Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima issued an Emergency Proclamation prior to the Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 Las Cruces City Council meeting that continues to require people to either provide proof of vaccination or wear facial coverings and observe social distancing when attending City Council meetings.
The facial coverings will be required from individuals who cannot provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entering Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St. The Emergency Proclamation also mandates attendees in Council Chambers to practice social distancing by sitting at least six feet from each other during Council meetings.
Social distancing and facial coverings will also continue to be required in other public areas of City Hall for individuals who are not fully vaccinated. The Emergency Proclamation is in accordance with the Public Health Order issued by the New Mexico Department of Health on May 14, 2021.
The Emergency Proclamation may be extended for additional periods of time as deemed necessary by City Council.
During Monday’s City Council meeting, City Council tabled indefinitely a Resolution at Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting to establish a permit application fee for Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) in Las Cruces. The Council proposed several amendments and has asked City staff to draft a new Resolution, to be presented at a future date, that includes:
- A proposed $50 fee for a UTV permit.
- Requiring UTV drivers to complete a safety and community etiquette course that would be conducted by a third-party vendor.
- A map that would include areas where UTVs could be driven.
- A requirement that UTVs have catalytic converters installed before being issued a permit.
City Council also wants the new Resolution to include a provision for public service announcements that educate UTV operators on safety aspects of using UTVs.
Also Monday, City Council unanimously adopted an Ordinance that repeals and replaces Chapter 7.5, Aviation, of the Las Cruces Municipal Code. In recent years, City staff has been evaluating and updating many administrative documents related to Las Cruces International Airport.
The new Chapter 7.5, Aviation, has been reorganized to make it clearer and more concise. Rules and regulations in of support business, development, and aviation activities, as recommended in Elevate Las Cruces, have also been added.
The old Chapter 7.5 was last revised in 2003.
City Council also approved two items on the Consent Agenda:
- A Resolution approving an amendment to the Human Resources benefits support services contract between the City and Aon Risk Insurance Services West, Inc., of Albuquerque. The amendment increases the agreement’s annual total expenditure from $75,000 to an amount not to exceed $100,000, plus applicable taxes, for an initial term through Sept. 1, 2021, and four one-year renewable options, subject to approved budget appropriations.
An Ordinance authorizing the City to enter into a franchise agreement that allows Comcast of New Mexico and Pennsylvania to construct, maintain, and operate a cable communications system in the City, and to maintain infrastructure within City rights of way. The Ordinance will also enable CLC-TV to begin high-definition broadcasts.