EL PASO COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS COURT

CARLOS LEON
Commissioner, Pct.1

ILIANA HOLGUIN
Commissioner, Pct.3

DAVID STOUT
Commissioner, Pct.2

SERGIO CORONADO
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, October 23, 2023  - 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 October 16, 2023, and the special meeting of October 19, 2023.
County Administration Department (915) 546-2215
B.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the two-year professional services agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Inc. for the provision of municipal advisor/financial advisor services through September 30, 2025,  subject to final legal review and approval from the County Attorneys' Office.  (Contract No. 2023-0837)
Jose M. Landeros, Director of Strategic Development, County Administration Department (915) 546-2159
C.Accept the quarterly report from the El Paso County Housing Authority.
Miguel Hernandez, Executive Director, El Paso County Housing Authority (915) 764-3559
D.Accept the quarterly report for Life Ambulance Service.
Rachel B. Harracksingh, Life Ambulance Service, Inc. (915) 772-1642
E.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.
Barbara Parker, County Auditor, County Auditor's Office (915) 273-3262
F.Approve amendment No.45 to the County of El Paso’s 2022-2023 operating budget. This budgetary amendment will increase Special Revenue by $22,399, increase Enterprise by $13,884, increase Grants by $61,216.71, thus increasing the overall budget of $771,160,704.51 to $771,258,204.22.
Jessica C. Garza, Interim Director, Budget & Fiscal Policy Department (915) 546-2262
G.Approve amendment No.02 to the County of El Paso’s 2023-2024 operating budget. This budgetary amendment will increase Grants by $3,436,233.26, thus increasing the overall budget of $605,223,620.36 to $608,659,853.62.
Jessica C. Garza, Interim Director, Budget & Fiscal Policy Department (915) 546-2262
H.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) Plan Agreement for Plan Year 2024. (Contract No. 2023-0869)
Jessica C. Garza, Interim Director, Budget & Fiscal Policy Department (915) 546-2262
I.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign revisions to the Project Completion Report (Form A1200) closing out the $1,050,000 Colonia Self Help Center Program Contract (7218003) with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).  (Contract No. 2023-0818)
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
J.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the El Paso Nutrition Program - AAA Direct Purchase of Services Program - Congregate & Home Delivered Meal Vendor Services Agreement and the FY2024 Budget Workbook representing the unit rate price per meal as noted in the FY24 Vendor Services Agreement, effective October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.  (Contract No. 2023-0835)
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
K.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the First Amendment to the Subrecipient Agreement between the County of El Paso, Texas and Ayuda, Inc. for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) 2 program revising the Program Scope and to extend the term of the agreement through November 30, 2023.  (Contract No. 2023-0845)
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
L.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Interlocal Agreement between El Paso County, on behalf of the El Paso County Criminal Court at Law Number Two, and the University of Texas at El Paso for Evaluation Services for the DWI Intervention and Treatment Program from October 1, 2023, to September 29, 2024, in the amount of $49,500. Funding is available in SG-SAMHSA23-OPERATING EXPENSES.  (Contract No. 2023-0776)
Judge Robert S. Anchondo, County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 (915) 834-8232
M.Accept the quarterly report from the Juvenile Probation Department.
Rosie Medina, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Juvenile Probation Department (915) 849-2500
N.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.
Michael McElroy, Director, Planning & Development Department (915) 273-3330
O.Approve and authorize the County to Judge to sign the Supplemental Contact between Owner and Operator with Jordan Foster Construction, LLC for the Virtual Courtroom Addition for the County of El Paso Jail Annex using Region 19 Job Order Contract (JOC) 21-7411 in the amount of $2,360,019. Funding is available in CAP PROJ-CONSTRUCT and SG-ARPLAN21-CAP OUTLAYS.  (Contract No. 2023-0822)
Norma Rivera-Palacios, Executive Dierctor, Public Works Department (915) 273-3330
P.Approve the Purchase and Installation for Office Built-up and Mezzanine for the County of El Paso Public Works Department (12309860) using TIPS Job Order Contract (JOC) 23010402 awarded to Keystone GC, LLC., of El Paso, Texas for a grand total of $153,160. Purchasing approved on September 27, 2023. Funding is available in SR-R&B-CAP OUT-RENOVATIONS.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
Q.Approve the Purchase and Installation of Flooring for the County of El Paso Juvenile Justice Center (12310523) using Buy Board Contract 642-21 awarded to LVR Commercial Flooring, Inc. of Lubbock, Texas for a grand total $102,074.17.  Purchasing approved on October 4, 2023. Funding is available in GF-JPD-CAP OUT-RENOV.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
R.Approve the Purchase and Installation of New Irrigation System and Landscaping for the County of El Paso Sports Parks (12311837) using Buyboard Job Order Contract (JOC) 581-19 awarded to BASIC IDIQ Inc. of El Paso, Texas for a total of $110,999.83.  Purchasing approved on September 27, 2023. Funding is available in GF-SPORTSPARK-CAP OUT-EQUIP and GF-SPORTSPARK-CAP OUT-PARK IMP.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
