Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Open Space board discusses proposed governance changes, El Paso Water land concerns and Police/Fire Academy buffer
Summary
Board members reviewed a city process to redefine boards and commissions, potential shift to quarterly meetings for the Open Space Advisory Board, concerns about El Paso Water’s land-acquisition statements and the status of 300-acre Police and Fire Academy land and buffer zones.
Board members discussed a city-led review of boards and commissions, possible changes to the Open Space Advisory Board’s duties and meeting frequency, and requested clarifications from staff and external agencies on land-acquisition and land-preservation issues.
A board member summarized a recent City Council work session in which staff recommended redefining some boards and consolidating bylaws. Council’s direction, the member said, included proposing that the Open Space Advisory Board move to quarterly meetings and that staff present a revised scope. A staff member said leadership’s direction is to implement changes by the end of the summer and to move some boards from ordinance to resolution and adopt uniform bylaws; staff indicated there would be opportunities for board input on scope.
Board members asked for a future agenda item to explain when and how the schedule would change, how the quarterly cadence would be implemented and whether that change would start immediately or later. Members also requested a regular attendance/status update so the board can track quorum and participation over the prior 12 months.
Several members raised concerns stemming from a recent City Council discussion about El Paso Water and a statement that the utility would “not acquire any more land.” Board members said that remark raised eyebrows among open-space stakeholders; staff said the city would seek clarification and noted that El Paso Water is scheduled to present its quarterly update on its “10%” program next month. The board asked that El Paso Water be invited to clarify which funding pots and acquisition programs apply, and to reaffirm whether land acquisition under the 10% program will continue.
Members also requested an update on the status of the 300-acre parcel tied to the Police and Fire Academy, asking specifically whether the city intends to preserve the remainder of the parcel as buffer beyond the 60-acre facility footprint previously described. Staff said they would coordinate with appropriate departments to schedule updates and invited the board to advise preferred timing for follow-up items.
No formal votes or policy changes were made; the board directed staff to add the requested clarification items to a future agenda and to invite El Paso Water for its quarterly update.
