Meetings watch - June 28

Tucumcari city commissioners took the following actions Thursday at their regular meeting:

• Closed out a $50,000 planning grant for planning downtown improvements through the New Mexico Metropolitan Redevelopment Area. The planning was conducted by Sites Southwest, an Albuquerque landscape architectural firm.

• Approved a $94,000 agreement with the New Mexico Aging and Long Term Services Department for operation of the Foster Grandparent Program, in which seniors counsel children and young adults; the Senior Companion Program, in which seniors provide assistance to seniors with health and mobility limitations; and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which allows seniors to provide skills and expertise to community projects and organizations.

• Approved a memoranda of understanding with Tucumcari Elementary School and the Eastern Plains Early Childhood program to allow Foster Grandparent Program volunteers to work with children.

• Approved an allocation of $44,000 from Lodger’s Tax proceeds to the Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce for the chamber’s assistance with advertising and other promotional activities to encourage tourism in the city.

• Approved a reduction in Tucumcari Convention Center fees from $900 to $600 for the New Mexico National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), which will hold its 2018 annual convention at the convention center. The date has not been set.

• Approved purchase of advertising in the NARFE convention bulletin for $150.

In his report to commissioners, City Manager Jared Langenegger:

• Recognized Assistant Police Chief Pete Rivera as the city employee of the quarter, based on his 22 years with the department and his active participation in the community.

Langenegger also cited Rivera’s service as acting chief from November 2016 to February.

• Announced that the regional economic development plan of the East Central New Mexico Stronger Economies Together region has been approved as a high-quality plan by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The region includes Quay, Guadalupe, DeBaca and Torrance counties.

• Discussed Workforce Connection training conducted Thursday for city and county employers that introduced some new techniques in introducing new employees to a workplace.

• Announced that a city grant application for improvements on Second Street downtown has been approved. The city was awarded $274,000, including $206,000 in grant funds matched by nearly $69,000 in city services. The city previously received $180,000 in state capital outlay funds to replace utility lines and help in installing new sidewalks.

• Discussed the results of the city’s recent recall election, in which all three commissioners whose positions had been challenged retained their commission seats.

“I believe this vote proves that the commission is listening to the citizens and the majority are happy with the way things are going,” he said.

— Compiled by Correspondent Steve Hansen