Council issues proclamations, confirms board appointments and hears bond and grant updates

At its April 15 meeting the Las Cruces City Council issued multiple proclamations recognizing community causes, honored winners of a local water-conservation poster contest and presented 'pets of the week.' Proclamations included National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Fair Housing Month, Donate Life Month, Parkinson's Awareness Month and National Small Business Week.

Representatives from New Mexico Legal Aid, the Greater Las Cruces Chamber, the Las Cruces Green Chamber and New Mexico Donor Services spoke briefly to accept proclamations and describe local programs and volunteer opportunities.

The council confirmed several board and advisory appointments by voice or roll-call, including reappointments to Library Board and Airport Advisory Board slots and new appointments to the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board and Capital Improvements Advisory Committee.

City Manager Ikana Tomobayo briefed council on administrative items: the city closed a competitive sale for $6 million in taxable general-obligation bonds on March 14 with final closing on April 11; staff reported preliminary PFAS testing indicates city wells remain within regulated compliance levels; and the city's sustainability team was awarded $500,000 by the Department of Energy for a home-retrofit workforce and efficiency program.

Other staff updates noted museum attendance at recent events, park-and-rec Earth Day activities, and outreach related to an animal-welfare ordinance in development. Councilors used their reports to thank staff and community partners and to flag upcoming meetings and work sessions on budget and ordinances.