y
well good afternoon everybody
welcome to the work sessions
Las Cruces city council today
is Monday August twenty fourth
twenty twenty it's
approximately one PM before we
begin if you please join me in
the pledge of allegiance please.
Black United States of merica.
And to the Republic for which
it stands one nation under god.
All with liberty and justice
for all. Okay so now we're
gonna have our pet of the week
and I believe Jennifer Martinez
from our communications office
will. Introduce immer. Good
afternoon mayor I am Jennifer
Martinez with the City's
communications office and I
would like to share with you
Dyson are you able to see the
screen. Yes okay Dyson enjoys
outdoor fun whether it's
running playing fetch or mid
day sunbathing here's playful
and attentive. And enjoys being
around others there will never
be another dell moment in your
home if you do adopt. This
study you can meet Dyson if you
go to the animal service center
of the Mesilla valley beat
operator hours of operation are
Monday through Friday noon to
six PM and on Saturday and
Sunday noon to five PM. Of
course you will need to call to
make a reservation to see Dyson
the number to call is three
eight two zero zero one eight.
As of right now the up out site
induction events are canceled
until further notice but if you
do want to adopt any cats or
dogs that are available the
animal service center you can
go to their website A. S. C. N.
B. dot org slash adoptions-
they are twenty five dollars
right now. You can go online
look to the animal that you
might be interested in call to
make an appointment to see that
animal and again that number is
three eight two. Zero zero one
eight. I'd like to have a call
to action for foster families
the animal service center is
looking for volunteers and
foster families they provide a
safe environment for pets while
they await their forever
family. Of course forever
families save lives the
encourage playful healthy and
friendly atmospheres yeah well
service center provides
everything you'll need to care
for your foster you just have
to supply love and attention.
And you can find those foster
applications again back at that
website eight S. C. N. B. dot
board. And communications
office wants to always bring
you some helpful covert
nineteen information today I
have some useful numbers if you
don't have a pen handy take out
your cell phone and snap a
screenshot of this screen you
can see some of the phone
numbers that we have posted
here. Coronavirus hotline
that's health related questions
that you may have you can call.
855-600-3450 three and then if
you have other corona virus
questions that are not health
related like you know what's
going to happen with my school
work. I need some information
for- job questions that are
code related you can call the
one eight three three number
that's. One eight three three
five five one zero five eight.
If you don't have a pen you
didn't have a phone and you can
read. Really well just.
Nineteen Las. Dot com you can
go to that website where we
have links to all of these
things that you can find there.
Thank you very much for. Thank
you Jennifer did you say. Did I
hear that Dyson enjoys
sunbathing and he likes the
outside a lot. Hello The for
Jeff good for Dyson okay so now
we're gonna go to our jobs of
the week and I know doctor by
and this is here I don't know
if he's gonna be introduce Mr
mayor good morning good morning
out serve would afternoon
members of the City Council at
and missing the quilting from
in New Mexico workforce
connection is going to be
presenting that Johnson this
week. Let me. Start by asking
Mr mayor thank you. Good
afternoon. Everyone can you all
hear me. Yes okay wonderful- so
many missing people and I'm the
assistant- Westrup operator The
New Mexico workforce
connections and I'm going to be
going over at this week's jobs
of the week- first off we have
to check for the juvenile
division program supervisor-
for the City of Las Cruces
second we have and that will be
closing. On September the
seventh we also have a shorter
look there is one position
available through gas diesel
and more and that position will
be open until filled. We also
have a field service technician
with. Which is one position
that is open with never hurts-
computer consulting. Are we
also have one program
specialist and one finance
manager position open to our
south central council of
governments those positions
will also be opening filled.
Which one register nurse and
one story position open trust
incorporated. Again all those
positions we open until filled
and we also have to our
facilities and vehicle
maintenance sectors all central
region tracks are transit
district these are just a few
of the positions that we have-
this week- but for a full list
of the jobs and internships you
can visit us at our website at.
W. W. W. dot employee New
Mexico dot com or you can also
go to W. W. W. government jobs
dot com slash. Three years
slash Las Cruces. Our
information to get in touch
with that's what then Mexico
workforce connections if there
are any players that a warning
should post jobs or for job
seekers who are wanting to see
what other positions. Are
available you can contact us at
our our local office here at.
Five seven five five two four
six two five zero our office is
located at two twenty six all
out of the ballpark Cruces New
Mexico eight zero zero five. We
do see one on one appointments
which you need to call and
schedule an appointment prior
to coming to our office. I'm
and also again on that web page
to see any further on
jobseekers were to post a job.
Is at our and our W. W. W. dot
The New Mexico. .com thank you.
Okay thank you Cindy. Okay so
we have four items on the
agenda and the first one is
called uncashed check I have to
tell you I've been the working
back and forth on this issue
for quite awhile and frankly
I'm at my wit's end and so I
thought you know what I'm just
gonna bring it to council. And
see what you decide- if you
want to move forward and re
issue- this check or I don't
know what we we've- we reach
the we've done a lot of fun.
Best again throughout the years
to try to figure out what
happened to it. And so it.
Belongs to a business that-
miss barber Wilbanks call
professional assessment this
was a company that the City use
years ago. And then she and she
covered the fact that the check
was missing. And the reason why
you seem of former mayor Ruben
Smith here is not only is a
good friend of a barber he
actually delivered a check to
me. Some ten years ago and
frankly- after it was handed
over we don't. Still don't know
what happened to this it's a
very unusual situation so I'm
going to ask. Smith if he would
be so kind to kind of recap the
situation. And kind of fill in
the highlights and I know
Barbara's available if there's
any questions to be asked. So
with that I'm gonna give it to
the floor to the mayor. There
mayor thank you very much can
you hear me OK yes absolutely
this is the first time I've
ever done this so I even had to
get dressed up for you so I
don't. Know I it's been a long
time since I've seen you were
in a tie. That's where my staff
just tell me also so I
appreciate that. Looks like you
content. Of yes and it hasn't
been much of. To retain. Every
referred to earlier. You know I
wasn't to start by telling you
this but you would you would
made a comment that you you
don't know what happened to the
check. I can tell you what
happened to the check.
Unequivocal plea I can tell you
that that check has never been
cash I was going to start with
that but that's a good place to
start. So you haven't told me
to. Smith can you hold for just
one second- Jennifer are city
attorney when she puts her hand
up I need to jump in there real
quick yes Jennifer. Thank you
mayor and council I just want
to advise that on this matter
has been linked with been told
that this matter has been
referred to the Attorney
General- we've also been told
that there may be some
medications are just more.
Caution you that there could be
some possible litigation or
could be some possible- course
sitting there- I let. Barbara
daily- and if it's at all
possible talk about the facts
of. The case that we could talk
about but- I just wanted by.
Okay thank you. It was a rare
first well let me let me give
you year Nash to of for me to
give my name so my name is
Ruben Smith. I'm a former mayor
of Las Cruces enorm I would say
the- but I think under the
circumstances in particular in
the light of what I just heard.
Of my name and my reputation is
involved in this process also
even though not technically
involved with the check. So let
me tell you what this is a very
simple issue I don't know what
city staff and city attorney
will tell you but- this
happened way before they were
there when I was in office.
This is regarding. A check that
was issued by the city in of
for the of fifty thousand. Nine
hundred ninety nine dollars and
fifty four cents. To
professional assessment center.
Let me repeat. The check was
issued by the City of Las
Cruces in two thousand two what
they refer to as pack. So let
me tell you a little grief
industry but packed. During the
time I was in office. They had
a contract with the City of Las
Cruces between nineteen ninety
three. And two thousand and one
to provide mental health and
substance abuse. Of programs
and you're already leaving me
I'm just talking and you're
leaving I'm looking for the
original copy of the original
check on the spot. Okay all
right So the act professional
assessment center of which
barber will banks was president.
Offered services to the city
between nineteen ninety three
in two thousand and one. I'm
gonna fast forward so I can try
to paint the picture that
should be rather simple in
essence. Between two thousand
and two thousand and six. At
the request of barber's CPA
there seem to be some
discrepancies in her book
keeping of issue with the
bookkeeper. They found this is
Donna Martinez who is be a at
the top time through the
investigation. Found missing
funds and they found a former
employee of theirs would forge
her signature or corporate
checks. To the tune of about
forty nine thousand seven
hundred dollars. The founder
guilty on forty eight counts
I'm going to say of forgery I
think that's the right term.
And she has served already
seven years in prison she's out
by now. At that time the
investigation did not come up
with this commission check from
the city. So now we're going to
fast forward to two thousand
and ten. Barber's decides to
close down her practice. In
closing down the practice and
she constraint. More
specifically what you go
through but for these purposes
when she goes through and
closes down you have to go
through a bunch of clients
information a lot of it I think
is to be referred. She found V.
uncashed check from the City of
Las Cruces. I was gonna say
fortunately but I think in
these conditions I'm gonna have
to say unfortunately she gave
me the check. Nice barbet let
me handle it give me the check
let me take it into the city.
Yes Sir he recalled mayor- I've
got a letter here that I can
hold up. And obviously can't be
read- because it's slightly but
it was to use sign by Barbara
little things. Essentially
stating the specifics about the
uncashed check. Issues asking
for guidance and support from
the city to get that reimburse.
That was October. Two thousand
ten. Lot of time and past and
unfortunately the original
check the yours truly. Left
with the City of Las Cruces.
Can be found enjoy and Barbara
I'll- and done everything I can.
And it was dropped. Now we're
gonna go to December two
thousand and eighteen. At that
time state tax in Rome. Came up
with a different interpretation
I don't know if that's the
right terminology or not your
legal stuff and tell me. The
unclaimed property such as the
uncashed checks. Can be. And
should be reimbursed at the
request of the people who the
check was written to. Now. You
might say well that sounds all
well and good well why didn't
you do that well that's exactly
what we were doing. And the
example. If we can use of how
it should have been done even
back in December two thousand
nineteen. Is it there's a
reimbursed check. Issued by
former governor Jerry Caruthers
who was then provost in New
Mexico state chancellor pardon
me. Who was the original owner
of well I believe it was
Cimarron. Okay yeah and then he
sold it to Marlena. In my by
the time the barber contacted
governor's brothers he had left
and he had sold it. But all he
did realizing what it happened
there was an uncashed check.
Should made up to two pac. That
was reimbursed in February two
thousand and nineteen. Three
months later. Now we're gonna
go currents. The two thousand
and nineteen we had a follow up
meeting if you recall mayor.
Regarding ths issue. Well. In
order to we were left with
input in order for is to do
this. Mr mayor and Barbara.
You're going to have to prove
that that check. Is still on
cash. So you're going to have
to go through and go with the
state tax and read through and
plan property I believe for the
past don't hold me to this for
the past ten years. And your ex.
And prove to us that check
still is non cash. Well Barbara
to a lot of time and energy and
expended money and gone through
that process and she was told
you should actually. Go through
the City librarians so that
they can assist you in this.
Discovery. There is a letter
that I have here from. Your Mar
their nails The library
administrator who was just and
Barbara. Went back and the
check has never been cashed it
was never reported it was never
on the on the now. The
information system of
protection Rav. And also the
important parts of the city the
check was never reported as
unclaimed by the City of Las
Cruces. So we're here kind of
groveling. And it makes me a
little upset under of you can
hear that on my voice groveling.
For this city when I was in
office. Issued a check. For
fifty thousand dollars. To this
lady who provided services to
the City of Las Cruces employee.
And now what I hear is there's
possible litigation I'd like to
know who the litigation is on
partner. Barbara I just ask her
if she's initiated anything. If
somebody else has we don't know
about it. But this is something
really Mr mayor that. Back then
I don't know but now back then
if we could have provided this
kind of information. There
should be handled
administratively. Not by
grumbling to go in front of
city council and mayor and now
plead with you can you please
reverse this lady with a check
the city wrote way back in two
thousand that has never been
cash. So that's- my
presentation on behalf of
barber she is right here to my
site transhumanist the silly
questions you might have. But
that's kind of the point that
were act. It's it might be it
might sound like to sample of
the case until lawyers get
involved then all of a sudden
you have excuses as to why it
shouldn't be it's true all the
goes way back then but there's
examples of and the one example
that is there is here nearby is
with marina and governor Gary
truthers. So that's. A Mr mayor
that's my presentation. Thank
you mayor Smith me just you do
you have- anything that you did
you ask to make any type of-
presentation of any copies of
any checks of anything or or no.
I'm Mr mayor no not really I
mean we've got copies of a
letter from Barbara will thanks
to you updated October twenty
third two thousand and ten
there's a copy of the- a letter
from. Me to you okay okay nope
not no problem let me and I
know there's a question the one
the councilors and from Barbara
Barbara you can just hold on
for just a second David did you
get that text I sent you
specifically and that the check
was dated on may second and you
put that up on the screens of
the council members can see
exactly what a check looks
like. Yes Sir I do have that
mayor if you can give me a
second I'm copping it on to my
computer and all share it I
will raise my hand so to see
that I'm ready to share it.
Okay let me. I know bar was
gonna share with us. V. details
of what they were able to
uncover a caster Abeyta-Stuve
you did you have a quick
comment you wanted to make. I
have a few questions about are
you at if it's- alright daily
on I. and- I'll hold my
question doctor she speaks. I
appreciate that. Yeah I want I
want you to see. What the check
looks like and this could very
well be. I the part that I'm
not aware of is whether or not
it was billed in may and the
check would have been dated in
June or was it built in April
and the check would been dated
in may. Yes the with. My Estes.
I will share the screen now
mayor is that you can see- the
first picture that you sent me
and then let me know when
you're going I was sure that
one as well. Is this. This
check is a copy of it and this
may be the actual check that's
missing but this is just a
front. On what happened there
from here part of it dated may
second the year. Two thousand
meet up to professional
assessment. 540-009-0090 nine
fifty four cents- and this was
drawn on if you notice the bank
is first security bank New
Mexico which was the bank that
purchased. Wells Fargo us use
me First National Bank when
senator Peyton had the bank and
then after his- after he passed
away and I believe that the-
the family they sold it to this
company here. So. Mayor Smith
and Barbara is this to your
knowledge with this be the
actual check a copy of the
check The uncashed check the
dated may second two thousand.
We had a contract in fiscal two
thousand so there should be
twelve checks issued. By the
city I have an example in front
of me. Well this would be this
particular month yes but- this
isn't this isn't this isn't
this the check that's in
question the actual month
that's in question. We believe
that that is the amount that
was missing okay. Yeah I think
it was is that but- three.
Where it says invoice April it
was always. April services
throughout southern New Mexico
were remember the following
minutes. No yes when we met
with you we are missing a major
this one is April. Well and see
that's that's kind of the
confusion in this is this was
dated on me so I didn't know
what you were saying when you
said a may check I don't know
if it was one that's dated for
may. Or for mais um services.
Rendered and that's the part
that. The were not sure. Okay
so when they think he I went.
Could not only. Twelve issue
for. The so I will let you that
might be or it may be the
following. Okay all right so
let me let a barber deli on
kindof share with the council
what she's been able to convert
uncover for the last I don't
know you've been working on
this for at least a year
Barbara have you not. That's
correct good afternoon mayor
and council. Arbor deli on
interim assistant city manager.
And yes this was- brought to my
attention over a year ago. And
we have a conducted quite a bit
of a research into it as well
to understand. Of the
circumstances and the process
use associated. With with our
payments to vendors by
procreate late counting for
these expenditures with the
state unclaimed property a
process it cetera so just a few
highlights from the actions
that we took to get a better
understanding of the situation-
after we received the
information from- ms will
banks. We did verify that the-
pack was a vendor with the city
during this time period. The
services were rendered and
fiscal year two thousand and
the expenditure of the check
was issued may seconded check
that we understand is the one
in question was issued mischief
may second of two thousand. And
so the payment to this vendor
was appropriately expensed in
the fiscal year in which we
received the services. From our
process is such that if there
is- on cash check or if the-
payment has not been- cash by
the vendor. Of the state
requires us to make out reach
to the vendor and let them
know- be notified that the
check is on cash if no response
is received from the vendor.
Then the amount of the uncashed
check is turned over to the
state so that they may
administer the unclaimed
property process- our our
process is such that we
typically turn over funds to
the state that are unclaimed
one year after. A check has
been issued and has been on
cashed of the state actually.
Allows for a longer period of
time during which we could hold
on to that unclaimed property
but the proper process has been
to send it to the state after
one year that would be after
notification- what happens is
in the fiscal year. We would
consolidate all of the
unclaimed property and issue
one check to the state for that
entire amount of money so
effectively that closes the
books on our side for the
expenditure we've already
recognized in our financial
statements. And the amount that
has not been- cash by the
vendor gets paid to the state
so that they can then take over
the process of- keeping those
funds until their claimed. By
the owner. We because the check
was issued in two thousand we
would have been required to pay
the funds to the state if it
was on cash by the year two
thousand and five. However it
is more likely that we follow
the process and paid it out the
following year- two thousand
one or two thousand two
depending on- when we I think
we typically issue the check in
November. So would have been
November of two thousand and
two. Because of retention
schedules for a detailed
working papers and documents of
this sort we no longer have-
the detailed documents- because
we follow our us our of
required retention schedules
I've worked with the- records
manager here at the City to
look to see what we could find-
but quite a bitof time has
elapsed and so- we don't have
any detailed. Records related
to this particular transaction-
I will say that the research
that was conducted by the
librarian or or facilitated by
the librarian to assist with
this- was to look for the.
Notices that the state is Rick
to post for on property which
they do through our local
media- the library has access
to. Of the years two thousand
and- to pray. For I liked copy.
Of media to look for these
notices however as I indicated
because our process has been to
send these notices- these
unclaimed property the state. A
one year after the checks have
been cashed it's likely that
the notices would have been
prior to two thousand and. Four
we did find- documentation in
two thousand and from two
thousand and six that indicated
that checks which included the
check number of for this vendor
check. For the fifty thousand
dollar check for this vendor
were- part of a resolution I
went to council for destruction
of records again just in
compliance with our- retention
schedules. And so that was the
last bit of information that I
was able to find about this
check so in summary of the
services were rendered in the
year two thousand we expensed.
The amount of the vendor
checked in that year accounted
for properly in that year- we-
we have complied with the
state- process for unclaimed
property but we do not have the
did the detailed records to
indicate that we just have the-
typical process that we go
through in order to be
compliant. We I also will
mention that I work with miss
will banks to go through the-
state unclaimed property
website we did find some other
checks that were out there and
we initiated the process of
getting those- of funds
returned. To her but we did not
find the amount of the fifty
thousand dollar check on the
state website I don't I don't
know if there's been any
outreach directly to the state.
Of by Mr might miss will banks
but that was also advised thank
you. Our work the BMS you real
quick to- you said something
about a resolution about
unclaimed property. Yes you
just. And it almost sounded you
the regarding track. Did you
know that for sure. It was
actually a resolution regarding
destruction of records right we
are not that sorry Barbie daily
on an arms this is city
manager- it was resolution zero
seven dash zero zero one solid
signed July third two thousand
six. It just pertaining to the
destruction of records that it
satisfied their legal retention
schedules. And it listed checks
of from one number to another
number that were part of the
destruction of records. And
the- checked in question. The
check number in question was
included in that list of what
check number are you showing.
There was a question. I have a
check number C. zero four. Zero
seven seven three nine which
without one The shown earlier I
was on the show earlier so you
so. Repeat that one more time
then so. The red. Signed on
July third two thousand six for
the destruction of records that
had satisfied their legal
retention schedules included
the check number in question-
and that would have- indicated
that again we would have
expense from an accounting
standpoint- if it was on. A
claim property it would have
been turned over to the state
and it was it had met its
retention schedule we no longer
needed to retain that
information. Okay so. To me
this is a new development I
have never heard this this
resolution so if I may just
take it from this point forward
first off for my colleagues I
know you probably think how
this checks dated two thousand
no she just it was in two
thousand ten when she came
about this when she was closing
her business someone spotted a
box full of. Records and that's
when they found a bunch of
uncashed checks in there so
don't think that she's had it
for ten years on and now for
twenty years it was it was
that's when the process started
when they find when they found
the warmer let me let me just
ask you real quick so getting
back to this just destruction
of records if it had been
cashed then they would have
disclosed this check number
would never appear correct.
Mayor and council barber jelly
on for the record- that's not
necessarily true because we
have records for both. Checks
that are cashed. And checks
that are on cash we have a
number of financial records.
That we maintain ask for our
retention schedules with Matt
the schedules. Are we destroy
those- but it we don't have.
There's nothing that says that
if it's on cashed it gets
destroyed or doesn't get
destroyed her cash because just
order is just a record- that's
part of our financial reporting
process. I see okay site I'm
sorry. I thought maybe it was
like a group of checks that
were destroyed and because for
whatever reason okay. Under me
turn it over to Councilor
Abeyta-Stuve the so she can
asking. Eight mayor. Arbor
Arbor will banks may I speak
yes ma'am. I'm. And thousand
hands when I was closing our
state license planning. We went
over to off premise here where.
It'll health facilities store
close patient file. When you
close a state licensed mental
health clinic you have to refer
patients to other mental health
providers. And in those close
page. We located this check
find by honorable mayor ribbons
there are. When we discovered
the check and sent you the
letter. And the original check
was delivered to this. Was term
months prior to the retention
period of ten years required by
the state of New Mexico. So if
I'm understanding barber does
the only who helped me and
ivory ivory I appreciate that.
But if records were destroyed.
Then how does she know. The
records weren't retained. Thank
reviews right in two thousand.
So my CPA after four and a half
years of being investigated
because of his are stolen check
The City of Las Cruces spelling
check in that year. I don't
know if it was. May date or
June date. But there was I'm
missing out missing earns. And
what I over the past two years
since twenty eighteen in fact-
I have been in contact with the
state of New Mexico I'm crying
property. If the check was
stolen as in this instance. It
may have been a serum. That it
was cash. But the original
check was returned and case
year rates. By the mayor to for
the check. In fact state of New
Mexico and crying property.
There are consequences if a
state licensed provider request
that the check be Riesch. It
should be granted. Because
there is a process that Barbara
mentioned in part. Mr mission
and part. Yes indeed The City
of Las Cruces had followed
procedures. They would have had
an escheat Office can you tell
me who the F. G. offered her
words in two thousand and two
thousand one. And two thousand.
Barbara was that. I don't know
honestly Office. It's are there
within the city who report
let's say a payroll check tax
we were more than of gender we
provide a service. Since
nineteen ninety three all the
city employees and their
families a lot of hard work.
But the SGA officer has to
tried to contact the provider.
They have been written notices
there's the whole trail trying
another. The vendor or the
provider. And then when they re
make that report that are
mentioned in two thousand. To
the state of New Mexico I'm
calling property there are no
records at the state. Thank you
New Mexico taxation right the
name. There are no records for
that. From the City of Las
Cruces. Okay turn the check
within the ten year retention
required by the state board
verbal- but will take some of
the trial that- barber deli on
answer. A couple here your
concerns please. Surely thank
you. Thank you mayor barber
deli on internus is the city
manager for the record- yes. I
miss- will banks I do not know
the name of this treatment
officer we do have an
achievement officer you're
actually correct we have a
process that runs through the-
financial services department
every year- to identify. Checks
that have not been cashed and
to provide the due diligence
notice to the vendors to let
them know that the checks have
not been cashed it is a lengthy
process it's a process that we
utilize the- contact.
Information of record to do F.
and so. We are required to have
that someone in that position
to carry out those functions
every year- and so I can tell
you that it is our practice to
comply. With the unclaimed
property requirement to issue
the do dish though just noticed
it will be issued to the-
address of record. Of for the
vendor and again- again tie the
because of the amount of time
that has passed and our record
retention schedules we do not
have the detailed.
Documentation. To support in
this particular instance that a
lotwas sent out but it is part
of the process that we follow
to notify vendors who have on
cash checks or unclaimed
property. May I respond cation.
Six years the microphone that
minutes are nay all reminded.
The City of Las Cruces. It
actually covered the years of.
Nineteen fiscal. Nineteen
ninety nine three two thousand
two you just said there are no
records. On microfilm the
covered fiscal. Nineteen ninety
nine to two thousand two. And
then or two thousand three and
then. Our two thousand Jan
three two thousand thirteen
there are no great no reports
from the city of Leicester.
Office. May I respond. I think
the solution might be if you
could locate. Barbara was able
to hear you. Thirty I'm sorry
by originally on go go head and
respond please okay- thank you
mayor and council barber deli
on so the in I had for miss
Neil was that the electronic
records cop- coverage two
thousand four to the present
that there were up there were
some difficulties in locating
all the dates for which the
inserts ran that in some cases
the company the digitizing
newspaper did not digitize
digitize the insert so that's
what I was referring to with
respect to the updates and
question that that may not-
have covered the period in
which we would have turned over
the funds to the states and
then. The state would have been
required to the noticed and in
periodicals with respect to the-
on. Property so I just wanted
to clarify that thank you.
Right let me go to the council
members please by- barber will
banks and- they have some
questions and then we'll come
we'll come back to you all.
Sorg cancer Abeyta-Stuve the
council Bencomo. Thank you
mayor and- you know this is.
