audits and cases of misuse and some of that. I was able to get very little information from that open records request, but there is one case of misuse and it has been cited in this very room before. But I don't think it's quite relevant to item 25. So I don't know if I'm able to separately comment on number 26 with an additional time.

We're not on 26. We'll have to go back. This is just 25, right? This is just 25.

Okay. So I'm going to focus on 25 as quickly as possible. It all starts with the contract itself. There's no data breach notification requirements. If FLOG servers get hacked and El Paso residents movement data leaks, the contract doesn't require FLOG to tell the city. In February, FLOG deleted a clause that said that they would not sell customer data. And then in April 28, the renewal went through that process, but it was halted. So the cameras themselves, they're running on Android 8.1. This is discontinued software from 2021. We will never receive another security patch. So basically, this is just everything that's wrong with Flock. We know that their employees access city cameras 480 times as sales demos. And they accessed a children's gymnastics room, a pool, playgrounds. I don't know why that's a point of sale from Flock. But when they were asked about it, they say nobody from Flock Safety is accessing or monitoring your footage, but they were. And it's not just Flock employees. The Institute of Justice has documented that more than 200 incidents of ALPR are abused by law enforcement. have happened, and we don't know yet if any of that has happened here. My request was sent to the Attorney General. We'll see. Currently, Ms. Limon, you had, in the past, you had concerns about the back door. There is a back door, and it's federal. It's DHS-slash-ICE-PIA-039, and it requires vendors to keep audit logs of every ALPR query, and those logs go to ICE. They don't go to EPPD. We don't know what's going on here. That's the back door that we don't get to know about. And when the city says that ICE doesn't have access, they're relying on the vendor's word and not a log that they can read. And we will never know if they read it, when they read it, how often they read it. And for a majority Hispanic border city, that is not a small detail. In June 29th, Supreme Court ruled that- Thank you, sir.

You've reached the three minutes. Okay, thank you. Thank you. We'll move on to Ms. Osman, Patricia Osman, star six, please. She will be followed by Michael Ramirez and Carter Rissmiller. Go ahead, Ms. Osman, your microphone is ready.

I feel that the 60 days is somewhat disingenuous because that's moving it off until past the election. And I feel that it is no different than the same trick Abbott is pretending to do for election purposes. They should be covered ASAP. If the contract is no longer valid, they should be covered in the interim, not given 60 days of collecting information, because that is already publicly known that they do. We may have 30 days of information, but FLOC keeps it on their servers indefinitely. Nobody has asked the huge questions here. the biding time until after the election i find very disingenuous in in regard to the fact that uh civil rights this is a fourth amendment violation that our chief of police okay put through without it going through the public so when he says that he doesn't violate it has happened It has happened because the city of El Paso, because of the EPPD, is under several civil rights lawsuits currently. So let's not be disingenuous about the holier-than-thou EPPD. Other law enforcement agencies have covered them. They've canceled the contracts and covered them in the interim to force flock to pick up their cameras. It seems as though y'all are giving them 60 days to find out what happens in November. Do you get that funding again and then just leave them there? That's what this appears to be. And as far as violations in auditing, has there been a proper audit actually done on the searches? The amount of searches on maybe the same person and so forth. And I state this because York contact our former deputy city manager, Tracy Jerome, who is now the town manager in Morrisville, North Carolina. Her own officers were arrested for misusing flock search. FOIA request, honestly, city attorney's office has been notorious for not actually producing a lot of that. Calderon, our ex-city auditor, has had that problem. I've had that problem. Other legal entities have had that problem. There's a huge disingenuous... Political theater, trying to get pulled over everybody's eyes right here.

You've reached three minutes. The next speaker is Michael Ramirez, followed by Carter Rissmiller and Saul Gonzalez.

