Well, good afternoon. Welcome to city
council meeting. Today is Monday,
November 3rd,
2025. It's approximately 100 p.m. I am
Mayor Eric Enriquez. Uh before we start,
I want to mention that we have the
American Sign Language up in the front
and they're available if anyone uh
requires the interpretation services.
Uh we'll 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
and also for our Los Cusus Police and
Los Cusus Fire Department who protect
our city 247.
If you join me in the pledge. I pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
We'll start next with some recognitions
and proclamation.
We'd like to start out with the
recognition of three high school
students from Centennial High School. If
I can ask the coach um Danielle Dollar
and Coach Cario to come up.
And also we'd like to have the students
come up here. Braden Allison
James
Roi
Roi Roi and Ty Dollar.
Sorry about that. James.
So, these three amazing students at
Centennial High School u assist their
coach
since 2024.
Braden, James, and Ty have been helping
with the eight and under and the 10 and
under co-ed basketball through parks and
recreation at Mer Merchite Recreation
Center. Braden and James are both
Centennial High School varsity
basketball players, NHS members, and
student government. Ty Dollar is both a
Centennial varsity basketball player and
Centennial varsity golf as well as
Messa.
Even though they're very busy and
challenging schedules, maintaining their
GPA, they have showed up for the kids
even in the summer. They practice two
days a week with games on one day of
these weeks. Three gentlemen have showed
up for these kids, coming from all
backgrounds and challenges, showing a
patience and kindness you don't always
see in teenagers.
We started our team with players with
zero experience, different
personalities, co-parenting difficulties
at times, and organized chaos.
They have never complained and they have
purchased equipment on their own to
better our team and oftentimes stopping
at the store to bring the kids prizes
for their hard work. All three of these
boys have been influential in the kids
lives giving structure and teaching
fundamental of the games and teamwork.
But what has been the most aw inspiring
is the teaching of kindness. oftentimes
giving hugs, kissing
boooos, tying shoelaces, and checking in
their homework and teaching kindness to
others. These boys often have come to
our practice after their own practice or
leaving our practice to go to the game.
Braden, James, and Tai have never asked
for recognition. Often times they even
ask their friends and teammates to come
and cheer on the kids at their games. If
there is anything the city council would
do to recognize these future leaders of
our community, it would be greatly
appreciated. So that's what we're doing
today. We want to recognize these three
individuals. And so the certificates
read to each one to James,
to Tai, and to Braden. In honor of their
outstanding performance and recognition
for the high standards of excellence,
this certificate is issued in
recognition of civic interest and an
expression of appreciation by the mayor
on behalf of the citizens of the s city
of Los Cruuses dated this 3rd day of
November, 2025.
Huge congratulations to these three
young students. Thank you very much for
all that you do and the inspiration and
the influence that you're carrying on
for others. Let's give them a round of
applause.
[applause]
[cough and clears throat]
You guys
[clears throat]
shit.
[applause]
Next is a proclamation uh Los Cruus's
day of remembrance for road traffic
victims. And I believe heaven is here to
accept.
So, the city of Los Cruus's proclamation
reads, "Whereas the state of New Mexico
consistently ranks disproportionately
high for roadway fatalities, and whereas
our state has led the nation in
pedestrian death per capita every year
since 2016. Whereas, 401 lives were lost
on New Mexico roadways in 24
24 of those
here in Donana County. And whereas
countless persons having survived motor
vehicle crashes live with serious
ongoing challenges. And whereas the CDC
and other organizations have determined
that deadly roadway collisions are
fundamentally preventable. And whereas
the traumatic aftermath of crashes which
result in serious injuries or death is
especially devastating for the families
of victims, for survivors, and for those
involved in emergency services of
various kinds. And whereas everyone who
uses our streets and roads, especially
those who are at great risk,
pedestrians, cyclists, and other users
of active transportation, would benefit
greatly from enhanced implementation and
evidence-based actions to reduce and
eventually eliminate further traffic
deaths and injuries. And whereas vision
zero aims to unite our community to
prioritize traffic safety, contributing
to the health, equity, and
sustainability of our municipality,
focus joint efforts towards completely
eliminating traffic crashes. Now
therefore, we the mayor and city council
of Los Cusus, New Mexico, join with
others all around the globe on November
16, 2025, and hereby proclaim this date
to be observed as Los Cusus's day of
remembrance for road traffic victims.
Present this to heaven.
Hello, my name is Heaven Kokit. Thank
you all for being here today.
This proclamation was presented to me
because of those who have lost their
lives due to road accidents.
On November 16th, we will be having a
remembrance day for those who have lost
their lives at Albert St. Johnson Park.
Please feel free to join us. Thank you.
[applause]
Next on the agenda is jobs of the week,
Sarah Rainey.
Good afternoon.
You'll have to excuse my voice. I've
lost it today. So, it's kind of rough.
All right. My name is Sarah Rainey. I'm
the onestop coordinator for the
Southwest Region of America's Job
Center, New Mexico. For the jobs of the
week, we have a recreation event
supervisor for the city of Los Cusus
starting at 45,000 and the posting
closes on the 10th, so just a week away.
We also have a marketing specialist for
the city starting at $1877 an hour. That
one also closes in a week. We have a
universal banker, two full-time and one
part-time positions um at the Citizens
Bank of Las Cruises. Those depend on
your experience and they close at later
on this month.
