After the pledge of allegiance and invocation, the City Council Meeting of June 28, 2022 commenced with Mayor Henry and Councilmen Nelson, Townley, Youtsey, Mullen, Rodriguez, and Mariscal present. There were no new requests to use city facilities, and the City Council moved to approve the consent agenda.
On the consent agenda, items of note included: the award of a bid to Viking Painting, LLC for the 8th Street Elevated Water Tank Painting; an approval of dedication for the lift station, Remington Street extension, access, and utilities easement between Stonegate Crestline, LLC, Boulder Canyon Construction Corporation and the City of Artesia; an MOU approval between the City of Artesia and the Artesia MainStreet Arts and Cultural District; and approval of agreement with the Eddy County DWI Program and the City of Artesia and approval of an access agreement for the City’s 9th Street ROW with Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc. and the City of Artesia.
Two new wastewater assistants joined the Water Department at $2507 per month. Two positions received ratification for hire: a police cadet at $3875 per month and an IT Technician at $3131 per month.
Under travel and training, one officer of the Artesia Police Department will attend the Policy Committee meeting in Albuquerque for NMML. And in routine requests for city facilities, the Forever Free Fellowship will use Guadalupe Park for the Tent Revival of 2022.
After the consent agenda, consideration of the final passage of any ordinance as to which proper notices have been published commenced. The Alcohol and Gaming Division of the NM Regulation and Licensing Department asked the question if the application for a Restaurant B Liquor License with On-Premises Consumption for beer, liquor, and wine at Los Agaves, LLC be approved or disproved. The City Council voted to approve the application after Mr. Rodriguez made a motion to approve and Mr. Moreau seconded the motion. After the vote, committee reports began.
In committee reports, Budget and Finance had nothing to report. For Personnel, Mr. Mullen will give a report at the next council meeting. Police and Fire had nothing to report as did Planning. In Recreation, Mr. Rodriguez stressed to the public NOT to jump the fence at the City of Champions turf fields at Jaycee Park. When the gates are open, the fields are also open. When the gates are closed, please stay off of the fields. If you’d like to use the turf fields, please contact the city. Mr. Rodriguez added that the Recreation Center will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized following the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases during the Summer Recreation Program and Summer Meals Program. The Infrastructure Committee will be meeting in July. The Government Committee had nothing to report, and that concluded the committee reports portion on the agenda. Next, Police Chief Roberts stood for questions.
Mr. Mariscal asked Chief Roberts about the Artesia youth who fired water beads through blasters at other community youth. The Chief answered that the 5 youth involved in shooting the water beads at other youth were issued citations for delinquent acts. No other questions were asked, so Fire Chief Hope came to the podium to report.
Chief Hope reported that fire restrictions will expire in the city and across Eddy County at the end of the month. He noted that the forest continues to have restrictions in areas of cover or brush, but for other areas the ban has been lifted. No questions were asked following his report and Hope returned to his seat.
Next, Jim McGuire of Community Development stood for questions before the council. Mr. Mariscal asked if an outbreak of COVID-19 was likely to happen at other city facilities such as the pool. Mr. McGuire answered that in the outdoor pool, an outbreak was unlikely. He reported that the Aquatic Center was in the process of doing more to clean and sanitize the facility. After his answer, Byron Landfair of Infrastructure began his report.
Mr. Landfair explained the Resolution 1793, a merger plan with North Park Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association and the City of Artesia, that came before the council to seek approval. The merger would transfer over the water, sewer, road, and lift system at North Park to the City of Artesia. The merger has been a labor of love and has been in progress since 2016. After a motion made by Mr. Moreau to approve the Resolution 1793, the city councilors voted in favor to approve.
City Clerk, Summer Valverde, reported that she will work on documents for ICIP during her time before council.
To conclude the meeting, Mr. Rodriguez wished everyone a safe and enjoyable 4th of July Celebration, and Mayor Henry wished everyone to stay healthy and well in light of the number of COVID-19 cases. The city council meeting adjourned.
