Elizabeth Acosta

The council held a public forum to address concerns regarding trash accumulation in new housing developments. Additionally, the council approved a resolution consenting to the addition of approximately 242.37 acres of land within the town's extraterritorial jurisdiction to the Lower Valley Water District. An executive session was conducted to deliberate on Project Hornet and Project Claw, though no formal action was taken on these items.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included recognition of Horizon City Athletics Wrestlers for qualifying for the Texas Youth Folkstyle State Championship and presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation for 20 years of service to a Police Department Lieutenant. The Council accepted a report on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). An action item regarding the purchase and installation of a new 120' Self Support Tower was postponed at staff's request. The Council approved Additional Services Authorization No. 2 to EXIGO Architecture, LLC for materials testing and structural design services. Several Change Orders (No. 14, No. 16, and No. 17) were approved for the Municipal Facilities Phase 1 Project concerning Dantex General Contractors, including adjustments for additional power/data drops, additions for Emergency Services 911, and demolition of a concrete pad. Change Order No. 15 was tabled for further information. An exception to the Municipal Code was approved to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages within 300 feet of a day care center. Following a public hearing, the Council approved the second reading of an Ordinance amending the Municipal Code regarding exemptions for civic use signs on City Right-of-Way. The Preliminary Subdivision Plat application for Verdancia Unit 4 Phase I & II was approved, as was the acceptance of roadway and drainage improvements for the Desert Breeze Unit 3 subdivision for maintenance. The Council approved authorization for the Mayor to sign grant applications for the FY-2027 Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program, the FY 2025 Operation Stonegarden Grant Interlocal Agreement, the FY27 Operation Lone Star grant resolution, the Crisis Intervention Team 2027 Grant Application resolution, the Peace Officer Mental Health Grant Application resolution, and the Safe Neighborhoods Grant Application resolution. Finally, the Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Public Safety Cadets, after deleting a proposed MOU with Carfax.

The Regular City Council Meeting addressed several key items. The consent agenda, which included the approval of the November 12, 2025, minutes, was adopted. Discussion items included the designation of a representative on the EPATS Board of Directors and the recognition of an achievement for a student named Ethan Martinez for being selected as a 2025 QuestBridge Scholar. The Council accepted an update on the Capital Improvement Program and thanked the CIP Manager. Action was taken to approve the First Amendment to the Contract of Employment for the Police Chief, extending his term through December 31, 2029. A motion to table the Third Amendment to the Lease Agreement for 15001 Darrington Road until the next meeting passed. The Council also approved accepting a $1,500.00 donation from Summit Plastic Molding II, Inc., designated for a driver's license program for senior students. Furthermore, the Parks and Grounds Maintenance Contract was awarded to Abescape Landscaping, LLC for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2026. Resolutions were approved ratifying actions regarding a Water Services Easement to the HRMUD and ratifying a Standard Utility Reimbursement Agreement with Texas Gas Service. The Council approved the Replat application for Darrington Park Replat B and the Final Subdivision Plat application for Verdancia Unit 2. The Preliminary Subdivision Plat application for Verdancia Unit 3 was also approved. Additionally, a resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement Project Development Agreement with the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority for transit center acquisition services was approved with an amended amount. The EDC was authorized to expend $42,500.00 to engage consulting services for the creation of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. During executive session, the Mayor was authorized to sign the First Amendment to a Chapter 380 performance agreement with Kenazo Partners LLC for the construction of a medical office center.

The meeting included an Open Forum where a resident spoke regarding animal welfare. Key actions taken under the Regular Agenda involved accepting a report on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The Council approved Change Order No. 10 for the Municipal Facilities Phase 1 Project, resulting in a deduction of $13,181.20 due to the deletion of two manholes. A Public Hearing was held for the 2nd reading of an Ordinance to increase the Texas Municipal Retirement System matching ratio to 6.66%, which was subsequently approved. The Council also addressed the ongoing stray dog issue by approving a Resolution to renew an Interlocal Agreement with El Paso County for Animal Welfare Services for compensation of $55,318.00 for the term beginning October 1, 2025. Furthermore, the meeting schedule for November 11, 2025, was rescheduled to November 12, 2025. Planning actions included the approval of a Preliminary Replat application for Horizon Manor Unit Three Replat"A" and the approval of a Combination---Preliminary & Final Subdivision Plat application for Rancho Desierto Bello Unit 16. A resolution ratifying a construction services contract up to $50,000 with El Paso Underground Construction Inc. was approved, as was the Final Subdivision Plat application for Verdancia Unit 1. The Council also approved a resolution for participation in the global opioid settlements and authorized a Service Agreement between the Town and its Economic Development Corporation for administrative efficiency. Following an Executive Session to deliberate on potential economic development incentives for Project Claw, the Council authorized the Economic Development Corporation to secure consulting services for structuring a development and incentive proposal.

The meeting addressed several key items, including the excused absence of two council members and the approval of the consent agenda. Key discussions and actions on the regular agenda involved the re-appointment of three individuals to the Horizon City Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. Presentations recognized the Horizon City Little League baseball team and honored two police department members for their years of service. Actions were taken to approve a resolution authorizing the Police Chief to sign a Mutual Aid Agreement for complex emergency response planning with the Texas Department of Public Safety and El Paso County Sheriff's Department. The Council also approved a resolution to submit the 2025 Racial Profiling Report to the State of Texas Attorney General's Office and authorized the creation of a Police Department Reserve Officer Program. Updates were accepted on the Capital Improvement Program, first reading was held for an ordinance amending zoning sign regulations, and approvals were granted for accepting roadway and drainage improvements for maintenance in the Rancho Desierto Bello Unit 16 subdivision. The Final Subdivision Plat application for Rancho Desierto Bello Unit 19 was also approved. A proposal to close City Hall and Courts Administrative offices in December 2026 was approved. The session concluded with an Executive Session where the Council authorized the Horizon Economic Development Corporation to continue negotiations for an incentive agreement and hire a consultant to create a TIRZ for Project Hornet.