Las Cruces City Council Work Session – November 10, 2025

The Las Cruces City Council held a work session on Monday, November 10, 2025, at approximately 1:04 PM. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for veterans, jobs announcements, and pets of the week. The council then discussed three main agenda items: 2026 state and federal legislative priorities, the West Picacho and Motel Boulevard Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) plan, and an update on the plastic bag fee. No formal votes were taken, but council members provided direction on legislative priorities, expressed support for the MRA boundary extension, and discussed a forthcoming ordinance amendment for the plastic bag fee.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Pearson (Alameda Neighborhood Association) expressed support for protected bike lanes and intersections on the Mesa Grande extension, urged the city to retain bicycle/pedestrian funding in the federal surface transportation reauthorization, and requested that the city include the WIA building (identified as needing $700,000) in its legislative asks.
• Steve Chevere (Executive Director, El Caldito Soup Kitchen) clarified that the kitchens at the Community of Hope project is a partnership between El Caldito, Casa de Peregrinos, and the city. He noted El Caldito served 155,000 meals in 2024 and emphasized the need for expanded capacity.
• Lorenzo Alba (Director, Casa de Peregrinos) echoed support for the Community of Hope project, highlighted that Casa de Peregrinos served nearly 40,000 clients and distributed over 7 million pounds of food in 2025, and requested the project be included in federal priorities due to state matching opportunities.
• Joan Woodward (public comment on MRA plan) supported the plan and the boundary extension to the river, but questioned why the western gateway was placed at Roadrunner instead of the river bridge area. She also asked about implications for truck traffic if the city took control of West Picacho. Staff responded that the gateway location was based on land use concentration and that the city is not recommending taking control of the roadway due to high costs.
• Jason (public comment on MRA plan) expressed concern about safety and traffic congestion on Toshiro Drive, especially near schools and the Fields of Dreams complex. He urged the council to consider low-traffic commercial uses for the large Toshiro parcel and requested that safety be a top priority when evaluating businesses allowed there.
• Bon Garcia (public comment on plastic bag fee) criticized the plastic bag ban as a usage tax and noted that plastic bags are still used for produce, but he observed increased trash, needles, and feces on city streets. He also congratulated Councilor Corran on her reelection.

Discussion Items

1. 2026 State and Federal Legislative Priorities

City Clerk Christina Rivera presented the proposed state and federal legislative priorities after a closed session on litigation. State lobbyist Larry Haran updated the council on the October special session, the current special session (November 10) focused on SNAP benefits, and the upcoming 30-day regular session. He noted budget constraints due to declining oil revenue and reduced growth funds, and highlighted likely debates on medical compacts, the Medical Malpractice Act, and a potential tax package. Capital Improvements Program Manager Cynthia Lamillo explained the CIP process and the state ICIP portal. The city’s state priority projects total $47.3 million and include: Affordable Housing ($6M), Legacy Parks/Young Park ($6M), East Mesa Public Recreational Complex ($3M), Klein Park Improvements ($500K), Fire Station Improvements ($500K), Regional Driving Track ($1.5M), Real-Time Crime Center Bandwidth Upgrades ($3M), Brannigan Library Renovation and Expansion ($10M), Eastside Center Purchase and Renovations ($775K), Wastewater Septic System Removal ($1M), and Mesa Grande Drive Extension ($15M match). The city also requests $2M for the Community of Hope kitchens project. Federal lobbyists John O’Donnell and Kyriakos Pagonis updated the council on the federal shutdown and FY26 appropriations, noting a potential continuing resolution through January 2026 and earmark possibilities for FY27. They listed possible FY27 earmarks (airport hangar, Peachtree, South Fork Moreno Arroyo, Brannigan Library, Railroad Museum, sewer connections, well 66) and grant opportunities (wastewater expansion at Innovation Industrial Park, fire engines, Young Park, East Loman, flood mitigation). Council members shared their priorities: Councilor McClure advocated for South Fork Moreno Arroyo drainage, Brannigan Library, and East Mesa Recreation Complex; Councilor Matisse prioritized public safety, septic tank removal, and the library; Councilor Flores emphasized the East Mesa Recreation Complex, Young Park, and the rural Western water program; Councilor Corran highlighted affordable housing, the library, and fire station improvements, and also mentioned funding for spay/neuter and the CARE program for domestic violence victims. Mayor Pro Tem Delgado stressed a strategic approach to leverage multiple funding sources, advocated for the library, Mesa Grande, and the real-time crime center bandwidth upgrade, and noted the need for wastewater infrastructure. Mayor Enriquez advocated for flood mitigation, Mesa Grande matching funds, the library, the police training track, and Young Park. No formal vote was taken; staff will bring a resolution for adoption in December.

