Feb 03, 2025 Commissioners Court Regular

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HEY. HEY, HEY.

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OKAY? OKAY. OKAY, OKAY.

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FROM INSIDE THE ALICIA CHACON COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

YOU ARE WATCHING THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TODAY IS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 2025.

COMMISSIONERS COURT IS MEETING IN REGULAR OPEN SESSION.

THIS MORNING WE'RE JOINED BY ASL INTERPRETERS TAMARA MARQUEZ AND DARIO GARCIA.

COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE THIS MORNING'S PLEDGE GROUP? YES.

[1. OPEN MEETING]

SO I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR BEING AVAILABLE. AND THEN OF COURSE, ALSO THANK THEIR ADVISOR, MR. GILBERT WEIDNER FOR EVERYTHING THAT HE DID TO HELP US GET THIS ORGANIZED.

[2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. PLEASE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

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PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HAVE YOU GOT US UP QUICK? THANK YOU. GOODBYE.

THANK YOU. GOODBYE. NEXT WILL RECEIVE AN INVOCATION FROM CHAPLAIN DAVID MAYFIELD, CHAPLAIN FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WELCOME, CHAPLAIN. BEGIN BY SAYING THANK YOU.

JUDGE SAMANIEGO, COMMISSIONERS, FOR ALLOWING ME THE PRIVILEGE OF SHARING AND PRAYER FOR THIS BODY AND FOR OUR

[3. INVOCATION]

HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH HUMBLE HEARTS, GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ASK FOR YOUR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AS WE CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES ENTRUSTED TO US.

HELP US TO LEAD NOT WITH POWER, BUT WITH A SPIRIT OF SERVICE, SEEKING THE GOOD OF ALL BEFORE THE INTERESTS OF A FEW.

GRANT US CLARITY IN OUR DECISIONS, PATIENCE IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, AND INTEGRITY IN OUR ACTIONS.

MAY WE LISTEN WITH OPEN HEARTS, SPEAK WITH KINDNESS, AND ACT WITH JUSTICE.

LET US BE REMINDED THAT TRUE LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT STATUS OR RECOGNITION, BUT ABOUT LIFTING OTHERS UP, PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE, AND WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD.

BLESS THIS MEETING, LORD, AND THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

MAY ALL THAT WE DO HERE TODAY BE DONE WITH FAIRNESS, WISDOM, AND A SINCERE DESIRE TO BRING POSITIVE CHANGE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ASK ALL OF THIS IN YOUR HOLY NAME. AMEN. AMEN.

CHAPLAIN, IT'S ACTUALLY OUR PRIVILEGE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME. THANK YOU. JUDGE, DO YOU HAVE SOME OPENING STATEMENTS FOR US THIS MORNING? YEAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A FULL HOUSE THE WAY WE WE LIKE TO HAVE COMMISSIONERS COURT JUST TO, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE INVOLVED AND BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT GOVERNMENT IS ALL ABOUT.

BUT THE RESOLUTIONS OBVIOUSLY ARE SOMETHING JUST AMAZING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

SO ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR COMMISSIONERS, WE WELCOME YOU.

I KNOW THESE ARE YOU'LL SEE FROM THE RESOLUTIONS AND SOME OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WE'LL BE HAVING, THAT WE ARE A VERY DIFFERENT COMMUNITY. AND I THINK I CONTINUE TO SAY WE'RE THE STRONGHOLD OF BEING AS HUMANE AND WELCOMING AS A COMMUNITY. I THINK WE'LL FIND LATER ON. RIGHT NOW, THERE MIGHT BE CONTROVERSY AS TO HOW WE DO THINGS AND HOW WE APPROACH THINGS, BUT I THINK IN THE LONG RUN, YOU'LL SEE THAT THIS IS THIS IS EL PASO.

I BELIEVE WE'RE REALLY STILL THE ALL-AMERICAN CITY THAT WE STILL BELIEVE IN, IN THE CONSTITUTION.

WE STILL BELIEVE IN THE DIFFERENT BRANCHES THAT THAT GOVERN US AND THAT WE NEED TO PROTECT THOSE, THOSE BRANCHES AND HOW WE EVOLVED. RIGHT NOW, THE REASON WE'RE FREE AND SAFE IS, IS BECAUSE OF OF THE FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING FOR YEARS AND YEARS. SO I THANK YOU FOR FOR BEING HERE.

AND I THANK YOU AS A COMMUNITY, REALLY APPROACHING THE FACT THAT THE FAMILY AND I'M GOING TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE, YOU KNOW, THE FAMILY IS SO IMPORTANT AND WE'RE HAVING SORT OF DIVISIONS EVEN IN FAMILY, AND WE COULD JUST TAKE ALL THE THE POLITICS OUT OF OUR FAMILY LIFE AND OUR FRIENDSHIPS AND JUST BE WHO WE WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN HERE IN EL PASO.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. YOU'RE GOING TO BE PRETTY EXCITED.

THE RESOLUTION, LIKE I SAID, ARE VERY, YOU KNOW, VERY A GREAT WAY TO EXPRESS ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE. OUR DAR THANK YOU FOR FOR BEING HERE AS WELL AND OTHERS.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

GOD BLESS YOU TODAY AND ALL WEEK LONG AND ALL WEEK.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS THE CONSENT AGENDA COMPOSED OF ITEMS FOR A THROUGH 4AE.

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ITEM FOUR M SHOULD READ. RESCIND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ORDER OF DECEMBER 9TH, 2024, ITEM NUMBER FOUR ARE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA TO

[4. CONSENT AGENDA]

FUNDS WILL BE DEPOSITED IN GENERAL FUND. GOLF COURSE LESSONS CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0468.

FURTHER APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE REVISED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS AND EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR THE USE OF THE GOLF COURSE FOR YOUTH AND ADULT CLASSES WITH THE ASCARATE AT THE GOLF COURSE.

PGA PROFESSIONAL FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2025, AT A RATE OF $45 PER YOUTH STUDENT AND $69 PER ADULT, STUDENT FUNDS WILL BE DEPOSITED IN GENERAL FUND.

GOLF COURSE LESSONS CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0468.

AND WE ALSO HAVE A REQUEST TO DELETE ITEM 40 FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

THAT ITEM SHOULD READ THAT ITEM READS APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE EL PASO COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT MONETARY DONATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF SCOREBOARDS TO BE SET UP AND USED IN THE EL PASO COUNTY PARKS FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.

PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 81.032.

ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT MEMBERS OF THE COURT OR THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? COMMISSIONERS.

MOVE TO APPROVE. OH. I'M SORRY. DID YOU KNOW? JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT ON ITEM H THAT OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS HERE TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM.

I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT IT PULLED, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IT.

IT'S THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COUNTY OF EL PASO AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, BOTH THE SHERIFF'S AND THE EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL FAMILY VIOLENCE, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE THIS COLLABORATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF VICTIMS OF THESE OFFENSES.

SO THANK YOU, MR. DA, FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

APPRECIATE THAT. I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.

WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO.

THE VOTING IS OPEN. AND MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

CESAR. THANK YOU.

JUDGE, WITH YOUR PERMISSION, WE'LL JUMP AHEAD TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. ITEM NUMBER SIX IS PUBLIC COMMENT. WE DO HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS SIGNED UP.

WE FIRST WE HAVE MR. JAMES MONTOYA.

[6. PUBLIC COMMENT]

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AND IT EVOLVED DURING THE COURSE OF JAIME ESPARZA'S TENURE AS DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART IT, A 24 HOUR CONTACT PROGRAM WHICH SOMEONE FROM OUR OFFICE, A VICTIM ADVOCATE AND AN INVESTIGATOR.

THE GOAL IS FOR THEM TO MAKE CONTACT WITH A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE ASSAULTS OR THE ALLEGED ASSAULT, THE INCIDENT HAPPENING SO THAT WE CAN GET IN THERE AND INFORM THESE VICTIMS OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM TO TRY TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE.

IT'S SOMETHING I WAS VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF MANY YEARS AGO.

VERY PROUD TO TO RESTARTING. NOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT EVERY SINGLE DAY THE WAY WE USED TO PREVIOUSLY.

MY HOPE IS EVENTUALLY WE WILL ACHIEVE THAT LEVEL OF FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

BUT FOR NOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO START DOING THAT ON ON CERTAIN DAYS AND EVENTUALLY WORK OUR WAY UP.

I ALSO JUST WANTED TO SPEAK VERY BRIEFLY IN SUPPORT WORD OF THE TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS RESOLUTION.

YOU KNOW, ONE INTIMATE PARTNER HOMICIDE IS ONE TOO MANY.

IT STARTS VERY, VERY YOUNG. WE NEED TO LET YOUNG FOLKS KNOW THAT THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IN DATING AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS IS JUST TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, AND IT STARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS. BIG, BIG FAN OF THE CENTER, THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO.

BIG FAN AND SUPPORTER OF THE HARD WORK THAT JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP DOES.

AND SO I HEARTILY ENDORSE THAT RESOLUTION. AND I ALSO HEARTILY SUPPORT THE DIGNITY FOR ALL RESOLUTION THAT YOU ALL BE TAKING UP VERY SHORTLY.

YOU KNOW, I THINK I READ THE RESOLUTION. I THINK IT'S ENTIRELY FACTUALLY ACCURATE.

I COMPLETELY SUPPORT IT. YOU KNOW, I'M COMMITTED THAT WE WILL PURSUE JUSTICE FOR THOSE ACCUSED OF CRIMES AND VICTIMS OF CRIME, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RELIGION, RACE, COLOR, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR CITIZENSHIP STATUS HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY.

THAT'S A THAT'S A COMMITMENT THAT YOU CAN RECEIVE FROM ME. WE WILL PURSUE JUSTICE FOR ALL NO MATTER WHAT.

AND SO BIG, BIG SUPPORTER OF BOTH RESOLUTIONS.

I CAN'T STICK AROUND. THERE'S A TON OF WORK IN THE DA'S OFFICE.

STILL STILL GOING ON? I KNOW I'VE BRIEFED YOU ALL ABOUT IT, BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE.

SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JUDGE. THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MISS ELIZABETH CRAWFORD. GOOD MORNING ELIZABETH.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. FEBRUARY.

AS WE KNOW, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

I'VE REALLY ENJOYED READING MANY OF THE QUOTES OF WELL-KNOWN BLACK AMERICANS, MEN AND WOMEN OVER THE CENTURIES.

BOOKER T WASHINGTON, WHO FOUNDED THE TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE IN ALABAMA, SAID, QUOTE, A LIE DOESN'T BECOME TRUTH, WRONG DOESN'T BECOME RIGHT, AND EVIL DOESN'T BECOME GOOD JUST BECAUSE IT'S ACCEPTED BY A MAJORITY.

HE ALSO STATED A PERSON SHOULD GET INTO THE HABIT OF READING HIS BIBLE AND THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

WE READ THESE WORDS BY THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. THEN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO ME, SAYING, BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE BELLY, I KNEW YOU.

AND BEFORE YOU CAME FORTH OUT OF THE WOMB, I SANCTIFIED YOU, AND I ORDAINED YOU A PROPHET UNTO THE NATIONS.

SINCE THE PASSING OF ABORTION BANS IN A NUMBER OF STATES, WE'VE HEARD ACCOUNT AFTER ACCOUNT COME OUT IN THE NEWS, A NUMBER OF THEM IN TEXAS ALLEGING THAT WOMEN ARE LOSING THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF ABORTION BANS.

I RECENTLY READ ONLINE ABOUT FORREST SMITH, A FORMER ABORTIONIST WHO IS NO LONGER IN THE INDUSTRY.

HE'S COME OUT WITH STATEMENTS EXPOSING WHAT'S GOING ON, CORROBORATED BY OTHER FORMER ABORTIONISTS SUCH AS THE DOCTORS ANTHONY LEVATINO AND BEVERLY MCMILLAN. I REGULARLY GO ON TO LIFE NEWS AND LIFESITE NEWS, AND THEY PROVIDED CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FORREST SMITH, AND I WAS ABLE TO ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH HIM AND HAVE SOME DIALOG WITH HIM.

HE WAS A CALIFORNIA ABORTIONIST WHO REPORTEDLY PERFORMED OVER 50,000 ABORTIONS IN HIS 54 YEAR CAREER.

HE STATED THAT THESE LATE TERM ABORTIONS, QUOTE, NECESSARY TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER, ARE NOT NECESSARY. SARAH SMITH SPOKE OF VIABLE PREGNANCIES AND HE STATED, QUOTE, WE CAN SAVE THESE BABIES.

WE HAVE THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT ANY CHILD BORN, EVEN PREMATURELY, CAN RECEIVE THE CARE THEY NEED. HE EMPHASIZED THAT THE LIVES OF BOTH WOMEN AND BABIES IN VIABLE PREGNANCIES CAN BE RESPECTED BY THE DOCTOR.

SOME EXAMPLES. A LADY IN TEXAS CAME FORWARD WITH A STORY OF HOW HORRIBLE THE TEXAS LAWS ARE, BECAUSE SHE WAS HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS LATE IN HER PREGNANCY AND HAD TO TREK TO ANOTHER STATE TO HAVE AN ABORTION.

THAT IS THE RHETORIC AROUND SO MANY OF THESE CASES.

THE PROBLEM IS IT'S NOT TRUE. A MOTHER'S HEALTH PROBLEMS AND A LATE TERM PREGNANCY DO NOT NECESSITATE AN ABORTION.

MEDICAL INTERVENTION. GOOD EARLY DELIVERY IS NECESSARY.

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WHAT ABOUT TWINS? WHEN THE MOTHER IS TOLD THAT ONE TWIN IS GOING TO ENDANGER BOTH HER LIFE AND THE LIFE OF THE OTHER TWIN? NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WEBSITE. 2019 DELAYED INTERVAL DELIVERY OF TWINS C-SECTION, A PROCEDURE IN WHICH ONE TWIN GETS DELIVERED VIA C-SECTION.

THE OTHER BABY CAN STAY IN THE WOMB LONGER. THE MAINSTREAM MEDICAL COMMUNITY IS OFTEN QUICK TO RECOMMEND ABORTION INSTEAD OF LIFE SAVING ALTERNATIVES.

HAVE THERE BEEN CASES OF NEGLIGENT MEDICAL CARE WITH MISCARRIAGES SINCE ABORTION BANS HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT? YES, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FEAR STOKED BY MAINSTREAM MEDIA WITH FALSE INFORMATION, BUT THE RIGHT SOLUTION IS NOT TO CHANGE THE ABORTION BAN.

THE RIGHT SOLUTION IS TO CORRECTLY EDUCATE THOSE IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION THAT DOCTORS WILL NOT BE PROSECUTED FOR PROVIDING CARE AFTER A MISCARRIAGE.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF EXAMPLE OF FALSE REPORTING. A LADY IN GEORGIA REPORTED TO HAVE DIED FROM AN INFECTION.

THE NARRATIVE WAS THAT THE PRO-LIFE LAWS WERE TO BLAME BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T GET ADEQUATE TREATMENT AT THE HOSPITAL. WHAT THEY FAILED TO REPORT, OR ONLY WHISPERED IN THE REPORT, IS THAT SHE TOOK AN ABORTION PILL, AND ISSUES RELATED TO THAT ABORTION PILL CAUSE CAUSE HER HER INFECTION. IN SPEAKING WITH YOUNG COUPLES OUTSIDE ABORTION CENTERS, I FOUND THAT ALMOST EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS I HAVE TO ABORT THIS BABY TO SAVE MY LIFE.

ALMOST EVERY TIME WHEN I. WHEN WE ASK A FEW MORE QUESTIONS, IT'S EITHER ONE OF TWO THINGS.

EITHER THE PERSON IS SAYING THAT BECAUSE IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT REASON AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

FOR EXAMPLE, WITH ASIAN FAMILIES, IT'S OFTEN THAT THEY WANT A LITTLE BOY, NOT A LITTLE GIRL.

SO IT'S ABORTION BECAUSE OF HER GENDER. OR THE MOM WAS TOLD SHE NEEDS TO GO ON BED REST AND FEEL SHE CAN'T DO IT.

WHEN IT'S THAT SECOND REASON, IT THEN BECOMES OUR OBLIGATION AS PRO-LIFE CHRISTIANS TO DO WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP THAT YOUNG LADY IF SHE IS SHE IS WILLING TO REST FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT PREGNANCY. TRUTH MATTERS AND HALF TRUTHS ARE TRUTH.

MANIPULATED IS NO LONGER TRUTH. AS A WELL-KNOWN BLACK SCIENTIST, GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER FIRMLY BELIEVES, SCIENCE AND FAITH ARE NOT AT ODDS. TRUE SCIENCE AND FAITH IN GOD'S TRUTH GO HAND IN HAND.

IF WE, AS PRO-LIFERS ARE IN IT MERELY FOR EMOTIONAL REASONS, WE SHOULD JUST QUIT NOW.

WHAT WE ARE SAYING MUST BE BASED ON FACT AND IT MUST BE TRUTH.

AND SPEAKING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE, IN WHOM IN CHRIST ARE HID ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD DAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU ELIZABETH. NEXT WE HAVE MISS DIANA DE ORO.

HI. GOOD MORNING. WELCOME, DIANA. THANK YOU SIR.

SO MY NAME IS DIANA GUERRERO. I'M A RESIDENT OF LAS COLONIAS.

I AM HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY NOT ONLY ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, BUT FOR THE MANY HARD WORKING, EDUCATED PEOPLE WHO CALL THIS COMMUNITY HOME.

WE ARE FACING SERIOUS CHALLENGES THAT NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, AND I AM ASKING YOU AS OUR LEADERS TO ACT NOW.

WE LIVE IN AN AREA WITH NO ZONING LAWS, AND AS A RESULT, BUSINESSES ARE ENCROACHING INTO RESIDENTIAL AREAS, CREATING A CHAOTIC AND UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT. WE'RE DEALING WITH NOISE FROM BUSINESSES THAT DON'T BELONG IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

BIG TRUCKS SPEEDING THROUGH RESIDENTIAL STREETS.

PUTTING OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT RISK. HAZARDOUS HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS SUCH AS ILLEGAL UTILITY POLES TO ACCOMMODATE TRUCKS LIKE THE ONE NEARBY RESIDENT RECENTLY PUT UP, ENDANGERING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

IT FEELS LIKE WE ARE LIVING IN A IN A LAWLESS PLACE AND THIS IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE.

IT'S 2025. WE LIVE IN AN ERA THAT IS MORE ADVANCED, MORE SOPHISTICATED, AND EL PASO IS GROWING RAPIDLY.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE LIVING THESE UNDER THESE OUTDATED CONDITIONS.

WE ARE NOT LOW CLASS, UNEDUCATED MIGRANTS. WE ARE EDUCATED, HARD WORKING PEOPLE WHO HAVE INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE DESERVE THE SAME PROTECTION, SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AS ANY PART OF THE CITY.

WE ARE ASKING FOR ZONING TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THESE AREAS WHERE HOMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN BUILT, TO DESIGNATE THEM AS RESIDENTIAL ONLY. THIS IS NOT ABOUT STREET LIGHTS OR PARKS.

THIS IS ABOUT LAW THAT WILL PROTECT US AND PRESERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON PROJECTS LIKE RENOVATING THE COLISEUM.

I URGE YOU TO DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THINGS THAT MATTER MOST ZONING THESE AREAS PROPERLY AND SECURING FUNDING FOR A PROPER SEWER SYSTEM. OUR SEPTIC TANKS ARE OUTDATED AND THE SMELL OF FUMES IS NOT JUST AN INCONVENIENCE, IT'S A HEALTH HAZARD. IF YOU'VE BEEN IN OFFICE FOR MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AND HAVEN'T ADDRESSED THESE ISSUES,

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BUT IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO YET, PERHAPS IT'S TIME TO CONSIDER THAT NEW LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED.

WE KNOW HOW TO ORGANIZE AND WE KNOW HOW TO VOTE THE SAME WAY WE FOUGHT FOR WATER IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WE WILL FIGHT TO MAKE SURE THESE ISSUES, ZONING AND SEWER SYSTEMS ARE FINALLY ADDRESSED.

WE ARE IN 2025 AND EL PASO IS GROWING QUICKLY.

WE CAN NO LONGER WAIT FOR CHANGE TO HAPPEN SOMEDAY.

WE NEED ACTION NOW. NOT IN YEARS TO COME. AS YOUR CONSTITUENTS, WE DESERVE TO LIVE IN A SAFE, REGULATED ENVIRONMENT. WE NEED ZONING FOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND WE NEED SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WE NEED REAL PROTECTION FROM BUSINESSES THAT DON'T BELONG IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING SWIFT, MEANINGFUL ACTION TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER, SAFER PLACE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU DANA. THAT COMPLETES THE REGULAR PORTION OF PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU SIR. JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE ON TO ITEM SEVEN? EIGHT. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN A FROM THE REGULAR AGENDA.

APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO REAFFIRM EL PASO COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO RESPECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF ALL PERSONS WITHIN THE COUNTY AND TO SEEK DIGNIFIED TREATMENT FOR ALL. WE DO ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS ITEM AS WELL.

[A. Approve and adopt a resolution to reaffirm El Paso County’s commitment to respect the constitutional rights of all persons within the County and to seek dignified treatment for all. Christina Sanchez, County Attorney, County Attorney's Office, 915-273-3247]

COMMISSIONERS CHRISTINA SANCHEZ, EL PASO COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COURT, I WENT AHEAD AND POSTED THIS ITEM.

OF COURSE, WE INCORPORATED VARIOUS COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AS WELL INTO THE.

TO THE RESOLUTION. JUDGE, I UNDERSTAND YOU WANTED TO READ THE RESOLUTION OR HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO HANDLE THAT? OH. THANK YOU. AND VERY DIRECTLY, THIS IS ME READING IT JUST BECAUSE I'M PRESIDING.

BUT IT'S BASED ON ON ALL OUR COMMISSIONERS. SO I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME.

EL PASO COUNTY IS A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENCOMPASSING FOUR CITIES, TWO TOWNS, ONE VILLAGE, 13 UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES, AND ONE NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATION, AS WELL AS A SHARED BORDER WITH THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AND CIUDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO, WHERE EL PASO IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED AS THE LARGEST U.S.

CITY ALONG THE TEXAS-MEXICO MEXICO BORDER, AND HAS LONG BEEN A KEY SITE OF IMMIGRATION BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES FOR IMMIGRANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

HISTORICALLY, IT HAS BEEN SERVED AS A MAJOR GATEWAY FOR TRADE TRAVEL MIGRATION, WHICH HAS SHAPED ITS IDENTITY AS A DIVERSE AND BINATIONAL COMMUNITY.

THE REGION'S ROLE AS A PASSAGEWAY DATES BACK CENTURIES, FROM INDIGENOUS TRADE ROUTES TO SPANISH COLONIZATION, AND LATER AS A CRITICAL STOP FOR MIGRANTS TRAVELING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.

WHEREAS EL PASO IS A MICROCOSM OF THE BROADER IMMIGRATION EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA, SHOWCASING THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMMIGRANTS, THE CULTURAL BLENDING OF TWO NATIONS, AND THE REALITIES OF NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES.

WHEREAS IMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANT HOUSEHOLDS PLAY A VARIED AND WIDE ROLE, VITAL ROLE IN THE COUNTY, DEVELOPING CAREERS, DRIVING INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND REINVESTING IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

AND WHEREAS EL PASO COUNTY IS MADE UP OF MIXED STATUS FAMILIES, WITH UNITED STATES CITIZENS LIVING WITH UNDOCUMENTED FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE THEIR FATHERS, MOTHERS, SIBLINGS, AND CHILDREN. WHEREAS EACH PERSON WITHIN EL PASO COUNTY'S COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF NATIONAL ORIGIN OR IMMIGRATION STATUS, IS GUARANTEED RIGHTS UNDER THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

AND WHEREAS THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION'S ATTEMPT TO UNILATERALLY OVERHAUL U.S.

IMMIGRATION POLICY AND BORDER SECURITY WILL RESULT IN FURTHER MILITARIZATION OF COMMUNITIES LIKE EL PASO AND LIKELY LEAD TO THE ILLEGAL PROFILING OF RESIDENTS OF HISPANIC DESCENT. THESE ACTIONS POSE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND LEGAL CHALLENGES AND HAVE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE IRREPARABLE HARM TO THE ECONOMY AND SOCIAL FABRIC OF THIS COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS THIS WAS THIS FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION'S ATTEMPT TO SCAPEGOAT ALL IMMIGRANTS FOR THE ACTIONS OF A FEW WILL UNDERMINE THE PUBLIC'S TRUST IN GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, MAKING IT LESS LIKELY THAT THE PUBLIC WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE REPORTING CRIME AND COOPERATING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WHERE IS EL PASO COUNTY? AFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO SPEAKING OUT AND AGAINST UNLAWFUL ACTIONS,

[00:40:05]

WHEREAS EL PASO COUNTY ABIDES BY LOCAL AND STATE LAWS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

WE AFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AGAINST UNJUST DISCRIMINATION AND ABUSE AT THE HANDS OF GOVERNMENT.

WHEREAS BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF TEXAS HAVE RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT PROTECT THE ABILITY OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO SERVE THEIR JURISDICTION AND PROTECT AGAINST THE CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT THAT ABUSES ITS POWER TO THE DETRIMENT OF RESIDENTS OF A SMALL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT.

WHEREAS THE BORDER IN MODERN HISTORY HAS NEVER BEEN OPEN, WITH THE US SPENDING BILLIONS AND THOUSANDS OF PERSONNEL IN THE DECADES SINCE, THE BORDER SECURITY BUILDUP BEGINNING IN THE 1990S UNDER THEN PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON EXPANDED WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE ADMINISTRATION, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS.

196 HUMAN BEINGS LOST THEIR LIVES IN EL PASO SECTOR IN 2024 ALONE, AND SAY VEHICLE PURSUITS ARE OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT BEST PRACTICES BASED ON PUBLIC AND OFFICER SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS WITHIN THE EL PASO COUNTY.

WHEREAS THE COUNTY OF EL PASO VIGOROUSLY PARTICIPATES IN MULTI-AGENCY OPERATIONS AGAINST IDENTIFIED CRIME THREATS AND UNDERSTANDS LAW ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES POSED BY CRIMINAL ELEMENTS OPERATING ACROSS COMMUNITIES, STATES AND NATIONAL BORDERS, BUT FINDS NO EVIDENCE THAT MIGRANTS POSE A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT THE EXECUTIVE OUTREACH, MISLEADING STATEMENTS, AND SOCIAL DISRUPTION AND HATRED TOWARD IMMIGRANTS.

WE ARE NOW SEEING WHEREAS IMMIGRANTS WHO COME TO THE UNITED STATES, WITH OR WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, HAVE LOWER RATES OF CRIME THAN NATIVE BORN CITIZENS, HIGHER RATES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND ENRICH OUR NATION ECONOMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND CULTURALLY. EL PASO IS PROUD TO STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF AMERICAN PRO-IMMIGRATION TRADITION.

INSTEAD OF SHADOWS OF FEAR AND NEGATIVISM, WAS EL PASO COUNTY HAS A DUTY TO BUILD A PROSPEROUS, HEALTHY, AND SAFE COMMUNITY BY VOICING THE CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE IT REPRESENTS.

AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO VOICE THE CONCERNS OF COMMUNITY, FOLLOWS THE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS, PARTICIPATES IN LEGITIMATE, TARGETED LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS TO ROOT OUT CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY. ALONGSIDE EL PASO COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REMAIN STEADFAST IN ITS COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND SEEKING REDRESS FROM THE COURTS TO REJECT MEASURES THAT UNDERMINE THOSE RIGHTS.

ALONGSIDE EL PASO COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REMAINS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT EL PASO COUNTY IS A COMMUNITY WHICH RESIDENTS KNOW THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS WILL BE RESPECTED AND WILL EXHAUST EVERY LEGAL AVENUE TO THAT END.

SIGN THIS THIRD DAY OF FEBRUARY 2023. SECOND.

WE HAVE THE MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER.

JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE THE VOTE? JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE THE VOTE, PLEASE? OKAY.

WE HAVE OUR FIRST SPEAKER, DYLAN CORBETT. AND I'D JUST LIKE TO REMIND SPEAKERS THAT PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES PER SPEAKER. EVERYBODY IS BEING TIMED.

THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

GOOD MORNING JUDGE. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL AND OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR BRINGING FORTH THIS RESOLUTION TODAY.

IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS DECLARED AN EMERGENCY HERE AT THE US-MEXICO BORDER AND ASYLUM DEPLOYED OVER 1000 MILITARY PERSONNEL TO THE BORDER.

FROZEN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AID THREATENED OUR BORDER.

NGOS ENGAGED IN HIGH PROFILE WORKPLACE AND NEIGHBORHOOD RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, MEANT TO SEND A MESSAGE OF FEAR, PRESSED MEXICO AND OTHER COUNTRIES INTO SERVICE TO DETAIN AND DEPORT MIGRANTS, ENDED LEGAL PATHWAYS FOR SAFE MIGRATION,

[00:45:03]

NOW, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH ALL THIS BEFORE. IN THE PAST, WE WERE ABLE TO DRAW ON OUR COMMUNITY'S UNIQUE IDENTITY, OUR STRENGTH AND OUR RESILIENCE. EL PASOANS FOUGHT BACK, RESISTING BY TAKING TO THE STREETS WITH HEROIC GESTURES OF HOSPITALITY, WORK TO PRESERVE OUR BINATIONAL IDENTITY AND GENEROUS ACTS OF LOVE.

THIS THIS TIME, WE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY DO THE SAME.

BUT THIS TIME THERE'S ALSO A DIFFERENCE. TODAY THAT EL PASO IDENTITY IS MORE UNDER THREAT.

SINCE THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION, TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS TAKEN POSSESSION OF OUR BORDER.

DPS VEHICLES HAVE MADE OUR HIGHWAYS LESS SAFE.

AND THERE'S BEEN A CONSTANT DRIP, DRIP, DRIP OF RACIST AND ANTI-IMMIGRANT RHETORIC WHICH HAS BEGUN TO BE NORMALIZED.

JUST LAST WEEK, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ALSO THREATENED TO PROSECUTE STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO REFUSE TO BACK THE PRESIDENT'S VILE DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN.

THE THREAT OF A SLIDE INTO FASCISM IS NO LONGER HYPERBOLE.

JUDGE, YOU MENTIONED FAMILIES IN YOUR OPENING REMARKS. IN OUR COUNTY, THERE ARE MANY FAMILIES WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE REALITY OF BEING WITHOUT DOCUMENTS.

ONE OUT OF THREE OF OUR UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY LIVES WITH A US CITIZEN CHILD.

70% OF OUR UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY HAS LIVED HERE MORE THAN TEN YEARS, AND MANY OF THEM FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

96% OF THEM ARE EMPLOYED, AND THEY PAY CLOSE TO $80 MILLION IN TAXES EACH YEAR.

A MASS DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN HERE IN OUR COUNTY WOULD BE AN ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE.

IT WOULD BE A SOCIAL CATASTROPHE. IT WOULD BE A FAMILY CATASTROPHE, AND IT WOULD BE A MORAL CATASTROPHE.

OUR COMMUNITY NOW, AND OUR ELECTED LEADERS, TOO, WILL BE CALLED UPON TO STEP UP LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

I WANT TO THANK JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY, SANCHEZ, FOR ACTING QUICKLY RECENTLY TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE REVERSAL OF THE SENSITIVE LOCATIONS POLICY. SUCH THINGS SHOULD NOT AND CANNOT BE NORMALIZED, AND IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT WE HOLD THE LINE WHERE WE CAN.

AND THERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO RESIST AS WELL. ONE, WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE ACCOUNT FOR THE HUMAN CONSEQUENCES OF A BORDER SEALED TO THE VULNERABLE BY ENSURING THAT OUR COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER ACCOUNTS, FORMERLY THE MIGRANT DEATHS THAT ARE OCCURRING HERE.

WE CANNOT ADDRESS THE CRISIS OF BORDER DEATHS IF WE CLOSE OUR EYES TO THEM.

IT'S IN YOUR POWER AS COMMISSIONERS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

TO TAKE LEADERSHIP AND TO BE THE FIRST COUNTY IN TEXAS TO MAKE TO TAKE MEANINGFUL ACTION ON THIS CRISIS.

TWO IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE OUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY CARDS AS VALID IDS, AND THAT WE WORK TO ENSURE THAT OUR SHERIFFS ARE FULLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPTIONS TO OFFER NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS PRE-ARREST DIVERSION TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE CROSSHAIRS OF ICE ENFORCEMENT. AND THREE FOLLOWING THE REVERSAL OF THE SENSITIVE LOCATIONS POLICY, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO SHOW LEADERSHIP BY MAKING THIS COURTHOUSE A SAFE PLACE. AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MANY VICTIMS IN THIS BUILDING EVEN RIGHT NOW, AND NOT ALL OF THEM WILL HAVE DOCUMENTS.

YOU CAN WORK NOW TO ENSURE THAT THE ENRIQUE MORENO COURTHOUSE REMAINS A SAFE PLACE.

BY ENSURING, FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE LAW AND YOUR AUTHORITIES, THAT ICE AGENTS NOT ENTER THIS BUILDING TO ENGAGE IN ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS WITHOUT A VALID JUDICIAL WARRANT. THIS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT STEP NOT ONLY FOR VICTIMS, BUT WILL SEND A STRONG MESSAGE OF LEADERSHIP AND SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS. I THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RESOLUTION TODAY.

