OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Las Cruces City Work Session - August 24, 2026: Downtown, Strategic Plan & Traffic

City Council Meetings & Work Session — Monday, August 24, 2026
BodyLas Cruces, New Mexico
SessionCity Council Meetings & Work Session
DateMonday, August 24, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:13:56

Transcript — Verbatim
2:32

Good afternoon, everyone.

2:33

Welcome to the city work session.

2:35

Today is Monday, August twenty-fourth, two thousand twenty six.

2:38

It's approximately one PM.

2:39

I'm Mayor Eric Enriquez.

2:41

We will start with a 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 our courageous men and women of the Las Cruces Police Department and Las Cruces Fire Department as they keep our city safe.

3:19

One nation undergoing into this with liberty and justice for all.

5:00

A little bit about me.

5:01

I am a wife.

5:02

I am a mother, a small business owner, a personal trainer, a native New Yorker, a resident of Las Cruces, and I am the executive director of Main Street Las Cruces, or formerly known as Downtown Las Cruces Partnership.

5:14

I've been in this role a little over a year now, and needless to say, it has been nothing short of a busy year.

5:20

Our priorities have been rebuilding our image and strengthening our relationship with the downtown community and the city overall.

5:27

Since moving here, I have watched downtown Las Cruces and Las Cruces as a city change and grow.

5:33

I'm proud to be part of that evolution, and I'm excited to share with you today what we've been working on as an organization.

5:41

So in the last year, Main Street Las Cruces not only hired me, but six new board members with various backgrounds and expertise.

5:48

So lots of transition in the last year, but as a team, we all share the same vision of what downtown can be.

5:58

Downtown communities are truly the heartbeat of a city.

6:01

They bring together businesses, residents, visitors, arts and culture, and community life.

6:07

And as an accredited Main Street organization, it is our goal to strengthen that environment.

6:13

Downtown Las Cruces is more than just a destination.

6:16

It's a launch pad for dreams where artists, business, and residents unite in a collaborative environment to experiment, grow, and push the boundaries of what is possible.

6:28

So since we are a Main Street America accredited organization, we follow a four-point approach.

6:33

So design, organization, promotion, economic vitality.

6:37

These work in synergy to create meaningful and lasting change in communities.

6:44

Oops.

6:49

So for the state of downtown, there is a lot happening.

6:52

We adopted the role of Main Street Las Cruces as the front door of the business ecosystem.

6:57

More than 6,000 people working in the district, but as I was informed a couple weeks ago, it's probably closer to 10,000.

7:02

We have millions of dollars in the TID with a strong calendar of events and activities go on downtown, including the weekly farmers and crafts market that happens on Wednesdays and Saturdays, that Karen has carefully curated over the years, a monthly fine arts flea market that happens on Fridays once a month that is indigenous and women-owned and operated.

7:22

Visit Las Cruces puts on Mita.

7:24

We have Zombie Walk and Chili Drop, and we've also seen capital improvements, including the Arts and Cultural District Lighting and Gateway Project and other city projects.

7:34

We do have the largest arts and cultural district in New Mexico, and that gives us a real opportunity to use arts and culture as part of our economic development strategy.

7:44

Our job is to help connect those creative assets with the broader downtown business ecosystem.

7:52

Aside from our annual budget of 125,000, one of the many ways we support downtown businesses is by connecting them with funding and free technical assistance through Main Street New Mexico Revitalization Specialists.

8:04

We received a 10,000 dollar grant from tourism event growth and sustainability from the state for Chili Drop.

8:10

We received a grant for New Mexico Resiliency Alliance for facade improvements for a restaurant of that house that is housed in a historic building downtown.

8:18

We assisted two businesses in the renovate Main Street grant process, and the amount that we were able to receive for them was totaling around 40,000.

8:26

And we also took the time to educate these business owners on the unique and business incentives the city has to offer.

8:35

We were also awarded 100,000 through the Creative Industries Arts and Cultural District pilot grant.

8:41

This funding supports the El Camino Real Heritage and Art Trail in the historic mesquite neighborhood.

8:47

We've been working in tandem with Las Esperanzas, Film Las Cruces, Economic Development and Historical Preservation.

8:54

We've hosted community engagement sessions, uh, three stakeholders three stakeholder networking events and focus groups to find out what the district residents and business owners hope for for the grant.

9:12

We received 14 submissions for mural concepts by four different artists.

9:17

We cross-promoted a business, a recently opened gallery in the Mesquite neighborhood, and local artist mural concepts we printed and we presented them in the gallery, and we had people from the community come in and they were able to see the concepts.

