Work Session Meeting December 8, 2025 MINUTES Work Session Monday, December 8, 2025 @ 1:00 PM City Council Chambers, City Hall PRESENT: Councilor Johana Bencomo, Councilor Yvonne Flores, Councilor Becki Graham, Councilor Becky Corran, Mayor Eric Enriquez, Councilor Cassie McClure, and Councilor William Mattiace ABSENT: 1. PETS OF THE WEEK 1.1 Carol Nielson, Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley presented Pets of the Week. 2. AGENDA ITEM 2.1 OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. Amanda Bowen, Emergency Manager gave the overhead presentation. Councilor Graham said I just wanted to appreciate the presentation and all that you guys do. I know that you hope to never be seen in the community, I am glad that we can come in under non-catastrophic circumstances. I am so glad that you mentioned the coordination of the Family Assistance Center after the Young Park tragedy because if you didn’t I was going to bring it up because I feel like that is such a good example of what you do in the community like you said you do a very technical job with a lot of acronyms and a lot of people and you’re kind of okay but seeing you in action doing, coordinating everything from payments to victims to just bringing out dogs and trying to heal hearts was huge and I am on the record here saying that if you need me for future interview panels I am going to have a lot more free time coming up soon so I hope you will keep me in mind. Councilor Corran said I just also want to you all an enormous appreciation for all of your work with the Family Resource Center. I think you also work behind the scenes with the Animal Services Center and gave a lot of support with them and thinking about their emergency plan and the collaborative emergency response plan for animals, so I want to thank you very much. I did want to follow up on one specific thing that isn’t actually for you, thank you. When we first came on board as city councilors, we went through a little bit of an orientation with Office of Emergency Management and that was great. I highly recommend new councilors also or new elected folks also go through that but one thing came up in that conversation that I never followed up on and I don’t know if any of us ever followed up on and that was increasing the City Manager’s ability to spend money in an emergency and historically the council had set that at $100,000 which may have been real money in the past but isn’t actually real money in today’s emergencies I think and so that was like three years ago and I had apparently in a hidden posted note in my brain that had been lost until you came here today. So, thank you for bringing it back because I don’t think we have ever considered that. I don’t think we have made that move to increase the authority of the City Manager in the case of an emergency to spend more money on behalf of the city of Las Cruces. I don’t think it would be a very big policy lift but I would ask us to maybe consider following up on that if we can. Just seeing you reminded me that is a thing that we should do to make sure we are contributing meaningfully to this. Councilor Flores asked do you remember the last time you were here or your organization was here? Amanda Bowen said I believe it was a year and half ago when Steven presented. It has been a bit of time and I apologize for that. We have been shuffling people and things but we do hope if you will allow us to come back yearly to provide you with some more consistent updates. Councilor Flores asked I was just wondering because there was a date that came up, 2011 in the beginning and what was that for? Amanda Bowen said the AHEOP, the plan that I was discussing, the last substantial rewrite of that plan was done in 2011. We have done some minor tweaks to it to to keep our office compliant so that we can get grants and things like that. There was a signature revision in 2019 so that is the official date of the plan that is on file currently, but we knew that it needed more significant updates and it needed things like adopting ADA compliance issues. Those are really important, and we really didn’t want to gloss over that by doing non-substantive updates to it so that is why we went with a full rewrite this time. That is what that date is referring to. Councilor Flores said that is really good because then your funding isn’t at all jeopardized. Councilor Bencomo said I thought it was really funny that you said that the acronym was to condense the name but even the acronym is kind of long. I just continue to be really impressed by yourself and Joy especially in the aftermath of the Young Park shooting and so I just really wanted to thank you both for that and how quickly you moved. I am curious, if something you said during that day when we visited you at the resource center you said you can plan and plan and plan and the only way to know if the plan works is if something happens and you never want something to happen right but that is just the way it goes. I am curious if you know in the last few months you have had time to debrief and if you have any lessons learned, certainly for yourself but anything that the city could have done differently or better? I think that is really important and maybe you have already shared that with you know like our Chiefs but if there is anything you could share with us today, I think that would be important and if not because I am putting you on the spot then if you could follow up. I think it is really important. Debriefs are just so important for learning and for doing things differently. Hopefully not a next time but certainly if a next time should occur. Amanda Bowen said we did conduct an after action of the actual family assistance and resource center