The municipal corporation now existing and known as the City of Las Cruces shall remain and continue to be a body corporate and public and may exercise all legislative powers and perform all functions not expressly denied by general law or by this Charter

The city may exercise its legislative power in the manner it deems necessary. As the purpose of this Charter is to provide for maximum local self-government, a broad construction shall be given to the powers of the city granted by this Charter.

The power of the city to legislate is permissive and not mandatory. If the city does not legislate, it may, nevertheless, act in the manner provided by law. In this respect it shall possess all powers granted to municipal corporations by the Constitution and statutes of New Mexico and not contrary to the provisions of this Charter.

The city shall have such other powers as are consistent with the Constitution of the State of New Mexico and with this Charter

The city may exercise its power of eminent domain to condemn private property, real and personal, which is employed for a public purpose where by resolution the city council determines that such condemnation will serve the public interest

(Ord. No. 1083, 7-3-89)

The boundaries as now established or as hereinafter established for the City of Las Cruces shall be the boundaries of the city

Limitation on private and civil laws and on penalties. The grant of powers herein shall not include the power to enact private or civil laws governing civil relationships except as incident to the exercise of an independent municipal power, nor shall it include the power to provide for a penalty greater than the penalty provided for a petty misdemeanor. The council may not impose any tax unless authorized to do so by the State of New Mexico

Limitation on credit and donations. The City of Las Cruces, except as otherwise provided in the New Mexico Constitution, shall not directly or indirectly lend or pledge its credit or make any donation to or in aid of any person, association or public or private corporation. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the city from making provision for the care and maintenance of sick and indigent persons.

Composition. The legislative power of the city shall be vested in the council, comprised of six (6) members to be known as councilors and one (1) member to be known as mayor. The six (6) councilors shall be nominated and elected by the qualified voters of each of the six (6) single-member districts. The mayor shall be nominated and elected at large.

Eligibility. Only qualified voters and residents of a respective district shall be eligible to hold the office of councilor from that district. Only qualified voters and residents of the City of Las Cruces shall be eligible to hold the office of mayor.

Election and terms. The first council shall be selected in accordance with Article XI of this Charter. Thereafter, the term of office for all councilors shall be four (4) years except for circumstances provided for in Section 2.06(c). Elections shall be on a staggered basis and shall be held in the manner provided in Article VII. The terms of the councilors and the mayor shall begin at the first meeting of the council after the certification of the election, or after the runoff election for those candidates subject to the runoff provisions of this Charter.

Districts. The city shall be divided into six (6) geographical districts numbered one (1) to six (6), inclusively, and each district shall be represented by one (1) councilor. Each member of the council representing a district shall be elected by the resident, qualified voters of that district only. The mayor shall be elected at large and shall be elected by the resident and qualified voters of the City of Las Cruces.

District boundaries and revisions. The council shall, be [by] ordinance, set the boundaries of each district. These boundaries shall remain in effect until altered or changed by the council by ordinance. In establishing the district boundaries, the council shall consider the following principles which, in the event of any conflict among them, shall be considered in the following order.

(1) Each district shall contain as nearly as possible substantially the same population based upon the most recent federal census.

(2) Communities of interest, including those based upon ethnic and economic factors, shall be preserved whenever reasonable within a single district.

(3) Each district shall be formed of compact, contiguous territories. The total length of all district boundary lines shall be as short as possible.

The council shall provide, by ordinance, a procedure for the periodic review of the boundaries of the districts.

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 1324, § I, 7-6-93)

Editor's note: Ordinance No. 1324, adopted July 6, 1993, amending § 2.01, was approved at referendum on Nov. 2, 1993. The runoff election language referred to in subsection (c) is subject to the decision in Frietze v. City of Las Cruces

Sec. 2.02. Salary’ expenses

Salary. The council shall determine the annual salary of councilors and the mayor by ordinance, but no ordinance increasing their salaries shall become effective until after the expiration of terms of office of the individuals then constituting the council.

