You are live.
Well, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome
to the city council meeting. Today is
Monday, April 20th, 2026. It's
approximately 1:00 p.m. I'm Mayor Eric
Enriquez. Before we start, I want to
mention that we have a ASL, the American
Sign Language interpreters available up
front.
We'll start with a moment of silence for
the brave men and women
of the United States Armed Forces as
they protect our interests around the
globe, as well as the courageous men and
women of the Las Cruces Police and Las
Cruces Fire Department as they keep our
city safe 24/7 365.
If you join me in the pledge.
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
Okay, we'll start out with some
presentations and proclamations.
The first thing we have is a recognition
of the recognition of the Casa de
Peregrinos and Days for Girls by Cynthia
Torres, if she wants to come up and
everyone else you have with you.
Oh, if you want to come up to this to
this podium.
Distinguished Mayor and Eric Enriquez
and our dedicated city council members,
we are pleased to be here today
presenting community donations to our
local worthy nonprofit agencies, Casa de
Peregrinos and Days for Girls
International.
Both of these agencies were chosen for
their excellent service and financial
responsibility.
You know about Casa de Peregrinos and
their great work. Have you heard of Days
for Girls? Led by our local team leader,
Judy Davis,
Days for Girls is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to menstrual
health management as a matter of human
rights and a critical component to
achieving gender equality.
In addition to these personal menstrual
kits, communities also receive health
education to break stigmas and cultural
taboos associated with menstruation.
Days for Girls locally is looking for
more volunteers to sew the kits to send
to girls around the world.
Any volunteers?
There will be cards available in the
back, but we also want you to contact
Judy Davis at 253-653-024-94.
And I'd like to leave some information
with the city clerk about our diverse
work as partners with the city and to
distribute as she sees fit.
Greg McDonald now will explain the
donation process.
Good afternoon. I'm really excited to be
here today to celebrate the generosity
of the citizens of Las Cruces and El
Paso.
Across the world, the 2025 Light the
World Giving Machines gave people
everywhere a unique and memorable way to
follow Jesus Christ's invitation to love
thy neighbor.
Between November 2025 and January uh
2026, 1 million people visited Giving
Machines in 126 cities, 21 countries,
and on six continents. Approximately 4.8
million items were purchased through the
Giving Machine. More than 500 nonprofits
participated offering over 3,200
different items for donation.
Locally, here in the El Paso and Las
Cruces area, five nonprofits
participated along with two worldwide
organizations.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints covered all the operational
expenses and as a result, 100% of the
donated money goes directly to the
nonprofits that participated so they
could help those in our community that
are in need.
The Giving Machines were in El Paso from
November 22nd through December 9th at
down at the Winterfest. While the
machines were operational, it's
estimated that over 7,500 people visited
them on the patio of the El Paso
Community Foundation.
Seven nonprofits participated
offering 30 different items.
Those visitors from El Paso and Las
Cruces donated a total of 136,000
specifically requested items by those
nonprofits. Five of which were local
profit nonprofits and two of which were
worldwide charities.
Because of their kind and loving
contributions, countless people in our
area will receive assistance to improve
their lives.
The local charity was of course Casas de
Peregrino,
which had requested a variety of
assistance with their meals program. I'm
proud to announce that Las Cruces gave
and conjunction with their friends and
neighbors a total of 102,300
meals.
And one and one of the national non pro
nonprofits was Days for Girls.
And the locally, the Giving Machine
during its time in El Paso,
um with the help of over 400 volunteers,
including a big contingent from Las
Cruces, donated 171 menstrual kits, 96
new mother kits, and 260 school
menstrual kits. What's critical about
these is the people making the donations
specifically asked for a particular
donation and these nonprofits have
agreed that they're going to provide
exactly what the people donated through
the machine. So, we're happy to
recognize
uh Girls Days for Girls, who happens to
have a local chapter here in in the city
of Las Cruces with this award.
[applause]
Of course, uh we're all really impressed
to see the numbers of meals donated.
What's really impressed is impressive is
what Casa de Peregrino is able to do
with the limited resources they
received. The meals that they are
represented that people gave 102,000
it came from a cash contribution of
18,760
dollars.
[applause]
Which is reflective of how efficient
they are as a charitable organization in
getting meals out to people. And for
Days for Girls locally
it's a cash contribution of 6,825
by your friends and neighbors.
[applause]
I was also asked at uh to point out that
after the machines left El Paso, they
went to Albuquerque where Southern New
Mexico continued to contribute and they
were there until the first of the year.
And so as a total Days for Girls
received from both El Paso and the
Albuquerque area over 550
menstrual kits.
A total of 411 new mother kits.
And 1,270
school menstrual kits. For a total
contribution from New Mexico of 21,075
dollars.
[applause]
Mr. Mayor, if you or any members of the
council would like to join us for a
quick photo, we'd appreciate it.
We had over 400 volunteers during the
time frame it was here. We got a few
here today that would like to also be in
the picture.
Thank you for your time.
[applause]
Thank you again for your generosity and
your contributions to our community.
Thank you.
Next we have a few proclamations. This
one is for the
Kiwanis Club. If you want to come up,
join me
as I read the proclamation.
Good to see you all.
Long time no see.
Whereas the Kiwanis Club of Las Cruces
was chartered in April of 1926
and has maintained an active status ever
since.
And whereas the Kiwanis International
defining statement is Kiwanis is a
global organization of volunteers
dedicated to improving the world one
child and one community at a time. And
whereas the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club
sponsors or has sponsored the following
youth service leadership clubs in
schools throughout the community. K-Kids
elementary students.
At the Explorer Academy Builders Club
middle schools
El Camino or Camino Real, Lynn
Zia
middle schools, Key Clubs in the high
schools Las Cruces, Centennial,
Mayfield, and Organ Mountain High
School. And whereas the Kiwanis Club of
Las Cruces has held a number of
memorable events including Pancake Day,
Cars for Kids, Car Show, Raft the Rio
Rat of a Stick, the Renaissance Arts
Fair, and hosting a booth where children
can swing to break a piñata as as part
of the annual New Year's Eve Las Cruces
Chile Drop.
And whereas the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club
signature project is Kiwanis Housing
Insecure Student Support CAHIS. CAHIS
works with McKinney-Vento Project Link
operating in Las Cruces Public Schools.
Other service projects include providing
milk to needy children, constructing
fences around the recreation area at
youth centers, performing and
coordinating one day of a service making
financial contributions to purchase
school supplies replacing stolen gift
cards intended for abused and neglected
children promoting literacy by free book
giveaways at various community events
and participating in the Mayor's Top
Teen Pancake Breakfast.
Now therefore, we the Mayor and City
Council of Las Cruces, New Mexico do
hereby proclaim the month of April 2026
as Kiwanis Club of Las Cruces 100th
anniversary celebration. In honor of the
many contribution and years of service
that the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club has
made during the 100 years in this city.
[applause]
I have to say for a club who has been in
this town for 100 years
we are not very well known.
And that's pretty much our fault.
We would like to make us well more well
known and we keep trying to do that. We
would also like to get more people to
volunteer
so that we can do more schools. I mean
this town has
four
regular high schools, nine Builders or
nine um middle schools and 24 grade
schools which is a lot and none of them
are in the same building, none of them
are on the same land.
So it makes it very difficult to support
these schools. What you need a person
for every
club that we have in the school.
And it would be nice to get some more
people. But anyway, we really like being
here and we love what we do.
And keep an eye out for us. Maybe you
might be interested in joining us. Thank
you.
[applause]
The next proclamation is for sexual
assault awareness and prevention month.
Is there anyone here for the
Come on up.
Whereas sexual assault is a crime that
affects all communities regardless of
age, gender, race, or sexual orientation
and violates the dignity and safety of
individuals. And whereas research shows
that increasing education on consent,
bystander intervention, and healthy
relationships can reduce the prevalence
of sexual violence. And whereas we must
work together as a community to stand
with survivors, support their healing
and challenge the attitudes and
behaviors that contribute to sexual
violence. And whereas our community is
dedicated to strengthening prevention
efforts, ensuring accountabilities for
perpetrators, and fostering a culture of
respect, safety, and dignity for all.
Now therefore, we the Mayor and the City
Council of Las Cruces, New Mexico do
hereby proclaim the month of April 2026
as sexual assault awareness and
prevention month. And commend its
observance to all citizens encouraging
everyone to play an active role in
preventing sexual violence and
supporting survivors in our community.
Congratulations.
[applause]
A little short.
[laughter]
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is
Angelica Calderon and I'm the executive
director at La Pinon Sexual Assault
Recovery Services of Southern New
Mexico. We provide services in Dona Ana
County, Luna County, Sierra County, and
Hidalgo County.
First I want to thank Mayor Enriques and
our city council for recognizing sexual
assault awareness and prevention month.
Um just a quick stat according to the
recent New Mexico crime data report over
50% of New Mexicans have been affected
by sexual violence.
Today is a great day to believe
survivors.
When we bring community together, it
supports survivors not only in April but
every day.
We can all create a change in having
safer communities. La Pinon is available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week for victim
and survivors via our hotline where
trained advocates are available to
respond for crisis response or any
questions. Thank you.
[applause]
The next proclamation is National Public
Safety Telecommunications Week.
Anyone from MVRDA here? Oh, there's
Jennifer.
Good to see you.
I was scanning. I didn't see you. You
were hidden.
