City of Tucumcari

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CITY OF TUCUMCARI
CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
April 26, 2012

 

The Tucumcari City Commission met in a regular meeting on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers.  Members present constituting a quorum were; Amiel Curnutt, Daniel Lopez, Robert Lumpkin, Dora Salinas-McTigue, and Jimmy Sandoval. 

 

City staff members present were Doug Powers, City Manager; Christine Dougherty, City Clerk/Purchasing Agent; Dennis Dysart, Finance Manager; Paul Bell, Police Sergeant; Jessica Elebario, Convention Center and Senior Programs Director; Yvette Fazekas, Interim Director of Planning and Development; and Steve Stephenson, Airport Manager.

 

Mr. Mark Lake, Reverend of St. Michaels Episcopal Church gave the invocation and Ms. Salinas-McTigue led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Consideration of Changes or Deletions to the Agenda

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve the agenda as written and Commissioner Salinas-McTigue seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval         Curnutt

  Yes                   Yes                         Yes                        Yes                  Yes

 

Items from Commissioners

 

Commissioner Lumpkin thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.  Mr. Lumpkin reported attending the Cemetery Advisory Board meeting where lots of work on the Cemetery grounds was discussed.  Mr. Lumpkin said the Advisory Board and the staff are doing a great job. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin said that on Earth Day, Ms. Christina Fleming of Tucumcari High School brought approximately 60 juniors to the Cemetery where they cleaned, painted, repaired items and worked very hard.  Mr. Lumpkin thanked them for their work. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin also noted that on the East end of Route 66 Boulevard, eight gas stations have been repainted and more are planned.  Mr. Lumpkin thanked those involved in the project for their work and commented that all the work is being done by volunteers. 

 

Commissioner Salinas-McTigue thanked those in attendance for coming to the meeting.  She stated she looks forward to seeing good things for Tucumcari and said she needs the people’s ideas and support. 

 

Commissioner Sandoval thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

 

Commissioner Lopez thanked those in attendance for coming to the meeting.  He stated he has some issues to discuss for the record.  Mr. Lopez said that yesterday it was brought to his attention that registered sex offenders are being allowed to participate in the Recreation Center programs.  Mr. Lopez complimented the concerned citizens that brought this to our attention.  Mr. Lopez stated that policy change cannot be acted upon this evening because it is not on the agenda.  Mr. Lopez said he wants to make sure that these individuals are not allowed to participate as coaches.  Commissioner Lopez said that he believes that one of these people may be participating as an Assistant Coach.  Mr. Lopez stated that if this is the case, background checks are not being completed. 

 

Mayor Curnutt said that this issue was brought to his attention yesterday as well and it was investigated yesterday and the Sheriff is involved. 

 

Commissioner Lopez asked where we are with this problem and added that the Sheriff has no jurisdiction over the City Recreation programs or coaches.  Mr. Lopez stated this is a violation of our own policy. 

 

Mr. Powers stated that the Police Department and Mr. Simpson are handling the situation.  The Deputy Police Chief has responded and memos have been issued to all coaches stating that the dug out is for players and coaches only.  Signs have been posted stating the same.  Mr. Powers said this is a continuing investigation and he appreciates the phone call alerting him to the situation. 

 

Mr. Lopez said he wants a public commitment that background checks are being done and that the City is committed to looking into the current situation. 

 

Mr. Powers responded that is not a problem, he gladly makes that commitment as it is a responsibility of the City. 

 

Mr. Lopez stated that as the season is underway, he wants to make sure this is done tomorrow. 

 

Mayor Curnutt and Mr. Powers said it will be handled. 

 

Mayor Curnutt reported that he and Mr. Vanderpool met with representatives of a Los Alamos bank regarding the ethanol plant.  Mr. Curnutt stated that the bank believes they will have a clear title to the plant by the end of May and plan to either sell the plant or work with a company that will manufacture butanol in the facility. 

 

Mayor Curnutt also thanked everyone for attending the meeting. 

 

Proclamations, Memorials, or Petitions

 

Mayor Curnutt read a proclamation which designated May 5, 2012 as Buddy Poppies Day in Tucumcari. 

 

Approval of Minutes

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Lumpkin to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2012 Regular Commission meeting and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Salinas-McTigue.  Roll Call:

 

            Curnutt            Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval

               Yes                 Yes                    Yes                      Yes                          Yes

 

Approval of Vouchers

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Lumpkin and seconded by Commissioner Salinas-McTigue to approve the City vouchers for payment.  Roll Call:

 

                Sandoval         Curnutt            Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue        

                Yes                   Yes                 Yes                    Yes                        Yes

 

Items from Citizens

 

Mayor Curnutt said that citizen comments will be limited to three to four minutes per person and if your comments become inappropriate, he will ask you to sit down. 