Expenses. The city council shall set by ordinance a policy on reimbursement for expenses of councilors incurred in performing official duties.

Selection. At the first meeting after each regular election, or in the event there is a runoff election for a councilor or mayoral candidate pursuant to this Charter, after the first meeting following such runoff election the council shall select a mayor pro tem from among the other six (6) councilors then elected and serving. For all purposes of this Charter, the mayor and mayor pro tem shall remain councilors but shall have additional powers herein set forth.

Duties. The mayor shall chair the council, shall have a vote on all matters coming before the council, shall be recognized as head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law, shall propose programs and policies to the council annually in a formal statement, and from time to time, but shall not have any administrative duties. The mayor pro tem shall perform the duties of the mayor in the absence or disability of the mayor.

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 1324, § II, 7-6-93)

Editor's note: Ordinance No. 1324, adopted July 6, 1993, amending § 2.03, was approved at referendum on Nov. 2, 1993. The runoff election language referred to in subsection (a) is subject to the decision in Frietze v. City of Las Cruces

All powers of the city shall be vested in the council, except as otherwise provided by law or this Charter, and the council shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law.

Holding other office. Except where authorized by law, no councilor or mayor shall hold any other elected public office or city employment during the term for which the individual was elected to the council. No former councilor or mayor shall hold any compensated appointive city office or employment until one (1) year after the expiration of the term for which the councilor or mayor was elected.

Appointments and removals. Neither the council nor its individual members shall in any manner dictate the appointment or removal of any city administrative officer or employee whom the city manager or any of the manager's subordinates are empowered to appoint.

Interference with administration. Neither the mayor, council nor individual councilors shall in any manner usurp the administrative authority of the city manager set forth in Article III.

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89)

Sec. 2.06. Vacancies; forfeiture of office; filling of vacancies.

Vacancies. The office of councilor shall become vacant upon the councilor’s death, resignation, recall, moving of residence from the district from which elected, or forfeiture of office. The office of mayor shall become vacant upon the mayor's death, resignation, recall, moving of residence from the district from which elected, or forfeiture of office.

Forfeiture of office. A councilor or mayor may be removed from office in accordance with the general laws of the State of New Mexico.

Filling of vacancies. A vacancy in the council, occurring more than nine (9) months prior to the next regular election, shall be filled by a special election to be held within sixty (60) days of the vacancy. The councilor or mayor so elected shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term for which the councilor or mayor who vacated the position was elected. A vacancy occurring less than nine (9) months prior to the next regular election shall be filled by the appointment by the council of a person who is a qualified voter residing in the district in which the vacancy exists, or in the case of the mayor, be [by] a qualified voter residing in the city. The appointed councilor or mayor shall serve until the next regular election, at which time a councilor or mayor shall be elected to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term for which the councilor or mayor who vacated the position was elected. Notwithstanding the requirement hereinafter in this Charter that a quorum of the council consists of four (4) members, if at any time the membership of the council is reduced to fewer than four (4) members, the remaining members may, by majority action, enforce the provisions of this section.

((Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89)

The council shall certify the results of all city elections.

Meetings. The council shall meet regularly at least twice in every month at such times and places as the council may prescribe by ordinance. Special meetings may be held on the call of the mayor or of four (4) or more members and, whenever practicable, upon no less than twelve (12) hours' notice to each member. All meetings shall be subject to state statutes regarding open meetings. Closed or executive sessions may be conducted only as authorized by the statutes of the State of New Mexico.

Rules and records. The council shall determine its own rules, policies and order of business and shall provide for keeping records of its proceedings. These records shall be public.

Voting. Voting, except on procedural motions, shall be by roll call, and each councilor’s vote shall be recorded in the records. Four (4) members of the council shall constitute a quorum. No action of the council, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.06, shall be valid or binding unless adopted by the affirmative vote of four (4) or more members of the council.

Sec. 2.09. Action requiring an ordinance.

