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Council removes police academy roof line item from CIP after questioning cost
Summary
Councilors debated the capital improvements package and removed a $360,000 line item to reroof the police academy (a double‑wide building) for further review, then approved the remainder of Resolution 26‑149.
At its June 1 meeting the Las Cruces City Council approved amendments to the Capital Improvement Program but removed a proposed $360,000 allocation for the Las Cruces Police Department academy roof for additional review.
Cynthia Lamia, capital improvements program manager, presented a package of reallocations and new projects funded from grants and pay-as-you-go funds, including park restroom rehabilitation, drinking fountain replacement, parking lot rehabilitation and several roof-repair projects. She said the items reflected available funds and prioritized projects such as intersection improvements and broadband infrastructure.
Councilors focused on one line item: $360,000 to "replace the roof of a double wide" at the police academy. Councilor Harris said he was "personally deeply uncomfortable with allocating that much money to, as the chief said, Reroof a double wide," and suggested further investigation into whether replacement or other options would be more cost-effective. Assistant Public Works Director Jimmy Moreno described the figures as "very rough numbers" and said staff would pivot to alternate approaches if a detailed estimate showed a better option.
Councilor Harris moved an amendment to remove the LCPD Academy roof rehabilitation from Resolution 26‑149 so staff could provide a more detailed assessment; the council approved the amendment and then approved the amended resolution. The amended package will proceed while the academy roof item is revisited outside the approved ordinance.
What the record shows: the council explicitly debated the scope and cost of deferred maintenance and directed staff to re-evaluate the academy roof scope and options before committing capital funds. The motion to remove the academy roof item passed by roll call (all councilors voting yes on the amendment), and the full amended resolution then passed by roll call.
