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City Council |
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Dee Margo |
Peter Svarzbein, District 1 |
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Mayor |
Alexsandra Annello, District 2 |
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Cassandra Hernandez, District 3 |
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Sam Morgan, District 4 |
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Tommy Gonzalez |
Isabel Salcido, District 5 |
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City Manager |
Claudia L. Rodriguez, District 6 |
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Henry Rivera, District 7 |
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Cissy Lizarraga, District 8 |
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES CITY HALL, 300 N. CAMPBELL |
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COUNCIL CHAMBERS |
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March 2, 2020 |
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9:05 AM |
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The City Council met at the above place and date. Meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. Mayor Dee Margo present and presiding and the following Council Members answered roll call: Peter Svarzbein, Alexsandra Annello, Sam Morgan, Isabel Salcido, Claudia Rodriguez, Henry Rivera, and Cissy Lizarraga. Late arrival: Cassandra Hernandez at 9:38 a.m. |
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AGENDA |
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1. For Notation Only: Formal Report of the Financial Oversight and Audit Committee meeting held on February 10, 2020.
a. Discussion and Action to amend the City of El Paso Budget Policies to establish a stabilization fund as a reserve of surplus reserves. • Motion made by Representative Rivera, seconded by Representative Lizarraga and approved by Representative Morgan, Representative Lizarraga and Representative Rivera to bring the recommendations to City Council.
• Motion made by Representative Rivera, seconded by Representative Lizarraga and approved by Representative Morgan, Representative Lizarraga and Representative Rivera to bring the recommendations to City Council.
c. Discussion on Audit Plan Updates.
d. Discussion on Client Surveys.
e. Discussion on External Quality Assurance Reviews
Mr. Edmundo Calderon, Chief Internal Auditor, provided an overview of the items discussed at the Financial Oversight and Audit Committee meeting held on February 10, 2020.
NO ACTION was taken on this item. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2. Operational focus update on the budget. Mr. Robert Cortinas, Chief Financial Officer, presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the City Clerk’s office).
Mr. Tommy Gonzalez, City Manager, highlighted the following budget impacts:
·The property tax discount for the over 65 and disabled veteran population was increased ·Reduced vehicle maintenance costs attributed to new Police vehicles ·Quality of Life investments such as the water parks and the addition of high-speed Wi-Fi internet across City locations had resulted in higher fixed costs ·Savings of $11 million as a result of the ballpark debt refinancing
NO ACTION was taken on this item. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3. Presentation and discussion on The Power of our Strategic Plan: El Paso Transformational Results with reports by the following departments: o Streets and Maintenance
Mr. Richard Bristol, Director, introduced the following key staff members who presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the City Clerk’s office).
1. Mr. Harold Kutz, Engineering Division Manager 2. Mr. Salvador Solis, Transportation Operations Manager 3. Mr. Chris Forti, Operations Manager 4. Mr. Jose Gutierrez, Engineering Associate 5. Ms. Jennifer Jurado, GIS Technician 6. Ms. Hannah Williams, Traffic Engineering Associate 7. Mr. Sergio Reyes, Traffic Engineer 8. Ms. Mary Gamez, Administrative Assistant 9. Mr. Andres Rico, Marking Supervisor 10. Mr. Victor Rivera, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor 11. Mr. Bobby Grayson, Motorcycle Maintenance Technician 12. Ms. Mary Gamez, Administrative Assistant
The presentation included the following topics: ·Update on the pay-as-you-go current model versus previously debt funded street resurfacing program ·Improvements to the pothole patching process following a Lean Six Sigma Project ·Improvements on pavement cut permits and inspections, median maintenance, street lane lines maintenance, data management, bike plan and street light maintenance ·Benefits of the Employee Ambassador Academy created in 2018
Mayor Margo and Representatives Svarzbein, Annello, Hernandez, Rodriguez, Rivera, and Lizarraga commented and asked staff questions related to the presentation.
The following City staff members commented:
1. Mr. Tommy Gonzalez, City Manager 2. Mr. Sam Rodriguez, City Engineer
o Capital Improvement
Mr. Sam Rodriguez, City Engineer, and Ms. Yvette Hernandez, Grant Funded Program Director, presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the City Clerk’s office), which highlighted the progress between the year 2015 vs the year 2020.
