We would stand. Um and honor our
fire and police for all the
wonderful work that they do to
keep us safe. We really
appreciate you all. And we will
be saying the pled of
Allegiance. Pleasure. 25.
Relationship. Emphasis. For the
kids. I also want to welcome
Booker T. Washington We're so
happy one of our community in
the schools Happy to see you
here. Hi Um, Would you believe
that? This is my son and
daughters, alma mater, Meaning
they went to Booker T Washington
years and years ago. So welcome
. Happy to have you Next up is
pets of the week. Amy D Felix.
The yuan. Oh, yes, I'm here. Um
Hello, everyone. My name is
Jamie to Felix. I am one of the
adoption and rescue coordinators
for the Animal Services Center
of the Mississippi Valley. I'm
also the one that picks and
presents the pets of the week
every week, So we'll go ahead
and start Let me share my screen
for our power point. Already and
here we are. You'll start off as
always, with our cat of the week
. His name is fluffy boy. His
number is 66693. And he says,
I'm one of the brothers to the
previous My forever home. I get
scared of sudden movements or
loud noises, but I love getting
pets and being a last duty. I
get so happy that I even started
drooling. Sometimes I've lived
with my brothers for a likely my
whole life. You can adopt us all
together, or I mht bable to
make new cat friends. And then
we also have our dog of the week
. I realized my camera is Coming
off them. Text. So let me see if
I can Take my video off really
quick. There we go. Awesome The
week his name is Wilbur and his
number is 60 to 83. And he says
, I'm an excellent companion who
gets along with dogs, cats and
well behaved Children. I
absolutely love perfection. My
weekend, Foster said that it
gives the best hopes organized
and the leash and I'm pretty
food motivated, so use that to
your advantage and training me
and the sweetest boy ever. It's
such a surprise that I haven't
met my forever family yet. So
that be you. And then regarding
adoption events, we will be at
the Bosque Brewing. Tell Shore
Public house this Saturday. The
23rd will be there from 11 am to
two PM will have adoptable dogs
for you guys to meet usually
stationed kind of right by the
front entrance. So you can't
miss us. You can't miss the dogs
, but we hope you come out and
maybe you'll find your next free
rent. Another topic I'd like to
present on today Regards
enrichment, so adopted a dog or
a cat from a shelter or anywhere
. Um but what's next? You kind
of notice that there are a
little after the adjustment
period, they might get a little
anxious entity that might start,
especially if it's a younger dog
chewing on things. It's not
supposed to be chewing. Your
cats might be kind of scratching
up on the furniture. Um So what
is the solution? The solution?
One of the solutions would
definitely be to turn towards
enrichment. So what is in
Richmond him their exercises
that allow your head to engage
in their innate behaviors. So
that's like sniffing, scratching
, um, chewing tasting kind of
it. Engaging all of the senses
that they would normally use if
they happen to be like stayed
out in the wild. Um enrichment
is most physical and mental and
of course, without enrichment,
provided in your home had some
more more likely to exhibit
unwanted behaviors, and that's
like the destructive behaviors
like chewing up couches,
furnitures doors, even parking
or yelling, inappropriate play
interactions, so they play a
little bit too rough with you.
Um, that is a sign of low in
Richmond. As was anxious
behaviors. And so some examples
of canine enrichment.
Specifically there's food
enrichment. There's like puzzles
, puzzle feeders. They have
liberal knobs and twisty things
that you stick the kibbles in.
Um and you close it all up. You
present it to your dog, and they
have to use their brain and
their nose in conjunction to
open everything and get the food
as like a little reward. It
helps us obviously get them fed.
And it kind of works out their
mind a little bit more. Same
with snuffle mats. If you Google
snuffle mats there a little like
a Mats, or will they look like
back mats, but they have like a
very long, like felt kindof a
S everywhere. So you hide the
cables underneath the tabs, and
they have to use their nose to
move everything around and try
and pick out every piece of
kibble it. Look Max. That's um,
just a very smooth like a
textured matte.That you can
smooth like smooth peanut
butter. Yogurt Um, sort of kind
of like Semi like some some
myself to treat onto it. Um a
lot of people love using like
mats as destructions for like me
, bring or nailed, firming. It
kind of gets there. The licking
. Um The act of looking helps
decrease like anxieties in dogs.
That kind of helps them film
Everything doesn't hard one to
help them feel a little bit more
calm, so that's definitely
helps. And especially those
situations. Um they're also
enrichment activities like
scavenger hunts. So you can like
hide treats around your home and
have your help your dog kind of
sniff around and find them and
engages them. It gets them
moving. Kind of it's up on time
for both of you. Um as well as a
sniff already walks us. Some
people like to call them almond
sniff Ari's or walks that are
dedicated to allow your daughter
to take in the sense of
exploring the environment. It's
far less structured than like a
regular walk. If you're just
kind of going down the street
when you got in the dog, Faris
or dog lead, um, usually kind of
in a Not as like a neighborhood
area, maybe like in a park.
Where you can have a long lead
and let your dog kind of sniff
around taking a sense and kind
of just like a Have his own time
never taking in the environment
and helps them feel really kind
of like mentally stimulated. Not
for feline enrichment. Um a lot
of professionals suggest,
especially Jackson Galaxy is
kind of a big my favorite kind
of cat professional, and he
likes to call it codifying your
household debt as well.
Satisfying your households
having kept pressure cat kind of
Oh, Making her sorry. Cat
furniture. Excuse me that gives
them a like a selection of
platforms, high platforms that
they can jump and climb to
cubbyholes that they can hang
out and Haydn pets, cats light
love, Having kind of like that
vertical space to move around
and kind of basically three
dimensions. It makes them feel
more comfortable and makes them
feel a lot more kind of like
helping would in the wild,
essentially also plenty of
scratching posts. A lot of
people like to suggest putting
scratching posts wherever you
see your cat, um, might have an
inkling of scratching like I
have a scratching post on either
side of the couch. Um, and
encourage my cats and praise
them when they scratch The post
instead of my couch, and they
also usually like the texture of
like the twine, scrappy post a
lot better than I could couch
Anyways, I would assume at least
those around giving them plenty
of access to scratch without
them getting in trouble? Okay
There's also a variety of cat
toys that fulfill different
sensory kind of needs to like
the crinkle toys. Um, the bells
, um, toys that you can also
sneak us stick treats in the
little teaser toys that you kind
of dangle around and they chase
Of course, participate in
playtime with your cat. It's a
great bonding experience for you
both, um that the good feelings
that the cat will feel when he's
having a good time playing. He
will also associate with you. So
of course it strengthens your
bond. Um and there alsfood,
enrichment and cats as well. You
can also have puzzle feeders.
Or, like mats. Um I actually I
pet sit. So I have a couple of
my clients that have a couple of
nice little like. But dispensers
Um one strip like a mouse when
you put the cable in it, and the
counts kind of knock it around
and knocking around and up to
the food comes out and they love
to do that, And there's also
like a little ball headed. The
cat rolls around enough, the
food will come out. They loved
doing that little chasing it
around. It's a great way to have
them exercise as well as eat. Um
And it's also like mats for cats
as well. Um, cats also love
looking. They bring themselves
as well. Um you can also use
like maths as like, kind of a
distraction if you need to.
Maybe also trim your cuts nails
if you need to brush them, and
if they're not like super fond
of it. That's a great
distraction. Um instead of like
mass, there's also like they
look like yogurt tubes. I call
him candy yogurt. They're like
liquid treats that you can
dispense slowly out of time to
kind of destructive capital and
make it enjoyable for them as
well. Um it kind of brings the
whole experience a lot of better
confrontation. That was in
Richmond. Um we're both canine
and felineouldike to remind
you how healthy pets in general
have both healthy minds and
bodies. In mind their mental
health and enrichment, of course
, as well as their physical
health and exercise and
nutrition. Um never forget the
mentality of the over trade as
well. So thank you. Thanks Amy.
Lots of good information.
Always. I will, um. Encourage.
We have a full house, So I'm
hoping that one of you will Go
home with a new pet. Maybe kids
tell your parents. Um Next up.
We have jobs of the week. Sarah
Rainy from New Mexico. Workforce
connections. You there, Sarah.
There you are. Hi. How are you
doing? Thank you for having me
again. My name is Sarah raining.
I am the South West region. Um,
one stop coordinator and I work
with Giselle. Parramatta is she
is actually the one stop.
Operator Um, let me share my
screen. And. I'm gonna turn off
my video Stop. Alrighty for the
jobs of the week. We have Uh,
Police Department records
technician. That's for the city
of West Cruces. Um the pay is 16
67 an hour that one closes on
Tin two as well for the city of
West versus we have the new
services coordinator. That one
gins at 18 77, and that
position is well closes on the
On the second of October, Um,
for the White Sands missile
range. We have a sense sensor
systems engineer. That position
starts at $60,000 a year. Um and
it looks like the posting closes
on 12 1. We have a history
instructor for enormous you.
