The Las Cruces City Council voted 6-0 at its Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, meeting to adopt an Ordinance authorizing the conveyance of a city-owned vacant parcel, known as Lot 2 of the Sierra Summary Subdivision, to Tierra Del Sol Housing Corp. for the development of affordable housing.
The City acquired the vacant parcel of land several years ago from the Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) in exchange for a road improvement project. The agreement with LCPS requires affordable housing development on the parcel, which is on Lewis Street, adjacent to Sierra Middle School.
The conveyance supports the goals of several City plans. There will be approximately 32 affordable housing units developed on the property, including eight single-family homes, 12 town houses, and 12 apartment units. Amenities will include a walking path with connectivity to Sierra Middle School, and a community garden.
Additionally, the Council voted 6-0 to table a Resolution to its Feb. 8, 2022 meeting to accept Standard Rules of Procedure for the City Council. Article II, Sec. 2.08(b), of the Las Cruces City Charter requires the Council to adopt its “own rules, policies and order or business.”
Tabling the Resolution will enable the City’s Legal Department to make amendments to the Resolution that City Council asked for at Monday’s meeting.
The proposed Rules of Procedure will incorporate rules that will be followed by City Council, and all City boards and commissions to provide and ensure continuity and ease of interpretation. The proposed rules also will add sections that are not currently addressed, but have previously raised questions, and can easily be amended and will remain flexible to the needs of City Council.
Sections to be added to the proposed Rules of Procedure include debate, decorum, and right of appeal; confidentiality; procedures for public hearings, and quasi-judicial hearings; use of electronic devices, email, and public records; use of social media; and a definition of the term “ex parte.”
Monday’s meeting was the first for two new City Council members, Becki A. Graham, who represents City Council District 3, and Becky Ann Corran, the representative for City Council District 5. Graham and Corran will serve four-year terms.
Monday’s meeting also was the first time in Las Cruces history that all six City Council districts were represented by women.
Councilor Kasandra Gandara, who has served as Mayor Pro Tem the past two years, was reappointed Monday to a second two-year term.