EL PASO COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS COURT

CARLOS LEON
Commissioner, Pct.1

ILIANA HOLGUIN
Commissioner, Pct.3

DAVID STOUT
Commissioner, Pct.2

CARL L. ROBINSON
Commissioner, Pct.4

RICARDO A. SAMANIEGO
County Judge

This meeting may include one or more Commissioners that will participate by videoconference, and El Paso County employees that will participate by videoconference, which is allowed pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.127. A quorum of the Commissioners Court will be physically present at the El Paso County Courthouse, Commissioners Court Chambers, 500 East San Antonio Room 303 El Paso, Texas 79901. A member of the Commissioners Court who is presiding over the meeting will also be physically present at the location listed above. The meeting is open to the public during the open portions of the meeting, and the Commissioner participating by video conference shall be visible and audible to the public for as long as the Commissioner is able to participate.

 

Members of the public will be entitled to participate and address the governmental body during any telephonic or videoconference meeting.

 

To watch the meeting, please visit:https://www.epcounty.com/video/or

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-2RxYOS6Y6VkDlp5eM0OLA

 

To participate in public comment, please call: 888-835-7276 or 888-8 EL PASO.

 

Members of the public may also participate via videoconference by visiting: https://www.epcounty.com/public-comment.htm . Agendas will continue to be posted online at: https://elpaso.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/

 

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact us at (915) 546-2215


Commissioners Court Chambers, El Paso County Courthouse 
500 East San Antonio Room 303 El Paso, Texas 79901
Website address: http://www.epcounty.com
View live video webcast: http://epcounty.com/video

Please place all electronic devices on silent mode to reduce disruption of the meeting.

AGENDA
Regular Meeting, September 12, 2022  - 9:30 AM

Strategic Plan Priority

1.OPEN MEETING
2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.INVOCATION
A.Receive an invocation.
4.CONSENT AGENDA

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

All matters listed under the Consent Agenda will be considered by the Commissioners Court to be routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the Court or persons in the audience request that specific items be moved from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda for discussion prior to the time the Commissioners Court votes on the motion to adopt the Consent Agenda.

All matters listed on the Consent Agenda and Regular Agenda may be discussed in Executive Session at the discretion of the El Paso County Commissioners Court and following verbal announcement, if an appropriate exception to the open meeting requirement of the Texas Open Meetings Act is applicable.