That position begins at 44,000
to about 56,000 that posting
closes on 10 15. For the Coca
Cola southwest beverages We have
on border replenishment
merchandiser. He's from 16 04 to
22 06, and that position closes
October 16th. And then the
American Red Cross. We have a
lead rotational program
associate. Um that one pays up
to 22 06 an hour that put
posting closes on October 1st.
As always, if you see any of
these posters that you're
interested in and not sure how
to connect with us, you can feel
free to come in and meet with
any of us at 2 to 6 stopped at
Alameda Boulevard. You can call
us at 5 to 46 to 50 or always
log onto employee and m dot com
. We have all of the postings
for the southwest New Mexico all
over to Mexico, actually, but
some are Southwestern region.
Jobs are listed there on
employment in but feel free to
give us a Calling. We can help
you find your job. Thank you
all. Thanks so much, Sarah. Next
up. We have our proclamations
and certificates and I will call
up Ashley Curry and Booker T.
Washington students. Come on.
Hmm. Hi. How are you? Good to
see you. Thank you for having
survived, Of course. Hello.
Right? Okay whereas walking or
opportunities to build activity
into daily routine. And whereas
lack of physical activity
contributes to rising rates of
obesity, diabetes and other
health problems among Children,
and whereas parents, caregivers
, community leaders and others
are well positioned to teach
Children about pedestrian safety
, health risks related to
sedentary lifestyles and
environmental consequences of
Apostle fuel use and whereas the
lives of hundreds of Children
could be saved each year,
communities take steps to make
pedestrian safety a priority.
And whereas driving students to
school by private vehicle
contributes to traffic
congestion and air pollution And
whereas identifying shortcomings
and transportation systems is
the first step towards enhanced
, seen bicycle pedestrian safety
and whereas community members
and leaders should make a plan
to make immediate changes to
enable Children to safely walk
and bicycle in our communities
and develop a list of
suggestions for improvements
that can be plemted over
time. And whereas Children,
parents and community leaders
around the world are joining
together to walk to school now,
therefore we the mayor and city
Council of Las Cruces, New
Mexico, do hereby proclaim the
week of September 19 through
22nd 2023 as international walk
to school days in the city of
Las Cruces, New Mexico and
encourage everyone to consider
the safety and health. Of
Children today and every day
signed by our mayor, Ken de
Miyagishima a artistic by
Christine Rivera, Our city
clerk. Thank you for taking
Thank you so much. Mayor presume
Gandara City Council members and
members of the public. My name
is Ashley Curry. I am the safe
routes to school coordinator for
Las Cruces public schools and I
have the honor to be here today
with the walking school bus
students and the staff leaders
from Booker T. Washington And so
these students walk to school
every week, although we're
celebrating international walk
to school days this week. Every
single week. Throughout our
district. We have students
walking to school. We have 19
walking school Busses at
different schools every single
week. Rain or shine of the
entire school year. And so these
students are out there every
single week, except if there's
lightning, right? So they can
tell you all kinds of things
about being safe when they walk
to school and all kinds of ways
of why they enjoy the walk and
maybe even some suggestions for
improving the walk to school. So
I invite you members of the
public and our City Council and
city staff to join us this week
for any of our walks to schools
, and if you are not able to
join this week, it's an open
invitation for the whole year to
join us. And before I hand it
over to the students are also
just wanted to thank our city
Council. For the City Council
bike ride that they put on the
Saturday It was really, really
wonderful and super fun so and
thank you to our to our
lieutenant. Um Chief. Sorry
Chief story for leading us out
there as well. So thank you so
much for to everybody for being
out there students. Would
ybod like to say anything?
All the things that you were
telling me on the walk over
here. Okay I will. Go ahead.
Would you like to say something?
Come on up. You go like to walk
your name. Aubrey. You like to
walk? Because it's fun. Good
Thank you. I like doing walk to
school because they makes me
it a bunch Good. I like doing
the work to school? They because
I Get to spend time with my
friends. I like to walk to
school because I like to play a
lot. I like the box school
because I can explore the world.
Anybody else? Okay and these
students walked along the multi
use trail that goes behind the
fire department. And they had a
lot of fun seeing the little
mash and the sunflowers and the
wildlife that was down there, So
thank you to the city for
providing those opportunities in
spaces for our kids to walk
safely so that they don't have
to walk along the busy streets.
Thank you, Everybody.
You sure got everybody? Yes.
Okay gracious. Thank you for
being here going back. Bye.
Wonderful seeing young people
here and love it. Councilor
Flores.
Good afternoon. Next is a
proclamation of. A proclamation
, proclamation and support of
the extension and expansion of
the Radiation Exposure
Compensation Act, which will be
presented to Jasmine Ferreira
and Jeanette Hartley. Would you
please step up here? Thank you.
Whereas the world's first atomic
bomb was tested in New Mexico on
July 16th 1945 and the U. S
conducted 1038 atomic test in
the Nevada test site, 215 of
which were above ground tests.
And whereas in 1990 the US past
the radiation Exposure
Compensation Act, Rekha. To pay
restitution and medical care to
people that were exposed to
radiation from these nuclear
tests. And whereas the U. S
government has been compensating
the downside ER and other states
, But the downside er And you
Mexico have never been included
, although they were the first
to be exposed to nuclear radio
activity via the Trinity attack
so. 500,000 families thatwe
lived within 150 Mile radius and
as close as 12 Miles from the
Trinity test and the radioactive
fallout cast. Cancerous diseases
such as leukemia, multiple
myeloma. And lymphomas. And
whereas the Reka is scheduled to
expire on June 10 2024 so
current congressional bills to
extend and expand Rica have been
introduced, inuding Senate
Bill 1751 and House Resolution
for 4 to 6 that would include
the downside of New Mexico for
the first time. And whereas the
US has approved $50 billion
budget per year for the last 33
years, a total of one I can't
even read this. One comma 650
billion. I don't know how to
read that. Um to maintain its
current nuclear arsenals, but in
the same period less than 1% of
that amount has been paid to
those adversely affected. By
radioactive Thomas atomic tests
Now therefore we the mayor and
city Council of Las Cruces, New
Mexico do hereby support the
health, welfare and safety of
the residents of the city of Las
Cruces by proclaiming the month
of September as proclamation in
support of the extension and
expansion. Of the radiation
Exposure Compensation Act,
signed by Mayor Ken de
Miyagishima. And Our city clerk
Christine Rivera. I would also
like to add that the people two
of the key people who sit on the
board of directors and others
who have been affected by, um
The atomic bomb testing on July
16th 1945 are i Washington, DC
, trying to meet the deadline,
and, uh Ben Ray Luhan has been,
um, instrumental, as has Martin.
Senators. U S senators. Ben Ray,
Wuhan and. And Martin Martin
Sheen. No. Yeah, Heinrich.
Martin Heinrich as well. You see
you were listening. I did that
on purpose. Used to be a
teacher. Um and, um As well as a
gay Vasquez. Our our
representative from this part of
New Mexico. There are in support
of tt, a there's a deadline
coming up. So um and I now
present to you, Um. Two
representatives. Um well,
Jeanette Um. Jeanette Jeanette!
John John it, Goodwin. But you
go by another name. Yeah I'm
sorry. Jasmine Aurora and
Johnette Hartley. Hartley hype
in Goodwin. And you don't want
to hear my full name, okay? So
and, um Jasmine will say a few
words. Hello My name is Jasmine
Herrera. And I'm here today with
Janet Herky Goodwin. We've been
selected by the Tourism Basin
Downwinders Consortium to
receive this proclamation on
their behalf. They are unable to
be present at today as she
mentioned because they are
currently in Washington. D C to
make the final lobbying push to
get New Mexico funded under the
Radiation Exposure Compensation
Act. Jeanette and I are both
from communities that were
adversely affected by falut
from the Trinity Atomic Bomb.
John It was four years old at
the time of the explosion, and
she vividly remembers the
incredible bright light from the
bottom coming in her window
where she lived in Carrizo. So
New Mexico the test happened
approximately 26 miles from
Janet's home. John. It has
survived a very aggressive
breast cancer and also suffers
from a thyroid disease. Her
mother had thyroid disease and
underwent a surgical removal of
her thyroid in her late thirties
. Her father developed lung
cancer in his late fifties and
died at 62. Jeunet's daughter
and grandson also have thyroid
diseas Janet's story is all
too common for members of
communities affected by the
fallout. We are proud to accept
this proclamation and we are
hopeful that the lobbying
efforts by the T BDC we'll see
real results and finally get
compensation for the many people
who continue to suffer to this
day. Lastly I want to encourage
you all to view the current
exhibit at the Brennan Brannigan
Cultural Center titled Trinity
Legacies of Nuclear Testing
People's perspective, This
exhibit is on display until
September. 23rd to learn more.
Please visithe tnity
downwards .com website. Thank
you. Let me stand over here.
Good luck. I hope everything
wants to go.
Okay? Next up is our conflict of
interest. Does anybody, um, on
the diet that includes to have
it? Any conflict of interest
with any known items. Graham
Abeyta, Huh? Okay? Next up is
our public participation. I will
give you three minutes. I'll
start on my left. Anybody, okay?