In addition to other acts required by law or by specific provisions of this Charter to be adopted by ordinance, the following acts of the city council shall also be adopted by ordinance:

Provision for a fine or other penalty no higher than that imposed by statute for a petty misdemeanor;

Granting, renewal or extension of a franchise;

Regulation of the rate charged for its services by a public utility;

Authorization of the borrowing of money;

Adoption of ordinances proposed under the initiative power; and

Amendment or repeal of any ordinance previously adopted, except as otherwise provided in

Article VIII with respect to repeal of ordinances reconsidered under the referendum power.

Acts other than those referred to in the preceding sentence may be adopted either by ordinance or by resolution.

Form of ordinances. Every proposed ordinance shall be introduced in writing and in the form required for final adoption. No ordinance shall contain more than one (1) subject which shall be clearly expressed in its title. The enacting clause shall be "Be it Ordained by the Governing Body of the City of Las Cruces . . . ."

Procedure for ordinances. An ordinance may be introduced by any councilor or mayor at any regular or special meeting of the council. Upon introduction of any ordinance, the city clerk shall distribute a copy to each councilor, the mayor and to the city manager and shall have available a reasonable number of copies for the public. Notice by publication of the title and subject matter of any ordinance proposed for adoption shall be given at least two (2) weeks prior to consideration of final action upon the ordinance, except that prior publication shall not apply to emergency ordinances. It is sufficient defense in any suit or prosecution to show that no notice by publication was made. Notice of the proposed ordinance shall be published one (1) time as a legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the city. Copies of a proposed ordinance shall be available to interested persons during normal and regular business hours of the city clerk, upon request and payment of a reasonable charge. Within three (3) days after the adoption of an ordinance, the mayor shall validate the ordinance by writing "Approved" upon its face and signing it. An ordinance shall be recorded in a book kept for that purpose, shall be authenticated by signature of the mayor of the council and the city clerk and shall bear the seal of the city

The approved ordinances shall be published one (1) time, either in its entirety or by title and a general summary of the subject matter contained in the ordinance, whichever the council elects. An ordinance shall not become effective until five (5) days after it has been published, unless otherwise provided by law. If the ordinances of the city are codified or codified and revised, the publication of the entire codification or codification and revision is not necessary. Instead, the city may publish an ordinance referring to the codification or codification and revision by title only and specifying one (1) place in the city where the codification or codification and revision may be inspected during the normal and regular business hours of the city clerk

Resolutions. Resolutions shall be adopted by at least four (4) affirmative votes of the council and shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 1078, 7-3-89)

Upon the declaration by the mayor that an immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare of the municipality exists, the council may adopt emergency ordinances, which may take effect immediately

The council may adopt by ordinance any standard code of technical regulations by reference thereto. The procedure and requirements governing such an adopting ordinance shall be as prescribed for ordinances generally except as follows:

The requirements of Section 2.10 for distribution and filing of copies of the ordinance shall be construed to include copies of the code of technical regulations as well as of the adopting ordinance.

A copy of each adopted code of technical regulations as well as of the adopting ordinance shall be authenticated and recorded by the city clerk pursuant to subsection 2.13(a).

Authentication and recording. The city clerk shall authenticate by signature and record in full, in a properly indexed book kept for the purpose, all ordinances and resolutions adopted by the council.

Codification. Within three (3) years after adoption of this Charter and at least every ten (10) years thereafter, the council shall provide for the preparation of a general codification of all city ordinances. The general codification shall be adopted by the council by ordinance and shall be published promptly, together with this Charter and any amendments thereto. This compilation shall be known and cited officially as the Las Cruces Municipal Code. Copies of the Code shall be furnished to city officers, placed in libraries and public offices for free public reference and made available for purchase by the public at a reasonable price.

Distribution. The council shall have each ordinance and each amendment to this Charter promptly reproduced following their adoption. The reproduced ordinances and Charter amendments shall be distributed or sold to the public at reasonable prices. Following publication of the first Las Cruces Municipal Code and at all times thereafter, the ordinances and Charter amendments shall be reproduced in substantially the same style as the Code currently in effect and shall be suitable in form for integration therein.

