City Council discussed the City of Las Cruces’ proposed Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) for the period of 2021 to 2025.
Las Crucens were reminded that a community survey for the Consolidated Plan is still underway. Residents can take the online survey through Friday, January 15 by clicking here. The survey is available in English or Spanish.
The City must develop and adopt a five-year plan that identifies the community development and affordable housing needs that the City will attempt to address during the plan period. The plan has been developed in accordance with U.S. Housing and Urban Development regulations. The proposed Consolidated Plan corresponds with the City’s fiscal years 2022 to 2026.
Crescendo Consulting Group has been selected as the consultant to assist the City with the development of the Con Plan. Crescendo Consulting Group has been conducting research and compiling data to help assist with the development of the Con Plan.
The results from research and data collection will allow consultants and City staff to identify priority needs and develop goals to best direct federal resources available to serve low-moderate income Las Cruces residents. Information about the Consolidated Plan can be found online at https://www.las-cruces.org/2378/ConsolidatedPlan.
The Consolidated Plan and its Analysis of Impediments is anticipated to be available for 30 days of public review and comment tentatively in March. A final review of the Con Plan could be presented to City Council in April or May.
The Council also received a presentation regarding a comprehensive review and analysis of the rates, fees, and leases at Las Cruces International Airport. The review and analysis began in 2020 as part of ongoing improvements that were being made at the airport. The approval of all rates, fees and leases at the airport requires City Council approval.
The Economic Development Department contracted services with airport consultant DuBois & King to conduct an evaluation of all leases and rates at the airport. The research included reviewing the existing 62 leases at the airport as well as rates for facilities, land, and commercial landings, among others.
The next steps include collaboration with the City’s Legal Department to refine the language that could be used in future leases; determining lease rates and fees that could be brought back to City Council at a future date for consideration and possible approval; and addressing questions and concerns from stakeholders and the public about potential changes in leases, rates and fees.
Several options for possibly increasing rates and fees were presented to the Council. New and renewing leases at Las Cruces International Airport could be subject to rate adjustments.
Also, at Monday’s Work Session, the Council reviewed the City’s Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) Ordinance. Since the Ordinance went into effect almost 10 months ago, on March 20, 2020, the Council learned there has been a 64 percent increase in complaint calls from residents to the Las Cruces Police Department from 2019 to 2020. However, LCPD data showed traffic citations issued to UTVs has decreased from 38 in 2019 to nine in 2020. Also, only two citations in 2020 were for violations of the City’s UTV Ordinance.
LCPD Deputy Chief Paul Brock told the Council a process to inspect UTVs still needs to be established. Inspection fees need to set by City Council.
There was Council consensus to review the UTV Ordinance again in about six months.