[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6216005,"mediaKeyId","3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a","parentId",3655773,"title","Residents criticize council conduct, petition handling and request accountability; at least one complaint filed with state","audioSeconds",398,"startMs",1577000,"endMs",1975000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a&start=1577&end=1975","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a/thumbnail_1577000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6216005/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Residents-criticize-council-conduct-petition-handling-and-request-accountability-at-least-one-complaint-filed-with-state","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216005-81f7dd9b914b8a9524634cd3158128cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194501&Signature=CfsAmb6JY4nObk-NWGfUX~jnutEOVGyno7UYN-idjW6xLxpk1ye-y5s8fm5QK1LYDgJTWLA1~cBwRJJMGvzu5MTAvhVZpoCF3WbiVQWINdhowYdrtYt3bLSCvkgrf9fzUCQeZ2S~WA6EJcnu0lfei-~eNQt-RFXIp~iwLFF8Jb5wanW2qsFAN~kSiHmY8aLL0GXAnXyTsCCCfJug8NKtGE0JRqEGxMkLMhd~Dd0UqSSkPivnPoC7HmGXkqoh4pSY6QXVx8bCvfjvz5-~WRKd-kosE5yBrOqaDsqVzTxC~8ISLeFIlUABDcNi8MKRoofiXCYnY5pvTCACRa6Pnyqcww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Las Cruces, NM","date","2025-06-03T09:32:30Z","article","Several residents used the June 2 Las Cruces City Council public-comment period to criticize council conduct, accuse municipal staff of obstructing a citizen petition process and to call for council apologies and procedural fairness.

Lynn Moorerer opened the series of remarks by urging elected officials to be accountable and to treat constituents respectfully. Edward Thomas told the council he had filed a complaint with the New Mexico Department of Justice, saying the city clerk and staff delayed and mischaracterized petition-signature processing and that city actions had improperly denied citizens a fair redress process. He said he included a link to a video of the May meeting to support his claims.

Tim Jenkins also spoke and said council members had accused petition signers of wrongdoing and that he and other signers do not have “segregationist tendencies.” Marilyn Finnegan asked that a technical signature question not be used to discount her signed petition entry; she said she had signed and wanted her vote counted. Juan Garcia and other commenters read local opinion pieces criticizing the council’s handling of petitions and the injection of racialized rhetoric into public debate.

Speakers requested apologies from council members and asked for transparent handling of the petition and signature-verification process. The mayor read a closed-session statement and later the council completed its regular agenda; no formal council action to respond to the petition complaints or citizen requests was recorded during the meeting.

The public comments repeated that the petition and its processing had been a source of community frustration; at least one speaker reported filing a formal complaint with the New Mexico Department of Justice seeking review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Las Cruces Council Meeting - June 2nd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple speakers used the public-comment period to criticize council members' rhetoric, accuse staff of obstructing a petition process and say they filed a complaint with the New Mexico Department of Justice; speakers asked for apologies and fair treatment of petition signers.","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},6216010,"Resident urges Las Cruces to comply with EPA lead-and-copper rule, requests independent engineer review",133,1767000,1900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a&start=1767&end=1900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a/thumbnail_1767000.jpg","/articles/6216010/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Resident-urges-Las-Cruces-to-comply-with-EPA-lead-and-copper-rule-requests-independent-engineer-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216010-5ac1f485a24e9bfc68f72fbc9052a357/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194501&Signature=CUD6TCdIGbZJGqbnQ~OQfORNRS1ZMFjx-1B7O2u9MhDw0sS9btdIHHFl4MHK8O3pYisDLNmDsnBTBaVcYAWgcUiowh4fXqd0YC0CG7KgT9~chT32Sgx~Rdl-Iq2vkXw5JDd4D~qpHWBrraAg3aol2UnusWt2U76rMsh8doNq2AJMRG-7EBYMxciUispXuccpV-vBtb1Z4hTspUYzImUAQWEIUhMDAv7HjIHfUTv7N~A~IjxQGOlBej85VGrkRybIcYoQeBTw1tZOROAosYQgboPir5z28omxEcWB4dGGWvg8T2KJB-22Nw8Y9MdQZ4q7u4cDHV0CfdIGVWs8SDf6jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Liz Rodriguez Johnson, a resident who spoke during public participation at the June 2 Las Cruces City Council meeting, urged the council to address what she characterized as noncompliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new lead-and-copper rule.

Johnson said the rule requires water systems to offer a tap-water lead test to any consumer who requests it if the service line is lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown. She told the council that Las Cruces Utilities’ October notification to property owners omitted that offer and that the city’s website likewise did not include the information. She described a March town-hall interaction in which a resident asked to be put on a sampling list and said utility personnel “did not make this offer.”