Whereas when an emergency occurs, the
prompt response of police officers,
firefighters, and paramedics is critical
to the protection of life and
preservation of property.
[snorts]
And whereas the safety of our police
officers, firefighters, and emergency
medical personnel is dependent on the
quality and accuracy of information
obtained from citizens who telephone the
Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch
Authority Communication Center.
And whereas professional public safety
telecommunicators
are a vital link between citizens and
victims and are the first and most most
critical contact our citizens have with
emergency services.
And whereas public safety
telecommunicators
are the single vital link for our police
officers, firefighters, and emergency
medical personnel by monitoring their
activities by radio, providing them
information, and ensuring their safety.
And whereas public safety
telecommunicators
of the Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch
Authority are the first first responders
who contributed to substantially as part
of the public safety community.
And whereas each dispatcher and call
taker has exhibited compassion,
understanding, and professionalism
during the performance of their job in
the past year. Now therefore, we the
mayor and city council of Las Cruces,
New Mexico do hereby proclaim the week
of April 12th through the 18th, 2026 as
National Public Safety
Telecommunications Week in honor of the
men and women who whose diligence and
professionalism keep our communities and
citizens safe.
[applause]
Good afternoon, mayor and councilors. My
name is Jennifer Gorham and I'm the
executive director of Mesilla Valley
Regional Dispatch Authority, your 911
center here in Dona Ana County in Las
Cruces. Along with me is Corey Murphy,
MVRDA's deputy director.
On behalf of our dedicated team of
telecommunicators who are hard at work
today, I would like to extend our
sincere gratitude to the city council
for proclaiming the week of April 12th
through the 18th, 2026 as National
Public Safety Telecommunications Week in
Las Cruces.
This recognition means a great deal to
the men and women who serve behind the
scenes as public safety
telecommunicators.
While our work is often unseen, it is
always essential. Every call we answer
represents someone in need, someone
relying on a calm voice, quick thinking,
and coordinated action during what may
be one of their most critical moments of
their lives.
Each of these emergency and
non-emergency calls requires focus,
professionalism, and a deep commitment
to public safety.
In 2025 alone, MVRDA handled over
400,000 phone calls.
These numbers not not I'm sorry, these
numbers reflect not only the volume of
our work but the trust our community
places in us each and every single day.
We are exposed especially proud of the
strong and productive partnership we
have built with Las Cruces Police
Department and Fire Department. Both
through collaboration, communication,
and mutual respect, we've been able to
provide efficient and effective
emergency response services to the
residents of of Las Cruces.
Recognition both during this week and
throughout the year means a great deal
to our team. As the first voice callers
hear in an emergency, our
telecommunicators are truly the hidden
first first responders.
While we are not always visible in
public safety success stories, our team
provides life-saving guidance and
support every single day helping ensure
that the best possible outcome helping
ensure best possible outcomes before our
first responders even arrive on scene.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to
strengthening these partnerships and
continuing to provide the highest level
of public safety service to the city of
Las Cruces and its residents. Thank you
again to the city council for this
meaningful recognition and your
continued support of public safety
telecommunicators.
It is truly an honor to serve this
community. Thank you.
The next proclamation is National
Volunteer Month.
Anyone from the volunteers? Is Wendy
here or Katrina?
Yeah, are there any volunteers in the
room that want to join? Come on up.
Okay.
Whereas volunteerism represents one of
the highest expressions of civic
responsibility and community pride,
embodying the values of compassion,
service, and collective actions that
define the city of Las Cruces. And
whereas during the month of April,
communities across the nation celebrate
National Volunteer Month, recognizing
the
invaluable contributions of individuals
who dedicate their time, talent, and
energy to improving the lives of others.
And where volunteers in Las Cruces
support a wide wide range of essential
services to include
senior recreation and nutrition, parks
and recreation, police department,
museum, library, youth services, Keep
Las Cruces Beautiful,
Visit Las Cruces, Quality of Life,
Communications, Community Development,
Public Art, Utilities, the Mesilla
Valley Balloon Rally, and other special
events.
And these dedicated individuals
contribute countless hours to these city
programs, enhancing the quality of life
for all residents, and strengthening the
social fabric of our community. And
whereas volunteerism not only addresses
critical community needs but also builds
leadership skills,
fosters connection amongst residents,
and promotes a shared sense of
responsibility and pride in our city.
And the contributions of volunteers
generate significant social and economic
value.
And that from May 2025 to present, the
city of Las Cruces has received 10,769
hours of volunteer service, representing
an estimated
$334,407
I'm sorry, $334,277
in contribution value to the city
programs and services that directly
benefit residents, which helps to reduce
public cost and enhance service
delivery. And the city of Las Cruces
remains committed to supporting
volunteerism through community
engagement and incentives
and opportunities that encourage
residents to contribute their time and
talents in meaningful ways. And whereas
it is appropriate to recognize and honor
the countless volunteers who dedicate
generosity and service make Las Cruces a
stronger, more vibrant, and more
compassionate place to live. Now
therefore, we the mayor and city council
of Las Cruces, New Mexico encourage all
residents to celebrate the contributions
of volunteers, to express gratitude for
their service, and to consider
volunteering their own time and talents
to strengthening our community, and to
hereby proclaim this month as April as
National
Volunteer Month.
Thank you.
[applause]
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you,
Mayor, counselor, city manager, and all
of the staff. I'm Wendy Shipley. I am
the volunteer coordinator of your
volunteer Las Cruces program.
I personally want to thank every
volunteer in our community because
volunteers help tackle society's
greatest challenges and build stronger,
more vibrant communities and human
connections.
The mayor already spoke to the quantity
of individuals that are serving in our
community and the financial impact those
volunteers bring to the city, but I
wanted to see if anyone in this room
actually volunteers.
Yeah. Thank you. You are very
appreciated.
The other thing I wanted to make sure
that you knew is the city has a bee
wrangler as a volunteer. She chases
swarms that may be out in our community
and she works with our volunteers or our
program with our utilities department.
We have added conversational ESL
and creative writing classes as part of
our library program, all based on
volunteers asking what more they could
do.
We have a legacy project here in the
city of Las Cruces working with young
adults and children to learn chess. We
also work with adults in case you want
to get involved.
And we have something to say to all of
the community members that say there is
nothing to do in Las Cruces.
We think you've really missed the boat.
We really think that volunteers are
showing us different ways to engage and
make a difference and we invite you to
join in and find something to do here in
Las Cruces. Thank you.
Okay, that concludes the presentations
and proclamations. Again, thank you all
for your volunteering, your
contributions, your service, and
everything that you do for this
community and the Kiwanis
uh 100 years of service. Thank you.
Thank you all.
Next, we have a departmental highlights,
community development.
Good afternoon, Mayor, city councilor
Chris Favor with community development
for the record. So,
I thought I would come briefly talk to
you about the East Lohman development
RFP that is officially out.
Um give you some highlights um and some
next steps.
So, as an overview, uh we do have an RFP
that's out seeking a qualified master
developer to lead the redevelopment
efforts. It's about 84 acres of
city-owned property and it's the
property east of MountainView Hospital
between Roadrunner and Sonoma Ranch.
And so, the intent is for this proposal
and and for this development to sort of
use the East Lohman development plan
that was adopted by council, I believe,
in 2020 as a framework
for redevelopment with the idea of
building a connected, walkable
neighborhood
with all the supporting infrastructure
there. And we're looking for a mix of
residential, commercial, hospitality,
civic, open space uses. So, really kind
of a a whole sustainable community.
Um and there's also the opportunity to
coordinate with the medical facilities
that are across the street. So, there's
there's lots of different options there.
What we are looking for is a
um really well-thought-out,
high-performing public-private
partnership between a developer and the
city
um to again connect with the community's
vision and council's vision that was
laid out in the East Lohman development
plan.
Um be able to bring the financial and
operational capacity needs for long-term
success. That one is really key.
As well as having some similar
experience with par- with projects of
this scale and of
uh this type.
So, some real basic information, the uh
you can find out more information on the
city's website at
lascruces.gov/eastlohman.
There's sort of a page with overviews
and links to the RFP and the East Lohman
plan. The RFP does close June 11th.
And we have been working with
communications, economic development,
and a lot of our partners to help spread
the word and to market the RFP.
And the most important thing is all
questions and communications regarding
the RFP need to go through CLC
purchasing. They will then redirect them
to staff and we can provide those
answers and get them back out to
prospective applicants.
So, that said, that's my presentation.
Any questions?
That's good. Thank you, Chris. Thanks,
Mayor. Appreciate it. Thanks, counselor.
Next is Visit Las Cruces.
Good afternoon, Mayor and members of
City Council. I'm Liz Vega, event
manager with Visit Las Cruces.
And I'm here to do an update on the 2026
Meet Las Cruces event.
So, we are having our fourth annual Meet
Las Cruces event this Friday and
Saturday, April 24th and 25th. Only
about 96 hours away.
Going to be a lot of fun. On Friday
night, we're going to be starting at
6:00 p.m. and going to about 9:30. On
Saturday, we'll be out there at 2:00
p.m. going to 9:30 p.m.
Um and just to note that the Farmers and
Crafts Market will be moving to Sunday
this weekend. So, full weekend of
events.
Meet Las Cruces is a way to look at Las
Cruces, Meet us. It's a celebration of
everything that makes us Las Cruces,
Southern New Mexico, and the
Borderlands.
