Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari City Commission on Thursday voted to authorize the use more than $6,700 in lodgers tax executive funds to buy a replacement air conditioner and heat pump for the Tucumcari / Quay County Chamber of Commerce building one day after the city’s lodgers tax board expressed reluctance to do so.
Members of the Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board were sympathetic to the chamber director’s request but refrained from recommending the purchase until the chamber’s contract with the city could be examined.
Scott Crotzer, executive director of the Tucumcari / Quay County Chamber of Commerce, which also houses the Tucumcari Visitors Center, urged during the board’s Wednesday meeting it recommend reimbursement of the purchase of the new cooling and heating unit at a cost of $6,723.41, as quoted by Fought Mechanical and Electric in Tucumcari.
Crotzer said the current unit, which dates to 1996, failed two weeks ago and no longer could be repaired. He said the chamber office now swelters to 100 degrees or more during the afternoon, and he signaled this didn’t leave a good impression for visitors.
He said the visitors center, which has greeted 700 people so far this year, often is the first thing eastbound tourists encounter when they exit Interstate 40 on the city’s west side.
“This (office) is representing Tucumcari now,” Crotzer said. “This visitors center is changing how visitors see Tucumcari.”
Board Chairman Matt Bednorz noted the board approved $41,500 in renovations last year and was about to recommend reimbursement of $5,750.01 in those unused funds for a water fountain, one new toilet, electrical power upgrades and replacing broken glass on a door and near the entrance.
Crotzer added the building was essentially “abandoned” during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lot of maintenance was deferred.
Bednorz said Crotzer was “doing a wonderful job” as chamber director. However, he was reluctant to recommend reimbursement of the AC unit until city manager Paula Chacon examined the chamber’s memorandum of understanding and see whether the city could cover it as part of regular maintenance.
“Our investment was good for $41,000,” Bednorz said, “but there has to be a stopping point.”
City commissioner Mike Cherry, the board’s liaison, said he would pass along the board’s concerns to the rest of the commission and let city management make a final decision on the matter.
On Thursday during the city commission meeting, Chacon said she checked into the city’s arrangement with the chamber and concluded the city should pay for the cost of the heat pump.
“The building is owned by the city, and the city should cover it,” she said.
She said because the purchase is under $10,000, she has the discretion to approve it if Crotzer can provide a second quote for the unit. He pledged to do so.
Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Moya, who presided over the meeting in place of absent mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield, said the use of executive funds for the heat pump was “justified.”
Commissioner Christopher Arias agreed and made the motion to use those funds.
“Let’s get it fixed for him,” he said.
In response to a question, Crotzer said he estimated the unit could be replaced in a month.
The visitors center at 404 W. Route 66 Blvd. is scheduled to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 22. That also would be the 56th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the facility.
In other business:
• The board recommended $2,000 in reimbursement to the chamber to pay for interview footage, drone footage, video and still photography when the Cross Country Chase event is scheduled to arrive in Tucumcari the evening of Sept. 19. At least 150 riders on vintage motorcycles are expected. The Tucumcari Historic Railroad Plaza will be the center of the activities upon the group’s arrival.
• The board discussed the application process for those requesting promotional funds for events. Bednorz said those who receive funds should submit invoices and present a post-event report.
Noting a few events previously received some initial funds as seed money, board member Al Patel said he wouldn’t object if events requested reimbursement for up to one-third of its total budget before the event. City Clerk Angelica Gray said she’ll have to check with the city attorney on the legality of such an arrangement.
• Board members heard a regular report from city tourism marketer Robyne Beaubien on her activities. One effort is printing stickers with QR codes that link to the city’s visitor survey. She said they will be distributed to Tucumcari motels, restaurants and businesses.
Beaubien said she also will add a mural tour to the VisitTucumcariNM.com website and possibly the Tucumcari Talking Tour.
She laid out other marketing activities, including to the Texas and Colorado markets.
• Tucumcari MainStreet Connie Loveland said Emily Priddy seeks to paint about 50 mini-murals around the city over the next year. Loveland said any business interested in hosting a mini-mural should contact Priddy or her.
• Crotzer said the city’s billboards should add more of a “fun” factor to future designs. He said the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum needs to be promoted more, especially after the recent release of the “Jurassic World Dominion” movie.