Morning Mayor, Council. Just a few things I want to say and address. For one, I would like you guys from here on out, moving forward, the rest of your council meetings to think critically about the way you vote because there's a great shift happening in our city right now. Gone are the days where the public is no longer engaged, where we're not paying attention, where you guys cast votes thinking that no one's going to find out. But more so, as somebody mentioned earlier, I would appreciate that you guys stray away from going with any other LPR companies. Something that I don't understand is, and I hope you guys ask these same questions through a statement released by the police department, is that response times are going to increase or they were going to be affected due to these flock removals. But what I don't understand is, if these are just license plate readers, why would that affect response times, whether it's just responding to calls or cases in general? Getting away from Axon, Koron, all those other cameras because our flock cameras, they're just license plate readers. But some of these other companies, they do pick up sound. They do pay attention to movement patterns, all of the above. I do hope that you consider not just the private investment of Flock, but the privacy of your constituents. I went to the park two weeks ago with my kids, big old machine, solar panels, two, three of them up facing in all directions. You have those cameras there, but why is it in the park if they're license plate readers? You can't see any of the cars in sight. And furthermore, it just feels like I'm being watched the entire time. And yes, those cameras are there, and you guys gloat about safety. But what's stopping somebody throwing on a mask, covering themselves up completely and still coming out and causing harm to me or my kids? Those cameras aren't going to do anything about that. That's not going to help assist catching these people. You know, we had that incident over at the park the other day. And whether there was cameras there or not. You still have to have people go out and investigate. You still have to have people go and do their job. I feel as if we've relied, we're trying to rely on this technology a little too much, you know, but that's about it.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Carter Rissmiller. Carter Rissmiller. Saul Gonzalez, star six, please, to unmute your telephone. Saul Gonzalez. Star six, please. You're still muted, Mr. Gonzalez. Star six will unmute your telephone. Go ahead, sir. Your microphone is ready. You have three minutes.

Hi, good afternoon. Can you hear me?

Yes.

Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council. My name is Saul Gonzalez. I'm an organizer with the Sembrando Esperanza Coalition and resident of District 3. I strongly support item 25 and 26 to remove all flock cameras from city property. And I'm asking to prevent the city from allowing Exxon to expand or any other ALPR vendors to install similar technology in the future. Representative Canales, thank you for putting this item on the agenda so quickly after learning that the funding was canceled. And thank you so much for the amendment. Also, thank you for all the people that called and attended City Hall to support these two items. We do not want AI surveying our communities or creating records of where residents travel. I recognize that public safety is important, but so is privacy, transparency, and community trust. I understand that El Paso Police Department has not misused FLOC, But we have seen many examples nationwide of how flock has been misused by law enforcement agencies and how flock has many system errors that lead to wrongful detentions. We cannot normalize surveillance in our neighborhoods. So please remove these cameras and do not replace them with another vendor. Lastly, if flock doesn't respond to your request to remove their equipment within 60 days, I can assure you that there's many volunteers in our city that are willing to support removing their equipment. Once again, please support these two items and thank you for your time.

Mayor, that concludes public comment on this item.

Okay, Chief, do you mind coming up one more time? So a question was asked by a member of the public. How would this affect response times?

So yes, we can investigate crimes. And we can go back to putting officers or detectives out there to investigate crimes. That takes a lot of staff and man hours. So we would have to move people around on the department. Once again, we just shift resources. And if we're going to go back to the old gum shoe, if you will, knocking on doors when we can use technology to help investigate and make a case, that helps us with our staffing.

Okay. All right, thank you. Okay, Ms. Bryan, call for the vote, please.

Yes, the motion was made by Representative Canales, seconded by Representative Limon, and this is to approve item 25 as amended. On that motion, call for the vote. In the voting session, and that motion passes unanimously.

Okay, great. Ms. Bryan, let's take item number 26, please.

Yes, sir. Item 26 is discussion in action directing the city manager to refrain from entering into, executing, renewing, or extending any contract agreement or other arrangement with flock safety or any other provider for the acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, or use of fixed network automated license plate reader, ALPR cameras, or substantially similar technology unless otherwise directed by subsequent action of the city council and directing the city attorney to draft a return to the city council within 30 days a resolution to further effectuate this direction. And this item was also placed by representatives Canales, Acevedo, and Limon.

OK. Representative Canales, is there a motion? I move to approve. OK. OK. Representative Canales.