 

Mr. Gary Montano approached the podium and said he has no political affiliation and commented he is being censored by a time limit.  Mr. Montano discussed the appointment of Mr. Powers as City Manager and his concerns that he believes the appointment was made in violation of City Code 2.08. 

 

Mr. Montano went on to express concern with the Sands Dorsey building.  Mr. Montano feels the building is dangerous and if the City declared it as such may be in violation of City Code 7.030.  Mr. Montano said he would like to request all information about this building. 

 

Ordinances and Resolutions

 

Ms. Dougherty presented Ordinance 1101 for the final reading.  Ms. Dougherty explained this ordinance amends section 2.04 of Tucumcari Municipal Code regarding the City Commission. 

 

Discussion then ensued regarding at-large versus districted voting. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance 1101, Amending Chapter 2.04 of Tucumcari Municipal Code and Commissioner Salinas-McTigue seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval         Curnutt            Lopez              Lumpkin

                      Yes                        Yes                   No                 No                    Yes

 

Ms. Dougherty presented Ordinance 1103 for the first reading.  Ms. Dougherty explained that this ordinance is necessary due to the fact that the City adopted the State of New Mexico Uniform Traffic Code some time ago and this ordinance adopts an amendment to that Code regarding bicyclists on the roadways.  

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve Ordinance 1103 Adopting the Amendment to the Uniform Traffic Code and Commissioner Sandoval seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval         Curnutt            Lopez

               Yes                       Yes                          Yes                  Yes                Yes

 

Ms. Jessica Elebario presented Resolution 2012-14, authorizing the signatory changes for the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging agreement.  Ms. Elebario stated that this changes the signatory from the former Mayor to the current Mayor. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve Resolution 2012-14, authorizing the signatory changes for the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging agreement and Commissioner Salinas-McTigue seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval         Curnutt

              Yes                    Yes                      Yes                          Yes                 Yes

 

Mr. Dennis Dysart presented Resolution 2012-15, a Budget Amendment Request.  Mr. Dysart explained that this budget amendment moves funds due to lower than expected electric expenses at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, increased revenues at the Laboratory, and Departments shifting funds within their budgets. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve Resolution 2012-15, a Budget Amendment Request and Commissioner Salinas-McTigue seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Curnutt            Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval

               Yes                 Yes                    Yes                      Yes                          Yes

 

At this point in the meeting, Mr. Steve Stephenson asked if the agenda item, 10 C that he was here to present could be heard now as he has an urgent situation at the Airport.  Mayor Curnutt agreed to hear the item now. 

 

Mr. Stephenson said that this item has been in the works for a year with the Airport planning committee.  Mr. Stephenson said this is the preferred alternative for the Airport Master Plan and works for the progression of the Airport and helps to keep what we have. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve the Tucumcari Municipal Airport Preferred Alternative for the Master Plan and Commissioner Sandoval seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval         Curnutt            Lopez

               Yes                       Yes                          Yes                 Yes                 Yes   

 

City Manager’s Report

 

Mr. Powers called upon Mr. Mark Lake to give a report on Main Street.  Mr. Lake reported that on Saturday, May 5 at 9:30 a.m. an announcement will be made at the Rail Depot that the Main Street program has been awarded $157,000 in capital outlay dollars.  Mr. Lake went on to say that the National Main Street organization has deemed the Tucumcari Main Street program accredited.  Mr. Lake also said that the Cultural Properties office of the State of New Mexico awarded the Main Street program for maintaining the architectural heritage of the Depot building. 

 

Mr. Lake also said the annual assessment of the program was recently completed and the assessment team was thrilled with the building.  The team was also very impressed with how much has been completed with the dollars awarded. 

 

Mr. Powers then called on the Ricoh representatives to give a presentation.  Mr. Bill Finke and Ms. Lisa Harris-Prunier explained that in an effort to work out the existing lease with Ricoh and correctly outfit the City for it’s duplication needs, they have worked on an offer that they feel will fit within the City budget for document reproduction services.  Ms. Harris-Prunier stated that Ricoh has worked on a deal that will keep the copy expense at approximately the current budget.