LET'S HOPE THAT IT MATCHES THAT WE MATCH THE STRENGTH OF ITS WORDS WITH HARD AND COURAGEOUS WORK IN THE COMING DAYS, MONTHS AND YEARS. AND LET'S TAKE ACTION NOW TO ENSURE THAT WE NEVER NEGOTIATE AWAY WHAT MAKES OUR EL PASO COMMUNITY SPECIAL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE MR. FERNANDO GARCIA.

GOOD MORNING. FERNANDO. WELCOME. BUENOS DIAS.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. FERNANDO GARCIA I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BORDER NETWORK FOR NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

AND I WANT TO EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT. OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT ALSO RECOGNIZE THE EFFORT THAT YOU ARE DOING.

WE ARE IN THE VERGE OF A VIOLENT AND SYSTEMIC.

VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY, BUT SPECIFICALLY HERE IN EL PASO.

BECAUSE WE'RE A BORDER COMMUNITY AND THIS AGGRESSION IS COMING FROM UNFORTUNATELY.

FROM FROM A STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SCHOOLS AND CLINICS AND CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS HAVE BECOME THE TARGET OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT RAIDS. THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED.

[00:50:03]

WE HAVE CHILDREN THAT ARE AFRAID AND SCARED WITH A LOT OF ANXIETY ABOUT THE POTENTIAL RATE IN THEIR SCHOOL. UNDER THE ARGUMENT THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR CRIMINALS.

IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

EL PASO FAMILIES ARE LIVING WITH FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY OF A POTENTIAL FAMILY SEPARATION.

YOU KNOW THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR COMMUNITY IS PART OF A MIXED LEGAL STATUS FAMILY.

EL PASOANS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS, ARE CONCERNED.

CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL ILLEGAL ENTRIES, WHICH, BY THE WAY, WE ALREADY DOCUMENTED IN THE REGION.

THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ENTRIES IN THEIR WORKPLACES BEING RACIALLY PROFILED AND ILLEGALLY DETAINED.

AS WE SPEAK. THE BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IS CARRYING OUT DOZENS AND DOZENS, LITERALLY DOZENS OF KNOW YOUR RIGHTS FORUMS, WORKSHOPS, HOUSE MEETINGS TO GIVE OUR COMMUNITY THE TOOLS TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

AND I'M JUST GOING TO ASK SOME OF THESE LEADERS THAT ARE DOING THOSE PRESENTATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES DOING THIS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY ARE IN THE FRONT LINES OF DEFENDING THE RIGHTS. GRACIAS. FOR THAT REASON. AND FOR THOSE REASONS, BORDER NETWORK IS STRONGLY SUPPORT THE DIGNITY FOR ALL RESOLUTION. I THINK WE ARE VERY PROUD TO SEE THAT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO IS IN THE RIGHT PATH, IS IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY. IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, WE'RE GOING TO ORGANIZE A MAJOR COMMUNITY FAIR OPEN TO EVERY INSTITUTION, EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER TO GIVE, TO EXPAND THE TOOLS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE THEIR RIGHTS.

SO AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR THIS EFFORT. WE ARE JUST BEGINNING.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A VERY LONG RESISTANCE.

THANK YOU AGAIN. MUCHAS GRACIAS. THANK YOU.

NEXT WE HAVE MISS EDEN KLEIN.

GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. JUDGE.

MY NAME IS EDEN KLEIN. I'M HERE IN MY PERSONAL CAPACITY.

I'M A LOCAL ATTORNEY FOR LOW INCOME FOLKS IN THE EL PASO AND SURROUNDING AREAS, SPECIFICALLY SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

MANY OF MY CLIENTS ARE NOT CITIZENS, DON'T HAVE STATUS, AND ARE SEEKING SAFETY IN VARIOUS WAYS, AND I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW EVERYONE IN EL PASO THAT THEY ARE SAFE, THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTED, AND THAT THEY ARE CARED FOR IN ANY WAY WE CAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS FORWARD AND I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

DO WE HAVE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC? COMMENT. PLEASE APPROACH INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND THEN YOU'LL NEED TO SIGN A FORM AFTER YOU.

AFTER YOU SPEAK. WELCOME, MY GOOD FRIEND. BUENOS DIAS.

WELCOME. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. IT LET ME BEGIN BY THANKING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR THOSE KIND WORDS. THE RESOLUTION FROM OUR COMMISSIONER STOUTE.

IT SHOWS NOT ONLY THE HEART OF OF OF EL PASO, BUT IT DEMONSTRATES THE COURAGE THAT WE HAVE TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH AND STAND FOR THOSE WHO ARE WEAK. AND SO. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS TIMOTHY PERRY.

I DO PASTOR AT CHURCH NEW LIFE FAITH CENTER IN HORIZON CITY.

WE'RE GROWING, WE'RE GROWING, AND WE SEE AN IMPACT.

AND THE REASON I STAND HERE AND I'M COMMITTED TO STAY HERE IS BECAUSE A LEADER WITHIN THE FAITH COMMUNITY.

WE SEE PLACES OF WORSHIP NOT ONLY BEING TARNISHED, BUT WE ALSO SEE THE GREAT NEED OF FAMILIES NOT ONLY BEING DIVIDED.

LET ME JUST SHARE ONE TESTIMONY THAT I HAD TO EXPERIENCE.

ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM A FELLOW MEMBER OF ONE OF OUR SISTER CHURCHES IN THE AREA OF SOCORRO, AND THE PASTOR CAME UP TO ME BECAUSE HE KNOWS I'M VERY ACTIVE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, OF COURSE,

[00:55:03]

HE PICKED UP HIS MOM AND NOW HE'S AT MY CHURCH.

WHAT CAN I DO? WHAT SHOULD I DO? AND I THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE THIS SEAT AT THE TABLE.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE CONNECTIONS WITHIN RESOURCES.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO DIRECT HIM, PROVIDE HIM WITH SUPPORT.

AND THE TEN YEAR OLD. BUT THIS IS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT AS, AS A BELIEVER WITHIN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT, I SEE THIS THE ESSENTIAL OF OF BRINGING THIS IMPACT.

AND I AND I THANK YOU. THE RESOLUTION NOT ONLY STANDS FIRM OF WHAT THE COMMITMENT IS WITHIN THESE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, BUT IT ALSO PROVIDES A VOICE AND WITHIN THE FAITH COMMUNITY.

I ALWAYS COMMENT THIS WITHIN PASTORS. ABOUT A WEEK AGO, WE WERE ABLE TO GO TO THE STATE CAPITOL AND LEND AN EAR TO THOSE WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, BEING IMPACTED. AND I THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT'S THAT'S AHEAD OF US.

NOW, I DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE AUDIENCE, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

THE FAITH BASED COMMUNITY IS NOT ONLY PRAYING BECAUSE WE CAN PRAY ALL WE WANT, RIGHT? WE CAN. WE CAN SOUND PRAYERS. BUT IT'S TIME FOR ACTION.

I AND I ENCOURAGE MY FAITH LEADERS SO YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S TIME TO LIFT UP A VOICE. MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE KNOWN NOT ONLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, BUT YOU STAND FOR TRUTH.

SO. SO I THANK YOU. AND WITH THIS I LEAVE WITH CLOSING REMARKS.

I BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, YOUR FAMILIES, AND YOUR EYES ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

GOD BLESS THIS PASTOR. THANK YOU.

NEXT WE HAVE ANNA RESSA. WELCOME, ANNA. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS JUDGE, MY NAME IS ANNA RESSA AND I WORK FOR THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDE.

AND WE RAN A SHELTER FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS FOR THOSE THAT WERE SEEKING ASYLUM.

SO WE'VE SEEN I'VE SEEN OVER 1500 PEOPLE. AND I KNOW THAT ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT WE THAT WE SAW WERE FAMILIES AND PEOPLE THAT JUST WANTED COMPASSION AND LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR SITUATION. ALSO, IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MIXED STATUS THAT SOME ARE UNDOCUMENTED, SOME ARE, AND WE FACE THAT FEAR ALL THE TIME.

THINGS HAVE NOT BEEN RIGHT FOR A LONG TIME. THIS IS NOT A START.

IT'S JUST GETTING A LITTLE SCARIER. SO I'M GLAD THAT YOU ALL ARE STANDING, AND I HOPE THAT YOU REMEMBER AS THINGS, YOU KNOW, IF WE START SEEING STREET RELEASES, THAT WE STAND FOR OUR WORD AND OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY STAND FIRM.

AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELIANA, WHO IS OUR COMMISSIONER, FOR YOUR SUPPORT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US IN THE PAST.

BUT YES, THE GOVERNMENT, US WE SEEK THE DIGNITY OF PEOPLE.

WE ARE NOT CRIMINALS. THEY ARE NOT CRIMINALS.

THEY ARE JUST PEOPLE LIKE US TRYING TO BE BETTER AND TRYING TO FIND SECURITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT SUPPORT. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.

DO WE HAVE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC COMMENT? GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GLORIA BARRAGAN. I'M HERE TO THANK YOU FOR, AS A COUNTY, TAKING THE POSITION IN FAVOR OF JUST VERY THE VERY BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS THAT WE ARE ALL ENTITLED TO.

I THINK THAT IT IS A TIME NOW FOR US AS A COMMUNITY TO STOP FRETTING AND STOP AND START MOVING.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN WHATEVER IT IS WE HAVE TO DO TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS, AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE OUR COUNTY BEHIND US. SO THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. MA'AM.

MA'AM. WELCOME RABBI BEN ZEIDMAN SPEAKING ON MY OWN BEHALF, BUT WANT TO ECHO THE WORDS OF THE PREVIOUS FAITH LEADERS TO SAY, AND JUST TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THEIR WORDS SPEAK FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AS WELL.

AND ON BEHALF OF THE VALUES OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE MOST BROADLY.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE VARIOUS PEOPLE AND THE VARIOUS KINDS OF MINORITIES THAT ARE HERE IN EL PASO.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. ANYBODY ELSE? GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. HI. MY NAME IS JENNIFER BABBI.

I'M AN ATTORNEY. I'M THE LEGAL DIRECTOR WITH LAS AMERICAS IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY CENTER.

BUT I'M SPEAKING TODAY AS MYSELF AND IN MY PERSONAL CAPACITY, HAVING WORKED WITH THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS.

ONE, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SERIOUSNESS THAT YOU THAT YOU ALL ARE APPROACHING.

WHAT'S HAPPENING? I THINK IT'S NOT A SURPRISE THAT EL PASO IS GOING TO BE AT THE CENTER OF A LOT OF THE THEATER AND THE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS THAT ARE COMING OUT

[01:00:10]

AND I HOPE THAT THIS PARTNERSHIP AND THE WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE TO SEE HOW EL PASO CAN BE PROACTIVE TO SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

THIS WILL BE THE LAST CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

THANK YOU SUSAN. THAT CONCLUDES THE COMMENT. THANK YOU.

THE VOTING IS OPEN. THE MOTION CARRIES.

I THINK, COMMISSIONER, GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD. COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER STOUT, PLEASE. THANKS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER. AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE THE FOLKS WHO STOOD UP AND SPOKE TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO WHO SHOWED UP FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

TO BACK US AS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN SHOWING THAT OUR COMMUNITY REALLY DOES ESPOUSE THESE VALUES THAT THAT WERE SET, THAT WERE SET FORTH IN THE RESOLUTION. I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THAT WE PROPOSE THIS RESOLUTION.

I WANT TO THANK, OF COURSE, MY STAFF, CITO NEGRON, AND COMMISSIONER CORONADO'S STAFF, MARTY NUNEZ, WHO TOGETHER WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY DRAFTED THE RESOLUTION, CAME UP WITH THE LANGUAGE FOR THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR FOR YOUR WORK. AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING THIS, THIS, THIS TYPE OF RESOLUTION.

IT'S A STATEMENT OF OUR VALUES. IT'S A STATEMENT OF TRUTH.

YOU KNOW, TODAY THE THE DEFENSE SECRETARY, THE NEW DEFENSE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES IS IN EL PASO.

AND WHETHER WHETHER IT COMES FROM HIM OR FROM THOSE WHO ARE AROUND HIM OR THERE'S THOSE EVEN SHARING NEWS ABOUT HIS VISIT.

WE CAN EXPECT MORE LIES ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY TO BE TOLD TODAY.

AND WE CANNOT BASE PUBLIC POLICY ON LIES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE EUROPEAN UNION MAY HAVE OPEN BORDERS, BUT WE DON'T. WE SEE THIS EVERY DAY.

WE LIVE HERE. WE KNOW THIS. AND THAT'S NOT EVEN SOMETHING THAT'S IN, IN IN OUR CONVERSATION.

SO WE'RE HERE STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER TO TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER.

AND WE'RE DOING MORE THAN JUST EXERCISING OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT.

WE ARE DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND OF OTHER LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE DONE THINGS AS A COUNTY, LIKE JOIN THE LAWSUIT AGAINST SB FOUR.

THE LAWSUIT OVER TAKING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP AWAY, WHICH IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT THAT WAS JUST ONE OF THE ATTEMPTS TO RULE BY FIAT.

BY THE WAY. AND THAT'S WHY WE STAND ALSO WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE ANNUNCIATION HOUSE HERE IN EL PASO.

AND THAT'S WHY WE INVESTIGATED BEST PRACTICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PURSUITS.

WE'VE WE'VE HAD IN EL PASO AND DIE BECAUSE OF UNSAFE AND UNNECESSARY CHASES AND MANY, MANY MORE TEXANS AS WELL.

AND THAT'S NOT TO MENTION THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED TRYING TO COME ACROSS THE BORDER HERE IN THIS AREA AND ALL ALONG THE BORDER WITH THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.

AND IT'S WHY WE ARE WORKING TO ASSIST HUMANITARIAN AID GROUPS TO COLLECT DATA ON MIGRANT DEATHS IN THE EL PASO SECTOR.

THESE ARE ALL LAWFUL ACTIONS. AND BECAUSE EL PASO COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO SETTING AN EXAMPLE OF LOCAL REPRESENTATION.

AND SO I THANK EVERYBODY FOR FOR YOUR FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

AND AS A COMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW. AND IT JUST MAKES ME MAKES ME FEEL.

MAKES ME FEEL GREAT. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER CORONADO.

THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. YOU KNOW WE ARE IN CERTAINLY SOME CHALLENGING TIMES.

[01:05:03]

I'M ASKING FOR AN APPEAL FROM OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND FROM OUR STATE GOVERNMENT THAT WHILE THESE NEW ORDERS AND THESE NEW THIS NEW LEGISLATION THAT'S PROPOSED, THAT WE HAVE AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH OUR GOVERNMENT, THAT THEY OPERATE IN GOOD FAITH WITH US UNTIL THE COURTS DECIDE THE LEGALITY OF SOME OF THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND SOME OF THIS LAW, WE DO HAVE A CONSTITUTION. WE DO HAVE A PROCESS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO TAKE CARE OF THESE MATTERS.

YOU KNOW WE. I THINK THIS COURT STANDS RESOLUTE.

EL PASO COMMUNITY OF EL PASO STANDS RESOLUTE THAT WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED.

AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE INTIMIDATED BY PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE INTIMIDATED TO ACT UNDER OUR LAWS, TO ADVOCATE FOR ACTIONS THAT ARE UNDER OUR LAWS AND UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION. WE STAND RESOLUTE AGAINST WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED, THAT IS, AGAINST OUR STANDING LAWS AND OUR STANDING CONSTITUTION. THERE SHOULD BE NO RETRIBUTION AGAINST ANYBODY WHO IS IN FAVOR OF UPHOLDING OUR LAWS, NOT ONLY IN OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT IN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT AND OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

I STAND RESOLUTE WITH THE REST OF THIS COURT, WITH OUR WITH OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS THE LAW OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD SOME CHALLENGES OVER THE LAST, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL YEARS.

ALL WE'RE ASKING IS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHILE WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THAT WE TREAT THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN DETENTION HUMANELY AND WITH DIGNITY. THAT'S WHAT OUR COUNTRY IS ABOUT.

THAT'S WHERE KNOWING ABOUT WORLDWIDE. AND WE SHOULD STAND UP FOR THAT.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH DOING THAT. YOU KNOW, AS WE SPEAK, LITERALLY THERE'S HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF TROOPS BEING SENT TO OUR BORDER. AND A LOT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE FILED FOR ASYLUM CLAIMS, THEY'RE DOING IT LEGALLY UNDER OUR LAWS. AND RATHER THAN SEND MORE RESOURCES LIKE MORE JUDGES, MORE AGENTS AT THE BORDER TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RESORTED TO SENDING TO MILITARIZE OUR BORDER.

YOU KNOW, YOU WANT YOU WANT TO STAND BY THE LAWS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS.

YOU KNOW, I URGE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET WITH THE CONGRESS TO SEND RESOURCES, GET MORE JUDGES, MORE AGENTS. IF YOU DON'T WANT SOME OF THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE APPLYING, SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE APPLYING UNDER OUR OWN LAWS LEGALLY TO WAIT SO LONG. THEN SEND RESOURCES TO THE BORDER TO DEAL EXACTLY WITH THAT.

UNDER OUR LAWS, I MEAN, IT'S HIGH TIME THAT OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDER DOING SOMETHING ABOUT OUR IMMIGRATION.

WE DON'T HAVE A CRISIS AT THE BORDER. WE HAVE A CRISIS IN OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WON'T ACT.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE. PEOPLE THAT WON'T SEND RESOURCES.

WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS FOR DECADES, AND THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO START.

WE NEED TO TREAT PEOPLE HUMANELY, LIKE WHAT OUR IDEALS TALK ABOUT, AND WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR THOSE IDEALS.

THE JUDGE I THANK THE COURT FOR STANDING BEHIND THIS RESOLUTION BEHIND OUR COMMUNITY.

AND AGAIN, WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THESE ACTIONS.

JUDGE. THANK YOU. THANK. YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER HOLGUIN THANK YOU. JUDGE. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO IS HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY AND THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS PRESENTED TODAY, THE ORGANIZATIONS, THE FAITH LEADERS THAT WE HEARD FROM.

YOU ALL ARE ON THE FRONT LINES. AND YOU SEE HOW THESE CHANGES, THESE DECREES, THESE UNLAWFUL ORDERS AFFECT OUR FAMILIES, IN OUR COMMUNITY EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY RESIDENT OF OUR COMMUNITY IS TREATED WITH

[01:10:07]

MORE THAN 20 YEARS. BORDER NETWORK. HOPE. BORDER INSTITUTE.

LAS AMERICAS. ESTRELLA DEL PASO. AND IT HAS TRULY BEEN AN HONOR TO WORK WITH SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE SO DEDICATED TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

BUT MORE THAN THAT, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR NOT BEING AFRAID TO BE AT THE FRONT LINES.

IT'S HEARTBREAKING THAT FOUR YEARS AGO OUR COMMUNITY WAS THE WAS GROUND ZERO FOR SOME OF THE MOST INHUMANE ACTIONS THAT WE'VE EVER SEEN TAKEN BY OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE AREA OF IMMIGRATION LAW.

AND IT'S EVEN MORE HEARTBREAKING THAT WE FIND OURSELVES HERE AGAIN.

BUT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE ORGANIZERS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, I KNOW THAT WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH IT.

WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS. SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR INCREDIBLY HARD WORK, FOR ALL OF YOUR DEDICATION, FOR YOUR COMMITMENT.

AND PLEASE KNOW THAT WE STAND BEHIND YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER.

BUTLER. THANK YOU. JUDGE. I, I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID, WHICH I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, FOR THE LEADERSHIP IN SPEAKING UP AND SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THESE POLICIES. THANK YOU TO OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND OUR DA FOR STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I THINK WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE HERE IN EL PASO TO TO HAVE A UNITED FRONT ON THIS.

AND I THINK THAT IT'S IT'S TIME FOR US TO TO SPEAK UP.

AND SO I'M GLAD THAT THAT WE ARE. WE HAVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TODAY WHO ARE LIVING IN FEAR AND IN SILENCE.

AND SO I THINK EVERY, EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS ROOM WHO'S HERE? ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO CAN'T BE HERE? WE TOOK AN OATH OF OFFICE, AND IT'S FRIEND OF MINE BECAUSE I JUST TOOK MINE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. AND OUR OATH WAS TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THE STATE. AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

AND SO I'M VERY THANKFUL TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

I'M THANKFUL TO EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM FOR YOUR COURAGE AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

AND AND I THINK NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION. AND, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU ON FINDING SOLUTIONS AND FOR PUSHING BACK AS MUCH AS WE CAN AGAINST UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTIONS THAT IMPACT ALL OF US.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. THIS IS SUCH A PROUD MOMENT FOR US, BECAUSE YOU MIGHT THINK THAT THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN EVERY COMMUNITY, BUT IT REALLY ISN'T. AND I THINK BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE, WE TALK ABOUT OUR UNIQUENESS AND OUR STRENGTHS AND OUR AND IT'S SORT OF DIFFICULT FOR US TO TAKE ON SUCH A TASK THAT OTHERS ARE NOT WILLING TO TAKE.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT. YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS WERE EMBOLDENED BECAUSE OF BY BEING PARDONED FOR THE WRONG THINGS.

WE'RE NOT EMBOLDENED BY EXTERNAL THINGS. I THINK WE'RE EMBOLDENED BY INSIDE OF US HAVING THAT SENSE OF UNITY, HAVING THAT SENSE OF PROTECTING. IT'S BEEN PART OF EL PASO.

I MEAN, I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE WERE EL PASO.

THIS WAS WHERE PEOPLE PASSED THROUGH A LOT OF OBVIOUSLY THEY STAYED HERE WITH US, BUT THEY PASSED THROUGH, AND NOW WE'RE BEING CALLED TO DO SOMETHING. I MEAN, WE HAVE TO BE THE ROLE MODEL.

WE'RE DOING WHAT MAYBE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING WHAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING.

BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S A COMMUNITY THAT COULD TAKE THAT LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY.

I WOULD BE CONCERNED IF THIS WAS NEW, IF WE WEREN'T UNDERSTANDING THINGS.

INDIVIDUALS LIKE FERNANDO AND OUR DIOCESE AND ALL ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, WE KNOW HOW TO DO THIS.

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT IF WE DON'T DO IT, LIKELY IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

[01:15:03]

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE NEED. WE NEED TO JUST LIKE THE HATRED SPREADS, YOU KNOW, JUST LIKE WE SEE HOW THAT HAPPENS.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN? BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TELLING OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW, WHAT TO DO WRONG AND WHAT NOT TO DO, AND ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.

AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT FULLY WE DON'T FULLY HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT BECAUSE THAT THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR US.

THAT MEANS THAT WE, EACH ONE OF US HAS TO REACH OUT TO THE FAMILY.

WE HAVE TO SPEAK OUT MUCH MORE. AND IT'S ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE NEGATIVE, THE EVIL, ARE MORE ARTICULATE.

THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT. WE HAVE TO BE MORE ARTICULATE ABOUT THE GOOD AND WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

AND I KNOW IT'S HEAVY SOMETIMES, AND I KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT IF, YOU KNOW, IT'S DIFFICULT TO SLEEP.

FOR ME, NOT KNOWING IF WE'RE GOING TO BE CAPABLE OF DOING THIS WHEN I SEE OTHER SITUATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS, YOU KNOW, ATTACKING US ON FACEBOOK ON VERY VARIOUS WAYS, ATTACKING US FOR SUPPORTING THIS.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S HELPING ME IS TO REALIZE THAT NOT EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY IS RESPECTING WHAT WE'RE RESPECTING, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO US TO GAIN MORE AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE TO SUPPORT US WITH THE PEOPLE WE HAVE NOW IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO REALLY TURN THINGS AROUND. SO I THANK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, COMMISSIONER STOUTE, COMMISSIONER CORONADO, FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER AND ALLOWING ME JUST TO ARTICULATE IT.

BUT IT'S REALLY THE PASSION. IF YOU IF YOU SEE OUR HISTORY AT COMMISSIONERS COURT, YOU'LL SEE THAT THAT THAT WE STAND UP FOR THAT.

AND I LIKE THE FACT THAT WE'RE ALL SAYING WE CAN'T BE INTIMIDATED.

YOU KNOW, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I'M HOPING, FOR EXAMPLE, I WAS HOPING MEXICO WOULD SHOW THE STRENGTH TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'RE WE'RE GOING TO STAND OUR GROUND.

BUT NOW THERE'S JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS AGO, WE HEARD THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE TROOPS COMING FROM MEXICO THIS WAY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GET MILITARIZED ON BOTH ENDS.

OUR ECONOMY DEPENDS ON THE FACT THAT EVERY TIME EVERY COMPANY COMES TO EL PASO, THEY ALWAYS TELL US THEY LOVE COMING HERE BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE.

I DON'T CARE IF IT'S AMAZON META. EVERY ONE OF THEM, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, THEY ALL TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT OUR PEOPLE ARE.

BUT WE CAN BE GREAT IF WE'RE IF WE'RE PUSHED DOWN, IF WE'RE LOOKED AT AS THIS COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE RUNNING ALL OVER OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, OPEN BORDERS, ALL OF THESE MISINFORMATION.

SO THIS IS A MOMENT, I CAN TELL YOU, THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK BACK TO THIS DAY.

AND IF WE DON'T HAVE TRACTION, IF WE DON'T MOVE THINGS FORWARD, I DOUBT THAT ANYBODY ELSE'S.

I HAVE SO MUCH FAITH IN THIS COMMUNITY. I HAVE SO MUCH FAITH IN THE PEOPLE.

WE'VE SEEN IT. I'VE SEEN IT IN THE PANDEMIC, HOW WE DEALT WITH THE PANDEMIC.

I SAW HOW WE DEALT WITH THINGS WITH THE WITH A WALMART SHOOTING.

HOW WE CAME TOGETHER. AND SO THIS IS OUR TIME AGAIN.

AND I KNOW IT'S OVERUSED, BUT IF NOT US, WHO? AND IF NOT NOW? WHEN? THIS IS THE MOMENT. THIS IS THE MOMENT WHERE WE REALLY BECOME THAT COMMUNITY THAT WE SAY WE ARE AND SHOW THE REST OF THE WORLD WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN WE GET UNITED.

SO I THANK YOU. I BELIEVE TREMENDOUSLY IN PRAYER.

I BELIEVE IN GOD, AND I'M BEING EMBOLDENED BY GOD, NOT BY AN INDIVIDUAL.

SO I THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU EACH AND EVERY ONE FOR WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO TO TO TAKE ON.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. JUDGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND I JUST WANT TO.

WE'D BE REMISS IF WE DON'T THANK THOSE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN PUTTING THIS FORWARD.

COMMISSIONER STOUT STAFF, MY STAFF. STUFF. AND, CHRISTINA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY, WHO'S BEEN STEADFAST THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY, AND, OF COURSE, OUR PARTNERS OUT IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE STANDING STRONG WITH US IN THIS EFFORT.

WHAT A GREAT THING TO SEE FROM OUR COMMUNITY THAT EVERYBODY IS, IS STANDING STRONG.

STANDING SOLID. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GET READY.

GET READY. SHE SAID. SHE SAID READY. SHE SAID.

SHE SAID. HEY. WE WILL TAKE A BREAK NOW AND WE'LL GO INTO THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

[01:20:03]

THANK YOU. JUDGE, WOULD THAT BE A 20 30 MINUTE BREAK? YES, PLEASE. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR 30 MINUTES.

IT IS 10:50 M.

[Recess - 1]

[01:25:20]

YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH. SO WE WILL BE LIVING WITH ACCEPTING THAT IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDINGS FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY. WITH THAT, IT'S ALREADY STARTED ALL RIGHT.

AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS.

TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

THREE. WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL IT WAS THIS AIRPORT'S LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S WOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS.

AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT.

SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL. AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUA DULCE, ESTRELLA GALLEGOS. THIS PARK, IN PARTICULAR ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS AND LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW, WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE,

[01:30:04]

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF PASCO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR. SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO COMING TO OUR PAST.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF. FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR CITIZENS ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN TO, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE. THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. ONE.

TWO. THREE. ARE YOU OKAY? THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED.

AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE. AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT.

AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING, AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR, FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA, ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE, AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL.

SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

IT WILL ALSO HAVE NATIVE LANDSCAPING, AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED DRAINAGE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD IT'S GOING IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE GOING TO THE TRAIL. FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING. YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M. SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40. SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING. YOU KNOW, SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

FROM STREET PAVING TO THE PARK TO THE LIGHTS TO EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE THAT MAKE CAN MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND REALLY, THIS IS WHAT EL PASO DESERVES.

[01:35:02]

THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LIGHTS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BOND AND TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

321. SO EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. ONE WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS LIT.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN THEY SAW OUR SPECIAL GUEST, WHICH WAS SANTA.

SO NOW WE HAVE A LONG LINE OF KIDS WAITING TO TELL SANTA WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE, WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO BE HAPPY, TO SEE SANTA GET THEIR PHOTO WITH HIM, GET TO SEE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SPECIAL TIME AND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES HERE IN EL PASO.

WHO. DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS? WE HAVE 70 DIFFERENT LIGHT DISPLAYS. WE HAVE A VARIETY. THERE'S INTERACTIVE LIGHTS AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH.

A LOT OF OUR LIGHTS ARE ON DISPLAY OR SOUND ACTIVATED.

SO AS WE APPROACH THEM, THEY COME ON. WE DO HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ALONG A LAKE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR CAR.

YOU CAN SEE THE DISPLAYS. I JUST HOPE FOLKS COME OUT AND ENJOY IT.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME. I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A FUN TIME FOR THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS THE FIRST ONE. OH, I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD COME AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY PRETTY NICE OUT HERE. MY HUSBAND SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND WE LOVE THE LIGHTS. A LITTLE SET UP FOR THE PICTURES AND IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY NICE.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE.

EL PASO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS, INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

WE'RE THE BEST COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST REGION.

SO WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING, AMAZING 2025.

[01:42:53]

YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH. SO WE'LL BE LIVING WITH ACCEPTING IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL IT WAS THIS AIRPORT'S LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DATE.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

[01:45:02]

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS.

AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT.

SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUADULCE ESTRELLA GALLEGOS IN. THIS PARK, IN PARTICULAR ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS AND LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW, WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE IT AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR, SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY. GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR CITIZENS, OUR YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN TO, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY.

AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL. WE ARE THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TWO AND THREE ARE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS.

[01:50:02]

AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE, AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE, TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING, AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE.

AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL. SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

IT WILL ALSO HAVE NATIVE LANDSCAPING. AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED DRAINAGE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD. IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE GOING TO THE TRAIL. FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING. YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M. SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40. SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING. YOU KNOW, SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

FROM STREET PAVING TO THE PARK TO THE LIGHTS TO EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE THAT MAKE CAN MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

HAPPENED.

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND REALLY, THIS IS WHAT EL PASO DESERVES.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE SEASON. THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR LAKE.

THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LIGHTS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BOND AND TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

321. SO EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. ONE WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS LIT.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN THEY SAW OUR SPECIAL GUEST, WHICH WAS SANTA.

SO NOW WE HAVE A LONG LINE OF KIDS WAITING TO TELL SANTA WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE, WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO BE HAPPY, TO SEE SANTA GET THEIR PHOTO WITH HIM, GET TO SEE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SPECIAL TIME AND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES HERE IN EL PASO.

WHO. DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS. WE HAVE 70 DIFFERENT LIGHT DISPLAYS. WE HAVE A VARIETY. THERE'S INTERACTIVE LIGHTS AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH.

A LOT OF OUR LIGHTS ARE ON DISPLAY OR SOUND ACTIVATED.

SO AS WE APPROACH THEM, THEY COME ON. WE DO HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ALONG A LAKE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR CAR.

YOU CAN SEE THE DISPLAYS. I JUST HOPE FOLKS COME OUT AND ENJOY IT.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME. I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A FUN TIME FOR THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS THE FIRST ONE I THINK, LIKE EVERYBODY SHOULD COME AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY NICE OUT HERE. MY HUSBAND SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND WE LOVE THE LIGHTS. A LITTLE SET UP FOR THE PICTURES AND IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY NICE.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE.

EL PASO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS, INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

WE'RE THE BEST COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST REGION.

SO WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING, AMAZING 2025.

[01:55:41]

[02:00:26]

YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH, IT'S ALL WE'VE BEEN LIVING WITH. IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

THREE. WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IT WAS THIS AIRPORT IS LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL, MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS.

AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT.

SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO. IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUA DULCE, ESTRELLA GALLEGOS IN. THIS PARK, IN PARTICULAR ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS AND LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW, WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

[02:05:01]

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR. SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR CITIZENS, OUR YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TWO AND THREE ARE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED.

AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE. AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE, TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING. AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE, AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL, SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

IT WILL ALSO HAVE NATIVE LANDSCAPING, AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED DRAINAGE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE GOING TO THE TRAIL. FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M. SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40, SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING, YOU KNOW? SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

FROM STREET PAVING TO THE PARK TO THE LIGHTS TO EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE THAT MAKE CAN MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

[02:10:06]

HE HAS TO CATCH A FLIGHT TO AUSTIN, AND SO HE LEFT ME IN CHARGE, UNFORTUNATELY FOR ALL OF YOU, BUT BUT WE'LL WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

CESAR. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION.

[A. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing ​t​​​​he Spartan Marching Band from Pebble Hills High School in making history as the first marching band from El Paso, Texas to participate in the iconic Rose Parade, which marked its 136th year. Jackie Butler, Commissioner, Precinct 1, 915-273-3594]

A FROM RESOLUTIONS. APPROVE PROVEN ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SPARTAN MARCHING BAND FROM PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL IN MAKING HISTORY AS THE FIRST MARCHING BAND FROM EL PASO, TEXAS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ICONIC ROSE PARADE, WHICH MARKED ITS 136TH YEAR.