It's the timer work. Yes. We
found and just as a reminder if
you're a candidate that's
running for office. Pleased
reason. Thank you refrain from
speaking about your candidacy.
Thank you. Hi Ms Diaz. Good
afternoon. Mayor Pro TEM City
Council, city manager, staff and
public. My name is Yolanda Diaz
with care today. I want to
present a scenario for the sake
of this scenario. I can be
anyone and you can be anyone. I
have been experiencing some
hardships, including my
television going out. My income
is limited. You see my life
opportunities. They did not
provide me to go to college. Get
a degree get a great job, and my
employer isn't able to provide
benefits, including health
insurance. My income is
considered low income. And I fit
in with about 20% of my
community. I want to buy a
television. I go to best buy in
Las Cruces. I found find the
television. I like It's a 50
inch TCL. It's on sale for
$249.99 discounted from the
regular price of $299.99. I'm
happy. It's a smart TV. I go to
the counter and pay. I see you
at the counter. And you choose
to buy their best television
that costs $5999.99. I'm
thinking Wow, good for you. I
don't pay 249 99. I pay more
because I have to pay sales tax
cashier tells me that my total
is $270.46. I heard the cashier
say to you, It will be $6491.24,
sir. Will this be cash or
charge? So I know Best buy is in
the city of limits of lost
Cruces and that the location
code of the text I will pay will
be lost Cruces 07-105 in the tax
rate is 8.1875. I paid a tax
that I know will be passed on to
the New Mexico Taxation and
Revenue Department and I come
back to the city of Las Cruces
and we'll come back and when I
make purchase in the county will
come back to Dona Ana County, so
both can provide services that
benefit the public. I pay taxes
and you pay taxes. By getting my
car. My phone is ringing. I see
that it's my doctor with what
could be a dreaded call. He
tells me Quote Your test results
are in You have cancer. I
referred you to an Ecologist at
Memorial Medical Cancer Center.
I called them to schedule an
appointment as soon as possible.
But I was told that they cannot
give you an appointment because
you don't have health insurance
coverage. What do I do? Where do
I turn? Although the only
insurance that I that I will
qualif for will give me a 75%
reduction and I won't have to
1006 110, but I would monthly
premium of $403 plus out of
pocket costs. I simply can't
afford it. Can I be without my
food, Not paying my rent, not
pay my utilities or car payment.
Oh and I was counted in the
census just like you and our
state receives $8682 a year for
me and you and all the residents
counted since the seventies. I
contributed to our economy, pay
taxes to our city, county and
state health care is a human
need A life is a like, does my
life not matter? Do I not
deserve healthcare protection of
my life and safety? Why have I
been denied an appointment at
her city County Least? Hospital.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Anybody else on the first row,
Second row third. Four. Please
make your way down and state
your name for the record. Thank
you. My name is Richard Farm.
And I'm, uh, you can raise the
you can raise it. Yes, please
and actual podium podium. You
can raise as well. It's a side
button there now. Okay My name
is Richard Farm, and I'm here in
response to KR. W G news out of
that popped up on my, uh, cell
phone the other day, disturbing
otherwise Quiet afternoon, The
title of this news article was
Las Cruces rolls out the first
prram. I was shocked andce
dismayed. As I read further. The
intent is to pay $500 per month.
For 18 months. To a number of
recipients. Basically we're
paying $9000 of other people's
money. Do certain selected
recipients. There's no
requirement for any work, no
requirement, no expectations at
all in return, 150 families are
supposed to participate in this
Networks out to $1,350,000. Of
taxpayer money for basically
what's a social experiment. Now,
Miss Bencomo. I had an email
dialog with you many months ago.
And I'll have to say that I
appreciate your response,
because, frankly, I did not
expect one. Steady to position
clearly. And this is before the
last election and again I
appreciated that next express my
appreciation to you. In the
interim, alwaysoping that
clearer heads would prevail.
This scheme would die a natural
death and obviously I was wrong.
So here we are. So I'm wondering
how these recipients of public
largesse to be identified. What
are the criteria? Who determines
those criteria. How will those
results being meaningfully
analyzed, interpreted and
reported if at all? To meet.
This is basically Social
cronyism. The scheme is
basically fiscally responsible.
It's clearly unsustainable. And
I would say it's even immoral.
It is an insult to me. As a
taxpayer. It is an insult to
every other taxpayer in this
room and beyond. And also argue
it's an insult to the intended
recipients. Because in return
for some other people's money.
They'll be giving up a little
bit more of their dignity. Thank
you. Thank you. 40405. Hello. Go
ahead and put the Mike down and
state your name, please. For the
record. Patricia Jimenez, owner
of the Little Shop on main I've
been a victim of ongoing crime
and violence and march 23 and I
have voiced my concerns to
public officials. Politicians
and advocates have numerous
police reports with the Las
Cruces Police Department.
Furthermore cases in trials were
dismissed by the city judges and
the D A called and I went 911
numerous times and either the
police showed up later never
showed up at all. Numerous
times, they would give me blank
cards with no case number After
I demanded that they give me
one. They would say, What's the
0.1 incident? I was re
victimized by an officer bullied
and interrogated, Hebrews
reported, along with another to
internal affairs, and the case
was later closed with n
explanatt
least 30 plus incidents at my
store, including theft,
vandalism, stalking harassment,
and I currently have a five year
order of protection from a
stalker. One incident. I had to
determine male covered in blood
from entering my store. I'm
demanding that there be a
thorough investigation of the
Las Cruces Police Department
regarding possible corruption,
intimidation, bullet bullying
harassment tampering. The cases,
including factual errors,
omissions, conclusive, very
statements possible felony cases
being manipulated. Downgraded to
misdemeanors, providing ltle
if any body camera footage when
requested willful negligence and
not providing service and
protection to the community
needed during 911 calls
Cassandra You come to my store
with your husband. Bill sells
legislators Senator in New
Mexico and again after the
airing of my situation on the
news you offer to help but
denied any knowledge of my
incidents over the past seven
months, although you were
clearly made aware of my
situation as a victim and
ignored it. You told me twice in
my store. It's not my fault.
However the welfare of the
community and district one is
your responsibility and you are
accountable. You insulted me and
asked why, in a condescending
and insensitive manner as to why
didn't contact you and
disregarded my well being. You
made it personal and you threw
it in my face that you bought
furniture in my store, giving me
the inclination that you would
retaliate and never shot for me
again if I don't remain silent,
Although I made it clear I
didn't want to talk to you. You
kept pressuring me to meet with
you again before the public city
hall meeting. I'm demanding that
there be a thorough
investigation of the entire city
Council regarding misconduct,
intimidation, retaliation,
manipulation and willful
negligence. It is critical that
e
acceptable for security
protection for the downtown
businesses effective immediately
, In addition, restitution of
damages and lost income must be
provided to affected business
income and continue to lose it
as a result under your watch.
You have the power to do
something, and you did nothing.
Tax dollars. Pay your salary. If
nothing is done. This will be
escalated to state and federal
agencies, including the media
for further investigation. We
have a civil right? To be
protected, and we have a human
right in our community as
civilians and busins owrs.
Change starts now. I'm gonna ask
everybody to calm down. Hive Row
five. Five. Are, you know? Five
Please make it to the podium
state your name. Good afternoon
. My name is Kelly Son Timer,
and I am a business owner
downtown. My husband and I moved
here from ST Louis about two
years ago. In the last month. I
would say I have Either
witnessed or experienced crime
and my little area. My neighbor
who's building there's attached
to mind her. Her business had a
brick thrown through the window.
I had to call the police last
Wednesday because of a very
violent altercation outside my
door. Was seven very large men.
It was extremely scary, and it
was scary for all the customers
that were there. I know that
there was a car vandalized
behind our parking lot. During
the farmers market. And my
husband and I are moving our
shop down the street because we
need more space and There was a
person who I assume was
homeless, sleeping right in
front of our shop on the
sidewalk. No We have spent a lot
of money to open a business here
and we are really concerned
about The amount of crime I had
a woman come into my shop last
week. She was a representative
for you, Miss Mayor. Pro temp. I
think she's working on your
campaign. And I thought, Well,
this is a great time for me. To
share a concern. And I said,
Well, could you please ask her?
What is she going to do about
crime? The response I got was
well, there's crime everywhere.
Crime is bad everywhere. So I
told her. I said I was a
schoolteacher in ST Louis. We
had middle school and high
school students that had drug
addiction problems. School
phobia, violent behaviors,
mental illness. We had we were
tasked. With helping these kids
overcome their addiction.
Helping their parents. Help the
kids. Helping them get an
education and a diploma and help
them deal with their mental
illness. If I were to say to a
parent or to my boss. There was
drug abuse everywhere. A lot of
kids Don't graduate from high
school. Mental illness is a
problem. I would have lost my
job. And. I didn't do it so that
I didn't lose my job. I did it
because the task that I was
given was very important. So as
a business owner. I have a
question for every one of you.
