Meeting focuses on health, safety actions

Health and safety actions dominated the agenda Thursday at a regular meeting of the Tucumcari City Commission.

Tucumcari Fire Chief Doug Hogan got the go-ahead from the commission Thursday to apply for about $43,500 to purchase three portable, automated cardio-pulmonary resuscitation devices — one for each of the city’s ambulances — through a grant from the New Mexico Department of Health.

The devices deliver automated chest compressions even in difficult situations for sudden heart-attack victims, he said

“They will improve our overall efficiency and save lives,” Hogan said.

The commission also approved an agreement with the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging, a part of the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District, to participate in its Nutrition Service Incentive Program.

According to the agreement documents, the program offers $14,233.62 in incentives to purchase U.S.-produced agricultural commodities and other domestically produced ingredients for meals at the Tucumcari Senior Citizens Center.

The agreement is good through June 30.

The commission also authorized Tucumcari Police Chief David Lathrom to apply for $8,612 for a traffic safety grant, which is renewed annually, from the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Division.

If approved, the grant would pay for increased police hours for participation in Traffic Safety Division programs that include ENDWI patrols aimed at enforcing laws against driving while intoxicated, the 100 Days and Nights of Summer Campaign that encourages checkpoints and saturation patrols to enforce traffic safety laws from June to September, and BKLUP, or buckle up, programs that enforce laws related to seat-belt use and child-seat safety.

The commission also approved a list of commissioners and city employees who can sign checks for the city. They include Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield, Mayor Pro Tem Todd Duplantis, City Manager Britt Lusk, Finance Director Rachelle Arias, Assistant Finance Director Maribel Lucero, Police Chief David Lathrom and Deputy Police Chief Pete Rivera.

In his city manager’s report, Lusk said he is trying to persuade the city of Hobbs to join Lea County, where Hobbs is the county seat, to join the county in supporting the Coronado Partners’ bid to establish a racetrack and casino in Tucumcari.

Lea County recently passed a resolution to support the Tucumcari-based bid to obtain the sixth racetrack and casino license from the New Mexico Racing Commission.

Lusk also reported city crews are continuing to fill potholes in city streets and are preparing for winter weather.

Tucumcari MainStreet’s executive director Gail Houser announced Tucumcari MainStreet has been re-accredited by New Mexico MainStreet through the New Mexico Economic Development Department.

Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce director Carmen Runyan announced a list of events in the city. The list is available at the Chamber’s website at http://www.tucumcarinm.com.

District 5 Commissioner Duplantis said the city likely will host an O’Reilly Auto Parts store soon.

He also asked Lusk about efforts to publicize and enforce the city’s animal control ordinance. Lusk said the city is preparing a social media campaign, but a mailing campaign would be “cost-prohibitive.”

Duplantis has said there are too many pets running loose in the city, posing a threat to health and safety.

District 1 Commissioner Ralph Moya said a portion of East Maple Street on the city’s northeast side has been causing some flooding for a family living there. Moya said the street was built without proper drainage at that point.