Work Session Meeting August 12, 2024 MINUTES Work Session Monday, August 12, 2024 @ 1:00 PM City Council Chambers, City Hall PRESENT: Councilor Johana Bencomo, Councilor Yvonne Flores, Councilor Becki Graham, Councilor Becky Corran, Mayor Eric Enriquez, and Councilor Cassie McClure ABSENT: Councilor William Mattiace 1. JOBS OF THE WEEK 1.1 Sarah Raney, Workforce Development presented the Jobs of the Week. 2. PETS OF THE WEEK 2.1 Amy Defelix, ASCMV presented the Pets of the Week. 3. AGENDA ITEM 3.1 ANNUAL UPDATES FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS: MESILLA VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE AND DOWNTOWN LAS CRUCES PARTNERSHIP Elizabeth Teeters, Economic Development Director introduced the topic. Davin Lopez, MVEDA gave an overhead presentation. Councilor Flores said the picture is impressive in one way but not so impressive in what has come to Las Cruces. I know when I started on council 7 1/2 years ago we already had a contract with you. After all these years, it feels like we are milking a dry cow. Is there any point in going on? With all due respect, I think you've done wonders for Santa Teresa and that there is a region in New Mexico that is benefitting from your work but frankly I don't see how it's really benefitting us. If you were to do a Page 1 of 4 study that shows how the wealth and revenue is being built up there is somehow being funneled to us because there is more houses being built here. The jobs in Santa Teresa I hear offer jobs to people who live in Mexico. I don't know if that's true or not. There's nothing wrong with what you presented but there is just a missing link there. Where do we come in? Davin Lopez said I would respectfully ask that you look at our body of work because if you look at the years past we have had very strong years in terms of job growth and then we have these cycles that take place. What we're trying to do right now is establish opportunities for the Innovation and Industrial Park in a market where industrial growth around the United States has some very unique trends that are taking place that I think we can take advantage of right now. I'm not going to disagree with this year; we had a tough year closing the deals. But we had a great year in terms of providing exposure to Las Cruces and the Innovation and Industrial Park but sometimes we're not in control, we don't always have the tools or the policy to get them to the finish line. We are trying to market them but it's not like we have the tools to enforce a decision, but with that being said I tried to give you a snapshot of those projects that got delayed and where we think we were going to see opportunity this year. It takes a body of work and several years to grow programs, grow opportunities, and I guess what we're providing to the residents of Las Cruces. Councilor Flores asked what was that investment? Was there a report on that? A lot of this data has been in the making. Do you work closely with Elizabeth and Chris on this? Davin Lopez said yes, we do work very closely with Elizabeth and Chris. I've been talking about this for years, the need to attract speculative development. That's not new and it's not the first time I ever said this. We have not been in control to be able to do that. We have now found some pockets of dollars through this relationship with the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico to bring private sector dollars but we still need more of the city's support in terms of making this happen and making it a value statement. I think we need to put more effort into this. We are falling behind in terms of competing with cities and states around the country. We had a consultant come to our board retreat a month ago because we wanted to hear what they said about how Texas does things. These little communities in Texas have sometimes 10, 20, 30 times the amount of dollars invested in economic development than we do here. I think that's an important note to take. We do run an impact analysis every year. We break it out specifically for jobs in the city of Las Cruces and we provide that at the end of every year. So we are right now working on our final reports for the city but those past reports have been available to you each and every year for the last seven or eight years. Mayor Enriquez said I kind of felt the same way in where you grow impatient and you want to see results. I know it's been awhile but I'm also on the board and I signed up on that so I could see what's going on first hand. They do a lot of work and I see that your production agency isn't here today but I know Carlos does a tremendous job in marketing for Las Cruces and Dona Ana County so now I feel very optimistic. I like the approach that we're going and working with public and private partnerships, now Page 2 of 4 looking at the Industrial Park and maybe some speculative buildings to take place. Unfortunately, we need to be a little bit more patient but I think there's some things coming down the pipe now that are working. We are very fortunate that things are really booming in Santa Teresa that it is going to get closer to Las Cruces and I see some promising things coming. I see all the work that goes into economic development and MVEDA so I thank you for that, Davin. Susan Cabello, DLCP gave an overhead presentation. Councilor Bencomo asked on the folks that are either leaving or closing, do you do exit surveys? Susan Cabello said if we can. Councilor Bencomo asked and what kind of information are you hearing? Susan Cabello said one is that the rent is too expensive and also that traffic patterns are changing a little bit. Rent affordability and the viability of that property. We have some property downtown that has been grandfathered in, in a little bit rougher shape and since downtown is doing well rent even on those properties is increasing. Councilor Bencomo asked is that information that you're sharing with landlords and owners of those properties? Susan Cabello said yes. 3.2 HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT Larry Nichols, Community Development Director introduced the topic. Dr. Judy Berryman, HPC Chair gave an overhead presentation. David Chavez, HPC member continued the overhead presentation. 4. ADJOURNMENT 4.1 Councilor Johana Bencomo moved, seconded by Councilor Becky Corran, to Adjourn the Work Session at 2:22 p.m. RESULT: Carried MOVER: Councilor Johana Bencomo SECONDER: Councilor Becky Corran AYES: Councilor Johana Bencomo, Councilor Yvonne Flores, Councilor Becki Graham, Councilor Becky Corran, Mayor Eric Enriquez, and Councilor Cassie McClure Page 3 of 4 Mayor City Clerk Page 4 of 4