MR. BUTLER. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION, MY VERY FIRST RESOLUTION EVER. AND IT'S VERY APPROPRIATE.

AS A FORMER MARCHING BAND STUDENT MYSELF, I'M VERY PROUD TO TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL.

I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION, AND I'LL ASK OUR REPRESENTATIVES FROM PEBBLE HILLS TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM.

I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF EL PASO AND CITY REPRESENTATIVE IVAN NINO, WHO WILL BE PRESENTING A PROCLAMATION TO THE THE SCHOOL TOMORROW AT CITY HALL.

AND THEN WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE RECOGNIZING ALL OF THE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES LATER THIS WEEK AT PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL.

GABBY GABRIEL IS HERE ON BEHALF OF REPRESENTATIVE IVAN NINO.

AND AND SO I'LL ASK YOU TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM AND I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. WHEREAS THE PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SPARTAN MARCHING BAND, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BAND DIRECTOR MAXIMO SIERRA, HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL TALENT, DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE, CULMINATING IN THEIR SELECTION TO PERFORM IN THE 136TH TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE ON JANUARY 1ST, 2025, IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. AND WHEREAS THE GROUP, WHICH INCLUDES MUSICIANS, THE DANCE TEAM AND COLOR GUARD MEMBERS PREPARED FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE AT THE ROSE PARADE, MARKING THE FIRST TIME A GROUP FROM EL PASO HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE IN ITS 136 YEAR HISTORY, MAKING THIS A LANDMARK MOMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE REGION.

AND WHEREAS THE ROSE BOWL, HELD IN THE HISTORIC STADIUM OF THE SAME NAME, IS THE NATION'S OLDEST BOWL GAME AND HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL POSTSEASON SINCE 1902. AND WHEREAS THE PATH TO PASADENA HAS BEEN PAVED WITH HARD WORK, DEDICATION, AND A LOT OF MARCHING WITH BAND DIRECTOR MAXIMO SIERRA, A 23 YEAR TEACHING VETERAN, NOTING THAT THE SPARTAN MARCHING BAND PRACTICED RIGOROUSLY TO PREPARE FOR THE PARADES 5.5 MILE ROUTE. DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF LONG REHEARSALS IN BOTH EL PASO HEAT AND EARLY MORNING COLD.

AND WHEREAS, THE SPARTAN MARCHING BAND, HAVING TRAINED EXTENSIVELY FOR MONTHS, BALANCED THEIR PREPARATION FOR THE ROSE PARADE WITH CONTINUED REHEARSALS FOR FOOTBALL, HALFTIME SHOWS, MARCHING COMPETITIONS AND ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES.

AND WHEREAS, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DIRECTOR SIERRA, THE BAND DEMONSTRATED A COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING STRONG MARCHING FUNDAMENTALS WHILE ADJUSTING TO THE UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS OF PERFORMING IN THE ROSE PARADE, ENSURING THEIR ABILITY TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENT AND REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE.

AND WHEREAS THIS HISTORIC PREPARATION IN THE ROSE PARADE IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE FOR THE FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PEBBLE HILLS SPARTAN MARCHING BAND.

THE FIRST GROUP FROM EL PASO TO DO SO, BRINGING IMMENSE PRIDE TO THE SCHOOL.

THE SOCORRO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE ENTIRE EL PASO COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS THE BAND'S OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS EXEMPLIFY THE HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE OF ITS STUDENTS, STAFF AND DIRECTOR, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILIES AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

SHOWING WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH DEDICATION AND TEAMWORK. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SPARTAN MARCHING BAND'S EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTINUED DEDICATION TO THE ARTS, AND TO EXTEND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MEMBERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND SUCCESS.

SIGNED THIS THIRD DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025. WE HAVE WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN.

AND MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A SHORT VIDEO CLIP TO SHOW THE AUDIENCE FROM SOME OF THE COVERAGE THAT THE BAND RECEIVED. WE'RE GOING TO PLAY THAT NOW, AND THEN WE'LL RECEIVE YOUR COMMENTS.

SO HAPPY TO HAVE THIS NEXT GROUP HERE. MAKING THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE ROSE PARADE FROM EL PASO, TEXAS. WELCOME TO THE PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SPARTAN MARCHING BAND. THIS BAND MOMENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KAISER PERMANENTE.

[02:15:28]

NOT ONLY IS IT A BRAND NEW TO THE ROSE PARADE, BUT PEBBLE HILLS HIGH IS ALSO THE NEWEST HIGH SCHOOL IN EL PASO.

IT WAS JUST FOUNDED SEVEN YEARS AGO, AND IN THAT SHORT TIME, THE SPARTAN MARCHING BAND HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE SWEEPSTAKES WINNER, AND ITS COLOR GUARD PROGRAM HAS MEDALED AT MULTIPLE WINTER GUARD INTERNATIONALS.

270 MEMBERS STRONG. A SIDE NOTE ABOUT THIS. WE TALKED ABOUT ED MORALES, RIGHT.

HE WAS THE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PRESIDENT. SO WHEN HE WENT TO VISIT THIS GROUP IN EL PASO ON HIS VISIT THAT THIS BAND LAST YEAR, HE STOPPED IN ON THE VERY CHURCH WHERE HIS PARENTS WERE MARRIED IN 1918.

HIS GRANDPARENTS. SUCH A SWEET STORY. THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

YEAH.

GOOD MORNING. THERE IT IS. THERE IT IS. GOOD MORNING.

CONNIE. JUST NOT HERE, BUT COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

GABRIELA FRAGA, LEGISLATIVE AIDE FOR REPRESENTATIVE NINO.

AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY REPRESENTING IVAN FROM DISTRICT FIVE, I'D LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO ALL OF YOU HERE AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO COMMISSIONER JACKIE BUTLER FOR HER, YOUR LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP IN RECOGNIZING THIS INCREDIBLE PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND. AS REPRESENTATIVE COULDN'T BE HERE SINCE HE'S IN WORK SESSION, HE WANTED US TO ENSURE THAT WE TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT THE DEDICATION, HARD WORK, AND OUTSTANDING REPRESENTATION THAT THE EL PASO SPARTAN MARCHING BAND SHOWCASED AT THE ROSE BOWL PARADE. THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE MADE OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY VERY PROUD.

YOUR SUPPORT IN HONORING THEIR SUCCESS REFLECTS THE SPIRIT AND COLLABORATION THAT MAKES EL PASO STRONG.

WE LIKE TO ALSO WARMLY INVITE ALL OF YOU, ALONG WITH OUR COMMUNITY, TO AN EVENING OF CELEBRATION ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH AT 6 P.M. AT PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL THEATER.

LET'S COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE REMARKABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THESE TALENTED STUDENTS, AND SHOW THEM HOW PROUD WE ARE TO CALL THEM OUR OWN.

ONCE AGAIN, WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT, THE LOVE THAT WE'VE RECEIVED.

WE COULDN'T I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT ALONE. THIS IS A WHOLE TEAM EFFORT WITH THE OTHER DIRECTORS AND OUR STUDENTS.

I'M JUST THE CONDUCTOR OF A PROCESS. AND THAT PROCESS IS TO IMPROVE OUR STUDENTS, EACH INDIVIDUAL.

AND I'M REALLY BLESSED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SHOWCASE THE TALENTS OF OUR STUDENTS.

OUR BEAUTIFUL COLOR GUARD AND AND JUST BE ON NATIONAL TV.

AND I THOUGHT THEY REPRESENTED REALLY WELL AND WE'RE JUST REALLY HAPPY.

IT'S A ONCE IN A LIFETIME THING FOR US, FOR SURE, AND FOR A LOT OF THOSE STUDENTS, AND THEY'LL HAVE THOSE MEMORIES FOREVER.

BUT I DO WANT TO THANK OUR EL PASO COMMUNITY AND ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE AND AND RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISTER SIERRA. THANK YOU.

DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT? NO.

PRINCIPAL. OKAY. I'M FROM SOCORRO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND FROM PEBBLE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL.

WE JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY SHOWED.

IT WASN'T JUST A IT WAS A PEBBLE HILLS COMMUNITY, BUT AT THE END, IT WAS AN EL PASO COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

CAN WE GO AHEAD AND TAKE A PICTURE? THANK YOU.

THANK. YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK.

[02:20:10]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SO THE NEXT QUESTION. IS ON.

ITEM NUMBER FIVE BE APPROVED AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING UTEP VOLLEYBALL FOR ITS HISTORIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EXEMPLARY REPRESENTATION OF THE EL PASO COMMUNITY COMMUNITY ON A NATIONAL STAGE AND DECLARING MONDAY,

[B. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing and commending UTEP Volleyball for its historic accomplishments and exemplary representation of the El Paso community on a national stage, and declaring Monday, February 3, 2025, as UTEP Volleyball Miners Day in El Paso County, Texas. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111]

ALL RIGHT, WELL, I HAVE THE HONOR OF READING THIS RESOLUTION INTO THE RECORD. THANK YOU FOR FOR YOUR PATIENCE FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE WAITING FOR THE RESOLUTIONS.

GLAD TO SEE THAT SOME OF OUR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS WERE ABLE TO STICK AROUND AND BE HERE FOR THE READING OF THE RESOLUTION.

IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT DAY WHEN WE CAN HONOR UTEP IN ANY WAY.

IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WITH VERY HIGH LEVEL PROGRAMS, AND IT'S ALSO OUR HOMETOWN UNIVERSITY AS A COMMUNITY.

UTEP SUCCESS MAKES US VERY PROUD. IT'S NOT JUST THE ALUMNI OR OTHERS WHO ARE DIRECTLY ENGAGED IN SOME WAY.

IT'S OUR FAMILIES. BECAUSE YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY MAY MAKE YOU THE FIRST IN THE FAMILY TO DO SO.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT'S OUR FRIENDS BECAUSE YOU DON'T STOP TALKING TO THEM OR HANGING OUT WITH THEM, EVEN IF THEY DON'T ATTEND THE SCHOOL THAT YOU DO.

IT'S IT'S THE HIGH SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY, THE CAMPUS, AND TUTORING IN DIFFERENT FIELDS OF EXPERTISE.

AND SO I'M VERY, VERY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION AND GRATEFUL FOR UTEP'S EFFORTS TO SPREAD THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL FAR AND WIDE AND TO MODEL EXCELLENCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE HERE TODAY IN REPRESENTATION OF THE AMAZING WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM THAT HAS HAD SO MUCH GREAT SUCCESS RECENTLY.

SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION. AND IF YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TO THE THE PODIUM AND THEN WE'LL, WE'LL HAVE YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELVES AND SHARE A FEW WORDS WITH US, OKAY.

THE RESOLUTION STATES WHEREAS THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO UTEP VOLLEYBALL MINERS TEAM EARNED ITS FIRST EVER NCAA TOURNAMENT BID IN DECEMBER 2024, A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE PROGRAM.

AND WHEREAS, ON OCTOBER 19TH, UTEP BECAME THE FIRST DIVISION ONE TEAM TO REACH 20 WINS IN THE 2024 SEASON, POSTED AN IMPRESSIVE 27 FIVE OVERALL RECORD AND ACHIEVED A PROGRAM BEST 38 RPI RANKING, AND WHEREAS UTEP WON 13 STRAIGHT GAMES IN 2024, SETTING A NEW WIN STREAK RECORD. THE TEAM ALSO WON 20 STRAIGHT REGULAR SEASON HOME MATCHES AT CLUB MEMORIAL OVER THE COURSE OF TWO SEASONS.

AND WHEREAS THEY WERE 14 AND ONE ON THEIR WAY TO THE FINALS OF THE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2023, WHICH SAW THEM SELL OUT THREE CONSECUTIVE HOME GAMES.

AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR UTEP CLAIMED THE SOUTHWEST SHOWDOWN TOURNAMENT TITLE WITH AN UNBEATEN THREE ZERO RECORD, SECURING THREE CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES AT MEMORIAL GYM IN SEPTEMBER.

AND WHEREAS UTEP VOLLEYBALL HAS SEEN A SURGE IN FAN SUPPORT SINCE 2022, WITH RECORD BREAKING ATTENDANCE FIGURES HIGHLIGHTING THE TEAM'S GROWING POPULARITY. AND WHEREAS UTEP, UTEP VOLLEYBALL'S KYLE WEAVER HAS BEEN NAMED AN AMERICAN VOLLEYBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION AVCA ALL-AMERICAN HONORABLE MENTION AS WELL AS CONFERENCE USA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

AND WHEREAS UTEP VOLLEYBALL'S MADISON HILL, SARAH AND EMMA USKOKOVIC WERE NAMED TO THE COLLEGE SPORTS COMMUNICATORS CSC ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT TEAM, RECOGNIZING THEIR ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE 2024 SEASON. AND WHEREAS, UTEP VOLLEYBALL'S MADDIE GANT AND KYLIE KOHLER WERE NAMED CONFERENCE USA'S COEDITORS OF THE WEEK FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN 2024. AND WHEREAS, UTEP'S VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH BEN WALLACE AND HIS STAFF HAVE LED THE TEAM TO HISTORIC PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCES AND GARNERED WIDESPREAD RECOGNITION FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

AND WHEREAS UTEP VOLLEYBALL HAS GIVEN EL PASO AN OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS GREATNESS ON THE COURT, AND TEAM MEMBERS HAVE SHOWN THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THE COMMUNITY BY HOSTING YOUTH PROGRAM CAMPS FOR EL PASO STUDENTS AND BY VOLUNTEERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.

[02:25:08]

AND THAT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, IS HEREBY DECLARED UTEP VOLLEYBALL MINERS DAY IN THE EL PASO COUNTY IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. SIGNED THIS THIRD DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WE HAVE A. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO.

THE VOTING IS OPEN AND THE MOTION CARRIES. WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? SURE. THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE ME. A COUPLE OF THESE GUYS ARE NOT SO KEEN ON SPEAKING IN FRONT OF OF OTHERS, BUT WHAT I'D LOVE TO SAY IS THIS IS A REALLY HEARTWARMING REPRESENTATION OF OUR OF OUR TEAM'S SUCCESS.

WE'RE SO THANKFUL THAT THE CITY SUPPORTS US THE WAY THAT THEY DO.

I KNOW THAT KEVIN HAD A LOT TO DO WITH GETTING THE INFORMATION AND THE THE ACCOLADES COLLECTED FOR OUR TEAM, AND OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THIS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN COLLECTED ACROSS THE WORLD.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS THAT ARE ON OUR TEAM, AND EMMA, USKOKOVIC AND SARAH, AND WE'VE HAD A COUPLE THAT HAVE LEFT THAT ARE FROM THE CITY OF JUAREZ AND OTHERS FROM TURKEY AND FROM ITALY THAT HAVE COME AND HAVE BECOME A PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS THE CITY OF EL PASO VERY WELL. AS A MELTING POT, WE TAKE PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT OUR TEAM IS OF DIFFERENT COLORS AND HAVE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGINS, AND IT REPRESENTS THE CITY VERY WELL.

AND WE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOVE TO PLAY AT AT HOME IN FRONT OF CLUB OUR CLUB MEMORIAL FANS TO REPRESENT THE CITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

SO THIS IS REALLY A NEAT HONOR FOR US. WE JUST APPRECIATE THE HECK OUT OF THE SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE.

WE'VE NOW, I THINK, THREE YEARS IN A ROW, HAVE LED THE CONFERENCE IN ATTENDANCE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT FROM THE CITY. AND THIS IS REALLY A NEAT HONOR FOR FOR OUR GROUP AND FOR OUR UNIVERSITY. AND WE LOVE TO PLAY AT HOME.

AND THERE'S A BIG REASON WHY, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO ONE OF OUR MATCHES YET, COME OUT AND YOU WILL.

YOU WILL NOT LEAVE ENTERTAINED. IT'S A IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYBODY THAT COMES.

AND I'M JUST GOING TO LET THESE GUYS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.

AND WE APPRECIATE THE HECK OUT OF YOU GUYS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

SO, CAN YOU TELL US YOUR NAME AND WHAT POSITION YOU PLAY? OKAY.

MY NAME IS LAVINA OGUNTIMEHIN AND I'M A MIDDLE BLOCKER IN RIGHT SIDE.

THANK YOU. HI, I'M ALEXIS MASSEY. I'M A SETTER FROM LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO.

ALL RIGHT. HI, I'M CARLY KOHLER, I'M FROM ALPINE, UTAH, AND I'M A SETTER AS WELL.

HI, I'M EMMA USKOKOVIC. I'M FROM SERBIA AND I'M AN OUTSIDE HITTER.

HI, I'M JORDAN IMPERIAL AND I'M A LIBERO FROM EL PASO.

OOH. WELL. CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES.

JOB WELL DONE. AMAZING SUCCESSES, AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST THIS YEAR AND NEXT AND INTO THE FUTURE.

YOU'RE SUCH A POINT OF PRIDE FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

TELL YOUR YOUR COMPANERAS THAT HAD TO LEAVE THAT THAT WE MISSED HIM.

AND WE'RE SORRY THAT WE WE DIDN'T GET TO HAVE THEM COME AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AS WELL, BUT THAT WE'RE JUST AS THANKFUL FOR, FOR, FOR THEIR TENACITY AND AMAZING WORK. ON BEHALF OF OF UTEP AND THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. CAN WE HAVE YOU ALL COME UP AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH US? EVALUATION. 3.2.1. HOW TO USE THAT WORD? ARE YOU OKAY? YEAH. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FATHER LIKE THAT? YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. DO YOU THINK.

THAT YOU ARE GOING. TO

[02:30:16]

THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER FIVE E NEXT.

ITEM FIVE E READS APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1ST THROUGH THE EIGHTH, 2025 AS COURT REPORTER APPRECIATION WEEK IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS.

[E. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the week of February 1 - 8, 2025, as Court Reporter Appreciation Week in El Paso County, Texas. Sergio Coronado, Commissioner, Precinct 4, 915-273-3594]

IT'S REALLY A GREAT HONOR FOR ME IF THE COURT REPORTERS WILL COME UP.

HERE, YOU KNOW, AS A PRACTITIONER HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY, I IT'S REALLY AN HONOR FOR ME TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION.

ALTHOUGH ON SOME OCCASIONS, SOME OF THE COURT REPORTERS HAVE THREATENED TO SEND ME IN TO THE STATE BAR JOURNAL FOR SOME, SOME FUNNY AND DUMB THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DO AS LAWYERS IN THE COURTROOM SOMETIMES AND I CAN'T GET OVER SOMETIMES WHEN I SEE A TRANSCRIPT AND I'M GOING, I DIDN'T TALK LIKE THAT, DID I? YOU KNOW, SO MY THE TESTAMENT TO DOING IT ACCURATELY AND DOING IT RIGHT.

AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO THAT YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE DON'T THINK DID WE SAY THAT? BUT WE DID BECAUSE YOU ALL WERE THERE AND ARE TAKING IT DOWN.

SO IT'S MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COURT.

WHEREAS CAPTURING THE RECORD OF IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS DATES TO THE FOURTH CENTURY BC.

AND WHEREAS COURT REPORTERS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE DELIVERY OF JUSTICE AND IN PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COUNTY, STATE AND NATION. AND WHEREAS COURT REPORTERS ARE INDISPENSABLE IN THE DELIVERY OF FAIR AND IMPARTIAL JUSTICE, AS THEY MUST CREATE AN ACCURATE AND VERBATIM RECORD OF COURT PROCEEDINGS AND DEPOSITION TESTIMONY FOR ALL CIVIL LITIGANTS AND CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS IN COURTROOMS ACROSS THE NATION. AND WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL COURT REPORTERS ASSOCIATION SPONSORS AN ANNUAL COURT REPORTING AND CAPTIONING WEEK TO PROMOTE THE STENOGRAPHIC COURT REPORTING AND CAPTIONING PROFESSIONS AND SHOWCASE WHY STENOGRAPHIC COURT REPORTING AND CAPTIONING IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR MAKING THE MOST ACCURATE RECORD. AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR MARKS THE 13TH COURT REPORTING AND CAPTIONING WEEK ANNUAL OBSERVANCE WITH THE THEME THE REAL I ACCURACY AND INTEGRITY. AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR MARKS THE 30TH.

OH, SORRY. AND WHEREAS NCAA PRESIDENT KEITH LEMONS ACCURATELY SAYS NO MATTER HOW ADVANCED, I CANNOT REPLICATE THE HUMAN ELEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO CAPTURING THE RECORD, A LIVE COURT REPORTER IS PRESENT AND HAS SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF THE EMOTIONS AND INNUENDOS OF THE SUBTLETY OF THE SPOKEN WORD, SOMETHING I CANNOT AND WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO.

THE ABILITY IS A SACRED AND INSTINCTUAL ABILITY, AND ONE THAT NO MAN MADE SYSTEM CAN EVER REPLACE.

STENOGRAPHIC COURT REPORTERS AND CAPTIONERS ARE THE EPITOME OF THESE ABILITIES.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS EACH CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER MAKES TO THE LIVES OF EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS EVERY DAY AND DECLARE THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1ST THROUGH THE EIGHTH, 2025 AS COURT REPORTER APPRECIATION WEEK IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS.

AND IT IS SIGNED THIS THIRD DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND JUDGE SAMANIEGO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. CORONADO, SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THE VOTING IS OPEN.

AND MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. NOW, I THOUGHT I WAS HEARING VOICES.

I HEARD SOMEBODY TALKING. AND BEFORE I SAY SOMETHING, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE JUDGE PEREZ AND MY HUSBAND, MR. MCLAUGHLIN, TO SAY SOME WORDS, PLEASE. COMMISSIONERS.

GOOD MORNING. IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SAY A FEW WORDS ON BEHALF OF THIS, THIS GREAT GROUP OF OF OF PEOPLE, OF PROFESSIONALS.

[02:35:01]

I MEAN, WE WE, MEANING THE JUDGES, ARE ALL GUILTY OF SOMETIMES FORGETTING HOW PHYSICALLY DEMANDING THE JOB IS.

YOU KNOW, WE COULD GO PRETTY MUCH ALL DAY SITTING THERE AND PRESIDE WHILE THESE REPORTERS ARE LISTENING TO EVERY WORD SAID, EVERY WORD UTTERED BY EVERY COMPONENT IN THE COURTROOM AND SITTING THERE WHILE DOING THEIR STENOGRAPHY IS SUCH AN AMAZING PHYSICAL FEAT, BUT IT IS PHYSICALLY ENDURING, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT.

BUT THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THAT HUMAN ELEMENT COULD NEVER BE REPLACED IN THE COURTROOM.

AND SO WE, ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL OF JUDGES, WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENTS IN YOUR RESOLUTION.

WE'RE EXTREMELY THANKFUL FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COURTROOMS AND THIS COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE THAT IS PROPER.

AND AND THAT IS SO WORTHY OF, OF OF WHAT WE ARE AS EL PASO COUNTY.

AND SO FINALLY, AS I SAID, I WANT TO THANK THEM.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THEM. I'M GLAD THAT THERE'S A WEEK TO RECOGNIZE THEIR HARD WORK, BUT IT'S A IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO BE REMINDED OF TO DO EVERY SINGLE DAY, BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM, THERE IS NO QUESTION WE COULD NOT DO THEIR WORK.

THERE IS LITERALLY NO LITERALLY NO REPLACEMENT FOR THE VALUE THAT THEY BRING INTO THE COURTROOM.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR REPORTERS. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. WILLIAM MCGLASHAN. YES, I AM BRENDA'S HUSBAND.

I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE PRIVATE BAR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS.

I MEAN, WE'VE HEARD A LOT THIS MORNING. I WAS HERE EARLIER, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THIS AMAZING GROUP OF TALENT THAT STANDS BEHIND ME RIGHT NOW HAS THAT YOU DON'T EVEN CATCH, IS THEIR ABILITY TO LISTEN AND CAPTURE.

IT IS AMAZING. THEY CAN HEAR THINGS THAT WE CAN'T.

AND THEY LISTEN TO THINGS AND CAPTURE EVERYTHING THAT'S SAID.

I THINK THAT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. THEY ARE THE REASON THAT WE GET TO GET UP THERE AND MAKE THESE WONDERFUL SPEECHES TO JURIES AND CAPTURE EVERY MOMENT OF IT. THEY ARE THE REASON THAT WE GET TO GO BACK AND FIND OUT, HEY, THIS IS NOT WHAT WAS SAID. BECAUSE BELIEVE ME, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I'VE BEEN DOING A HEARING AND I WAIT, DIDN'T THEY SAY THIS? AND NO, YOU'RE WRONG. BECAUSE THEIR ABILITY TO LISTEN IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE.

BECAUSE WE'RE NOT TRAINED IN THAT. THEY GET TRAINED AND TRAINED AND TRAINED AND DO IT FOR YEARS.

AND IT'S JUST AMAZING. AND I HOPE MORE PEOPLE WOULD LISTEN LIKE THEY LISTEN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US TODAY. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THIS WONDERFUL RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. I WAS GOING TO SAY A SPEECH, BUT I HAD SO MUCH TO SAY THAT I WROTE A BOOK. SO CHAPTER ONE THE WAY I CAME INTO COURT REPORTING WAS THERE WAS CAREER DAY BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL IN 2000 AND SOMETHING AND I THERE WAS A COURT REPORTER AND SHE BROUGHT A MACHINE AND SHE HAD A WHOLE SETUP.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO DO BY MY LIFE.

I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE A NUN. TURNS OUT THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKED.

SMALL WORLD. THAT COURT REPORTER WAS ACTUALLY DEBBIE BRADLEY.

AND IT IS AMAZING THAT ALMOST 20 YEARS LATER, SHE IS MY COLLEAGUE AND SHE IS THE REASON THAT I THAT I BECAME INTERESTED IN THIS CAREER.

AFTER THAT PRESENTATION, I WENT INTO PCC AND I SIGNED UP.

I TOOK A FEW COURSES FOR COURT REPORTING, AND IT WAS THEN WHEN I FIRST HEARD THAT.

WHY ARE YOU DOING REPORTER THEY'RE GOING TO GET REPLACED BY I.

SO I AT THAT TIME BELIEVED THEM AND I SWITCHED MY CAREER.

I WENT INTO CRIMINAL JUSTICE. I GOT A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND I GOT CERTIFIED IN HOMELAND SECURITY AND TERRORISM.

AND EVEN THEN, I FELT LIKE I WASN'T FULFILLED.

AND SO ONE DAY I CAME WITH MY HUSBAND, MR. WILLIAM MCGLASHAN, TO THE COURTHOUSE, AND HE INTRODUCED ME TO ANOTHER GREAT COURT REPORTER, DARLENE. DARLENE RIGHT AWAY WAS VERY NICE. SHE GAVE ME HER BUSINESS CARD, AND SHE SPARKED THAT INTEREST BACK IN ME OF BEING A COURT REPORTER. SHE SENT ME AN A THROUGH Z PROGRAM, WHICH IS A SIX WEEK PROGRAM.

[02:40:01]

THAT IS HOW COMPLEX THIS SKILL IS, THAT IT TOOK SIX WEEKS TO LEARN THE ALPHABET.

FROM THERE, I OBVIOUSLY REGISTERED, AND I MET BERTHA.

BERTHA PUSHED ME. I MEAN, BERTHA HAS SEEN ME AND HEARD ME THROUGH THE HARDEST TIMES.

SHE WAS GREAT. AND WHEN I SIGNED UP FOR COURT REPORTING, I LEARNED THE REQUIREMENTS THAT IT TAKES TO BE A COURT REPORTER.

I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT REALLY REQUIRES TO BE A COURT REPORTER.

I THOUGHT I WAS STUDYING TO BE A DOCTOR BECAUSE THERE'S LEGAL TERMINOLOGY, THERE'S MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY, THERE'S LATIN TERMINOLOGY, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION, AND THERE'S JUST IT'S SUCH A BROAD AREA THAT WE HAVE TO LEARN THAT I WAS I WAS JUST BLOWN AWAY NOT TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT 225 WORDS PER MINUTE.

THERE ARE 60S IN A MINUTE AND 225 WORDS PER MINUTE.

IF I WAS GOOD AT MATH, I WOULD TELL YOU HOW MANY THAT WOULD BE. BUT I AM NOT.

AND LIKE THEY SAID, IT'S IT'S TAKEN DOWN COMPLEX TERMINOLOGY, GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION.

THIS CAREER IS SO HARD. THERE'S A 90% DROPOUT RATE.

SO NINE, NINE OUT OF TEN PEOPLE FAIL OR DON'T COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT IS SO COMPLEX.

SO THE FACT THAT THESE LADIES MADE IT THROUGH, I MEAN, THAT IN ITSELF IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

I KNOW THEY MAKE IT LOOK SO EFFORTLESS AND SO EASY THAT UNFORTUNATELY, SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THEY COULD EASILY BE REPLACED BY AI.

BUT I COULD TELL YOU THAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CERTIFIED SHORTHAND ARE CRITICAL TO ENSURING THE ACCURATE AND RELIABLE RECORD OF.

OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTERS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, AND I AM SO PROUD OF MY COLLEAGUES AND THEIR HARD WORK FOR BEING THE GOLD STANDARD OF THE PROFESSION.

THEY ARE TRULY THE GUARDIANS OF THE RECORD, AND I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER AND THE JUDGE FOR APPROVING THIS RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SURE. COMMISSIONER, I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS TO YOU ALL SO EARLY IN HER CAREER.

MY MOTHER WAS A COURT REPORTER, AND I REMEMBER ONE TIME WHEN I WAS YOUNG, SHE TRIED TO SHOW ME HOW THE MACHINE WORKED, AND IT WAS JUST INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO ME HOW AN ENTIRE CONVERSATION COULD BE RECORDED WITH JUST A FEW SMALL SYMBOLS.

IT WAS INCREDIBLE, THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO. NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE COULD DO IT, AS IT.

AS WE JUST HEARD, NINE OUT OF TEN PEOPLE DON'T DO IT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T.

SO I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR EXCELLING IN THIS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FIELD.

AND I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO TO RECOGNIZE YOUR EFFORT AND YOUR WORK TODAY.

CONGRATULATIONS. I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE HERE SOME OF THE JUDGES THAT ARE HERE SUPPORTING YOU. AND BUT JUST COME UP AND JUST SAY YOUR NAME AND WHAT COURT YOU'RE FROM.

MY NAME IS ANGIE MORALES, AND I'M WITH JUDGE DIANA NAVARRETE AND CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT NUMBER ONE.

AND I'VE BEEN A REPORTER FOR 25 YEARS. OH. HI.

MY NAME IS JOANNE HILVERDING. I AM THE COURT REPORTER FOR THE 205TH DISTRICT COURT WITH JUDGE FRANCISCO DOMINGUEZ.

AND I HAVE BEEN REPORTING FOR 26 YEARS. WOW. HELLO.

MY NAME IS PATRICIA MADRID AND I WORK FOR COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER FIVE WITH JUDGE JESUS RODRIGUEZ, AND I'VE BEEN A COURT REPORTER FOR 25 YEARS. MY NAME IS MARINA FLORES.

I AM ASSOCIATE FAMILY COURT ONE. I'M WITH ASSOCIATE FAMILY COURT ONE WITH JUDGE LUCAS.

I'VE BEEN A COURT REPORTER FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

I'M TERRY THUMMEL. I'M THE COURT REPORTER IN THE 308TH DISTRICT COURT JUDGE MARLENE GONZALEZ.

AND I'VE BEEN A REPORTER FOR 26 YEARS. HELLO.

BERTHA BRITO. I'M THE OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER.

I HAVE THE HONOR OF WORKING WITH JUDGE PEREZ AT THE 41ST DISTRICT COURT.

I'VE BEEN A REPORTER FOR 27 YEARS AND HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING AS A FULL TIME INSTRUCTOR AT EPCC, TEACHING THIS WONDERFUL CAREER OF COURT REPORTING.

THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS DARLENE MELENDEZ. I AM A COURT REPORTER FOR THE 1/20 DISTRICT COURT.

I CURRENTLY HAVE NO JUDGE. HOPEFULLY I'LL HAVE ONE SOON.

I'VE BEEN A COURT REPORTER FOR 18 YEARS, AND I ALSO TEACH AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR THE COURT REPORTING PROGRAM.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS VERONICA. I'M THE COURT REPORTER FOR JUDGE MELISSA BAEZ IN COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER THREE.

I'VE ONLY BEEN OFFICIALLY COURT REPORTING FOR FIVE MONTHS NOW.

THANKS. I AM JOANNA CONTRERAS. I'M OUT OF COUNTY COURT AT LAW FOUR WITH JUDGE ALEX GONZALEZ.

[02:45:01]

GOOD MORNING, I'M ANITA GARCIA. I AM THE COURT REPORTER FOR THE 327 DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, MONIQUE VELARDE REYES.

AND I'VE BEEN A COURT REPORTER FOR 18 YEARS. HELLO, I'M LAURA AKERS.

I THIS IS MY 38TH YEAR BEING A COURT REPORTER.

MY WHOLE CAREER HAS BEEN WITH JUDGE WILLIAM MOODY.

THANK YOU. WOW. WOW. THAT'S.

YOU KNOW, NOT THAT IT'S AS WHAT MR. MCLAUGHLIN HAD SAID.

IS IT DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO LISTEN TO SO MUCH THAT'S GOING ON IN THE COURTROOM? BUT GOD FORBID THAT LAWYERS TALK OVER EACH OTHER AND TALK OVER WITNESSES.