In 2025, uh we had about 12,000
attendees throughout the day and a PR
value of $3.8 million.
This year, back again, we have our drone
show, uh but we do have more drones this
year, so we're able to do a little bit
more intricate designs. Um we also have
a more Lucha Libre. We're doubling the
matches.
Uh so, for Lucha Libre, we have matches
going on from 3:00 to 4:30 and 5:30 to
7:00 p.m.
We also have vendors, local food,
crafts, everything will be out there. Uh
community organizations as well. And I
think the Kiwanis club will be out there
uh this this Saturday as well. So,
that's great. Um we also have a kids
zone. Uh it's going to be through Parks
and Recreation Department. We're
grateful to them.
And we do have a car show. Uh this time
we'll have north and south car show. And
the north car show is actually city
employees with their vehicles out there.
Yeah.
New in 2026, we do have the addition of
the Friday night programming. Should be
fun.
Um we're also doing a collaboration with
New Mexico Juneteenth Jazz Arts
Festival. That'll be in the Rio Grande
Theatre starting at 3:30.
Um we have a mural that's going to be
celebrating America 250.
We have a public safety fun zone that'll
be spearheaded by our own Las Cruces
Fire Department.
Um the New Mexico Tourism Department
Deputy Cabinet Secretary will be in
attendance.
And this year, we have already tripled
our social media pickups. Uh the Santa
Fe New Mexican has also featured us,
which is fantastic. Um just a little
stat there, last year, uh the website
had about 22,700
hits as of now. This year, we're up to
118,000.
So, we expect a lot more people out
there.
And I wanted to give you a little
glimpse. This is the highlight from last
year.
[music]
I did want to give a shout-out to a lot
of the city departments that are helping
us this year.
Police and fire obviously. We also have
parks and recreation that will be
helping us do some decorating on the
plaza. Even down to our utilities
department who helped us print some
posters this year. So, it's definitely a
group effort. Just want to
send a special thank you to them. And
with that, I stand for questions.
That was great. Looking forward to it.
Thank you. Thank you.
Next we have pets of the week.
That's not Amelia.
Hello mayor, city council, city manager.
My name is Amelia Corrales and I am here
for the pets of the week.
So, we are doing two pets of the week.
We're kind of trying to go with some of
our long-term residents. Our first one,
our dog of the week, is Layla. She is a
female. She is microchipped and spayed.
She is 1 year and 7 months old and she
was a stray picked up from our city of
Las Cruces ACOs.
She is a sweet, sensitive girl who is
still learning about the world and
building her confidence along the way.
She can be soft and a bit unsure in new
or busy environments, often taking time
to observe before fully engaging. She's
eager to connect and learn and just
waiting for someone to help her feel
secure so her true personality can
shine.
Our next dog of the week is Playa. He is
a male who is microchipped and is
neutered. He is 6 years old.
He is a joy to take on walks and truly
shines when he's outside and exploring.
On walks, he's completely engaged with
his surroundings. He's confident,
curious, and is fascinated by all the
scents along the way.
Because he's so focused on his
environment, he can be a bit difficult
to get his attention during walks. But
once you do, he happily
happily leans in for affection and
enjoys gentle scratches along his face.
And then we have some of our long-term
residents. We have Rosa who has been
with us for 320 days, Sheila who has
been with us for 301 days,
Gaukins has been with us for 272 days,
and Dobber has been with us for 260
days. We will be attending Mira Las
Cruces on Saturday, April 25th. So, if
you guys can come out, check out our
animals.
It's an amazing event as she was just
saying. So, we are happy to be a part of
it this year. And then for more
information, you can always go to our
website, see all of our adoptable
animals, our Facebook, Instagram,
TikTok, and YouTube as well. But we just
invite the entire community come down
and visit us. You never know who you
might find. You might meet your new
four-legged best friend. So, thank you
for having me here and that's all I have
for you.
Any questions?
All right. Thank you. No, thank you.
Next is a conflict of interest. Does any
member of city council, city manager, or
any member of the city staff have any
known conflict of interest with any item
on the agenda? None. None. None. None.
No. No conflict.
Next is public participation. We'll
allow up to 3 minutes, no pending
litigation or items on the non-consent.
Katrina will assist you to the podium.
Please state your name and speak clearly
into the microphone. Thank you.
Good afternoon.
My name is Jesus Fritz and I'm with the
American Legion post 10 located on
Madrid.
We'd like to extend an invitation to the
mayor and city council
for an event that we're hosting on
Sunday, May 24th at 8:00 a.m.
That event will take place at St. Joseph
Cemetery.
That is the Sunday before Memorial Day.
We will be placing flags at the grave
sites of the veterans.
Those that would like to attend, we
would appreciate your participation.
And if you have any questions, you can
reach me at 575
649-5407.
The name again is Jesus Fritz.
And the organization again is American
Legion post 10.
Thank you.
Good afternoon, mayor and councilors.
My name is Michael Hayes. I am a
non-Hispanic
white male resident of Las Cruces. I am
an American citizen born in the United
States of America
to parents who were American citizens
born in the United States.
I possess an embossed birth certificate,
a passport, and a New Mexico's driver's
license. I have no criminal record to
serve as a pretext for an arrest as one
of the worst of the worst.
So, I think that I am okay.
But I know that I am not okay with a
military militarized police department
with its hostile deployment deployment
of LCPD officers with rifles at a
Hispanic rally at Albert Johnson Park
last June
or with its new unusual links between
the LCPD
and federal law enforcement agencies.
My particular concern has been Chief
Story's request to city council that it
seek $500,000
in state funding to purchase five SWAT
vehicles.
By not asking for a rationale for this
request, council failed to exercise due
diligence in approving his request.
I asked Chief Story for his reason or
reasons for it.
He did not respond. I have asked several
elected officials to seek his rationale
for me.
At least one has tried to get it, but I
have received nothing from them.
Since the LCPD has resisted non-public
requests for his rationale, I make a
public request to Chief Story. What was
the rationale for your request not only
for SWAT vehicles, but for five of them?
I reserve the remaining time of my
speech for your answer, Chief Story. If
I cannot get it now, I ask the council
get it and make it public. Thank you.
Mr. Hayes, at this time it's public
participation. There's no discussion on
on any of those items.
Clerk has your information and will get
back to you. I will appreciate you
getting back to me.
Thank you.
Good afternoon,
Mayor Enriquez, city council. Uh my name
is Brandi Old Whale. I'm here on behalf
of South Central Solid Waste Authority.
We provide recycling services and solid
waste um recycling and solid waste
services to the area. And as our
community continues to grow, we are
expanding our services and our
infrastructure to keep pace with the
needs of a rapidly growing community.
I'd like to extend in in hopes of full
transparency and keeping the
community involved and informed of the
movements of South Central Solid Waste
Authority, we'd like to invite you all
to a community information meeting to be
held on Thursday, April 30th at 6:00
p.m. at the DACC East Mesa campus in the
DASR building, the Commons Room. Um
where this is a it's a great opportunity
for people to get information on our
growth, specifically our expansion into
the East Mesa area, a secondary transfer
station and off of Holman Road. Um the
plans will be presented, questions will
be received, and leadership of SCSWA
will be there to answer questions in
real time. Um I have a few flyers,
informational flyers for the city clerk
for all of you. All of that information
is readily available on our website,
www.scswa.net. You can always call us on
575-528-3800. And all of this
information is also on our social media.
Good afternoon. My name is Staff
Sergeant Dorring White. I was here a a
weeks ago. I presented a package to the
council and um
I learned something today that when I
presented that civil restraining orders
that have been done at Anna and
Taro and
both got dismissed
and I'm still a victim of
a cell phone
1,300 miles away
um
being trafficked to every law
enforcement agency that wants to violate
me nightly, whether it be a cyber mini,
that cell phone, or the chips and
cameras in my body.
So, I presented it to the mayor
um for you to have a discussion or
something, but the stuff inside of me is
killing me and I The fact is, they can't
take the chips out. They can't take the
cameras out and they can't take out
what's inside of me and I need your
support.
As far as a volunteer, I'd like to
volunteer for the police department.
[laughter]
I'm good at cold cases.
[snorts]
And Mayor Evergis, you said that you
would follow up with me and I followed
up I sent you a card recently following
our last discussion that we had um to
follow through that
to see what you were going to do.
And it's crazy. I'm up all night
um cuz
I know this cyber security this stuff is
in the future and it's hard to believe
that a person could get violated by a
chip or cell phone 1,300 miles away.
So
I I lived in the city Las Cruces. I like
the city Las Cruces. I got illegally
evicted a whole bunch of stuff there. I
It wasn't failure to pay rent or
behavior or anything like that. I put 21
years in the military, 11 in civil
service, and I should not be a victim of
this crime.
The Department of Public Safety State of
Missouri
and I call it
the project and I'd like for somebody to
pass a ordinance, a injunction, or some
kind of law on my behalf to prevent this
from happening.
Like they gave me a death sentence.
And anything that I can do to
substantiate this knowledge that
it will support what I'm saying here and
eventually somebody will act on it.
It's a crime.
And I could go sue them and get a
default judgment, right?
But that's not going to make them
responsible for their You know, they
could give me money. I'm going to die,
but it's not going to make these people
responsible for the laws that they broke
against me and continue to break against
me for 10 years. Okay. Thank you, ma'am.