A.Approval of the Minutes of the regular meeting of August 29, 2022.
County Administration Department (915) 546-2215
B.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign a Professional Services Agreement with the Rio Grande Council of Government for technical services in the amount of $35,000. Funding is available in GF-GADM-CONTR SVC-GEN. (Contract No. 2022-0729)
Betsy C. Keller, CM, Chief Administrator, County Administration Department (915) 546-2215
C.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Service Agreement between the County of El Paso, Texas and Horses Unlimited Rescue and Education Center, Inc. for the care of up to five (5) horses, and unlimited number of chickens, and all other livestock from September 12, 2022, through September 11, 2023. Funding in the amount of $7,000 is available in GF-ANIMALWELF-CONTR SVC-GEN. (Contract No. 2022-0624)
Lauralei Combs, Executive Director, Animal Welfare Department (915) 538-2116
D.Pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code, Section 115.021, audit and settle all accounts against the County shown on the attached listing and direct the payment of those accounts.
Edward A. Dion, County Auditor, County Auditor's Office (915) 546-2040
E.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the 2nd Amendment to the Actuarial Consulting Services Agreement with Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company (GRS) for an actuarial study required pursuant to GASB 75.  Funding is available in account IS-HEALTH-PROF SVC-GEN.  (Contract No. 2022-0749)
Edward A. Dion, County Auditor, County Auditor's Office (915) 546-2040
F.Approve amendment No.40 to the County of El Paso’s 2021-2022 operating budget. This budgetary amendment will increase Grants by $3,323,960.97, thus increasing the overall budget of $657,226,137.47 to $660,550,098.44.
Wallace Hardgrove, Executive Director, Budget and Fiscal Policy Department (915) 546-2262
G.Approve and authorize the Capital Improvement Interim Request in the amount of $280,000 for the County Auditor Department for the purchase of the Workiva Software. A total of $196,042 remains from funding previously allocated for Enterprise Resource Planning purposes and an additional $83,958 is available under account CP-CPERPSFTWR12-IT SOFTWARE.
Wallace Hardgrove, Executive Director, Budget and Fiscal Policy Department (915) 546-2262
H.Approve and ratify the submission of the signed AmeriCorps VISTA Program Memorandum of Agreement between the County of El Paso and AmeriCorps, as a preliminary step to receive the Notice of Grant Award. (Contract No. 2022-0691)
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
I.Approve and authorize the Community Services Department to accept donations during Fiscal Year 2023, in accordance with Texas Local Government Code Section 81.032.
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
J.Approve and authorize funding in the amount of $17,160 for 10 temporary employees for the County Clerk’s Office for up to 13 business days from September 14 - 30, 2022. Funding is available in GF-CNTYCLK-SALARY-FT REGULAR.
Delia Briones, County Clerk, County Clerk's Office (915) 546-2071
K.Pursuant to Chapter 59.06(h) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, approve and authorize the distribution of $49,500 from the County's 10% portion of the District Attorney Forfeiture funds, previously donated to the County of El Paso, to the County Criminal Court at Law 2 DWI Intervention and Treatment Program for family counseling services for court participants with 2 love 1, from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. Funding is available in SR-DA10%DF-XFER OUT.  
Judge Robert S. Anchondo, County Criminal Court at Law #2 (915) 834-8232
L.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Master Subscription Agreement between Logik Systems, Inc. and the County of El Paso, for the purpose of the District Attorney's Office to utilize the data system to upload and organize documentation from the Walmart capital murder case from September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023, at a rate of $3,750 per month. Funds are available in SG-GCRESPCM22-OPERATING EXP. Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 262.024 (a)(7)(A), as a sole source item, it is exempt from the provisions of the County Purchasing Act. Sole Source will be re-evaluated at time of new contract to ensure compliance with statute. Subject to final review and approval by the County Attorney's Office.  (Contract No. 2022-0682)
Yvonne Rosales, District Attorney, District Attorney's Office (915) 546-2059
M.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign service agreement renewal with the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society for operations and promotion of Los Portales and Old County Jail Museums.  (Contract No. 2021-0728)
Michael Hernandez, Director, Economic Development Department (915) 546-2177
N.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Liability Insurance Rate Proposal, and related documents for FY 2023 which will authorize the County’s Insurance Broker (USI Southwest Inc.) to proceed with obtaining insurance policies based on their Liability Insurance Rate Proposal for Auto, Crime, Property, Special Events General, Drone Insurance coverages in the amount of $407,834 for premiums. Funding is available in GF-GADM-INS-GEN/PROPERTY.  (Contract No. 2022-0685)
Minnie Holguin, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department (915) 546-2218
O.Approve the Medicare Advantage Plan Rate Proposal and Renewal with Aetna Life Insurance Company for Medicare eligible County retirees and their dependents for plan year 2023. Funding is available in IS-HEALTH-RET MED ADV PLAN FEE.  (Contract No. 2022-0619)  
Minnie Holguin, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department (915) 546-2218
P.Approve and authorize the acceptance of donations for the 2022 Fall Health Fair and Benefits Open Enrollment raffle pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 81.032. 
Minnie Holguin, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department (915) 546-2218
Q.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the First Option to Renew Rite of Passage, Inc., d/b/a Lake Grandbury Youth Services, for youth residential treatment services from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. Funding is available in TJJD Commitment Diversion 2022 Grant. (Contract No. 2022-0660)
Rosie Medina, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Juvenile Probation Department (915) 849-2500
R.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the month-to-month extension Agreement with Texas Tech Health Science Center El Paso for the Provision of Pediatric Clinical and Nursing Services at the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, from September 1, 2022, through November 30, 2022. In the approximate amount of $24,666 per month.  Funds are available in GF-JUVCHALL-PROF SVC-GEN and GF-JUVDETAIN-PROF SVC-GEN.  (Contract No. 2022-0770) 
Rosie Medina, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Juvenile Probation Department (915) 849-2500
S.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign Task Order No. 002, On-Call Civil Engineering Contract with Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc. to assist on the subdivision and site plan review. Funding in the amount of $30,000 is available in GF-PWADMIN-CONTR SVC-GENERAL. (Contract No. 2022-0667)
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
T.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Release of Obligation for improvements located in Hillside Park at Mission Ridge Unit 3 subdivision (Instrument No. EACX4003117). Further, accept the identified improvements into the County of El Paso Road System for maintenance.
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
U.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Release of Obligation for improvements located in The Paseos at Mission Ridge 4 subdivision (Instrument No. EACX4003116). Further, accept the identified improvements into the County of El Paso Road System for maintenance.  
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
V.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Release of Obligation for improvements located in Peyton Estates Unit 6 subdivision (Instrument No. LICX1198881). Further, accept the identified improvements into the County of El Paso Road System for maintenance.
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
W.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign a letter of commitment for the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for a grant application to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. If awarded the County will contribute general funds, in the amount of $50,000, contingent on the MPO receiving the grant award. Funding is available in GF-GADM-OPS CONTINGENCIES and will be budgeted in FY23 and FY24. Subject to final review and approval by the County Attorney's Office.  (Contract No. 2022-0769)