process. I believe that your team did an after action of other parts of the incident. Ours was specific to that as that was our scope and we had a lot of entities show up, a lot of participants show up and I think the biggest takeaway that I heard from the room was really the amazing way in which people stepped forward with a very little ask and how the preplanning made such a big difference to executing. There are always little tweaks and things that we feel could be done better. I think there are some improvements to the plan that have already taken place. The big takeaway was really in collaboration and really continuing to exercise that moving forward with our law enforcement and fire partners. Councilor Bencomo said I think it is also important that we will have two new colleagues on the council in January, that they meet you all and go through some sort of introductory presentation. Mayor Enriquez said thanks again with the Young Park incident but also for Ruidoso. When Ruidoso was hurting and flooding you all went and also were there and providing assistance and knowledge and experience but those kind of emergencies also create education. So, thanks, I am sure it would help with the plan and putting things together for our community in case something happens. So, thank you for your efforts and I just want to say thank you for the update on the new facility. You said it will be in May? Amanda Bowen said yes. Mayor Enriquez said as already been mentioned we will have two new councilors coming on, you can do the introduction and show them but I would hope that sometime in June, give it about six months, get established and then invite us over so that we can get tour of the new facility and how it works and another tutorial on the expectations and the role of councilors is always important. Amanda Bowen said absolutely, if you give us a minute to talk, we will fill your ears as we have previously so we would love to collaborate to the fullest extent you invite us in. Mayor Enriquez said as far as the funding and things, I do recall something like that took place back then Councilor Corran, but I think that is something that the City Manager can get with the County Manager and yourself and see how we can work through that because it is a shared entity. Amanda Bowen said I believe we have worked that out. We do have a new cooperative agreement that has been signed and so that is all in place. We really appreciate the willingness to work on that. Our team was working really hard to provide your team with a lot of back-up data and a standard reimbursement amount really made more sense and your team accommodated that so thank you very much. That should be in place now. 2.2 MIH/LIGHT PROGRAM UPDATE. Matthew Hiles, Division Chief introduced the topic. Wes Smith, Case Manager Fire Department gave the overhead presentation. Councilor Flores asked on page 9 there was an 80% success rate reported, so what does it take to graduate and then the recidivism is also a factor here? So, 20% of those measured come back? The other 80% don’t? Over a period of how much time was this data collected? Wes Smith said the 80% graduated are folks who were referred, enrolled, and we administered at least one resource or one referral, maybe up to five. It really depends on the severity or acuity of the patient. So sometimes it is a very simple fix. Sometimes it is just navigating somebody to have their own wheelchair they can’t afford. Sometimes it is getting Adult Protective Services involved. Sometimes it is navigating somebody through a skilled nursing facility and getting them inpatient rehabilitation. Sometimes it is really pulling multiple agencies to get somebody engaged to be successful independently. That 80% captures those folks that require some sort of interaction. The other 20% are typically refuse services, they are deceased, revoked or ineligible. Councilor Flores said I can understand the deceased and refusals but the revocation and ineligible. What happens to them? And what are the actual numbers of those percentage points? Wes Smith said I don’t have the percentage points, I don’t have the actuals. Councilor Flores said in terms of the percentages it looks like it is very successful. You have no idea what happens to that 2.6%? What is the eligibility requirement? Wes Smith said if there is no MIH need, this is a situation where perhaps by the time we do our needs assessment, that need is no longer applicable because they have reached, they have gone to a higher level of care if that might be an option or family came into town and they took over and they are able to meet the patient’s needs. Councilor Flores asked what about the revoked, are they referred to another entity? Wes Smith said revoked is often for like safety concerns. Councilor Flores asked if someone is violent or dangerous? Wes Smith said yes, ma’am if we are not able to successfully intervene in a way that doesn’t put our staff in danger. Mayor Enriquez said again Wes, thank you and everyone, the whole team, but a special shoutout to Paul. Paul was there from day one, from the beginning and your continued efforts and work. Terra Winters, Member of the Public said so you all know me, and you know that I don’t cry and I am usually super vivacious but I am going to share my story. I am not here in my community non for profit role but as a citizen of this city. Over the last eight years I have been care giving for my parents. As an only child and living close by I knew this would be my role but I was not ready this early in my life while balancing children, work, and general life and just overall schedules. My mother has dealt with a dozen falls, a car accident, two knee surgeries, and has been in a wheelchair for