RIGHT. WE WOULD NEVER DO THAT. RIGHT, JUDGE? NO.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AS LAWYERS, SOMETIMES WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DEAL WITH IN THE COURTROOM. RIGHT? AND WE TEND TO KIND OF, YOU KNOW, GET A LITTLE ANXIOUS. AND WE SO, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT OUR COURT REPORTERS HAVE TO TAKE EVERYTHING DOWN AND WE HAVE TO STAY IN OUR LANE AND NOT TALK OVER EACH OTHER AND TALK OVER WITNESSES. SO IT'S A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT JOB.

BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU ALL DO IT WITH JUST GREAT PROFESSIONALISM.

AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE COURT FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO FOR OUR COUNTRY.

COUNTY. AND, YOU KNOW, JUST TO TELL YOU, THE MAJORITY OF THEM, YOU KNOW, OVER 25 YEARS HAVE, YOU KNOW, BEEN BEEN DOING THIS. AND JUDGE RODRIGUEZ, I KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE YOU'VE BEEN IN THE COURTROOM QUITE A LOT, BUT NOT JUST AS A LITIGANT, BUT AS A JUDGE AND AS JUDGE PEREZ.

AND SO WE KNOW THE DIFFICULTY THAT THEY FACE.

AND WE ALSO SEE OUR, OUR OWN TRANSCRIPTS WHEN THEY'RE DONE AND SAID DOESN'T LOOK THAT GOOD.

SO MAKE US LOOK GOOD. COURT REPORTERS. THANK YOU.

CAN WE. ANYBODY WANT TO COME SAY ANYTHING? JUDGES? NO, JUDGE. IT'S JUST NOT TO REPEAT ANYTHING ANYONE ELSE HAS INDICATED.

BUT ANOTHER ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IS OF THEIR JOB IS ALL THE VARIATIONS OF WHAT GOES ON DURING A COURT HEARING. PEOPLE WILL SPEAK VERY FAST SOMETIMES.

AND I'LL BE LOOKING AT MY COURT REPORTER LIKE, DID YOU GET ALL THAT? SOMETIMES THEY SPEAK VERY SOFTLY, LOUD, DIFFERENT SPEECH VARIATIONS.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST AMAZING WHAT THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS.

I'M VERY LUCKY TO HAVE MISS MADRID AS OUR COURT REPORTER.

BUT WHAT I DID WANT TO MENTION IS, RIGHT NOW, WE DO HAVE A SHORTAGE OF COURT REPORTERS.

AND SOMETIMES WE ALL FIND OURSELVES IN A PINCH TO HAVE A COURT REPORTER.

AND I MUST COMMEND ALL OF THE COURT REPORTERS FOR JUST THE WILLINGNESS TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT, TO HELP EACH OTHER'S JUDGES OUT. THE CAMARADERIE MUST BE COMMENDED.

AND SO I THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO, NOT JUST FOR YOUR OWN JUDGE, BUT FOR OTHER JUDGES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. COME ON UP. I WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE.

JUDGES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AND I NEVER SPEAK FOR ANOTHER REASON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU EVERYONE.

THANK YOU GUYS. I MEAN, IT'S LIKE. IT'S LIKE A.

LITTLE GET TOGETHER.

YOU MIGHT.

WANT TO SAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

[02:50:04]

THANK YOU. THANK. YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK. YOU. AND. THERE'S STILL ONE MORE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

YES. THANK YOU JUDGE. AND DON'T INTERRUPT. WHEN WE SPEAK OUR WITNESSES, THEY CAN HANDLE IT.

THANK YOU. JUDGE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK. YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK. YOU. THANK YOU, ITEM NUMBER FIVE SEE, APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING FEBRUARY 2025 AS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. ALL RIGHT. I ALSO HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING ABLE TO READ THIS RESOLUTION INTO THE RECORD.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE STILL HAVE ANYBODY FROM THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE. OKAY, GREAT.

IF Y'ALL IF Y'ALL WANT TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM, I KNOW I SEE MR. SETLIFF BACK THERE AS WELL. JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS, I THINK WE ALL WISH THAT OUR THAT OUR KIDS WERE FREE FROM THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF OF ADULTHOOD.

WE WANT THEIR RELATIONSHIPS TO BE PURE AND ABOVE ALL, FOR THEM TO BE SAFE.

BUT THEY LIVE IN THE SAME WORLD THAT WE DO. AND SADLY, THAT MEANS THAT THEY SOMETIMES MEET THE WRONG PERSON.

[C. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring February 2025 as,” Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month", in El Paso County, Texas. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111]

AND AS OUR AND OUR JOB AS POLICY MAKERS IS TO HELP SUPPORT THE PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT DO TAKE ON ALL OF THAT WORK.

SO I HOPE THIS RESOLUTION GOES SOME WAY IN RECOGNIZING TWO OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL AND FAMILY VIOLENCE AND JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP, AND DEMONSTRATES THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO KEEPING OUR TEENS SAFE. SO WITH THAT, I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE'LL WE'LL HEAR FROM EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. THE RESOLUTION STATES JUAREZ TEEN DATING VIOLENCE IS A SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT AFFECTS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. WITH 1.5 MILLION TEENAGERS IN THE UNITED STATES EXPERIENCING PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL OR VERBAL ABUSE FROM A DATING PARTNER.

AND WHEREAS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, AND ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE, PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CONVERSATIONS AND ACTIONS TO END THE CYCLE OF ABUSE.

AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S THEME, YOU DESERVE RESPECT SERVES AS A POWERFUL REMINDER THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS WORTHY OF RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST, RESPECT, AND EQUALITY. AND IT ENCOURAGES YOUTH TO RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE AND ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.

AND AS THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL AND FAMILY VIOLENCE, K.S.V.

AND JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP PROVIDE VITAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE.

EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FOSTERING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.

AND WORK TIRELESSLY TO PREVENT DATING ABUSE IN OUR REGION.

AND WHEREAS, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING AND PREVENTING TEEN DATING VIOLENCE BY PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CASA AND JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP BY SUPPORTING INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE SAFE AND RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS AMONGST YOUTH.

AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY OF 2025 AS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.

[02:55:08]

WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US. THE FLOOR IS YOURS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. MY NAME IS SARAH SILVA. I'M THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES AT THE CENTER. THIS MONTH IS A VITAL TIME TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE ISSUE THAT IMPACTS 1 IN 3 TEENAGERS AFFECTING THEIR WELL-BEING, THEIR FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS, AND THEIR OVERALL SAFETY.

MANY YOUNG PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE THE EARLY WARNING SIGNS AND OF AN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS WHY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ARE KEY TO PREVENTION.

BY FOSTERING CONVERSATIONS IN OUR SCHOOLS, HOMES AND COMMUNITIES, WE CAN EMPOWER TEENS TO SEEK HEALTHY, RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND RECOGNIZE RED FLAGS BEFORE THE ABUSE ESCALATES.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ROMERO SILVA AND I REPRESENT JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP.

AS YOU MIGHT KNOW, JENNIFER ANN WAS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.

HER LAST, HE WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE WAS KILLED BY HER BOYFRIEND.

SO WE KNOW THAT TEEN DATING VIOLENCE IS REAL.

WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS IN SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL MONTH FOR TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION.

BECAUSE OF YOU, CHARITIES LIKE JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP AND THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL AND FAMILY VIOLENCE WILL REACH AND HELP MORE TEENS, FAMILIES, EDUCATORS, AND COMMUNITIES. BECAUSE OF YOU.

THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL FAMILY VIOLENCE CAN OFFER MORE IN-PERSON TRAINING, AND JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP CAN REACH MORE TEENS AND EDUCATORS THROUGH ITS AWARD WINNING GAMING AGAINST VIOLENCE PROGRAM.

JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP IS PLEASED TO SHARE THAT IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR AND AGAIN IN JUNE OF NEXT YEAR, WE WILL BE TRAINING IN PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS THE US ABOUT ITS FREE PRO-SOCIAL VIDEO GAMES THROUGH THE NIH FUNDED TITLE PROJECT IN CONJUNCTION WITH EMORY UNIVERSITY, IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT VIOLENCE.

YOUR WORK TODAY HELPS OUR GROUPS INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE VERY REAL DANGERS OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE.

WORKING TOGETHER, WE WILL PREVENT FUTURE VIOLENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.

THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN. OKAY. HELLO. MY NAME IS ANNABEL.

I'M THE PRIMARY PREVENTION COORDINATOR AT THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

SO WE DO HAVE A CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM. SO IT IS MYSELF AND GEORGE BACK THERE.

SO HE IS THE IS THE FACILITATOR. SO THE WAY THAT CASB IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY IS THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS. WE DO PROVIDE TEENS WITH TOOLS TO UNDERSTAND AND DEVELOP HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP HABITS.

SO WITH PREVENTION AS WELL, WE TRY TO PREVENT IT BY TEACHING THEM ABOUT CONSENT AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND ALL THESE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT THEY MIGHT NOT BE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS BACK AT HOME, OR MAYBE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AT SCHOOLS OR WITH THEIR PEERS, BUT NOT MIGHT BE THE BEST ADVICE. SO WE ALSO DO OFFER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES, ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO COUNSELING RESOURCES AND A SAFE, SAFE SPACE TO HEAL.

OUR TEAM COLLABORATES WITH SCHOOLS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE A CULTURE OF AWARENESS AND PREVENTION.

BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST A ONE PERSON JOB AND IT'S NOT JUST A ONE AGENCY JOB, IT IS A WHOLE COMMUNITY EFFORT TO REALLY TRY TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AS A WHOLE. SO AS A CALL TO ACTION, WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO JOIN US IN SPREADING AWARENESS BY TALKING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE ABOUT RESPECT, BOUNDARIES AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.

ON FEBRUARY 4TH, TOMORROW IT IS WEAR ORANGE DAY.

SO WE ASK THE COMMUNITY TO WEAR ORANGE, TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH SURVIVORS AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT TEEN DATING VIOLENCE.

AND WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO FOLLOW AND SHARE THESE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT TO HELP AMPLIFY THIS MESSAGE AND ENSURE THAT EVERY YOUNG PERSON KNOWS THAT THEY DESERVE RESPECT.

THANK YOU. HI. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE VALLE.

I'M THE NEW SPECIAL PROJECTS ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

I'M ALSO A PROUD MEMBER OF CASB. I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR A FEW MONTHS.

I'M ALSO SERVING AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE AGENCY.

SO I JUST WANTED TO THANK CASB AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS MEASURE.

HAVING BEEN IN THE MEDIA FOR A VERY LONG TIME, DECADES OF MY MY TIME WORKING, I COULD TELL YOU FIRSTHAND THERE WERE SO MANY STORIES OF

[03:00:07]

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG, BECAUSE IT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THEIR ADULTHOOD.

SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS MEASURE.

GOOD MORNING. THANKS TO THE COMMISSIONERS. THANKS.

THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AND AWARENESS MONTH.

MY NAME IS AARON SETLIFF. I'M THE DIVISION CHIEF AT THE OF THE PROTECTIVE ORDER UNIT AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

I Y'ALL ARE PROBABLY TIRED OF HEARING FROM ME, BUT I'M EXCITED TO TO MEET YOU, COMMISSIONER BUTLER.

I YOU'VE HEARD THE AMAZING SERVICES AT CASS AND MY FRIENDS AT JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP, AND NOW THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS. PROMISES.

JUST A FEW. BUT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THREE THINGS TO YOU ABOUT OUR WORK.

SO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HELPS VICTIMS OF STALKING, FAMILY VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT OBTAIN PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

LAST YEAR, WE RECEIVED OVER 3000 APPLICATIONS FOR PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

IT'S TRUE THAT NOT EVERYONE THAT APPLIES IS ABLE TO GET A PROTECTIVE ORDER BASED ON THE FACTS OF WHAT HAPPENED AND THE LAW, BUT LAST YEAR, WE HELPED 102 YOUNG PEOPLE OBTAIN A PROTECTIVE ORDER, WITH THE YOUNGEST BEING ONE YEAR OLD WITH THE OLDEST BEING 17.

WE HELPED 1214 YEAR OLDS, 1016 YEAR OLDS, 1117 YEAR OLDS.

THEY ALL GOT A PROTECTIVE ORDER THROUGH OUR OFFICE. I ALSO WANTED TO JUST JUST POINT OUT THAT WELL, JUST POINT OUT A LITTLE PROJECT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON. SO, LIKE A SIDE HUSTLE, I'VE BEEN WORKING ON A PODCAST CALLED HEALING ARTS FROM THE BORDERLAND. IT'S THROUGH THE RAINBOW CENTER AND THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT.

I MENTIONED IT. IT'S RELEVANT BECAUSE THIS WEEK'S EPISODE COMES OUT ON WEDNESDAY, AND IT'S AN INTERVIEW AND A DISCUSSION WITH DAVINA LACOMBE, WHO HERSELF WAS A STALKING VICTIM IN HER TEENS, WHO WAS VICTIMIZED BY SOMEONE THAT WANTED TO DATE HER BY THROWING ACID ON HER AND SHOOTING AT HER. DAVINA HAS BEEN IS IN EL PASO AND SHE HAS BEEN TELLING HER STORY AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO SHE WAS NICE ENOUGH TO SIT WITH ME AND TALK WITH ME ON THAT.

HEALING ARTS FROM THE BORDERLAND PODCAST. SHE DOES BODYBUILDING, AND SO SHE'S USED THE ART OF BODYBUILDING TO HELP HER MOVE FORWARD AND HEAL AFTER TRAUMA.

SO I. ITUNES, SPOTIFY, ALL THOSE KIND OF PLACES.

HEALING ARTS FROM THE BORDERLAND. THE LAST THING I'LL TELL YOU IS THAT ANYONE CAN APPLY ONLINE FOR A PROTECTIVE ORDER, EVEN A TEENAGER. YOU CAN GO TO EP COUNTY.COM/CA.

OR YOU CAN TAKE A PICTURE OF THIS QR CODE AND OR NOT TAKE A PICTURE, CLICK ON IT WITH YOUR CAMERA AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE WEBSITE WHERE ANYONE, AT ANY TIME TEENAGERS CAN APPLY FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

IN TEXAS. THAT'S THE LAW. AND AS I SAY, WE'VE WE'VE HELPED MANY TEENAGERS DO.

SO THANK YOU FOR FOR RECOGNIZING THE MONTH. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE STAFF, IF YOU CAN INTRODUCE YOURSELVES AT LEAST AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU DO.

HI, MY NAME IS JANICE SPROUL. I'VE BEEN WITH CASB SINCE JUNE OF LAST YEAR AND I DO THEIR GRANTS.

THANK YOU. MY NAME IS JORGE MOLINA, AND I'M THE PRIMARY PREVENTION FACILITATOR AT THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

AND I'VE BEEN HERE FOR FOUR MONTHS. THANK YOU.

WELL, THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN FOR FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND ALSO FOR ALLOWING US TO HELP BRING AWARENESS TO DATING VIOLENCE. I THINK I THINK ALL OF OUR, ALL OF OUR YOUNGSTERS COULD, COULD STAND TO, TO KNOW AND BE INFORMED ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU, MR. SETLIFF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THE BOARD.

THANKS TO THE DA'S OFFICE AND TO OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND OF COURSE, TO JENNIFER ANN'S GROUP, AND FOR THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL AND FAMILY VIOLENCE FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. CAN WE TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE RESOLUTIONS? THANK YOU. SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK.

YOU THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

SURE. I'VE GOT A. STAND UP.

YEAH. OKAY. OKAY. OKAY.

[03:05:04]

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. OH.

YEAH.

IT WAS A PERSONAL THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK. YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK. YOU. YEAH, WE GOT ONE.

WE GOT ENOUGH. THANK YOU FOR COMING. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. SO, CAESAR, JUST SO FOLKS KNOW, WE'RE ON OUR LAST RESOLUTION.

AND THEN AFTER THE RESOLUTIONS, WE ARE GOING TO BREAK FOR LUNCH, AND THEN WE'LL DO THE THE OTHER PRESENT. WE'LL FOLLOW THE REGULAR ORDER OF ORDER OF THE OF THE AGENDA. AFTER THAT, WE'VE LET EVERYBODY ELSE KNOW. OKAY.

THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU. LAST BUT CERTAINLY, CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, WE'RE STILL HERE. GRACIAS POR SU PACIENCIA. ITEM NUMBER FIVE DE APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION HONORING THE BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE.

[D. Approve and adopt a resolution honoring the Border Heritage Magazine. Iliana Holguin, Commissioner, Precinct 3, 915-546-2144]

SO I WANT TO INVITE CARMEN AND JUAN, AND I KNOW THERE ARE SOME OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION, BUT I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ IT INTO THE RECORD WHILE YOU ALL MAKE YOUR WAY UP TO THE PODIUM.

WHEREAS BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE IS AN INFORMATIVE AND SOCIAL PLATFORM FEATURING SEVEN SEGMENTS INCLUDING ART AND CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, SPORTS AND PROFILES OF ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS AND PERSONALITIES, ALL WITH THE GOAL OF HIGHLIGHTING THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE BORDER COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS AS A BILINGUAL PUBLICATION, THE MAGAZINE HAS SERVED AS A BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS EL PASOANS AND JUARENSES, HIGHLIGHTING OUR REGION'S UNIQUE CULTURE AND HISTORY, SUCH AS IN THE SHOWCASING OF OUR MAJESTIC MISSION TRAIL ON THE COVER OF ONE OF THEIR 2024 ISSUES. BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE HAS EVEN BEEN ADMITTED AS AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE LAS CRUCES BRANSON LIBRARY, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AT UNM AND NMSU. AND WHEREAS, THE MAGAZINE FOSTERS A DEEPER SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND LOCAL PRIDE ACROSS THE BORDER REGION, FROM LAS CRUCES TO CHIHUAHUA, THROUGH THE PUBLICATION OF HIGH QUALITY CONTENT AND EDITORIAL FOCUS, AND HOSTING INITIATIVES SUCH AS THEIR ANNUAL FASHION SHOW EVENT WITH THE PURPOSE OF RAISING FUNDS FOR PROGRAMS BENEFITING VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

ADDITIONALLY, SINCE 2020, IN COLLABORATION WITH SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY AND THE SEBASTIAN FOUNDATION, BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE HAS PRESENTED THE DESERT ROSE AWARD TO THREE OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES IN OUR REGION IN THE AREAS OF BUSINESS, ART AND CULTURE, AND HEALTH. AND WHEREAS MARIA DEL CARMEN BECERRA ALLEN HAS SERVED AS THE CEO OF BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE SINCE ITS FOUNDING, AND HER EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN JOURNALISM, MEDIA PRODUCTION, AND CULTURAL ADVOCACY HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SHAPING THE MAGAZINE'S EDITORIAL DIRECTION.

MISS BECERRA ALLEN WAS RECENTLY AWARDED THE RECOGNITION OF MEXICANA DISTINGUIDA BY THE SECRETARIA DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO IN EL PASO FOR HER INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DIFFUSION OF MEXICAN ART AND CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND WHEREAS, THIS YEAR, BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY, MARKING A MARKING A DECADE OF BEING A TRUSTED VOICE AND CORNERSTONE OF COMMUNITY PRIDE AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE BORDER REGION.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR A DECADES WORK OF BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE IN HIGHLIGHTING AND IMPROVING OUR REGION AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARIA DEL CARMEN BECERRA ALLEN TO THE MAGAZINE'S SUCCESS.

HEREBY RECOGNIZES FEBRUARY 3RD, 2025 AS BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE DAY.

[03:10:10]

THE VOTING IS OPEN. AND MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

AND WE HAVE SOME BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS OF THE MAGAZINE COVERS THAT WE JUST HAD ON THE SCREEN.

IF WE COULD PUT THOSE BACK UP. AND Y'ALL WILL SEE THE BEAUTIFUL ISSUE ON THE MAJESTIC MISSION TRAIL.

RIGHT ON TOP. CARMEN. OKAY. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY DEEPLY HUMBLED AND INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS RECOGNITION.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO THANK EL PASO COUNTY, ESPECIALLY ELIANA OLGUIN, COMMISSIONER, FOR THIS EXTRAORDINARY HONOR. TO BE CHOSEN TO THIS AWARD IS TRULY A PRIVILEGE, AND I FEEL BOTH HUMBLED AND OVERWHELMED.

THIS MOMENT WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHAPED MY JOURNEY.

TO MY FAMILY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND COURAGE AND BELIEF IN ME, ESPECIALLY DURING THE TIMES WHEN I DOUBTED MYSELF.

YOUR CONSTANT PRESENCE AND SUPPORT HAS BEEN AN ANCHOR AND THIS ACHIEVEMENT AS MUCH AS IS IN MINE.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY INCREDIBLE COLLEAGUES AND MENTORS, BUT YOU HAVE ALL PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN HELPING ME GROW.

ME GROW BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY. THE LESSONS YOU'VE SHARED, THE CHALLENGES YOU PRESENTED, AND THE TRUST YOU SHOWED ME HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE.

I'M FORTUNATE TO BE SURROUNDED BY SUCH TALENTED INDIVIDUALS WHO INSPIRE ME EVERY DAY TO DO MY BEST WORK.

THIS AWARD ISN'T A REFLECTION OF MY OWN EFFORTS.

IT IS A TESTAMENT TO THE COLLABORATION SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE I HAVE THE HONOR TO WORK ALONGSIDE.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERY TEAM MEMBER PATTY, GABY, RICARDO, ANGEL, MONICA, PARTNERS AND FRIENDS WHO HAS BEEN PART OF THIS JOURNEY. EACH OF YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED IN A UNIQUE WAY AND WITHOUT YOUR INPUT, SUPPORT AND DEDICATION, THIS ACHIEVEMENT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.

I THINK BACK ON THESE CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS THAT HAVE SHAPED MY JOURNEY.

THESE MOMENTS REMIND ME OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSEVERANCE AND DEDICATION OF THE PURSUIT FOR EXCELLENCE.

I AM COMMITTED TO MOVING FORWARD AND STRIVING TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN MY FIELD, AS WELL AS INSPIRE OTHERS TO FOLLOW THEIR PASSION WITH THE SAME FERVOR. FINALLY, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO ALL OF YOU IN THIS ROOM.

YOUR PRESENCE TODAY MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. I HOPE THIS AWARD SERVES AS A REMINDER FOR THE POWER OF THE PERSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE, PATIENCE, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFTING OTHERS ALONG THE WAY.

IF THERE'S ONE THING I'VE LEARNED IS THAT NO ACHIEVEMENT IS TRULY AN INDIVIDUAL EFFORT.

IT IS A COLLECTIVE JOURNEY, AND I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR EACH OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF MINE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR. I PROMISE TO CONTINUE TO WORK HARD TO HONOR THIS RECOGNITION, AND TO PAY FORWARD THE KINDNESS AND SUPPORT I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO RECEIVE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AMEN. THANK YOU. WE'RE ALSO VERY BLESSED TO HAVE WITH US.

JUANA CERETTO, WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MAYOR OF JUAREZ, CRUZ PEREZ CUELLAR.

UNAS. PALABRAS. JUAN, A LOT OF WORDS, JOSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COMMISSIONERS, ALWAYS. I'M VERY HAPPY. I FEEL IN MY HOUSE HERE WITH YOU.

AND I'M HERE TODAY IN THE BEHALF OF THE CITY OF JUAREZ.

AND ALSO ON MY OWN RECOGNITION. THE RECOGNITION TO CARMEN BECERRA BECAUSE IT WAS AN HONOR.

WHEN I MOVED HERE EIGHT YEARS AGO. WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER IN SO MANY EVENTS.

WHEN I USED TO SERVE IN THE CONSULATE OF MEXICO, AND SHE SHOWED ME HOW SHE LOVED HER WORK AND WHAT SHE DOES WITH THE BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE, BORDER HERITAGE.

IMAGINE THE STRONGER WORDS THAT THAT MAGAZINE CAN HAVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY TODAY.

AND EL PASO HAS DONE INCREDIBLE. THE COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE THIS, THIS LADY, BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN WORKING SO HARD TO PUT

[03:15:09]

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY TO TO SAY THANKS. MI AMIGA CARMEN BECERRA AND HIS STEAM WITH GABRIELLA AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT I MEET IN ALL THESE YEARS TOGETHER. WORKING WITH HER.

AND IT'S A I'M VERY PROUD TO HAVE SOMEBODY LIKE HER IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. JUAN. THANK YOU.

IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU, COMMISSIONER JACKIE BUTLER, DAVID SPARKS, MR. OKINE, AND MR. CORONADO. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT PATIENCE AND WONDERFUL JOB THAT YOU DO FOR EL PASO.

FIRST OF ALL, WITH THE RECOGNITION FOR THE THIS MAGAZINE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH THAT WE NEED TO DO TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT A WONDERFUL BINATIONAL COMMUNITY WE ARE.

AND CARMEN. THROUGHOUT THESE TEN YEARS, I HAVE SEEN HER WORK, EVEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND EVERYTHING, DIFFICULT THINGS THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH. SHE'S ALWAYS SHOWCASING THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING AS A BINATIONAL COMMUNITY.

CARMEN'S INTEGRITY AND HER REPORTING IS AMAZING AS WELL AS HER HARD WORK.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF WE CALL HER IN THE MORNING OR AT NIGHT WHENEVER WE CALL HER THAT THERE IS AN IMPORTANT STORY.

SHE IS THERE TO COVER IT. AND THE INCREDIBLE TEAM THAT FOLLOWS HER ALL THE TIME IN JUAREZ, IN DIFFICULT PLACES OR IN NICE EVENTS. SHE'S THERE REPORTING WHAT'S GOING ON IN CIUDAD JUAREZ AND EL PASO.

I THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING HER. AND YOUR WORDS WERE BEAUTIFUL.

COMMISSIONER OGDEN, I APPRECIATE IT, AND I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE THESE WORDS OF RECOGNITION TO CARMEN.

I'M HER NEPHEW AND I HAVE SOME WORDS READY FOR HER.

CAN YOU TELL US YOUR NAME? MY NAME IS JUAN PABLO BECERRA.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. IT'S AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE A MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT.

THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF BORDER HERITAGE MAGAZINE OF EL PASO AND JUAREZ.

OVER THE LAST DECADE, THIS PUBLICATION HAS NOT ONLY HIGHLIGHTED THE RICH CULTURE, HISTORY, AND PEOPLE OF OUR BORDER COMMUNITY, BUT IT HAS ALSO CREATED A PLATFORM FOR STORIES THAT UNITE, INSPIRE. THROUGH ITS PAGES, WE HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF OUR SHARED HERITAGE.

AND THE MAGAZINE HAS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR TWO CITIES, EL PASO AND JUAREZ.

A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TODAY GOES TO MY AUNT CARMEN, HER LEADERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO BORDER HERITAGE HAS MADE HAS MADE AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT ON BOTH THE MAGAZINE AND THE COMMUNITY THAT IT SERVES.

RESILIENT, COMPASSIONATE AND ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP THOSE IN NEED, CARMEN HAS BROUGHT THIS PUBLICATION TO LIFE WITH THE PASSION AND INTEGRITY IT RIGHTFULLY DESERVES. FOR THOSE OF US WHO WHO HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH HER, WE KNOW HER AS A WOMAN WHO IS ALWAYS PRESENT, WHO LISTENS, AND WHO NEVER HESITATES TO LEND A HAND TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT.

HER EFFORTS HAVE CREATED A LASTING LEGACY, NOT ONLY THROUGH THIS MAGAZINE, BUT THROUGH THE COUNTLESS LIVES SHE TOUCHED WITH HER GENEROSITY AND VISION.

AS WE MARK THIS MILESTONE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF BORDER HERITAGE, KNOWING THAT UNDER CARMEN'S GUIDANCE, THE MAGAZINE WILL CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES THAT MATTER THE MOST OF OUR COMMUNITY.

CONGRATULATIONS, CARMEN, ON THIS INCREDIBLE TEN YEAR JOURNEY.

YOUR WORK HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE AND IT WILL IT WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

THANK YOU. IF WE CAN ALL COME UP AND TAKE A PHOTO WITH THE RESOLUTION.

OKAY. OKAY OKAY OKAY. OKAY OKAY.

OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY. OKAY

[03:20:06]

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK.

YOU. THANK YOU. I'M NOT GOING.

THANK YOU. THANK.

YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. LET'S GO CHECK IT OUT AND SEE IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND RECESS FOR LUNCH.

OKAY. THANK. YOU, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR ONE HOUR.

IT IS 12:52 P.M..

[Recess - 2]

[03:26:35]

WOW. IT'S IT'S EMOTIONAL. YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YES, I WILL BE LIVING WITH ACCEPTING THAT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY IN THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

THREE. WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IT WAS THIS AIRPORT IS LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL, MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DATE.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS. SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT. SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE,

[03:30:04]

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUADULCE ESTRELLA GALLEGOS IN. THIS PARK, IN PARTICULAR ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS AND LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW, WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF PASO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR, SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR CITIZENS ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN TO, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TWO AND THREE ARE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED AND THANKFULLY, WITH THE HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.

AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT.

AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING. AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR, FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE, AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL, SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

IT WILL ALSO HAVE NATIVE LANDSCAPING, AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED DRAINAGE.

[03:35:03]

THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD A TRAIL FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M. SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40, SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING, YOU KNOW? SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

FROM STREET PAVING TO THE PARK, TO THE LIGHTS, TO EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE THAT MAKE CAN MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND REALLY, THIS IS WHAT EL PASO DESERVES.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE SEASON. THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR LAKE.

THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LIGHTS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BOND AND TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THREE. TWO ONE. SO EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. ONE WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON. THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS LIT.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN THEY SAW OUR SPECIAL GUEST, WHICH WAS SANTA.

SO NOW WE HAVE A LONG LINE OF KIDS WAITING TO TELL SANTA WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE, WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO BE HAPPY, TO SEE SANTA GET THEIR PHOTO WITH HIM, GET TO SEE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SPECIAL TIME AND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES HERE IN EL PASO.

WHO. DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS. WE HAVE 70 DIFFERENT LIGHT DISPLAYS. WE HAVE A VARIETY. THERE'S INTERACTIVE LIGHTS AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH.

A LOT OF OUR LIGHTS ARE ON DISPLAY OR SOUND ACTIVATED.

SO AS WE APPROACH THEM, THEY COME ON. WE DO HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ALONG A LAKE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR CAR.

YOU CAN SEE THE DISPLAYS. I JUST HOPE FOLKS COME OUT AND ENJOY IT.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME. I TIME. I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A FUN TIME FOR THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS THE FIRST ONE. I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD COME AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY PRETTY NICE OUT HERE. MY HUSBAND SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND WE LOVE THE LIGHTS. A LITTLE SET UP FOR THE PICTURES AND IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY NICE.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE.

EL PASO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS, INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

WE'RE THE BEST COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST REGION.

SO WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING, AMAZING 2025.

[03:44:08]

YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH, IT'S WHAT WE'LL BE LIVING WITH. AND IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

[03:45:02]

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

THREE. WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL IT WAS THIS AIRPORT'S LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED, AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT. SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SO SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL. AND, AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUADULCE ESTRELLA GALLEGOS. THIS PARK, IN PARTICULAR ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS, LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND, YOU KNOW? I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF PASO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR. SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

[03:50:02]

OUR CITIZENS ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR FOUR DECADES, FIVE DECADES PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE. THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TWO AND THREE ARE GREAT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.

AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE, TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING.

AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR, FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO A PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE.

AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL. SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

IT WILL ALSO HAVE NATIVE LANDSCAPING, AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED DRAINAGE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD A TRAIL FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M. SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40, SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING. YOU KNOW, SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

FROM STREET PAVING TO THE PARK TO THE LIGHTS TO EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE THAT MAKE CAN MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND REALLY, THIS IS WHAT EL PASO DESERVES.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE SEASON. THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR LAKE.

THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LIGHTS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BOND AND TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THREE. TWO ONE. SO EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. ONE WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS LIT.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN THEY SAW OUR SPECIAL GUEST, WHICH WAS SANTA.

SO NOW WE HAVE A LONG LINE OF KIDS WAITING TO TELL SANTA WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE, WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO BE HAPPY, TO SEE SANTA GET THEIR PHOTO WITH HIM, GET TO SEE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SPECIAL TIME AND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES HERE IN EL PASO.

WHO. DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS. WE HAVE 70 DIFFERENT LIGHT DISPLAYS. WE HAVE A VARIETY. THERE'S INTERACTIVE LIGHTS AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH.

A LOT OF OUR LIGHTS ARE ON DISPLAY OR SOUND ACTIVATED.

SO AS WE APPROACH THEM, THEY COME ON. WE DO HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ALONG A SCATTERED LAKE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR CAR.

[03:55:08]

I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME. I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A FUN TIME FOR THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS THE FIRST ONE. I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD COME AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY PRETTY NICE OUT HERE. MY HUSBAND SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND WE LOVE THE LIGHTS, THE LITTLE SET UP FOR THE PICTURES.

AND IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY NICE. RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE. EL PASO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS, INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

WE'RE THE BEST COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST REGION.

SO WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING, AMAZING 2025.

OH.

YEAH. YEAH.

[04:01:41]

WOW. IT'S EMOTIONAL. YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH. SO WE'LL BE LIVING WITH IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT OUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

THREE. WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL IT WAS THIS AIRPORT'S LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT. SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

[04:05:03]

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUA DULCE, ESTRELLA GALLEGOS. THIS PARK IN PARK, IN PARTICULAR ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT, AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW, WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND, YOU KNOW? I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE.

AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT.

I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR. SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY.

AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR CITIZENS ARE. YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN TO, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TWO AND THREE ARE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED.

AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE. AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE, TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING. AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR, FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE.

AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL. SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

[04:10:05]

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE GOING TO WILL THE TRAIL FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M. SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40, SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING, YOU KNOW? SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

FROM STREET PAVING TO THE PARK TO THE LIGHTS TO EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE THAT MAKE CAN MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND REALLY, THIS IS WHAT EL PASO DESERVES.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE SEASON. THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR LAKE.

THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LIGHTS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BOND AND TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THREE. TWO. ONE. GO! SO EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. ONE WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS LIT.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN THEY SAW OUR SPECIAL GUEST, WHICH WAS SANTA.

SO NOW WE HAVE A LONG LINE OF KIDS WAITING TO TELL SANTA WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE, WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO BE HAPPY, TO SEE SANTA GET THEIR PHOTO WITH HIM, GET TO SEE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SPECIAL TIME AND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES HERE IN EL PASO.

WOOHOO! GOOD JOB! I DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS.

WE HAVE 70 DIFFERENT LIGHT DISPLAYS. WE HAVE A VARIETY.

THERE'S INTERACTIVE LIGHTS AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH.

A LOT OF OUR LIGHTS ARE ON DISPLAY ARE SOUND ACTIVATED.

SO AS WE APPROACH THEM, THEY COME ON. WE DO HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ALONG A LAKE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR CAR.

YOU CAN SEE THE DISPLAYS. I JUST HOPE FOLKS COME OUT AND ENJOY IT.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME. I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A FUN TIME FOR THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS THE FIRST ONE. OH, I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD COME AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY PRETTY NICE OUT HERE. MY HUSBAND SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND WE LOVE THE LIGHTS, THE LITTLE SET UP FOR THE PICTURES.

AND IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY NICE. RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE. EL PASO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. WE'VE GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS, INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

WE'RE THE BEST COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST REGION.

SO WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING, AMAZING 2025.

HEY!

[04:19:14]

WOW. IT'S EMOTIONAL. YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH. SO WE'LL BE LIVING WITH IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

[04:20:04]

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO WE DECIDED TO DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

THREE. WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IT WAS THIS AIRPORT'S LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL, MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT. SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUADULCE ESTRELLA GALLEGOS. THIS PARK IN PARTICULAR. ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT, AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS AND LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW, WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED. I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR.

SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY.

AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

[04:25:03]

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR CITIZENS ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN TO, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

TWO AND THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED.

AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE. AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER AT.

FIRST, I PROBABLY WANT TO JUST START OFF BY TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO YOU, HOW DO WE COME UP WITH THE NAME EASTSIDE CENTRAL COALITION? EASTSIDE. EASTSIDE OF EL PASO. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, CONSIDERED EVERYTHING FROM WHAT WE CALL POSTINO UP TO FIVE POINTS. A LOT OF BLACK BUSINESSES, BLACK FAMILIES LIVED IN THAT PARTICULAR CORRIDOR.

I, FOR ONE, LIVED IN THASE PROJECTS, AND AS MY MOM AND HER BUSINESS GREW, WE MOVED FROM FROM THE PROJECTS TO RIGHT AROUND MONTANA, ON MADERO STREET, RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GATEWAY.

[A. Receive a presentation from the Eastside-Central Coalition regarding programs and activities in and around Estine Eastside Barber Shop and its surrounding commercial and residential districts. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111]

BUT THE THING THAT WE FELT VERY IMPORTANT ABOUT OUR COALITION IS THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO FORGET THE HISTORY OF EL PASO IN THAT CORRIDOR, EAST SIDE. SO WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE HISTORY AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK EL PASO TO THE HISTORY OF EL PASO. BUT ALSO WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT GOING FORWARD AND WHAT THE COALITION IS WORKING ON IN OUR INTENT TO GO FORWARD AND GROW THAT COMMUNITY, THAT CORRIDOR, THAT CORRIDOR, WHO IS SO THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO THOSE IN THE PAST.

AND TODAY I WENT TO BELL SCHOOL. I WAS A GRADUATE OF THERE, RAN TRACK THERE, WENT TO LINCOLN SCHOOL.

THE ONLY PLACE THAT WAS PRETTY OUT OF PRETTY MUCH OUT OF PAR FOR ME WAS WHEN I WENT TO ROSS.

OKAY, THAT'S THE ONLY CHANGE, BUT THAT THE WHAT WE CALL EASTSIDE CENTRAL IS MY HOME.

SO LET ME JUST GO OVER A LITTLE BIT. EASTSIDE CENTRAL COALITION IS A IS A 501 THREE ORGANIZATION.

WHO WE REPRESENT IS THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF THE ALAMEDA CORRIDOR.

[04:30:03]

WHY IS THAT SO IMPORTANT TO ME? FOR SOME OF YOU, YOU PROBABLY JUST HEARD IN THE INTRODUCTION, THERE WAS A NAME THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS IS SYNONYMOUS ABOUT EAST SIDE CENTRAL.

HER NAME IS MISS EPSTEIN. THEY DON'T EVEN CALL HER BY HER LAST NAME.

IT'S MISS EAST SIDE BARBERSHOP THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

70 YEARS. THAT BARBERSHOP WAS TRANSITIONED, WAS GIVEN TO HER BY HER GODFATHER.

AND. THEY HAVE BEEN IN THAT SAME PLACE FOR ALMOST 90 YEARS, 90 YEARS. SO WHEN YOU TALK MISS ESTEEM, NOT ONLY IS SHE AN OWNER OF A BARBERSHOP, SHE WAS ALSO A ALSO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

SHE HAD HER OWN MODELING TROUPE. SHE WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS GROUP HERE, IN FACT, THE WHOLE WESTERN DISTRICT. SHE EVEN BUILT HER OWN FLOATS IN THE BACK OF THAT BARBERSHOP.

SO SHE PARTICIPATED IN SO MANY. IN FACT, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW MY MOTHER HAD THAT THAT SKILL.

I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I CAME BACK FROM THE MILITARY AND SEEING ALL THESE AWARDS THAT SHE WAS GIVING.

BUT PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I COULD GIVE YOU ENOUGH IS A SMALL STORY.

AND I'LL I'LL QUICKLY GO THROUGH IT. I WAS HELPING HER CLEAN UP HER BARBERSHOP, AND I WENT UP TO A HANDYMAN STORE UP ON MESA STREET.

I'LL BUY YOU TAB. AND I TOLD HIM, LOOK, I'M GETTING READY TO BUY SOME SUPPLIES AND ETC., AND I LIKE TO MAKE SURE MY MOM'S BARBERSHOP IS TAKEN CARE OF.

AND THE GENTLEMAN SAID, HISPANIC GENTLEMAN SAID, IS THAT MR. STEIN? I SAID, YEAH. HE SAID, WELL, YOU KNOW, I USED TO WALK BY HER BARBERSHOP ALL THE TIME AND SHE WOULD ALWAYS WAVE AT ME.

SHE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT. AND SHE WAVED TO EVERYBODY, EVERY STUDENT THAT CAME THROUGH ACROSS THAT BARBERSHOP.

AND THEN HE SAID, YOU KNOW, THAT BARBERSHOP IS A BEACON FOR THAT ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

SO IF ANYBODY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN EAST SIDE CENTRAL POINT OUT IS DEAN'S BARBERSHOP.

THAT'S HOW LONG THAT BARBERSHOP HAS BEEN THERE, BUT THAT'S HOW LONG SHE HAS BEEN THERE AND HOW LONG HAS BEEN PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO WHAT SHE TAUGHT ME AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK AND DO WAS FIND A WAY FOR ME TO HELP US REBIRTH THAT COMMUNITY.

SO WE ESTABLISHED THE NONPROFIT EASTSIDE CENTRAL COALITION.

AND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I TALK ABOUT IN THE LAST ONE IS VISIBILITY OF MUTUAL CONCERN.

SO I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT SHORTLY.

IN FACT, JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO I GOT A REPORT FROM THE US TEN TEXDOT.

THEY JUST SENT A FORMAL REPORT, AGAIN WITH OUR COMMENTS INCORPORATED INTO THE INTO THE REPORT.

SO THAT JUST GOT PUBLISHED IN THE LAST TEN MINUTES.

OOPS. HE TOLD ME TO POINT THIS WAY. BUT TO DO THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS WE THOUGHT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON IS HOW WE CAN REBUILD THAT. THE ALAMEDA CENTRAL CORRIDOR. WE REVIEWED THE ALAMEDA PLAN.

THE CORRIDOR PLAN LOOKED AT, IN FACT, I READ ALL 300 PLUS PAGES, EVERY DETAIL, LOOKED AT WHAT ELEMENTS, WHAT INITIATIVES THAT SHOULD BE IMPORTANT THAT WE OUGHT TO FOCUS ON.

BUT OUR FOCUS STARTS FROM WHAT WE CALL ALL THE WAY UP TO FIVE POINTS FROM ALAMEDA, ALL THE WAY UP TO RENTALS.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I WAS ACTUALLY ALMOST IT WAS ALMOST ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, I WAS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A GROUP WHO WAS LOOKING AT. AND THERE WAS AN INTRODUCTION DISCUSSION ABOUT TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY IN BRINGING THAT HIGHLY TECH, HIGHLY MOTIVATED, HIGHLY ENERGIZED TECHNOLOGY LABOR SKILL INTO THE COMMUNITY.

SEE HOW WE CAN CHANGE THAT COMMUNITY. AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME, I WAS JUST STARTING OUT IN BUSINESS, AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE THE BANDWIDTH TO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

BUT MY FRIENDS HERE SAID, MIKE, THIS WOULD BE THE NEXT THE BEST THING GOING FOR EL PASO.

IT TURNED OUT TO BE JUST ONE OF THOSE. BUT NOW WE'RE EMBARKING ON A NEW INITIATIVE, NEW TECHNOLOGIES COMING INTO TO THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY INTO THIS COMMUNITY. AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS INTRODUCE THAT INTO THIS CORRIDOR.

NOW, DOING THAT MEANS WE NEED TO GO JUST FURTHER THAN TALK.

WE NEED TO TALK MORE ABOUT HOW DO WE CREATE SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATORS, HELP THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SMALL BUSINESSES GET INTRODUCED TO LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, LEGAL ACTIONS, TRAINING, ACCOUNTABILITY, ABILITY.

COUNTING. COUNTING SYSTEMS. TEACHING THEM HOW TO WRITE BUSINESS PLANS.

ET CETERA. ET CETERA. BUT ALL THOSE THINGS WOULD BE ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF WHAT THE EASTSIDE CENTRAL COALITION WILL BE INTRODUCING, DISCUSSING, AND BRINGING TO THE TABLE. AND AGAIN, LET ME JUST REMIND YOU OF SOMETHING.

[04:35:01]

AND WE WERE PART OF THAT AS PART OF PHASE ONE, WHAT WE CALL PHASE ONE, TWO YEARS AGO.

IF SOME OF YOU TENDED TO STILL REALIZE EXHIBIT AT THE EL PASO MUSEUM OF HISTORY, THAT WAS THE FIRST REAL OPPORTUNITY PEOPLE GOT TO SEE AND ENJOY THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK EL PASOANS TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE PARTICIPATE AS A PARTNER ON THAT DAY STARTING SEPTEMBER 2022.

THAT EXHIBIT STAYED AND RAN FOR ALMOST 15 MONTHS, FIVE THREE MONTHS BEYOND NORMAL EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT WAS SO WELL ATTENDED.

BUT THEN WE ALSO EMBARKED UPON SOME COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

WE EVEN INTRODUCED THE FIRST BLACK WALKING TOUR, BLACK HISTORY WALKING TOUR, JUST TO SEE IF IT WOULD WORK ON A TRIAL BASIS.

AND IT WAS WELL RECEIVED, WELL PARTICIPATED IN, AND THEN THAT HELPED US VERIFY AND VALIDATE WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO, WHICH IS GO INTO THE NEXT PHASE, THAT PHASE TWO THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOW, THAT WE'RE JUST ABOUT GETTING READY TO START ON THIS ONE.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO ESTABLISH AND OPEN UP A BLACK BUSINESS LIVING MUSEUM.

IT'S LOCATED ON 106 NORTH PIEDRAS. INTERESTING ENOUGH, BACK OF MY MOTHER'S BARBERSHOP, YOU WILL SEE THE HISTORY OF BLACK BUSINESSES FROM 1890 UNTIL THE DAY THAT SHE CLOSED HER BARBERSHOP.

SEPTEMBER 22ND. YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO SEE AND HEAR ABOUT THE EASTSIDE CENTRAL.

I MEAN, THE THE BLACK HISTORY BROCHURE, THE BLACK HISTORY WEEK, WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE EL PASO MUSEUM OF HISTORY.

THE EL PASO HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT HISTORICAL COMMISSIONING GROUPS.

WE'RE WORKING ON A BROCHURE, BLACK HISTORY BROCHURE THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN APRIL.

THAT BROCHURE WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGHOUT THE CITY, AND WE'RE EVEN LOOKING TO PLACE THAT BROCHURE AT THE EL PASO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

SO WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO EL PASO, THEY CAN SEE THE THINGS THAT BLACK EL PASOANS HAVE DONE.

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN ON PBS IN THE LAST WEEK? IF YOU HAVEN'T, YOU MISSED A GREAT, GREAT DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THAT'S GOING ON OVER THE LAST MONTH OVER THIS MONTH.

IT'S CALLED THE GREAT MIGRATION. THE GREAT MIGRATION IS IMPORTANT, JUST LIKE YOU MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE MORNING ABOUT COMING ACROSS MEXICO INTO EL PASO AND INTO THE UNITED STATES. THE MIGRATION AFTER THE CIVIL WAR WHERE BLACKS WERE FREED, THEY MOVED TO FREEDOM COLONIES. OUR FAMILY HAD A FREEDOM COLLEGE ESTABLISHED IN DAVILLA, TEXAS.

BUT THEN THEY LEFT THERE, CAME TO EL PASO AND PARTICIPATED IN THE C.C.C.

IN 1942. AND THEN MANY OTHERS. BLACKS WHO LEFT FROM MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA AND TEXAS CAME THROUGH THE PASS. HEADING TO WHERE? LOS ANGELES. SOME OF THEM STOPPED AND STAYED HERE.

SO THERE WAS TRANSITIONS EARLY IN THE 20S, THE 40S, AND THEN INSIDE EL PASO, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A MIGRATION.

THE MIGRATION OF EL PASOANS LIVING DOWNTOWN. MANY OF THEM WERE LISTED IN THE GREEN BOOK.

IF YOU READ YOU HEARD THE MOVIE AND SEEN THAT THE GREEN BOOK, WHICH IDENTIFIED WHAT RESTAURANTS, WHAT BARBERSHOPS, WHATEVER PLACES PEOPLE, BLACK PEOPLE COULD GO, AND THAT JIM CROW ERA.

AND SO WE MOVED FROM DOWNTOWN TO THE BARRIO. NOLAN RICHARDSON, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT'S THE MOST FAMOUS PERSON TO COME OUT OF IT.

THEY SAY, BUT I DON'T WE DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

HE'S JUST ONE OF MANY. OKAY. BUT HE CAME FROM SECOND WARD ACROSS PASTRANO AND THEN WAS THE FIRST INTEGRATED PROJECTS, TASE PROJECTS. AND NOW WE HAVE A HISTORICAL MARKER ACTUALLY DENOTING THAT.

OKAY. AND THEN IT CAME ACROSS FROM THERE TO ALAMEDA, PIEDRAS ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS.

BUT WE NEVER GOT PAST MONTANA. OKAY. SO THERE WAS AN INNER MIGRATION.

HOW WAS THAT CREATED? BLACK BUSINESSES, BLACK BUSINESSES.

AS PEOPLE BEGIN TO OPEN UP THEIR OWN BUSINESS, THEY GENERATE MORE REVENUE THAN THEY BEGIN TO MOVE WHEN THEY MOVE.

THEY MIGRATED WITHIN THE CITY. I'LL TALK TO YOU ABOUT HOW THAT WAS IMPACTED A LITTLE BIT LATER, BUT THAT WAS OUR OWN MIGRATION. AND NOW IT WASN'T A MIGRATION WHERE YOU WOULD YOU THINK LIKE IT'S CHICAGO OR OR NEW YORK, WHERE IT'S ALL BLACK COMMUNITY. THIS WAS A BLACK GROUP OF BLACK EL PASOANS WHO CONTINUED TO MIGRATE ACROSS AND LIVE NEXT DOOR TO THE HISPANIC FELLOWS AND FRIENDS.

WE ALL GREW UP TOGETHER. SO THAT'S PART OF THAT MIGRATION.

[04:40:02]

NOW THERE'S SOME OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON. IN FACT, YOU HAVE A MAP IN YOUR HANDS RIGHT NOW ON THE 8TH OF FEBRUARY, THERE IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A BLACK HISTORY TOUR.

AND WE'RE IDENTIFYING YOU CAN SEE IN THAT MAP ALL OF THE BLACK HISTORICAL SITES.

NOT ALL OF THEM. SOME OF THE BLACK HISTORICAL SITES THAT WE'RE GOING TO VISIT AND SHOW FOLKS THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT WE HOLD THE HOST AT THAT EVENT, ALONG WITH THE COALITION AND THE MCCALL RECREATION CENTER.

MCCALL. MCCALL. MCCALL RECREATION CENTER. AND IT HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT WE HAD WE WENT FROM ONE BUS THREE TOUR. TOURS LAST YEAR TO NOW. SIX BUSSES AND THEY'RE ALREADY FULL.

EXCEPT UNLESS SOME OF Y'ALL WANT TO PARTICIPATE AND JOIN US.

I ASSUME YOU WILL. THAT EVENT HAS BEEN NOW ONE OF THE KEY EVENTS IN WHAT WE'RE DOING AS PART OF OUR MAKING SURE THAT THE EL PASOANS, NOT ONLY THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF BLACK EL PASO. AND ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO DO BECAUSE OF THE INTERSTATE TEN.

AND WHAT WE FOUND OUT WAS, IF YOU DON'T PUT HISTORICAL MARKERS ON BUILDINGS SUCH AS THE SHILOH BAPTIST, THE SECOND BAPTIST IN SECOND WARD. THEN PEOPLE WOULD NOT KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

WHEN THAT HISTORICAL SURVEY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED, THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY BLACK HISTORICAL SITES LISTED IN THEIR SURVEY.

BUT THEY REACHED OUT THROUGH THE EASTSIDE CENTRAL COALITION AND THROUGH THE COMMISSIONER. YOUR OFFICE.

AND THE NET RESULT IS WE PROVIDE A RESPONSE TO THAT.

THEY'VE EVEN NOW ACCOMMODATED US BY PLACING THOSE TYPE OF HISTORICAL SITES INTO THE MAP SO THAT WE CAN GO INTO FURTHER DISCUSSION.

AND THEN THEY ADDED US TO THE COMMITTEE SO WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION TODAY AND TOMORROW AS THEY START LOOKING AT WHEN THEY START TO EXECUTE THAT.

I'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE HISTORY BLACK CROW AND WHAT IMPACT IT HAD IN SECOND WARD.

WHAT YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW IS TULSA, OKLAHOMA, IS NOT THE ONLY BLACK WALL STREET.

THERE'S TWO OTHER BLACK WALL STREETS. THEY TALK ABOUT RICHMOND, NORTH CAROLINA, BUT THERE'S ACTUALLY ANOTHER ONE.

EL PASO HAD ITS OWN BLACK WALL STREET. WHEN ALUMINUM PIEDRAS ALONE, THERE WAS OVER 60 BLACK BUSINESSES, BARBERSHOPS, BEAUTY SHOPS, PHARMACISTS, DRUG STORES, LAW OFFICES.

DOCTOR NIXON IS RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD HERE. YOU HAVE A BUST OF HIM.

BLACK BUSINESSES SURVIVED, LIVED AND PROSPERED WELL IN WHAT WE CALL THE ALAMEDA PIEDRAS CORRIDOR.

IN FACT, I'LL TELL YOU MY FIRST. HOW MANY PEOPLE REMEMBER TINA? TINA TURNER. IKE AND TINA TURNER REVUE. I GOT TO SEE IKE AND TINA TURNER REVUE AT THE AGE OF FOUR.

THEY WERE AT THE WHAT WE CALL THE CLUB SOCIETY, THE CLUB WHICH WAS ON WAS ON THE CHITLIN CIRCUIT.

SHE CAME IN ALONG WITH THEIR REVUE PERFORMED.

MY MOTHER WAS ONE OF THE MANAGERS THERE. I MEAN, NOT MY MOTHER, MY GODMOTHER.

I MEAN MY AUNT. THE SAD THING IS, I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN IN THERE.

AND SO I GOT A LITTLE SPANKING AND GOT SENT BACK TO THE BARBERSHOP.

OKAY. BUT THAT'S THE FIRST PERSON I FELL IN LOVE WITH BECAUSE SHE HAD BEAUTIFUL LEGS. THERE WERE OVER 60 BLACK BUSINESSES IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS EXHIBIT. AND EVEN IN THE LIVING MUSEUM, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THOSE EXHIBITS, THOSE BUSINESSES AND HOW WHERE THEY WERE LOCATED, WHO OWNED THEM, AND ETC..

THE SAD THING IS. WHEN INTERSTATE TEN WAS INTRODUCED INTO EL PASO IN THE 19 LATE 1950S, EARLY 60S, IT RAN RIGHT THROUGH THAT COMMUNITY AND ACTUALLY WIPED OUT THE BLACK COMMUNITY AS WE KNEW IT AT THAT PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME.

BLACK FAMILIES WERE MOVED FROM MAZATLAN GATEWAY, WHAT WE CALL GATEWAY EAST AND WEST MADERA, AND THEY MOVED OUT TO HACIENDA HEIGHTS. AND ACTUALLY, SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT HEIGHTS IN THE HEIGHTS WAS A BLACK COMMUNITY, BUT IT WAS NOT THE FIRST. SO NOW WITH THE INTRODUCTION, THE REINTRODUCTION AND BROADENING OF INTERSTATE TEN, WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IMPACT IT MAY HAVE UNLESS WE PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROCESS. SO WHAT

[04:45:03]

YOU SAW IT IN AN EARLIER PORTION ABOUT MY IN MY PRESENTATION ABOUT THE REBIRTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND I MENTIONED TO YOU THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE INITIATIVES THAT YOU ACTUALLY PROVIDED A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO EPA.

EPA. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF OF ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION VEHICLE LIFECYCLE SUPPORT TO THIS PARTICULAR EFFORT TO THIS QUARTER, WHAT WE WOULD END UP DOING IS INTRODUCING OVER 40 ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS IN THAT AREA.

ALONG THAT CORRIDOR, WE'LL ACTUALLY ESTABLISH TRAINING PROGRAMS. SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH, THE MCCALL CENTER AND THE THOMASVILLE RECREATION CENTER WAS THREE OF THE SITES THAT WE LOOKED AT ESTABLISHING TRAINING SITES AT, WHERE WE CAN TRAIN PEOPLE ON HOW TO OPERATE THEM, MAINTAIN THEM, AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE COMMAND AND CONTROL, PROVIDE LOGISTICS AND LIFE CYCLE SUPPORT TO THOSE SYSTEMS AS THEY ARE DEPLOYED IN THE CITY.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE WILL BE WORKING ON WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON, ALONG WITH THAT, THE INTRODUCTION OF SMALL BUSINESSES, AS I MENTIONED, INTO THE SMALL BUSINESS, SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATOR AREA THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH IN THAT QUARTER. SO WE'LL BE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

THE EAST SIDE CENTER COALITION MEETS EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT.

IT IS A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY. WHILE I MAY BE THE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, I THINK EVERYBODY FEELS THAT THEY HAVE EQUAL STATUS.

AND THEY DO. WE LISTEN AND THEN WE FORM COMMITTEES AND ACTION PLANS TO MAKE SURE WE EXECUTE WHAT WE TALK ABOUT.

WE WILL. A QUESTION WAS ASKING ME WHAT SUPPORT DO WE NEED FROM THE COUNTY.

AND WHAT I WOULD DO IS WORK THROUGH OUR COMMISSION COMMISSIONER STAFF.

AND WHEN THOSE INITIATIVES COME UP, OR THE PLANS OR NEEDS COME UP, THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH OUT TO YOU AND SEEK THAT.

BUT TODAY, WE JUST WANTED TO INFORM YOU ABOUT WHO IS THE EAST SIDE CENTER COALITION.

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO? AND ALSO, IF YOU'RE AVAILABLE ON THE EIGHTH, PARTICIPATE IN THE HISTORICAL TOUR.

AND ON THE NINTH, WE HAVE A SMALL SOFT OPENING.

IT'S SOFT. WHAT THEY CALL IN THE MUSEUM WORLD.

SOFT OPENING AT THE EAST SIDE BUSINESS. BLACK BUSINESS LIVING MUSEUM FROM 2 TO 4:00.

THE GRAND OPENING AND YOU ALL GET INVITATIONS WILL BE ON THE 28TH OF FEBRUARY.

SO YOU WILL GET THAT, AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

ANY QUESTIONS? DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR FOR MR. DAVIS? NO. WELL THANK THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. DAVIS, FOR FOR THE PRESENTATION AND ALLOWING US TO UNDERSTAND THE WORK, THE WORK THAT THAT YOU'RE, THAT YOU'RE DOING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE INFORMATION ON THE ON THE BLACK EL PASO HISTORY TOUR.

I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO GOING TO BE BE BE GOING.

I THINK THIS IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT FOR FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK LOTS OF STORIES HAVE BEEN TOLD HOW FREEWAYS DISRUPTED BLACK DISRUPTED.

BLACK COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FROM NEW ORLEANS TO CHICAGO.

BUSINESSES AND NEIGHBORHOODS JUST DESTROYED. AND OF COURSE, I THINK LESSER KNOWN IS OUR OWN HISTORY HERE IN EL PASO.

AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU HIGHLIGHTING THAT THE FREEWAY WAS A BIG PART.

YOU KNOW, OF WHAT HAPPENED THERE, BUT BUT BY FAR NOT THE ONLY.

YOU MENTIONED DOCTOR NIXON'S. AND, YOU KNOW, HIS HIS PRACTICE BEING CLOSE TO HERE AND, YOU KNOW, HIS BRAVE STAND ON VOTING IN EL PASO, WHICH WHICH LED TO TEXAS CITIES OFFICIALLY DISAVOWING SEGREGATION FROM THE RAILROADS AND MILITARY SERVICE THAT BROUGHT MANY BLACK AMERICANS TO EL PASO. AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A GREAT AND UNIQUE STORY TO TELL.

AND I GUESS, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST AS UNIQUE AS EL PASO AND AS UNIQUE AS THE BORDER.

AND AND IT'S PART OF WHAT MAKES UP THIS, THIS COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE TOOK THE STAND THAT WE DID EARLIER TODAY WITH THE RESOLUTION ON CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. AND I THINK THAT OUR COUNTY HAS REALLY A DIRECT INTEREST IN, IN THAT GENERAL AREA. FROM THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAT WE USE FOR OUR FACILITIES.

WHICH IS A BUILDING THAT COMES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION ERA TO UMMC'S CAMPUS TO THE RANGE OF SERVICES THAT START IN THE COLISEUM, THE CORBIN ZAMBRANO PROJECT THAT WE THAT WE'RE DEVELOPING.

AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE SOMEDAY WE CAN EVEN REESTABLISH A RAIL LINE FROM DOWNTOWN TO DOWNTOWN TEXAS AND ALAMEDA TO TO UMC, AND THAT WILL CONNECT THE EAST EASTSIDE CENTRAL AREA TO TO DOWNTOWN FOR WITH THAT, WITH THAT MODE OF TRANSPORTATION.

BUT I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT WORK THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT.

[04:50:08]

DOCTOR CYNTHIA RENTERIA, WHO'S DOING THAT WORK.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS ALSO GOING TO HELP US TO, TO ATTRACT TOURISM.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EL PASO'S BLACK WALL STREET AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE DEEP HISTORY THAT WE HAVE HERE WHEN IT COMES TO AFRICAN AMERICANS AND BLACK AMERICANS AND, AND HOW WE HAVE NEGLECTED TO SELL THAT AS WELL.

RIGHT. AND PEOPLE SPEND MORE MONEY ON HERITAGE TOURISM THAN ON ANY OTHER TYPE OF TOURISM.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND THE PARTNERSHIP THAT YOU HAVE WITH WITH MY OFFICE IN THE COUNTY.

AND I'M JUST VERY EXCITED FOR WHAT'S TO COME AND WORKING WITH YOU INTO THE FUTURE.

AND IF I MAY ADD, THE OTHER THING IS WE'RE ALSO PARTNERING WITH OTHER BLACK ORGANIZATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS, PERIOD, TO INCLUDE THE FIVE POINTS ASSOCIATION, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE ABLE TO DO IS REACH OUT TO THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION IS SPREADED TO THEM, AND THEN INCORPORATE THEM INTO WHAT'S NEXT. WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING NEXT? THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ITEM. ITEM NUMBER EIGHT. BE RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK REGARDING THE AGENCY'S ANNUAL REPORT.

JUDGE. JUDGE. WELL, JUDGE IS NOT HERE. COMMISSIONERS, I'M SO USED TO SAYING JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS.

COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS THE ANNUAL REPORT FROM EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK.

I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF THEIR WORK AND REALLY APPRECIATE THE UPDATES.

[B. Receive a presentation from Emergence Health Network regarding the agency’s annual report. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111]

TO THE CEO. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN. CHRISTY DOHERTY, CEO FOR EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK.

YOUR LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AUTHORITY.

AND AS WE DO EVERY YEAR, WE WE LIKE WE WANT TO BRING OUR ANNUAL REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

KEEP IN MIND THIS IS FISCAL YEAR 24. OUR FISCAL YEAR RUNS SEPTEMBER 1ST THROUGH AUGUST 31ST.

AS WE ALWAYS DO, WE. WELL, NOT ALWAYS, BUT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE HAVE GONE AWAY FROM THE WRITTEN, PRINTED REPORT WHERE IT IS AN ONLINE REPORT. SO I'M GOING TO JUST GO OVER SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ONLINE REPORT.

BUT PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

I'M SURE WE SEND OUT A LITTLE POSTCARDS WITH OUR LINK, BUT IT IS A REALLY INTERACTIVE AND INFORMATIVE REPORT.

SO LET ME MAKE SURE I DO THIS RIGHT. SO THE FIRST THING I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS REPORT IS FOCUSING ON THIS YEAR IS WHAT HAVE WE DONE THAT HAS REALLY MADE AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND IF YOU LOOK HERE, THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS I'M GOING TO GO OVER IS OUR ID DAY HABILITATION CENTER.

WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT CENTER VERY MUCH. IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT WITH REGARDS TO THE FOLKS WE SERVE THERE.

THEY HAVE THE BEST PARTIES. VALENTINE'S IS COMING UP, SO I WILL BE STOPPING BY SCHOOL BASED SERVICES AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AS A LOT OF FOLKS JUST KNOW ABOUT US AS OUR CRISIS SYSTEM.

IT'S A BIG IT'S A IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF A BIG SYSTEM.

WE DO OTHER THINGS TOO. AND THEN OUR CRISIS LINE, WHICH HAS MADE A HUGE IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

FIRST UP IS OUR DAY HABILITATION CENTER. IT IS FOR INDIVIDUALS ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

WE DO SOCIALIZATION, DAILY LIVING. WE HAVE A LAUNDRY FACILITY.

THEY CAN LEARN TO DO THEIR LAUNDRY. THEY CAN COOK.

WHAT WE FOCUS ON VERSUS DISABILITY. WE FOCUS ON OUR CLIENTS ABILITIES.

WHAT CAN THEY DO AND HOW CAN WE HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFUL IN THOSE TASKS.

MONEY MANAGEMENT IS A BIG ONE. AND HERE'S A SUCCESS STORY ABOUT.

SHE FACED SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FROM GRADUATING FROM SCHOOL, BUT SHE JOINED OUR PROGRAM, AND HER FAMILY HAS SEEN A TREMENDOUS CHANGE IN HER INDEPENDENCE AND HER ABILITY TO DO THINGS WITH MINIMAL SUPERVISION.

AND THAT'S REALLY OUR GOAL. AND AGAIN, IT'S JUST A GREAT, REALLY WONDERFUL ENVIRONMENT AND HAPPY TO IT'S OUT ON LOMA LAND.

IF ANYBODY WANTS TO VISIT THAT BE HAPPY TO ARRANGE THAT.

NEXT, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF OUR SCHOOL BASED SERVICES.

SO THIS IS OUR SCHOOL BASED OUTPATIENT SERVICES.

WE ALSO HAVE SCHOOL BASED SIT. RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN TEN CAMPUSES, THREE WITH CANUTILLO, TWO WITH FABENS AND FIVE WITH EL PASO.

AND WE ARE LOOKING TO. WE DID RECEIVE SOME SAMHSA MONEY THIS YEAR THAT ARE GOING TO ALLOW US TO GROW THOSE THOSE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE CASEWORKERS, THERAPISTS, PEER SUPPORT, AND WE HELP WITH THE SCHOOL.

WE ASSIST THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS. AND IF YOU SEE THERE, WE'VE SERVED QUITE A FEW KIDS.

[04:55:05]

NEXT IS OUR MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID. THIS IS A VERY VALUABLE TRAINING THAT WE DO FOR ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO LEARN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS. AND IT'S JUST LIKE BASIC FIRST AID. WHAT DO YOU DO UNTIL THE PROFESSIONALS CAN GET THERE? WE ARE A TRAINING HUB FOR TEXAS, AND WE HAVE PROVIDED MORE THAN 2000 TRAININGS.

