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CITY OF TUCUMCARI MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2007 The Tucumcari City Commission met for their regular meeting on Thursday, February 8, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Members present constituting a quorum were Christopher Maestas, Jim Lafferty, Antonio Apodaca, Mary Mayfield and Jim Witcher. City staff members present were Richard Primrose,
City Manager; Marty Garcia, Finance Director/Assistant City Manager; Jeannette
Maddaford, City Clerk/Assistant Finance Director; Clara Rey Administrative
Assistant; Doug Powers, Community Development Director; Police Lt. Ron Haley;
Ron Wilmot, Convention Center Director; Cathy Estrada, Code Enforcement
Officer; Danielle Gallegos, Economic Development Secretary; and Howie Tucker,
Golf Professional. Mayor Mary Mayfield called the meeting to order and
Commissioner Maestas led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Jim Witcher of the First Christian
Church gave the invocation. Public Hearing
A
motion was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas to
conduct a Public Hearing for the purpose of considering an application for
financial assistance for the new landfill though the New Mexico Environment
Department Construction Program. Roll Call: Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Doug
Powers, Community Development Director, was sworn in. Powers presented information how the cost to construct the new
landfill has increased from $676,488 in 2001 to $935,035 in 2006 to
$1,200,592.25 in January 2007. He noted
with the current funding received by the City less the expense of the trash
truck, the City had $673,505.09 available less contracts of $610,477.32 leaving
a balance of $63,027.77. Therefore, the
application for $500,000 through the New Mexico Environmental Department is
needed to complete the project. He
noted some areas may have to be cut back, but the Landfill was the City’s top
priority for capital outlay funding, if that comes through. Commissioner Witcher asked about additional
equipment for the landfill. Powers
noted that the City’s equipment is very old, but will have to do the job of
opening the new landfill as well as close the old landfill at the same time. Commissioner Apodaca asked if this
application could wait until the City hears about funding from the
legislature. Mr. Powers noted that this
was just a preliminary step to start the application and if money does not come
from the legislature, he will come back for approval of the application to the
New Mexico Environment Department.
Commissioner Lafferty thought the City needed to get a better handle on
the overall project and asked Mr. Powers to help with that effort. Assistant City Manager Marty Garcia reported
that he and City Manager Primrose had gone over the numbers of the most recent
estimate and noted that the City is within $35,000 of having the first cell
fully funded, so the figures are monitored con-stantly. A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher
and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to close the Public Hearing. Roll Call: Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes Consideration of Additions/ Deletions Old Business was deleted from the agenda. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Lafferty and
seconded by Commissioner Witcher to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2007
regular Commission meeting. Roll Call: Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Abstain Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Approval of Vouchers A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher and
seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to approve the vouchers. Roll Call: Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Items from Citizens Yvonne Braziel inquired about the status of hiring a
City Manager. Mayor Mayfield reported
that the City had readvertised. Braziel
asked where it was advertised and she would like to get a copy so she could read
the advertisement. She also asked where
the information was obtained to make up the advertisement. She was informed that the advertisement was
built based on the qualifications desired in a City Manager and from this
information the rating and ranking system would be developed. Braziel noted that the City did not have a
Human Resource Department, but pointed out that there is a Dictionary of
Occupational Titles in which qualifications of a City Manager could be obtained
and she would be glad to help the City with this as it was one of her majors in
college. Commissioner Lafferty noted
that he appreciated her concern and the Commission was attempting with due
diligence to hire a City Manager and the Commissioners had sought legal advice
on the process. He also noted that
replacing the City Manager is a priority for the Commissioners. So if anyone knows of a person who fits the
qualifications, please help spread the word. Ordinances
and Resolutions RESOLUTION
2007-06 A MIDYEAR BUDGET RESOLUTION 2006-2007 was introduced which added new
grants and adjusted recorded grants to the actual dollar amount received. Also the janitorial services changed from a
charge back from the service fund to a contractor, so the service fund was
