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Minutes City Commission Meeting December 8, 2005 The Tucumcari City Commission met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, December 8, 2005, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Members present constituting a quorum were Antonio Apodaca, Mary Mayfield, Jim Witcher, Christopher Maestas, and Bettie Ditto. City staff present at the meeting was Richard
Primrose, Jeannette Maddaford, Clara Rey, Marty Garcia, Larry Rigdon, Chuck
Newman, and Doug Powers. Public Hearing Commissioner Witcher made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to open the Public Hearing regarding the consideration of adoption of Ordinance 1016 - An Ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a grant agreement by and among the City of Tucumcari and the New Mexico Finance Authority evidencing an obligation of the City to utilize the grant in the amount of $400,000 to defray cost of replacing a booster station and installing an additional water storage tank with related improvements. Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes Mayor Mary Mayfield asked if any one would like to
be heard during the Public Hearing.
Doug Powers, City Planning and Development Director, was sworn in and
stated that the public hearing gives everyone an equal opportunity to speak to this
funding project. The money will be used
for the booster pump station replacing the 1929 pumps. Commissioner Ditto asked if the City was
prepared to cover the additional funding that might be required. Powers responded that this was a pure grant
with no matching funds and he recommended approving the grant agreement. Roll Call. With nobody else requesting to testify, a motion to
close the Public Hearing was made by Commissioner Apodaca and seconded by
Commissioner Witcher. Roll Call. Apodaca Witcher Maestas Ditto
Mayfield Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Approval of Minutes A motion for approval of the November 17, 2005 Commission
meeting minutes was made by Commissioner Apodaca and seconded by Commissioner
Maestas. Roll Call. Maestas Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Approval of Vouchers A motion for approval of the vouchers presented for
payment was made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner
Apodaca. Roll Call. Mayfield Witcher Maestas Ditto Apodaca Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Ordinances and Resolutions City Manager Richard Primrose reported that this
Ordinance was tabled at the last meeting and now has been revised by the City’s
Attorney Randy Knudson and their Attorney Dean Border. Catalina Investment and Trust, the new
owner, will be responsible for the infrastructure with the City rezoning the
four lots to commercial. A motion was
made by Commissioner Witcher and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to take from
the table Ordinance 1009, tabled at the November 17 meeting, and approve
Ordinance 1009 which amends the official zoning district map, a part of Ordinance
917 adopted and approved on May 22, 1997.
Roll Call. Witcher Maestas Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes A motion was made by Commissioner Apodaca and
seconded by Commissioner Maestas to approve Ordinance 1016 authorizing the
execution and delivery of a grant agreement by and between the City of
Tucumcari and the New Mexico Finance Authority evidencing an obligation of the
City to utilize the grant in the amount of $400,000. Roll Call. Maestas Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes A motion was made by Commissioner Apodaca and
seconded by Commissioner Maestas to approve the Grant Agreement for $400,000
with the New Mexico Finance Authority for the replacement of the booster
station and installing an additional water storage tank with related
improvements. Roll Call. Maestas Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes A motion was made by Commissioner Maestas and
seconded by Commissioner Witcher to approve Resolution 2005-35 approving the
submission of a completed application for financial assistance with the New
Mexico Finance Authority for a new ambulance.
Doug Powers, Community Development Director, reported that this loan
would be a continuation of a current loan that will be paid off April
2006. The loan is for $35,000 and the
grant is $59,725. This would enable
the department to replace an ambulance with over 200,000 miles. Commissioner Ditto asked if there would be
funding to pay for the loan. Powers
noted that the payments on the new loan would be the same as the previous loan
as the money was budgeted based on state share of gross receipts. Roll Call. Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes Commissioner Apodaca made a motion and seconded by
Commissioner Maestas to approve Resolution 2005-36 which calls for a regular
municipal election on March 7, 2006.
Roll Call. Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas
Ditto Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes City Manager’s Report Mr. Primrose reported the following: It is now November 22 and First Street is now open
both ways, which means the contractor met his obligation. A.S. Horner still has a few things to finish
before they leave, but they will be back in March to complete the east side
lanes of First Street. Ron Wilmot, Convention Center Director, reported
that New Mexico would have a float in the Rose Bowl Parade. On December 28, a caravan of old cars will
start at Glenrio to begin their journey to Pasadena. They will arrive in Tucumcari at 11:00 a.m. for hamburgers at the
Convention Center. He invited the Commissioners
to come out and to greet the caravan, as the Secretary of Tourism will here as
well as other dignitaries. The local
hotels are donating rooms for people to stay the night before traveling to
Glenrio. Also the Commissioners were
invited to the Convention Center on December 21, as Governor Richardson will be
at there from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to meet and greet. There will be a special meeting of the City
Commission on Wednesday, December 14, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. The United States Department of Agriculture,
Rural Utilities Services (RUS) will be here to present a check in the amount of
$940,200 to the Commissioners for the First Street utilities. RUS has invited the federal legislators and
all others are invited to attend. He
reported that Doug Power’s office has been working long and hard on this
grant/loan. Doug Powers, Community Development Director,
reported that the engineer did a drive through of the east central CDBG
Project. They are doing their close out
documents as everything looked real good.
