City Council Meeting October 6, 2025 MINUTES City Council Monday, October 6, 2025 @ 1:00 PM City Council Chambers, City Hall PRESENT: Mayor Eric Enriquez, Councilor Cassie McClure, Councilor William Mattiace, Councilor Becki Graham, Councilor Johana Bencomo, Councilor Becky Corran, and Councilor Yvonne Flores ABSENT: 1. OPENING CEREMONIES 1.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - COUNCILOR CORRAN. 1.2 PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION/PROCLAMATIONS - COUNCILOR CORRAN. Mayor Enriquez recognized the Veterans Parade Poster Contest Winners. Mayor Enriquez recognized the Developing Youth Leadership Academy participants. Councilor Corran presented Sylvia Wahington, Analisa Marquez, Pablo Herrera, and Stacie Allen with a proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Councilor Corran presented Greg Repetti, Ginny Ginithan, Frances Estrada, Jenette Pallares, and Christine Perea with a proclamation for Breast Cancer Awareness Councilor Corran presented Dr. Bobbie Green with a proclamation for the 74th Annual NM NAACP State Conference. Councilor Corran presented Glora Carreras and Chantelle Yazzie-Martin with a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Councilor Corran presented Chantelle Yazzie-Martin with a proclamation for Public Arts Month. Councilor Corran presented Dale Yeo with a proclamation for Dyslexia Awareness Councilor Corran presented Richard Weaver with a proclamation for The Friends of the Community Candy Drop Day. Councilor Corran presented Lilly Jaramillo, Paxtor Rogers, and Canche Naparco with a proclamation for National 4-H Week. Councilor Corran presented Richard Aguilar and Miguel Acosta with a proclamation for National Hispanic Heritage Month. Councilor Corran presented the Community Development Department with a proclamation for Community Planning Month. Councilor Yvonne Flores moved, seconded by Councilor Becki Graham, To allow Council Mattiace to participate via Zoom. RESULT: Carried MOVER: Councilor Yvonne Flores SECONDER: Councilor Becki Graham AYES: Mayor Eric Enriquez, Councilor Cassie McClure, Councilor William Mattiace, Councilor Becki Graham, Councilor Johana Bencomo, Councilor Becky Corran, and Councilor Yvonne Flores 1.3 JOBS OF THE WEEK. Sarah Raney, Americas Job Center presented Jobs of the Week. 1.4 PETS OF THE WEEK. Carol Nielson, Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley presented Pets of the Week. 2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST INQUIRY BY MAYOR AS REQUIRED BY LCMC SECTION 2-27 (E)(2) 2.1 None. 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 3.1 Lynn Moorer, Member of the Public said I thank Las Cruces Utilities for its quick response recently to help an elderly neighbor who was having trouble with his water pressure. I wish I could commend Las Cruces Utilities further. Unfortunately, the city’s pattern and practice of issuing false statements related to the Lead and Copper Rule continues. The numbers the city used to apply to the state for funding do not jive with lead service line replacement plan submitted. The number of total service connections in the funding applications increased by almost a thousand when submitted in the replacement plan. The number of total population served in the funding application decreased by almost 3,500 when submitted in the replacement plan. Plainly the numbers are not close, plus the disparities went opposite directions, increased and decreased. Logic suggests that these two categories, service connections and population served would generally track each other in either growth or diminution. This indicates that there are at a minimum serious inconsistencies in Las Cruces Utilities’ statement regarding numbers. Another example of major discrepancy, Deputy Director of Regulatory Compliance Steve Perez said at a council meeting November 18th that the city had 20,637 unknown service lines. However shortly before the meeting Las Cruces Utilities submitted to the state a replacement plan that there were 19,024 unknown service lines, about 1,600 fewer. Mr. Perez also told you last November that the city had 15,627 known non-lead service lines when by contrast the city had shortly before told the state that there were 21,076, more than 5,400 greater and a difference of more than 25%. Again, these disparities went both directions and provide more evidence that representations from Las Cruces Utilities are not to be believed. If you are interested in reviewing documentation that documents any of these discrepancies I will provide copies. Yet another example of Las Cruces Utilities’ statements that turn out to be false pertains to notices sent to new customers which EPA requires. Assistant Utilities Director Carl Clark told you August 18th , that the city sent notices to new customers which Las Cruces Utilities keeps track of. In reality a response to an IPRA request reveals that if the city sends an individualized notice to each customer the city does not keep track of it. Furthermore, look at Handout 1, this letter doesn’t actually tell the customer what their line is made of. It is inadequate and fails to comply with the rule. Las Cruces Utilities’ pattern and practice of false statements and seriously inconsistent numbers should be very troubling to you. It is to me. Liz Rodriguez-Johnson, Member of the Public said numerous questions posed while in city council meetings regarding the city’s compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule still remain unanswered. Most have been outstanding for many months. We expect and deserve factual answers to each of these questions. Why did the following information disappear from the inventory? Service line installation dates? The date a property was built, all information of disadvantaged neighborhoods and all designations o sensitive populations? Why was the information regarding inspection dates manipulated, then eventually disappeared? Why won’t Las Cruces Utilities put a pop-up on its opening online Spanish page instructing Spanish only speakers how to translate the website? Why doesn’t the city test customer water for lead like Albuquerque does? Why doesn’t the city test customer water for lead like Albuquerque does for its residents? EPA requires that the city’s inventory must include all service lines. Why has half the city been left off the inventory? Why does half the city not have water hookups on the map? Why was Councilor Corran told that there were only two properties with galvanized pipes requiring replacement when there were at least 56 at the time? Why haven’t all the property owners with galvanized requiring replacement piping been notified as required. EPA requires that they be notified within 30 days after completing the initial inventory which was due October 16,2024. EPA requires proven evidence-based techniques for determining the nature of piping. Why has the city relied upon water sampling only with no records and field inspections only with no records, neither is proven evidence-based technique? Why doesn’t Las Cruces Utilities provide no justification for characterizing 33% of the properties as non-lead? Why isn’t there a basis for every property? Why has the city falsely characterized piping as non-lead for hundreds of properties because of installation after the lead ban when installation actually occurred before the lead ban? How many properties in the city’s oldest area has the city inspected? Where are the records for each of these properties? What has the city done to obtain funding for folks who don’t have the funds to replace their lead or galvanized pipes? To reiterate the taxpayers of Las Cruces expect and deserve factual answers to each of these questions without delay. We asked that an answer to each question be posted on the website in English and Spanish no later than the next council meeting on October 20th. Diane Starbuck, Member of the Public said I have two confessions to make. The first one is I tend to use this podium as a public service announcement not as a way to communicate with the city and that is what I will be using it for today. My second confession is I almost wasn’t going to read what I was going to read. I wrote it shortly after the last council meeting, which seems like a long time ago and since then I have lost hope, but I have decided that is exactly why I need to read this. Anyone who knows Juan Garcia has probably heard him say let’s get a cup of coffee and talk about it. Jim Wilcox and I decided to take him up on his offer. We have had several meetings. All three of us are concerned about the direction our country is headed in. We are afraid of escalating rhetoric and violence. There are many topics we agree upon, loss of health care professionals in New Mexico, the crime, Project Jupiter, and our support for our Las Cruces Police Department. There are many topics we don’t agree upon. Jim and I have been to CCIA meetings. The meetings are well organized, and they have informative speakers. Juan has been to a Progressive Voter Alliance meeting. He appreciates the number of members who spoke about topics they were involved in and how we all work together for a common goal. I have admitted that I don’t feel entirely comfortable being at a CCIA meeting but when Jim and I go we hear a different viewpoint other than our own echo chambers. We hear other sides hopes and fears. I believe that through our conversations we have realized that we are not just someone on the left or someone on the right but a person who is trying to make the world a better place even though we go about it differently. Are we going to fix the world? No. Are we going to fix Las Cruces? Probably not. But at least there is open dialogue, listening, questions, and many times understanding. We are trying to do something. I challenge everybody today to seek out someone from the other side and have a respectful conversation and just listen. This message has the approval of Juan Garcia and Jim Wilcox. Adolf Zubia, Member of the Public said I am here representing myself and not speaking on behalf of other people. Individuals that I have spoken to recently and I was going to read a statement, but I figured I would go off the heart of what is going on. The issue before us with the county’s GO Bond and the basic issue comes down to this. It is a situation where the county has a laundry list of items that they have two questions where they have their specific needs that they are addressing based on this particular bond. The sad part is that all those items listed, none are going to happen in the city of Las Cruces. And the fact is based on how the county set up and the way the tax thing is going to happen, it is going to significant revenue coming from the city for those county projects. And I took it not knowing the specific numbers, I was hoping to get information specifically of how much of that tax was going to come from the city residents with nothing to show for it. I used my own home. I took it and I kind of made a conservative estimate for the next 20 years I am going to be paying approximately $6,000. I also decided to utilize that number for the HOA which I belong to on the board and I got their approval to bring that up on behalf of the board. We have 573 homes in Sonoma South and I used my home calculation to see how much of that subdivision was going to be contributing to the county’s GO Bond and it works out to approximately $3.5 million and I know I am probably off a bit but I know that the numbers I am presenting you with are pretty valid. My concern when I was asked is why is that happening? And I said I don’t know but I was disappointed that there wasn’t more collaboration between you and the county and secondly that there was no action or position taken on by the city one way or the other on that. Now I doubt it very seriously that you will ever take a position against your brothers at the county and vice versa but in my opinion it is one of those issues where it is America and you can disagree. Just like Congress, and you have the Senate and alleges the Congress themselves they can debate, and they can disagree. The same with the state level. In this particular case I just wanted to make sure that you are aware that there are some people out there that are dissatisfied with hearing nothing from the city. The other issue that comes into mind is I probably talked to or spoke to 50 residents, and I can guarantee about half of them, I didn’t tally them total didn’t know what was going on and the impact it was going to have. So, my hope in the last 15 seconds is maybe in conjunction work with the county to get them educated and have them understand exactly what it is going to cost them if that GO Bond goes through whether you are for it or against it. Please inform your residents. Juan Garcia, Member of the Public said on 15 September a resolution in support of public lands was introduced and approved. Councilor Flores asked so what happens to this resolution? We file it away or send it to Santa Fe and hope they read it. The response from the staff, this resolution could be sent via letter to Santa Fe and the expectation is Las Cruces would get a response. The Mayor Pro Tem stated that something simple but powerful to let Santa Fe know where we stand. Even though the threat to public lands has fated, this resolution was still push forward. For more than four years I have stood here along with others asking this council to issue a resolution simple but powerful and address the devastation we face thanks to the Las Cruces criminal element. Nothing but silence. I get it. There is no political capital in challenging a permissive ideology that seems more interested in coddling criminals while the body count of victims continues to rise. This is evident that when during the last CCJ Senator Cervantes while explaining why we have the same laws as other New Mexico towns but there is a disproportionate problem with juvenile crime in Las Cruces stated, “the composition of the city council changes the way laws are enforced in Las Cruces, the composition of the city council changes the way laws are enforced in Las Cruces ”. Now we are losing doctors. The council had a chance to demand through a resolution a simple but powerful resolution that the Governor and the Dona Ana County state officials put malpractice reform at the top of the agenda for the Special Session, they didn’t, not surprising. Now the Mayor Pro Tem runs Patients Over Profit, funded by trial lawyers. The question is simple, will she back patients desperate for care or the lawyers’ bank rolling her group? Patients Over Profit is the public face of the opposition to think New Mexico proposal reforms to the medical malpractice law during the last legislative session, 100% of their donors are trial lawyers. Where is the care and compassion for those suffering at the lack of medical providers. In closing I want to thank Diane and Jim and others for their willingness to have civil and respectful conversations even in this polarized environment it is possible. I hope others will do the same. Eddie Thomas, Member of the Public said I was thinking about bringing my guitar and entertaining you by singing a famous Willie Nelson song except that I would change the lyrics to Mamas don’t let your sons grow up to be gangbangers. This might help me get the message across that you are not doing anything meaningful to combat juvenile crime in Las Cruces as long as the soft on crime and catch and release laws currently on the books remains unchanged but we all know now that is the way you intended it. This is by design. You pretend to do something by sending a delegation to Santa Fe to shop for laws all the while knowing that they will come back with nothing but words to deter crime. The laws currently on the books might even encourage it because they don’t punish the offenders. We mollycoddle them instead. They grow up in gangs that they don’t respect the law because they have never been taught to by their parents. My mijito is a good boy, they say. No, mijito is not a good boy. He probably has a gun and is committing a crime or fighting with another gang in another neighborhood. He gets into trouble and instead of a trade school or college and ends up getting arrested and put in jail for a couple of hours then he is set free. There is no punishment, no correction, no incentive to change his behavior. Years and years of these bad policies have produced what we have now in Las Cruces, crime and poverty that is generational. Yet you continue to pretend like you are doing something. You say Santa Fe makes the laws but you don’t advocate for anything that helps deter crime. You can tell a lot about a city council by what they advocate for but even more so by what they don’t advocate for. It is clear where your