Thank you, Mayor. I'll start here. I think there are plenty of arguments to be made about the merits of ALPRs versus, in my opinion, the many significant downsides. We've discussed the issue several times now. And I don't think we necessarily need to rehash all of those arguments today. We heard many of them from the commenters from the public earlier. I want to clarify a few things. So first, the item would establish council direction that the city shall not enter into a new contract or other agreement for fixed networked automated license plate readers, ALPR cameras, whether through flock safety or another provider. Secondly, the direction is intended to apply to fixed camera systems that automatically capture license plate information and transmit, store, process, or make that information available through a networked system. It would prevent the discontinued flock safety system from being replaced with another vendor or substantially similar fixed network surveillance technology without further action by the city council. For clarity and to answer Rep. Fierro's question that he asked earlier, the direction would not prohibit handheld license plate reader technology, vehicle mounted systems, or technology used specifically for parking enforcement, access control, or toll collection. Last month in August, KFOX conducted an online poll locally asking the question, do you think flock cameras are a threat to your privacy? They received 30,496 responses, a huge response for something like a local media poll. 65% responded yes, and 35% responded no. Earlier this month, just two weeks ago, Overton Insights and the Texas Public Policy Foundation conducted a scientific poll of Texans statewide, and opposition to flock cameras totaled more than 63%. with 51% indicating strong opposition to the technology and only 28% of Texans expressing support. So there are plenty of arguments to be made about, again, the merits and the downsides But hearing the results of these polls I think should perk all of our ears up. We're here in our roles as representatives of the people in our districts. And if strong nearly two-thirds majorities of people both in El Paso and statewide are saying that they don't want this technology, that they don't trust these companies, then I think we should listen to that and take those concerns very seriously. To be totally clear. I know that we can't bind future council decisions The item specifically says that the direction would apply quote unless otherwise directed by subsequent action of the City Council and When the city first entered into a contract with FLOC last year, it was done through an administrative modification to a grant that had already been approved in the past by the city council without the knowledge or direction of the city council, and crucially without notification to or feedback from the public. So I don't really want to relitigate that issue either, but this item would make sure that any decisions about future use of ALPR technology would be made by the city council in a public forum and with the opportunity for input from the public so that we can make a fully informed decision and hear from our constituents in that process. So that's why I'm proposing this particular item and council, I hope that you'll be able to support. Thank you, Mayor. Okay.

Representative Acevedo.

I just wanted to add that right now we're in an interesting moment as a society with AI really accelerating really quickly. And I feel that we need to have more regulations, more laws at the federal level, state level, and seeing how we could do things from the local level as well. I think from everything that Rep. Canales just mentioned, I just want to plus one. I was going to talk about the scientific poll, so I'm glad that you did that. But also as an organization, I think we have some lessons that we've learned from this particular contract. Miss Neiman specifically, I think there were questions that came up back in April around whether Flock could change the terms and conditions automatically and if we're getting into contracts with tech or just other places I really want to make sure that We have guardrails in these contracts language that protects us. I think something that's come up today is Section 10 of the contract with flock and kind of removing that Could you know give us some fines or something but having more clear Language that says how things will be ended how things will be removed. I think we could look at that from the legal perspective in the future and so I'm hopeful that this passes and this would be a resolution that you would bring back, Ms. Seaman. So can you tell us a little bit about how that would work?

So if the item passes today, we would simply draft a resolution that states what the action item was, and that it would direct the city manager to not enter into these agreements without seeking, without otherwise receiving direct action from council to do that.

OK. And so you would bring back, that would come back in 30 days, and that would be a binding resolution, correct?

It would bind, yes, the council, but a future council could overturn the resolution.

But that would have to be through a vote, correct? Correct. Okay. Thank you so much.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor. Can Chief Pacillas please come to the microphone again? Thank you, Chief. And I want to start by saying that I know that this is a very important topic for our community that people feel differently about, right? But before we take a vote, I just want you to maybe go through the data of what this technology has helped your department with.

