Council - Regular Meeting

2:38 – 3:49•EEEric Enriquez

Well, good afternoon. Welcome to City Council. Today is Tuesday, September 8, 2026. It's approximately 1 p.m. I'm Mayor Eric Enriquez. Before we start, I want to mention that we have an ASL American Sign Language interpreter up front. We will start with a moment of silence for the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces as they protect our interests around the globe, as well as our courageous men and women of the Las Cruces Police and Fire Department. as they keep our city safe 24 7 365. councilman coma if you lead us in the pledge We'll start with presentations and certificates.

3:58 – 5:59•JBJohana Bencomo

Hello, everyone. Okay, here we go. First one today, we have a proclamation for Aggie Pride Day presented to Joe Fields. Anyone here for Aggie Pride Day? Come on down. I see we are being honored with the presence of Pistol Pete. I'm so excited. Well, for all of you, but obviously Pistol Pete. I have not done this in a while, clearly. Here we go. I know. Is that like stop already or? Okay. Whereas Las Cruces is the home of New Mexico State University, NMSU, and whereas as New Mexico's land grant institution, NMSU has been a cornerstone of education, culture, and athletic excellence in the region

7:06 – 8:34•JBJohana Bencomo

OK, next we have Constitution Week presented to Beth Wallace. Beth? Beth, are anyone here? Oh, there we go. Beth and I called each other this morning and said, what are you wearing? I'm wearing red. Me too. Whereas the Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government in a republic dedicated to rule by law. And whereas September 7, 2026 marks the 239th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States by the Constitutional Convention, and whereas it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to

9:16•EEEric Enriquez

Next on the agenda is departmental highlights, utilities.

27:24 – 28:10•JBJohana Bencomo

Thanks, Mayor. Thank you so much. Steve, I appreciate your presentation and some of the work you've been doing with educating the public about what's going on and making sure that people know who you are and can come to you directly for questions. Super curious, actually, and I'm surprised I hadn't asked this before. For the funds that were provided to the city for doing the inventory and potentially any replacements, let's say we find no need for replacements, and we don't end up use we don't use a totality of the 15 million what happens to those funds do they revert back yes that is correct

31:22 – 31:53•BMBill Mattiace

Yes. Do you have some type of educational program? You know, I noticed that... Many people, and mostly that have a dog, and unfortunately they may be unhoused, they're walking the dogs in 98, 100 degree weather. Do you have some type of educational program or some kind of flyer that you could hand out to them? I mean, is there some way to, you know, I've stopped and I even spent some money for socks.

32:29 – 32:59•EEEric Enriquez

Next on the agenda is conflict of interest. Does any member of the city council, city manager, or any member of the city staff have any known conflict of interest with any item on the agenda? No. No conflict. Next is public participation. We'll allow up to three minutes, no pending litigation or items on the non-consent. Katrina will assist you and usher you to the podium, those that want to speak.

51:56•EEEric Enriquez

You just got to state your name for the record.

1:15:57 – 1:17:39•EEEric Enriquez

Next on the agenda is to read a closed meeting statement. Las Cruces City Council met in closed meeting on September 8, 2026 at 10 a.m. The following were in attendance. Councilor McClure, Councilor Harris, Councilor Coran, Councilor Bencomo, Mayor Pro Tem Munoz, and Mayor Enriquez. City Manager, Iconi Timopayao. City Attorney, Henry Becker. City Attorney, Brad Douglas. City Clerk, Christine Rivera. And outside council, Chris DeFilippo. Items that were discussed, litigation regarding George Alberto Lopez versus the City of Las Cruces, which is closed to pursuant to New Mexico State Statute 197

1:22:36•EEEric Enriquez

All right, thank you, Cynthia. Any questions? Councilor Harris.

1:24:59 – 1:25:42•EEEric Enriquez

Yes. Next is I don't make point one it's a public hearing required so the public hearing. Is now open at 2.23 PM. Sir anyone here for or against the issuance of the liquor license. A public hearing is now closed 2.23 PM.

1:27:13•EEEric Enriquez

Thank you, Adam. Any questions? Say no. Kristi?

1:27:36 – 1:28:02•EEEric Enriquez

Yes. Next is item 8.2, resolution number 27-039, resolution amending the resolution 25-129 for the small business storefront repair program.

1:30:43•EEEric Enriquez

All right, thank you, Solino. Any questions? Seeing none, Christine?