loyalties lay between the lack of laws that correct bad behavior and the lack of meaningful parenting our kids will continue to pay the price for perdition. Proverbs 13:24 says, “spare the rod and spoil the child”. Of course, some of you will interpret that to mean that I am saying that you should beat your kids. I am saying nothing of the sort. I mean it to discipline your kids to show them right from wrong so that they will choose the good way instead and stay away from evil. Those who fail to correct their children don’t love them. Proverbs 22:6 says, “train them up in the way that they should go and they will not depart from it”. The way that I see it, we have to do three things. Change the laws so that they put the fear of God in them, get rid of the politicians in office that don’t want to get on board with change, and start raising your kids with some discipline and stop them from hanging out with gangbangers. Belinda Robertson, Member of the Public said I am a resident of the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. I am American. My obligation like American if I sell something and it is not correct or I manipulate the law or act under the code of the law or abuse the power of authority I denounce to the authorities and I denounce in this moment to the authorities in the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Authorities with the power of authority, one of them is the Judge Manuel Arrieta, he act under the code of the law and violate my civil rights of American and the civil rights of my kids, Cameron Robertson and Mackinzie Robertson. During a hearing on September 12th, the day of the hearing was scheduled the official Isabel the Domestic Violence Commissioner, the day of the hearing the hearing changed to Manuel Arrieta without any notification to the party in less than 24 hours. I have a case for five years that I denounced domestic terrorist in the Third Judicial District. The Judge Manuel Arrieta never asked permission of the two parties to interview the minor Mackinzie Robertson. Judge Manuel Arrieta didn’t see any evidence of the criminal history of Cale Robertson, Respondent. Judge Arrieta put in danger the lives of American children when they needed to approve an exam to the minor for Mackinzie Robertson because she was abused for, she had 200 scars between the legs and the Judge Arrieta, he said he didn’t see nothing when I present the scars. The Judge Arrieta said you go with CYFD. CYFD on 2023, Governor of the State of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham, she accused the Director of CYFD for several irregularities and some of the employees’ erased irregularities. This is the evidence that they falsified documents in 2022, CYFD with the name of Susana Martinez as appointed Governor of the State of New Mexico. They organized a hearing on March without my knowledge and the judge accepted these false documents and give the custody of my kids to my husband Cale Robertson. My daughter on August 5, she have a car collision and was involved with a Las Cruces Police Department and this is the proof. The Judge Arrieta say that he cannot give me custody of my kids. This is why I came to the Mayor of Las Cruces to plead for an interview for me because he is the maximum authority here in the City of Las Cruces. Brad Douglas, City Attorney asked are you sure you want us to have these because I am looking through them and there seems to be sensitive information about children in here and I haven’t looked at all of it but what worries me if there is any kinds of records request, these are now in possession of the city. Would you like to take them back? Belinda Robertson said no, I want you to report to the FBI Director Kash Patel and the FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and the State of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and listen to the audio because the lives of America is in reason and in the city of Las Cruces if you don’t listen to the hearing and read the documents that I present. Rob Campion, Member of the Public said I am President of Elite Medical Transport. For over 23 years we have served the Southwest providing ambulance transport and mutual aid to 911 systems. We are clinician led with our mission to positively impact our patients, our employees and the communities that we serve. I am pleased to announce that we were approved by New Mexico Department of Transportation on August 27th and commenced ambulance operations in Las Cruces on October 1st. This operation will create over 20 jobs in the community this year and serve as a resource not just transport locally but to aid in bringing in patients from surrounding communities to the great care available here in Las Cruces. Las Cruces is our newest location in our network of care in transportation that includes Deming, Carlsbad, Portales, El Paso, and soon Hobbs, New Mexico. Several of our management team started their EMS careers here in Las Cruces and call Las Cruces home. These leaders are ready to ensure that the community has the compassion and care in transport that they deserve. We are very excited to serve Las Cruces and region with this additional location and as we settle in Las Cruces we are eager to better understand the needs of the community and tailor our services to meet those needs. We are in communication with Chief Daniels in the Fire Department, and we are working on how to best support and integrate with this emergency response system. I would like to commend Chief Daniels and his team on their professionalism and focus on public safety. I would also like to commend the Las Cruces Airport for their prompt response to our request for information as well. If there is anything that we can ever do to help the community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Lonnie Montgomery, Member of the Public said I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I love you guys and God loves you too. I am also a praying man so let’s pray. Most gracious and loving Father, I come before you today and ask that you guide these city councilors and increase their wisdom and discernment so that they can be the good public servants they were elected to be. In Jesus holy name I pray, Amen. And you are public servants. You serve the public, all of your constituents, sometimes what I call taxpayers and just not the ones you voted for but all of us. Sometimes you don’t treat some of us as well as you do others. For instance, you didn’t consider that the building of public housing in neighborhoods would lower the value of the houses that are there. So, some people won’t receive enough money where so they can sell their house where they couldn’t before and move to another neighborhood or I have heard of many moving to another state. On to the riff raff report. In the state we know we have poor education, and we are putting in billions of dollars and we still have poor education. And what is Las Cruces becoming famous for? For its dispensaries, we have them on nearly every corner and thanks to you we have some that have come in that are 24/7 to get a high and drive very fast on the streets causing many people to run into the back of others and driving off and we also have juvenile crime which is also in districts and we have two places where people can go to murder their babies. I believe they are called abortion clinics, and they are working on building one more that not only kills babies but it helps people to mutilate people’s bodies. I said murder, it sounded sort of harsh doesn’t ot? But how does it sound to the babies? What is murder? Murder is killing with authorical, killing with plan. That is what is in abortion clinics. It is planned and they kill the baby in the womb, or they kill it outside the womb. When it gets the sonogram and they look at it and the abortioners are going that the babies go away from being killed and if the moms look at that, 85% of moms say I want to have the baby and if the dads look at that over 85% look at the babies. I just want you to know I am sorry about that and may God forgive us. Elizabeth Bennett, Member of the Public said I am a trained social worker by profession and a youth advocate for many years and I just wanted to respond to the conversation that is being had about how to address the undeniable existence of a problem with increased crime and that young people are often involved but I want to speak to the fact that evidence and research shows us that incarceration does not improve outcomes for young people and in fact it leads to additional trauma and additional trauma leads to additional high risk behavior and poor outcomes for those individuals and instead research shows us that positive youth development having to do with creating safe spaces for young people, giving them the opportunity to build skills and create mastery and develop meaningful relationships with their peers and adults in their community is what actually changes outcomes for these young people. So, thank you for the investments that you have made in safe spaces and recreation for young people and thank you for being considerate and critical when being called to incarcerate and criminalize young people in our community. William Mooreland, Member of the Public said I am coming to talk today about a problem I have been noticing for the past few weeks. The city transit services on Saturdays ends at 4:30 and a lot of the times a lot of the events that are held here in town start either right at or right after 4:30. For someone like me who the only way I can get around town is either through the city bus system or Roadrunner Vamanos that is very inconvenient for me to have to go all the way from the post office here in downtown all the way up to Sonoma Ranch. I don’t know if there is anything you guys can do about it but if you can try to see if we can try to change the times as to where they can operate longer in the day. I would really appreciate it. And also another problem I have noticed that a lot of sidewalks have been kind of very dirty to the point where it could make driving on them with a wheelchair a little risky of getting stuck or something. I guess this is more of a question of who is in charge of trying to clean up the sidewalks to make sure they are a lot more walkable? Alejandro Bernal, Member of the Public said I have been a resident of Las Cruces for 20 years and I just wanted to speak about the concern that I see about crime and rampant drug use, open air drug use. It is pretty much everywhere you look. If you can’t see it, you are probably shutting yourself to viewing it because it is pretty much on every main street and not only that. If we want to make things better, we may want to think about increasing the budget for law enforcement and increasing standards and maybe increasing the educational attainment that they need to receive in order to become a law enforcement officer but we have to pay them more. 4. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Councilor Becki Graham moved, seconded by Councilor Becky Corran, to accept the agenda as presented. MOVER: Councilor Becki Graham SECONDER: Councilor Becky Corran Corran, and Councilor Yvonne Flores 5. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5.1 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2025. 5.2 WORK SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2025. 5.3 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2025. 6. RESOLUTION(S) AND/OR ORDINANCE(S) FOR CONSENT AGENDA 6.1 RESOLUTION NO. 26-042: A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES AND THE LAS CRUCES PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION. 6.2 RESOLUTION NO. 26-043: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES (CITY) TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THROUGH AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY’S ADOPTED FY2026 BUDGET. 6.3 RESOLUTION NO. 26-044: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES (CITY) TO ACCEPT GRANT RECONCILIATIONS VIA BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS THROUGH AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY’S ADOPTED FY2025-2026 BUDGET. 6.4 RESOLUTION NO. 26-045: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXISTING CONTRACT PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR HEAVY DUTY VEHICLE PARTS AND LABOR WITH RUSH TRUCK CENTER OF NEW MEXICO, INC. OF ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO VIA NEW MEXICO STATE PURCHASING DIVISION CONTRACT NO. 31-00000-22-00009AY FOR A POSSIBLE TERM THROUGH JANUARY 8, 2027 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,000,000 PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES ANNUALLY, SUBJECT TO ANNUAL RENEWALS AND APPROVED BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS (PROCUREMENT NO. 25-26-034). 6.5 RESOLUTION NO. 26-046: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXISTING PARTS AND LABOR WITH RJ BORDER INTERNATIONAL OF DALLAS, TEXAS, VIA NEW MEXICO STATE PURCHASING DIVISION CONTRACT NO. 45-00000-24-00086AR FOR A POSSIBLE TERM THROUGH MARCH 30, 2029 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $600,000 PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES ANNUALLY, SUBJECT TO ANNUAL RENEWALS AND APPROVED BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS (PROCUREMENT NO. 25-26-035). 6.6 RESOLUTION NO. 26-047: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXISTING PARTS AND LABOR WITH WAGNER EQUIPMENT COMPANY OF AURORA, COLORADO, VIA SANTA FE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AGENCY CONTRACT NO. 25-110 FOR A POSSIBLE TERM THROUGH MARCH 20, 2035 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000 PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES ANNUALLY, SUBJECT TO ANNUAL RENEWALS AND APPROVED BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS (PROCUREMENT NO. 25- 26-030). 6.7 RESOLUTION NO. 26-048: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXISTING CONTRACT PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR TIRES, TUBES, SUPPLIES AND LABOR WITH TIRECENTER PLUS, INC. OF LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO, VIA NEW MEXICO STATE PURCHASING DIVISION CONTRACT NO. 40-00000-24-00086 FOR A POSSIBLE TERM THROUGH NOVEMBER 4, 2028, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $160,000 PLUS APPLICABLE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS (PROCUREMENT NO. 25-26-032). 