four years. As caregiving took a toll on my father it was apparent that his health, his mental capacity, and PTSD as a Vietnam Veteran was turning a corner I could not assist with on a daily basis. As an active member of the non for profit community I feel really connected. I am so well connected that I know the resources and services that you provide here in the city of Las Cruces. It was through these resources and connections and outreach that my family was truly impacted by this team and so many others in the city and continue to be served. The medically integrated health team again helping my parents roughly four years ago after her physical altercation with my father and I. Several fall assist calls to 911 and many visits from Station 2. So Chief Daniels, thank you to your department at Station 2. I have gotten to know them very, very well. I needed support to keep them out of the ER on a regular basis and stop calling 911. Paul, Wes, and Mindy, and all of this team behind me assisted my parents and placed them on a regular MIH rotation. They assisted with check ins on my dad discussing on getting firearms out of the home, fall protocol, assisted in trying to get my dad to VA services, setting my parents up on Meals on Wheels, discussing set up of Vamos to assist in transportation, and if you ever need to talk about Vamos I probably won’t cry as much but it is an amazing service and thank you for doing it for free for our community. But most importantly it was another set of eyes so I could keep my parents safe in their home. This has been invaluable for them and for me. Unfortunately, my father decided to take his own life in June. MIH, Vamos, and LCPD were all there to assist me in a situation that I was not prepared for but unfortunately knew may come. Even with discussions on getting firearms out, alerting Fire and PD of the potential danger and seeking additional mental health services the act still came to fruition. I want to personally thank LCPD and especially Officer Monsivias, for his care during that difficult day. I will tell you a funny story, Officer Monsivias is not very tall, and he met me at the door and he said I don’t want you to have to see what just happened so I am going to walk with you. I thought that is so sweet because I can see over the top of you. But he held my hand and he helped me get through that situation and thank you to him. Days later MIH was there to help my mom get a Knox Box on her door, complete VA paperwork for survivor benefits and talk about how to keep her at home. Paul and I talked for hours, Mindy and Wes for support of possibilities of assisted living facilities or keeping her safe at home. It is with their help that I have been able to do so for the past five months. I could not have done it without their guidance. I want every citizen, every single one of you and every family member in Las Cruces to know about these vital services provided by the City of Las Cruces. From MIH to the free ride services of Vamos to Meals on Wheels and the support that PD and Fire give to our community even on our blue sky days. I want the council and the Chief of Fire to understand the importance of MIH and its staff. These are amazing people that take on situations to reduce 911 calls, unneeded transport, ER visits for our residents and connecting families with resources they need. With support from their team including the importance of a social worker families can get through issues and reduce their needs for 911. I am in full support of this team and hope that in today’s Work Session that you feel the same way. Thank you all so much and thanks for listening. Wes Smith continued the overhead presentation. Councilor Graham said I feel like any slide in this presentation is just clear justification for both celebrating this program and expanding it. But can you jump back to slide 18 for me please? I think this is just such a great overview of how well this program is doing but also how much more we can use it. So, you are responding to 58.2% of all mental health crisis calls in the 911 system with a goal of 90% but when we look at bullet point one average time on task of one hour and eighteen minutes per call and that is amazing because that is the time it takes to successfully engage with these patients but it also shows even when a LIGHT unit is available, they are with a patient they are going to be there for a while and if we are going to get that fourth bullet point up and I really appreciate you pointing up the progress that is being made we just need more of you and I am just pointing out since my time here is fast. Every time I say this you make it sound like your terminal or something, but no, just because my council term is about to be over, so it is not anything deeper than that. Again, I don’t think I have to convince anyone on this dais or the folks who will be joining us in the future about how important this program is but I just wanted to call out this one in particular and again thank you all so much for all that you do. Councilor Corran said I echo the fading Councilor Graham’s gratitude and appreciation for this. Both the way that you have analyzed it, I appreciate the nerding out, so I see you using your data. So, I appreciate you all for that and for the essential work that you do in the community which is actually important to talk about but the data is the least important part of what you all do in terms of contributing to things. I am curious and sort of asking for you to speculate a little bit which I know no one ever likes to do when they are doing these presentations or talk a little bit about the horizon. You sort of alluded to some of the horizon, but I am curious if you have a sense of two different