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CITY COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2008
The Tucumcari City Commission met for their regular meeting on Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 6:00 pm in the City Commission Chambers. Members constituting a quorum were Antonio Apodaca, Robert Lumpkin, Jim Witcher, Christopher Maestas, and Jim Lafferty.
City staff present were John Sutherland, City Manager; Jeannette Maddaford, City Clerk; Marty Garcia, Finance Director; Doug Powers, Community Development Director; Mike Cherry, Fire Chief; Charlie Sandoval, Water Superintendent; and Daniel Lopez, Police Chief.
David McAfee, Minister of the Trinity Baptist Church, gave the invocation and Chris Maestas led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consideration of Addition or Deletions
None
Approval of Minutes
Mayor Pro Tem Witcher made a motion and Commissioner Maestas seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2008 regular Commission meeting. Roll Call:
Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Lumpkin Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Approval of Voucher
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas to approve the vouchers. Roll Call:
Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Lumpkin Witcher Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ordinances & Resolutions
Resolution 2008-02 – A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING FEES PURSUANT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE CITY OF TUCUMCARI IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE NO. 1052 was presented by Doug Powers, Community Development Director who reported that under the Unified Development Code fees were authorized by Resolution. Powers reviewed the proposed increases and gave justification. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Maestas to approve Resolution 2008-2. Roll Call:
Lafferty Apodaca Lumpkin Witcher Maestas Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
City Manager’s Report
City Manager Sutherland called on Charlie Sandoval, Water Superintendent, who gave a report on the Center Street Pump Station and the change out of three pumps by the ADB representatives who gave the City a two and a half year warranty on the new pumps. He also addressed the success the Water Department was having in reducing the uranium level in the water. He noted that the last four quarters, the average has continually gone down with the October 2007 quarter testing at .0161 and he felt the test two weeks ago will be in the 16’s again as they have been bringing more water from the Five Mile Park for blending to keep the uranium levels lower than the required .030. Mayor Pro Tem Witcher reminded the public that the City’s water quality had not changed; only the standard required by EPA had been lowered. Apodaca inquired about the funding for the waterline from the Metro Park. Sandoval reported that an application had been submitted for $3.5 million to the Water Trust Board and the City of Tucumcari rated in the top six out of forty-nine applications. Currently the City is waiting for the Legislature to authorize funding so the City can go forward with the project. Commissioner Lumpkin commented that he appreciated how hard the Water Department worked to correct the uranium problem.
Fire Chief Mike Cherry reported that December was one of the lowest months for fires with a total of seven fire incidents. EMS had a total of 101 ambulance calls for December with 51 E-911 calls; one intercept call with the San Jon ambulance; and 20 transfers out of town.
Daniel Lopez, Police Chief, gave the December Police Department statistics that included the Animal Control Officer who had 136 calls for service; 22 citations were issued; and 12 warnings. The Police Department had 42 arrests compared to the 26 in December 2006; citations were 218 for December 2007 compared to 77 for December 2006; the number of burglaries was 9 for both 2006 and 2007. It noted that it is encouraging to have officers out in the field making traffic stops which helps to catch people up to no good. Concerning the budget, he pointed out that due to the Police Department being severely under staffed, 73% of the over-time budget had been used at the end of December and at that time 54% of the overall budget was remaining. The reason the overtime was out of align, was because the officers were scheduled to work 120 hours per pay period in December before any court overtime, call out overtime, etc. As of January 9, 2008, the Department is fully staffed and has resumed a 40-hour week schedule. Now since fully staffed, the senior officers are starting to burn off some of their vacation hours, also two officers are starting the academy in February, and three dispatchers left to the academy Monday morning which will be covered by officers, so the public will not see a large police presence until all this has been accomplished. Commissioner Lafferty inquired if the Chief had a suspect in mind that was targeting the residential area with graffiti. Lopez recommended painting over the graffiti as soon as possible as it is an advertisement for the gang. Commissioner Lumpkin asked if City funds could be used for paint to cover the graffiti with the use of trustees to do the painting. Chief Lopez said he hoped to serve as a Community Service outlet for the Magistrate Court and that this will serve as a deterrent to these individuals. An inquiry was made about a reward system for a conviction. Lopez reported that there is no shortage of reward money from Crime Stoppers, but the information is not specific enough and most are juveniles under suspicion are already being prosecuted for other crimes. Mayor Apodaca asked about the status of the Police Standard Operating Procedures Manual. Lopez reported that it was every bit as big a hurdle as when he started, so he has gotten approval from the City Manager to change certain procedures that are not applicable, but more important issues have taken precedent.
Marty Garcia, Finance Director, gave a report on the City’s Gross Receipts Tax. He pointed out November Gross Receipts Tax had a decrease of 2.8% for the three-year average. In the budgeting, it was expected to have some decrease in the construction tax, although the retail and food gross receipts tax did increase. The mid-year budget resolution was postponed due to the auditors being on site for the 2005-2006 and the 2006-2007 audits. Preliminary indications indicate that the City is at 50% or below the budget throughout the City and have had large expenditures for workman’s compensation, auto, and liability insurances in the first half of the year. He reported that he had spoken with Representative Moore last week in Santa Fe and the overtime law has been fixed which will exempt governmental agencies from paying overtime buy will offer compensatory time.