9:31

The funds will also be used for murals and public art, wayfinding signage, historic plaques, cultural storytelling and marketing, and GIS mapping.

9:39

And this is a great example about how art, history, and economic development can work together, and we're hoping to drive more foot traffic to the historic mesquite neighborhood.

9:48

Now I'd like to ask permission to have a testimonial from Martha Cruz from Las As Bronces.

9:57

Thank you.

10:04

Mayor and City Council.

10:07

By the way, my name is Martha Rodriguez.

10:10

My email address is cruise, so I think that's how she got confused.

10:15

But anyway, we want to thank Main Street Las Cruces Arts and Cultural District for partnering with Las Esperanzas.

10:24

Las Esperanzas is a volunteer organization that's that has existed in the Mesquite Historic District for over 26 years.

10:35

This past year has further solidified the partnership that has existed between the two organizations for many, many years.

10:44

Our partnership has continued to grow.

10:47

And with the creation of the Arts and Cultural District, especially, which includes part of the Mesquite Historic Neighborhood.

10:55

This year, the two organizations look to highlight the original town site of Las Cruces, the Mesquite neighborhood, and the Camino Real, also found in the Mesquite neighborhood.

11:08

Together, we have worked closely with neighbors and businesses to create artistic symbols in the neighborhood that will bring awareness to the rich culture that exists in Las Cruces.

11:21

We will highlight this not only to Las Cruz's visitors, but also to residents who may not be aware of the treasure that exists in our city.

11:33

Thanks, Main Street Las Cruces for all your hard work.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety███████████████████████████████████████39%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Strategic Planning█████████9%
Downtown Development██████6%
Homelessness█████5%
Farmers Market████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Community Engagement████4%
Affordable Housing███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Las Cruces City Work Session - August 24, 2026

The Las Cruces City Council held a work session on Monday, August 24, 2026, at approximately 1:00 PM, presided over by Mayor Eric Enriquez. The session included presentations from Main Street Las Cruces, the Farmers and Craft Market, an update on the city's strategic plan, and a joint presentation on traffic calming involving Public Works and the Las Cruces Police Department. Council discussed resource allocation, community feedback, and potential policy changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • George Pearson (Vice President, Velocrucis) expressed disappointment that a Vision Zero resolution has not been brought forward, advocating for lower default speed limits (25 mph) and reduced speed limits on surface roads to 35 mph. He supported speed safety cameras and community service options for violators.
  • Donald Wilson (President, Velocrucis; Vice President, Vulnerable Road Users of New Mexico) urged the council to adopt a Vision Zero resolution to eliminate road fatalities. He offered to partner with the city on best practices and noted that community service hours could be served with agencies like El Caldito and Casa de Peregrinos.
  • Andrea El Geen (Board member, Velocrucis; Safety Routes to Schools) voiced support for automated traffic enforcement but called for greater transparency regarding camera contracts (e.g., Flock) and data usage. She also supported the "Traffic Tip Tuesday" social media education initiative.
  • Grace Hogeen (Safe Routes to Schools teacher) stated briefly: "Save your first car slowing down and save lives."

Discussion Items

Main Street Las Cruces Presentation (Liana Angersani, Executive Director)

  • Liana introduced herself and highlighted the organization's priorities: rebuilding image and strengthening relationships. Since taking over a year ago, she hired six new board members.
  • Main Street Las Cruces follows a four-point approach (design, organization, promotion, economic vitality).
  • Key statistics: Over 6,000 (likely closer to 10,000) workers in the district; annual budget of $125,000; secured $100,000 Creative Industries grant for El Camino Real Heritage and Art Trail; $10,000 tourism grant for Chili Drop; $40,000 in Renovate Main Street grants for two businesses; $112,000 total grant funding and $15,000 in sponsorships.
  • Events: Zombie Walk had 6,000 attendees; Chili Drop had 6,000 attendees with a new LED chili (2,600 lights).
  • Survey results (157 respondents) showed perceived safety, cleanliness, and appearance improved since 2024 but still have work. Business closures left residual loss; efforts to clean up downtown via volunteers/NMSU students discussed.
  • 62% repost rate on Instagram stories.
  • Councilor Harris asked about business exits: Liana cited rent and ownership issues. Councilor Krent suggested engaging Main Street in vacancy conversations. Council praised the organization's work.