Establishment and method of appointment. The council shall establish by ordinance permanent boards, commissions, authorities and agencies, and shall determine the number of members of and the authority and function of the particular board, commission, authority or agency.

Method of removal. The council shall establish by ordinance the method for the removal of any

member of any board, commission, authority or agency established by the council.

Appointment. The council shall appoint a city manager by a vote of at least four (4) members of the council and fix the manager's compensation. A citizen committee which may be selected to advise the council on the appointment of a city manager must be comprised of members who are qualified voters residing within the city. The council may at its own discretion seek professional advice in the appointment of a city manager.

Removal. The city manager shall be subject to removal at the discretion of the council by a vote of at least four (4) members of the council. In the event that the city manager is suspended or removed by the council, the action of the council shall not be subject to review by any court or agency unless specifically set forth in the written personnel rules adopted by the council.

Qualifications. The city manager shall be appointed entirely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications. No preemployment residence requirements shall be imposed for appointment. After employment, the city manager must be a resident of the City of Las Cruces; except that this section shall not apply to the manager serving at the time of the adoption of this amendment to the Charter.

(Ord. No. 1082, 7-3-89)

Powers. The city manager shall be the chief administrator of the city and shall be responsible to the council for the administration of all city affairs, including but not limited to the administration of all organizational units placed in the city manager's charge by this Charter and by ordinance.

Duties. The city manager shall have, in addition, the following powers and duties:

1) To appoint, suspend or remove all administrative officers and employees of the city subject to the limitations and procedures established in this Charter and in any personnel rules adopted by the council.

2) To attend all meetings of the council unless excused by it and participate in discussions. The city manager shall have no vote.

3) To prepare and submit the annual budget and the capital improvements program to the council.

4) To submit annually to the council and make available to the public a complete report of the finances and administrative activities of the city for the preceding year.

5) To keep the council fully advised of the current and future needs of the city.

6) To make whatever additional reports the council may require and to perform other duties as may be specified by this Charter or may be required by the council.

(1) The ballots shall have a separate heading on the ballot for each position to be filled reading "Nominees for Mayor" or "Nominees for Councilor for District ________________" or "Nominees for Municipal Judge." The full names, as they appear on their voter registrations, of all candidates nominated for mayor, councilor or municipal judge, except those who have withdrawn, died or become ineligible, shall be printed on the official ballots under the headings for the positions for which the candidates were nominated, without party designation or symbol.

(2) If two (2) or more candidates for the same office have the same surname or similar surnames, the residence address for each candidate shall be printed with the candidate's name on the ballot

Order on ballot. The order of the candidates' names for each position on the ballot shall be determined by lot. The city clerk shall determine this procedure.

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89)

The council shall establish regulations for the appointment of watchers and challengers consistent with state statutes.

The council shall establish regulations for the appointment of watchers and challengers consistent with state statutes.

State law references: Municipal election watchers and challengers, NMSA 1978, § 3-8-31.

Who may vote. Whenever the position for councilor of a district is on the ballot, every qualified voter within that district shall be entitled to vote for one (1) candidate for the councilor to represent that district. In addition, every qualified voter within the city limits shall be entitled to vote for one (1) candidate for mayor to represent the City of Las Cruces as a whole.

Plurality: Minimum of forty percent (40%) required. The candidate for mayor and candidate for councilor in each district and the candidate for municipal judge receiving the largest number of votes, and at least forty percent (40%) of the total votes cast for all candidates for a particular office shall be declared elected.

Runoff provisions. In the event two (2) candidates receive at least forty percent (40%) of the votes cast for a particular office and tie, those two (2) candidates only shall automatically become candidates at a runoff election held pursuant to this section. If no candidate receives forty percent (40%) of the votes cast for a particular office, a runoff election shall be held within forty-five (45) days after certification of the results of the election as now provided for by law and as amended and supplemented from time to time. The two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast for the office in question shall automatically become the candidates at the runoff election and the filing of declarations of candidacy is dispensed with.