7. RESOLUTION(S) AND/OR ORDINANCE(S) FOR DISCUSSION 7.1 RESOLUTION NO. 26-049: A RESOLUTION RE-AFFIRMING THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES COMMITMENT TO CREATING A QUALITY OF PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK THROUGH NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL AREAS OF CITY GOVERNMENT AND DECLARING THE CITY A WELCOMING COMMUNITY. Brad Douglas, City Attorney gave the overhead presentation. Councilor Flores said I am concerned about some sections here. Some of this is kind of sticky but what really blows me away is the vote to amend and not being able to see it. You presented it and I can understand it as you speak but it is very difficult to intertwine it with everything else that is here. The intent is great. The city police of Las Cruces has never ever taken the position in any way for lack of a better word, aiding and abetting the feds on immigration issues. About 10 years ago or more the Chief of Police was Jaime, Jimmy Montoya and he made it very clear along with Olga Pedroza who was a city councilor and an attorney that the City of Las Cruces would never do that. That does not mean that we are a sanctuary city. In other words, Las Cruces Police Department, LCPD has nothing to do with the enforcement of any kind of federal law especially immigration law. This is very near and dear to me on a personal level and also professional and in reading through this your presentation was excellent, but I need to see and I would ordinarily say let’s go with it except for the vote to amend. I guess the vote to amend would be to add the language that you just presented to us? So instead of voting yes, we would vote to amend to assure that that language would be there. Am I correct in understanding that? Brad Douglas said that is correct. You would vote to amend. If you would like for what I have referenced as proposed amendments 1, 2, and 3 and you make a good point. Frankly, I should have printed out the proposed amendments. I can certainly read them again if you would like? Councilor Flores said no. I would at this point request that we table it to a date certain, two weeks from now when and then we can see the language that you presented to us, see it in writing so that we can cross reference it with other parts of the proposed legislation. That is my opinion. Brad Douglas said just to briefly respond to that. You are 100% correct Councilor Flores, LCPD does not engage in any sort of immigration enforcement actions right now. I believe, and others can speak to this in more intelligently than I can that the intent is that they never do. Councilor Mattiace said I have similar feelings with Dr. Flores about the amendments not being able to see them and prepare and answer on them. The second thing I have is I will be voting no if it comes to a vote and my reasoning is that I believe that the former resolution was quite adequate without creating the burden of all the record keeping by Las Cruces Police Department and the amendments themselves shows that there is some wording particularly not correct legally and I wanted to thank our City Attorney for bringing that to our attention. I also think that we may be a magnet by updating this particular resolution in that respect. Do we have the resources? Does the City of Las Cruces have the resources and the places to house what would be more unhoused immigration coming to the city of Las Cruces. So, on those concerns I would either prefer to table it and/or if it comes to a vote I will be voting no. Councilor Bencomo said I just want to thank you and Henry for working with Councilor Corran and I on updating this resolution that was adopted in 2017. Like I spoke about this a few weeks ago that it is wholly inadequate to meet the current moment that we are facing with the current administration. So, I believe this is timely and urgent and I am happy to make two of those amendments Brad and I believe they are in front of all us right now. I just wanted to pull back a little bit because I want to speak to the urgent moment that we find ourselves in. I have two things that I keep hearing people tell me and probably tell a lot of you to scare you away from supporting something like this. One is, what about the funding? What if the Trump Administration chooses to take away funding from the City of Las Cruces if you adopt something like this? That is more extensive than what we have had before. It is more extensive to the powers that we are giving as a municipality to do everything that we can to stand by our immigrant neighbors. To the funding piece I will say this, first of all it is unconstitutional. The Tenth Amendment literally talks about, it protects state’s rights and local control and limits the power of the federal government. Especially when it comes to coercion of passing certain policies and threatening to withhold funding from American citizens and American residents. So, one it is unconstitutional. Two, on the issue of funding I personally will not sell out my immigration community for money from the federal government. And also, to make it very clear this administration is already taking millions of dollars from hard working Americans every single day by cutting Medicaid and cutting SNAP and other social safety net services. So, money is already being taken away from all of us. That is number one on the funding. The number two piece that I keep hearing folks talk about is look at LA, look at Chicago. What if we poke the bear and the same thing happens here? Another thing I want to make very clear, the Trump Administration intended to do exactly what it is doing right now and democratically held cities across the country. If you are looking up what is happening in Chicago and LA and DC and you think that is normal and acceptable, I don’t know what to tell you. It is peak authoritarianism, and we should all be deeply concerned. Regardless if Mayor Brandon Johnson in Chicago said anything about standing with immigrants or not the Trump Administration was going to send the kind of militarized tactics that he is doing that to terrorize and victimize American cities, American residents, and citizens regardless of administration they are already terrorizing all of our communities. So, to me this is timely particularly because DHS has unprecedented dollars, it is why they cut Medicaid and SNAP to give tax cuts to the wealthy. Which I guarantee you none of us here are going to get those in this room and number two to give billions of dollars to DHS to further terrorize our community. I will not act powerless in this moment. Do I wish we could do more? I do. I wish we could do a lot more. Do I think this resolution encompasses a lot of those protections for our community in terms of what we can do, I do. I am proud to support this. Certainly, hope we don’t table it today. It is timely and urgent, and it comes to the time Brad I will make some of those amendments. I appreciate you for catching those simple mistakes and we can correct them today. So, thank you Brad and thank you to the advocates that supported us in the creation of this powerful resolution. Councilor Flores said I don’t disagree with anything that Mayor Pro Tem Bencomo has said but what I am talking about is the language in this not anything else because all you have to do is have one or two words that just don’t fit in or it is contingent on something else. I don’t feel comfortable. Your presentation was very thorough but if you ask me what you said I wouldn’t be able to reiterate word for word and then voting for that. I am torn because I think that time is of the essence and I don’t know two weeks from now. I still would vote to amend. Mayor Enriquez said I just feel like the practice is already in place. I am not in favor of this resolution myself because of what it creates for our city, our organization, the additional work. It is not about funding that is being cut, it is sending a message and then seeking federal grants and requests. It just doesn’t flow for me. Alex Cheatham, Member of the Public said I am only in the United States because my grandfather and mother escaped the Armenian genocide. My Irish grandfather escaped dying in bog in the Irish famine. The United States welcomed them. It let them grow. It led to me being here and being able to contribute. I fundamentally think that being welcoming to immigrants is a fundamental part of the American character. The idea that Las Cruces wouldn’t reflect that doesn’t jive with me. As far as protections go, I think this administration has demonstrated that without explicit protection, without the actual words in place they will just run over people. They will not listen to the law as it stands. I think that you have to have extra legal protections right now. I don’t buy the idea that this isn’t going to actually do anything. You need those extra protections right now when you have such in arbitrary administration. I can tell you for sure that what they are doing is arbitrary. There is not planning. It is a really, really bad situation for us and I don’t think that you can rely on their behavior. You just have to do what is right so that is all I will say. Dana Hopkins, Member of the Public said I think a lot of folks will say a lot of what I was going to say so I am just going to say first of all this is not the same thing. This is not repeating something that we already have. I think that anybody that is saying that is, I think you all know, and I believe we are all under threat. That Chicago, Portland, etcetera will and can happen here. We are not special. If we are not making ourselves a target, we are already a target. We have people talking about the high crime here which I just want to point out is the excuse they have used to come into other cities and all I can say in this is that we are making it a little more firm. We are expanding enough to care for our immigrant community as best we can. I don’t see how this is extra work for the police and if it is it is work the need to do. I think it makes it very clear and very firm. It is part of their job. We are already under threat. We can’t bury our heads in the sand and think maybe they won’t notice us. We need to do this. We need to welcome all of our siblings and yes this is something that the police are involved in and if they need to do a little extra work then that is okay, that is their job and finally I was concerned to hear well we have to take a closer look at these amendments. I am not a lawyer, and I understood them perfectly. They were not complicated, and I believe you all got a copy of them in writing, so it feels a little bit like stalling to have to table this and tabling it concerns me because we are under the gun. It can happen any day. Sylvia Ulloa, Member of the Public said I am the Executive Director for NM CAFe. I am a proud fronticera and I am a citizen of Las Cruces. I just want to start by thanking the previous council who unanimously voted to protect our families in Las Cruces and to uphold the values that honor the basic humanity of all people. Here in the frontera we are not just neighbors we are also family to many immigrants in this country and we understand how they make Southern New Mexico a vibrant and unique community that it is. I also want to give my appreciation to Councilors Corran and to Bencomo for understanding the perilous time that we are in today and for working to strengthen the current welcoming communities welcoming resolution. When the federal government is ziptying small children and dragging them out of their homes in the middle of the night. When they are racially profiling and detaining brown people, immigrants and citizens alike and physically assaulting and detaining people without respecting their 4th and 5th Amendment rights under the Constitution it is very clear that we need to stand even more firmly against the authoritarian that is taking over our country. So, I urge this council to again vote unanimously to protect our people and to stand against the tyranny that we are in by passing this resolution. Lynn Moorer, Member of the Public said I want to briefly support Councilor Flores’ request for having it in writing. As an attorney I know the importance of having the words before you so that you can cross reference to be thorough. Another point is that the public actually needs to have an opportunity to look at it too. This is not proper public notice in terms of providing all of the materials in the agenda packet. I understand the need to amend from time to time but there needed to be a provision so that all the public can have a chance to study this and correct me if I am wrong and I think also Councilor Mattiace also does not have this in front of him to study it. So, I support Councilor Flores’ request to have it in writing and put it off for two weeks. I have no comment with respect the substance of what you are talking about but in terms of the manner in which you are doing it I think this is flawed, bringing something that is not been distributed publicly either to the council, the governing body or to the public to be able to study it as part of the entire package. Brother Joseph Bock, Member of the Public said I am from Holy Cross Retreat Center and I am also a part of the Acompanantes Frontericias de Esperanza, the Borderland’s Companion of Hope. It’s a faith-based grass roots initiative founded within our local Las Cruces community that walks with immigrant individuals and families in the borderlands as they navigate the complex immigration system through a compassionate accompaniment. Being with our neighbors in court, detention center visits, spiritual and emotional support, advocacy through witness. We strive to uphold the dignity of each person, especially at a time when many live in fear and uncertainty. Our mission is rooted in hope. In the belief that no one should face the challenges of migration alone. We accompany our neighbors not only to offer practical support but also to build bridges of trust, belonging, mutual respect within our community. Now more than ever it is crucial that the city of Las Cruces stand with our immigrant neighbors. We must draw clear lines between the roles of ICE and our local law enforcement agencies. This is not simply on policy matter. It is a reflection of our shared values as residents of Las Cruces. When our immigrant neighbors live in fear of deportation the entire community suffers. We have heard and felt the pain agony and stress from our neighbors. Families are separated. Trust in law enforcement erodes and public safety is weakened. The proposed Las Cruces welcoming city resolution offers a path forward. It will help make Las Cruces a safer city for all residents by keeping families together, strengthening our communities and rebuilding trust in the local police. Together we can ensure that Las Cruces remains a place where every person feels safe, valued, and at home. Angel Amabisco, Member of the Public said I am part of the only southwest youth group in New Mexico from Chaparral called New Gen Hope. I stand here in support of this resolution because my faith teaches me that every person is made in the image of God and deserves dignity and compassion. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me”. In Leviticus chapter 19, verse 34, it says, “the foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native born. Love them for yourself, you were foreigners in Egypt”. In Romans chapter 12, verse 13, it says, “share with the Lord’s people who are in need, practice hospitality”. Now obviously I come here not as some pastor or religious figure. I come as someone who believes that my Catholic faith and our book shares universal truths as to how every human should be treated. In other words, this call is not only for churches but for communities like ours. For anyone wishing to dissolve this resolution, I ask you to please think of your legacy, your background as someone who at one point your own ancestors didn’t belong to this country, and they hate and distrust that may ensue as a result of not being a welcoming city. Las Cruces has always been a place where people have come together, that history makes us strong and this resolution continues that legacy by ensuring that no one is excluded because of where they come from. Let us recall that at one point this land belonged to the Manso people, then Spain, then Mexico and now the United States. Borders are meant to be redrawn and challenged. The people, however, remain as humans with shared values and service to give. Don’t kneel but stand against President Trump’s agenda and his goal to divide communities like ours. As young people we want to grow up in a city that chooses inclusion over division and welcome over fear. This resolution affirms that Las Cruces protects families, respects human rights and lives up to the best values of our faith traditions, hospitality, justice and love for neighbors. Alondra, Member of the Public said I am a member of New Gen Hope from Chaparral. I support this resolution because it represents justice, fairness, and the welcoming spirit of faith that causes us to live it out. In the book of Leviticus, God reminds his people the stranger who resides with you shall be as one of your own and you should love them as yourself. This resolution is not about politics. It is about protecting families, making sure people feel safe to report crimes and ensuring everyone in Las Cruces is treated with dignity. Our police should focus on keeping our neighborhoods safe not separating families. Our city staff should focus on serving the community not enforcing federal programs that go against our values. Young people like me want to inherit a community that doesn’t divide people into us and them but instead recognizes that diversity is part of our identity. Supporting this resolution is saying yes to fairness, to compassion and to the promise that Las Cruces is a place where all of us belong. Thank you for considering the voices of young people who will carry these values forward. Emilias, Member of the Public said I want to thank you for bringing this resolution forward. I believe it is an important step in reaffirming Las Cruces as a welcoming community. This resolution reflects the best of who you are. It protects the confidentiality of residents present information. It makes sure city resources aren’t used to tear families apart and it reminds our immigrant neighbors that they can trust city government to serve them fairly. That trust is essential. When people feel safe, they come forward to report crimes, to participate in school, and strengthen our community. Our city’s diversity is not something to fear. It is something to celebrate. Faith traditions across the city tells the same truth that welcoming the stranger is an act of justice and love. From scripture to lived experience we know that when we welcome others we build a stronger, safer, and more compassionate community. By passing this resolution you are reaffirming that Las Cruces is not just a place to live but a place to where people can belong. I urge you to support and to continue leading with courage, compassion, and conviction. Brandon