This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso.
UTEP to Restart Mining Engineering Program
The University of Texas at El Paso will use $20 million from the University of Texas System to start a new mining engineering program to address a growing need for experts in that field across the state and the nation.
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin P. Eltife announced the investment during a Sept. 9 presentation at UTEP’s Interdisciplinary Research Building.
(From left) UTEP President Heather Wilson, University of Texas System Chancellor James B. Milliken and UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife during a Sept. 9 announcement that UTEP is restarting its mining engineer program with a $20 million allocation from the UT System. (Courtesy UTEP)
Kenith E. Meissner II, dean of the College of Engineering, said the next steps include additional fundraising through industry partners, hiring a program director and getting program approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The university plans to add six faculty members for the departments of Metallurgical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering and for Geological Sciences.
Mining engineers ensure that underground resources such as oil, gas, metals and minerals are unearthed safely and effectively. The mined minerals could be used for energy, electronics, national security and many essential technologies.
UTEP expects to launch the new program in fall 2027. It will be the only one in Texas. It plans to graduate its first mining engineers in spring 2031. Once established, the program should produce about 100 graduates annually.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that there were 7,100 mining and geological engineers working around the country in 2023. The median salary was about $100,600 annually. There is an expected 2% employment growth in this field through 2033.
UTEP President Heather Wilson said the university would build on this initial investment to create the best mining program in a rapidly evolving industry. She plans to ask industry partners for additional funds, possibly another $20 million.
Texas Western College, now UTEP, ended its mining engineering program in 1966.
City Looks to Settle Internal Auditor’s Whistleblower Lawsuit
The El Paso City Council on Monday voted to negotiate a settlement of a whistleblower lawsuit filed by longtime Chief Internal Auditor Edmundo Calderon in December 2023. The lawsuit alleges, in part, that city leaders retaliated against him following an audit of elected officials’ use of tax-payer funded fuel cards. The audit found two elected officials used their fuel cards “excessively” and resulted in multiple ethics complaints being filed.
The lawsuit also claims that part of the retaliation included not giving Calderon an employment contract after the City Charter election last May placed oversight of the auditor under the City Council – making the auditor position a hire of the council like that of the city attorney and city manager. The city manager previously appointed and oversaw the internal auditor along with the City Council.
Calderon was seeking an employment contract and monetary damages of at least $250,000, but not over $1 million. He has served in that role since 2005. No timeline was given for the lawsuit to be settled.
San Elizario ISD Introduces Telehealth, Mental Health Services
Project Vida, an El Paso nonprofit that promotes community health, is offering virtual primary care in the San Elizario Independent School District. Students and staff at Josefa L. Sambrano Elementary School will be able to access virtual primary care in the nurse’s office, allowing them to receive diagnoses, treatments and prescriptions from a physician assistant without leaving school. Project Vida accepts private insurance and Medicaid. If a student or their family does not have health insurance, a pediatric care coordinator can enroll them in a slide scale program. As a federally qualified health center, Project Vida cannot deny services to anyone for inability to pay.
The nonprofit also plans to bring behavior health services including therapy this spring to a yet-to-be-decided campus at San Elizario ISD. The team will consist of a psychotherapist and a navigator, a person who helps students and families find the appropriate mental health care.
City Considers Prohibiting Short-term Rentals as Party Venues
The El Paso City Council is considering prohibiting the use of short-term rental properties as entertainment venues. In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the council directed city attorneys to draft an ordinance that “prohibits the use of residential properties as entertainment venues. The proposed ordinance should address issues related to neighborhood disruption, zoning compliance, and public safety.”
The council discussed whether existing ordinances and zoning restrictions already apply, enforcement challenges and being careful not to infringe on the rights of those who own short-term rental properties.
Though no specific timeline was provided, the proposed ordinance would have to be presented to the City Council during a future meeting. The council could then vote whether to formally introduce the ordinance and would be required to hold a public hearing before voting whether to adopt and implement the new policy.
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