Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Council approves TelShore adjustments, VOCA grant and multiple CIP amendments
Summary
Council accepted three TelShore fund adjustments (including return of $4M for Peachtree after state funding), approved a $72,250 VOCA grant for two victim advocates, and adopted numerous CIP amendments reallocating funding across parks, streets and facilities.
On Nov. 17 Las Cruces City Council approved a set of budget and CIP actions including TelShore‑fund adjustments, a police‑department VOCA grant and a broad set of CIP amendments affecting parks, roads and facility projects.
Vanessa Perez, a city budget analyst, presented Resolution 26‑064 which packages three adjustments tied to the TelShore Fund: roughly $118,000 requested by Public Works for restroom repairs at Mesilla Valley Community of Hope; a $4 million return to the TelShore Fund because the state is covering the Peachtree project in full; and a $150,000 request to support community food programs (allocated as $100,000 to Casa Peregrinos, $35,000 to El Cultito Soup Kitchen and $15,000 reserved for senior meals or related needs). Natalie Green confirmed the state awarded $11 million to the city and would fully fund Peachtree, allowing the city to release $4 million back to the TelShore fund.
The council also unanimously approved Resolution 26‑065, accepting a FY26 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) award to the Police Department for $72,250, with a matching requirement of a little over $18,000 to fund two crime‑victim advocates.
Capital Improvements Program manager Cynthia Lamillo presented a long list of CIP amendments to reflect current available funding: items included restroom and kitchen work at Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, University-area multiuse trails, security upgrades at City Hall, skate‑park improvements, East Mesa road and drainage projects, Campos Street reconstruction ($6.6M), Casa Linda Acres reconstruction ($4M), and pavement‑condition and marking programs. Councilors requested more detailed descriptions of the work for public transparency; Public Works interim director Kyle Arndt explained Cortez Drive reconstruction in East Mesa (complete reconstruction with new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, a trail and new utilities) and confirmed additional East Mesa projects will be funded as resources become available.
All budget and CIP items presented at the meeting were approved on roll calls recorded in the minutes.