Thank you.
get back to you. Thank you. Have a good
day.
Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, council folks here
today, those watching online, I'm Lynn
Moore. Last meeting I provided clear
evidence of the city's lack of proper
notice to property owners with
galvanized piping, notice required by
the federal lead and copper rule. I
characterized it as one way the city is
attempting to neutralize its findings
after the fact that the city has
galvanized pipes. Today I'm providing
evidence of a second method which shows
the utilities department has betrayed
all trust. There's strong evidence that
a significant number of inspection
reports have been fabricated. The city
recently provided inspection reports for
36 properties that now say galvanized
pipes do not exist here.
Handout one, which includes two examples
of false inspection reports, shows that
in each case several months after an
inspection report documented galvanized
piping, another inspection report was
generated, most bearing a different
inspector's name that records no
presence of galvanized piping. I'll
provide copies of both reports for all
36 properties to anyone who's
interested. No galvanized piping at all
at any of the 83 properties has been
replaced according to responses to
several IPRA requests. No documents have
been produced showing replacement of any
galvanized piping. And inventory records
say the piping is galvanized. It's
unbelievable that 36 inspections, or 43%
by nine different inspectors, would have
misidentified galvanized piping. Las
Cruces Utilities must explain why the
new reports don't constitute
falsification of records. That one
inspector came up with most of the
falsified inspection reports is
suspicious, especially since his name is
on 11 of the original reports. Strange
that he would precipitously change his
mind about what the pipe material is. It
smells like someone higher in the
department instructed him to create
dozens of bogus reports, which now claim
that none of the properties has
galvanized piping, including 11 he
previously found conclusively to have
galvanized pipes. Most of the changes in
the bogus inspection reports make no
sense. In addition to galvanized turning
into plastic, copper turns into plastic.
The second inspection report for
Fairacres Elementary magically turns
galvanized into plain steel, which
virtually never exists in Las Cruces
without galvanization, according to
plumbers. A motive may be that denying
the existence of galvanized pipes
preserves more of the $15 million fund
to spend on things other than pipe
replacement, which was touted as the
core reason for needing the money.
Handout two records the utilities
director's statement that all the money
could be spent on projects that have
nothing to do with pipe replacement. She
said they wouldn't do that, but it
appears she changed her mind. For those
troubled by children drinking water from
galvanized piping at a public school or
troubled by falsification of records,
now is the time for you to come off the
bench. Thank you for this opportunity to
speak.
Mayor, City Council, I'm Liz Rodriguez
Johnson. At the October 6, 2025 meeting,
the council ratified an application for
$15 million
to the New Mexico Finance Authority
prepared by utilities staff. A key part
of that funding application was the
city's commitment to prioritize
disadvantaged folks
in the city's inspection and replacement
of lead and galvanized piping, which is
hazardous to public health.
This is an update on what city records
reveal about whether utilities personnel
are carrying out that promise.
Our assessment used two measures, which
yielded similar results.
The first examined all inspections
carried out citywide during the first
week of each month occurring after the
City Council's ratification of the
funding application.
Beginning the week of November 2nd
through 8th, 2025, and continuing the
first week of each succeeding month
through March 2026
we examined the inspection reports and
the estimated property valuations for
each property inspected during those 5
weeks.
Analysis showed that of the 183
inspections conducted, only 31, or 17%
were for disadvantaged properties.
Public records indicate that the median
estimated value for the 152
non-disadvantaged properties the city
inspected is roughly $40,000 higher than
for the disadvantaged properties.
The second measure examined 20 blocks in
the downtown area in the vicinity of
Mesquite and San Pedro streets, where
the oldest properties in Las Cruces are
located.
All of the 194 properties in this
20-block area are classified as
disadvantaged. Inspection reports show
that utilities personnel have inspected
only 40 properties, or 21%.
This occurred from January through
September 2025.
City records do not show that any of the
remaining 154 disadvantage properties
have been inspected.
Taken together, these measures clearly
show that utilities personnel are not,
in fact, prioritizing
disadvantage properties despite their
commitment to the state made to receive
$15 million in funding, of which the
city must repay only a quarter. Instead,
utilities personnel are prioritizing the
other 80% of properties across the city
which are not disadvantage and which
generally have much higher estimated
values. The city must carry out its
promise to actually prioritize
disadvantage properties.
It's the only moral and legal option.
Handouts A and B
document more properties with estimated
values of less than $200,000.
Handout C shows
another 300 mobile homes that utilities
personnel have ignored and left off the
map. They should all be inspected
immediately. Those interested in
documentation regarding any of these
issues need only to ask. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem,
Council, everyone. My name is Yolie
Diaz.
I came before you at the last Council
meeting and I thank you for filing the
lawsuit against Memorial Medical Center.
When I think about Memorial Medical
Center's year 2014
cost-cutting decisions, I think about
the people harmed. I think about lives
put at risk, lives forever changed, and
lives that were lost.
I think about the woman who died because
she was not treated when she needed
care. I think about her 8-year-old son
crying in the background when his father
called me from Mesilla Valley Hospice La
Posada to say that this young mother
died.
I heard her young 8-year-old son crying,
"No. No. No."
unable to be comforted.
I think about the woman who had so much
faith, who truly believed she would beat
cancer, but she did not get the
treatment she needed when she needed it
at Memorial Medical Center. She died and
her only teenage daughter was left
without her. I think about the young
mother of two school-aged children who
si- said she went at least a year
without the treatment she needed when we
spoke. When a doctor warned that her
untreated condition could leave her
blind, I did everything I could to get
her to UNM because Memorial Medical
Center did not give her an appointment.
I could not accept the reality of those
children facing a future with a mother
who was blind or worse.
I think about the people Memorial
Medical Center has stated they do not
have the ability to treat at all, like
the 32-year-old single mother with a
13-year-old son that now continues to
have barriers for her needed treatment.
I pray the solutions I've helped her
with work because the last thing last
thing I want to learn is that
13-year-old boy is left without his
mother.
I think about the residents who were
required to make substantial upfront or
even full payments just to receive care.
Others were told they needed to obtain
health insurance before they could even
schedule an appointment. You've heard
some of these stories in the national
news, but many others like these never
made headlines. I know them. I helped
them. What about the people I didn't
know about? Memorial Medical Center's
policies did not protect access. They
were barriers that denied access.
Do not be distracted by Memorial Medical
Center's polished statements that obtain
attempt to obscure these truths. The
path forward is clear. First, the
lawsuit. Second, termination of Life
Point. Third, securing a new operator,
one that is genuinely committed to the
health, safety, and dignity of this
community.
You have taken this path before. You can
take it again, but this time you must
stand firm with greater clarity,
stronger evidence, and unwavering
commitment to accountability and
transparency. Thank you.
Vic Villalobos,
uh Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, City Manager,
Councilors, Chiefs, everybody else.
Um I feel like I kind of missed the boat
a little bit of this. It's been kind of
crazy, busy work. Um but I I wanted to
just kind of talk about something that
um I think has been kind of top of mind
for everybody around here lately.
You know, in my 30 years, uh nearly 30
years of being part of a search and
rescue team, you know, I've had the
opportunity to work with local law
enforcement, uh federal agents, state
agencies. I work with fire departments.
I work with all kinds of different
agencies. And the one thing we all agree
upon to make ourselves better that you
never hear us not say is,
"We need less training. We need less
training opportunities and we need less
places to train."
Um the only way we can become better at
what we do is through training and
training facilities and and things that
offer that to us. Um I'm not sure when
the narrative for some of the city
council became to defund the police. I
get that
we need more parks, we need housing, we
need things, but not at the cost of
public safety. And I also I got to tell
you I got a little problem that, you
know, we we heard Ken Binkley here a few
meetings back talk about them when we
were sold the whole GRT, it was for
public safety, which we all agreed upon,
but now it seems like public safety just
everybody keeps adding in their own idea
of what public safety is. And and I
think that um
you're forgetting that the core of that
is truly fire and police. So,
um I know that some funds were removed
from the police department uh for the
and the fire department for the training
facility that's coming up. Um and I
think there's been a lot of talk about
police cars and things like that. You
know, until you walk in their shoes, you
really have no idea of what they need.
And all the things that they're doing is
to make it better. It's a response time.
It's It's training those officers. It's
getting people to you quicker. And I
think we can all 100% agree that our
police department from the upper
management on down is doing a tremendous
job with what they have here. I don't I
I think we still see a lot of crime if
you're on Valley and Picacho and that
area.
Um but we also see the response getting
better. And I think having qualified
officers that are training and have that
kind of
uh qualification and the ability to get
better, I think that's really where that
money needs to be going. So, I hope that
you guys really take that to heart
because it it really, in the end,
training makes us all better. It really
does. Thank you.
Mayor, Juan Garcia.
This op-ed was in the Las Cruces Sun
Sunday, yesterday. It was written by
Chief Story.
And I think it's worth sharing.
And I quote, "Technology has rapidly
evolved in the past 19 years of my
policing career.
As technology has advanced, law
enforcement is leveraging new tools to
keep communities safe. Criminals are
very effective at using technology to
victimize people
and defeat our efforts to catch and
prosecute them.
Police departments must keep pace.
License plate readers, LPRs,
specifically have been a hot topic
recently.
