City of Tucumcari

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The Tucumcari City Commission met in a regular meeting on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers.  Members present constituting a quorum were; Antonio Apodaca, Amiel Curnutt, Robert Lumpkin, and Jimmy Sandoval.
 
City staff members present were Doug Powers, Interim City Manager; Christine Dougherty, City Clerk/Purchasing Agent; Dennis Dysart, Finance Manager; Yvette Fazekas, Zoning Administrator; Jessica Elebario, Director of Senior Programs and Convention Center;  and Jason Braziel, Chief of Police.
 
Mr. Mark Lake, Reverend of St. Michaels Episcopal Church gave the invocation and Mr. Doug Powers led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. 
 
Consideration of Changes or Deletions to the Agenda
 
Mr. Powers stated that he had one more vehicle to add to the list of those to be auctioned in conjunction with Resolution 2012-02.  Mr. Powers stated that the VIN number of the vehicle is 1G1BL52P3TR141953. 
 
Commissioner Curnutt made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition and Commissioner Lumpkin seconded the motion.  Roll Call:
 
                                    Curnutt            Apodaca          Lumpkin          Sandoval
                                      Yes                   Yes                  Yes                  Yes                 
 
Items from Commissioners
 
Commissioner Sandoval said he was glad to see so many people at the meeting and thanked them all for attending. 
 
Commissioner Curnutt said he was pleased to see a good group in the audience.
 
Commissioner Lumpkin thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.  He also announced that after lots of work and preparation, Tucumcari now has a new business called Energy Related Devices owned by Mr. Bob Hockaday.  Commissioner Lumpkin stated that the new company has already manufactured and shipped some products from Tucumcari.  Mr. Lumpkin welcomed Mr. Hockaday and his family to Tucumcari and thanked them for choosing to move their business and family here. 
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca thanked the staff for the flowers in memory of his mother who passed recently. 
 
Approval of Minutes
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Lumpkin to approve the minutes of the December 29, 2011 Rescheduled Commission meeting and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Curnutt.  Roll Call:
 
                                    Apodaca          Lumpkin          Sandoval         Curnutt                       
                                       Yes                  Yes                 Yes                  Yes  
 
Approval of Vouchers
 
A motion was made by Commissioner Lumpkin and seconded by Commissioner Curnutt to approve the City vouchers for payment.  Roll Call:
 
                                        Apodaca          Lumpkin          Sandoval         Curnutt                       
                                        Yes                 Yes                  Yes                   Yes                 
 
Items from Citizens
 
Mr. James Lott approached the podium to address the Commission and stated his name but said that most people call him Coach Lott.  Mr. Lott said he is the coach that got suspended.  Mr. Lott referenced a copy of a draft policy for coaches that he said have not been followed in the past. Mr. Lumpkin explained that the policy is not yet official, it is just now being considered.  Mr. Lott went on discuss the events surrounding his suspension from coaching. 
 
Ms. Miranda Holakowski, who was with Mr. Lott repeated her comments about the situation that she discussed at previous Commission meetings. 
 
Mr. Lott speculated that when Mr. Simpson found out that he is related to Stanley Ingram, the problems began.  Mr. Ingram approached the podium and said that he helped coach this year and the children miss Coach Lott. 
 
Commissioner Lumpkin stated that he understands where Mr. Lott is coming from and explained that in his investigation of the events, he found that Mr. Lott’s suspension was for one game.  Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca explained that reinstatement of Mr. Lott is on the agenda for consideration this evening. 
 
Mr. Joseph Pacheco approached the podium and reiterated his comments from recent meetings.  Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca explained that he read the Municipal Codes regulating the City Parks and found that people are not allowed in the parks after 11 p.m. and that any City Staff member has the authority to ask someone to leave the parks.  Mr. Apodaca went on to say that this bothers him and he feels the ordinance needs review. 
 
Commissioner Sandoval said that the Commission will start looking at these issues and that he has been fighting for this for a long time.    
  
