Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari city commissioners by a 4-1 vote approved a lease for new laptops for the police department but delayed the purchase of vehicles for police and animal control until city finances are clarified.
Tucumcari Police Sgt. Lorenzo Emillio recommended a three-year lease with Enchanted Technology Solutions of Albuquerque for 16 laptops that will be installed in squad cars for a total cost of about $44,000 for the first year and $36,000 for each of the subsequent two years.
Emillio said TPD could opt to buy the laptops outright for $108,000, but he feared the technology in the devices would be obsolete within a short time. The ETS lease would ensure the laptops’ programming would be up-to-date.
He said the devices would help TPD check reports on high-speed driving and other complaints against officers, improve general safety and generate electronic citations more rapidly.
Commissioner Renee Hayoz moved to approve the purchase, with CJ Oglesby seconding it. She described it as “a reasonable cost” to improve the safety for the public and officers.
Mayor Mike Cherry voted against the measure until the city has a better picture of its current finances.
“I won’t approve a thing until we have a budget,” he said.
City manager Paula Chacon said she could have a general fund budget and finish reconciliations through June 2023 as soon as the next day.
Those assurances weren’t enough, however, for Hayoz and other commissioners on proposed purchases of new vehicles for the police department and animal control.
Police Chief Patti Lopez proposed a purchase of three police vehicles of $159,000 or two vehicles for $106,000 from Phil Long Ford of Raton.
Lopez said two TPD vehicles need to be replaced due to electrical problems, declaring them “not safe” for police work.
The chief also recommended the purchase of a $58,225 van for animal control. Lopez said the current animal truck was “unsuitable” for animal transport and wouldn’t meet state code.
Lopez said the vehicle purchases could be covered by a $361,000 budget surplus in the police department.
Hayoz moved to table the vehicle purchases until the city has a clearer picture of its budget.
“I’m in support of (the purchases), but our hands are kind of tied,” she said.
Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Lopez seconded the motion to table, saying he favored approving the laptop agreement and holding on to the vehicle quotes until the commission receives more clarity on city finances.
Other action
Commissioners accepted the retirement of Chacon effective on Dec. 31.
The city will advertise to hire an assistant city manager, who likely will take over as city manager after Chacon steps down.
“Thank you for your commitment to the city,” Oglesby said before the vote. Other commissioners also thanked Chacon.
Chacon announced her retirement in mid-July. She has been city manager since August 2022.
— The commission approved a resolution supporting the city’s wayfinding plan. The action authorizes the city and Tucumcari MainStreet to look for funding for the project.
During an earlier work session, Groundwork Studio designer Amy Bell estimated the entire wayfinding plan, which includes directional signs and informational kiosks, can be implemented for $200,000. It would involve 44 new signs, 42 signs being replaced, 95 signs being kept and 23 signs being removed.
Bells said the city would apply for a New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Commission grant for the plan. If granted, it would enable the new signs to be installed before Route 66’s centennial in 2026.
If that grant bid fails, other grant opportunities exist, citing a $100,000 Trails+ Grant that Taos received.
Oglesby said he often encounters confused travelers, and that better signage is critical.
“I think it’s super-important for our city to have these,” he said.
— The commission tabled action on a lease with Plateau Telecommunications regarding a main internet hub off 11th Street.
Noting Plateau pays the city $250 a year for its hub and is requesting a 10-year lease, Cherry said he wanted to examine the proposed lease’s length and fees before approving it.
Nick Chalker of Plateau said the lease had expired in 2022 because his predecessor had overlooked it.
Commissioners approved a five-year agreement with Plateau for a mobile unit north of town off Highway 104. Oglesby abstained from voting.
— The commissions approved a $54,548 bid from TKM Auditors, Advisors, CPAs of Albuquerque to perform the city’s audit for fiscal year 2024. TKM was the only bidder.
— Cherry appointed Jerry Lopez and Oglesby to the Tucumcari Route 66 Centennial Committee, with Jonathan Brito as an alternate. Chacon will coordinate meetings of the panel. Chacon said the committee can present a list of funding options to the state’s Route 66 centennial committee.
— The commission approved a resolution adopting mileage and per diem rates to conform with state law. The mileage rate will be 67 cents, an increase from 58.5. cents. Per diem increased from $155 to $166, with the rate in Santa Fe County rising from $202 to $231.
Manager’s report
During her manager’s report, Chacon said the city has a total of 19 job openings, or 22% to 25% of the city’s work force.
Because of that, she said she was considering a job fair to help fill those vacancies.
“It’s really hard on our departments when we’re so short-staffed,” Chacon said.
That includes EMS, which has just two work shifts. Chacon said she was considering a request for proposals to bolster the city’s ambulance service.
— Chacon said a New Mexico Department of Transportation official said the state had only half the funds needed to repair all the street lights along the city’s Route 66 corridor. She anticipated the rest of the repairs would occur in 2025.
Comments
— During commissioner comments, Oglesby asked that city officials meet with county officials to discuss various issues.
Cherry, a former county commissioner, responded: “I think that would be a great idea.”
Lopez echoed Cherry’s sentiment, adding that county manager Daniel Zamora “would be all for it.”
Oglesby also requested a work session with the manager of Quay Apartments. He said police officers are being called to the complex daily.
Lopez also said he’d received complaints about Quay Apartments and the Pow Wow Inn, a motel that has been converted primarily to long-term housing.
Lopez said the Pow Wow “needs to be condemned,” noting discarded mattresses and abandoned vehicles there.
Oglesby asked that city parks be inspected, noting tall weeds in the parking area of Dunn Park.
“I’ve never seen it look that bad,” he said.
Oglesby said the parks’ sprinkler systems need to be checked, as well.
Lopez said a fence at Northside Park fell over and wasn’t properly repaired.
— Hayoz asked finance director Hallie Ferguson about delinquent water bills. Ferguson said her priority is to finish work on city finances and the audit before working on water collections, noting she is short-staffed in her department due to a member taking time off for personal reasons.
Hayoz also thanked volunteers for the weekly Tucumcari Tuesday cleanup crew.
— During public comments, former Odeon Theatre owner Christy Dominguez said she would pay the $6,469.12 cost to remove asbestos-laden adhesive pucks from glass tiles at the city-owned Princess Theatre so they can be given to the Odeon for its facade repairs.
The Odeon received a $10,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for such work.
Cherry asked the city attorney be consulted before the tiles are donated so the city doesn’t violate the anti-donation clause.
— Haley Place praised a recent children’s obstacle course supervised by city police officers at the Tucumcari Public Library. He also praised the resurfacing of Laughlin and McGee avenues, saluted the 10th anniversary of the Roadrunner Lodge Motel and praised the Tucumcari Tuesday cleanup crew.
Place said he would petition for changes to the juvenile justice system. He said he was injured while being struck in the head by a water bottle thrown by a juvenile. He voted to sue the juvenile’s family for his medical bills.