City OKs agreement with intern program

The Tucumcari City Commission on Thursday approved an agreement with the nonprofit Ogallala Commons organization to hire two interns last this year at no cost to the city.

City manager Paula Chacon recommended two Level 1 interns for 100 hours at $11 an hour to provide young people with education and leadership opportunities. The cost of the stipend would be covered by the nonprofit.

During a work session, Chacon said one of the interns might help the animal control officer or work in the water, finance or sewer departments.

Mayor Ralph Moya also suggested an intern with an interest in law enforcement assist the police department.

Ogallala Commons since 2007 has created over 600 internships in the Great Plains region.

One woman who was in the Ogallala program last year said she now is working at Las Casa Verde plant nursery and market.

Other action

— Commissioners approved an agreement between the city and contractor Pacheco Construction for the nearly finished Gamble Addition street project.

Project manager Ralph Lopez said approval of the agreement was overlooked during the bidding phase of the project, though he thought it would have little impact. City Clerk Angelica Gray agreed: “I don’t hints there’s much of a consequence.”

— Commissioners approved groundwater well monitoring and reporting services from Parkhill engineering for the new and old cell at the city landfill.

Chacon said the fee for the new cell will not exceed $39,000, though she said chances were good the amount would be lower. The fee for the old cell would be not more than $34,200.

— In the consent agenda, commissioners approved a June 3 block party from 4 to 9 p.m. near North Second Street and Railroad Avenue organized by 4 Corners Bait, Tackle & Sporting Goods. Owner Tommy Snapp said in public comments the event not only celebrates the first anniversary of his shop, but other downtown businesses that opened in 2022.

— The commission set a special meeting for 1:30 p.m. May 3 after a 30-minute closed executive session Thursday to discuss litigation.

— Commissioners approved a proclamation for May as Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Manager’s report

Item’s from Chacon’s regular report:

— She said plumbing repairs had begun for the city’s municipal swimming pool, and she was looking for a contractor for plastering work. She said she would use a state cooperative to expedite the latter. The pool has been closed since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and water leaks.

— Chacon said the animal control officer is exploring grant opportunities to convert the former broom factory building into the city kennel, plus use other space for dog training and for cats.

She said the building would have to be soundproofed so the animals’ barking wouldn’t bother nearby residents. The broom factory is being used by 3D Shovel, which is scheduled to vacate the premises.

— Chacon said the New Mexico Department of Transportation would perform a night audit on lights at Interstate 40 and relight the ones that are non-functioning.

— She said federal brownfield funding might be available to make repairs to the Princess Theatre, old police station and the city’s public water dispenser.

— Chacon said she was exploring Xcel Energy’s rebate opportunities to convert city lighting to LEDs, including at the convention center.

— She said bids for the Aber Addition streets project would be accepted in mid-May, with the contract awarded and construction beginning in June.

— Chacon said Great Blocks funds soon would be used to repair an alley, fill planters and plant trees along Second Street downtown.

— Chacon said the hurdles for obtaining an easement from the KOA Campground to build a new sewer lift station have been almost resolved.

— Chacon said she was still looking for funding sources for the wastewater reuse project but sounded optimist the money would be obtained.

Comments

— During public comments, Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce executive director Scott Crotzer said old murals are being removed from the chamber building and will be repainted by former Tucumcari artist Doug Quarles.

He also said local Girl Scouts will redo a deteriorating Zia symbol on the sidewalk’s corner.

Crotzer said the chamber is organizing the Wheels on Fire 100-mile bicycle race for Sept. 9, the same weekend as Fired Up.

— Gilbert Pacheco said the city needs an alternate municipal judge because current judge Jerry Mares is a convicted felon. According to online newspaper archives, Mares was convicted of drug trafficking in 1993 after pleading no contest.

He also accused Moya — whom he identified as “Leonard” — of improperly taking fencing from a ballpark renovation project.

Pacheco kept talking after his three minutes were up, and Moya asked a city officer to escort him away from the lectern.

— Haley Place praised the city’s animal control officer and new curbs. He also praised cemetery workers for being respectful during recent burials at Tucumcari Memorial Park and urged the city to buy them a new backhoe.

— Place’s daughter, 8-year-old Marylane, urged the city to clean its parks and repair its swings and merry-go-rounds. She also asked the city to install playground equipment suitable for handicapped children.

— In commissioner comments, Paul Villanueva asked Chacon to work with Mesalands Community College’s commercial driving school to help obtain drivers for the city’s garbage trucks. Chacon said she was exploring that option.

— Commissioner Mike Cherry asked for an inventory of police department vehicles, including their mileage, condition and year model. He also asked for job descriptions for city department heads.

— Moya observed the city received about $114,000 in tax revenue from legal cannabis sales in the past year. He said another cannabis shop soon would open in downtown and on South Mountain Road.

— Moya asked for a report on how much the Del Norte Center was being used. If it is underused, he suggested La Casa Verde might use it for food manufacturing and distribution, especially with the center’s commercial kitchen.

— Moya suggested rebuilding the city water dispenser so it could handle vehicles on each side and outfitting it for credit card payments.