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
X.Pursuant to Texas Local Government Sections 232.028 and 232.029, approve and authorize the issuance of certification regarding compliance with applicable plat requirements as provided on the attached listing.
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915)546-2015
Y.Rescind the Commissioners Court Order of June 27, 2022, Item # 16 on the Regular Agenda, to approve the award recommendation for RFP 22-014 Alcohol Monitoring Services for the County of El Paso (re-solicitation) to the top scoring firms #1 A LifeSafer of Texas Interlock Inc. of Cincinnati, OH and 1A Smart Start, LLC of Grapevine, TX. Further, approve the award of RFP 22-014 to top scoring firm #1A Lifesafer of Texas Interlock Inc. of Cincinnati, OH.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
Z.Authorize the Sole Source award to Purchase Remote Monitoring of Individuals Under Community Supervision Software for Criminal Justice Coordination Department (12209045) to CheckUps LLC, San Antonio, TX, in the amount of $64,638. Funds are available in GF-CRMJUSTCOORD-CS ELECTR MNTR. Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 262.024 (a)(7)(A), as a sole source item, it is exempt from the provisions of the County Purchasing Act. Sole Source will be re-evaluated at time of new contract to ensure compliance with statute.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
AA.Approve and authorize the transfer and removal of surplus assets from the respective departments to the Purchasing Department in compliance with Texas Local Government Code Section 262.011(j).  See attachment.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
AB.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign Amendment # 2 to the Master Services Agreement with Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies for communication services at the Detention Facilities extending services for one-year from November 12, 2024, to November 12, 2025.  (Contract No. 2022-0759)
Sheriff Richard D. Wiles, El Paso County Sheriff's Office (915) 538-2234
AC.GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) FY2023 Intercity-Bus (ICB) Project Grant Agreement (PGA) from September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023, in the amount of $557,112.  This will continue the provision of the Intercity-Bus (ICB) Service, serving El Paso and Anthony, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico. There is no County match required. A 50/50 match is met by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) funds.  (Contract No. 2022-0686)
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
AD.GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Texas Department of Transportation FY2023 Rural Discretionary Project Grant Agreement (PGA) from September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023, in the amount of $339,342. No County match is required.  (Contract No. 2022-0710)
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
AE.GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) FY2023 Section 5339 Rural Discretionary Bus and Bus Facilities (BBF) Project Grant Agreement (PGA) from September 1, 2022, through May 31, 2024, in the amount of $1,041,647.  No County match is required.  (Contract No. 2022-0753)
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
AF.GRANT AMENDMENT Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign Amendment 1 to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) FY2022 Federal 5311 Rural Areas Public Transportation Project Grant Agreement (PGA) to extend the grant time period to May 31, 2023.  No County match is required.  (Contract No. 2022-0709)
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
AG.GRANT MATCH - Approve and authorize a correction to the County's match portion of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Non-Construction Advanced Funding Agreement for the FY22 El Paso County Regional Transit Start-Up Assistance Off-System Project (CSJ No. 0924-06-612) with TXDOT in the amount of $800,000. The County's actual match is in the amount of $202,500. Funds are available in GF-EPCMP-XFER OUT-GRANT MATCH. There are no changes to the previously approved contract. (Contract No. 2022-0085)
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
AH.GRANT MATCH - Approve and authorize a correction to the County's match portion of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Non-Construction Advanced Funding Agreement for the FY23 El Paso County Regional Transit Start-Up Assistance Off-System Project (CSJ No. 0924-06-613) with TXDOT in the amount of $1,796,170. The County's actual match is in the amount of $454,656. Funds are available in GF-GADM-XFER OUT-GRANT MATCH. There are no changes to the previously approved contract.  (Contract No. 2022-0086)
Sal Alonzo, Associate Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 546-2015
5.RESOLUTIONS
A.Approve and adopt a resolution declaring September as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month," in El Paso County, Texas. 
David C. Stout, Commissioner, Pct. 2 (915) 546-2111
B.Approve and adopt a resolution declaring September 10-18, 2022, as “Welcoming Week” in El Paso County, Texas.
Iliana Holguin, Commissioner, Pct. 3 (915) 546-2144
C.Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the week of September 11 - 18, 2022, as "EPCC National Arts in Education" in El Paso County, Texas.
Carl L. Robinson, Commissioner, Pct. 4 (915) 546-2044
D.Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the month of September 14 through October 15, 2022, as "Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration" in El Paso County, Texas. 
Carl L. Robinson, Commissioner, Pct. 4 (915) 546-2044
6.PUBLIC COMMENT
7.PRESENTATION
A.Receive a presentation recognizing El Paso County as the “Leading the Way” Platinum Award recipient for the Aetna Wellbeing Award program.
Minnie Holguin, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department (915) 546-2218
B.Receive a presentation and discuss the monthly report from the Council of Judges.
Michael Cuccaro, Executive Director, Council of Judges (915) 546-2143
C.Receive a presentation from USCIS recognizing 20 individuals who will be taking their Oath of Citizenship and pledging allegiance to the United States to complete the process of naturalization.
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
REGULAR AGENDA
8.Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the approval of an order authorizing the issuance of El Paso County Hospital District Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, in one or more series; levying a continuing direct annual ad valorem tax for the payment of such Certificates; and resolving other matters incident and related thereto, including the delegation of matters relating to the sale and issuance of the Certificates to an authorized district official within certain specified parameters.
R. Jacob Cintron, President & CEO, University Medical Center/EPCHD (915) 521-7600
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
9.Discuss and take appropriate action to appoint Commander Ryan Urrutia, to the E911 Enhanced Communication District Board of Managers to fulfill the unexpired 2-year term of Chief Tom Whitten ending July 31, 2023.
Betsy C. Keller, CM, Chief Administrator, County Administration Department (915) 546-2215
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
10.Discuss and take appropriate action regarding El Paso County’s preparation and response for public health emergencies.
Betsy C. Keller, CM, Chief Administrator, County Administration Department (915) 546-2215
PURCHASING
11.Approve award recommendation for Bid 22-021 Replacement of Two (2) Existing Manufactured Housing Units (MHU's) Under the Colonia Self Help Center Mobile Home Replacement Program to Clayton Homes #861 of El Paso, TX for a project grand total amount of $214,987.  Purchasing approved on August 25, 2022. Funding is available in SG-COLSELFHELP19-OPERATING EXP.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
12.Approve the Purchase of Three (3) VAC-CON Trucks with Storm Water Configuration; One (1) CAT 150AWD Motor Grader and One (1) CAT 305 Mini Hydraulic Excavator for the County of El Paso using Texas BuyBoard Contract #597-19 awarded to Wagner Equipment Co. of El Paso, Texas and Texas Buyboard Contract #601-19 awarded to Doggett Freightliner of South Texas, LLC of Converse, TX for a grand total $1,928,306.17 (no administrative fee). Purchasing approved on September 6, 2022. Funding is available in GF-RBFLOODCNT-CAP OUT-VEHICLES.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
JUDICIARY AND CORRECTIONS
13.

