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LAS CRUCES - Construction could soon begin on the new Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science.
City council will consider awarding a contract to Wooten Construction of Las Cruces for the first phase of construction when it meets at 1 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.
The proposed contract is for $821,487. It includes $19,500 for pre-construction services; $156,400 to be used for asbestos and lead abatement, which has twice been a bank; and $587,830 for the installation of a wind turbine for an alternative energy source and a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Also included in the contract is $57,757 for state gross receipts taxes.
Wooten Construction was among five companies that submitted proposals. City officials intend to relocate the museum from its present location at Mesilla Valley Mall to a building at 411 N. Main, where the former Farmers and Merchants Bank and Bank of the Rio Grande were located.
City officials acknowledge that asbestos and lead abatement is needed in the building since it's been standing for more than 45 years.
Construction to refurbish the building, convert it into a museum, and ultimately connect it to the city's Museum of Art, just to the north, is expected to be finished in 2012.
The council will also consider a resolution authorizing mid-year adjustments to the city's 2011 fiscal year budget. Traditionally, the city has used mid-year adjustments to align changes between the estimated and
According to city documents, the general fund would be adjusted downward "a relatively small net amount" of three-tenths of 1 percent, if the resolution is approved.
"General fund revenues are expected to be off by $195,000 while expenditures plus transfers are increased by $3.4 million," documents state. "The overall result is the ending fund balance is reduced by $3.6 million. While the ending fund balance is anticipated to decline to $13.8 million, it remains very healthy at twice the state required (minimum) reserve."
The council will also conduct a first reading but will not take any formal action on a proposed resolution that would change multiple zoning designations in the Sierra Norte subdivision to a single planned unit development. Approximately 892 acres would be affected if the amendment to the Sierra Norte master plan is approved.
If formal consideration by the council is recommended , that could happen at the Feb. 7 meeting.
If you go
•What: Las Cruces City Council meeting
•When: 1 p.m. Tuesday
•Where: Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.
•TV/Internet: The meeting will be televised live at 1 p.m. Tuesday on CLC-TV, Comcast Cable channel 20. The meeting will also be webcast live at 1 p.m. at clctv.com. People watching the webcast should click on the "Meetings" link to access the Web page that will have a link to watch the meeting.