2. West Picacho and Motel Boulevard Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan Update

Selena Morales (Deputy Director for Economic Development) and Rhonda Bell (Stantec) presented the draft MRA plan. The MRA boundary (established in 2023) was proposed for extension to the river along Picacho to include similar motel-type parcels. Public engagement (surveys, funding priority jars) showed top community priorities: supporting small business, improving property conditions, addressing safety/crime, beautifying streets/sidewalks, and addressing homelessness. The plan includes six strategy buckets: safety/security, mobility, economic/workforce development, housing, beautification, and community culture. Three catalytic sites were presented: the Toshiro multi-use hub (42 acres, privately owned, flexible commercial/residential), Communas Park (2.6 acres, proposed enhancements with parking, playgrounds, soccer, plaza), and Blues Apartments (motel conversion with future phase two). The plan includes an action matrix and funding matrix. Council members expressed support for the boundary extension and the overall plan. Councilor Corran asked about feasibility of improvements on West Picacho given that it is a state/federal roadway; staff noted that taking over the road would be costly and not recommended, but enhancements can be done through agreements. Councilor Flores praised the plan’s beauty and the team’s work. Councilor McClure highlighted the importance of the Toshiro catalyst and support for the developer. Councilor Matisse supported the boundary extension. Staff will return December 4 for plan adoption and brought a resolution for adoption in January.

3. Plastic Bag Fee Update

Jenny Hernandez (Sustainability Officer) and Molly Carrier (Sustainability Co-op) presented the four-year update on the plastic bag ordinance (adopted August 2021). Key data: Year four (2025, through Q3) projected total fees of ~$174,000; grocery stores contributed 72% of fees. Total fees collected over four years ~$700,000; spent $337,243 on education campaigns, reusable bag purchases (over 6,000 bags distributed), temp services, co-op salary, and educational events. The remaining $363,000 is unspent due to restrictive ordinance language limiting use to “promoting sustainability, public education, and purchasing of reusable bags.” The sustainability office proposes amending the ordinance to allow fees to be used for any climate action plan goal, including climate mitigation, energy conservation, public education, and community engagement. Proposed uses for the reserve funds include: expanding the Plugged In for Good low-income retrofit program to all residents, funding Fix-It Fairs, future energy audits, and sustaining co-op positions. Staff will return in December for a first reading of the amended ordinance and propose a one-year review period followed by triennial reviews. Councilmembers discussed: Councilor Flores suggested partnering with school districts for education; Councilor Matisse raised concerns about plastic produce bags and proposed using funds to encourage biodegradable alternatives or to support cleanup efforts; Councilor Corran noted restaurants were exempted earlier and asked if that could be revisited (Hernandez said it could be). No vote was taken.

Key Outcomes

• State legislative priorities: Council members provided general direction on priorities (library, Mesa Grande, public safety, parks, etc.). Staff will compile feedback and bring a resolution for adoption at a December meeting.
• West Picacho MRA plan: Council expressed support for extending the MRA boundary to the river and for the draft plan. Staff will incorporate public comments and return for adoption on December 4.
• Plastic bag fee ordinance: Staff will return in December with a proposed ordinance amendment to broaden how collected fees can be used, including a one-year review clause. Council direction included exploring partnerships with schools and restaurants, and considering biodegradable produce bags.
• Closed session: The council met in closed session from 11:04 AM to 12:58 PM regarding threatened/pending litigation in the matter of Memorial Medical Center NoCHA breach (sent August 29, 2024).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned on a motion by Councilor Flores, seconded, with all present councilors voting yes (Councilor Graham absent, Councilor Bencomo absent).