Ordinances and Resolutions
 
Ms. Dougherty presented Resolution 2012-01, the Open Meetings Resolution.  Ms. Dougherty explained that this is a resolution that must be passed annually to affirm how public notices will be made for meetings.  Ms. Dougherty went on to say that this resolution has not changed since last year. 
 
Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve Resolution 2012-01, the Open Meetings Resolution and Commissioner Curnutt seconded the motion.  Roll Call:
 
                                    Lumpkin          Sandoval         Curnutt            Apodaca
                                       Yes                  Yes                  Yes                  Yes
 
Mr. Powers then presented Resolution 2012-02 designating obsolete vehicles for public sale.  Mr. Powers stated that this is an effort to continue to clean up City yards and asked for approval to sell the 22 vehicles listed in the resolution. 
 
Commissioner Lumpkin commended Mr. Powers for taking this task at hand and added that some of the vehicles don’t run.  Mr. Powers added that the group of vehicles that will be put up for sale first have been moved to the City parking lot across First Street from City Hall.  Mr. Powers said the parking lot next to City Hall had become an eye sore with all those vehicles parked there. 
 
Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve Resolution 2012-02 designating obsolete vehicles for sale and Commissioner Lumpkin seconded the motion.  Roll Call:
 
                                    Sandoval         Curnutt            Apodaca          Lumpkin
                                       Yes                  Yes                  Yes                  Yes
 
City Manager’s Report
 
Mr. Powers directed the attention of the Commissioners to two Department Reports that were on their desks.  Mr. Powers stated that the reports from Animal Control and the Streets Departments arrived late and he apologized for them not being in the packets. 
 
Mr. Powers then reviewed the meetings and important events since the last report.  Mr. Powers attended the Museum Advisory Board meeting on January 3 and the Ute Water Conservation Planning meeting on January 5.  Mr. Powers reported the Ute Water meeting was positive.  On January 6, the final certificate of occupancy was received for the Rail Road Depot building.  Mr. Powers also met with David Peacock on January 6 regarding the hood vent at the Senior Center.  Quotes are being obtained and the project should begin in about 30 days. 
 
Mr. Powers also welcomed Mr. Hockaday, his family and his business to Tucumcari and said he is glad to have them all. 
 
Mr. Powers announced that the Quay Day Legislative Reception and Dinner will be held in Santa Fe on February 8 at the Rio Chama Steakhouse.  Anyone interested in attending should let either himself of Ms. Dougherty know. 
 
On January 11 Mr. Powers attended the Emergency Communications meeting and the CDBG application was submitted.  And lastly, today January 12 Ms. Dougherty, Ms. Strand and Mr. Powers met with representatives from Ricoh and hope to resolve the copier issue soon.     
 
Old Business
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca acknowledged reading the minutes of the October, November and December Senior Programs Advisory Board. 
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca acknowledged reading the minutes of the November Museum Advisory Board.
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca acknowledged reading the minutes of the November Planning Commission. 
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca stated that in the past there has been no policy in place regarding Recreation Program Coaching.  Mr. Apodaca stated that now we are working on developing a policy to deal with unruly coaches, kids and parents.  Mr. Apodaca commended the coaches for their work and said he knows Mr. Lott cares about his players. 
 
Commissioner Lumpkin thanked the coaches for their efforts.  He also said that he thought the portion of the policy dealing with use of prescription drugs may need to be reviewed. 
 
Commissioner Sandoval thanked Coach Lott for taking care of his players.  Commissioner Sandoval also apologized to Mr. Pacheco for how he was treated at the Cemetery. 
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca then brought up the reinstatement of Coach Lott.  Mr. Apodaca stated that the paperwork regarding the suspension showed it was only for one game and therefore, Mr. Apodaca welcomed Mr. Lott back to coaching.  Mr. Lott thanked Mr. Apodaca but then said that his doctor encouraged him to step down from coaching due to his health. 
 
