Las Cruces City Council Meeting - October 20, 2025
Las Cruces City Council Meeting - October 20, 2025
The Las Cruces City Council met on Monday, October 20, 2025, at approximately 1:00 PM, with Mayor Eric Enriquez presiding. The meeting included presentations, proclamations, public comments, and approval of several resolutions. A closed session was held earlier in the day from 10:35 AM to 12:50 PM to discuss real property, pending litigation, and personnel matters.
Proclamations & Recognitions
- The council recognized the 2025 Las Cruces Veterans Parade Grand Marshals, including Sergeant First Class Anthony Ramirez, Master Sergeant Emerald Galindez, and Master Sergeant Dishon Gregory from local high school JROTC programs, for their service and contributions. Several other honorees were unable to attend and will receive medallions on November 8.
- Mayor Enriquez proclaimed October 23, 2025, as "Lights on After School Day" in Las Cruces, highlighting the importance of after-school programs. Representatives from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation accepted the proclamation.
- Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) presented their budget process and invited public participation in a budget survey (November 1–December 22) and a town hall on November 6. LCPS also highlighted recent safety and facility improvements funded through community input.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration provided an update on disaster loans for those affected by severe storms, flooding, and landslides (June–August 2025). Over $1.3 million in loans have been offered and more than $650,000 disbursed. Physical damage loan applications are still accepted within a 60-day grace period; economic injury applications are due April 22, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lynn Moore: Asserted the city is noncompliant with the Lead and Copper Rule, alleging that the utilities director instructed staff to remove records and manipulate data regarding pipe inspections and installation dates. He stated that investigation techniques are inadequate and called for redoing inspections per EPA standards.
- Liz Rodriguez Johnson: Raised concerns about public outreach and lack of responses to questions about the Lead and Copper Rule. She asked about lead connector tracking, use of a $15 million state grant for disadvantaged residents, Spanish-language resources, and financial assistance for customers unable to pay for pipe replacements.
- Lucas Hearn: Expressed alarm over police killings in Las Cruces, citing that New Mexico is the most dangerous state for civilians to be killed by police. He referenced a recent fatal incident and questioned the tactics used by officers.
- Derek Pacheco (spoke via speaker identified as Mr. Sidio): Discussed accountability regarding Project Jupiter data center development, citing missing documentation and potential conflicts of interest. He also objected to Flock surveillance cameras, historic adobe home demolitions, and urged the council to support judicial review, halt camera installations, and protect historic districts.
- Jim Hurst: Reported that over a thousand people attended a "No Kings" protest, indicating strong liberal political sympathies in the community, and urged the council to reflect those sentiments.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 26-053 – First Quarter Budget Adjustments: Vanessa Perez presented adjustments to various city funds, including increases for fire department ambulance trips, parks overtime, public works street sweeper purchase, and utilities equipment. The resolution passed unanimously.
- Resolution 26-054 – Grant Awards: Gabriela Pratz presented two grants: $443,000 from the FAA for weather reporting equipment at the airport (with $11,700 match), and $9,500 from NM DPS for police honor guard training and equipment. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 26-055 – CIP Amendments: Cynthia Lemillo presented amendments to the FY26–31 Capital Improvements Program, including new grants, project adjustments, and updates on transit facilities (new municipal service center, electric buses) and park improvements (ball fields at High Noon, Klein Park). Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 26-056 – Body Camera Contract with Axon: Virginia Barela presented a resolution to enter into a state-purchasing contract with Axon for body-worn cameras, Taser weapons, and data management through June 2034, with an annual not-to-exceed $2.5 million. The program supports compliance with state law SB8. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 26-057 – Small Business Safety Improvement Program: Irene Bada presented a pilot program offering grants up to $5,000 per business (total $100,000) for security equipment within the Alpacal Sal Solano Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA). Technical support from LCPD’s community outreach unit is included. Applications begin November 3. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All five resolutions (26-053 through 26-057) were approved unanimously by the council.
- Two proposed ordinances were brought forward for future consideration: franchise agreement with Ripple Fiber New Mexico (Bill 26-008) and industrial revenue bonds for SureTec Technologies up to $17.6 million (Bill 26-009).
- The city manager announced upcoming events: downtown master plan meetings (Oct 20, 22, 24), housing open house (Oct 22), Branigan Library 90th anniversary (Nov 7), and Sky Fiesta (Oct 25).
Meeting Transcript
You're live. Well, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Sydney Council meeting. Today is Monday, October twentieth, twenty twenty five. It's approximately one PM. I am Mayor Eric Enriquez. Before we start, I want to mention that we have the American Sign Language Interpreters up front. If anyone should need them, and they're here at all our meetings. Thank you. Today we have a special guest. We have a retired from the Army Sergeant Major Mike Conno, who's gonna play the national anthem for us. If you'll lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I just want to share a few things about Mike Conneau. He was born and raised in Las Cruces. He's a graduate from Las Cruces High School. He also attended NMSU, a graduate in 1990 with a bachelor's in music and education. Later, he won an addition with the United States Army band Pershing owned in Washington, D.C. and won a trumpet position with the ceremonial band and the United States Army Herald Trumpets. He's also a retired veteran, a sergeant major for the U.S. Army. He has the distinct privilege of working with the NMSU alumni, the arts and science, and also participates with the Pride Marching Band. So thank you for all that you do, and thank you for uh sharing with us your your talent and your skills. It was it was really meaningful and awesome to have you here today. Thank you. Let's give him another round of applause. So as I said, next we have uh the recognition of the veterans of parade and grand marshals, so I'll ask Bill Hawkins to come up. So I'd like to introduce. Mayor and riquez, city council members, ladies and gentlemen. I am Bill Hawkins, the committee chair for the 2025 Las Cruces Veterans Parade. The Las Cruces Veterans Parade Committee has established a tradition over the past two decades of recognizing the outstanding military careers and civic contributions of various individuals from the local community. We have honored women's veterans, World War II veterans, Korean War veterans, Vietnam veterans, and last year we honored several veterans who are now first responders within the community. This year, we decided to recognize a group of veterans who very seldom receive recognition for their contributions to our country. The local high school junior reserve officer training corps cadre and leadership. These service members play a huge role in the development and maturation of those individuals who choose to enroll in each high school high school's JROTC program. Many go on to further their military training in ROTC studies at the university level and in fact become the leaders of our military forces. Before I introduce the honorees, I would like to read the cre read the creed of each of the JROTC branches to provide some insight into the morals, ethics, and values that are being instilled in these young people. Come on up. Just right here. Yeah, both of you. Right here. For the Army. Again, this is a JROTC creed. I am an Army junior RTC cadet. I will always conduct myself to bring credit to my family, country, school, and the Corps of Cadets. I am loyal and patriotic. I am the future of the United States of America. I do not lie, cheat, or steal, and will always be accountable for my actions and deeds. I earn respect when I uphold the core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. I will always conduct myself to bring credit to my family, school, corps of cadets, community, and to myself. Devoted to those I follow, serve, and lead.
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