variables that I think really relates to your work. One is the frequency with which these calls are coming in, if that is trending in any direction and then secondarily the providers or lack there of that exist to do follow up on almost any version of both MIHs and LIGHT’s work requires a very robust network of people to be sort of handing people off to and understanding how that works and I am curious if you can talk about, again this is speculative? I am not asking you to give a full epidemiological study although I would love that and support it. Just what is your sense of both of those things in terms of how it relates to this work and the future of both MIH and LIGHT? Wes Smith said we work with a lot of other agencies including HIDTA, DEA, PD obviously and we are around a lot of conversations with a lot of community stakeholders, like the LC3 Behavioral Collaborative. So, we are constantly being educated on trends not just number of like of frequency of calls but what are contributing factors that are going to lead to more calls? So, this may be a change in policy. This could be a change in administration. This could be a change in, there is a lot of things. There is nothing that we are really able to track on trend outside of basic volume statistics. Councilor Corran asked part of the reason I ask this is because sometimes when people become more aware of something they end up calling more, right? So, if the trend is increasing numbers whatever the origin of that is or if fewer people are calling, right? So, I guess those are the kinds of things that I would be curious to know and you might not be able to say that but I think what you are getting at is that it is to complicated to make any speculative pronouncements about what I am asking? Wes Smith said yes, maybe I have some ideas. Let me talk to my Chief and I will get back with you. As far as lack of providers, I do appreciate that you do appreciate that there is a paucity of providers in our community but a lot of what we do is not what you know it is who you know and that is why this community engagement and reaching out to folks kind of like sharing our experience with like mental health crisis and getting feedback from providers. We are learning all kinds of other different programs that may be appropriate for especially like youth. When Mindy and I were going through this research we were able to identify all different kinds of avenues and like strategies to get children connected with resources. It is who you know rather than what you know. Councilor Corran said I guess the danger of knowing a lot of people is that you get better at your job and more people call you and there is more demand so just to speculate myself. I think you all are in danger of becoming both ever better at your jobs and ever more in demand so I sense that is on the horizon of the future of these programs which you have contributed today for better or worse. Thank you again for chatting. But I do hope you consider when it comes to things like collaborations if there are any ways that we can support those or if there are trends that are happening in the community because we have heard distally of things ending, right? Things in community resources that existed that are becoming fewer and fewer in number and even as these are all very downstream things. Even like the professionalism of social work and the ability to get your loans reimbursed. Those things affect every aspect of your job, right? So, as you have sensed trends that we can help offset or contribute to overcoming those humps or addressing things that you all are affecting I hope you will let us know what you need as ever, please. Councilor Bencomo said I wanted to circle back to something you said in the MIH presentation about transportation, not having a social services department yet our bus drivers being incredibly attuned to their customers. I thought that was really beautiful and really glad you put that into your presentation because again the data, that is very important. That is how we should be creating policy and programing and funding and there is something things that the data doesn’t capture and I just really wanted to express my gratitude for that because I think that there are little miracles and magic happening all over the city all of the time and we keep hearing that from our bus drivers so thank you for noting that. These two presentations for me just continue to affirm just the belief that we should always be pairing the right first responder to the right emergency and you know these two programs are the epitome of that, right? You know for a long time I also have heard that we should not have a co-response model for LIGHT through the 911 system. That is some of the models across the country. I used to believe that too until I went on a ride along and got to sit and talk with the folks that are doing the actual work and who have said I don’t know if that is necessarily something we have needed. We have seen a lot of really positive things being out of the 911 program like for example the social workers on the LIGHT team have seen a police officer like regulate themselves in the middle of a scene and again things that the data doesn’t capture and I think it is so important for all of us up here to just continue to be in conversation with all of you here for sure but just directly come to you all for information about how we can support the programing and not make demands that perhaps isn’t what you want to see. I just want to note that because I think it is incredibly important. When you talked about 988, I am curious what kind of and maybe this is in the future or you are already working on in but what kind of data are you getting from MVRDA and from that 988, because I am still curious of what you said in terms of the escalation? 