In the LPR reads that we've had in our various systems, we've had over 24,000 hits on there that we've been able to successfully investigate bringing in stolen vehicles. We've caught murderers that have come into El Paso fleeing their jurisdictions in El Paso itself. One of the downsides to it is right now we have a capital murder that we're expending a lot of resources out there to try to solve this crime without the use of this technology since the systems have been shut down on there. So it's a successful tool. I do not disagree that there needs to be oversight on it. Completely agree. And I don't have a problem with that on there. The issue that keeps on coming up over and over again is people are accusing the El Paso Police Department of things that have happened elsewhere in the country. And that's wrong. These officers go out there every single day and risk their lives to protect this community. And to say that they're going to fall in the same place that some other community fell in because they didn't have the structures and the guardrails, as we're calling them, in there. That's totally wrong. That's absolutely dangerous, in my opinion, to accuse a group of people based on individual incidents out there. And then to limit us and to come in and say that all vendors should be excluded from this. If we have a problem with that, I'm going to use Axon because we're in contract with Axon for various tools on our department, from our tasers to our body cameras to our mobile vehicle recorders on there. If we don't have confidence in Axon, then I think we should probably strongly think about the products that we have with them on there. Oversight is needed. I don't have a problem with that on there I don't have a problem with an independent auditor coming in and looking at what we've established on the police department as a Our audit trails and the consequences thereof on that and we do our due diligence on the vendors that we do business with. But I think we have to be very careful in saying that we will not, we will put a strong stop on the use of technology. When it's used responsibly, it's effective.

And I think all of us in some way or fashion, we use technology to facilitate our lives a little better for different purposes, right? Some use it at home, some use it with their personal devices. Your department uses it as well. Chief, they talked about response times, but I think you were talking more about solving crimes specifically. Has this technology facilitated your ability to solve crimes quicker?

Yes, ma'am. So on various crimes, whether it's auto theft, recovering of stolen vehicles, or catching people that have been involved in crimes against persons, take your choice, aggravated assaults, murders, things of that nature. It's been a very effective tool for our detectives or officers that are investigating these types of crimes on there. It's taken us from our very limited resources that we have, a little over 1,100 officers on the department, to leveraging technology to help us and doing it responsibly.

And I want to talk a little bit about that, Chief, because as elected officials, we're elected to create policies, but we're also elected to provide solutions to the community and to provide solutions to the departments that run the city of El Paso. And so I... I I will be supporting this item today but I do think that we need to think of what the solution is going to be and if your department's not already tracking the data to see how quickly you solve crimes I think you need to start tracking the data to see a before and after picture of what you were doing before this technology was removed and then how it's affecting the department after and then bring that back to Council because we need to make sure that our community continues to be a safe community I think safety is the pillar of many other things. It's the pillar of quality of life. It's the pillar of economic development and other things in our community. And of course, we do not want to infringe on anybody's civil liberties. But at the same time, we have a responsibility to our community to ensure their safety. I have children. I have three young children. don't know if i should be saying this publicly but they walk home from school every day right and so i i often think of of technology that might help me in case i ever needed it for my children because you know things happen in our community like you mentioned there was a capital murder this weekend and we don't have the technology right now to help us maybe expedite the the results of that investigation um so Supporting this item today is important. I understand the reasons why. I understand why there's division in our community, but at the same time, we have to figure out what the solution is so that we continue to be a safe community for the future.

Yes, and we can provide the mayor and council timelines on how this has been effective for us.

Yes, and hopefully there'll be something else in the future that we can rely on that doesn't create so much controversy. Yes, ma'am. We hope. Thank you.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. CHIEF, YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT CHIEF, YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT CHIEF, YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT PUT TOGETHER SOME, WE'VE GONE PUT TOGETHER SOME, WE'VE GONE PUT TOGETHER SOME, WE'VE GONE THROUGH THIS OVER AND OVER FROM THE THROUGH THIS OVER AND OVER FROM THE THROUGH THIS OVER AND OVER FROM THE DIAS.

DIAS. DIAS.

YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE GONE YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE GONE YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE GONE THROUGH GUARD RAILS. THROUGH GUARD RAILS. THROUGH GUARD RAILS. YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE COME BACK YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE COME BACK YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE COME BACK WITH THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO WITH THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING Has your department received any accusations of misuse from the public? Not that I'm aware of. You mentioned something just a minute ago about excluding, that this council is going to be excluding all of the vendors. Ms. Mack, is that what this resolution is going to read? Yes. So there's no other, even though the council approves adding the ALPR back, we're excluding all these vendors that are doing business with the city right now?

So we're hearing that the two major vendors that are in this work, which are Axion, which is what we were going to look at, and Flock are not on the table. then we won't be bringing back an item for further consideration of Axiom. That's how we're interpreting it.

I think in the chief, you're hearing the same chief?

OK.

so the way that interpreting your the way this is written is going forward no fixed LPRs within the city we that we can't even go into looking for those purchasing or leasing options on that but I believe the it reads without council's approval in the future

Is that correct to smack this even OK so it's not forever, I mean this is just unless Council pre approves it. We're not going to use any of these technology.

Let's let let's ask has to sponsor trip is in canals.

Yes, that's correct. It reads unless otherwise directed by second action of the city. So thank you. Thank you for clarification.

But canals.

Thank you, Mayor. No, I hit the button actually just to make that clarification. Yes, this, of course, is only unless otherwise directed by subsequent action of the City Council. And so, again, this just intends to avoid the situation where There is a contract entered into through an administrative process that doesn't come back before the council. I think particularly because of the way it happened the first time, we owe it to the public to have that conversation in public if we are going to consider reentering into this type of contract. It's a topic of great public interest. Clearly, between the many times that we've spoken about ALPRs, large numbers of the public have come to participate and to speak, and so there's significant interest in participating in a future decision about this.

Okay. Representative Fierro? Ms. Mack, with that clarification, that's not excluding Axion or other companies moving forward. That's how I understand it.

I understand the action, but I also understand why this is on the agenda. So I certainly would not be directing the chief to move forward on bringing any alternative product back to the city council in the near future. And I'm going to be on the record in saying that.

Without council's approval. That's correct. Yes. Thank you. OK.

Okay, before we take public comment, any other comments from council? Chief, go ahead.

I was just handed a note. Generally speaking, Representative Chavez, since the systems, we shut down the systems, our auto thefts have increased 62%.

Representative Chavez.

Thank you, Mayor. Chief, so what is the solution then, in your opinion, in your expert opinion? Because public safety, as I mentioned, is extremely important to our community. We want to continue to support the department. I think all of us are aware that this is a very divisive topic right now. People want to protect their civil liberties. You said it in your statement to the public that you also want to protect people's civil liberties. So what is the path forward?

path forward is is once again using el paso and the el paso police department as the example of how to do it right in there so when we go go into these technologies and we're looking at these technologies is uh we set in uh the guard rails as everybody's uh referring to on there and we have oversight i do not have a problem uh with uh uh oversight how the council did determines that they want to do the oversight it's a city auditor That's fine to check to make sure our audits are in place. And that, I firmly believe that we can work with whoever council says that oversight is needed on this. But we're not going to get away from this technology, whether we use it or some other entity comes in and starts using it. I say another, whether it's county, state, federal, the technology is moving that way. to help enhance investigations on there. But I think we set the example. We use El Paso. People talk about best practices. Once again, these people that are sitting behind me that help put this system in place and all the regulations in there, they're the example of how to do the job. and other cities should be following what we're doing and other departments should be following what the El Paso Police Department is doing. But the short of the answer is yes, I think somebody, I can't remember who said it on the dais, we do need the federal government or legislators to put some mechanisms in place. That's why the major city chiefs organization sent a letter to Congress, members of Congress, to help get that in place, but also to allow law enforcement to use tools that are effective in keeping the community safe. Once again, get the tools, put guardrails in place, and have oversight. That's what I recommend.

Thank you Chief. I'd like to ask Representative Canales a question. So in your agenda item where it says unless otherwise directed by subsequent action does that mean Representative Canales that we would have to ask the CM or the chief that we are intentionally wanting to enter into a contract for ALPR. Otherwise it shouldn't be proposed to us at all.

Yes, it would have to be direction of the council to enter into that sort of agreement.

