2026-09-15 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes. No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.

Regular meeting called to order at 10:22 a.m. with Mayor Johnson presiding; Acevedo arrived at 10:24. Adjourned at 1:59 p.m.
Council voted 8-0 to have all fixed Flock Safety license plate reader cameras removed from City property within 60 days and, in a second vote, to bar new contracts for fixed networked plate readers.
$2,555,041 of HOME funds moved from homebuyer programs to rental housing programs, 8-0.
Adopted: a helistop special permit (7-1), tattoo studio inspection rules (as amended), public utility communications rules (as amended) and two floodplain administrator ordinances.
First readings advertised: a land sale to Double H Contracting, zoning rules for correctional facilities and halfway houses, and a water treatment sales disclosure ordinance.
23 speakers in the general call to the public and four on agenda items.

Item 25 (removal within 60 days, with a 30-day covered-camera fallback) passed 8-0 after an amendment by Canales seconded by Acevedo. Item 26 (no new fixed ALPR contracts; City Attorney to return a resolution in 30 days) passed 8-0, after the Mayor broke a 4-4 tie to adopt an amendment by Chávez. Staff heard included City Manager Mack, City Attorney Nieman, Police Chief Pacillas; public speakers Espino, Osmond, Ramirez, Gonzalez and Turner.

Item 7, moved from consent and approved 8-0 on a motion by Maldonado-Rocha seconded by Canales.

Two $1,000 donations for the District 1 National Dance Day event accepted on consent.

Ordinances 019911 and 019912 amending the duties of the floodplain administrator in the building and subdivision codes were adopted 8-0 (presented by Assistant Director Tony de la Cruz).
Change Order 3 for $123,989.25 to the Greater El Paso Landfill Cells 15-20 contract with 4X Construction Group, LLC (fire department connection system) was moved from consent and approved 8-0.
The El Paso County 911 District FY2026-2027 budget was approved 8-0.
Consent items: minutes of September 1 and the August 31 work session; an airport electrical easement; an airport automated retail concession (two-year term, four one-year renewals); the 2026 City Employees Charitable Campaign with the United Way; hearing officer contracting approved through FY27; a re-appointment to the Women's Rights Commission; and notices of campaign contributions to District 8 candidates and to council members.
Proclamations included recognition of the Fire Department's Class 1 ISO rating and 915 El Paso Lowrider Day.