Farmers and Craft Market (Kieran Bradshaw, Manager)

  • The market supports SNAP/double-up, WIC, and senior programs. This past year, redeemed over $356,000 through the senior program (July–November).
  • New program: "Protein Plus" launching September 2026, offering 50% off protein (up to $20) for low-income/food-insecure customers.
  • Vendor numbers remain stable; some long-term vendors retired, replaced by new ones. Saturday morning attendance estimated between 3,500 and 5,000.
  • Awards: New Mexico Grown Golden Chili Award (November 2025); Good Food for New Mexico Award (January 2026); recognized by New Mexico legislature; Bulletin's Best Attraction; finalist for Best Local Market.
  • Marketing: ads on Adams Radio, New Mexico Magazine, etc.
  • Upcoming events: Pet costume contest, Easter egg hunt (distributed over 12,000 plastic eggs), Christmas Eve market.
  • Councilor Bencomo asked about nonprofit tabling; Kieran directed inquiries to the office. Councilor noted a student art partnership opportunity.

City Strategic Plan Update (Chris Faber, Community Development Director; Brittany Poss, Single Space Strategies)

  • This was the second of three work sessions. The next is late September to review draft, with adoption in November.
  • Community engagement: 331 survey responses, 86 attendees at five community meetings, four focus groups (business, community leaders, young people), and tabling at farmers market.
  • Top areas for progress (open-ended survey): homelessness (~33%), safety (~30%), transparency (~20%), road conditions (12%), programs for teens/kids (8%), affordable housing (8%).
  • Trade-off survey results: 70% preferred maintaining existing infrastructure over building new; more wanted to keep up with growth than build more housing; balance desired between attracting new business vs. growing local; balance between law enforcement and support systems.
  • Focus groups: business leaders wanted business-friendly processes, safety, larger employers, youth opportunity. Community leaders emphasized jobs, housing, healthcare, transportation. Young people wanted safe third spaces, parks, walkability, small business support.
  • Public meeting priorities: homelessness, parks/trails, jobs, sustainability, mental health; most urgent: homelessness, affordable housing, sustainability, mental health, water, safety. Spending prioritization: mental health/youth programs, then homelessness, sustainability, housing, water.
  • Council discussion: Councilor Matisse advocated for tiny homes/ADUs for housing and homelessness. Councilor Bencomo emphasized listening to young people, safe third spaces, and pedestrian safety. Councilor Corr highlighted economic diversification and workforce retention, with support for local businesses. Councilor Krent stressed transparency and leveraging community partnerships. Mayor Enriquez noted homelessness is multi-layered, and city policies can increase housing costs (e.g., park requirements). Councilor Harris reminded that the strategic plan should be tactical with measurable outcomes. Councilor McClure asked to scaffold on Elevate Las Cruces goals. Staff will provide draft by September 14 and hold another work session September 28.

Traffic Calming Update (Jimmy Moreno, Interim Public Works Director; Lieutenant Austin, LCPD)

  • Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program: Proposed changes to streamline process: lower petition threshold from 75% to 51% majority; replace multi-stage consensus with a data-driven priority matrix (speed 40 pts, pedestrian risk 30 pts, traffic volume 20 pts, crash history 10 pts). Pre-screen filters (geometry/operational) remove unsuitable roads. Three tiers: Tier 1 (score <30) – education; Tier 2 (30-65 or 5-9 mph over) – temporary measures, evaluated after 12 months; Tier 3 (>65 or >10 mph over) – fast-track permanent installation. Budget: $500,000 from GRT.
  • Council feedback: Councilor Bencomo asked to include renters in petitions (not just homeowners) – staff will consider. Mayor suggested lowering petition threshold further to 15-20% or using public hearings. Councilor Krent asked to consider previously submitted petitions. Council supported the new approach and directed staff to bring forward changes (no further council action needed for policy, but Mayor requested formal presentation for transparency).
  • Automated Enforcement (Speed/Red Light Cameras): Lieutenant Austin presented data from previous program (2009-2012) with mixed results due to inconsistent activation and state policy changes. New state policy (NMDLT) requires a data-driven application. Albuquerque data shows 20 of 26 cameras reduced speeds; Bernalillo County offers community service option. Proposed speed-only cameras (transportable) for residential areas; red light cameras at high-crash intersections. Cost: violator-funded, no city cost. Council discussed equity, transparency, and data retention. Mayor expressed full support, directing staff to bring forward a resolution/ordinance for implementation, including a pilot program. Councilor McClure suggested experiential community service. Lieutenant Austin noted the program can free up motor officers for neighborhood enforcement.

