CITY OF TUCUMCARI
MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2007
The Tucumcari City Commission met for their regular meeting on Thursday, August 9, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Members present constituting a quorum were Mary Mayfield, Jim Witcher, Christopher Maestas, Jim Lafferty, and Antonio Apodaca.
City staff members present were John R. Sutherland, Jr., City Manager; Jeannette Maddaford, City Clerk/Assistant Finance Director; Clara Rey, Administrative Assistant; Doug Powers, Community Development Director; Mike Cherry, Fire Chief; Larry Rigdon, EMS Director; Scott Simpson, Recreation Director; Suzann Mullenix, Senior Citizens Director; and Jason Brazil, City Police Detective.
Reverend Jim Witcher, Pastor of the First Christian Church, gave the invocation. Commissioner Maestas led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consideration of Additions/ Deletions
None
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Lafferty and seconded by Commissioner Witcher to approve the minutes of the July 26, 2007 regular Commission meeting. Roll Call:
Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty
Abstain Yes Yes Yes Yes
Approval of Vouchers
A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to approve the vouchers. Roll Call:
Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Items from Citizens
None
Executive Session
A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Lafferty to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of certain purchases which require contract negotiation as a result of a competitive sole sealed bid proposal for the Racino Management pursuant to the Open Meetings Act NMSA 10-15-1(H)6 and for the discussion of limited personnel matters relating to complaints against police employees pursuant to the Open Meetings Act NMSA 10-15-1(H)2. Time noted 6:03 p.m. Roll Call:
Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
A motion was made by Commissioner Apodaca and seconded by Commissioner Maestas to reconvene open session and no decisions were made in Executive Session. He certified the only thing discussed was limited personnel matters and certain purchases pursuant to the Open Meetings Act 10-15-1(H)2&6. Time noted 7:30 p.m. Roll Call:
Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield Witcher
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Proclamation
Mayor Mayfield read a Proclamation declaring August 30, 2007 as William F. Fulginiti Day in recognition of his 30 years of service as Executive Director of the New Mexico Municipal League.
Ordinances and Resolutions
ORDINANCE 1047 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICT MAP A PART OF ORDINANCE 917 ADOPTED AND APPROVE ON MAY 22, 1997 was presented by Community Development Director Doug Powers. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the application from Steve and Linda Bray to change the zoning at Lots 9 & 10 Block 13 of Goldenberg Addition (1023 West Route 66 Blvd.) from General Commercial C-1 to SU-1 Special Use for Cabinet and Woodworking Shop following contacting the surrounding landowners and conducting a public hearing. A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to approve Ordinance 1047. Roll Call:
Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
City Manager’s Report
City Manager John R. Sutherland, Jr. called on department heads to share information concerning performance over the last month with the Commissioners. Fire Chief Mike Cherry reported that Keith Henderson of Amarillo had been hired for the new position of Deputy Emergency Manager, and comes to Tucumcari with extensive experience and training. Cherry also advised that he had taken delivery of a new 2007 Suburban which was purchased by the City of Clovis through a Regional Homeland Security Grant for the purpose of transportation of needed trained personnel to any large event within the region of Quay, Roosevelt, Guadalupe, Curry, and DeBaca counties. He reported that the Fire Department’s average calls for the July’s over the last five years had been 17 and this July there were 25 calls and only two were firework related fires.
Ambulance Director Larry Rigdon reported that the Emergency Medical Services Department usually averaged 100 runs per month. He reported that the most runs recorded since the City took over the ambulance in 2002 was 131 in June of 2004, but during July 2007 they had 163 runs/patients. It noted that July taxed the personnel and resources. During that time they ran 26 transfers out of Trigg, carried 25 individuals from vehicle accidents, intercepted with outlying services six times in July. They did rodeo and public service standbys. Also the new ambulance was put into service in July. He noted that he appreciated his employees as they had worked extremely hard during July 2007. Mayor Mayfield noted that she has never heard a complaint about the service of EMS or Fire.
