Commissioners amend nuisance ordinance

The Tucumcari City Commission enacted amendments to the city’s nuisance ordinance on Thursday.

The amendments make violations of the ordinance criminal offenses but reduce the fine for first violations to $50. Other changes included eliminating fines for persons or agencies that try to delay enforcement of penalties against property owners for nuisance violations and eliminating a requirement that owners insure vacant buildings.

The commission’s approval came after a public hearing. No one spoke for or against the amended ordinance at the hearing, and the changes were passed after minimal discussion.

In other action, commissioners:

n Honored the Tucumcari High School track and field team with a proclamation after the team won the state Class 3A championship at the state championship track meet in Albuquerque on May 6.

n Approved the creation of an emergency medical services manager separate from the chief of the fire department.

City Manager Jared Langenegger said combining the titles has created difficulty, since fire department knowledge and skills have little in common with those needed for emergency medical services. The new position would add a little less than $60,000 a year in cost, Langenegger said.

n Watched as Tucumcari Police Chief David Lathrom officially promoted officers Stephanie Coon and Abel Cullum to the rank of corporal.

n Approved the city staff’s choice for an auditing firm.

The firm’s name could not be announced until the contract is signed, according to Angelica Gray, the city clerk, who also serves as the city’s procurement officer.

n Agreed to allow Jacob Lopez to sublease property he rents from the city to his brother, Albert Lopez. He currently pays $3,040 a year to lease the 190 acres, which he farms.

n Waived business license fees for Sun Valley Rides, which provides carnival rides for the Quay County Fair.

Justin Knight, president of the fair board, said Sun Valley Rides increases fair attendance and pays 20 percent of its pre-fair sales to the county fair and 10 percent of carnival game revenues.

— Compiled by Correspondent Steve Hansen