As a person representing the
city. What advice would you give
to someone wanting to open a
business down here knowing that
I have to have bars on my
windows? I have to have a
security system. I have to walk
over people sleeping on the
sidewalk in front of my shop and
hope that my customers will do
that as well. And I have to
hope. People don't stop coming
downtown because of the amount
of violence. Thank you. Anybody
else on row five. 06.
If you're if you're going to
speak, make your way down and
you can sit up here in the
front, please. Thank you. Please
State your name for the record.
My name is W bond. Good
afternoon. Mayor. Pro temp
necessity, Council. I'm a vendor
at the Farmer's market, and I've
been there for many, many years.
I'm here to Talk about our
concerns as a vendor of the
homeless, but also to Ah, back
the downtown business people
also we get down there at six
o'clock in the morning, and we
see the homeless and the
vandalism that's going on. And I
can remember back when downtown
was like a ghost town other than
when we showed up on Saturdays.
I'm very proud that we have
downtown business people. Now it
looks wonderful. I was there
during the route debt study and
how things have changed down
there. Butiolence and the
homeless is a really big problem
Downtown. I would hope someday
we could get more police
presence down there. We all look
after each other down there, but
it gets pretty scary. I had my
life threatened by a man who was
begging for money from our
customers, and I just asked him
very nicely to move on. We were
told we could do that. I was a
block captain at that time, and
I wore a badge with my name on
it. And he addressed me by name
and said that if I even called
for help, he would come back and
kill me. So I quit wearing my
badge, But it is a situation
downtown to protect even when
the city is holding a big event
, which we do a lot. The parking
lots aren't safe. And I just
like you to consider what can be
done for the safety of the
people in the downtown area.
Thank you. Thank you. You
pretend Couil o Garcia. I'm
a firm believer in supporting
those in our community in need,
like those requiring
catastrophic health care.
Reported on KR W G. R Council
approved quote guaranteed basic
income, which provides
unconditional and unrestricted,
payments to help individuals
with their basic needs. In
essence, are Council doled out
taxpayer funds with no
accountability. Basic needs
could be satisfied Fiesta Foods
or it could be aatisfied at
the local pot shop or liquor
store. We won't know. Council
can show essential generosity,
whether personal funds by
standing in front of Albertans
giving out $300 personal checks
with no accountability to anyone
that asks and when their
personal savings are depleted.
They get a personal loan and
start again same concept that
the taxpayers have to deal with.
I would like to thank Kate Fox
for the recent interviews
dealing with crime affecting the
community. Cooker general
editorial on Sunday. City
Council members have sponsored a
resolution. The focus of this
resolution is on enhancing
Albuquerque ease. Efforts to
address crime key areas of focus
, including drug and mental
health issues, restructuring pre
trial detention securing funds
for the world program for the
next five years and supporting
law enforcement. This sentiment
is echoed by the LP, Kirky
Police Department indicate
indicating The urgency of
holding criminals accountable.
u've just heard numerous
victims that have come here and
spoken and they have done this
for the last year. It is time
that you do something to hold
this criminal so accountable.
And I continue with the quote.
There's a consensus that the
present conditions which prevent
families from feeling secure
during outdoor activities or
unacceptable. Does this sound
familiar? Unless Cruces you just
heard? A couple of couple of
individuals tell you that? We've
asked numerous times for the
council to request our state
lawmakers to take action? Like
the councils in Albuquerque.
In the meantime, the forgotten
victims listed on the list
Cruces Hall of Shame who don't
fit the category of quote, most
vulnerable in our population or
ignored. Albuquerque Journal
17th. September last year. 10
Bills addressing crime for
presented, but either didn't
make it into committee or died
in committee. The Democratic
majority opposed these bills.
Proposing the following. The
mayor sent a letter to state
senators and representatives to
come to this chambers and
present a tangible solutions to
address crime. Thank you. You,
Mr Garcia.
I'm William Biermann. On
September 5th after I left your
meeting. Councilor Bencomo said
. My comment about City Council
de funding a parade was a quote,
bold faced lie. But what I said
is true. In a letter from about
early 2021, the lost Cruces
Police Officers Association. I
told you. The last several
years, I've seen steady decline
in staffing levels, which have
cultivated culminated in an all
time love of 140 officers on
duty, even though the department
is authorized for 202 officers.
The letter said. Quote This
leaves the community largely on
patrolled and unprotected and
it's extremely hazardous to
officers. The letter stated the
percentage of the budget
allocated to public safety was
down almost 5% from fiscal year
2021. The letter said. Potential
recruits quickly leave the L.
CPD recruiting table when they
learn how far behind L CPD has
fallen in comparison to just
about every other agency. The
city is simply not competitive.
So much for the letter. I have
here a position control count
from the adopted FY 22 budget.
It shows Police department
positions were reduced from 3 29
in fiscal 2018. 2 318 in the
adopted 2022 budget reduction of
11 positions. This is why the
total number of city employees
went up by 82 total of 1833,
which is about 10 times the
number of sworn police But the
budget is n the same as what
actually happens. Budgeting
positions is not mean actually
filling them. Officials claim
they increase the budget in
terms of money. That doesn't
mean they actually spent the
money and one Council meeting I
heard a reference to $5 million
in unspent salary account.
Finally Councilor Bencomo is on
video displaying a bar graph at
a council meeting on April 26
2021. The chart was entitled
Where Our Money goes, noting
that the bar for the police
department was the highest, she
commented, quote. You know that
for the police department to
have such a disproportionate
chunk of the budget to me feels
like we need to do some serious
reflection on the creation of
this budget. Since then, the
funding of the police has become
politically toxic in elections,
so lost Cruces is doing in about
faith and sending out news
releases a touting how you're
doing new hiring of police, but
the damage is already been done
. As crime is raging here.
That's all I have to say. German
. Is there anybody on rose seven
or eight? Anybody on this side?
If you want to speak and you're
in these last few rows, please
make your way down. Mayor Pro
TEM Council. My name is Laurie
English. For over 20 years I
have tried to get the city
councilors from both sides of
the aisle. To respond to the
lousy conditions of Stewards
Avenue between pay a portion
Astoria and midway up on the
East Mesa. To physically see the
situation of that street. It
looks like it has leprosy, and
nobody's doing anything about it
. I had two previous Council
counselors from my district come
out and physically see the
condition. No action was taken.
I invited Councilor Corrine to
come out via email. And never
got a response. But I got got a
response, saying well, she
thinks the schedule according to
the streets department that it's
scheduled for 2024. First of all
right now, Midway Boulevard,
which is a street that's in the
same area. Is less heavily used
than stewards. By almost two
thirds the amount of traffic and
it's being totally resurfaced a
street the length of about five
blocks. That's not even used
that often. And the trucks that
are being used to carry out the
asphalt from the debris are the
heavy, heavy, heavy asphalt and
concrete trucks. That are not
only making a mud bog out of gas
line road, but they are
destroying and tearing up
Stewart's street again with no
compensation, no consideration.
Let's show you streets in the
city are being resurfaced almost
every month. A Stert's has
been remained as it is for the
23 years that I have lived here
. In fact, there are potholes
are filling the potholes,
potholes, and now those heavy
trucks are creating nothing but
massive potholes. Um. Still
looks like it still looks like
it's got leprosy. Ah and it's
making a bog like a shout out of
midway. The city's heavy trucks
and are already talked about the
entire street. Um Should be
resurfaced. Weeed l ci
councilors to deal more with
Infrastructure, crime, vandalism
and animal welfare than
disrespecting veterans and
changing street names out in
your communities and put
together some decent plans.
Don't go out there just Couple
of months before the campaign
and before the election, One or
two of you were running for
mayor. I find that laughable. I
mean, not no insult to any
individual on the city Council.
Um Still, you owe an apology to
the city. The veterans of the
city, the county and the state
of New Mexico for your bad
treatment and dishonor and
disrespect concerning the
veteran's park episode. Thank
you Miss English. Anybody else
on this side? To my right first
row. Second row. Please make
your way. You dropped something
on the on the floor. All those
are all put those up. Okay
You're welcome. Just don't
forget giving you all copies of
these. Okay There will be
distributing copies there,
please, For all of you. Good
afternoon. Yeah Good afternoon.
Pro TEM and counselors. My name
is Charles Winder and I've got
something that I think is a
dearie issue to all of us should
be. It's a unifying Issue, not a
divisive one. Unlike so many
things that you're presented
with, Unfortunately so, uh, This
week. Just started yesterday Is
Constitution Week. We're talking
about us Constitution. Of
course. Okay. And, uh, I don't
really know that information.
But it's public law. So let me
read from you. I need a little
bit of an aid here. My vision is
slipping on me. So let me see if
I can do this, too. And it's in
the back of this little booklet.
u caget it and read it for
yourself. You can have that.