Key Outcomes

  • Strategic Plan: Council provided direction on priorities (housing diversity, economic diversification, public safety, youth programs, infrastructure). Staff to deliver draft by September 14, with another work session September 28, and adoption in November.
  • Neighborhood Traffic Calming: Council directed Public Works to proceed with proposed changes: reduce petition threshold to 51%, include renters as eligible signatories, and adopt the prioritization matrix. Staff will also consider lower thresholds or alternative input methods. A formal presentation to council is requested for transparency.
  • Automated Enforcement: Council directed LCPD and Public Works to develop a resolution/ordinance for a pilot program using automated speed/red light cameras, with a focus on high-crash corridors (e.g., Lohman, Main Street). Key elements: speed-only cameras for neighborhoods, data-driven location selection, community service option for fines, and clear data retention policies. Staff to return to council with a detailed proposal.
  • Main Street Las Cruces and Farmers Market: Presentations received and discussed; no formal votes taken. Council expressed appreciation and support.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the city work session. Today is Monday, August twenty-fourth, two thousand twenty six. It's approximately one PM. I'm Mayor Eric Enriquez. We will start with a 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 our courageous men and women of the Las Cruces Police Department and Las Cruces Fire Department as they keep our city safe. One nation undergoing into this with liberty and justice for all. A little bit about me. I am a wife. I am a mother, a small business owner, a personal trainer, a native New Yorker, a resident of Las Cruces, and I am the executive director of Main Street Las Cruces, or formerly known as Downtown Las Cruces Partnership. I've been in this role a little over a year now, and needless to say, it has been nothing short of a busy year. Our priorities have been rebuilding our image and strengthening our relationship with the downtown community and the city overall. Since moving here, I have watched downtown Las Cruces and Las Cruces as a city change and grow. I'm proud to be part of that evolution, and I'm excited to share with you today what we've been working on as an organization. So in the last year, Main Street Las Cruces not only hired me, but six new board members with various backgrounds and expertise. So lots of transition in the last year, but as a team, we all share the same vision of what downtown can be. Downtown communities are truly the heartbeat of a city. They bring together businesses, residents, visitors, arts and culture, and community life. And as an accredited Main Street organization, it is our goal to strengthen that environment. Downtown Las Cruces is more than just a destination. It's a launch pad for dreams where artists, business, and residents unite in a collaborative environment to experiment, grow, and push the boundaries of what is possible. So since we are a Main Street America accredited organization, we follow a four-point approach. So design, organization, promotion, economic vitality. These work in synergy to create meaningful and lasting change in communities. Oops. So for the state of downtown, there is a lot happening. We adopted the role of Main Street Las Cruces as the front door of the business ecosystem. More than 6,000 people working in the district, but as I was informed a couple weeks ago, it's probably closer to 10,000. We have millions of dollars in the TID with a strong calendar of events and activities go on downtown, including the weekly farmers and crafts market that happens on Wednesdays and Saturdays, that Karen has carefully curated over the years, a monthly fine arts flea market that happens on Fridays once a month that is indigenous and women-owned and operated. Visit Las Cruces puts on Mita. We have Zombie Walk and Chili Drop, and we've also seen capital improvements, including the Arts and Cultural District Lighting and Gateway Project and other city projects. We do have the largest arts and cultural district in New Mexico, and that gives us a real opportunity to use arts and culture as part of our economic development strategy. Our job is to help connect those creative assets with the broader downtown business ecosystem. Aside from our annual budget of 125,000, one of the many ways we support downtown businesses is by connecting them with funding and free technical assistance through Main Street New Mexico Revitalization Specialists. We received a 10,000 dollar grant from tourism event growth and sustainability from the state for Chili Drop. We received a grant for New Mexico Resiliency Alliance for facade improvements for a restaurant of that house that is housed in a historic building downtown. We assisted two businesses in the renovate Main Street grant process, and the amount that we were able to receive for them was totaling around 40,000. And we also took the time to educate these business owners on the unique and business incentives the city has to offer. We were also awarded 100,000 through the Creative Industries Arts and Cultural District pilot grant. This funding supports the El Camino Real Heritage and Art Trail in the historic mesquite neighborhood. We've been working in tandem with Las Esperanzas, Film Las Cruces, Economic Development and Historical Preservation. We've hosted community engagement sessions, uh, three stakeholders three stakeholder networking events and focus groups to find out what the district residents and business owners hope for for the grant. We received 14 submissions for mural concepts by four different artists. We cross-promoted a business, a recently opened gallery in the Mesquite neighborhood, and local artist mural concepts we printed and we presented them in the gallery, and we had people from the community come in and they were able to see the concepts. The funds will also be used for murals and public art, wayfinding signage, historic plaques, cultural storytelling and marketing, and GIS mapping. And this is a great example about how art, history, and economic development can work together, and we're hoping to drive more foot traffic to the historic mesquite neighborhood. Now I'd like to ask permission to have a testimonial from Martha Cruz from Las As Bronces. Thank you. Mayor and City Council. By the way, my name is Martha Rodriguez.

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