Concerning and I act any point
if any of my questions-
Jennifer around- the stock
greeted me and because I'm
honestly a little concerned- in
confused about the situation
here- I have a few and brief
are more like yes or no
questions for his well being
and mayor Smith- it just to get
a handle of the situation I
this check was issued for
services in the year two
thousand. Is that correct. Okay
and so back. I think I was
fifteen back so this is quite a
ways about. Issuing I'm wise.
There any accounting what
accounting practices are going
on that made something I
checked of this nature get next
I don't know about you but
fifty thousand dollars is quite
a lot of money and so I'm
wondering what happened that
allowed this do not get the
oversight to get missed on this.
I couldn't find that. During
this period of time from two
thousand. To two thousand six
my corporate financials were
examined. By the district
attorney's develop Martinez and
a team of investigators. And
detectives in response. To my
the PA's notification. And my
reporting of misting fans from
our corporate. Looked and
deposits. After the four and a
half year. Investigation they
located the employee. Salvage
particular act and- baseball
districts and I I'm you had
every. I think that everything
this was recorded this track
itself was reported stolen back
in. Two thousand six. No it was
located in two thousand ten but
I was asked what was going on
with the accounting and that is
the planning. That during this
from two thousand three two
thousand six. We notify. My CPA
notified make and we notified-
is ana Martinez is districts.
I'm after two thousand it's
still to former years find a
check the- yes in two thousand
ten. No found. Quite took long
to this missing item if knew
that there was an investigation
and the responsible
mismanagement. No the
investigation had to do with
forgery forty eight counts of
forgery on corporate check. Not
reimbursement checks like the
City of Las. At that point when
under obviously it seems like
there was a lot going on with
your company at the time- did
you. After the two thousand
sixteen you guys- is that when
your CPA started investigating
and looking for other errors.
In in ten thousand in two
thousand seven the employee was
indicted forty eight counts of
forgery of corporate check you
know we had not even located.
The City of Las Cruces checked
right thank you I understand
that question what I'm asking
as if this company was having
financial. Troubles and
possible mismanagement after
that. There's obviously a gap
of time back or- when you
realize that there were some
other items going on did you
start looking into other errors
in two thousand six or did you
wait for another four years
there was no. For twenty years
there was no mismanagement no
problems with any financials in
our clinic until the forgery of
this one employee. And we are
the ones that reported it and
ask for detective Fuhrman and
find out. Who did dash. And it
had nothing to do with
mismanagement we have been to
state license since nineteen
ninety three. And until I close
my business now well record of
mismanagement financial
troubles or anything. If you're
unemployed I missing check is
very concerning especially one
that's been missing you for ten
years before it was found is
very concerning and now it
excuse me back. They went
through our corporate finances
for almost five years they went
through everything can find no
problem with their planning.
And it's very confusing because
the forty eight counts of
forgery of corporate chair
which way alerted views on a
Martinez change. Those that
investigation and by involved
forty eight counts of forgery
of corporate checks because the
runner between the CPR and the
bank and it looks exactly like
my signature okay. But look
point the point. There was no
finance. And I'm not a the
forged was used thousand but
fact they know much she had
for. You know. So it confusing
because the total amount for so
much to learn. Okay let me
interject something here real
quick Barbara- Wilbanks and
cancer Abeyta-Stuve the I think
I fiery call and speaking to
you mayor Smith is that it
wasn't until you're close your
business and twenty can you I
think we're Councilor
Abeyta-Stuve who was trying to
find out is if you knew this
check was missing why to take
four years but you didn't know
according to you what you told
me you know was missing to
you're putting records away.
You found some for other checks
that's where they were taught
that's what we're supposed to
talk about Lena healthcare you
found a group you sound like a
file and they were checksthat
came out and that's where if
you found this missing check
yes and the council. Will be
trying to find out. And there
were other. Floquet and yes my
turning Mr Servan. Is S. and-
for. Is over if going to try to
get those. Three from Blue
Cross blue shield and other
HMO. Other company wasn't until
many so you. But spelling came
to this the and two thousand
ten were you found check asking
for re yes ma'am but to. That's
correct who the person is your
contact person to ask. For that.
At yeah interested given could
it in a that's what was trying
to get appointment perhaps I
didn't make myself clear enough
to begin with. During the time
I was mayor is all this was
have. During the time I was
mayor is when these checks were
issued. During this time I
thought I would be the ones
that very very clearly would be
able to take the check and take
the original check into the
City of Las Cruces. And show
that it was not. Exactly go at
that point. I'm sorry. They
were did you contact legal and
I would soon as- risk
management as well at that
point- just delete- no I would
choose the latter. I'm sorry
who did you not notified when
you found this out. I just told
you that I went to the mayor
and there was one other
individual there I don't know
if it was the- it. The counting
person I believe there was
somebody else there but in
answer your question originally
let me go back to what you were
asking Barbara. But mayor Smith
thought he would have given it
to me and I would if they have
any was with me would've been
the city manager would have
been maybe Terrance more at
that time. Possibly Robert
Garza but most most likely
parents more and then after
that you know then we don't
know what happened to that
council Abeyta-Stuve. So I'm-
may I ask a legal- but when
they found out about this issue.
And. I mayor and council this
is Jennifer vigor brown- I
don't know the exact date it
was it was about the time that
I'm not about it we started
getting a lot of questions it's
been. Probably close to year.
Okay here okay that still so
that's almost another ten year
gap in between those two times.
May I ask and Mr Smith. Herbs
and near Smith I'm. That's
still another long gap of time-
why would we not if this was
section issue maybe why is it
getting crest now why wasn't it
getting crashed back in two
thousand ten to two thousand
eleven and for those noted. I
would say. Why why the gap.
Zero objections to that's an
excellent question and I'm
gonna take full responsibility.
Under the conditions of what
transpired with me having the
original check in hand
delivering it to the city. I
left it at that I should you
know this is going to be a no
brainer years young cash check.
And it'll be taken care of. I
dropped the ball Barbara is the
kind of person once you get the
or not gonna get pushy about
this so she scratched it off
well just let that one go.
Until two thousand and
eighteen. Well there's a new
interpretation by tax and rent.
And that's when we initiated
this process all over. Molina
healthcare chicken the perfect
example of the same set of
circumstances under which we
find us but the City of Las
Cruces. The centers that help
you any. Yes so that there you
are okay with putting the money
go beforehand but now that lots
of change you feel that it is-
acts you try to regain that
money even. Exactly right
because of the changes in the
regulations I'm gonna call it
into tax and Rev. There was
another opportunity of going
back in to try to reach you
these kind of. Uncashed checks.
My next questions are for staff
and I realize that it's been
about twenty years since this
was issued so records have
changed. And you know internet
and asked electronic stuff so
it's going to be very different
and hard- I assume now that we
have process sees. That would
be able to track this sort of
error in the future and within
the next fiscal year be able to
account for any. I'm cast
checks that we have those
prices. Barbara deli on once
the to speak. Yes I do thank
you mayor and council barber
deli on for the record and yes
councilors Abeyta-Stuve be at I
would not characterize this as
an error necessarily but it's a
process that we go through
every year we issuing the
checks and many payments of for
contractors and vendors- for
various services goods and
services that we received and
then we track all of them to
ensure that the payments are
being cash just as part of our
due diligence part of our
financial reporting. Part of
our responsibility to comply
with our accounting principles
and then again to comply with
the state requirements and now
we have a very straightforward
process were again as I
mentioned one year after we
issue a payment of it is not
cash- we- do our due diligence
reporting- at the address of
record for the vendor to let
them know that the funds have
not been cashed and then after
the appropriate a lapse time
the funds then go are paid to
the state. Of and properly
accounted for again so that we
can maintain the appropriate
financial accounting in each
fiscal year and not carry
liability is forwarded for
those kinds of risks to our of
financial position. Here thank
you an estimated we have. The
same practices back in two
thousand. Just to be are you
really expecting an answer from
the former mayor about that.
Those are of minutes straight
of the issues and I think
you've just been explained by
your city attorney acting city
manager. Those are the ministry
of issues councilors mayor
don't get involved in that well
I'm I'm sorry we just don't.
I'm may sure that I think that
need to be a- of those. Of
issues that work at it's our
responsibility. So to make sure
we know what is going on. And
so I assume act during then we
would want to have these things
types the process even place
make sure that we are counting
for. Our Jack's in accounting
for proper procurement and
payment for bankers. And so I
just want to make sure that we
continue to uphold the
standards that we have now. And
I do question why. This check
got mixed. Back in two thousand
and then the process these this
makes me very uncomfortable.
The situation. The whole thing.
To be perfectly honest. And I'm
wondering how what led up to
something like this getting
messed and for us to be seen
twenty years later. Those are
the questions I have for now me.
Thank you council leaders to be
I do have one quick question
before I go to Councilor
Bencomo back to Barbara deli
on. Barbara earlier when you
were to re telling me about the
resolution that was passed and
you said that this check number
four oh seven seven three nine
did appear on that on that not
sure about. List correct.
Council barber delivery record
yes that is correct okay is it
is it fair to say that this
list just has a bunch of list
of check numbers and amounts.
It has a list of check numbers.
It doesn't have amounts. I'm I
would have to go back and look
at the actual documentation.
Apart with that be to just
glance at it real quick. So I
have it here with me it has a
list of check numbers and a
list of dates during which
those checks were issued. It
does not have amounts for each
check groups of checks okay so
I am not nothing has a mouth on
the- correct. My all right
council Bencomo in council
Vasquez. Thank you mayor- I'm
and things took council
Abeyta-Stuve the for her
questions- help clarify several
things for me I think my
biggest question is given what
mayor Smith just said regarding
the print these practices being
administrative. Why this is at
a work session given that it
does feel like a very
administrative issue. Okay
that's a good question
Councilor Bencomo let me let me
explain this you know. I asked
some hard questions of staff.
And frankly if a check was
outstanding. Then you would
think that this would be like
just like a normal person would
baluster checkbook in the city
has to account for funds. So if
this was actually- missing then
it would show up in our on it
so I asked to see if there was
any findings of artists the
show that that. Is awesome we
can't find those audits- and
then I was told this is the
part. That that I don't
particularly like I was told.
By staff that this actually
that did itwas actually filed.
Through the state and it and it
was done probably to the state.
I'm now. Being told through the
state has no record of this. So
I'm I'm like okay you know what
what where I'm at. And where am
I at here and yes why is being
brought up to work sessions
because the city council if
they felt it was necessary to
move forward with this band
being- the- you know the- the
gallery of at the validity of
it. If the council say you know
what I think we want to for to
support this and reimbursed
this. Then that's what staff
does or I have to do resolution
and then we vote on it or or
not. This you know this I'm at
my at my end because I don't
know I this is this is on there
I've never encountered in all
my years in public office.
Thank and so this is why I feel
I need to disclose the council
and let the chips fall where
they may. Because. I agree I
mean just. Just like what kind
of Abeyta-Stuve yeah I mean
these are the- car I was. Me
Smith others like. You gotta be
kidding I mean I don't
remember. Who I turn it over to
in twenty ten you know I mean.
There you go I mean I've got
other things that I deal with
and then. Eight years later
nine years later and it's like.
We're this thing come from. But
I have. The benefit of the
doubt. To me that. That I think
what really got me is when they
said they're moving files the
packet away either I don't know
if it was American document
services whatever. And I don't
know. If of box felt and all of
a sudden these checks found
phone mount. And they thought
oh my goodness these are checks
from long time ago nay
reporting the word and then
they- they reconstructed as
they went back to a few of
these vendors and they re
issued checks. And that's why
members Mr day you know if they
reassure them why can't the
city do it. So that's what
started the process trying to
figure out. Where did this
check- I mean yeah I agree it's
twenty years old. But what I do
just I don't. I don't feel that
it's fair for me to just tell
them you know what we can do
this. It now are council says
you know what this has enough
merit to move it for resolution
for a vote okay if you've
council says. And. I don't
know. Don't think so. I'm here.
Thanks may and I meeting. It's
true. That some hard. Need to
be a- all. Involved I think.
Because I'm you know I'm
wondering with bart so was
Barbara. Barbara Keeley on
involved in this ten years ago.
Two thousand and two of them. I
don't think so and I know I'm
I'm pretty sure she was about
one right thing for you to her
one last thing I get to her
what mayor Smith and you know
understandably wise little you
know his his his- his-
credibility is being questioned
he literally hand delivered at
do I remember that. Not really
I mean I see him would seem
often I can't remember
specifically. But I believe
them then he dropped it off to
the city. And I mean why would
you have a check that was ten
years old and their be cash.
And your bike by Barbara so.
I'll turn over to Barbara. No I
didn't have a questions or
right I'm sorry why barbarous
feel a lot of talk. And was in
a- in years ago right. Now. Her
research all this right I have
a couple from minutes will
bring. Because I'm- about.
Currently I understand about
the missing checks and that you
found them ten years later and
checks rate more than one at
what point in ten years. What
did your business not realize
that you were missing thousands
of dollars. I tried to explain
may be act I wasn't clear
enough. But we did report the
missing funds and the passage
of at least over fifty thousand
dollars the confusion is. Where
where does that get you
thousand dollars all. When we
eat that we didn't just fine at
this check. Legally state
licensed mental health clinic
for our state licensed clinics
have to keep a record have to
keep records of patients. And
when they leave the clinic that
patient file is close that has
to be secured- can years. Hello
this is employee stashed
unbeknownst to us before she
was incarcerated. She's fast
The City chair she's passionate
and a close patient files we
went through an American
documents. In twenty ten we
went tree those close patient
files where she had stashed
some of the checks away. The
City. Are that that I'm asking
to be reissued. Rubin had
signed it along with Barbara
well and- and I don't know who
the interim city manager was or
who else was in order now but
when I can bring them the check
when we found it. I also gave
him a letter dated October
twenty third twenty chance to
check can. Requesting that it
be reissued because its usual
and customary. Cleric is state
license and he's been.
Providing services to the City
of Las Cruces employees and
their families thank ninety
three right can. Long your
contract was with the city from
nineteen ninety three through.
Yes are we were we were
reimbursed from nineteen ninety
three- first seven years of
thousand and then there was- an
artist he that went out that
was very competitive. And. Two
thousand and my clinic wanted
again. Of for another year. To
two thousand one and that's
when the city manager from self
insured the managed care and I
think it I think the contract
went in two thousand one to
Blue Cross blue shield. She
present two thousand one you
were supposed to be paid twelve
checks. Yes and you received
eleven of those tricks yes.
Okay I'm- but that's only after
you know a five year
investigation. By the district
attorney and a whole lot of the.
Thank you minutes what is. I
don't have a question for you
can you just. Go through can
you help me clarify- The
unclaimed property situation of
the state so- it it appears
that may is what banks had.
Some unclaimed property at the
state correct when they did an
investigation but this check
was not part of that this fifty
thousand. Thank you has merit
Councilor Bencomo barber deli
on for the record- what
happened was when I met with ms
will banks to- go over at the
state unclaimed property
process and just explain how
that works- I indicated that
she could go online to. And
search for unclaimed property
and we did that while we were
here in my office and we did
find- I believe it was two two
payments that were being held.
By the state- in the name of
the of her former firm and so
we initiated the process to
have those funds returned to
her we did not see the amount
of the fifty thousand dollars.
At the state it's possible that
it was. Paid out in the
previous year its its there are
a number of possibilities are
number of unknowns- from the
state standpoint about- what
may or may not have been there
a reported- in terms of. How
they tried to contact people
the notifications again that we
search for- from the library to
see- what kind of notifications
when out at several but yes I
did assist in- taking a look at
the website and- we did find a
couple of. Of payments that
were out there. And parents are
no in and I under that keep the
keeping of records and remind
me how long that is ten or
seven years. I'm actually there
is a different retention
schedule for different types of
records- for financial records-
depending on if their checks if
their contracts so I can't
really give you a blanket
amount of time but we have a
very details schedule that we-
that our records manager helps
us. To keep in compliance with
every year. And generally and
it's a less than five years for
most financial records. Okay
and so. We have nothing to show
where there are about fifty
thousand dollars was taking out
of our account or not. What we
have The council Bencomo sorry
this is Barbara deli on again-
what we have records ofat this
point our our financial
statements. Our audience and
mayor mentioned earlier that-
something to the effect that we
couldn't find audits we have
our audited financial
statements well we don't have
to keep and don't keep a record
retention standpoint are the
working papers. That have a lot
of the details for individual
transactions those the types of
records that are are not
required to be capped and
aren't capped generally and
those the kinds of record that
would allow us to get to. You
know this level of granularity
or detail with respect to
specific. Of financial
transactions. Yeah that's that
makes sense and again. Why this
why I'm feeling uncomfortable
that this is an being handled
administratively giving how
granular. This so what does the
state then keep on claims
property for. Ever some people
believe that the state is
starting mayor and council
Rincon barber daily on for the
record the state is required to
what's property is turned over
to them and click properties
turned over them they are
required to hold it. Until it
is claimed. And so- there is a
of quite a bit a detailed kit
that they put out for how to
submit unclaimed property to
the state the types of
information that's required of
course the time frame in which
is required. What is the
responsibility of the holder
which should be the city what
is the responsibility of the
owner would you be the person
who or the entity making the
claim what is the
responsibility of the state.
And so it's a very it's a very
thorough and well documented
process and again includes the
requirement for notifications-
etcetera and for retention of
documentation. Okay thank you
Barbara I don't have any
further questions Mary interest.
I mean I for you know a few
months ago there was a
conversation we had about-
there being some unpaid
overtime that was very
undressed ray and by no means.
Am I someone who doesn't we'll
even pay people what they're
owed absolutely. This there is
a lot about this hough that I
am really unclear and uncertain
about- and definitely want to
get it resolved before- should
try every single Avenue to find
more detailed information
about- the process and the
chain of documents before it
gets to a point where whether
we're talking about reassurance
or not because- there's just
too many. Pieces about this
that are unclear. On all
parties but no answer. Council
income more and I don't know if
you because this is it this is
very. Confusing but I don't
know if you heard mayor Smith
saying that it wasn't until
there was a new interpretation
of the law. And he thought it
was around twenty eighteen
could've been twenty seventeen.
That allowed- it allowed for
state licensed providers to be
reimbursed for services
rendered when the checks were
never cashed and so earlier I
think when they discover this
check. They probably and I
think I heard him say they
pretty much just wrote it off
but it wasn't until years later
I don't know what what where
were they found this but- there
was a new interpretation by the
state of New Mexico. That they
would be allowed to file-
forward for checks that were
cashed for services rendered
and that's what that's that's
why that big gap. It is it is.
Yes management. If you don't
mind just a couple of comments.
You know if you go back through
the history of this. There were
many steps there were obviously
could've been done differently
should have been done
differently should've looked at
different administrative rules
or regulations which
technically policy makers
shouldn't be involved in. But
here's what I can tell you.
There were missteps I would
imagine that she's gonna
probably slap the war finished
there were probably missteps on
the part of miss will banks.
There was clearly missteps on
the part of the City of Las
Cruces. But never the less the
fact of the matter is there is
one uncashed check. Then if you
want to point the finger at
barber for not finding it years
earlier although there was a
four year investigation Vollard
books. You could point the
finger at me for being stupid
enough to leave the check with
the city. I could point the
finger at mayor Miyagishima
which I'm not going to do. I
could point the finger all over
the place but the fact remains
we're all responsible for the
mess that we're in right now.
And I feel badly for one.
Company one person. Who who
gave good mental health and
substance abuse programs to the
City of Las Cruces that we
receive nothing but accolades
and because there's a screw up
either on her part the
accounting part the district
attorney's part the city of Las
Cruces. Back remaining cheers
up fifty thousand dollars. So I
think this is a simple issue if
you think. She did something so
totally unjustly. Put the thing
down don't give a penny and
just move on and we'll forget
about it if you think what's
been done here is really
awkward as hell which appears
that's why I'm involved in this
thing trying to clarifythe
issue Phyllis tried let's try
to justify it and make things
right. I don't think it does
any good right now to go back
and re thrash point the finger.
The fact of the matter is as I
started out. We've got an
uncashed check. It has not been
cashed. There is no record of
the City being reported through
the tax and Rev unclaimed
property and so here we sit. So
I think it. More simple that we
want to get into. Because I
know there's a lot of things we
can learn out of this but it's
not going to it's not going to
change. Change this particular
issue that we're dealing with
right now. Check all right so
who Councilor been comments
everything else. Before going
to Councilor Vasquez. Your I.
D. I want to make clear that
I'm not pointing the finger at
anybody that I just. That this
issue was brought to us is
council and so I want to have.
All the information necessary
before making. A decision
about- taxpayer dollars dollars
right and- and I if. I want to
be shown for sure that. That is
fifty thousand dollars. What in
fact. Never taking out of the
city. Bank account right that
if it that it wasn't taken now
that somebody didn't claim it
from the state I mean it seems
like there were some pretty.
Shady people dealing with some
of. Our this businesses
financial management. So I just
want to make sure that. The
fifty thousand dollars dollars.
Remained within the city before
we issue it to someone so it
doesn't if the issue twice.
Well yes also Bencomo that's
what that's what they're trying
to say we can't hold on the
money. And we're supposedly
supposed to give it back to the
state. To show that Hey there
some unclaimed money here and
that's earlier I think you
heard Barbara W. on say that
they found a couple things.
Unclaimed but this was not one
of them. Let me just do this
and I I'm still going to go to
council Moskos and council Sorg
and I know there's others want
to speak. It mayor Smith if I
remember. Huge the- when you
said something about ten years.
Or the impact or something two
months ago. Is it you or
Barbara. Will banks it said
something about it was like
there was a- a clock. There was
only good for ten years it was
that you said something about
you with two months left and
you drop it off to the city or
or no it was I just. Your words
and then when we have a roof.
What what was was it there like
us. A limitation of say ten
years or something like that
barber is that what you're
trying to get our well being.
Were there there is usually at
least in two thousand- clinics
have to keep patient files for
ten years. Okay but something
about two months that. One's
got one I meant before that can
year limitation of time to re
issue a check yeah lance lance
The for. If the goal two
thousand ten- in October really
who had the ten who I'm sorry
who had the ten year limitation
work whose interpretation is
the ten year limitation on that
site limitations of life on the
planet. Hey but not the two
thousand we broke your letter
and when- when Rick Rubin
returned the original and
passed check it there was also
a letter to year- dated October
I think it was October twenty
third twenty ten. So I was
talking about from the two
thousand. Issuance of the
original and cash check. Two
months before that can your
period of time. In return the
check to the city yeah I'm
sorry but who who. I got to
impression that that there was
a ten year statute of something
of limitations of some sort the
check had to be you know as
long as you can find it within
ten years it could be re issued
a recast. You're saying that
was just a number of years that
you have to hold on to the
records that what you're trying
to say right but also taxation
and revenue after I met with
Barbara de Leon who was very
helpful- continued research.
With the- the rector and
regularly I'm fine property.
And found out what. Might of
happened and how long. Was
usual and customary and they
said ten years within and at
ten year period. You could are.
Ask if your state license.
Original check and cash be
reissued. Okay the way. Hi I
know about the process yeah
Barbara will be excellent if I
may just interject because we
can spend hours on this is
really that complicated I
understand that so let me just
let me just share with council
what I was hoping to at least
accomplish today. I'm not
saying that we need to pay it
where but what I'm trying to
say is this. The way I
understood it. Was that. Ten
years you know. For years I
passed after they found the
check although the check was
dated ten years prior. You for
the most part had just written
it off I mean you just there.
There is there was some
legislation and that's where I
want some clarification from
staff this is relatively new
they're not aware of okay I
would've. Asked me to look at
this but I'm going over some
old notes that the mayor Smith
that sent me. Seemed like every
time I read this I find
something new. Anyways
according to mayor Smith he
says. That there was some new
interpretation by the state
made in twenty sixteen to
twenty seventeen. The state
license providers to be
reimbursed for services
rendered. For checks that were
never cashed. It current
examples that we care
Crowther's previous owners to
run health care. Sold Molina.
And then earlier I sent a copy
of that check. To David so that
Malina did in fact. Reimburse
you on a check that was old as
well. So what I was hoping that
council would allow us to do.
The move this forward. Is to
direct staff to work with the-
of memory as well as Attorney
General however to find out if
this what this interpretation.
Is and whether or not- if we
had enough information. And of
children and then this is
eventually gonna go to a vote.
They've council wants to pay
for this or not. If the AG says
we don't know anything about
interpretation okay that's a
stop start there. Because I'm
uncomfortable. Doing something
that. Happened twenty years ago
but if they say something about
this interpretation of the some
state law I don't know the
state law. I'm not a state
lawmaker. But if. But if there
is some a new law that came out
back in twenty sixteen
seventeen or eighteen that
allows this like. Mayor Smith
at and email me back in twenty
nineteen. Okay then we have at
least. Some basis. To either
either move forward or just say
no just are you know. And that.
That's what I would suggest
that we do. You want to ask.