Discuss and take appropriate action to authorize operational funding for a Community Supervision Officer III for the County Criminal Court #2 DWI Drug Court Treatment Program in the amount of $69,705. Funds are available in GF-GADM-OPS CONTINGENCIES.  

Amy Lechuga, County Court Administrator, County Court Administration (915) 546-2093
COUNTY AND DISTRICT CLERK
14.Approve and record into the Commissioners Court meeting minutes, the District Clerk's certification of the District Judge's Order to approve the County Auditor's Budget for Fiscal Year 2023, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 84.021; 84.901; 111.044; 152.031; 152.032; 152.034; and 152.905.
Norma Favela Barceleau, District Clerk, District Clerk's Office (915) 546-2021
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
15.(ARPA Project No. 4050) Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) Grant Agreement with Project Amistad in the amount of $158,500.  (Contract No. 2022-0690)
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
16.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Fifth Amendment to the Services Agreement Between the County of El Paso Texas and Selrico Services, Inc. for Congregate and Home Delivered Meals for the City-County Nutrition Program, for the second of three (3) six-month renewal options with a term effective October 9, 2022, through April 8, 2023.  (Contract No. 2022-0664)
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
BUDGET AND FINANCE
17.Pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code § 111.067, copy attached, conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed El Paso County budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022, and ending September 30, 2023. 
Wallace Hardgrove, Executive Director, Budget and Fiscal Policy Department (915) 546-2262
18.Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code, § 111.068, copy attached, approve and adopt the attached County of El Paso annual operating budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022, and ending September 30, 2023.
Wallace Hardgrove, Executive Director, Budget and Fiscal Policy Department (915) 546-2262
19.EXECUTIVE SESSION

