Minutes

City Commission Meeting

February 24, 2005

 

 

The Tucumcari City Commission met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 24, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present constituting a quorum included Christopher Maestas, Bettie Ditto, Antonio Apodaca and James Witcher.

 

City staff present at the meeting included Richard Primrose, Rachel Hicklin, Ron Wilmot, Doug Powers, Marty Garcia, Clara Rey and Mark Radosevich.

 

Consideration of Additions/Deletions to Agenda

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca advised of the deletion of item X-A – Police Department/Animal Control Presentation.  He advised that the Mayor was out of town at a meeting and wanted to hear the presentation by Interim Chief Radosevich.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

A motion for approval of the February 10, 2005 minutes was made by Commissioner Maestas and seconded by Commissioner Ditto.  Roll Call:

 

Ditto       Apodaca       Witcher       Maestas

Yes            Yes            Abstain          Yes

 

Approval of Vouchers

 

A motion for approval of the bills presented for payment was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas.  Roll Call:

 

Apodaca       Witcher       Maestas       Ditto

  Yes               Yes              Yes            Yes

 

Ordinances & Resolutions

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called on Doug to present Ordinance 1000 – AN ORDINANCE VACATING THAT CERTAIN SEVENTY-SIX FOOT (76’) STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN BLOCKS 11 AND 42 OF THE ORIGINAL TOWNSITE ADDITION TO THE CITY OF TUCUMCARI, NEW MEXICO.

 

Doug presented the Ordinance and advised that the City has requested formal closure and vacation of a seventy-six foot street right-of-way between Block 11 and 42 of the Original Townsite Addition, which is located by the new water tank.  He advised that they would turn the intersection into a T-Intersection which will allow them to extend the street out and install curb and gutter.  Doug added that they contacted and received approval from the Transportation Department on the proposed changes to the street.

A motion for approval of Ordinance 1000 was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas.  Roll Call:

 

Witcher       Maestas       Ditto       Apodaca

  Yes              Yes            Yes            Yes

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called on City Manager Primrose to present Ordinance 1001 – AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 11.28 TO THE TUCUMCARI MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO THE CREATION OF A MUNICIPAL AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD; APPOINTMENT OF BOARD MEMBERS; BOARD MEETING TIMES AND BOARD DUTIES.

 

City Manager Primrose presented the Ordinance and advised that this ordinance would allow for the creation of an Airport Advisory Board.  He added that persons that were interested in serving on this Board would need to submit a letter of interest to the Mayor.

 

A motion for approval of Ordinance 1001 was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas.  Roll Call:

 

Witcher       Maestas       Ditto       Apodaca

  Yes              Yes            Yes            Yes

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called on Chris Muirhead from the Modrall Sperling Office to present Resolution 2005-06 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TUCUMCARI AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE COUNTY OF QUAY OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING FOR THE INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING A PORTION OF THE COST OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, ENLARGING, IMPROVING AND/OR EXTENDING ITS WATER SYSTEM FACILITY TO SERVE AN AREA LAWFULLY WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION TO SERVE.

 

Mr. Muirhead advised that he is an Attorney with the Modrall Sperling Law Firm and they have been retained as the bond counsel for the City.  He advised that this Resolution relates to some improvements that will be underway over the next few months on First Street.  He advised that the City received an RUS grant in the amount of $265,000.00 and a loan in the amount of $615,000.00 for total funding amount of $880,200.00 for water system facility improvements.  Mr. Muirhead advised that this is a standard Resolution that authorizes and provides for the incurrence of the debt from the joint utility fund.  Mr. Muirhead advised that he would be back in March or April to present the bond ordinance with an anticipated bond closing date in May.

 

Commissioner Ditto questioned what the payment would be on the loan payback.

 

Mr. Muirhead advised that he was not sure what the actual payment amount would be as the payment schedule had not been prepared yet.  He added that the loan should have a forty year payback with an approximate interest rate of four or four and one-half percent.  He added that adopting this Resolution tonight will not bind the Commission, only the bond ordinance that will be brought to the Commission in May can bind the City.

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca asked the City Manager if the City could comply with the conditions on the funding.