More questions sure I have a
problem. So Elser been are you
with your question okay so go
to council. Thank you mayor- so
I have one question a couple
quick questions but one is
about that. Dropping off that
check in twenty ten- former
mayor Smith said he met with
with you mayor- and- another
member of the staff may be a
city manager- so there's a
little bit of confusion on my
part because mayor you said
you're essentially wanted to
take care of it and so you
handed it off to somebody in
the City somebody staff to say
okay sure you know this. Check
was not cash that's reassurance
right thing to do. But then
there's if I said that I don't
know I said that I just city.
Just south let staff here. Yep
take care of it and then. Mayor
Smith said that sometime
shortly thereafter- miss
Wilbanks decided just to write
off the fifty thousand dollars
so. He must have gotten a
response from the City.
Indicating that they could not
re issue that check and that's
why she decided to write it
off. And there's a there's an
information gap missing there
because- if I'm dropping
something off to fifty thousand
dollars and thinking it's going
to get taken care of. I'm not
just gonna say you know what
never mind right off so there
has to in some communication or
some decision. By the city that
indicated we could not re issue
that check in order from as
well banks to say. Sure let's
just write it off- so is there.
Do you recall. If the City one
way or another gave you a
decision or told you anything
about the reassurance of that
check during that time period.
Yes Council Vasquez. What I can
tell you is that I have total
confidence. In myself that by
delivering the uncashed check
that she had found. The by
delivering that to the City of
Las Cruces would be sufficient
enough. To get the check
reimbursed. No regulation
reimbursed however you want to
now the question then becomes
will dammit why'd you wage a
long not to come back to it you
know what what what mayor Smith
if I may the question was about
why miss will banks decided to
withdraw then why she decided
to say never mind I will write
this off. That that's the real
question if you dropped it off
to the city miss Wilbanks may
have not heard. For a certain
period of time where did hear
something that would have
caused her to say let's just
write it off. Because it seemed
like there was a you know once
you dropped off that check
mayor Smith seems like that
there was. A process in place
where you would have heard back
from the city or if he did or
not after a certain amount of
time. What was that time. She
may I respond. No I didn't
write it off. What I did is
just given up. Because Ruben
Smith sign that check Barbara
Willis he delivered it when it
was found after he'd been
stolen. And our told we had
just gone through five years
investigation forty eight
counts of forgery and if the
mayor who's trying the check of
the original uncashed check and
given back to the city and I
can't get it re issue. I'd yes
without depression I gave up I
didn't write it off there's no
way to write it off but I
continued doing business and
providing services until. I
retired in twenty term I don't
and I don't mind at all I just.
Don't I you know what I needed
something council Vasquez you
know I don't believe this but
you're absolutely right
something tells me we did get a
rendering from staff saying we
can't reverse this track that's
why that's why that time gap.
Would be such from say twenty
ten till twenty and it wasn't
until this new law the mayor
Smith is talking about saying
that maybe we could do this
that's why the king it's the
income brought forward I mean.
Don't get me wrong I mean I'm
I'm just try to be fair to both
sides here but you write
something this to affect I was
gonna text Robert Garza deceive
even remembers he would have
been maybe ACM at that time.
But something is telling me I
think they did get rid I don't
have it I'm you know I don't I
don't I don't remember that but
I think I think you're right
about that I think we did get
because yeah yeah if I you
dropped off say. You know
you're on a weight eight years
as a result checked you know
yes I do mean a rubber bullet I
just don't think you thank you
Mayor appreciate that I just
think there's a critical
information like a gap in
information their decision
making because- if its fifty
thousand dollars I understand
that that type of situation
this will banks may have been
in but I think I'd be calling
every day to check in on where
that check is that where's of
movement. What what can I
expect is their decision on
this- you know especially
considering after you've gone
through this whole legal
process of so many- you know of
this fraudulent activity
happening do not fault of your
own you know that's something
that I would continue to make
sure I stayed on top of- so
there's something that that is
not having that information
makes me very hesitant to. To
move forward with with this in
terms of what that original
decision matter may I respond
about wine The. Ten years the
following portent. Well I
believe that that Ruben had.
That because there can years
had. The bank board this is
city with not going reviews at.
The change in the rate every
vision in I'm crying Pro. There
been a number of reasons well I
one was with June seven twenty
nine. Which that that can year-
I was told by the unclaimed
property that that ten years
that way I had requested that
it be reissued with and that
ten year. In fact two months
before that that. That ten year
period let's not. Thank you.
Thanks bye are you yeah I had
some other questions but I'm
I'm gonna save those I don't
think I need to ask them at
this point I I'm my decisions
is pretty made up at this point
without the adequate
information to make. Life as
council Bencomo and council
read this do we mention I can
make an informed decision on
this there's no proof that this
money you know wasn't collected
from the state there's not
enough evidence to say that we n
years ago that should still
stand today- and so I can't
make a decision. In way without
that type of information that
is so only The every should the
council bosses but I will tell
you this though. Thank are a
little bit different you know I
don't the mayor a few years and
you know really I didn't start
till we even though November
those first three months I can
tell you I can still remember
their whirlwind I don't
released things that come down
to begin of twenty oh eight you
know two years later they
dropped us of or give the
staff and but I think some the
did come back what I'm trying
to get at is this do I think
that. Mayor Smith dropped off
the check yes do I think the
City cash that no I think staff
at that time said no we're not
we don't have we gonna go back
and remember some this ten
years old so fast forward now
do we have the authority I
don't know that's why I want to
see if the AG what what this
lots are talking. About if I
may to it if we do return.
Fifty dollar to the state. Law
then it's not are fifty
thousand dollars to reimburse.
This company the state should
reimburse that that that's on
in property that the state
we've already paid that money.
I agree and that's where but we
can't find that it is been
redeployed burst to the state.
And so. If I could just enter I
hate interjecting and people in
a new job but I can tell you
that was never. Reported to
state tax and rent. Out your
Busquets. Very employee
understand that mayor but it
would have shown. Up on or
about it if it if it wasn't.
Yeah no no I hear you council
bosses so that's where all I
was trying to get at is. We
didn't get interpretation of
this law. Ask the have one of
our legislators after Attorney
General Ehave could we can we
really do this if we feel that
there's enough information the
moved and reimbursed and they
would bring it to a vote they
have totally you know it's just
that simple I think they
deserve at least that because-
I think at that time that you
know staff just said no we were
not gonna reimburse ten years.
We just don't we just don't
have that record but I do I
believe that this it it it it's
yes I do. So but you know
that's just my thinking term
moving forward and not make it
render any decision now but at
least get. All the information
that's necessary in the event
if it if there is a yes vote or
no Council restored are you
finished also must miss. Yep I
was recording the council
Abeyta-Stuve the man. Elser
what okay well yard going
through this in in on through
this whole thing I've been
wondering yeah where's the
money- and I guess the answer
is we don't know where the
money is for sure a best guess
it's still it's stayed in the
City's. Our treasury but we
don't know that for sure. I all
I can think about is you know
when you get a check sometimes
they say well you must caches
within. A certain period of
time or it's- I'm catchable
anymore. On I don't I doubt
with the city had that on
that's check maybe it did. But
I didn't see it. On so that's
the question for me where's the
money. And if we don't know
where the money is. I don't
know what we're going to do.
Thank you mayor. Thank you just
Abeyta-Stuve me. Well what we
before I get you Councilor
riverbed alone you want to the
interjects often. Yes thank you
merry Council barber deli on
for the record- I just wanted
to respond to Councilor Sorg
question on the- checked the
face of the check itself it did
say board after one year. From
the above date the date being-
may second two thousand
justanswer your- and then to
further clarify with respect to
the finds so- again I mentioned
that with respect accounting
practices we would have
expensed this amount in the
year that services were
rendered. From the City
standpoint either the checks to
the vendors get cashed and
removed from our accounts or
the amounts get paid to the
state as unclaimed property so
in either case the funds are
are no longer technically with
the city so I just wanted to
provide that clarification.
Thank you I'm sorry that wasn't
that wasn't very clear at all
where are the funds that. So
simple terms so when we issue a
check to a vendor either the
vendor cashes the check and-
are removed from our accounts
yes or the vendor does not cash
the check and we paid the
amount to the state so the
state can administer the
unclaimed property process.
Understand so was that done we
have a record that actually the
stake out the money. So to
answer your question Councilor
Sorg we don't have those
detailed records that is the
process we follow and that is
the process is required for
financial reporting I
understand. Yeah so we don't
where the money is ultimately
we aren't sure where the money.
Yeah exactly. Okay council
Abeyta-Stuve V. and then mayor
pro tem under. Thank you- I
myself I believe that we
probably have information- from.
At Jennifer abeyta brown
obviously can't decide here but
it looks like there's other
information for us I to later
dates so I any- that would like
to hear that as well- like I
said I do appreciate- the
comments from my fellow
councilors including cancer
Bencomo who can say that it is
our responsibility to make sure
we know all those details one
of the reasons why Maskin tough
questions. Because we need to
make sure we're being good
stewards of our taxpayer dollar
and also to find out the truth
on what happened here because
it seems like it is a very
complicated process obviously-
mistakes were made on different
ends and so before we go
hearing out tracks we
definitely need to make sure
that we're being very thorough.
Access process. And again the
reason for my- and so I. Would
like to hear later on whether
it needs to be a closed
session- about those other
issues that we need to have the
for I make any decisions thank
you. Check and then also just a
reminder because I know there's
been so much information
council Abeyta-Stuve the it's
they didn't discover the check
missing until twenty ten.
Because of alleged. Misconduct
on the one of the points so.
Yeah so another to. I got. But
I just wanted to clarify yes
yeah because it it did there's
just so much information here.
Mayor pro tem got a- thank you
mayor thank you- to my
colleagues for the questions
and for Barbara did you on in
appreciate that I'm I. E. I. I
have to say I'm disappointed
and uncomfortable about this
situation because there was
probably a few things that.
Should have happened- prior to
this coming to council mayor I
would ask that- if it be-
Jennifer Baker brown doing
research to see if that
legislative. Correction or
occurred in so that we have
that and I like the idea of a
with our Attorney General- as
well. I also would like to see
a time line- like written down
and pretty visual I've taken
and- immense amount of notes
been of the visual side like to
see that and I like to get from
Barbara. And Dion clearly if
she felt that. It basically due
diligence was made in terms of
researching and- if there's no
record then there's no record
right I mean it's been
destroyed of the state doesn't
have and that's what I'm
hearing. Although there were
notices confined the notice-
through microfiche or or-
electronically- but I also want
to caution all of us. Barbara
thank you for- the work that
you did did providing crucial
services to our city staff and
their families- I'm speaking
from someone that has
experience in mental health- it
it act I just act deep
gratitude to you. Thank you. I
also want to say that this is
crucial this is city I mean. I
hear often that there are a lot
of businesses- in organizations
that do not want to do business
with the city. I'm because
serve this tape red tape that-
and the bureaucracy puts forth
for vendors and such and I
don't. I think we need to be
very careful if Barbara
provided those services she
needs to be reimbursed and we
need to do everything in our
power to ensure. That we done
our due diligence in terms of
doing the research- that we can
given that it's been a certain
amount of years I think what we
fail to recognize that in
twenty eighteen a law was
passed. And it change started
the way we can recoup or people
can recoup unclaimed that's why
they're asking about this- and
so there should be some some
record and maybe as policy
makers- we need to change our
own policy in terms of. What
we're doing- to destroy records
especially in this this kind of
kind of situation maybe we need
to keep them and maybe it needs
to go into some sort of
electronic version. Not and so
that so that we don't find
ourselves in this kind of
predicament and also I want to
caution us and look this isn't
an individual everybody knew.
Barbara was. She provided
services and so I would hope
that a letter to or a phone
call of some sort because she
wasn't just some obscure person
that we don't really I mean our
star families- and our children
were seen her. And our staff so
I think we probably had a
pretty deep relationship
somewhere your idea calling- Mr
Garza is a good one I would
love to see that happen- maybe
he has- some some.
Recommendations and maybe we
need to go to Mr Studer and Mr
aeta- related to that- to this
particular item because it
seems like during their- time
with us. They were they had
maybe some responsibilities to
that. And so I just I just feel
like- I caution all of us I
know that this is uncomfortable%
I definitely would like to set
the scene a couple of items. Be
done in order for us to and to
make a decision or bring it to
a bowl and a regular session
yeah and so I cut I caution at
this this is so. Uncomfortable
that we would be. Putting this
out there in this way it but
this is the only way because it
doesn't meet the guidelines for
closed session referee okay no
you're absolutely right. It is
and just to I appreciate your
comments I don't know we need
the context of order or- or
bill or Studer- but let me just
share this with you in fact
this is along the lines of-
Councilor sort- this is dated
February twenty one so
obviously. Staff did direct-
the library ministry to look
into this. This is your must
will banks I am writing to you
in response to your request for
information regarding the Los
for sundews analytical Mexico
department of. Tax and restless
the one thing property which is
published annually in the
special insert. After some
research the state's unclaimed
property list on the sun news
digital database. I was unable
to find any information
regarding professional
assessment center and unclaimed
check from the City of Las
Cruces for fifty thousand nine
ninety nine. The state of New
Mexico department tax rate has
no record of this track. So
what I'm trying to get and
that's yet another reason
saying. If it was unclaimed.
Then then this would have shown
up at the unclaimed. So let's
just do that- this is you know
I needed to get this out of
council knows what's about. And
I think what happened is. Is
when this new law passed. Eight
I mean let's just say this is.
You can hear this new law
passed and- and is this city
council willing to make amends
that that maybe staff. Ten year
ten years ago didn't want to
do. Do I think that money. Was
that was it was cash now I
don't know what went by council
Sorg said. And kind of let you
know but we need to find out
one if we if councils appetite
was to move forward and
reimbursed we need to make sure
it's legal. If it if they say
if this stops right there then
it stops you know we have to
adhere to. So if we have enough
to ask them to look into this
little bit more and touch base
with. With those- those other
entities and do a little more
research- I think that's
probably the best way to move
forward and then have an update
as to what the- okay. Okay
okay- ball get back with you
mayor Smith and miss Wilbanks
thank you again for this and I
appreciate your- yeah I know
it's a trying time- it's just a
it's just a very unusual and
unique certain. But at least
council wanted to hear about.
Okay. Right next the we're
gonna go to the Las Cruces home
builders presentation. And I
know. Can't Thurston is here
and I don't know if and the
coal. Black yes she's here so.
Larry did you want to start us
off Larry Nichols. Yes good
afternoon mayor and city
council we're in a close
community development. About
five or six months ago the Las
Cruces home builders
association as for an audience
with the city council. And so
this is the day that it was.
Scheduled to occur and they
have prepared a of a
presentation and whirling shoes
to hear the points that they
like to bring to council for
their review. So with that of
S. Mr Thurston to. Begin his
presentation thank you. Thank
you. Morning mayor and city
council can you hear me yes all
right I'm gonna and I'm able to
share my screen here. Source
just need you to state your
name can please- name is can't
Thurston. And IT today I'm
representing the Las Cruces
home builders association. We
also have Nicole black on on
the line and ana Rivera who is
the current. President of the
Las Cruces home builders
association and I also have my
father with me on my on my side
over here so a little
background that ana Rivera-
she's actually in New Mexico
division manager for desert
view homes- I am the owner of
Katie Holmes and also with my
father Kim Thurston- where we-
we build homes and land of open
Las Cruces. I'd like to see if
I can share the screen. C. F.
is that coming up for you guys.
Not yet you see if it's- share
screen. Okay there you go. Okay.
All right just want to say
thank you today for allowing us
to have this workshop someone
told me I was supposed to only
be about fifteen minutes so I'm
gonna try to make sure I can
get in that fifteen minutes.
Seoul. To introduce ourselves
I'd like to go back. In time a
little bit my father and I.
Both have served as the past
presidents of the Las Cruces
home builders association. My
father was actually a home
builders association president.
I have only one- we've been in
the construction since both of
us were teenagers- and I like
to tell your background by
going back about sixty seven
years so. This is the house of
my father was raised and it's a
three bedroom one bath house
maybe about thirteen hundred
square feet where. My grandma
grandpa and their nine children
lived my grandpa wasn't very-
wealthy at all and so he taught
as children had to work. My
father started working at age
fourteen digging footings for
houses. At age seventeen he
began to frame houses when he
was nineteen he ended up
serving a church mission in
Chicago. And when he came home
from- that mission two years
later he went back into
construction. And continued
framing houses. Age twenty one
he was promoted to be an
estimator in construction and
at age twenty two- he became he
became a construction manager.
At age twenty three he built
his first twelve lot
subdivision in Logan Utah and
this is that it and as you can
see right here this was his
first one larkspur Dr then from
then on they also got to
realize that this came from a
kid who. From a family had no
way of actually having
financial ties to anything to
make something like this happen
and so back in the day there
was. Other different rules and
regulations that would allow.
For such subdivisions to happen
so. From from then on from this
subdivision he continued to
build small subdivision and
houses in Utah and he ended up
moving to Farmington New Mexico.
In nineteen eighty seven this
would probably been a picture
of my dad from back then- he
was thirty five years old and I
was also born in- in Farmington
we live there. And then in
nineteen eighty eight my father
moved to Las Cruces where his
first project would have been
las Colinas- this would've been
a picture back when in las
Colinas when we moved there it
shows highland elementary. If
you can see my little cursor
here that's highland elementary
this is back I think Kmart's
only thing out there- back in
the day and so. On this is the
first project that was that was
done by my father and it was
about twelve hundred lots. In.
That's the wrong side but
that's okay so in nineteen
ninety eight and nineteen
ninety nine my father was forty
six years old and I was twelve
years old when I started to go-
go to work cleaning up job
sites with my mom in those days
my dad it sponsored multiple
families from Mexico to come to
work here Las Cruces a sub
contractors and construction
many of them actually became
citizens in of raise their
families here many of them were
the ones that actually taught
me the hands on skills of how
to build a house. In two
thousand for a graduate from
has high and I went back to-
working in the trades full time
then in 200-062-2000 eight I
ended up serving a mission for
our church in Thailand and then
I came home. And in two
thousand twelve I ended up
graduating from MSU in the H.
R. TM program and I my first
job after. After graduating not
my first job ever but my first
one after after college was
working with my dad in
development. And so for the
past eight years I've been
working on the management side
of construction whether it be
land development or residential
home building. And the reason
why I wanted to give you this
background is just to show you
the impact that construction
can actually have. In one
generation. So in one
generation of construction
we've been able to take our
family and many other families
along with us. Out of poverty
and into owning a successful
business. And so that brings me
to today's workshop that today
our workshop goals were to do
this. It was to vide basic
information on the progress on
the process of land development
and homebuilding to show the
economic benefits of
residential construction to the
City of Las Cruces and the
develop better partnerships
with the city council. So
starting with my first goal of
this workshop. What are the
basics of land development and
homebuilding. Step one there
has to be someone that is with
that is wanting to buy a house.
All I Want to buy a house or
what we would call the market
the market is the one that
calls all the shots. I cannot
force the market to like
something they do not. As as
much as I'd love to build a
skyscraper downtown the market
is in asking for that. We can
passed city ordinances and
enforce new regulations but
ultimately. The market is gonna
tell us what what they want. So
the first step in that is it
has to have a land developer.
So land of elders and home
builders provide a service for
the market at the price. It's
willing it's willing to it's
willing and able to purchase so
the market not only once has to
want the product but be able to
buy the product. I want to go
do you know to Hawaii and
possibly by something on the
beach but I can't do it because
I can't afford it so I want to
do it but I can't do it because
they can't afford it. So that's
a crucial step in understanding
the market. So in this step
right now it is the most. This
step of gathering information
from the market is one of the
most intensive parts of the
project. For smaller companies
like ourselves the owners of
the companies make multiple
site visits. I will goes into
some of these site visits are
the following. What is the
purchase price of the land. How
much infrastructure will it
cost to well I have to incur to
get to the utilities to the
site. How much offsite paving
is needed to reach the site
will this piece of land be
affordable affordable to build
because of the offsite
improvements. And what is the
terrain of the land and how
much will dirt work will be
needed to get the site ready.
So and another one that really
hits us is what are some of the
city's rules and regulations
for land development. These are
a few of the many questions are
going to making sure that the
lots will be at a price. That
the market is willing to buy
them out. So that's kind of
just the basics I'm trying to
just go on the basics of that
so the basics of home building
will be this. So home builders
go out and they're trying to
provide a service for the
market. They have their own set
of equations that they ask or
there's their own set of
questions that they ask before
purchase- purchasing the home
sites or the lots. The first
question. Yes it will a lot
price allow me to sell the home
the market is wanting. At the
price the market is able to by
act. So we use a account that a
number that the lot should be
about 20% or less of the total
house sales price. And this is
the point where me and my dad
I'll bring I'll go to my- I'll
go find some lots if we didn't
develop them ourselves and I'll
take it to him and he'll pull
out the H. P. twelve C.
calculator has financial
calculating and say. No son how
on the how on earth do you
think you're going to build a
hundred and thirty thousand
dollar house on a sixty
thousand dollar locked. So the
cost what. The reason I bring
that up is because the cost of
the lot has a big impact on the
price of the home. In today's
market. Houses are flying off
the shelves at under a hundred
eighty thousand. Well that
means and I need to have a lot
around thirty six thousand
builders go through a term of
court the questions and
scenarios to finally see if
they're going to meet the
market demands. But that's
that's what we try to do is
strictly worry about the market
the market is extremely price
sensitive. And so were judged
every single day as to what the
market's going to do. So we
were- on the internet and found
this which we kind of thought
was was. Perfect for this and
it says you've probably heard
the phrase if you build it they
will come so here's an example.
Of what we've done in the past
were not following the market.
Actually doesn't work so you
have to follow the market in
home building and in land
development. So I'm gonna this
this is a piece of land that
was developed by us about
twelve years ago in our
planning stages The City
required that we have mixed
density in our subdivision.
This required as to put
seventeen lots zoned are for
the building four plexus. These
lots are these lots right here
are a constant reminder to me
that the market. Is ultimately
in charge that is why to this
day they still sit vacant
waiting for the market to
change. At this been allowed to
be single family as originally
designed it would have been
built out. The land still fits
day vacant to this day because
of the decisions of past City
councilors and their staff. So
we wanted to just please
remember that your decisions
make a huge difference. We do a
lot of research and
understanding what the market
is and what it will by and so
it's important to listen to the
to the market. And not just to-
not just to the desires of what
we're wanting to do but it's
ultimately the desires of the
market. So recap first step of
land development and
homebuilding is we can't do any
step next as look unless you
understand what the market is
and this shows very clearly so
gonna move on to the second one.
So this is that our second goal
was to show the economic
benefits of residential
construction to the City of Las
Cruces. So what are what are
the economic benefits of
residential construction to the
City of Las Cruces well in
order to answer this question
we reached out to the national
association of home builders.
And we provided them with some
local data that we had a four
hundred nine homes at an
average sales price. Of four
hundred and nine houses. I saw
the four hundred and nine
single family homes. Provides
two thousand one hundred and
seventy three local jobs for
the construction of homes. The
additional also annual
reoccurring impacts of building
four hundred nine single family
home resultsin three hundred
and four local jobs. So the
first the first number you see
there two thousand one hundred
seventy three is the initial
build of the homes that's how
many jobs it creates and then
the year after it steals
creates the three hundred and
four. So but. So that's that's
the jobs that it creates and
now I'd like to just jump into
the taxes required. Solve this
study that we got from the any
age be it also shows. That
there's a six point six million
dollars in taxes and other
revenue for local governments.
And then annually as you see
there annually reoccurring tax
income is two point one million
dollars. So that to me is
pretty amazing to see that the
impact of the construction
industry has on this community
is in millions of dollars that
actually go back to the
government. In multiple
government entities and so one
thing I'd like to point out
here is that. There's four
hundred nine homes in the study
because those are actual
numbers I could get to be able
to find the average sales price
I had to call around a couple
of builders and I got I got the
actual numbers from all the
builders to up to four hundred
nine single family homes. Now
we built over four hundred and
nine homes in nineteen I think
it's close to six hundred if
not over six hundred just
barely. And soul this revenue
to the to the government's well
of the local government and
also the state you would see
that that be an actual higher
number. So it was just a
general study that D. N. A. H.
B. did for us with all local
data that we put in. But that
wasn't good enough for me I
wanted to actually see how
weird directly affecting and so
what I ended up doing. Mmhm.
What what we ended up doing the
set let me skip back two years
of the study gave me a broad
understanding of the impact but
I want to understand it better
I needed a break it out where I
can actually see where the
taxes came from one way is
through property tax. So I got
on the county website and found
a tax kicked calculator for a
home. With a two hundred fifty
thousand dollar prize value.
The estimated tax on that home
was 220-006-0020 five dollars.
So if we multiply that by six
hundred homes that were built
in two thousand nineteen. We
would have one point five seven
five million dollars in annual
property tax. That is improper
to any of the life of that home.
So in fifteen years that same
six hundred homes built in two
thousand nineteen will have
generated. Twenty three million
six hundred and twenty five
thousand dollars in property
taxes to local governments. The
second tax that I thought was
that was interesting was gross
receipts tax on see if I have
that on the next one I don't
have that on there. The gross
receipts tax was very
interesting. So all the gross
receipts tax. From two up from
a two hundred fifty thousand
dollar sales price home. Is
close to about twelve thousand
dollars in gross receipts tax.
