District 8 Newsletter — June 26, 2023

District 8 Newsletter
June 26, 2023

From My Desk:

First of all, I would like to invite you to Coffee with Chris, this time also featuring churros! This isn’t a traditional community meeting — there won’t be a presentation or a guest speaker. Instead, I’ll be at Frontera Coffee and Churros tomorrow (Tuesday 6/27) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Drop in, enjoy a cup of coffee and maybe a treat, and chat with me about whatever you’d like, in the style of open office hours. The details are below this message. I shared this event previously on my social media, and I encourage you to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to get more regular updates.

Last week, the City Council passed a resolution (I voted in favor) to deprioritize enforcement of bans on drag shows and gender-affirming care, to create a new “One El Paso Safer Together” educational campaign, and to create a new City office and advisory board working in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I want El Paso to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone, so this was a simple decision for me.

Also on my radar at the moment is the issue of safety surrounding problem bars in the Cincinnati area. I am working with City management to protest the liquor license renewal for establishments with significant histories of violent crime. While we can’t necessarily change peoples’ behaviors, we can at least make sure that bars are creating an appropriate atmosphere of safety and security for their patrons and their neighbors.

And finally, the City’s budget season is fast approaching. We have received preliminary values from the Central Appraisal District, and El Paso is likely seeing a single digit percentage increase in property values this year (compared to a larger increase last year). To be clear, the City has no control over determining property values — the Central Appraisal District (an independent entity created by state law whose policies are controlled by the Texas Legislature) appraises property as close as possible to real market value. The City Council as a body has made it clear that it intends to reduce the tax rate for next year, possibly as low as the No New Revenue Rate (or the rate at which any property value increase is offset by the tax rate decrease, meaning the City brings in no additional revenue). Of course, because of inflation and the resulting higher prices the City has been paying for goods and services, adoption of the No New Revenue Rate would mean we would have to either make cuts or find operational savings through new efficiencies. I’m confident we can continue to do the latter.

We anticipate ending this fiscal year with a budget surplus. We have committed to using a portion of that surplus in a ‘Pay for Futures Fund’ to cover the future salary increases we are contractually obligated to provide for uniformed Police and Fire employees as well as the minimum wage increase for non-uniform employees that the Council approved in the minimum wage resolution that I authored a few months ago.

As always, my office is here to help you with any City-related concerns. If you need City services, you can visit the new Services page on my website.

Good wishes,

Chris Canales
City Representative
El Paso City Council District 8

District 8 Community Meeting. Join City Rep. Chris Canales for a community meeting. Location: Chamizal Community Center at 2119 Cypress Ave. Monday, June 5 at 5:30pm.

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 get in contact:

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

Celebrate El Paso’s 150th Anniversary!

To celebrate our sesquicentennial anniversary, the City is hosting several events throughout the community to honor the milestone.

Learn more about the celebration by visiting www.ElPasoTexas.gov/150 and joining the Fun in the Sun City.

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.

El Paso Museum of History presents new exhibit: Desert Couture

Desert Couture: Fashioning Two Centuries in the Southwest highlights the El Paso Museum of History’s diverse collection of textiles, accessories, and garments, which span from the antebellum period up to the mid-late 20th century.

For more Information visit the El Paso Museum of History’s website https://epmuseumofhistory.org/exhibitions/current/exhibit/40

City introduces new
Park 915 Digital Tool

Here's the only digital tool you'll need to access parking information about all public parking garages and surface lots in one place. The City is introducing a new website called Park915.com to reduce the hassle of finding parking in Downtown and surrounding areas.

The website features a map highlighting the locations of parking garages and lots offering public parking. The website also features parking rates, hours of operation, and the number of spaces available.

Free Cooling Centers remain active

Triple-digit temperatures continue this week, so the City and Office of Emergency Management’s cooling centers remain open. The following free cooling centers are available:

Sunday through Monday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Tuesday through Thursday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Friday through Saturday: 9 AM to 8 PM

Galatzan Recreation Center
(650 Wallenberg)
Marty Robbins Recreation Center
(11620 Vista Del Sol)
Valle Bajo Community Center
(7380 Alameda)
Nations Tobin Sports Center
(8831 Railroad)
Chalio Acosta Sports Center
(4321 Delta)

‘YOUR CITY IN 5’

June 16, 2023 Edition

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

'Your City in 5' thumbnail graphic from Youtube.

This Edition Highlights

• El Paso Receives Top Recognition for Military and Veteran Support
• New Parking Website
• Upgrading Parking Meters
• Drivers, Secure Your Load
• Mosquito Prevention
• Story Time at Public Libraries
• Winners of Father's Day Essay Contest
• Local Teen to Compete in Jr. NBA Skills Challenge