[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6348784,"mediaKeyId","2240362-11022f9601e3ff6ca4bf39317a9c0a4b","parentId",2240362,"title","Council approves five liquor-license transfers, appoints member to University District review panel","audioSeconds",1590,"startMs",3326000,"endMs",4916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240362-11022f9601e3ff6ca4bf39317a9c0a4b&start=3326&end=4916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240362-11022f9601e3ff6ca4bf39317a9c0a4b/thumbnail_3326000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348784/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Council-approves-five-liquor-license-transfers-appoints-member-to-University-District-review-panel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348784-5a0579a5c211c3f1ddb5176b94bb2e82/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545666&Signature=NxHV4~AvK0oQhRmb~6VafypRTZAbe19AdMbpKlII8~Bkb~G7vQJDgsytgJgqx9a~KHCHTUpdhX3jmI8cOvw81i-gS~72VLZUSFk5O1DeBYZYdA3Eq4Ls3BATSoSfxD9iqj16LCMxGlKijCfNp7KLjZUsh~lX-MMogwE~iQjnoGLXPvOlX5cCowJaYbm0DFMMwkTFyA-MNjyt~EpkDC7Da5QKGyWi6mfXLZBKwlxEOAVThiclwg2fivg9mnGjt~9fbehzn-jyqOXk6DXrCZ26obBP8iGaNJQHYdA7xUJOnJRQG0FJJzYm6be8mE3R6CAD7Wsx3t~0yj~oifmPqwiVHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Las Cruces, NM","date","2025-02-05T09:56:55Z","article","The Las Cruces City Council approved five requests to transfer ownership of existing liquor licenses and confirmed a new appointment to the University District Citizens Design Review Committee during its Feb. 4 meeting.

Liquor-license transfers: City staff described each application as a straightforward transfer of an existing license from Brewer Oil Company to New Mexico Company Operations LLC. Community Development staff said the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Division had issued preliminary approvals and granted extensions so the items could be heard by council. There were no public speakers opposing the transfers during the required hearings.

The licenses and vote outcomes were:
- Resolution 25-091: Nacho Shell, 2512 E. Lohman Ave. ' Transfer of dispenser license (DS000381). Approved by roll call.
- Resolution 25-092: University Shell, 1305 S. Solano Dr. ' Transfer of dispenser license (DIS000074). Approved by roll call; staff noted the property is within roughly 88 feet of a religious institution but council has authority to waive separation requirements.
- Resolution 25-093: Country Club Shell, 2901 N. Main St. ' Transfer of dispenser license (DIS-000272). Approved by roll call.
- Resolution 25-094: Traveste Shell, 3040 N. Main St. ' Transfer of dispenser license (DIS-00414). Approved by roll call.
- Resolution 25-095: Holiday Shell, 2645 S. Valley Dr. ' Transfer of retail license (RET000005). Approved by roll call.

Appointment:
- Scott Eschenbrenner (new appointment) to the University District Citizens Design Review Committee. The council voted to appoint Eschenbrenner by roll call.

Why it matters: These actions transfer ownership of existing licenses and do not create new licenses or new points of sale. Councilors asked routine questions about notifications to nearby property owners and proximity to a church on the University Shell transfer; staff said letters were mailed to property owners within 300 feet and no responses were received.

Voting and process notes: Each item followed a public hearing with no speakers and a staff presentation; council then approved each transfer on a recorded roll call. The University District appointment was supported by a motion to approve and second.

