After an invocation and the pledge of allegiance, the June 14, 2022 City Council Meeting began. There were no reports during the time allotted for new requests for city facilities, city departments and employees, or special reports. The consent agenda received the following notes before moving to a vote to approve it: names of the newest cadets joining the Artesia Police Department were added. The new cadets are Alexander Williams, David Barlow, and Amy Gallegos and all three cadets were welcomed to the department during the City Council meeting.
Other items on the consent agenda included the consideration of bids. The City Council voted to approve the award of a bid to conduct a citywide employee and classification and compensation study to Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. A bid award went to J&H Services, Inc. for Phase III of the Industrial Park. Council also approved a contract with Sparks for a 48 month lease for copiers. As far as contracts, leases, and agreements, the council corrected JPA with Eddy County governing the Regional Dispatch Authority, approved a PSA with Eddy County service agreement with the City of Artesia, and approved of an agreement with DFA and the City of Artesia for the Junior Bill grant for public safety communications for REDA.
A date of June 14th 2022 received approval for the public hearing to consider approval of the question on whether the Alcohol and Gaming Division of the NM Regulation and Licensing Department should approve or disapprove the application for a Restaurant B Liquor License with On-Premises Consumption for Los Agaves, LLC doing business as Los Agaves Restaurant at 611 N. 8th Street.
Under Routine Requests for City Facilities, Artesia Arts and Cultural District/Artesia Mainstreet requested approval for Red Dirt Black Gold Oct. 1; Parade-Trick or Treat Mainstreet Oct. 29; Veterans Day Ceremony-Nov. 11; and Parade-Light up Artesia Dec. 1. Eddy County Fair and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce requested approval to hold a parade on July 26th to begin the annual Eddy County Fair. The Artesia Chamber of Commerce also submitted a request to use Eagle Draw for the 4th of July Extravaganza 2022 from 8 am to 11:30 am.
Superintendent Thadd Phipps of the Artesia Public School District spoke during the period for hearing visitors to the City Council. Mr. Phipps thanked the city for the services to the school including the School Resource Officer. The SRO program helps to ensure that students and staff remain safe across the district. He thanked Commander Letcher for presenting at the June 13th school board meeting.
For committee reports, Raul Roderiguez for the Recreation Committee announced that the Recreation Center is in the second week of its Summer Program and the second week of the Summer Meals Program. Jeff Youtsey reported on behalf of the Infrastructure Committee. The committee reviewed the sewer rate schedule and noted that in a year or two the city will likely need to raise rates. They also discussed the Aquatic Center’s Readiness Recommendation. The Government Committee met for the first time in a number of years. The committee met to discuss the request to improve the tennis courts for use by the local Pickleball group. They met with Library Supervisor, Valerie Martin, who gave a status update, and with the Senior Center’s Supervisor, Caryle Goss. A need to update the lease for the airport hanger also received discussion. Lastly, the need for coordinated public communication from across the departments was touched upon.
Next, the Police Department presented safety statistics. In May, there was the expected jump in robberies mainly from parked, unlocked cars as well as in graffiti. Chief Kirk Roberts encourages the community to lock the doors behind you after parking your vehicle. In addition, do NOT leave items of value in your car overnight or unattended. APD will begin evening bicycle patrols to prevent this type of crime around the community. Chief Kirk also described the memorial service to fallen Corporal Fraiser. At the service, a vehicle he designed for the Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Department was dedicated to him as was the memorial in the lobby of the Artesia Safety Complex.
In lieu of Fire Chief Hope, Fire Marshal Brendan Harvey presented statistics. He noted the increase in fires due to the dry conditions and encouraged land owners not to burn on their property and to keep land clear of debris.
Byron Landfair of the Infrastructure Department reported that 19th through Quay Streets are closed to the public. The department has been hard at work clearing dead trees and dead limbs from Eagle Draw. City Hall is also having maintenance performed to its grounds.
Summer Valverde, City Clerk, stood for questions. She reported that the changes to the city budget seem to be having a beneficial change across the departments in terms of how quickly they’re able to act on requests from the public.
After the Executive Session, Councilors brought up new or other business. Nacho Mariscal offered his congratulations to the graduating class of 2022 and wished them well in their future endeavors. Jarrod Moreau described his recent visit to the Infrastructure Department. He noted that the experience was an eye opening one in terms of how the system in Artesia works. He encouraged all those in attendance to visit the department to learn more as well.
