This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso.
Learn About Impact Fees at Community Meetings: The city of El Paso and El Paso Water are holding community meetings to discuss impact fees – the cost to extend utility service to new developments – and whether they should be increased. The fees assessed on new developments help pay for the cost of water and wastewater infrastructure necessary to provide those services. The city will hold a public hearing during the Tuesday, April 23 council meeting before voting on the proposed increases.
See also: Who should pay for new development in El Paso?
Staff from the city and the water utility will speak on the history of impact fees, the areas of growth where impact fees are assessed and the capital improvements that will be funded with impact fees, according to a city news release.
The meetings are from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 15 at the Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge; Tuesday, April 16 at The Beast Recreation Center, 13501 Jason Crandall; and Thursday, April 18 at the El Paso Police Department Northeast Regional Command Center, 9600 Dyer.
City’s COO to Retire; Interim Airport Director Appointed: Sam Rodriguez, the city’s chief operations officer, will retire effective April 26 due to “pressing family reasons,” city spokesperson Laura Cruz-Acosta said. Rodriguez, who has worked for the city for 18 years, also serves as airport director and oversees the capital improvement department, planning and inspections and El Paso International Airport.
The city on Tuesday appointed Juan Antonio Nevarez as interim airport director. Nevarez, a licensed commercial pilot, has been assistant director of aviation for operations and security since 2017 and previously served as airport security coordinator and operations manager.
The city will conduct a national search for a permanent airport director, officials said in a news release.
Last week, El Paso Senior Deputy City Manager Tracey Jerome was hired as town manager in Mooresville, North Carolina, effective April 29.
City Council Deletes Arena Agenda Item: The El Paso City Council on Tuesday deleted an agenda item regarding selecting a site for the multipurpose performing arts and entertainment center.
See also: City’s plans for outdoor amphitheater may hinge on ballpark contract
Since February, the council has postponed voting on whether to approve building the venue – now proposed as an indoor/outdoor amphitheater – at the Union Depot site Downtown. Postponing action typically requires the item be placed back on the agenda within two weeks; while deleting the item allows the council to bring back the agenda item at an unspecified time.
Backup Power Generators for El Paso Water: El Paso Water’s governing board this week OK’d a $49 million deal to have a contractor install several backup power generators across the city so the utility can still provide water during a long-lasting power outage.
After the catastrophic Winter Storm Uri event in February 2021 that knocked out power and water for households across much of Texas, state lawmakers passed a bill that year that required water utilities to put together an emergency preparedness plan detailing how the utility will maintain water pressure during a major blackout.
The contract also will pay for a diesel fuel storage tank and dispenser located at El Paso Water’s Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant. It marks the third contract El Paso Water has entered to ensure it can generate power during an emergency. The utility has spent $93 million to install generators at various well sites, pump stations and water treatment plants throughout El Paso. The installation work will be complete in early 2027.
El Paso Matters reporters Diego Mendoza-Moyers and Elida S. Perez contributed to this roundup.
