City council discusses, doesn’t change Chihuahuas’ suite policy

Less than a month stands between now and the home opener at Southwest University Park for the El Paso Chihuahuas’ second season.

A debate took place in city council Tuesday over whether to change the city’s luxury suite use policy. The issue first came to light last year when some asked whether elected officials were misusing the city’s luxury suite. After a half-hour discussion, council decided not to change the policy.

“Last year we had a policy,” City Rep. Lily Limon said. “We had a standard that was set by Joyce Wilson. We didn’t follow it.” Limon wanted City Manager Tommy Gonzalez to look into whether the city has the best practice in place for its luxury suite. In the past, there were concerns several city employees used the suite more than once and others failed to disclose who they allowed in the box.

Each city rep and every city department is supposed to get a turn watching games from the suite. City Rep. Michiel Noe said he has never set foot in the luxury suite, but knows how the policy works.

“We invite people that we feel are deserving from their efforts, accomplishments from the city or our community,” Noe said.

“Last year when I was in there, I looked up a lot and saw the box was empty,” City Rep. Ann Morgan Lilly said. “So there was something wrong with this control thing.”

While some believed it was time for a policy change, others agreed it was time to let bygones be bygones.

“I think we have exhausted this issue to the point where it’s nauseous and I stand by what Representative Ordaz said,” City Rep. Cortney Niland said. “This should something that’s positive. We should let the past go. It’s a successful project. Whether you were against it or for it, it doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is we move forward.”

Last year, there were allegations Lilly refused to reveal who she allowed in the suite. She said she was trying to reward 20 people for their work with the city but only had 16 tickets.

ABC-7 requested the full list of everyone who used the suite last season, and will publish it when we get it.