But if there was a grant opportunity in the future, then you're saying it shouldn't come before us, that it would have to be initiated by us, not initiated by any other city department. Is that correct?

It would take a member of the council putting an item on the agenda, yes.

Okay. I know you mentioned Flock, and then you put any other provider for the acquisition, because you want to make sure we encompass all types of providers for ALPRs, is that correct?

Correct, yeah. It's about the specific type of technology, not necessarily the provider.

Not necessarily the brand. Okay, thank you.

Okay, and Chief, I just want to say, First of all, to your men and women in uniform, thank you. We are one of the safest cities in the nation. And I spoke to you just yesterday. I was in another state where you guys are the role model of what you do. And I can tell you that most El Pasoans are very appreciative of what you guys do. Thank you. Anytime you're a victim of crime, And anyone in this room, if they've lost a loved one or been in an accident or had that knock on the door where their kid may have been murdered, they want to use any kind of technology you've got to solve that crime.

Yes, sir.

so it's difficult the position that you're in and we get in we understand the guardrails and things that we need to have in place but i agree that we cannot paint the el paso police department for other bad apples in other communities and say that your department's doing that so uh i'm in agreement with you 100 and again thank you and the men and women for what you do for for el paso and keeping us safe we appreciate that you got it thank you you got miss prine public comment please

Yes, sir. We have Michael Remillard. I don't believe he's here. Ms. Osmond, star six, please, to unmute your telephone. Your microphone is ready, ma'am. Go ahead.

The issue I do have with number 26 is it states city manager, but it should include Chief Garcia because he is the one who put this through under the cover of a grant. Slipping it under the rug of the public. So that alone was a Fourth Amendment violation to every citizen in this city. There are several right lawsuits. Mr. Macias has been, or Chief Macias has been very disingenuous. If we're gonna break down numbers, how about we ask how many officers Did we let go because AI is supposed to alleviate jobs? If we had this in use and it was so effective, then we should have needed less officers. But that hasn't been the case. And as far as Mr. Chief Macias being disingenuous, he mentioned at the podium that you don't have any sense of rights out in public. The thing is, is nobody's collecting. Everybody with their cell phones, they're not tracking everybody. They're not building a database. That is a clear distinction. You can turn off your location on your phone. So to be disingenuous about that is something that every citizen should be suspect. And I say this because although regardless of what Chief Basia states, Okay. In cameras and footage, there was an assault, a breaking and assault across the street from my home. I actually have CCTV cameras, more than one set up around 1230. One night I had cops not tapping at my gate. I go out there till six in the morning. They're in my house looking at footage. I was told, Hey, detectives are going to come by to pull some. They never did. Okay. So this is the thing. If you really think footage is just solving all crimes, then I wonder how many vlog cameras were up over there by Tom Lee Park? Because y'all keep pushing that. So how many were there? Because I can tell you there's many ways to get away from that park that I'm sure vlog cameras would not have been in. So to use that capital murder at that very disingenuous and quite frankly exact. I recommend all of y'all contact Tracy Jerome and see the violation that have happened in her city or ex deputy city manager. But Chief Pacillas' name should be added to the Because he is the one that did it the last time without public.

Ms. Hussman, you've reached the three minutes. Ms. Hussman, you've reached the three minutes. And I'll remind you to please refrain from personal attacks. You've attacked Chief Pasillas and his person on his character and integrity. And that's not allowed under the rules.

Mayor? Mayor? if i may for correction of the record yes you know although we have this item number 26 chief facias and his team followed our internal processes in terms of seeking the city manager at the times permission to make changes to the grant all of that is well documented so this item is just allowing for a different process that was clearly different than what was in the backup for the item when it came to council so it's very unfair to say that the chief did something that was outside of policy. He followed our policies. This item changes for this particular item policy, but it was very clear what the expectations were for the city manager and for the chief.

Absolutely. Thank you for that clarification.

The next speaker is Carter Rissmiller. I don't believe he's here. I've called him before. And the final speaker is Lisa Turner.

Good afternoon, Mr. Good afternoon.