(1) In the event of a tie in any runoff election, the winner shall be decided by lot in the presence of the candidates concerned and under the direction of the city clerk

(2) The council shall, by resolution, fix the date of the runoff election, specify the offices to be filled, and the names of the candidates. The resolution shall be published once, at least seven (7) days before the runoff election date. No other publications are required in connection with runoff elections.

(3) Eligibility to vote in runoff elections shall be the same as in regular elections for a particular city office. Voting precincts and procedures shall be reactivated for runoff elections as required. If officials are to be voted upon on a city-wide basis, the entire electorate is involved, otherwise, only the council district shall be involved.

(4) The runoff elections amendment to the Charter will take effect on the next election after its passage.

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 1324, §§ III, IV, 7-6-93)

Editor's note: Ordinance No. 1324, adopted July 6, 1993, amending § 7.05(b) and adding § 7.05(c), was approved at referendum on Nov. 2, 1993. Charter provisions § 7.05(b) and (c) were declared unconstitutional by the Third Judicial District Court in the case of Frietze v. City of Las Cruces as violative of art. VII, § 5 of the New Mexico Constitution.

An ordinance, Charter amendment or Charter repeal to be voted on shall be presented for voting by ballot title. The ballot title of a measure may differ from its legal title and shall be a clear, concise statement describing the substance of the measure without argument or prejudice. Below the ballot title shall appear the following question: "Shall the above described (ordinance) (amendment) be adopted?" or "Shall the Charter be repealed?" Immediately below such question shall appear, in the following order, the words "yes" and "no."

The council may provide for the use of mechanical or other devices for voting or counting the votes not inconsistent with law.

Initiative. The qualified resident voters of the city shall have the power to propose ordinances to the council. If the council fails to adopt an ordinance so proposed without any change in substance, the voters shall adopt or reject it at a city election.

Referendum. The qualified resident voters of the city shall have the power to require reconsideration by the council of any adopted ordinance or resolution. If the council fails to repeal an ordinance or resolution so reconsidered, the voters shall approve or reject it at a city election.

Recall. The qualified resident voters of each district shall have the power to recall the councilor from that district. The qualified resident voters of the city shall have the power to recall the mayor.

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 1080, 7-3-89)

Any qualified registered voter of the city may commence initiative, referendum or recall proceedings by filing with the city clerk an affidavit stating that the voter will be the petitioner. The petitioner shall be responsible for circulating and filing the petition in proper form. The affidavit must state the petitioner's name and address and specify the address to which all notices to the petitioner are to be sent. The affidavit shall state (1) the proposed initiative ordinance or (2) the ordinance sought to be reconsidered or (3) the name of the councilor to be recalled. A petitioner for recall of a councilor must reside in the district from which the councilor was elected. All persons soliciting signatures for a recall petition must reside within the council district of the councilor being recalled.

Promptly after the affidavit of the petitioner is filed, the city clerk shall issue the appropriate petition forms to the petitioner.

(Ord. No. 1074, 7-3-89)

Number of signatures. Initiative and referendum petitions must be signed by qualified resident voters of the city equal in number to at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of ballots cast for candidates for council at the two (2) most recent regular city elections. Petitions for recall of a councilor must be signed by qualified voters of the district which the councilor subject to recall represents. The number of signatures required for recall shall be equal in number to at least ten percent (10%) of the registered voters in the district which the councilor subject to recall represents. In the event that the voters approve the Charter change creating a mayor elected at large, recall petitions attempting to recall the mayor must be signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the registered voters residing within the city limits of the City of Las Cruces.

Form and content. All papers of a petition shall be on forms supplied by the city clerk and shall be assembled as one instrument for filing. The council shall prescribe the form and style of the petition. Throughout their circulation, petitions shall contain the full text of the ordinance proposed or sought to be reconsidered or name of the councilor to be recalled.