Galinstine, Member of the Public said I am a homeowner in Las Cruces. I am not going to say anything better than these lovely children, kiddos, and youth have been saying. But I am here to just remind you that you are employees of us, the taxpayers. I have heard some people say voting no because they don’t feel like it. I think that the outpouring of support for this amendment shows that the community expects it and that a vote no is unacceptable. Jessica Martinez, Member of the Public said I am an immigration attorney and the Director of Policy and Coalition Building at the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. NMILC is a non-profit that provides free legal services to immigrants across the state with three offices, one located in Las Cruces, one in Albuquerque, and one in Santa Fe. We have documented multiple incidents of violations of due process, targeting of small businesses, deportation of individuals with legal status and harassment and detainment of our community members including students and DACA recipients. As an immigration attorney I have seen how this fear has impacted our immigrant communities across the state. Right now, there are many families having difficult conversations around family planning if they are separated, detained, and deported. In New Mexico there are 54,500 US citizens living with at least one undocumented family member. There are 30,500 US citizen children living with at least one undocumented parent. If they are separated not only will this cause irreparable harm to families, but this will prevent and impact family members from qualifying for forms of legal status when their children are old enough to help their parents adjust. There is potential that these children could end up in CYFD custody where capacity is already strained. I know as a New Mexican, as a proud daughter of a Mexican immigrant having grown up in Las Cruces, we are a resilient and united community that treats everyone as interictal. Immigrants are our parent’s children, siblings, friends, leaders and neighbors. We must continue to do whatever we can to protect our community from harm. Resolution 26-49 will strengthen protections and our commitment to treating everyone equitably regardless of status. I strongly urge the members of this council to pass this resolution. Now more than ever we need your help. Sylvia Yancy, Member of the Public said I am a resident of District 2. We all see what is happening in communities all across our country right now. People are being kidnapped by federal agents. Documented and undocumented immigrants and even citizens alike. If you have not seen it personally then you can see it online and we know it is happening and if you don’t then you are either not paying attention or you’re lying. I have seen it personally. ICE and DHS are going after community members, parents, children, and law-abiding individuals not criminals. Voting no today is a vote to sell out a big portion of our community. Immigrants are what make our community strong. Diversity is what makes our community and city strong. LCPD should have no business collaborating with federal agents and has no business dealing with immigration matters. If you ever wondered what you would have done during Nazi Germany, then look at what you would do today. If you give into the threats of the Trump Administration, then we give into fascism. Just know that they will not stop at undocumented immigrants. If you don’t care about your immigrant neighbors, then know that if they don’t come for you today then they will come for you tomorrow. Please vote yes on this resolution as there is no other option as to vote yes and I am frankly disgusted that my City Councilor Mattiace already said that he would vote no on this today. Sarai Guerrero, Member of the Public said I am a lifelong resident of Las Cruces. My family has called this place home for about as old as I am and that is 24 and when my family immigrated, they were alone. They were jumping from house to house from family members who kind of didn’t want them there because of family drama that really is not important until my mother reached out to a random phone number that she saw and my godmother, who eventually became my godmother extended her house, her arms, to my mom and to my father. When they moved into that house and I think they lived there before I was born actually, they only had two trash bags with them and she asked, where is the rest of your furniture? You know like your bed, your bedside table, all of the things? She said we don’t have that. We have been sleeping on the ground. She looked at her and said like are you dumb? Get in my car and we are going to go buy stuff. That was my mom’s introduction to Las Cruces, a place that she has called home. A place that I have called home and I think to say yes to this resolution would say yes and affirm that Las Cruces is a city based on respect, love, care and faith. And now I have grown and I have lived a long difficult life and I am so lucky that I can work with youth who are our future and in order for them to have a secure and safe future we must ensure that their families aren’t separated by these things and I really appreciate you guys taking the time to listen and I hope you say yes for this resolution. Trent Scribner, Member of the Public said I am a resident of District 1, shout outs to Cassie. I want to open by saying that the migrant crime wave that this is all predicated on is a myth. Undocumented immigrants are less likely than natural born citizens to commit crimes and to all of you today who are feeling wishy washy about voting yes now is not the time to get caught up with bureaucracy. These are unusual times. If you see what is going on in Chicago and you see what is going on in El Paso, man its going on right down the road and you want to put this on hold for two weeks so you can have a talk about language, and I think that is just foolish. I think that it is short- sighted and that now is the time for radical action by our city council to protect the people of Las Cruces from what really is a criminal pera-military organization. Jeremy Armstrong, Member of the Public said I am a resident of District 2, and I come today representing myself and many other working citizens of Las Cruces and I actually agree that we do need to make Las Cruces a more welcoming city. Currently it does seem as though it is only welcoming to those who wish to obey the law or wish not to be held accountable for their actions. I am not saying just illegal immigrants but all criminals. You go out and talk to the homeless and a lot of them aren’t from here and they come because they know they are not going to be held accountable. I am here today because I think Las Cruces is a city with extraordinary potential. A community rich in culture, diversity and opportunity yet to truly thrive we must make Las Cruces a place where our own law-abiding citizens, families, retirees, young people and professionals all feel welcomed. The foundation of a welcoming city begins with public safety. I agree with what a lot of people have said. I don’t want LCPD to have to focus on immigration. There is enough problems in our city that they need to focus on. When residents feel safe in their homes the streets and in our parks where we don’t have to explain to our kids why there is someone passed out on the slide, they are more likely to invest in our neighborhoods, open businesses and participate in civic life. Law abiding citizens should know that Las Cruces and its city council stand for them and with them. At the same time we should make it easier and not harder for residents to start businesses and contribute to our local economy, streamlining permits, improving city responsiveness and ensuring fair and transparent enforcement which will foster pride and trust in local government. Making Las Cruces welcoming to doctors will welcome retirees where they don’t feel very welcome. I really urge you to vote to delay this because there is a lot more that needs to be done and there is a lot more people that would feel welcome here if you did this when I didn’t have to take off work. Chantelle Yazzie-Martin, Member of the Public said I am not affiliated with any other organizations, and I came except for the NESW, I am a social worker and I am clinically licensed and this is injustice, and it needs to be addressed. I wanted to offer a different perspective of intersectionality with regard to this resolution of Indigenous people. So you have the Piro Manso Tigua here, you have the Tortugas people here, you have NMSU that has students here from all over the country but also a big portion of that is Indigenous babies and it is not fun to have our Navajo Nation President on speed dial in case me or my husband get stopped at the border, me and my husband are sitting in a parking lot somewhere and there is an immigration officer coming in. We often go to Ysleta Del Sur for health services, and it is right next to that border and I would appreciate and hope that people who have invested in the Indigenous community that they would invest in this resolution and vote yes. You guys are always in different spaces, places, schools, different places where there is babies there. There is Indigenous people where there are photo ops. This is an opportunity for you guys to share that you guys support their safety, that support where you are going to go and have a stance of what kind of city we are. That you can have all the photo ops and talk to each other and you can have the pictures here but this is now a time for action and you guys all know where I stand both personally, professionally and I don’t want to see this council vote the way they did and Councilor Flores I am disappointed with this amendment being, ugh I am a little scared about this language. We have talked about different things, and I know it is important to have that but this is really, really a timely manner and it is really important and again not affiliated with anything else. I am a social worker. I am an Indigenous activist. Alberto Del Campo, Member of the Public said I am a constituent and a member of New Mexico Dream Team. I am here to urge you to vote yes on this resolution and it is also frustrating to hear that some of you have already decided to vote no before even giving a chance to public comment. Yea, you are already deciding that you are going to vote no just because it doesn’t flow well with you and I feel obligated to remind you that you are here to serve you constituents. I have been an immigrant for my entire life and I have called this country home for 10 years now. Immigrant communities are not just work horses. We are people, we are families, we are artists, caretakers, dreamers, and builders. Our values for caring for one another’s resilience is no less than the backbone of this city. I have seen what happens after family separation, the heartbreak, the trauma, the silence that follows when a family loses a parent, a sibling or a son and I have to ask you guys when will it be enough? Every single aspect of our existence is being weaponized, our access to food, our access to water, to housing, to education and health care. Meanwhile the agencies that terrorize, prosecute immigrant families receive more funding, support and power. This country keeps funding the machinery that tears our communities apart while gutting programs that are supposed to keep us safe. Las Cruces has long been a place that promises to stand with immigrants and to lead with compassion and courage. This resolution is a chance to strengthen that promise and to show us our city refuses to be complicit with the criminalization of our neighbors. Please vote yes for this resolution and stand with us. We deserve to be treated with safety and respect. Renee Beltran, Member of the Public said I am here as a resident of the Las Cruces area for over 30 years and a lifelong New Mexican. I am also here in my role as the New Mexico Civic Engagement Table Coordinator, a coalition of over 45 New Mexico non-profits. I stand here in solidarity with our movement partners and allies who continuously do the work to protect our most vulnerable community members, work I would like to see you take up. I am in full support of this resolution reaffirming the city’s commitment to be welcoming to all individuals. We need the courage of this resolution to fully protect an integral part of our population and affirm the human dignity and human rights of fellow dwellers here. It is only right that we further codify these beliefs into laws so that we can protect all residents of this city and preempt any attempts that treat residents here regardless of their documentation status and a lesser fashion. Furthermore, it is imperative that we do this work now so that we can protect our immigrant community from federal policies. To suggest we wait smacks at your own privilege, I am looking at you on the phone Councilor Mattiace. It smacks of your own privilege and your own distance from the urgency and danger that our immigrant communities face. Additionally, there are many other benefits that could follow from this proactive work including greater public safety as vulnerable community members might actually feel safe enough to seek out law enforcement assistance much less the fearmongering that we all experience when we know law enforcement is potentially collaborating with ICE. We might have a stronger economy if families are able to stay together and maintain their established and vital roles in our workforce and establish community structures such as schools, places of worship, places of recreation and fellowship. Las Cruces Council and Mayor, I demand you do the right thing. Bobbie Green, Member of the Public said I am President of the Dona Ana County NAACP. Again, I thank you for the proclamation earlier today. It does speak to the fierce urgency of now and it is very appropriate given the discussion we are having today about a welcoming city. I am a descendant of a special form of immigration called slavery. My parents were descendant, I am a descendant decedent of slaves. We were brought here against our will but through the fighting, through the civil rights, through the laws, through the standing up. People that stood up for us we are now no longer slaves and so I feel it is our obligation to do the same thing again. History repeats itself and so we have to fight again. We keep fighting, we don’t stop fighting because it’s not me, no we fight because it is us and so I support, and the NAACP supports this resolution, and I urge you to think about the history and where we come from and where we want to go as city and make this a welcoming place for everyone. Juan Garcia, Member of the Public said a legal immigrant. Listening to some of the council reenforces my views as some councilors have no regard for law abiding citizens or respect for those immigrants like my parents, myself, and my family and millions of others who came to this country legally. There is no reason to change the welcoming resolution. This is nothing more than a political theater designed to prop up a few council members while they support people who broke our country’s immigration laws. Yes, this is our laws. These laws whether they be federal or whatever you want to call them, there are our national laws. If you don’t like them, change them but don’t break them. If they are generally so concerned and afraid maybe they should spend a minute thinking about the real fear law abiding people experience every day in places like Young Park and the other high crime areas of Las Cruces but those residents don’t matter to them. They are politically useless. On the other hand, this change if approved which it probably will be good in the sense of unintended consequences. The feds might notice and shine the light on Las Cruces so be careful what you ask for. In closing if federal agents ever need help, I hope LCPD doesn’t betray them the way Chicago Police Department allegedly did over politics. Giovani Hernandez, Member of the Public said I am the proud son of immigrants from Mexico. I am an organizer in my community, and I am the campaign manager for the New Mexico Dream Team, the state’s largest youth led immigration advocacy organization, and I do that work here in Las Cruces. Over the years that I have been doing this work in my lived experiences as a child of immigrants I have been able to witness the distance that city government, local government, state government, and federal government creates between immigrant people and its services. My parents would never go to their city hall in Texas, I would have to go for them. I would pay their bills. I would speak with city representatives for them because they were scared. They didn’t