EXCUSE ME? WE TRAINED MORE THAN 2000 PEOPLE THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR, AND IT IS AN EIGHT HOUR TRAINING.

AND AGAIN, IT FOCUSED ON JUST THE LAYPERSON UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN IN THE EVENT WE INTERACT WITH SOMEBODY IN A, IN A PSYCHIATRIC CRISIS. AND THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE YEARS AGO. BUT I THINK ONE OF OUR STRONGEST, OUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID IS WE DID TRAIN ALL THE METRO BUS DRIVERS, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING A REFRESHER BECAUSE THEY'VE HIRED SOME MORE FOLKS. BUT THAT IS A BIG THAT'S A WIN FOR OUR CITY.

NEXT UP IS OUR CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAMS. A LOT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE CLINICIANS IN POLICE CARS.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM WITH EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

WE'RE ALSO WITH SOCORRO POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND SOMETHING WE'VE DONE OVER THE PAST YEAR THAT WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IS WE NOW, I THINK, ARE ONE OF THE ONLY CITIES OR COUNTIES IN TEXAS THAT HAVE SCHOOL BASED CIT.

SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE DESIGNATED A SPECIFIC TEAM.

WHAT WE LEARNED IS IT'S NOT A GOOD USE OF TIME TO HAVE THEM EMBEDDED WITH THE WITH THE ISD POLICE FORCES.

BUT WHAT WE DO IS WE HAVE A TEAM DEDICATED. AND SO ANYTIME SOMETHING HAPPENS ON A SCHOOL CAMPUS AND THE THE ISD POLICE FORCE REACHES OUT, WE HAVE A TEAM DEDICATED. THEY'LL RESPOND. AND REALLY, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE MEETING THAT SITUATION WHERE THAT SITUATION IS HAPPENING VERSUS THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT CHILD HAVING TO BE PUT IN THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR AND TAKEN SOMEWHERE, THAT ADDS TO THE TRAUMA AND SOMETHING ELSE. WE'VE DONE THIS, THIS LAST OF END OF LAST FISCAL YEAR.

FIRST OF THIS YEAR WE ACTUALLY NOW HAVE A MOBILE CLINIC.

IT'S A VAN. IT'S A FORD VAN. IT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO WITH IT'S UNDER THE YOUTH CRISIS OUTREACH TEAM.

SOMETHING HAPPENS OUT AT A SCHOOL. IF SCHOOL BASED CIT IS CALLED, OUR YOUTH CRISIS OUTREACH TEAM CAN NOW ACTUALLY TAKE A CLINIC, A MOBILE CLINIC, TO THAT SCHOOL AND DO AN ASSESSMENT.

THEY CAN SEE A DOCTOR, THEY CAN SEE A CLINICIAN, WE CAN DO AN INTAKE, WHATEVER THEY NEED TO DO AGAIN, TO WHERE THAT PARENT DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE THAT CHILD, YOU KNOW, KICKING AND SCREAMING, UNFORTUNATELY, OR THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE PUT IN THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO WHERE THE SITUATION HAPPENS, I THINK IS IS MOST IMPORTANT.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED THAT WE ARE IN FABENS, CANUTILLO EPISD CISD, AND THEN WE HAVE A MOBILE VIRTUAL SCHOOL BASED SIT WITH CLINT AND CINELLI. SO THOSE RESOURCE OFFICERS DO HAVE AN IPAD AND THEY CAN CALL US UP AND WE CAN HELP THEM OUT THERE.

SO THAT HAS EXPANDED. AND WE'RE ACTUALLY IN TALKS WITH EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS COLLEGE AS WELL TO SUPPORT THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

NEXT. SOMETHING ELSE THAT WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR IS WE HAVE OVER 20 STAFF HOUSED AT THE 911 CENTER, AND THEY ARE ANSWERING NINE, EIGHT, EIGHT. SO WE PROVIDE 24 OVER SEVEN 365 DAY IMMEDIATE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR FOLKS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH A PSYCHIATRIC CRISIS. THEY HAVE A LOVED ONE THAT'S STRUGGLING OR THEY JUST NEED INFORMATION.

AND SO WE DO HANDLE THOSE CALLS. BUT THE THE BENEFIT OF BEING WITH THE 911 CENTER IS THOSE CALLS CAN BE TRANSFERRED BACK AND FORTH.

IF A CALL, A PSYCHIATRIC CRISIS COMES IN TO 911988 CAN PICK THAT UP, WE CAN QUICKLY FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL AND RESPOND, AND VICE VERSA. AND SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY. THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS.

AND OTHER CITIES I KNOW AUSTIN THEY ALSO HAVE THEIR 988 ANSWERED IN THEIR 911 CENTER.

BUT I THINK WE'RE THE ONLY CENTER THAT'S TRULY INTEGRATED WHERE OUR STAFF HAS ACCESS TO THE CAD SYSTEM, THE COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH TO WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY PUSH INFORMATION OUT TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS WHEN THEY'RE RESPONDING TO A CALL.

SOME OTHER HIGHLIGHTS I'D LIKE TO TALK TO TALK ABOUT IS WE ARE WE ARE EMBRACING AI.

SOME FOLKS ARE A LITTLE SCARED OF THAT, BUT WE HAVE EMBRACED IT IN SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS. ONE IS WE HAVE AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM EMBEDDED IN OUR ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD, WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY ASSISTING WITH THE NOTE WRITING.

SO IT IS IT'S HIPAA COMPLIANT. IT IS REALLY THERE NOT TO WRITE THE NOTE FOR THE CLINICIAN, BUT WHAT IT'S DOING IS IT'S HELPING WRITE THAT NOTE TO TO WHERE IT'S MATCHING THE CODE THAT THAT CLINICIAN IS BILLING.

THE CLINICIAN DOES HAVE TO READ IT, APPROVE IT.

BUT WHAT IT'S DONE IS IT'S CUT DOWN ON STAFF DOCUMENTATION TIME BY 30%.

SO THAT TIME CAN BE THEN FACE FORWARD FACING WITH CLIENTS.

WE HAVE OPENED OUR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT CENTER. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SPACE AND WE HAVE ALL OF OUR JUSTICE INVOLVED PROGRAMS HOUSED OUT OF THAT CENTER.

AND THEN WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE TO THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY.

WE DID RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY TO OPEN A DIVERSION CENTER THAT IS GOING TO BE CO-LOCATED WITH OUR EXTENDED OBSERVATION UNIT ON MONTANA.

[05:00:04]

WE ARE DOING SOME SOME FACILITY UPGRADES. AND THEN WE ALSO RECEIVED OPERATIONAL MONEY FROM HHS.

SO WE DO HAVE A SUSTAINABILITY PLAN TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE THAT CENTER. WHAT THAT'S GOING TO DO IS REALLY ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WITH AN OPTION TO NOT TAKE SOMEONE TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM OR TO JAIL, AND SO THEY CAN COME TO THE DIVERSION CENTER WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO FEED THEM.

WE CAN LOOK, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IF THEY DO NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, MAYBE THEY ARE A CLIENT, NEED TO JUST GET THEIR MEDICATIONS REFILLED. WE HAVE A PHARMACY ON SITE. SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF OPTIONS FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT WITH OUR EXTENDED OPERATION, THEY STAY UP TO 48 HOURS WITH THE DIVERSION. THEY MAY BE THERE 3 OR 4 HOURS, BUT IT'S 3 OR 4 HOURS OF HELP THAT WILL DIVERT THEM FROM GOING INTO THE JAIL SYSTEM OR TO OCCUPY AN ER BED. WE ALSO WERE VERY PROUD OF A TOWN HALL WE HOSTED, REALLY FOCUSING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OUR ID CLIENTS. RIGHT NOW, OUR ATTENDANT WAGE IS LET ME LET ME BACK THAT UP.

THE APPROVED ATTENDANT WAGE FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS IS $10.60 AN HOUR.

OUR ATTENDANTS ARE MAKING $14 AN HOUR. AND SO REALLY IT'S GETTING THE STATE TO PAY THAT.

SO WE'RE SUBSIDIZING THAT. AND WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT WE AS A SYSTEM ACROSS TEXAS, HAVE TO GET THAT WAGE UP TO WHERE WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE THOSE ATTENDANTS, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ARE DAILY WITH OUR CLIENTS, WITH ID, MAKING SURE THEY'RE SAFE, MAKING SURE THEIR NEEDS ARE MET. WE'RE VERY PROUD THAT WE HAD A PARTNERSHIP WITH KVIA, AND WE WERE AWARDED THE FRANK M ADAMS AWARD FOR OUR AWARENESS EFFORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO TO BE MINDFUL THAT YOU SEE ON KVIA WAS AWARDED THE FRANK AND ADAMS, WHICH IS GIVEN OUT AT THE TEXAS COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY CENTER CONFERENCE.

AND SO WE WERE VERY PROUD TO TO RECEIVE THAT AWARD.

AND THEN I ALREADY TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW WE'VE EXPANDED OUR SCHOOL BASED KIT NOW INTO SEVERAL OTHER DISTRICTS.

AND THOSE DISTRICTS LISTED THERE ARE THE DISTRICTS THAT WE ARE IN PERSON. AND THEN I EXPLAINED CLINT AND CINELLI RECEIVE IT REMOTELY.

THIS IS SOMETHING I'M VERY PROUD OF. AND IF YOU LOOK AT IT ONLINE, IT'S REALLY INTERACTIVE AND IT'S SUPER COOL HOW IT ADDS UP.

BUT WE BROUGHT IN $18.8 MILLION INTO EL PASO COUNTY LAST YEAR IN GRANT FUNDING.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THESE, THIS IS SOME OF THE GRANTS THAT CAME IN.

WE IN ADDITION TO THE 2 MILLION THAT THE COUNTY GAVE US, WE ALSO ARE GETTING THREE POINT OR 1.1 FROM THE STATE FOR OUR OUR DIVERSION CENTER.

WE GOT WE RECEIVED $500,000 TO EXPAND SCHOOL BASED SIT.

WE ALSO RECEIVED $500,000 FOR FORENSIC ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

SO THAT'S AN ACT PROGRAM FOR FOLKS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH.

WE HAVE $2 MILLION TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND SUPPLY NALOXONE TO FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHER DIRECT CARE PROVIDERS.

AND THAT'S NOT JUST EL PASO COUNTY. WE'RE REALLY PROUD THAT WE'RE SERVING SOME OF OUR RURAL COUNTIES WITH THAT MONEY AS WELL. AS ALWAYS, WE WE WANT TO BE TO SHOW YOU OUR REVENUES AND OUR EXPENSES.

WE DID COME IN A HIGHER IN OUR REVENUES THAN WE DID IN OUR EXPENSES, AND WE DID SERVE OVER 36,000 PEOPLE LAST YEAR.

IF YOU LOOK DOWN, THAT'S A LITTLE OVER 12,000 OF THOSE FOLKS WERE IN THE JAIL.

WE ALWAYS LIKE TO BREAK OUR SERVICES DOWN BY DEMOGRAPHICS.

A LOT OF TIMES OUR ANNUAL REPORT IS USED BY STUDENTS FOR RESEARCH.

DIFFERENT PEOPLE TAKE A LOOK AT IT BECAUSE IT IS PUBLIC. SO AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION SERVED OVER 8000 INDIVIDUALS.

AND THIS IS BROKEN DOWN BY GENDER, ETHNICITY AND AGE.

AND WE DID THE SAME WITH OUR POPULATION. OUR COLLABORATIVE CARE.

OUR COLLABORATIVE CARE IS A DIVISION OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON PROVIDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES, AND PRIMARY CARE ALL UNDER ONE ROOF MAY SOUND EASY, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE, GENERAL REVENUE DOLLAR DOES NOT PAY FOR PRIMARY CARE IN A LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY SETTING. SO A LOT OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE FOR FOLKS THAT ARE INSURED.

WE WE AREN'T ABLE TO TO USE GENERAL REVENUE FOR THAT, BUT WE CAN BUILD MEDICAID.

SO THEY DO HAVE MEDICAID. WE DO BILL MEDICAID FOR THAT.

BUT THIS IS A PROGRAM WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF, BECAUSE WHAT THAT DOES IS IT ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR A WAITLIST IN EL PASO.

MANY LARGE CITIES HAVE A WAITLIST FOR THEIR SERVICES.

WE DO NOT, BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO IS MOVE PEOPLE.

IF SOMEBODY HAS A BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD CARD, WE CAN MOVE THEM INTO OUR COLLABORATIVE CARE DIVISION AND NOT TAKE A SLOT UP FOR SOMEBODY.

THAT'S TRUE GRT AND WE CAN BE ABLE TO. WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE MORE FOLKS WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE GET IN CRISIS.

WE HAVE OVER 6000 FOLKS THAT WE SERVED IN CRISIS.

AND THEN OUR DIVERSION. SO THAT IS AGAIN DIVERTING PEOPLE FROM AN INAPPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE, WHICH WE CONSIDER AN EMERGENCY ROOM AS WELL AS JAIL, AS WELL AS ALSO SOME OF THIS IS DIVERTING FROM A PSYCHIATRIC BED TO.

SOME FOLKS MAY THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE, BUT THERE'S PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT NEED A PSYCHIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC BED. THEY CAN MAINTAIN THEIR TENURE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE CAN SERVE THEM THERE. AND THAT IS OUR ANNUAL REPORT.

[05:05:01]

ANY ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS DOHERTY? NO, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE THE ID ATTENDANCE, THE THE IS THAT IS THAT IS THERE LEGISLATION THAT'S BEING FILED FOR THAT? YES, SIR. SO LAST YEAR OR EXCUSE ME, LAST SESSION, THE RATE WAS EIGHT.

NO. SEVEN. WHAT WAS IT? I'M SORRY. SEVEN. IT WAS 730.

SEVEN. 35 AN HOUR. AND WE AS TEXAS COUNCIL COMMUNITY CENTERS WERE PUSHING FOR 15.

AND IT ACTUALLY THE LEGISLATORS THOUGHT THEY GOT A WIN WITH THE 1060 BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION.

I HATE TO SAY THIS. THEY LEFT OUT FROM THE YOU KNOW, HOW FAST THAT GOES.

SO NOW WE'RE PUSHING TO GET FROM THE 1060. AND I THINK THEY'RE ACTUALLY PUSHING FOR 17.

YES. AND IT'S YEAH, IT IS IN THE APPROPRIATIONS.

IT IS A BILL THAT IS BEING PUSHED PRETTY HARD BECAUSE IT'S NEEDED, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE QUALITY INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE OUR IDD POPULATION.

OKAY. I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S ON OUR THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, BUT CAN CAN I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALISA HAS Y'ALL'S LEGISLATIVE SHE DOES AGENDA SO THAT WE CAN INTEGRATE IT INTO OUR OWN IF WE HAVEN'T ALREADY.

YEAH. YES, FOR SURE. BUT WE'LL DOUBLE CHECK. YES.

HELLO. COMMISSIONER HURTADO, CHIEF OF STAFF, WE HAVE MET WITH ELISA AND HAVE SHARED OUR, OUR OUR OUR POLICY AGENDA FOR THE SESSION. SO SHE IS AWARE. OKAY. GREAT. GREAT.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? NO. OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

ITEM. ITEM NUMBER NINE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

RECEIVE A PRESENTATION. DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING EL PASO COUNTY'S 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AGENDA AND VALUE STATEMENTS. SHOULD HAVE MISS TAMAYO ON LINE.

[A. Receive a presentation, discuss and take appropriate action regarding El Paso County’s 89th Texas Legislative Session Agenda and Values Statements. Melissa Carrillo, Deputy County Administrator, County Operations, 915-546-2162]

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES. GO AHEAD. OKAY. PERFECT.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY WE HAVE THE LOBBY TEAM ON THE LINE, AND WE'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS NEEDED FROM PARTNERS ON THE LINE.

BUT IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND START WITH THE SLIDES, I HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO A FEW UPDATES NOW THAT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS UNDERWAY, AND WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THESE ARE JUST SOME SESSION UPDATES ABOUT WHEN WE BEGAN BACK IN TUESDAY, JANUARY THE 14TH. A REMINDER THAT WE ADJOURN AFTER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, JUNE 2ND.

NOW WE HAVE A NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, SPEAKER DUSTIN BURROWS.

THERE'S OVER 3400 BILLS FILED SO FAR. WE HAVE A NEW CHAIR OF THE TEXAS SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, SENATOR JOHN PARKER, AND A NEW CHAIR OF THE TEXAS HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, REP FROM THE HOUSTON AREA, AND ALSO THE MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SOMEONE FROM THE DALLAS AREA CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THEY HAVE THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.

AS YOU KNOW, THE THE BUDGET GOES BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THEY ALTERNATE EVERY SESSION. AND THIS TIME WE WE START WE START WITH A SENATE BUDGET.

THEY'VE BEEN HOLDING HEARINGS ON ON THE DIFFERENT BUDGET ARTICLES.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN AN IMPORTANT HEARING THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU ALL, WHICH IS THE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

THEY HAD THEIR HEARING ON SB TWO. AND THEY VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE THE SAME DAY.

THE BILL. LAST WEEK IN JANUARY THE 28TH. THIS IS ALSO A PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR.

WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE NEXT BULLET POINT. THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

THE GOVERNOR HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF HIS PRIORITIES AND EMERGENCY ITEMS FOR THE SESSION.

AND WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. INSTEAD OF ATTENDING GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES HE HAS THE FIRST 40 BILLS OF THE SENATE. FOR PRIORITIES OF HIS OWN. AND HE REALLY THE FIRST 25 OF THOSE 40 ITEMS I HIGHLIGHTED ON HERE, THE ONES THAT ARE OF NOTE FOR THE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY AS I MENTIONED, SCHOOL VOUCHERS IS ON THERE.

[05:10:02]

WE ALSO HAVE NUMBER EIGHT AND NUMBER NINE THAT ARE OF IMPORTANCE TO THE COUNTY.

NUMBER EIGHT WILL REQUIRE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ASSIST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DEPORTATION EFFORTS.

WE ALSO HAVE REFORMING BAIL. THAT WE'RE STILL ANALYZING, ALONG WITH THE URBAN COUNTIES.

THIS ONE, TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO.

I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 16, WHICH IS NONCITIZEN VOTING EFFORTS.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS SAID THAT HE WANTS TO ENSURE THAT NON-CITIZENS ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE, EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW THERE'S NO CASES WHERE THERE'S NOT LIKE A HIGH CONCERN ITEM FOR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT BUT IT IS A PRIORITY FOR HIS OFFICE. AND THEN NUMBER 19, THE TAXPAYER FUNDED LOBBYING.

SO WE WILL BE MONITORING THESE BILLS AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE SESSION.

BUT I WANTED TO JUST HIGHLIGHT THEM FOR YOU THAT YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THESE ARE SOME OF OUR PRIORITIES. I WANTED TO HAVE THIS ON A SLIDE JUST TO HIGHLIGHT THE ONES THAT OUR DELEGATION HAS ALREADY FILED.

THERE'S STILL SOME OF THEM THAT ARE PENDING THAT WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR LANGUAGE BACK FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR DELEGATION MEMBERS TO GET FILED AS SOON AS WE CAN. BUT FOR NOW, WE HAVE THE COUNTY FAMILY LEAVE PROGRAM, WHICH IS 0334 BY REPORT, AND THE SENATE COMPANION BY SENATOR BLANKET. THEN WE HAVE OUR DRUG COURT CHANGES THAT THIS WAS FILED BY REP.

AND JOHNSON OF HOUSTON AND THE STATEWIDE EFFORTS, WHICH MEANS THAT WE WILL HAVE BETTER CHANCES OF PASSING THIS WITH MORE SUPPORT FROM ACROSS THE STATE. THEN WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY LEGISLATION THAT GONZALEZ FILED 1462, TO GIVE US THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE JUNKYARDS. AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS LATER ON IN THE PRESENTATION.

AND WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THEN WE HAVE THE STATE FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LIKE US, AND WE'RE JUST PERSONALLY AFFECTED BY THE VETERAN VETERAN HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

SENATE BILL 89. AND THEN LIKE I SAID, THE OTHER COUNTY PARTNERS ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING ADOPTED OR BEING VETTED BY THE STAFF AND STAKEHOLDERS SO STAKEHOLDERS SO THAT WE CAN GET THEM FILED AS SOON AS WE CAN.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. OH, SORRY. PLEASE CONTINUE.

I WANTED TO PUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S PRIORITIES ON A SEPARATE SLIDE.

JUST BECAUSE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S STAFF HAS TAKEN A GREAT LEAD ON, ON THESE TWO PRIORITIES.

BUT THEY THEY'VE BEEN FILED AS WELL. I'M SORRY.

THE FAMILY VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDER HAS BEEN FILED, AND THE HOTEL HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION LEGISLATION HAVE BEEN FILED YET, BUT IT'S IT'S GETTING IT'S GETTING MOVING. WE'VE HAD SOME MEETINGS ON THIS, AND ANYBODY FROM THE LOBBY TEAM CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING REALLY HARD ON THIS.

WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. OKAY. SO I WANTED TO DISCUSS REAL QUICK THE THE THESE TWO BILLS.

AS YOU MIGHT REMEMBER FROM OUR INITIAL DRAFT OF THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THE JUNKYARD.

WELL, IT WAS NOT A DOCTOR. INITIALLY. WE WANTED WE HAD A PRIORITY THAT WAS VERY BROAD.

THAT WAS GOING TO ASK OUR DELEGATION OR MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE TO FILE SOMETHING TO GIVE US SOME AUTHORITY TO PREVENT FIRES.

INITIALLY, WE WANTED SOME KIND OF ZONING AUTHORITY.

EVENTUALLY WE DECIDED THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE NEEDED, AND SO WE REMOVED IT.

ONCE WE WERE NARROWING DOWN OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, WE REMOVED THIS ITEM AND WE ENDED UP WITH 11 PRIORITIES.

BUT THEN I CAME BACK IN NOVEMBER AFTER THESE TWO BILLS, HOUSE BILL 373 1462.

THAT WOULD I GUESS IT WAS A ONE PAGE BILL THAT WOULD GIVE THE COUNTY AUTHORITY TO HAVE AN ORDER.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN, IN THE TWO FIELDS IS THAT RECYCLING FACILITIES WERE ADDED TO THE 1462.

SO THIS BECAME A PRIORITY. THE ONES YOU ALL VOTED TO HAVE THIS BACK ON THE AGENDA.

SO THIS IS OUR 12TH PRIORITY, HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS GAVE A BRIEFING DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION ABOUT THE LEGAL LIKE A LEGAL ASSESSMENT ABOUT THEM. SO I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF THE COURT WANTED TO TAKE ANY ACTION TO KEEP THIS AS THE 12TH ITEM OR IF WE WANTED TO MOVE IT, MOVE IT AS A VALUE STATEMENT. I DON'T SEE ANY HARM IN KEEPING ON KEEPING THIS ON AS THE 12TH ITEM ON THE AGENDA, JUST KNOWING THAT THIS MIGHT NOT BE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE MOVING JUST BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW BROAD THE BILL LANGUAGE IS.

[05:15:02]

BUT I WOULD SUGGEST LEAVING IT JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE.

I AGREE. AND IT'S IT'S GOT A BILL NUMBER SO IT'S ALREADY BEEN FILED.

BOTH BOTH OF THEM HAVE BEEN FILED. SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JUST LEAVING THE SECOND ONE THAT ALSO INCLUDES RECYCLING FACILITIES OR THE FIRST ONE THAT THAT DOESN'T. WE WOULD SUPPORT EITHER BILL THAT ENDS UP MOVING BUT MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD BE HOUSE BILL 1462, THE ONE THAT ENDS UP MOVING. IT'S STILL GOING TO BE KIND OF HARD FOR THE BILL TO MOVE.

BUT WE I MEAN, EITHER WAY, THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS BROAD ENOUGH TO SUPPORT BOTH VERSIONS OF THE BILL AND DOES DOES REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ. SHE SAID THAT IT'S THAT OR IS SHE IS SHE RELATED THAT SHE'S OKAY WITH US KEEPING THE BILL? I MEAN, HER, HER CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE BILL OR OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO BE WASTING HER TIME? I DON'T I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE WASTING HER TIME.

IF SHE DECIDES NOT TO REQUEST A HEARING. WE. IT'S ALREADY BEEN.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME. YEAH. YEAH. I DON'T KNOW IF THE LOBBY TEAM WANTS TO ADD ON THAT.

OR IF COMMISSIONER OR COMMISSIONER BUTLER HAVE ANY INPUT ON THIS.

YEAH. COMMISSIONER BUTLER I MEAN, I'M SORRY. I'M GOING TO LET ME HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER REAL QUICK.

AND THEN AND THEN I'LL AND THEN I'LL HEAR FROM YOU, MISS HARDESTY.

SO REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ WAS ASKING US FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO MAYBE MAKE THE, THE BILL LANGUAGE MORE SPECIFIC OR ENHANCE IT. AND AND SO OUR CONVERSATION WAS REALLY JUST ABOUT US NOT HAVING, YOU KNOW, SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SOME STATUTORY AUTHORITY. AND THAT'S THAT'S KIND OF THE CONVERSATION WE HAD.

SHE SAID SHE'S OKAY LEAVING THE BILL. AND, YOU KNOW, IF IT MOVES FORWARD, IT MOVES FORWARD.

JUST LETTING IT GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. OKAY.

SO. JACKIE, DID YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING? I MEAN, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. I WAS ESSENTIALLY JUST GOING TO SAY ADD THE SAME THING, WHICH IS IT'S ALREADY FILED.

COMMITTEES HAVEN'T BEEN ASSIGNED YET, SO WE PROBABLY HAVE TIME TO RECONNECT WITH HER AND FIND OUT WHERE DO WE WANT TO DO IN TERMS OF PURSUING A HEARING ON THE BILL? OKAY. AND WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ'S STAFF JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY WAS ON THE CALL. ELISA WAS ON THE CALL.

AND SO THEY KNOW HER STAFF KNOWS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WHETHER OR NOT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CAN DRAFT AN ORDER TO DO WHAT WE WANT IT TO DO HERE IN THE IN THE COUNTY WITHOUT HAVING TO PURSUE THE LEGISLATION.

SO THEY KNOW THAT WE'RE KIND OF ON A LITTLE BIT OF A PAUSE WHILE WE WORK THROUGH THAT.

THAT QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN ALREADY ISSUE OUR OWN ORDER.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S ANY RUSH AT THIS POINT.

THANK YOU. SO IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE A CONSENSUS.

DO WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT? DO WE NEED A MOTION TO TO APPROVE MOVING FORWARD WITH 1462 OR ANNA SCHUMACHER, ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY? I WOULD ASK ALISA IF ITEM 1462 IS ALREADY INCORPORATED WITHIN IT IS BETSY'S NODDING HER HEAD.

SO IF IT'S ALREADY INCORPORATED, THEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO TAKE A VOTE. I THINK IT WOULD ONLY BE IF WE WANTED TO REMOVE IT FROM THE LIST.

SO DIRECTION IS TO KEEP GOING? YES. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

THEN WE WILL KEEP THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA. IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THERE'S THIS PROPOSED VALUE STATEMENT THAT I KNOW YOU HAD GIVEN DIRECTION TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND MYSELF TO DRAFT SOMETHING TO PUT ON THE AGENDA IN REGARDS TO THE HIGH SPEED CHASES. AND SO THIS IS THE PROPOSED VALUE STATEMENT THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU ALL TO APPROVE TODAY.

SO WE CAN ADD TO THE AGENDA. AND IT WOULD READ SUPPORT EFFORTS TO UPDATE THE DPS VEHICLES PURSUIT POLICY TO ENSURE THAT IT SECURES THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE PROTECTION OF THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND POLICE OFFICERS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT'S DUTY TO ENFORCE THE LAW AND APPREHEND VIOLATORS, AND ALIGNS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GUIDELINES.

[05:20:05]

CORRECT THE AGENDA TO THE AGENDA. OKAY. I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION AND THAT WOULD GO INTO THE VALUE STATEMENT.

CORRECT. TO ADD TO THE VALUE STATEMENT SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS.

OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO.

I DON'T KNOW WHY. FOR SOME REASON I CAN'T LIKE ELECTRONICALLY MAKE A MOTION.

I DON'T IT'S NOT LETTING YOU PULL UP THIS. IT DOESN'T PULL UP THE OPTION FOR ME TO ACTUALLY CLICK THE BUTTON TO MAKE A MOTION FOR SOME REASON.

I'M NOT SURE WHY. MY COMPUTER'S ON THE FRITZ.

ALL RIGHT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COMMISSIONERS AND THE LOBBY TEAM IS HERE. I KNOW, COMMISSIONER BUTLER, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SESSION OR ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS, BUT I KNOW YOU HAD REQUESTED THAT THAT THE LOBBY TEAM WOULD JOIN US TODAY AND AND THEY INTEND TO JOIN US AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH DURING SESSION FOR THESE UPDATES. THAT WAY THEY CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM YOU ALL.

THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. I WAS HOPING TO JUST GET AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN AUSTIN AND HEAR FROM OUR LOBBYISTS ABOUT THE WORK THEY'VE BEEN DOING ON OUR BEHALF.

ABSOLUTELY. WE CAN. I'M SORRY. I CAN'T HEAR YOU.

MIKE. DOES MIKE START TRYING TO SPEAK? I CAN'T HEAR YOU, MIKE.

YOU'RE ON MUTE. MIKE. HE'S MUTE.

OKAY. HELLO, COMMISSIONER. IT SOUNDS LIKE HE'S HAVING AUDIO PROBLEMS FROM HIS.

SO I THINK WE WERE JUST THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR HAVING US TODAY.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE BEING HERE. AS ALISA SAID, WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN SESSION.

BUT JUST IN TERMS OF I'M SURE YOU ALL HAVE SEEN IT, THE SENATE SIDE IS MOVING VERY QUICKLY.

BUDGET HEARINGS WERE ALL LAST WEEK. THE VOUCHER BILL MOVED OUT WAS WAS VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

WE EXPECT THAT IT WILL BE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ON I MEAN ON THE SENATE FLOOR ON WEDNESDAY.

WE THINK THAT THE SENATE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE AT THAT PACE THROUGHOUT THE SESSION TO GET GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S EMERGENCY ITEMS MOVED QUICKLY AND OVER TO THE HOUSE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT HOUSE COMMITTEES WILL BE NAMED EITHER AT THE END OF THIS WEEK OR POSSIBLY NEXT WEEK.

SO WE ARE WAITING ON THAT FOR THE HOUSE SIDE IN TERMS OF THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND YOUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, I THINK IT'S EVERY BILL HAS NOW HAS A CONFIRMED AUTHOR AND AT LEAST ONE CHAMBER.

SO THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE IN ORDER TO GET THE BILLS FILED.

WE ARE WAITING FOR SOME DRAFTS BACK FROM COUNCIL, AND WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE LANGUAGE ON BOTH SIDES IS IS KIND OF WHAT THE COUNTY WANTS MOVING FORWARD.

SO I THINK WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE EL PASO'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS MOVING.

AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ON ON THAT SIDE OF THINGS, BUT WE REALLY ARE JUST GETTING STARTED ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

SO WE HAVE 140 DAYS. IT'S A LOT OF HURRY UP AND WAIT.

AND THE HOUSE SIDE IS ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT I WOULDN'T SAY SLOWER, BUT MAYBE MOVES A LITTLE BIT MORE DELIBERATELY IN THE BEGINNING OF SESSION.

AND THEN ONCE COMMITTEES ARE NAMED, BOTH SIDES ARE MOVING VERY FAST.

THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I HAD A QUESTION FOR Y'ALL REAL QUICKLY.

I KNOW THAT ON THE SENATE SIDE, AS YOU SAID, THINGS ARE MOVING.

AND WE WE TALKED ABOUT SOME PRIORITIES IN, IN APPROPRIATIONS THAT, THAT WE WANTED TO REQUEST OF OUR, OF OUR DELEGATION. HOW IS THAT PROCESS GOING AND WHAT CAN WE EXPECT AT THIS POINT? WELL YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET IS A TRICKY PROCESS.

BASED BUDGETS ON BOTH SIDES ARE ALREADY OUT. THEY USUALLY ARE PRETTY BARE MINIMUM.

SO I DO THINK IN TERMS OF ON THE SENATE SIDE, WE WOULD NEED TO CIRCLE BACK WITH SENATOR BLANCO'S OFFICE,

[05:25:03]

WE WOULD ALSO WANT TO CHECK IN WITH REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ.

GIVEN THAT COMMITTEES AREN'T AREN'T ANNOUNCED YET ON THE HOUSE SIDE, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IN SPEAKING AND I'M SURE MANY OF Y'ALL HAVE TALKED TO VICE CHAIR GONZALEZ. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SHE HOPES TO BE VICE CHAIR AGAIN OF APPROPRIATIONS, AND IN A GOOD SPOT TO ADVOCATE FOR THINGS THAT ARE A PRIORITY IN HER DISTRICT.

AND AND, YOU KNOW, THEREFORE, EL PASO COUNTY.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, BOTH OF THEM ARE INFORMED AND WE CAN WE'LL CONTINUE TO MEET WITH THEM.

I THINK WE'RE IN A GOOD SPOT. BUT APPROPRIATIONS IS ALWAYS VERY TRICKY.

I DO THINK THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE ASKING THE COUNTY FOR A LOT OF INFORMATION ONCE THE SPECIFIC WRITERS ARE BEING BROUGHT UP.