 

Mr. Powers explained that this issue has lots of history and he will meet with the new Commissioners to brief them on the issue.  Mr. Powers thanked the representatives for coming and working so hard to find a resolution to this problem.  Mr. Powers said that the City has done business with the company for 20 years. 

 

Commissioner Lopez asked about the length of the lease.  Ms. Harris-Prunier responded the term will be 48 months. 

 

Mr. Powers then called on Ms. Sandy Chancey, Executive Director of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments (EPCOG).  Ms. Chancey explained that EPCOG is the planning and development district for our area and is ready to assist with communication with CDBG, developing an ICIP, and facilitating transportation planning. 

 

Ms. Chancey explained that EPCOG is hosting a firefighter’s grant workshop in Tucumcari soon, a candidate forum for the State Legislature and manages many housing programs in the area.  Ms. Chancey added that the resolution designating a voting member and alternate will come to the City soon. 

 

Mr. Dysart then gave a financial update.  Mr. Dysart referenced the March year-to-date actuals report he provided in the Commissioner packets.

 

Mr. Powers reported attending the evaluation exit meeting for the Senior Programs today and said the evaluators were impressed with how our programs run.  Mr. Powers complimented Ms. Elebario on the work she is doing in the programs. 

 

Bids and Contracts

 

Ms. Yvette Fazekas presented the bid recommendation for the Campbell Street project.  Ms. Fazekas reported that on March 13 bids for the project were opened and only one was received.  Ms. Fazekas said the bid was from Versatile construction and the job was over-bid but has been negotiated.  Ms. Fazekas stated that the project engineer recommends awarding the bid to Versatile for $230,501.96.  Mr. Lumpkin added that this is a local company. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve the bid and award the project for Campbell Street to Versatile Construction for street improvements and Commissioner Salinas-McTigue seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Sandoval         Curnutt            Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue

               Yes                  Yes                 No                     Yes                     Yes

 

Sergeant Paul Bell presented the 100 Days and Nights of Summer grant contact.  Sergeant Bell said this grant in the amount of $1521 is for traffic enforcement during the summer months.  Commissioner Lumpkin stated that this is 100% grant and thanked Sergeant Bell for his work. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve the 100 Days and Nights of Summer grant contract and Commissioner Sandoval seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval         Curnutt            Lopez              Lumpkin

                    Yes                         Yes                  Yes                 Yes                    Yes

 

Ms. Jessica Elebario presented the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Vendor Agreement Amendment number one.  Ms. Elebario stated that this is a $7400 increase to her budget as a reward for outstanding performance.  Ms. Elebario stated that these funds are all grant funds with no match. 

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Vendor Agreement Amendment number one and Commissioner Sandoval seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval         Curnutt

              Yes                    Yes                      Yes                          Yes                 Yes

 

Mr. Powers presented the NM DOT I-40/US 54 Interchange Lighting agreement.  Mr. Powers explained that this interchange has been a safety issue for the past five years due to lack of lighting.  The issue has caused there to be many accidents at the interchange.  The agreement includes four high-mast lights that the highway department will install and then the City will take over maintenance of the lights. 

 

Discussion followed regarding city-wide lighting issues.

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to approve the NM DOT I-40/US 54 Interchange Lighting agreement and Commissioner Lopez seconded the motion.  Roll Call:

 

            Curnutt            Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue         Sandoval

               Yes                 Yes                    Yes                      Yes                          Yes

           

Old Business

 

Mayor Curnutt acknowledged reading the Senior Advisory Board minutes of January, February, March, and April 2012. 

 

Mayor Curnutt acknowledged reading the Library Advisory Board minutes of March 2012.

 

Items From Commissioners

 

Commissioner Lumpkin thanked the Ricoh and EPCOG representatives for making presentations this evening and the volunteers that worked at the Cemetery.  Mr. Lumpkin also thanked those in attendance for coming to the meeting. 

 

Commissioner Salinas-McTigue thanked the EPCOG representatives for coming to the meeting.

 

Commissioner Sandoval thanked those in attendance for coming to the meeting.

 

Commissioner Lopez had no comments.

 

Mayor Curnutt thanked those in attendance for coming to the meeting.

 

Adjournment

 

Commissioner Lumpkin made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Salinas-McTigue seconded the motion.  Time noted: 7:40 p.m.  Roll Call:

 

 

            Sandoval         Curnutt            Lopez              Lumpkin          Salinas-McTigue        

               Yes                 Yes                  Yes                  Yes                         Yes                                             

 

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Amiel Curnutt, Mayor  

ATTEST:

 

_______________________

Christine Dougherty, City Clerk