Meeting protocol discussed

The issue of who’s third in line to conduct a meeting became an issue before the Tucumcari City Commission Thursday.

Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield, in her duties as mayor, conducts commission meetings. In her absence, it becomes Mayor Pro Tem Robert Lumpkin’s duty.

If neither could attend a meeting, Litchfield suggested that District 5 Commissioner Todd Duplantis be appointed to attend such meetings.

However, District 1 Commissioner Ralph Moya objected, saying he had not been consulted on the idea.

Moya suggested that in such cases, the remaining commissioners — himself, Duplantis and District 2 Commissioner Amy Gutierrez — would decide among themselves who would take the mayor's place.

The other commissioners agreed and voted to make that the practice.

The commission on Thursday also:

• Heard a report from Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce Director Carmen Runyan on how the chamber spends its advertising dollars from lodger's tax proceeds. The chamber's allocation for 2019 is $37,000, down from the $54,000 the chamber had requested.

Runyan listed advertising in “American Road” magazine, the “New Mexico” magazine published by the New Mexico Department of Tourism, the “New Mexico Adventure Guide” that is part of the tourism department's “New Mexico True” campaign, the national “Route 66” magazine, and a “New Mexico Route 66” magazine.

“We didn't spend all the money from lodger's tax,” she said, “We try to be responsible with the money we are given.”

• Appointed Brenda Lopez to the city's lodger's tax board.

• Renewed an agreement with Dr. George Evetts to continue as the city's medical director at a cost of $500 per year.

• Discussed a plan to be paid for by Tucumcari businesses that would install public restrooms along Route 66, proposed by Duplantis. The commission also briefly discussed portable toilets at the disk golf course at Five Mile Park. Duplantis said he just wanted to bring up the subject but save more discussion for a public work session.

• Discussed continuing issues with the city's nuisance ordinance. City Manager Britt Lusk said he had met with Police Chief David Lathrom and the city's nuisance law enforcers, and said the city needs to set a better example by improving maintenance of its own properties. Lusk said the city plans to schedule public meetings to discuss the nuisance ordinance. Two residents aired complaints during the public comment portion about weedy city lots and properties that have long stood in disrepair while city zoning enforcers have been sending notifications to city homeowners about violations.