adjusted. A motion was made by
Commissioner Apodaca and seconded by Commissioner Witcher to approve Resolution
2007-06. Roll Call:
Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Witcher
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes RESOLUTION
2007-07 – AUTHORIZATION TO FILE AN APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH
THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT CONSTRUCTIONS PROGRAM. Doug Powers noted that the resolution was
what was discussed in the Public Hearing and asked for the Commission’s
approval. A motion was made by
Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Lafferty to approve
Resolution 2007-07 authorizing the filing of an application for financial
assistance through the New Mexico Environment Department. Roll Call:
Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes City Manager’s Report Assistant City Manager Marty Garcia stated that Antonio Apodaca, Christopher Maestas, Jim Lafferty, Jim Witcher, Clara Rey, and he will be attending the Legislative Reception on Monday, January 19, and the Municipal Day on Tuesday, January 20, in Santa Fe. The pump station is fully operational and online, but has a few minor glitches to work out. The Municipal Arterial Project paving Estrella and Adams Streets is underway Bids and Contracts Clara Rey, Administrative Assistant, introduced the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District, Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Vendor Agreement Amendment No. 2 which adjusts the allocations to actual, so the City gets 100% of their grant. A motion was made by Commissioner Apodaca and seconded by Commissioner Witcher to approve the Amendment No. 2 to the Area Agency on Aging Vendor Agreement. Roll Call: Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Jeannette Maddaford, City Clerk, presented a Lease Agreement for 80 acres at Metropolitan Park with Carl Pacheco for a three-year term at $300 per year. A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to approve the Lease Agreement with Carl Pacheco for a three-year term. Roll Call: Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes New Business John Mahill, Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club, presented the Club’s annual report as a recipient of the Lodgers’ Tax funds to advertise and promote the City of Tucumcari and the Kiwanis Rodeo. Next Craig Currell of the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum reported on their billboard activities and the numbers of individuals reached by the advertising who had stopped in Tucumcari to visit the Dinosaur Museum. Diane Paris of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce gave a report on the Chamber’s activities noting that she had been on the job since September 2006. During this time the money has been used for a billboard on U.S. Highway 54, the New Mexico Magazine, and commitments from years’ past. She noted that there is a lot of activity through the Internet and Xerox responding to people who want to visit or relocate to Tucumcari. The Tucumcari Alumni Association’s President Norma Jean Crellin submitted their report in writing with a copy of the Rattler newspaper published prior to the reunion that listed all the motels in Tucumcari and included the City’s logo.
Pam Tompkins and Tara Hatfield representing the DWI Task Force made a
presentation asking the City to become the fiscal agent for the DWI
Program. Commissioner Witcher asked
about the excess of funds in the DWI Program as it is a grant program and
should zero out at the end of the year.
Also he asked about how the grant money is spent. Norene Hendrickson explained that fees are
collected for probations, screenings, UA’s, and treatments, so there is always
money coming in and then being paid out for expenses. On the grant side of the program, the expenses are submitted for
reimbursement and then zero out when a new grant year begins. She noted that the grant pays for three
fulltime people, their benefits, and the expenses for housing and the operation
of the program. Commissioner Apodaca
stated that he believes the City has a very wide umbrella under which the City
provides services for the City and County residents alike. The City serves as the fiscal agent for the
Quay Working Group and the 40 Year Water Plan.
In addition, the City provides to County residents ambulance services;
dispatch services; library services; the senior nutritional program; and
recreation. Also the City must
transport their juvenile prisoners to other areas around the state due to the
County’s juvenile detention center being closed and the amount of the City’s trash
collection has increased due to the county not providing trash service in the
County anymore. He stated that the City
needs the County to take some responsibility for providing needed
services. He noted that the financial
office is overwhelmed and under staffed.
He asked where will the City get the manpower and additional funds. Commissioner Apodaca asked the DWI Program
to go back to the County and ask them to help provide some of the above listed
services. Commissioner Lafferty echoed
the Commissioner Apodaca’s sentiments.
Mayor Mayfield stated that she was torn over the request as she is a
supporter of the DWI Program/Task Force.
