Cemetery shrine issue not resolved

Policies related to shrines at the Tucumcari Memorial Cemetery remained unresolved Thursday as the city commission gave final approval to other changes in the ordinance that governs administration of the cemetery.

The commission delayed action on whether to allow shrines in the cemetery after hearing differing views from cemetery board members, though the board had voted to recommend against allowing shrines, and language forbidding shrines was included in the revised ordinance.

Vicki Maestes, a member of the cemetery board, asked the commission to allow shrines while regulating their size and placement, saying it was unfair to families that had shrines in place and may not be able to remove them.

The cemetery board’s chairman, Jerry Lopez, however, said the board had recommended against shrines.

Angelica Gray, suspending her title as city clerk, said if shrines are allowed, other forms of expression also would have to be allowed, which may result in undesirable and offensive additions to graves.

District 1 Commissioner Ralph Moya said as a Latino and recognizing the strong Catholic faith of many Latinos, he knew shrines on graves are “an important part of the culture.”

Moya recommended the commission delay action on the matter until the commission can meet with cemetery board members and others in a work session.

The commission then voted to delay action on shrines but approved the rest of the revised cemetery administration ordinance.

In other action the commission:

— Gave approval to an ordinance allowing Ignacio Villegas’ Nashville Construction business to use city land on Railroad Avenue on the city’s west side to build a storage facility for construction equipment under the Local Economic Development Act. In return for use of the land, Villegas has pledged to create two new full-time jobs and build the storage facility. Villegas said the equipment will consist of skid-steers and other equipment his business uses to perform work in the Tucumcari area. The agreement covers a term of three years and requires Villegas to report annually on whether the project is reaching its goals.

— Gave final approval for a liquor license for the Tucumcari Quality Inn. The license will allow the Quality Inn to serve beer and wine to be consumed only on the property, according to license documents.

— Approved an additional payment of $35,795, excluding gross-receipts tax, to Bohannon Huston Engineering for extra work done in connection with two unsuccessful construction bids for resurfacing Second Street in downtown. Project Manager Ralph Lopez said bids have come in at levels too high above costs to be considered, and the project has been amended.

— Approved paying Stantec Construction Management Services of Tucumcari $24,975 to manage planning for water line installation and road construction for Mountain Road. Ralph Lopez said construction on the project likely will begin next spring.

— Appointed District 4 Commissioner Chris Arias to represent the commission on the city’s Lodger’s Tax Board and the Ute Lake Water Board.

Fire Chief Doug Hogan said the city was successful in applying for a $100,000 fire protection grant from the New Mexico Fire Marshal’s office. Hogan said the money will be used to construct fire-training equipment, including a tower and a ground-level facility that will be able to simulate different fire scenarios.

In public comments, Ruth Nelson read a statement from Tucumcari attorney Don Schutte, who she said is representing several clients who have been charged by the city for unpaid water bills after tenants had skipped out of paying.

Schutte is asking for a work session with the commission to discuss the situation, which she said is costly to landlords, especially when they also end up paying deposits to reconnect water service, Nelson said.

Jerry Lopez, representing the Tucumcari Knights of Columbus, said their building at First and Main has been struck several times by truck and horse trailers.

The collisions occur when vehicles turn right from northbound First Street to eastbound Main Street, Lopez said.

District 5 Commissioner Todd Duplantis suggested vehicles with trailers be directed north to Maple Street to make right turns.

Moya pointed out both First Street and Main Street are state roads. First Street is part of Route 104 and Main Street is U.S. 54. Any signage would require state approval.

He suggested the city send a letter to the New Mexico Department of Transportation explaining the situation and requesting the sign.

Moya also talked about enforcement of the city’s animal ordinance.

“People don’t understand it,” he said. “Some don’t even know it exists.”

City Manager Britt Lusk said a flyer has been posted on the city’s Facebook page explaining the ordinance.

Duplantis mentioned problems with loose animals roaming the city at the commission’s Nov. 8 meeting.

Moya said Thursday the city has one animal-control officer.

“All he can do is react,” he said.

Moya and Duplantis agreed the city needs to increase awareness of city animal regulations.

Steve Benevidez, owner of a home destroyed in a fire Oct. 31, complained firefighters were delayed by a hydrant that had rusted shut and firefighters who did not know how to operate controls on fire trucks. Benevidez suggested fire hydrants be checked to assure they are working and that firefighters receive better training.