Las Cruces City Council Meeting - August 3, 2026

The Las Cruces City Council met on August 3, 2026, at approximately 1:00 PM. The meeting began with a moment of silence, an update on the lead and copper ruling, and a presentation on the Clear the Shelters 2026 pet adoption event. Public comment included multiple speakers addressing water quality, government transparency, and religious themes. The council approved several resolutions, including a fire department training facility lease, capital improvement amendments, historic property designations, and board appointments. Council members also provided reports on community engagement, police town hall feedback, and upcoming strategic planning sessions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Liz Rodriguez Johnson delivered an extended statement detailing the health dangers of lead exposure, citing the Mayo Clinic and EPA. She criticized the city for being in denial about lead levels in drinking water, referencing lab reports showing lead above EPA action levels, and condemned the mayor's prior statement that no one had been hospitalized or died from lead in the past 18 months. She called for a competent utilities director.
• Charlotte Lipson presented a public notice she received about the Las Cruces municipal water system violating monitoring requirements during November 2025. She expressed concern and commended Lynn Moore and Liz Rodriguez Johnson for raising water issues.
• Michael Maske spoke on the separation of church and state, arguing that the phrase was misinterpreted and that the founders were predominantly Christian. He emphasized that the First Amendment protects religious freedom, not freedom from religion.
• Derek Pacheco criticized Councilor Bencomo as the "most dangerous person in Las Cruces" and accused her of avoiding important conversations. He announced a new government transparency tool (Borderlandmail.com) and displayed props including floppy disks and a rainwater sample with a pH near 10, urging discussion on mass surveillance and water quality.
• A speaker (unidentified) discussed Roger Williams and the historical origin of "wall of separation," arguing that the founders intended to prevent government establishment of religion.
• A speaker expressed gratitude to the city council and the Las Cruces Police Department for their service and for earning CALEA accreditation, calling it a significant milestone.
• Thomas Stevens delivered a religious speech, urging the return of the center cross in the city symbol and reading from the Bible. He praised the police and called on the council to uphold founding principles.

Discussion Items

• Lead and Copper Ruling Update: Dominique Rodriguez, Utilities Director, reported that the service line inventory is a living data set being reviewed. The deadline for public updates is November 2027. In 2024, customers were notified of unknown service line material; no galvanized lines requiring replacement were found. Per NMED, annual notices were completed by December 31, 2025. Fair Acres Elementary had a line initially reported as galvanized but later identified as steel.
• Clear the Shelters 2026: Tanya Conway, management analyst for the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley, announced free adoptions throughout August, with events at PETCO, PetSmart, Tractor Supply, and the farmers market. Dogs like Stormy, Lily, Cookies and Cream, and Luca were highlighted.
• Closed Meeting Report: The council met in closed session at 10:01 AM to discuss pending litigation in four cases: Brandon Baron v. City, Francesca Clifton v. City, Gabriel Padilla v. City, and City of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County v. Lawset Alameda LLC et al. Attendees included city officials and outside counsel.
• Resolution 27-020 – Fire Training Facility Lease: Virginia Barella, Buyer 2, presented a resolution to lease 22,000 sq ft on 5 acres at 1670 South Valley Drive for the fire department. The first-year rent is $192,000, escalating to $240,000 in years four and five. Councilor Harris asked about square footage (22,000 sq ft) and needed improvements; Deputy Chief T. World Coaches noted the landlord made some improvements and temporary measures will be used for temperature control. Councilor Matisse inquired about termination clauses and whether the facility is adequate for training; discussion included potential purchase of the property for logistics. Funding is from the general fund. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 27-021 – CIP Amendments: Cynthia Lamillo and Katherine Harrison Rogers presented a $5.2 million amendment for Apodaca Park Aquatic Playground and Recreation Trail, including a naturalistic aquatic play area, walking trail, parking lot improvements, playgrounds, and a pavilion. Natalie Green presented an $800,000 amendment for re-roofing the Mesilla Valley Community Hope Day Shelter (13,000 sq ft, built circa 2002). Councilor Harris questioned the high cost of the roof; Jimmy Moreno from Public Works explained that estimates include prevailing wages, contingency (typically 5-10%), and a conservative approach. Passed unanimously.
• Resolutions 27-022 through 27-026 – Historic Property Designations: Caitlin Beasley, Historic Preservation Specialist, presented five nominations for the city's Register of Cultural Properties: Rio Grande Theater (1926, Italian Renaissance Revival, adobe), Branigan Cultural Center (1935, Pueblo Revival, first library), Railroad Museum (1910, Spanish Mission Revival, part of Alameda Depot Historic District), Clara Bell Williams property (1925-1930, Craftsman, home of a pioneering African American educator), and Phillips Chapel CME Church (1911, adobe, one of the oldest black churches in NM, used as Lincoln High School during segregation). Councilor Harris asked about maintenance impacts; Beasley said city-owned buildings already require design review. Each resolution was voted on individually and passed unanimously.
• Board Appointments: Mayor Pro Tem Munoz was appointed to the Metro Narcotics Board (not voted). Tanner Gusky was appointed to the Historic Preservation Committee, Santos Hernandez to the ADA Advisory Committee, and Jennifer Gates was reappointed to the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley board. All appointments passed unanimously.
• Notice of Proposed Ordinance: Council Bill 27-005 was introduced, a zoning map amendment from Neighborhood One Suburban to Commercial Retail Suburban for 0.987 acres at 1240 South Valley Drive.
• Council Member Reports: Councilor McClure thanked White Sands Missile Range for collaboration, described a police ride-along and the police town hall, and praised utilities for extra effort. Councilor Matisse raised concerns about repeat offenders and thanked staff for quick responses; he also noted that past secret select committee meetings have been replaced with transparent work sessions. Councilor Harris discussed strategic plan meetings, police town hall feedback on traffic (especially Roadrunner and Sonoma Ranch), and called for comprehensive citywide surveillance technology policies. Councilor Coran shared feedback from the police town hall, including issues with non-emergency response, drainage at Casalinda, and traffic safety; he also requested four-way stops near J. Paul Taylor Academy and supported model legislation for surveillance. Mayor Pro Tem Munoz echoed traffic concerns, praised the strategic planning workshops, and reported on a South Central Solid Waste tour highlighting recycling contamination (adult diapers) and a new transfer station. Mayor Enriquez thanked police, noted state police attendance at the town hall, announced a traffic calming work session on August 24, and highlighted the Pinnacle Institute graduation.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions (27-020 through 27-026) were approved unanimously by the council.
• Board appointments (Tanner Gusky, Santos Hernandez, and Jennifer Gates) were approved unanimously.
• Council Bill 27-005 (zoning map amendment) was brought forward for further consideration.
• The council held a closed meeting to discuss pending litigation in four cases.
• City Manager Ikani Tomopiao announced upcoming strategic plan community meetings: District 1 (Aug 3, 6 PM), District 3 (Aug 4, 6 PM), District 2 (Aug 5, 6 PM), District 4 (Aug 6, 6 PM). The meeting adjourned at an unspecified time.