We have a compliance officer for HHS
Donana County um starting at 2116 an
hour and the posting closes in a week.
We have a fleet support specialist for
MVT Holdings starting at 14 an hour and
it closes on the 22nd. And then within
our office at AJC on Alama, we have a
workforce development specialist for the
Department of Workforce Solutions. Um,
starting at 21.96 an hour and the
posting closes on the 7th, so it closes
this week. Um, get your applications in
on that one.
For the upcoming events, we have some
upcoming events in November. Um, there's
not a lot going on, but there is a lot
in our office. So, if you are looking
for a job, whether part-time, full-time,
or whatever, we have several things that
are going on. JobCore will be in our
office um tomorrow. Um we also have
Mountain Shadows this week. They are
hiring on the spot and doing interviews.
And then we have Community of Hope, our
job readiness that we do monthly out
there. We invite you all to come out and
see how that one's going to. That one's
getting more and more popular. And we
have a lot of good repeats that are
utilizing the services.
If anyone needs any assistance at all
can reach us at the job center on Alama
and you can come you can also reach out
on employeem.com
and also all of our social medias are
under employm.
Thank you.
Thank you sir.
Yes.
Next is pets of the week with Carol
Good afternoon. I'm Carol Nelson,
digital content specialist with the
Animal Services Center of the Messia
Valley. This week, our dog of the week
is Key Lime Pi 91339.
I'm a happy puppy who despite my nutty
kennel mate, I stay positive and full of
energy. My tail is always wagging,
especially when it comes to treats and
affection. I've learned some great
tricks. I can sit like a pro and I wait
patiently by the kennel door before it
opens. I'm a sweet girl with a curious
side. I love to chase butterflies and
explore the world around me. I'm looking
for someone who can give me lots of pets
and love. I just want to be with my
humans and share my love.
Um, and as has been the last couple of
weeks, our cat of the week has already
been adopted. So, we're super happy for
Strawberry Shortcake. Um, we do want to
highlight our long-term residents, uh,
because the longer they stay in shelter,
it is harder for them to thrive. Um, and
we are highlighting one of our recent,
uh, so Cosette has been with us 300
days. Cookies and Cream is one of the
examples of why it's so important to
come adopt our long-terms. Was not doing
well and is unfortunately now deceased.
So, please, please, please come adopt
our long-term residents. Dexter has been
with us 285 days and Finn 275 days.
This coming weekend we are going to be
at the farmers market from 10 to 1. So
come by, you know, not only visit the
vendors, but come see our adoptable
pets, bring a friend who's ready to
adopt. Um, it's always a great time. Um,
and for more information, you can visit
our website at asmv.org
or follow us on social media. Thank you.
All
right. Thank you, Cara.
Next is conflict of interest. Does any
member of city council, city manager, or
me any member of the city staff have any
known conflict of interest with any item
on the agenda?
None.
No.
Okay. Next is public participation will
allow up to three minutes. Uh three
minutes no pending litigation on items
on non-consent.
Since this is election season, we want
to please refrain from using this time
as a political platform as well.
So Katrina will escort those that uh
wish to speak.
Mayor, council folks here today and
those watching online. I'm Lin Moer.
I've learned of more galvanized water
pipes in this city. At least 77
properties with galvanized service lines
requiring replacement under the lead and
copper rule are now identified. Many
have been hidden from the public. More
than a quarter don't show up in the
online inventory that EPA requires
because Lasus utilities falsely labels
them unknown or non-LED. Keep in mind
that the reason galvanized pipes need to
be replaced is because there's some
involvement of lead at the connectors or
upstream. This means calling galvanized
pipes non-LED is not accurate. The
city's records also hide galvanized
piping by using inventory labeling that
doesn't match the investigation report.
There's six suites in the inventory
associated with 505 South Main Street
suites 102, 103, 109, 114, 115, and 117
that all say non-LED. By contrast,
there's investigation reports for just
three meters associated with 505 South
Main Street, labeled meters four, five,
and six, which are all galvanized. It
doesn't say which meters associated with
which suite, but none of the six suites
shows up in the inventory as having
galvanized piping, even though the
meters show galvanized piping. Handout
one is an investigation report for a
property on South Locust that indicates
the system own line is copper and the
connector materials are galvanized.
Thus, this line should be regarded as
galvanized. It says the customerowned
service line is also galvanized. By
contrast, the inventory characterizes
this property as non-led plastic for
both lines, even though there's no
finding of plastic of any kind in the
investigation report. The differences
between the investigation report and the
inventory record for this property are
stark. One says the piping is
galvanized. The other says it's plastic.
If it's galvanized, it must be replaced.
If it's plastic, it doesn't need to be.
These differences can't be excused. If
you owned this property, you really I
really doubt you would be satisfied with
this workmanship. This falsification of
records is dangerous. In public health,
environmental protection, and
engineering, the devil is in the
details. Bad things can happen if you
don't get the details right. The
evidence is indisputable that many of
the city's records are clearly false.
It's very troubling. Plus, EPA requires
each property owner with galvanized
piping requiring replacement be notified
within 30 days of inventory completion,
which handout two explains on page six.
But Los Cusus Utilities hasn't done
this. It's a knowing violation. This is
your utilities department that's
consistently failing to conduct
competent investigations, to maintain an
accurate inventory, or to carry out the
required notifications. You need to do
something about it. Don't you agree?
