CITY COUNCIL BRIEFS

The Las Cruces City Council meet in regular session yesterday to discuss various items and resolutions.

The Council had to amend their current "Red Light Ordinance" to comply with the new State statute (SB519)which places a cap amount on fees(fines)for 'red light' violations. The amount that can be assessed for fees is now $100.00 for either a 'red light' violation or 'speeding' violation. The new state law now requires that if any disputes on a violation will be handled by the State District Court instead of the local municipal court. Also, the State will now collect 50% of the $100 fee.

As you are aware, I was opposed to the "red light cameras" installation and feel that the general purpose to deter traffic violators would not be affective as the issued violation and failure to pay the fine does not affect the drivers insurance or drivers license status. Failure to pay will result of the violation being sent to a collection agency. Most offenders don't care of they don't have to pay or be sent to collections.

Further, Councilor Miguel Silva stated that "he thought the cameras were for red light violations only and not speeding." I question if the Council understood the full impact of this ordinance and did not fully inform the public.

Director of Public Works, Michael Johnson, provided data regarding the number of violations at the various 'red light camera' locations in the city.

The following data was provided:

Intersections
Main & Solano
Red Light Violations: 356 Speeding Violations: 2592

Valley Dr. & Avenida de Mesilla
Red Light Violations: 1052 Speeding Violations: 287

Lohman & Walnut
Red Light Violations: 277 Speeding Violations: 1305

Lohman & Telshor
Red Light Violations: 187 Speeding Violations: 83

TOTAL Red Light Violations: 1852 Speeding Violations: 4267

Out of the 6,119 violations issued approximately 3,000 fees/fines have been collected. Under the new state law...will it be have been worth the time in training, leasing fees, etc. of taxpayers money?

NEW CONVENTION CENTER

City staff briefed the Council and public regarding the status of the new Las Cruces Convention Center. Construction of the center is scheduled to being in July 2009.

There will be an 'Open House' on June 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the public to review the plans and model for the center. The location for this event has not yet been determined.

Groundbreaking for the Convention Center will be on Wednesday, June 24th at 10:00 a.m. on the corner of El Paseo and University.