CITY OF EL PASO, TEXAS
LEGISTAR AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORM
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Details
District 4
Members of the City Council, Representative Cynthia Boyar Trejo, (915) 212-0004
Members of the City Council, Representative Deanna Maldonado-Rocha, (915) 212-0003
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AGENDA LANGUAGE:
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Discussion and action directing the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate and draft a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) between the City of El Paso and Meta Platforms, Inc. The agreement shall address environmental protections, financial commitments, utility infrastructure improvements, rate payer protection, workforce development initiatives, support for the Advanced Training Center, and community accountability measures, including safeguards related to water and electric utility resources. The agreement should also include “El Paso First” hiring commitments on the additional 300 operational jobs associated with the data center located in Northeast El Paso.
Further, direct the City Manager to continue the series of roundtable discussions, facilitated by an independent moderator, with suggested roundtable participants, including the Mayor, the City Attorney, representatives from El Paso Water, El Paso Electric, the El Paso Chamber, GEPAR, Meta Platforms, Inc., a resident representative, and an environmental advocate, to assist in the development of the final Community Benefits Agreement. Staff shall return to City Council within 45 days with a draft agreement for consideration and action.
Water Capital Expenditures
Fund, build or upgrade localized water recycling and advanced purification infrastructure, and/or repair old infrastructure. Establish a phased timeline to engineer pipeline design and infrastructure connecting to El Paso Water’s brackish groundwater lines or untreated desalination loops. This would guarantee Meta’s long-term water supply security for the data center cooling towers while physically leaving more potable water in the local aquifer for residents.
- Futureland: Assist with funding sewer infrastructure for 214 homes located approximately one mile from the data center.
Preserving Our Environment
- Emissions Reduction Fund, develop and install solar generation and battery storage infrastructure to reduce carbon and localized pollutants.
- Nature-Based Air Quality Solutions
Fund localized, low-water native xeriscaping and urban forestry initiatives (utilizing native, particulate-filtering desert canopy like Honey Mesquite and Desert Willow) surrounding the campus. To mitigate localized temperature and improve neighborhood air quality.
- Funding Local Grid Resilience (Solar + Battery Microgrids)
Upgrade old electrical infrastructure or fund local community solar and battery storage microgrids for El Paso’s critical infrastructure (like hospitals or emergency shelters) to ensure that if the local grid faces strain, the community doesn't suffer brownouts.
Ratepayer Protection Fund
Meta would establish a localized escrow fund or direct subsidy program administered by the City to assist El Paso Electric ratepayers from any indirect monthly bill increases.
Localized Workforce and Education Pipeline
With the expanded job projection to 300 permanent roles, ensure these are focused on “Hire El Paso First Program”. (The current 380 Agreement requirement is for 50 employees)
- Advance Training Center: A workforce development pipeline established in partnership with local school districts, Workforce Solutions and EPCC to create an advanced training center that prepares students and workers for high-demand careers, including fiber optic technicians, utility professionals, engineers, and server technicians.
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