Thank you for this opportunity to speak.
Mayor, city council, I'm Liz Rodriguez
Johnson. It's been more than a year
since Lasus's utility said it submitted
the initial inventory to EPA October 16,
2024 to comply with the lead and copper
rule. Even though the city should
consider the inventory to be a living
data set that is continuously improved
over time as materials are investigated,
the city has been content to allow
deficiencies to persist. The city must
now correct them because EPA requires
the inventory to be updated at least
annually. Where on the inventory map is
the other half of the city properties
that Lasus's utilities has omitted? EPA
requires the inventory to include all
service lines. See handout two, page
two, which Lyn Moore just gave you. Many
of the properties that don't show
hookups are mobile homes. Why are they
still not included?
Handout two also states on page two that
water systems should include in their
inventories pipe diameter, installation
date, source of material information,
actual material material, non-LED lines,
and other sources like gooseenecks and
solder. The inventory doesn't show any
of this information for any property.
Why not? The inventory used to show
installation dates. But when false
claims that piping was not led because
of installation after the lead ban were
publicly noted, all installation dates
were disappeared. Why? Why dozens of
property still show up on the map in a
location that doesn't match its street
address? Handout A shows one example.
The street address says this property is
on Holly Drive, but the designation on
the map is placed on the corner of A
Street and East Street, which appears to
be a block away from Holly Drive.
Correctly identifying street addresses
on a map seems like a pretty simple task
that Lasus's utilities should be able to
master after a year of working on the
inventory. When Laser's Utilities
demonstrates that it isn't carrying out
fundamental tasks correctly, it creates
doubt that more complex complex tasks
related to compliance with the rule are
being handled competently. EPA requires
systems to offer to sample the tap water
for lead for any consumer served by a
lead galvanized requiring replacement or
unknown unknown service line who
requests it. This requirement is set out
in handout 4 to provide
to you at the that was provided to you
at the July 21 meeting. Handout B at
page three is another EPA document that
reiterates this requirement. Lasus
utilities still has not done this
significant violation. Why do you
continue to fail to instruct the city
manager to asssure that this sample
sampling is carried out as required?
Thank you.
Good afternoon, Mayor Enriquez, city
councelor's chief story. My name is
Shirley O'Brien. I am the chief of
student services and community relations
for Las Cru's public schools. Thank you
for giving me the opportunity to come by
this afternoon and speak for a moment
about our bond in mill levy that will be
on the ballot or has been on the ballot
for early voters. So, um we have a $65
million bond on the ballot uh that and a
a renewal of a three mill levy. The $65
million bond will be used for
renovations, repairs, maintenance, and
new classrooms for our students. Um, and
uh some of these items include $20
million for Mayfield High School
renovation. Um, that will be going an
ongoing project because it's going to
take us about 8 to nine years to get
that project completed, but it is time
for that building, which is almost 60
years to get a renovation and a
facelift. Um, we also have some Title N
projects to bring equity to our boys and
girls athletic facilities at three of
our high schools. Um, those will be at
Mayfield, Los Cusus High, and Oregon
Mountain High School. Uh, playground
equipment and shade structures at
several of our elementary schools. We
know how important it is for our
playground equipment to be up to
standard. And we also want to provide
shade uh for our students. We know our
summers are brutally hot in our uh late
spring and and early fall. Um we also
have some roof and HVAC uh uh
replacements that we'll be doing in
several of our schools and safety and
security enhancements. Every time we
pull our families, of course, safety is
always number one on the list. Uh we
will be uh working on exterior key card
entrances for every one of our schools
so that everybody enters with a badge
and we'll do that on the exterior of all
of our schools and then we will move
into the interior and every one of our
schools will be affected by this
project. Um, we also have a small
contingency fund there to make sure that
if we have any overruns or increases due
to supply chain issues, we have a little
bit bit of money to make sure that we
finish these projects. We do have some
carryover from the 2021 bond which we
will complete in this bond. We want to
be transparent with our community and
let them know that we said we were going
to do these projects and we will
complete them. Um, that is about it. Our
three, let me just say one more thing
about our three mill levy. So that
generates about $10 million a year for
our school district and that again is
used for maintenance and upkeep, also
for band instruments, band uniforms. So
that funding is also very important uh
for those going to the polls. Make sure
you turn your ballots over. Some will
have one of these questions on the back
of their ballot. Um, and with that, I
stand for any questions if that's
allowed. No. Okay. Thank you.
No, thank you for the information,
Charlie. Appreciate it.
Thank you.
Tim Jenkins here. After watching last
week's session, it is crystal clear to
me that there is a certain demographic
of people who spoke at last meeting that
wished for nothing more than to defund
and demoralize our police department,
which I find very hard to fathom
considering that they have never a day
in their lives stepped into the shoes of
a law enforcement position.
I also find it very troubling that these
same individuals attended and voted at
all six town hall meetings even though
it wasn't even in their district or they
had no business even being there.
When there with all the discussion and
talk about the raising the GRT,
what was discussed and talked about time
and time again, the number one priority
that was at the top of the list the
entire time was public safety and how we
can make our city safer and support the
police in their efforts to do the same.
So, how is it possible that not even a
year later, public safety seems to have
worked its way down to the bottom of the
list? And how is it possible that
spending 35 millions on a library
renovation is somehow going to make our
city safer? I guess I will answer my own
question. Renovating [clears throat] the
library will never in a million years
make our city safer.