That's a gift to you should say
gift because maybe that in
violation some of these laws but
anyway to commemorate Uh,
September 17th 17 87 signing of
the Constitution. United States
Congress has designated
September 17th of each year as
Constitution Day and September
17th through the 23rd of each
year's constitution Week in 2004
public law, 100-447. Section 111
was passed, requiring the
folling. Education institution
that receives federal funds. For
a fiscal year, She'll hold an
education program on the United
States Constitution on September
17th each year for the students
served by the education
institution. I think most of all
of us have kids or grandkids and
area this really is very germane
to them. Furthermore it says,
Quote each, Um Federal agency or
department. Shell shell again No
wiggle room in that word,
provide education and training
materials concerning the United
States Constitution to each
employee on September78 year,
George worse, and I think most
of you remember that gentleman
says a price quote. A primary
object should be the education
of our youth and the science of
government. And every plum Bic,
not a democracy. We don't have a
democracy. Very clear in the
Constitution. There is no word
democracy and that the Republic
that species of knowledge can be
equally important, but Species
line should be equally important
counicating it to thosesing than
liberties of the to those
guardians of the liberties of
our country. Uh I have no
hesitation. I'm a very proud
American proud that we live in
this exceptional country where
we can have these discussions
debates, but unfortunately we're
losing so much of this. Why
Because we don't stay our
constitution. Okay Article six
of that book, right there tells
you that that's the supreme law
of the land and just being
violated constantly every day,
so I'd urge everybody let's stay
the Constitution. God bless you
all. Tnk you. Okay Anybody on
the second or third row? Please
make your way down. Afternoon
Council Pro TEM everybody else.
Uh just wanted to let everybody
know I noticed something when I
walked in here today. I didn't
have to move the record Trois
Stagner owners, the comics I did
not have to move a sleeping
vagrant from in front of the
door to get inside. I did not
have tstepver man
excrement to get inside. I was
not sexually or physically
assaulted. To get inside this
council chamber. So how can you
guys sit up there and tell me
that you know what we're going
through downtown when these are
almost daily occurrences with
us? The definition of insanity
is doing the same thing over and
over and expecting a different
result. Well I'm going to tell
all you people here if you keep
voting for the same people and
expect change. That's insane.
Yeah. I don't have to say.
Fourth row. Fifth row. Six row.
Seven. Eight. Anybody on this
side? Okay, that concludes our.
Um public participation. Next
up. I will be reading September
11 2023 closed meeting statement
into the record. Last Christmas
City Council met in closed
session at 11 06 am September
11th 2023 the followi members
were in attendance. Mayor Ken
Miyagishima Councilor Cassandra
again that our cancer tests
abate that was absent. Councilor
Becky Graham was present
Councilor Johanna become a
present. Councilor Becky,
current president, Councilor.
Even Flores present staff was
Linda samples. City attorney By
ripping Commerce chief
Administrative Officer Sonia
Delgado, assistant city manager
F. O P. Li City manager
Philomena Hauser outside
attorney Zoom and was out at 12
12. PM Joe Richards was H R
director via Zoom and the Hume
Airport director via Zoom.
Jocelyn Garrison, Department
City attorney via Zoom. The
meeting adjourned at 12 49.
Let's see. The purpose of the
closed meeting is to discuss the
pending litigation regarding Tom
Reynolds versus the city of Los
Cruces, CI v Dash, 23-00022 G.
J. F K R S, which is closed
percent to N. M s a 1978 section
10 15-1 h seven. Okay? I need a
motion to accept the agenda.
Moved. Graham Second Abeyta
motion made by Councilor Graham
second by Councilor Abeyta.
Alright let's see. I need to
call the vote. Yes This is on
the motion to accept the agenda
as presented. Councilor Abeyta
Councilor Graham? Yes Councilor
Bencomo Councilor crayon.
Councilor Flotus Yes, Pro TEM
and the mayor is absent. Okay?
Resolution number 24.030 need
emotion proved second grand. Was
that by Councilor Bencomo
Councilor Abeyta second by
Councilor Graham. Hi, Alicia.
Good afternoon. They're with us
for just a minute. No worries.
Good afternoon Mayor pro TEM and
city counselors. Alicia
Hernandez, purchasing manager.
Before you as a resolution to
approve our Microsoft Enterprise
Agreement renewal. The I T
department has an enterprise
agreement with Microsoft. This
includes our desktop operating
systems are security licensing,
security, licensing and
Microsoft office software. The
agreement provides us with a
purchasing. And also includes
regular updates from these
Microsoft products. The
agreement expes and must be
renewed every six years. And
during that time the pricing is
locked in for those years.
Annual renewal. Determines of
additional licensing is
required. At this time
Purchasing recommends that we
contract with CD W G via a C E s
contract. The contract number is
2022-01 Dash A G 0 1 dash A L L
And we're asking for an
indefinite cost indefinite
quantity and it would be subject
to annual renewal and arove
budget appropriations. And with
that these are your Council
options and I stand for
questions. Cancer requiring
Councilor plotters. I have a
question that 100% in just thank
you for presenting if we vote No
. Will it bring the entire teams
infrastructure down and never
make us attended teams meeting
again? Is there any chance of
that? Okay Thank you. I
appreciate your presentation.
Thank you. Councilor. Korean
Councilor flutters. Um. Why Why
would we enter into an
agreement? Um For an indefinite
cost. I sure as heck wouldn't
Why? I mean, is that a term of
art that used in such a contract
? We have done that before it.
We don't know how many licenses
will need in the future going
forward. But the But it's like a
carte blanche. It's like giving
you a blank check. Um So. So
it's been done in the past, so
we continue to do I'm just
curious, and I Um We have done
it in the indefinite quantity
and definite cost subject to
annual renewal's. So this being
subject to annual renewal's.
Does that mean that we would
review the cost and then? Um And
then. Yeah, because it also
says, uh Resolution approving
the annual renewal operative
wordheres annual, so there
has to be not just a renewal,
but a review. And so if we were
to vote yes, on this, um this
this resolution would be subject
to Um well, a straight I would
Expected to be strict scrutiny
and so far as reviewing the
terms and the prices and all
that we do review the terms
every year. And the contract
that we're going to use. It
expires in 2026. So at that
time, we would have to either
procure another contract, or,
um, Take one of our own. And so
what happens if, um the cost
become exorbitant? And we know
of another vendor who that Would
be a better price for the same.
For the same product. I remember
attending if I may. Councilor
blood is Mr Pillay has Mr Pillay
has a before and I'm sure Wraps
up here to set some, like Just
This this particular licenses.
We We don't know. And so we have
to We have to enter into a
contract. However there is an
appropriation throughout the
budget process. That said that
these amounts are set. We can't
go above Beyond that, unless we
bring it forward. And so there's
a certain amount for these
licenses. But this is the
contract that's That's needed in
order for us to receive them. I
don't know if you have any
additional Anything. In addition
to Robert, making up Making your
way up here. So I guess if your
concern is The blank check. That
that cap is at the budget
appropriation for these
licenses. Mr Pillay is that in
the contract and the agreement
with the vendor You know, I'd
have to look at the contract
subject to what our
appropriations are. I mean, do
they understand that? Yes,
Councilor, So we determine We
determine if we can. We don't
have to purchase a certain
amount. We determine how many
licenses were Going to need and
again, it's determined by Our
budget sets that cab. And so if
we are going beyond our budget
line item We certainly have to
come back for an amendment. For
that, So there's a vendor
understand that like say, for
example, we went bankrupt. Would
we still be bound by by the
terms of this contract? I mean,
that just just, you know,
extreme, but just just because I
I'm just wondering, I mean, I
have to look at the contract
Councilor, but I'm going to show
you we wouldn't bou.
Correct if you have any robbed l
plane I t director Councilor,
Flores and Mayor Pro TEM and
Council. Um if. If there were a
particular situation like this
at the city went out of, you
know, went bankrupt at the at
the next year. Microsoft
understands that we wouldn't be
able to get approval for that
purchase, in which case we would
not have to purchase it. So the
agreement isn't binding. Over
the over the course of several
years. No only for this
particular course years. I don't
remember the exact wording. But
when you have multiple years
where you're saying you're going
to produce something, But
there's I don't remember the
exact term, but they're the term
where we don't have to continue
to purchase that. You remember
No, the city can opt out. Every
year. We're going to pay the
first year and then if we don't
have enough budget next year, we
hoose a different route. OK,
ultimately, the city uh,
purchasing section works with
the end user for the best cost
for the best item that we need.
Okay well, that definitely
allays my fears. Thank you very
much. Thank you. Thank you, Mr
Pena. Thank you. Um, I was
hoping that I'd have a chance to
look at the resolution.
Specifically, um. And give me a
moment. I read it earlier, but I
don't remember One of the things
that I've had. It gives. It does
give me pause to say that
indefinitely with no criteria.
You know, the resolution doesn't
state at all the amounts what
it's for, Um, even in you know,
in the event, it's too You know,
um Be additional amounts. Then
we would come back to council.
Um and so Equal there. This is
like the second or third time.
It's come like this with that
kind of language, and it does
give me pause. And I'm hopeful
that staff as their, um.