City Manager reported that he, city department heads, and interested citizens have been meeting to explore the feasibility of creating a recycling plant. He has met with individuals from the Construction Industries, an architectural firm, an engineering firm, a contractor, and a wrecking and salvage company to discuss a plan and the costs of mitigating the issues of the Sands Dorsey Building. On December 27 he met with a fairly large group of golfers at the Mesa Country Club about their concerns for the management of the Tucumcari Municipal Golf Course. On December 26 he attended a meeting of the Quay County Communications Board to talk about ongoing communications issues that have started to be resolved with the addition of Chief Lopez and talked about splitting the cost of the joint emergency communication center. On December 28, he met with Fire Chief Cherry, Information Tech Scot Jaynes; Police Chief Lopez to discuss the progress of the implementation of the Sleuth 911/Court/Dispatch software. January 4 a successful work session was held with the City Commissioners and engineers from the major infrastructure projects to discuss their status. On January 9 he and staff members met with Tyler Technologies to review their municipal financial, accounting and court reporting software. The firm will return on February 5 for another presentation. On January 11, he met with Dr. Steve Walsh of UNM who has been awarded the Created Enterprise Endowed Chair to provide help to entrepreneurs to start small businesses. The primary focus of that chair is to help the City of Tucumcari. January 14 he attended the Economic Development Board meeting. January 15 he met with a uniform vendor who is interested in supplying uniforms for the city employees. On January 17 he and his staff met with NM Department of Transportation, District 4 to plan the work to construct turning lanes for the landfill on U.S. Highway 54. January 18, he and members of his staff met with Ruben Bravo of Qwest to discuss E-Rate funding for the City’s initiative to upgrade the City’s voice and data communication system. January 18 a meeting was held with Sara Flores of Congressman Udall’s staff to tour the major water and wastewater infrastructure projects for funding assistance. January 18 a meeting was held with Dr. Gallatin of Mesalands Community College to take the next step in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding with Mesalands for fitness memberships for police officers. January 18, he met with Tony Gabol of the Tucumcari Feed Lot to continue mutual discussions in the use of treated wastewater. On January 21 and 22, he attended the ACI Legislative Reception, the ACI Business Day meeting as well as the Tourism Association annual meeting and Legislative Reception in Santa Fe. Then the following day, he was in attendance at the Quay Day. On January 24, he and his staff attended an audio conference presented by the ICMA on Why the Baldridge Quality Process works for Governments. Employees of the City are now wearing ID badges, so residents of the City can be more assured they are in contact with City personnel.
Commissioner Maestas asked if an advertisement was posted for a Golf Professional. It was reported that the advertisement for Request for Proposals was in the Saturday, January 19, 2008, Quay County Sun with proposals due on February 1, 2008.
Bids and Contracts
City Manager Sutherland presented the Ascent Aviation Fuel Supply Agreement for approval. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Lumpkin to approve the Agreement with Ascent Aviation for a period of one year beginning January 1, 2008 and continue on a month-to-month basis thereafter. Roll Call:
Apodaca Lumpkin Witcher Maestas Lafferty Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Doug Powers, Community Development Director, presented Task Order #2 with HDR Engineering for the Airport Taxi Way Rehabilitation Project. He reported that he was working with Tim Archibeque of HDR and this was for the crack sealing process and would be using entitlement funds that should be allocated in May. A motion was made by Commissioner Lumpkin and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Witcher to approve the Task Order #2 with HDR Engineering contingent upon funding approval. Roll Call:
Lumpkin Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Old Business
Mayor Apodaca acknowledged the Library Board Minutes of December 14, 2008 and the Museum Board Minutes of November 5, 2007.
New Business
City Clerk Jeannette Maddaford recommended appointment of the election officials for the upcoming March 4, 2008 Municipal Election. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Lumpkin to approve the list of election officials as presented. Roll Call:
Witcher Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Lumpkin Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Commissioner Lumpkin presented information about the City’s gray water which could benefit the City’s new business, Tucumcari Feed Lot. He noted that the gray water from the Waste Water Treatment Plant has been tested and is good for cattle. Also the water can be used to grow feed which would benefit the new business, as they have to purchase huge amounts of feed for the cattle. In fact they have already spent $100,000 on feed. At 62% capacity in the feedlot they expect to spend $750,000 per year on feed and want to buy as much of their feed locally. In speaking with Arch Hurley, they do not expect to have any water in the lake this summer for the irrigation of crops. He stated the use of the gray water would free up regular City water for other purposes. He indicated that this endeavor would prevent the money from going out of town to buy feed and the feedlot would provide an outlet for farmers/ranchers to sell their cattle. City Manager Sutherland reported that this was currently being worked on as he has a meeting with Joe Ramirez, Wastewater Superintendent, to travel to Santa Fe on February 5 to meet with the Environment Department because they say that the City needs a permit, which will take six to nine months to acquire. Sutherland stated that he is committed to this project, as this is a wonderful way to use gray water. The city would treat the project as a utility where the City bears the cost of installing the infrastructure and then the expense is recouped by charging a higher rate to the customer. After this project, he expects more to follow.
Commissioner Maestas stated that he had reservations about the project as the City does not have any money to put in a pipeline.
Items From Commissioners
Commissioner Lumpkin thanked the employees that gave up personal time to give reports to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Apodaca reported that he, the City Manager, Commissioner Maestas and Lafferty, met with State Representative Brian Moore in Santa Fe on Wednesday morning, February 23, regarding the City’s capital outlay legislative requests for the Date Street Lift Station and line improvements to plan, design, and construct which will cost a million dollars. It noted that it is very important to focus on this project. He commended the Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce as they had an excellent luncheon during Quay Day in Santa Fe. There were a lot of important players there from the state and federal government. He said they spoke very highly of Commissioner Lumpkin about his involvement with the wind energy. Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Maestas and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Witcher to adjourn the meeting. Time noted 7:10 p.m. Roll Call:
Maestas Lafferty Apodaca Lumpkin Witcher Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
______________________________ Antonio Apodaca, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________ Jeannette Maddaford, City Clerk
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