City OKs purchase of vehicles, cameras for police

Tucumcari city commissioners on Thursday approved the purchase of five new vehicles, plus vehicle cameras, for the police department.

A purchase of cameras for the police building itself was put on hold until it’s determined whether a local vendor would bid on the project.

Another purchase of body cameras for officers was tabled until the city manager determines whether cannabis sales-tax revenue legally can be used for them.

During a work session, Police Chief Patti Lopez presented bids of five Dodge Durangos from Stellantis Dodge of Kansas and five Ford Explorers from Phil Long Ford of Raton. Stellantis’ bid for the equipped vehicles was about $301,000; Long’s bid for the Fords was about $313,000.

Commissioners deferred to Lopez on choosing which bid to accept, though Mayor Ralph Moya said a concern was acquiring parts for the Durangos. Lopez reported that New Mexico State Police had run into problems with parts availability for those vehicles. Lopez said several of her officers also preferred Fords.

Lopez chose the Fords, which commissioners accepted unanimously. A total of $300,000 of that cost will be covered by a recent capital outlay allocation.

Commissioners approved a five-year contract with Axon for 12 police vehicle cameras for $164,747.50. Lopez said the cameras, which come with a 10-year warranty, would be compatible with officers’ body cameras but won’t be installed for eight to 10 months.

Lopez said much of those costs would be covered by a state Law Enforcement Protection Fund grant.

Commissioners essentially tabled the purchase of five Axon body cameras for officers for a total of $16,657.89 for five years. The pact includes magnetic mounts, warranties and cloud storage of the footage.

Lopez said eight body cameras already have been issued to her officers. Four more, plus one backup, would cover the entire force, she said.

Moya wanted tax revenue from cannabis sales to be used to cover at least part of the purchase. City manager Paula Chacon said she was unsure whether such an arrangement was legal.

The measure ended with a 2-2 tie, with Moya and Mike Cherry voting yes and Christopher Arias and Paul Villanueva voting against it.

Cherry said he wanted clarification on cannabis funding, and Moya said he would place the item on the commission’s next meeting. Body cameras on officers are required by state law.

Lopez presented three bids for cameras to be installed the police department building. Commissioners seemed to favor SPC’s bid of about $4,500 annually for three years, with options to install cameras at City Hall, Tucumcari Recreation Center and Tucumcari Convention Center. The department’s cameras would have programming that can read vehicle license plates and detect firearms.

When asked whether Rix Security of Tucumcari had bid on the project, Lopez said she had not presented it because “I can’t get them to fix my back door” after months of requests.

Cherry said he wanted Rix to have the opportunity to bid on the project before acting.

Villanueva commented: “We need to make sure they come to fix them, too.”

Cherry also asked for options of cameras at fire stations, Tucumcari Municipal Airport and the city’s coin-operated water station.

Action items

— Commissioners approved the purchase of two mowers — one each for the parks department and Tucumcari Memorial Park cemetery.

The mowers, which cost a total of about $25,000, will come from Desert Greens Equipment in Albuquerque and are available for nearly immediate delivery.

Cemetery worker Luciano Montano said the current cemetery mower is a 2006 model that burns oil and has a bent frame. He said it takes four days to mow the cemetery; with a new mower, he thinks that can be halved.

— The commission approved a change order for the Gamble Addition streets improvement project that reduced its cost by $26,340 because of materials not needed.

Project manager Ralph Lopez said two curbs were added as part of the project. Arias said he received a lot of feedback from residents who appreciated the streetwork.

— Commissioners approved an annual professional services agreement with Tucumcari MainStreet. The cost is $60,000, with no change from the previous year.

The commission had tabled action on the pact during its previous meeting until it received clarity on MainStreet’s funding.

— The commission approved an intergovernmental agreement with the New Mexico Aging and Long Term Services department to continue the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The total cost of the programs is $106,153.86. Tucumcari Senior Center program director Clara Rey said the Foster Grandparent program works with the Tucumcari Public Schools to mentor at-risk children. Senior Companions run errands and spend time with elderly people.