These cameras capture and read license
plates, enabling law enforcement to
quickly search for vehicles that are
stolen, linked to human trafficking, or
involved in other criminal activity. LPR
technology also integrates with Amber or
Silver Alerts, alerting law enforcement
in real time when a vehicle associated
with an alert passes a camera.
In Las Cruces, we have used this
technology to help solve
everything from homicides to victim to
missing person cases.
Our ability to locate and recover stolen
vehicles has improved significantly
since we implemented LPRs in 2021.
Just recently, the first clue of an
attempted kidnapping on NMSU's campus
came from an LPR.
Because of this technology, the NMSU
Police Department arrested the suspect
the following day.
While LPRs do not provide
continuous tracking or identify who is
behind the wheel, they are one of the
few tools available that can quickly
surface actionable
vehicle information in the moments it's
needed most.
This tool is just one piece of the
puzzle,
but it is a critical one.
Guardrails are important and they exist
in both department policy and state law,
but the value of LPRs far outweighs
reasonable privacy concerns. LPRs allow
allow law enforcement to obtain justice
for victims and in some cases prevent
them from becoming victims
in the first place. End the quote."
And now some political hypocrisy.
When residents pushed back against Real
Las Cruces,
a few council members openly mocked
their worries about neighborhood safety
tossing around quote not in my backyard
like an insult. Now fast forward to last
month.
CBP announces he might open a new
station in Las Cruces and suddenly on
April 3rd Council Kuran
tells the journal, you'll never hear me
say not in my backyard ever except
today.
Thank you.
Good afternoon Council. Thank you. Uh,
my name is Steve Montanez.
The last time I addressed this Council
uh my focus was on the 2025 uh capital
outlay. Some of the priorities that were
listed and I just wanted to kind of
follow up and on the uh 2026 capital
outlay projects that were
uh that were granted to Las Cruces. I
say this because one of these days
somebody's going to have to really sit
me down and explain to me
the
the the rhetoric or the narrative behind
the uh
and the hostility
behind the uh
the hostility towards the Las Cruces
Police Department.
So, here we go. 1.7 million to Branigan
Library improvements.
Uh 72,000 for the Las Cruces fire
station improvement. 100,000 for the
real-time crime center upgrade.
200,000 for Las Cruces affordable
housing.
434. Uh this is for Community of Hope.
Um
3 mil Rio Grande Prep.
900,000 to Las Cruces Women's
Improvement Association building.
Million to stormwater
uh
retention.
3 million to
Las Cruces Apodaca Park improvements.
And
the um
2 million to to dedicate to the uh to
the to the proposed track for uh officer
training.
The There's going to be some objections
to the police cars that are proposed
today. I'd really like anybody just to
talk to a police officer. One of the
officers that I uh talked to recently
did business with
yeah when I met with him in his car he
explained to me that his air conditioner
was not working. He does not complain
about it. He does not
um you know, he doesn't take it anywhere
else. He has a He has a a fan that he
plugs in to you know, just try and
assist. Just imagine in this temperature
sitting in a vehicle without an air
conditioner that's working properly.
These are the things that these officers
they they put themselves through. They
don't really They don't really talk
about but they really do rely on this
body and our state officials to really
uh you know, come through with the funds
necessary for them to do their jobs do
their jobs effectively and God forbid do
their jobs comfortably every once in a
while.
Um
Councilor Harris
pulling one pulling a million dollars
away from the Las Cruces police it's not
going to really be that effective. This
track is going to get finished whether
it's done through capital outlay,
whether it's done through federal grants
or whether it is done through this city
budget process.
However, I I believe that that was
really a way for you to report back to
the progressive special special interest
group groups that you somehow won
that you that this was somehow a win and
this isn't just towards you. This is you
know, towards the three of you that you
somehow felt that you
that you won something by taking that
away. I do guarantee you the way this
city comes together these officers will
get the support that they need.
And to
once again 1.7 million Branigan is being
taken care of. I assure you that and it
will continue to be. Thank you all very
much.
[clears throat]
Good afternoon Mayor and City Council
members.
My name is Leslie Woods.
Thursday, May 7th, 2026
is designated by the American Humanist
Association as a national day of reason.
A group of us hold a ceremony to
celebrate and commemorate reason and the
separation of church and state at noon
that day here in front of City Hall.
[clears throat]
I quote Jamie Raskin.
Reason provides vital hope today for
confronting the environmental crisis of
today including
civil civilization emergency of climate
change
for advancing civil liberties for all
including the rights of the LB
T Q I A individuals.
Access to all reproductive health care
such as in vitro fertilization,
contraception and abortion.
And for cultivating the rule of law,
democratic institutions, justice and
peace among nations.
American founders insisted upon the
primacy of reason and the knowledge and
public health and drafted the
Constitution to prevent official
establishment of religion and to protect
freedoms through of thought, speech and
inquiry into civil society.
James Madison, author of the First
Amendment and fourth president of the
United States stated the advancement and
diffusion of knowledge is the only
guardian of true liberty.
And knowledge will forever govern
ignorance and a people who mean to be
their own governors must arm themselves
with the power knowledge gives.
I am here today to invite everyone to
please join us on Thursday, May 7th at
12:00 noon here in front of Civil Hall
to celebrate reason and its foundational
role in the recreation and development
of our nation.
We will have speakers, snacks, drinks
and of course fun and friendship. Thank
you.
Okay.
Good afternoon City Council and Mr.
Mayor. My name is Haley Walker.
I'm an organizer for Pro-Choice Las
Cruces.
Mr. Mayor, we do not agree on the
subject of abortion.
I think a woman has a right to decide
what is best for herself, to control her
body and her reproduction. You don't
agree.
You think a woman does not have the
right to decide to get an abortion.
We both have equal rights to our
opinion. We have the right to agree. I'm
a citizen of Las Cruces.
You are the mayor of Las Cruces. I speak
for only myself. You Mr. Mayor are
recognized as the head of our city
government and for all ceremonial
purposes you speak for our city.
Like it or not your voice has weight
because of your office. That trust comes
with responsibilities. Mr. Mayor, I
understand your participation in the
Southwest Right to Life event on March
14th at the site of the Women's Health
Center now under construction was an
endorsement of their boycott against
contractors and suppliers building the
center.
But for the fact that you are the mayor
and appear to support their boycott you
would not have been invited to speak.
Mr. Mayor, you have no right to use your
office to obstruct the construction of
this facility. We the people of this
community have a constitution, laws,
elected officials who make laws and
courts that interpret them. They have
all affirmed a right woman's right to
choose. Your religion does not authorize
you to forbid our lawful rights.
Obstructing the construction of of
abortion facility is obstructing the
woman's right to an abortion.
Your support of the boycott is a slap in
the face of any woman seeking an
abortion in Las Cruces.
Your religion grants you no privilege.
Your
Your religion is not our law.
If you cannot reconcile your religion to
your duties to the people who elected
you then you should resign.
I am alarmed the city is not concerned
about the harassment of medical patients
at the facilities in your city and
instead you are supporting those groups.
We have to have volunteers
army of women that are retired and have
been fighting this fight for too long
just to walk these patients medical
patients from their cars
to the door because of the tactic
tactics of intimidation
and
that should be more of a concern than
supporting these people. They are
medical
patients.
Mr. Mayor, renounce this boycott. Tell
us your religion does not define our
rights. Please Mr. Mayor, tell us that
you do not support the boycott. Thank
you.
Good afternoon.
My name is Jim Hurst.
I'm here to speak
on behalf of the day of reason
coming up May May 7th.
Uh it's a few weeks from now.
Um
We hold these truths to be self-evident.
All men are created equal.
Endowed by their creator with certain
unalienable rights,
among them life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.
Our founders
identified
religion
as a threat to liberty.
That is why
they drafted the First Amendment.
That is why they separated church from
state because they had centuries
of experience
with religion interfering with liberty.
So, our founders sought to take away
political power from clergy
and from church
and from religion.
And by subjecting
or by designating
religion as separate from government,
what they wanted to do is institute
reason as the basis
of government.
We have freedom because we applied our
reason
to our experience.
Our founders listened to enlightened men
like John Locke
and many others
who identified natural rights.
Rights given to men by their nature.
We don't need a government to tell us we
have freedom of speech.
We know we have freedom of speech. All
we need is governments that recognize
it.
We don't need a government to tell us we
have the right to believe whatever we
want or don't want to believe about God.
We don't need a government to tell us
that. We know that from birth.
So, the government doesn't give us our
freedoms. We give our government the
authority to enforce our freedoms.
The problem is
when
we don't all understand [snorts]
the words separation of church and state
the same.
For many, the word separation of church
and state just means that the church
gets to do whatever it wants to do.
That's not the case.
Thank you for your time.
It's interesting being on this side.
Good afternoon, Mayor, city council
members. Uh
Fire Chief Daniels and Police Chief
Story. And Police Chief Story, is that
Mr. Dallas?
Uh I am the chair to the Mayor's
Veterans Advisory Board. I wanted to
take this opportunity to come up and
introduce myself formally to all of you
and uh look forward to working with all
of you in the future, I hope. Um
mostly on the part of the park and
whatnot, but then also what our veteran
organizations are doing. We're doing a
lot for the community. And I think it's
great and that's why I do what I do. I'm
a member of a VFW 3242 down on Mesquite
and uh this little things that we've
done for some people have
been a way to fill my glass. So, that's
why I I like doing it. I look forward to
working with all of you.
Thank you.
Good afternoon, city council. Lucas
Hernan for the record.