Mr. Pacheco asked what would be done about the department head.  Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca explained that he was reluctant to discuss personnel issues as the Commission sets policies and ensures that they are being followed.  Mr. Apodaca did not want to cross any legal boundaries.  Mr. Apodaca went on to say that it is not easy to be a Commissioner. 
 
Ms. Holakowski asked what procedure to follow if she has an issue that is not resolved with a recreation program.  Commissioner Lumpkin explained that if an issue is not resolved, the person should go to a City Commissioner and then the City Manager.  Mr. Lumpkin explained that Commissioner phone numbers can be found in the phone book or by calling City Hall.  Mr. Lumpkin said when a Commissioner hears an issue from a Citizen; they take it to the Manager. 
 
Ms. Holakowski asked if the Commissioners have gone to any games.  Mr. Lumpkin replied that he has attended games since 1972. 
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca welcomed Mr. Lott back.  Commissioner Lumpkin explained that the issues will be pursued further and they will continue to work on the policy. 
 
New Business
 
Mr. Powers then presented the 2012 Employee Calendar.  He explained that Vicki Strand worked hard putting this together and explained that personnel policy gives employees 10 holidays and two half days off.  Mr. Powers went on to explain that one of the half days off is for the air show and there will not be one this year so that half day was not put in the calendar. 
 
Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve the 2012 Employee Calendar and Commissioner Curnutt seconded the motion.  Roll Call:
 
                                    Apodaca          Lumpkin          Sandoval         Curnutt
                                       Yes                  Yes                  Yes                  Yes
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca said that he recalled work was being done about a year ago on revision of the Personnel Policies.  He asked where that project stands.  Mr. Powers said that he heard that was a previous project as well and that staff was working on the project.  Mr. Powers stated that he feels the project should be done by an attorney but he also believes that will be expensive.  Mr. Powers said that he feels the project does need to be done but estimated the cost at $50,000.  Mr. Powers also explained that right now the personnel policy is a document that is difficult to work with. 
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca asked where the document is at this time.  Vicki Strand responded that she will try to locate the document. 
 
The next item on the agenda was consideration of the Route 66 Museum Proposal.  Commissioner Lumpkin said that approval of this proposal means that the City will continue to move forward and to look at the development of a business plan.  Mr. Lumpkin went on to say that approval will just mean that investigation of the proposal will continue. 
 
Mr. Skylar Kaye introduced himself as a representative of the Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board and the Route 66 Association of Tucumcari.  Mr. Kaye explained that there had been a fair amount of discussion on this proposal at the work session held just prior to this meeting.  Mr. Kaye said he was asking for formal approval from the Commission that they will discuss the proposal with Mr. Mier to see if the proposal might be viable.  Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca asked if there is any financial commitment at this time.  Mr. Kaye responded in the negative. 
 
Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to study the Route 66 Museum Proposal and Commissioner Curnutt seconded the motion.  Roll Call:
 
 
                                    Lumpkin          Sandoval         Curnutt            Apodaca
                                       Yes                  Yes                  Yes                  Yes                          
 
Items From Commissioners
 
Commissioner Lumpkin thanked those in attendance for coming to the meeting.  Mr. Lumpkin stated that he would like to see the Coaching Policy be one that is easy to work with and continues to make the program a good one for the kids. 
 
Commissioner Sandoval thanked the City Staff for the card they sent on the recent loss of his family member.  He also thanked the people that helped in his family’s time of grief. 
 
Commissioner Curnutt thanked those in attendance stating that he always appreciates participation. 
 
Mayor Pro Tem Apodaca said he would like to echo Mr. Sandoval’s comments as he recently lost his mother. 
 
Adjournment
 
Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Curnutt seconded the motion.  Time noted: 6:54 p.m.  Roll Call:
 
                                    Sandoval         Curnutt            Apodaca          Lumpkin                     
                                       Yes                  Yes                  Yes                  Yes                             
 
 
 
                                                                                    ______________________________
                                                                                    James L. Witcher, Sr., Mayor  
ATTEST:
 
 
____________________________

Christine Dougherty, City Clerk