City manager to step down in June

Tucumcari’s city manager will resign in late June after less than two years on the job.

Near the end of Thursday’s city commission meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Lopez said after a 75-minute closed executive session to discuss personnel and litigation that city manager Paula Chacon had submitted her resignation letter.

Chacon was not in the commission chambers when open session resumed.

Chacon was hired in August 2022 to replace Mark Martinez, who took a position at Mesalands Community College

Lopez said after the closed session that Chacon had submitted her 90-day notice that she would resign. After that, he said Chacon would become assistant city manager.

Reached by phone Friday, Chacon disputed the notion she would become assistant city manager.

“Why would I want to go to a position that doesn’t even exist and hasn’t been approved by the (commission)?” she said. “I never agreed to that. I understand that’s what was said, but I never agreed to that.”

A phone message to Lopez, requesting that he clarify his comments, was not returned.

Chacon said her resignation would be effective on June 30.

She declined to give details about the executive session, and she said she had no plans after stepping down.

Action items

Commissioners failed to take action on approval of a liquor license for Las Chaparritas Restaurant at 110 E. Main St. after Lopez voiced concerns about discrepancies between the application date and its notarization date.

City Clerk Angelica Gray pointed out the application had been given preliminary approval by the state. The restaurant also had been granted a 45-day extension for approval, set to expire the day after the meeting.

Lopez expressed other concerns about the restaurant’s proximity to churches or schools, but it was pointed out it was situated well beyond either entities’ ability to object.

Lopez also asked why the application wasn’t presented to the commission sooner.

— The commission initially took no action, then later approved a proposal for a $242,166.15 engineering agreement from Stantec for sidewalk, ramp, alley and lighting improvements to Main Street between First and Third streets. Part of the cost would be covered by a Great Blocks grant.

Commissioners expressed wariness due to problems with other Stantec projects, though it was pointed it a troublesome earlier project on Second Street in downtown was by another engineering firm. Lopez also expressed irritation by numbers change orders on projects. Commissioners also asked they look at the final design.

— The commission approved a consulting engagement letter from Beasley, Mitchell & Co. CPA of Las Cruces to reconcile the city’s financial records.

The firm estimated it will need 80 hours to reconcile 13 months of bank records, plus 40 hours for quarterly reports to state officials and 20 hours of budget assistance. The first 140 hours will be billed at a rate of $150, with standard rates after that.

The city had been without a finance director for months after the resignation of Rachelle Arias. The new finance director, Hallie Ferguson, said she had been unable to reconcile the city’s books.

— The commission approved a Law Enforcement Protection Fund application for 2024-2025 totaling $110,000. Police Chief Patti Lopez said the funds would be used for equipment and training.

Jerry Lopez raised concerns about department morale.

“We can’t lose officers to Logan. That’s embarrassing,” he said.

The chief said pay for city officers isn’t competitive to other nearby municipalities. She said Clovis officers are paid $2 an hour more than Tucumcari.

— The commission approved an EMS Fund Act application of $324,866.16 to buy equipment for the city’s six ambulances. The grant would cover all the costs, with no mach from the city.

— The commission approved the use of $3,000 in lodgers tax funds, reimbursed to Mesalands Community College, to pay for a Joe Peters concert on March 20 at the Tucumcari Convention Center. The concert is part of a celebration of a partnership between Impact Wind and the college. The commission also waived the convention center rental fee for the event.

Mesalands interim president Allen Moss told the commission that finances have improved, but the college still will hold few reserves and is dealing with staff shortages.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” he said, and pledged more cooperation with the city.

— The commission approved lease agreements with Sun Vista Outdoor Advertising for five billboards in New Mexico. The approval of the leases had been recommended by the city’s lodgers tax advisory board.

— The commission approved a contract amendment with the city and New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Service Department that includes an $11,200 reduction in funding for the foster grandparents program.

Program director Clara Rey said several participants became ill, and the program couldn’t use all its allotted hours.

— The commission held a second and final reading regarding vacating an alley in the 2200 block of South Rock Island Street. Land owner Matthew Chavez wants to fence the property and place a shed there.

— In a consent agenda approved by the commission, it included the appointment of CJ Wiegel to the cemetery advisory board and Scott Marquart and Charlotte Marquart to the recreation advisory board.

Other items

During a work session, Tucumcari MainStreet director Connie Loveland talked about the city’s wayfinding plan to have more directional and informational signs in the city. The plan would take into account preferred routes. Groundwork Studio of Albuquerque is helping with the project.

The plan is being paid for with $20,000 in lodgers tax funds set aside in 2022.

— Commissioners again discussed amendments to the city’s personnel policy.

— During public comments, Robert Moore Jr. complained about a nuisance citation he received for antique vehicles parked in front of his Relax Inn property along Route 66.

Moore, who recently received a Heritage Award from the New Mexico Route 66 Association for his cleanup of it and other properties in town, said other businesses on Route 66 have antique vehicles parked in front for decorative purposes and are not cited.

Residents also raised concerns about nuisance properties, potholes and loose dogs.