Ending: The transfers consolidate ownership under New Mexico Company Operations LLC for the five specified convenience-store locations; staff will continue to coordinate with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division on final licensing steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Las Cruces Council Meeting - February 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Council approved five transfers of existing liquor licenses to a single operator and appointed Scott Eschenbrenner to the University District Citizens Design Review Committee; all motions passed by roll call.","taxTitle","Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico","taxId",2725,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348788,"City council urges state to create alcohol-harms alleviation fund; supporters say revenue could fund treatment",732,4129000,4861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240362-11022f9601e3ff6ca4bf39317a9c0a4b&start=4129&end=4861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240362-11022f9601e3ff6ca4bf39317a9c0a4b/thumbnail_4129000.jpg","/articles/6348788/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/City-council-urges-state-to-create-alcohol-harms-alleviation-fund-supporters-say-revenue-could-fund-treatment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348788-2e6aa9e20db0f9bd885d37af9050e825/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545666&Signature=FURR1QAEd7ZDb5xJbRO4BzynIsEYFYzKryw5-ZOqv~ORtP0oWqXys6LkqOG6OejMFmpxEf9iRdDlHSbkj6BMhoOvIddVp84ajCglAtJrIefcscY2UCz5ys6wceCJWkHyLEpe~fKIQFq7hNbxoiaQWfKYTgp79M3KdCzqo0roUcMgYYUgY4ekM4qgNcNywuM8-e7GHcoJUb10KCnNqMkK~tfEXpHmeYiw5iFawf7-PsnjUZf65ymfODDmpSpkDzA6uU5uko6vGBSlLfd7Xx6rjEVZntOkEhvNKcc1m8ArNNUPSJJmi6g3bkyI3ytIyB05rFfg~itA-rZK02oaM2hp4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Las Cruces City Council voted unanimously Feb. 4 to urge the New Mexico Legislature to create an alcohol-harms alleviation fund to pay for prevention, harm-reduction, treatment and recovery services.

Sergio Saenz, a city policy analyst, presented the resolution and told the council New Mexico bears more than $2 billion annually in costs tied to alcohol-related harms, a figure he described as \"more than $1,000 for every resident.\" He said the proposed fund would create a dedicated revenue stream for programs and services and for people harmed by others' alcohol-related behavior.

Speakers who supported the resolution included Kai Miller, a licensed therapist and substance-abuse counselor, who said New Mexico has among the highest alcohol-related death rates nationally and argued the state's current approach is not funding treatment and prevention adequately. \"The price of alcohol today will determine what our communities look like in the years to come,\" Miller said, urging the council to back the resolution so the city could press the Legislature to act.

Matthew Ladman, a district legislative aide for Representative Ferrari, said sponsors are working on proposals and that possible revenue sources could include an excise tax (unchanged since 1993) or a sales-tax mechanism; he said those options could \"bring as much as $200,000,000 into the state\" for treatment, tribal programs and local DWI funds but cautioned that bills are still being drafted.

Council discussion noted the resolution expresses general support for the idea, not a specific legislative text. One councilor said they were reluctant to back measures without seeing actual draft legislation; councilors and staff clarified the resolution is intended as a policy position to encourage state lawmakers to consider the approach.

The motion to approve the resolution passed on a roll call with all council members voting yes.

Why it matters: Supporters said a dedicated fund would shift costs toward services that address root causes, treatment capacity and aftercare, rather than leaving the costs borne indirectly by taxpayers and public safety systems.

What was unclear or unresolved: The council and presenters emphasized that the resolution does not adopt a specific tax mechanism. Previous bills (HB179 and SB147) were mentioned as having been vetoed by the governor in a prior session. If the Legislature advances new legislation, the revenue source, allocation rules and oversight would be determined in statute and appropriations.

