Tucumcari approves code of conduct

After a brief but intense debate Thursday, the Tucumcari City Commission gave final approval to a code of conduct for city elected officials and employees.

The debate centered on District 5 Commissioner Todd Duplantis' proposal to add a clause under the code's enforcement division that would provide a public hearing in case a commissioner is accused of misconduct under the code.

The code passed with Duplantis' suggested clause, but not after District 1 Commissioner Ralph Moya, as he has in previous discussions of the code, challenged any new enforcement measures in the code.

"Sometimes we can interpret language so that we can commit character assassination," Moya said.

Duplantis said public hearings would be designed to prevent character assassinations.

An accused commissioner, he said, "should have a right to public hearing that allows the commissioners to give their opinions."

Moya said commissioners are not qualified to give interpretations of what is said and done, and only voters can make such determinations through elections.

District 3 Commissioner Chris Arias said state law provides disciplinary measures a commission can take if codes of ethics or conduct are broken.

Moya said, "Then why should we put them in our code?"

Arias responded, "Why shouldn't we?"

The commission voted 4-1 to approve the code, with Moya voting "no."

Near the end of Thursday's meeting, Duplantis told Moya, "Thanks for the debate."

The commission also approved its annual Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, which comprises the "wish list" for capital outlay projects that the New Mexico Legislatures every year.

Topping the city's list of projects are:

n The city's re-use of wastewater project that will use wastewater treated at the treatment plant to water about 300 acres of cropland the city purchased nearby, thus keeping the treated wastewater out of streams as required by federal environmental regulations. The project has been funded to $112,513 but is expected to require $5.6 million between this year and 2023.

n The Second Street rehabilitation project, which will resurface Second Street from Railroad Avenue to Historic Route 66, including new sidewalks, curbs and ramps for disabled people. In downtown, the city also will replace the concrete roadbed and utility lines under the street. So far, the city has raised $727,398 of the more than $2.4 million the project is expected to require.

n Water lines in the Aber addition on the city's northeast side, which is expected to cost around $550,000 with all funds accumulated in 2021.

n Preparing new space for waste material at the city's landfill, which has received no funding but is expected to require more than $3.2 million between now and 2024.

n Repairs and upgrades to water and wastewater systems n the city, which is expected to require about $2.8 million between now and 2024.

In other action, the commission:

n Read a proclamation honoring retired Quay County Extension agent Brenda Bishop for her 32 years in the position. Bishop has led the county's 4-H programs that have won awards nationally and has been active with the Quay County Health Council and programs such as Strong Seniors, the annual 5-kilometer (3.2-mile) Fun Run, and Safe Food Handling and Diabetes Cooking school classes.

n Agreed to continue the city's membership in the Eastern Plains Council of Governments, paying the $1,878 annual dues and appointing Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield to be the city's delegate, and city manager Britt Lusk as her alternative.

n Approved a $27,000 increase in payments to Bohannon Huston, an Albuquerque engineering for the Second Street resurfacing project, to again solicit bids for construction on the project. Community Development Project Manager Ralph Lopez told the commission the city has four grants for work on Second Street with a total worth of about $1.2 million.

n Authorized creation of a 2020 Complete Census Committee to urge Tucumcari residents to cooperate with the U.S. Census in 2020 to assure a full count of the people who live in the city. The committee, according to the resolution the commission passed, will "conduct local educational initiatives, publicity and promotional activities to increase community awareness and participation in the 2020 Census."

n Authorized the city to rent and maintain city uniforms through Cintas. Angelica Gray, the city clerk and procurement officer, said Cintas offers better-quality uniforms and better service at less cost than the previous provider.

n In a quarterly report delivered Thursday, Patrick Vanderpool, executive director of the Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation, cited a growers' cooperative among area farmers, workforce development initiatives and new opportunities "to be more aggressive about attracting business" as areas in which he is working to advance economic development in the city.

Recently, he said, he and others are working with one business that might start in the area and three businesses thinking of expanding.

He also said he is discussing development of more job-training opportunities with Mesalands Community College President John Groesbeck.

n In his city manager report, Lusk complimented two city water department employees who helped a couple who had fallen as they left a medical clinic in Tucumcari.

He also said the city's auditors complimented city staff on improvements noted in the city's 2018 audit. The auditors with Axiom, an Albuquerque accounting firm, noted the improvements in a work session with commissioners that occurred Thursday before the commission's regular meeting Thursday.

n In his commissioner's comments, Moya asked about cleanup of the site of the Cactus Lodge, which may become the site of an O'Reilly Auto Parts store. Duplantis said a letter has been sent to O'Reilly about the property.

Moya also proposed the city consider hiring a director for the Tucumcari Convention Center who would market the facility, which he said is underused.

Moya also said the city should consider a task force to help restore the Princess Theater downtown.

He also asked whether any progress has been made on cleaning up a collapsed building at Main and Second streets downtown.

Lusk said the former owner has sold the property to another person, who is currently incarcerated.

Moya also expressed concern the city paid for security at the Rockin' Route 66 event this summer.

Lusk called it "an executive decision" he made to keep a first-time event in the city.

Moya said the payment could set a precedent and asked why similar offers were not made for other events that draw visitors.

Lusk said it was a one-time expenditure that made possible a four-day event that resulted in hundreds of overnight visitors to the city.

n Duplantis noted the city's water dispensing tank had been broken into a second time and proposed a security camera be installed there.

He also said he had discussed getting rid of some dilapidated buildings in downtown with Connie Loveland, director of Tucumcari MainStreet, and others.