 

City Manager Primrose replied that he has spoken to the Finance Director and the City can meet the financial obligation.

 

Mr. Muirhead explained that RUS will only have a lien on a certain portion of the joint utility fund, and this should not be a significant debt burden on the utility system.

 

A motion for approval of Resolution 2005-06 was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas.  Roll Call:

 

Maestas       Ditto       Apodaca       Witcher

  Yes          Abstain        Yes               Yes

 

City Managers Report

 

City Manager Primrose advised that the monthly Ute Water Authority meeting was held on the 16^th in Clovis.  At this meeting, CH2M Hill was hired as a consultant to do the next phase of the water project.

 

City Manager Primrose reported that he attended the Municipal Day meeting that was held in Santa Fe on Tuesday to hear updates regarding legislation that affects municipalities.  He added that he put a copy of this information in each Commissioners box for review.

 

City Manager primrose advised that our Auditor Gary Gaylord is here and has been working on the City’s audit.

 

Next, City Manager Primrose advised that He, Doug and Yvette met with the maintenance staff from the Transportation Department and went over all of the pertinent intersections and exits for Tucumcari and gave them information on what they feel need to be done so that we can get better signage for the City so that whenever travelers come off of the interstate, they will know where to go and what streets to take.  While at this meeting, they also spoke about the rumble strips that the City had requested and were told that their staff had also recommended that rumble strips be installed.  Mr. Primrose advised that after that meeting, another letter was sent to the Transportation Departments District Four Office requesting that rumble strips be installed.  City Manager Primrose then called on Doug to give the Commission an update on the RPO meeting.

 

Doug advised that at the RPO meeting that was held, they voted on projects by priority.  The Board approved as the second priority to four-lane Highway 54 from Tucumcari towards Logan for a length of ten miles.

 

City Manager Primrose then called on Interim Police Chief Radosevich to give the Commission information on the meth awareness program.

 

Interim Chief Radosevich advised that staff from the New Mexico State Police will be making presentations next Thursday.  Two law enforcement presentations will be conducted during the day and all agencies in the surrounding area have been invited to participate.  He added that in the evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. a community awareness program on methamphetamine will be held.  The presentation will focus on the problems and manufacturing processes and the trends that are being seen across New Mexico.  He added that he thinks that this would be very beneficial to persons who own rental property, however it is open to all persons.

 

Commissioner Apodaca questioned when the work would begin on Leonard Street.

 

City Manager Primrose advised that this work is scheduled to begin mid March.

 

Bids & Contracts

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called on City Manager Primrose to present the Negotiated Agreement to Terminate.

 

City Manager Primrose advised that both of the Golf Pro’s have moved and have requested that their golf professional services contract with the City of Tucumcari be terminated effective February 28, 2005.

 

A motion to approve the Negotiated Agreement to Terminate the Golf Pro’s contract with J&C Golf was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas.  Roll Call:

 

Ditto       Apodaca       Witcher       Maestas

 Yes             Yes             Yes            Yes

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called on Marty to present the Golf Professional Services Proposal.

 

Marty presented the Golf Professionals proposals and advised that RFP’s were requested for new golf pro services.

 

City Manager Primrose advised that two proposals were received for golf professional services.  After rating and ranking the proposals, they recommended that the City approve the proposal submitted by Howie Tucker.  He then briefed the Commission on Mr. Tucker’s qualifications.  City Manager Primrose requested that a special meeting be held on Monday or Tuesday for approval of the contract with Mr. Tucker

 

After a brief discussion, a motion to approve the Golf Professional Services proposal submitted by Howie Tucker was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas.  Roll Call:

 

Apodaca       Witcher       Maestas       Ditto

   Yes               Yes              Yes         Abstain

 

Old Business

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca acknowledged receipt of the Library Advisory Board and Lodgers Tax Advisory Board minutes.

 

New Business

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called on City Manager Primrose to present the consideration of contributions towards a lobbyist for Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority.

