El Paso fighting to recover voice on powerful board

Sparks are flying after a major change in the makeup of the powerful El Paso Metropolitian Planning Organization (MPO).

MPOs are tasked by federal law to plan for transportation development and are meant to move communities forward.

Every year, El Paso’s MPO handles millions of dollars worth of transportation projects. Board members include mayors of all local municipalities, state representatives and representatives from sun metro and the airport.

The once 30-member board has been slashed down to 15. The recent vote cut the city of El Paso’s members from eight down to one. The county of El Paso had three but has just one now.

The change has led to a special city council meeting being scheduled for Monday and a letter of protest from El Paso County Commissioner Vince Perez.

The bylaws were ratified so each governmental group in the MPO would have only a single vote – ensuring equal representation.

The city of El Paso is not taking the action lying down.

During the special City Council meeting on Monday, representatives will consider authorizing staff to submit comments on behalf of the city of El Paso opposing the MPO changes.

Council may also authorize the mayor to notify Texas Governor Greg Abbott of the city’s opposition and ask that the MPO’s actions not be ratified.

Perez wrote his letter to Madeleine Praino, chair of the El Paso MPO and mayor of the village of Vinton.

“I write this letter to offer public comment regarding the proposed changes to the El Paso MPO’s bylaws as approved by the transportation policy board, at the October 21, 2016 meeting. After further review of the proposed changes, it is my belief that the board’s actions on October 21 does not comply with requirements set forth in title 21, chapter 450 of the United States code of federal regulations,” Perez wrote.

City Council member Dr. Michiel Noe called the move a power grab and totally unnecessary because there had been no abuse of power in the past.

Perez said he supports a reduction in the number of representatives on the board by removing staff members, not elected officials.

“In closing, it is my strong belief that the proposed changes to the bylaws do not comply with current federal rules, regulations, and statutory requirements. Further, should the city of El Paso formally object to these proposed bylaw, it is also my belief that, in accordance with federal regulations, the proposed amendments cannot be submitted to the Texas and New Mexico governors for ratification,” Perez wrote.