Well twelve thousand dollars
multiplied by six hundred homes
built in two thousand nineteen
so gross receipts tax along.
From for help from the six
hundred homes would be seven
million two hundred thousand
dollars. That's our look that's
what the industry would be-
giving back to the local
governments. Between the state
and also the local and local
here. So those are the tax
benefits to the to the City of
Las Cruces just from our
construction which we think is
very substantial- for one
industry to be to be giving
back. A different a different
side of home building that I
thought would be interesting to
bring up would be that every
new home will generate one new
customer for sewer. Water power
gas internet. The City of Las
Cruces owns in many cases the
water gas and sewer utility
come companies in which we
build homes. So recently The
City of Las Cruces purchased
horn out of water if I have my
number's correct. Are sixteen
or sixteen million four hundred
thousand dollars. The customer
base of more not a water was
thirty five hundred services or
hook ups. This would show us
that the value of each water
customer would be around four
thousand six hundred and eighty
five dollars. That's how I try
to find a valuation of US of
since- spending sixteen million
dollars you spent about four
thousand six hundred eighty
five per customer that you
purchased. So if we
hypothetically put it out there
right here that the customs.
Basically in in order to
generate new customers the
utility company would
essentially need to extend
their utility lines. These
utility lines in most cases are
extended by the developer which
is then paid by the home buyer
so let me say that again so the
utility lines in most cases are
extended by the developer which
ultimately are paid by the
homebuyer. Wants a subdivision
receives its acceptance of
substantial completion. Meeting
we've already done all the work
we take to the city the city
finally accepts it that's are
substantial completion. The
City then becomes the owner of
those utilities. Which the city
received at virtually no cost
to the city so we put all of
that. The sewer water curb
gutter electric all of those in
and the City. We turn it over
to the city. So hypothetically
speaking if the city receives
six hundred new customers. From
new development they would be
receiving an equity position.
Of two million. 800-100-0800
eleven thousand four hundred
twenty six dollars no you don't
receive that necessarily and
cash but you do receive the as
equity to the city that's if we
if every six hundred new water
customers work to the City of
Las Cruces. So I thought that
was very interesting a lot of
the times people come to us as
developers and they end up
saying Hey- we why are you
developing land that's not
right that the city is paying
for all these utilities it's
not right that the City's
paying for extra roads it's not
right for paying for all of
these things and then we have
to go and explain to the
citizens that know that it's
the developer that's paying for
all of those. Those items so.
As we start to see some of
these. Equations working out
you can clearly see that the
utilities. Are are an actual
assets to the City of Las
Cruces sol. I believe at a
later time it would be good to
have a discussion over the
utility policies. We can
prosper we could possibly help
lower costs the development.
Which would then lower the cost
of sales price of the new home.
Anything we can do to keep home
that to keep the homes at lower
prices for all its citizens off
of Las Cruces is a benefit. So
moving on to our- my last
subject here which- which is
the most important I believe
for us. Because in a fifteen
minutes it's not going to
really do is enough. Or you
know experiences of thirty
years that my father has and or
forty years actually that he
has and at and the other
individuals we this isn't gonna
be long enough so what we like
to do is really create a bond
with the city council so a
prime example. A prime example
of not having a relationship
with City Council. Is the new
resolution to increase fees. As
well as of as of as stated by
the mayor and staff it'll only
be a minimal increase to the
end user. However we feel hat
in last week's vote city
council was not fully informed
and the decisions that was
passed. We feel that staff only
told their side of the story
and the private sector was not
well represented. What is past
is past. And hopefully we can
learn from. What I learned is
that as a home building
association. We need to have
more interaction with the city
council and not just the city
staff. The elevate Las Cruces
initiative gave each residents
of Las Cruces of often
creating. An invoice in the
creation of the city's
comprehensive plan. This was a
great start but it's just that
start in order to truly elevate
Las Cruces it will take a lot
more than anyone group company
or council can accomplish. For
example passing regulations and
ordinances won't be enough to
elevate this great city. We
must create a team effort to
make Las Cruces what the
citizens dream it to be. As a
builder and developer and
mostly important as a citizen
of Las Cruces I'm excited to
see the growth that will happen
and the vision that will lead.
The way to an even better
future. Many wonderful changes
have come and will come from
elevate Las Cruces. The Las
Cruces home builders
association has outstanding
members that are committed to
the excess to the success of
Las Cruces. Inside our
organization our association
had will we still have the
founding members that created
it sixty years ago. They have
ample knowledge and experience
that I dream of having when I'm
at their age the members of Las
Cruces home builders
association are sometimes
competing within that same mark
market group. Yes we have
always found a way to join in
and help one another. My hope
is that the City Council. We'll
be able to create a similar
camaraderie with the home
builders association and we
hope to ask and be asked by the
city council for our help in
elevating Las Cruces. We are
fully invested and tied to the
success and the failures of
this wonderful city. We're
willing to meet in private or
public and hopefully one it one
day across from the table when
this pandemic can passes by. We
feel that it is very vital to
create a strong relationship
with the city council and not
just with the staff. I think
that the power lays in the
hands of city council we would
love to share our side of the
story. Directly to you in the
future. Our simple wishes that
you will have the best and most
accurate information needed to
make the best decisions for the
citizens of Las Cruces. We
believe we can help give a
broader perspective of policies
that are passed which greatly
impact the building industry.
And the ripple down effect to
the citizens of Las Cruces.
That is that is my a quick
presentation to you guys The
City Council and we would like
to open it up if you have any
questions for us. Okay well
thanks can't I actually I have
some questions- if I may first
and then we'll just we'll go to
council here. Can you go back
to that fist line were you had
a picture of your of us of
subdivision has circled in red.
And he says and get over yellow
there you go each passed I
think and- you're concerned
about that one right there yes
it's something about where is
this located. This one is
located off of Mason Grande Dr.
And central okay and you said
something about the City's
policies is the reason why it's
not not the develop yes soul
back twelve years ago. When we
ran this through the original
concept was to as you can see.
The these are all the
affordable homes and we were
going to build the entire peace
out just as affordable homes.
As we were running it through
staff and through city council
one of the things we were
forced to do is that to have a
mixed use. While the mixed use
they took into each individual
sub division so anything that a
developer would bring forward.
As one subdivision you had to
have mixed use even though they
didn't take it as a global area
so if you took like a one mile
radius. Then you would have a
different view on it but they
were. Making us put it into
just one sub division and so in
that subdivision we had to put
this as are for lots and we
have seventeen are four lots.
That I've tried to sell. And I
try to sell and try to sell and
every just recently this year I
almost had him sold again. But
then as people do the numbers
it just doesn't work out there.
Okay so that that's what you're
what you're saying is because
those are set for basically-
four plexus or small apartments.
You're saying it's hard for you
to sell these. Yes it's it goes
back to at the very beginning
is what what is the market ask
for. And can we put it in this
place that they're wanting so
eight of four plaques unit out
there it's just that it's the
wrong place at the market is
not going to buy in today's
economy for the last ten years
ago. The land is that how much
land is it I believe it's just
a little over two acres. And
what are you trying to solve
for- each lot we were trying to
sell for five that. How big is
a lot. By a hundred one hundred
feet by one hundred feet and we
have floor plans that fit on it
but just can't get in we've
even we've been told people
here all provide you the floor
plan for that works and just
can't get people to bite on. So
that's less less less than a
fourth of an acre. Nile your
tape yes yes now and then. In
so well well I mean it when you
get right down to it I mean
what are your what are your
costs in that land and those
lots I mean I would think that
like anything else I mean if
someone was wanting to invest
four plexus over there I would
think that that would be. A
depends on the price of course
I mean. You've got. You've got-
roughly. What is that. You so
that's roughly two acres that
whole that whole sort are you
saying that if that was allowed
to be single family you could
sell them if they were single
family from the get go they
would been already sold. Okay
and though thank you. Currently
when you ask on the pricing of
that that's- if you did a four
plex. There you understand that
some of the real estate that's
about ten thousand. About
eleven thousand dollars. Per
per unit. If you did a four
plex and you have forty five
thousand dollars about Levin
thousand dollars so the price
is amazing. But it's just not
the- it's not the market out
there for some reason and- ten
years twelve years later kind
of still shows the same story.
Now I mean I just think that.
Okay I just didn't I didn't
know where you're getting that
the city was- it was the city's
fault of those happens all.
Okay and then the next slide
can you go thank you for
showing about the taxes. Well
that one right there. So I
would be with are you somehow
of the impression that get the
twenty three million dollars.
For that one point five million
are you for the property tax
yes. I'm of the impression that
it the government government
entity receives that do you
know how much we get. Of
specifically no I do not we get
seventeen percent. So 70% of
that is two hundred sixty seven
thousand dollars the one that
to under six that that. Is this
is a interesting exercise for
Sorg for my colleagues. I can't
to. It hasn't it hasn't
persisted lately but in the
very beginning I would
occasionally get interest from
culturales Y. the why we- annex
that well. Because it's all
it's all properties and illegal
annex something like that-
we're gonna do is spend all of
our money on police and fire
and services and there's no
recurring income coming in. And
that's the reason why and then
I'm gonna go often the
tensioner that's the reason why
when some the park in Santa
Theresa have their little feud.
Someone park just next the
business part of state Senate
race and anyone the houses they
wanted the business part
because that's what brings in
income. So what I'm trying to
get it is. Dispensed sixty some
of the dollar as Pro. You know
five police officers we still
the firefighters we still have
a whole lot of things so we
know the majority of them
property money goes to school.
And then also to Dona ana
county. So I just wanted to
clarify that I want you to be
aware of how much the city gets
that's why- it looks like a lot
but we only get two hundred
sixty seven thousand. And from
that we hve to be able to
provide the fire the police all
the other services- they come
with that but I just you know I
just wanted to. Point that out
as well. And okay so let me go
to my colleagues here so they
can ask questions of the
council Abeyta-Stuve Intel. Or.
Also thank you mayor. Time was
ahead of me. Yeah okay thank
you I'm and thank you for this
presentation actually I did
text my husband I said wasn't
our first home their stay home.
So at. So at thank you for
this- I had a question in this
might- you touched on this
right now five mayor about. How
much does it cost the city when
we have. A new home for those
services like for each home
that we add on what is that
relationship for like City
costs- because that would
really help me in my mind just
learning this whole process
together- this is a home bring
stain. And economic benefits
but also this is the not
stressor but this is what it
costs to be able to- be able to
provide quality services from
the city for a new home that
its product so I'm not quite
sure who would be able to
answer back for me. Well I know
G. nobody well. Job there had.
Well I know council
Abeyta-Stuve the that. Of the
rules- or the- guidelines is
one police officer for every
five hundred. Residence so if
this if this sub division- had
six hundred homes. Yet to point
to people that's twelve hundred
residence so that means we need
to at least two police officers
there you know theoretically.
And then I don't know about
that I don't know when it comes
the fire so the fire chief and
weakest you know and cheap The
minutes forced and jump and
**** chief and Rick is I don't
know what that. Does I don't
know the- guidelines for that.
Okay thank you on that you know
that's something that when
making decisions I looking act
I think it be important to kind
of see those cost. Relations
with each other just to make
sure that you know we have the
city always want to make sure
that we're providing. To top-
care. Out for all of our
residents to. I'm a second
person I'm glad that you
touched on the streets their
skin that you touched upon
hello the Las Cruces- I'd like
to know from your perspective-
and of course we can probably
talk about elevate for long
time but what are the top
things that you guys are
excited about. About elevate
and why- a couple of items that
you can see that are going. To
be the most challenging for
your industry. As I have to go
and- get in to some of the
things that are gonna be.
Challenging for us is normally-
the regulations on building. So
I'd have to get my engineers
out here and they wouldthey
always break it down and say
Hey here's a new. We used to
have a for and now we got a six
inch- curbs and gutters. Or we
have it just costs sometimes
when new things are getting
passed so. Did the tough thing
is gonna be more on the actual
detailed drawings of what a new
subdivision has to be- which
sometimes it makes the costs go
higher- here's here for example
is a double edged sword that I
was just talking to- Sonya
Delgado who is the parks
director. And one of the new
requirements is that you have
to have a walks shed of a
quarter mile. So you have to
have a park every quarter mile
for the watershed however there
is city is no longer going to
be accepting. Anything over the
two acres. Or under the two
acre so I want all it because
the maintenance and everything
like that is really tough. To
maintain a lot of little parks%
it's easier to maintain a big
part so that's one of the good
examples of like. Elevate Las
Cruces yes the parts are gonna
look wonderful and we're going
to have it and have more more
of them in the and- but at the
same time your cost of living
or cost of those houses are
going to increase because of.
All of the- the new parks at
that you're required to put in
and the walk she had. To get
there that's just one prime
example so. It's kind of a
double edged sword it's gonna
look nice but also it's going
to cost more money and in our.
In our economy that we live in
we don't have the- how do you
say the median income of the
Phoenix you know we have the
median income of the Las Cruces
and so some of those things
trying to get us out of the
price range for affordable
homes. Here I'm in on the side
that you have a great. This
goes off and something else I
was insane but since you just
brought it up about average
prices homes and everything. We
have the average sale price of
this two hundred forty nine. On
thousand little bit are- and so
I'm wondering what that. In
relation like what's- what's
the minimum wage that somebody
has to. City earning to be able
to have for her. And that type
of Christ home if that's by
average for the community and-
I would like to just look. More
in detailed on access make sure
that. We're staying starter.
Relational although because-
you know I know that to that is
like a really. Did amount of
money for a house. And that's
just an average but just
looking at the question myself
later on well just doing it
often the calculator here
you're gonna probably be
someone that needs to have a
about forty seven thousand
dollars is what their income is
gonna have to be but it also
depends on their debt load and
other things like that do they
have. Two cars at their
financing. Other things like
that but if you're not
financing a car if you're not
doing anything like that you
can probably get into the house
of your own forty seven
thousand dollars. Of income
there is one thing that you did
a question you did ask- that
I'd like to answer though is
your- talking about the police.
And where those fees come do we
have enough for it well inside
the building permit itself as a
public the public safety impact
fee. Of and so and that's based
off of the square foot of the
home so every single time not
only as a regenerating. Tax
dollars- on gross receipts tax
and we're also generating the
property tax but then when we
go in we pay a fee- for public
safety impact the so and that
he does go to. The police as
well. All your- in our yard aye
aye love to be able to explore
more about that idea I column
okay parks. But the smaller
type parts I know with the
little kids myself those have
been made thing to use in
really great in different
communities where you know you
can just walk to the park very
easily especially if you have
and Hermance near or anything-
I do understand how they can.
Eight more maintenance. The
city and by I just know that
they're- there use quite a bit
and they're very- I. Personally
am a fan of I know that a lot
of other parents eight and
really helpful to have those
types of clothes- arcs to have-
so that's something I'd like to
be able to explore that
further. I'm I don't think you
were able to answer quite yeah.
At three items that you all
were- excited to see you or
maybe energetic about on in the
elevate what are the areas that
you do you see a lot of. And
benefit to. Some of the things
on elevate Las Cruces- I could
get back with the home builders
association and really pull out
the things that the majority of
them like about it as well so
that I can not just speak for
can't thirst and but I could
speak for the home builders
association. And I can actually
get you an email back and tell
you everything that that they
like of about that as well. The
one what I ended up liking
about it was. Getting more of
the communities creating- you
know the walk areas and stuff
like that I think that is
essential for our- for our
area. Especially with you know
we have a lot of retirees they
want to have the open spaces
and other things like that and
some some of that is in be
elevate Las Cruces- so that's
been. That's kind of nice to
see that the vision is going in
that direction. And then I
don't know he said that at.
Nickel back was on as well but
you. Wanted a chance to
respond. To I would like to
hear from I if you want about
that. That'd benefits and
perhaps the challenges you
might see with elevate. If you
like. There I am sorry I was
trying time yet my apologies.
And again I don't want to speak
for everybody because we have
not sat down as a group to
discuss the good and the bad.
I'm sorry and it would just be
my personal but that is
something that I would
definitely like to get with my
government affairs committee.
Yeah we can definitely get back
to you on that. Your prepare
for today with that is a very
good question so thank you for
asking welcome. I'm and I think
that's all my questions for now
thank you. It looks like we
have council Sorg. Thank you Mr
mayor- and thank you for your
comment on the taxes and so
forth and thank god I council
Abeyta-Stuve be good questions
you are always there I'm
looking for those answers. To I
would like to clear up a couple
things we need to have the
holds picture the whole story
all the facts before we can
make a decision. And one of the
things that was misleading was
the safety impact the average
house which I believe is less
than five hundred dollars per
house or about five hundred
dollars for house. And those
those safety impact these don't
go to play for any police that.
They pay for the PlayStation.
And the police and fire trucks
so that will that will be a for
anybody salary on on the on of
safe and the police and fire
department- so anyway I want to
go back to that Matthew had.
Made to Grande and- your
central mesa Grande development
because there's important
things that people are now this
is in my district this is our
neighborhood I've walked
through many times I've talked
to many many people that live
there- and- I can show you some
problems that you have with
this those that development
that yeah I think we help
somehow make some changes so
that you can use that- taken.
Land this property and this
does sub division here doesn't
have a park within. A mile of
it I the closest one is close
is about a mile away and that's
a park for another small. A
small park for another
neighborhood already- so these
people don't have a park at all
and they've been. Asking for
over and over again. And I've
been noticing the last ten
years how that development has
gone there once you've got your
original houses built there.
Are you can still see a couple
three places that aren't. Are
built out of the actors people
that there is some. Are open. A
lots that have been built on
and not many probably just less
than half a dozen. And so it's
not it's not an easy place to
sell a house tonight I contend
that dies mostly. I'll just say
partially not mostly because
there is no park for the
children live there these are
our first family homes and they
all have little children.
Almost all and there's just no
place for them to go and I in a
park. And so that is why I've
been pushing for a park there
for over five years. Propst sex
or seven years to be exact. And
yet we have not to have a park
the city is going to have to
build a park here- the I
develop a home builder and
developer did not. Build a park
perhaps if you put it well you
can't put a park on. That land
that's- I. R. three R. four
there because it's just not
enough room for a park hello I
always thought there was a good
place for one. So I and that I
can tell you look at manager
Bernie yeah they have small
parks they they aren't real big
but there's lots of them and
the houses are selling like hot
cakes there. It's as plain as
you can see. And so- I think
I'll always go by this a rule
of thumb I bet for long most of
my life. And that is that
cheaper is not always better-
if you need to. Have something
that's an important in your
life like a house you want to
have something that good
quality. And you wait until you
can get that Kerr quality. Okay
Mr mayor thank you very much.
Thank you Councilor yeah- see
who's getting semi as say
something the Sorg question.
Yeah. So I just need your name
please again you can't can't
Thurston we know who you are is
just the trend the person
transcribes a minutes they'll
watch the videos and they don't
recognize your voice gotcha so
can't Thurston again- and so
back in the day you used to be
able to build a subdivision and
you would pay park fees and so
in this subdivision would been
about three hundred twenty five
homes and at back at that time.
The a park impact fee would
have been about eight hundred
fifty dollars. And compared to
the- twenty six hundred dollars
today if I did that three
hundred twenty five homes you
would have some more
neighborhood of two hundred and
seventy six thousand dollars-
that could be spent that was
generated for park fees. That
area but yet. Will probably
sport probably spent in another
area as well so I wanted to.
Not just state that that there
are fees collected from that
area for a park if needs be.
The and then. It showed that
there are like four lots for
five lots in here that are not
built on yet. That strictly
just because it's an old Google
photo but those are built out
of it. Okay very much I all add
to this that the city is trying
to build a park. On the corner
of central and mesa Grande- but
we're just always so slow. At
getting it done like I said I'm
working on it for five six
seven years. And we need to get
moving on that a little faster.
We have to buy the land which
course adds to the cost of it
so your- parking package is not
going to pay for that all part.
Is going to have to be Robinson
someplace else in the city.
Thank forget the council
Bencomo since I have you on the
line can't. Real quick what. I
take it that all those
strikeouts is was your
development. Your your dad's
and how many how many acres was.
Let me let me see if I have
that readily available. The I'm
I'm gonna say it's about the it
was probably around forty acres
yeah forty acres how many lots
did you guys have for sale in
their looks five three yes
three hundred and twenty five
three twenty five forty acres.
All right I'm gonna go back
number go to council Bencomo
you know I'm I'm just running
some numbers that's all also
Bencomo. Thank mayor I always
appreciate when you do the
numbers. It's kind of a large
so maybe you should do a
workshop on how you do the
numbers. K. myself. Thank you
and thank you so much Mr
Thurston for coming to aspen
for sort of your ask great to
build. A relationship with each
of us I'm I am always more than
happy to talk to folks about-
anything really if you reach
out I'm I'm super willing and
open to have a conversation
with you a very quick the names
so- I'm always. Glad for that
opportunity and of course I
appreciate you sharing. You
know your history and your
story and opening with- some
relational peace espectacular
up my alley- I appreciate it I
very much appreciated that you
know you said. On your company
you know sponsored- many.
Mexican workers that could
easily been my father so- I
appreciated. You sharing that
little bit of history. I'm
curious about- you were that
you know that the market drives
development and that the market
our buyers right customers what
is the market saying right now.
Sold to answer them the market
question right now we are
seeing in it we get an update
date- every week at the home
builders association that if
you wanted that ten some of our
meetings you can you can see
the updates- I believe last
time it showed that there was
only like two hundred and sixty
homes available on the market
which normally were up around
like a thousand homes available
on the market. Are we have
studies that'll tell you if
it's between a hundred and
fifty to a hundred and eighty
thousand dollars home it'll
tell you okay the take down is
in two months. So if you put it
on the market it'll say about
two months that's gone it'll go
all the way up to- you know
million dollar homes- the very
interesting thing this year. A
lot of the more expensive homes
have started to get on the
market and starting to sell so
it has that type of data and
we're willing to we get that
every month- that we meet. And
I can I can actually send that
to your email that way you can
see the exact data that we look
at- and tell us what the market
is right now. Even though
covert has happened- people are
still ready to buy- I think a
lot of that has to do with. The
people moving from the bigger
cities we are seeing that first
so when I see the mark just Las
Cruces market we're seeing that
people are moving here from
other cities. And we just had a
family come down from Utah. And
you know they look at their
house and there was a
600-700-1000 dollar home when
you come down here and you
could buy a three hundred so
for them that market was
perfect- but then you also get
the- the affordable homes I
know and I could probably tell
you what her. Numbers are and
what she's getting but I can
tell you that she doesn't have
a single spec home on the
market that's not sold today so
the market is very hot very
going in a lot of the price
points the lower price point
always goes faster it expressly
for this town so. If you go on
you if you go and you look at
the bigger builders such as
like a Hakes brothers and
desert view- the ones actually
the highest long Hakes brothers
of the highest builder in Las
Cruces. And if you look at%
there is there to smaller
communities with the lower
price point around the hundred
eighties. They're moving very
very fast- and also some in the
metro barely are moving very
fast right now so. It's showing
thatbut- we're not seeing
still. I'm not seeing too much
of the- four plexus getting
built right now we did get a
couple of. Hermance built just
recently up on highway seventy
if you saw that so the market
right now is very good it's not
too scared. Of cold and so
things are still moving in the
right it does that answer some
of your questions on the
market. Absolutely it was
deafening ask about Corbin and
but it seems like your industry
might be one of the fuel- not
you an Amazon seems like
you're- doing right out and- no
but thank you for bringing that
on I was. Actually going to I.
Mr mayor is not only green on
the- all right I need to work
sessions you might not be but-
to me Mr. Something you've
heard probably myself and mayor
pro tem gun that they often
about portable housing and- I
think you know you know when
you say the market are the
people from you know I also
look at our portable housing
plan and understand. That we
have about seven thousand-
portable housing gap right
people not everybody can afford
home certainly not even rent
right I encourage as many
people as possible to think
about- just looking into buying
a home in it. You know a lot of
us who have never been
homeowners who are parents-
never had that privilege you
know think that that's the
thing that's very far away but-
my mortgage is probably-
significantly more affordable
than some of my friends ran-
for their you know bedroom
apartments and so- I'm curious
about. What I wanna hear from
either you know Larry or
Natalie in terms of what that
affordable housing shortage
looks like in my Cruces and
then I had a couple questions
for you about it Mr Thurston.
The Mr mayor. Council Bencomo
this is Larry Nichols community
development. Well I have a few
comments so I would like to
share with the council the
mayor. But the I would love.
Deferred to protest not address
she had around up as well. Well
I do have a few comments that
I'd like to share a after the
council as the next with their-
compass my will of. Address the
one that you just ask about.
Affordable or low income
housing. Yeah can you go ahead
and answer that question Larry
did I have my numbers right
with the seven thousand. Mayor
and council Bencomo very the
coast and community development.
