City of Las Cruces

The meeting commenced with departmental highlights covering airport infrastructure maintenance and future improvement plans for runways and taxiways, including the estimated $10.5 million project for runway 826 reconstruction. The Parks and Recreation update detailed upcoming registrations for various camps, swim lessons, and a dumpster day event, alongside reports on elevator repair and ongoing pump replacement for a warm water pool. Following these updates, presentations were given regarding pets of the week (dog Harvest and cat Mia) and a special session with NMSU students from the democracy seminar group to observe local governance. Public participation included a citizen raising concerns regarding alleged falsehoods and significant gaps in the city's Consumer Confidence Reports concerning lead levels in the drinking water system, noting specific exceedances in 2023 and 2024 for the Los Alurus system. Another speaker addressed the prioritization of utility inspections, arguing that inspectors focused disproportionately on higher-value, non-disadvantaged properties instead of genuinely low-income and disadvantaged areas as promised during federal funding acquisition. A council member later offered commentary on public safety, referencing convictions related to the Young Park massacre and criticizing a perceived hostility towards law enforcement concerning the allocation of GRT revenues.

The primary discussion involved a Special Use Permit (SUP) application for a cannabis dispensary at 2110 North Alamita Boulevard, located at the former Eagle Mart and laundromat site. This application was submitted under the 2001 zoning code during a grace period, as the use is no longer permitted under the new development code. Staff recommended approval, noting the proposal meets distance requirements from sensitive areas and aligns with comprehensive plan goals to redevelop vacant commercial properties. Public participation expressed significant opposition due to concerns about proximity to children, health factors related to cannabis consumption, increased crime rates in the area, and severe traffic congestion/safety issues at the intersection of Alamita Boulevard and Three Crosses Avenue. A commissioner inquired about a previously approved 2024 permit at the location, which did not materialize, as the applicant was instead proposing an addition to the south side of the existing structure, which was then complicated by flood plain concerns.

The work session centered on a report regarding the Las Cruces Public Schools Community Schools Partnership. Key discussion points included defining a community school using the six key practices (powerful student and family engagement, collaborative leadership, culturally enriched learning opportunities, rigorous community-connected classroom instruction, culture of belonging, safety, and care, and integrated systems of support). The history and growth of the initiative, starting in 2016 at Lynn Middle School, were detailed, noting the partnership agreement with the City of Las Cruces in 2018 and the associated annual funding contributions, which have recently increased to $150,000. The report highlighted resource partnerships, including Clinica de la Familia for medical/mental health services and NMSU STEM outreach for out-of-school-time programming. Strategic planning emphasized addressing funding volatility, exploring asset mapping, and developing an internship opportunity with New Mexico State University to sustain and scale the community schools coordinators. A major outcome discussed was the goal to decrease chronic absenteeism by 50%, showing a trend toward 30% from a starting rate of 35-36% in 2021. Council members inquired about collaboration with Parks and Recreation for youth programs, specifically mentioning swimming opportunities.

The meeting proceedings began with acknowledgments of an American Sign Language interpreter, a moment of silence for the armed forces and local departments, and the pledge of allegiance. Key agenda items included several proclamations: one for National Engineers Week, recognizing the contributions of engineers, particularly those at El Paso Electric; another for Support Our Healthcare Providers Week, addressing the physician shortage crisis in Los Cruces and Doña Ana County; a proclamation for Pioneer Bank Day, honoring its 125 years of community partnership; and a proclamation for Government Communicators Day, recognizing city communications staff. Additionally, the Assistant Utilities Director presented the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) regarding drinking water quality, noting lead levels are well below the EPA action level, and addressed resident concerns about lead in specific private homes by offering to review sampling records upon receiving addresses. The meeting also featured updates on available jobs of the week and presentations on pets of the week, including the adoption of two guinea pigs and highlighting long-term resident dogs needing homes.

The meeting included a motion to reorder the agenda, followed by the approval of the December 17, 2025 HPC Minutes. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Annual Committee Training, covering topics such as board classifications, adherence to the Municipal Code, Code of Ethics, the Open Meetings Act (including agenda posting requirements and exceptions for closed meetings), and Rules of Procedure derived from Robert's Rules of Order. The training also detailed the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), including metadata considerations related to AI use. During Public Participation, concerns were raised regarding the loss of historic adobe structures, the perceived discriminatory nature of demolition approvals, and the omission of Artificial Intelligence (AI) issues in IPRA guidelines. Staff and Committee input focused on the Doña Ana County Historical Society's award banquet, upcoming work sessions for design guidelines content draft, and updates on the Hispanic Cultural Center and the potential defunding of military museums. Committee cabinet positions for chair and vice-chair were voted upon and approved. The second part of the Annual Committee Training reviewed design review responsibilities, which falls under the city's ordinance (referred to as plan review in Las Cruces) covering new construction, alterations, and demolition. The standards for decision-making (ordinance, design guidelines, Secretary of the Interior Standards) were outlined. The final major agenda item involved a discussion to reevaluate the Community Watch List criteria, distinguishing between buildings needing immediate attention (watch list) and those worthy of the city register, noting that owner consent is required for local register inclusion. There were substantial public comments expressing frustration regarding perceived favoritism in building protection decisions.