Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari City Commission on Thursday approved an application for funding of a water line along South Mountain Road to accommodate expanding businesses near Mountain Road and Interstate 40.
The application seeks grants and loans totaling nearly $910,000 from the New Mexico Financial Authority’s Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The grant portion is more than $682,000 and the loan would total $227,500. The loan would be paid through revenue increases from water bills.
The total proceeds the cost of installing nearly 4,900 feet of 10-inch diameter water line and more than 1,700 feet of new six-inch water line. The new, wider water lines will serve the needs of the Fairfield Inn under construction at Mountain Road and I-40 and allow for more business expansion in the area, City Manager Jared Langenegger said.
Construction on the water project is expected to begin in April 2018.
The commission also approved its Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, which helps the city qualify for grants and other financial assistance and becomes the city’s “wish list” for capital outlays allocated by the New Mexico Legislature.
The top 10 items on the city’s plan include:
1. The Second Street rehabilitation project downtown, whose total costs are expected to be $2.4 million , through 2023..
2. A wastewater reuse project designed to recycle treated wastewater within the city. This project is expected to cost nearly $3.7 million.
3. A water supply project in the city’s Aber addition, expected to cost $500,000 in 2019.
4. East Route 66 Infrastructure improvements, expectedto cost $1.2 million through 2021.
5. Water tank rehabilitation and replacement projects, expected to cost $5.5 million through 2023.
6. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs to improve water lines, streets and sewers, $2.5 million through 2023.
7. Route 66lift station improvements, $534,000 through 2020.
8. KOA lift station, $250,000 by 2019.
9. Great Blocks on Main Street, a downtown renovation project, $300,000 by 2020.
10. CDBG planning grants, $250,000 by 2023.
In his regular report to the commission, Langenegger said city crews are working on drainage problems at Main Street and Adams, where flooding occurs regularly after storms.
He also mentioned the city’s automated reminder calls about unpaid water bills have caused some concern from residents who fear their water will be shut off.
Langenegger assured residents the city does not shut off water for non-payment until the 21st of any month. The reminders go out a few weeks after the month begins.
Bills usually are distributed at the end of the month. They are due on the first, but the city has a 21 day grace period for payment, Langenegger said.
He also reported that the owner of a building at Second and Main Streets expected to receive a demolition license this week that would allow clean-up operations to begin.