Very close to that in a minute
that is true. One thing that
has dramatically changed. In
the last year not have to do
with the in the- mortgage
companies interest rate. You
know I've been reporting to the
council and- the mayor every
month that. With up above our-
averages for activity twenty
some percent. From the resident
26% residential sector. Mmhm
we're probably going to see
seven hundred homes- of this
year we're and so two three
years ago we were four hundred.
The best to do a lot with the
interest rate what that means
is of people at with a medium
income here in Las Cruces. It
qualify now because of the
interest rate whereas before.
We're not able to qualify
that's why we're seeing them as
Mr person mentioned- they don't
have as many homes on the on
the market up less very good
sign I'm very pleased that the
folks on. The head with of
forty nine- home on now I am
able to do that- that's a big
part of it. It on so I you know
and then we have- programs with
a- need a community improvement
to. The program we have here
with C. well. Mrs green has
that program and we work with
that but it really has to do in
my opinion has to do with. As
best person mention about the-
all market the ability to by.
You know we haven't we have
different. We have different
term objectives and different
strategies about home buying
builder wants to build and sell.
Mr prime objective answer I'm
go the community development
department with our ordinances
and our codes Mr Thurston
mentioned our objective is to
build safe and sustainable
structures. And then there's
another agent agencies involved
the bankers the mortgage
companies the insurance
companies. The title companies
their objective is to get a
certificate of occupancy that
told them that the home has
built in a safe manner I will
probably be of very good home
for a period of. Five to
fifteen years. So we're gonna
have three parties involved in
the market. And ability to sell
homes with different
objectives- are all very
important. So I just thought
maybe are drifting away from
the question you asked well
that helps a lot to do right
now with yes we do of the.
Seven thousand. Foreclosing or
as I call it on what and more
importantly a low income
housing. And I do think we have
to probably. But just how we're
going to do that. I was very
pleased very appreciative and
I'm pleased with the Mr
Thurston mentioning of the home
builders. Wanted to be engaged
with the elevate Las Cruces
comprehensive plan. Because
what we're going to find a man
that we know. It is that. The
comprehensive plan I had
certain designations for
certain areas city wide of
those destinations are
developing what they call place
types. Which includes a mixed
housing types for different
subdivisions and different
developments cope for retail
eco trails and calls for parks
so of the things that. Elevate
Las Cruces by I am very
encouraged that the home built
are to engage with the elevate
Las Cruces compliment and will
support. You're very I
appreciate you sort of- laying
out reminding us that we're all
coming to the table perhaps
with different interests and
now and but ultimately right
interested housing people for
sure- but misunderstand curious
and- you know in terms of your
part what. Your thoughts are on
some of that and perhaps maybe
my bigger question really is
about what can the city do you
what kind of. Policies can the
City adopt to incentivize
private developers3 f1. To be in
bill affordable homes for
perhaps those folks that.
Cannot afford you know.
Certainly not to hundred twenty
nine thousand dollar home but
perhaps not even you know
hundred fifty dollar home. I
can't Thurston again here to
answer. Your some of your
questions there- Councilor
Bencomo the- what are some of
those things incentives that
the city can do I think there's
some in still projects that can
happen- that really- could be
affordable so the problem. Just
the problem with affordable
homes and the infield is that.
Because the materials and
everything is today's price
where you know someone else was
building that that home you're
gonna put in that neighborhood
that's thirty years old I have
to sell it today say a hundred
and fifty wild that house right
next door is gonna praise for
say eighty thousand dollars. So
the more interest archer and
other things that like that
that we have to in the put in
just keep making that house go
higher so there are some
incentives I think that the
city can put in. In place- and
that would probably be like
some of the shared utility
costs or waivers of utility
costs or fees that utilities in
most cases on in field r in
the street- yes there's a
couple of different ways. To do
that- I think the infill
projects are really good- it is
a good start Ted to start to
get those- what you'll see most
of the time on the lower income
homes is will pick a
subdivision where the land cost
was with inexpensive. So that
we can get that price down so
you'll probably here in the
near future from us you'll see
a couple of these coming up out
at. Holman an up of a highway
seventy in home and you'll
start to see some more
affordable subdivisions coming
up up there I it really depends
on the land price and stuff
like that and- lowering some of
the amenities inside the homes
and so my father was a great.
Example of affordable homes in
las Colinas if you still go
back his his whole goal was to
have an affordable home are not
necessarily all the frills that
we have in our houses today you
know the- fancy lighting that
we put in and you know all the
other things and that the
exteriors look amazing you know
we do. So I'm gonna touch on a
couple of things of my dad's
done in the past and- bring
some of that back here in the
near future. We have a project
that we're working on to get
that price back down for the-
really the first time home
buyers that that need to get
that price back down. So
there's some of those I know.
Anna Rivera she's on here she's
it doesn't she probably and
some of the question on
affordable homes for you as
well because I know that's-
right now I think she's the
lowest price in Las Cruces
she's gonna be able to. Answer
some of those questions to if
you want to reach out to her.
Yeah absolutely. And you need
the commuter. There go. In the
statement. After the mayor and
city council- this is entering
bear with it. The Las Cruces
some builders association and
other be home. But yet the and
can't that I started bill
unless. The five years ago and
legends west that was our first
big community at that time we
were building a twelve hundred
square foot home for a hundred
and thirty two thousand. That
same home today and which again
we're still trying to. Maintain
our affordability is at a
hundred and sixty thousand.
What that's actually making
less on it today than we did
five years ago. Though there's
the market is increasing but
also there's a lot of factors
that go into that such as- the
labor costs- and especially-
the hard costs nowadays so that
is one of the when. In can
presentation as far as being
able to give city council and a
broad overview that was one of
the things that we were hoping
to. As well as whenever we are
looking at these types of
increases whether it may be to
the trays whether maybe and
development or even into- any
sort of building fees how that
affects the affordability of
the home. Because that is the a
big big issue right now- just
for an example this is the net
because according to the
national home builders
association. For every thousand
dollar increase in price if
purchased. At a hundred and
twenty seven thousand buyers
out of that price range that
nationally of course. But when
we're looking at these numbers
and we're trying to maintain
affordability especially for a
first time home buyers because
that is the maximum market that
is struggling right now. Every
thousand dollars. Is huge so.
The you. Miss you read really.
That I yes have can certainly
from my as present buyer. I
legend went to the districts
and actually look at a couple
houses there I. I what I wanted
an older house you know- maybe
not at you know I didn't want
to live I went back yard. It's
funny because when the
inspector came to my house he
said he couldn't you could have
done worse and all click okay
well take it- but- it's the
house I wanted- so I would love
to keep having this come. With
with the real with us since the
Asian I think. Again important
conversation we need to have in
order to have the whole house
people I can't tell you. Since
I've been very public about you
know being a first time home
buyer I can't tell you how many
people have reached out and
said I. Had to do it to start
researching the process
particularly single women who
maybe thought they couldn't do
it before by can totally you
know. Absolutely afforded and
just need to jump in- I have so
many of those conversations
with people so. I'd love to
know you know work with you on
this this is very important to
me- and- so yeah I definitely
to keep the lines of
communication open. I will say
though Mr person since we're in
the spirit of. Building bridges
and getting to know each other
I have to tell you I really
don't think. Forty seven
thousand income can by two
hundred forty nine thousand
dollar home. I mean maybe if
you don't have any other bills.
Or want to eat but I just I
think that maybe. The math is a
little off. Balance thank you
mayor. K. you okay Mayor Pro
Gandara and then council ask.
Thank you mayor thank you Mr
Thurstan- and your your pup I
think I heard your day out
there and I really appreciate
it- I would agree whole
heartedly with- bill demanding
relationships with you- I know
that- there been a couple of
times where I've had
conversations with you in a
call. About issues from your
perspective- and so to me this
is definitely really important-
a really important opportunity-
again I'm sorry that you felt
that- your side of the story-
last week was not. Was not
told- please remember that you
can always write a letter very
specifically addressing your
issues think council is really
pushing to ensure that and to-
until we get to meet face to
face this is the way we're
doing business and so staff has
worked really hard and you'll
start to see- sooner resolution
coming to council about them-
public participation in these.
Virtual meeting something
that's really important I'm
plan so you ever at thank you
Council Bencomo for- your
remarks- affordable housing is-
very near and dear to me- I
have loved one- Mr Thurston
United had the conversations
about how do we do that. I'm
getting- you know near homeless
and homeless people into homes
and you talk a little bit about
your father getting his start-
in affordable housing and then
your interest rate your
commitment to wanting- wanting
to do that as well and so I
hope that their- can be- you
know seven thousand is awfully
high number for us- and we just
got to continue to chip away at
that. And I agree. That you
know just being a we'll to talk
to when and about the issue and
can that might arise Sir our
our own. Or or are are
important so I was interested
in your- slide where utilities
is concerned and I know doctor
Garcia is he still here yes-
yes okay- he's close to
retiring- but I noted lie lies
well. On you know that that her
not a water- yes we acquired it
because they asked us and it
was it was beneficial right to
do that but when it when it
happens it possesses stressor.
And from my perspective on
right our our- our utilities
but I've I'd really like to
hear from doctor Chrissy and to
lie love related to those two
points for the- and that the
her not a water acquisition.
The hook up the customer
purchase value the new
customers is I can tell you-
laying down new pipe bean and
that kind of thing is awfully
expensive and the maintenance
and the things that we're
trying to do with the new
watering. The water meters- it
have- at is something that we
should be doing the special
that been in the desert but we
have to be- really mindful
about water conservation and
those kinds of things I think
you can definitely appreciate
that so. Mayor if you would
allow me I'd like to hear a
little bit after Garcia related
to items because there are
definite cruise- and I and I
think that it's important.
We're having this conversation.
Sure Tucker CLR you is the
mayor yeah- the acquisition of
for not a the numbers correct-
we paid sixteen point four
million. Are we acquired a
thirty five hundred customers
that is correct. However out of
the sixteen point four million
seven point one seven million
was the acquisition of an
additional twenty three hundred
and ninety acre feet of water
rights. The value of the
customer base of the thirty
five hundred when we presented
this to city council was a box
approximately nine point two
three million. At end of. And
of course she didn't you have
to. Upgrade the system a bit
and basically the money that
was coming in from the
customers was really use as
like debt service to if you
needed to borrow money to. Pay
that. Not that's correct Mr may
us part of the bond issuance we
did- improvements to the-
control system the supervisory
control system and the revenue
of the customer base when to
pay for the debt service on the
nine point two three million we
also have a water rights fee
that is having fun fifty three
twenty which is helping pay the
debt service on the water right
or not I had a person fifteen
nine hundred and sixty one acre
feet of water rights that they
had applied for in the early
fifties. And that was why we
recommend it to council to
acquire all of the water right
no just the water ice that had
been perfected by the. Thirty
five hundred. Customers and in
for more I believe because we
have a ISO rating of number one
which is only one of a hundred
in the whole nation. When we
take over- water system such as
are not a- doctor she is team
passed the upgrade that so that
it's relent and that costs
money as well so there wasn't
just all you know. It went to a
lot of approve. The is correct-
in in we still- Mr mayor-
councilors- we still have quite
a few upgrades make theirs.
Their portion of were not a
where we have to upgrade all of
the fire flow- there's portions
of were not of the do have fire
protection. Particularly in
the- lots of tourist area and-
the areas inside city limits
so- it was a mix of areas that
were. Below our standards in
areas that were meeting or
stands. Thank you Dr Garcia I
really appreciate the all of
that I think it's just
important- because- that two
factor and sort of write
globally what all that. Entails
but the other thing is- when
I'm a developer gives us right
the- at this point to take up
over the watery I it reminds me
mayor of the conversation you
had when you talked about
developing right this apartment
complex. And I don't remember
this was- one of our meetings
are one of the meetings we were
talking. On the phone- you and
I but I think I think people
don't understand just the
upkeep of the of utilities rate
Matt maintaining and managing
I'm not only the street scape
and the curb and gutter and all
those things and- so I am
doctor Garcia Justin sort of.
For example when that happens
what is the cost to the city
and term in order to maintain
that. For example I don't know
just pick an example or the one
that Mr thirsting gave you gave
us. Up. In my making sure Mr
chairman and co got let give a
answer in general terms I'm not
gonna get into rates- but but
basically. Mr thirteen is
correct when you have a- a
developer builds the
infrastructure. Within
subdivisions indeed that's to
this gives it to the city and
into the ability there is
another fee you will be
discussing that I believe that
I work sessions September are
that is the impact fee. The
kept passed that fee based for
the capacity expansion of the
system meaning additional wells
additional capacity of the
waste water plant additional
big pipelines and things like
that that have to connect to
this sub divisions. That is a
separate fee and that is paid
by- by the impact fees that
developers pay- and I imagine
that that gets- some of those
fees get passed on to.
Consumers The- and maintenance
costs over our utilities. Are
all based on our- or even
embedded in our cost of service
or our- our rate are monthly
rate so what we do is obviously
the older parts of town- may
have a need more maintenance
initially. Some of the newer
parts have less maintenance but
we have a global- fee monthly
fee- for water and one for
waste water and gas that pays
for the operation and
maintenance. Having said that
in the case of the whole not a
system. The New like we said
earlier that nine point two
three million which is the
value the customer base that
was just to acquire that paying
customers. The revenues from
that. Go to pay for the debt
service and- also for upgrades
that will occur over the years
to come- we knew that dad we
have to upgrade parts of the
Hornet a system when we
acquired. Accorded in we knew
that or some other areas like
you get a moment to bring up
some to us here yeah there's a
fantastic system. In the
southern end of Las on tour as
that is in very good shape in
this new. So for the next few
years we will be continue will
continue to upgrade that. To
meet our city standards that
are of the view the mayor
mentioned they're pretty high
in terms of fire protection and
reliability so. Other
improvements that we're doing
that are not included in this
initial acquisition is
connecting. Some of the- could
not assist for systems to the
main core system of the City of
Las Cruces that again was not
included in this sixteen point
four million and we will be
doing that graduate so again it
is not. Up. For to say that
this sixty board for may up
because and we never put money.
Back into it it is it was a
good acquisition mainly because
of the water rights. Water
rights so they don't we don't
have any more water right so
Akorn fifty nine hundred acre
feet was the driving force that.
Leads to recommend to council
to by the whole thing to. Thank
you Dr Chrissy I appreciate
that I just I wanted it- to
give you an opportunity to read
to respond to that because I
think it's important as part of
the total back. Yeah and- of
what. And recommending that Mr
Thurston was making regarding-
is there an opportunity to
lessen the fee- and the pass.
Over to the by I guess. To the-
person purchasing right The how
and so I'd like to have more of
that conversation- I don't know
that this is that this is the
appropriate- time to do that
but I think it it it is
imporant as we as we move
forward- so I'm thinking thank
you Mr Thurston if I if I may
Mister mayor got council again
that what one more comment if I
made because- I think that
there was discussion of in
fill. Up we do have- of fee
waivers of the water rights fee
in in fill. Other having being
waivers of- any other
connection fees or- or impact
fees in the reason for that is
because- of the bond covenants
that we have in the utility
that prohibit. Up eliminating
fees nothing prevents see the
city to. Come with another
funding source to make up for
that but the bond covenants
prohibit like waving the impact
fee for example for infill- or
the connection fees so- the
water rights fee is waived
because is not pledge in the-
in the bond covenant cities and
even mention in the Bronco so.
I just wanted to make that
comment that. The discussion
you need to have this to look
at. How to promote infill but-
there are limitations in terms
of the bond covenants in within
the utility that something-
that doesn't allow us to just
eliminate fees- without without
some offset- some for. Your
auto. Thank you thank you Dr
San I hope that- dot- Council
Vasquez will speak a little bit
to the and bills- we had a
really robust. And converse
about it and we're we're I
think we task- stop to really
look at. At the infill
opportunities or in pill again
and make it. You know Bible for
someone to want to come and do
Intel and so I was glad that Mr
Thurston- brought that up and
Dr Seah thanks Mayor Preciado.
Councilor Vasquez- women- very
did you have a comment. But yes
thank you mayor and councillors.
I'm going to run Larry Nichols
community development I would
just add one item to- doctor
Garcia's- explanation about-
infrastructure and cost. Mr
Thurston did mention and he is
correct that- they do build a
lousy infrastructure the roads
the curbs and sidewalks and the
that in the end he was
explained that becomes an
equity for the city. But there
is also another part to that
and then just once the city
accept those infrastructures we
began to take the maintenance.
M. M. most studies you you can
do so in a nation wide. Not a
different print Las Cruces.
Your your maintenance costs
will equal the cost of what it
cost you to build within the
first eight years so of the
city although we didn't pay for
it initially we have the
maintenance. Forever. K. and-
forget to Councilor Vasquez
Nicole did you have some you
want to add. Yes sorry I'm
trying to figure this out.
Councilors mayor I appreciate
you guys for allowing us to
come into this presentation I
know- mayor pro tem gun that we
talked to several times. And as
always we truly appreciate that
I'm I just want you guys to
know that our doors pen to you
all at all times that if you
ever have any questions or
concerns when it comes to. Any
of the fees or anything in the
industry to please reach out to
us and we have an open door
policy I know can't to stated
several times that. You would
be willing to take you out to
the job site if you wanted to
learn more so council Bencomo
if you wanted to take a ride
out to actual job site- on
Thursday and- would be glad to
take you I'm sure our president
and Rivera. Would do the same.
Thing so I just want to say
thank you again to all of you
for giving us this time today.
Okay are council Vasquez. Thank
you mayor really appreciated
all the great questions from my
colleagues thank you. Everybody
are including Mr Thurston here
leading the charge for- putting
together this presentation I
know it's been sometime in the
making and so got apologize for
not getting on the agenda
sooner I know it was. You know
some difficulties on both ends
so- also just want to share
that- I'm open a conversation
into dialogue anytime you guys
have questions anytime the home
building industry. Has has any
issues or questions like to
bring to my attention I. I
think you're right on time in
working with staff but also
working with council- when it's
appropriate to figure out what
the best style. At least from
the City standpoint policies
ordinances administrative
decisions. Are better
beneficial to everybody- and so
thank you for that- I am
especially interested in. Maybe
convening a group. At some
point Mr Thurston of builders
and developers hi in addition
to perhaps advocates and city
representatives to figure out
what we need to tweak in our
infill policy as it's currently
written ticket increased the
affordable housing stock. In in
in in fill areas as well as-
commercial and retail are there
some folks in the industry
that- that you might know you
know we're trying to re and re
envision what. What it might
look like for us to really take
advantage of some of our
existing master plans and some
of our older parts of the city-
but also to begin to revitalize
some of our- older
neighborhoods that that perhaps
have that older housing stock
that. As you mentioned is more
affordable today but- you know
increasingly I think folks will
be looking for housing
opportunities on the city's
east may side will be leaving
the inner part of the city. And
that's something I don't I
don't particularly want to see
because- you create some
inequities there in the types
of neighborhoods that we build
and where people find it
desirable to live for. To raise
our family or to working and
that's- you know it's something
we got to work on so perhaps
you know we could have some
dialogue conversations about.
About developing a better
instill policy that that can
help spur that type of
development- and then lastly I
just have one question so- you
know this is an experience
Asher experience I had when I
was in actually is in school I
was in college- I had a friend
whose. Father was a contractor
or shorter- for a developer for
housing developer on the east
mesa. And I remember he took
me. To a housing site- after-
one of my classes. And said Hey
I got to do something for my.
For my dad. And I didn't
realize you actually to me a
group of workers are. There are
and- workers who are working on
a house. And he had to tell
them that they were not gonna
get paid that day- and he she-
didn't speak Spanish. Arm and
so I was actually put in a
really awkward spot in which
she was asking me to translate
to a bunch of workers. At there
is no money in the bank to at
to be able to pay them on a
Friday- after a long hard. Hard
work- something that that stuck
with me till this day. Because
those men had no protection
they had no legal way to- to
fight that or or you know they
can really say anything all I
have to do is wait to see if
they will get paid. So my
question Mr Thurston or or
other folks on this call this-
how how prevalent is the use of
undocumented labor in the
building of homes. In Las
Cruces today. I don't know that
answer to tell you the truth
because the with the way we-
have to pay. Is we have to have
a- so. Everything we give that
argument. Yeah if I if I hire
anybody I have to have the
license insurance registrations
from every single individual
every company that I. That I
work with. Soul let's just take
the City concrete guy. Right so
I you hire him to do the work.
However so the individual there
has to have a- license you know
to do the concrete work yes to
have his insurance yes and
everything like that. So we ten
ninety nine almost everybody
out of ours. Its construction
is taking a little term in the
past few years it's not like it
used to be. Where like when you
come to me and say okay you're
a general contractor. I we used
to have. A lot of in house
people right so we would do our
own training I would. Have all
the payroll for my own framing.
Your. Concrete people every
everyone would work on my law.
Well it's taken a turn because
when you start to do more
volume. You you can't keep up
with the volume all as that so
the- so it's change so I can't
tell you I. I don't haveanyone
as undocumented that on my own
Hey role. Or or anybody that I
pay now they might pay someone
else its undocumented. However
I would not know that that
number because. Everyone that
comes through us has to be
documented. Thank thank you.
That answer and I'm not I know
of how it works right that the
contractors and subcontractors
so contract someone else that
hires the labor and so. You
probably don't ever see it but-
are you aware that that is you
know still kind of happening
within withinthe entire
process of building a home as
you as you mentioned with the
different out. Subcontractors I
imagine that you hear that you
see on job sites some of these
you know conversations or
things that happen. To you you
think that'sso prevalent
today. I can tell you that once
the when we go into politics
right so is that the politics
of it was to short shut the
border down. You know build the
wall shut the border when that
actually happened you saw a lot
of our workers leave. And that
has been eight that's actually
been a real issue because we
used to go out and say Hey I
need a framing crew. Well it
would just show up are I've got
another one you know and we can
go into another country got
okay I got another guy I need.
Now you're hearing left and
rights that the people we
employ cannot find more more
workers and because of some you
know the borders changing and
stuff like that that's actually
yes elected us to what you're
what you're specifically
talking about. Thank you Mr
Thurston I appreciate your
honesty in that because you
know we know it's a reality of.
Of how how the industry works
in. Archetypal labor that's use
how sub contractors save money
like I said the experience I
had. Many years ago I just left
such a bad taste in my mouth
because these folks essentially
had no protections against. You
know being exploited for their
labor- but but- you kno I just
know it's kind of it's been
part of the process for a long
time here. Especially
considering how close we are to
the border but- I appreciate
your honesty and you know it's
something that we need to get
out in the open because- you
know these are folks with
families folks without.
Livelihoods folks with futures.
Books to children- so it's
always important I think to the
recognized. They exist that
they're out here in that
they're helping us build our
homes and so- I do appreciate
that just wanted to make sure
that to ask that question-
apart from that like I said
would love to continue working
with you- in any other way but-
the initial policy in
particular. And redeveloping.
Our the way we think about that
and what policies might be
effective in spring so more
that for will housing. In our
community where people can can
access jobs can access
healthcare can walk to a
grocery store. Is content you
know continues to be a priority.
For me so. J. dot perhaps your-
the for. On that thank you
Durst. Thank you for. Mayor pro
tem. People tend Gandara. Todd
Sandra mayor pro tem you were
there. Maybe maybe your
computer got stuck. I know
councilors Sorg computer
internet froze so. Okay well
we'll may mayor is it okay if
we have a one more word. Yes I
just need to keep stating your
name up with sorry can't- this
is gonna be can thirst and the
stuff go head. No mayor. Yes
yes. My name is Kim Thurston. I
would I would like to address a
couple of the issues that I
heard the first one I'd like to
address is your ability to use
that calculator. Very quickly
when it came to the land and
all that stuff. And what I'd
like you to do is use the same
ability. And remember that each
time we do sell a house that we
have to pay a grocery seats tax
to the state of New. We are
able to deduct the cost of the
land so let's say our average
houses two hundred thousand and
let's their average lot prices
forty. Then we would end up
paying the state. The eight
point all three in this to in%
the City of Las Cruces. So
that's about a thirteen
thousand dollar fee I just
wanted that to be part of the%
discussion is not just their
tax. Of our property but
there's the actual grocery
seats tax to do business in the
state. Of New Mexico and I
don't know what your
percentages as the City of Las
Cruces of that eight point. 3%
I just know what we have to
pay. About a third it's about a
third can. Okay so I'd like
that to be part of the
conversation in keeping. Some
of our cost of helping- The
City of Las Cruces. The other
one is that Mr Sorg- councilman
Sorg whe you talk about the
park. I'm I you brought
memories back to me because
when I started the project up
on mesa Grande and central
users use me just for a minute
the can. Dominic if you can
hear me Councilor go Sorg is
trying to call in so if you
please let the man leave the
forgot his phone number but
he's the only one that's
calling itself okay go go
ahead. Okay there is the land
that that at the time we put
our project together on central
and east makes our Rincon makes
a- The City owns property just
to the east of that office
central. And the to talk about
a perfect location for a park.