Scott Simpson, Recreation Director, reported the swimming pool would be closing Friday, August 10, 2007, as the lifeguards were composed of high school students who were returning to school and beginning their sport practice schedules. He reported that the pool had been open 43 days this season with an average attendance of 76 people per day. There were 12 family nights and twenty pool rentals. He reported that there were five incidents where lifeguards got in the water to help a swimmer in distress. Mary Mayfield thanked Scott for assisting the Senior Citizens this year for providing recreation for all ages. He stated that the pool did not open as soon as planned due to some problems with the contractor, but next year it will be open for a full season.
Doug Powers, Community Development Director, reported that he went to Santa Fe on Monday to meet with the Department of Transportation on the railroad depot project as the environmental assessment had been submitted for their review. The City has met all the requirements necessary for the DOT to commit the money to the railroad depot project.
The same day he met with DOT on the GRIP2 project and requested that some of the allocated money be used for the waterline on Adams Street. He stated that they seemed pretty supportive of the proposal, but would get back to him. He also addressed how some of the side streets were on the original application, but once they reached Santa Fe they were not included.
On Tuesday he drove to Bernalillo to deliver paperwork to Gordon Environmental Engineers on the landfill. After they review the information, a second meeting will be held the week after Labor Day with the Gordon Environmental, Solid Waste Bureau Construction Programs, the City Manager, and Powers to get everyone on the same page and back on track for completing the landfill.
Doug Powers, Charlie Sandoval, Water Department Superintendent; and Elizabeth Morris, Community Development Grant Writer, met with a lady who did the inspections on the First Street Project where they expressed some of their concerns that are still on going. She will submit a letter to both the Department of Transportation and the Construction Programs voicing some of the City’s concerns.
The Community Development Block Grant Sewer Line Project plans were received and will be made available to the Commissioners the Community Development Office. The CDBG Sewer Line Project will be advertised for bids in the next 30 days.
Sutherland reported that two new cashiers were hired for the Finance Department as Elaine Pacheco, former casher, will move to the Housing Authority and Jenny Vargas, former cashier, will become the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Clerk; Frances Lopez moved to Payroll; Elizabeth Morris moved to Community Development; Heidi Fenton had been hired as the Director of the Housing Authority; Pat Prieto, formerly of the Housing Authority, is now at the Library. Currently the City is accepting applications for Chief of Police and the position of Corporal has been eliminated from the organization. Janet Hall has joined the City at the Waste Water Treatment Plant in the Lab Department.
Due to concerns about the City’s antiquated telephone system, a meeting was held with Qwest and developed a plan to solve the problem. A meeting has been requested with Plateau to explore a solution.
Mr. Sutherland reported that he took a road trip with Electrician Mike Riddle to investigate problems with street lighting citywide. He reported that the City is having problems with tractor-trailer rigs pulling off to the side of the road and totally destroying the junction boxes as well as sinking down two and half to three feet deep. The lights on the west side of a town are wired in a series and when one light goes it burns the insulation and wires almost all the way to the next light. This is expensive and the City does not have a budget to cover this. The budget the City does have is to pay the utility costs of having the lights lit and the City does not have a Street Light Repair Fund, so the City is scrambling to keep Great Plains Electric working on the problem. A call has been placed to Paul Gray, Department of Transportation District IV Engineer, to see if the City can get some help to address the issue.
The City has a new Workman’s Compensation Provider who has requested that the City identify a Primary Care Physician for treating employees injured on the job. A relationship has been initiated with Dr. Susan Lewis. The City is also trying to find the funds to hire a full-time Risk Manager that will help lower the cost of Workman’s Compensation Insurance.
A positive first meeting was held with the Finance Committee and there will be meeting each month.
A ribbon cutting will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2007, at the 7:30 p.m. at the Northside Park for the First Street Project. It was noted that the ribbon cutting was on Commission meeting night, so the Mayor requested that the agenda be kept short. She encouraged all the Commissioners and City Staff to be in attendance.
Sutherland commended the special, voluntary effort of Code Enforcement Officer Cathy Estrada to develop and maintain the flowerpots outside City Hall. He recognized Gary Don Cooper of the Water Department and Fire Chief Mike Cherry for their extra efforts during the power outage caused by Union Pacific work crew west of town two weeks ago.