LIKE, WHAT WOULD THE MONEY BE USED FOR SPECIFICALLY OR HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE IMPACTED? I KNOW MOST OF Y'ALL HAVE GONE THROUGH THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS BEFORE, BUT WE WOULD WE WOULD NEED TO WAIT TILL THE RIDER PROCESS SPECIFICALLY CAME UP.

I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD ONE THING TO THAT. YOU KNOW, SORT OF THE OVERARCHING THING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WAS THE VOTE FOR SPEAKER.

MR. BURROUGHS WON WITH 85 VOTES ON THE SECOND ROUND OF VOTING.

THERE WERE 49 DEMOCRATS THAT VOTED FOR HIM, 36 REPUBLICANS.

I THINK IT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT THAT THE ENTIRE EL PASO DELEGATION WAS WITH MR. BURROUGHS. SO YOUR ENTIRE DELEGATION VOTED WITH THE CANDIDATE THAT WAS ELECTED SPEAKER.

THEY WERE NOT WITH THE CANDIDATE THAT LOST. SO AS AN OPTIMIST, I THINK THAT BODES WELL FOR THE COUNTY FOR THIS SESSION.

AND I THINK ONE AREA WHERE THAT COULD PLAY OUT IS IN THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS.

SO THAT THAT'S ONE NOTE. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY, IN CASE I DON'T GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, IS MELISSA AND ALISA ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO PUT YOU ALL IN A REALLY GOOD POSITION TO HAVE AN EXCELLENT SESSION. THANK YOU.

ELISA, DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE TO. IS THERE IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE FOR YOUR REPORT? I THINK THAT'S IT FOR TODAY. I HOPE TO BE COMING BACK EVERY MONDAY OR EVERY OTHER MONDAY WITH REGULAR UPDATES AS THINGS ARE MOVING FASTER IN SESSION.

AND I'M SURE THE LOBBY TEAM WILL JOIN US AS OFTEN AS THEY CAN.

JUST, JUST, JUST QUICKLY BEFORE YOU GO. ANY UPDATES ON EL PASO DAYS? I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, WE'RE A NUMBER OF US ARE PLANNING ON HEADING OUT TO AUSTIN IN LIKE TWO WEEKS.

I DON'T KNOW, IS IT IS IT TWO WEEKS OUT? YEAH.

YES, SIR. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF YOU COULD PROVIDE ANY UPDATES ON, ON, ON EL PASO DAYS.

ARE MEETINGS BEING NAILED DOWN AND WHAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT? I KNOW WE HAVE A MEETING LATER THIS WEEK. YES THAT'S CORRECT.

SO. OH MIKE HAS HELPED US SCHEDULE A LOT OF MEETINGS AND I'LL PASS IT ON TO YOU, MIKE.

BUT JUST ALSO, SO, YOU KNOW, I PASSED ON TO THE CHAMBER, TO THE EL PASO CHAMBER, THE MEETINGS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THE COUNTY IN THOSE MEETINGS. AND THEN I'LL REMIND THEM THAT WE ALSO WANT TO BE THERE FOR THE SENATE AND HOUSE RESOLUTIONS.

HAVE ONE OF YOU ALL BE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, ON THE SENATE FLOOR FOR THE RESOLUTIONS FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY COUNTY DAYS? AND, COMMISSIONER, JUST REAL QUICK TO ADD ON TO THAT. APOLOGIES ABOUT MY TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES EARLIER.

NICE TO SEE Y'ALL. WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING THAT STUFF SET UP.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF ASSISTANCE AND SO FAR A LOT OF POSITIVE RESPONSES FROM THE AGENCIES AND FOLKS YOU ALL ARE INTERESTED IN MEETING WITH.

AND SO WE'RE JUST WORKING WITH ALISA AND BACK WITH YOU ALL'S TEAMS TO, TO TRY TO NAIL DOWN TIMES THAT WORK FOR FOR FOLKS.

GREAT COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS. MAY I JUST CHIME IN? SO GOOD AFTERNOON, MELISSA CARROLL COUNTY OPERATIONS AND GOOD AFTERNOON, LOBBY TEAM AND ELISA FROM AFAR.

JUST TO CHIME IN, ADDITIONALLY ON EL PASO DAYS, ON WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO TO COORDINATE OUR COUNTY TEAM, WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND ELISA AND I, ELISA AND I HAVE SENT OUT EMAILS NOTIFYING THOSE PARTICIPANTS, BUT ALSO TO WORK ON GATHERING THE COUNTY TEAM ON A SEPARATE CALL.

I UNDERSTAND THE CHAMBER SENT AN EMAIL TODAY SAYING THERE IS GOING TO BE A LAST MEETING ON FEBRUARY 13TH TO KIND OF TALK ABOUT FINAL DETAILS BEFORE THE TRIP IS MADE.

BUT I'VE ASKED ELISA IF WE COULD WORK WITH THOSE THAT WE KNOW ARE GOING TO REPRESENT THE COUNTY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A SEPARATE CALL AND HELP TO TO PREP THIS TEAM BEFORE WE ALL HEAD OUT TO AUSTIN AS WELL. SO WORKING ON THOSE AS WELL TO TAKE CARE OF THE COUNTY TEAM.

AND AGAIN, BIG THANKS TO ELISA AND OUR LOBBY TEAM BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE WILL BE GOING TO EL PASO DAYS AND WE HAVE A CHAMBER PRIORITY THAT WE WILL BE HOSTING MEETINGS OR ATTENDING MEETINGS ON THAT SITE, WE'RE ALSO RELYING HEAVILY ON YOUR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER AND YOUR LOBBYING TEAM TO COORDINATE THOSE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS THAT REPRESENT YOUR STRONG PRIORITIES AND YOUR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF THE CHAMBER PRIORITY.

SO WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS VISIT IS WELL WORTH YOUR TIME THERE.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.

[05:30:01]

YES. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

OKAY. ITEM NUMBER NINE. BE RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND DISCUSS ITEMS REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND OVERSIGHT OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 MULTIYEAR CAPITAL PLAN FOR EL PASO COUNTY, INCLUDING PROJECT SELECTIONS, PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT,

[B. Receive a presentation and discuss items regarding the development, implementation and oversight of the FY2024 Multiyear Capital Plan for El Paso County, including: project selections, performance objectives and outcomes, performance management, operational management, corresponding financial planning related to capital investments and operational needs, and general capital direction related to the 2024 Capital Improvement Bond and other future public finance instruments and opportunities. Jose M. Landeros, Deputy County Administrator, Strategic Capital Development, 915-546-2159]

GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. WITH STRATEGIC CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT, THE UPDATE THIS AFTERNOON IS REALLY INTENDED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AN UPDATE ON THE DIRECTION PROVIDED TO STAFF BY THE COURT LAST WEEK TO ISSUE TO PREPARE A ORDER FOR THE COUNTY TO ORDER AN ELECTION TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR THE UNIFORM ELECTION IN MAY OF 2025, RELATED TO THE COUNTY COLISEUM PROJECT.

ON THE SCREEN HERE, YOU CAN SEE WHAT THAT LANGUAGE WILL LOOK LIKE IF THE TEAM CAN SCROLL DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

THE LANGUAGE IN THE ORDER IS SEPARATE INTO TWO THINGS.

THE LANGUAGE THERE UNDER MEASURE IS MORE LIMITED, IS BROADER AND LARGER, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT ACTUALLY GOES ON THE BALLOT.

WHAT ENDS UP ON THE BALLOT IS AT THE TOP OF THE NEXT PAGE.

AND THAT IS WHAT VOTERS WOULD SEE. AND THAT READS THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $105,485,000 FOR THE COUNTY'S COLISEUM AND ADJACENT FACILITIES, AND THE LEVY OF TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS.

AND SO THAT WAS THE SAME EXACT LANGUAGE THAT WAS USED PREVIOUSLY ON THE NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024 GENERAL ELECTION.

IT'S BEING RESTATED HERE FOR VOTERS CONSIDERATION.

IT WILL BE THE ONLY PROPOSITION THAT'S BEING PROPOSED AT THIS TIME, AND THE COURT WILL HAVE AN ITEM ON YOUR AGENDA NEXT WEEK ON THE 10TH TO CONSIDER THAT.

IF WE CAN SWITCH TO THE SECOND EXHIBIT ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN EXHIBIT THAT ACCOMPANIES THAT ORDER.

AND THIS STARTS TO TALK ABOUT THE FINANCES. THESE ARE THE PREVIOUS NUMBERS.

STIEFEL IS WORKING ON UPDATING THEM. THEY HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO SEND OVER THE UPDATED NUMBERS.

BUT IN SPEAKING WITH MR. ANGST THIS AFTERNOON OR RATHER THIS MORNING, WE DON'T ANTICIPATE MATERIAL CHANGES TO TO THESE NUMBERS.

BUT THEY WILL BE CONFIRMED AND UPDATED, AND WE'LL PROVIDE THAT TO THE COURT NEXT WEEK.

BUT HERE YOU CAN SEE THAT IN NOVEMBER THE TOTAL ESTIMATED INTEREST THAT WOULD BE ACCRUED FOR ISSUING 105.5, APPROXIMATE $105.5 MILLION IN DEBT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 88.5 MILLION.

AND THEN YOU CAN SEE THAT ESTIMATED COMBINED PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST OF ABOUT $193.9 MILLION.

AND SO ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS REFLECT, YOU KNOW, MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MIGHT ADJUST BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

THERE IS ONE IMPORTANT THING THAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT TO THE COURT HERE.

YOU CAN SEE THAT ONE OF THE THAT SECOND BULLET POINT, IF YOU'RE READING THE ESTIMATED INTEREST, IT PRESUMES AN INTEREST RATE OF 6.5%. THAT IS ABOVE WHAT WE ARE FORECASTING THIS DEBT TO BE ISSUED AT.

BUT IT'S PUT AT A HIGHER RATE SO THAT IN THE EVENT THE MARKET IS SIGNIFICANTLY VOLATILE, THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT STILL HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE THE DEBT EVEN IF INTEREST RATES GO UP. OF COURSE, IT WOULD STILL REMAIN THE COURT'S DECISION TO ISSUE THE DEBT.

AFTER VOTER APPROVAL HAS BEEN RECEIVED. RIGHT. SO THAT VOTER APPROVAL IS ALLOWS YOU TO GO UP TO THAT.

IF IT WERE TO EXCEED 6.5%, WE'D HAVE TO WORK WITH FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND BOND COUNSEL TO SEE WHAT OUR OPTIONS MIGHT BE AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

BUT THESE NUMBERS, AGAIN, MR. STIFEL, SHOULD REMAIN RELATIVELY THE SAME.

IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD THOSE PRESENTED TO THE COURT BEFORE YOU ALL CONSIDER ORDERING THE ELECTION, AND AGAIN, THAT WILL BE PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S AGENDA SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THE FEBRUARY 14TH DEADLINE FOR CALLING AN ELECTION TO BE PLACED ON THE MAY BALLOT.

SUBJECT TO YOUR QUESTIONS. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

SO, JOSE, FOR THE 105. MILLION THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SENDING OUT TO THE VOTERS, ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A DETAILED LISTING OF WHAT SPECIFIC PROJECTS WE'RE PROPOSING BE COMPLETED AT THE COLISEUM? AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT DEBT TO PAY FOR.

[05:35:01]

I JUST DIDN'T ATTACH IT, BUT IT WAS THAT SCRIPT THAT WE INCLUDED.

IT'S EVERYTHING REMAINS THE SAME. RIGHT. AND SO GENERALLY SPEAKING, THERE'S A LOT OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO THE BUILDING IN TERMS OF HVAC, ROOFING, ADA ISSUES TO THE EXISTING COLISEUM.

AND IT WAS ALSO RENOVATIONS TO THE SHERMAN BARN.

AND THE OPEN AIR PAVILION THAT WOULD BE CREATED WHERE THE ROLLER RINK AREA IS, AS WELL AS SOME PEDESTRIAN ENHANCEMENTS AND PARKING ENHANCEMENTS WITHIN THE SURFACE LOT AREA AS WELL. BUT WE WILL WORK TO HAVE THAT ITEMIZED AND PRESENTED NEXT WEEK AS WELL.

YEAH, I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT IN THE BACKUP. AND THEN I KNOW THAT WHEN WE SPOKE ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK, WE HAD ALSO TALKED ABOUT UNLIKE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, WHICH WAS A COUNTY WIDE ELECTION, WE WERE GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WERE HOLDING ELECTIONS IN MAY TO SEE IF IT WAS IN FACT GOING TO BE COUNTY WIDE, OR IF THERE WERE GOING TO BE THERE WAS GOING TO BE A CERTAIN PORTION OF THE COST THAT THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO PICK UP BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ELECTIONS IN A PARTICULAR AREA. HAVE WE DONE THOSE CALCULATIONS? DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT IS YET? YES, MA'AM. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ACTUALLY PROACTIVELY REACHED OUT TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TO ASK ABOUT THAT.

ALL THE SCHOOL BOARDS, INCLUDING EPCC, ARE HAVING ELECTIONS THIS COMING MAY.

AND SO IT'S LIKELY THAT OUR CONTRIBUTION WOULD BE ABOUT $390,000.

IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OF THOSE TAXING ENTITIES HAVE UNOPPOSED RACES AND DECIDE NOT TO MOVE FORWARD, WHICH HAS OCCURRED AT SCHOOL DISTRICTS BEFORE.

AND WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE THE ELECTION EVENT, THERE'S ONLY ONE ONLY ONE PERSON THAT'S RUNNING UNOPPOSED, OUR COST WOULD GO UP, AND SO WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THAT IMPACT WOULD BE TO OUR PROCESS.

SO IT'S A MINIMUM OF 390,000, BUT IT COULD ACTUALLY BE HIGHER.

LET ME PULL UP THE EXACT NUMBER THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT COUNTY ATTORNEYS AND MISS WISE PROVIDED US.

I HAVE THAT ANNA SCHUMACHER, ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY. MR. LANDEROS IS CORRECT. THE AMOUNT THAT MISS WISE SHARED WAS $390,000.

OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU. AND IS THAT IS THAT COST? WHAT WE TYPICALLY WE TYPICALLY WOULD BEAR WITH ANY ELECTION THAT WE WOULD BECAUSE IS IT COUNTYWIDE? I MEAN, BECAUSE OF BECAUSE OF ALL THE, BECAUSE THERE'S ELECTIONS AND ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THAT MEANS I MEAN, THAT'S OUR PORTION, BUT WE TYPICALLY WILL PAY A PORTION IF WE HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT. I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE COVERING SOME OF THE GAPS IN POLLING LOCATIONS THAT MAY NOT NEED ONE.

RIGHT? SO, FOR EXAMPLE, AND I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE THAT ARE HAVING AN ELECTION.

BUT JUST FOR THE PURPOSES OF DISCUSSION, ANTHONY ISD MAY NOT BE ON THE BALLOT IN MAY.

AND SO WE WOULD HAVE TO SET UP A POLLING STATION IN ANTHONY.

AND SO THERE MAY BE GAPS THAT WE MAY HAVE TO COVER.

BUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE LARGER ONES LIKE EL PASO AND SOCORRO AND EPCC, WHICH ARE COUNTYWIDE, DO HAVE ELECTIONS, BUT IT'S NOT. IT ALSO MAY NOT BE IN AREAS THAT HAVE A GAP.

LIKE ANTHONY WRITES, THREE OF THE SEATS ON IPC'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE UP FOR ELECTION.

BUT IF IT'S NOT AN AREA THAT ANOTHER ELECTION IS OCCURRING, THEN THAT WOULD BE A STANDALONE COST THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO BEAR. AND WE'LL WORK ON PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION ON THAT BY MEETING WITH MISS WISE.

AND BECAUSE ALL THE OTHER DISTRICTS AND ENTITIES I BELIEVE WOULD ALSO ARE ALSO ON THAT SAME TIMELINE TO CALL FOR THAT ELECTION.

SO WE WILL NEED TO WORK WITH, YOU KNOW, IN THE COMING WEEKS.

WE SHOULD HAVE A FIRMER IDEA OF WHAT THAT COST AND WHAT THAT SITUATION MAY BE MOVING FORWARD.

AND CAN YOU PULL UP THE LAST SLIDE THAT WAS JUST UP? THERE'S A BULLET POINT THERE THAT SAYS AS OF THE DATE OF ELECTION WAS ORDERED, THE AD VALOREM DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE.

THAT'S CAN YOU CAN YOU EXPLAIN IS THAT THAT'S THE AMOUNT OF OF THE AD VALOREM TAX RATE, HOW MUCH IT WOULD GO UP? NO, NO, THAT IS THAT IS THE THE INS TAX RATE AT THE TIME THAT THE ELECTION WAS BEING ORDERED.

OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S THAT THAT'S CLEAR. AND SO AND SO I ALSO WANT TO MAKE MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR NEXT MONDAY WHEN WE IF WE DO THIS CALL JUST TO, JUST TO HAVE YOU KNOW, A BULLET POINT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT SHOWS THE ADDITIONAL. COST TO TAXPAYERS. YEAH. AND SO BASED ON THE NUMBERS THAT STEVE HAD PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED PROPOSITION D, IF THE COURT RECALLS, WE WERE DISCUSSING A POSSIBLE THREE CENT TAX RATE INCREASE IF ALL FIVE PROPOSITIONS WERE APPROVED.

PROPOSITION D, WHICH REPRESENTED APPROXIMATELY A THIRD OF THE ENTIRE ISSUANCE, WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT ONE PENNY.

SO VOTERS WOULD INCREASE THE INN'S TAX RATE IF APPROVED BY ABOUT $0.01.

[05:40:03]

SO FOR A $200,000 HOME JUST JUST SHY OF $19 A YEAR, OR ABOUT $1.20 PER MONTH.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER CORONADO? YEAH.

YOU KNOW, I HAD MENTIONED LAST MEETING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IF THE AG'S OFFICE IS LOOKING AT OUR UNDERLYING PROJECT LIST OF WHAT WE'RE DOING AND BANGING US ON THAT. WHY CAN'T WE BE MORE SPECIFIC THAN IN THE LANGUAGE SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THEY'RE VOTING ON? BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE ALSO GETTING ANOTHER ICE RINK.

ET CETERA. RATHER THAN JUST SAYING ADJACENT FACILITIES.

TO ME, THAT'S VERY VAGUE. AND WE'RE STILL GOING TO GET POPPED FOR THE UNDERLYING DESCRIPTION WE HAVE.

ANYWAYS. WE'VE ALREADY KNOWN THAT WHEN YOU MET WITH THE AG'S OFFICE, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING. YES, SIR. SO WHY NOT BE A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC? AND IT ACTUALLY LOOKS MORE TRANSPARENT ON THE VOTING FOR THE PUBLIC.

I DON'T KNOW, THAT'S SOMETHING WE MIGHT DING US ON.

THE SPECIFICITY WE HAVE UNDERLYING. LET'S JUST GIVE IT TO THEM.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BEING MORE SPECIFIC, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T CAUSE US ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO, I MEAN CHANGES IN COSTS ON THE PROJECTS WITHIN.

AND SO IF WE'RE IF WE'RE SAYING, YOU KNOW, IT'S IT'S FOR, YOU KNOW, THESE PROJECTS AND THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT COMES UP THAT ACTUALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTED IN AT THE COLISEUM, AND WE CAN'T USE IT FOR THAT.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW. I MEAN, THERE'S THERE CAN BE THERE CAN BE ISSUES.

I MEAN, WELL, WE CAN ALWAYS ADD AT THE END AND ADJACENT FACILITIES AS WELL.

BUT I THINK, I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE MORE APT TO VOTE IF THEY'RE KNOWING THAT SOME OF THAT IS NOT JUST THE COLISEUM, BECAUSE THEN PEOPLE SAY, OH, IT'S JUST COLISEUM.

BUT NO, IT'S FOR THE OTHER. I DON'T KNOW. YEAH.

I MEAN, WOULD IT BE ADVISABLE, I GUESS, TO, TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE AND TO MAKE IT SO IT ENCOMPASSES WHAT THE COMMISSIONER IS TALKING ABOUT, BUT ALSO ALLOWS, ALLOWS FOR FLEXIBILITY.

FLEXIBILITY? YES, SIR. WE HAVE HEARD FROM BOND COUNSEL THAT CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS HAVE ACTUALLY ITEMIZED, YOU KNOW, ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS. AND THEY'LL SAY, YOU KNOW, ROAD A, B, C, D AND BE VERY SPECIFIC.

OF COURSE, THAT CREATES THAT CONTRACT WITH THE VOTERS CONCEPT THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED, WHICH IS THAT WHEN VOTERS WENT INTO THE VOTING BOOTH AND THEY APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED SOMETHING, THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE LIMITED TO WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF THEM.

SO I THINK IT WOULD BE ABOUT STRUCTURING THE LANGUAGE IN A WAY THAT ENSURES THAT THERE'S SOME FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THE DIFFERENT FACILITIES THAT ARE THERE, BUT THEN OFFERS MORE SPECIFICITY. SO WHAT WE'LL DO IS WORK WITH WITH BOND COUNSEL TO WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE THIS EXACT THE EXISTING LANGUAGE, WHICH WAS BROADER. SO I THINK WE CAN WORK WITH, WITH MCCALL OVER THE NEXT WEEK TO MODIFY THAT LANGUAGE, PREVIEW THAT, PREVIEW THAT TO YOU ALL IN YOUR AGENDA, BRIEF THAT MRS KELLER SENDS OUT OVER THE WEEKEND.

AND THEN ON ON MONDAY, WE CAN HAVE BOTH ITEMS, BOTH VERSIONS UPLOADED TO THE BACKUP FOR YOUR REVIEW AND YOUR CONSIDERATION AND MAKE A DETERMINATION THERE. GENERALLY SPEAKING, YOU CAN MOVE FUNDS BETWEEN.

ITEMS THAT ARE IN THE SIMILAR PROPOSITION. SO FOR EXAMPLE PROP A ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, ALL THE PARK PROJECTS YOU ARE ALLOWED TO MOVE FUNDING BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL PARK PROJECTS IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A SHORTFALL OR SAVINGS IN BETWEEN THOSE EXISTING PROJECTS.

AND SO GIVEN THAT THIS IS A SINGLE PROPOSITION, I THINK WE WOULD JUST NEED TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS THAT THE COUNTY MAY TAKE ARE FULLY DESCRIBED AND ENUMERATED IN WHATEVER LANGUAGE GOES ON TO THE BALLOT.

SO WE WILL WORK ON THAT. BUT I THINK THAT'S A THAT'S A GOOD SUGGESTION, COMMISSIONERS.

I JUST THINK THE PUBLIC REALLY SOMETIMES DOESN'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAIL WHEN YOU KNOW AS TO WHAT IS ENCOMPASSED IN ONE OF THOSE REFERENDUMS, AND ALL THEY DO IS JUST LOOK AT THE REFERENDUM.

SOME OF THEM DON'T EVEN LOOK AT IT UNTIL THEY GO INTO THE VOTING BOOTH. AND SO I JUST THINK IT'S JUST A LITTLE MORE A WAY OF INFORMING THEM EXACTLY WHAT IT IS, SO THAT THE INTERESTS OF TRANSPARENCY SO THE VOTER KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE VOTING UP OR DOWN ON.

YEAH. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS.

NEXT WEEK, WE'LL HAVE A MORE STRUCTURED DISCUSSION ON SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT WERE PENDING THAT WE DID DISCUSS LAST THURSDAY.

AND WE WILL PREVIEW FOR THOSE AS WELL IN YOUR AGENDA BRIEF. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER STOUT. WE HAVE JUDGE JUSTICE NINA SERNA ON THE PHONE AND STAFF MEMBERS AS WELL.

OKAY. FOR THIS ITEM. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.

[05:45:03]

I'M JOKING. OKAY. I'M NINA SERNA, AND I AM HERE TO EXPRESS SOME ONGOING CONCERNS REGARDING THE CONDITIONS AT THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT FOR PRECINCT SIX PLACE, TO WHICH I HAVE OVERSEEN SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN 2015.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE COURT WAS BUILT IN 2007 TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF THE MONTANA VISTA COMMUNITY AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS.

HOWEVER, THE POPULATION IN THIS REGION HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THEN AND THE FACILITIES HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH THIS EXPANSION.

ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES IS THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SECURITY.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING DURING COURT HEARINGS, JURY TRIALS, AND WHEN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COME TO HANDLE CITATIONS OR SUBMIT CIVIL DOCUMENTS. THE CURRENT SECURITY MEASURES ARE INSUFFICIENT FOR A COURT SERVING A RAPIDLY GROWING AND INCREASINGLY DIVERSE POPULATION.

AS A RESULT, BOTH STAFF AND VISITORS ARE AT RISK, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY PUBLIC INSTITUTION.

ADDITIONALLY, THE WORKING CONDITIONS AT THE COURT ARE NOT CONDUCIVE TO EFFICIENT OPERATIONS WITH THE GROWING NUMBER OF CASES AND INCREASED PUBLIC DEMAND.

THE COURT LACKS SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE THE VOLUME OF WORK.

THIS HAS LED TO INEFFICIENCIES AND CHALLENGES IN PROVIDING TIMELY AND ADEQUATE SERVICE TO THOSE WHO RELY ON OUR SERVICES.

AN ANNEX HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE PAST, AND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE REVISIT THIS CONVERSATION.

EVERY OTHER JP COURT IS EQUIPPED WITH A DEDICATED BUILDING, PROPER SECURITY AND ACCESS TO OTHER NECESSARY COUNTY OFFICES.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT OUR COURT BE AFFORDED THE SAME RESOURCES TO ENSURE FAIRNESS, SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY.

THE GROWTH OF THE FAR EAST SIDE OF THE COUNTY IS SUBSTANTIAL, AND AS A COMMUNITY, WE DESERVE A COURT SYSTEM THAT REFLECTS THIS GROWTH AND REPRESENTS THE STANDARDS OF THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE. IT IS LONG OVERDUE THAT WE ADDRESS THIS, THESE DEFICIENCIES EFFICIENCIES TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THESE ISSUES BE GIVEN IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, AND THAT STEPS BE TAKEN TO SECURE THE NECESSARY, NECESSARY RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THE FACILITIES AND SECURITY OF OUR COURTS.

IN ADVANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

AND I BELIEVE TWO OF MY STAFF MEMBERS ARE THERE TO ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THESE CONCERNS.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME SPEAK ON THIS THESE CONCERNS.

THANK YOU, JUDGE TURNER. THANK YOU. WE ALSO HAVE DO WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE SIGNED UP? YES, WE HAVE MARGARITA SALCIDO.

HERE. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MARGIE SALCIDO AND I AM THE COURT COORDINATOR FOR JUDGE NINA SERNA. HERE WITH ME IS ALSO MY COWORKER, LUZ VARGAS.

WE ARE HERE NOT ONLY AS COUNTY EMPLOYEES, BUT ALSO AS CONCERNED CITIZENS.

AND WE'RE HERE TODAY TO SPEAK REGARDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF THE NEW FAR EAST EL PASO ANNEX, WHICH WILL SERVE THE GROWING POPULATION OF MONTANA VISTA AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

WHEN THE OFFICE OF JP 62 OPENED IN JANUARY 1ST, 2007, IT WAS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING POPULATION IN MONTANA VISTA.

AT THAT TIME, THE SIZE OF THE BUILDING WAS SUFFICIENT FOR BOTH THE EMPLOYEES AND THE CONSTITUENTS IT SERVED.

HOWEVER, AS THE YEARS HAVE PASSED, THE BUILDING NO LONGER MEETS THE NEEDS OF EITHER THE EMPLOYEES OR THE PUBLIC WHO RELY ON ITS SERVICES DAILY.

JUDGE SERNA AND HER EIGHT EMPLOYEES DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE AT WORK.

CURRENTLY, THE BUILDING LACKS A PERMANENT LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE, WITH SECURITY ONLY PROVIDED ON COURT DAYS.

THIS LEAVES US VULNERABLE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT OTHER JP COURTS ARE EQUIPPED WITH METAL DETECTORS AND SAFETY FEATURES, SUCH AS BULLETPROOF WINDOWS. IN CONTRAST, WE RELY ON A HAND-HELD METAL DETECTOR OPERATED BY A DEPUTY CONSTABLE TO SCREEN INDIVIDUALS ENTERING THE COURTROOM, WHICH IS INSUFFICIENT FOR ENSURING SAFETY.

WHILE SAFETY IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN, THE OVERALL SIZE AND CONDITION OF THE BUILDING HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY PROBLEMATIC.

THE CURRENT SIZE OF THE COURTROOM IS INADEQUATE TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROWING NUMBER OF CASES AND PARTICIPANTS,

[05:50:05]

THE COURTROOM IS TOO SMALL TO COMFORTABLY FIT ALL THE REQUIRED PARTICIPANTS, SUCH AS ATTORNEYS, DEFENDANTS, PLAINTIFFS, WITNESSES, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE CRAMPED SPACE PREVENTS CLEAR EVACUATION ROUTES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, PRESENTING FURTHER SAFETY RISKS.

THIS LACK OF SPACE NOT ONLY COMPROMISES THE SAFETY AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THE COURT, BUT ALSO CREATES AN UNCOMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.

WITNESSES AND PARTICIPANTS OFTEN FEEL STRESSED OR UNCOMFORTABLE IN SUCH CONFINED QUARTERS, WHICH CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF TESTIMONY AND PARTICIPATION, POTENTIALLY UNDERMINING THE COMMUNITY'S TRUST IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS.

TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, I RESPECTFULLY RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNTY CONTINUE TO EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FAR EAST EL PASO ANNEX.

THE NEW FACILITY SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO MEET ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY AND CAPACITY WHILE ENSURING SMOOTHER TRAFFIC FLOW AND BETTER ACCESS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS. IN CONCLUSION, A LARGER, SAFER JP OFFICE IS ESSENTIAL FOR IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND FOR ENSURING A SAFER, MORE ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN PRIORITIZING THIS ISSUE AND ALLOCATING THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THIS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. AND, MISS LUIS VARGAS. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. YES. IT'S SAD TO SAY THAT WE'RE THE ONLY COURT THAT DOES NOT HAVE NOTHING THAT THE OTHER COURTS HAVE.

OKAY. AND I'VE TOLD PERSONALLY, I'VE TOLD MY FAMILY IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME, YOU GO AFTER THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE HAVE NO SECURITY.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THERE AT THE COURT. ALL WE HAVE IS A LITTLE WAND THAT THE CONSTABLES USE TO WHEN THE ATTORNEYS GO, THE ADA, THE DEFENDANTS, THE WITNESSES AND ALL THAT.

IT'S SUCH A SMALL PLACE. IT'S A DOUBLE WIDE TRAILER.

OKAY. WE ACTUALLY ON TOP OF EACH OTHER. I MEAN, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME AND VISIT OUR COURT ANYTIME.

SO YOU COULD, YOU KNOW, FEEL WHAT WE'RE SAYING.

COMMISSIONER LEON WENT. JUDGE SAMANIEGO WENT, AND THEIR WORDS WERE, WE CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY HAS YOU GUYS WORKING IN THIS POSITION. I WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE MY FAMILY WORKING HERE.

SO, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THOSE WERE HIS WORDS. BUT THEN AGAIN, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.

OKAY. AND I MEAN, THAT'S MY EXPRESSION. THAT'S HOW WE FEEL.

AND I SPEAK FOR JP SIX TWO. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND FOR YOUR PATIENCE TODAY. AND I DON'T KNOW IF JUDGE IS STILL ON THE LINE, BUT THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AS WELL.

I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT WE WERE GOING TO CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION FROM LAST WEEK ON THIS ISSUE.

AND IT WAS TIMELY SINCE I WAS ABLE TO GO VISIT THE JP COURT LAST WEEK, I INVITED, I INVITED THEM TO COME AND PROVIDE THEIR TESTIMONY AND THEIR COMMENTS ABOUT THE CONDITIONS THAT THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY WORKING IN.

BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION NEXT WEEK, I JUST I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COURT WAS ABLE TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THEM ON THIS. ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ON THE CEOS NEXT WEEK? YES, COMMISSIONERS NEXT WEEK, AND THE ITEM WILL BE POSTED FOR ACTION NEXT WEEK.

SO IN THE EVENT THAT THE COURT WANTS TO PURSUE THE REPROGRAMING AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS, AS WE DISCUSSED LAST WEEK, YOU'LL BE POSTED FOR ACTION NEXT WEEK TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE RECEIVED THE DIRECTION A NUMBER OF ISSUES.

I THINK THE ONE THAT WAS MOST TIME SENSITIVE GIVEN IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY WAS THE BOND ORDER.

AND SO HAVING THE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY SO THAT YOU CAN TAKE ACTION NEXT THURSDAY WAS THE INTENT OF TODAY.

BUT ON THE 10TH, YOU WILL BE POSTED FOR ACTION TO CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE CEO'S TAX NOTES AND THE OTHER SCENARIOS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED.

AND STEEPLE IS WORKING ON UPDATING SOME OF THAT INFORMATION FOR US. COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO TELL THE JUDGE AND HER STAFF THAT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY AT THAT LOCATION FOR LOCATION FOR MANY YEARS.

[05:55:04]

BEEN ABLE TO DO SOMETHING OUT THERE. BUT IT'S NOT THAT THE COURT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING.

WE PUT IT OUT TO THE VOTERS, AND IT'S VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT THE VOTERS DID NOT VOTE TO FUND THIS PROJECT, NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, THE FAR WEST, FAR, FAR EAST ANNEX, BUT A LOT OF OUR OTHER SUB COURTHOUSES AND OTHER BUILDINGS THAT NEED ATTENTION. IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE WE HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING ON IT.