1:31:11 – 1:31:24•EEEric Enriquez

Next is item 8.3 resolution number 27 dash 0, 4, 0 resolution authorizing city of Las Cruces to accept grant awards for the housing neighborhood services move to approve second.

1:35:50 – 1:36:05•EEEric Enriquez

Yes. Next is item 8.4, resolution number 27-041, approving 1,350,000 housing trusts and loan agreement for the Paseos Verde phase one.

1:40:44•EEEric Enriquez

Thank you, Jan. Any questions? Yes, Councilor Matisse.

1:40:49•BMBill Mattiace

Ms. Lauterbach, could you tell me what was San Pedro Place? Maybe you can tell me more about.

1:41:23•BMBill Mattiace

And they'll be abandoned? Everyone in there will be relocated to the new facility?

1:41:33•BMBill Mattiace

And then the 36 units, what will eventually be done with those?

1:41:47•BMBill Mattiace

And then is there a timeframe for when they'll be demolished or are we looking at 2030, 2035? No, I'm kidding.

1:42:03 – 1:42:26•BMBill Mattiace

Okay, Chris is smiling over there. Okay, so we just have a plan to take those abandoned buildings and clean that up and remove that and demolish it, okay. Yes, sir. And is that in a plan, is it in the general plan, strategic plan, or is it in black and white somewhere that I could look up?

1:43:20•BMBill Mattiace

And I am reading that, is there any general fund money going toward the project?

1:43:44•BMBill Mattiace

OK and then on the did you say the housing is that the sea Valley housing. That will be doing that plan.

1:44:03•BMBill Mattiace

Are they the same ones that, when I first came aboard, were with Project Hope? Is that the same authority?

1:44:33•EEEric Enriquez

But now. On of these homes that are on some that are what what year where they built the you have the

1:45:01 – 1:45:34•EEEric Enriquez

Yeah, because it's the same issue universities going through with coal village. These are older structures that need to be upgraded. And then the lot size, how many units per lot, this is a good plan to get more, as you would say, bang for your buck. That looks good. I just didn't know what year those were built and how much would really go into remodeling or reconstructing or rebuilding as opposed to demolish and build new.

1:45:59•EEEric Enriquez

Okay, that was it. Thanks. No, see none. Christine.

1:46:24 – 1:46:43•EEEric Enriquez

Yes. Next is item 8.5, resolution number 27-042, resolution approving the purchase approximately 6.49 acres of land.

1:50:06 – 1:50:17•JBJohana Bencomo

Thanks. Thanks so much, Natalie. I'm curious if this project, if you know if this will be the first project in this development.

1:50:34•JBJohana Bencomo

Thank you. I hope I'm not making you divulge any secrets. I won't divulge any secrets. Okay. That's a bummer. Then never mind.

1:51:11 – 1:51:51•JBJohana Bencomo

Okay, thank you. And, you know, I just asked, obviously, this, we've been talking about this corner for such a long time, and it has such, you know, high potential for being something really important other than just, you know, a pile of dirt, and so I'm very excited, but I want to make sure that, you know, we're out front, and, you know, we're addressing a need, and... we're at this very important piece of property and that there's development that's that's coming after um hopefully hopefully soon so i'm glad to hear that there is movement on that front thank you counselor correct

1:54:02 – 1:54:26•EEEric Enriquez

Okay, thanks. Jay had a question for you. Like with all the land that you have available there for commercial and all, what are the biggest challenges? You know, we're looking at our strategic plan and trying to enhance economic development. What are some of the challenges that you see in trying to sell some of that property and try to recruit businesses to Las Cruces?

1:56:43 – 1:57:05•BMBill Mattiace

Councillor Matisse. I have a few questions for you. You know, you may not, it's kind of a loaded question, so you may not want to answer it or you might want to avoid it. But when these companies come in, how is our permitting department, I mean, do you hear that it moves quickly and smoothly and seamless?

1:59:25 – 1:59:49•BMBill Mattiace

No, I think you made a good point there, and that's where sometimes we just lack conversations, just sitting down and working out the quicker, better solutions. And I really want to give kudos to Chris. I think he's brought that about, that we have better conversations. any companies that call me and said they were having a little bit of a challenge, they've been resolved.

1:59:55•BMBill Mattiace

I just go with the top guy. All right. Hey, thank you.

2:00:35 – 2:00:48•EEEric Enriquez

Yeah, 8.6. Council bill number 27-006, ordinance number 3122, approving a 10-year lease agreement between the City of Las Cruces and Explorer Academy.