988 calls can be escalated to 911. I am curious and you said that has only happened six times in the last year? That is truly interesting to me, right? Maybe that is a good thing I am hoping and I would be more curious to learn about that. That might not be from you, I guess that might be from MRVDA next time we see them as well. I do think that is really important. Wes Smith said I can get you in contact with the 988 folks that we work with and they are a great resource. Councilor Bencomo said that would be great. Then on page 16, just so that I am clear you talked about cancelled? For example, you arrived to the scene with LCPD 100% of the time and you are saying these are the times you said LCPD you can go and LCPD was like yup? Okay, same thing with Fire I imagine, ambulance or the entire apparatus has shown up? And you have said nope, everything this good. Same thing with AMR or ambulance service that they showed up and then you cancelled it? Wes Smith said sometimes even AMR will be cancelled on route. Fire can be cancelled on route. Typically PD as always establishes scene security. Councilor Bencomo asked I am curious how Public Works and an update to the building where we are in terms of if we have full funding and I would love an update on what is next? Jimmy Moreno, Public Works Interim Assistant Director said we are approximately 90% on the design for the building. Also, the plans are currently in review with SHPO. Since the old Fire Station 3 is greater than 50 years and because we have a HUD grant, we have to go through that process and so we are hoping to get some resolution on that by the first quarter in 26, but the design is going well. We are almost completed with that and we will move forward accordingly. Councilor Bencomo asked you are connecting with the LIGHT and MIH team for their needs and making this? Jimmy Moreno said that is correct. Our team coordinates with them. Our user departments make sure that all of their needs are met in the design and construction. Mayor Enriquez said a lot of exciting news. There is a lot of growth and I share that with Councilor Corran as you become more known and the great work that you do you become more in demand and then it is true but the beauty of all this is that this started with 911 calls so we can always call 911 and still get the Fire Department and Police Department out there for their needs but thank you for all your work we really appreciate the presentation and the update. 2.3 LEGISLATIVE POLICIES. Christine Rivera, City Clerk introduced the topic. Andy Hume, Airport Director gave the overhead presentation. Natalie Green, Housing and Nieghborhood Revitalization Administrator continued the overhead presentation. Jeremy Story, Police Chief continued the overhead presentation. Carol Brey, Quality of Life Director continued the overhead presentation. Councilor Graham said just for people listening or perhaps like me who are, didn’t we just do this last week? So, I feel like some explanation would be helpful and Natalie actually, Christine you are always amazing, and anyone can field this but Natalie actually used some vocabulary when you said the Governor is putting it on the call. So, I don’t know if anyone would like to explain, yes this is a thirty-day session budget only session however the Governor has powers. Christine Rivera said you are correct. The Governor can bring certain policies forward. I know the public safety ones are big on her list. Again of course there is no guarantee that they will be passed but she does have that prerogative to bring certain ones forward and public safety is one of her big ones. Councilor Graham said great, just kind of pointing out that this is an evolving situation. As Natalie also mentioned, things are changing as we speak, and we are also starting to see the hints. There is additional, been made aware of some potential gun safety legislation emerging from some legislators in Albuquerque looking at gun dealerships. I am going to share that with you Christine so that you can share with the larger council but just to say this was not like a ball drop from last week. Just that this is constantly emerging and is largely tied to powers vested in the Governor themselves. Christine Rivera said correct, I just want to mention to you that we won’t see a lot of these policies until January when they first drop so, we don’t even know what they are really going to look like at this point. Councilor Bencomo said thank you for the staff for coming back a week after we had this conversation about legislative priorities at last week’s regular meeting where we voted on this. I think it is important that we have this conversation because even though we really are trying to move away from endorsing any one particular piece of legislation given the feedback and advice we have gotten from Larry who literally does this for a living, right, in terms of how one piece of legislation can look a certain way the first day of session and completely different by the thirty days so we are trying to do more umbrella type of sort of advocacy or support if you will like housing, public safety, and especially because the thirty day is even more volatile but certainly volatile than the sixty day. So, I do think that it is important that we are having this conversation. I think for me what felt really concerning last week was that we voted on this big sort of item on legislative priorities and what I saw on social media after Chief Story had a meeting with a citizen group specifically about his own legislative priorities and to me that felt and I have expressed my concern to both Chief and Ikani about this but wanted