 

City Manager Primrose advised that at the Ute Water Authority meeting that was held, they recommended that the Water Authority hire a lobbyist to help with federal authorization of the water project.  The cost of the lobbyist would be Twenty Thousand Dollars which would be divided among the participating entities with the cost to be based upon the amount of participation in the project.  He added that the most the City would be responsible for paying would be Five Thousand Dollars, and this amount should be less based upon the amount of water that the City will participate in the project.  City Manager Primrose advised that the City portion of this cost would come from the special tax that was approved for the water project.

 

A motion for approval of the City’s share of the lobbyist cost for the Ute Water Authority was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas.  Roll Call:

 

Witcher       Maestas       Ditto       Apodaca

  Yes               Yes           Yes            Yes

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called on Doug Quarles and Sharon Watson to give a presentation on proposed murals.

 

Mr. Quarles spoke with regard to the murals that have been painted in Tucumcari and how additional murals could help to renovate the down town area and would also serve to attract tourists to our area. He advised that the New Mexico Magazine did an article on the mural that was done at Lowes Grocery Store and the National Route 66 Magazine would also be doing an article on the murals.  Mr. Quarles gave the Commission a listing of possible locations and types of murals that could be done in Tucumcari and added that there are a lot of local artists that want to help decorate our town.  The public art would then be available for tourists to see and would give them something to do in the evenings.  He then asked for the City’s support in helping to advertise and promote the art in Tucumcari.  In addition Mr. Quarles requested that the City look into writing grants that would help to fund some of the murals.  He added that he would like to see the murals lit up at night so that people could view the murals and lighting would also serve for security purposes.

 

Commissioner Ditto advised that she spoke to representatives from Xcel Energy and the light pole at Lowes would be moved from the area in front of the mural to another location within a few days.

 

Commissioner Witcher suggested that Mr. Quarles make a presentation to the Lodgers Tax Board and also suggested that they speak to Paula Chacon as she provides grant writing services.

 

Commissioner Ditto suggested that the murals be included on the City’s web site.   

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called on Sandra Powell of the Home Education Livelihood Program regarding the request for waiver of fees for Convention Center use.  As there was no one present to speak on behalf of the request, the Commission moved on to the next item of business.

 

Items from Commissioners

 

Commissioner Ditto advised that the City Manager mentioned the 2005 priority bills that the Municipal League is supporting.  She commented that she was interested in House Bill 454, which provides for the reduction of the distribution that municipalities receive from the State share of gross receipts tax from 1.225 to 1 percent.  She said that this is not a sizeable amount however our municipalities are looking for more money that we can acquire in every area so that we can improve all facilities.

 

Commissioner Ditto advised that she sat with executives from PNM at the Legislative Luncheon and they assured her that there would be a twenty to twenty-five percent gas reduction which would be implemented shortly.

 

Commissioner Ditto questioned if the City’s column that was published in the newspaper could be re-implemented as there were several people that said that they miss this column as it told of the progress and projects that were going on.

 

City Manager Primrose advised that this column is still published once per month.

 

Commissioner Maestas commented on a house located at 613 S. Jackson Street that is dangerous and falling apart.  He added that he is concerned with this house as he sees kids going into the home and playing.  He asked if the Compliance Officer could check into this and see if anything could be done.

 

Commissioner Maestas questioned the status of the RFP for Attorney services.

 

City Manager Primrose advised that he has been working on this and has requested copies of contracts from several municipalities for review prior to doing the request for proposals.

 

Commissioner Witcher advised that any persons interested in serving on the Airport Advisory Board should submit a letter of interest to the Mayor.

 

Executive Session

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca called for a motion to adjourn into executive session for discussion of pending litigation regarding City of Tucumcari –vs- Maes.

 

A motion to adjourn into executive session was made by Commissioner Maestas and seconded by Commissioner Witcher.  Roll Call:

 

Witcher       Maestas       Ditto       Apodaca

   Yes             Yes            Yes            Yes

 

A motion to reconvene from executive session to regular session was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas.  Roll Call:

 

Maestas       Ditto       Apodaca       Witcher

  Yes            Yes            Yes               Yes

 

Mayor Pro-tem Apodaca certified for the record that the only item discussed in executive session was City of Tucumcari –vs- Maes and that no action would be taken.

 

Adjournment

 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                               

Attest:                                                                                      Mary Mayfield, Mayor

 

 

                                               

Rachel Hicklin, City Clerk