She noted the City would not have a City Manager in place for a
while. Commissioner Maestas stated that
the City has done more than enough and this program needs to go back to the
County as the City has too much to take care of at the present. A motion was made by Commissioner Apodaca
and seconded by Commissioner Lafferty that Quay County reconsider their stance
on the DWI Program as the City of Tucumcari has all it can do and the County
must realize they must provide some services.
Commissioner Witcher asked that a letter be sent to the County formally
notifying them of the City’s position and ask that they step up and continue
this program. He asked that all
Commissioners sign the letter. Roll
Call: Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Maestas Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Reauthorization of the Capital Cooperative Outlay Project ST-7637(202). Assistant Manager Garcia reported that this
was a reauthorization of a $1.3 million grant received last year from the
Governor for a rail spur. He stated that $1 million remains in the grant and the
City Manager was expecting to receive the language change for the
reauthorization from Santa Fe. He stated
that this was on the agenda to authorize the removal the constrictive language,
“rail spur”, to allow other types of economic development infrastructure or
capital for prospective businesses. A
motion was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to
approve the reauthorization. Roll Call: Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Yes
No Yes Yes
Yes Commissioner Lafferty clarified his vote by stating that he had a hard
time approving something that he did not see in writing. He acknowledged that the change in the
wording had been submitted to Santa Fe and stated that the wording should, at
some point, be made available to the Commissioners. Garcia stated that the current contract with the Economic Development
Corporation for consultant services will be expiring in June 30, 2007, so
authorization is requested to advertise for Request for Proposals. A motion was made by Commissioner Apodaca
and seconded by Commissioner Witcher to authorize the advertisement for Request
for Proposal for Economic Development consultant services. Roll Call: Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Danielle Gallegos of the Economic Development Corporation reported that
the State had submitted the Memorandum of Understanding for the Tucumcari
MainStreet Program and she asked for the municipality’s approval on the
MOU. A motion was made by Commissioner
Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to approve the Memorandum of Understanding. Roll Call: Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Discussion was held on limiting certain events at the Convention
Center. Commissioner Maestas stated
that he felt that the Commissioners should work with Mr. Wilmot, Convention
Center Director, to develop a new policy to not allow sporting events,
especially wrestling, boxing, cage fighting, etc. to be held at the Convention
Center. Commissioner Witcher stated
that he personally did not like some of the events that are held, but he did
not think that the Commissioners have a right to limit events if they are not
illegal or immoral. Commissioner
Apodaca said he agreed with Commissioner Witcher. Commissioner Lafferty asked Ron Wilmot, Convention Center
Director, if he was having any problem enforcing his Convention Center
policies. He stated that he has more
security during events of this type and discusses everything in detail with the
lessee prior to executing the lease. He
noted that the attendance at the cage fighting event was greater than the
attendance at the Rattler Reunion and events of this nature increase the liquor
sales. Commissioner Maestas brought up
“cock fighting” and it was noted that the roosters did not have a choice
whether to fight or not, but those participating in cage fighting did have that
choice. Mayor Mayfield noted that this
was not a sport she had an interest,
but a number of young people are in training, so she hated to punish those who
have chosen this as their sport. She
regretted the tragedy, but did not feel the Commissioners should regulate the
types of events at the Convention Center if they were not illegal or immoral. Executive Session A motion was made by Commissioner Apodaca and seconded by Commissioner Witcher acknowledging that only limited personnel matters pursuant to the Open Meetings Act 10-15-1(H)2 were discussed during the closed meeting held on Saturday, February 3, 2007, and no action was taken. Roll Call: Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to go into Executive session for the purpose of discussing limited personnel matters and pending or threatened litigation pursuant to the Open Meetings Act 10-15-1(H)2&7. Time noted 7:05 p.m. Roll Call: Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Return from Executive Session.
Time noted 8:00 p.m. A motion
was made by Commissioner Lafferty and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca that
only limited personnel matters and pending or threatened litigation were
discussed pursuant to the Open Meetings Act 10-15-1(H)2&7 and no action was
taken. Roll Call: Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Adjournment There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Lafferty. Time noted 8:06 p.m. Roll Call: Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ______________________________ Mary Mayfield, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________ Jeannette Maddaford, City Clerk |