And the U. S. City of Las
Cruces already owns that
property and could easily put
the- fees- the that we
participated in and also Philip
Philippines project just to the
south of us- all of those park
fees. He was talking about a
piece of land- I think you guys
have in the neighborhood of
twenty acres up there for
drainage and also open space
that could easily be used. And
I think it's only six tenths of
a mile away. And so my purpose
in bringing those up is once
again just to work together. To
build a better community and I
have been handed to camp in the
home builders association for
putting this together. Because
there are so many of these
things that we know about you
know about you talk about the
affordable housing infill. A
lot of those things we can work
with you guys on and actually
bring that to pass because of
our ability as a builder or
developer- to. Negate some of
the issues of affordable
housing so I do want to make
one comment. And that's to Dr
Garcia I've appreciated working
with them over the last thirty
two years and wish him well in
his retirement. So if you pass
that on I'd appreciate it thank
you guys for your time. He just.
Achan before you go can I ask a
couple questions. You can- City
those those forty acres that
you bought on the east mesa.
The which went the forty yeah
the one that you were the one
that was first shown by Kent
yes really. Rencana mesa yeah
let me just ask you this is it
fair to say and I just kind of
ran some numbers here thank you
I will put you on the spot here
but the cost of the acreage
your sewer lines and street and
got her. All came out to about
three million dollars or is
that too high that little too
low three point eight million
three point eight okay I
remember it well. No you don't
pretty good just trying. To
figure out your cost per lot
that's all. I'm just to see
what kind of market. Be right
back in those days it was about
eleven thousand dollars. On the
cost. And we sold those for
about. Sixteen thousand
eighteen thousand and just
recently we had about four lots
left and we sold those at
twenty two thousand so I can
tell you all of those numbers
good night eleven thousand six
hundred ninety dollars cost per
line. So right and that's not
today's price now. That you
know but that's how much you
have minutes. Yes yeah okay.
All right well looks like we
got council member Tim Gunn
that back so. You wanna jump in
and ask your questions there
were. No sorry merry for god
to- put my hand out. All I
okay- Councilor Sorg did you
have anything you wanted to add
I know you were offered a bit.
I just got a muted Mr mayor no
I'm okay okay good Larry and
try to get it the meeting one
careful and turn your phonebe-
Office you're gonna start.
Causing a lot of. Yeah I no
problem there because I can't
get. Okay Larry did you have
somebody one of the site. Thank
you mayor and members of city
council. I will prolong this
meeting are there so
presentation but I do want to.
Make a couple of closing
comments. And that is- one of
the main things of meeting was
that the home builders wanted
to have a develop a more. Easy
are. Relationship I think they
said with city council and with
mayor and the billing
department and of the screens
available be fully supportive
of that. This is what I love
for you- the coming the
community development
department normally tenses
homebuilders lunch business
meeting some options. I will
pay for your luncheon for the
in home builder and I'll take
you with me. I'll give you a
ride- we also have our
government affairs committee.
Meeting with them every other
month I'll make sure you have
that notification if you want
to attend is usually held here
at city hall. And then lastly-
this last year community
development- participated in
the home builders- build your
future- we had I think a
thousand dollars we bought
approved- we also attended
their awards ceremony we bought
a table four thousand dollars.
But this year- make certain
that you are a provider the
opportunity. To participate on
those as well and that's what
we can do to help that
interface with some. Other not
only that the develop the
community development
department's participation with
home builders and supporting
their efforts. But also for the
City council and then lastly. I
would offer. To the home
builders association. That was
the one I've noticed over the-
fourteen years apart. The last.
Forty from my previous work in
jurisdiction and here in Las
Cruces your market is changing.
The home buyers are having a
different viewpoint now of
homeownership than they've had
in the past. In the past has
always been I want a single
family dwelling with a little
bit of land around it nice
backyard they have a different
view of ownership now. Of the
many of them are willing to
have a four plex were willing
to have a town home or
different housing types. Emma I
think there's a market there.
We don't have much of that at
all in the City of Las Cruces.
But I think there is some an
opportunity for you there. And
the- probably worth pursuing.
Thank thank you mayor for a the
opportunity today for the home
builders to meet with council
and yourself. Thanks Larry and
thanks to the call and can ten
can for your your presentation
and- you know I I'd like to say
that you know the other levels.
Maybe two years ago we gave you
the bears was award I thought
that was a and we don't just
give that there anybody and now
we are really proud of what you
all have done for the city and
such and so. I you know it was
role will continue to have
dialogue and I think that's
really what it's all about this
communications so we appreciate
all that you do it earlier as
you you your- a home building.
Really has roots spreads out.
And touches all kinds of people
whether it's- the banking and
insurance titles a- lumber
plumbing electrical. Sheet
rock. Concrete everything.
Roofers real estate people I
mean you name it it's the
backbone of. The nations
economy so we appreciate each
and everyone of you. And also
that the developers you know
earlier you heard- can. Thirst
and say at eleven thousand or
so in her life I mean that's a
huge. Risk and whether he can
sell it. And so we appreciate
the developers who who go out
on a limb and- with develop
these lots so that the
contractors can can buy am and
bill house and so it it's just
a big teams really what it's
all about so. W appreciate.
The information that you've all
have provided and we look
forward to perhaps- maybe-
biannual update from the
almonds combined. Share with us
what you're seeing in the in
the market. Okay thank thanks
yes thank you. Okay so next
we're going to go to item
number three helping local
small business and- I believe
we have with us elad and
Michael. Do you guys still
there. Yep we're here I Mr Mack
yeah I have to say about you
guys which is really
interested. This is you in the
eye and I can almost assure you
you've never sat through city
council work session is that
correct I have before. They
will say aloud who's here is
actually and I'm in New York
City leads in Israel so I did
tell us what time is it by you.
It's one twenty six AM but I
have to engine and I was a
council member in my hometown
so. Differently heard the case
of unpaid Jack. It happens
these orders the president-
sounds good. Well just the Dr
by yeah this I saw that you had
had open your Mike were you
gonna wanna say somethingthe
start this off or or what we
can action Mr Marienbad the
distances go by yeah that's for
the record I had a we had a
small. Presentation as well to
show some of the look in were
undertake with the development
department but. Leave it up to
you Mr mayor if you us to go
before they or after them it's
on the cell. Let's let's do
this the go for. With them. And
then we'll for. Up with you all
of that's if that's okay. I
know a lot- yeah gosh been up
for awhile then. Anyways this
is a really interesting
concept. That they that they
have. And I think this is. How
did you guys were it. It's a
way of bringing Amazon. To the
ability of Amazon to our local
businesses. Here in town so
that they can. Now be able to
sell their- goods and services.
Online a lot easier and
extremely. Affordable
opportunity. I think that's how
you guys. Wanted it. And that
that to me was just. Music
guide to my year so I don't
know which one of you gentlemen.
Are going to start off. First
yes so I can start in and again.
For having us on my name is
Michael miss. The vice
president of business
development at Colo. I'm based
in New York City. Unfortunately
I cannot the right now in Las
Cruces but the hopefully one
day in a lead if you introduce
yourself to quit. The latter
done based in Israel I'm
responsible for the- global
business development as well
together with my. All right- so
I will start with a brief
presentation I don't know if
you all can see my screen. Yes
good. Wonderful so again thank
you and thanks everyone for
being here and listening- and
we I know we spoke to the mayor
a few weeks back in and
explained our platform and what
we do and- I think we saw that
it can be extremely relevant
than Las Cruces- we- know that.
What we can do really can help
achieve the goals of elevate
last Cruces in terms of
economic prosperity livable
community social partnerships
and much more- but I'll start a
little bit about us as a
company. So closely the company
it's been around. For about
five years were based in Israel
and in the U. S. and your of
but forty one employees. And
about nine months ago we
decided to shift their focus
from the European and Israeli
markets to the US market.
Because we saw a void. The void
was that we ell in US cities
did not have a cool and modern
way to connect with residents
and there was no real way for
cities to get residents to.
Take action. And we decided to
come to the US and then coated
hit. And when scolded his we
really have to go in and see
and discuss you know how can we
best help City's with the
immediate effects. That they
have- because of the pandemic.
And from speaking to city is
all over we really saw one big
common denominator and that was
that City's were unable to get
people to shop at local
businesses. City's needed to
stimulate their local economy.
And we realized that if we
focus and that we can really
really help utilize our
experience and our five years
in Europe and in Israel. I to
do things that ultimately will.
Help create. A positive
economic impact. So you know
right now I think this is we
hear this everywhere and we
talk about this every day no
local businesses are struggling
and then. You know they had the
Q. two results after the bigger
players you know Amazon Walmart
they're all profiting like
never before. This dichotomy
that is come up is obviously
something we see in every city
whether it's a city with ten
thousand residents or five
hundred thousand residents. And
their you know we're in the
midst of the pandemicand
ultimately when we look at how
we can. Help support stimulate
the local economy we have to
really figure outyou know why
are people shopping on Amazon
where people not shopping at
local businesses and- a lot of
it comes from convenience a lot
of it comes from. Habits and
from behavior and we want to
figure out and help City's.
Look. At that void which is.
People are inclined to use you
know ecommerce platforms and
are not exposed to local
businesses. So if we want to
talk about behavioral change we
have to really look at that a
little bit deeper. And focus on
things that are outside the box
you know carries act funding
and actually have a graph here
right now goes directly to
residents in the form of
economic impact statements. In
the form of unemployment
insurance or to small
businesses in the form of loans
and grants and we see this you
know across the board rated
every city that we speak still.
And with president the well
over a hundred in the past few
months and what we see though
as the biggest void right now
is that a lot of these finds
including carries act funds.
Are not used to encourage local
consumption. And what does that
really mean you mean that a lot
of these funds kind of come in
and they go directly in these
forms and- it's great you know.
Loner grand for a small
business is great as a one time
payment and a one time. Boost
but it does not get people in
the residents to shop at these
local businesses. And you know
the whole point is looking at
how we can utilize carries act
fines and other friends in
general. To get a behavioral
change that people think twice
before they go online and shop
and Amazon Walmart and get them
to shop at the local
businesses. In Las Cruces. So
this is kind of the way where
we're looking at we're looking
at how we can. Get people to
shop at local businesses and
use the initial finds to
stimulate the economy and
create a be a real change that
will last much longer. Than the
incentive on its own. And so
you know we're very big into
data and intended for may sit
and into looking and analyzing
and- in the U. S. I know some
of you may be familiar with
this but- the average U. S.
residents spends about fifty
dollars per month. Amazon and
what we want to see is how we
can respect that hi. So if we
can take for example a city
with about a hundred thousand
residents like Las Cruces. And
get people to take about
fifteen percent. Of their
purchases on Amazon and convert
them to purchases made at local
businesses. That I'm its own
would create an additional nine
million dollars of annual
revenue coming in to local
businesses. So we talk about
keeping the wealth local
getting more jobs. You know and
how and all these funds that
are coming in from the carry
act but- also. We just have to
look at things a little bit
differently right re shift the
price to get eople to shop
locally. And obviously the
benefits are their and- other
statistics- that we talk about
is that. When people shop at
local businesses rate the
likelihood of each dollar spent
at a local businesses staying
local is much greater this
districts usually 52% of
revenue. Coming into local
businesses stays in the local
economy and 14% of revenue.
Going into national chains.
Stays in the local economy so
it's a huge difference so those
residual effects are obviously
clear. And it's something
really to talk about. And you
know the question that all kind
of sums to districts how do we
get the average residence. In
Las Cruces to by their sample
from a local business and that
Amazon. And we talk about
incentives and behavioral
change being one of the still
but much more into it. But
number two. Is really creating
the emotional connection
between residence and between
the businesses. If people can
associate the business owners
with the right with the
businesses themselves with
their hair salon with their
convenience store. Then they
will then think twice before
they go online and Amazon
because they know. That they
are helping and supporting
their locally kind. And I'll
just tell you a quick video of
what we're doing in Akron just
to start out and give you guys
an explanation a little bit
more detail about our platform.
And how we support this. I hope
this works.
 So I were you guys
able to hear that Sir no. No no
sound okay. Okay no sound
that's not good- so let me see.
So maybe one actually more
thing that I can do here sorry
about that. As we to optimize
it for video. No matter what
yeah okay you shop eat and
drink in Akron how every action.
It was as simple as following
the blue. Now more than ever
our local businesses major
support select the plan to lead
you to a new spot for local
favorite. Because every
purchase you make enough. Blimp
in your wallet. Introducing the
rewards you for shopping local
it's simple just download the
app create an account and link
it to your preferred payment
method no fees or hassles
you'll discover new exciting
Akron stories and destinations
plus the local spot to know and
love. When you make a purchase
at participating businesses
you'll learn. Akron's very own
digital reward credits. You can
use to make purchases at local
businesses right from the-
winds can only be used in Akron
so what's earned here stays
giving our businesses a boost
at a time they need it the most.
We all act and with the Avenida
we can all make a difference in
our city download it today and
make every action. All right so
this is actually a video of our
first a city which is- Akron
Ohio we want staff physically
about- two weeks ago. When we
decided to move into the US
market we only had one city
that we could start within they
were very proactive in the
sense of being the first and
thinking outside the box and
then a huge huge motivation to
help because it was very low
morale. With their local
businesses so a big part of
what we started doing is also
showcasing how the city is
taking action to help promote
these local businesses. And in
the first two weeks I can say
that we already doubled. In the
first we have doubled in the
first week the amount of
registrants that we expected
for the first month. In the
program has been very
successful in getting great
feedback locally and we've been
getting a lot of nterest from
othercities so the Dennis
right. Now what we're doing is
we're actually looking to see
why are. Five U. S. will with I
will be in this a year for
twenty twenty we have capacity
for five so we're always
looking to find you know cities
that are thinking outside the
box. And are very proactive in
and I can take from just
listening to you know this-
working session before I can
seen and I have attended
elected there is really a this.
Internal desire from the city
to take action and to really be
thorough and things and it's
not something you see every
city so I think just from
hearing this- it really is.
Great that the listening to see
and hopefully we can help-
generally speaking what we do
is we offer City's a white
label mobile app and platform.
So in Akron it's called Akron
nights because each resident
that Chris called Akron in
AkronI. And the way it works
is that the afterwards
residence for taking actions or
behaviors that promote to the
strategic goals of the city. So
we look to see what are the
goals the City's wanted shape
for example now it's how do we
get people to shop local. In we
use concepts of gamification in
behavioral economics to really
drive that behavioral change in
the way it works is you get
rewarded with the City coin.
Each City Quinn is worth a
dollar in Akron each. City
queen is called the blame. The
of the good your- that. There
so it's- gets own and you know
Sir you guys can think of some.
I for Lesko since. And the- it
really works is that when you
shop at a local business for
example. The City decides to
allocate a certain percentage
of cashback. That you get for
shopping at that business
that's incentive right that's
the reward. As you shop lets
you spend ten dollars. At a
business at a restaurant
downtown you will then get
that's if it's 20% cash back to
local. As you continue to earn
and accumulate coins. You can
then redeem them. Only at
participating local businesses
in the city. And typically
those businesses are only
businesses that are not change
right there usually mom pop
stores usually businesses that
are. Independently owned and
that way you're really creating
that circular economy. And the
app itself again like you saw
in the video. Is a City apps
The City can ultimately
generate revenue from the app.
We are the technology provider
but we also look to do
something a little bit more we
wanted hi. The connection
between the you know everyone
talks about technology being
this like euphoric. Change you
know put technology makes
everything better but it's
obviously not like that. So
what we look to do is to
connect between the technology.
And the implementation of the
boots on the ground to make it
work. Right how do you connect
those to and ultimately. That's
how change happens. So I live
bit more about to happen again
I leave it. To the end for
questions but- we have the app
which is basically supported by
stories are told. A little more
about. And each story though
can either have any call to
action which is. To shop at
specific segments of businesses
so for example shop at
businesses downtown. And get
20% cash back- shop and
businesses in west mesa and
then get you know 30% expected
industrial park. And it could
also be initiatives that
promote segments of businesses
like shop at a minority owned
business and get 10% expects
update veteran owned business
and get. 20% that's bad. So the
whole point here is really to
offer. To help the city achieve
the goal so we would look and
see what the goals are and how
we can use that. These
incentives to get people. To do
that and to take those actions.
And the app also itself if you
look the disk. Section that's
where you can really see the
types of businesses near you. A
big part of it is awareness
meaning you open the app and
you say okay what are the
businesses that are next to me
what are the businesses that
are. Within proximity of where
I am and sometimes that
awareness part is extremely
important because people don't
necessarily know what they have
and what kind of just on their
doorstep. So a big part of it
is here and a cool thing to
note is that with the platform.
Any businesses that the city
would like to select will
automatically be uploaded as
earning businesses to the at.
In the way it works is very
similar than LG's leaves like a
credit card when you use the
chase credit. For example you
get 1% cash back you're getting
1% cashback for any purchase
you make regardless of where
you're purchasing. Same thing
here. Only once businesses
become redeeming businesses
meaning businesses that accept
the local point do they have to
opt in. And then we set them up
so they can accept the local
court. Which is a very simple
process. And the way the app
works is when you open the app.
Is you probably signed the
video it starts with stories.
The stories have different
types of objectives. You have
certain stories that are
stories were the call to action
is shocked. Shop at a specific
segment of business. Japanese
the- neighborhoods after the
specific business size style.
And other stories are things
that represent the different
neighborhoods different
businesses owners and also the
different local so for example.
In Akron every week The City
highlights three local
businesses. And the way it
works is each business gets a
story it's called the story
behind the counter. So it's a
story where the business owner
gets interviewed and they say
Mr it why did they start their
business- what drives them. So
these things kind of create
that emotional connection so
that when you is residents go
to bed business. Itself you can
do it- I didn't realize you
want to the same high school I
didn't realize that this is
your story. And that emotional
connection that I keep saying
is extremely critical. The
other parts of stories are
really that stories can
ultimately connect to
different- entities an
ecosystem within the City of
Las Cruces so for example in
Akron. Different local
nonprofits have their own
stories where the call to
action if the stories are not
just to shop. Like other ones
but the call to action is learn
more about the nonprofit learn
more about local artists both
local entrepreneurs both local
neighborhoods. And the whole
point is seven ask for the City
that encourages people to shop
but also creates that awareness
and civic engagement aspect. To
get people to be much more
aware of what's going on around
them so using technology really
to connect. With what's going
on in the city. And a big part
of it is really the data right.
Look to see what the economic
impact is of every dollar
coming into the app. In terms
of the R. O. Y. so if for
example the City invest and
invest their numbers a hundred
thousand dollars in the form of
rewards. And that comes in the
form of 10% cash back that's
one million dollars in economic
impact. To local businesses.
And the data is critical
because it helps you understand
how are people using those
percentages of cash back the
ultimately. Create a behavioral
change and ultimately how is
that improving local
consumption. And it's very
important to also see because
you can also learn about other
trends you can learn about
where are people coming from a
big living in neighborhood acts
and shopping in neighborhood
why. And then maybe you can
look at the transportation
methods that they have to get
the neighborhood extra what.
The data is critical and we're
very keen to work with the city
to show and explain how. These
incentives really create a be
able change and really to look
at the numbers. And in Akron
Ohio I can say again it's been
literally two weeks since we
started. We have already a
hundred and fifty merchants on
boarded we started with to kind
of trial period neighborhoods-
and were ready expanding to the
third and fourth neighborhoods.
I just because of the demand
coming in from the businesses
we had about a thousand with
thousands of downloads without
zero. Mark dollar expense so
all we did is really the mayor
made an announcement. The City
it really went got a lot of
attention from the media. With
social media posts and
ultimately in terms of user
acquisition we doubled the
amount that we expected in the
month. In the first week which
was really great- one other
thing to note is really that we
got a lot of great feedback
from the business owner is.
Usually the first four year
fifty business owners we fly
out and we go and meet them
with the city to really get
them on board it really got. To
know about the app is specially
because it's new. And I can say
from Akron. We learned and we
saw that a lot of them are you
know experiencing a lot of pain
but- ultimately they're
optimistic and when they see
the City taking action when
they see things happening
going. Hopefully benefit them
it really gives them the sense
of hope and they all have the
unique story right I can say I
met myself with maybe forty
five businesses in the span of
to date. And we see there's- we
see that they need help and we
see that these incentives.
Ultimately are this little
glimmer of hope that'll get
people to shop more. At these
local businesses instead of I
might. And for example the are
then. Reward segments that we
have in actor. You get died
thank you 30% cashback for
shopping at restaurants in the
city. You get 20% cash back.
For shopping at beauty health
and fitness lines and you get
also but 20% cash back. For
shopping and retail clothing
and specialty shops so you know
clothing stores. And the City
also wanted to specifically
promote black owned businesses
so when you shop at a black
owned business in Akron. You
get an additional 10% cash
back. For those businesses and
two things that it that so on
one hand The City can on a
monthly basis. Switch it around
it can be one one. A black
owned businesses the next month
it'll be. Maybe veteran owned
businesses in the next month
it'll be women on businesses.
Any minority that the city
wants to promote can be and-
rewarded. Number two is that
the whole point is that these
reward initiatives or stories
also will show you an
aggregated list of which I'd
be. Back on businesses in the
city because sometimes that's
what's missing. People don't
even know what are the black.
In if you have that so
conscious connects. Between
those businesses and you know
that this business is a black
on to the Serbs businesses the
woman on business. Maybe I'll
think again when you want to
shop online right maybe I'll
think again when you want to
shop at. Amazon and I can say
really we've been getting great
feedback from the local
businesses. Even from the first
few days I mean people are
already using it and- people
are excited right residents are
excited it's a game right we
game of five. People are using
it more and more. And so it's
wonderful to get good feedback
from the local merchants. And
I'm going to resign and so one
way thing is really that City.
Capabilities to monetize the
app we know that finds. Are a
challenge now and that City's
have unprecedented budgets we
know that every dollar is
critical and there's so many.
Arts of the City that need help
and support during these times
we recognize that we one also
show the City how ultimately
this platform. Can also get
more revenue in. So few
different ways for this to
happen is one some City's
ultimately will charge a small
fee for merchants to
participate in the act could be
fifteen dollars per month. And
the way it works is really when
you think about it a lot of
restaurants now are paying very
high fees to be on the delivery
platforms for example uber eats
doordash. And one thing this
app could do is that it can
final. People who purchase at
restaurants to only get
rewarded if they purchased
through the restaurant's.
Organic website so for example
that the way the they Pro
pledge is ultimately getting
residents to not only see the
right the businesses but also
where the call to action is to
shop specifically. At the
businesses organic website. And
that's one way that the City
also can make money fromit
number two is that. Of course
the app itself is sort of like
realistic for the last that-
discussion was a real estate
but this is more of a virtual
real estate each story and the
ask is has its own real estate.
And usually there's about
twenty stories that go on
concurrently there could be
local entities that want to
promote specific initiatives
out four K. could be local
sponsors and they would promote
stories and the app. In the
City can charge for that but
ultimately the more important
thing is that you could have
local nonprofits you could have
local corporations find
specific initiatives as well
you can have a local
corporation say Hey we want to
help promote women owned
businesses. In Las crucis so
we'll put and you know fifty
thousand dollars for it The
City will take a fee a
transaction fee for and that's
one way to monetize in another
and it's a win win because
again those funds are used to
the benefit. Of local us Cruces
rest. And then of course the
residual effects of shopping
locally are as I mentioned. The
fifty plus percent of. The
dollars coming into local
businesses stay local whereas
only 14% if it's at a national
chain. And these are some of
the local businesses I'm sure
are familiar with them and so
we really want to see how we
can help support the is that.
Change local business sense and
not. A spruce this. And the
last thing is how it works
right what are the initial
steps so. As we select our next
round of City's. One of the
things we always do is we look
at okay what is the set up
under the initial things we do.
Financial things we do when we
start working with the city as
we work to determine. What are
the objectives that the city
has. What are the objectives of
the city wants to. A it getting
shot people to shop west may
and- park is getting. To shop
downtown or whatever it may be.
And we look and see how we
could use incentives to get
people to do that we map out
the different businesses. We
map out. The rewards budget and
what the potential- could be in
terms of the sensitivity
meaning. What will 10% cashback
yield. Versus 20% cash back. In
we build that whole model to
determine what the best and
most efficient way to create a
quick impact it's- we then set
up the app from a design
perspective you know. With the
branding of Las Cruces if it's
for an existing shop local
initiative or for a new one. We
would branded with the name
with the logo with the city
quite name. And then we would
really get the businesses on
board at. So we have a whole
playbook that we give to
citizen that we really. Work
within and do it ourselves in
the beginning but- it's a
playbook that says okay we got
the businesses on board if. We
connect them we connect them
from the point of sale we
showed them how it works and
it's a very simple process. And
then what we do is we really do
strategy sessions with from be
it real economic. Impact
strategy consultations we have
different ways that we show
City's house strategic
partnerships and alliances can
help boost the app. And then we
really go on the ground. And
come in to get it launched
acquired initial customers. To
make sure that people are using
the app right click what good
is it seven after. Using it.
And those are usually the first
months of the program. It takes
us about two months from the
second that we signed with the
city to get something are
usually to get. The beta mode.
So we can move pretty quickly
which is why really looking see
you know what are the best. To
continue with the U. S. market
the- again since the- Pro. We
have been getting a lot of
interest- because again this is
something we see across the
board rate those vouchers and
gift cards are typically just.
