[00:00:04] RIGHT. ALL. DONE. ALL. DONE. ALL. RIGHT. [00:05:02] ALL. DONE. ALL. DONE. ALL. RIGHT ALL. FOREST RANGERS. GO AHEAD. SEASON READY. FOR IS THAT I? LEAVE IT THERE. GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. TODAY IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2024. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS MEETING IN REGULAR OPEN SESSION. THIS MORNING WE'RE JOINED BY ASL INTERPRETERS SELENA, SALEM, [1. OPEN MEETING] STEPHANIE, MICHELLE, AND DARIO GARCIA. COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE THIS MORNING'S PLEDGE GROUP? YES. THANK YOU CESAR. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. SO I AM VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT TODAY WE WILL BE LED IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY THE SECOND GRADE CLASS OF MISS MARTHA HERNANDEZ FROM JOHN DRUGAN, PRE-K THROUGH EIGHTH SCHOOL. GOOD MORNING STUDENTS. [2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY. PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO [00:10:07] THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS. ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVISIBLE. GOOD JOB. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT WAS WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GREAT. GREAT ENTHUSIASM. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THIS MORNING. NEXT WE WILL RECEIVE AN INVOCATION FROM PASTOR ROMAN BUSTILLOS. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING PASTOR. AND FOR THE [3. INVOCATION] RECORD, I'M NOT A PASTOR. I'M JUST LAITY. WE BEGIN IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN. GOOD MORNING, HEAVENLY FATHER. WE THANK YOU FOR TODAY. AND WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE GRANTED EACH OF US. WE GIVE YOU THANKS AND FOR YOUR CONSTANT LOVE AND MERCY THAT YOU SO GENEROUSLY POUR OUT UPON US. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ASK THAT YOU YOUR CONTINUED BLESSINGS. WE ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED BLESSINGS, AND WE HUMBLY ASK THAT YOU SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BLESS OUR JUDGE, OUR COMMISSIONERS, THE STAFF, AND ALL THOSE APPEARING BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT ALL THEIR DEALINGS MAY BE FAIR AND HONEST FOR THE GOODNESS AND THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT OUR ACTIONS MAY FURTHER GLORIFY YOUR NAME. PLEASE BLESS OUR JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS WITH THE VIRTUES OF WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND FORTITUDE TO INSPIRE THEM TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO HEAL OUR COMMUNITY, OUR COUNTRY, AND THE ENTIRE WORLD FROM ALL THE DISEASE AND EVERY AFFLICTION THAT CHALLENGES OUR HUMANITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE COMMUNITIES DEVASTATED BY THE CURRENT AND IMPENDING NATURAL DISASTERS SUCH AS CALIFORNIA AND THE GULF STATES. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR PROTECTION FOR OUR MILITARY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CURRENT CRISIS IN ISRAEL AND UKRAINE. PLEASE BLESS US AND PROTECT US FROM ALL VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY GUN VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN JUAREZ, KENTUCKY AND GEORGIA. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE RAISE UP OUR HUMBLE PRAISE OF THANKSGIVING AND OUR FAITHFUL PETITION THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, OUR BLESSED MOTHER, ALL YOUR HOLY ANGELS AND SAINTS, AND HEAVENLY FATHER, WE RAISE UP THIS PETITION TO YOU THROUGH THE PRECIOUS BODY AND BLOOD, SOUL AND DIVINITY OF YOUR DEARLY BELOVED SON, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS US. PROTECT US FROM ALL EVIL, AND BRING US TO EVERLASTING LIFE. AMEN. AMEN. THANK YOU. MR. BRUCE IS ALWAYS WELCOME HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY. YO. TOO. JUDGE, DO YOU HAVE SOME OPENING REMARKS FOR US THIS MORNING? YEAH I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU BEING HERE AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR GREAT COMMISSIONERS, WE WELCOME YOU TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, PROBABLY NOTHING BETTER THAT WE DO THAN TO RECOGNIZE. AND AS YOU COULD SEE, TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME GREAT RESOLUTIONS, I HOPE I DIDN'T GIVE IT AWAY THAT I WENT TO JEFFERSON BY SOME SOME MEANS OR SOME WAYS. SO. BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AS YOU COULD SEE, LOTS OF FRIENDS HERE AT COMMISSIONERS COURT, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR SOME NOISE AND DIVISIONS AND ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD. A LOT OF NOISE ABOUT ABOUT OUR SOCIETY. BUT WHEN YOU'RE HERE, THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. JUST THIS AMAZING EMOTIONS AND SHE'S WAVING AT ME. SO. HI BUT I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND MAKING THIS A VERY UNIQUE DAY. I'M SO PROUD. WE'RE HAVING A RESOLUTION FOR JEFFERSON 75TH. TODAY IS MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY. SHE PASSED AWAY SOME TIME AGO, BUT TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY. SO VERY GREAT DAY FOR ME TO BE HERE, TO BE ALIVE, AND TO BE PART OF THIS GREAT, YOU KNOW, EXCITEMENT OF EVERYONE THAT'S GOING TO BE HERE TODAY. SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RESOLUTIONS. WE WANT TO WISH ALL OF YOU JUST AN AMAZING MONDAY AND JUST A TREMENDOUS A VERY BLESSED WEEK. SO ONCE AGAIN, WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US AT COMMISSIONERS COURT. THANK YOU. THESE ARE. THANK YOU SIR. ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS THE CONSENT AGENDA COMPOSED OF ITEMS FOR A THROUGH FOUR BAY. WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS, TO READ IN. WE HAVE A CORRECTION TO READ IN FOR ITEM FOUR. WHY ITEM [4. CONSENT AGENDA] [00:15:06] FOUR? WHY SHOULD READ APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT AND ADDENDUM TO GOVERNMENT PRICE QUOTATIONS WITH CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION FOR THE COUNTYWIDE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF ACCELA PLANNING AND PERMITTING SOFTWARE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT. OF $357,490.33 IS AVAILABLE IN CP CO 23, A PLANNING AND PERMITTING SOFTWARE, AND $500,086.05 WILL BE BUDGETED IN GENERAL FUND. ITD MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SOFTWARE CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0583, WE ALSO HAVE AN ITEM THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST TO DELETE. THAT IS ITEM FOUR, AN, THAT ITEM IS APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO REJECT ALL RESPONSES AND CLOSEOUT SOLICITATION RFQ 24017 AS NEEDED. ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS WITH PERMISSION TO RE SOLICIT, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT MEMBERS OF THE COURT OR THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION FROM CONSENT? ANYONE ELSE? I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. AND MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER FIVE B RESOLUTIONS APPROVING. ADOPT A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB FOR A FIRST PLACE VICTORY AT THE ISI 2024 [B. Approve and adopt a resolution congratulating the El Paso Figure Skating Club for a first-place victory at the ISI 2024 World Recreational Championships, and commending them for their community contributions, showcasing local talent and bringing positive recognition to the city. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111] WORLD RECREATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND COMMENDING THEM FOR THEIR COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS, SHOWCASING LOCAL TALENT AND BRINGING POSITIVE RECOGNITION TO THE CITY. COMMISSIONER STOUGHTON, THANK YOU. JUDGE. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. I HAVE THE, THE HONOR TO READ THIS RESOLUTION INTO THE RECORD. YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THE DESERT, RIGHT? AND, AND, YOU KNOW, DO WE THINK ABOUT HAVING ICE RINKS HERE? NOT REALLY. HOCKEY TEAMS AND FIGURE SKATING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT. ALL RIGHT. BUT WE HAVE ALL OF THESE. AND, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY DO WE SAY YES, BUT YES AT A HIGH LEVEL. AND WHAT A WHAT A GREAT WHAT A GREAT THING TO SEE OUR, OUR YOUTH HERE IN FIGURE SKATING AND THE AMAZING THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING. THIS RESOLUTION HAS SOME MORE DETAILS ON THAT. BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M PROUD OF THE ROLE THAT THE COUNTY PLAYS IN, IN HELPING, BRINGING ICE TO THE DESERT AND OF COURSE, THAT YOU, THE COMMUNITY, HAVE EMBRACED THAT AS WELL. AND SO WITH THAT, I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN I'LL ASK YOU ALL TO COME UP AND, AND, WHO'S, WHO'S WHO'S THE LEADER, WHO'S GOING TO SPEAK. OKAY, OKAY. YOU YOU CAN COME UP AND WE'LL OF COURSE, HAVE EVERYBODY INTRODUCE THEMSELVES, BUT I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU, SO IT STATES WHEREAS THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB, ORIGINALLY FOUNDED IN 1996 AS A SUN CITY FIGURE SKATING CLUB BY FORMER ICE CAPADES SKATER LORI BRIGGS, HAS GROWN INTO A PROMINENT INSTITUTION IN OUR COMMUNITY, SERVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MEMBERS RANGING FROM AGES 2 TO 76. AND WHEREAS THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB OFFERS BOTH RECREATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE FIGURE SKATING OPPORTUNITIES AND COMPETES ANNUALLY WITH PRESTIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE UNITED STATES FIGURE SKATING ASSOCIATION AND THE ICE SKATING INSTITUTE. AND WHEREAS, ON JULY 25TH, 2024, THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB COMMENCED THEIR FIRST DAY OF COMPETITION AT THE ISI 2024 WORLD RECREATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS HELD IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, WHERE THEY WERE ONE OF 42 TEAMS PARTICIPATING FROM THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD. AND WHEREAS THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB, CONSISTING OF 61 DEDICATED MEMBERS, COMPETED VIGOROUSLY AMONG A TOTAL OF 3042 INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PERFORMANCES OVER A SPAN OF FOUR DAYS, DEMONSTRATING REMARKABLE SKILL AND PERSEVERANCE. AND WHEREAS THE FINAL AWARD CEREMONY ON JULY 28TH, 2024 CONCLUDED WITH THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB WINNING FIRST PLACE OVERALL WITH 1527 POINTS, 471 POINTS AHEAD OF SECOND PLACE, MARKING THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP WIN, A FEAT NOT ACCOMPLISHED IN MORE THAN 27 YEARS. AND WHEREAS THIS NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT REFLECTS THE DEDICATION HARD WORK AND EXCEPTIONAL TALENT OF THE SKATERS, COACHES AND BOARD MEMBERS OF THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB AND HIGHLIGHTS THE [00:20:03] CLUB'S COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AND ITS ROLE IN ENRICHING THE COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB CONTINUES TO BE A BEACON OF ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE AND COMMUNITY PRIDE, OFFERING SKATING LESSONS AND CLASSES TO INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS AND FOSTERING A SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT AND TEAMWORK. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT CONGRATULATES THE EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL FIRST PLACE VICTORY AT THE 2024 WORLD RECREATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND COMMENDS THEM FOR THEIR COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS. SHOWCASING, SHOWCASING LOCAL TALENT AND BRINGING POSITIVE RECOGNITION TO OUR CITY. SIGNED THIS NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024. THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN AND THE MOTION CARRIES. WELCOME. HI. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SARAH SANCHA, AND I'M ONE OF THE COACHES FROM EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB. TODAY CELEBRATES SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN EL PASO. WE HAVE REPRESENTED EL PASO AT THE 43RD ISI WORLD RECREATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. THIS COMPETITION, AS YOU MENTIONED, HELD 42 TEAMS AND THAT COMPOSED OF 763 COMPETITORS. OUT OF THOSE 763 COMPETITORS, EL PASO BROUGHT 61 SKATERS TO REPRESENT THE 61 SKATERS COMPETED IN INDIVIDUAL EVENTS AND TEAM EVENTS OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR DAYS. EACH SKATER IN EVERY EVENT CONTRIBUTED TO THE TOTAL SCORE THAT RESULTED IN FIRST PLACE. WE ARE THE BACK TO BACK 2024 ISI WORLD CHAMPIONS, AND WE ONCE AGAIN CONTINUE TO REPRESENT EL PASO FROM EAST COAST TO WEST COAST. RECOGNIZING THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT CELEBRATES SKATERS, FAMILIES AND COACHES THAT HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO OUR PROGRAM AND TO THE SPORT OF FIGURE SKATING. WE HAVE ACHIEVED THE UNTHINKABLE. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE ON BEHALF OF EL PASO FIGURE SKATING CLUB FOR RECOGNIZING OUR CHAMPIONSHIP WIN. EVERY SKATER, EVERY PARENT, EVERY COACH DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED FOR THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION THAT GOES INTO A SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP WIN. WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING RECOGNITION TO OUR GREAT CITY OF EL PASO IN THE IN THE FUTURE, AND DEFY THE ODDS THAT FIGURE SKATING CANNOT BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE DESERT. WE PROVE EVERY DAY, EVERY YEAR, THAT ICE DOESN'T MELT. AND FROM EAST TO WEST, WE'RE THE BEST. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. SUE I MEAN, THINK ABOUT IT. THIS IS THE MATERIAL FOR A MOVIE. I MEAN, THIS IS REALLY YOU'RE ALL GOING TO BE BESIDES ALREADY BEING STARS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE EVEN MORE TO THAT. BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU, SARAH. THIS IS A COMMISSIONER STOUT FOR. YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN AMAZING. WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HOW WE HAVE THESE FALSE NARRATIVES ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY. IMAGINE THAT. I MEAN, EVERYBODY NOW ALL OVER THE WORLD GETS TO KNOW THAT WHO WE ARE IN EL PASO. SO YOU PUT US ON THE MAP. IT'S JUST AMAZING. AND I HOPE THE COMMUNITY REALLY EMBRACES AND UNDERSTANDS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO BE ON THE MAP. WE'RE VERY AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY, BUT NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THAT OUTSIDE OF EL PASO. SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE IS GOING TO SPEAK BEFORE THEY INTRODUCE THEMSELVES? IT'LL JUST BE ME. NO. WELL, IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF YOU COULD COME BY AND SAY, SAY YOUR NAME, PLEASE, AND COME UP AND TELL US YOUR NAME. RIGHT HERE. I'LL COME OVER HERE. OLIVIA. THANK YOU FOR DRESSING IN RED. OLIVIA. COSTA HI. THANK YOU. BAILEY HELLO. MY NAME IS BAILEY ESCANDON. WELCOME HI. MY NAME IS VALENTINA QUEZADA. WELCOME HELLO. MY NAME IS SARAH BARROSO. WELCOME HI. MY NAME IS VICTORIA. WELCOME LADIES FIRST AND LAST. MY NAME IS MELODY AMADOR. WELCOME HELLO. MY NAME IS ADRIA ATKINSON. WELCOME MY NAME IS ALI. WELCOME HELLO. MY NAME IS REGINA LOPEZ. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS LAYLA ANTHONY. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS MIA. THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS VIVIAN LOPEZ. THANK YOU. HI MY NAME IS CASSIDY ALI. THANK YOU. HELLO. MY NAME IS RAQUEL MONTOYA. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS [00:25:04] SOFIA MORALES. THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS DANICA GARCIA. THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS CHLOE CORRAL. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS AURORA VALDEZ. THANK YOU. VERY NICE. HI. MY NAME IS VICTORIA PERALES. THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS GIANNA CASTANEDA. WELL, THANK YOU. HELLO. MY NAME IS EVELYN ISSA. THANK YOU. HELLO, MY. HELLO MY NAME IS RENATA MENDEZ. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. I'M MADELINE GUTIERREZ. THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS MARCOS. HAVE A GOOD DAY. THANK YOU. AND WE DO HAVE AN ADULT SYNCHRO TEAM, SO WHENEVER YOU GUYS ARE READY TO JOIN THE CLUB, YOU GUYS CAN COME DOWN AND WE'LL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW. THANK YOU. AND THEY ALSO WENT AND COMPETED AS WELL, DID SEVERAL EVENTS AND DID PRETTY GOOD. OH THANK YOU. OUR ADULT THANK YOU. SAL ESCANDON. THANK YOU, VERONICA ALARCON. THANK YOU. MIRIAM ESSLINGER. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, VIVIANA LOPEZ. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. BUT REMEMBER, YOU ARE ALREADY ROLE MODELS. OKAY, TO BEGIN WITH, BUT REMEMBER YOUR EDUCATION. THAT'S SO, SO IMPORTANT. A LOT OF YOUNG, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT YOU AS YOUR ROLE MODELS. AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS CARRY WITH YOU. BUT REMEMBER THAT EDUCATION HAS GOT TO BE PART OF YOUR ATHLETIC. YOU KNOW, COMPONENT OF YOUR LIFE. SO WE THANK YOU. YOU'RE ALL STARS AND I SEND IT BACK TO COMMISSIONER STOUT. WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR TAKING EL PASO AND OUR PRIDE OVER TO CALIFORNIA AND HAVING SUCH A GREAT, GREAT, GREAT SHOWING. I'VE GOT SOME RESOLUTIONS. SO WE CAN ALL GET UP HERE SO WE CAN TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE RESOLUTIONS. ALL RIGHT. YEAH. WE'RE GOING TO. HIGH FIVE. VICTORIA COME STAND OVER HERE. GIANNA GREAT JOB. VICTORIA. VALENTINA. CONGRATULATIONS AURORA. MARCOS MARCOS. AND EVERYONE ELSE. YOU GUYS KIND OF. CONTINUE TO COMPETE NEXT YEAR. YES PROBABLY GONNA HAVE TO GET HIM IN A COUPLE OF ROWS. YEAH, THAT'S WHY I WANTED THE LITTLE ONES TO GO FIRST SO WE COULD JUST SLIDE THEM IN FRONT. OKAY I FELT LIKE THAT. ALL RIGHT. MADELINE SORRY TO BE BACK HERE BEHIND THE LITTLE ONES. OVER HERE, PUTTING IT UP ON THE. BUT YOU GUYS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, ALL RIGHT? OKAY. YEAH THAT'S THE ATTITUDE. GOOD. ANYBODY KNOW ANYBODY? ANY KNOW FIGURE SKATERS AROUND HERE? ALL RIGHT. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY HERE. NO NO. SO WE SEE THE SKAT. HEY, MARCOS, YOU GOT A FAN CLUB OVER THERE? EVERYBODY READY? WHO'S A CHAMPION FIGURE SKATER UP HERE? READY? SMILE. ONE. TWO. THREE. SO, NUMBER ONE. OKAY. HOLD THOSE SMILES. THERE'S. SO MANY. OKAY. THANK YOU. CAN WE GET A SECOND? SECOND. CAN I GET [00:30:17] A. CAN WE GET THE PARENTS BEHIND US OVER HERE? YEAH. COME ON. PARENTS, GET THE PARENTS OVER HERE. COME ON. YOU CAN GET OVER HERE IN THE BACK. WE'RE UP HERE. YEAH, YOU CAN. I'M SORRY. SORRY, SORRY. THANK YOU. AWESOME THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. COME ON. I'M GOING TO STAND UP BECAUSE THESE GIRLS ARE SHORTER. WE'RE LIKE, OKAY. OKAY, FINE. WE DID. THERE'S FISH IN HERE. I DIDN'T KNOW. RIGHT HERE. RIGHT HERE. COME ON. COME RIGHT UP HERE. ARE WE GOING SIDEWAYS? SCREEN, CAMERA. NO, NO, I'M JUST HERE TO SUPPORT. I'M NOT. YEAH, I'M NOT IN THE LITTLE BABY. ALL RIGHT, WE GOT EVERYBODY. JUST GET THE LITTLE. HE'S TOO SHORT. OKAY. HOLD ON. ONE MORE. LET'S GET HIM OVER HERE. COME OVER HERE. GET THE BABY! OH, YEAH. COME. YEAH HERE WE GO. RIGHT HERE. THE SPACE RIGHT THERE. YOU GOT HIM? YEAH. OH OKAY. READY? ONE, TWO. THREE. YEAH. HE WAS OUT THERE TOO. YOU WENT UP THERE. THANK YOU. I SAW YOU. CONGRATULATIONS MAYBE THAT'S WHY YOU THINK. SHE. SKATERS AND PARENTS. NO. THANK YOU. BYE BYE. IT WAS NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN. OH, NO. TWO. TWO. ONE. IT WAS NICE TO SEE YOU. OH, THERE YOU ARE. I DON'T KNOW. HI. HOW ARE YOU? CHEATER! GET CHEATER! WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND OUT. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND SKATING. OH WELL, PERFECT. THANK YOU. DOUBLE CHECK. TELL THEM. LET ME GIVE YOU. TWO. YES. OH THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY MY LITTLE ONE. THANK YOU. I THOUGHT YOU THE FIRST YEAR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO FINE. I'LL HANG AROUND. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I THOUGHT YOU. YEAH, WE WENT. AND THEN WE. YOU. NEED A FRESHMAN? YEAH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [00:35:25] THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. I LIKE. THESE CRITIC. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE IT. IT'S HERE. YES YES. THANK YOU. TELL YOU THAT? NO JUDGE. JUDGE. ASKING YOU FOR A PRESENT FOR CHRISTMAS OR. THAT YOU NEED TO PUT DIRTY WHEREVER YOU WANT. TO PUT. ITEM NUMBER FIVE. SEE APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2024 AS INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY AND SUPPORTING THE [C. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring September 21, 2024, as "International Peace Day" in El Paso County, and supporting the celebration and objectives of the International Day of Peace Symposium taking place on that day. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111] CELEBRATION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE SYMPOSIUM TAKING PLACE ON THAT DAY. GREAT, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. JUDGE, I ALSO HAVE THE HONOR OF READING THIS RESOLUTION, WHERE I SEE MY I SEE MY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE, PEOPLE COME. IF YOU ALL WANT TO COME AND JOIN US AT THE AT THE PODIUM. DID WE DID WE LOSE MISS MARSHALL? YES OKAY. THAT'S FINE. SO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, JUST BEFORE I READ THE RESOLUTION, I JUST WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS, AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW THE WORD PEACE IS JUST A FAR REACHING WORD, AND IT CAN REFER TO, A STATE OF BEING WITH ONESELF OR AMONG NATIONS, OR REFLECTING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND STABILITY, CIVIL RELATIONS, SOME SYNONYMS INCLUDE SERENITY, QUIETUDE, TRANQUILITY, REST, CALM, GOODWILL, AND ONE SYNONYM THAT WE HAVE HEARD FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST 11 MONTHS IS CEASEFIRE. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM FROM YOU ALL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE RESOLUTION STATES WHEREAS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, SERVES AS A GLOBAL CALL FOR PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING, PROMOTING HARMONY AMONG ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLES. AND WHEREAS EL PASO, TEXAS, ASPIRES TO ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITY'S REPUTATION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY OF PEACE THROUGH MEANINGFUL AND IMPACTFUL EVENTS THAT HIGHLIGHT OUR COMMITMENT TO PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION. AND WHEREAS, THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2024 FROM 8:30 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. [00:40:01] AT THE TOMAS RIVERA CONFERENCE CENTER. AIMS TO ADVANCE THE OBJECTIVES OF PEACE BUILDING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY FOSTERING DIALOG AND COLLABORATION AMONG PEACE PRACTITIONERS. AND WHEREAS THIS SYMPOSIUM IS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE KEY GOALS, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NETWORKS BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS, THE STRENGTHENING OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL CONNECTIONS AMONG PEACE ADVOCATES, AND THE CREATION OF A SPACE FOR SHARING INNOVATIVE PRACTICES IN PEACE WITHIN PEACE. WITH EACH OTHER AND PEACE WITH THE EARTH. AND WHEREAS THE EVENT WILL FEATURE INTERACTIVE AND CREATIVE SESSIONS INCLUDING LIVE STREAMED PRESENTATIONS, ROUNDTABLES, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT DO HEREBY DECLARE SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2024, TO BE KNOWN AS INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY IN THE EL PASO COUNTY AND SUPPORT THE CELEBRATION AND OBJECTIVES OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE SYMPOSIUM AS A COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING PEACE AND ENHANCING EL PASO'S ROLE AS A BEACON OF HARMONY AND COLLABORATION. SIGNED THIS NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024. THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. YAY! MISS MARSHALL. WELCOME YEAH, WE WERE HERE LAST YEAR ON SEPTEMBER 11TH WHEN THE COUNTY PASSED THE RESOLUTION FOR EL PASO TO JOIN 404 OTHER CITIES AROUND THE WORLD TO BE DEDICATED AND HAVE AN IDENTITY AS A CITY OF PEACE. THIS YEAR, WE ARE WORKING TO BRING 160 PEOPLE TOGETHER TO PUT INTO PRACTICE THE WORDS. THE WORDS ARE EASY. THE PRACTICE IS HARD. I WANT TO QUOTE PAUL CHAPPELLE, WHO WILL BE OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER ON THE ISSUE OF PEACE WITHIN. PAUL CHAPPELLE WENT TO WEST POINT. HE WAS A CAPTAIN IN THE ARMY IN IRAQ, AND HE'S USING EVERYTHING HE LEARNED IN THE MILITARY TO WAGE PEACE. HE SAYS A THOUSAND YEARS AGO, WE THOUGHT WE HAD TO SACRIFICE PEOPLE IN ORDER FOR THE CROPS TO GROW. AND NOBODY NEEDED TO KNOW HOW TO READ. NOW, WE DON'T NEED TO SACRIFICE PEOPLE IN ORDER FOR THE CROPS TO GROW. AND WE EXPECT THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW HOW TO READ. THE NEXT DECADES ARE GOING TO BE FILLED WITH CHALLENGES AS OUR BEAUTIFUL PLANET GETS HOTTER. AS PEOPLE MIGRATE, AS PEOPLE HAVE SCARCE RESOURCES. PEACE, LITERACY IS NOW AN ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL SKILL. PEOPLE KNOWING HOW TO REGULATE WHEN THEY ARE TRIGGERED THAT IS A PRACTICE. THE 17. THE 14 YEAR OLD BOY WHO JUST KILLED PEOPLE IN GEORGIA. HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SHARE HIS PAIN AND WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO RECEIVE HIS PAIN. SO HE TOOK LIVES AND CAUSED MORE PAIN. SOME STUDENTS IN KENTUCKY LOST A BUNCH OF FRIENDS TO GUN VIOLENCE. THEY TRIED FOR A YEAR TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED TO HAVE RED FLAG LAWS AND TO HAVE GUN CONTROL, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THEY DECIDED TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE WAS LONELY IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL. LET'S MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE IS LONELY IN EL PASO. WE'RE HOLDING THIS NETWORKING PROCESS TO EXPAND THE BEAUTIFUL PEACE PRACTICES THAT ARE ALREADY HERE, AND TO STRENGTHEN THEM. AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE THAT YOU'RE OKAY. AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, WE'RE SORT OF WAITING FOR PEACE TO HAPPEN. WE'RE WAITING. BUT THE CHALLENGES, EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED FROM THE PANDEMIC TO, YOU KNOW, OUR SORT OF OUR SOCIETAL CRISIS OF NOT BEING UNITED AS MUCH AS WE SHOULD, SO IT HAS TO BE AN ACTIVE, IT HAS TO BE ACTIVATED. AND, YOU KNOW, THESE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN HERE, WE WANT THEM TO SEE PEACE AS A POSSIBILITY, NOT AS A RARITY, YOU KNOW, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IF WE PUSH HARD ON IT. AND SO WE'RE WE'RE ALWAYS VERY THANKFUL HERE AT COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'VE GOT GREAT COMMISSIONERS THAT THAT REALLY WANT TO PUSH FOR THIS IDEA OF THAT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I ALWAYS SAY THAT EL PASO IS PROBABLY THE BEST OF ANYONE TO SHOW THE REST OF THE COUNTRY HOW TO HOW TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. I DO HOPE THAT YOU USE THE HEALING GARDEN, BECAUSE THE VISION OF THE HEALING GARDEN WAS TO HONOR THE VICTIMS, BUT IT WAS A WAY TO BRING PEACE AND TO MOVE FORWARD. THE MURAL ITSELF THAT WE JUST COMPLETED, AUGUST THIRD. IT WAS IN ESSENCE, I SAID, WE I DON'T WANT ABOUT RACISM. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN PEACE AND TRANQUILIT. AND HOW DO WE MOVE A COMMUNITY [00:45:04] FORWARD NOT TO STAY STAGNATED? I THINK LITTLE BY LITTLE, WE'RE BECOMING A ROLE MODEL BECAUSE I WAS TELLING OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT THAT IF WE DON'T STAND UP TO THINGS, THERE'S NOT OTHERS WANTING TO STAND UP AND SO WE CONTINUE TO BE THAT THAT COMMUNITY THAT DETERMINES THAT WHAT IS RIGHT. YOU KNOW, WHAT IS HUMANITARIANISM? ALL ABOUT AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO TO MAINTAIN A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE I, YOU KNOW, WE NEED THAT TRACTION, WE NEED THAT TRACTION, THAT WE ARE A BORDER CITY AND WE ARE WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE OUR DAY OF PEACE INCLUSIVE AS WELL. I WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING IN SPANISH THAT MY GRANDMA USED TO ALWAYS SAY, CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF REAL QUICK? SORRY, I'M CHRISTY LEE AND I AM HERE AS PART OF THE GROUP FOR ACCESSIBILITY. I'M AN ADAPT MEMBER. I'M A MEMBER OF ADAPT NATIONAL AND EL PASO DESERT ADAPT, WHICH IS A GRASSROOTS DISABILITY RIGHTS GROUP. MY GRANDMA WOULD ALWAYS QUOTE BENITO JUAREZ, EL DERECHO DE EL DERECHO. NO, NO, EL RESPETO DEL DERECHO NO ES LA PAZ ES LA PAZ. SO TO RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S RIGHTS BRINGS YOU PEACE. IT'S A HUGE STEP. I MEAN, AND YOU WERE SAYING THAT THE WORDS COULD BE HOLLOW, RIGHT? BUT THE ACTION AND I THINK THIS IS A COMMUNITY, THIS IS A COMMUNITY CAN MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN. AND AS I'VE ALWAYS COMMISSIONER STOUT, THANK YOU FOR THESE GREAT RESOLUTIONS. WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR PEACE AND FOR UNITY, AND WE'LL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO PROMOTE YOUR ORGANIZATION'S. I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY I WANT TO EMPHASIZE WHAT YOU HAVE SAID. YES WE MUST DO IT. IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY. AND OUR CALLING, AND WE CAN BE THE ROLE MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT MANTLE ON AND LIVE IT OUT AND MAKE IT REAL. MY NAME IS REVEREND ETERNITY WALLS. I AM A ZEN BUDDHIST PRIEST HERE IN EL PASO, AND I'M REPRESENTING THAT ZEN CENTER AND REPRESENTING THE INTERFAITH ALLIANCE AND SO HAPPY TO BE WORKING WITH LORI ON PEACE THROUGH CREATIVITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I RACHEL QUINTANA I ACTUALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE SOME SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE. THERE'S NO COST AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE PARTICIPANTS. AND IT IS THE 21ST. IT'S GOING TO BE FROM 9 TO 5 AND IT'S GOING TO BE AT UTEP AND SO WE WOULD LOVE FOR COMMISSIONERS OR YOUR STAFF AND OF COURSE, THE CONSTITUENTS OF EL PASO. PLEASE, CITIZENS, COME JOIN US AND GET SOME TOOLS IN YOUR TOOLBOX ABOUT HOW TO HAVE A REACTION INSTEAD OF HAVING THAT CONFLICT IN YOUR HEART. AND WHEN YOU GO FORWARD WITH PEACE IN YOUR HEART, IT'S JUST IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. AND THERE IS A RIPPLE EFFECT THAT HAPPENS. THANK YOU. AND SO IF THERE'S MORE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED, IT'S UNITY THROUGH CREATIVITY. DOT ORG. THANK YOU. I SOMETIMES WHEN I SEE THAT THE CHILDREN LEFT AND THEY DIDN'T GET TO HEAR THESE BEAUTIFUL WORDS, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ORDER. IF YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION, YOU CANNOT LEAVE THE COURTROOM. YOU HAVE TO BE IN HERE BECAUSE THEY WOULD BENEFIT SO MUCH. AND I THINK IT'S THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THAT ARE NOW CONFUSED BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SEEING THE ROLE MODELS THAT MAYBE WE USED TO HAVE THE VALUE SYSTEMS AND THEY HAVE TO HEAR A LOT MORE NOISE THAN WE EVER DID. AND SO THEY'RE THE ONES THAT I THINK WE SHOULD ADDRESS TREMENDOUSLY FOR, FOR US TO GET THAT TRACTION THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR. SO WE THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JENNIFER. I THINK. I BEFORE YOU HOW ARE YOU WORKING ON THIS WORK? OVER HERE. YEAH. OKAY. [00:50:14] THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. TO THE SCHOOL. YES. YEAH. WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO THIS WAY. ITEM NUMBER FIVE. D APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2024 AS HUNGER ACTION MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. HEY, CELESTE, HOW ARE YOU? WELCOME BACK, AS ALWAYS. WELL, [D. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the month of September 2024 as Hunger Action Month, in El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-546-2098] IT'S MY HONOR. AND PLEASURE. THIS IS PROBABLY. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN TO FEED AS MANY INDIVIDUALS ON A DAILY BASIS, IT'S JUST YOU GUYS WOULD BE THE MASTER FOR LOGISTICS FOR THE MILITARY, BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, FROM GETTING THE FOOD TO GETTING DONATIONS, TO GETTING VOLUNTEERS TO BE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE THE AMOUNT. AND SO LET'S WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DEMAND THAT WE HAVE HERE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY, THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT PEOPLE STILL, YOU KNOW, GO TO BED HUNGRY, GET UP HUNGRY AND GO TO SCHOOL WITHOUT EATING AT TIMES. AND THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SINCE THE PANDEMIC, CELESTE, THAT REALLY WAS JUST AN AMAZING YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WERE NOT ABLE TO WORK. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING MONEY IN. AND WHAT'S THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENS? YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE FOOD IN YOUR TABLE. PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS THAT ANYONE CAN EVER GO THROUGH IS THE DIGNITY OR THE INDIGNITY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO FEED YOUR FAMILY. SO I HOPE PEOPLE TRULY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THAT THIS ORGANIZATION HAS ON OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW LIVES ARE BETTER BECAUSE OF THEM. SO WHEREAS IN 2024, TEXAS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE MOST FOOD INSECURE STATE IN THE COUNTRY, HIGHLIGHTING THE CRITICAL ISSUES OF HUNGER AND POVERTY, WHERE 16% OF TEXAS RESIDENTS FACE HUNGER WITH OVER ONE THIRD OF THOSE AFFECTED BEING CHILDREN WHO ARE UNCERTAIN ABOUT THEIR NEXT MEAL. WHEREAS THE COUNTY OF EL PASO IS DEDICATED TO COMBATTING HUNGER THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THOSE IN NEED. WHEREAS THE COUNTY OF EL PASO IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH EL PASOANS, FIGHTING HUNGER AND FEEDING TEXAS AS A MEMBER OF THE FEEDING AMERICA NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF FOOD BANKS AND EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF FOOD BANKS IN ADDRESSING HUNGER AND RAISING AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO DEVOTE MORE RESOURCES AND ATTENTION TO ISSUES RELATING TO HUNGER AND POVERTY. WHEREAS EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER HAS DISTRIBUTED NEARLY 100 MILLION MEALS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS TO OUR NEIGHBORS THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF FOOD PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS, SHELTERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. WHEREAS SEPTEMBER HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS HUNGER ACTION MONTH TO HIGHLIGHT FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND ENCOURAGE PUBLIC INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND ENCOURAGE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER THROUGH VOLUNTEER WORK, SOCIAL MEDIA ADVOCACY AND DONATIONS, ENSURING THAT NO ONE HAS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FOOD AND OTHER ESSENTIALS LIKE MEDICINE, UTILITIES OR CHILD CARE. WHEREAS FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER, WILL HOST VARIOUS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER TO BRING AWARENESS AND HELP END HUNGER IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, WHEREAS FEEDING AMERICA I'M SORRY. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2024 AS HUNGER ACTION MONTH, SIGNED THIS NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER LEON. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. SO LIST. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH [00:55:11] FOR SPONSORING THIS RESOLUTION. YEAR AFTER YEAR, I'M HERE WITH THE BAD NEWS THAT FOOD INSECURITY GOES UP. AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU ONE DAY TO SAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE US DO STAMP OUT HUNGER OR HUNGER ACTION MONTH ANYMORE, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEATEN HUNGER IN OUR STATE, IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN OUR NATION. BUT THAT IS NOT WHERE WE'RE AT, IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO, WE'VE BEEN HIT WITH SOME REALLY HARD STATISTICS. WE ARE NOT NUMBER ONE ANYMORE AS THE MOST FOOD INSECURE STATE. WE'RE NUMBER TWO BEHIND ARKANSAS, THERE HAS BEEN, INFORMATION PUT OUT, NEW STATISTICS BY THE USDA THAT FOOD INSECURITY FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW HAS INCREASED. IT'S INCREASED IN OUR STATE. IT'S INCREASED IN OUR NATION. AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT STATISTICS, IT'S EASY TO TALK IN PERCENTAGES AND DATA POINTS. BUT THESE ARE FAMILIES. THESE ARE CHILDREN, THESE ARE SENIORS, THESE ARE VETERANS, THAT ARE THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN, FOREGOING MEALS FOR THEMSELVES SO THAT THEIR CHILDREN CAN EAT, THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A STAGGERING EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY AND A COMMUNITY'S ECONOMY, SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER IS HUNGER ACTION MONTH, KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO ALLEVIATE THE BURDENS ON LOCAL, ON OUR FAMILIES, ON OUR VETERANS, ON OUR SENIORS, ON OUR DISABLED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'VE GOT FOOD ON THEIR TABLES, AND WORKING WITH OUR LEGISLATORS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT WE PASS A FARM BILL, IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WE ARE FACING ANOTHER EXPIRATION OF THE FARM BILL ON SEPTEMBER 30TH. THIS WAS THE EXTENSION OF A FARM BILL THAT EXPIRED OVER A YEAR AGO, SO WE ARE HOPING THAT THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE ARE UTILIZED AND THAT WE CAN REALLY MAKE A DENT IN HUNGER IN THIS COMMUNITY AND IN THE NATION. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CELESTE YOU KNOW, WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF MENTAL HEALTH. AND I THINK THE FIRST STEP IS THE DIGNITY, RIGHT? THAT WE GET SOMEONE TO BE ABLE TO FEED THEIR FAMILY PROPERLY, OBVIOUSLY WORK HARD ON JOB CREATION SO THAT WE CAN HAVE LESS OF THIS. BUT THIS IS A HUGE CHALLENGE, YOU KNOW, BEFORE A LOT OF OUR ELDERLY POPULATION STEPPED UP BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, A LOT OF THEM DIED. IT BECAME VERY AFFECTED AND SCARED ABOUT BEING OUT THERE. AND SO, PLEASE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE YOUNG ADULTS AND NEPHEWS AND NIECES OR GRANDKIDS, HAVE THEM STEP UP AS VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT YEAR FOR US TO, TO HELP OUT. SO, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. BETTY, YOU. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. ITEM NUMBER FIVE. E APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR. FOR 75 YEARS. WELL, [E. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Jefferson High School’s 75th Anniversary in El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-546-2098] I GUESS ALL OF YOU KNOW HOW HOW SPECIAL THIS THIS SCHOOL IS FOR ME, AND I'M THE. I'M NUMBER NINE. AND SO EIGHT OF US WENT TO JEFFERSON. NOT THE FIRST ONE, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A [01:00:04] JEFFERSON AT THE TIME. THAT'S HOW I WAS WHEN I WAS BORN. MY BROTHER WAS 20 YEARS OLD. SO HE ACTUALLY WENT TO CATHEDRAL AND HE WAS PROBABLY FAVORED, WENT TO CATHEDRAL, THE ONLY ONE BORN IN A HOSPITAL. ALL THE OTHERS WERE BORN WITH MIDWIVES, INCLUDING MYSELF. AND SO THINGS WENT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, BUT NOT NOT FROM EDUCATION WISE. SO BUT I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU. IF YOU GUYS ARE OUR FELLOW FOXES, IF YOU COULD GET BEHIND THE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE'LL GO FORWARD. WHEREAS THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL IS CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN THE EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. BACK IN THE LATE 1940S, EL PASO SCHOOL DISTRICT DESIGNATED BURLESON ELEMENTARY TO CHANGE TO THE NEW THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL J.M. WHITAKER. IN 1949, THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL FINALLY TOOK ITS PLACE AMONG OTHER PROMINENT SCHOOLS SUCH AS AUSTI, EL PASO HIGH, BOWIE, AND YSLETA. WHEREAS THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL HAS A LONG LIST OF OUTSTANDING EXES THAT HAVE REPRESENTED THE SCHOOL THROUGHOUT ITS 75 YEARS, THE SCHOOL HAS ALWAYS INCLUDED A LARGE HISPANIC POPULATION TO INCLUDE US CITIZENS, RESIDENTS, AS WELL AS ADOLESCENTS LIVING IN JUAREZ. METROPLEX WHEREAS MANY OF THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, MEN AND WOMEN HAVE GONE ON TO SERVE WITH DISTINCTION IN ALL BRANCHES OF THE US MILITARY TO INCLUDE FIGHTING IN FOREIGN WARS LIKE KOREA, VIETNAM, OR MANY CONFLICTS IN THE DECADES THAT HAVE FOLLOWED AS A RESULT, MANY JEFFERSONIANS LIVES HAVE ALSO BEEN LOST IN THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE, AND THOSE IN FOREIGN LANDS. WHEREAS MANY JEFFERSONIANS HAVE WORKED AND CONTINUE TO WORK IN ESTEEMED AND PROMINENT CAREERS SUCH AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AS WELL AS LOCAL AND FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAFE. WHEREAS CURRENTLY OUTSTANDING FOXES ARE STILL SERVING EL PASO COMMUNITIES SUCH AS RICARDO SAMANIEGO, EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE HENRY RIVERA, EL PASO CITY REPRESENTATIVE, HONORABLE JUDGE ROBERTO ANCHONDO, HONORABLE JUDGE ANGIE BURRELL, HONORABLE JUDGE HERRERA, HONORABLE JUDGE EDUARDO GAMBOA, CITY MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE LUIS LABRADO, AND OF COURSE, HERE WITH US, CRUZ OCHOA, PRESIDENT OF A SLED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES. AND MANY OTHERS. WHEREAS MANY OUTSTANDING TAXES INCLUDE EVA PLAZA FROM CLASS OF 1976, WHO WAS HUD SECRETARY UNDER THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION. VALERIE CAMARGO, A WELL-KNOWN HOLLYWOOD STAR IN THE 70S, AND 80S MIGUEL MICKEY SOLIS, COUNTY COMMISSIONER. DOCTOR EDUARDO CASTANEDA, TENURED PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AT UTEP. DOCTOR ROGELIO GONZALEZ, M.D. DOCTOR JORGE RUGGIERO, M.D, DOCTOR ASENSIO MINA, M.D, AND OTHER NUMEROUS DOCTORS AND PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL RESEARCHERS TO INCLUDE OTHER PROFESSIONAL FIELDS WORKING DILIGENTLY IN MANY CITIES OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY. WHEREAS WE CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL. IMPRESSIVE HISTORY AND CONTINUED SUCCESS, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEDICATION OF ITS FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS, AND ALUMNI. THEIR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS HAVE ESTABLISHED THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL AS A BEACON OF EXCELLENCE AND A MODEL FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS EVERYWHERE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL FOR ITS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND ELITE STATUS. MAY IT CONTINUE TO INSPIRE AND LEAD LEAD THE WAY IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZES THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL 75TH ANNIVERSARY FOR ITS EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION. IT DISTINGUISHED STATUS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION, LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY IMPACT. SIGNED THIS NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. LET'S SEE OUR JUDGE GAMBOA UP THERE. IF YOU COULD COME UP HERE AND JOIN THEM. MR. CRUZ. