Before getting into the record, it's important to note an announcement: Commissioner Luis Sarinana confirming he will run for re-election. At around 9:50 a.m., he stepped away from the dais to have a 10- to 15-minute news conference in the hall.
Our good friends over at the El Paso Times report that he said he was confident the FBI public corruption investigation would leave him unscathed.
On to the meeting ...
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Item 27 – (Postponed 10/15/07) Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Ambulance Services for the County of El Paso.
Motion to negotiate with current provider, Life Ambulance, declaring a public safety issue, thus exempt from bidding requirements.
Approved 4 – 1, Escobar voting against.
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Item 30 – Discuss and take appropriate action to evaluate and respond to the City’s proposal regarding the dissolution of the health district and the provision of public health services to the county.
No action, item tabled and to be discussed at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
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Item 33 – Discuss and take appropriate action to authorize the final one-year option to renew the contract between the County of El Paso and Lumar Enterprises (dba Primo’s Café), or to authorize the Purchasing Agent to seek an RFP for the Courthouse Concession.
Vote 5 – 0 to renew contract.
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Item 34 – If the court approves the final one-year option to renew the contract between the County of El Paso and Lumar Enterprises (dba Primo’s Café), discuss and take appropriate action on the possibility of Lighthouse Coffee Company setting up a coffee cart on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse.
Vote 5 – 0 to postpone one week to discuss possibly creating new contract for Lighthouse Coffee Company.
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Item 36 – (Postponed 10/22/07) Disposition of Bids, Bid #07-115, Eleven (11) Patrol Vehicles and one (1) Detention Vehicles Interior and Exterior Equipment for the Sheriff’s Office.
Motion to reject all bids approved 4 – 0. Escobar abstaining.
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Going Places
Item 37. TRAVEL/TRAINING REQUESTS
a) $24.00 - Reimbursement Luis Sariñana - County Commissioner's Court - 10th National Court Technology Conference - 10/2/2007 to 10/4/2007 - Tampa, Florida
b) $210.00 - State Bar of Texas - - Legal Support Staff Training - 11/7/2007 to 11/7/2007 - El Paso, TX
c) $1,050.00 - State Bar of Texas - - Legal Support Staff Training - 10/7/2007 to 11/7/2007 - El Paso, Texas
d) $375.00 - El Paso Chapter, Federal Bar Association - El Paso County Attorney's Office - Dean Erwin Chemerinksy, Supreme Court Review - 11/2/2007 to 11/2/2007 - El Paso, Texas
e) $857.65 - Reimbursement, Richard Deck - County Attorney's Office - Advocacy Training Conference-Representing Children in CPS cases - 10/17/2007 to 10/20/2007 - McAllen, Texas
f) $129.00 - CAREER TRACK - - THE OUTSTANDING RECEPTIONIST - 11/9/2007 to 11/9/2007 - EL PASO
g) $366.00 - Peter Cooper - Information Technology Department - CUC IT Directors Meeting - 11/15/2007 to 11/15/2007 - Austin, Texas
h) $1,790.00 - Guillermo Alarcon - Road and Bridge - 2007 Level 1B Hot Mix Asphalt Certification Course - to 11/28/2007 - Odessa, TX
i) $674.60 - Isabel Hernandez - SO-Budget - Dept. of Justice, OJP Office of the Comptroller Regional Financial Management Training - 11/27/2007 to 11/29/2007 - San Antonio, Texas
Vote 5 – 0 to approve all requests.
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Item 38 – SUBDIVISION APPROVAL
a) Horizon Mesa Blvd. – being a portion of Tract 9F, Section 21, Block 79, TSWP 3, T and PRR Surveys, containing 7.2 acres.
Vote 4 – 0 to approve. Escobar out of courtroom.