Developing these resolutions
that they state the amounts and
even if there's some, you know,
ceain ount. Then it would be
brought back. Um Because we
don't know what's happening in
procurement or whatever. But
this is probably the third time
that I read something like that,
and I want to have more
information. But there is an
information now. I'm looking
through other things you're
sending right because there's
several attachments there,
reading hundreds of pages of
document. It just makes it
really difficult. So in the
future, if you could add
something like that I think it
would satisfy me. Thank you,
Mayor. Pretend we will. Thank
you. Okay. Any other Public
comment. Yes, ma'am. Please make
your way to the To the Podium
and state your name. My name is
Laurie English. Um I live in the
city and it's been my experience
as a previous business owner. Uh
in other states that if it's not
stated clearly, if the word
indefinite or Future shows up.
We are not to accept that word.
It should be tied in and you
ladies obviously are aware of
that fact that indefinite means
X infinity. I'm not Buzz
Lightyear, and I'm not an
attorney by any stretch, but if
something is infinite, that
means it can go on and go on and
go on and they're saying they're
giving us their word that we
have the right to do this and we
have the right to do that, if
it's not expressly written in
the document. Iwill not hold
up in court. I don't care what
court it is whether they go
bankrupt or whether we go
bankrupt. The bottom line is
we're still responsible if we
accept the word indefinite.
Thank you for your time. And
your consideration. Thank you.
Miss English. Anybody else?
Okay? Yes, Christine. Please
take the roll. This is on the
motion to approve resolution.
24-030 Councilor Abeyta.
Councilor Graham Councilor
Bencomo, Councilor Korean
Councilor Flotus. Yes, yes, and
the mayor is absent. Next up 8.2
resolution number 24-031. I need
a few approved Graham motion
made by concert, Graham. By
Councilor Corrine Or Abeyta
heard, Um second, um, made by
consequence. Hello Miss Greene.
Hello Good afternoon, everyone,
Uh Mayor Pro TEM membersounc
Natalie Green for the record the
resolution before you is a land
acquisition, it would be a
purchase of property located at
9 15 and 9 21 West Amador. The
site description. It's
approximately one acre parcel or
it's two parcels that make up
about an acre also includes a
500 square foot metal industrial
building. And again it's address
off of Amador. It is adjacent to
the Macia Valley Community
campus, and it was identified as
a potential acquisition piece
during the Master plan adoption
. This is the vicinity map. The
subject parcels are in pink. And
then the community hoped
campuses labeled in blue. This
is just a visual of the property
facing west so this would be
from the property facing into
the Macia Valley community Hope
driveway and again, you can see
that 5000 square foot industrial
building and then this is from
the driveway facing East. This
is the master plan that was
adopted in 2002 again. That
parca
potential acquisition site, and
it would improve the overall
flow of the campus increase
parking. And then it would allow
. Um the continued expansion of
the other buildings. The
proposed terms of the purchase.
We did do two appraisals. The
first came back at 4 35, and the
second came back at 4 37 they
negotiated price with the seller
is 435,000, with US splitting
closing costs. And the benefits
of this purchases that it would
align with the city's master
plan and the goals for expansion
of the Messiah Valley community
hope and also aligns with our
strategic goals elevate and the
city's consolidated plan. It
does include budget adjustment
to cover the cost of the
acquisition and closing, so
you'll notice that dollar amount
is a little bit different. And
that's because it includes the
closing costs. And then you have
your standard Council options
and we'll stand for questions.
Thank you, Mr Green. Any
questions on the dais? See none.
Um, public comments. See none.
Christine, Please take the roll.
This is on the motion to approve
resolution. 24 031 Councilor
Abeyta Councilor Graham Yes.
Councilor Bencomo Councilor
crayon Councilor Flores. Yes 10
and the mayor is absent. Okay
Motion passes 8.3 resolution
number 24-03 to a resolution
approving community development
block Grant high. Good afternoon
Mayor Pro TEM members of City
Council Raymond Burchfield for
te
a moment. I'm sorry. I'm getting
ahead of myself. I need emotion
. Okay Move to approve. Abeyta
Martian labor. Councilor Abeyta,
second by Councilor. Warren.
Here we go, Mr Birch. Well, now
we're ready. Okay, before you
today we have a Community
development Block Grant
agreement to approve them
Community Hope Campus solar
project. And cost it a para
green owes applied for community
development Block Grant funding
current year funding program.
You're 23 in the amount of
$200,000 constant parag. Reno's
distributes approximately £4.5
million of food a year. They're
the largest food pantry in
southern New Mexico. And they
just recently moved into the new
space at horse and Hound. Those
numbers should be going up
dramatically. And this
resolution will approve Block
Grant agreement between the city
and cassava Peregrine owes in
the amount of $200,000 as
approved through action Plan 23
last May by City Council. A
this project will be done in a
community of hope applied for
with the Department of Energy
for $200,000 Grant, which they
have received, so this will be a
$400,000 project. And this will
greatly decrease utility bills
for the agencies on campus. And
there's just that's an aging
overhead picture. But And the
new horse and hound. And this
will be parking lot shade
structures and exactly where on
campus. I don't know just yet.
It's still in the design design
phase. And with that I can stand
for any questions. Thank you, Mr
Burchfield. Any questions from
the dais scene and from Council?
How about From the public. See
none. Christine. On the motion
to approve resolution. 24-032
Councilor Abeyta Councilor
Graham Yes. Councilor Bencomo,
Councilor Korean Councilor
Flotus Yes, Pro TEM and the
mayor is absent. Thank you. Um
next step. We have no board
appointments, and I'm looking at
Christine. She'll tell me if we
do, um, and any notice, no no
notice of proposed ordinances,
either. Wow. Now we're up item
11 City Council member board
reports and comments. Um. And I
will say that I appreciated
being a part of the City Council
. Right and I will just leavet
at that. And that Councilor
Graham, um Give her input
related to that. It is really
amazing. Um what our town has to
offer with public art. And just
the uniqueness of each
neighborhood, So it was really
appreciative. And I thank chief
story and Officer Clement for
Monitoring traffic. It made me
feel very safe and so appreciate
that, Um We have, um. Some work
paicularly in the urban in the
inner inner city and Um, it's
something that we continue to
look at with our public works
and our street management or
payment management program. And
so I'm I'm appreciative of that
program. Um But you know, trying
to meet the needs and the
demands of the entire city makes
it difficult. So, um I'll have
some conversations equal with
you about some specific areas
that I think really need some
attention and district one and
other We kind of ayed in that
area. But um, I appreciate that
the opportunity Um. I do want to
address the issues that were
brought to our attention about G
B a Um, I believe wholeheartedly
in this program and there is an
opportunity. To, um. To seek
funding additional funding
through a mayor's G B. I UM,
task force or board nationally
that I think is a great
opportunity there. The money is
funneled through Community
Foundation, and several of our
nonprofits are working through
the variety of issues. Um I do
want to say that there was a
pilot project in Hatch that just
yielded great great outcomes and
if we're serious about reducing
poverty, this is one way to do
it. Is that the only way?
Absolutely not. But it's one of
the ways and I stand by my vote.
Um.nd as a matter of fact,
Friday evening, we get to view a
screening related to, um family
prosperity. And I invite the
public. Um to that to that, um,
screening it'll be done at It
would be showing at the farm and
ranch and I believe it's six PM
I'm looking at Councilor.
Bencomo And so I'm looking
forward to hearing more about
the programming and nationally
what it's doing for particularly
people, lifting them up and out
of poverty. And with that, I'll
turn it over to Councilor
Flores. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Um I, um. The first of all the
funds that are being used for
that, G B I and it's temporary.
I think 18 limited to 18 months
are from the AARP. The money the
money that was issued to cities
to use, Um Ah, at their
discretion, so long as you know
, fell within certain parameters
and guidelines I personally am
against guaranteed basic income
. Um it was tried, uh, in In
Fresno, California. And, uh, Hmm
. It wasn't six successful and
no, it was not. In fact, the
mayor was booted out and was not
re elected. It was not
successful. What you say It was
depending on how you do your
arithmetic. It didn't and I
don't want to get into a debate.
All I ow is that Um The there
was. One This is an 18 month
project and I doubt very much it
will be refunded. Um because I
don't think we're going to see
outcomes in 18 months. If this
was an ongoing if it was maybe,
um, uh, multibillionaire who
wanted to try something out? And
could you know someone like Elon
Musk, the richest billionaire in
the world? Um and he could see
if it could work somewhere and
just throw his money. They're
fine. But um, I'm cerinly I'm
certainly should the city should
it come before the city. This
this this board, I would
definitely vote against G B. I
um it'snot sustainable. And I
agree with the mayor. Um, there
was There was some reporting on
KR W G and he was interviewed
and, uh he said that his
colleagues didn't understand
finances. Um Well. Excuse me.
Point of order, please. Thank
you. Other. Opinions Thank you.
So anyway, um I wanna go on to
things that are a little bit
more pleasant. Um The I was able
to attend the firefighters,
graduation. Ah! A week ago last
Friday. I can't even remember
when it was it was about a week
ago. That's Freddie. And it was
and it was absolutely wonderful.
