The Las Cruces City Council will convene at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 in Council Chambers at Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main St., for a Special Meeting and a Work Session.
At the Special Meeting, City Council will discuss and consider adoption of a Resolution to renew an Emergency Proclamation, issued Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 by Mayor Ken Miyagishima. The Emergency Proclamation would clarify the requirements regarding the use of face masks by people who attend City Council meetings in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Facial coverings would be required from individuals who cannot provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entering Council Chambers at City Hall. 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 would 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.
In the Work Session, City Council will have further discussions regarding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds. The City received $12,379,913 on May 19, 2021 from the U.S. Treasury and will receive a second tranche of $12,379,913 in May 2022.
The funds will provide the City a substantial infusion of resources to help turn the tide on the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will be used to address the pandemic’s economic fallout and should lay a foundation for a strong and equitable recovery for the City.
The funding is intended to be used for the following objectives, as defined in the Act: To support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control; replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs; support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses; and address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the in-equal impact of the pandemic.
At City Council Work Sessions on June 14 and July 12, City staff members presented initial plans and possible options for ARPA funding. At Monday’s Work Session, City staff will present more in-depth information on the Request for Proposals and public input process for $10.4 million in ARPA funds currently set aside for Community and Economic Development Initiatives.
Also, at Monday’s Work Session, City Council will receive an update on economic development partnerships. The City's four economic development partners are required to report annually to City Council.
Reports will be presented by the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market, the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, and Film Las Cruces. Each partner will review its metrics from the previous year with Council and will then report accomplishments and challenges it had during the past year.
The Work Session agenda is available online at: https://lascruces.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=241.
The Work Session will be televised live Monday 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 will be conducted between Mayor Ken Miyagishima and City Clerk Christine Rivera to set the agenda for the Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 City Council meeting. The Agenda Setting Meeting will be available online at YouTube.com/clctv20.