In my opinion, the GRT should never have
been raised without a concrete plan in
place of where those funds would go.
Public safety needs to be everyone's top
priority. No matter what anyone says,
our city is being overrun and destroyed,
and it is heartbreaking to watch this
play out before our eyes.
I believe in my heart that it should be
mandatory for every member on city
council to do a ride along with LCPD at
least every 3 months so you all get a
small taste of what our officers face
day in and day out in the trenches in
our city. Our officers need our support
more than ever now. Thank you.
Next is the acceptance of agenda.
Move to approve. Graham.
Second. Corin.
This is on the motion to accept the
agenda as presented. Councelor Mccclure.
Yes. Councelor Matise,
yes.
Councelor Graham,
yes. Councelor Karan,
yes.
Councelor Flores,
yes.
Councelor Bencoml is absent. And Mayor,
yes.
We'll start out with item 7.1,
resolution number 26-060.
Move to approve.
Second by Flores.
All right, Cynthia, go ahead.
Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council. My
name is Cynthia Labo, capital
improvements program manager, and I have
a few amendments for you to uh to
review. We have two types of amendments
today. is one for a grant that was
recently accepted and the second uh
group of amendments are for projects
that as their project is moving forward
we want to just reflect the funding that
they have available to continue with the
project.
Recently council approved a grants for
the airport specifically for the
automated weather observation system and
it was will bring the total of for the
project for 1.3
Now, we have this set of projects that
are moving forward. So, we're just
making an amendment to reflect the
funding that they have available. ADA
sidewalk program will have an increase
of 471 for a total of 621,000.
the real time crime center which the
project specifically is to improve and
acquire their uh technology.
They will have an increase of 108,000
for an ending balance of 87900,000.
And the electric buses is for the
procurement of those buses. So this will
have an amendment and will bring in the
ending balance of 6.3.
The next set of adjustments are for the
utility department. We have gas building
improvements which are improvements to
the interior and exterior of the
building. With the amendment of 487,
this will have an ending balance of
76900,000.
We have for gasa which is a regular
grant that the utilities department has.
This will bring in an ending balance of
10 million. And then the gas
rehabilitation which are several
projects related to the rehabilitation
will have a change of 48700,000
for a total of 2.5.
So these are only the set of amendments
that we have for you review today
related to um
utilities and then this ones are for
solid uh solid waste waste water and
waste water. The first two are for the
building improvements again interior and
exterior improvements.
Solid waste will have an ended balance
of 1.5.
Wastewater with the increase of 22,000
will increase to 574. And lastly, the
water development will have an ending
balance of 1 million 1 21,000.
With that, those are your council
options for today.
Thank you, Cynthia. Any questions,
council?
All right, seeing none.
Christine,
this is on the motion to approve
resolution 26-060.
Councelor Mccclure,
yes.
Councelor Matise,
yes.
Councelor Graham,
yes.
Councelor Karan,
yes.
Councelor Flores,
yes.
Councelor Beno is absent. And mayor,
yes.
Next is item 7.2, resolution number
26-061.
Move to approve grant. Second.
Okay. Jen.
Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council.
Jan Lauderbach with Housing and
Neighborhood Services.
The resolution before you seeks approval
of a pre-commitment of funding, city
funding for an affordable housing
development to be known as the Royal
Crossing Apartments.
to help address the sha the housing
shortage
and coinciding with city council's
strategic plan in our affordable housing
plan.
We are requesting a pre-commitment of
city funding up to 4.7 million for the
complex. The complex is proposed to be
built in the Royal Crossing subdivision,
what I would call the old country club.
Um, if you're newer to Los Cusus, it's
in the area north of Apadaka Park in the
development where the Three Crosses
Regional Hospital is located.
We have been communicating with Colin
Krueger of Enriched Communities LLC over
the past several months on this proposed
development. Enriched Communities LLC
has done work in several communities in
New Mexico, most recently finishing up
Elk Meadows, a 72 unit complex in
Riadoso.
This will be the first complex or the
first development for them in Los Cruus.
Enriched Communities has been working in
partnership with Tiara Dul Housing
Corporation on this project. However, we
were notified late last week that
Housing New Mexico, otherwise known as
MFA, has a threshold requirement for
financial feasibility in which an entity
or including their affiliates will not
receive more than one award. And Tierel
Soul Housing Corporation is associated
with two LITC applications through
housing New Mexico. So, enriched
communities will either be looking for a
new nonprofit partner or going alone.
Just putting that in there. Um, the
proposed Royal Crossing apartments will
be a 108 unit complex for seniors and
families. You'll see the bedroom sizes
there. 241, 52bedrooms,
and 33bs
with total development cost estate
estimated at 30,982.
Um the developer will be working with
city staff to allow for connectivity
with amenities um currently located at
Apadaka Park and we were provided a
preliminary sketch with community garden
splash pad and other play areas.
Uh the request for a pre-commitment of
funding is subject to the project
receiving the award of low-income
housing tax credits and the developer
being certified as a qualified grantee
pursuant to the state's affordable
housing act and the city's affordable
housing general oversight ordinance. The
investment of city funding strengthens
the LITC um tax credit application and
would be provided as a 20-year residual
receipts loan at 3%.