And, um And I think it's the
first time I have attended,
And it was just amazing to see
the training. They get how
rigorous it is. And, um And
different. Firefighters were
singled out there were
distinguished in their
accomplishments. Um but it was.
But it was really it was very
nice. It was very nice to
participate in that and there
were tons of family and Children
and, uh, we received a pamphlet
,
Um, the fire a fire fighters
prayer. When I am called to
duty. God wherever flames me
rage give me the strength to set
save a life. Whatever be its age
, helped me embrace a little
child before it is too late, or
save an older person from the
horror of that fate. Enable me
to be alert and here the weakest
shout and quickly and
efficiently to put the fire out
. I want to feel my calling and
to give the best in me tguar
my every neighbor and protect
their property. And if,
according to your Will, I have
to lose my life. Please bless
He's blessed with your
protecting hand. My Children and
my it's his wife, but he should
say spouse because we have a lot
of female, so I'll just edit
that, and the author is unknown
that the ceremony was really,
really moving, because, um, I
don't remember the number, but
it was definitely an elite group
of firefighters and it was
really wonderful. Um Um, the
other before? I forget, Um Happy
New Year to my Jewish family to
my Jewish friends. Um this is a
very somber period up until a
young Cooper I think it's just
September 24 25. Um is, uh young
Cooper and It's a very it's like
a high holy season. Um The
other, Um. We already presented
the. Proclamation to the
downwinders, but, um. A lot of
people who were talking about
how how awesome the movie
Oppenheimer was, but what they
failed to talk about was how the
first bomb was landed here, You
know, not very far from us, and
there's 100 and 50 Mile Radius
and You know, my family lived in
this part of the world less than
150 miles from here. Um And I
was, I guess not born yet, But
when do I? o of my brothers
were already born? But the
follows that it was a testing
ground for wood followed. Um in
August. I think it was August 5.
1945. When uh, Hiroshima and
Nagasaki were bombed, and those
cities were obliterated, and it
took several years for things to
start growing again. Um And
sadly, the government failed to
make any kind of reparations. Um
the whole project. The Manhattan
Project, which took place in Las
Alamos. Really Um, they just
went in there and Took over the
that part and why they selected
New Mexico. I don't know. All I
know is that New Mexico was left
out of the Rica. The Radiation
Exposure Act. Um so hopefully
there will be some You know, uh
People will never get their
health back. Uh um People
continue to die as a result of
that radiation, and I think that
You know, they're like in my
family. It was le, Oh, he died
of cancer cancer. I guess it
runs in the family. Well cancer
isn't hereditary. But anyway, um
. The other development or
another wonderful. Not
wonderful. I mean TV. Yeah,
anyway, but On the upside of
what we do up here, Um three or
four years ago. 2019 It was four
years ago. Um the city of Las
Cruces worked together with, um
Las Cruces public schools. And
the legal women voters of
southern New Mexico to present a
know your government day. And,
um And that was wonderful. Mayor
Pro TEM and I participated in
that. And uh, they were supposed
to be a follow up. This was
February of 2019. We were
supposed to follow up the
following year. And um the
students who were selected were
from all the high schools here
in Las Cruces. And it was four
students that, um Because every
human being shown has potential
. So I have to be careful about
how I word this. It was for Uh,
students who, um, would be
selected by their teachers. Um
And, of course with a parent's
permission. If there yeah. But
um, it wasn't like geared for
someone who was class president
or president of the student body
because that person is already
engaged. And, um So we were
going to track the students and
then whatever, but those
students are now I think they're
seniors at some of them are
seniors at MSU, and that's the
information we got from L. C. P
s. We met, um a week ago or
about to about to time goes
well. Yeah, we met To reinstate
this and our community outreach
person. I don't even think I
don't know if that's her Katrina
gaudiness participated. And um
so we've we're on the road to
t tt do. It won't be it'll
. It takes several months. So,
uh, we'll have it in February.
Yeah. And, um. With Mayor Pro
TEM, Um, giving the welcoming,
um Speech to the students. She
encouraged them to go on. And as
and the because we have l CPS
involved. The didn't track the
students, but they kept in touch
with some of the students, and
that's how we know that some of
them are venomous. You Um but
Mayor Pro TEM shared that that
her Children were graduates of
the L. C P s schools and, uh,
And then went on to say that her
son served in the military, uh,
in the Navy, and that her
daughter was in med school, and
now she's actually done with med
school and going on to other,
You know, whatever, because time
has flown Um. Anyway Um those
are the highlights of my life in
conjunction with the city and,
uh, It's not an easy job, but I
love it. Thankou. uncir
Blood is Councilor. Corin That's
very nice. Thank you. Councilor
court. Thank you, Um I think I
just wanted to sort of, if this
is part of the conversation to
go back to G B and really throw
my support behindsomething
that's been demonstrated in
countless peer reviewed research
studies to show Ah, that
improves public health reduces
poverty and as poverty as a
policy choice. I think we can
choose differently, and I really
appreciate that, and MSU's
crimson research will be
Evaluating this that community
organizations that are really
trusted in our community are
doing it and there will be a
strong evaluation to show What
the outcomes are for the folks
in our community, So I'm really
excited about that project and
I'm happy to say so. And I
appreciate Councilor Bencomo was
that for interview, Um I would.
I just want to give a few notes
about upcoming things related to
the SCM v. The work session Um
Thursday this Wednesday
afternoon at Ah! 3 P.m. at the
county Commission. Chambers is
addressing the joint Powers
agreement and the conversation
about that that some folks who
are interested in animal related
things might want to participate
in and again that's at the
county Commission chambers from
3 to 5, and then we also have a
schedule change you are and I
don't know that we have it in
our outlook calendars yet. Um,
but That on October 2nd the work
session that was supposed to be
for animal related issues the
following week has been
reheduled it for the morning
of October. 2nd Um so there will
be that that will be our work
session on animal related
issues, so just putting it on
you all's calendar and also
changing what was sort of
believe. I think the public
didn't necessarily know. Um that
that had changed, But that's
just two weeks away, so it will
be at 10 A.m. here in the
council chambers. Um And other
than that, I really enjoyed the
bike ride, thanks to Chief story
for keeping us safe. Um And
thanks for Villa Cruces, too. Um
support us and really show. And
teach us a lot of things that
are bike related infrastructure
here in the city, so I really
appreciate Um, all the fellow
does George Pearson in
particular in terms of advocacy
for, um, safe streets, So thank
you, George and thanks, Chief
Story for keeping us and officer
climate for Keeping us safe with
pedal by the way, with pedal
power, no electric bikes needed
for the police. Unlike for me,
Thank you. Councilor Coron Coron
Councilor Big Sorry, Mayor Pro
TEM. Thank you, though Chief
Story did say that they do have
some electric bikes so They're
just didn't need one on Saturday
. That's right. Um thanks, man,
pretending everyone I do just
want to add that, um Former
mayor Michael Tubs of Stockton,
California is now serving as the
special adviser for economic
mobility to the governor of
California. So I say fail
forward. Um I also wanted to
read this. Piece of Um, this
article That was recently in
political just a couple of weeks
ago. That reads. The child
poverty rate more than doubled
in 2022 as Covid era programs
expired, erasing major economic
gains for the poorest Americans
, much like the child tax credit
that probe Um, unrestricted cash
in the pockets of many families
in the United States, Um and you
know, there's this great quote
that says Poverty is a policy
choice, and I couldn't agree
more. Um a couple of 100 folks
in Congress chose not to Um,
reinstate this child tax credit
and then the child poverty rate
doubled, so it is absolutely a
choice. Um that we have these
high poverty rates across the
country, but certainly in Las,
Cruces and working towards
building something bold and
innovative that clearly works.
Um I'm proud to support that and
you don't have to agree with it
. I also just you know, I don't
think things like Oh, you don't
understand. Finances is super
helpful feedback. I think it's
um It's interesting because I
think, even at the federal level
when program when we're talking
about people, particularly poor
folks were always like, where is
the money going to come from?
But when we're talking about
funding military spending when
we're talking about funding, I
don't know things like the
Border Patrol like that. That's
never a question of Oh, I wonder
where the money is coming from.
Um you know, last year Chief
Dominguez products and budget
that said, You know, we need 18
you vehicles and none of us
asked. Where's the money coming
from, right. So it's really
interesting to always when we
pose those questions about, um,
who we want to invest in in what
we want to invest in. And when
it comes to poor folks, it's
always like, well, where's the
money going to come from? Um
when clearly at least programs
work, and so I'd highly
encourage you all to read this.
Incredible, um, political Um.
Article that at the very end,
says You know? We now have half
of Americans who do not have
$500 in savings, and I think
that's pretty tragic.m I want
to invite folks to attend our
housing Piercy meeting on
Wednesday at 2 P.m. on second
floor of City Hall. And, um.