Affidavit of circulator. The council shall require petitions to be accompanied by the circulator's affidavit, on forms provided by the city clerk.

(Ord. No. 1081, 7-3-89)

Certification by city clerk; amendment. Within twenty (20) working days after the petition is filed, the city clerk shall complete a certificate as to its sufficiency. If it is insufficient, the city clerk shall send to the petitioner by certified mail at the address specified by the petitioner in the initial affidavit a statement of the reasons for its insufficiency. A petition certified insufficient for lack of the required number of valid signatures may be amended once if the petitioner files a notice of intention to amend within fifteen (15) days of the date on which the city clerk's letter was mailed to the petitioner. The petitioner must then file a supplementary petition within fifteen (15) days from the date of the submission of intent to amend. Such supplementary petition shall comply with the requirements of Section 8.03. Within five (5) working days after the supplementary petition is filed, the city clerk shall complete a certificate as to the sufficiency of the petition as amended and promptly send a copy of such certificate to the petitioner by certified mail[;] as in the time found insufficient, it shall be certified insufficient with no further opportunity to amend.

Council review. After a petition or amended petition is certified sufficient, or after a petition or amended petition is certified insufficient, the city clerk shall promptly present the certificate to the council. The council shall review the certificate at its next meeting following the filing of the certificate and approve or disapprove it. The council's determination shall then be final.

Time for filing and suspension of effective ordinance. A referendum petition must be filed within thirty (30) days following the adoption of an ordinance sought to be considered. When a referendum petition is filed with the city clerk within thirty (30) days following the adoption of an ordinance sought to be reconsidered, such ordinance shall be suspended from taking effect, except for an ordinance adopted as an emergency measure and provided for in subparagraph (5) below. Such suspension shall terminate when:

(1) A final determination of insufficiency of the petition has been made, or

(2) The petitioner withdraws the petition, or

(3) The council repeals the ordinance in its entirety, or

(4) The city clerk certifies that a majority of the votes was cast in favor of the ordinance in a referendum election, or

(5) In the event the ordinance to be reconsidered is an emergency measure, it shall go into effect immediately, but it may be repealed by an adverse majority at a referendum election.

Action by council. Upon the determination that the referendum petition is sufficient, the council shall promptly reconsider the referred ordinance. If the council fails to repeal the referred ordinance in its entirety within sixty (60) days after the date the petition is finally determined sufficient, it shall submit the referred ordinance to the voters of the city.

(Ord. No. 1079, 7-3-89)

When an initiative petition has been finally determined sufficient, the council shall promptly consider the proposed initiative ordinance in the manner provided in Article II. If the council fails to adopt the proposed initiative ordinance in its entirety within sixty (60) days after the date the petition is finally determined sufficient, it shall promptly submit the proposed ordinance to the voters of the city.

When a recall petition has finally been determined sufficient, the council shall promptly call a special election, unless the regular municipal election occurs within sixty (60) days, in which case the qualified voters shall vote on the recall at the regular election.

Submission to voters--Initiative and referendum. The vote of the electorate on a proposed initiative ordinance or an ordinance or resolution subject to referendum shall be held within sixty (60) days from the date of the final council vote thereon. If no regular city election is to be held within this period, the council shall provide for a special election; otherwise, the vote shall be held at the same time as the next regular city election, except that the council may in its discretion provide for a special election at an earlier date within the prescribed period. Copies of the proposed or referred ordinance shall be made available at the polls.

Submission to voters--Recall. The vote of the electorate on a recall shall be at a special election within sixty (60) days after the petition has been determined sufficient, unless the regular city election occurs within sixty (60) days, in which case the vote on the recall shall be at the regular election.

Withdrawal of petitions. An initiative, referendum or recall petition may be withdrawn at any time prior to the fifteenth (15th) day preceding the day scheduled for a vote of the electorate by the petitioners filing with the city clerk a request for withdrawal. Upon the filing of such request, the petition shall have no further force or effect and all proceedings thereon shall be terminated.