Um
I came here today with a simple
question. What kind of Las Cruces do we
want to build together?
You'll be voting today to approve the
amended budget.
Um some has been said about that
already.
And I'm not here to say that public
safety doesn't matter because it does.
I am here to ask when one department
already commands the largest share of
our resources, are we investing wisely
in anything else that makes community
safe, strong, and whole?
Because safety isn't about policing.
Safety is about well-lit parks where
families can gather. Safety is about
libraries where young people have
somewhere to go. Safety is about streets
that don't flood, recreation centers
that keep our youth engaged, and
community spaces where neighbors become
family.
In November 2024, voters approved the
gross receipts tax because
they said yes to investing in our shared
future. They wanted their dollars going
to parks, streets, infrastructure, and
vital community improvements. And just 2
weeks ago, the council approved
most of those
missions.
But let me be clear, we cannot continue
to grow police budgets while our shared
spaces crumble. We cannot claim to
prioritize community well-being while
the largest portion of our general fund
goes to one department year after year.
When we fund parks, we fund mental
health. When we fund libraries, we fund
education.
When we fund recreation centers, we fund
crime prevention. These aren't
alternatives to public safety, they are
the foundation of it.
I am asking this council to commit to a
different path forward.
Cap
and reduce the police budget. Redirect
future increases to shared community
infrastructure, parks, libraries,
recreations and centers, and streets.
And measure success not by how much we
spend on policing, but how many families
have access to safe, vibrant community
spaces.
Today, the council will also vote to
delay road projects while also voting to
approve purchasing more police vehicles.
Please ask yourselves, what kind of
message does that send to Las Crucens
across the city?
Let's build a city where every dollar
reflects our commitment to family,
community, and fairness. Let's invest in
the shared spaces that bring us together
instead of continuing to grow budgets
that separate us.
Thank you for your time and I look
forward to working with all of you on
this vision.
Next is the acceptance of agenda.
Move to accept. Second.
This is on the motion to accept the
agenda as presented. Counselor McLear?
Yes. Counselor Matice?
Is absent. Counselor Harris? Yes.
Counselor Bencomo? Yes. Counselor
Curran? Yes. Counselor Muñoz?
Yes. Mayor?
Yes.
First item on the agenda, 7.1,
resolution number 26-132,
a resolution authorizing an update to
the vehicle acquisition program.
Move to approve.
Second.
Good afternoon, Mayor and members of
city council. Mercedes Tamaco for Fleet
Services. I'm here to present a
resolution requesting approval of
updates to the vehicle acquisition
program for fiscal year 2026.
Fleet Service has received several
department requests to amend the current
fiscal year 2026 vehicle acquisition
program to include additional units for
purchase.
All departments have funds available in
their existing budget.
To comply with city procurement
requirements for rolling stock
acquisitions, city appro
council approval is required before
these purchases can move forward.
The fire department is requesting the
purchase of a new trailer to support the
technical rescue team with
transportation of essential equipment.
The Ford F-150 currently in use does not
provide the storage capacity required.
The trailer purchase is estimated at
50,000
and funding is available in the fire
department's current budget.
The police department has requested the
purchase of 18 Ford Explorer
Interceptors
to replace aging patrol vehicles with
manufacture dates ranging from 2012 to
through 2014.
GRT funding will be utilized for these
replacements.
The airport is requesting four pieces of
four new pieces of equipment for proper
air Oh my god. Sorry.
[sighs]
I apologize.
So, these are the um
for public safety, the police
department, fire department, and
equipment trailer, and then the 18 uh
Ford Explorer Interceptors is 1.5
million.
Airport, I apologize again.
Um
is requesting four new pieces of
equipment for proper airfield
maintenance.
Two are John Deere zero turn mowers, an
equipment trailer, and a CAT vibratory
drum compactor attachment.
They are also requesting two replacement
trucks for assets 32342
and 33242.
Purchases Purchases will be made with
the funds from the reauthorized
runway 422 grant.
The Quality of Life Department is
requesting two Ford F-150 Hot Shots to
replace assets 32363 and 32364
for the Meals on Wheels program.
And four Ford Mavericks to replace
assets 30288, 30818, 31021, and 31029
for the long-term care program. Funding
is available in the department's current
budget.
The Transit Department is requesting two
transit vans to replace assets 23218 and
32321,
which are 2016 Starcraft Allstar
shuttles for the Dial-a-Ride program or
AVMINOS program.
The funding is available in transit and
the Transit Department's current budget.
In summary, this resolution updates the
vehicle acquisition list to reflect
department needs, ensuring compliance
with procurement requirements, and
allowing these essential vehicle
purchase to proceed.
Standard council options apply, and I
will stand for questions.
Thank you. Any questions? Council
Harris. Um thanks, Mayor. And this was a
good presentation. Um this all seems
relatively needed. I was out at the uh
airport last week, and um
yeah, I think that that equipment is
going to go a long way towards helping
the airport out uh maintaining the
field. Um I had two questions on the
police vehicles specifically. Mhm. Um
that uh
one that Chief Story and I had talked
about um just kind of in general.
Um and another that's somewhat related.
So, uh the first one
um
I have noticed a trend not in LCPD,
fortunately, so I give them kudos for
this, but in uh surrounding departments
of
like making the patrol regular patrol
vehicles are technically marked, but
it's like black-on-black logos. Um and I
know that one of the things we've talked
about is a big thing that helps deter
crime is to have this visible presence
and be out on the streets, and everybody
knows that we're there. So, when we're
getting these vehicles,
I'm hoping we're not going to try and
mimic that trend and and keep what what
we've been doing with our
visible vehicles.
Uh Mayor, Council Harris, Jeremy Story,
police chief. Glad you actually asked
that. Allow me to address two things.
Uh one, all of these vehicles that we're
talking about right now are marked
police cars. However, there are some
vehicles that will have the more subdued
marking, which are the SWAT vehicles I
will mention earlier. Those are F-150s
that are marked police cars, but they
have kind of the lighter decals. Um as
opposed to other SWAT or tactical units
tend to have no decals. We still wanted
them to be marked, but the vast majority
of our fleet will be marked, and we're
using better decals now. They're much
higher visibility and don't fade with
the sun exposure.
Nice. Nice. That's good to know.
Um and then the other question is um I
remember a few years ago
maybe not a few, but a while back there
was some discussion about um and and
approval for the funding to get uh
ballistic windshield retrofits on a
number of units.
And are these new units going to come
with these
going to come with ballistic
windshields? I know we we had a problem
in District 3 specifically where where
an officer was shot through his
windshield, so I want to see if we're
addressing that. Yeah. Mayor and Council
Harris, thank you for that question.
These new vehicles will come with the
ballistic windshields. We were able to
actually switch up vendors to to save a
lot of money. We're able to get the
windshields and still have a savings.
I will say we've had three officers shot
or shot at very very near being shot
through windshields in the last 5 years
or so or 6 years, so it's not a one-time
thing.
Great. Um
that's it. Thanks.
Mayor Pro Tem.
Um thank you, Mayor.
Thank you, Mercedes. The vehicle age
again,
um could you share that with me, and
that's Is that within standards,
or have we kind of stretched that number
a little bit?
Um the age on the vehicles, they are
ranging from um
manufacturer years of 2012 through 2014.
Um a lot of these will be the um
the Dodge Chargers, so we'll be moving
them out. And uh for the amount of wear
that these vehicles get, I think this is
stretching them out a little bit. Um and
this will also help us save money on
maintenance costs because these vehicles
are in a lot
Okay. Thank you, Mercedes. Thank you,
Mayor.
Councilor Bencomo.
Thank you for your presentation. Just
quick clarification. Um last week
Municipal Court was here. Judge Foloso
was here, and they had a vehicle in
their presentation, their budget
request. Is that going to live
separately from this program?
They um Sorry. Mayor, uh Councilor
Bencomo, um they haven't alerted me to a
purchase. So, at this time um
I do have one vehicle actually approved
for 2027 for um Municipal Court.
Okay. Yeah, but it's an actual 2027, not
in the 2026. Okay. City Manager, is that
sound right? Just want to make sure from
last week's presentation that we have
all the bases covered. Yes. Everybody
He's nodding his head. Yes, thank you,
Mercedes. Appreciate it.
Okay. Seeing no other questions,
proceed.
This is on the motion to approve
Resolution 26-132.
Councilor McClare. Yes. Councilor
Matías.
Yes. Councilor Harris. Yes. Councilor
Bencomo. Yes. Councilor Corran. Yes.
Councilor Muñoz. Yes. Mayor. Yes.
Next is item 7.2, Resolution number
26-133,
a resolution to authorize the city's
participating
participation in Housing New Mexico
Rehab 2.
Move to approve.
Second.
[music]
Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council, and
my esteemed colleagues. My name is Kevin
Wilson. I'm with Housing and
Neighborhood Services. Before you is
Resolution 26-133,
requesting City Council's permission to
participate in the Rehab to Rental
program.
The city has recognized a shortage
of affordable rentals available to
people using housing housing subsidized
uh vouchers.
Many of these affordable units are also
in such a state of decay and disrepair
that they're unable to pass uh the
required inspections to allow these
people to reside in there and use their
vouchers.
This new State of New Mexico developed a
rental rehab to rental program,
and this is in place to increase the
number of available units that are
affordable
and compel voucher holder residency.