Johnson asked the council to “direct the city manager to bring in an independent engineer with management experience to assess comprehensively Las Cruces Utilities’ compliance with the new rule and recommend any needed changes that would lead to a comprehensive resolution of the issue.” She said residents are seeking clarification and enforcement of the new federal requirement.

No formal council action on the request was recorded during the meeting. City staff later discussed utility-related public comments with council members and thanked utilities staff for responding to resident requests, but the council did not adopt a formal directive during the session.","During public comment at the June 2 council meeting, Liz Rodriguez Johnson said Las Cruces Utilities is not complying with EPA’s new lead-and-copper rule and asked the council to direct the city manager to bring in an independent engineer to assess compliance and recommend fixes.",{"_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},6216016,"Council approves governmental liquor license for NMSU’s Dona Ana Community College and transfer for convenience store",292,4442000,4734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a&start=4442&end=4734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a/thumbnail_4442000.jpg","/articles/6216016/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Council-approves-governmental-liquor-license-for-NMSUs-Dona-Ana-Community-College-and-transfer-for-convenience-store","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216016-d58ea327dcd652211de45737f81cfbab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194501&Signature=FJ79McZ3FRt9J~WjrmQPpTaHBiDaeXl51i9vt-AZaken2kD6tk-z26LLdtntURb3QNLJhfg~iFWSU4XT-6EwQl71z6kiy0D3xqaaPl3cbjbZUqOR1yfQq4uWKzwOWlMso87eNNmwQAg9AvwgvivQOtAIrqtlWccj-B4SrlFi7VdnbGc~BLqb1HVjTAErOOEP2N1sRy0KomKol4PD2~Qb36s5aCm6PL6wJiWA8Z~BLjM9WX~ud4OZ0kDdIQVQhruAU6-wg22KYnsEka6RqyL6if33Sfl1F5FIdWDQQMHUrKBqhNJ74cJJFu225Lz5UuvoVEo3KA80SGd~fK~RGWiG~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Las Cruces City Council on June 2 approved two liquor-license items: a governmental on-premises liquor license for New Mexico State University’s Dona Ana Community College culinary program and a transfer of a package (off-premises) liquor license for a BW Gas convenience store.

Adam Machuilla of Community Development described the Dona Ana Community College application as “a governmental liquor license associated with the culinary arts section” and said the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) sent preliminary approval on April 11. The campus is at 2800 North Sonoma Ranch Boulevard; city staff noted the application required the city to send public notice because the liquor service is on school property and that council has the authority to waive the 300-foot distance requirement from a school.

Councilor Graham moved to approve the college license and Councilor Bencomo seconded. Councilor Moran recused herself from the vote because she is employed by Dona Ana Community College; City Clerk Christine Rivera recorded the roll call as: Councilor McClure — yes; Councilor Matisse — yes; Councilor Graham — yes; Councilor Kran — yes; Councilor Flores — yes; Councilor Bencomo — yes; Mayor — yes.

The council also considered a transfer and change of location for a dispenser/package license (liquor license number 000137) for BW Gas and Convenience Retail LLC, store number 102489, to a site on North Sonoma Ranch. Adam Machuilla said the ABC sent preliminary approval April 15 and that staff review identified no issues. The council approved the transfer by roll call (unanimous yes votes recorded). Gary Gass appeared on Zoom as local legal counsel for the applicant and was available for questions.

Both license approvals will be forwarded to the New Mexico Alcoholic Beverage Control for completion of the state application and final issuance.","The City Council approved a governmental liquor license for New Mexico State University doing business as Dona Ana Community College and approved a transfer of a package liquor license for a BW Gas convenience store; a council member recused from the college vote because of employment ties.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6216021,"Las Cruces council adopts new park impact fee schedule, approves $2.1 million in park and road grants",607,4865000,5472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a&start=4865&end=5472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655773-612193d27f5306bf08234006c914175a/thumbnail_4865000.jpg","/articles/6216021/Las-Cruces/Doña-Ana-County/New-Mexico/Las-Cruces-council-adopts-new-park-impact-fee-schedule-approves-21-million-in-park-and-road-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216021-a910bcd392f78e6a99160e02e3b40cf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194501&Signature=B~ax~FEksWsrqK4jcIPzqNxEt2b2J2M4XKCgDFU~UoUCU4y81mHJkuu1zH2qaNIAgWggokHWba0ETRKGNs9tlGsIpMQTjgYm3BgAPqipLVxOs6eSlG3G3mYWMV-I-yPQ8F6O~1RK5~E6vSMJ0AZdfERq5pKpGwhgNAm8lXLXapblXWAZLbf0KPVJMdAPLxCDK2NGm9Z~8wtvsvl0eYiyBcESNXDlPNn8NRcQ2~cZEfxwiT-TT5r9LdlY-skSSmyGz~K~DdOeVLVYHVw9gTYUCeRLxJcLjzog~K5p~1QNdKSj8nXKW1A-bVWmCPDJatAwLwcYvVFCZACCXJqDiQD6Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Las Cruces City Council on June 2 adopted a revised park impact fee schedule and approved four recently awarded grants that together direct state and federal funds to trails, a regional bike park and street work.