Also the 11 year anniversary of
the opening of the house. Oh my
gosh, the Greg's walnut
Superfund site if you haven't
been to the open house to, um
See how that facility is working
to improve the water in that
area. You really showed. It's
really incredible. I swear to
you,It's almost like magic. How
incredible that facility is and
what it's doing to keep our
water safe. So that is this
Thursday from 10 to 1. It's an
open house so you can drop in
whenever you'd like. But I
highly encourage that folks
attend that. Thanks, Mia.
Pretend Thank you. Councilor
Bencomo Councilor Graham. Thank
you, Mary Pro TEM. Uh, Just a
couple of Shout outs. I'm going
to Be the fourth person to say
that the City Council bike ride
was great. Thanks to fellow
Cruces to officer climate, too
cheap story who did all of the
protecting and self powered
pedaling, and I also want to
mention on a bike frame that was
at least one but possibly two
sizes too small. So yeah, I wish
I had known I would have brought
my husband's bike, which would
have been a little more
Appropriately sized so way to do
it all with your knees around
your ears on top of everything.
Um, I also want to Share. Thank
you to Patrick Peck, executive
director of Southentr Sol
Waste Authority who forwarded an
email chain. Um about some
really great community efforts
to clean up. I guess this last
weekend was national clean up
day, which I wasn't aware of. So
good to learn that and so many
thanks to the champion family to
the Stafford's, and I'm sure
there were other neighbors who
maybe didn't get mentioned. Who
went out to the Sierra Vista
trail around Votto and picked up
among other Easier wrangled
garbage 48 tires, um, including
someone looking at the photos,
um, which I would think of, as
like Crossfit tires because
they're like up to my chest. If
you stand them up, because in
like you flip them for Crossfit
. No no one else has flipped
Crossfit tires, But thank you so
much, Um And also, uh, of course
, as C S W A is such a great
partner And these, um You know
in these efforts as well,
because a lot of times people
are reluctant to pick up things
that big because it can be
really costly to dispose of them
. Once you've cleaned them up
and S C s W A is waiving all the
fees for disposal. So that is
another. Another big help. Um
and finally to Adrian Widmer and
her incredible team at utilities
. Thank you so much for
addressing the water pressure
issue that's been ongoing at
Lowell Road. For Technical
things that I couldn't possibly
understand. I'm going to make
sure that I'm going to forward
this. Thank you. Email Um,
Adrian, that I got that I don't
deserve. And um, if you're a
pass it along to yo, an if you
will pass it along to your
appropriate team members. Thank
you. So much for your custoer
service for you and your teams.
Carino always appreciate you. So
thank you so much. Thank you.
Councilor Graham Councilor
Abeyta. Thank you. Mayor Pro
TEM. First off just a message
for our quality of life meeting.
We will not have one this month,
but we will next month where
we'll be reviewing the library
Master plan. So I just isn't
quite ready so it will be
meeting next month. And then, as
you all may know, I just came
back from Washington D C.
Whereas with the, uh Local
chamber of commerce where we go
to do advocacy on behalf of
veterans programs and affairs,
especially for his mother and a
little bit for forklifts. Um, we
also visited the U. S Chamber of
Commerce and got to hear a
little bit about the
developments that they're trying
to do within the southern region
and looking at near shoring. One
of the most interesting things,
though, that I think I was able
to view we attended the veterans
been Business outreach center.
Where we g to learn about some
different programs, which we've
already applied a bit here in
our community. Everything from
boots to business, which is to
help um Ah! Veterans that are
just exiting out of the service
. Um set up their small business
. We also have different
programs for empowering veteran
Entre preneurs ship. There seems
to be a little bit of a
difference between the
entrepreneurship that we see
across the nation versus what we
have in our community. We were
reported that in other places,
entrepreneurship is usually done
by the 60 plus crowd. Um whereas
here we see a different
demographic that is the ones
that are trying to open up new
businesses, So it was very
interesting. To look at. There's
also programs that are starting
to reach out to the spouses of
veterans to make sure it's
easier for them to get either
certified or licensed in
different states, which is
really helpful, especially if
they have like teaching
certifications or other types of
technical expertise. Those are
needed. Um areas in many
different fields here in our
community, and there is There
was going to be. I believe,
right in 2020, a Um Posey, um,
about veterans outrage, and they
were going to host it here in
Las Cruces. Um, but then, with
everything with Covid, it was
delayed now it looks like we are
trying to bring that back here
again, and make sure that we can
get that full symposium here and
individuals and Wasbir and the
Southwest region. So if I if we
can work with Debbie on that to
just check back in, because I
think that was a great
opportunity for us to still work
with And Uh, I also want to say
I have a little girl that does
the walk to school every week,
which she's very excited about.
She has a little neighborhood of
set of friends. They all walk
together every day. But on
Wednesday on Fridays, they do a
different route to do the walk
to school. They love it. It's
very fun. It is all the things
that the little ones were saying
today about. It gets them
together. It gets community gets
them out and walking in the they
just have a blast. Plus,
sometimes they get little charms
that they can hang off their
backpacks. And they certainly
love that, too. So it's a
wonderful program and I'm happy
to see it in schools throughout
the city. Thank you, Mayor part
time. Thank you, Councilor about
the evil, Mr Pillay. Thank you,
Mary. Pretend Councilor. Just
wanted to remind everyone about
our town hall meeting with L C p
D. Tomorrow at 5 30.M Th's
Part of the quarterly meetings.
They have And then also
Wednesday. So tomorrow, then
Wednesdays, also the bridging
bridging the badge. Meeting will
be via zoom. The link would be
on Facebook and again, just more
engagement and outreach.
Appreciate CPD, Um Organizing
these events and these more and
more opportunity to interact
with the public. Um Speaking of
which I just want to share some
. I guess some thoughts
regarding downtown. Um as it
relates to crime and you know. I
know you know Council, but just
for the public's sake. I mean,
we do have Out of all this all
the areas in the city we
actually hired Security guards
because of the kids that allows
us to do that, so not only do we
have patrol there, we have
community outreach there. We
have our, um Lieutenant Wheeler
is the community. Based on that
goes there for meetings. There's
e
farmer's market. We have a lot
of police presence there, I
think Economic development is
looking at Downtown. Um. 20 to
32 new downtown security
cameras. But there's a security
service and in addition to our
patrolling that that's down
there. From 10 PM to seven AM
every night. And so there's we
do know that Since we've
implemented that Crime has gone
down, especially during that
time. So there's a lot of
efforts being done all over the
city but specifically to
downtown. Because of that, tid.
We have a little bit of leverage
there. So just wanted to make
that. Make that known. Of course
, there's some other issues that
we were dealing with citywide
regarding crime. Working with
the Municipal court, also with
the magistrate court, and then,
um Of course, the D A. And
there's more more info to come.
With the chief story, will, you
know? Him and I will will mbe
present something further about
what's been done. But I know you
all have had that. Have been
making efforts in that way to
get Yet with our court system
and our D, a two To get these
things addressed, but just want
to make Known specifically in
the downtown. There's. There's
actually extra extra patrol
there more than we have in any
other. Part of the city because
of because of the tip. Um Just
I'll just stop there with that.
But Nothing with economic
development. They've Wanted me
to remind everyone about the
catastrophic business assistance
program. Available through
$150,000 of junior money. Funds
provided by Senator Hamlin.
We've given out our first four
grants in the amount of 42,000
342 replacements over 2000
equipment stolen And a multiday
shut down to the waterline
issues. These funds are
recommended to those businesses
not only for replacement costs,
but for loss of revenue and lost
wages. I believe. That's all I
have medical attempt Councilor.
Thank you for mentioning about
the downtown. I think it
important. We've had the number
numerous efforts and you and I
spoke has laid us last week late
Friday about some other things
that I've requested bringing
back the large camera, maybe
foot patrol. Um I know that in
talking with Chris favor,
there's the suggestion and
recommendation about offering
security during the day. Where
there seems to be younow some
issues during the day. I've
received numerous, um, calls and
emails about a big brawl that
happened at client Park. Over
the weekend on Sunday. Um I'm
not sure Chief story if you were
aware of that, I'm sure there's
a number of things that are
happening citywide. But I'll be
forwarding that information. I'm
wondering if we need to just
move into You know, looking at
security for our parks? Not only
that. I'm hearing that at
Apodaca Park and all over the
city, so I. It's a It's an
issue, and I think people are
really concerned about that. I
know that you mentioned about
working with our district
attorney and our court system
where the phone are looking at a
resolution specifically to bring
back to Council related to our
municipal code, and how we can
have maybe some teeth in some of
these misdemeanors. Possibly
felonies, and I know that that
he's having that conversation
specifically with Ms samples, so
Thank you. Evil. Appreciate
that. Okay. Anything else? Okay
I need a motion to adjourn.
Abeyta Second Bencomo, Russian
made by Councilor Abeyta second
by Councilor Bencomo. Christine
Christine, please take the rope
. This is on the motion to
adjourn the meeting. Councilor
Abeyta, Councilor Graham
Councilor Bencomo Councilor
crayon. Councilor Flotus Pro TEM
is absent. Motion passes. We are
adjourned.