(Ord. No. 1080, 7-3-89)

Initiative. If a majority of the qualified voters voting on a proposed initiative ordinance vote in its favor, it shall be considered adopted upon certification of the election results and shall be treated in all respects in the same manner as ordinances adopted by the council. If conflicting ordinances are approved at the same election, the one receiving the greatest number of affirmative votes shall prevail.

Referendum. If a majority of the qualified voters voting on an ordinance or resolution subject to referendum vote against it, it shall be considered repealed upon certification of the election results.

Recall. If a majority of the qualified electors voting on the recall vote against it, or if the number voting in favor of the recall is less than the total number of voters who voted for the person to be recalled at the last election in which that person was elected to the council, then the person in question shall retain office and shall not be subject again to recall until six (6) months have elapsed from the date of the previous recall election. If a person is recalled, the person in question shall not be eligible for reelection until the term for which that person was originally elected has expired. If the person is recalled, the vacancy shall occur immediately upon the certification of the election, and the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as other vacancies as specified in Article II.

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 1080, 7-3-89)

The municipal court shall have jurisdiction over all offenses and complaints under ordinances of the City of Las Cruces and may issue subpoenas and warrants and punish for contempt.

The municipal court shall have such additional jurisdiction and duties as may be prescribed by law or legally assigned to the court by the council.

A municipal judge shall be elected, for a term of four (4) years, at the regular municipal election.

The council may authorize the election of additional judges if it determines that the workload of the court requires more than one (1) judge.

The council may fill a vacancy by appointment of a municipal judge to serve until the next regular election.

No person may be elected judge of the municipal court who is not a member of the New Mexico State Bar.

The bond requirement and the salary of the municipal judge or judges shall be set by ordinance, but no judge's salary may be changed during the term for which he or she was elected.

In the event of the incapacity or absence of a judge, the council may appoint a substitute judge who shall have full authority to act in place of the elected judge during such absence or incapacity.

The council shall establish by ordinance procedures wherein, unless waived, the municipal judge shall appoint an attorney to represent an indigent person in all cases in which a term of incarceration is to occur.

All by-laws, ordinances and resolutions affecting the City of Las Cruces in force when this Charter shall take effect are repealed and superseded to the extent that the same are inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter. All other resolutions and ordinances remain in full force and effect. The general repeal shall be limited by the provisions of Sections 10.02 and 10.03.

The provisions of this Charter are intended to continue, rather than replace, provisions of existing by-laws, ordinances and resolutions with the same terms, substance and effect. This Charter shall be so construed and applied.

Notwithstanding the provisions in 10.01 of this article, all by-laws, ordinances and resolutions in force in the city before the adoption of this Charter shall remain in full force and effect until amended or repealed by the council. It is the intention of this Charter to grant full discretion to the first council after the adoption of this Charter to determine whether or not such laws, ordinances and resolutions in force are inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter.

All rights and property which were vested in the city shall remain so vested under this Charter. No existing right or liability and no pending litigation of any kind shall be affected by the adoption of this Charter.

The provisions of this Charter are severable, and, if any provision or part thereof is held to be illegal or unconstitutional as applied to any person or situation, the remainder of this Charter or its applicability to other persons or situations shall not be affected.

All contracts and franchises entered into by the city or for its benefit, prior to the effective date of this Charter, shall continue in full force and effect. Public improvements for which legislative steps have been taken under laws or ordinances, or resolutions existing at the time this Charter takes effect, may be carried to completion as nearly as practicable in accordance with the provisions of existing by-laws, ordinances and resolutions.

No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending at the time when this Charter shall take effect, brought by or against the city or any office, department, agency or officer thereof, shall be affected or abated by the adoption of this Charter or by anything therein contained.

This Charter may be amended or repealed as follows:

[Amendments.] Amendments or repeal shall be proposed:

(1) All business and civic group interests, including both policy and financial interests, of the councilor or mayor.

(2) All trusts of the which the councilor or mayor is a beneficiary.