He noted people appreciate the improved utilities and new street and
this is reflected by the pride they are taking in their yards since the project
was completed. Jeannette Maddaford was welcomed to the team as the
new City Clerk. Commissioner Apodaca inquired about the establishing
a special paving district. Primrose
said he would pursue this and learn more about the process the City should
follow, as it would be an idea that would fit certain areas of the City. Bids and Contracts
Lt. Chuck Newman of the Tucumcari Police Department
presented the Enhanced 911 Grant Agreement, Project 05-E-14 with the New Mexico
Department of Finance and Administration for $736,976 which will pay for
equipment, maintenance, network, consulting services, training, mapping, and
wireless cost recovery. A motion was
made by Commissioner Apodaca and seconded by Commissioner Maestas to approve
the Enhanced 911 Grant Agreement, Project 05-E014. Roll Call. Mayfield Witcher Maestas Ditto Apodaca Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes Clara Rey, Administrative Assistant, reported that
Contract Amendment No. 1 to the Eastern New Mexico Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
had been received which would add $49,843 to the current Senior Citizen budget
which would provide two part time cook helpers (one in Tucumcari and one in
Logan), a full time data entry coordinator, and to bring the Tucumcari Site
Coordinator from a part time employee to a full time employee with
benefits. There will also be some money
to put into line items for Gas and Oil and Equipment/Computers. A motion was made Commissioner Witcher,
seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to approve the Contract Amendment No. 1 with
Eastern New Mexico Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for $49,843. Roll Call. Witcher Maestas Ditto Apodaca
Mayfield Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Doug Powers, Community Development Director,
reported that an evaluation committee comprised of six people had reviewed and
ranked engineering proposals submitted by Engineers, Inc., HDR, Molzen-Corbin
& Assoc., and Wilson & Co. for Professional Engineering Services for
the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements.
Based upon their evaluation, they recommended to the City Commission the
firm receiving the highest points, HDR.
A motion was made by Commissioner Apodaca, seconded by Commissioner
Maestas to approve the proposal of HDR for Professional Engineering Services
for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements. Roll Call. Witcher Maestas Ditto Apodaca
Mayfield Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Doug Powers presented Community Block Grant Agreement
No. 05-C-RS-I-1-G-41 Amendment No. 1 which applies to all CDBG projects. The amendment makes the final report due 25
days after the Grant Termination Date thus speeding up the close out process. A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher,
seconded by Commissioner Apodaca to approve Amendment No. 1 to Community Block
Grant Agreement No. 05-C-RS-I-1-G-41.
Roll Call. Mayfield Witcher Maestas Ditto Apodaca Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Richard Primrose noted that the Lodgers Tax
Billboard Contract with Lamar was a renewal of the current contract and
recommended approval. A motion was made
by Commissioner Maestas, seconded by Commissioner Witcher to approve the annual
contract with The Lamar Companies for seven billboards at a cost of $1,941 per
month. Discussion: Ditto said that the contract needed to be
looked at again as the plastic type gets faded and wrinkled and there needs to
be improvement. Roll Call. Witcher Maestas Ditto Apodaca
Mayfield Yes Yes No No No Old Business
Mayor Mary Mayfield acknowledged the Library Board
minutes. New Business Judy Hiner, Director of the Quay Council for Arts
and Humanities, presented the Council’s request to inquire about the
possibility of leasing the Princess Theater for one year with the option to
lease the theater for 20 years for $1 per year. The Commissioners recommended that the Council look at the
Theater and if still interested, meet with the City Manager to work out a lease
agreement for a period no longer than ten years. A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher, seconded
by Commissioner Apodaca to change the next regular Commission meeting date from
Thursday, December 22, to Thursday, December 15. Discussion: Commissioner
Maestas said he did not see a reason to change the meeting since the meeting
fell three days before Christmas. Also
he thought as a courtesy, all Commissioners should be in agreement on the
change. Commissioner Ditto thought it
was great to have more time at Christmas, but that a new policy should be in
effect so the meetings are not changed as often as in the past because she has
had some complaints from her constituents saying they never know when the
City’s meetings are going to be held; but she does approve this one change. Commissioner Apodaca said that he could
understand Commissioner Maestas’ point about common courtesy as we use to say
in the Commission meeting, “let us see if we can agree on a date”. If we need to do something like that, let’s
extend courtesy among the Commissioners.