trust anybody. This resolution will alleviate that fear for many immigrant families in Las Cruces. I urge you to support it. New Mexico Dream Team urges you to support it. The young college-aged students and community residents who I work with every single day urge you to support it. To Mayor Enriquez who believes that this resolution does nothing, I invite him to come with me on a visit to an ICE check-in in El Paso and see what happens whenever the government inputs fear into its people. I want him to witness parents having to write the names of lawyers and phone numbers on their arms while holding their babies because they know they will be taken by immigration. Has he ever seen that or have any of you on the city council ever seen that? And would you be willing to bear witness to it? Pass this resolution and stand with your community. Heather Smith, Member of the Public said I am the Deputy Director of Bold Futures New Mexico, and I live and work in Las Cruces, born and raised. Our organization works alongside communities across New Mexico to ensure access to reproductive health, support services and policies that affirm dignity and human rights. We stand strongly in favor of this ordinance because it aligns with our values and with the spirit of New Mexico as a welcoming state. We believe that every person should have the chance to live the life they want to live surrounded by a community that supports their health and success with dignity and safety from oppression. This means removing barriers, protecting privacy, it means building systems where care is not dependent on immigration status, income or fear of discrimination. Community health depends on everyone having the ability to make decisions for themselves and access services that they need without intimidation or shame. By passing this ordinance the city affirms our shared values of fairness, compassion, and respect extend to all people. We believe that this will strengthen trust, improve health outcomes and send a clear message about our shared values. In New Mexico we welcome everyone, and we work to create an environment where we all can thrive. For those worried that this resolution makes us a target who we are as a minority, majority, democratic led state with immigrant neighbors who sustain our communities every day already makes us a target. This resolution only reaffirms our values and our commitment to Las Cruces. Gwen Stacy, Member of the Public said I would just like to remind the city council that what ICE is actively doing and why we should support bills like this is that ostensibly by their actions even by reports of former ICE officers is that they do not primarily deport criminals in any way and mass resignations happen because they are disillusioned by the amount of actively non-criminal people that they do deport and arrest. Another thing is that they have on report on many occasions detained people who actually have legal residents without warranted suspicion that they have detained people who are actual citizens and that the current administration is trying to pass amendments to law to essentially legalize racial discrimination, racial profiling in who they arrest. So, I would say that if in any way Las Cruces Police work with ICE they are engaging in racial profiling and criminal behavior. Moreover, those who say that this amendment is not warranted or unnecessary rings hallow and reminds me of the same apropenents of back in 1960’s that said the Civil Rights Act is useless because there is already a theoretical equality under the Bill of Rights. Shawna Pfeiffer, Member of the Public said I am not an immigrant so the words that I say don’t carry as much weight because I don’t have those lived experiences that bring people to our country to seek a better life. I can’t imagine the courage and strength it takes to leave everything behind for nothing more than hope. The work that it takes to learn a new language in an unfamiliar culture, the conviction to grow into a country where you are made to feel at times unwelcome. That is the life of a legal immigrant to this country. I have many friends who are not born in America, or their parents were not. All of them are hard workers seeking to better themselves and grateful every day for the chance to become an American citizen, but they are often painted with the same brush with those who come here illegally to take advantage of this country’s resources and hospitality, just as this resolution seeks to do. You are lumping the bad in with the good, demeaning the courage of those who sought to come here legally. Scaring them to feel unsafe in a country that has otherwise welcomed them. Criminals are not immigrants and immigrants are not criminals, Illegal immigrants however are criminals, and I urge you to recognize the distinction. This resolution also seeks to maline our police department, your colleagues, those who have chosen the most honorable and arguably the most difficult profession. This resolution says that you feel our Las Cruces Police Department officers already or will absolutely help federal ICE agents in what you have deemed to be nefarious work. I have heard Chief Story tell you at least twice in council chambers that they do not participate in federal immigration affairs and do not even have access to immigration status information of the people they engage with. Why don’t you trust him? Liz Bennett, Member of the Public said I am here to voice my support for Resolution 26-49 making Las Cruces a welcoming city. Our immigrant siblings are the fabric of the land, and community, and culture that was lain here long before imperialist white supremacist capitalism came to claim it as its own. Immigration is an organic process built into our natural instincts. It is a human right especially when you have been driven out of your homeland and by US foreign economic policy that starves other nations of their ability to serve their own people. Many immigrants come here hoping to build a life from the work that most Americans are strangers to but all benefit from. They pay taxes and frequent local businesses and rarely commit crimes. That is until their existence itself becomes criminalized. No human deserves to be kidnapped, imprisoned, abused, and disappeared for merely trying to survive to provide for their children. It is a form of civil cancer to think that that kind of treatment is justified. Today the Trump Administration is inviting us to take up the torch of hatred, fear, and greed and is fueling the fire with billions of dollars calling all racists, bigots, and xenophobes and answer the call to join the American gestapo, earn a bonus while tearing families apart, detaining children and erasing identify and humanity all while devastating the US economy. Today the immigrant, tomorrow the activist. I am grateful that this body is moving to strengthen protections for our immigrant siblings. I am grateful for those who find refuge and relief here, choosing to make Las Cruces their home. I am grateful for all the immigrant community has offered our city and when it comes to extra paperwork for the police department, my understanding is that the police are here to protect and serve us all. Rose, Member of the Public said I live in District 2, and I am here to also talk as part of the welcoming city resolution. I think it is the best foot forward in protecting our immigrant communities especially with ICE being actively present already in Las Cruces and in neighboring towns. The resolution would help keep families together with added protection on personal information and making businesses be more proactive and making sure their employees feel safe to go to work and offering more accessibility and immigration resources and accountability and having transparency of public records of ICE activity and contact with ICE. Overall this resolution would bring relief to families and this will encourage other states and counties to lead by example. Whenever I meet people from different walks of life say that Las Cruces is welcoming and people here are kind and care for each other and it makes me feel good to say that I have grown up here so let’s continue that. Vote yes. Tatiana Prieto, Member of the Public said I am a Policy Advocate with the Americans Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico. I am also a proud descendant of strong Mexican immigrants and a Las Cruces native. I am a resident of District 1. This is where I was raised to reflect the core values of our community of inclusivity, respect, unity and standing up for my neighbors. That is why I along with my organization strongly urge the passage of this welcoming community resolution. It comes at a crucial time as we continue to observe harmful policies that instill fear in our communities and tear families apart. It will proactively support public safety efforts by ensuring that local resources are used for helping our communities instead of wasting our time and resources for unnecessary costly and dangerous political theater. Research shows that cities with welcoming community policies are safer. That is because the safer communities are those where all residents can access the services they need and interact with city authorities without fear along with many advocates in this room we are in strong support of this resolution. Linley Hornsby, Member of the Public said I am a resident of District 4. I just wanted to uplift some of the things that I am hearing from community and also what I am hearing from the council. I am hearing from community that there are safety concerns in Las Cruces, and I just want to sit with the idea that the safety of immigrant communities is tied to the safety of US citizens. So, if our community isn’t safe for immigrants, our community is not safe for citizens either, so I really am for this resolution in that it is strengthening protections for our immigrant neighbors, coworkers, and community members and again remembering that the safety of immigrants is not just connected from the safety of US citizens. What I am hearing from council is some concern about amendments not having enough time to review something that you are going to vote on. I think that is valid, thinking about solutions like are there options to give you all copies right now so you can see them? And so procedurally I don’t know if it is an option for you all to take a break so that you can look over those or if you have had some time but just thinking of just how urgent this issue is and what I am hearing from the community is that we want to see this pass today. So, I just wanted to urge you all to do what you can in your procedural methodology to look over what needs to be reviewed so that it can actually be voted on today. Ivan Aragon, Member of the Public said I am strongly in favor of this resolution. In the past year I have seen, the nation has seen that the US government including agencies such as ICE radically push the limits of their own power of authority and with that further abandon ethics. Through the power of independent reporting that has gone on through social media we directly see the way that particularly ICE are conducting themselves which is in a very cruel way. Stalking people down and arresting them in their immigration hearings, going directly to work sites and detaining people. These agents forcing themselves into people’s homes without warrants, etcetera. Protecting our community from our federal government is key at the moment because the approach our government is taking to immigration detention right now is not a technical approach, that is clearly shown by the fact the federal government declared immigration enforcement has the right to question those on citizenship on the basis of language and to be frank non-white appearance. That fact that even an Alligator Alcatraz, grey jumpsuits were to distinguish those who had no criminal record despite still being sent to that prison. In a time where many are under the threat of attacks from our own government, this resolution adds a level of stability to all of our lives. Voting in favor of this also represents a push back to the mass government overreach we see. It is a vote of perseverity for mercy and for ethics. Veteran Chavez, Member of the Public said it has been a while since I have talked to you guys, so I am up here to talk about this issue. I don’t have any issue with legal immigration and these people being properly vetted. As a Veteran and a lot of these folks are speaking, they probably don’t remember 9/11 and we had a terrorist attack in New York City where innocent Americans lost their lives and for what? For nothing. I had to serve because of that. I had to serve in Kuwait. I had to serve in Afghanistan, and I had to serve in Iraq, and I don’t want this to happen again because people aren’t being properly vetted. They need to vetted if they want to come here to the US. It is interesting that the Trump Administration they have all kinds of rhetoric about this whole thing but during the Obama Administration when he was deporting all kinds of immigrants this wasn’t a big issue. I was in Honduras in Soto Cano Air Base when immigrants were being returned to Honduras. You come here legally, you are properly vetted and I have no issues. I hope another 9/11 does not happen again on our soil. Jeffrey Field, Member of the Public said our house is on fire. Time is short, damn the torpedoes. Just do it. Alejandro Bernal, Member of the Public said I just wanted to remind everybody that there is a huge difference in legal and illegal immigration. In 2023, the United States of America we still have a border here and I believe this was from government data 14 million illegal immigrants crossed into our country. Many of them were not properly vetted and one negative effect of that comes from this is there is indentured servitude that these people go through. They owe a lot of money to the narcos. It is not like they just come over and work. Maybe one good opportunity is to go after employers that are employing illegal immigrants. That could be one thing that could be of benefit which I don’t hear anybody talking about ever so maybe focus on that a little bit. Here is another point of the data because there wasn’t any proper vetting. I think there were 300,000 children okay that were not properly accounted for and our government has no idea where they are. So indentured servitude, sex slavery. That is what happens to these kids. So, there is real issues at hand here that come about with illegal immigration. In my opinion if we are supporting this then we are also supporting all of that that comes along with it. So, we really need to think about it. You have to look at the data, the after effects, there are consequences to all of this. Donna Stryker, Member of the Public said I find it interesting that when Project Jupiter was shoved down your throat you didn’t have any problem with that, did you? But because they want to shove this down Councilor Flores’ throat and she is objecting to it you make fun of her, and you belittle her. Grow up. She asked a very, very good question. In two weeks do you really think they are going to come down on us? Two weeks, that is all she is asked for. She is a bright woman, and you make fun of her and put her down. I was going to say something completely different, but I am appalled of how you are treating a councilor. I don’t agree with everything Councilor Flores has ever said but she deserves our respect today as do every person in this group. The fact that you are disrespecting her because she asked a reasonable question. I didn’t see those amendments. I would like to see them, and I am pretty smart for a white girl but I would like to see them too and the way you have behaved today is irresponsible. I do not believe this resolution is going to change anything overnight or in the next two weeks. In fact, since 2017 I would like to see the statistics of all the people that were harmed and not welcomed. As the result of the welcoming city resolution in 2017 we have continued to be a welcoming city. Until today when I see disrespect towards one of our councilors. I am very sorry, Councilor Flores. I am sincerely sorry that they were so abusive to you. You did not deserve that when you asked a reasonable request. May we table this for two weeks while I have the time to read it. I think that was a very reasonable request. Tim Jenkins, Member of the Public said the only truly way we can move forward in a positive direction as a community is when we speak the truth in our hearts and to one another. So, let’s be in the truth here. This resolution is not about bringing our community together or helping the underprivileged or protecting the city from a federal threat. It is only about your political agenda