Representative Annello commented on incentivizing updates to historical neighborhoods.
Mr. Tommy Gonzalez explained staff is looking at historical neighborhoods as a whole.
o Community and Human Development
Ms. Nicole Ferrini, Director, presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the City Clerk’s Office).
Mayor Margo and Representatives Svarzbein and Annello commented on the resiliency plan and sustainability regarding housing and transportation.
Mr. Cary Westin, Senior Deputy City Manager of Economic Development and Tourism, commented.
NO ACTION was taken on this item. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4. Presentation and discussion on the Strategic Plan Goal Team Reports for the following:
o Goal 1 (Economic Development) o Goal 3 (Visual Image of the City)
The following members of City staff presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the City Clerk’s Office).
1. Ms. Julie Baldwin-Munoz, Chief Learning Officer 2. Ms. Monica Lombrana, Chief Operations and Transportation Officer
Discussion topics included the Ambassador Training Program, daily non-stop flights to Austin, attracting one of a kind flights, and El Paso’s low landing fees.
Mayor Margo and Representatives Svarzbein, Annello, and Hernandez commented.
The following City staff members commented:
1. Mr. Tommy Gonzalez, City Manager 2. Mr. Cary Westin, Senior Deputy City Manager of Economic Development and Tourism
NO ACTION was taken on this item. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Presentation and discussion on a comprehensive update of the 2012 Street Improvement Program.
Mr. Sam Rodriguez, City Engineer, presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the City Clerk’s office).
Discussion topics included a plan for the most traveled roads, the need for funding sources, and the tax base not in line with City growth.
Mayor Margo and Representatives Annello and Hernandez commented.
Mr. Tommy Gonzalez, City Manager, commented.
NO ACTION was taken on this item. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Update on the 2020 Census initiative to run from March 12th, 2020 to May 13th, 2020. Ms. Nicole Ferrini, Director, presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the City Clerk’s Office).
NO ACTION was taken on this item. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… |
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EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Alternate Mayor Pro Tempore Lizarraga, seconded by Representative Morgan, and unanimously carried that the City Council retire into EXECUTIVE SESSION at 2:18 p.m. pursuant to Section 3.5A of the El Paso City Charter and the Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071 - 551.089 to discuss the following:
Section 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY Section 551.072 DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY Section 551.087 DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS
AYES: Representatives Annello, Hernandez, Morgan, Salcido, Rodriguez, Rivera, and Lizarraga NAYS: None NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE: Representative Svarzbein
Motion made by Representative Rivera, seconded by Representative Salcido, and unanimously carried to adjourn the Executive Session at 4:21 p.m. and RECONVENE the meeting of the City Council at which time motions were made.
AYES: Representatives Annello, Hernandez, Morgan, Salcido, Rodriguez, Rivera, and Lizarraga NAYS: None NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE: Representative Svarzbein |
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EX1. |
Ex Parte: City of El Paso; Supreme Court of Texas, Case #19-0022; Matter No. 17-1001-171.002 (551.071)
NO ACTION was taken on this item. |
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EX2. |
Max Grossman v. City of El Paso; 8th Court of Appeals, Case #08-19-00272-CV; Matter No. 17-1001-171.001.001 (551.071)
NO ACTION was taken on this item. |
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EX3. |
Economic Incentives for a Mixed-Use Development to be located in the City of El Paso (18-1007-2339), (551.071) (551.072) (551.087)
NO ACTION was taken on this item. |
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EX4. |
Update on Proposed Strategic Real Estate Acquisitions for Health Department Facilities. (551.071) (551.072)
NO ACTION was taken on this item. |
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EX5. |
Briefing on Westside Sports Complex, Non-Exclusive Use and Maintenance Agreement. (551.071) (551.072)
NO ACTION was taken on this item. |
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EX6.
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Delinquent Hotel Occupancy Taxes for the Econolodge Inn & Suite, at 7651 N. Mesa, El Paso, TX 79912 (Cause No. 2019DCV4097), Matter #19-1063-198 (551.071).
