District 8 Newsletter
June 2, 2023

From My Desk:

The City Council has accomplished a lot so far since fellow new members and I took office early this year, but one of the things I’m most proud of is the passage at last week’s City Council meeting of a Resolution that I co-sponsored that commits the City to build partnerships with local harm reduction organizations to implement life-saving strategies that combat opioid addiction, including the rollout of widespread availability of the overdose-reversing drug Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) at City facilities, in all first responder vehicles, and on Sun Metro busses. This intervention will save lives, no doubt about it. It is so important for our community to give those suffering from addiction the chance to recover and to thrive.

In another recent victory for many El Pasoans, my Resolution to raise the minimum wage for City employees to at least $15 per hour (from the current $12.11 per hour) by the end of Fiscal Year 2026 passed unanimously. Well paid workers lead happier lives, perform better at their work, and ultimately provide improved service to El Pasoans. This was a priority for me, and I’m glad that my colleagues supported it.

I have posted an item on the agenda for next week’s City Council meeting to receive an update on proposed revisions to the noise ordinance, something that the previous City Council postponed for over a year back in June 2022. It’s time for us to address this issue again.

I am also working on a number of other things at the moment. I will be collaborating with the American Heart Association and the City’s Capital Improvement Department on a project to make the walk to school safer for students at Hart Elementary and Guillen Middle School in Segundo Barrio by piloting new bulb-out and crosswalk designs. I am working with City Management on new strategies to combat junk vehicles that are illegally stored on City streets and in private parking lots near the international ports of entry before they are taken to scrapyards in Juarez. The El Paso Police Department is also working with my office to monitor a new trend of break-ins the greater Kern Place and Rim Area neighborhoods. And of course my team and I are busy helping you — the District 8 constituents — with your various needs as you interact with the City government.

I recently launched my new website! Check it out at www.CityRepChrisCanales.com. I also invite you to follow my Facebook and Instagram pages for more regular updates.

I will be holding a Community Meeting next Monday, June 5 at the Chamizal Recreation Center at 5:30 PM. The details are below. I’ll provide updates, and you can come discuss with me and my staff any City issue that you may need help navigating. We’re here to serve!

Good wishes,

Chris Canales
City Representative
El Paso City Council District 8

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME?

Email is the best way to contact my office.
Send an email anytime to district8@elpasotexas.gov

Feel free to also give us a call at 915-212-0008. If my staff and I happen to be away or occupied, leave a message with your contact information and a detailed description of what we can help you with and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Alternatively, you can click the button below to be taken to my website to see all the options for how can can contact me:

NEED CITY SERVICES?

The City of El Paso’s 3-1-1 Program (EP311) offers residents a quick and easy access to City services and information. The 3-1-1 Customer Service Center allows you to obtain information and make requests for more than 20 City departments.
For example, you might dial 3-1-1 to:

Find Information On Report Issues With

Library hours and locations Weeds and Trash

Zoo hours Graffiti

Parks and pools Pot Holes

Trash pick-up day Loud Noise

Garbage bin requests Traffic Signals

Now, you can also use the City's 3-1-1 service online or via the EP311 Mobile App.

EP311 is a non-emergency service and is not monitored 24/7. In the case of police, fire or medical emergencies, calls will be immediately transferred to the 911 Communications Center for dispatch.

Call Center hours of operation are Monday-Sunday from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, including holidays.

For more information, or to make a report online, visit https://www.elpasotexas.gov/311/

UPDATES AND EVENTS

Fill Out the City’s Annual Budget
Chime In Survey

The City of El Paso is working on the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget and they want to hear from YOU!

Your input is essential in continuing the vision for El Paso! Simply scan the QR codes or click on the photo to visit the survey.

For more information visit the City of El Paso’s Office of Management and Budget website here.

El Paso Museum of Art Opens Call for Entries for 2024 Border Biennial Exhibition

The El Paso Museum of Art is opening a call for entries to the 2024 Border Biennial exhibition that aims to recognize, stimulate, and disseminate artistic creation on the US-Mexico border. Artists selected will be concerned with the unique distinctiveness of the borderland, which includes a diversity of experiences. The exhibition will explore how the definition of “the border” has helped shaped artists’ artistic practice and make up who they are, including their history, gender, culture, race, sexuality, etc.   

To apply, visit https://ElPasoMCAD.Submittable.com. For complete Application Guidelines and Information, visit https://EPMA.Art/art/border-biennial.
For more information on the El Paso Museum of Art, visit www.EPMA.Art. 

Public Libraries Launches Summer Reading Club to Encourages Reading

The El Paso Public Libraries will launch the “All Together Now” Summer Reading Club where people of all ages will sign up and make a pledge to read this summer.  

Registration is now open for the Summer Reading Club. By registering online through the website Beanstack, participants can keep track of their reading. In addition, the Beanstack mobile app includes a live reading timer and friendly reading challenges. For more information about the El Paso Public Libraries visit www.ElPasoLibrary.org.  

Spray Parks are Open for Summer!

‘YOUR CITY IN 5’

May 26, 2023 Edition

Click below to be redirected to watch the latest edition of
‘Your City in 5" on YouTube.

This Edition Highlights

• Police Officer Job Simulation

• Neighborhood USA Conference in El Paso

• Cool Pets During Summer

• Spray Parks Officially Open

• Entries Needed for Muertos Parade

• Find Public Art Pieces Through Website

• Call Out for 2024 Biennial Exhibition