City Council Recap of Oct. 2, 2023

Las Cruces City Council adopted an Ordinanceapproving a zone change from C-2, Commercial Medium Intensity, and R-3, Multi-Dwelling Medium Intensity, to C-3, Commercial High Intensity, at 522 E. Idaho Ave.

Council approval was made at its regular meetingMonday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.

The zone change will bring the property into compliance with the 2001 Las Cruces Municipal Code, as amended. A banking institution will be built on a portion of the 2.29-acre property. The zone change also will allow for future development of a commercial business on the property.

Also at Monday's meeting, City Council unanimously adopted a Resolutionthat designates former City Councilor Gregory Z. Smith with the honorary title of Mayor Pro Tempore Emeritus. Smith served two four-year terms on City Council, from 2011 to 2019.

During his eight years on the Council, Smith served as Mayor Pro Tempore for a pair of two-year terms, from 2013 to 2015 and from 2015 to 2017. Smith becomes the third former City Council member to earn the title of Mayor Pro Tempore Emeritus. Dolores Archuleta and Sharon Thomas also each have the designation of Mayor Pro Tempore Emerita.

A City Council Emeritus/Emerita Program was established in January 2010 to recognize former Mayor Pro Tempores and former City Councilors who continue to be leaders in the community.

Additionally, at Monday's meeting, City Council adopted a Resolutionauthorizing the City to accept grant awards for various City departments through an amendment to the City's adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which continues through June 30, 2024. The City relies on grant funding for many critical programs provided each year for city residents.

The grant awards include:

• $175,00 for improvements at Veterans Memorial Park.
• $125,000 for a dental suite at Mesilla Valley Community of Hope.
• $100,000 for supportive housing for families with disabilities.
• $75,000 to the Las Cruces Police Department to purchase body cameras and related equipment.
• $75,000 for refrigerated vehicles or equipment to help feed the homeless.
• A $5,721,073 "Low-and-No Emission" grant to purchase battery-electric buses and electric chargers.
• A $3,046,508 New Mexico Department of Transportation grant to cover 100 percent of eligible RoadRUNNER Transit operating expenses for Fiscal Year 2024, or until fully spent.
• A $37,621 "Clean and Beautiful" grant to address littering and waste
• A Storytelling grant for $4,200 to increase participation in the Meals on Wheels - Loves Pets program.

Prior to Monday's meeting, City Council conducted a Special Work Sessionin Council Chambers at City Hall. City Council discussed proposed changes to Chapter 7of the Las Cruces Municipal Code regarding animals. Any proposed changes would affect the increased protection of animals from neglect, abandonment, and abuse.

A draft ordinance was proposed by animal supporters. Animal supporters told the Council the current City Ordinance has flaws and could be more consistent with Doña Ana County's animal ordinance. Animal supporters also asked the Council for a 60-day period to collaborate and be more active in revising the city's animal ordinance.

There was City Council consensus to work on a new ordinance, and another work session will be scheduled so City Council can review the revised draft ordinance.

Chapter 7 encourages responsible ownership and caretaking of animals in Las Cruces; aims to reduce potential nuisance issues associated with animals; reduces predation by domestic animals; and minimizes the number of healthy or treatable animals euthanized, while protecting the public from illness or injury by animals.