Ending: The council's vote sends a policy signal to state lawmakers; backers said they hope legislative sponsors will file a bill this session so the funding concept can be considered in detail.","The council unanimously approved a resolution urging the New Mexico Legislature to create an alcohol-harms alleviation fund. Supporters said the fund would finance prevention, treatment and recovery services and estimated potential state revenues if enacted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348791,"Residents demand Spanish notices, expert briefing on new lead-and-copper rule",515,1406000,1921000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240362-11022f9601e3ff6ca4bf39317a9c0a4b&start=1406&end=1921","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240362-11022f9601e3ff6ca4bf39317a9c0a4b/thumbnail_1406000.jpg","/articles/6348791/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Residents-demand-Spanish-notices-expert-briefing-on-new-lead-and-copper-rule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348791-d99bd2bef5377aed791b94ed9483df9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545666&Signature=V7~Rlm6EHSV9xP~cVKnXi2oTmr9USgeocEL1H0ng6LdYh-MKXbA0VJT3EDUs0wgk0yt250MAow7RgmsLxX9BOMzBfOVztb6A4S8aCPvBV1ILprY1-nhbutc-8Fs4xCTrnh0T6gUdN~qppat-EtyGGx0nxJDO-4jQVxwa9GOECUKiqSg-1stt6DKI9XMmYDh8sZef3XWPSAKhRlV1-ksYqM8RyGrTEKWBLGGJYW~8PISzbSpTEJPgtQ9A2PqqQDFDa4fqK-DbTkOSt4a5Ptno0RknUX0vNRPKcSOAUueVHyZz3vV~k7Nc6Hs4zd6WstDpMmG8cmHGeABd88X~KXkKTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents pressed the Las Cruces City Council on Feb. 4 to provide clearer, bilingual outreach and an expert briefing about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new Lead and Copper Rule.

The most detailed public appeals came during the public participation period, when Lynn Moore, a Las Cruces resident, said she and other citizens had submitted a petition and that a briefing presented previously was \"flawed and didn't provide any opportunity for the public to ask questions or make comments.\" Moore said the petition included 52 signatures asking for a city-council-level briefing so council members and the public could hear experts and ask questions.

Liz Rodriguez Johnson, another resident, told the council she was \"deeply disturbed\" that Las Cruces Utilities' mailed notice about the new rule was not printed in Spanish. \"Because Las Cruces is a majority Hispanic population, Las Cruces Utilities letters of major import have traditionally been English on one side and Spanish on the other,\" she said, adding that sending only an English letter or directing people to a website that can be translated is insufficient.

Resident Nathan Ramirez also criticized the city's communications and asked why Las Cruces does not offer free sampling of customer tap water the way the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority does. Ramirez also pressed the city to explain the methods it uses to classify pipes as non-lead, noting that EPA guidance requires evidence-based records or techniques to support such classifications.

The council did not take a formal vote on policy at the meeting. A council member announced that a community briefing is scheduled March 4 that will include city utilities and state environmental staff and allow live public participation and questions. The council member said the event would be held at City Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; a representative present at the Feb. 4 meeting described the session as intended to provide a fuller forum than a council meeting for technical presentations and public Q&A.

Why it matters: Residents said the city's chosen notice method risks leaving Spanish-speaking households unaware of possible health risks and of opportunities for testing and resources under the new rule. They also stressed that inaccurate public statements by elected officials could mislead residents about whether their service lines require further action.

What supporters asked for: Multiple speakers asked the council to order Las Cruces Utilities to send bilingual (English/Spanish) mailed notices immediately, to offer or fund free sampling for customer tap water, and to hold an expert-led, council-level briefing so both councilors and the public can ask technical questions.

City response and next steps: Councilors and staff acknowledged the concerns on Feb. 4 and confirmed the March 4 briefing. City staff and environmental experts were not quoted at length in public remarks on Feb. 4; no ordinance or formal policy change was adopted at that meeting.

Ending: Residents who spoke said they will monitor the March 4 briefing and expect bilingual materials and clear answers about sampling methods. The council scheduled that community briefing; any formal changes to notice procedures or sampling services would require subsequent staff action or future council direction.","Multiple residents urged the City Council to require Las Cruces Utilities to send bilingual notices about the EPA's new lead-and-copper rule, asked for a public briefing with experts and raised questions about the city's field methods for identifying lead service lines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves five liquor-license transfers, appoints member to University District review panel

City council urges state to create alcohol-harms alleviation fund; supporters say revenue could fund treatment

Residents demand Spanish notices, expert briefing on new lead-and-copper rule