City accepts state grant to fix pool

The Tucumcari City Commission on Thursday accepted a $216,803 state grant to repair the city’s municipal swimming pool that the city manager said she hopes to reopen by summer.

The city last month received a Regional Recreation Centers/Quality of Life grant to fix the pool, which has been closed since 2019. It was one of 35 such grants issued statewide totaling $45 million.

City manager Paula Chacon said she would start the bidding process for the pool, which has a severe leak under it.

When asked by a commissioner whether the repairs would be finished by summer, she replied: “We hope so.”

In response to a question from Commissioner Christopher Arias, Chacon said the repair estimate was compiled in August, shortly before the city submitted the grant application.

When asked what would happen if the repair costs more than the grant, Chacon said she’ll look for additional money to cover it.

Commissioner Paul Villanueva speculated it might be cheaper to build a new indoor swimming pool at the Tucumcari Recreation Center.

While Chacon signaled she was amenable to that idea over the long term, she said her priority was to get the municipal pool repaired.

“The citizens of Tucumcari have been very vocal about getting the pool open,” she said.

Tucumcari City Pool was built in 1976 after the Metropolitan Park Bathhouse and Pool at Five Mile Park closed.

Other action

— Commissioners approved an East Route 66 sewer line project agreement with the state for $500,000 and no matching funds required. Chacon said the money comes from capital outlay funds awarded last year. The project will replace clay sewer lines leaking into Tucumcari Lake.

— Commissioners approved a grant application to the state to update the city’s comprehensive plan. The grant would be $50,000, with no city match. The plan last was updated in 2012.

— Commissioners approved another grant application to the state to update the city’s asset management plan. The grant also would be $50,000, with no city match. The emphasis would be on road planning.

— Commissioners approved new banking signatories, mostly to reflect Patricia Lopez being named interim police chief.

— Commissioners went into closed executive session for about 20 minutes to discuss two cases of threatened or pending litigation. One of the sessions excluded Arias because he recently filed a lawsuit to block Matt Bednorz from being appointed District 3 commissioner due to his not living in the district. No action was taken when open session resumed.

Manager’s report

Chacon talked about these items in her report:

— She said the city, Tucumcari Public Schools and the county collaborated on making repairs on a potholed section of South 14th Street near the baseball and softball fields.

— Chacon said the Gamble Addition project had begun with roadwork and construction of sidewalk entrances that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

— She said design work was 60% finished on the Aber Addition streets project.

— She said once the city attains an easement, it will begin construction on a sewer lift station near the KOA Campground.

— Chacon said she received one estimate on rebuilding the commission chamber doors, including reusing its outside skin, for $8,700. That was considerably less costly than installing new doors. She said she is required to get a second quote before proceeding with the project.

— Chacon noted volunteers had cleaned up around the ticket booth of the closed Princess Theatre.

— She encouraged residents to attend a federal Community Development Block Grant meeting at 5:15 p.m. Feb. 21 at city hall. The city might be eligible for up to a $750,000 infrastructure grant with a 10% city match for projects in low- and middle-income neighborhoods.

Comments

In comments from commissioners and the public:

— Mayor Ralph Moya urged the police department to apply for more DWI and seatbelt grants.

In response to Moya’s question, Chacon said the city’s new code enforcer was scheduled to begin work Feb. 2 but delayed that due to an illness in her family.

Moya mentioned several neglected tracts that needed attention, including the closed KFC restaurant on South First Street.

Moya suggested the city peruse U.S. Army and other entities’ surplus equipment to acquire equipment at less cost.

In response to a question, Chacon said the new animal control officer “has a lot of good ideas,” including consulting with other shelters. He started a Facebook account called “Aco Tucumcari.”

— Villanueva said the street department needed more metal and hinges to repair city Dumpsters.

In response to a question, Chacon said she recently ordered UPM cold mix for street repairs.

Chacon also informed commissioners that construction of a cell at the landfill was on schedule. Anticipated completion was 120 days after the start date of Jan. 3.

— Several commissioners congratulated Lopez for her being named interim police chief.

— Resident Haley Place said he planned to file a lawsuit for defamation and malicious prosecution against a former code enforcement officer for attacking him on Facebook. He said he has racked up $4,000 in code fines, and he wants the balance wiped from his record. Place also talked about the fatal dog attack (see other story in this edition.)

Work session

During a work session Thursday:

— Two commissioners reacted coolly to Chacon’s proposal to begin work sessions and city commission meetings about an hour or so earlier on Thursdays. She said the earlier start would allow more department heads to attend meetings.

Moya stated his opposition, saying residents didn’t like earlier meeting times because work commitments wouldn’t allow them to attend.

Commissioner Mike Cherry agreed, saying residents’ responses to changing meeting times was “all negative.”

“I think we need to put it to bed for a while and forget it,” he said.

— Chacon said she is getting quotes to replace a deteriorated office building at Tucumcari Memorial Park cemetery.

— Chacon said a line to East Tucumcari Boulevard street lights was inadvertantly cut during South Mountain Road construction. She said the contractor would repair it. She also said she was examining options to repair street lights at South Mountain Road and East Route 66.

— Chacon said she received a $119,212 quote from Wagner Equipment Co. for a new backhoe for the water department. The cemetery then would use the water department’s existing backhoe.