Only the members of the Commissioners Court have a right to attend an executive session, except that legal counsel must be present if the executive session is held pursuant to Government Code section 551.071. In addition to legal counsel, Commissioners Court may include in executive session certain officers and employees if it finds that (1) their participation is necessary to the matter under consideration; (2) their interests are not adverse to the county, and (3) their presence will not waive the attorney client privilege. Generally, the Chief Administrator, Budget Executive Director, County Clerk's representatives, and County Auditor's Office representatives attend the closed session items based on the enumerated criteria, and certain other persons may attend based on the above-listed criteria or as otherwise provided by law.

A.Discuss findings regarding persons necessary in Executive Session.
County Attorney's Office (915) 546-2050
B.Pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.071, receive legal advice and consultation regarding the identification of funds for the proposed Migrant Support Services Center & ongoing migrant support needs.
Ana Schumacher, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney’s Office (915) 546-2050
REGULAR SESSION
20.Discuss and take appropriate action on identifying funds for the proposed Migrant Support Services Operations Center and ongoing migrant support needs.
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
ADDENDUM TO THE AGENDA
21.Approve and adopt a resolution proclaiming September 12-18, 2022, as "915 Week" in El Paso County, Texas.
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, Commissioners Court (915) 546-2098
Regular Session, Posted Friday, September 9, 2022 at 12:45 P.M.