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March 29, 2018 • EPE Related News

Las Cruces Sun News: Las Cruces mayor highlights quality of life in state of the city speech

LAS CRUCES - A performance by a Las Cruces choir served as a prelude Wednesday to Mayor Ken Miyagishima's 2018 state of the city address, in which he highlighted a new customer-oriented approach and an emphasis on quality of life.

Miyagishima, who's been mayor since 2007, also touched upon the city's push toward renewable energy, recent flattering rankings from some groups such as WalletHub, and the city's financial soundness. He said the state of the city is "strong."

He told attendees that so-called "blue zones" around the world are places where people are living long and healthy lives. Physical activity, social interaction and a "sense of purpose" are factors in that, he said.

"We have come to similar understandings in our own evolution as a city," he said. "One result has been our commitment to a vibrant downtown with restaurants and brewpubs and a lively mixture of museums, galleries and shops. Our new civic plaza has become the go-to place for rallies and public celebrations — from food truck roundups to nights out with law enforcement and firefighters to celebrating our Aggies' recent victory in the Arizona Bowl."

Several elected officials from cities in the region and from Doña Ana County government in the city council chambers attended the event, held at Las Cruces City Hall. Preceding the speech, the LGBT choir Singing Out Las Cruces performed. 

Residents as customers

Miyagishima noted the Las Cruces City Council recently revised the city's mission statement to state that city government will provide "customer-focused services to residents, businesses and guests" to promote a "quality of place to live, work and play."

"Instead of instituting top-down procedures and endlessly explaining to residents why the rules have to be the way they are, staff has committed themselves to looking at every process and procedure from the resident's point of view ... ," he said.

City Manager Stuart Ed in January announced the city was moving to a "peak performance" model of operations, focusing on customers and results. Along with that, the city is taking feedback and complaints at qualityofplace@las-cruces.org. Also, Miyagishima said, the city is hosting numerous meetings to gather residents' input.

Miyagishima said the city is moving to a "centralized service center" for permitting and licensing that should wrap up by the end of the year.

A solar push

The city has added solar panels to city buildings in the past year that generate savings, Miyagishima said.

"I want to continue this process until we meet virtually all of our electrical needs through energy efficiency," he said.

Las Crucen Greg Shervanick, a retiree who attended the speech, said he appreciated the goal of promoting a more sustainable energy, but it will require greater public awareness.

"It will take a lot of re-education for the changes the mayor envisions," he said.

Shervanick, too, said he feels the city could do more to require solar-generating capability be included into new construction, especially in projects that entail public-private partnerships.

Miyagishima noted the city and the county have been a legal intervenor in rate hike cases sought by El Paso Electric Co., a move that in 2016 saved ratepayers an estimated $7.5 million per year. And he again highlighted a controversial, three-step minimum wage hike the city council OK'd in 2014, adding to the city's "quality of place."

Dolores Archuleta, a former Las Cruces city councilor who attended, said she thought Miyagishima "covered all the points of interest." She said she appreciated him mentioning the wage increase OK'd several years ago.

More than 20 fourth- and fifth-graders from Central Elementary School, a few blocks from city hall, walked to the event, something the school has done for several years. While the students don't fully understand the projects Miyagishima was discussing, it its an introduction to city government, said Tommy Esparza, teacher at the school. Plus, several of the city's projects affect them.

"Many of our kids, they hang out in this area where the plaza is," he said. "We consider it our neighborhood."

Miyagishima said a challenge remains in ensuring the city has an educated, qualified workforce, which is needed to recruit companies. But he said local nonprofits, such as the Success Partnership and the Bridge of Southern New Mexico, are seeking improvements.

He wrapped up his address to standing applause from the audience by saying the city values residents' diversity. 

"I'm proud that we remain a city open and committed to everyone, whatever our age or gender or ethnicity, our citizenship status or religion, whether we're grouchy or good-natured or just busy, however we might seek happiness or choose others to love," he said. "It is because of these qualities of our community and the shared hard work that have made our achievements possible that I stand before you today and declare with confidence: The state of our city is strong."

Recent deaths

In his opening remarks, Miyagishima referenced the recent deaths of his father, Mike Miyagishima, and former City Councilor Olga Pedroza. His father's death was was a "big loss," and he thanked medical personnel for their care and residents for an outpouring of well-wishes. Pedroza, he said, was "a true champion for the people.

"We find it hard to believe she is gone," he said.

It was Mike Miyagishima's health decline and time in the hospital earlier this year that sparked a postponement of Ken Miyagishima's state of the city address, the mayor said. Usually it's in February. 

Miyagishima's current term runs through November 2019.

Source: https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2018/03/28/las-cruces-mayor-ken-miyagishima-highlights-quality-life-state-city-address/467656002/