If the project is awarded LITC funding,
we would come back to council at a later
date for approval of the loan agreement.
Here is our preliminary site plan.
You'll see the two buildings with green
space in between with the community
garden splash pad. Again, they'll be
meeting with parks also.
Next slide is a picture of the vicinity
map. Um, you'll see the subject parcel
outlined in red.
Then I have an art architect's rendering
of the property.
And with that, I have stand for
questions. And
Jen, any question? Uh, councelor K
I Oh, go ahead.
I'm sorry. I wanted to also note that I
have the developer in the audience for
any additional questions.
Thank you. Thanks, Jen.
Super exciting. I was just wondering if
you could talk a little bit about 4%
versus 9% and the context for that and
if there's any Oh, look how how handy
that you anticipated my question. Um
anyway, I just wanted to to allude to
this because I think it's relevant to
the part of the conversation that we're
going to have. So, please
yes, teach us. Mayor and Councelor
Karan, I'm not the best teacher. Uh, I
have Natalie probably in my back pocket,
but a 4% versus a 9% a 9% with MF with
Housing New Mexico offers 70% of the
construction cost towards the deal. And
a 4% only offers 30%. So, there's a lot
more financing needed with a 4% than a
9%.
That's my education on the four and the
nines.
this is more competitive and more
benefits to the community if we're able
to qualify for it. Right.
Definitely. U Mayor and Councelor Karan,
that is a a good point to make. I
apologize for missing that. The 9% is a
is a competitive um application with the
housing New Mexico whereas a 4% is not.
Thank you.
Council Matise,
do you have any idea who the uh
nonprofits
do you have a list or an idea who may
step up to the plate?
I'm going to ask uh Colin uh the
developer to come up.
Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council.
Thank you. Uh we're looking at a couple
of options on the nonprofit. The Housing
New Mexico Finance Agency did change the
scoring this year and the they've
changed it from a high of a 10 points
which was last year to now a high of
five points. So we don't think it's
necessarily going to you know kill the
deal from that perspective. We think we
have enough points through other means
on this particular deal. So, but we do
have Tiro Dol standing in front of us as
potentially a grantee with regard to
this particular project for the city of
Las Cruises, not necessarily for the
finance agency.
Thank you.
Okay.
Anyone else?
Well, I think that's it. Thank you, Jen.
This this is great. As we say, it's
exciting news because it is, as you
mentioned, Jan, the old country club and
we've seen a lot of dead trees and dead
space there and this is an opportunity
to bring it back to life and and
thriving again in the community. So,
thank you. Looking forward to it.
Christine,
mayor, I just had one more question
maybe for the developer.
Um,
so that that's your total cost. There's
uh no possible increases. It'll be at
the 108,000.
Uh, we uh you're talking about the $33
million number.
Uh 31 million is
31 million and then it's 108
uh apartments.
108 apartments. Yes. What does that per
unit cost?
Uh on the hard cost 185,000
per unit.
286 on the entire development.
286. Okay. Thank you.
Which is which is on the lower side. Now
we're um you know to the point of the 9%
versus the 4% we're trying to max out on
units. Typically a 9% deal would average
between 60 and 70 units, but we're
trying to push with the city grant.
We're trying to push the number of units
up to 108 so uh we get more units on the
site
and that's where the council of Karan
was saying the competitiveness comes in.
There'll be a lot more people wanting to
do it.
Yeah, it's a competitive program. We as
a company we were successful last year
in securing a 9% award for Rio. So
that's the same program.
Okay. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thanks. Say no. Christine,
this is on the motion to approve
resolution 26-061.
Councelor Mccclure,
yes.
Councelor Matise,
no.
Councelor Graham,
yes.
Councelor Karan,
yes.
Councelor Flores,
yes.
Councelor Bencoml is absent. Mayor,
yes.
Motion passes.
Next is item 7.3, resolution number
26-062.
Move to approve.
Second
and Natalie Green.
Uh, good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, members
of council. Natalie Green for the
record. The resolution before you is
adoption of the 2026 to 202030 citizen
participation plan which will be part of
the city's consolidated plan. As a
little bit of background, the city is
designated as both an entitlement
community and a participating
jurisdiction. So that means that we get
access to entitlement formula funds
every year. As part of that, we need to
submit every three to five years a
consolidated plan. Our consolidated plan
uh currently expires on June 30th. So we
are in uh preparation for the next plan
that also includes or is supposed to
include an analysis of impediments to
fair housing choice. Although the
federal government is changing that a
little bit and we're monitoring that. Um
the first part of that consolidated plan
process is the adoption of the C CPP and
that describes how uh residents will
participate in both the development of
the consolidated plan but also future
action plans and capers um for the
coming years.
Uh again, the plan is uh sets the
minimum for what the city must do and
it's intended to provide citizens of all
ages, genders, economic uh levels,
races, ethnicities, and special needs
equal access to the planning process. It
is drafted in accordance with the HUD
regulations and ensures uh works to
ensure maximum participation across the
process. Um it is city council approval
is required in order to proceed with the
development of the 2026 uh consolidated
plan and our annual action plans and
those are required to be submitted by
May 15, 2026 although that may change
given the shutdown and the continuing
resolution. Um so it'll change within a
couple usually 60 days from uh whenever
the allocations come out.