Not enough and there's no way
really to monitor the data from
them so. This is really
something that is a little bit
different. That's kind of again
in a not so to start I can you
know start and questions if
there are any. Well thanks
Michael so I saw were you
charge the March or or the city
can charge margin so what does
it cost for the city to have
this at. I guess the City's is
the one who has the apple I'm
trying to remember from. Awhile
back yeah. Exactly so these are
the costs are right now really
in terms of the cost structure
there's usually there's two
options we give- some City's
one to start with the trial
period we do it because again
it's new in the US so we
offered a four month. Trial
period with no additional
commitment necessary- and if
you go that route it would be
the twenty five thousand which
includes. You know the platform
setup fee and everything. Or
you can do the initial you a
one year commitment. Meet Lee
which would ultimately be last
but again would require greater
commitment. And that's really
are are reduced pricing for
Kobe all of this includes the
entire aspect of the operation
may. We really are hands on and
do everything to make sure that
the program is successful. I
can say that with Akron we flew
out early five or six times in
the past two months just to
make sure that all the
businesses aren't board at. To
make sure that the program is a
success and because these are
our first U. S. cities we are
also very much- in the tar best
interests that the City succeed
we cannot have these programs
not succeed. So really it's all
inclusive of everything that
you saw. And the only one thing
we do ask is from the city that
was selected as part of the our
selection criteria is that the
City's do commit at least
twenty thousand dollars. In
rewards budgets so those are
finds that go directly towards
incentives- that will
ultimately go to the residents
and local businesses. Okay all
right- so we have a couple
questions from some council
members and so Councilor
Abeyta-Stuve V. and the mayor
pro tem got. Thank you mayor
and thank you this is a very
interesting. That you have and
structure. So thank you I do
have a few questions- for you
all- I noticed you hd actually
had a business in my district
on your- on your little list I
so I eight I think and that you
have to other businesses in our
area kind of filtered out
support. I'm for there or not
yeah. So not yet we typically
first work with the city we got
the approval before we go out
to get the support of local
businesses it's a city project
right so its champion by the
city. And we want to make sure
that the city is on board
before we start talking helping
with the local business. Okay
you know I and I know it's a
little bit different I would
want to make sure that my-
business is were interested in
using this. Form I. You know.
Since Kobe does that happen
there are a lot. Of that are
filling of the strange you know
one of theareas that. The
business that you had its
coffee shop in so. It but they
also sell of good I can see
this could be a very. Aren't of
using something. I'm back at
the same time- all right so the
city I think it wepay as a
fee. And then we need to wait
for the- rewards. And many
users businesses are also. Or
if we can that be the
businesses could enter the
platform. How does that. Work
so the city can pay a fee-
these are the businesses can
pay sixty if the City elects to
charge a fee I can say that the
city of Akron waived that fee
for the first year they say. So
for the first year any business
that joins gets to join at no
cost. So ultimately the bear to
and you for business is minimal
there really isn't anything
they have to do except for
given the information needed.
To be a participating business.
And thank you you know I think
that's something where if we
were to consider this as five
form I. eight you know we're
trying to help the businesses
here and I just. Don't think
that eight. In a be able to.
Have these types of like
monthly recurring costs- and so
right I just want us to look
into that I also. Quickly since
I'm in your account Sir I just
want to. Check back in on.
Issues like it when we talk
about these tax as- different
programs and things like that
but serve policy. On and- being
able to move forward I need to
accept. And that might be for
legal are staff. No no that's a
great question Councilor that's
why why I brought it forward to
my knowledge I don't know of
any business or any type of
platform like this the United
States that I've ever seen-
this is really one of a kind
but- if staff I mean if council
wanted us to at least move
forward and see what we can
find out then staff would then
in turn see. What if anything
we can do. And then also I
think there's a certain. Amount
I think the twenty five
thousand is we should be able
to. Budget that he can do
without I think there's a
certain amount it can go
without having to do a bit. But
you know so again I'm I'm not
really that familiar with that%
I just wanted council to get a
an idea of with this is
something here that would be
helpful to businesses. And if
so then direct staff to try to
figure out how if anything we
can get this thing going. Yeah
mayor I I'll adjust one at at
here one point again sorry we
was talking. Sorry this is the
Ilan from color okay. Thank you
mayor so I just want to it at
this point really continue what
Michael said before that in the
city of Tel Aviv role as you
can imagine also suffered. From
the restrictions in the Kobe-
we were really able to see how
we create an immediate effect
so there is being. Almost two
weeks from the date that the
city made the phone call and
once we saw residents that are
shopping. Locally and when
we're- looking at the data we
can really see how- the
revenues of small businesses
grew around in in around 7100%
in forty five days so I think
that. Again one of the reasons
we- create this trial period-
formalize is to enable cities
to create these very very media
the fact and move quickly.
Mariinsky may can could I
interrupt this is Barbara deli
on. Yes barber I apologize
about co hosted the meeting so
I can't raise my hand right now
so I apologize for the
interruption but Ameren Council
barber jelly on for the record-
I just want to speak to a
counselor Abeyta-Stuve these
question with respect to
procurement- so typically the
staff would evaluate. The need
and the form of procurement
that would be appropriate- make
the determination about how to
proceed with that again if
needed so when these
opportunities come forward
there's certainly an
administrative function-
associated with this in terms
of the evaluation of the
process for procurement- and
then of course- as that is
determined it may or may not
come back to council depending
on the level. Of procurement-
and the other options for
providing the services that are
being proposed- by various
vendors are entities does that
answer your question. Yes thank
you Barbara. As as you right
now the next couple questions
are about half itself what type
of that support do you have in
case I have and you know errors
with act like what's that R. at
support. So kids are here now
yes yeah so in terms of
technical support the way it
works is that. When people have
any issues they have directly a
communication channel through
us we handled operation- for
the consumer as well as for the
local businesses if they have
any issues- I can say just from
Akron from the first few weeks
there haven't been really many
issues a lot it's just like an
information or they wanna. Look
maybe understand a little bit
more needs some help but it's
very intuitive so we haven't
really been getting too much.
Which is a good thing I will
say. From all the users that
were. We have and that.
Comments posted- I would say
the comments that you've been
hearing from your other and
governmental agency that you're
working right. On ways that has
really been able to help them.
On that morning expecting. So I
think that one thing that's
been very helpful as we call it
the network affecting in that's
really seeing that initially
when we were in just starting
to explain to the small
businesses about what was going
on and- they were. Greatly
greatly so that okay what is
this cool what's this company
that we don't even know ever
heard of that starting program
of the City they immediately
their initial reaction was like
now- once we explain and
overcame that bear with the
first does interview
businesses. And the record of
like this oh wow this is
something that's great for us
then. What The City says that
businesses ended up really just
approaching us approaching the
city thing a can we be part of
the platform so once we got
more of a critical mass of the
initial businesses. That
participated we then had the
ability to streamline it so
that we can on board businesses
quickly and really achieve the
results that we wanted to and
we frankly didn't expect it to
happen that quickly from our
experience in Israel but- I
think that because of the times
because of these issues that
these businesses are having.
They really just jumped on it
and they said great this is
time to think differently. You
know think outside the box.
Yeah your I. You know I
appreciate know the time
difference and everything serve
are you bracing your and I and
injuring the phone. Out as and
I might have a couple more
questions just and a little
bit- but yeah I find this very
fascinating and I know that you
know we're unique times never
always said that life moves
fast there's great places for a
lot of different things and we
have to be. On an outside the
box and the thing that I would
suggest if we were to look into
this further- if there was a
way so that we can do it to
waived fees for the business
accept and step first I think
that would be helpful. Morning
had anymore costs- even if it's
to promote. What we're trying
to provide- that we shouldn't
be. Adding cross on them so
thank you so much- this is very
interesting that it's taking.
Mayor pro tem. Thank you
Meredith- thank you Michael-
and your partner- for and
coming to us and I'm I'm really
intrigued and very curious
about about this- it reminds me
a little bit of all were apt
that we had many years ago for
our downtown downtown DLC P.
I'm and they called it the
heart of Las Cruces and- people
The businesses downtown were
able to participate Sorg a
highlighted. You know in
categories food entertainment
retail those kinds of things
and then the response of the
executive director right to get
people on- the program and then
I am I don't remember because
it's not in existence anymore
but I wanna say that- and if it
didn't happen. That DLC P. does
a lot of those really fun kinds
a okay if you participate
business- on it in this right
you get where you're like free
advertising so to speak in some
respects. And then they have
sort of this punch program like
you so much you come and you
spend o much money you get a-
what a maybe I don't know if
it's a free item or whatever
I'm not sure if it's it so- if
it was to that extent. And I
might be. I might be putting
two programs- it in the past
that that was develop so. I am
super excited about the
opportunity- I think. Thispast
week we had a presentation from
economic development Piercy
with staff related to economic
gardening and the ability- you
know to build up our business
is specific to the west messa
industrial- park which is
obviously a priority of ours
but I was. I was still
concerned about- during coalbed
right what are we doing for the
local businesses here and
thought that we should be
focusing a little bit more on
on our local businesses- so to
speak- and so for me this is a
way to do that. And so my
question is in in the city that
you worked with here in the
United States in Ohio- how. Did
you involve the chamber of
commerce. Or did you I wasn't
sure if that was something that
you did. So very good question
and Akron we decided to start
with to neighborhoods because
again it's always important to
not go full blown from day one
Akron as about two hundred
thousand residents so it's a
double. Size in in population
of Las Cruces but we have to
decide you know to neighborhood
so the two neighbors minutes
cited were downtown and
University Park by- university
of Akron and- the way it is
each neighborhood we worked
with their local liaison so.
For example downtime we work
with a lot downtown partnership
and with university work to the
local university partnership
and- the chamber we have been
working with but for some
reason not as much as the other
I think again it's nuances for
each city has their own kind of
thing. So you're not gonna
specifically working with the-
and it's been great because we
all have the same goal and
objective and you know we're on
the same page so it's been a
it's always important for us to
meet and get being with those
entities are. Within. The city
that have those objectives.
Great in a of I do to make de.
So there are many other players
that they local Eckel sees them
as the arts communities. And
even sports club of the City in
many different areas that. Now
are taking part. In terms of-
contentcreation in terms of
sponsorship. And even non
profits the city wants to
highland so. Make each each
nonprofit has his own story on
the absolutes not only.
Rewarding a residence for the
connection but also to really
boost the sense of community.
And greatest like. Resumes
you're- of. City in the
community I really appreciate
that and I think if we can
collaborate and coordinate with
with some of those things you
say eco systems already
established that have good
working relationships such as
the chambers we have three here
in existence- I mention also
are economic I'm development
policy review committee where-
definitely would love to see
this- be- this presentation- be
given but- most importantly to
our economic recovery committee
we establish one specific to
oracle bid response. I think
this would be an exciting-
thing to talk to them about
maybe something that they can
get behind ray- along with that
must Cruces say promise
something that I think we can
highlight in this particular-
platform- and so I do want to
give some examples I love that
the examples that you gave on-
you know women entrepreneurs
are single moms Latinos or
African American businesses
those things you know I had an
individual who started her own
business. And really wanted to-
to hire women entrepreneurs
right like the sub contractors
to build the build out and that
kind of thing andreally didn't
know where to go. How if even
there's such a list- and I
think and it got me to thinking.
I'm especially- when working
with the city that that- it's
something that I think we could
easily easily do that but I do
have the concerns about the
procurement and I. donation-
and so I would definitely- you
know leave that for staff to.
And really- and our lgal team
to understand what that what
that would consist of. Does
your capacity- or- the number
of businesses that you're able
to take on. Four so is of the
platform. Yes so it really in
terms of capacity it's an
extent and what's and limited
crew wanted but you know we
could do hundreds of businesses
to start it's usually
technologically isn't the issue
it's more operationally. She
it's more figuring out okay
what are the initial- is to
start to so we give the
residents an experience that is
not too overwhelming. And we
always want to make sure that
it's kind of starting small and
then expanding to other
neighborhoods as opposed to
just starting full blown. In
we've learned that from a lot
of experience that yeah so that
that's the balance between
technology in between that
racism the technology in its
implementation it's what we-
always try to make sure we can.
Just give the residents the
best experience absolutely so
to make on the like can you
give me an example of. Sort of
the build out may be in Israel
or other. Countries that you've
done this you start something
you started small like a pilot
and then I like a time frame or
time line. What we could expect
and the community would expect
and something like this as in
terms of the Bilbao. Yes I
containing terms of the time
line in and I'll give action as
an example because the U. S. is
you know obviously are similar
in that case- in terms of
timeline. It in works fairly
quickly so we would sign with
the city once we sign. There's
an announcement that approve by
the mayor. I to the local
business owners so in Akron we
did ism session obviously with
the circumstances. And that
denounce when there's okay
announcement were starting
this. Program in the city in
the city and for the business
owner is here so it's gonna
look like here's what we need
from you. The call to action
from that typically is for
again for the first cohort of
businesses. It's usually like a
quick call it could be with us
for those that want to
discipline for nation. So we
would do you know quick call
with them to just explain a
little bit more. About the
program just again to answer
questions that they would that
they may have but also for them
to know that there's a
listening here. Typically for
those calls we would always
love to have the City joiner of
representative if possible or
someone from the chamber. But.
Not necessary but it's great to
have. And the sub. Step would
be again meetings in person.
And we would come out again
usually for the first thirty to
fifty businesses. In meet them
individually with usually gonna
city representative. Explained
how the program works and also.
On board them to the platform.
So for example if you as the
City say Hey we want to select.
Two hundred businesses to
start. The businesses don't
even have to act in their
automatically part of the
platform because those are
businesses where you. Earn for
shopping there you spend with
your regular credit card you
automatically get rewarded.
Only businesses that one accept
the local point. Does have to
opt in. So those businesses
what we do is we explain to
them number one they give us
the account information. So
that every month let's see
people spends two hundred local
coins. Than that month they
would get payment in cash of
two hundred dollars right the
quickly. So for that they need
to sign up their account so the
third party that we work with-
and into third parties call to
pout the based out of San
Francisco. And also what we do
is we set them up from their
point of sale. And why so how
does it work great if you want
to redeem ten local points
let's say ten glimpse at Akron.
I want to go to my coffee shop
a by sandwich and a coffee
across me and I. Would go and
that they could contend like
you send the video. In reading.
So what happens when I redeem
that automatically triggers and
the back and- so that that
businesses now will be getting
those ten dollars in the form.
Of Jack's reduced and lives in
the park yeah. But what we do
is we set up the small
business. So that on their
point of sale whoever is on the
counter they have cash credit
card in the set up another
button for local quite. And
that's only for their a
conciliation purposes. But so
they know that they need tech
that they're accepting that
local corn. So they know for
their records they can.
Reconcile that with the emails
in the notifications that they
get once a purchase happens.
Virtually that makes sense. It
does it does make sense thank
you. Thank you for that again I
think this is really exciting I
think we should move forward.
Obviously. Letting staff that
they this a little little more
making. That we in line with
their I'm not going to. Her and
they don't need. Clause the
procurement code- and only they
know plan- the specifics are-
to that- but I think it's
important- Maring and council-
to move forward I think our
businesses are really hurting
and this could really give them
a leg up. And helping them
pivot right during during this
time. Which think is extremely
important so thank you both
really appreciated thank you
mayor. Thank you. Stay
curiosity I you're the only two
that comment I ice cream which
is a mayor pro tem to move
forward but staff at this and
see how we can okay there
Council Moskos. Hey thank you
mayor. Bob yeah no I think I
got your emails our guys from.
From kolu- the only thing I'd
say I think it's a great idea.
I know there's local
entrepreneurs that have tried
to do similar things for a long
time. Well I don't know that
they've had. A whole lot of
success. Some of them have
started and stopped. There's
always new companies kind of
trying to do this and so. I
know that there might be some
local options to do this I just
want to put that out there but-
I think it's a great idea. Okay.
Okay well to find the financial
at. Yes speaking. I didn't kill
Sorg- Councilor sort yes. Yeah
yeah I've heard that being down
and out City out in California
on medium sized city and I
hardly it seemed to be working
very well so I'd like to think
of this like if you give it a
try. Okay okay sounds good.
Councilors thank you yeah I
just thought other comments you
just stop. You know what always
seems to happen with some of
these programs is. That's the
same ability part right keeping
because these things you know
these be marketing approaches
are fresh. When they come out
the gate and like keeping them
sustainable as the top part.
After a couple years. They
Might Be any service or you
know folks might might
gravitate towards a different
way of. I'm shopping and that's
something just conscious of.
Small businesses right now are
probably getting hit up. A lot
by different companies and part
of what they're being asked to
do- thinking about companies
like GrubHub or load out- you
know some of these other.
Companies are taking advantage
of the times to promote small
businesses as they end up
having to pay into. The
services. You know of their- or
certain fee that they to tack
on for example for a meal you
know if you order something off
of. Doordash or GrubHub you're
probably paying. Like 90% more
than what that no cost in those
fees- you know a lot of time to
get passed on to the customer.
But sometimes you get passed on
to the business and they
basically get charged. You know
if you want to be part of
doordash because everyone's
using it. And you got to give
us a 5% cut on all year. All
the service our other products
or whatever that you sell. I'm
so I also just want to. Want to
be aware that is where an
environment I think right now
we're small businesses are
being approached by a lot of
marketing companies. We have a
lot of. Vendors IBM selling
products and so. Yeah
communications about any
particular product The City
would endorse but would promote.
It has to be you know and I
think in a way that takes into
account when there being. From
and- I. Can't hear you to the
council Vasquez but I think we
got the gist of it so okay
thank you mayor okay and this
is Michael is there if I ould
just respond quickly- I'll say
that just to make it clear that
this is would be a city at
meeting this would be an apt
that is the City of Las Cruces
at and ultimately the whole
point really is like you had
mentioned not to charge
businesses to participate from
not to take the revenue from it
meaning and nominal fee to
participate okay but not to
charge exorbitant rates that
other. No larger delivery
services like tortoise that you
mentioned are charging so
because it's a city act this is
a way to really overcome all
those other small players that
are trying to make money off
this in to look at it in a way
where this is promoting the
good of the local businesses in
not trying to take away from
their profits this is really
you know when and that's the
whole point and that's what
we're really trying to so
aggressively- push forward in
so many cities and we're
getting all this interest. Very
good. Okay it looks like- lease
we can move forward for staff
to do it's very in and see what
it takes to maybe become the
second city- that you guys have
so thank you very much Michael
any land for your presentations
and exciting concept M.
hopefully we see each other
again. Thank you mayor thank
you for having us okay the from
the- Miyagishima sorry this.
Again just as a reminder than
Edie had a- a short
presentation with respect at
related to these initiatives as
well. I was talking with them
as they were gonna hold off on
those farmer and- because we've
got one more issue here and-
let's get a little. Bit okay
so- next is going to be the
shade structures for downtown
plaza- for councilors Bencomo
and- Abeyta-Stuve be we
actually had something we had
this presentation probably two
years ago and there's like-
three options and- you know I
don't see why we just can't
take the biggest option and
then just. Bring it down but
I'm sure you know that it would
be nice to have shape structure.
Well that's what this is all
about. So hopefully- you to
could- use your wisdom and
decide which type of structure
we need but we need something.
To keep that he- offered. Off
there once had. So who's gonna
be doing this presentation.
Mister mayor this is Las Vegas.
Okay a little bit of background
in the in the noise in the
background this is on offense.
I went out. I'd is nothing on
really okay what went when you
come on it makes a little noise
but I guess we can deal with.
Sorry about that. And what and
I just have a brief
presentation before I turn it
over to read. And consultants.
In the street. Sure this guy
with a brief background. Hi the
conversation didn't start like
mayor has said November twenty
seventeen and so if you
concepts have already been
brought to city council early
range from small temporary
structures like patio
umbrellas. To larger permanent
shade structures and user
brought in January twenty
eighteen March of twenty
eighteen. And it's also been
presented to the quality of
life policy review committee in
September twenty nineteen. And
it was decided nine that we
should go to art and
architectural design concepts
and that's when be humanistic
students was contracted to look
at the G. structures. They
didn't have a public in
possession earlier this year
March eleventh. And they will
present the findings of that
shortly. The next steps will be
to get input from city
departments specially public
works and parks and recreation.
Of the meetings practices and
installation and it present the
consensus to council. I will
also have to identify funding
the gap between what we have
budget and the final cost yeah.
And without an to reach you the
healing associates we have
tended to parents and right now.
Thank you very regular is
appreciated. I don't know if
you can hear me or not can you
speak up just a little bit
there can. Yeah a little
better. Yeah and each feature
name also. Can get terrace and
with be healing associates. I
believe rabeel is also on but
I've got control of the- of the
screen here are some trying to
get control screen here let's
see. Your your your your dad
wasn't Mazar- ours are real
with Janice wasn't yeah yeah
okay so I'm not sure and then I
know I know you haven't seen in
a long time. Small world good
afternoon the Mr mayor and
council members. And staff this
is radio work we appreciate the
opportunity present you today.
Very much. So just share my
screen I'm and I just desktop
when I assume I'm try public
arts. I haven't shared yet on
this okay. What for is that. Is
that everybody seems outline%-ps
okay you know I know you can
design multi million dollar
buildings and but it is to
share a little document it's
hard I don't and not share.
I've tried it myself I can't.
Is and city manager can and you
look at the bottom of your
screen there's going to be
several icons for easy
participants share screen-
record reactions right at that
but word has the arrow green
arrow going planning a protest
the button that you had to
share screen and that'll give
you the options to pick the
screen that you want to share a
little bit on it you have as-
are you. Are you see those
buttons all right do you it's
not letting me sure at the
moment but let me see what is
going on here. Just give me one
second here.
 We go. Okay. All
right okay. All right. All the
giants for the delay their- is
everybody able to see the
feasibility study in front of
them. Yes thanks. To Mr mayor
city council members thank you
again for having us we- are
delighted to present. Usability
study- where we took some
public input and turn those in
turn- that public input and
Jessica conceptual studies. For
the project and it is so seats
some costs for some of the
options I'm gonna take you
through this feasibility study
fairly quickly you know we're-
we're pushing at the end here
of our work. Take your time not
a problem that's I figured you
needed to go over this that's
yeah we just we just have a lot
of stuff today but. We're good.
Okay sounds good. So I'm almost
all star with the project-
reviews so there's- an
introduction to. Some the
constraints within which in the
project itself- secure this
diagram right here. You can see
this is a site plan the
existing plaza. And we're
identifying- the location for
the shade structure we
structure within the in the
middle of the plaza- that's
about a sixty by one twenty-
rectangle sixty feet by a
hundred twenty feet. And what
we're looking at we don't we
looked at several options we
have asked several questions
I'm gonna run you through the
public question. Questions were
asked and some the input it we
got throughout a live survey.
And which is really exciting.
I'm of course we always want to
be able to design with
flexibility and expansion in
mind you know we talked about
on several things during during
public input one of them is. Is
during the- being being able
for the shade structure to be
flexible at times for prevents
like the Christmas tree where
the Chile drop. The things of
this nature- definitely would
still need to occur within the
plaza so the shade structures
would would not impede those
events we also obviously want
to Max- motif it's already been
established beautiful antique
downtown we want to keep within
those architectural. Elements
in details. So I'm just gonna
roll through some of the
questions that we went there we
ask the public on this happen
online on March eleventh this
year just right before we went
into to code red in the first
question is you're seeing is
are you in favor placing a
functional shading system. At
the dealers Cruces- plaza and
so that that was obviously-
intentional we wanted to. Make
sure that there was a need for
shading. System at least in the
public viewpoint and of course
there. Answers word 73% yes in
2727% now we did it we did ask
this question again at the end
of the presentation sister just
to Ron self check to make sure
we were headed in the right
direction. So one of the second
question we ask is how much of
the plaza would you want to see
shape. Full shade how shape
third shading on the east side
research it on the west side
were the options A. B. and C.
you can see the live survey
revealed that. He was the
favorite. With a shooting on
both sides. And in opening the
middle.  The
surface area so we're getting a
larger. Sheeting the fact. You
can see we're here we're very
conscious of the hype of these
these pieces so that the
perspective doesn't get
obscured to the stage here's a
three rendering of that option.
Is and here's some. Here's the
winter and summer solstice
studies again this is winter
ATM twelve PM five PM. Some
were solstice ATM twelve PM
five PM. The final option we
looked at was a retractable
canvas system. And we have to
talk to a few manufactures
about this because we are
talking about a really large
system but we did we did find.
We did find a manufacturer in
the US that actually does. They
they can design these things it
in the sixty four feet lengths
that we need this to span. And
the. Configuration you can see
that crisp here. Can would look
like this is dimensional. And
they can retract this
particular company can retract
the entire sixty feet in either
direction whichever direction
we wanted wanted to go works or
we can stop it at a certain
point. They can have preset
limits. Two to that
retractable. Location here's
the winter and summer solstice
status which she studies for
this system eight AM twelve PM
five PM against winter. Here's
some rear ADM twelve PM five PM.
