City of El Paso unanimously votes to ask staff to create plan to address weeds on homes owned by elderly, disabled

EDITOR'S NOTE: The original version of this story incorrectly stated that the City Council voted to impose a moratorium for weeds citations for the elderly and the disabled. The Council actually voted to ask the staff to create a plan on how to address weeds on homes owned by people 65 and older, as well as the disabled.

EL PASO, Texas -- City representatives voted unanimously at Tuesday's City Council meeting to create a plan that addresses weeds on homes owned by people 65 and older, as well as those with disabilities.

The original agenda item was a moratorium proposed by District 7 Representative Henry Rivera that would protect the elderly and those with disabilities from receiving weeds-related codes citations until December 31st of 2022. A permanent moratorium was proposed as well.

Another item being voted on during Tuesday's meeting is a proposal to outsource local companies to clean up weeds on public property, such as medians and sidewalks. The city, who is short-staffed on street maintenance crews, has been using volunteer groups throughout the month of October to help clean up the weeds, which have been growing out of hand across the El Paso due to unprecedented rainfall.

This item is being proposed by District 6 Representative Claudia Rodriguez.