Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Questions from Tucumcari’s mayor about the legality of a professional services agreement with Tucumcari MainStreet prompted the city commission to delay action on approving it last Tuesday.
A lodgers tax aid request from the Logan-Ute Lake Chamber of Commerce for its July 6 fireworks show was delayed for similar reasons.
Before the sticking point surfaced with MainStreet, the commission approved a resolution supporting a public-private economic development project, a biannual memorandum of understanding and a 2023 service delivery report from the nonprofit organization.
The commission was set to vote on a $60,000 professional services pact with Tucumcari MainStreet, but Mayor Mike Cherry said language in state law indicates it bars any such expenditure higher than $50,000. Tucumcari MainStreet is funded by the state’s Economic Development Department.
Cherry said when he voiced his concern to an unnamed state official about the possible discrepancy between state law and the Tucumcari MainStreet contract, the official replied, “Just don’t pay attention to that.”
“That concerns me,” Cherry said of the response.
Cherry declined to identify the state official.
Cooper Glover, a Tucumcari MainStreet board member, said he was “certain” the contact was legal because such programs are highly regulated.
“I feel confident that New Mexico MainStreet wouldn’t do something that would put you in jeopardy,” he said to commissioners.
Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Lopez suggested approving the contract for $50,000, plus using $10,000 from another city source or adjust the contact at a later date.
But Cherry said he wanted city manager Paula Chacon to research the matter and bring back a “clean” agreement by the commission’s next meeting.
Tucumcari MainStreet Executive Director Connie Loveland said if the contract is not approved, it would jeopardize future funding opportunities for her organization.
Cherry said signaled he would approve it when his concerns were allayed.
“Tell me we’re not breaking the law, then I’m all for it,” Cherry said.
Chacon and Loveland voiced confidence that Eduardo Martinez of New Mexico MainStreet would clarify matters during a visit to Tucumcari this month.
Loveland said since the local MainStreet’s inception, it has received about $566,000. In return, it has gained $4.5 million in public reinvestment, $1.8 million in private reinvestment, $1.6 million in new buildings and $3 million in grants for Tucumcari’s downtown.
Earlier this month, the Logan-Ute Lake Chamber requested aid from the city’s Lodgers Tax Advisory Board for its July 6 fireworks display. Logan is spending $20,000 to hire a company run the show.
The chamber didn’t not specify how much lodgers funds it wanted. The board in turn recommended to the city commission that aid be given but didn’t provide an amount. Talk during the board meeting centered at 10% of the expense, or $2,000.
Chacon supported the request, observing that many participants at Ute Lake fishing tournaments use Tucumcari motels and restaurants.
Lopez asked whether it was proper to use lodgers funds for an event outside city boundaries.
“My main concern is the legality of this,” Lopez said.
Chacon admitted she wasn’t sure she could answer Lopez’s question and said she would check on it.
Lopez also said granting such a request might set a bad precedent, opening the possibility of other communities requesting aid.
Cherry voiced support on tabling the matter. He said a delay on the request wouldn’t hurt Logan, noting lodgers tax funds exist as a reimbursement for expenses incurred.
Other action
— Commissioners approved a federal Community Development Block Grant agreement of $500,000 to replace the roof on the Tucumcari Recreation Center.
The grant requires a 10% match, or $50,000, from the city.
Chacon said a hail insurance claim last year didn’t replace the entire roof. She said the city could apply for additional CDBG funds if the project runs short of money.
— Commissioners approved a $15,000 annual contract with the Civility Government Relations lobbying firm of Clovis.
Kathy Elliott said her business partner, former state senator Clinton Harden, had retired from the firm. She said she hired Valerie Espinoza, a former member of the state Public Regulation Commission and former Santa Fe County clerk.
Elliott expressed confidence that she, a Republican, and Espinoza, a Democrat, could build relationships with state lawmakers.
— Commissioners approved a grant of $182,703.30 with the New Mexico Aging and Long Term Services Department to replace a roof on the Tucumcari Senior Center. The center’s programmer, Clara Rey, said it requires no city match.
Commissioners also approved an annual $69,592 contract with Rey, who pays the taxes and benefits. The contact takes effect July 1.
— Commissioners approved an application for the state Firefighter and EMT Recruitment Fund.
Chacon said the city is applying to cover the salary and benefits and recruitment costs of four EMTs and one fire chief. She said the awards are capped at $75,000 per position.
— Commissioners approved $3,500 in lodgers tax funds for the the Mesalands Community College Foundation golf tournament on July 26-28.