that has pushed past the boundary of truth and it is only about a self-serving affirmation for your own political bias agenda and not at all about serving or protecting our community. This resolution just screams loud and clear that you refuse to comply with federal agents and are more willing to again tie the hands of law enforcement and prevent them from protecting the very community that they swore an oath to protect. There is not a single soul that I have spoken with that has any issue with immigrants whatsoever. What we do have a problem with is illegals and criminals and we all know and understand that no matter what we get up here and say will ever change your mind that is already made up before you ever hear what we the people say but I have heard here time and time again in council chambers the Chief of Police say loud and clear that their department does not interfere with ICE agents nor do they participate in immigration affairs nor do they have access to immigration information. So, I think my biggest question is, why is it that you refuse to trust the Chief of Police? And why is it that you refuse to comply with federal laws? I think the answer is crystal clear to all of us. It is all about pushing your own political agenda for a quick political step for your own good and not for the better of community. My advice is do you table this resolution and revisit it after the new administration takes office in January. Ronald Depiazza, Member of the Public said I am a second generation to this country. My wife and I moved to Las Cruces 25 years ago and we were brought up by our parents and grandparents and they told us, obey the laws. Know what is legal and what is not legal. I ask this council to open up their dictionary or go to their iPad that you use now today and look up the definition of what legal and illegal is. When we first came here my wife and I were able to go to church and on our way home from church we could stop at a corner and buy a newspaper. Today there is on that corner somebody asking for money that has a golf cart or a cart from a grocery store that they stole and you people let that go but you, but you did not pay homage to those citizens of Las Cruces who are selling that paper that day. So, look up that definition of legal and illegal. I want to leave you with a couple of quotes. One was from John F. Kennedy, he said “I ask you what can this country do for you? But I also ask you, what can you do for this country?” That is why you became politicians, ran for the office in your representative city of little Las Cruces, New York. The other one is from President Ronald Reagan, he said, “I am here from the government, and I am here to help you”. Listen to those words. Put them through your mind and understand what legal is and what illegal is. Abigail Suitsigong, Member of the Public said I have lived in District 1 since I migrated to America. Thank you for welcoming me, my mom and my brothers. Parks and Recreation welcomed me when it was summertime, and I didn’t have much to do. I didn’t have that many friends and I was still learning English. I wanted to come up and talk about my appreciation and considering these crucial and very urgent updates in the welcoming community resolution and I am in full support of this resolution. I have already seen it firsthand in our community, the kidnapping of our neighbors. I have already seen it firsthand when children came home without their family. I have already seen it firsthand, children in zipties. Those are our neighbors, and we need to stand up with them so that families are able to live in this community without fear so that children are able grab some food at our Parks and Rec with dignity. Please vote yes today on Resolution 26-049. Karen Quevedo, Member of the Public said I am here to speak in support of Resolution 26-049. This resolution simply reaffirms the City of Las Cruces commitment to creating a quality place to live and work through non-discrimination in all the areas of city government and declares the city a welcoming community. Wonderful, so simple, common sense. No government should be unleashing armed agents of the state to terrorize or kidnap anyone at all including our immigrant friends, relatives and neighbors. I support this resolution because it reinforces the human rights ordinance that Las Cruces adopted as part of its Municipal Code in 1997 and again just codifies the city’s commitment of non-discrimination in all areas of government. We should all be supporting this. This is a very simple thing and as it has already said if this makes everyone safer, this supports us all. This is a vital change and update the existing welcoming city resolution given the current terror being rained down from DC on immigrant communities. In particular the Supreme Court’s racist ruling last month effectively legalizes racial profiling by granting so-called law enforcement agents the right to kidnap people off California streets based on “how they look, what language they speak, what work they do, or even where they happen to be at”. Today’s resolution reaffirms that Las Cruces Police Department’s General Order 165, which requires equitable and fair treatment of all individuals. It requires that employees provide the same level of policies and policing to every person regardless of their race, ethnicity, color, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion, physical or mental disability, serious medical condition, economic status or similar personal characteristics. I am sorry if that upsets anyone but that sounds really great to me. So, I do ask that you vote in favor of Resolution 26-049. These provisions make everyone safer and should be welcomed by all people who value constitutional, civil, and human rights. Elise Whitaker, Member of the Public said I am a faith-based organizer for CAFe here in Las Cruces. I was raised in an open, loving, and affirming Christian household. I grew up helping immigrant neighbors from all over the country back in Texas. I grew up helping them farm, cultivate foods so that they could eat food that they were comfortable with in an uncomfortable place. As a Christian I know we are called to welcome and love all. God’s love and God’s earth is for all. I speak for my churches, my leaders, the United Methodist Church when I say that we want our immigrant neighbors to be welcomed and safe in our community. I know that we are not called to act as the Christian Nationalist are doing right now. From the United Methodist Church I bring you all this reflection. For those who have come fleeing oppression and persecution God help us welcome those who come to dwell among us. For those who have come fleeing hunger and hardship God help us welcome those who have come to dwell among us. For those who have come seeking freedom and opportunity God help us to welcome and love those to dwell among us. Let us remember the words of Christ who said I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. When Lord were you a stranger that you welcomed among us us? Truly as you did it to one of those of least you did it to me. We welcome the stranger who is us. We welcome the stranger who is you. I urge you to pass this resolution, Amen. Jim Hoerst, Member of the Public said you need to pass this resolution this meeting otherwise you have to go through all of this next meeting. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights and among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These words define us. These words not only originate with America, but they make America original. Consider the right to pursue happiness. This right means among other things the right migrate where one has the best prospects for prosperity. Migrants come to America for centuries seeking a better life and generally speaking they found it. That is how we became great. The Declaration of Independence asserts that the government exists to protect human rights. There were humans before there was Americas, Americans. We are Americans because we are humans. If we lose our humanity were lose everything it is to be an American. The right to migrate is as basic as human right. The right seek asylum in America is both an American right and an international right. When there is no practical legal way to migrate then there is no such thing as illegal immigration. Sierra Admister, Member of the Public said I live in District 2. By the show of claps I think I would be wasting my time to make an argument that immigrants legal or not are humans that deserve rights. So, about this specific resolution I think, especially right now, it is so important to do anything that can show solidarity. Especially for this community and the people that make it up and it has been brought multiple times but our immigrant population being a backbone. So, I just urge you to understand the weight of what good this would do compared to the minor inconvenience of changing a few words because in these cases, I am going to read just a little something. This is from an American citizen in Chicago. I asked agents why were holding me, if I was an American citizen and they said I had to wait until they looked me up. I asked if they had a warrant and if they had a lawyer and they never brought one. It was heartbreaking to watch even if you are not a mother seeing kids coming out butt naked and taken from their mothers. It was horrible. Stuff was everywhere, you could see birth certificates, papers thrown all over. I think we should care about all humans but if you are just worried about American citizens for some reason this could happen to you too, and I think we should just do anything that could prevent this from happening to anybody. Kim Sarnson, Member of the Public said I am speaking today on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico. The league believes that all persons regardless of immigration status should receive due process and fair treatment under the law including humane treatment in immigration, administration, and enforcement. Further while immigration policy reforms including a path to legal status remain unachieved the league does not support deporting immigrants who have no history of major and/or violent criminal activity, nor does the league consider illegal reentry a serious crime. In light of our position on immigration the league supports the Las Cruces welcoming resolution. The city’s welcoming resolution is consistent with state law that protects governments from sharing sensitive personal information for the purposes of enforcing federal immigration law. Additionally, the league supports the right of the city to direct local law enforcement personnel to perform their duties without the burden of enforcing federal immigration policy. A prohibition on 287G Agreement protects the limited city budget from being diverted to accomplish federal goals. It protects our city from potential liability for civil rights violations like racial profiling. It protects the public trust between our local law enforcement and city residents that is essential for upholding public safety. Finally fundamental constitutional protections of due process and equal protection embodied in our Constitution and Bill of Rights apply to every person regardless of immigration status. Everyone in the country is entitled to due process. It is one of the core tenants of our government. For these reasons the League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico strongly encourages passage of the resolution and asks city council to vote in favor. Catherine Walkinshaw, Member of the Public said I am here as a business owner in the hospitality industry, and I strongly urge you to pass this resolution as amended and I support the amendments, and I understood them as they were read earlier. From a different perspective I don’t think we want to have what is going on in DC and also in Chicago. Right now, people aren’t going to restaurants. They are not going to patronize my business, we are losing workers, and I do believe that it needs to be further strengthened as this resolution does because the rhetoric and the practice of immigration crackdown is ramped up significantly since 2017. They have shown that they do not follow due process. They arrest first. People disappear without any information to family members for days at a time and if they are citizens okay yea, we are sorry. So, they arrest first, ask questions later, so we need this and please pass it. Fred Miller, Member of the Public said I want you to encourage you to vote yes on this resolution with the amendments. The primary effect of this resolution is just to tell the police officers, local law enforcement to just do their own job and not try to do somebody else’s job and to leave them free from worrying about where they are trying to help someone else interferes with their job. They can just leave that other job aside and just stick to their own job. Then with regard to the three amendments, it seems that legal representative has spotted some minor problems. He has caught them, he has done his job so just accept his work on those amendments and accept the amendments and the resolutions. Belinda Robertson, Member of the Public said I am agreeing with the resolution. I am agreeing because for more than 200 years United States are from different immigrants from different parts of the world and the Police Department, I think they have to much work to catch criminals in the cities then go to the public places is what I think and try to see this an immigrant or if it is not an immigrant. The people came from different countries in different times for a better life and I understand but I feel sorry when they try to go to the schools or go the churches. I think that the authorities not should go to the churches or the schools to investigate if the kids are immigrants or in the churches to have immigrants. All of the immigrants that I know came to work on our Mexican and I saw immigrants that are on the streets to ask for money and put kids and they are from Honduras, Nicaragua, or another countries. This is one of the things that I am not agree but if you do the things correctly I think everybody is welcome in New Mexico and then the City of Las Cruces should help the immigrants with legal advice, help to fix the things and do the things correctly because in Hatch they need more people to work in the area of the chile and some of them they don’t have the knowledge to have the steps to follow to continue to working because everybody came to work from what I understand. Most of the criminals are from Honduras but not from Mexico. Fred Huff, Member of the Public said lately I am hearing that Native Americans are claiming that we stole their land. There is no dispute that their lands have been stolen or conquered throughout history. Most wars have been fought over the issue of one nation wanting another nation’s land or resources. Yes, the pilgrims and other settlers were able to conquer and develop the United States into one of the greatest nations on earth. Why was it so easy for a few invaders who came across the ocean in tiny ships to conquer a land that was inhabited by tens of thousands of native people. That is an easy answer. They were not united. The United States was born with the idea of one people united in one cause and purpose. A culture was developed around this unity and any newcomers were invited to embrace this culture and work to make America even better. Many newcomers who fled third world countries filled with poverty and ruled by gangs and drug cartels have become naturalized citizens. However, some are not embracing the American dream. Instead, they are demanding that Americans embrace a culture they left. Maybe they are not actually fleeing these countries. But are carefully selected agents sent here by the drug cartel to infiltrate our government and destroy the rule of law and culture that make America so great. This resolution introduced and promoted by these agents is a road map for embracing the invasion of drug and human traffickers. Please wake up and vote no on this resolution. Vote no for the citizens that you are elected to represent. Vote no to support law and order. A yes vote says you support the invasion of criminals and drug traffickers and human traffickers. It is time to unite and fight back against the cartels and the agents they sent to infiltrate our society and government. Lucas Herndon, Member of the Public said I am a resident of District 2. Here we are again. I was here in this room December 2017. Councilor Flores, you were the only member on the council who was there and took a vote on the original one. Mayor Pro Tem Bencomo we were both here in support of it and I am proud to stand here today. Once again and the majority of people of Las Cruces who support this. We don’t need policy to make Las Cruces a welcoming place. Las Cruces is a welcoming place. We need policy because it is clear that there are people in this community who are working very hard to convince us that we should be afraid of each other. Last night we held vigil on the plaza. We held vigil for almost two years of genocide as tens and thousands of Palestians have been killed systematically by the state of Israel and we held vigil because we have so much hurt in our hearts for that happening, but we did it in community with each other. People who have spoken today, people from this country who have moved to this country, people who were brought here by their parents to this country, we held vigil together and you know what while we were on the plaza there was another group of people utilizing the stage to learn a cumbia for their family’s quincenera and it was beautiful and their kids rode their bikes and they laughed and they made faces at us and we laughed and we made faces back at them and across the street were people that maybe didn’t have homes and it is hard to tell. You might try to make that assumption about them, but they looked hungry, so we shared our food with them and we shared our water with them and then the dancers were out of water and we shared our water with them too because they were thirsty because this is what we do in Las Cruces. It is what we have always done. You will do the right thing today. I know you will. The details can be worked out. Vote yes, thank you. Councilor Graham said thank you for everyone who came out and voiced your opinions, your passions. I don’t know if I have ever been as moved as I have been today listening to comment on a resolution. One thing that I am taking away with me as I leave this position shortly is how hard I push against an all or nothing designation about what I am doing. I resent being painted into any kind of corners and I think one thing that really inspired me today was hearing a lot of nuance in the comments I was hearing. I reject the idea that when I vote yes for this resolution it is because I am showing distrust in Las Cruces Police Department. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What I am pushing back against is a federal administration where I am told that we are going after the worst of the worst. That we are going after criminals and I see instead the idea that we combing through taxpayer rolls to try to find people to deport. That we are saying that we are trying to get rid of people who are a drain on our society and instead we are going to jobs sites to pick people up. To say that we have to do immigration the right way, the legal way and that people are being seized at their court appointments as they try to do it the right way and the legal way. So, I just want to be clear where I am coming from with my vote today. Councilor Corran said thank you for all of you for coming out and speaking today. I really appreciate the thoughtfulness that you brought, that you have brought. So, I couldn’t say any of the things better than you can nor do I feel that you should doubt where my radical form of hospitality that many people suggest is questionable judgement comes from. That is that I have the fundamental value that we should treat all people with a deep, deep respect and understanding and welcome them into our lives and into our houses even if you guys want me to get a security camera. I say this as I think the values of Las Cruces are really clear. We welcome families, we love our neighbors, and we care for each other when the going gets rough and what I would say right now is the going is rough. People say to me what can you do, you are an elected leader in our community? The federal government is here to harm us, our people and the reality is not a lot, right? We are in charge of the budget. We are in charge of the ordinances that exist in our city and so this is one place where we can say this ordinance has been well researched, supported by the community, gone through with a fine toothed comb through the legal office. I appreciate you all participation, in this conversation. This is a place where we can do something and fight back against cruelty and if none of those fundamental beliefs that might come from your religion or your upbringing or of your loving your neighbors don’t compel you to support Las Cruces and staying welcoming and making it really clearly welcoming. I will make an economic argument which is gross, and I reject that we do this so often in our world but last year the City of Las Cruces budget we took in $110,676,478 in gross receipts tax from people who buy goods and services in our community. It is estimated that one in four people are living in mixed status homes. That means $27,669,119 of those dollars came from the very people that we are telling are welcome here and so if you don’t care about other humans and if you can’t understand why this might come from a place of deep care for our community and deep belief of the idea of being welcoming you should at least acknowledge that our city budget is literally dependent on the people here who feel welcome to participate in our community and they invest in us we have to invest in our community and pass resolutions that fight the cruelty that is so large and so unbelievable that it makes us all feel small but we are not and we can do something and this is something we can do. Councilor Mattiace said again I am just going by what I believe to be a illegal and legal. I have no objection of immigrants. My wife Wanda Mattiace was an immigrant from Indonesia and of course she did through the naturalization process and that is my particular philosophy is that if they’re here legally and they are immigrants that I am totally in support of assistance and help and housing and taking care of my neighbor but if they are here illegal then it is not the rule of law. We are actually violating the rule of law and that is what I am strong on and that is where I will stay and I do appreciate all the comment and I understand the compassion from many people that have been voiced today but at the same time I do understand illegal and that is all I have to say and I am ready to vote whenever the council is ready. Councilor McClure said anyone who had a doubt on how I was going to vote on this should be really reading my column because I wrote, you say don’t poke the bear but the bear is already here and I am not going to read too much about it because I don’t like this kind of pontificating either but I want to say thank you to some of the people I know here personally and came out and shook, their voices shook when they spoke because I relate to that but it is important that you say these things because it is censorship if we don’t and we have to reclaim it and we have to take it as ours and I am just going to say the end of this. When I think about the welcoming city resolution as a city with the fabric of immigration in its soul I see it as a line in the sand, one that affirms who we are as a community. Councilor Johana Bencomo moved, seconded by Councilor Becky Corran, to amend Resolution 26-049 with the clause this section will only apply when receiving a request for sensitive personal information that are solely for the purpose of federal immigration enforcement. MOVER: Councilor Johana Bencomo AYES: Councilor Cassie McClure, Councilor Becki Graham, Councilor Johana Bencomo, Councilor Becky Corran, and Councilor Yvonne Flores NAYS: Mayor Eric Enriquez and Councilor William Mattiace Councilor Johana Bencomo moved, seconded by Councilor Becki Graham, To amend Resolution 26-049 to delete the clause law enforcement including. NAYS: Mayor Eric Enriquez and Councilor William Mattiace Councilor Becki Graham moved, seconded by Councilor Becky Corran, to approve Resolution No. 26-049 as amended. NAYS: Mayor Eric Enriquez and Councilor William Mattiace 7.2 RESOLUTION NO. 26-050: A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE SUBMISSION OF THREE (3) GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY (NMFA), WATER TRUST BOARD (WTB), FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026, FOR THREE (3) PROJECTS TOTALING $4,512,820, REQUIRING A CITY MATCH RANGE BETWEEN 10% - 40% (MIN $451,282 - MAX $1,805,128). Gaby Prats, Grants Manager gave the overhead presentation. Councilor Graham said this is the first time I am seeing a sliding scale on matching. How do they determine it once we get to that point? If we get to that point. Gaby Prats said if we get to that point they determine that based on how much money they have available and a whole host of determining factors that they do not really explain because it is really complicated. We have never been able to figure out why we always end up on the lower range. But we have to plan for the fact that one day we may end up on the other end. Councilor Graham asked just to clarify this will be brought back to council with the amount firmed up so that when we are not voting now for some amorphous amount that we don’t know? So just making sure that is clear. Gaby Prats said the process requires that we submit a resolution from city council to allow us to apply. Councilor Graham asked to get to the application phase? Gaby Prats said yes. You will see this three times. Councilor Becky Corran moved, seconded by Councilor Becki Graham, to Approve Resolution No. 26-050. MOVER: Councilor Becky Corran AYES: Mayor Eric Enriquez, Councilor Cassie McClure, Councilor Becki Graham, Councilor Johana Bencomo, Councilor Becky Corran, and Councilor Yvonne ABSENT: Councilor William Mattiace 7.3 COUNCIL BILL NO. 26-005; ORDINANCE NO. 3097: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A SUBORDINATE LIEN LOAN AND SUBSIDY AGREEMENT (“LOAN AGREEMENT”) BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO (“GOVERNMENTAL UNIT”) AND THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY (“NMFA”), IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($15,000,000), EVIDENCING A SPECIAL LIMITED OBLIGATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT TO PAY A MAXIMUM REPAYABLE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NO MORE THAN THREE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,750,000), TOGETHER WITH INTEREST, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES THEREON, AND TO ACCEPT A LOAN SUBSIDY OF NO MORE THAN ELEVEN MILLION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($11,250,000), FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE COSTS OF CONDUCTING A LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO PLANNING, DESIGNING AND REPLACING OF LEAD SERVICE LINES, INCLUDING AN INVENTORY/SURVEY TO DETERMINE IF LEAD EXISTS IN THE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT’S WATER UTILITY SYSTEM LINES AND SHALL INCLUDE DRINKING WATER FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT WORK AND REVISIONS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AND SUCH OTHER RELATED WORK AND REVISIONS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT (“PROJECT”), AND SOLELY IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE LOAN AGREEMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE PLEDGE AND PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL, ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AND INTEREST DUE UNDER THE LOAN AGREEMENT SOLELY FROM THE NET REVENUES OF THE JOINT UTILITY SYSTEM OF THE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT; APPROVING THE FORM OF AND OTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE LOAN AGREEMENT; RATIFYING ACTIONS HERETOFORE TAKEN; REPEALING ALL ACTION INCONSISTENT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; AUTHORIZING THE TAKING OF OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT; AND AMENDING MASTER ORDINANCE NO. 1593 AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NOS. 1250 AND 2837. Laura Holguin, Assistant Director of Finance & Interim Treasurer gave the overhead presentation. Councilor Corran asked does this have any implications for rate payers the paying off of this loan? I understand the rate discussions are always ongoing, but I just want to know the direct consequences in case there is something that is related to the rates. Domonique Rodriguez, Assistant Utilities Director said debt is amortized over time and so the impact that it would have on our rate payers is paying that debt in an amortized way. If we were to pay for this project upfront with rates then that is kind of a cash flow of it which has a larger implication today. So, this allows us to make those debt payments over a twenty- or thirty-year period. Councilor Corran said rates are going to increase anyway, I guess. This is putting it off in the form of a loan over time versus one time we are investing in this. I just wanted to be clear on what the implications were. Lynn Moorer, Member of the Public said I have several questions that I would like one or more knowledgeable persons to answer before a vote is taken. First the agreement says the city shall exercise its power of eminent domain if needed. Will the city use eminent domain to investigate piping and if lead is found replace the piping if a property owner does not cooperate? Next, how many lead pipes were assumed to exist in the city’s water system when deciding that $15 million was needed for the lead service line replacement project? How many were assumed to be city owned and how many customer owned? Next, Assistant Utilities Director Clark and Deputy Director of Regulatory Compliance Perez say we don’t have a lead pipe problem in Las Cruces. Moreover, Las Cruces Utilities is not using an investigation technique that is highly accurate. I am not confident that when lead pipes are present that the city will find or acknowledge them. What happens to the money when Las Cruces Utilities decides there is no lead pipes in the city’s water system? Next, the lead service line replacement project is described as including an inventory or survey to determine if lead exists in the city’s water utility system lines and drinking water facility construction project worth revisions plus other related work and revisions necessary to complete the project. What specific things could the money be spent on that don’t involve replacing lead pipes? Does this agreement allow for the possibility that all funding could be spent by the city without actually replacing any lead pipes? Will the City Inspector General be allowed to conduct oversight regarding this project or has the City Manager banned him from this project as well? What is the time limit for project completion? Lastly, loan and subsidy agreement states in the term sheet that on page A2, disadvantaged status, severely disadvantaged, what does that mean? Katherine McKinney, Bond Counsel said there was a question related to, is there a potential that all of the funds could be spent on the investigation of the pipes potentially? I don’t know details. I don’t know the budget and it would be within the project scope and so potentially I don’t know the full details of the budget or how the Finance Authority would look at that. There was another question related to the term disadvantaged funding, is it appeared on the term sheet. That is a reference to I think, my understanding of the many factors that go into determining the city’s ultimate contribution that it needs to make that what level of disadvantaged the city represents. It is severely disadvantaged so it qualifies for a greater benefit under the loan versus subsidy. Adrienne Widmer, Utilities Director said in looking through there on the eminent domain, that would definitely be up to city council. If we need to inspect a private property owner’s service line, we will need to be able to have the authority to get on their property. If they say no then we will have no choice but to pass on and then go to EPA and ask them what do they expect us to do? So that will be something that if and when we run into that situation we would come to you and we would end up actually utilizing the same type agreements that we use with our Griggs/Walnut Vapor Intrusion projects where we went door to door on those particular ones that we needed to investigate and we would actually get written authorization in order to enter properties for that purpose. I believe the lead pipes that were presumed to exist in the city’s water system when asking for the $15 million staff decided to look on the worst case scenario because if we don’t use the money then we don’t have to spend the money which then means we don’t have to pay back the money but if we don’t get enough money and we need more money then that puts us in a difficult situation. So that is where those numbers came from. A question was, what specific things could the money