Las Cruces City Council Meeting - August 17, 2026
Las Cruces City Council Meeting - August 17, 2026
The Las Cruces City Council met on Monday, August 17, 2026, at approximately 1 PM Mountain Standard Time under Mayor Pro Tem John Munoz, with Mayor Enriquez absent. The meeting included a certificate of appreciation for retiring Chamber CEO Debbie Moore, departmental presentations, public participation, and votes on four resolutions and two board appointments.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda accepted with removal of item 7.5 (unanimous)
- Diana Peru appointed to the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board (unanimous)
- Jeffrey Ekman appointed to the Veterans Advisory Board (unanimous)
- Council Bill 27-006 (10-year land lease with Explorer Academy) moved forward (unanimous)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jennifer Cry: Urged equal application of three-minute speaking rules and respect for all participants.
- Lynn Morrer: Alleged that $15 million from a New Mexico Finance Authority grant for lead and galvanized service line replacement has not been used for pipe replacements or inspections; stated only 13 inspections occurred between April and July 2026, with 16 weeks of no inspections. She questioned whether funds were diverted and described the situation as "fraud." She also claimed the Utilities Department excludes mobile home communities from inspection maps.
- Liz Rothe S. Johnson: Accused the Utilities Director of misleading the council, specifically claiming that eight of 83 properties with galvanized pipes were not notified by December 2025, contradicting a staffer's earlier statement. She also alleged repeated failures to comply with the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and questioned the credibility of 36 reinspections that changed results from galvanized to non-galvanized.
- Laura Sidoran: Requested more information about selection criteria and safety measures for the Amador Crossing affordable housing project, including disqualifying felony convictions and handling of drug dealing. She expressed concern for nearby Pioneer Women's Park.
- Michael Mesquita: Argued that the phrase "separation of church and state" is not in the U.S. Constitution and that the First Amendment protects religious freedom, not freedom from religion.
- James Hearst: Quoted the New Mexico Constitution and Voltaire, and argued founders like James Madison intended government not to interfere with religion.
- Juan Garcia: Described a road rage shooting incident at Missouri and Solano where he and his child were attacked; urged creation of designated camping areas with services and boundaries for homeless individuals.
- Tim Jenkins: Called for an honest conversation on homelessness, distinguishing compassion from enabling. He thanked police for their work and urged removal of roadblocks to safety.
- Thomas Stevens: Delivered a religious testimony invoking biblical verses.
Discussion Items
- Treasure Department Presentation: City Treasurer Dolfo Cardenes presented actual loan details for flood control bonds: $3.065 million in MGRT bonds (series 2026), true interest rate 2.55%, total debt service $3,319,545, with bonds maturing by June 2038 (average life ~3 years).
- Utilities Department Presentation: Steve Perez, Deputy Director for Regulatory Compliance, covered lead and copper rule compliance (using example: 90th percentile of 20 samples at 0.009 mg/L, below action level of 0.015). He also reported a November 2025 total coliform violation caused by lab paperwork errors (all resamples negative) and revised consumer confidence reports required for University of States system.
- Resolution 27-030 – Santa Fe Brewing Liquor License: Approved unanimously (7-0) after public hearing. Staff noted a distance waiver from NMSU (90 feet from property, but >300 feet from nearest building). Applicant Brian Locke described plans for a taproom at 901 E. University Blvd, with food via Fusion Taco and partnerships with local breweries.
- Resolution 27-031 – La Nueva Casita Cafe Beer and Wine License: Approved unanimously (7-0) with no issues identified. Owner Israel Ravis noted the restaurant at 195 N. Mesquite St. has 18 employees and sought a beer/wine license to continue operations.
- Resolution 27-032 – Quarterly Financial Report (FY26 Q4): Approved unanimously (7-0). Accounting Supervisor Josh Saffle presented preliminary numbers: General Fund revenue $182,219,915, expenditures $143,201,206, transfers out $24,665,674; all other funds revenue $217,653,676, expenditures $198,930,325.
- Resolution 27-033 – Amador Crossing Property Management Agreement: Approved unanimously (7-0) after extended discussion. The 50-unit affordable housing project (24 SRO, 26 one-bedroom) at 1101 W. Amador Ave. will be managed by High Desert Housing (sole bidder) for 5 years (Sept 1, 2026 – June 30, 2031) at $50,000/year plus 7% of gross rent collections and reimbursement of approved operating expenses. Public comment from Carol Baker (read by Councilor Matisse) criticized the 21-day RFP period and lack of guaranteed on-site security. Councilor Bencomo defended the project as innovative and self-sustaining (no debt; rent revenue covers operations). Natalie Green confirmed the city has set aside $100,000 annually for supportive services (two case managers).
