The Las Cruces City Council will meet via video conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021.
The Council will consider adoption of a Resolution supporting the deployment of zero emissions and low-emission City fleet vehicles as part of the City’s adopted Climate Action Plan. If adopted the Resolution would support the conversion of the City’s fleet to electric vehicles.
The City recognizes that 50 percent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from transportation in our region. To accelerate the deployment of clean technologies that mitigate the impact of climate change, the City has adopted a community-wide Climate Action Plan (CAP).
As part of the plan, the City of Las Cruces must reduce transportation-related GHG emissions by at least 22 percent by 2030. Fleet Services staff will develop an electric vehicle (EV) strategic plan to maximize the benefit of near-term EV targeted investments and opportunities.
The Council will also consider a Resolution that could approve a contract for police auditor services to OIR Group, a limited liability company in Playa Del Rey, California. The proposed contract is for an initial term of one year, with an option to renew for as many as four additional one-year terms. The proposed contract would be in an amount of no more than $75,000 annually.
The City wants an auditing firm with extensive knowledge of police operations, procedures, and performance standards, experience conducting statistical analysis and auditing of internal investigations, along with the capability to present results and findings in a clear and concise manner to a non-police audience, including members of City Council and the public.
A contract award to OIR is expected to enhance police accountability by making periodic public reports based on monitoring and auditing activities. OIR would be required to provide semi-annual presentations to City Council outlining findings and other relevant information.
A Resolution opposing New Mexico House Bill 4 and Senate Bill 227 will also be considered by City Council. Both pieces of legislation are pending in the New Mexico Legislature.
House Bill 4 seeks to create a new cause of action against law enforcement officers for a violation of state constitutional rights. The bill, as proposed, prohibits the defense of qualified immunity for this new cause of action and would tax attorney fees of a successful plaintiff to a public entity, such as the City. Compounding this, the proposed legislation mandates that courts cannot exclude unsuccessful claims when calculating attorneys fees.
Senate Bill 227 would heavily regulate law enforcement regarding the use of force. The use of force could be regulated to such an extent that it is anticipated it will significantly increase litigation. The Senate bill could cripple the City and similarly situated cities by eliminating the possibility of carrying insurance and requiring the City to divert significant taxpayer dollars from other programs and services to cover potential liability.
Additionally, the Council could act on the following agenda items:
A Resolution to issue taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $13,500,000 for the purpose of inducing Saputo Cheese USA, Inc., to expand its plant in the City.
A Resolution in support of proposed state legislation that would require businesses in New Mexico to offer paid sick leave for all employees.
A Resolution approving a contract for the Comprehensive Land Development Code Amendment with Freese and Nichols, Inc. The contract would be for an initial one-year term, with a renewable term for an added year. The contract would not exceed $600,000.
The entire agenda for Tuesday’s Council meeting is available by clicking here.
Tuesday’s meeting will be televised live on CLC-TV, Comcast Cable channel 20. It will also be available online at clctv.com and at YouTube.com/clctv20.