Suggested changes to animal code unveiled

Tucumcari city commissioners during a Thursday work session discussed possible changes to the animal control code, including higher fines for owners of dogs or cats not neutered or spayed and a requirement to hold a license for breeding animals.

City manager Paula Chacon, Tucumcari Police Chief Patti Lopez and Paws & Claws Animal Rescue of Quay County President Kathi McClellan have met regularly since last fall to discuss possible changes to the code.

The amendments to animal codes weren’t acted upon during Thursday’s regular meeting. City commissioners likely will make more suggestions to the ordinance during a future work session.

Addressing the chronic problems with stray animals took on more urgency since a pack of dogs attacked and killed Tucumcari resident Stanley Hartt on Feb. 1, 2023. Two residents who owned the dogs were charged with felonies and await trial.

A proposed addition to the code would be that owners of breeding animals must possess or obtain a breeder’s license from the city. Chacon said just one breeder’s license has been obtained since she was hired as city manager in August 2022.

A suggested revision would drop the first-time impoundment fee from $50 to $25 to reclaim an animal if it is microchipped. Chacon said she hoped that would encourage residents to microchip their pets. Fines would continue to go up for repeated offenses for loose animals.

Also among the suggestions is a $65 fine for any impounded and reclaimed cat that has not been spayed or neutered. The fee would be reimbursed if the animal were spayed or neutered within a certain time.

Suggested was raising the fees for impounded dogs or cats in heat from $100 to $150 for the first offense, from $150 to $200 for the second offense and from $200 to $250 for the third offense.

City commissioners Jerry Lopez and Renee Hayoz suggested even higher fees and that the city compare what is charged by other area municipalities.

Chief Lopez and Chacon expressed concerns about a suggestion to ban the use of chains to confine dogs outdoors. Lopez said such a rule might prompt pet owners to surrender their animals to the crowded city pound, or they simply would “turn the dogs loose.”

“We’re looking at being inundated with animals again without tethering,” Lopez said.

Chacon recommended adding foster homes to the list of premises exempt from the city’s maximum of three dogs per household. The animal control division and Paws & Claws would keep records on the recognized foster homes.

Another proposed addition to the animal code: An owner of an animal cited for defecating on public or private property also must immediately dispose of the feces.

The revised code also would state the city would schedule a rabies clinic in the spring each year where owners also can purchase city tags and licenses for pets.

During public comments in the regular meeting, Toni Wilson said feral cats have become a big problem in the city, prompting her to set up traps in her block.

Wilson also suggested fines for unlicensed animal breeders, including one who recently put up a “Free Puppies” sign on First Street.

Action items

— Commissioners approved using $6,830.36 in lodgers tax funds to buy accessories from Dickinson Implement in Tucumcari for a tractor that will be used at the Little League fields. Chacon said she overlooked the cost of attachments during the commission’s previous meeting, when it approved the purchase of the tractor and mower.

— Commissioners approved using $1,887.29 in lodgers tax funds for the B’s Crew softball tournament on June 14-15. Commissioners during an earlier meeting wanted more information about the event, including whether it would have out-of-town teams. The tournament will host a total of 13 co-ed or women’s teams. The event previously has hosted teams from Amarillo, Ruidoso, Dalhart and Albuquerque.

— Commissioners approved a resolution to apply for and pledge matching funds from the state’s Transportation Project Fund for street improvements to the Aber and Third streets area. The city is requesting $756,066, with a city match of $37,803.

— Commissioners approved a resolution to apply for and pledge matching funds from the Transportation Project Fund for Third Street improvements near Main Street. The city is asking for $1.64 million, with a city match of $86,427.95. Project manager Ralph Lopez said the city would apply for a match waiver if the funds were approved.

— Commissioners approved a resolution to apply for and pledge matching funds from the Transportation Project Fund for improvements on Fourth Street from Main to Aber streets. The city is asking for $1.35 million with a city match of $71,135.75. Lopez said a match waiver also would be requested.

Manager’s report

— Chacon and finance director Hallie Ferguson said it is sending notices to those past due on 2023 water bills or have sent bounced checks. Those individuals should contact the city’s finance department within 30 days to avoid legal action.

Chacon said the city is considering a collection agency for those accounts. After settling its 2023 bills, she said the city would begin notifying past-due accounts for 2022 and earlier.

— Chacon said electrical work continues at the municipal pool, and she said the city is hiring lifeguards. She pledged to open the pool by May 27 or earlier. It would be the first time the pool would be open to the public since 2019.

— Chacon said repairs on South First Street lights are continuing. She said one streetlight probably would be moved at the request of the TA Travel Center, which is building a truck stop south of Interstate 40. Chacon said if the truck stop isn’t in city boundaries, the land there can be annexed.

— Chacon said a public hearing would be held at City Hall from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 7 regarding the landfill’s 20-year permit.

Comments

During commissioner comments, Renee Hayoz mentioned a recent county commission meeting where county manager Daniel Zamora mentioned possibly sharing a pothole-filling machine.

Chacon said the city’s pothole machine probably is repairable and expressed openness to a county-sharing arrangement.

Commissioner CJ Oglesby said the city ought to also consider repairing its street sweeper.

— Commissioner Jonathan Brito commended the actions of city agencies during a 90-minute power outage on April 19.

— Oglesby praised Chacon’s plan to train at least one city worker to obtain a commercial driver’s license. He also suggested adding pesticide certification.

— Mayor Mike Cherry suggested drafting a social media policy for city employees and to check other municipalities’ policies for such guidance.

— During public comments, Robert Chandler alleged false arrest and harassment by a Tucumcari police officer. His roommate, Gabriel Camarillo, complained about Tucumcari High School students walking across his property and homophobic slurs. He also complained about debris from demolished homes and potholes.

— Wilson said a nuisance property on Gamble Avenue between Third and Fourth streets probably is a fire hazard.

— McClelland suggested inserting a notice in water bills about the next rabies vaccination clinic in the city. One is scheduled for Saturday.