Some highlights in the plan is it does
adver uh outline our advertising
requirements. It also outlines uh
various comment periods for each of the
documents that we produce every year. Um
it does set aside uh requirements for
both ADA and LEP uh accessible meetings.
Um we are going to continue to maintain
those standards even though the federal
government has told us we don't have to.
Um it also outlines substantial
amendments and then it does have a
process in the event there's another
declared emergency of sorts in which we
would have to rapidly um shift funds.
Uh moving assuming this is adopted today
we'll uh we are already well underway
with our stakeholder interviews. Our
community survey is active through
December 15th and then uh we have
already started some of our targeted
mailings and agency partner flyers. So,
um, in anticipation of the CPP, we
mailed out just under 10,000 postcards
to low to moderate income household or
census tracks across the city. Um, we've
also done some boosting on social media.
And then we, uh, printed, uh, 6,500
flyers, which, uh, went into will go
into food boxes over the next month
countywide.
This is just a quick snapshot of what
that planning process looks like or what
the consolidated planning process looks
like. Um again it has a public
participation and consultation uh
component. From there we will also work
on a needs assessment and a housing
market analysis which will inform the
strategic plan for the five years. And
then each year um we have to pro uh
prepare a one-year action plan which
tells HUD how are we going to expend our
funds and how are we meeting that
strategic plan. And then all of the
reporting happens through um it's called
IDIS IDIS. I know it sounds like a
disease, but it's not. Uh, it's the
integrated dispersements information
system. And then we also prepare an
annual report back to HUD of you gave us
this much money, this is how we spent
it, this is what's happening. And so
it's a very, uh, circular process every
year. Um, and to participate in the
process, since I'm up here, uh, folks
can send us an email, fair housing loss
cruis.gov. They can send letters, they
can call us. Uh there's uh information
on our website and we'll continue to
post the public meetings there. And then
there's also this QR code which will
send you to the survey um on our
website. And with that, I will stand for
questions and you have your standard
council options.
All right. Thank you, Natalie. Any
questions? Uh councelor Flores.
Thank you, Mayor. And thank you,
Natalie. Um I just uh how is it that
you're getting um you're reaching out to
get responses?
How
so? We do a mix of stakeholder uh so one
we identified stakeholders already and
our consultant has reached out to them
to schedule interviews so they're able
to do um both virtual and in-person
meetings. What we're trying to do is uh
get on people's standing meetings. So if
someone has uh a specific standing
meeting with the group, for example,
they met with the affordable housing uh
committee last two weeks ago, um they've
also met with Doniana resilience
leaders, um the housing task force, and
there's some other uh groups that
they're they're doing.
So do community uh members actually
participate or is it just the
organizations?
The community does. Um, for example,
again, we mailed uh 9,783
postcards specifically to uh residents
who reside within lowincome census
tracks. So, CDBG and home funds are are
for people whose uh meet that low to
moderate income definition. So, we take
a special initiative to target those
least likely to participate in the
process. And so, um that is one way. And
then again, uh we printed flyers. So,
deeros will be putting flyers in all of
the food boxes um across the county and
that includes the city's pantry and the
county's mobile pantry um so we can get
participation in that survey. And then
we also of course advertise in the paper
and on the city's website and then um uh
if you watch
mascuses there's also a video um
advertising the survey for this month.
Great. Thank you so much Natalie. Thank
you, mayor.
Anyone else?
Okay, Christine.
This is on the motion to approve
resolution 26-062.
Councelor McClur,
yes.
Councelor Matise,
yes.
Councelor Graham,
yes.
Councelor Karan,
yes.
Councelor Flores,
yes.
Councelor Bencoml is absent. And Mayor,
yes.
Next is item 7.4, for council bill
number 26-00008
ordinance number 3100
move to approve grant second Corin
and presenting will be Henry
good afternoon mayor council um we get
this started
this is an ordinance to approve a uh
telecommunications franchise agreement
with Ripple Fiber New Mexico LLC, which
I'll refer to as Ripple for this
presentation. I'm also joined remotely
by our outside consultant, Tom Duchan,
uh who helped us uh negotiate this
agreement, as well as by a
representative from Ripple, uh Noel
Dalala. I hope I'm saying that right. Uh
they are both available to answer any
questions after the presentation if you
have any. So this communic this
franchise agreement is to
uh it concerns telecommunications
uh systems in the city which is to
include fiber optic internet which is
the real subject of this agreement is to
provide fiber optic internet
infrastructure throughout the city. Uh
to give you the background the legal
background very basically federal law
one. Excuse me. Thank you. Uh to give
you very basic legal background that
kind of sets up why we're doing this
agreement. Federal law uh requires local
jurisdictions to open up local markets
to competition to provide services to
people to obtain things like fiber optic
internet. It's that basic idea of
encouraging competition that we're
working with. The city has to offer the
same standard terms and conditions that
it offers other franchises. I believe at
this time we have something like seven
franchisees operating in the city to
differing uh levels of activity. Uh but
we have developed this agreement based
upon past agreements that we already
have with different franchises in the
city. Um so some of the things that
cannot change or should not change
unless there are good reasons are for
example the term of the agreement. I'm
going to just click through this to give
you kind of the standard terms. Term of
the agreement is 10 years. It grants a
non-exclive fran non-exclusive franchise
to operate in the city right of way by
installing fiber optic cables and
includes compensation to city of a fee
of 2% of annual oh I recognize that is a
mistake. I apologize it should say
quarterly not annual quarterly gross
revenues including phone internet and
data services. Although as I said
earlier only fiber optic internet is I
believe planned at this time.