Key Outcomes
- All four resolutions and two board appointments passed unanimously (7-0 with mayor absent).
- Agenda was adopted after removing item 7.5 (deferred to a future work session).
- Amador Crossing will proceed with High Desert Housing as property manager, aiming for a December 2026 opening.
- Councilor Harris and Councilor Bencomo flagged ongoing concerns about Flock surveillance technology and called for a city-level policy and a transparent data portal.
- Councilor Bencomo also requested a long-term plan to reduce reliance on city funding for organizations like Avita and Film Las Cruces.
- City Manager announced the New Mexico Municipal League annual conference (Aug 25-28) and upcoming Music in the Park event (Aug 23).
Meeting Transcript
You're live. Thank you. Good afternoon. Welcome to the City Council meeting. Today is Monday, August 17th, 2026. It's approximately 1 PM Mountain Standard Time. I am Mayor Pro Tem John Munoz. Before we start, I want to mention that we have the American Sign Language Interpreters available for every regular council meeting who are at the front for anyone who requires interpretation. We will start with the 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 the courageous men and women of the Las Russes Police Department and Las Russes Fire Department as they keep our city safe 24-765 days. Please join me for a moment of silence. Councilor Harris, would you please lead the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under law and advisable. Now we will begin with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation. Okay. On the retirement of President and CEO of the Greater Las Russes Chamber of Commerce, Debbie Moore, I'd like to read uh a few only a few of many, many accomplishments that Debbie has attained over her years of service. Debbie Moore has been a resident of Las Christians and has served as President and CEO of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce since May 2016. She's called New Mexico home since 1984. As a native of Claremore, Oklahoma, Debbie is widowed to her dear husband Bill, who passed away in 2018. She is blessed with the blended family of six children, 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Her chamber experience spans more than 35 years and includes leadership with the following organizations. There are so many awards to name, but let me cover a few. Honorary degree from Doña Anna County Community College, recipient of the Governor's Distinguished Public Servant Award, recipient of the Small Business Administration New Mexico Legacy Award. Debbie has been in many councils and many boards. Let me name a few, appointed by Governor Michelle Luhan Grisham as the member of the New Mexico Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee, where she currently serves as chair, appointed by the governor as a commissioner on the New Mexico Military Based Commission, appointed by the governor as a member of the New Mexico State Workforce Board, served and was very very instrumental in the Lost Russian Economic Recovery Council during COVID and its after effects, and sits in the Governor's Wim's Health House Memorial Task Force. Debbie has an extraordinary ability to unite and motivate very busy community and business leaders, volunteers, and partners. She has helped small business grow, strengthening both the local and state economy. Among the many accomplishments Debbie is proud of, one of the most meaningful is her steadfast support of White Sands Missile Range and Military Services. Debbie has also driven a strong and meaningful movement at the local, state, and national levels, expanding the chamber's contributions in advocacy in talent and enterprise development. Her impact includes 14 missions or trips to Washington, D.C. and the Pentagon. She has worked with six governors, numerous elected officials, and many boards throughout her career. Debbie's leadership has helped shape more than 800 leadership Las Cruces participants. She has supported more than 500 junior leadership participants and graduates, young people who represent the future of our community. In addition, she has worked with and supported more than 1,500 chamber ambassadors. Debbie, please keep on up. And I would like to ask the counselors if they would like to join me for a picture and presentation. Debbie, we cannot say enough to show you our appreciation and gratitude for what you've done for our community for New Mexico and the impact you've had on our lives. You've always shown uh an optimism for New Mexico and her people. As you retire, enjoy this wonderful milestone. I'd also like to uh bring up uh some chamber uh officers and visitors, um Chad, others in the middle. Not one to shy away from saying a few words. I didn't think I was gonna cry. Retiring is a trip. It's bittersweet. But I th I am very grateful for this council, the councils before this city, because they played such a pivotal role in my life. And um I am moving to Oklahoma to be with two of my children, and I will miss all of you. But I was watching Zootopia over the weekend. If you've watched Zootopia, and at the end, the bunny, I don't even know what her name was, was talking about moving forward and talking, and one thing I really value about our councils, about our staff here at the city is we may not always agree, but we have the conversations, and I just encourage you to keep up the conversations because that's important to moving our city, my new home forward. Uh I will miss you all dearly. Um I just want to shout out to uh a couple people, uh, three people that I worked with real close, uh see Mandy Leatherwood up there, the teethers and Christine, I think is behind me.
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