WE ARE STILL WORKING ON ADDITIONAL WAYS THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO FUND THIS.

AND SO IT'S NOT THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.

I THINK IT'S HIGH TIME THAT SOMETHING GETS DONE OUT THERE, BECAUSE IT IS.

I THINK IT'S A SAFETY SITUATION. IT'S ALSO A FIRE HAZARD PROBLEM.

I THINK HAVING BEEN OUT THERE MANY, MANY TIMES YOU KNOW, AND IT'S AND IT'S ACTUALLY.

IT'S NOT THE ONLY ANNEX THAT DOESN'T HAVE A DEDICATED BUILDING.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT ONE DOESN'T HAVE ONE.

THEY'RE IN A BETTER SITUATION BECAUSE WE'RE RENTING THE LOCATION THERE, AND IT'S ACTUALLY A BRICK AND MORTAR BUILDING.

BUT I THINK EVENTUALLY WE NEED TO DO THE SAME THING FOR JP ONE.

I KNOW WE JUST REFURBISHED IT, BUT I THINK IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE WE SHOULD START LOOKING ALSO AS WELL OUT FOR THAT LOCATION TO TO BUY SOME LAND AND EVENTUALLY BUILD A ANNEX THAT IS, YOU KNOW, LIKE, LIKE THE JUDGE SAID, YOU KNOW, EQUITABLE TO ALL THE LOCATIONS OUT THERE. AND SO IT'S NOT THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, WE JUST I THINK WE JUST NEED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC A LITTLE BIT BETTER ON THESE REFERENDUMS BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO GO AND PRESENT THEMSELVES IN THAT COURTROOM.

AND SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. JUDGE. ITEM NUMBER TEN A AUDITOR PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, TITLE TEN, SECTION 2256.023.

ACCEPT THE ATTACHED PRESENTATION AND INVESTMENT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 25, FIRST QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31ST, 2024. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS BARBARA PARKER, COUNTY AUDITOR.

[A. Pursuant to the Texas Government Code, Title 10, § 2256.023, accept the attached presentation and investment report for FY25 first quarter ended December 31, 2024. Barbara Parker, County Auditor, County Auditor's Office, 915-273-3262]

THE INVESTMENTS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO STRENGTHENING THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL HEALTH.

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR GOALS FOR INVESTING FUNDS FOLLOWING THE STATUTORY PRINCIPLES AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

THE STATUTORY PRINCIPLES INCLUDE SAFETY, LIQUIDITY AND DIVERSIFICATION IN THAT ORDER.

OUR INVESTMENT VEHICLES HAVE NOT CHANGED, ONLY THE MIX.

MORE HAS BEEN INVESTED IN TAXABLE PRIME AND LESS IN CASH AND TAX PLAN COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THE HIGH BALANCE OF CASH AT THE END OF DECEMBER WAS DUE TO THE COUNTY BEING CLOSED IS TYPICALLY AS THOSE PROPERTY TAXES COME IN, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTING THEM. TOTAL INVESTMENTS DECREASED FROM LAST YEAR BY 53.5 MILLION.

THE INVESTMENT, THE AMOUNT THAT WE CAN INVESTMENT, AS WELL AS THE INTEREST RATES DECREASED.

AND AS A RESULT, THE INTEREST EARNED DECREASED BY $1.6 MILLION FROM LAST YEAR.

THE RATES LAST YEAR IN THE SAME QUARTER RANGE FROM 5.36, 5.37 AND 5.59 TO 5.61 FOR TEX AND TEX POOL PRIME, RESPECTIVELY. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE RATES BOTH HAVE DROPPED OVER THE FIRST QUARTER TO JUST BELOW 5%.

THE 90 DAY TREASURY BILL RATES ARE THE ORANGE LINE ON THIS SLIDE, AND THE COUNTY'S WEIGHTED AVERAGE YIELD IS THE BLUE.

THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY 25 BASIS POINTS BELOW THE 90 DAY TREASURY BILL BENCHMARK.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT TODAY WE FINALLY HAD EVERYTHING IN PLACE AND WE DID OUR FIRST TREASURY BILL INVESTMENT.

AND SO IT'S A 30 DAY INVESTMENT PRETTY MUCH. AND WE'RE DOING THIS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE PROCESSES IN PLACE AND ALL THE PROCEDURES ARE SET SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND HOW PURCHASING THE INVESTMENT AND THEN MATURING THE INVESTMENT WORK.

AND WE EXPECT IN THE FUTURE TO DIVERSIFY A LITTLE BIT MORE BY DOING SOME LADDERING WITH THE TREASURY BILLS.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE TREND OF INVESTMENTS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS FOR ALL COUNTY FUNDS.

[06:00:04]

THESE ARE FUNDS THAT CAN'T BE USED TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY'S OWN PROGRAMS. INTERNAL SERVICE INCLUDES HEALTH AND LIFE AND WORKER'S COMP FUNDS.

THE INVESTMENT BALANCES AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER ARE SHOWN ON THIS SLIDE FOR EACH FUND.

GENERAL FUND, CAPITAL PROJECTS AND SPECIAL REVENUE GRANTS WERE THE LARGEST SLICES OF THE PIE.

AS NOTED ON THIS SLIDE, AND WHICH YOU'RE ALL AWARE ARE ARE AVAILABLE INVESTMENTS INCREASED TO A HIGH POINT IN FEBRUARY AND THEN DECREASE.

SO THE THE END OF THE YEAR AGAIN, DUE TO PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS, THE INVESTABLE CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDS DECREASED SLIGHTLY AND THE SPECIAL REVENUE GRANTS INVESTABLE FUNDS CONTINUE THEIR DECREASING VALUE.

THAT'S MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE SPEND DOWN ON THE ARPA FUNDS.

SO THE FULL INVESTMENT REPORT WITH ALL THE REQUIRED STATUTORY INFORMATION IS FOUND ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS IN THE BACKUP FOR THIS ITEM.

IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

JUST HAVE A COMMENT, COMMISSIONER. GO AHEAD. YOU KNOW I THINK SINCE WE'RE GOING INTO A PROCESS OF GOING OUT AND SELLING OUR BONDS COMING UP THAT WERE PASSED BY THE COMMUNITY, I'D LIKE TO SEE US GET TOGETHER WITH WITH OUR COUNCIL OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR, ON HOW WE CAN MAXIMIZE THE INTEREST COMING FROM.

IT'S NOT JUST OUR ANNUAL BUDGET, BUT FROM OUR FUNDS, FROM OUR BOND FUNDS.

AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE LIMITED IN, YOU KNOW, GOING OVER THE RATE THAT WE BUY THEM AT, BUT I'D RATHER REIMBURSE THE MONEY TO THE GOVERNMENT THAN US NOT MAKING ENOUGH. YOU KNOW, I'D RATHER HAVE A POSITIVE ARBITRAGE THAN A NEGATIVE ONE.

AND I THINK THERE'S SOME VEHICLES OUT THERE THAT WE NEED TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER IN TERMS OF THE INVESTMENT POLICIES THAT WE CAN DO.

BUT I THINK WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT THOSE NOW THAT WE'RE CLOSE TO TRYING TO SELL SOME OF THOSE BONDS.

AND SO RECENTLY APPROVED THE INVESTMENT POLICY CHANGES.

AND WE DO HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF INVESTMENT VEHICLES THAT WE CAN USE.

WE ALSO HAVE INVESTMENT FUND ADVISORS OR INVESTMENT ADVISORS THAT WE'RE USING.

IT'S HILLTOP IS THE COMPANY THAT WE USE, AND THEY'VE BEEN HELPING US WITH THIS FIRST INVESTMENT, AND THEY'LL CONTINUE TO HELP US AS WE MOVE FORWARD ON THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INVESTMENTS THAT WE CHOOSE TO DO.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE BONDS IS HAVING A DRAWDOWN SCHEDULE.

WE HAVE TO KNOW HOW LONG WE CAN INVEST THE FUNDS SO THAT WE HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WHEN IT'S WHEN IT'S REQUIRED.

SO IF WE GET BUY DOWN SCHEDULES, IT'S MUCH EASIER TO INVEST THOSE IN VARIOUS TYPES OF FUNDS.

RIGHT. AND I THINK THERE ARE SOME VEHICLES OUT THERE THAT CAN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THOSE TYPES OF DRAWDOWNS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT, REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

SO I JUST THINK WE NEED TO REALLY PLAN IT OUT IN ADVANCE AND GET THOSE DRAWDOWN SCHEDULES SO THAT WE CAN TRY AND MAXIMIZE THAT INTEREST.

I KNOW OUT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE DO IT VERY WELL, AND WE END UP PAYING FOR FURNITURE FOR SCHOOLS THAT WE BUILT.

WE END UP PAYING FOR OUR FURNITURE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT WE BUILT OUT OF THAT INTEREST THAT WE MAKE, THAT SAVES THE TAXPAYERS A LOT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT WE HAVE TO PAY.

SO AND IT'S FUNNY THAT YOU MENTIONED THE ARBITRAGE. WE GOT OUR ARBITRAGE REPORTS BACK TODAY AND THEY ARE GIVING US A HEADS UP.

WE'LL LIKELY HAVE TO PAY. I THINK IT WAS $1.4 MILLION IN ARBITRAGE.

YES, BUT I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO READ THE FULL REPORT YET.

YOU KNOW, I WISH THAT. DO THEY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT NEGATIVE ARBITRAGE THAT WE HAVE AND OFFSET THEM? THEY DIDN'T USED TO. YES. IT'S A FIVE YEAR PERIOD, RIGHT? YES. SO WE OUGHT TO JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THAT WHEN OUR BOND PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

ANYBODY ELSE? QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? MISS PARKER? THANK YOU, MISS PARKER. IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT? YEAH. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN.

VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ITEM NUMBER 11, A PUBLIC WORKS APPROVAL. AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE QUITCLAIM DEED TO THE VILLAGE OF VINTON, AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANNEXATION OF THE UNINCORPORATED SEGMENT OF KILEY ROAD.

[06:05:03]

[A. Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the quitclaim deed to the Village of Vinton and any other documentation associated with the annexation of the unincorporated segment of Kiely Road.  (Precinct No. 4) (Contract No. 2024-1085) Michael McElroy, Director, Planning and Development, 915-273-3330]

WITH US TODAY, WE ALSO HAVE MR. DANIEL BUENO, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR FOR THE VILLAGE OF VINTON, IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HIM. THIS EXHIBIT SHOWS THE GENERAL LOCATION OF THE SEGMENT OF KILEY ROAD TO BE ANNEXED. HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW.

THE MUNICIPAL LIMITS OF THE VILLAGE OF VINTON ARE SHOWN IN RED SHADE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE REST OF KILEY ROAD EXTENDS WELL NORTH INTO THE VILLAGE OF VINTON AND ALSO TO THE SOUTH.

THIS IS A CLOSER LOOK OF THE SEGMENT OF KILEY ROAD.

A BIT OF BACKGROUND. THE DEVELOPER OF KILEY VIEW ESTATES ON THE SOUTH ANNEXED INTO VINTON SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WHICH TRIGGERED THE REQUEST TO ANNEX THIS PORTION OF KILEY ROAD.

IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE ENTIRE ROAD TO BE WITHIN VINTON'S JURISDICTION.

THE SEGMENT OF ROAD IS APPROXIMATELY 975FT IN LENGTH.

ANNEXING THIS PORTION OF KILEY ROAD MAKES IT ELIGIBLE TO BE INCLUDED IN AN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, SHOULD THE VILLAGE RECEIVE ANY FUNDING IN THE FUTURE.

VINTON WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO ADJACENT PROPERTIES ON KILEY ROAD, INCLUDING THE UNINCORPORATED PROPERTIES ABUTTING THE ROADWAY.

INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES AND PLANNING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE NO OBJECTIONS TO THE ANNEXATION.

IN CONCLUSION, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS COMMISSIONERS COURT TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE QUITCLAIM DEED TO THE VILLAGE OF VINTON AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANNEXATION OF THE UNINCORPORATED SEGMENT OF KYLIE ROAD.

WITH THAT, MR. BUENO AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

GILBERT. I THINK THE ANNEXATION OF THE ROAD MAKES COMPLETE SENSE, BUT IS THAT GOING TO MEAN THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE DONUT HOLE, THAT PROPERTY THAT SEEMS TO BE OFF TO THE LEFT, OR IS THERE A PLAN TO MAYBE ANNEX THAT LITTLE PIECE AS WELL? YES. SO THE. YES. SO IF IF KYLIE DOES GET ANNEXED AS INDICATED OR PROPOSED, YES.

THE PROPERTY TO THE, I GUESS TO THE WEST. IT'S GOING TO BE STILL REMAIN UNINCORPORATED.

AND I BELIEVE THOSE THESE PROPERTIES ARE IS BASED ON VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION.

SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO REQUEST ANNEXATION. BUT MR. BUENO, IF YOU MIGHT WANT TO ANSWER THAT AS WELL.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS DANIEL BUENO WITH WITH THE VILLAGE OF VINTON.

JUST AS SOME ELABORATION. IT'S ACTUALLY FOUR LOTS THAT WILL ACTUALLY END UP BEING DONUT HOLES, SO TO SPEAK. AS OF THE 86TH LEGISLATURE, THE STATE OF TEXAS DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ANNEXATION THROUGH THE CITY.

IT WOULD HAVE TO COME THROUGH PETITION FROM THE PROPERTY OWNERS, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE STILL WILLING TO ALLOW INGRESS AND EGRESS FROM THE ROAD.

AND IF AND WHEN THEY'RE READY TO ANNEX TO US, WE WOULD BE MORE THAN READY.

BUT FOR NOW, IT WOULD JUST BE THE ROAD. THE REASON BEING IS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO ACQUIRE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO THAT WE CAN REMEDIATE THE ROAD IN ITS ENTIRETY.

WE WOULD HATE FOR US TO HAVE TO EXCLUDE THIS PART OF THE ROAD.

WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER.

VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DANIEL.

ITEM NUMBER 12 A GRANT. APPLICATIONS. ITEM 12 A GRANT APPLICATION.

APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE FLEET OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 26 TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY GOVERNMENTAL ALTERNATIVE FUEL FLEET GRANT PROGRAM. IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,600 A COUNTY MATCH IS MATCHES REQUIRED IN THE AMOUNT OF

[A. GRANT APPLICATION – Approve and authorize the Fleet Operations Management Department to apply for the FY26 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program in the amount of $50,600. A County match is required in the amount of $60,066.97 and is available in GF-GADM-XFER OUT-GRANT MATCH. Further, approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the supplemental property ownership form. (Contract No. 2025-0080) Hopeton Staple, Director, Fleet Management, 915-273-3598]

TRANSFER OUT. GRANT MATCH. FURTHER APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE SUPPLEMENTAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP FORM.

CONTRACT NUMBER 2025 0080. GOOD AFTERNOON, COURT HOPED AND STAPLES, FLEET OPERATIONS DIRECTOR.

SO THIS GRANT, ESSENTIALLY, WE'RE APPLYING TO BUY TWO ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO INCLUDE THE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

[06:10:04]

I BELIEVE AT $60,000, MATCH IS A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR TWO VEHICLES AND THE CHARGING STATION.

IF THE COURT REMEMBERED ABOUT MAYBE A YEAR AND A HALF, TWO AGO, WE INSTALLED SOME CHARGING STATIONS AT A PARK AND THE COLISEUM.

THOSE WERE FOR PUBLIC USE. THIS GRANT IS SOLELY FOR COUNTY VEHICLES FOR OUR USE.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS, IF YOU THINK BACK ABOUT 6 OR 7 YEARS AGO, WE HAD ZERO CNG BUSSES IN OUR FLEET.

SO AS WE TRY TO EXPAND, I ALWAYS BELIEVE IT'S BEST TO WALK OR CRAWL.

WALK THAN RUN. I KNOW IT'S ONLY TWO VEHICLES.

IT'S A SMALL IMPACT, BUT EVENTUALLY WE'LL TRY TO EXPAND.

AGAIN, 6 OR 7 YEARS AGO, WE HAD ZERO CNG BUSSES.

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS. NOW ABOUT 75, MAYBE 80% OF THE FLEET IS CNG.

WE STARTED OFF WITH TWO. WE WENT TO FOUR. NOW I BELIEVE WE HAVE 26 OR 28 CNG BUSSES ON OUR WAY TO 100%.

IN ADDITION TO THE GRANT THAT I'M APPLYING FOR, JUST, AGAIN, JUST OUR KNOWLEDGE, OUR TRANSIT DEPARTMENT IS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING FOUR ELECTRIC BUSSES TO KIND OF KIND OF EXPAND AGAIN.

IT'S ALWAYS BEST TO START OFF SMALL AND GROW.

THE TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING. A LOT IS CHANGING, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT APPROACH TO KIND OF EASE OUR WAY INTO HOPEFULLY EXPANDING THE FLEET DOWN THE ROAD TO AN ELECTRIC ELECTRIFIED FLEET.

GREAT. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? I APPRECIATE THE WORK TO EXPAND INTO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

AND JUST A QUESTION ON THE THE CHARGING UNITS.

ARE THEY GOING TO BE LIKE THE QUICK CHARGE UNITS? SO THESE ARE BUILT FOR LEVEL TWO, WHICH IS OVERNIGHT CHARGING.

AGAIN, THIS IS ALL BASED ON PRICING AND WHAT'S BEST FOR US AS WE VENTURE INTO THIS, BECAUSE THESE WILL BE THE FIRST TO COUNTY OWNED ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

SO THEY'LL BE OVERNIGHT. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THE VOTING IS OPEN.

MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. STEVE.

ITEM NUMBER 12 B GRANT APPLICATION. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 26 STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,123.

A COUNTY MATCH OF $9,281 IS REQUIRED. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN GENERAL FUND, GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFER OUT, GRANT MATCH. FURTHER APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE REQUIRED RESOLUTION.

CONTRACT NUMBER 2025 0059. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS KARINA CAMPOS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPUTY DIRECTOR.

AND TODAY WE HAVE BEFORE YOU A GRANT APPLICATION THROUGH THE STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM.

WE JUST WANT TO EXPAND OUR WORKFORCE SKILL SET, AND WE'RE SEEKING A 20% CONTRIBUTION MATCH FROM THE COUNTY.

THE GRANT RUNS FROM OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 ALL THE WAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH OF 2026.

SO THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO ACQUIRE TRAININGS AND DIVERSE TOPICS RELATED TO CYBERSECURITY.

QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS, I KNOW THAT ITEM JUST CLOSED, BUT JUST AS A REMINDER, YOU SEE THESE TWO ITEMS ON YOUR REGULAR AGENDA SO THAT YOU CAN ACTIVELY BE ABLE TO HEAR FROM THE PRESENTERS.

ASK THOSE QUESTIONS. ANYTIME A CASH MATCH IS REQUIRED, ALL YOUR OTHER GRANT APPLICATIONS REMAINED IN CONSENT.

SO TODAY WAS OUR DEBUT ON MAKING SURE THAT HAPPENED FOR YOUR ALL'S DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. KARINA. THANK YOU TEAM.

BEFORE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE WOULD LIKE TO DO HOUSEKEEPING HOUSEKEEPING ON A COUPLE OF ITEMS. ITEM NUMBER 13, SEE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE'D LIKE TO ASK FOR THE COURT TO DELETE AS WELL AS ITS CORRESPONDING REGULAR SESSION.

ITEM 14 BE. COULD HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE THESE ITEMS. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER.

[06:15:06]

MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THIS BRINGS US TO ITEM NUMBER 13, EXECUTIVE SESSION.

COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL NOW RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEMS 13 A, 13 B, 13 D THROUGH 13 F PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 55 1.07155, 1.0745 AND 551.087.

COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECONVENE TO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION.

IT IS 3:46 P.M..

[06:20:50]

YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH. SO WE'LL BE LIVING WITH IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

THREE. WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IT WAS THIS AIRPORT IS LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL, MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT. SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUA DULCE, ESTRELLA GALLEGOS. THIS PARK, IN PARTICULAR ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED.

[06:25:02]

BUT NOW WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND, YOU KNOW? I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE.

AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT.

I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR. SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR CITIZENS ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TWO AND THREE ARE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.

AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING. AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW.

ACTIVITIES WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO.

TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE.

AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL. SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

IT WILL ALSO HAVE NATIVE LANDSCAPING, AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED DRAINAGE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE GOING TO THE TRAIL. FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M. SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40, SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING. YOU KNOW, SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

FROM STREET PAVING TO THE PARK TO THE LIGHTS TO EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE.

[06:30:03]

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND REALLY, THIS IS WHAT EL PASO DESERVES.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE SEASON. THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR LAKE.

THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LIGHTS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BOND AND TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THREE. TWO ONE. SO EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. ONE WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS LIT.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN THEY SAW OUR SPECIAL GUEST, WHICH WAS SANTA.

SO NOW WE HAVE A LONG LINE OF KIDS WAITING TO TELL SANTA WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE, WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO BE HAPPY, TO SEE SANTA GET THEIR PHOTO WITH HIM, GET TO SEE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SPECIAL TIME AND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES HERE IN EL PASO.

WE. DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS. WE HAVE 70 DIFFERENT LIGHT DISPLAYS.

WE HAVE A VARIETY. THERE'S INTERACTIVE LIGHTS AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH.

A LOT OF OUR LIGHTS ARE ON DISPLAY OR SOUND ACTIVATED.

SO AS WE APPROACH THEM, THEY COME ON. WE DO HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ALONG A LAKE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR CAR.

YOU CAN SEE THE DISPLAYS. I JUST HOPE FOLKS COME OUT AND ENJOY IT.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME. I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A FUN TIME FOR THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS THE FIRST ONE. I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD COME AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY PRETTY NICE OUT HERE. MY HUSBAND SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND WE LOVE THE LIGHTS. A LITTLE SET UP FOR THE PICTURES AND IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY NICE.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE.

EL PASO IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS, INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

WE'RE THE BEST COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST REGION.

SO WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING, AMAZING 2025.

DO YOU?

[06:35:01]

SO TODAY WE'RE CELEBRATING THAT THERE WILL BE THREE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO ARE NOW GOING TO GET ACCESS TO WASTEWATER, WHICH IS BASICALLY BEING ABLE TO CONNECT TO THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT'S SEWER SYSTEM.

WOW. IT'S IT'S EMOTIONAL. YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH. IT'S ALL WE'VE BEEN LIVING WITH. AND IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

[06:40:03]

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IT WAS THIS AIRPORT IS LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL, MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS THIS IS A JAM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT. SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUA DULCE, ESTRELLA GALLEGOS. THIS PARK, IN PARTICULAR ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT, AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS AND LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW, WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND, YOU KNOW? I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE.

AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR. SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY.

AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR CITIZENS, OUR YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN TO, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY,

[06:45:04]

TWO. THREE. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.

AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE, TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING.

AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE.

AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL. SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

IT WILL ALSO HAVE NATIVE LANDSCAPING, AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED DRAINAGE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD A TRAIL FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M. SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40, SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING, YOU KNOW? SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

FROM STREET PAVING TO THE PARK TO THE LIGHTS TO EVERYTHING YOU SEE OUT HERE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE THAT MAKE CAN MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND REALLY, THIS IS WHAT EL PASO DESERVES.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE SEASON. THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR LAKE.

THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LIGHTS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BOND AND TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THREE. TWO ONE. SO EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. ONE WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS LIT.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN THEY SAW OUR SPECIAL GUEST, WHICH WAS SANTA.

SO NOW WE HAVE A LONG LINE OF KIDS WAITING TO TELL SANTA WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE, WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO BE HAPPY, TO SEE SANTA GET THEIR PHOTO WITH HIM, GET TO SEE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SPECIAL TIME AND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES HERE IN EL PASO.

WHO. DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS. WE HAVE 70 DIFFERENT LIGHT DISPLAYS. WE HAVE A VARIETY. THERE'S INTERACTIVE LIGHTS AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH.

A LOT OF OUR LIGHTS ARE ON DISPLAY OR OUR SOUND ACTIVATED.

SO AS WE APPROACH THEM, THEY COME ON. WE DO HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ALONG A LAKE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR CAR.

YOU CAN SEE THE DISPLAYS. I JUST HOPE FOLKS COME OUT AND ENJOY IT.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME. I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A FUN TIME FOR THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS THE FIRST ONE. OH, I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD COME AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY PRETTY NICE OUT HERE. MY HUSBAND SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND WE LOVE THE LIGHTS. A LITTLE SET UP FOR THE PICTURES AND IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY NICE.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE.

[06:50:02]

WE'RE THE BEST COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST REGION.

SO WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING, AMAZING 2025.

[06:55:56]

WOW. IT'S EMOTIONAL. YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH. SO WE'LL BE LIVING WITH IT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF TYPES OF PROJECTS TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

THREE. WELL, IT'S GROUNDBREAKING FOR THREE NEW HANGARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IT WAS THIS AIRPORT'S LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL, MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A JAM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT. SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGARS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGARS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGARS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUA DULCE, ESTRELLA. GALLEGOS. THIS PARK IN PARTICULAR. ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT, AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT,

[07:00:04]

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR, SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR CITIZENS ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN TO, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

WE ARE THANKFULLY, THE COUNTY IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE LOWER VALLEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TWO AND THREE ARE WHEW! THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED.

AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE. AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE, TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING. AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE.

AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL. SO IT WILL BE A VERY INTERACTIVE TRAIL THROUGHOUT.

IT WILL ALSO HAVE NATIVE LANDSCAPING, AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED DRAINAGE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ADD IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE GOING TO THE TRAIL. FOR US TO WALK IS GOING TO BE SAFER FOR US.

AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR WALKING, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR FAMILY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE MORE ACCESS TO TO THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY OF LIFE? I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I'M SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

I'M 40, SO I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE THING, YOU KNOW.

SO THE WHOLE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

[07:05:03]

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT BECAUSE I'M ONLY ONE VOTE OF FIVE THAT MAKE CAN MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

TODAY WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE LAKE AND IT'S JAM PACKED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND REALLY, THIS IS WHAT EL PASO DESERVES.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE SEASON THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT.

THEY'RE LATE. THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LIGHTS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD NIGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BOND AND TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THREE. TWO. ONE. GO. SO EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. ONE WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS LIT.

BUT THEN ALSO WHEN THEY SAW OUR SPECIAL GUEST, WHICH WAS SANTA.

SO NOW WE HAVE A LONG LINE OF KIDS WAITING TO TELL SANTA WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE, WHAT WE WANT. WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO BE HAPPY, TO SEE SANTA GET THEIR PHOTO WITH HIM, GET TO SEE ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SPECIAL TIME AND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES HERE IN EL PASO.

WHO. DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS. WE HAVE 70 DIFFERENT LIGHT DISPLAYS. WE HAVE A VARIETY. THERE'S INTERACTIVE LIGHTS AS YOU DRIVE THROUGH.

A LOT OF OUR LIGHTS ARE ON DISPLAY OR SOUND ACTIVATED.

SO AS WE APPROACH THEM, THEY COME ON. WE DO HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ALONG A LAKE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR CAR.

YOU CAN SEE THE DISPLAYS. I JUST HOPE FOLKS COME OUT AND ENJOY IT.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME. I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A FUN TIME FOR THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS THE FIRST ONE. OH, I THINK LIKE EVERYBODY SHOULD COME AND CHECK IT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY PRETTY NICE OUT HERE. MY HUSBAND SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT. AND WE LOVE THE LIGHTS.

A LITTLE SET UP FOR THE PICTURES AND IT'S PRETTY PRETTY NICE.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE.

EL THE PUZZLE IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS, INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

WE'RE THE BEST COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST REGION.

SO WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING, AMAZING 2025.

HEY!

[07:13:29]

YOU KNOW, WE'RE FEELING SO HAPPY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE IN THE COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, AND THEY'RE CAUSING CONTAMINATION ISSUES, WHICH ARE A PRIMARY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING AND HEALTH.

YEAH. SO WE WILL BE LIVING WITH ACCEPTING THAT CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITIES.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY AND THE COUNTY AND GETTING SOME FUNDING FOR GET THIS PROJECT.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S ALREADY STARTED.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEWHERE AROUND 6 TO 8 MONTHS.

SO AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, WE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES TO WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES.

WE INVESTED ABOUT 40 MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2022.

WE INVESTED THOSE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING SPONSORED US THROUGH THIS PROJECT.

[07:15:14]

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BACK IN 2013.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG WAYS TO GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IT WAS THIS AIRPORT IS LIKE AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS.

WELL, MAYBE, BUT IT TOOK 55 YEARS TO GET TO THIS DAY.

WE'RE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE. THIS IS A THIS IS A GEM.

SO AS THE YEARS GO ON, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THIS WILL BECOME A REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WE'RE EXCITED. AND I KNOW THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING ABOUT $20 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE IN FABENS.

SO WITH SOME MONEY FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S OFFICE, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A $5 MILLION GRANT, WHICH HELPED FUND THE DESIGN OF EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGARS HANGERS AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE OF THOSE EIGHT. SO BY THE END OF THIS PROJECT, WE'LL SEE THREE BRAND NEW HANGERS, AND WE'LL HAVE THE DESIGN FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL HANGERS, WHICH WILL BE READY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS THE FUNDING IS IDENTIFIED AND OBTAINED.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO WORK HARD ON TO OBTAIN THE FUNDING TO BUILD THOSE FINAL FIVE HANGERS.

SO BY THE END, WE'LL HAVE EIGHT BRAND NEW HANGERS THAT CAN BE USED BY LOCAL PILOTS TO STORE THEIR PLANES.

THEY CAN BE USED BY SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE UTEP.

SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE INVESTMENT THAT I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO MAKE THE FABENS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.

SKATEBOARDING IS ONE OF THOSE SPORTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE KIDS WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY INTO THE TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, ALL AND AND THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO GO.

IT GIVES THEM A PLACE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE AGUA DULCE, ESTRELLA GALLEGOS. THIS PARK IN PARTICULAR. ESTRELLA. IT CONSISTS OF NEW SKATE PARKS, A NEW BASKETBALL COURT AND NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS MORE OF AN ADVENTURE COURSE. INITIALLY IT WAS JAM PACKED, BUT AS THE EQUIPMENT GETS OLDER, LESS AND LESS PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP. BUT NOW WITH THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW BUILD, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU IT IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A SKATE PARK HERE IN AGUA DULCE, AND WE HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RENOVATED FOR MANY YEARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THEM AND CREATE A NEW SKATE PARK, A BRAND NEW SKATE PARK.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE EXCITING FEATURES TO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE, BUT IT WILL BE MADE OF CONCRETE, SO WE EXPECT IT EXPECT IT TO LAST LONGER THAN I'M GOING TO BE AROUND, YOU KNOW? I KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST FROM THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE COUNTY, BUT INSIDE THE CITY OF EL PASO, ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS PLACE.

AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A HIT WITH ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. I HELD TWO PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS WHERE SKATERS TOLD THE DESIGNER WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE IN THE SKATE PARK.

IT'S GOT ALL THE TECHNICAL STREET STUFF. IT'S GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR INTERMEDIATES, FOR ADVANCED.

I THINK THERE'S A FIVE STAIR, SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU CAN GAP DOWN FROM THE FIVE STAIR.

OR IF YOU'RE OLD AND YOU JUST WANT TO CRUISE AROUND, OR IF YOU'RE YOUNG AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN FLOW AROUND THE WHOLE PARK. AND JUST LIKE ALWAYS, THIS THIS COURT HAS BEEN VERY FRUGAL WITH THE TAX MONEY AND THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GRANTS, IS PAID FOR BY GRANT MONEY, GRANT FUNDING THAT'S COMING TO EL PASO.

THIS PROJECT WAS POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

THE GRANT IS A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN ALL THE PARKS.

SO PARKS HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT PARKS ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR CITIZENS ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE NO BETTER THAN TO, YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN AWESOME FACILITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ROLL AROUND WITH THE LOCALS WHEN IT'S DONE.

WHAT'S MORE ESSENTIAL THAN WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED WITHOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, FIVE DECADES, PROBABLY, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HERE AS WELL.

[07:20:04]

TWO AND THREE ARE. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF THE FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECT FOR SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE CANUTILLO AREA.

WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, ACTUALLY, THAT THIS HAS REALLY COME TO A FRUITION.

THERE WAS FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED.

AND THANKFULLY, WITH HELP OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEDICATED ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, GOING AND STARTED. OTHERWISE, IF THE COURT HADN'T DEDICATED THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE. AND THIS MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE, TO GET THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS JUST A BLESSING. AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED IN THIS GETTING THIS EVENT DONE.

THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A PARK AND THREE.

WELL, THIS IS A LINEAR PARK FOR SQUARE DANCE SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR FOR, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS. WE INCORPORATED AN AREA FOR THEM TO DO, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITIES, WALK AND LIKE I SAID, ALSO PLACE TO TO GATHER. SO THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 150 DAYS.

IT CONSISTS OF A LINEAR TRAIL THAT STARTS ON MONTANA AND ENDS ON FRANKIE LANE.

AND IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE TRAIL. GO AHEAD.

COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION.

IT IS 4:50 WE ARE ON ITEM NUMBER 14 A FROM REGULAR SESSION.

DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND RELATED DIRECTIVES.

[14. REGULAR SESSION]

[A. Discuss and take appropriate action regarding President Trump’s Executive Orders and related directives. Bernardo Cruz, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office, 915-273-3247]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

THIS COMPLETES TODAY'S MEETING AT 4:53 P.M..

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.