And what are different terms updated
terms in this franchise agreement
compared to our past franchise
agreements? The things that are
reasonable that we can request as a city
from franchises operating locally is uh
what I think we're trying to accomplish
here which is better communication with
the city for how we construct fiber
optic infrastructure in and around. We
had conversations inside the city with
our community development, our public
works, and our utilities departments to
make sure that this franchise includes
more robust protection so that the city
better knows who's operating where and
how and everything has good approval and
uh management from the city.
And with that, I stand for questions if
you have any. You have the standard
options your uh council.
I I thank you for that. Sorry, sorry,
sorry, sorry.
Now, I was just going to as a reminder,
anyone that has questions, we have uh
the consultant on
Yes.
on online on online on online as well.
So, yeah, councelor Karen,
thank you. Sorry. I'm I'm I am very
excited to learn about all about these
franchise agreements that that exist.
So, thank you for giving us a little
orientation. Thank you to the folks who
are online. And I guess I have two
questions. I one I really appreciate you
all thinking about the dynamics of
moving forward. How can we better
leverage the idea of a franchise? Um so
thank you for including those things and
and um I'm glad to see those as part of
this franchise agreement. Um, the second
part that I'm wondering, I don't know if
you want to talk about this or if this
is too like political, but I think
there's some history of of exclusionary
franchises, especially as it relates to
um fiber optic internet, and that is in
part why we're in a little bit of a
situation with with this, but I don't
know, maybe I'm maybe I'm
misunderstanding my history of this. But
in any case, I'm happy to hear that the
market is expanding. And if you don't
want to share anything about the history
of of
Soul Source franchise agreements, that's
fine. But um from my perspective, I'm
just glad to hear that this is one both
going to be um
have have a really integrated
conversation with the city as it goes on
and two that it's broadening the the
internet related options I think for
people in our community because I do
think that that is part of the reason
that um as a whether this is a public
utility or not a public utility I guess
is what I'm alluding to and I don't know
if you want to talk about that or not
but I'm glad that this is happening. So,
thank you,
Councelor Kuran. Thank you very much.
Um, I'm not exactly sure what you mean
by references to exclusivity. Um, there
is an ongoing conversation
um at the federal level over whether or
not fiber optic internet is construed as
an information service or as a utility
under federal communications laws, which
can have different effects for how
they're regulated. I believe at this
exact moment, the FCC considers to them
to be information services. Um, but this
but to kind of get to the the nuts and
bolts of this franchise, it includes
language that is intended to be flexible
and to capture whether or not there is a
change in opinion from the FCC. You're
you're right, counselor, that um
sometimes political parties come in and
that definition changes at the federal
level. That's not something that we uh
locally here can control, but we are
trying to make sure we account for that
through flexible terms in the franchise
agreement.
Thank you. And I appreciate not not
political parties necessarily, but the
politics of of public utilities. Yes.
Generally, um I I think is is really
interesting if any of you all want to
learn more about franchises and and this
discussion. Super interesting. But thank
you for accommodating that and think
having that as part of the the
contractual discussion, too. So, thank
you, Henry.
Thank you, Councelor Matise.
Yes. Can I ask you uh is it both
residential and commercial or one or the
other or both?
So, the franchise is not I believe it's
not specific. I don't want to speak to
um Ripple's particular business plans.
Counselor, I will let Ripple's
representative do that if she wishes to.
I will say I believe this allows them
flexibility to go where there is demand
for the service. So typically a
franchisee and again I don't wish to
speak for Ripple particularly the
franchisee will first go out into the
community and see who is interested in
the service and once they have
agreements in place or prospective
business in place they will expand
there. So it could be residential in
theory or it could be just commercial in
theory or it could be both. It's just
where the demand is. I I will give an
opportunity to um uh uh Mala to speak if
she wishes to speak from Ripple's
perspective.
Oh, it looks like she isn't here. It
looks like we just have
Oh, there you are. [laughter]
live live.
Snuck up behind you.
Hi. Um, yes. So, to answer your
question,
be me up, Scotty.
To answer your question, counselor,
right now our our model um in our
proposed plan in the city of Las Cusus
is residential. we um you know have it
in our business model potentially in the
future to also offer fiber internet
services to businesses but right now our
our primary plan is going to be to
residents.
No, I I the reason I asked that is in my
neighborhood I believe it's Metro uh uh
Vexus is installing.
Yes.
Uh maybe you could catch up with them
and use the same holes. [laughter]
Yes. Well, it's not in our business
model to overbuild directly another
fiber provider, but we want to come in
and bring competition um to the city.
So, we're hoping that that will happen
here in Los Cruises.
Okay. Thank you. And I hope you're as um
uh efficient and as organized and as
neat as Vexus has been. There hasn't
been that many complaints in District 2.
Uh, and where there were some
complaints, they actually took care of
the the rightway, the the rocks and
whatever landscaping and replaced it
totally. So, I hope you have the same
intention.
Absolutely. Communication is key for us.
We want to be in communication with the
city and with residents as much as
possible. We also have a dedicated green
team that would come behind construction
and address any landscaping issues that
go above and beyond just filling in
holes and burying cables. that would
address electric fences, irrigation
systems, specialty landscaping as well.