It was originally funded by DFA, the uh
Department of Finance and
Administration, and it is administered
through Housing New Mexico.
This provides forgivable loans to
landlords
up to $25,000 per unit
to bring
conditions into into compliance for the
required INSPIRE uh inspections that
will take place.
And it also compels the uh
the unit that's being assisted, it
compels the landlord to uh
only rent to voucher holders in that
unit for a period of 5 years.
Um if the if the uh terms of the
restrictive land use agreement are are
violated in any way, then a prorated
payback by the landlord will then be
required, and that money comes back to
the City of Las Cruces for use towards
uh affordable housing projects.
Uh we have been approved by Housing New
Mexico to participate and receive and
administer these funds.
Um
I'd like to point out that re- rehab to
rental is consistent with Elevate Las
Cruces. It establishes a rental
rehabilitation program and supports
property owners um to make healthy and
and safety improvements to all of their
affordable units, the participating
units.
And at this time, uh
the current funding for the program has
been uh exhausted, uh but should City
Council approve uh the participation of
the city in this uh that when the
funding becomes available again, uh then
we can step in and and address
some of the properties here in Las
Cruces.
And before you are the normal options
and I stand for questions.
I thank you, Kevin.
Council Curran.
Thank you for this presentation and uh
good great program. I was just wondering
if you could talk a little bit about
um single unit redevelopment versus
multi-unit and if there are limits on
people who have multiple units or like
what are the
um
or the is it
per unit or is it per individual or
landlord or can you talk a little bit
more about that? Sorry, maybe you maybe
you alluded to it but I didn't I just
want to make sure I understand.
No, that's quite all right. Thank you
for the question uh Mayor and uh Council
Curran. Uh there is a limit of $25,000
per unit. Each landlord per property is
limited to $50,000 per unit but the
Housing um
New Mexico Housing has also indicated to
us their flexibility in unique
situations to look at specific
properties that might need more
investment than that. So so they are
open to the possibility uh but also
limiting the amount of debt that they
put the landlords in.
Great. Thank you. That's what I wondered
because I imagine buying five
of whatever the thing is is probably
a little bit easier so it's good to hear
that there's some of that flexibility
for folks who have small
complexes and stuff like that. So thank
you very much. I appreciate it. You're
very welcome.
Councilor Matias.
Uh do you have already specific
addresses identified that need the
rehabilitation so when the funds become
available
the
Thank you, Council Matias.
Um Mayor uh City Council Matias,
there are a number of properties that
have been considered at this point in
time. Uh we have three uh voucher
distributors here in the city of Las
Cruces this being the Housing Authority,
La Casa and um
Mesilla Valley Community of Hope.
They are the ones who are most witness
to the the needs and the conditions in
specific units. So we are taking
advisement to them while also targeting
our properties for uh specific MRA
areas.
Okay, I mean would you uh or Natalie
consider some recommendations from
City Council?
Uh you know, I have some properties in
District 2
and they are um
voucher occupied
and they they're in pretty bad shape.
Um again, I'm Mayor City City Council.
Um I'm we're certainly open to any
suggestions
um along the way
and
when when funding does get released
again from the state if it does, then uh
there's there's already a number of
number of properties and landlord owners
who are very interested in in hopefully
meeting with us and seeing what we can
do. There are quite limited funds per
per each city. It's it's been a kind of
a pilot program for the state at this
point in time.
Can I ask you a
kind of a touchy question? Uh you if the
landlord doesn't comply and keep up with
uh whatever the policies and rules are
uh then they could be clawed back some
of the funds if if it if it comes to
that.
Um on on the voucher participant is
there a system in place responsibility
and
requirements for those that are in the
facilities and and who monitors
the participants with the vouchers? How
how are they controlled if there is uh
destruction of the property for the
landlords?
Thank you, Council. Uh Mayor City
Council um
Natalie.
Yeah.
Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor. Natalie Green
for the record. So voucher holders uh
when they rent a facility, they usually
have a lease or most programs mandate at
least a one-year lease and those lease
agreements will have the rules and
requirements. So the onus is on the
landlord to enforce their lease
um agreements with their tenants. Thank
you. Natalie, would you be so kind to
send me a copy?
Sure. I can um send some sample leases
from
Samples, yeah. from
I'm not moving out of where I am but I'd
appreciate a copy.
Thanks.
Councilor Harris. Um thanks. So I have
uh two quick questions. Um these
inspections and standards uh do they by
chance require a certain level of air
conditioning in units?
It is very hot here. This has been a If
there is an
Mayor Council James Harris,
um if there is indeed a air conditioning
unit on the property, then the state of
New Mexico's renter laws does require
that that remain operational and it is
included as one of the one of the
appliances of the lease.
Uh does Rental to Rehab uh consider
that? We the program uses the INSPIRE
which is the new real estate inspection.
It replaced HQS Housing Quality
Standards. And again, if if there were
an air conditioner in the unit
it would have to be functional. However,
at this point in time in the state of
New Mexico, there is no requirement for
an air conditioning unit in any home.
Okay. Are there requirements in other
cities?
I don't want to get too off topic. Just
a quick question.
Uh Mayor Council, um
I am sure there are but I could not
answer that with confidence. All right.
Um
second question unrelated. Uh just for
public benefit um
when we participate in this program, the
city doesn't assume any liability for
these loans. These aren't city funds
being expended. These are state funds
that are just being
routed through the city and then if
anything goes wrong, the city actually
stands to benefit.
Mayor City Council, uh you are exactly
correct in that. Um we we do not have uh
collections obligations.
Uh nor are we liable for
uh any kind of default along the way.
However, if the landlords do default,
then the remainder of the balance that
they have to pay back does revert back
to the city for affordable housing uses.
All right. Great. That's all. Thanks.
Thank you very much.
Okay. Seeing no other questions.
Christine.
This is on the motion to approve
Resolution 26-133.
Council McLane. Yes. Council Matias.
Yes. Council Harris. Yes.
Council Bencomo. Yes. Council Curran.
Yes.
Council Muñoz. Yes.
Mayor. Yes.
Thank you.
Next is item 7.3 Resolution number
26-134,
a resolution to approve a real estate
purchase agreement between the city of
Las Cruces
and Anthony and Sylvia Smith. Move to
approve.
Second.
Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, uh members of
Council. Natalie Green for the record.
The resolution before you is to purchase
uh a property using grant funds from the
state of New Mexico.
Uh the city was notified uh earlier
early last month that we are eligible to
receive 850,000.
Uh the purpose of that funding would be
to purchase uh the property at 911 West
Amador. The purchase price has been
negotiated to 720,000.
The sellers are Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Uh
we did go out for two appraisals. The
first appraisal was approximately
140,000 and the second appraisal 100 uh
680,000 so the purchase price is uh
below the average of those two. As part
of the agreement, the seller is also
requesting a 20 by 20 easement for a
cell phone tower. Um in discussion with
uh the agencies on the campus and
looking at the site, the city is not
opposed uh to that easement.
This is a vicinity map. The property is
located on the north end of the driveway
for Mesilla Valley Community of Hope.
The city is the surrounding owners to
the west and the south.
And then you can see Casa de Peregrinos,
Armendariz Warehouse and then the uh
Amador Health and El Caldito and then
further down is Mesilla Valley Community
of Hope.
Uh this is a picture of the facade from
the front end. Um it was vacated uh
early in December and so it's been
vacant uh since it's been put up for
sale.
These are some of the interior photos on
the property. It's uh just under an acre
and it also comes with an 8,500
square foot uh metal building with both
office, bathrooms, and storage space.
Uh potential uses is uh to support our
daytime outreach staff. Um it could uh
be used with some modifications for
potential cooling and heating stations
and act as a safe indoor space. It will
increase uh support for coordinated
entry and case management, offers the
opportunity for daytime rest and
respite.
Um it'll also allow us to store personal
belongings um of individuals
experiencing homelessness. Uh it'll also
uh provide some space for supply storage
and the distribution of supplies to
people experiencing homelessness. So,
things like water bottle um
uh a whole host of stuff. Sorry. Um we
can also use some of the office space
for visiting providers. So, um should
other organizations want to offer
services on the campus, they can set up
temporarily and people can access those.
And then the unused uh land in the rear
of the building uh will support some of
the other campus needs. So, with the um
construction of El Caldito soup kitchen,
we may need some additional parking and
that can support some of those uses.
Uh with that, do you have your standard
council options and I will stand for
questions. And I will note that Nicole
Martinez with uh Mesilla Valley
Community Hope is available for
additional questions as well.
All right, thank you, Natalie. Any
questions by council?
Okay, seeing none, Christine.
This is on the motion to approve
resolution 26-134.
Counselor McClare? Yes. Counselor
Matías?
Yes. Counselor Harris? Yes. Counselor
Bencomo? Yes. Counselor Curran?
Yes. Counselor Muñoz? Yes. Mayor? Yes.
Next is board appointments. The first
one is just to be read into the record.
Counselor Muñoz appoints Randy Hemphill
Green to the library board.
The next will require a motion and a
second. Uh Jay
Becerra to the new appointment to the
seniors program advisory board.
Move to approve.
Second.
This is on the motion to appoint Jay
Becerra to the seniors programs advisory
board. Counselor McClare? Yes.
Counselor Matías? Yes. Counselor Harris?
Yes. Counselor Bencomo?
Yes. Counselor Curran? Yes. Counselor
Muñoz? Yes. Mayor? Yes.
