First Term Accomplishments within District 5 - Gil Jones

Establishment of the South Central Regional Transit District (SCRTD)

• The mission of the SCRTD is to explore regional transportation challenges and opportunities among the participating counties of Doña Ana, Sierra and Otero.
• Acquired $250,000 in funding from NMDOT for the transportation study in process by the SCRTD
• I have served as chair of the SCRTD for two years in a row.

District storm water control infrastructure

• The construction of the Waterfalls Regional Pond storm water retention pond
• The pond is the second-largest storm water control project in the city's history at a cost of approximately $3 million.
• The pond area promises to provide excellent opportunities for open space and ball park recreational amenities
• Spitz Road drainage improvement project
• This project now successfully protects the properties of many adjacent neighbors
• Calico Central Drainage Project
• This improvement to existing drainage infrastructure will improve conditions for the residents around Calico and Village to the west of Holman Road
• Current expense is in excess of $150,000.
• Funding of three phases of engineering consulting in order to represent District 5 residents whose properties have been tentatively identified by FEMA as existing in a flood zone

Parks and Recreation

• Construction of the East Mesa Bataan Memorial Swimming Pool
• Project cost of approximately $2 million
• Project included the successful acquisition of the property at no cost to the taxpayer
• This is the first pool to be built on the east mesa and in the city in over 40 years.
• Construction of Phase I of the North Las Cruces Park
• Construction of Vista de la Montaña Park
• Significant Improvements to Las Colinas Park
• Acquisition of funding for a park on north Del Rey
• Successful funding for the design and initial phase of a new multigenerational facility at Porter and Bataan Memorial East
• Project includes the successful acquisition of the property and building at no cost to the taxpayer

Roads and Streets

• Completion of Elks Drive improvements
• Successfully competed for and acquired MAP funding from NMDOT for subsequent phase completion
• Includes ADA improvements
• Included additional pavement improvements not originally scoped in earlier phases
• Reynolds Phase II
• This improvement successfully serves the new East Mesa Bataan Memorial Pool and will also serve the East Mesa multigenerational facility to begin construction in the fall of 2009
• Reynolds now serves as an important storm water control system intended to address flooding issues experienced by East Mesa residents
• Complete reconstruction of Davis Road
• Jefferson Lane Improvements
• Construction of Phase I of Jefferson Lane at a cost in excess of $650,000
• Successful acquisition of funding for Phase II of Jefferson Lane
• In addition to improving vehicle and pedestrian travel, the full reconstruction of Jefferson Lane will mitigate dust issues and provide important storm water control measures.

• Del Rey
• Acquisition of approximately $2 million to bridge the Sandhill Arroyo on Del Rey through competitive processes
• This improvement will eliminate many flooding problems that have plagued residents who must travel on Del Rey during and after rain storms
• Improvement of Del Rey from Mars to the Sandhill arroyo with funds received competitively through the NMDOT MAP funding grant process
• Improvement cost of approximately $1 million
• Elimination of dangerous conditions through the construction of road improvements on north Del Rey
• Improvements of $800,000 paid for by private industry
• City's contribution limited to $200,000

Affordable Housing opportunities - Paseo Del Oro Subdivision

• Project initiated by Tierra Del Sol with the intent of addressing affordable housing needs in the community
• This subdivision is located off of Elks Drive in District 5

City-Wide Accomplishments

• The initiation of the Las Cruces Convention Center
• Attractive, low cost lease established with NMSU for the convention center land
• Funding mechanism intended to have no impact on the city general fund
• Construction of a new city hall
• Project will enhance economic activity in Downtown Las Cruces
• I initiated the concept of preparing the required parking facility for photovoltaic panel installation
• Phase I of the Las Cruces Aquatic Center
• Lobbied for and received a commitment for a warm water therapeutic pool environment, as requested by District 5 constituents
• Submission and acceptance of a 40 year water plan
• Fulfills requirement to enact a 40 year water plan
• Outlines reduction requirements in domestic water consumption
• Construction of arroyo bridges throughout the East Mesa
• Construction of the city's first water reclamation project
• The project will provide for the successful processing of gray water and its reuse within our community
• Replacement and relocation of Laabs Pool
• Establishment of a standard requiring the substantial completion of subdivisions. Intended to prevent new homeowners from the risks of incomplete and unfinished subdivisions
• Significant strides in the redevelopment of Downtown
• Established a Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) to improve funding for the blighted downtown area at no additional cost to taxpayer
• Portions of Main Street have now been opened, thus improving prospects for private development
• The expansion of the city's waste water treatment plant from 8.9 million gallons per day to over 13 million gallons per day
• The mapping of the location of approximately 2,000 septic tanks throughout the city, thus paving the way to the elimination of systems, where appropriate
• Site identification for a surface water treatment plant
• Dialogue regarding the plan has included fruitful discussion with the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) in order to ensure that we are partners and not competitors with the agricultural community when it comes to water resources
• Impact fees
• Impact fees for parks have been doubled, thus improving the opportunity to provide more parks

Significant progress in the discussion of impact fees and other revenue streams to ensure improvements in the development of roads, storm water control systems and public safety amenities.