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU THIS MORNING, JUDGE SAMANIEGO, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, COMMISSIONER LEON, COMMISSIONER STOUT, AND, OF COURSE, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. WE ARE HERE TODAY VERY HONORED THAT YOU HAVE DONE THIS FOR THE RECOGNITION OF JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL. JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL IS 75 YEARS OLD, AND I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT THAT'S THE YEAR I WAS [01:05:05] BORN IN 1949. SO YOU CAN DO THE MATH. BUT, WE'RE HERE BECAUSE, YES, 75 YEARS THAT JEFF OPENED HIS DOORS. BUT IT'S MORE THAN THAT. IT'S 75 YEARS OF HOW IT SERVED OUR COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE DECADES. ALL THE GENERATIONS THAT HAVE STARTED THERE AND AFTERWARDS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT WE RECEIVED AT JEFF, I COULD DARE SAY THAT SOME OF US WOULDN'T HAVE ACHIEVED OUR CAREER GOALS AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, JUDGE THAT IF WE HADN'T BEEN AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO JEFF AND THERE WAS THE EDUCATIONAL PART, THE OTHER PART WAS THAT WE FORMED A BOND THAT IS PASSED ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION TO GENERATION, EVEN TO THESE YOUNG STUDENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE AT THE RIGHT GOING TO JEFF IS SOMETHING WE HAVE ALL BEEN PROUD OF AND HAS CARRIED ON THAT LEGACY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS UP TO TODAY. AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ASK ME AND OTHER CITIES. PEOPLE ASK WHAT COLLEGE DID YOU GO TO? WHAT UNIVERSITY DID YOU GO TO? LIKE IN MY GENERATION, THAT WASN'T PART OF OUR CONVERSATION. MOSTLY WAS WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU GRADUATE FROM? AND ANYBODY THAT COMES TO EL PASO, THEY'LL GET THE SAME QUESTION, HEY, WHAT WHAT HIGH SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO? BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT HIGH SCHOOL AT THAT TIME WAS, WAS A MAJOR GOAL FOR MORE MORE OF OUR FAMILIES. A LOT OF US WERE THE FIRST ONES TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AT THAT TIME. SO WE'RE REALLY VERY PROUD TO BE HERE TODAY TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION ON BEHALF OF THE ALUMNI THAT HAVE GONE, PASSED THROUGH THOSE DOORS. BUT ALSO THE FUTURE GENERATIONS THAT WILL BE HERE. AND I TOLD THEM 20, 25 YEARS FROM NOW, IT FALLS ON YOUR SHOULDER TO CELEBRATE THE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF JEFF. BUT AT THIS TIME, LET ME ASK ALFREDO TO SAY A FEW WORDS AS TO WHAT HE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS FOR OUR FOR OUR SCHOOL, FOR OUR GENERATION, AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WELL GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. I. WELL I WANT TO THANK THE GOOD LORD FOR BEING HERE. THERE ARE SEVERAL EVENTS LINED UP THIS WEEK, AND ONE OF THEM IS THE PARADE. WE'RE MEETING AT TOBIN AND COMANCHE AT 6 P.M, AND IT'S GOING TO END. IT'S GOING TO GO EAST ON COMANCHE AND WIND UP. AND JEFF, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME FIREWORKS. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME DIGNITARIES THERE. SO THAT'S OPEN AT 6 P.M. THIS WEDNESDAY. AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE THEN WE HAVE THE MEET AND GREET AT BORDERLAND STEAKHOUSE, ANOTHER JEFFERSONIAN, PETE JUAREZ, IS THE MANAGER THERE. AND HE'S WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TURNOUT THERE. IT'S OPEN TO ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY. OF COURSE. JEFFERSONIANS ARE WELCOME, THE DANCE IS SATURDAY. WE HAVE WE HAVE THREE BIG BANDS LINED UP. ASUKA MANY OF YOU WHO GREW UP IN EL PASO, OF COURSE, KNOW WHO ASUKA IS. THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR. THEY'RE GOOD, TALENTED MUSICIANS. WE HAVE RAPSODY AND THEN CULMINATING ALL THAT WILL BE TIERRA. TIERRA LEGACY IS COMING TO TOWN. EXCELLENT TWO THINGS I WANT TO MENTION ABOUT THE SCHOOL. I WENT THERE AS AN EIGHTH GRADER, AND, THE FONDEST MEMORY I HAVE WAS, SHOWING UP LATE TO SCHOOL. MR. MCCOY WAS THE PRINCIPAL. GREAT MAN, GREAT MAN. AND HE ALWAYS SUPPORTED US. HE SAID. BUT, MR. MCCOY, THE BUS WAS LATE, I UNDERSTAND. OKAY. ONE SWAP. OKAY, THERE YOU GO. BUT WHEN IT WAS MR. FORTSON, IT WAS ANOTHER GREAT MAN. OKAY? HE WOULD ALWAYS TELL ME, TAKE THE EARLIER BUS, BUT I DIDN'T. SO I WOULD SHOW UP AT MR. HASSAN. IT WAS THE BUS THAT WAS LATE AT THREE SWATS. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT. TAKE THE EARLY BUS. SO THAT WAS FOND MEMORIES BECAUSE I STILL RESPECT HIM A LOT. AND WE HAD GOOD TEACHERS, GREAT TEACHERS, GREAT PRINCIPALS, GREAT STAFF, GREAT STUDENTS. AND THEN, THE OTHER THING, WHEN I WAS A I WENT TO EIGHTH GRADE THERE BECAUSE THEY STILL HAD EIGHTH GRADE. AND, IT WASN'T UNTIL I BECAME A SENIOR THAT IT DAWNED ON ALL OF US FROM THE CLASS OF 74, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO BE FOR FIVE, TEN, 15, 20 YEARS FROM NOW? AND EVERYBODY CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING. I SAID, WE GOT TO GET PAST THE MILLENNIUM. THAT 2000 WAS THE BIG OBSTACLE THAT WE FACED, AND EVERYBODY THOUGHT THE SAME THING. HOLY MOLY, WE'RE [01:10:02] GOING TO BE 45 YEARS OLD. WE'RE GOING TO BE OLD. HOLY MOLY. THAT WAS THE THAT WAS THE CULMINATION OF IT. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? AS MY FELLOW JEFFERSONIAN JUDGE SAMANIEGO SAID, THANK GOD WE'RE STILL ALIVE. WE'VE SEEN MANY OF OUR FRIENDS, DEPART JUST LIKE ANY OTHER. EVERY SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY. WE TAKE PRIDE IN WHO WE ARE. WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR FAMILIES. WE TAKE PRIDE IN IN THE CITY. WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR SCHOOL. I'M RETIRED FROM THE EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT. I REMEMBER CHIEF CARLOS LEON. HE WAS THE CHIEF BACK THEN. AND THEN I ALSO RETIRED FROM THE COUNTY AS A DEPUTY CONSTABLE, I'M ALSO A VETERAN, MANY OF US ENLISTED IN THE MILITARY RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH THE DRAFT HAD JUST FINISHED A YEAR BEFORE. SO WE'RE PART OF THAT VIETNAM ERA, PROUD TO SERVE THIS COUNTRY WITH DISTINCTION. SO WE HAVE WE HAVE A LOT OF HISTORY JEFFERSONIANS HAVE A LOT OF HISTORY. AND I WANT TO THANK, WE'RE ALSO CELEBRATING OUR 50TH REUNION IN COMBINATION WITH THE 75TH. AND SO WE, WE TAKE PRIDE IN, BOBBY JUDGE ROBERT ANCHONDO WAS FROM THE CLASS OF 74. DOCTOR EDDIE CASTANEDA, WHO'S A PROFESSOR, A TENURED PROFESSOR AT UTEP, RETIRED JUST LAST YEAR. HE'S ALSO ON THE COMMITTEE FOR THE FOR THE 50TH REUNION. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF DISTINCT, DISTINGUISHED, PEOPLE. AND ON BEHALF OF ALL THE JEFFERSONIANS THAT HAVE GRADUATED FROM 1949 UNTIL NOW. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I'M HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO BE HERE, REPRESENTING THEM ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US. JUDGE SAMANIEGO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS RESOLUTION. CARLOS LEON, COMMISSIONER, CHIEF. THANK YOU, MR. STOUT. DAVID STOUT, THANK YOU. AND SERGIO CORONADO, GOOD FRIEND THAT I'VE KNOWN FOR YEARS. OKAY. THANK YOU GUYS. GOD BLESS YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JUDGE. JUDGE ANCHONDO IS IN INDIANA RIGHT NOW REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY. AND OF COURSE, HIS GREAT WORK IN THE TREATMENT COURT. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL FOR THOSE NICE, REMEMBERING JEFF. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. WELL, HE JUST SAID HE FEELS IT FROM FROM HIS SOUL. WE ALSO WANT TO THANK MISS ANGELICA LECHUGA. SHE'S BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SETTING UP, FOR THE TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT WE ALSO HAVE, A VERY IMPORTANT INDIVIDUAL. SHE'S SITTING DOWN RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SHE'S IT'S, OUR OUTSTANDING ECS FOR THIS YEAR. SHE HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH JEFF AS WELL. PTA ALUMNI, MARDI GRAS, 75TH, WHAT ELSE? AND THE COMMUNITY AND THAT COMMUNITY. OH, YEAH, ELLOS DE PLATA. SHE'S VERY PROMINENT MEMBER OF THAT. SO SHE IS OUR STANDING ECS FOR THIS YEAR. SO WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE IT FOR THAT. CONGRATULATIONS. BUT THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME. AND HER DAUGHTER'S A COUNTY EMPLOYEE. YEAH I SAID AND HER DAUGHTER IS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE. YES. YES, YES. SO WE SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN MANY WAYS. YOU KNOW, BUT I'D LIKE TO I KNOW WE'RE TAKING A LITTLE BIT LONGER, BUT I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU AND INTRODUCE THIS GENTLEMAN. HERE HE IS, DAVID ALVARADO. HE'S PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL OF JEFF. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE OUR OUR MASCOTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. AND SOME STUDENTS REPRESENTING THE OTHER STATES, THE STUDENT COUNCIL, DAVID, IS GOING TO SPEAK ON WHAT JEFF IS TO HIM AND THE 75 YEARS LEGACY, HOW THEY ARE INTERPRETING IT FOR THE FOR THIS COMING YEAR. AND THANK YOU, DAVID. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU, MY NAME IS DAVID ALVARADO, I DON'T STAND HERE AS A STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I STAND HERE AS A STUDENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF MY CITY, JEFFERSON MEANS A LOT, I'VE CAME FROM GENERATIONS AND GENERATIONS FROM ALUMNI, FROM JEFFERSON. AND I AM PROUD TO BE HERE. I GREW UP ON THE SOUTH SIDE. I GREW UP RIGHT NEXT TO JEFF. I WENT DOWN THE STREET FROM CLARDY TO HENDERSON, THEN TO JEFF, I DO NOT LIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE. I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST, BUT I'M WILLING TO MAKE THE DRIVE TO JEFFERSON BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH LEGACY CULTURE AND HOW MUCH THEIR ETHIC THERE IS, IS SO IMPORTANT, GEORGE SAMANIEGO, I BELIEVE YOU'RE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THAT. YOU AT JEFFERSON, YOU'RE TAUGHT RESPECT. YOU'RE TAUGHT A HARD WORKING ETHIC, SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF OUR ALUMNI SHOW OUT THERE, OUR ALUMNI AND EVEN OUR CURRENT STUDENT COUNCIL SHOW IT. AND I'M PROUD TO BE A SENIOR COMING TO MY END AND BEING GRADUATED FROM JEFFERSON. I'LL MAKE THAT 30 MINUTE DRIVE JUST TO BE THERE, BECAUSE THERE, THAT'S WHERE THE SCHOOL IS. IT'S NOT ONLY A HIGH SCHOOL, IT'S A COMMUNITY. YOU GO OUT INTO THAT [01:15:01] COMMUNITY, YOU SEE, YOU SEE ALUMNI, YOU SEE EVERYBODY, THEY GO UP TO YOU. YOU'RE LIKE, WHAT SCHOOL DO YOU GO TO? I WENT TO JEFFERSON AND I'M PROUD TO BE ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS. COMING UP TO MY SENIOR YEAR, I SEE HOW MUCH I'VE GROWN AS A PERSON, COMING IN JUST AS A YOUNG KID, YOU KNOW, DIDN'T REALLY KNOW TOO MUCH. BUT THEN I WENT THERE. I LEARNED MY ETHICS. I LEARNED MY HARD WORKING WHO I AM. THAT'S WHO I AM. I'M A JEFFERSON ALUMNI. SOONER OR LATER, MY MOTHER, MY MOTHER IS, ANNA ALVARADO. AND SHE'S ONE HARD WORKING WOMAN. SHE. SHE WENT TO JEFF AND SHE TAUGHT ME WHY I SHOULD GO THERE. THERE'S NO OTHER SCHOOL IN EL PASO THAT IS LIKE JEFFERSON. JEFFERSON HAS A CULTURE THAT NO OTHER SCHOOL COULD HAVE. THERE'S NO SEPARATION. I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU. I THINK I JUST. I THINK I'VE JUST BEEN KICKED OUT OF THE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE AMBASSADOR FOR JEFFERSON, BUT HE JUST OUTDID ME. ALL THESE PEOPLE HERE. TRADITION IS SO IS SO IMPORTANT. IT REALLY IS FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. JUDGE. AND WELL, THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET'S TAKE A PICTURE. AND. YES. EVERYTHING'S GOOD. THANK YOU. MR. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MR. BY. B. ITEM NUMBER FIVE A APPROVE AN ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2024 AS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS. SO IT'S GOING TO BE THE FIRST RESOLUTION, BUT WE HAD TO WAIT FOR SOME FOLKS TO, TO GET IN. BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST A VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION, YOU KNOW, IT ADDRESSES AN ISSUE THAT IS VERY PREVALENT, VERY PRESENT, BUT [01:20:02] SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T SEE IT UNTIL IT UNTIL IT, UNTIL IT, IT AFFECTS US. AND THERE'S, THERE'S SO MANY OF US THAT HAVE BEEN, BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS IN OUR SOCIAL CIRCLES WITHIN OUR FRIENDS AND OUR FAMILIES. IT'S DIFFICULT TO SHOW EMOTION IN PUBLIC, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY EMOTIONAL TOPIC, I KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR SOME VERY PERSONAL TESTIMONY, SOME HEARTFELT TESTIMONY, AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR NAMI, THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS, OUR LOCAL EL PASO CHAPTER, AND EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK, WHO WHO WORK IN THIS IN THIS AREA EVERY SINGLE DAY AND WHO BROUGHT THE RESOLUTION TO US AND, ALSO GRATEFUL TO WORK WITH WITH WITH CRISTOBAL. OH, THERE SHE IS. THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND FOR BEING COURAGEOUS AND HAVING THE STRENGTH TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY. SO I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM OUR GUEST. IT STATES, WHEREAS SUICIDE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE AGED 10 TO 14. AND THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE AGED 15 TO 24. AND WHEREAS SUICIDE IS THE 12TH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH OVERALL IN THE UNITED STATES, AND WHEREAS MORE WOMEN THAN MEN ATTEMPT SUICIDE. BUT MEN ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM SUICIDE. AND WHEREAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF SUICIDE IN THE U.S ARE AMERICAN INDIAN ALASKAN NATIVES, FOLLOWED BY NON-HISPANIC WHITE ADULTS, AND WHEREAS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL YOUTH ARE NEARLY FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE AND TRANSGENDER ADULTS ARE NEARLY NINE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO ATTEMPT TO SUICIDE. AND WHEREAS THE VA REPORTED IN 2022 THAT AN AVERAGE OF 16.8 VETERANS COMPLETE SUICIDE DAILY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND WHEREAS 46% OF PEOPLE WHO DIE BY SUICIDE HAD A DIAGNOSED MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. BUT RESEARCH SHOWS THAT 90% MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. AND WHEREAS THE FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED BY SUICIDE ARE LEFT BEHIND, NAVIGATING THE TRAGEDY TOO OFTEN EXPERIENCING FEELINGS OF SHAME AND STIGMA. AND WHEREAS TOGETHER, SPREADING PUBLIC AWARENESS, EDUCATING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, ADVOCATING FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE EXPANSION AND IMPROVING OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM WILL HELP THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEIR FAMILIES. AND WHEREAS, AS A COMMUNITY, IT IS VITAL WE LEARN TO IDENTIFY SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE IN ORDER TO STEP IN AND HELP INDIVIDUALS GET HELP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, AS WELL AS TO DISMANTLE STIGMA AND MISINFORMATION. AND WHEREAS EL PASOANS CAN TEXT NAMI NAMI TO 741741 TO ACCESS THE CRISIS TEXT LINE. AND WHEREAS EL PASOANS CAN CALL 988 OR EMERGENCE HEALTH [A. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing September 2024, as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in El Paso County, Texas. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111] NETWORK CRISIS LINE AT (915) 779-1800. IF THEY OR A LOVED ONE ARE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND WHEREAS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WILL HOLD A SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH. CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT SAN JACINTO PLAZA ON SEPTEMBER 16TH AT 7 P.M. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2024 SHALL BE KNOWN AS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH. SIGNED THIS NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. VOTING IS OPEN. AND MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. WELCOME, SIR. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. ISIDRO TORRES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EL PASO, THE LOCAL AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER STOUT AND COMMISSIONERS COURT, FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM, AS WAS STATED IN THE RESOLUTION, WE KNOW 46% OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED BY SUICIDE LIVED WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION, BUT 90% SHOWED SYMPTOMS OF A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. I THINK ONE THING THAT WE HIGHLIGHT THIS MONTH AND CONTINUOUSLY DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, IS TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, SEEKING HELP BEFORE IT GETS WORSE. THE AVERAGE DELAY BETWEEN SYMPTOMS AND SOMEONE GETTING HELP IS 8 TO 10 YEARS, AND THAT CAN HAVE SO MANY IMPACTS IN OUR YOUTH, AND FOR THOSE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, OUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, OUR WORK AT NAMI EL PASO IS, IS JUST THAT, WE ARE WORKING TO EDUCATE OUR YOUTH. WE'RE EDUCATING ABOUT 4000 YOUTH EACH YEAR WITH OUR ENDING THE SILENCE PROGRAM, TEACHING THEM THE WARNING SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE AND HOW THEY CAN REACH OUT FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FRIENDS, TWO WEEKS AGO, THE US SURGEON GENERAL RELEASED AN ADVISORY OF APPARENT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. WE KNOW OUR PARENTS AND OUR THIS TIME IN OUR WORLD ARE JUGGLING SO MUCH AND [01:25:04] THAT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH IS BEING SEVERELY IMPACTED. AND SO WE WORK TO HELP EDUCATE OUR FAMILIES, OUR PARENTS, OUR CAREGIVERS, GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR LOVED ONE WHO MAY BE LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION, BUT ALSO THEMSELVES. AND WE USE OUR, OUR, OUR STAFF, OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE OUT THERE SPREADING THEIR STORY, THEIR EXPERIENCES, SO WE CAN ELIMINATE THE STEREOTYPES AND THE STIGMA AND REMOVE THE TABOO AROUND THIS SUBJECT AND BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH AND REACH OUT FOR HELP, AS WAS MENTIONED, SEPTEMBER 26TH WILL BE AT SAN JACINTO PLAZA FOR OUR CANDLELIGHT VIGIL ALONGSIDE EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK, THE EL PASO VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION, WEST TEXAS CHAPTER, AND THE CITY OF EL PASO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHERE WE WILL HEAR STORIES COME TOGETHER AND SPREAD AWARENESS. WE ALSO HAVE OUR BIG ANNUAL WALK, OCTOBER 19TH, WHERE WE TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH. IT'S THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH EVENT IN THE REGION, AND WE HOPE YOU ALL WILL JOIN US. IT IS IN BEAUTIFUL ASCARATE PARK, SO WE'LL BE THERE SATURDAY MORNING AND OF COURSE, MY GRATITUDE TO YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT OF OUR WONDERFUL NAMI TEXAS CONFERENCE THAT WILL COME NOVEMBER 7TH AND NINTH, WHERE WE BRING TOGETHER MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES ACROSS THE STATE, ACROSS THE REGION, HERE IN EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, CELEBRATING 40 YEARS FOR NAMI TEXAS, AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BRING AWARENESS, BRING EDUCATION, ADVOCATE AS WE GET READY FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND MAKE SURE THAT TEXANS EL PASOANS HAVE ACCESS TO THE CARE THEY NEED WHEN THEY NEED IT. AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL. THANK YOU. HEY. GOOD MORNING. CHRISTY DOHERTY, CEO OF EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK, THE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AND ID AUTHORITY. THANK YOU JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT, FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC. WE ARE COMMITTED TO BREAKING THE STIGMA AND, I HAVE A WONDERFUL COMMENTS PREPARED, BUT I'M GOING TO KIND OF GO OFF TOPIC A LITTLE BIT OFF SCRIPT. WE TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH. MENTAL HEALTH. MENTAL HEALTH IS A GOOD THING. MENTAL WELL-BEING IS A GOOD THING. WE HAVE TO START TALKING ABOUT THE ILLNESS. JUST LIKE THE DIAGNOSIS. WE HAVE TO REALLY START TALKING ABOUT THOSE THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE PEOPLE GET INTIMIDATED AND THEY GET A LITTLE SCARED TO TALK ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS AND WHAT THEY'RE FEELING OR WHAT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THEM. AND SO WE REALLY, AS A COMMUNITY, HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE ILLNESS. YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT CANCER. YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT DIABETES. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE ILLNESS AND UNDERSTAND THAT HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IS A GOOD THING. JUST TO SHARE SOME STATS WITH YOU, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, AS YOU ARE A HUGE SUPPORTER OF YOUR LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY. DURING FISCAL YEAR 24, WHICH ENDED AT THE END OF AUGUST, OUR OUR LOCAL CRISIS HOTLINE MANAGED AN AVERAGE OF 1463 CALLS PER MONTH, AND THEN THE 988 CRISIS LINE HANDLED AN AVERAGE OF 1060 CALLS PER MONTH. SO THAT IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT NUMBER TO KNOW, BECAUSE WE ARE WE ARE ADDRESSING AND TRYING TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE CALLING OUR LINES. AGAIN, A PARTNERSHIP WITH 911, OUR 988 AND OUR CRISIS LINE IS ANSWERED IN THE 911 CENTER. THAT'S A HUGE STEP AS A COMMUNITY TO INTEGRATE THOSE SYSTEMS TOGETHER, BECAUSE THEN WE'RE GOING TO SEND THE RESOURCES OUT THAT THAT PERSON NEEDS, NOT NECESSARILY TREAT IT AS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE IF IT'S NOT. AND WE REALLY ARE WORKING HARD WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR CIT TEAMS. BUT I'M GOING TO ANNOUNCE SOMETHING HOT OFF THE PRESS. I'M ACTUALLY FLYING OUT TOMORROW TO RECEIVE THEM. WE HAVE FOUND WE'VE USED SOME MONEY WE RECEIVED FROM THE STATE TO PURCHASE WHAT WE'RE THEIR VANS, BASICALLY WHAT THEY ARE, BUT THEY'RE MOBILE CRISIS CLINICS. AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THESE VANS OUT INTO ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT. WE HAVE ONE FOR KIDS AND ONE FOR ADULTS IS, WE HAVE SCHOOL BASED CLINICS. WE HAVE SCHOOL BASED KIT. SO IF SOMETHING'S HAPPENING AT A SCHOOL, THAT VAN CAN GO TO THE SCHOOL MOM DOESN'T HAVE TO PUT THEM IN THE CHILD IN THE CAR. WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT THEM IN THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR. I THINK THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS, IS TRAUMATIZING ADULT OR CHILD, PUTTING THEM IN THE BACK OF THAT POLICE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE TO GET HELP. THESE VANS CAN GO TO THE SCENE. IT'S GOING TO BE EQUIPPED WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT I'M PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH. IT'S GOING TO HAVE CONNECTIVITY OUT. IT'S WITH STARLINK AND A BUNCH OF CONNECTIVITY SO WE CAN BE OUT IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES AS WELL TO PROVIDE THOSE ASSESSMENTS IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT'S NOT PUNITIVE, IT'S NOT AS AS WE HAV. SOME OF OUR STAFF SAY THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO FOR A RIDE. WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT TO THEM. AND SO THOSE SHOULD BE ON THE STREETS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE ARE GOING TO SOFT LAUNCH THEM, WORK OUT SOME KINKS. BUT WE'LL BE LETTING YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THOSE. THERE ARE GOING TO BE TWO RIGHT NOW. HOPEFULLY WE'LL GROW THAT FLEET. BUT I DO THINK IT'S GOING TO HELP PEOPLE GET SERVICES WHERE THEY NEED THEM, WE'RE VERY AS MENTIONED IN THE, THE, THE RESOLUTION, WE HAVE OUR NINE, EIGHT, EIGHT. THAT'S THE EASIEST NUMBER TO REMEMBER. OUR CRISIS LINE HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME, BUT THE SAME FOLKS ARE ANSWERING NINE, EIGHT, EIGHT. SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC. AS WELL AS EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK. WE'RE EXCITED TO START A NEW FISCAL YEAR, STILL [01:30:03] CONTINUING TO GROW, STILL CONTINUING TO PROVIDE SERVICES WHERE THE NEED IS IDENTIFIED. SO APPRECIATE THE CONTINUED SUPPORT AND THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TODAY. THANK YOU CHRISTY. THE MOBILE UNITS, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT THEY'RE AMAZING JUST BEING OUT THERE TO REACH BE ABLE TO REACH, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS THAT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO COME OR FOR WHATEVER REASON, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM. SO OUR GOAL IS ALSO TO AVOID THAT TRAUMA OF THAT POLICE CAR RIDE, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE PEOPLE ARE GETTING TAKEN TO THE E.R. YES, WE ASSESS THEM THERE OR THEY MAY BE TAKEN TO OUR UNIT, BUT IT'S STILL THAT IT'S TRAUMATIZING TO HAVE THAT. SO THEY ARE MOBILE, VANS. THEY'RE VANS. THEY'RE NOT. YOU KNOW, I THINK I GOT ASKED, ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE SHOWERS OR, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST IT'S REALLY YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO HAVE A CDL TO DRIVE IT. IT'S A FORD VAN, BUT IT'S PRETTY COOL. WE WILL BE TAKING THEM AROUND DIFFERENT PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO SEE. SO MAYBE SOME OF YOU CAN COME OUT AND CHECK THEM OUT WHEN WE HAVE THEM PARKED PLACES OR WE CAN BRING THEM TO AN EVENT, BUT IT REALLY IS GOING TO BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO HAVE FOLKS GET THE CARE WHERE THEY NEED IT, WHEN THEY NEED IT. THANK YOU. AND THE RULE, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THAT RULE. WE MADE SURE THAT THE TECHNOLOGY WAS GOING TO ALLOW FOR THAT CONNECTIVITY WHEREVER WE ARE, BECAUSE WE'RE USING TELEHEALTH, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE STAFF, TWO STAFF IN THE VAN, BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH PHYSICIANS OR WHATEVER WE NEED TO CONNECT WITH TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT THAT SITUATION ADDRESSED AND THAT PERSON TO THE CARE THAT THEY NEED. YES THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. CRYSTAL, DO YOU MIND IF I SORT OF INTRODUCE YOU BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE WERE ABLE, YOU KNOW, WE WERE PART OF HER LIFE, WHEN SHE'S WHAT? SHE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER, HER INSIGHT, BUT JUST TO SEE WHAT SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH AND, AND, YOU KNOW, JUST THE DIFFICULTY OF WHAT HAPPENS NOT ONLY TO THE PERSON BUT TO THE INDIVIDUALS AROUND THEM, WE GOT TO SEE THAT. AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HEARTFELT, VERY HEARTFELT, HER JOURNEY FROM START TO END AND WE'RE STILL VERY SUPPORTIVE, BUT CRYSTAL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO GIVE US THAT INSIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COMMISSIONER STOUT, FOR BRINGING AWARENESS, I JUST WANT TO READ A LITTLE MESSAGE, AND KEEP IT SHORT, BECAUSE I'LL. I'LL GET EMOTIONAL. WE DON'T WANT THAT. AS WE REMEMBER, SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH. IT'S A TIME TO ADDRESS THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND THE IMPACT OF SUICIDE. AND IT'S EASY TO FEEL LIKE THE PAIN IS TOO MUCH AND THAT THERE'S NO WAY OUT. BUT THE HARSH REALITY IS THAT SUICIDE DOESN'T END THE PAIN. IT JUST PASSES IT ON. AND FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND, THE AFTERMATH, IT'S DEVASTATING. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE LEFT WITH AN OCEAN OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND GUILT AND A LIFETIME OF GRIEF, AND THEY WONDER IF THEY COULD HAVE DONE MORE. IF THEY'VE MISSED THE SIGNS, OR IF THEY WILL EVER FEEL WHOLE AGAIN. AND IT'S NOT JUST THE LOSS OF LIFE, IT'S THE LOSS OF THE FUTURE MEMORIES, THE BIRTHDAYS, THE PLANS. BUT BUT SUICIDE RIPPLES THROUGH GENERATIONS, LEAVING SCARS THAT NEVER TRULY HEAL. THAT IMMENSE GENERATIONAL TRAUM. IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT NO MATTER HOW DARK THINGS SEEM TO BE FOR YOU, WHOEVER YOU ARE, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, YOUR STORY ISN'T FINISHED. YOU ARE NEEDED. YOU'RE LOVED. YOUR LIFE IS IRREPLACEABLE, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD MOVE MOUNTAINS TO HELP YOU. EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL INVISIBLE. YOU ARE NOT. AND EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT, EVEN IF YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT IN THE EXACT MOMENT. BUT THE WORLD IS BETTER WITH YOU IN IT. REACHING OUT IS THE BRAVEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO. THERE'S STRENGTH IN ASKING FOR HELP AND IN CHOOSING TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY. YOUR VOICE, YOUR PRESENCE. THEY MATTER MORE THAN YOU KNOW. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS ALONE. THERE'S HELP AND THERE'S HOPE. THERE'S A FUTURE WAITING FOR YOU. SO STAY, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COURT, TO THE STAFF, TO MY FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY'VE GIVEN ME AND MY FAMILY. I THINK THE BIGGEST, IMPACT IS THE [01:35:13] AFTERMATH OF THE FAMILIES OF THE PARENTS, THE FRIENDS WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND TO DEAL WITH VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS AND HEALING PROCESS. AND I'M VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT. SUPPORT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME, AND I HAVE THAT, AND I'M VERY THANKFUL TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO'VE HELPED ME THROUGH THIS PROCESS SINCE APRIL AND TO THE STAFF AND MY FRIENDS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO BE WORKING WITH EVERY ONE OF YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU CRYSTAL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY AND YOUR COURAGE TO DO SO. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER STONE WELL, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CRYSTAL, FOR SHARING WITH US. AND THANK YOU TO JEN AND TO NAMI FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO, TO SUPPORT FOLKS THAT, THAT ARE GOING THROUGH A MENTAL ILLNESS AND, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU STATED, YOU KNOW, THERE IS THERE IS HELP AND WE ALL NEED TO BE HERE TO DO THAT. SO WE CAN TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE RESOLUTIONS AND THANK YOU. AND I THINK. GOOD I ACTUALLY USED TO RECRUIT FROM, FROM, JEFFERSON. FOR. WE DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO GET. WE HAD SOME, BUT THAT'S HOW WE GOT IT. WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. ITEM NUMBER SIX IS PUBLIC COMMENT. WE DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. DO WE HAVE MISS CRAWFORD ON THE LINE? GOOD MORNING. ELIZABETH WELL, MISS CRAWFORD, ARE YOU THERE? ONE SECOND. I'M CALLING [6. PUBLIC COMMENT] HER BACK VERY QUICKLY. HERE YOUR CALL HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO AN AUTOMATIC VOICE MESSAGE SYSTEM. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND WE'LL TAKE COMMISSIONER CORONADO. IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND CONTACT HER, SEE IF WE CAN GET HER AFTERWARDS. OKAY. COMMISSIONER CORONADO, THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, I JUST WANT TO, YOU KNOW, GIVE A REALLY SHOUT OUT OUT TO OUR LOCAL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS. YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE A WHILE IN THIS AREA, AND I'VE SEEN THE JUST THE [01:40:02] LEVEL OF COMPETITION THAT OUR LOCAL, ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, WE DIDN'T USED TO COMPETE VERY WELL WITH BOTH THE MIDLAND AND ODESSA AREA SCHOOLS, AND NOW WE DO. AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO SHOUT OUT THAT ALL OUR LOCAL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS REALLY HAVE, HAVE DEVELOPED AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE COMPETITIVE. WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET WITH THE DALLAS SCHOOLS, BUT, WE'RE HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION. AND TO THAT END, I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MY ALMA MATER, THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RANKINGS ARE OUT FOR THE COUNTY, AND CANUTILLO IS NUMBER ONE. SO BUT GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY. I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, I DID SEE THE LEVEL OF COMPETITION WITH THE ODESSA PERMIAN SCHOOLS. OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS REALLY, WE CAN KEEP UP NOW. WE REALLY CAN. SO THANK YOU. JUDGE. DO WE HAVE MISS CRAWFORD BACK ON THE LINE? MISS CRAWFORD, ARE YOU DONE? SHE'S NOT AVAILABLE. IF YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH YOUR MESSAGE, PRESS ONE TO. OKAY WE DO NOT HAVE OUR SPEAKER ON THE LINE, SO WE'LL CONCLUDE PUBLIC COMMENT. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN A BOARD APPOINTMENTS APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER LEON'S NOMINEE, MICHAEL BARNES, TO THE EL PASO COUNTY VETERAN'S ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE UNEXPIRED TWO YEAR TERM ENDING NOVEMBER [A. Approve the appointment of Commissioner Leon's nominee, Michael Barnes, to the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board for the unexpired, two-year term ending November 30, 2024. Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-546-2215] 30TH, 2024. BETSY FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO COMMISSIONER LEON. I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO DEFER TO MICHELLE. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. SORRY, MICHELLE COCHRAN WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. MR. BARNES HAS COMPLETED ALL OF HIS TRAININGS AND MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE APPOINTED TO THE VETERAN'S ADVISORY BOARD. COMMISSIONER LEON. YES, THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. MR. BARNES IS HERE. MIKE IF YOU DON'T MIND STEPPING TO THE PODIUM, I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED WITH SOME OF OUR NOMINEES THAT ACTUALLY MAKE IT A POINT TO SHOW UP WHEN REALLY THEY DON'T HAVE TO. BUT I'LL SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT YOU, MIKE. AND REALLY, YOU MAY SEE HIM HERE AROUND THE COURTHOUSE A LOT OF TIMES, EVEN THOUGH YOU ALMOST LIVE IN ANOTHER TIME ZONE, PRETTY CLOSE TO WACO TANKS OUT THERE. SO I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED HOW INVOLVED YOU ARE. AND I'M GOING TO READ A LITTLE BIT OF A BIO FOR YOU AND HOW IMPRESSED I AM WITH YOUR WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST IN ALL COUNTY MATTERS. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO AFFECT, THE AREA WHERE YOU LIVE. SO SERGEANT MAJOR MIKE BARNES, RETIRED, IS A NATIVE OF OVER THERE. THEY PRONOUNCE IT ELMIRA. HERE IT BE. ELMIRA NEW YORK, AND SPENT OVER 29 YEARS IN THE US ARMY, SERVING IN EVERY ENLISTED LEADERSHIP POSITION FROM TEAM LEADER THROUGH COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR. THROUGHOUT HIS TIME WITH THE ARMY WAS DEPLOYED IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND SERVED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND THE GLOBE, INCLUDING AT FORT DRUM, FORT LEONARD WOOD. LEONARD WOOD, KOREA, GUANTANAMO BAY, HAWAII, AND FORT BLISS, WHERE HE WAS THE GARRISON COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR BEFORE RETIRING FROM MILITARY SERVICE AND TRANSITIONED TO CHIEF OF POLICE FOR FORT BLISS. MIKE BARNES HAS AN IMPRESSIVE MILITARY EDUCATION BACKGROUND TO INCLUDE THE UNITED STATES SERGEANT MAJOR, ACADEMY, AND IS A HIGHLY DECORATED VETERAN, HAVING RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL AND NUMEROUS MERITORIOUS SERVICE AND ARMY COMMENDATION MEDALS. AS A RETIRED CIVILIAN, HE HAS DEDICATED HIMSELF TO THE EL PASO COMMUNITY, SERVING AS A COMMISSIONER FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY ESD NUMBER TWO SINCE 2017, AS WELL AS LEADING THE HACIENDAS DEL NORTE HOA IN THE MONTANA VISTA VISTA COMMUNITY PRECINCT ONE. AND REALLY, WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE PRECINCT ONE IS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH MIKE, AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO NOMINATE HIM TO SERVE ON THE VETERAN'S ADVISORY BOARD. I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO THE EL PASO COUNTY, JUDGE. JUDGE SAMANIEGO, PRECINCT ONE COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER LEON AND JACKIE AND CARL WHO WHO OFFERED ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THIS AWESOME COMMUNITY, AS A VETERAN MYSELF OF ALMOST 30 YEARS, WHERE I COMPLETED MY MILITARY SERVICE AT THE INSTALLATION COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR FOR FORT BLISS. I LOOK FORWARD TO PROVIDING SOUND [01:45:04] COUNSEL TO THOSE I REPRESENT AND EXTEND HONOR, HOPE, AND THE HELP REQUIRED TO THOSE VETERANS WHO SERVE THIS GREAT NATION. THANK YOU MIKE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. EVERY EVERY MEETING THAT I GO TO, I ON THE EAST SIDE OF EL PASO, YOU'RE THERE AND I'M SO IMPRESSED WITH, HE YOU'VE GOT VARIOUS ANIMALS ON YOUR PROPERTY. I KNOW THAT A MINIATURE DONKEY WAS BITTEN IN THE NOSE BY A RATTLESNAKE. AND YOU SPENT A BIG AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY TO SAVE HIM. SO DONKEY INSURANCE WITH NO PET INSURANCE. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING INVOLVED AND BEING THE PERSON YOU ARE TO HELP EL PASO GROW AND PRECINCT ONE. BUT YOU'VE GOT TO WAIT A WHILE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T VOTED YET. YES SIR. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. CONGRATULATIONS. MOTION CARRIES HIS MOTION. BUT I GOT AHEAD OF HIM. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MIKE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I THINK YOU'LL FIND THAT THE COUNTY AND VETERANS AND JUST THE ENERGY THAT WE PUT IN, YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY IS VETERANS DAY HERE IN EL PASO. BUT WE THANK YOU. IT'S A BOARD THAT REALLY CAN DO A LOT, NOT ONLY FOR THE COUNTY ITSELF, OBVIOUSLY, BUT ALSO FOR THE VETERANS CAPITAL, I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN TRACTION ON THAT. AND THE ADVISORY BOARD IS GOING TO BE A HUGE COMPONENT TO THAT. SO, MIKE, IT'S QUITE AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU, ON THAT BOARD, I LOOK FORWARD. THANK YOU. MIKE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS. ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, A COMMISSIONERS COURT. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION FOR AN EL PASO COUNTY COLISEUM MARQUEE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER LEON. AGAIN. JUDGE. [A. Receive a presentation and take appropriate action for an El Paso County Coliseum Marquee Sponsorship Program. Carlos Leon, Commissioner, Precinct 1, 915-546-2014] COMMISSIONERS, I'VE BEEN TALKING TO OMAR FOR A FEW YEARS ABOUT THAT MARQUEE. I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU THAT IF YOU AND I'VE ALSO INCLUDED, COMMISSIONER, STOP BECAUSE IT IS IN PRECINCT TWO, IF YOU THINK BACK ANY TIME YOU GO BY A HOTEL, EVEN LAS VEGAS HAVE THEIR MARQUEE IS LESS THAN ADEQUATE. YOU. I THINK EVEN WITHOUT ACTIVELY THINKING ABOUT IT, YOU THINK THAT IT'S A IT'S NOT A FIRST CLASS KIND OF PLACE. AND REALLY, I REMEMBER A THEORY THAT THEY CALL THE BROKEN WINDOW THEORY, THAT IF YOU HAVE A BROKEN WINDOW IN A BUILDING AND IT'S NOT REPAIRED, IT'S NOT FIXED, THEN YOU'LL HAVE TO THEN YOU HAVE THREE, THEN IT'S NOT PAINTED. SO I THINK THAT THE COLISEUM IS COME A LONG WAY. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CHAIN LINK AND THAT'S BEEN REPLACED NOW, BUT WITH WROUGHT IRON IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. AND NOT ONLY IS THE SIGN UNSIGHTLY, BUT IT DOESN'T GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION. AND I THINK SO MANY THINGS GO ON AT THAT COLISEUM THAT PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW. THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A FARMER'S MARKET THERE, ONCE A MONTH OR ONCE A WEEK, I WENT TO ONE OF THEM. WE REALLY ENJOYED IT. SO, I WENT OUT AND INSPECTED THAT, SIGN A FEW WEEKS BACK, AND I WAS IMPRESSED. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THAT BIG. SO, OMAR, THE FLOOR IS YOURS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ASKED OMAR TO REALLY EMPHASIZE IS IT SHOULD NOT COST THE COUNTY ANY MONEY. SO, OMAR, THE FLOOR IS YOURS. GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS OMAR, WITH THE EL PASO SPORTS COMMISSION, YES. WE'VE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS AND, COMMISSIONER LEON SAID, WELL, GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT. SO I'M HERE TODAY TO PRESENT YOU MY BEST SHOT. THIS IS THE BEST THAT WE CAN DO. AND HOPEFULLY YOU LIKE THE PROPOSAL THAT WE BRING WITH US. YOU KNOW THAT I LIKE MY POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, SO I BROUGHT ONE SO IT CAN BE ILLUSTRATED A LITTLE BIT MORE. THIS IS THE SIGN THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. AND THIS IS THE CURRENT CONDITION THAT IS THAT IS AT MY, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT WAS INSTALLED MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO AND SOON AFTER IT WAS IT WAS BUILT. THE COMPANY THAT MADE IT WENT INTO BANKRUPTCY. SO NOBODY ELSE WANTED TO DO MAINTENANCE OR FIX IT OR NOTHING, IT'S WHAT WE CALL THE HYBRID SIGN BECAUSE IT HAS STATIC ON THE TOP AND ON THE BOTTOM AND IN THE MIDDLE, IT'S AN LED DIGITAL SCREEN, THE CURRENT CONDITION IS IT'S FALLING APART, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE ON THE ON THE PICTURE, THE TOP, THE TOP ACRYLIC. IT'S NOT ACRYLIC. IT'S CALLED LEXAN. BUT FOR PURPOSES WE'LL CALL IT ACRYLIC. IT FLEW OFF THIS THIS YEAR. WE HAD RIDICULOUSLY HIGH WINDS AND, FORTUNATELY, NOBODY WAS THERE. IT FELL AND NOBODY WAS THERE, SO NOBODY WAS HURT. [01:50:02] THANK YOU. THANK THANKFULLY. BUT IT'S FALLING APART. IF YOU CAN SEE ON THE OUTER SHELL, THE METAL, IT'S STARTING ALSO TO GET LOOSE. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SOMETHING. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR, FOR SAFETY REASONS. THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN TWO WEEKS AGO. WE ALREADY STARTED WITH THE WORKS OF, BRINGING THE ACRYLICS AND EVERYTHING DOWN JUST FOR SAFETY. THIS IS A CLOSE UP OF THE DISPLAY AND AS YOU CAN SEE, YOU SEE LITTLE SQUARES. AND THAT'S HOW IT'S COMPROMISED. THIS BY LITTLE TILES THAT YOU JUST ADD THEM TOGETHER AND YOU BUILD THE SCREEN, EVERY TIME WE HAVE A CONCERT IN THE COLISEUM, THERE'S ALWAYS EVERY CONCERT BRINGS THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS, WHICH IS LIGHTS, SOUND AND VIDEO. AND VIDEO. IT'S ALWAYS VIDEOS, VIDEO WALLS LIKE THIS. AND THEY BRING IN CASES, THEY BRING THE TILES UP AND THEY JUST START BUILDING IT. AND WE ALWAYS ASK THE PRODUCTION, YOU KNOW, HEY, WHERE DID YOU GET THE VIDEO? THE VIDEO WALL. AND THEY ALWAYS ANSWER THE SAME. IT'S FROM CHINA AND IT WAS REALLY FROM CHINA. IT'S THE LEADING EDGE. AND IF YOU BUY IT IN THE STATE, IN THE UNITED STATES, THE MANUFACTURER, IT'S CHINESE. SO, WE, WE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FACTORY, ON THE INSIDE, I MADE A WHAT I CALL A SWAT TEAM WITH A MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS, METALLURGICAL ENGINEERS, AND THEY LOOK AT IT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE SAYING. YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE. YOU JUST SEE A METAL SHELL, BUT THE INSIDE IS A CYLINDER METAL. MAST. AND THAT'S WHERE EVERYTHING ALL THE STRUCTURE ACTUALLY FALLS ONTO. SO THEY MADE A, AN ANALYSIS ON IT. AND THE GOOD THING IS THAT ALL THE BONES, ALL THE STRUCTUR, IT'S IN GOOD SHAPE. SO WE CAN STILL USE IT. SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS, ELECTRICAL. IT'S REALLY GOOD. EVERYTHING IS. WE CAN JUST START BUILDING AROUND IT. SO THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT IT. THE ONLY FLAW THAT THEY SAW IS THERE'S NO ACCESS TO IT FROM THE INSIDE. SO IF YOU WANT TO GO ON TOP, YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY REACH ON THE ON THE INSIDE TO FIX OR MAKE ANY MAINTENANCE ON IT. SO, WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO DO IS TRYING TO SEE IF WE CAN BUILD A STRUCTURE ON THE INSIDE WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A CATWALK AND THEN A LADDER, AND THEN ANOTHER CATWALK, AND THEN A LADDER, AND THEN A CATWALK, SO WE CAN REACH ALL OF THE POINTS INSIDE OF THE OF THE, OF THE BILLBOARD, THESE ARE THE NEW PANELS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO INSTALL. THEY'RE LIKE, I SAID, THEY'RE CHINESE. AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE THAT THEY HAVE FROM WHATEVER YOU SEE IN A CONCERT IS THAT THEY HAVE A METAL CASING. THAT WAY, NO WATER OR DUST CAN GET INTO THE ELECTRONICS OR THE OR THE MOTHERBOARDS OR THE SYSTEM, AND IT'S MADE FOR OUTDOOR. IT HAS SENSORS ON THE OUTSIDE. THAT WAY WHEN IT'S DAYLIGHT IT GETS BRIGHTER, AND WHEN IT'S NIGHT, IT THE INTENSITY IS NOT AS BRIGHT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. BUT YOU CAN SEE IT EITHER IN THE IN THE NIGHT OR IN THE DAY. OKAY AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO INSTEAD OF DOING IT LIKE ON THE TOP WITH WITH STATIC, WE BUILT THE SCREEN ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND WE JUST LEAVE THE BOTTOM WITH ACRYLICS. AND IT HAS A PURPOSE WHERE YOU SAY RIGHT NOW THAT IT SAYS EL PASO COUNTY COLISEUM. WE WILL LEAVE IT FOR , TITLE SPONSOR. AND THE TWO OTHER ONES FOR, FOR MORE SPONSORSHIP. THAT WAY WE CAN WE CAN RAISE FUNDS AND USE THOSE FUNDS TO PAY THE BILLBOARD OR TO PAY FOR THIS PROJECT BY ITSELF. PRETTY MUCH MY PROPOSAL IS IF THE COURT CAN GIVE US PERMISSION OR AUTHORIZATION TO SEEK THE FUNDS, I'M NOT HERE TO ASK MONEY TO THE COUNTY OR THE TAXPAYERS. WE LIKE THAT. THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S YEAH, THAT'S THE CHERRY ON TOP. AND YOU BY CONTRACT RIGHT NOW EVERY EVERY REVENUE THAT THE SPORTS COMMISSION RECEIVES GOES DIRECTLY TO THE COUNTY. 100% OF IT. SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO, TO ASK TODAY IS IF YOU GIVE ME THE AUTHORIZATION TO GO AND SEEK FOR FUNDS, RETAIN THOSE FUNDS AND PAY FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IF THERE'S ANY MONEY LEFT OVER, THEN THAT MONEY GOES 100% TO THE COUNTY, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SEE IS IF WE CAN GET SPONSORSHIP FOR THE TITLE SPONSOR, WE COULD, TRY TO CHARGE AROUND $10,000 A YEAR FOR THREE YEARS. THREE YEARS? BECAUSE THAT'S THAT'S HOW MUCH TIME WE HAVE LEFT IN THE CONTRACT. THAT'S 30,000. AND THEN THE OTHER TWO WOULD BE 5000 EACH. THAT'S ANOTHER 10,000 BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM FOR THREE YEARS. THAT'S ANOTHER 30,000. SO WE WERE TRYING TO SEE IF WE CAN GET $60,000, THIS IS A DIAGRAM OF HOW IT'S GOING TO [01:55:02] LOOK. IT'S GOING TO LOOK ON BOTH ENDS AND THE TOTAL AMOUNTS PROJECTED WOULD BE AROUND $60,000. THE ENTIRE PROJECT, $60,826. AND THIS, THIS PROJECTION, THIS, THIS AMOUNT IS WHAT I, WHAT I CALL THE FEAR FACTOR, WHICH IS WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG OR WHAT IF SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, BAD WEATHER OR WE NEED TO DELAY SOMETHING, WORST CASE SCENARIO WOULD BE AROUND $60,000. BEST CASE SCENARIO, IF EVERYTHING GOES OUR WAY, IT'S GOING TO BE MUCH LESS THAN THAT $60,000 COMPARED TO IF YOU GO TO A COMPANY, THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE YOU BETWEEN 250 TO $300,000. WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING CUTTING CORNERS ON THE MONEY AND THE COST, BUT NOT CUTTING CORNERS ON THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT, JUST IN CASE SOMEBODY IS WONDERING, IN 2023, THE COLISEUM RECEIVED AN OVERALL ATTENDANCE OF ALMOST A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE. BETWEEN ALL OF THE EVENTS THAT WE HAD, WHETHER IT'S JUDGING ARENA OR THE PAVILION, THE EVENT CENTER, THE COLISEUM OUTDOOR AND THE FESTIVAL STYLE, WE KEEP TRACK OF EVERY PERSON THAT GOES TO EVERY EVENT THAT WE HAVE. AND WE REGISTERED ALMOST 250,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED EVERY EVENT THAT WE HAD, YOU JUST HAD A RESOLUTION FOR ICE SKATING. WELL, THAT HAPPENED IN THE COLISEUM. WE KEEP TRACK OF THAT. YOU HAD A RESOLUTION OF FOOD DELIVERIES. WELL, WE DO THOSE AT THE COLISEUM, TOO. YOU KNOW, I JUST HAD A RESOLUTION FOR JEFFERSON. WELL, WE'RE HOSTING THAT, TOO, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, A LOT OF THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE COLISEUM, AND WE. BUT WE CANNOT ACTUALLY ADVERTISE THEM BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A MARQUEE. BUT ALL OF THOSE HAPPEN, AND ALL OF THOSE, WE KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE COLISEUM, NEXT WEEK WE'RE HAVING A GUN BUYBACK WITH COMMISSIONER LEONE'S OFFICE. YOU KNOW, THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COLISEUM, TOO. ANYWAYS, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED ALMOST 10,000 PEOPLE TRAVELING IN THEIR CARS FROM EAST TO WEST, FROM JEFFERSON GOING TO THE BRIDGE, AND 1700 PEOPLE GOING THE OTHER WAY AROUND. AND THIS IS AN ANNUAL AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC, ALMOST 12,000 PEOPLE. SO TO SUM UP, THE EL PASO SPORTS COMMISSION IS SEEKING FOR FUNDS TO PAY FOR THIS PROJECT THROUGH SPONSORSHIPS, $0. IT'S GOING TO COST TO THE COUNTY, $0 IT'S GOING TO COST TO THE TAXPAYERS. THE SPONSORSHIP WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS. IT WON'T SURPASS THE TIME THAT WE HAVE LEFT. AND, AFTER THE WORK IS COMPLETED, IF THERE IS A BALANCE, A POSITIVE BALANCE, THAT MONEY GOES TO THE COUNTY TRANSPARENT. SO, OMAR, THERE'S THE LED LIGHTS ARE GOING TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'LL BE USING THE SAME BASE THAT'S ALREADY THERE. OR IS THAT GOING TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S NOT IN VERY GOOD CONDITION EITHER. OR IS THE BASE OKAY? THE BASE IS OKAY, MA'AM. YEAH. IT'S A IT'S A IT'S A CYLINDER MESS THAT IT'S IN THE GROUND AND IT GOES ALL THE WAY. ALL THE WAY UP, IT HAD IF YOU SAW SOME SPOTS, MAYBE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. WHICH IS THAT, THAT'S WHAT. THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. THAT'S JUST WELDING. THAT IS JUST, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WELD, IT'S JUST. BUT WE CAN WE CAN PAINT EVERYTHING. OKAY? BUT IT'S STURDY. WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT. OKAY NO, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THE ELECTRICITY, IT HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH ELECTRICITY BECAUSE THE LED PANELS WERE OLD SCHOOL. THEY REQUIRED MORE POWER. THE NEW LED PANELS ARE. THEY DON'T REQUIRE AS MUCH POWER. SO THE POWER IS THERE, THE WIRING IS THERE. EVERYTHING IS THERE. WELL, THAT'S VERY FORTUNATE. YEAH OKAY. I THINK IT'LL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. WE'VE SEEN THE ONE THAT HAS GOT IT. OH IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THE ONE ON BORDER HIGHWAY. YES AND I'VE GOT TO THANK ERICA. I'VE BEEN, TALKING TO HER OVER THE LAST 2 OR 3 WEEKS, AND JUST THANK YOU, BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN, I CAN ASK SOMETHING, BUT THEN I'M NOT THE ONE THAT DOES IT, I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES. PROBABLY IT'S THAT LUANN AGAIN. BUT BUT, ERICA, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK. AND I KNOW YOU HAD SOME RECOMMENDATIONS. OH, THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS ERICA GAGLIONE, ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY. SO CURRENTLY, THE CONTRACT THAT THE COUNTY HAS WITH THE SPORTS COMMISSION ACTUALLY HAS A MECHANISM THAT IS SIMILAR TO THIS, BUT NOT EXACTLY LIKE THIS. SO THE WAY IT WORKS IS THAT THE SPORTS COMMISSION CAN SOLICIT AND ACQUIRE TITLE SPONSORS, UNDERWRITERS AND THESE SPONSORSHIP FUNDS THAT THEY RECEIVE. THEY ARE TO TURN THE ALL FUNDS OVER TO OUR AUDITOR WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF RECEIVING THEM. ONCE THE AUDITOR RECEIVES THOSE FUNDS, WE CAN GIVE BACK TO THE MANAGER 70% OF THEM TO DO AN AUTHORIZED PROJECT. ANY KIND OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS, RIGHT, WHERE THEY CAN IMPROVE THE COLISEUM. AND THEN THE COUNTY IS TO KEEP 30% OF THOSE SPONSORSHIP FUNDS. SO IF THE COURT IS INTERESTED IN THE PROJECT AS MR. HOPEWELL EXPLAINS IT TODAY, MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO, YOU KNOW, DO SOME SORT OF AMENDMENT ADDENDUM TO THE CONTRACT THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT. AND I BELIEVE MISS KELLER ALSO HAS SOME COMMENTS ON IT. I JUST [02:00:04] WANTED TO CLARIFY, OMAR, THE REVENUE THAT YOU'RE ASKING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP 100% OF IS JUST THE SPONSORSHIP, NOT THE OTHER REVENUE OR BOTH. NO, THAT THAT IS CORRECT. IT'S ONLY SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS. AND WE CAN PUT IT IN A SPECIFIC, FUND AND GIVE YOU THE RECEIPTS OF EVERYTHING, AND WHATEVER IS LEFT COMES BACK TO THE COUNTY. THANK YOU. AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A POSSIBILITY. THIS IS WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THIS, AND IT'S SOMETHING MAYBE MELISSA CAN WORK WITH OMAR ON. AFTER THE COURT ACTS. BUT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING LIKE THE AREA THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT ON THE SIGN COMMISSIONER AROUND THE BASE. MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING TO. NORMA'S GOING TO KILL ME, BUT WE'VE BEEN DOING SOME BEAUTIFICATION OF CERTAIN THINGS, LIKE ADDING STACKED ROCK TO SOME OF OUR FACILITIES. IT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE REALLY NICE. MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD TRY TO WORK INTO OUR WORK PLAN TO DO FOR THE COLISEUM, FOR THE ACTUAL BASE TO MAKE THE BASE LOOK EVEN NICER. THEY DID IT TO THE ONE ON THE. THE BOARD OF HIGHWAY LOOKS BEAUTIFUL. IT DOES. SO MAYBE THAT'S A POSSIBILITY. MAYBE SOMETHING WE COULD PUT INTO OUR WORK PLAN AND WE'D HAVE TO COST THAT OUT. BUT, YES, THE BASE ALSO INCLUDES WE'RE GOING TO REPAINT EVERYTHING. OKAY. THANK YOU. YES. IT'S WE'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE IT LIKE IT IS AS WELL, INCLUDING ALL THE OUTER OUTER SHELL IS GOING TO BE REPAINTED. YEAH, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING. IT'LL JUST BE AN UPLIFT. AND LIKE I SAID, THE WAY THAT I'M TRYING TO CUT CORNERS, WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING OURSELVES. I FEEL CONFIDENT IN MY TEAM. I FEEL, I THINK WE CAN DO IT. I FEEL, I FEEL CONFIDENT, AND YOU CAN GET THIS DONE BY FRIDAY SO WE CAN ANNOUNCE THE DANCE ON SATURDAY FOR JEFFERSON OR. WELL, SINCE, IF YOU GIVE ME AUTHORIZATION, I CAN START, LIKE, TODAY, AND IT'LL TAKE ME BY THE TIME THAT I ORDER THEM FROM CHINA. THE PANELS, WHICH ARE THE MAIN ONES IT'S GOING TO TAKE BETWEEN 45 TO 50 DAYS INSTALLATION. IF I HAVE EVERYTHING READY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, I HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE A PRESS RELEASE AND TURN THE TURN IT ON. JUST A QUICK TURNAROUND. YOU KNOW, WE TRY NOT TO USE THE WORDS, CUT CORNERS. WE, WE TRY TO USE ENHANCE THOSE CORNERS AND THOSE CORNERS. YES. YEAH. YOU'RE RIGHT. GREAT. GREAT JOB. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND JUDGE COMMISSIONERS GAGLIONE ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY I JUST MESSAGED A PROPOSED MOTION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO OUR AGENDA TEA. IT COULD JUST BE TWO. IF YOU'D LIKE TO GIVE CONSENSUS OR A MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO WORK ON A CONTRACT, AMENDMENT OR ADDENDUM TO THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND SPORTS COMMISSION FOR THIS PROJECT TO BRING BACK TO THE COURT FOR APPROVAL. JUDGE. YES. YEAH. I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS. AND, AND HOPING I KNOW I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW ON OUR DIGITAL SIGNAGE PLAN FOR THE COUNTY, BUT MAYBE WE CAN INCORPORATE THIS, THIS IS ONE OF OUR VERY IMPORTANT SITES, COUNTY SITES, VERY, VERY WELL TRAFFICKED. AND, MAYBE WE CAN WORK WITH, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER HAPPENS WITH THAT, PROPOSAL THAT WE'VE GOT PENDING ON THAT. YES, SIR. ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY SCHUMACHER IS ALSO ANALYZING THIS FOR ANY OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE RULES THAT SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED WITH THE COURT ABOUT THE LIGHTS AND THE DIFFERENT RULES THAT DEPENDING ON THE ROAD, RIGHT, TXDOT OR THE CITY HAVE. SO WE'LL ALSO BE ANALYZING IT FOR, FOR THAT AS WELL. AND WE'LL BRING THAT BACK TO THE COURT IF THERE'S ANY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER STOUT, MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE ANY WAY. I WAS JUST THINKING, LIKE, WHEN, WHOEVER'S PRESENTING IT AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES THE MOTIO. LIKE, IN THIS CASE, I WAS TRYING TO GET, LIKE, A SECOND, BUT IT PUT ME AS A MOTION, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY THE COMMISSIONER. SO I THINK WHEN SOMEONE'S PRESENTING THAT, THEY AUTOMATICALLY ARE THE ONE THAT GETS THE MOTION SOLUTIONS. THE WAY WE DO THE RESOLUTION. YES, WE CAN WORK ON THAT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE NICE TOO. IT'S HARD TO TIME THE. IT PASSED. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THANK YOU EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER NINE A PURCHASING APPROVE. AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF AS NEEDED TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS AND PRODUCTS AND MANAGED SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF EL PASO NETWORK. USING THE [A. Approve and authorize the purchase of As-Needed Technology Solutions, Products and Managed Services for the County of El Paso Network using The Interlocal Purchasing Systems (TIPS) Contract 210101 awarded to Sequel Data Systems, Inc. of Austin, Texas.  Catalog pricing for any goods and services offered on the vendor's TIPS contract. Contract for an estimated yearly expenditure of $3,000,000. Funding is available in GF-ITD-MAINT/REP-SOFTWARE & GF-ITD-CONTR SVC-GEN. Purchasing approved on August 25, 2024. Karen Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing, 915-273-3349] INTERLOCAL PURCHASING SYSTEMS. CONTRACT 210101 AWARDED TO SQL DATA SYSTEMS INCORPORATED OF AUSTIN, TEXAS. CATALOG PRICING FOR ANY GOODS AND SERVICES OFFERED ON THE VENDORS TIPS [02:05:03] CONTRACT CONTRACT FOR AN ESTIMATED YEARLY EXPENDITURE OF $3 MILLION. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN GENERAL FUND ITD MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SOFTWARE, AND GENERAL FUND ITD CONTRACT SERVICES. GENERAL PURCHASING APPROVED ON AUGUST 25TH, 2020 FOR GOOD MORNING, KAREN. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS KAREN DAVIDSON, YOUR COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT. AND WE'RE ASKING THE COURT THIS MORNING TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE AS AS NEEDED, TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCTS AND MANAGED SERVICES THROUGH A STATE OF TEXAS COOPERATIVE TIPS. AND IT IS AN ESTIMATED YEARLY EXPENDITURE OF 3 MILLION. IT'S NOT A NOT TO EXCEED, BUT AN ESTIMATED YEARLY EXPENDITURE AND WE'RE ASKING TO AWARD IT TO SQL DATA SYSTEMS FOR OUR IT DEPARTMENT, I HAVE IT ON THE LINE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, AND I CAN ABSOLUTELY SPEAK TO THE PROCUREMENT. I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION, KAREN. OR PERHAPS IT SO IT LOOKED LIKE THE EXPENDITURES FOR 2023 WERE A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN A MILLION. IT LOOKS LIKE 900,000. IS THAT IS THERE A SPECIFIC REASON FOR WHY WE EXPECT THE ESTIMATED YEARLY EXPENDITURES TO GO UP TO 3 MILLION? I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT THE DISCREPANCY IS WITH THOSE ESTIMATED YEARLY EXPENDITURES. THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, AND I'LL GIVE YOU A BRIEF ANSWER AND THEN, OF COURSE, MR. NOVARTIS IS ON THE LINE AS WELL. BUT WE ARE EXPECTING TO SPEND A LOT MORE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER THE CONTINUITY OF ONE VENDOR INSTEAD OF MULTIPLE VENDORS IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. AND SO IT HAS DEDUCED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE ISSUES RELATED TO THE COUNTY'S NETWORK. AS A RESULT OF THAT INCONSISTENCY AND CONFLICTING NETWORK CONFIGURATIONS BY OTHER VENDORS. AND FOR THAT REASON, THEY MADE THE STRATEGIC DECISION TO OVERHAUL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT SQL CAN BRING. BUT MR. NOVARTIS, DID YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT? WELCOME, ART. GOOD MORNIN, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, KAREN SHOULD WORK FOR MY DEPARTMENT. SHE COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER. IT'S EXACTLY AS SHE DESCRIBED IT, IT IS A STRATEGIC DECISION THAT WE'VE MADE TO PARTNER WITH ONE VENDOR AT THIS TIME, I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT WE'LL DO THAT IN THE LONG TERM, BUT WE DID HAVE SOME VERY AMBITIOUS DESIRES TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO OUR NETWORK TO IN A LOT OF PLACES. SO THAT IS WHY WE'RE, YOU KNOW, HONING IN MORE OF THOSE SERVICES WITH THAT SPECIFIC VENDOR AND THE INCREASE IN COST. OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU. THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE. THANK YOU. ART THANK YOU. SO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER LEON. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS THANK YOU JUDGE. THANK YOU KAREN. THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD DAY. ITEM NUMBER TEN A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT PERFORMANCE DONATIONS IN CELEBRATION OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO CELEBRATE MEXICO'S INDEPENDENCE DAY HAPPENING [A. Approve and authorize the Economic Development Department to accept performance donations in celebration of a proposed resolution to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day happening Monday, September 16, 2024, in the El Paso County Courthouse, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 81.032. Roberto Ransom, Director, Economic Development, 915-546-2177] MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2024, IN THE EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION FIVE, 81.032, LOCAL BRIANNA II. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MARIANA BARRAZA, HEAD OF BINATIONAL AFFAIRS. WE'RE BRINGING THIS AGENDA ITEM TO YOU, BECAUSE THIS UPCOMING MONDAY, WE WILL HAVE A RESOLUTION, TO RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER 16TH AS MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY, AS PART OF THIS RESOLUTION, WE ARE PROCURING A PERFORMANCE BY A BALLET FOLKLORICO FROM A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY, AND SO WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR ACCEPTANCE FOR THIS DONATION. WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE THIS EVENT AND HAVE THEM PERFORM HERE AS PART OF THE PROGRAM. AND WE WOULD LIKE AND WE WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO HAVE A PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE WITH THE COURT. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. BETSY, ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS? MY COMMENT IS EVERY TIME WE DO THIS, I TAKE A VIDEO AND I WATCH IT AND I THINK THIS IS WHY I WORK AT THE BEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY. IT'S SO FUN. I LOVE THAT WE GET THESE DONATIONS OF THESE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAD THEM RECENTLY WHEN WE REBUILD THE, REVAMPING OF OUR ART INSTALLATION. IT'S JUST SO, [02:10:03] EMBRACING OF OUR CULTURE AND OUR HERITAGE, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THESE ORGANIZATIONS DOING THESE DONATIONS. I'M ALSO RIGHT NOW SENDING A MESSAGE TO ROBERTO AND JOSE. I THINK WE SHOULD DO ONE OF THESE DONATION ACCEPTANCE FOR THIS DEPARTMENT ONCE A YEAR BECAUSE THEY HAVE MULTIPLE PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THOSE WITHOUT HAVING TO COME BACK TO THE COURT EVERY TIME, TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THESE TYPES OF PERFORMANCES FOR THE VARIOUS EVENTS THAT THEY DO. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE MARIANA AND ROBERTO, AND I THINK THEY HAD A VERY BUSY DAY YESTERDAY, AND THEN THEY'RE HERE TODAY. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT TO APPROVE THE VOTING IS OPEN. STEPPED OUT FOR A LITTLE WHILE. DOUBT COMMISSIONER LUNA IS ABSENT, THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. ROBERTO. THANK YOU. MARIANA THANK YOU. ITEM 11 A PUBLIC WORKS DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE APPEAL HEARING FOR A VIOLATION OF THE COUNTY'S RIGHT OF WAY. ACCESS ORDER AT 800 [A. Discuss and take appropriate action on the appeal hearing for a violation of the County’s Right-of-Way Access Order at 800 Acton Street. Michael McElroy, Director, Planning and Development, 915-273-3330] ACTON STREET. WELCOME, GILBERT. GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS GILBERT SALDANA WITH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, TODAY I AM JOINED HERE WITH MR. FIDEL NUNEZ, WHO'S OUR SENIOR CIVIL. I'M SORRY, A SENIOR, CIVIL ENGINEER FOR OUR DEPARTMENT THAT'S GOING TO DO THE PRESENTATION FOR US. AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE PROPERTY OWNERS FROM 800 ACTON. MR. AND MRS. RODARTE, AS WELL. WELCOME. THANK YOU. SO JUDGE, I THINK IF WE CAN START OFF ON THE PRESENTATION AND AFTER THAT, WE CAN CERTAINLY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE. AND THEN WE CAN ALSO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR, THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO SPEAK AS WELL. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS FIDEL NUNEZ, AND I'M A CIVIL ENGINEER WITH EL PASO COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. AND SO I'M GOING TO HERE TO WALK YOU THROUGH THIS PRESENTATION OF A RIGHT OF WAY ACCESS OR VIOLATIO. SO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS 800 ACTON STREET. THE PROPERTY OWNER IS MR. ISAAC RODARTE, WHOM WE HAVE HERE PRESENT. THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT COMMISSIONERS COURT PRECINCT THREE, THE COMMUNITY GARDEN PARK. ADMISSION REACH UNIT THREE. AND THIS MAP GIVES YOU A GENERAL LOCATION OF THE AREA. THE CORNER OF ACTON STREET AND ETHAN DRIVE. AND, OUR COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY. ACCESS MANAGEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE ORDER WAS ADOPTED DECEMBER 20TH, 2021. AND THESE DATES ARE. A PERMIT IS REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT A DRIVEWAY AND ALSO THE COUNTY CAN RESTRICT ACCESS IF IT IS A THREAT TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY. OUR COUNTY INSPECTOR NOTICED AN ILLEGAL DRIVEWAY DURING A SUBDIVISION PRE-FINAL ACCEPTANCE WALKTHROUGH AND A FIELD INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED BY THE COUNTY INSPECTOR. THE FINDINGS WERE THAT THE DRIVEWAY WAS CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT A PERMIT, AND IT WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE CENTER OF THE RADIUS OF THE CURVE. THAT MEANS THAT THE CORNER OF THE STREET, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT, THE DRIVEWAY IS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE STREET INTERSECTION AND IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE DESIGN STANDARDS NEEDED. THE CITY OR THE COUNTY ACCESSING THE DRIVEWAY AT THE STREET INTERSECTION POSES A SAFETY ISSUE AND TAKES THAT ACCESS. MANAGEMENT MANUAL STATES THAT PROPER ACCESS MANAGEMENT ASSISTS IN PROTECTING THE SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORTATION BY PRESERVING ROADWAY EFFICIENCY AND ENHANCING TRAFFIC SAFETY, THUS REDUCING THE NEED FOR EXPENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS. FURTHERMORE, ACCESS MANAGEMENT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, PERSONAL INJURY, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND THIS EXHIBIT SHOWS YOU TYPICAL CONFLICT POINTS WITHIN A T INTERSECTION. AND ON THE RIGHT YOU CAN SEE THERE'S AS MANY AS NINE DIFFERENT CONFLICT POINTS FOR TRAFFIC. ON THE LEFT YOU CAN SEE A SKETCH SHOWING THE HOW THE PLACEMENT OF THE DRIVEWAY DIRECTS TRAFFIC EXITING AND ENTERING FROM THE PROPERTY TOWARDS THE INTERSECTION, THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE DRIVEWAY IS IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHT OF WAY ACCESS ORDER A NOTICE TO ABANDON THE UNAUTHORIZED POINT WAS SENT TO [02:15:04] THE PROPERTY OWNER ON APRIL 23RD, 2024, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER REQUESTED AN APPEAL HEARING. PER THE ORDER, THE COMMISSIONER COURT SHALL HEAR THE APPEAL IN AN OPEN MEETING AND MAKE A DETERMINATION IF A VIOLATION EXISTS AND SET MEDIATION REQUIREMENTS IF ANY. AND THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS PROPERTY OWNER TO REMOVE THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY WITHIN THE COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY AND RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION. FURTHER CURB RESTORATION METHODS SHOULD BE APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND REQUIRED COUNTY INSPECTIONS BEFORE AND AFTER POURING CONCRETE. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO RECOMMENDS WAIVING ANY FEES IF RESTORATION IS COMPLETED WITHIN 45 DAYS OF THIS HEARING DATE, AND AT THIS POINT, I WILL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME OR THE PROPERTY OWNER. COULD YOU GO BACK TO THE PICTURE OF THE HOUSE JUST TO. BEFORE WE GET STARTED IT WOULD IT BE A THEY CONNECTED THE EXISTING ONE TO THE OTHER ONE? SORT OF LIKE A I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OPTIONS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THEM. JUDGE. SO I MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE PROPOSING THAT THE CURRENT DRIVEWAY CUT ACROSS THE FRONT YARD TO THE ONE ON THE SIDE, AND THEN THAT THE CORNER IS SEALED. YEAH. I MEAN, JUST AS A YES, THAT'S DEFINITELY AN OPTION. AND THE EXISTING DRIVEWAY ON THE LEFT IS CAN CERTAINLY REMAIN. I THINK IT'S JUST AS LONG AS THE ACCESS TO, TO THE INTERSECTION IS, IS, I GUESS DELETED AT THIS POINT, BUT, BUT YEAH, ANY INTERNAL MOVEMENT CONNECTION WITHIN HIS PRIVATE PROPERTY IS ABSOLUTELY OKAY. SO IT BASICALLY WOULD BE SWITCHING THE GRASSY AREA TO THE CONCRETE AREA. OR IF THEY WANT TO LEAVE IT CONCRETE, BUT THEY COULD MOVE THE GRASSY AREA TO THE CORNER AND THE CONCRETE AREA TO THE CENTER. GILBERT, IF I UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY, YOUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE IF THEY CONNECT THE DRIVEWAY TO THE LEFT. TO, TO ANOTHER NEW ONE ON THE RIGHT, BUT IT ENTERS AND EXITS ON THE SAME STREET. NO, SIR. I THINK THE IDEA IS, IS OUR RECOMMENDATION REALLY IS JUST TO RESTORE THAT THAT PIECE OF CURB THAT WAS REMOVED TO INSTALL THE DRIVEWAY. AND WE'RE ONLY ASKING FOR THEM JUST TO REMOVE THE CURB OR RESTORE THE CURB, AND THEN THE SMALL PORTION OF APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND THE CURB, THE REST OF THE CONCRETE THAT'S WITHIN HIS PROPERTY CAN REMAIN AS IS. AND IF THEY'D LIKE, THEY CAN MAKE MODIFICATIONS, AS BETSY MENTIONED, LIKE OR AS YOU MENTIONED, CONNECTING EACH WHATEVER IS NECESSARY. SO IT WOULDN'T BE A NEW DRIVEWAY, COMMISSIONER. IT'D BE THEIR EXISTING ONE WHERE THE RED CAR IS SITTING AND ALLOWING THEM TO PAVE OR PUT CONCRETE ACROSS THE GRASS AREA TO GET TO THE LEFT HAND SIDE, BUT CLOSE OFF THAT CORNER. OKAY, SO THE VIOLATION IS ON OUR SIDE, BUT NOT THERE'S THINGS THAT THEY COULD DO. BUT BUT I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE OWNER AS WELL JUST TO ISAAC. RIGHT. YEAH. WELCOME. HI GOOD MORNING. SO WE GOT TEN MINUTES RIGHT. SO WE'RE STILL WE'RE STILL IN MOURNING. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. JUST FOR HAVING US, JUDGE. AND ALSO COMMISSIONERS. HELLO THANK YOU SO MUCH, YEAH. SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HERE BECAUSE WE DID RECEIVE, THIS NOTICE. RIGHT. BUT AND I UNDERSTAND OBVIOUSLY THERE'S RULES. THERE'S REGULATIONS. AND ALSO WE ARE AWARE RIGHT. SO, WE BELIEVE THAT WE'RE VERY TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE THAT WE ALWAYS TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. SO WE DID OUR, WE DID OUR WORK TO CONTACT THE COUNTY, THEY TOLD US, AFTER WE GAVE THEM SPECIFIC ADDRESS FOR THE NEW HOME THAT WE JUST GOT LAST YEAR, THEY THEY REROUTED US BECAUSE, I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S FOR THE ADDRESS OR FOR THE ZIP CODE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. LIKE, I KNOW THERE'S CERTAIN LINES WHERE THAT CHANGES, BUT THEY REROUTED US TO HORIZON, TO HORIZON COUNTY. WE SPOKE WITH THEM AS WELL. THEY ASKED US TO TAKE THEM LIKE THE PLANS OR THE SHEETS, LIKE THE MEASUREMENTS, EVERYTHING. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. AND THEN FROM THERE, THEY SAID THEY WOULD LET US KNOW IF IT GETS APPROVED OR NOT, ONCE WE GOT THEIR APPROVAL, THEN THEN THAT'S WHEN WE REACHED OUT TO OUR CONTRACTORS AND OUR TEAM TO, TO DO THIS WORK. RIGHT. SO WE DID TRY TO REACH OUT WE, YOU KNOW, FOR WHATEVER REASON, I'M NOT SURE WHO ACTUALLY ANSWERED THE PHONE FROM THE COUNTY SIDE OR ACTUALLY MADE US GO TO THE COUNTY. THAT WAS THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO US. BUT I GUESS THERE [02:20:01] WAS SOME SORT OF MISUNDERSTANDING ON THEIR END THAT MADE US THEY GAVE US THE GREEN LIGHT, RIGHT, TO GO AHEAD AND DO, WHATEVER WE WANTED TO DO. WE WERE TOLD THAT, WE GAVE THEM THE PAPERWORK AND WE WERE TOLD THAT. YEAH. SORRY, WE TURNED IN THE PAPERWORK, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT WE DIDN'T NEED A PERMIT TO DO THAT TYPE OF WORK AND THAT IT WAS OKAY FOR US TO PROCEED. SO THEN WE, THERE WAS THIS PERSON THAT CAME, AND THEN HE WAS TAKING PICTURES OF THE HOUSE, AND THAT'S WHEN HE TOLD US THAT WE WERE IN VIOLATION. AND BECAUSE WE NEEDED A PERMIT, AND WE WERE LIKE, WELL, WE TRIED GETTING A PERMIT, BUT, THE COUNTY SENT US TO THE HORIZON CITY. SO THAT'S WHY WE WERE LIKE, A LITTLE CONFUSED. OBVIOUSLY, THERE WAS A CONFUSION THERE, AND ALSO ANOTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO MENTION, BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S BEEN MENTIONED THAT IT'S THE RIGHT OF WAY, BUT I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THAT STREET THAT, AL-FAHM STREET, THAT'S A STREET THAT HAS A LOT OF HOUSES FACING THAT WAY. SO IT'S THE STREET THAT HAS A LOT OF, GARAGE. I'M SORRY. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO WE ACTUALLY DRIVEWAY ACCESS. I'M SORRY, YEAH. SO IT'S A STREET THAT HAS DRIVEWAY ACCESS ALL OVER PRETTY MUCH. HER HOUSE, I BELIEVE, IS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S FACING, THE OTHER WAY, AS OF RIGHT NOW, AND SO, YEAH, I DON'T KNOW. YEAH. AND, AND HONESTLY, YOU KNOW, JUST AS MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, AND THE PURPOSE FOR THIS BUILDING WAS JUST TO HAVE, LIKE, AN EASIER ACCESS, JUST IN CASE WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO TAKE STUFF TO THE BACK, YOU KNOW, SO THIS IS NOT ALSO LIKE A, A PERMANENT PARKING DRIVEWAY SPOT, LIKE JUST WHERE YOU SEE THE RED CAR, RIGHT. THAT'S WHERE THE GARAGE IS. THAT'S WHERE WE LEAVE OUR CARS INSIDE THE GARAGE OR OR THEY'RE OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY. RIGHT. THIS IS MOSTLY JUST LIKE A QUICK IN AND OUT. LIKE IF IT'S NEEDED, IT'S THERE. LIKE IT'S EASIER ACCESS JUST TO GO TO THE BACK, IT'S, I KNOW THERE'S A PARK THERE, BUT THAT PERSON DID NOT LIVE WITH US ANYMORE. THIS IS, SO DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU SPOKE TO AT THE CITY OF HORIZON? OR DID THEY GIVE YOU SOMETHING IN WRITING? YOU KNOW WHAT? ACTUALLY, WE TRIED. WE TRIED CALLING THEM BECAUSE, WE CALLED ONCE, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT, YES, THEY COULD GIVE US SOMETHING LIKE FOR TO FOR US TO HAVE PROOF THAT WE SPOKE TO THE. AND THEN WHEN WE CALLED AGAIN, THEY SAID THAT THEY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GIVE US SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE LIKE IT'S LIKE IF THEY DON'T HAVE TRACK THAT WE TURNED IN PAPERWORK. DO YOU HAVE COPIES OF THE PAPERWORK THAT YOU TURNED IN? WE DO HAVE COPIES. WELL, I TURNED IN EVERYTHING. I'M NOT SURE. OH, WELL, I MEAN, WE DON'T HAVE THEM WITH US, BUT WE DO HAVE LIKE, THE. OH, LIKE THE PLANS. YOU CAN SAY OR LIKE THE LIKE THE LIKE THE PAPERWORK THAT WE DID, LIKE IN THEIR OFFICE WHERE IT SAID LIKE THE NAME AND ALSO THE ADDRESS OF WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO. SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOUR PROPERTY IS NOT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF HORIZON. SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THEY WOULD HAVE ACCEPTED WHY THEY, THE CITY OF HORIZON, WOULD HAVE ACCEPTED PAPERWORK AND NOT TOLD YOU, OH, YOU'RE NOT WITHIN OUR BOUNDARIES. AND I KNOW PART OF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT YOU WERE SENT BACK AND FORTH, BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE SENT YOU BACK TO THE COUNTY. SO I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO ACCEPTED THIS PAPERWORK AT THE CITY OF HORIZON. SO WE CAN MAKE SURE TO ALSO BRING THIS UP TO THEM. SO THEY KNOW. RIGHT? I KNOW WHENEVER I CALLED, THEY TOLD ME TO GO INTO THE OFFICE, RIGHT? SO I COULD FILL IN THE PAPERWORK, LIKE THE REQUEST FORM AND WHICH OFFICE WAS THAT? I'M SORRY, WHICH OFFICE? LIKE, DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE IT'S LOCATED? OH YEAH. YEAH, OF COURSE IT'S ON THE, THERE WERE THE, THE WALMART THERE IN HORIZON, WHICH IS UP DARRINGTON AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. HORIZON. RIGHT. OKAY. THAT DARRINGTON AND HORIZON. SO YOU ACTUALLY WENT INTO THEIR OFFICE? YES MA'AM. I WENT TO THE OFFICE. I FILLED OUT THE PAPERWORK. THIS WAS THIS WAS AFTER I SPOKE WITH THEM ON THE PHONE, AND THEY SAID, OH, YEAH, YOU KNOW, BUT YOU NEED TO COME IN. YOU NEED TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK. YOU NEED TO PUT THE ADDRESS, YOUR INFORMATION, YOUR CONTACT NAME, ALL THAT STUFF. AND THEN ALSO WITH YOUR PLANS OF WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO, THE MEASUREMENTS. IF YOU HAVE PICTURES, GREAT. IF NOT JUST A QUICK SKETCH. YOU KNOW, NOTHING CRAZY, OKAY. SO THAT SO WE WOULD GET THE CONTRACTORS TO DO THAT FOR US AS WELL, AND FROM THERE, THAT'S WHEN I TOOK THAT PAPERWORK TO THEM. I FILLED OUT THE, THE PERMISSION FORM. I'M NOT REALLY SURE. LIKE, THE NAME OF THE FORM, BUT THEY TOLD ME TO FILL IT OUT TO FILL OUT THIS FORM. I DID, AND THEY'RE LIKE, OKAY, WE'LL LET YOU KNOW IN ABOUT A WEEK. THEY CALLED ME IN ABOUT TWO DAYS AND THEY TOLD ME, YEAH, YOU KNOW WHAT? THERE'S NO NEED TO COME BACK IN. EVERYTHING WAS APPROVED. GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE WITH, WHATEVER WORK THAT YOU WANT TO DO. BUT YOU'RE NOT SURE WHO THAT PERSON WAS, THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A NAME. IT WAS ONE OF THE ONE OF THE LADIES IN THE FRONT. I HAVE, LIKE, A NAME. EXACT NAME. I DO NOT I'M [02:25:05] SORRY, I OKAY. IT WAS JUST, YOU KNOW, I WAS JUST SO GLAD THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, THEY JUST TOLD ME. OH, YEAH, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW? OKAY. LIKE OKAY, GREAT. BUT BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND YOU KNOW, ERIKA YOU'RE ERIKA, YOU'RE, LET'S SAY THAT THEY DID THE SORT OF THE PROCESS THEY WERE NOTIFIED OR. I'M SORRY YOU WOULD BE HERE. JUST A LITTLE INFORMATION ON LET'S SAY THEY THEY DO SHOW THAT THEY DID WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, BUT THEY DIDN'T GET BACK TO THEM. WHAT HAPPENS AT THAT POINT AS FAR AS OUR VIOLATIONS OR WHAT HAPPENED? WELL, EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME. STEPHEN ARELLANO, ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY, JUDGE, I REALLY CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT HORIZON'S PROCESS IS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WAS SOME MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND HORIZON AND THE HOMEOWNERS, UNFORTUNATELY, SO, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HORIZON'S PROCESS IS. I'M NOT EVEN FULLY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT HORIZONS STREET ACCESS ORDINANCES ARE ON THE COUNTY SIDE. IF THEY HAD COME IN AND APPLIED FOR THE PERMIT, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO, I WON'T SPEAK FOR THE DEPARTMENT. I SUSPECT THAT NONE OF THESE DRIVEWAYS THAT DIRECTLY ACCESS THESE T INTERSECTIONS ARE EVER GOING TO BE APPROVED FOR THE REASONS THE DEPARTMENT'S POINTED OUT, WHERE IT JUST CREATES TOO MANY CONFLICT POINTS, TOO MANY DIFFERENT PIECES OF TRAFFIC YOU HAVE TO TRACK AS YOU'RE ENTERING THE INTERSECTIONS. SO THE HOMEOWNERS WOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THAT PARTICULAR ACCESS WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ALLOWED. THERE'S ONE THING I DO WANT TO POINT OUT, AND I THINK YOU ALL WERE KIND OF TOUCHING ON THE ISSUE, THE COUNTY'S THE DEPARTMENT'S OBJECTION AS IT STANDS IS TO THE SPECIFIC ACCESS POINT ON THAT BEND IN THE ROAD. RIGHT. AND SO THERE MAY BE CONFIGURATIONS WHERE THERE'S A PERMISSIBLE ACCESS POINT. IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO BE AT THAT CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION WHERE THE INTERSECTIONS MEET. IT'S TOO MUCH OF A RISK. SOMETHING ON THE SIDE MIGHT BE PERMISSIBLE. SOMETHING ON THE OTHER STREET MIGHT BE PERMISSIBLE. BUT AN ACCESS POINT RIGHT THERE FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND WE CONCUR WITH THEIR OPINION, JUST CREATES TOO MUCH TRAFFIC RISK FOR THE COUNTY TO APPROVE THESE. AND THAT'S BEEN CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT OTHER DEVELOPMENTS WHERE WE'VE HAD THIS ISSUE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS BROUGHT AT LEAST ONE OTHER APPEAL THAT WAS THIS EXACT KIND OF DRIVEWAY IN A DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING, THEY'RE NOT WORTH THE RISK TO OTHER TO PEDESTRIANS AND TO OTHER VEHICLES THAT MAKE USE OF THE INTERSECTION. YEAH, I DO RECALL THE OTHER ONE WE HAD THAT WE WENT THROUGH. GILBERT, HAVE YOU REACHED OUT TO THE CITY OF HORIZON? DO WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, DO THEY HAVE ANY RECORD? NO, NO, I HAVE NOT TALKED TO ANYBODY FROM HORIZON, BUT I USUALLY, I'M ASSUMING A LOT OF TIMES WHEN THEY, THEY SEE THAT IT'S NOT WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION, THEY USUALLY POINT IT OUT TO THE PERSON. YOU KNOW, THE ENTITY. WE DO THE SAME THING. WE CONSTANTLY GET CALLS FROM, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE IN THAT CITY AND WE DIRECT THEM BECAUSE WE DON'T WE CAN'T SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF. SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT. BUT IF YOU LIKE, COMMISSIONER, WE CAN CERTAINLY REACH OUT TO THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOESN'T OCCUR IN THE FUTURE. WELL, AND I'M SURPRISED BECAUSE YOU WOULD THINK THAT IF IT'S A THE GRANTING OF A PERMIT, THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING IN WRITING, NOT JUST A PHONE CALL, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY SAID, OKAY, COME IN AND PICK IT UP. YOU WOULD THINK MOST I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THE CITY OF EL PASO, HOW THEY DO IT. BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THERE'S ALWAYS AN ACTUAL PIECE OF PAPER DOCUMENTING THE APPROVAL OF A PERMIT. YES OKAY. I MEAN, I'D REVERT TO THEM, BUT I THINK AT THE END IT'S STILL A VIOLATION NO MATTER WHAT. AND WHAT WOULD IT BE A POSSIBILITY? WHAT WHAT I SAID, IF YOU CONNECTED TO YOUR DRIVEWAY THROUGH THE FRONT AND JUST TO AVOID THAT LITTLE CURVE, WE'RE REALLY WE'RE NOT LOOKING INTO MAKING ANY OTHER CHANGES, WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY MAKING, ALL THE LANDSCAPE. SO I THINK MY ISSUE PRETTY MUCH HERE IS THAT, LIKE I SAID, LIKE, WE PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CORNER LOT FOR A HOUSE. AND IF WE CAN'T HAVE THAT THERE, THAT'S OKAY, HONESTLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. WE'RE GONNA WE'RE NOT GONNA CHANGE IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE MY HUSBAND SAID. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO HAVE PERMANENT LIKE, IT'S NOT, LIKE, WE NEED TO HAVE THAT PARKING SPACE THERE. IT'S REALLY NOT, MY ISSUE HERE IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE, THE COUNTY AND THE HORIZON CITY, THAT'S WHY WE ARE FACING THIS SITUATION. WHEN WE TRIED DOING THINGS RIGHT. SO THAT'S WHY, I GUESS MY CONCERN IS THAT WE WE'RE GOING TO, LIKE, WE'RE PRETTY MUCH BEING ASKED TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WHEN WE TRIED TO DO THINGS RIGHT, PRETTY MUCH. SO THAT'S, I GUESS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M, THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH BECAUSE WE TRIED [02:30:04] DOING THINGS RIGHT. I KNOW THIS IS A BRAND NEW AREA, SO I KNOW THAT THERE CAN BE CONFUSION BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, CITIES BECAUSE OF THE LINES AND STUFF, SO I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT LIKE, WE WERE ALSO WE WERE TOLD, YOU KNOW WHAT, BY THE COUNTY, YOU ARE PART OF HORIZON. SO THEN WE WENT TO HORIZON, AND THEN HORIZON SAID, YOU DON'T NEED A PERMIT. YOU'RE GOOD TO G. AND SO THAT'S WHY WE PROCEED. I MEAN, WE WERE TOLD FROM THE BEGINNING, YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU'RE NOT YOU CAN'T DO THIS. AND WE WOULD HAVE LOOKED FOR SOMETHING ELSE. SO I THINK I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT, WE DON'T REALLY NEED ANOTHER DRIVEWAY. LIKE WE'RE, WE'RE WE'RE GOOD WITH WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY. I GUESS MY CONCERN IS JUST THAT, WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE AGAIN TO GET THAT FIXED. SO. YEAH, THAT'S ONE. AND WE THANK YOU BECAUSE WE REALLY DO WANT TO DISCOURAGE ANYONE FROM TRYING TO DO IT RIGHT. AND THAT'S WHAT YOU TRIED. AND SO WE DON'T WANT TO DISCOURAGE THAT. BUT I GUESS PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF PAPERWORK OR, AND YOU'RE NOT SURE WHO YOU SPOKE TO. LIKE, THERE'S NO WAY FOR US TO TRY TO. I MEAN, I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THE HORIZON CITY SHOULD HAVE CAMERAS EVEN, LIKE, FOR PEOPLE COMING IN. SO, I MEAN, THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET BECAUSE, I MEAN, I'M NOT TRYING TO LIKE WE DID OUR DUE DILIGENCE. YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. LIKE, I'M WE'RE NOT TRYING HERE TO GIVE YOU FALSE INFORMATION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY PAPERWORK. WE DIDN'T GET ANY PAPERWORK BACK BECAUSE THEY TOLD US THAT WE DIDN'T NEED A PERMIT. SO THAT'S I, I THINK THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE DIDN'T GET ANY ANYTHING IN WRITING. SO BUT WE DID TURN IN THE PAPERWORK AND GOING BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID, MISS, AS WELL. YOU KNOW, I WORK AT IT. I AM IN CHARGE OF DIFFERENT THINGS. IT SO I KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO A PHONE CALLS AND STUFF THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN ITEMS THAT ARE GET RECORDED. I EVEN ASKED, HEY, I DID CALL BACK TO COUNTY AND BE LIKE, DO YOU KNOW IF YOU RECORD YOUR CALLS? BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO LOOK FOR MY CALL RIGHT, AND ALSO WITH ALSO WITH HORIZON, I CALL THEM WHERE I CALLED FIRST PLACE TO RECORD CALLS BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT RECORD, THEN I GOT, THEY SAID NO, THAT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO GIVE YOU THAT INFORMATION, AND THEN AFTER THAT, ALSO FOR THE PAPERWORK, I ALSO WENT TO THE OFFICE AND ASKED FOR THE HORIZON. I TOLD THEM, YOU KNOW WHAT? I CAME IN AND I FILLED OUT THE PAPERWORK AND I SUBMITTED THIS REQUEST, AND I GOT THE APPROVAL OVER THE PHONE. BUT I WANT TO SEE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO GIVE ME THE PROOF THAT I ACTUALLY WENT. AND THEN I ALSO FILED THIS REQUEST AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T. AFTER I WENT IN THERE, SO I'M LIKE, YOU KNOW, JUST HOW WE MENTIONED YOU KNOW, WHAT? WE ALWAYS TRY TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT. WE'RE NOT ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, WE TRY TO TEACH OUR KIDS TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT. SO WE DID TRY TO FOLLOW THE RULES. AND ALSO AT THE END WHEN WE REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A MISTAKE, WE ALSO WENT, YOU KNOW, OUT OF OUR WAY TO FIND THAT PROOF, TO SHOW THAT, HEY, YOU KNOW, WE ARE TRYING TO FOLLOW THESE RULES. WE ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT'S BEST. OBVIOUSLY, FOR SOME MISCOMMUNICATION, IT FAILED, BUT WE ARE TRYING WE DID TRY TO DO THOSE, SO, YOU KNOW, SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE, YOU KNOW AND BUT BUT YEAH, YOU KNOW JUST GOING I THINK THE MAIN POINT HERE LIKE HONESTLY, YOU KNOW, WE ALL WORK HARD FOR OUR MONEY AND WE AND WE SPEND A LARGE AMOUNT OF NOT ONLY LIKE IN OUR HOME, BUT ALSO LIKE IN THE BACKYARD IN THE FRONT YARD. AND IF THIS IS BREAKING ANY LAWS AND WE NEED TO CHANGE ANYTHING, I MEAN, THAT'S FINE. BUT MAYBE A LITTLE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE A LITTLE MONETARY HELP WOULD, YOU KNOW, WOULD COME IN HANDY. BUT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THAT'S TOO MUCH TO ASK, BUT, THAT WAS I THINK THE, LIKE I SAID, THE FACT THAT NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, IT'S A VIOLATION. SO IN MY PERFECT WORLD, IT WOULD BE THAT THAT YOU WOULD DO THAT, BUT THEN THEN TRY TO SEEK, SOMETHING FROM HORIZON BY PROVING YOUR POINT FOR THAT COST, BECAUSE THAT, I MEAN, IT HURTS YOU. YOU TRIED IT. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ADDITIONAL COSTS ON TOP OF THAT. AND YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A DRIVER TO BEGIN WITH. SO I DON'T KNOW, I WOULD SAY THAT THAT YOU ADDRESS THAT COMPONENT WITH HORIZON TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE THEY WILLING TO DO BECAUSE OF THAT MISINFORMATION. BUT LIKE I SAID AT THE END, IT'S A VIOLATION FOR THE COUNTY. SO WE'RE BACK TO SQUARE ONE. NO MATTER WHAT WE TRY. AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GILBERT SAID WAS THAT AS PART OF THIS REQUEST, THAT IT BE RESTORED, THE SIDEWALK PEACE BE RESTORED. WE WOULD BE WAIVING ANY FEES. CORRECT SO THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY, ANY FEES FOR OR FINES FOR VIOLATING THE ORDER? THAT'S CORRECT. COMMISSIONER. YEAH WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THE SITUATION AND WE DON'T WANT TO INCUR ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS. SO WE THINK OUR [02:35:05] RECOMMENDATION IS IF THEY RESTORE IT, WE WOULDN'T WANT TO ASSESS ANY, ANY FEES THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY IMPOSE ON THEM. THANK YOU. OKAY AND WE APOLOGIZE FOR WERE YOU HAVING TO GO THROUGH THAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DO YOU THINK THERE'S A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS ON THE LAST SLIDE? IS THAT RIGHT? IF YOU WANT TO PULL THAT UP AGAIN FOR THE COURT. I HAVE A QUESTION, JUDGE. YES, SIR. WHAT IS THEIR ADDRESS? 800 ACTON STREET. WHAT CITY AND TOW? IT'S AN UNINCORPORATED AREA. I MEAN, IT'S GOT TO HAVE SOMETHIN. IT'S EL PASO. IT'S AN EL PASO ADDRESS OR HORIZON. IT SAYS HORIZON ON YOUR ADDRESS. AND YOU CONTACTED HORIZON, RIGHT? SO ARE THERE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OUTSIDE OF HORIZON THAT HAVE HORIZON CITY ADDRESS. THAT'S VERY COMMON. IT IS. YES, SIR. JUST LIKE CANUTILLO IS UNINCORPORATED AND YES, IT'S LISTED AS KIND OF TEXAS. THEY LIST THE LIKE THE TOWNS, AREAS AS LIKE AS IF IT'S A CITY, BUT IT'S JUST MORE LIKE THE GENERAL AREA. RIGHT. SO A LOT OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS AROUND HORIZON CITY ACTUALLY ARE NOT IN THE CITY. AND THEY ACTUALLY DO HAVE A NAME UNDER HORIZON. HORIZON CITY. YES, SIR. AND HOW DOES THAT GET ADDRESSED? HOW DO YOU FIX THAT? IS THAT AN ISSUE LIKE IN CANUTILLO AS WELL? WELL, SEE, THE ISSUE THAT I FIND HERE IS WHY WOULD IT BE, HORIZON IF HORIZON ACTUALLY IS INCORPORATED IS MY I THAT'S THE PROBLEM. I'M HAVING. IT SHOULDN'T BE. YEAH IT SHOULDN'T BE. IT SHOULD BECAUSE IT IS INCORPORATED. CANUTILLO IS DIFFERENT. IT'S NOT INCORPORATED. IT'S AN UNINCORPORATED TOWN. AND I CAN SEE WHY THAT WOULD BE LISTED AS CANUTILLO. BUT LIKE EL PASO, DO WE HAVE ANY ADDRESSES OUTSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO THAT SAY EL PASO, THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS? I DON'T THINK SO. RIGHT YES WE DO, WE DO. YES. I THINK THAT THEY'RE IN THE COUNTY. THEY'RE IN CERTAIN AREAS, I GUESS WHEN THEY DON'T ASSOCIATE IT WITH US, OTHER TOWNS, TOWN OR CITY, THEY DO PUT EL PASO. BUT BUT IT IS UNFORTUNATELY UNCOMMO. IT'S SOMEWHAT CONFUSING. I LIVE OUT IN THAT GENERAL AREA AS WELL. AND I, SOMEHOW THE POST OFFICE OR SOMEBODY ASSIGNS THAT DESIGNATION, IF YOU'RE IN THAT GENERAL AREA, WHEN YOU BUY YOUR HOUSE, DOESN'T IT, ON THE DISCLOSURE, WHEN FROM THE WHEN YOU DO THE TITLE COMPANY ABSTRACT THAT THEY GIVE YOU WHAT'S CALLED A TITLE COMMITMENT. DID IT TELL YOU IN THERE WHETHER IT WAS WITHIN THE CITY OF HORIZON CITY OR NOT? AND IT SHOULD DESCRIBE THAT MICROPHONE, PLEASE. WE DO HAVE ALL THAT INFORMATION, BUT I, RIGHT NOW, I CAN'T RECALL IF IT SAYS ANYTHING, BUT LIKE, EVEN ON THE ADDRESS, ANY TIME THAT I'M TRYING TO ORDER ANYTHING ONLINE, IF I PUT IF I EVER PUT EL PASO, TEXAS, IT ALWAYS CHANGES IT TO HORIZON. YEAH, IT ALWAYS RECOMMENDS TO MAKE THE CHANGE TO HORIZON. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S JUST BECAUSE OF THE, ZIP CODE. BUT IT'S ALWAYS, THEY ALWAYS RECOMMEND THE CHANGE. AND SO YOU DID CONTACT THE CITY OF HORIZON? YES. TO GET A PERMIT. YES AND DID YOU SUBMIT PAPERWORK TO THE? YES. AND YOU DIDN'T KEEP A COPY OF IT? OF WHAT WE SUBMITTED? NO, BECAUSE HE HE FILLED OUT THE FORM. I THINK YOUR PROBLEM IS WITH THE CITY OF HORIZON. THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TOLD YOU WHAT THEY TOLD YOU. AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO TALK TO YOUR LAWYER ABOUT THAT. SO. I'M SORRY. I JUST WANT TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND. SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT HORIZON SHOULD NOT SHOULDN'T HAVE TOLD US THAT WE WERE GOOD TO GO? YES OKAY. YEAH, YEAH. AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING CERTAINLY WE HAVE TO ADDRESS WITH THE CITY OF HORIZON. BUT I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY TO ADDRESS THE LARGER ISSUE OF THESE ADDRESSES AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS BEING DESIGNATED AS HORIZON CITY WHEN IT'S REALLY NOT. BUT SO I DON'T KNOW IF STAFF CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE DEAL WITH THAT LARGER ISSUE. COMMISSIONER, WE'LL WE'LL DEFINITELY LOOK INTO THAT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THAT. AND I'LL ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE CITY OF HORIZON. I WORK A LOT [02:40:02] WITH THE CITY OF HORIZON, SO I'LL BE SURE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH THEM AS WELL. BUT BUT ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME ANY DOCUMENTATION, IF YOU FIND COPIES OF ANY OF THE PAPERWORK THAT YOU SUBMITTED TO THEM, I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THAT TO THEM AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP, BECAUSE THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE GOOD TO GO. JUST SAYING THAT. IT'S ALL GOOD. I WAS GONNA ASK YOU. THEY. SINCE I DID SUBMIT THAT REQUEST, YOU WOULD THINK THEY'D BE. THEY SHOULD HAVE THAT IN FILES. THAT SHOULD BE. THERE SHOULD BE. I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT. YEAH BUT EVEN IF YOU GIVE ME DATES, MAYBE THEY CAN LOOK FOR IT BY DATE, ANY ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL BECAUSE I KNOW. SO WE SO WE DID ALL THAT WORK AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. RIGHT. JANUARY FEBRUARY LIKE THE FIRST TWO MONTHS. SO I DO HAVE THE MONTHS, BUT NO. YEAH. OF COURSE, I THINK, LIKE I SAID, IF THEY SAY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THAT, WHAT CAN I TELL THEM SOMETHING OR CAN IS THERE LIKE SOME SPECIFIC I DON'T KNOW, LEGALIZED ROLE OR CODE OR SOMETHING. THEY'D BE LIKE, WELL, PER THIS CODE, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE OR SAVE TO MY REQUEST BECAUSE I CAME IN AND FILLED OUT THE PAPERWORK. I GAVE YOU THE PLANS, I GAVE YOU ALL. THIS IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND, MISS? I DON'T KNOW, I MEAN, WE'D HAVE TO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR PROCESS IS. IT DOES SEEM VERY STRANGE TO ME THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE GIVEN YOU SOMETHING IN WRITING. CORRECT. BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR PROCESS IS. OKAY. THANK YOU. GOOD THE MOTION THAT'S PRESENTED BEFORE US THAT THAT DOESN'T PREVENT THEM. THAT THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE THEM TO REMOVE THE CONCRETE WITHIN THEIR, WITHIN THEIR. IT'S JUST WITHIN OUR RIGHT OF WAY. RIGHT. OKAY ALL RIGHT. JUST BETWEEN THE CURB AND THE SIDEWALK, THE I BELIEVE THE SIDEWALK WAS NOT MODIFIED. IS THAT CORRECT? RIGHT, RIGHT. SO IT'S JUST THE CURB. JUST THE CURB. AND THAT LITTLE CONCRETE PORTION OF ABOUT APPROXIMATELY ABOUT FIVE FEET WIDE THAT GOES ABOUT TO THE SIDEWALK. TO THE SIDEWALK. YEAH. AND THAT'S IT. EVERYTHING WITHIN THEIR PROPERTY CAN REMAIN AS IS. YEAH THANK YO. VERY MICROPHONE. THAT PICTURE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE SO I KNOW THERE WAS, THERE'S LIKE THE LITTLE RAISED WALL I'M SORRY I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TRYING TO MOVE I GUESS LIKE BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW YOU ZOOM IN, PLEASE. TO THE SIDEWALK. SORRY. I'M OVER HERE MOVING EVERYTHING. SO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HERE IN THE BACK? NEEDS TO BE RAISED. LIKE HOW IT IS RAISED HERE WITH THE TURF IS THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE. NO, JUST EVERYTHING FROM THE SIDEWALK, THE SIDEWALK INCLUDED, AND INTO YOUR PROPERT. RIGHT. IT'S JUST THE CURB ITSELF. OH, OKAY. AND THAT LITTLE SMALL PIECE. THAT'S A RAMP, I GUESS THAT GOES FROM THE TOP OF THE SIDEWALK TO BACK TO THE STREET. THE ONLY PIECE THAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED SO THAT YOU CAN EVACUATE. WHAT THE STORM OR IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH AND THEY'RE NOT SURE. NO, WE JUST THE WAY THAT HOUSE IS. RIGHT. I MEAN, BESIDES THE CEMENT. RIGHT. BUT LIKE, YOU KNOW HOW LIKE YOU SEE THE, THE ROCK WALL, LIKE HOW IT IS RIGHT THERE. YEAH. LIKE WE DIDN'T EVEN TAKE THAT DOWN. THAT THAT'S HOW WE GOT THE HOUSE. SO THAT'S SO ALL THAT STAYS. AND THEN IN THE BOTTOM PART WHERE THE, THE RAISED THE WALL, I GUESS YOU CAN SAY THE GILBERT COULD YOU CLARIFY ALSO WE'D NEED THEM TO SUBMIT THAT TO YOU ALL AS TO WHAT THE PLAN IS TO FIX IT. AND THEN WE'D WORK WITH YOU ALL ON IF IT'S IF IT'S UP TO THE STANDARD. BUT BASICALLY THE AREA WHERE IT RAMPS DOWN, YOU CAN'T JUST PUT A CURB THERE. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEVEL IT TO A CURB LEVEL. BUT WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU SUBMIT THOSE PLANS TO THE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THEM TO APPROVE FOR THAT CORRECTION. SO THAT WE DON'T ISSUE ANOTHER NOTICE OF VIOLATION QUESTION. PLEASE COORDINATE WITH OUR INSPECTOR. I THINK THEY'LL THERE'S WAYS METHODS OF RESTORING A CURB BECAUSE NOW IT WOULD BE A SEPARATE PIECE. IT'S ONLY A SIX INCH PIECE. SO IT NEEDS TO BE TIED TO THE EXISTING GUTTER THAT EXISTS THERE. SO WE WANT IT TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND. IT'S JUST A VERY SIMPLE, BASIC THING THAT THAT THE INSPECTOR CAN, I GUESS, EXPLAIN ON SITE. QUESTION JUDGE I SEE ON THE PICTURE HERE TO THE LEFT. WHERE IT'S KIND OF LIKE SHADED IN LIKE A TERRACOTTA ORANGE COLOR. THERE'S LIKE A HANDICAP ACCESS. IS THAT. YES, SIR. THAT'S THE WHEELCHAIR RAMP THAT WAS INSTALLED BY THE DEVELOPER. IT DOES GIVE A PEDESTRIAN ADA ACCESSIBILITY IN ONE DIRECTION. AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER ONE JUST ON THE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY THAT PROVIDES ONE THE OTHER DIRECTION AS WELL, I BELIEVE. IS THERE ANY OTHER REQUIRED ON THE OTHER STREET THERE AT THE CORNER IS THERE ANOTHER ONE REQUIRED THERE? ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSES? BECAUSE I DON'T SEE THAT NO, I APOLOGIZE, I, I MISSPOKE TO THE RIGHT. JUST, JUST THE ONLY ONE THAT GOES BECAUSE THIS IS A T INTERSECTION. SO THERE IS A T CORRECT. SO THERE'S NO PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THIS OTHER [02:45:05] DIRECTION ONTO THE RIGHT OF THE PICTURE. IT'S JUST THE ONE THAT YOU SEE, THE ONE WITH THE TERRACOTTA, THE TRUNCATED DOMES FOR ADA ACCESSIBILITY. YES, SIR. SO THAT ONE SHOULD REMAIN AS IS. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER DOWN. IT DOESN'T TAKE IT ON MY FIRST TRY. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. YES. WOULD YOU LIKE TO. YES. OKAY AT THIS TIME, COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR ONE HOUR. IT IS 12 £0.16. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN [02:50:03] FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE. SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. Q SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS ADEMAS DE LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID DIECINUEVE LA VACUNA COVID ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A MAS A TUS HIJOS, ASI Q RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY, WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAD MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUTED PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH. HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EL PASO. HELLO. I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST. ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR [02:55:09] WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT, HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNIT. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND TODAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED. HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED. AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW, AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS WITH LIBRARIES, YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION, EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWER, CAFES AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST [03:00:05] HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY. WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS. AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TIGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN. SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS, WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. [03:05:57] RIGHT NOW. & IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE, SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. QUÉ SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS? ADEMAS DE LA VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS. AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID 19. LA VACUNA COVID ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A MAS A TUS HIJOS? ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY, WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH. PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF [03:10:06] YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EL PASO. HELLO. I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST. ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW. SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNIT, KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY AN. WE WALK AROUND TODAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO. NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO, I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW, AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY [03:15:02] WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS WITH LIBRARIES, YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY. WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS. AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHER, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY. ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE [03:20:06] MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS. AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION. CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE. YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. [03:25:07] IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE. SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. QUÉ SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS? ADEMAS DE LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID DIECINUEVE LA VACUNA COVID IS GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO MAS A TUS HIJOS, ASI Q RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH. PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION, OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SKELETON PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. FOR A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. HELLO I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST. ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES [03:30:03] OF ABILITIES AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD. OBVIOUSLY AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN. HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT, CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY, WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WE WALK AROUND TODAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED. AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW, AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTH CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO. AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWER, CAFES AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION [03:35:06] SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SUNNY RIO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS. AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS, AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS, WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. [03:41:05] RIGHT. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE. SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. Q SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS. ADEMAS DE LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID NINE. LA VACUNA COVID ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A MAS A TUS HIJOS, ASI Q RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEA. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A [03:45:04] BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAD MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUTED PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH. HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. FELICIDADES A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. HELLO. I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST. ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD. OBVIOUSLY AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN. HAVE FUN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WE WALK AROUND TODAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW, AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, [03:50:04] BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID, AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY. WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY. WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS. AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHER, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY. ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO [03:55:03] REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS. AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION. CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE. YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. GO AHEAD. WHAT WE HAD. GOING FOR ALL OF YOU. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. IT IS 1:26 P.M. BEFORE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE DO HAVE AN ITEM THAT WE DO NEED [F. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 & 551.0725, discuss and receive legal advice concerning the application of Texas Local Government Code Chapter 302 and the negotiation of the Energy Construction Services Contract and Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement between El Paso County and corresponding Schneider Electric Building Americas, Inc. (#3570-OP) Ana Schumacher, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office, 915-273-3247] TO ADDRESS. ITEM 12 F PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071 AND 551.0725. DISCUSS AND RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 302 AND THE NEGOTIATION OF THE ENERGY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES CONTRACT AND EQUIPMENT LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN EL PASO COUNTY AND CORRESPONDING SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC BUILDINGS. AMERICAS INCORPORATED OPINION NUMBER 3570. MICROPHONE PLEASE. IS IT NOT ON? OH, THERE YOU GO, ERIC ROSALES, ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY, SECTION 1551.0725 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. YOUR OPEN MEETINGS ACT AUTHORIZES A COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CONDUCT A CLOSED MEETING TO DELIBERATE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL ISSUES RELATING TO CONTRACT UNDER NEGOTIATIONS IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET. ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY ANNA SCHUMACHER DETERMINED THAT DELIBERATION IN AN OPEN MEETING CONCERNING BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL ISSUES RELATING TO NEGOTIATIONS WITH SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC BUILDINGS AMERICAS, INC. REGARDING AN ENERGY AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES CONTRACT MADE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 302 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. IF DISCUSSED IN OPEN, WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE COURT AND NEGOTIATIONS. SO WE'RE ASKING THE COURT TO VOTE THAT DELIBERATIONS IN AN OPEN MEETING WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON YOUR POSITION THAT ALL DELIBERATIONS TAKE PLACE IN CLOSED SESSIONS, AND THEN THAT THE CLERK ENSURE THAT PROCEEDINGS IN CLOSED SESSION BE RECORDED. A COPY OF THE MEMO HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE CLERK'S REPRESENTATIVE. YES WE NEED A MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. I'M GOING TO DO A VERBAL, CAESAR. I THANK YOU, SIR. SO IF I. COMMISSIONER AGAIN. ME TOO. I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHY IT LOGGED ME OUT. OH, HERE IT IS. I THINK I CAN LOG ME OUT, TOO. OKAY, LET ME DO IT. SO. OKAY. MOTION CARRIES. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL NOW RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEMS 12 A THROUGH 12 H. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. SECTION 551.071551.072555, 1.076 AND 551.087. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECONVENE TO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION. [12. EXECUTIVE SESSION Only the members of the Commissioners Court have a right to attend an executive session, except that legal counsel must be present if the executive session is held pursuant to Government Code section 551.071. In addition to legal counsel, Commissioners Court may include in executive session certain officers and employees if it finds that (1) their participation is necessary to the matter under consideration; (2) their interests are not adverse to the county, and (3) their presence will not waive the attorney client privilege. Generally, the Chief Administrator, Budget Executive Director, County Clerk's representatives, and County Auditor's Office representatives attend the closed session items based on the enumerated criteria, and certain other persons may attend based on the above-listed criteria or as otherwise provided by law.] [04:02:35] IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE. SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. Q SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS. ADEMAS DE LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID DIECINUEVE LA VACUNA COVID 19 ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A MAS A TUS HIJOS? ASI Q RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY, WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD [04:05:05] TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SKELETON PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH. HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE FOR A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. HELLO. I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST. ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN. HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? KADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNIT. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WE WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY MANY YEARS AGO. NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED. AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW, AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO [04:10:01] THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS WITH LIBRARIES, YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN ELIZARIO WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS. AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY. ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU [04:15:04] KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS. AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION. CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. NOW. AND. [04:20:08] YOU IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE. SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. QUÉ SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS? ADEMAS DE LA VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS. AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID 19. LA VACUNA COVID IS GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO ALMORZAR TUS HIJOS, ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEA. HEY, WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAD MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN ESCALANTE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE FOR A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. HELLO. I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES [04:25:06] OF ABILITIES. AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FUN. IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD, OBVIOUSLY, AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL, ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN. HAVE FUN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT. THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WE WALK AROUND TODAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING. NOWADAYS, THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY [04:30:04] PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING, AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT. A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE. WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS. SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL. BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS. AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION. CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE. YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. RIGHT. [04:37:46] IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE. SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTAN. QUÉ SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS? ADEMAS DE LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS. AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID 19. LA VACUNA COVID 19 ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO ALMORZAR TUS HIJOS? ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEA. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER [04:40:01] FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS. AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAD MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN ESCALANTE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT. YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH. HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE FOR A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. HELLO. I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST. ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD. OBVIOUSLY AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN. HAVE FUN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND THE DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED. HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS. THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED. AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL [04:45:02] HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO. AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWER, CAFES AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY. WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS. AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN. SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS, WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON [04:50:02] SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. [04:55:19] IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE, SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. QUÉ SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS? ADEMAS DE LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID 19. LA VACUNA COVID DIECINUEVE IS GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINA DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM. SABEMOS CUANTO A MAS DE TUS HIJOS? ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE FOR A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. HELLO I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST. ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACH ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, [05:00:02] TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN. HAVE FUN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT. THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED. HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT IS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ■ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTH CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES, AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, [05:05:03] EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING. NOWADAYS, THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE. WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING. HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. [05:12:54] IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE, SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. QUÉ SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS? ADEMAS DE LA VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS. AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID 19. LA VACUNA COVID DIECINUEVE IS GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH PUNTO COM SABEMOS CUANTO A MAS A TUS HIJOS? ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. [05:15:04] WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT. AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES. I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK, THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M. I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING, YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. HELLO I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY AT THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN. HAVE FUN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED. HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE [05:20:03] COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES AND OF COURSE, THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING. NOWADAYS, THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING, AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL SAN ELIZARIO THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY, AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE. WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU [05:25:03] CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. RIGHT. [05:30:29] IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I AM CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE. SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS ADEMAS DE LA VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAYORES DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID 19. LA VACUNA COVID DIECINUEVE GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINA DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH PUNTO COM SABEMOS CUANTO MAS A TUS HIJOS, ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACCINATE. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON. IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS. AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAD MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SKELETON PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNO, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE. ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EL PASO. HELLO. I. THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST [05:35:04] AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY AT THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FAN, IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN. HAVE FUN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY. KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED. HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT IS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE ENHANCED. AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW, AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED A. BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO. AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWER, CAFES AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING [05:40:07] ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN ELIZARIO WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY. WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS. AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN. SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS, WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. [05:46:20] NOW. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.