Las Cruces City Council Meeting – June 15, 2026

Mayor Eric Enriquez called the meeting to order at approximately 1 PM. The agenda included proclamations, departmental highlights, public comments, and three consent agenda items. The council approved a land purchase, a bond ordinance for capital improvements, and a water project loan/grant. Numerous public speakers addressed youth engagement, the city's lead and copper rule compliance, homelessness, and other issues.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the agenda as presented passed unanimously (7–0).
• Item 7.1 (Resolution 26-153): Approved purchase of a 9.914-acre tract east of the East Mesa Sports Complex from Job Materials for $287,250. The city will split closing costs. Potential uses include trails, pickleball courts, multi-use fields, an urban fishing pond, and additional parking. (Vote: 7–0)
• Item 7.2 (Ordinance 310): Authorized issuance and sale of Gross Receipts Tax Improvement Revenue Bonds not to exceed $22.15 million for construction, equipment, and capital improvements. Projects include fire station improvements ($5M), street maintenance ($4M), public safety fleet ($2.4M), facility maintenance/ADA ($600K), joint public safety training facility ($1M), recreation center design/construction ($2M), library improvements ($2M), CIP funding gaps ($2M), and Anglia Road extension ($1M). An amendment to Sections 17E and 20A3 changed the reserve fund requirement from 150% to 200% of maximum annual debt service to comply with NMFA policy. The amendment passed, and the ordinance as amended passed 7–0. The anticipated average interest rate is 3.2% as of today's market, subject to fluctuation until the bond sale on August 27, 2026.
• Item 7.3 (Ordinance 3115): Approved a New Mexico Finance Authority Water Trust Board grant/loan agreement for $196,933 (principal only, 0.25% administrative fee) to design and repair the Las Alturas del Told water storage tank and booster station. Repaid from joint utility system net revenues. (Vote: 7–0)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lead and Copper Rule (Multiple Speakers): Ninmore and Liz Rodriguez Johnson criticized the city's approach to finding lead pipes, asserting that the utilities department relies solely on visual inspection of meter boxes—a method they called inadequate. They stated that 41 questions posed to the city remain unanswered and that the department has decreased inspections. Liz Rodriguez Johnson claimed the city failed to notify properties with galvanized piping, including Fairacres Elementary School (later disputed by council). Another speaker, Sierra Edminster, supported their cause and urged the city to answer questions to combat misinformation. A speaker named Connie Chapman requested the repeal of the secret public safety committee.
• Youth Advocacy (Multiple Speakers – Marissa DeWolf, Lindley Hornsby, Summer Mitchell, Liz Bennett, DeAndro Rodriguez): A coordinated group of community advocates called for authentic youth partnership, investment in third spaces, transportation, paid professional experiences, and restorative justice. They emphasized that youth should be partners, not just program participants. DeAndro Rodriguez, a first-time public commenter with lived experience, stressed shared power and authentic youth voice.
• Other Public Comments:
  • Patty Hartman spoke about mental health, accountability, and feeling excluded.
  • Kent Thurston raised concerns about a 256.8% increase in park impact fees, saying it pushes builders to develop in the county.
  • Jack Ekman proposed extending the 3-minute public comment limit for complex issues and mentioned Burn Lake park issues with homeless individuals.
  • Tim Jenkins argued that homelessness is incentivized by current policies and called for a camping ordinance like Albuquerque's.
  • Jim Hurst said homelessness is a national problem, not solely a city issue.

Discussion Items

• Council Member Reports:
  • Councilor McClure proposed a youth-focused evening work session in September, heavily advertised, to hear from families and youth. The idea was supported by other council members and the mayor.
  • Councilor Matisse complimented Parks and Rec for laminated district resource sheets and noted the oil and gas industry's $13.1 billion contribution to state and local revenue.
  • Councilor Harris reminded residents of upcoming strategic plan listening sessions and urged economic development that is complementary, not extractive.
  • Councilor Bencomo emphasized meeting people where they are for youth engagement and corrected a public commenter's claim about Fairacres Elementary School, citing a school official's statement that no galvanized materials were found.
  • Councilor Corran thanked staff for help on traffic calming inquiries and promoted a June 27 microchipping event at City Hall and the August 1 Fashion for Hearts fundraiser for the Animal Services Center.
  • Mayor Enriquez highlighted the Bob Ogaz baseball all-star game, the East Mesa Public Recreation ribbon-cutting, and asked for ideas to name the complex.

Key Outcomes

• Council approved three agenda items: land purchase (Res. 26-153), GRT bond ordinance (Ord. 310 as amended), and water project loan/grant (Ord. 3115).
• Council agreed in principle to hold an evening work session in September focused on youth issues, to be organized by the city clerk.
• The council directed staff to plan and advertise the session with a goal of robust community participation.
• No board appointments were made, and one proposed ordinance (Council Bill 26-024) was noted for future action.