to name it publicly because that is the work we do and I think it is important that we are aligned as a city, that we are on the same page and even when we are not that we are able to have public conversations about some of these things. I think for me what I perhaps it wasn’t intentional but the impact it had of that decision was that the city council does not support Chief Story and public safety policies and to me that feels in this moment in time detrimental to the kind of trust that we are trying to build with our community. To the kind of important work that we are trying to move forward in our community and I know especially when it comes to public safety I feel like there continues to be a rift between council and LCPD and I hope that is not true and I hope that is just what I am sort of looking from the inside out and as we see collaboration with the Trump Administration, even though the majority of us on council is really trying to push back on that even if it is immigration. Quite frankly it is a lot of things because Trump Administration has really set a tone that has said, we are going to be high on cruelty and low on competence when it comes to navigating issues on immigration, issues of homelessness, and I just want us to better navigate these public conversations together because that is how we are going to get important work done and I just felt very discouraged by that last week and certainly hope that in the future we can just plan better especially because I think for Larry. Larry doesn’t work for one particular staff member, right? Larry works for the city and I want to understand when someone asks me about some of these priorities, I want to be able to feel like I know what I am talking about because I should, that is my job. I want to note that. You can respond if you wish. You don’t have to. I just think it is important that there is going to be criticism no matter what. Whether we as electeds or as members of the city are fueling to that or not really is a question here and I would prefer for us not to be and to show a better more united front especially when it comes to issues that are most challenging and facing our city. Whether staff goes through you Christine, I would just like to request as soon as we know what is on the Governors call for staff to be able to tell you and then tell us just so that we are updated as we head into our advocacy day. Christine Rivera said I will be working very closely with Larry. He is already on it. He will be starting to review the bills as they drop in January and then reporting back to me on which ones will fit into our priorities, and I will be reporting that to everyone. Ikani Taumoepeau, City Manager said thank you so much Mayor Pro Tem for speaking to what I definitely want to be transparent. This isn’t on any of the staff as you and Councilor Graham and all of City Council are very aware of this came before you as legislative priorities and policies and this wasn’t on there. Typically, what we do is when this comes before council, we do our best to get them collectively. To get the policies and our CIP together on this same agenda item and it did not happen, and I will take that as a City Manager. This is not anything that any of the staff today planned or intentionally, but this is something that we typically do historically. That one is on me. It wasn’t intentional by any of the staff here today, but I appreciate you bringing this forward and this is something moving forward that we will bring together as one agenda item as you mention to show a united front on this. It is very important as you mentioned. It is not something that I did on purpose, but I appreciate you bringing this forward because I know you want to make sure that it is transparent for everyone watching as well and we appreciate the grace that council has had on this topic on these various policies and we appreciate you bringing forward to the public. Mayor Enriquez said I just want to say that we understand that it is a thirty-day session and it is mostly financial, and these are some of the things that the Governor could call so we want to make sure that we are aligned with that. We just witnessed a presentation earlier on the Mobile Integrated Health Program and the success and that all started with repeated individuals, repeat offenders of utilizing the 911 system so we had to be proactive in order to make a difference in our community and I believe that what Chief Story is presenting with the repeat offenders is in line with being proactive instead of reactive and we have to be ready when the Governor calls to be able to discuss and to say a Mayor and council from Las Cruces we support this because we want to see a difference made just like we saw with the MIH and with housing the same way and Carol thank you for brining that up with the GO Bond, it is important that we are in the forefront of it and being able to take advantage of those. The question I had for Andy was that I totally agree with creating services for our residents and opportunities for our businesses, but do you have any numbers since 2023? Or what is the demand for these type of flights? Andy Hume said we have been tracking our ridership and what are called load factors. I don’t have the numbers with me, but I have them available and can send them to you this afternoon. 3. ADJOURNMENT 3.1 Councilor Yvonne Flores moved, seconded by Councilor Johana Bencomo, to adjourn at 2:42 p.m. RESULT: Carried MOVER: Councilor Yvonne Flores SECONDER: Councilor Johana Bencomo AYES: Councilor Johana Bencomo, Councilor Yvonne Flores, Councilor Becki Graham, Councilor Becky Corran, Mayor Eric Enriquez, Councilor Cassie McClure, and Councilor William Mattiace Mayor City Clerk