He is I'm sure everybody's very
curious about costs at this
point. In a previous job with
any questions please. I will
let you finish and then we'll
ask questions. Your action so
this is the translucent panel
system. In we did as much-
probable cut costs pricing as
we could. Luminary broke
pricing given give the luminary
that we have so systems come
into over a half million
dollars on. Again there's any
questions we can dive into the-
some of those details of the-
but again you can this doesn't.
Estimated can construct fees
permits even this does some
soft Costa that The City The
tax that would be a so to that
project if you're it does not
include any other soft Costa
however you know it you'll see
the notes in here. Long because
us does it very. You know
depending on what project was
picked. So this option be
decorative metal panel system.
It came in on the highest of
all three. Where could I
mention before these these
these these systems are fairly
news and director of there
there were little pricier than
Dan. On any other typical panel
system that you would you would
see out there so we're almost a
million dollars. For the-
decorative metals. See their
nine hundred ninety to the-
option C. the retractable
canvas system. Came in at
almost eight hundred thousand
dollars. And on. The to be
honest the surprises the bit we
were expecting this retractable
option to be the highest of the
three. Both again we did we did
find a- US manufacturer that
that worked with us closely on
on these numbers so we feel we
feel confident least
preliminary level that these
costs are is best as we can get
it and give that current design.
So here's a here's a list of
meeting at. This is all be
included in in the- I don't.
Steady in the packet. And that
concludes these the study I
stand for questions. Again did
you did you give us the price
FOR D. any or maybe I'm that. I
know it's really did we only
did present a so that. Yeah
okay can you review what a
looks like would be a like
won't see the like you're
please. Iraqi collagen. So
here's option a all right I
living three dimensional use
yeah yeah that's any that's a
there. There is be the
decorative metal. K. thirty say
that that option gives us
prices more shade area
obviously. Well and that was
three talking right if you
don't when you when you jump
and you it's just so that. Yeah
no problem. Yes grazed absolute
that that day this does have
the mo sh screw. Of all of the
options that that is one of the
reasons why the that the cost
is coming in the highest. So
that this is the- option see.
Which is the retractable canvas
system. In this one keep it
about eight hundred thousand
dollars. Okay so let me just go
to Councilor Abeyta-Stuve who
has her hand. Thank you and
thank you miss. Thank you to
get as and Mr held for showing
us all these are. M. press in I
was any cost an ounce down the
cheap of the three out. At the
back related. There was there
was some just of it. I can tell
you that the- desist right here
in we can promise the camera
system. Is by far. The you must.
I guess the lesson durable you
know in that scale that we used
up all the three Office
distinguish you know our our
our southwestern desert sun
would would definitely good
havoc on this on. From the main
of. Tells us that they do have
it year. It is a limited
warranty but they do do have a
year on the material. This
system would have to be
replaced Pro within the or
fifteen years mmhm. Just just
my thank into Michael instincts
he- the metal system. Would
hold up that. You got a pre
finished metal panel that is
just get discount have a law
life than any of them any of
those choose just The transit.
Just the cow. You Pro see that
on lots of buildings rose to
sister believe there's even it
is city hall you. How wall or
at least a some some of the
other major and make some. Rate
you could correct me if I'm
wrong but we can get fifteen
year weren't you believe on.
Yeah to take of all. Reveals
speaking. In order one of the I.
Because go back to particular
one Sean screen. This is of all
three. Of interest this is a
that's got to movie. So along
with comes a- you know you got
to wear and tear. You got
nineteen of this. Also talking
about. On change were only
talking about the mature. The
campus. A big part of that. To
be on I'm not music the campus
material but the a significant
of steel you can match. The
amount of a we loaded you gonna
have. Are with the system so we
have really be up to. So and
peer support you will to hold
these the highly or or columns.
Are also with some of that. Its
there were. Be a different
issue Hervor your the tenure
most typical user be should be
covered under that warrantee.
So are you actually write can
in terms of longevity permanent
that you see. Jennifer all the
character of the other shade
structures are in the plaza the
more permanent they don't
really do anything with them
once they're up they're up. You
know with this with the with
the that sometime with the
metal when you talk about
turned translucent. There they
do happen to have a and H. life
with the also were you know I
have to. I think you're right
can I think were like oh like.
Fifteen year ten fifty year on
this panel. Thank you yeah I
might make his of the campus I
technically I like the a lot
that was going into this I
vision cameras but I'm
concerned about not only like
the where tear but you know
what have in people. Recalls it
you know do we to send a out to
paid can be. Thank DD power job.
And if so will that start look
a little. I don't know interest
if we have to start on I've a
lot. As that's a little bit of
a concern I wi fi. One of the
other options which after going
through this present act really.
On it and now. And hi sorry I'm
think it was action I did like
that as- that it's to be. At of
like well they to get. The
paneling and verses that how
it's how is that something
where do they all ship the
paneling we it has to be
replaced or do you have to get
rid of whole store. Replacing.
Yeah that's a great. In both.
The they do they can replace
the section in this case it be
that metal. I believe the
matter panels come in. Four by
eight sheets. So he yeah we
could we could rip. Zacks yeah
it is most rate in the canvas
model The also were it this the
smaller unit I believe there is
such were. A five by ten. Your
five ten section so. Yeah it N.
E. absolute correct is you this
is if you have some where say
you had this in place for five
to seven years you replace it
with a new section you would
you would definitely see a
color change but he ultimately.
It is a good thing that that
they're able to. Be able to
just pull the module under the
unit that it The New fix. On
what you actually tracking you
would you would see some slight
variation. Your and may this
city staff was there are. That
seems to work back for the City
as well they have a- I given
that types of. That we have at
the plaza. Mr mayor and council.
This because they record. Can
you can you hear can you speak
up please can you hear me. S.
in the back thank right. I was
in my that. We're in. Going.
Mayor city this twenty we know
what the hell works you hear me
yes yes. In the center of this
plaza with this metal one
that's on the screen right now
the centers is open for- any
event to take place for that.
The cannabis as it goes all the
way across the plaza. Kind of
the to hindrance on any event
like that because we got to
have. Even though Z. cannabis
is retracted that still cabling
still went across. The plaza
and will be there at all times.
So we talk a static but the
economic development and kind
of talk about the different
events. They have or the food
trucks how these your the food
trucks. The farmers market. And
a lot of the other events going
through. The plaza throughout
the year- hence the different
shading elements of the summer
and winter solstice solstice of
what time and what shape will
be. Projected from these
structures. Well the stock
market this is a hands up as
well. Meriting rate I've been
long before hall okay no
problem. Cancer but just needed
you have more questions are yes
I was just for me and I do tend
to like one but I know it's-
one of the more expensive ones
I'm I'm would like to know what
type of keep prices. I'm are on
all three and like the
longevity for each one it just
balance out the options- but
this one also. You are Mr it
had as you said that this one
provides the most shape as well.
Perhaps Mr Guterres did this
one act this was the action
that provided the most straight
is that correct. And your
style. Let's look regular
thinking ahead is going on here
yeah I went back yes you are
correct- de the upkeep on this
on this. Metal is and I we have
samples of anybody's I'm
interested in seeing them- it's
a powder coated metal- and it I
don't recall the exact warranty
on it but you know you're
you're looking to get a
probably a twenty year warranty
something not. In the this year
absolutely again correct the
square footage of sh of the
shading device itself this is
the highest. This site almost
five thousand square feet ocean
of shaded area. So how did
interested. Thank you very much
I appreciate that- the only
other fact night there's
nothing that can be done about
this but we live in a desert-
but just to think of that it
gets really hot outside. And
even with the shade that metal
is going to get really hot and
so I think we'll just have to
make sure if we go about this-
if do we have to have signage
about the metal being actually
high enough to earn a handers
anything like that just. An
idea I. Right that's all I have
for now thanks thank thank you
Councilor Vasquez and then
council Bencomo. Thank you
mayor- and thank you for this
presentation I think this is.
This is really great the way
that this was presented are
close to you guys for that at
the community out reach that
you'd never get. These options
based on. What the public
wanted and putting it within
the parameters I think of what
the council discussed sometime
back on. What we wanted to see
their considerations or things
like that. Hello the Christmas
tree in the chilly dropping you
know having the flexibility and
the ability. To bring things
into the files are. Are in the
future it is important- so
thank you thank you for doing
that- yeah you know. I'm
thinking about making cross on
that campus. In and the
replacement cost and I'm almost
wanted to rule that out for
myself personally just because
I think it's cost prohibitive
Mr The think about how to
replace to structure like that
every ten years if not sooner-
because our son I mean this. Is
has the ability to eat things
up so quickly all the
mechanical moving parts. I can
see a- I guess he does not
function in Mumbai those years
as to take those. All a large
it's a good are to have a
removed order. Our technicians
try adjusting what maintenance
on the- are just low bit cost.
In terms of how to continue to
reinvest no shade. Are yeah
option is. I think it is the
most economic although I think.
I was surprised is that day
this the call from all these
but- doesn't seem to provide a
whole lot of shape especially
during the summer. Summer hours
in the afternoon when. So you
want to have of that more
grants right at five six
o'clock seven o'clock. Our and
you're thinking about a summer
concert series and more about.
You know some some type of the-
event. That's really what she
did I mean that's really one
shape is needed that's the
hardest part of the year- you
know very potentially five or
six o'clock or something like
that. That's really why we're
doing and so. The option be
with metal structure are with
the most- with the motion ADA
may be an option for something
a grader etched into the metal
that has something that use the
density also a public art
piece. Is something that there
is a tracking to me-
unfortunately it's also the
most expensive. Did you
correctly or also probably has
the longest. Maintenance and
longest for learners life our
and leasing and maintenance
that's an old opposite shared
arm Greenwood councilors
Abeyta-Stuve be about. We metal
heating up arm think we have
that issue on some playground
mother equipment that we- kind
of build assets- the free
market to figure out why we did
the protect the public. Bird by
any those models there but- you
know I think. In the long term
it seems like option B. is the
most reasonable. Are despite it
being the most expensive of
fragments use like it might
have the least. Our maintenance
costs but the other piece very
like it's just that. You know
about public art. We can turn
this thing into. Something
that's recognizable and
something that adds to the
beauty and that's are. You know
says a little bit more about
our bodies and our downtown.
And I think we're not just
getting a shade structure also
getting a public art piece for
the same. You know in the same
project and I think that's
that's worth it for what it's
on. For what across. Arnold
with that I don't think many
other questions we just wanted
to say kind of vouch for that
options of thank you may. Thank
you looks like a cancer. Next
thank you may and yes I think
it's much for this great
present. I do not of the I
think this one you have on this
right is that my fave all I
might have one of the crazy
that would avoid it no I'm
shade structure in the blood
that- I am one to believe that
you know. If we live in the
desert and the sun is.
Unavoidable and it is one of
the most beautiful things
about- southern New Mexico- but
because- such a big number of
people wanted shade I think-
it's good that we respect that.
I you know it's funny it also
is I'm really glad that Tony
jumped in because all I keep
thinking about was the
Christmas tree. And how
incredible that event is and
important and- it new is and
how many folks are the tracks
obviously we don't know what
that's gonna look like this
year but- so for me what's
really important is. That The
actually they're not permanent
that I'd like the- one of I
think. It's important that I
didn't think about the wires I
would be there permanently- act
for me some sort of retractable
option would be the best. And
if they are going to be
permanent I absolutely think it
should be somehow sustainable-
perhaps even- you know
something relating to the
businesses around downtown and
how. The Mosel solar panels can
impact and support those
businesses or even the
courthouse I don't know right
but I think if they're gonna be
permanent structures that we
absolutely should look intohow
they can be sustainable and
green. And efficient- for the
surrounding community. I'm
sorry can you show the first
option again. Oops there was a
different one. Wilmore's good.
This is the translucent Anil.
Yeah I mean. I for me something
that I meanagain right like
this is our daughters- we live
in a desert a I think something
that can still hold on to the
beauty of the plaza without
putting a lot of. Lot more
middle I mean I think is
important- although I
understand what people want
shading I guess I don't really
have a question I just- at. I
think it's important that we
consider some of the biggest
events that are happening that
are had of the plaza- and how
it will be impacted by a more
permanent structures I think. I
could really did turn take away
from- events like that the- are
on the holidays. Thank their.
Thank you mayor pro tem Gandara
an inmate for ten let me ask
you I'm starting to. Let me
just you this and let me just
tell can to jettison and ray
Rivera. Thank thank you I mean
that be all thank you very much
for this presentation it's
excellent are great pictures.
But let me ask mayor pro tem
because Councilor Sorg was in
on the on the- line anymore.
Maybe it was been longer maybe
was maybe you guys just came on
board right before right before
you guys when I see you guys
Councilor- pretend gun that I
and Councilor Vasquez. But I'm
thinking that. The shade
structures that was. Originally
shown to us different and
these. And these are really
nice and but I just if I was
texting David that. Know what
happened to the other ones as
well. Because I think it's in
all fairness to you all you
need to see what was. Was kind
of I would say table but was
also discussed. Because it was-
remember how I talked I talked
about how we could have just
bought it all and then you we
get retracted back like when we
needed to- looks like doctor
Martinez just the- which you
have so we like to say that for
teens. Our curriculum and
thinking about direction for
the record Mr mayor. The
previous- structures where the
Cumberlands and they were not
permanent. So the
considerations for those to be
Inc. Her staff- time to take
them of putting in place notto
take them down. And based on
the feedback from when we
present that before council.
None of the options of where
they really extracted to you
all as of council- body. So
that's why we went back to the
drawing. Board and- provided
the key factor that we have
received from you and. Then
came up with these options.
Yeah my and then I think I need
kind of that first they weren't
umbrella they were they were.
They were safe she structure
they may look like a but they
will your LAR state changed and
wasn't that big The council
like them they just couldn't
figure out which which just
like this with a B. or C. that
they want to go. And I am a-
you so that that's I just felt
that if that if those were
still even available to throw.
Into the mix I think only fair
that the New council if Council
the mayor pro tem the is not a
way of that that means that we
four counts members haven't
seen what. Else are Sorg and I
saw and throw in a Councilor
Flores that makes five actual.
Anyway let me thank you for
that Dr Martinez let me go to
mayor pro tem down there if
she's not if she doesn't recall
what their with the first
options were way back when and
then it must of. It must of
happened right before. She took
office. Mayor pro tem. Thank
mayor thank you it should be
and I'm can appreciate all the
work- yes merry to remember the
presentation I think there were
a number of things that
happened I agree that it was
upon my life- my and my first
term so I don't twenty fifteen
twenty sixteen I believe- and I
think there were a number of
options and I do remember the
umbrellas but I also remember.
A different. Like you said a
shade structure and I think one
of the things- if I remember
correctly- from was that we
wanted to incorporate I mean it
we wanted t an art element to
it- and we weren't getting sort
of that. From the options that
were first- given to us and so-
we ask for staff to go back to
the drawing board- to be
examined what that might look
like always considering. The
events- with the treaty because
at that point if you recall the
tree lighting ceremony did not
happen at the plaza it happened
in front. Kind of it by the
library and city hall if you
will and that first year that
we brought it the treat to the
plans it was such a hit and has
continued to be so well.
Attended and so I just
wondering your councilors to be
aware that- those were things
that we wanted for staff and
the consultants to take under
consideration so the tree
lighting the Chile draw- but
also I've been to many events
over there over. Over in the
plaza and they gets really
warm- and I'm all for sun and
desert and love all that what
not but it's hard to sit in
there because what you see is
people- as the sun rays is.
Beating down there finding as
much shade. As they catch and
really that middle is being. To
probe. And then as soon as the
sun going down in the shade
gets you know a little wider
and into the middle of the
plaza. People start to move
their chairs over and even and
nice he vents what we've
offered chairs chairs are not
used because it's just too hot-
and so I do one under. All the
work that's been done I did
participate I was one of the
ones of the twenty something
not participated in that public.
Opportunity and so I feel a
little uncomfortable Mayor
adding those others to the mix-
because that wasn't something
that we added to the mix. When
we went. Into public comment. I
do wanna. Say that I like the
whole retractable- component
and I'm a bit disappointed that
we didn't get- prices for the
solar because if anything we
should do that it just makes
sense to me to have solar
panels down there- and I'm not
sure if that could be done with
the into to year the group bear
the name is escaping me at that
mall at this moment that that
would be a possibility to do
with the group that we just-
went into business with. Around
sold the evaluations and the
solar panels Johnson control
yes mayor thank you Johnson's
control I knew it was the last
name but I can't remember it
right off hand so I'm not sure
if that's a The- maybe an
Avenue. To and the other thing
is I worry at unlike others
about the metal structure in
the heat but- ms duck Mr
Guterres would. Aren't those
metal- made up of a component
enough to withstand the heat
and try to mitigate the he- I.
Yeah yeah your current your
correct- that they're and
they're also high enough- that
that the he would not be
dissipating. At human scale- so
that that would be another
benefit to the decorative panel
system. Just for information-
we did. The be prior to the in
between the- public input and
city staff meeting we did
discuss the solar option we did
some preliminary pricing with
this specific option that we're
looking at right now this
option a in just using solar
panels. In this configuration.
I'm we get we were getting some
initial and in when you're
dealing with solar it's a lot
of factors involved receipt-
sure- the one of the biggest
factors is the battery
components so without without
any battery. Generation just
just pure. Your energy back
into the grid were using using
the- energy instantaneously- we
were looking at cost between
one point five and two million
dollars. For this option right
here okay okay thank you for
that I am I think that's
important to weigh in and that
if we're thinking long long
range kind of visionary in
terms of our solar and
sustainability that. To me is
really important and I don't
know if Mayor the way we pay
for it I guess I have to ask
job I know we have some money
in the- in the bank in the
savings account what does that
look like and how much. Is
that- I don't I don't recall
the amount. I wonder if we can
use. That money for that I was
gonna say. And mayor at the
like the arts and cultural
district. Funding if it we put
an art element to that are
those options that we might be
able to. To pull from. Unknown
I would think that this would
probably fall to- Dr Martinus
department yeah. So eight my
first question is how much
money do we have in our our
little. City fun because we
have some money right. Yes we
sure do Dr Martinez. Yes are
development finance for the
record- about and can you talk
a little louder Dr Martinez
you're being really I can't
hear you very well- my
apologies I'm having technical
issues with my computer can you
hear me there. It's better. I
believe the fund balance in the
cage find it's about nine
hundred and sixty thousand
dollars. And of for this site
and be consider- we will have
to go back to the board. Of for
these to be included as one of
the priorities- before that
arts and cultural. District
Councilor Gandara. Rule to
speak the arts and district
sure. Group and- see if they
are to these for that have. The
estate in the state of. West
meal and so of that has to been.
So if we're talking about a
couple of million dollars
instead of a few is and we
neither one of the funds to
have sufficient- funding. So
don't might think you Dr
Martinez I'm I thought we had
some money set aside though for
the sake shape structure. Mmhm
Mayor America temp we have
currently a hundred and fifty
thousand dollars the-
construction. Okay all right so
we have to raise some money
Hannah. Or get it from a more.
Mayor mayor pro tem one of the
items- that we had in our
presentation was that one once
we have the guidance from city
council- he was to validate the
cost of that- selected option
and then- work the details for
the for the gap in between the
budgeted amount. In the
projected amount for the
building here thank you to Dr
Martinez I appreciate it yeah I
as per me- to two other points
mayor I'm I know the seller
rock is been doing- he- I'm
serving- especially over- and
contrapositive says area and I
wonder. What it looks like.
What the into looks there what
would happen we put a structure
like the one we're seeing now
with solar panels if it would
reduce that and add some more-
trees and whatnot if we can.
Reduce that heat index any.
With the solar panels for me
that's- my first option and I
do like the medal the medal
option- I wish that it was read
tractable- because I think
that's also- important so.
Right I don't know how helpful
that was but I think I have
more questions. And then
anything you like up B. is
you're saying protective. Me
may is the one this is a okay
yeah I mean my first is for
first if we get us the power
with an art option. I think
that would be my first
preference- but I do like- B.
as I like the metal structure
to. But that's not retractable
correct now I'm Lisa look like
that's correct is not. Richer
yeah. And you were thinking
putting solar panels on top of
those. No I would all I would I
when I see the first option it
reminds me more of how solar
panels that. Action okay yeah
thank you thank you so much. I
will tell you that Councilor
Sorg is not with us is-
internet went down and then of
course council Flores is out so
there's five of us here and for
us to. Can to move forward with
the design would probably would
need for people to support your
particular. One particular
option. To have staff- move
forward in that direction well.
Well we can either receive with
the others are thinking- I can
I would agree with you mayor
pro tem a friend do it miles
just get the one that provides
the most shape because the
other ones they just. She I
would probably go with the as
well but others who with the
others. Councilor Abeyta-Stuve
V. Vasquez have been call you
guys wanna jump in. He Mr
Mathis's concept SUV. Was for
he- what was for me okay. No
service. Yep right what should
be as well okay. And council
Bencomo. I'm my name was but
for the sake of consensus I
think it moving moving the
project forward I can I can
support it I just I mean I
would love to see maybe a bit
all. Chile drop on for ten one
or tree I don't I just I can't
get out of my head about some
of the biggest. Ground drying
events- and how some of these
bigger shades will impact that
but I can I will support that.
I think it's definitely this
one looks. You know the way you
guys have it. Laid out the same
color it looks like it was
designed to be. You know
they're on the plaza so. And
then maybe one of these days
when those trees and about you
know. Twenty years get big.
Will have little or shape to.
Mayor this is raise enough I
could have a quick second for
more that- councilman Bencomo
just took to address your
concerns if you'll notice. The
organizational all these
concepts including the one you
see on your screen is actually
are. Configured that such to
support. Those activities that
you described. Of the this the
area right in the center of
goals for. Is approximately
were the- were your Christmas
tree will be erected. How would
we be if you can vision that
some of our country projected
right at the intersection of
those for order. That's that's
weird. Christmas tree would be
located. She heard you. Yeah I
think you're just gonna come
from the- okay. Okay well I
will tell you this much ray and
can your designs were I think
will be better than the other
ones but I just. I thought I'd
mention that the other ones
were were one grenade gun. So
okay well then looks like
consensus is to move in that
direction and have staff figure
out how to pay for. But we need
we change it's just it's just
too hot. Especially now with
that term you know we deny it
well of course we're not really
out there but hopefully by next
year I would only have one so
if we were to move forward
when. When would these things
be constructed. Of course it
would depend on the on the
procurement mass and- but- we
would swoon us we would need
probably. Three to three six
months for design. And
construction obviously the
plaza is in use so we would
have to work with- city staff
to prepare a package that would
would work in a phased city
system- so I'm and referee
again you probably chime in but
I'm guessing construction on
this route because we're gonna
have to do some pretty heavy
foundation work. We'd probably
be looking at nine months would
use a great yard northern think
it could be done in less but it
is it is a factor in terms of
the phasing we do we want to
work closely with the local
merchants and make sure and
staff to make sure we don't
interrupt their you know impact
their- their seasonal
operations so if you would for
example. We might be able to
segment half the plaza either
the east or the west to work
with them will work better
north or south to were may
redirect and start putting
foundations and one and be able
to do public safety perimeter
around that to allow some of
the construction once you know
may be worth maybe it even
comes up when I say phases.
Maybe end up with the
construction of first and then
they come back later and then
and then the power to get it
get attached so it is a very
complex schedule a mayor but we
could probably assist you put
together a pretty detailed.
Schedule with that I think that
it shouldn't take nine months
on as we phase it and have a
long duration have pauses and
breaks- so I really think it
should be more around the
neighborhood of maybe for five
months our construction and
remember a neighborhood of
three. Three to four months the
most and going to a tools and
processes on design okay it
looks like town looks like
twenty trillon euro The City.
Wants that jump in real quick.
Yeah thank you mayor again the
is twenty. Internet director.
Works yes it is correct The
designed the struck. It's
fairly however this call is
just for a conceptual level a
what we can fit their what the
public wanted to see however we
still need coordinate with the
first management are. So in
Tennessee there's lot of
underground utilities
connections. I know there is
some some outlets some are
plugins that some more- vendors
wanted to see a long smooth
edges so. There's be some
coronation the lot of the
farmers market and other-
stakeholders in this area to
make sure it's really going
there and tear up some of this.
Base right here and we
accommodate everybody for the
future because I know some some
foodtrucks also power. How we
can for some of these benches
and have- kind of more property
set in there so. There's gonna
be some logistics on our side
still before we get into the
structural design of this so
just can. State that that the
designs is there for there's
some other logistics needs be
taken care of also with
economic development. In the
stickers. Okay very good. Many
other questions we can. Okay I
guess let's move forward with
some. Option B. and surprise
councilors sorgen for this when
they get back. So okay. Thank
you again and rate we
appreciate your your-
presentation and the design was
very nice so. There's nothing
further entertain a motion to
adjourn. So moved. Abeyta-Stuve
me okay motion made by council
Abeyta-Stuve the second by
council Vasquez that we turn
all those in favor signify by
saying aye. I was opposed
Richard at six twenty eight PM
thanks good evening. You can
the mayor tonig