2:02:04•EEEric Enriquez

All right, thank you, Isaac. Any questions? No, see, Christine?

2:02:28 – 2:02:54•EEEric Enriquez

Yes. Next is item 8.7, council bill number 27-007, ordinance number 3123. This ordinance to amend section 19-131 of the Las Cruces Municipal Code 1997 regarding construction, repair, and demolition hours. Move to approve.

2:09:19 – 2:10:39•JBJohana Bencomo

Thank you. Thanks, Chris. You know, I've only had a couple of residents reach out to me about issues concerning complaints, really, regarding construction crews working outside of the required hours. I don't know if us changing those hours will help remedy those complaints. I mean, it will because they'll be lawful. It won't because I think People don't always appreciate that kind of noise, especially perhaps not in newer neighborhoods, but I think in already established neighborhoods. So I do think, I wonder if there's... going to be a process Chris for when if we need to revisit this at any

2:11:28 – 2:11:56•JBJohana Bencomo

it's not going to stop the complaints but i think it gives us a little more flexibility to kind of deal with the residents and the builders at the same time thank you well as the most helpful person in city hall i have full trust that you'll have i thought that was the city clerk but that's about city clerk of the state so sorry for you thank you all right christy

2:12:13 – 2:12:42•EEEric Enriquez

Yes. Next is board appointments, there are none. So then we'll move to notice of proposed ordinance. Council bill number 27-008, ordinance number 3124, an ordinance approving zoning map amendment for LIU Light Industrial Urban to commercial retail. Bring it forward.

2:13:45 – 2:15:57•BMBill Mattiace

Thank you, Mary. Just a few things. I just want to share with the council that had a meeting with New Mexico State University social department, social studies department, and they're real interested. And I think Connie is planning a future meeting that the strategic planners and the consultants will meet with them and maybe they could partake. and give their take on youth programs and what's needed both in career training, apprenticeships for trades, and other ideas that they had. It was very fruitful. There was about three or four social workers at the meeting, and I believe Dr. Ted Lenzo, a

2:16:42•BMBill Mattiace

Okay, maybe by Thanksgiving, so they can have their Thanksgiving meals.

2:16:47 – 2:17:44•BMBill Mattiace

Okay, appreciate it. Thank you, Jimmy. Thank you very much. I was going to bring up, I discussed this with the city manager about getting a clarity on a consensus for tiny homes. I was gonna ask for a show of hands, but it looks like all hands are not aboard, so I'll just bring it up at a future meeting on the tiny homes. I thought it was clear, but maybe not. On the strategic plan, not only is the university going to give some input in a future meeting, but I'd like to see maybe an extension. Maybe I can get a number. Is anyone here representing the strategic plan that we know the number of r

2:18:17 – 2:19:01•BMBill Mattiace

And it's just asking my colleagues and council if maybe we ought to go out. I see the El Paso electric bill had a QR code that took you to the website. And in 2026, I think we could have had a QR code that could have just taken us to the survey. So there was a layer there and I helped a couple of neighbors navigate it. I'm thinking that that's not a good number out of 113,000 residents and so I'd like to see maybe an extension for the strategic plan or another shot at getting some surveys out both the electric bill in a better way and then

2:19:42 – 2:20:00•BMBill Mattiace

When that draft goes out, Chris, will it have any different type of approach or using a different meet, or will we just get the same 300 to 400 people? I guess 600's not bad out of 113,000, but will it be the same efforts?

2:23:29 – 2:25:44•JBJohana Bencomo

Thanks, Mayor. I didn't have anything today, but I do feel compelled to say something, not in defense of, but just to uplift the trust and confidence that at least I have in our staff, especially our utility staff. I think until we end personal attacks at the podium during public comment, I know First Amendment rights or whatever, but personal attacks I think go too far. I do think it's incumbent upon us as elected officials to highlight the good work that many of our staff do and I think Utilities for what it's worth so many of our blue-collar workers it's very thankless job and That departme

2:25:48 – 2:29:58•EEEric Enriquez

Thank you and thanks for bringing that up councilman go because I was thinking the same thing I've always shared that when we have problems we have an environmental problem we have a process problem we have a people problem. They started out coming to our public participation with an environmental and a process problem utilities has already addressed those issues have done presentations have sent out literature in English and in Spanish, and now it's gotten down to the problem is people. And so now they start attacking the people. And you're absolutely correct. Utilities is doing a great job.

2:33:36•EEEric Enriquez

Thank you. With that, I'll look for a motion to adjourn.