Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Construction should start in “a week or two” on the long-awaited Second Street improvement project in downtown Tucumcari after the city commission on Thursday signed a contract with J&H Services of Albuquerque for construction of the project.
Vicki Strand, director of Tucumcari’s Community Development Department, said arrangements are in process to start construction on the nearly $1.8 million project, and it should start in a week or two.
According to contract documents, work will include installation for a new sidewalk, asphalt pavement, curb and gutter, landscape architectural features, irrigation for plants, electrical improvements and ramps for individuals with physical impairments.
The construction also would include new water and sewer lines and related installations.
J&H Services will work with Bohannan Huston Inc. of Albuquerque, the project’s engineers.
The project is expected to be completed within 180 days of its start, according to contract documents.
Ralph Lopez, Community Development project manager for the Second Street project, told commissioners Thursday that funds for the project have accumulated through sources that include the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the Great Blocks program of the New Mexico MainStreet program and the state Economic Development Department.
The commission Thursday also approved an engineering services contract with Bohannan Huston for $409,832 for design work related to two taxiways at Tucumcari Municipal Airport.
The engineering will be used in more than $3.1 million in work on runways and taxi roads for aircraft, Lopez said, and the entire project will be paid for with Federal Aviation Administration and NMDOT funds.
In other action, the commission:
• Approved the use of $103,062 in grant funds for operating the Tucumcari Senior Citizens Center’s Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs for fiscal 2021 that begins July 1. The Foster Grandparent program allows low-income senior citizens to provide companionship and assistance to children with special needs. The Senior Companion Program allows low-income seniors to provide services to older adults who need help due to health problems and physical limitations. Funding is through the Northeast New Mexico Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging.
• Approved use of $11,885 in grant funds for city beautification projects. The money comes from the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Litter Control and Beautification Fund, according to Alex Villanueva, Community Development project manager who coordinated the grant. Grant documents show the money will be divided among anti-littering, beautification and youth employment opportunities related to anti-littering and beautification projects.
• Approved a $13,026 agreement with Stantec Engineering, Tucumcari, for a “technical memo” to update design of the Hoover Tank project, a $1.125 million project that will replace a water tank east of the city and replace water lines between city water wells and that tank. Lopez said the technical memo is necessary to ensure current information in a lengthy planning process.
• Discussed the lodgers’ tax board’s decision to reimburse $15,000 in expenses to Brian Whitcomb, promoter of the cancelled Rockin’ Route 66 event. Though the event was canceled, Whitcomb had incurred substantial promotional expenses for the event that was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns only weeks before its scheduled date. Acting city manager Mark Martinez said the lodgers’ tax board’s apparently reluctant decision to reimburse was based on Whitcomb’s plans to bring a Rockin’ Route 66 event to the city next year. The commission took no action, because the matter was on the agenda for discussion only.
• Before the regular commission meeting, the commission held an executive session to discuss hiring a permanent city manager to replace Britt Lusk, who resigned from the position effective April 19 after 18 months on the job.