City Council Recap

At its Monday, Nov. 3, regular meeting, the Las Cruces City Council discussed and passed three resolutions and one ordinance.

Las Cruces City Council approved amendments to the City’s fiscal years 2026-31 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The amendments reflect revised project funding and new grant funds received since the CIP was adopted in May 2025. The amended City projects include active transportation (ADA Sidewalk Program); Las Cruces International Airport (Automated Weather Observation System); public safety (the Real Time Crime Center that houses technicians who monitor live video feeds and analyze data to help reduce crime); public transit (electric buses); and the Utilities Department (Natural Gas and Energy, Solid Waste, and Wastewater Lines of Business building improvements; natural gas pipeline safety and rehabilitation, and wastewater development). The resolution was adopted by a vote of 6-0.

A resolution passed to approve the pre-commitment of up to $4.7 million in a low-interest loan to Enriched Communities, LCC to build the Royal Crossing Apartments (108 units) north of Apodaca Park, near the site of the old country club. The developer is applying for federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit funding through Housing New Mexico and financial support from the City will make the application more viable. The loan provides the City with an opportunity to invest funds in projects that directly address affordable housing needs. This loan will leverage approximately $26 million in additional investment of private funds in the community. The resolution was approved by a vote of 5-1, with Councilor Bill Mattiace voting no.

City Council also approved the Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) as part of the City’s Consolidated Plan for 2026-30. The CPP defines how local citizens can participate as the City addresses housing and community development needs as outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Citizen participation will include public meetings to gather input on needs and priorities regarding housing and community development in neighborhoods throughout the City. The CPP also identifies obstacles to providing fair and open housing within the community, especially in low- and moderate-income areas. The community is invited to participate in the survey available at: Consolidated Plan/Action Plan – The City of Las Cruces. The resolution was approved by a vote of 6-0.

Lastly, City Council approved an ordinance for a franchise agreement between the City and Ripple Fiber New Mexico LLC that allows Ripple to construct cable infrastructure in public rights-of-way to provide fiber internet within the City to residential customers. Ripple will pay the City a quarterly franchise fee of two percent of its annual gross revenues during the 10-year life of the agreement. The ordinance was approved by a vote of 6-0.

Councilor Johana Bencomo was absent from the meeting.

This meeting and all City Council meetings can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.