— Commissioners approved an audit contract with Axion CPAs of Albuquerque for fiscal-year 2023 for $43,426. The auditor pledged to hold in-person entrance and exit conferences as requested by Cherry. The audit is due to be submitted to the state by its Dec. 15 deadline.

— The commission approved a $1,570 addendum with Monarch Properties, which operates Chaparral Apartments. Two employees there will receive more health-insurance benefits and a 3% match to their retirement plans.

— The commission tabled action on the first reading of an ordinance amendment that would alter annual fee increases for wastewater, water and sanitation to 3% each. Chacon said she wanted a work session to discuss the proposal.

The current annual rate change is 2% for wastewater and 4% for water. City finance manager Rachelle Arias said during a previous meeting she was concerned about the wastewater department’s finances.

— The commission tabled action on a request for proposals for a tourism marketer. Chacon said she wanted commissioners to look over her draft, including defining the scope of work, during a future work session. Chacon said the draft includes spending up to $75,000 a year.

The contract for the city’s current tourism marketer, Robyn Beaubien, expires this month, and she did not pursue an extension.

— In the consent agenda, the commission approved the use of Wailes Park for the Tucumcari Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings through Oct. 21. The opening date is July 6.

— The commission met for about 15 minutes in closed executive session to discuss pending litigation. No action was taken when open session resumed.

Manager’s report

Items from Chacon’s report:

— She said the city was recalibrating its mosquito-spraying machine and would obtain the chemicals for it this week. She said the region needs dryer weather before the machine can be used.

— Chacon said commissioners need to begin discussions soon about its landfill permit. She said its 20-year permit expires in May 2025.

— She said the city soon will advertise nine job openings in eight departments.

— Chacon said she recently attended a conference where she learned about possible water and wastewater funding from the state, funding for outdoor projects and possible funds for home rehabilitation.

Comments

— During public comments, Geno Ulibarri presented a petition containing 32 signatures, accusing the city of being neglectful of Northside Park.

“I’m just doing it for the safety of the kids,” he said.

During a previous commission meeting, Moya said nearby residents reported exposed electrical wiring and a broken merry-go-round. Moya said Thursday the exposed wiring had been rectified, and the city has budgeted money for a new merry-go-round.

— Mindful of upcoming summer events, Tonya Rigdon said the city needs to push the New Mexico Department of Transportation to trim weedy medians on First Street. If the state is slow to respond, she suggested an adopt-a-median program.

Responding later to Rigdon’s comments, Villanueva said: “I think the DOT should get out and do their jobs.”

Rigdon also said she was sorry to hear about the storm damage to the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce building.

— David Brenner, owner of the Roadrunner Lodge Motel, said a recent pet-adoption and microchipping event there organized by the city’s animal control officer and Paws & Claws was “a big success.” He said another is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 8.

Brenner, noting the city’s lodgers tax advisory board is required by state law to spend a certain percentage of its funds, urged full funding of the chamber. Moya responded that the chamber board’s president soon will meet with him and Chacon on the matter.

— Tracey Cordova asked why several fire hydrants were covered in plastic. Moya said those hydrants are non-functioning, and the city has allocated money to repair some of them. The rest would be covered through a capital outlay request.

— Kathy Elliott, a principal for the Clinton D. Harden & Associates lobbying firm, said the company soon will change its name to Civility.

— During commissioner comments, Moya again criticized Xcel Energy’s response to a 19-hour power outage last month and said he would draft a letter to the Public Regulation Commission to complain about it. Chacon said she was meeting with varying agencies on June 12 to discuss the matter.

— Cherry said he wanted a complete packet of materials 72 hours before commission meetings.

— Arias apologized for missing several recent meetings. He said he would attend future meetings regularly.