The next is Adrian Vesseth Nelson, new
appointment to veterans advisory board.
Move to approve.
Second.
This is on the motion to appoint Adrian
Vesseth Nelson to the veterans advisory
board. Counselor McClare? Yes. Counselor
Matías?
Yes. Counselor Harris? Yes. Counselor
Bencomo? Yes. Counselor Curran?
Yes. Counselor Muñoz? Yes. Mayor?
Yes.
The next one is Thomas Chapin, new
appointment to veterans advisory board.
Move to approve. Second.
This is on the motion to appoint Thomas
Chapin to the veterans advisory board.
Counselor McClare? Yes. Counselor
Matías? Yes. Counselor Harris? Yes.
Counselor Bencomo? Yes. Counselor
Curran? Yes. Counselor Muñoz? Yes.
Mayor? Yes.
Next is a notice of proposed proposed
ordinances and we have three. The first
one is council bill number 26-020,
ordinance number 3112.
Move to uh bring it forward.
The next one is council bill number
26-021,
ordinance number 3113.
Bring forward.
I'll do that next one.
Okay. And the last one, council bill
number 26-021.
What is 020 actually?
Oh, 020, ordinance number 3112.
Bring it forward, please.
I skipped one.
Good.
Next is
city council member board reports and
comments. Counselor McClare?
Nothing today. Thank you, Mayor.
Counselor Matías?
Nothing, Mayor. Thank you.
Counselor Harris? Nothing today.
Counselor Bencomo? Uh bummer, I do have
stuff.
Sorry, everyone. Um
but actually just
one request. I have one thank you. I
wanted to thank Transit and Community of
Hope actually for um getting together
and participating in a de-escalation
training and I just thought um that was
really great and uh love to see that
kind of collaboration. So, thank you um
to both both of you for doing that. Um
my other request is for city manager and
PIO. I think there um
uh two things in this. I I given the
budget conversation last week, I think
it's important um that we have a
coordinated message out there for our
community and be really transparent
about um what is happening, why, and the
path moving forward. And then two, um
also I think
also I want to request some sort of
um coordinated messaging on the new GRT
funds. I think you know, last week I did
a media interview to sort of counter
some you know, really disappointing
misinformation that a local state
senator, a conservative state senator,
was providing the community. Um and and
I think it's important to counter those
kinds of things. I think when there is a
vacuum of information, things get
misinterpreted and worse,
misrepresented.
So, I think it's important that we talk
about the new GRT funds, how they're
going to be spent and why. Talk about,
you know, that
the new GRT funds were
they belong to the public, not to any
particular department. So, um there was
truly no diverting of any funds. It was
a vision that we all It was a blank
slate that sort of we all came um
together to make a
uh recommendations.
Um I think for most of us on the council
certainly came that day ready to make
compromises on the visions that we saw
for the GRT.
Um some of us walked away, you know,
perhaps disappointed in some of the
things, but I think again, that's what
happens when you compromise. The whole
thing uh was truly a win. Um the GRT the
new GRT funds that the community gave us
and approved and uh we owe it to people
to do right by them and to provide
accurate information and um to ensure
that we aren't uh
just allowing misinformation to go
abundant. I think the city has a
responsibility to uh put out a message
that is coordinated um and that uh gets
to as many folks as possible. Whether
people choose to accept it or not is a
different story, but at least we're
putting out factual and correct
information for uh the public to absorb
and respond to. And you know, ask us
questions about and hold us accountable
for.
So, thank you uh EOC and PIO for my
listening to my recommendation and
that's all I have.
Counselor Curran?
Thank you. I wanted to give a quick
shout out and point of reflection. We
some of us went to the museums after
after dark, the
adult night at museums on Friday night,
which was really fun and interesting.
And next month is '90s mhm
'90s night, so I hope to see some of you
all out there
in your best '90s garb. But they asked
us they They're also the museums are
also part of a pilot project with the
Smithsonian as part of the network um
for uh understanding culture, I guess.
And they asked a lot us a lot of
interesting and critical questions about
our cell phone use and um I just wanted
to really shout out that that was a
really fun exercise and and great to
reflect on in community um
on Friday night. So, gratitude to the
Quality of Life Museums team for making
that a fun and interesting evening. Um
and causing me to reflect on my cell
phone use very critically. The second
thing that I wanted to note was the Mesa
Vista public meeting that will be
happening tonight um from 5:00 to 7:00
p.m. at Doña Ana Community College East
Mesa, 2800
uh Sonoma Ranch Boulevard, I think in
the auditorium. Um
the same place the South Central Solid
Waste meeting will be happening next
week. I hope that
folks will be able to join. This This is
a huge transformational project that I
think it's really important that the
community
um
understand where where we're headed um
in the Mesa Vista conversation. So, I
hope that folks will
join that meeting tonight if they can.
And that's it. Thank you.
Mayor Pro Tem.
Thank you, Mayor. Um I along with the
Counselor Curran will will be your
encourage folks to also attend the uh
session at the DACC campus tonight.
Should be a a very interesting. I know
residents, it is transformational.
There'll be a lot of questions and I
appreciate the staff that will be there
to answer those questions
um to ensure that we are completely uh
educated on as to what's what's
happening. You know, I've been
reflecting on
the
13-year-old that that passed away and
then I know that's uh
um
that we've all been thinking about that.
It's very difficult. I cannot imagine,
do not I want to want to imagine being
the family of that 13-year-old
and how that's affected our entire
community and it continues to affect our
community.
So, I'm challenging myself and would
like to challenge others to to do what
we can to to make a difference. You
know, it reminds me of the parable of
the starfish.
After
a really bad storm, there were a lot of
starfish stranded on on the beach.
And there was a young lady that kept
picking up the starfish and throwing
them back in the sea.
A man sees her and just kind of shakes
his head. She continues to throw the
starfish into the sea.
Man comes up to her and says,
"What are you doing?" He says, "Well,
I'm putting these back in the sea. You
know, they're stranded." He says, "Well,
you know, how can you possibly make a
difference? I mean, what what what does
this change?"
She pauses for a minute. She thinks. She
stops.
She picks up another starfish,
throws it in the sea and says,
"Made a difference for that one."
So, whatever we can do and and when we
go forward, you know, it's not this or
that. Maybe it's all of the above or
just our coming together to prevent
tragedies like this from happening in
our community.
Thank you, Mayor.
Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.
And you know, to to add to that, there
are things going on and so I just want
to say this this week this weekend
Saturday, we had a breakfast a brunch
for all the volunteers. So, thank you,
Katrina and Wendy for putting that
breakfast to show our appreciation to
all all our volunteers. If we did the
proclamation earlier, but there was a
breakfast warm
to show the appreciation we as a city
have for them. And then also last night
was a banquet for the mayor's top team.
There was 24 students. They excelled in
school activities, building their
character, and
have gone through some kind of adversity
that they've overcome. And a lot of this
is great for the community because
there's limited city involvement. It's
all volunteers and groups and sponsors
that come together and that's what it
takes. It's a community to come
together. And I appreciate uh
Councilor Matias for starting that years
ago. That was number 19 last night. So,
thank you. Thanks for that.
And and with that give it to the city
manager.
Thank you, Mayor Enriquez, Mayor Pro
Tem,
Munoz, and city councilors. I'm Ekani
Tomopiao, city manager. Just two
announcements and I'll let you on your
way.
There was a
public comment that
uh
that had a question regarding our um
our vehicles
uh in PD.
And um
I just wanted to read that and and share
our response.
Um the I believe the question was why
why the city
was buying militarized SWAT vehicles.
And here's here's the response. Um
Council, if you can remember 2 years
ago,
there were uh legislators
um in our region, not necessarily in Las
Cruces, but in the region that supported
regional response. Um they we have a
contract with
cities adjacent to us or in in our area
because we have a bigger police
department, they respond regionally.
And so um
we have regional response and we have a
SWAT teams that will go out to other
communities and this is why Senator
Brantley, Senator Cervantes, and
Representative Dow pitched in $620,000
to this
to support the acquisition of vehicles
for regional response.
And this alleviates the burden on our
on our funding mechanism. We had our
fleet um our our fleet administrator
Mercedes who does a fantastic job, who's
in that right now as an interim. And we
appreciate all her help,
but our VAF is is limited in funding and
so this was at a time when GRT was not
identified
and and we didn't have allocations for
that. So, we do appreciate our
legislators always being willing to
help. But
the purpose of it, it went to eight
F-150 trucks.
Um
and that's it was assigned and is
assigned to members of SWAT teams
for the the purpose of regional response
and call outs. So, I just wanted to make
that clear. Again, eight F-150 trucks.
Uh the last announcement that I have is
there was another question that dealt
with
questions on the appropriations and
legislative update for 2026. That is
perfect timing because next Monday we
have Christine updating you, Council,
and the public on 2026 legislative
update.
We received about $20 million.
Again, we appreciate our local
legislators
and our governor
for for that, but more to come from our
amazing city clerk. And
that is all that I have. Thank you.
Thank you, city manager. And with that,
I'll look for a motion to adjourn.
So moved. Second.
This is on the motion to adjourn the
meeting. Councilor McLear?
Yes. Councilor Matias?
Yes. Councilor Harris?
Yes. Councilor Bencomo?
Yes. Councilor Curran? Yes. Councilor
Munoz? Yes. Mayor? Yes.