S.Approve the Purchase and Installation of Golf Course Barrier Poles and Netting for the County of El Paso Juvenile Justice Center (12311254/12310545) using Region 19 Contract 22-7425 awarded to IQP Canopies, LLC, of El Paso, Texas for a grand total $146,410.  Purchasing approved on September 27, 2023. Funding is available in GF-JPD-CAP OUT-RENOV.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
T.Approve the Purchase and Installation of a new Prefabricated Metal Building for the County of El Paso Public Works Department (12309864/12310532) using TIPS-USA Job Order Contract (JOC) 23010402 awarded to Keystone GC, LLC., of El Paso, Texas for a grand total of $297,909.13.  Purchasing approved on October 16, 2023. Funding is available in SR-R&B-CAP PROJ-CONSTRUCT, SR-R&B-CAP OUT-RENOVATIONS.  
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 546-2048
U.Approve the Purchase of Build-Out of the Coffee Shop at the County of El Paso Courthouse using Region 19 Job Order Contract (JOC) 21-7411 awarded to Jordan Foster Construction, LLC of El Paso Texas, for total project cost $352,963.35. Purchasing approved on October 17, 2023. Funding is available in GF-FACILITIES-COFFEESHOP-RENOV and CIP2023-COFFESHOP-RENOV.
Karen L. Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department (915) 273-3349
V.Approve and authorize the Sole Source Purchase of VEMACS and VoteSafe Support for the Elections Department from Votec Corporation of San Diego, CA in the grand total of $541,905. Funds are available in GF-ITD-MAINT/REP-SOFTWARE. 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) 273-3349
W.Approve and authorize the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to accept monetary and in-kind donations from Academy Sports + Outdoors ($20-$100 gift cards) during fiscal year 2024 for use in improving employee morale in celebration of First Responders Day, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 81.032.  (2692-OP)
Sheriff Richard D. Wiles, El Paso County Sheriff's Office (915) 546-2262
X.GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to accept the grant award from the Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division (CJD) for the 65th Family Drug Court, from September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024, in the amount of $89,131.  (Contract No. 2023-0833)
Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez, 65th Family District Court (915) 546-2102
Y.GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to accept the Governor's Office FY24 Specialty Court Program grant award in the amount of $145,105, from September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024. No County match required. (Contract No. 2023-0832)
Francisco X. Dominguez, District Judge, District Court 205th (915) 546-2107
Z.GRANT APPLICATION - Approve and authorize the Community Services Department, to submit a grant application to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Program from February 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025 in the amount of $125,000. A County match is required in the amount of $35,734.75. Further, authorize the County Judge to sign the Resolution, Grant Program Year 2024 form and other required forms.  (Contract No. 2023-0803)
Irene G. Valenzuela, Executive Director, Community Services Department (915) 775-2708
5.RESOLUTIONS
A.Approve and adopt a resolution congratulating Miracle League of El Paso on all its accomplishments and declaring Saturday, October 21, 2023, "Miracle League Lords and Ladies Day" in El Paso County.  
David Stout, Commissioner, Pct. 2 (915) 546-2111
B.Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Lights on Afterschool which is a national effort aiming to highlight the importance of afterschool programs in the community supporting the health and overall well-being of children and youth in El Paso County, Texas. 
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office (915) 546-2098
6.PUBLIC COMMENT
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
7.Approve and adopt the El Paso County Veteran of the Year Policy. (#2675-OP)
Betsy C. Keller, CM, Chief Administrator, County Administration Department (915) 546-2215
8.Receive a presentation from the County’s financial advisor regarding current market conditions, the County’s long term debt portfolio and a municipal bond overview.
Jose M. Landeros, Director of Strategic Development, County Administration Department (915) 546-2159
LITIGATION, JUSTICE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
9.Discuss and receive a presentation regarding the 88th Legislature’s 14 joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution.
Christina Sanchez, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office (915) 273-3238
10.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 Section 551.071, receive legal advice and consultation regarding road and speed safety issues in El Paso County.
Christina R. Sanchez, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office (915) 546-2050
C.Discuss litigation styled Janice Levario v. Jesus Elias, et al; Cause No. 3:23-CV-00307-DCG; County Attorney case number 0128-23-LD, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071.
Jed Untereker, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office (915) 273-3247
D.Pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551.087, discuss financial information and economic development negotiations received regarding a Chapter 381 Agreement with Project SIMBA, a private business prospect.
Roberto Ransom, Director, Economic Development Department (915) 546-2177
REGULAR SESSION
11.Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the term sheet between El Paso County and Grupo BAFAR, a private business prospect to be announced October 23, 2023.
Roberto Ransom, Director, Economic Development Department (915) 546-2177