I learned something. It's running on outdated software. There's no longer Updated with security updates. Oh god, that means someone like me can hack it in a heartbeat First off flock could never tell the difference between the number two and a seven or the letter O and a zero I Understand chief has control within his department. I That's where it starts, that's where it ends. City of Boston, Massachusetts just recently found out that all their data from their flock cameras was shared with other cities. They're sharing this data. And FLOC, I'm sure our contract has the same thing. Any city signing the contract gives a perpetual license to use the aggregated data. What you people don't know, all nine of you, is sitting on a server somewhere of FLOC's is all your life pattern data, everything you do. If you've got something on your bumper, it's listed there. You will generate over 100 individual data points in a month. You have flock cameras pointed at private businesses. Why? My concern is you went in with this with your eyes. Oh yeah, this is going to help. Chief came up here and told us, well, we really don't need half our departments, you know, personnel because we got technology. I mean, that's something, you know, it's crazy, but somebody is going to bring it up. I'm going to bring it up. I am just worried. You're in my neighborhood now. I know what I can do with a computer. There's nothing I can't hack if I decide to do it. The problem is I cherish my freedom more than the thrill of breaking into another computer. You know, my freedom is more important. So I don't do that. Military gave me a job back in, what was it, 1990? They gave me a terminal. They gave me access to a server. Said, we need this problem solved. I solved it. I sat down. Never wrote a line of code in my life. I read the book. I looked at sample code. I had a program running within two hours and beta tested. And the next morning, I was loading it with data. I'm very good at this. You have no idea how scary this is. I'm serious. You don't.

Thank you. Okay, Ms. Bryan, call for Representative Chavez. This is the last round, go ahead.

Yeah, I'm sorry, it's the third time, so I appreciate it. Mayor and council, I, again, want to support this item. I just want to make sure that we understand that as council members, we are not, I don't feel as, I don't feel like I'm the expert in any one single department. I'm not the expert in parks, I'm not the expert on streets. I'm definitely not the expert in public safety. And while I understand that transparency is extremely important to our community, we want to make sure that any future action taken by the council is done by ensuring that the public is aware of it and that we allow our constituents, our community, to give us feedback and input before making those decisions. I do think that any further action in the future needs to be approved by the city council. I would just like the opportunity to get information from either the city manager or the police department if any future technology becomes available that is different than this one, right? That is not so divisive as maybe this one is and I would welcome the conversation coming from them and not necessarily being initiated by us because sometimes we have a lot of things going on and maybe we're not even tracking these things And so I don't feel like as a council we would be the best indicated people to bring this forward. Again, I do think that it needs to come to council for a vote for final action, but I would like to offer an amendment just to give the chief or the city manager an opportunity to bring alternatives forward for council vote in the future and not it just be directed by us as a council mayor. Okay. So let me type up the amendment and send it to Ms. Prine, please. And it's going to be just so that they could also bring a proposal forward. Again, a proposal that would be completely transparent to the community and that we would take a vote on as a council.

Okay, there's a motion for an amendment. Is there a second?

Second.

Okay. have we heard the actual can we wait for the actual.

She just said the action she's going to send it to this crime. While she said in that over.

I just received it, I'm sending it over. You got it? For item 26.

Okay. Let me know when you send it, Ms. Pryor.

Yes, sir.

Mayor, if I may read it, is that okay with you? Please. Okay, thank you, Mayor. Move to amend item 26 to direct the city manager to refrain from entering into executing, renewing, or extending any contract agreement or other arrangement with FLOC or any other provider for fixed networked automated license plate reader cameras or substantially similar technology unless authorized by subsequent action of the city council following a proposal or recommendation brought forward by the city manager of the El Paso Police Department or a member of the city council.

Okay, discussion on the amendment? Representative Canales.

Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I just want to clarify that the original language also in no way limits the communication that is allowed to come from Ms. Mack or from the police department or anybody else. It simply would be that direction to enter into a contract would have to come from the council. The city manager or or the police department or anyone else would be well within their rights to share you know continue to monitor the situation share any updates with the council it doesn't limit any of that conversation.