(3) All investments of the councilor or mayor including real estate holdings. In this respect, the real estate holdings shall include a legal description or other description sufficient to identify the location and extent of the property.

Disclosure at council meeting. A councilor or mayor who has any private financial interest, direct or indirect, in any matter pending before or within the city or council shall disclose such private interest immediately. The council then shall determine if that councilor or mayor shall be disqualified from participating in any debate, decision or vote related thereto. Violation of this section shall render the contract, sale or purchase voidable at the option of the council

Employees' conflicts of interest. The city shall adopt, by ordinance or resolution, a policy for municipal employees prohibiting employees' conflicts of interest and dealing with violations of such policy.

(Ord. No. 1075, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89)

At the first regular election following the adoption of this Charter amendment, November, 1991, all councilors and the mayor shall stand for election. Three (3) councilors shall be elected for a two-year term, and three (3) councilors and the mayor shall be elected for a four-year term. At the time the November, 1991, election is officially called by the City of Las Cruces, the city shall determine by lot which council districts shall have councilors serving for the two-year terms and which council districts shall have councilors serving for the four-year terms. In all regular city council elections after 1991, the terms of office shall be for four (4) years.

(Ord. No. 1077, 7-3-89)

Editor's note: Ord. No. 1077, adopted July 3, 1989, and approved by the voters in November, 1989, amended § 11.01 to read as herein set out. Prior to such amendment, § 11.01 pertained to preservation of rights and privileges and personnel system for officers and employees and contained no historical notation.

Initial expenses. The initial expenses of council, including the expense of the election for this Charter, shall be paid by the city

Initial salary of councilors. Councilors shall receive an annual salary in the same amount as authorized for city commissioners prior to the adoption of this Charter until such amount is changed by the council in accordance with the provisions of this Charter.

Interim council. The existing city commission shall become the interim council and shall serve until the certification of the first election. During this period, the council shall be comprised of five (5) councilors who shall select from among their members a mayor. Three (3) councilors shall constitute a quorum. All duties and powers of the council and mayor as set forth in Article II shall immediately apply to this interim council. During the period from the adoption of this Charter until the first election, the council shall district the city in accordance with Article II. These districts shall be determined not less than ninety (90) days before the first election for the positions of district councilors.

Time of taking full effect. Excepting only the provisions of Articles II and VII relating to the composition and election of the first council, the Charter shall be in full effect for all purposes immediately upon certification of its approval by a majority vote of the qualified voters of the City of Las Cruces. The provisions of Articles II and VII relating to the first council shall take effect immediately upon certification of the election of the councilors.

(1) Councilors who were elected for four (4) year terms in the municipal election of March, 1984, shall continue to serve until the regular election in November, 1987, and each shall represent the district in which he or she resides.

(2) If two (2) or more councilors whose terms are to expire in November, 1987, reside in the same district, the assignment of the councilor to represent that district shall be accomplished by the casting of lots.

(3) A councilor whose term expires in November, 1987, and who resides in a district which another councilor has been assigned to represent shall be assigned by lot to represent another district until the regular election of November, 1987.

(4) The remaining four (4) districts shall be those for which district councilors shall be elected for four (4) year terms in November, 1985.

The term of the current municipal judge will expire in March, 1986. At that time the council shall appoint an interim municipal judge to serve until November, 1987, at which time a judge shall be elected for a four (4) year term.

Through the regular city election of November, 1987, the number of signatures required on petitions for initiative or referendum shall be one thousand (1,000); for Charter amendment or repeal, one thousand two hundred (1,200). For petitions for recall of a district councilor, the number of signatures required shall be two hundred fifty (250). All signatories on a recall petition must be qualified voters of the district which the councilor subject to recall represents. After November 3, 1987, the petition requirements shall be as provided for in Section 8.03 and Section 10.08.

This is to certify that this Charter was approved by the electorate in a Special Election held in the City of Las Cruces, on Tuesday, March 5, 1985.

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL OF the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on this 21 day of March, 1985.