The last City Council Meeting before the March 1st election of the mayor’s office and city councilor positions began with a quorum of Kent Bratcher, Sam Hagelstein, Jeff Youtsey, George Mullen, Jarrod Moreau, Raul Roderiguez, Terry Hill, and Ignacio Mariscal. Mayor Raye Miller opened the meeting with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. 

 

In personnel resignations, hirings, promotions, and transfers, the council accepted the resignation of Lynne Bryant, Finance Supervisor. They ratified the approval to advertise and fill the Finance Supervisor position. The resignation of Auden Escajeda, fire cadet, was also accepted.

 

Under Dates of Hearing on the agenda, the council approved to set a public hearing for March 8, 2022 for consideration and approval of an Ordinance for the City of Artesia to enter into a Lease Agreement with Artesia Stone, LLC for 612 N. Roselawn Ave. Additionally, approval was given for a public hearing on March 22, 2022 for consideration and approval of an ordinance for Campbell Summary Division which is a proposed 5 lot division at 121 East Compress Road owned by Elvira and Charles M. Campbell. 

 

The council approved one member of the police department to attend the Tammy Terrel Memorial in Henderson, NV. Permission was also granted for one employee of the department to participate in the online training Evidence Technician–Advanced CSI Shooting Scene Investigations course. The Fire Department received permission for one employee to attend the Firefighter I/II test site in Socorro, NM.

 

Next, Byron Landfair gave updates from the Infrastructure Department. The Artesia Industrial Park is receiving upgrades. The control cabin arrived at the job site at 1st and Hermosa. The department awaits the arrival of the railroad safety switch. 

 

At this point, the City Council meeting reached the 18-minute mark, and the city councilors went into an executive session to discuss the recruitment of a Human Resources Director, lease of city property, the industrial park, and city owned property. The executive session lasted approximately 40 minutes. No resulting action arrived from the councilors following discussion for the HR Director position. No action taken regarding the lease of city property; staff directed to work on the lease. At the Industrial Park, staff will be directed to resolve trespassing concerns, and at the city owned property, staff will research, and no action will be taken by council at this time. 

 

Before adjournment, each city councilor had the opportunity to speak. Kent Bratcher encouraged everyone to vote in the upcoming election. Sam Hagelstein expressed condolences to all of the families who experienced loss this past weekend. George Mullen wished all of the candidates the best of luck in the coming week. Jeff Youtsey echoed the encouragement to vote, and then expressed appreciation to all of the candidates for the clean and honest race. Terry Hill expressed gratitude for the opportunity that the election brings to get fresh ideas and to hear current issues. Jarrod Moreau thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting events to hear the candidates. Raul Rodriguez encouraged everyone to call their candidates, so their voice is heard. Ignacio Mariscal wished everyone good luck.