Tucumcari Municipal Golf Course manager Charlie Maciel said the event serves as a continuation of the disbanded Victor Breen Memorial Tournament.
Commissioner CJ Oglesby praised Maciel’s upkeep on the course.
— Commissioners approved vinyl designs for five Tucumcari tourism billboards west of the city that are owned by Sun Vista Outdoor Advertising. The lodgers tax board recommended the approval.
— Commissioners approved the second and final reading to an ordinance that amends the personnel policy. A public hearing produced no comments, and commissioners voted on the measure with no discussion.
— Commissioners approved the appointment of Tonya Rigdon, a real-estate agent, to fill a vacancy on the lodgers tax advisory board.
Farmers market
During public comments, several residents requested aid from the lodgers tax fund to boost the Tucumcari Farmers Market that begins next month.
Jonna Stanger, the market’s new manager, said it will play up its Route 66 roots and launch a new Facebook page. She said 15 to 17 vendors have committed to selling produce or products when the market opens its season at Wailes Park on July 13.
Stanger said she wanted water service restored to the park. She said the market lacks also funds to rent a portable bathroom.
Rodney Mason voiced his support for the market, noting it was ranked No. 1 in New Mexico before the COVID-19 era. Darrell Baker said the pandemic “hit us hard” at the market.
Cherry said “we’ll look into” returning water service to the park.
Later during the meeting, Chacon said the city will take delivery later this month on three portable bathrooms on a trailer that are handicapped-accessible.
The bathrooms were paid with a state recreation grant, and she surmised they would fulfill at least one of the market’s requests.
Lopez said he supported using lodgers taxes for the market, noting previous commissions had allocated money for a portable bathroom there.
Manager’s report
Chacon said building a sewer lift station near the KOA campground again received no bids.
She said she would reach out through CES to hire a contractor for the project.
— Chacon said the Tucumcari Fire Department no longer was under probation from the state fire marshal’s office, and all its reports are current.
— She said a Great Blocks project on Second Street downtown was slated to be finished by late June.
— Chacon said the city obtained more material to fill potholes, and that work would resume soon.
— Chacon reported vandalism at Northside Park, and she urged residents to report damage if they saw it.
— She said five teens from the county’s intern program had been hired — three at the library, one at the senior center and one at City Hall.
— Chacon said hours for the refurbished Tucumcari Municipal Pool would be from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The pool had been closed since 2019.
— Chacon said she was looking at reviving a Route 66 centennial committee. She noted Amarillo was holding a 10-day Route 66 festival, and the city “needs to start moving” on its own Route 66 events. Route 66’s centennial will be in 2026. Cherry suggested a city and county partnership on the initiative.
Comments
During commissioner comments, Renee Hayoz asked about delinquent water accounts.
Chacon said about $800 had been collected on about $4,000 outstanding from the past year. Chacon said after those accounts are resolved, the city would look at delinquent debts from other years.
— Hayoz suggested removing gravel from a handicapped ramp in the 1700 block of South First Street.
— Cherry and Lopez asked about street closures, especially during a Helping Hands Hospice festival.
Chacon said she and the planning department approve such closures if they don’t cross state highways. Cherry suggested having the commission approve such requests.
— Lopez said elms need to be trimmed on Laughlin Avenue between Fifth and Seventh streets. He reported storm drainage problems on North Fourth Street.
Lopez said a recently purchased tractor for the Little League fields needs to be secured when not in use.
— Oglesby said discarded mattresses at the closed Paradise Motel and Payless Motel properties on the city’s west side need to be cleaned up. Resident Robert Moore said he volunteered to remove mattresses from one property and was “screamed at” by the owner.
Lopez said if the owners aren’t cooperating, the city needs to clean it up for them.
“Enough is enough,” he said. “Throw the hammer at it.”
— During resident comments, Toni Wilson said volunteers formed a Tucumcari Tuesday cleanup group. She said the nine volunteers cleaned planters along Second Street downtown and removed trash and weeds. She said the group would work weekly through the summer.
— Moore again complained about the city’s code enforcement officer — this time for a summons for putting trash in a city trash can.
Work session
During a work session, finance director Hallie Ferguson said the city had collected 53% of its ambulance service billings through March. About $743,000 had been billed through the end of that month.
Cherry said he wanted that number to be at least 60%.
CPAs hired by the city to reconcile its books were almost done through December 2022 and were starting on January 2023.