City to set up cannabis task force

The Tucumcari City Commission likely will set up a task force to get ahead of the state’s developing legalized recreational cannabis regulatory structure as it prepares to capitalize on the recent legalization of recreational cannabis.

While the commission made no decisions during a public work session before Thursday’s regular commission meeting, the task force idea seemed to resonate among all commissioners who participated in the wide-ranging discussion on how the city can capitalize on a potential legal marijuana industry in New Mexico.

District 5 Commissioner Todd Duplantis, who presided over the meeting as mayor pro tem in the absence of Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield, proposed the task force be made up of two representatives from each of the city’s five commission districts. Other commissioners agreed..

After some exchanges about potential placement of retail cannabis stores, including nearness to residential neighborhoods, schools and churches, District 1 Commissioner Ralph Moya expanded the discussion to consider marijuana growing and processing businesses that could locate in the city.

Duplantis said the city could apply current restrictions for liquor sales to marijuana retailing. Moya said liquor sales regulations may not be appropriate for cannabis sales.

Moya unrolled a city map that designated zoning for areas of the city, pointing out areas of industrial zoning and commercial zones that could be eligible for growing and processing marijuana products.

In addition, he said, there are areas with residential zoning where vacant land could be considered as sites for growing and processing of cannabis products.

After work-session discussion and action in the regular meeting, the commission decided to pursue fines and criminal charges against a James Napier of Albuquerque, the owner of a pontoon boat that has plagued the city for four years, in consultation with the city attorney.

The boat was abandoned on a residential street in the city for several months before the city towed it. Since then, the boat has sat on a vacant city lot as city officials have wrestled with issues related to finding the owner and its title of ownership.

Eventually, city officials want the boat dismantled and its parts disposed of in a city landfill.

“This should have been handled four years ago,” Duplantis said, but a previous city administration became bogged down in determining the boat’s ownership and whether to dispose of the craft or make the owner handle and pay for the disposal, along with fines.

“It’s a matter of principle now,” Duplantis said.

Duplantis and Moya agreed the city needs to make sure its laws are enforced to set an example of fairness to residents and others about equal enforcement of city laws.

Tucumcari Police Chief David Lathrom had told a City Commission work session in September when the boat first was brought to the attention of city officials, he presented then-city manager Britt Lusk with a choice: Tag it, tow it and dispose of it, or ensure the owner pays the cost.

City Manager Mark Martinez recalled that Napier had hired someone to dispose of the boat, and that person abandoned the boat in Tucumcari, apparently scratching off the serial number before leaving it to inconvenience residents.

On Thursday, however, the commission decided on a unanimous 4-0 vote to pursue fines and criminal charges against the owner, as well as recovery of disposal cost.

In other action Thursday, the commission:

• Decided to support production of the first episode of a television series called “Aventuras Encantandas,” or “Enchanted Adventures,” for $15,000, following the recommendation of the city’s Lodgers’ Tax Board. Carlos Medina, a Santa Fe musician, comedian and businessman, proposed the idea to the city. The first episode of the series, he said, would focus on Tucumcari, and subsequent episodes will focus on other rural locations in the state that might be lesser known to tourists. Medina said he is fronting $5,000 of his own money for the venture.

• Approved a resolution to support redevelopment activities at Five Mile Park. Quay County manager Daniel Zamora, who has organized disc golf development and activities at the park, said the resolution will help develop recreation and other improvements at the park to qualify for grants and other support.

• Approved the city’s financial audit for the New Mexico Auditor’s office. Finance Director Rachelle Arias said the city received an “unmodified” rating on the audit, which is the best rating available. The auditor found minor faults with some data security issues, as well as with oversight of travel and per-diem costs. Arias said both have been corrected.

• Approved budget changes and revenue and spending reports for the quarter ending March 30. Arias said the city ended the quarter with a positive balance of more than $2 million.

• Discussed issues related to billing for emergency medical services in the city. The city has contracted with the Omni EMS billing to handle the billing. Moya said he wanted to make sure proper coding was applied to billing items to ensure deficits were kept to a minimum. The city signed a contract with Omni in March.

• Discussed interest and collatoralization banking services. The city currently does banking with New Mexico Bank and Trust. Moya said he wanted to ensure the city was getting the best rates and collateral policies.

• Learned from Martinez that discussions are continuing with New Mexico Game and Fish representatives on restoring and developing trails and outdoor recreation at Tucumcari Lake, which is dry.

• Heard a proclamation declaring April 30 as Arbor Day, a nationally recognized day to recognize the value of trees in the community.