The Las Cruces City Council unanimously adopted a Resolution at its April 5 regular meeting that supports the transition of City government’s fleet to zero-emission vehicles and will encourage citywide clean transportation options.
The Resolution pledges that 50 percent of the City’s fleet, of approximately 1,000 vehicles, will be electric vehicles by 2030. The transition will begin with the City ordering as many as four vehicles during the 2022 fiscal year, which begins July 1.
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.
At Monday’s meeting, the Council also unanimously adopted a Resolution to plan for energy transition of the utilities natural gas line of business. The Council Resolution will be sent to the Las Cruces Utilities Board of Commissioners who will develop an energy transition plan that could be presented to the Council by the end of this summer for final approval.
In the energy transition plan, the City will commit to:
- Establishing an energy transition plan and road map with milestones and strategies to determine the path to greenhouse gas emissions reduction during the next 30 years.
- Smart innovation, new and modernized infrastructure, and advanced technologies.
- Partner with other utilities, energy providers, industries, research laboratories, and investors to establish renewable energy resources.
The City will also make affordability commitments to:
- Invest in and establish energy efficiency programs reducing greenhouse gases.
- Ensure energy affordability and access in the Las Cruces community.
- No actions on energy or prohibitions that will result in regressive cost shifting to residents.
City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan 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.
Additionally, City Council also unanimously adopted an Ordinance to repeal and replace Chapter 13, Housing, of the Las Cruces Municipal Code, at Monday’s meeting. Adoption of the Ordinance also included a Council amendment that will increase the amount of proceeds from the sales of city-owned real estate parcels from 10 percent to 50 percent. Those proceeds will go to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
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 primarily responsible for the Housing programs outlined in Chapter 13 of the Municipal Code, as amended.
The Ordinance changes approved Monday by City Council will make references in Chapter 13, Housing, previously regarding the Community Development Department to the Administering Department, and former references to the Community Development Director to the Administering Director. The administering and responsible department will be the department as assigned by the City Manager’s Office.
The change to Chapter 13, Housing, will allow flexibility for current, and future, program changes that occur within City Administration. Chapter 13 is amended to remain in compliance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal, state and local regulations.