Motion made by Alternate Mayor Pro Tempore Lizarraga, seconded by Representative Rivera, and unanimously carried that the City of El Paso, in consultation with the City Attorney, be AUTHORIZED through outside counsel for the City of El Paso, to negotiate a payment plan to resolve the collection of delinquent hotel occupancy taxes owed by Econolodge Inn & Suites, in the case styled The City of El Paso, Texas v. Dynasty Gonzalez, LLC; Oscar Alcocer; Rogelio Alcocer; Alma Gonzalez; Fabiola Gonzalez; and Victor Gonzalez, pending in the 17 l 51 Judicial District Court of El Paso County, Texas, under Cause No. 2019DCV4097.
AYES: Representatives Annello, Hernandez, Morgan, Salcido, Rodriguez, Rivera and Lizarraga. NAYS: None NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE: Representative Svarzbein |
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EX7.
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Claim of Delta Pest Control & Lawn Service; Matter No. 20-1050-3407 (551.071)
Motion made by Alternate Mayor Pro Tempore Lizarraga, seconded by Representative Rivera, and unanimously carried that the City Attorney's Office be authorized to ACCEPT the settlement demand and sign all necessary settlement documents in the Quantum Meruit claim of Claimant, Delta Pest Control & Lawn Service, pending in Matter No. 20-1 050- 3407.
AYES: Representatives Annello, Hernandez, Morgan, Salcido, Rodriguez, Rivera and Lizarraga. NAYS: None NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE: Representative Svarzbein |
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EX8.
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Claim of Railroad Track Construction & Maintenance Inc.; Matter No. 19-1050-3347 (551.071)
Motion made by Alternate Mayor Pro Tempore Lizarraga, seconded by Representative Rivera, and unanimously carried that the City Attorney's Office be authorized to ACCEPT the settlement demand and sign all necessary settlement documents in the Quantum Meruit claim of Claimant, Railroad Track Construction & Maintenance [nc., pending in Matter No. 19-1050-3347.
AYES: Representatives Annello, Hernandez, Morgan, Salcido, Rodriguez, Rivera and Lizarraga. NAYS: None NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE: Representative Svarzbein |
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EX9.
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Claim of Leedsmann Construction Inc. d/b/a Traffic Control; Matter No. 20-1050-3402 (551.071)
Motion made by Alternate Mayor Pro Tempore Lizarraga, seconded by Representative Rivera, and unanimously carried that the City Attorney's Office be authorized to ACCEPT the settlement demand and sign all necessary settlement documents in the Quantum Meruit claim of Claimant, Leedsmann Construction Inc. d/b/a Traffic Control, pending in Matter No. 20-1050-3402.
AYES: Representatives Annello, Hernandez, Morgan, Salcido, Rodriguez, Rivera and Lizarraga. NAYS: None NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE: Representative Svarzbein |
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EX10.
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Public Utility Commission of Texas Docket No. 50575, Application of El Paso Electric Company to Implement the Second Updated Refund Tariff for Federal Income Tax Rate Decrease in Compliance with Docket No. 46831; Matter: 20-1008-140 (551.071) (551.087)
Motion made by Alternate Mayor Pro Tempore Lizarraga, seconded by Representative Rivera, and unanimously carried, that the City Attorney is AUTHORIZED on behalf of the City to file a Motion to Intervene in PUC Docket No. 50575, Application of El Paso Electric Company to Implement the Second Updated Refund Tariff for Federal Income Tax Rate Decrease in Compliance with Docket No. 46831.
AYES: Representatives Annello, Hernandez, Morgan, Salcido, Rodriguez, Rivera and Lizarraga. NAYS: None NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE: Representative Svarzbein |
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ADJOURN
Motion made by Representative Rivera, seconded by Representative Annello and unanimously carried to ADJOURN this meeting at 4:28 p.m.
AYES: Representatives Annello, Hernandez, Morgan, Salcido, Rodriguez, Rivera, and Lizarraga NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE: Representative Svarzbein ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
____________________________ Laura D. Prine, City Clerk
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