Mayor Protem Apodaca asked about the gravel covering Whitmore Street. Manager Sutherland reported that he and Alex Madrid, Street Superintendent, viewed the street this morning and Madrid committed to getting the street swept clean of gravel and if necessary he would use a blade so water could flow unobstructed. During the tour, they viewed the garbage behind the Broomcorn Factory, which will be cleaned up.
Bids and Contracts
Doug Powers presented the GRIP2 Cooperative Project Agreement for the Adams Street Project with $557,700 from the Local Government Transportation Fund and $139,425 as a 20% match from the City. Powers stated that funds had been applied for pursuant to the New Mexico Finance Authority’s regulations and policies, so the City may not have to come up with the match. He said that the City will probably do the rough grading and assist as needed. A motion was made by Commissioner Maestas and seconded Witcher to approve the GRIP2 Cooperative Project Agreement. Roll Call:
Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
New Business
Suzann Mullenix, Senior Citizen Director, reported that the Senior Olympians would return at another time to receive recognition on receipt of the medals won at the Senior Olympic competition in Las Cruces. She thanked the City for recognizing Scott Simpson because of the t-shirts that he contributed to the Senior Olympians for their official t-shirt. She reported that 26 had qualified for the 2007 State Games and fourteen attended. Due to the official results not being in for several events, Mullenix summarized the following results based on the information she had: 16 gold, 10 silver, 11 bronze, 8 fourth place ribbons and 4 fifth place ribbons. She gave Vista Volunteer Corinne Metcalf a special thank you for her hard work organizing the local games and participants and also at the state games. Mayor Mayfield asked that the Senior Olympians be congratulated.
The 2006-2007 annual report was received from El Llano Estacado RC&D Council. A motion was made by Commission Witcher and seconded by Commission Apodaca to continue as a member of the Council, pay the dues, and appointed Doug Powers as the City’s representative. Roll Call:
Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Mayfield
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Discussion was held as to when to have work session to discuss goals for the City Manager. Friday, September 7, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. was set as the date to meet for a retreat. The Commissioners will be notified of the location of the meeting.
Items from Commissioners
Commissioner Maestas reported that he had been approached by a citizen about the City not doing anything for the City of Tucumcari. He pointed out the building by the overpass that needs to have something done to it. Also there is a burned out house in the 400 block of East Hancock that smells when it rains. In addition, there is a house at 920 East Aber that has been empty for twenty years. Also he asked the Commissioners to consider adopting an ordinance to increase the commissioners’ salary, as it was 1990 since the last increase. He noted that the Las Vegas City Commissioners receive $19,000 per year and the City of Tucumcari Commissioners receive almost next to nothing. He suggested doubling the amount that is currently being received. He pointed out that this could be accomplished in January when the budget revision resolution is adopted and then it would be in place for the new commissioners taking office in March 2008. Mayor Mayfield noted that it is difficult to find money to fix the street lights and operational money for the things the staff needs to work, so she wanted the Commissioners to know her position beforehand as it was going to be difficult to vote for an increase in Commissioners’ salaries, but noted that it was up to each Commissioner to vote his own conscience.
Commissioner Lafferty recognized Dennis Garcia who came to Rotary and brought his canine and did a demonstration. He stated that both Dennis and his dog represented the City very professionally. He asked that the City Manager recognize Dennis the next time he sees him.
Mayor Protem Apodaca stated that he opposed raising the Commissioners’ salaries. He stated that when he ran for office he did not even know how much was paid. He did not plan to get rich and he acknowledged that he works hard and gets a lot of calls, but feels that this job is public service. He would rather see the money used to clean up property and the other priorities of the City.
Commissioner Lafferty noted that a report was received from the Animal Control Officer who reported 192 calls in July by one staff person where the Ambulance had 165 with a twelve-man crew.
Mayor Mayfield reported that she had attended the Eastern Plains Council of Governments meeting on August 8 in Clovis.
Adjournment
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca. Time noted 7:25 p.m. Roll Call:
- Mayfield Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca
______________________________
Mary Mayfield, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Jeannette Maddaford, City Clerk