It's simply that the direction would have to come from the yeah, I think the confusion is the city manager said she wouldn't be bringing any of that towards city council again.

Right, but that's not the direction that would be but that's her but that's her understanding.

That's what she just said.

Yeah, I heard. I can't control other people's understanding of the words, but I can only go by what the words are in the proposal.

Yeah, but I mean when you're directing the staff to do something, Ms. Mack, what's your understanding?

So based on the discussion and the feedback and what we're hearing, it is not the will of the body to move forward with a, um, with this technology. And so there's concerns with multiple vendors and number of vendors that are in the market are very limited. And I think it's for us, why would we spend the time and effort to develop knowing that we already have heard from the body about the opinion of how we are looking at this technology? And so I'm just being very honest about for us, where we would invest our time, how we're seeing this move forward as an organization. This would be a multiple steps for council anyway, if we are coming forward with this, you will see when the budget process, you will see it before it even comes to this point. But I'm just letting you know how we're looking at it in terms of the available technology, what's out there and opinions that we've heard.

Okay, that's my understanding.

Yeah, can I ask them for your understanding of the proposed amendment and what direction that would be giving.

I mean those both the same. For the capacity to what's actually already.

Representative as a battle.

Thank you, Mayor. And I think overall, I think the item as written really still allows for those conversations to happen. I think most of us have standing meetings with Ms. Mack, and we could ask questions at that point if they're considering something. And if one of us wants to put it forward for a vote, then we definitely can. So it's not prohibiting any conversations from happening.

Overall, so I'm not supportive of the amendment.

I think the main motion still has a lot of that wiggle room for Ms. Mack to come to any one of us to say, they just found this new technology. Will you consider putting this on the agenda for discussion? I feel like that still gives us a good safety net and enough guardrails to move forward.

with this in a future another council can look at it okay represent rocha thank you mayor so quick question is that allowed because the direction would have to come from council as a body to add something to the agenda or for you to come and ask one of us to put something on the agenda so the process would be slightly different so in order for us say a new technology comes out

We would include an ask within the budget. We would ask you all for an opportunity to fund it within the budget. We don't engage with vendors until we have funding in place to be able to have those discussions. And so if you would have the opportunity to be able to vote on what we rely on twice. One, within the budget, we're sort of giving you broad authority within the budget to be able to decide to go do some investigations. then we would have to come back to you all after we've done that work. So I mean, there are ways for us to do it. And I think all of those would be very transparent. But I think that we may not have all the answers that the community might want at the time that we're asking for it in the budget, because I can't engage with the vendor until it's actually approved. And so it gets really messy in terms of those pieces. And I'm thinking about it through that steps. I'm not trying to be contrary, but I'm just saying The feeling I'm getting is this is not where we are right now. We're not going to put our effort behind that, knowing that we don't have either the money or the ability to be able to study in a way that's going to allow people to feel very comfortable by the time you take that vote.

Is that because you don't have council direction, Ms. Mack?

No, I think council's being pretty clear about where we're going with this. I just think we want to be honest about if this is the direction of council, this is the way that the staff will interpret and move forward on the direction of council.

Is that satisfactory, Rep. Canales?

So, Ms. Mack, are you seeing the amendment and the main motion as one and the same? Yes. Okay. Ms. Frye?

Yes, sir.

I think we're we're done with public comment.

Yes, we are let's take a minute first this is the amendment was made by mayor pro temp Thomas second if I represent a boy I think all and this is to insert the following words after where it says subsequent action of the City Council to insert the words following a proposal or recommendation brought forward by the city manager, the El Paso Police Department or a member of the City Council. On that amendment. Call for the vote.

Just a point of clarification on this motion. It's not necessarily just inserting those words. It's also removing a bunch of other words prior to that.

Were you striking?

based on the based on the language that you sent because on the language that you sent it doesn't have um or other arrangement of block safety or another any other provider for the acquisition installation operation maintenance or use that's not part of the language you sent was prime so it's not just adding language to it it's it's kind of changing it quite a bit i defer to mayor protein travis

I'm not striking any language. I'm just adding additional language to include city manager and the department itself. Thank you, Ms. Prang.