be spent on that don’t involve replacing lead pipes? In inventory or the survey. Money would be spent for that. Any kind of construction work on either our side or on the private side for replacement of lines and the other related work associated with it. Which would include the planning and updating maps, getting that stuff turned in to make sure that we pass regulatory requirements. It says, does this agreement allow for the possibility of all funding can be spent by the city without actually replacing any lead pipes? I would say actually yes, but I would say we wouldn’t because it is not going to cost $15 million to go through and actually find that if we find no lead then obviously, we won’t be spending $15 million, just my professional opinion. If the City Inspector General would like to come and take a look at the project while we are doing it, the Inspector General is more than welcome to do that. And the time limit for the project completion once we get the okay to get the money, and we sit down and we negotiate with an engineering firm to get this planned out we will get a better idea on the project and so I think they finished. The time limit, we have ten years to complete this project. Councilor Becky Corran moved, seconded by Councilor Becki Graham, to Approve Ordinance No. 3097. ABSENT: Councilor William Mattiace 7.4 COUNCIL BILL NO. 26-006; ORDINANCE NO. 3098: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A WATER PROJECT FUND SUBORDINATE LIEN LOAN/GRANT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY (“NMFA”) AND THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES (THE “BORROWER/GRANTEE”), IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $3,000,000, INCLUDING A LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000 EVIDENCING AN OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWER/GRANTEE TO UTILIZE THE LOAN/GRANT AMOUNT SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE COSTS OF DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING AND REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TWO MILLION GALLON TELSHOR TANK, AND SOLELY IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE LOAN/GRANT AGREEMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE SUPER SUBORDINATE LIEN PLEDGE AND PAYMENT OF THE LOAN AMOUNT AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE SOLELY FROM THE NET SYSTEM REVENUES OF THE JOINT WATER, WASTEWATER, AND GAS UTILITY SYSTEM OF THE BORROWER/GRANTEE; CERTIFYING THAT THE LOAN/GRANT AMOUNT, TOGETHER WITH OTHER FUNDS AVAILABLE TO THE BORROWER/GRANTEE, IS SUFFICIENT TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT; APPROVING THE FORM OF AND OTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE LOAN/GRANT AGREEMENT; RATIFYING ACTIONS THIS ORDINANCE; AND AUTHORIZING THE TAKING OF OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE LOAN/GRANT AGREEMENT. Laura Holguin, Assistant Director of Finance & Interim Treasurer gave the overhead presentation. Councilor Becky Corran moved, seconded by Councilor Becki Graham, to Approve Ordinance No. 3098. ABSENT: Councilor William Mattiace 8. BOARD APPOINTMENTS 8.1 None. 9. NOTICE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE(S) 1) There will be no public discussion. 2) A Councilor may ask staff for clarification on the proposed ordinance(s). 9.1 COUNCIL BILL NO. 26-007; ORDINANCE NO. 3099: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE IV, SUBDIVISION XVI. - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE OF THE LAS CRUCES MUNICIPAL CODE (LCMC) TO REFLECT CHANGES FROM REALIZE LAS CRUCES (ORDINANCE NO. 3090). Council agreed to bring it forward. 10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BOARD REPORTS AND COMMENT 10.1 COUNCILOR MCCLURE None. 10.2 COUNCILOR GRAHAM Just two quick things, thanks to those who turned out for last Thursday’s GRT community input session which was, it was District 3’s but yes, we do technically borrow a facility right over the border in District 1. So many thanks to those who came out and participated and just a reminder tomorrow starts early voting so I know it's time and as always, I give the recommendation, download your sample ballot so you don't have any surprises when you get to the polls. I'm looking at mine right now. Mine will be different from yours perhaps but I get to vote for my next city councilor, for City of Las Cruces Municipal Judge, for a school board member, a Soil and Water Supervisor At-large, County GO Bonds, Las Cruces Public School GO Bond and a tax question of buildings tax questions so if your ballot looks like my ballot and you're shrugging your shoulders at any of those things go download your sample and make sure you know what you're looking at when you get there. 10.3 COUNCILOR CORRAN I just want to quickly encourage folks to visit the District 5 Infrastructure Priorities Meeting which is Wednesday, October 8th, at 6:00 p.m., at we don't have a public space right now maybe after borrow Cassie’s, we're borrowing it from LCPS at Monte Vista Elementary 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8th, so please come out. 10.4 COUNCILOR FLORES None. 10.5 COUNCILOR BENCOMO One the most important is that tomorrow October 7th, is District 4’s Community Meeting at MacArthur Elementary which is a Community School, and I love using that space for my district meeting, so I hope District 4 residents come out to that. It does feel like forever ago from now, but I did want to thank LCPD for inviting us to the graduation. It was really beautiful, really large number of women graduating which was very cool and a lot of LCPD families which I thought was really great as well so thank you for inviting us and then just a couple of things I wanted to say because I just I found it a little bit funny you know that a community member came here you know to talk about having more respectful dialogue, more dialogue that that we should listen and disrespectful and etcetera literally a couple folks later the person that was about then talked about my personal job that I do outside of this job. I do want to remind people which I thought was incredibly disrespectful. I do want to remind people that this job on this side of the Mayor is paid part time and I say pay part time because most of us work this job more than part time but it is paid part time so most of us have other jobs outside of this responsibility and frankly if there is ever a vote that any of us need to recuse ourselves from because there's a conflict of interest we do that otherwise you know you don't pay my bills and so you don't get to have a say in what I do outside of this job and so I just find that deeply disrespectful and then also for anyone who wants to better understand the immigrant legal system from someone who has done it personally more than happy to help educate you on the fact that getting to citizenship is not linear. I always giggle when people say you should have done it the right way because it's like why didn't we think of that before, of course I should have done it the right way. I'm someone who came here the three month visa that we overstayed. I became a undocumented for eight years and then would later get my citizenship when my dad became a citizen. The first time my dad came to United States he was 18 years old and he crossed the desert walking. Many years later he'd be working in Gallup for Native American man during the last time there was an actual pathway to citizenship which was the late 80s, there was an actual amnesty program and he was working for a Native American men in Gallup who petitioned for him and a bunch of the men that he was working with and that's how my dad became a legal permanent resident leading to many years later taking his citizenship exam. My brother and I were under 18 so we automatically plus several $1000 became citizens, my mom would then have to wait three years in her legal permanent residency status before she could take her citizenship test that she actually took in her oath she took here in Las Cruces so it is not linear. My story of immigration looks very different than Councilor McClure's story of immigration. It looks very different than a lot of other people's story of immigration this nonsense of legal versus illegal is it's just that it is nonsense and would be happy to talk to you about that process from someone who has done it herself. 10.6 MAYOR ENRIQUEZ I just want to say it has been a while since we have been up here. I just want to say a special thank you to George Pearson and his group that assisted in coordinating the Mayor's Bike Ride a few weeks back and Councilor McClure, thank you for joining in on that with your family and the Ruedas Unidas event that took place. Thank you Community Engagement for doing that. As far as the board report I just want to mention the recognition of Mesilla Valley Economic Development. They received prestigious award in the partnership, they were with City of Las Cruces Economic Development which was the Blueprint for Growth Award of 2025 at the New Mexico Governors Economic Development Conference that just took place so good job to MVEDA and their award. Also, this past weekend was the Whole Enchilada Softball Tournament, brought in 257 teams from 7 different states, 20 of those teams were local and on the economic value brings in $1.5 million of GRT just in a weekend. So, kudos to Parks and Rec and everybody that participated in that. 11. CITY MANAGER REPORT 11.1 IKANI TAUMOEPEAU I would be remised if I didn't share, we have kudos obviously we have one of the best Housing Departments I would say in the nation and I would ask Natalie to come up and they have been awarded the 2025 Developer of the Year, as you know and there's a video she's going to play. Housing New Mexico has honored the City of Las Cruces, Natalie, Jan, and their awesome team for its leadership in developing Amador Crossing Apartments, a supportive housing project for individuals experiencing at risk of homelessness. Las Cruces was recognized as one of the first local to take on the challenge of directly building housing so without further ado, round of applause please for Natalie, Jan, and our awesome housing team and Natalie if you have any words before like to play the video. Natalie Green, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Administrator said yes, I want to of course I want to thank my incredible staff. They really are the backbone of our little group and the work that we do so they are incredible. They are small but mighty and of course we want to thank council for trusting us and more importantly the voters who voted for the GO Bond and helped us achieve this. So, with that we are going to play our award video which will also be shared on social media later. Natalie Green played a video. Natalie Green said short and sweet and fast. It is not everything we are not done with everything in 2025. We already broke ground on Peachtree Canyon II, we did not do the big thing we normally do but we're not done we still have Skylark and a couple of other projects that will come by the end of the year so thank you guys. Ikani Taumoepeau said thank you Natalie, great job. I think if we were to get all the successes that be an hour long, a few hours of video and content so thank you a lot of great things happening. I would like to turn the time to Fire, give them some recognition. Last week the Las Cruces Fire Department received a grant to put up 17 people through paramedic class through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. This grant covers tuition, books, salaries, overtime, and backfill for our personnel to obtain this critical certification. The amount of the grant is close to half million, thank you Chief Daniels for doing that, you and your crew. City Manager's Office this is an update I appreciate Sergio, Sergio is our Policy Analyst, he's there in the back purple suit looking great and dapper but he is tracking Legislative Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee. This is a new committee we have tasked them with to really bring to our eyes here in Las Cruces and our council eyes if there's anything happening at the state or federal level federal impacts. The subcommittee was just created in April 2025, and we'll be in Las Cruces to discuss an inventory of federal funds flowing into New Mexico. They will also be discussing the impacts to the state of New Mexico created by new federal funding initiatives specifically HR One better known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. The subcommittee will be meeting on the following days at the following places Monday, October 20th, at NMSU Golf Course, Tuesday, October 21st, Santa Teresa, War Eagles Air Museum, and Wednesday, October 22nd, NMSU Golf Course. A work plan of some of the discussion points is available on the legislative website and this is something that we will have Sergio attend and he will come back and present this to our internal committee that we've created because of you as council have asked us to as staff and we'll present to you in an e-mail after that. Just wanted to keep you apprised. Quality of Life, Senior Programs recreation staff are preparing for the Annual Halloween Dance scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Munson Center. Additionally the Moonlight at the Museum's event is scheduled for Friday, October 10th, starting at 5:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to see our new children's exhibit pieces installed throughout the museums of nature and science and last from Quality of Life, the Curators of the Lost Art Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Public Art is launched and ready for explorers go to the city's website for information on how to win prizes by solving lost art clues and be eligible to win the art covenant grand prize by the end of October. We appreciate those that have attended our GRT public comment and community town halls for the public infrastructure to allocate GRT funds for capital infrastructure and maintenance. We appreciate Sara Gonzales, Cynthia Alamillo, Community Engagement, Catrina and our Communications team and all departments who have been there to support this. We have three public meetings left District 4,5 and 6. District 4 will be held October 7th, tomorrow, MacArthur Elementary School 6 to 7, all the meetings are at 6:00 to 7:00. So just one hour. District 5 October 8th, Monta Vista Elementary School, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and District 6 on October 9th, at the Dona Ana Community College East Mesa Campus 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. We have just an update to council. You may have seen I believe it's Dr. Warren, it was a public comment asking about how to improve the quality of our sidewalks. I appreciate David Sedillo connecting with him outside just wanted to let you know that he did give that to our Public Works Department to see what they could do with that so just wanted to give you guys an FYI. We have Parks and Rec, Friday, October 10th, will be the family friendly Planting Day for the hands-on planting activity plant seeds for winter garden and learn about small gardening projects. Join us at the Pioneer Woman's Park from 1 through 6 p.m. From Parks and Rec, Thursday, October 16th, will be the Graffiti Hertz Awareness Information event at the WIA building. Learn about what the city does to eradicate graffiti throughout the city and how you can help by reporting to our communities Ask Las Cruces app and last from Parks and Rec. Saturday, October 18th, the KLCB will once again host a monthly Neighborhood Dumpster Day from 8 a.m. to noon or until containers are full. Bring your trash junk and yard waste to any of the following locations free of charge, Apodaca Park, Young Park, Frank O'Brien Papen Community Center, and East Mesa Recreation Center. For Community Development, excited to share that Realized Las Cruces will be featured as at one of the breakout sessions at this year's New Mexico Chapter of the American Planning Association Annual Conference in Taos. This session is titled, Yes in My Backyard: Las Cruces Path to a More Inclusive Code and will be 11 a.m., Friday, November 14th. Also, the second to last City Hall is lit up pink from October 1st through 15th for Breast Cancer Awareness and lit purple from October 16th through 30th for Domestic Violence Awareness and last the micro surfacing project will be done on 14 streets with a total cost of $1.3 million as part of the Annual Pavement Management Program under PCI improvements. Work started today and is estimated to be completed by mid-November. 12. ADJOURNMENT 12.1 Councilor Johana Bencomo moved, seconded by Councilor Yvonne Flores, to adjourn at 5:22 p.m. SECONDER: Councilor Yvonne Flores Mayor City Clerk