The Las Cruces Council will meet via video conference at 1 p.m. Monday, April 5, 2021 for a regularly scheduled meeting.
City Council will consider adoption of a Resolution supporting the transition of City government’s fleet to zero-emission vehicles and to encourage citywide clean transportation options.
The City’s commitment to climate action has been demonstrated at all levels – from its support of the Paris Climate Agreement to the City’s Sustainability Action Plans, Renewable Energy Future Resolution, and the Climate Action Plan. These plans accelerate the deployment of clean technologies, new economic markets, and important public health and equity practices and are fortified by federal, state, and local legislation and funding.
To fully capitalize on these legislative and funding drivers of climate mitigation, the City encourages each of four sectors: transportation; commercial, industrial, and residential buildings; renewable energy; and solid waste, to create specific directives to ensure full participation in this effort. The transportation sector of Las Cruces contributes more than 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The air pollution from vehicle emissions harms public health, and children, the elderly, and front-line communities are at special risk.
The transportation sector has a pivotal role in contributing to improved air quality, enhanced public health and equity, and reduced reliance on finite imported resources. With the adoption of electric vehicles, other forms of clean energy multimodal transportation, and the requisite infrastructure, these benefits will be realized.
At Monday’s meeting, the Council will also consider the adoption of a Resolution to plan for energy transition of the utilities natural gas line of business.
City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan (“CAP”) on Oct. 5, 2020, with Resolution 21-060 outlining Las Cruces’ vision of sustainability during a 25-year time frame. That vision and its seven components will be implemented by the City and its public and private partners through inter-related policies, programs, regulations, investments, and procedures.
The Council also adopted the Elevate Las Cruces Comprehensive Plan on Feb. 18, 2020.
For 85 years, the City has owned and operated a natural gas utility that has provided affordable, safe, and reliable natural gas retail services to the residents and businesses of the city while employing more than 60 residents. The City has a responsibility to its residents to ensure the natural gas lines, in which they have invested, are maintained to excellent safety standards and to build a resilient system that provides reliable gas service to the community and businesses on demand.
Additionally, at Monday’s meeting, City Council will consider the adoption of an Ordinance to repeal and replace Chapter 13, Housing, of the Las Cruces Municipal Code. On Feb. 16, 2021, the Housing and Neighborhood Services section, formally known as Community Improvement, was transferred from the City’s Community Development Department to the Economic Development Department.
Housing and Neighborhood Services is the section primarily responsible for the Housing programs outlined in Chapter 13 of the Municipal Code, as amended. Chapter 13 Housing refers to the administrating department as the Community Development Department in various sections.
Chapter 13 needs to be amended to remain in compliance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal, state and local regulations. If approved, the administering and responsible department will be the department as assigned by the City Manager’s Office. This will allow flexibility for current, and future, program changes that occur within City Administration.
The agenda for Monday’s meeting is available online here.
Monday’s meeting will be televised live on CLC-TV Comcast Cable channel 20. The meeting will also be available online at clctv.com and at YouTube.com/clctv20.
Prior to Monday’s meeting the Council will meet at 11 a.m. via video conference for a closed meeting. In closed session the Council will discuss pending litigation, which is closed pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 10-15-1H(7).