The fees adopted by the council use the “without neighborhood parks” option from the city consultant’s study and are structured by residential unit size rather than by housing type, city staff said. Gabriela Pratz, grants manager in the finance department, told the council the resolution before them implements “the maximum amount without neighborhood parks” as presented in the study and that council could choose a lower amount.

The action matters because impact fees are a one-time payment collected at building permit to help pay for infrastructure capacity created by new growth; they cannot be used for operations or maintenance. Julie Herlins, vice president with consulting firm Tishler Bice, told the council the study establishes a legal nexus under the New Mexico Impact Fee Act by documenting need, proportionality and benefit for future growth.

Pratz summarized the grants the council approved in a companion resolution. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety awarded $132,545.92 to the Las Cruces Police Department for a third-year retention differential program for qualified officers. The New Mexico Department of Transportation reauthorized $412,104 in Federal Highway Administration funds for the Las Cruces lateral multi-use trail project, with a required local match of $176,387. The New Mexico Economic Development Department Outdoor Recreation Division awarded $1,000,000 through the Trails Plus Program for the Las Cruces Bike Park, which requires a $1,000,000 local match. The Department of Finance and Administration awarded $550,000 for planning, design and road improvements on Cortez Drive.

Steve Bigham, parks and recreation director, described the bike park as a regional draw. “This project is probably the most ecstatic prop I am of anything I've done since I've come here with Las Cruces. I'm really excited about what we're doing with the legacy parks and the construction that's about to start at Apodaca,” he said. Bigham said the bike park will include a pump track, a National Interscholastic Cycling Association course and features for beginner riders and will be sited at the East Mesa Recreation Complex.

Julie Herlins reviewed key figures from the city’s impact-fee study. The report presented the maximum allowable fees (the council may adopt a lower fee). Sample figures in the adopted option (excluding neighborhood parks and assessed by unit size) included: $2,480 for units under 1,300 square feet; $4,499 for units 1,301 to 2,100 square feet; and $6,931 for units 2,101 square feet and larger. The consultant reported a combined 10-year growth-related parks need of about $37 million and projected total potential fee revenue of roughly $26.4 million over ten years under the option excluding neighborhood parks.

Council discussion noted delivery risks and follow-up. Councilor Bencomo requested a one-year check-in to see whether the fee structure affects small-unit multifamily development; Catherine (staff member) said the city could add a work-session tickler or report to monitor outcomes. Parks director Bigham and public works staff said the lateral trail procurement will be rebid after aligning procurement language with state requirements and that the parks bike-park funding will support planning, design and initial construction.

The council voted to approve the grants resolution (Resolution 25-148) and the park impact fee resolution (Resolution 25-149). Christine Rivera, city clerk, recorded the vote as unanimous in favor: Councilor McClure — yes; Councilor Matisse — yes; Councilor Graham — yes; Councilor Kran — yes; Councilor Flores — yes; Councilor Bencomo — yes; Mayor — yes.

The approvals set funding and policy in motion: grant-funded planning and project procurement will proceed and the new impact-fee schedule will be used for new building permits under the adopted option. Staff said some projects (the lateral trail) have extended deadlines (to March 2027) and that Parks and Recreation will move forward with design and bids for the East Mesa Bike Park.","The City Council voted to adopt revised park impact fees (excluding neighborhood parks) implemented by unit size, and approved four grant-funded budget adjustments including funding for a Las Cruces Bike Park, lateral trail construction, police retention payments and Cortez Drive improvements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents criticize council conduct, petition handling and request accountability; at least one complaint filed with state

Resident urges Las Cruces to comply with EPA lead-and-copper rule, requests independent engineer review

Council approves governmental liquor license for NMSU’s Dona Ana Community College and transfer for convenience store

Las Cruces council adopts new park impact fee schedule, approves $2.1 million in park and road grants