City Council to Consider Allocating 50 Grand for Papal Visit

When City Council meets today (Tuesday 1/26), among the actions on the city reps agenda will be a vote on the closure of City Hall offices on the day of the pope’s visit, and funding services police, fire, and other city departments are expected to provide that day.

The El Paso Times reports at least $50,000 is needed to cover the cost of the manpower, barriers, barricades and traffic control anticipated, per city spokeswoman Tammy Fonce, although that is only an estimate and it's possible it could be more.

“The areas in El Paso expected to see enhanced traffic control are those located near the Mass held in Juárez and the event at the Sun Bowl," Fonce told the Times. Recommendations of specific streets to close will be presented at Tuesday's meeting.

Council will also discuss and vote on the proposed agreement between the city and TxDOT to shut down the portion of the César Chávez Border Highway across from where the papal mass will be held in Juarez, and a resolution to close City Hall offices, buildings and non-emergency departments on Wednesday, Feb. 17, and change the City’s work week for the week of February 15, 2016 to Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

City staff currently works Monday through Thursday.