Yeah, it's you know what a miracle
you're going to be online and here you
are popped up live. So [laughter]
you do good things. Thanks very much.
Absolutely. Yep.
Thank you.
All right. Thank you.
Seeing no other um Christine, go ahead.
This is on the motion to approve
ordinance 31000. Councelor Mccclure.
Yes.
Councelor Matise. Yes.
Councelor Graham.
Yes.
Councelor Karan.
Yes.
Councelor Flores.
Yes.
Councelor Bencomo is absent. And mayor.
Yes.
Next is board appointments. I'll need a
motion, a second, and a vote. Uh the
first one is Lamb Hampton, new appointee
to the Veterans Advisory Board.
Move to approve. Second.
This is on the motion to appoint Len
Hampton to the Veterans Advisory Board.
Councelor Mccclure.
Yes.
Councelor Matise.
Yes.
Councelor Graham.
Yes.
Councelor Karan.
Yes.
Councelor Fletes.
Yes.
Councelor Benl is absent. And mayor,
yes.
The next one is for Julian Gygo's new
appointment to the city art board.
Move to approve.
Second.
This is on the motion to appoint Julian
Gyos to the city art board. Councelor
Mccclure.
Yes.
Councelor Matise.
Yes.
Councelor Graham.
Yes.
Councelor Karan.
Yes.
Councelor Flores.
Yes. Councelor Bencomo is absent and
mayor.
Yes. The next one is Joy Nelson. New
appointment to the city art board.
Great.
Move to approve.
Second.
This is on the motion to appoint Joy
Nelson to the city art board. Councelor
McClair.
Yes.
Councelor Matise.
Yes.
Councelor Graham.
Yes.
Councelor Karan.
Yes. Councelor Fletes.
Yes.
Councelor Bencomo is absent and mayor.
Yes.
Next is notice of proposed ordinances.
There are none. Next is city council
member board reports and comments.
Councelor Mccclure.
None. Thank you.
Thank you. Councelor Matise.
None. Thank you.
Councelor Grant.
I'm good too.
Council correct.
Sorry. We already surpassed the two
minute 2 p.m. mark. So, I'm not going to
No records. Sorry, I have a few
comments. Um, I appreciate everyone's
brevity, though. Shame, I know. Um,
I I wanted to welcome uh the Dangerbird
participants. That's this weekend. Um,
super exciting at Klein Park. There will
be a kickoff on Thursday uh from 4:30 to
7. So, that's a different group of folks
here who are enthusiasts for with the
outdoors and and cycling. And I think
danger, I don't know if that's actually
part of it or if that's just a name.
Bike packing.
Bike packing. Yep.
No danger.
Oh, tons of danger.
Okay. Danger. Danger bird starting uh
that that will be occurring at Friday.
Starting on Friday, I think. Um but
Thursday night is the welcome
uh event. And the one other item that I
wanted to highlight was the Oh, no. I
think this is happening after another
city council meeting, but the
sustainability EV car kickoff, which I'm
really excited that we'll be able to
borrow um or rent EVs um as part of the
sustainability office um event. And then
last but not least, the Veterans Day
parade, which I think probably will be
alluded to by other folks here, but uh
next Tuesday. So, thank you. Sorry.
It'll be Saturday.
Council Flores.
Pass.
Yeah. I just wanted to say a reminder
that yes, the veteran parade is is
Saturday, November 9th. It'll be at
11:00 a.m. at the downtown. So, please
uh join as we pay tribute to our
veterans on that day. And uh tomorrow is
voting day. Please remember to go out
and vote. And I just want to say last
week I was able to attend the schools
for Red Ribbon Week for being a
drug-free uh schools. And we got to
continue that. We got to continue to to
let the students know that uh we
appreciate them and to go out and let
them know to live a drug-free life. And
uh it was a it was a good turnout at
Hornado. So, just wanted to mention
that. And um with that, um Oh, Florida
has a mulligan. Yes,
I I just had a the light went on. No.
Um, I noticed that when um the uh young
woman who was here um proposing uh
speaking on behalf of the uh school
bond, she didn't mention that there
would be no tax rate increase because I
think people are always afraid that when
a bond comes in there's going to be a
some kind of an increase. So that should
go put be put out there.
Yeah. That it states it will be no tax
increase. Correct.
Correct.
Yes. Yeah. There will not be a tax
increase. They'll move forward with what
is already existing. Okay. Thank you,
Councelor Flores. And with that, I'll
turn it over to our city manager,
Econopa.
Thank you, Mayor Enriquez. City Council,
just one item and then I'll let you all
go. The communications office was
nominated for an Emmy, as you may
already know, in the branded content
category for the I can't do every job
hiring video. They will be attending the
Emmy ceremony in Phoenix this weekend,
November 8th, and we are hopeful they
bring some hardware home. We are proud
of the talented group and skill of our
team is being recognized locally,
regionally, and nationally. Thank you
very much, Mayor. That's all.
[applause]
It's great news. We look forward to the
hardware. Okay, with that, a motion to
adjurnn.
So moved by Flores. Second, Graham.
This is on the motion to adjourn the
meeting. Councelor Mccclure,
yes.
Councelor Matise,
yes.
Councelor Graham,
yes.
Councelor Karan,
yes.
Councelor Flores,
yes.
Councelor Bencoml is absent. And Mayor,
yes.