Commissioner Maestas felt that the decision was made by somebody and
then at the public meeting say let’s vote on this meeting, but it is done and
past Roll Call. Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Yes Yes
Yes Yes No A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher, seconded
by Commissioner Apodaca to have an invocation at the beginning of each
Commission meeting. Discussion: Commissioner Apodaca stated that he did not
mind having an invocation before each Commission meeting, if ministers come
from all denominations. During a moment
of silence, Commissioner Apodaca stated that he remembers the soldiers fighting
in Iraq, those less fortunate, and people dying of malnutrition, therefore, he
did not have a problem with an invocation.
Commissioner Maestas stated that he and his family are Catholic and do
believe in the Almighty. He had read the Constitution and there should be
separation of church and State. At the
Georgia State Capitol, the Ten Commandments were removed from that building. If
we start this, someone will object to it.
We will be sued as there is a precedent already established. Roll Call. Maestas Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Witcher No Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes Items From Commissioners Commissioner Maestas inquired whether the City had a
lobbyist. It was noted that the City
does not have a paid lobbyist, but there is the offer from some lobbyists who
do not get paid unless the priority set by the Commission is accomplished. When the City starts looking at budget, it
will be determined if funds are available.
Dialysis for Tucumcari residents was another concern. Primrose reported that Senator Harden and
Representative Moore will be pursuing this for Tucumcari. Commissioner Ditto said she agreed with Commissioner
Maestas that the City of Tucumcari was not visible in Santa Fe. She expressed her two goals are making U.S.
Highway 54 four lane and the revitalizing Five Mile Park. Virginia Wright was appointed to represent
the City at the State on the U.S. 54 project.
We are being challenged to raise $30,000 in donations and, thus far,
have a commitment for $10,000.
Commissioner Ditto asked that someone pursue Economic Development Corp.
on the $30,000, as the funds needs to be acquired before the end of the
year. Doug Powers reported that the
Northeast Regional Planning Organization (RPO) had placed the U.S. Highway 54
as a priority. On a printout received
recently, U.S. 54 was proposed to receive $10 million in year four for the Tucumcari
and Quay County portion of the highway.
A printout will be obtained for each Commissioner. Mayor Mayfield pointed out Representative Joe
Campos agreed to make U.S. 54 a priority for Guadalupe County and Santa Rosa
and his support has helped Tucumcari and Quay County in getting us to this
point. Commissioner Witcher noted that everyone should remember
the incident that happened when the Commission passed an ordinance which changed
the definition of a vicious animal. A
young man came in and made several promises to keep his dog on a leash. It has been brought to his attention that he
has not kept the dog on a leash and has not built a fence yet.
Commissioner Maestas said the young man was no longer lives there and he
is attending college in Portales. Mayor
Mayfield asked the City Manager to look into the matter with the City Police
Department and get some follow up on the dog. Commissioner Apodaca stated that if Tucumcari does
not get some economic development, we will be a village as stated on the
document signed earlier. He also welcomed
Jeannette Maddaford to the City. Mayor Mayfield stated that the whole Commission
welcomed Jeannette. Everyone was urged
to go by the Museum to see the Christmas lighting display and she was pleased
that so many of the City public buildings have chosen to decorate. Also she appreciated how far Horner
Construction had come in completing First Street. She asked that the City Clerk and City Manager check with the
Madrid family to determine an appropriate time for the family to attend a
dedication of the Northside Park in memory of Grace Madrid. The sign has been put up, but the official
dedication has not taken place. A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher, seconded
by Commissioner Apodaca to go into Executive Session pursuant to the Open
Meetings Act 10-15-1(H)7 NMSA 1978 to discuss pending or threatened
litigation. Roll Call. Time noted 6:55 p.m. Apodaca Mayfield Witcher
Maestas Ditto Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Return from Executive Session. Time noted 7:25 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Witcher, seconded
by Commissioner Apodaca that only threatened and pending litigation was
discussed pursuant to the Open Meetings Act 10-15-1(H)7 NMSA 1978 and no action
was taken. Roll Call. Mayfield Witcher Maestas
Ditto Apodaca Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Adjournment There being no further business, Commissioner
Apodaca made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Witcher. Roll Call.
Time noted 7:25 p.m. Ditto Apodaca Mayfield Witcher Maestas Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes _____________________________ Mary Mayfield, Mayor Attest: ______________________________ Jeannette Maddaford, City Clerk |