Sasho Andonoski

This session served as an agenda review for the subsequent Regular City Council meeting and a Special Mass Transit Department Board meeting. Key discussion items included the approval of an assignment for a Department of Aviation lease at 755 Lock Heat Drive, a Southern Industrial site lease renewal, a lease agreement with the General Services Administration for TSA office space, establishing a street car cross-functional team, approving budget transfers for the Sun City Crit event, authorizing a joint application for a Department of Justice Grant under the Edward B. Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, approving the first amendment to a city-county agreement for the County Nutrition Program, renaming a lobby at the El Paso Museum of History due to a significant donation, addressing a property tax penalty and interest waiver request, considering a resolution to allow up to two Council members to attend meetings by video conference while maintaining an in-person quorum, approving an advanced funding agreement for highway safety improvements on Trino Drive, requesting no objection for 4% non-competitive tax credits for housing rehabilitation at the Pulley Apartments, reappointment of On-Call Associate Municipal Court Judges, various board appointments, discussions regarding alignment with Texas House Bill 1927 concerning firearm carrying regulations in municipal areas and parks, rezoning proposals to C4 heavy commercial/light industrial, and approving Municipal Utility District Number Six bonds for water, wastewater, and drainage projects. Professional service agreements were also reviewed for mechanical/electrical engineering services and construction management services.

The virtual town hall meeting was held to gather public feedback regarding the conservation easement for the approximately 1100 acres near the Lost Dog Trail in northwest El Paso. Key discussion points included the history of the project, which began with a voter-approved ballot measure in May 2019 to preserve the land, and the ongoing process with the partner land trust, Frontera Land Alliance. The discussion clarified that the land is already protected against development by ordinance, and the conservation easement is for stewardship and monitoring. Specific attention was given to allowed uses under 'Natural Open Space and Passive Recreation,' confirming support for activities like hiking, jogging, and wildlife viewing, while noting that horseback riding and picnicking are not considered appropriate uses for this specific area. The proceedings focused on obtaining final public input before drafting the final easement document by the end of the year.

The meeting commenced with the swearing-in and administration of the oath of office to the newly appointed City representative for District Three. The Council proclaimed January 2020 as Crimestoppers Month, recognizing the organization's achievements in crime reduction and tipster anonymity protection. A second proclamation declared the week of January as National Human Trafficking Awareness Week, committing to raising awareness and combating trafficking in all forms. Key legislative actions included the approval of the consent agenda with several revisions, including deletions and modifications to line items, and the approval of the first reading of an ordinance (Item 12.1). A significant portion of the meeting involved a public hearing and subsequent approval with revisions for an ordinance (Item 17.6) amending zoning definitions and adding supplemental use and parking requirements for medical waste facilities, aimed at protecting residential areas. The Council also held a discussion and approved an award for fiber network services (Item 14.1) and received a comprehensive presentation on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update supporting future bond issuance.

This special legislative review meeting covered agenda reviews for the City Council meeting and the Mass Transit Department board meeting scheduled for March 6, 2018. Key discussion items included: approving a new 21-month lease for NASA's existing hangars and ramp space at the airport; authorizing an amendment to a contract for oxygen cylinder rental, refill, and delivery for the fire department; authorizing applications for State Homeland Security grants for planning and special teams for the Office of Emergency Management; considering a waiver request regarding the prohibition of alcohol sales within 300 feet of Beal Elementary School for a proposed restaurant and bar; adopting a policy for community applications regarding lighting color schemes for the Airway and I-10 public art project; entering an agreement with The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to lease space in the city's data center for the Emergency Services recovery system; reviewing an RFP for Communication Consultant Services with recommendations for award to three firms, followed by discussion regarding their public relations qualifications; approving a resolution regarding clothing bins at drop-off sites to alleviate landfill waste; discussing resolutions of no objection for three low-income housing tax credit projects by the Housing Authority (John Kramer apartments, Umberto Suqian Apartments, and Martin Luther King Apartments); considering a construction manager at-risk procurement for two new aquatic centers; addressing a request for a special permit for a 60-foot cellular tower camouflaged as a church tower, which faced opposition regarding aesthetics and property values despite staff recommendation for approval; approving the rezoning and condition release for adjoining properties at 600 Hampton and 475 Yarbrough to combine parcels for a new retail establishment, addressing concerns about flooding with the proposal of a new pond; deferring action on certain zoning ordinance revisions; approving a special permit for reduced front and rear yard setbacks for a proposed 39-unit single-family dwelling development; approving the rezoning request to allow for a 78,000 square-foot superstore; and discussing a special permit request for a parking lot serving Rosa's Cantina, which faced significant neighborhood opposition due to life safety and traffic concerns related to pedestrian crossing nearby. The meeting also included second readings of ordinances related to creating parking benefit districts, including the University Parking Benefit District which permits 15 minutes of free parking in meters along Cincinnati, and a sole source procurement for Volvo Dosan and Gradall parts and service.

The meeting of the Transportation Policy Board included several key agenda items following procedural acknowledgments between the EPMPO and the County Commissioner's Court. Key discussions involved approving the dual designation of I-10 and Loop 375. The board also considered the 2025 update to the congestion management process, although this item was deferred due to the consultant's absence. Furthermore, the board addressed a proposed strategy to maintain fiscal constraint amid an anticipated funding reduction in the 2026 TxDOT Unified Transportation Program funding totals by moving projects between funding categories 5 and 10. Finally, the board authorized amendments to contracts to receive additional air quality planning funds from the TCEQ, increasing budgets for several air quality monitoring and estimation projects, and authorized funding for continued technical support for the EPRF database.