The Las Cruces City Council will meet via video conference at 1 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2021 for a Work Session.
City Council will review the election process for Las Cruces municipal elections at Monday’s Work Session. There were many changes to the election process in 2019 when the City of Las Cruces adopted the State of New Mexico Local Election Act.
At the end of the 2019 municipal election, some administrative issues became apparent involving campaign finance, community education, and the accessibility of information to the public. The review will provide potential campaign finance ordinance changes, possible changes in the petition process, as well as changes the City Clerk's Office is implementing for the 2021 municipal election.
This year, municipal elections for City Council districts 3, 5, and 6 will be conducted Nov. 2, 2021.
City Council will also conduct a review of the Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV) Ordinance at the Work Session. The Animal Care Task Force, consisting of informed members of the community, City staff, and ASCMV staffreviewed Chapter 7, Animals of the Las Cruces Municipal Code (LCMC). Based on their review, the task force is proposing changes to better serve the community.
The task force proposes changing LCMC Section 7-11, which could repeal the old form of pet licensing with the modern and more-effective procedure of microchipping. A second set of proposed changes includes revisions to LCMC Sections 7-18 and 7-42 regarding barking dogs. Those proposed revisions would clarify the proof needed to prosecute a violation, ensures witness cooperation in prosecution, and would enumerate an Animal Control Officer's authority to mediate between neighbors.
A third set of proposed changes amends LCMC Section 7-31 to allow aviary enthusiasts to maintain special breeds of pigeons and drakes with the proper permits. Also, the task force proposes changes to LCMC Section 7-31 to provide a humane alternative to euthanasia for feral cats.
A third Work Session agenda item is an update to City Council on the master plan for the Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park. The City’s Economic Development Department pursued an Economic Development Administration grant to complete a feasibility and economic planning study for the City to leverage the park and Las Cruces International Airport to support job creation, public-private partnerships, and private investment.
The need to update the master plan and amend the overlay regulations was evident to be able to implement recommendations from the planning study and to modernize and improve the competitiveness of the industrial park.
The agenda for the Work Session is available by clicking here.
Monday’s Work Session will be televised live on CLC-TV, Comcast Cable channel 20. The Work Session will also be available online at clctv.com and at YouTube.com/clctv20.
Immediately following Monday’s Work Session, a brief meeting to set the agenda for the March 15 City Council meeting will be conducted online at YouTube.com/clctv20. Prior to the Work Session, the Council will meet via video conference at 11 a.m. Monday in a closed meeting. The acquisition or disposal of real estate and pending litigation will be discussed by the Council during the closed session.