The October 11th Artesia City Council meeting commenced with determination of quorum, an invocation, and the pledge of allegiance.
The first piece of business was the approval of the consent agenda, which included approval of the following: Chase Foundation assuming the Habitat for Humanity of Artesia lease; the grant agreement between the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the City of Artesia for ENDWI, BKLUP, and STEP projects; promotion of a wastewater assistant, battalion chief/paramedic and two lieutenant/paramedics; police attendance of training Using MS Office, Access and Excel for Law Enforcement Administration.
Next was the approval of Ordinance 1104, which amends sections 5-2A-1, 5-2A-7 of Ordinance 846 – provisions for the keeping and maintenance of animals within the city limits.
The next item was the committee reports. The Infrastructure report included discussion of vandalism on 1st Street and the plan to add a six-foot chain-link fence for 500 feet near Allsup’s, which would force pedestrians to cross at the intersection of Richey Avenue and Highway 385 for safety reasons. The cost of the fence is $20,000. The Government committee report included discussion of the airport which has major projects coming in the next year or two, including the addition of a large hangar.
Jerry Conde, Human Resources, gave the Personnel report and they were no comp injuries or accidents with City vehicles in September. After discussion about cyber security Resolution 1807, the Cell Phone and Personal Device Use Policy, was postponed until next meeting.
The Public Safety report included discussion on providing security to Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to Artesia last week. It was reported that Pence was complimentary of Artesia as a whole. Discussion also included the cause of the Lovington bus crash in Artesia last week.
Next was the Community Development report and discussion of residents living in a tent on property with a burned-out house that is still receiving City water services. There are currently six burned houses in Artesia and the City would like to sell those properties. It was stated that the only City service a residence must receive is water because water is necessary for sanitary living.
Next, John Anguiano from the Infrastructure Department gave project updates, including the 20th Street project, work on the retaining pond in the industrial park, surface work on alley roadways, mowing, fixing street signs, completion of tree trimming on Eagle Draw, work on lights at Jaycee Park, and maintenance work recently completed by Excel Energy. Anguiano reported BNSF is replacing railroad tracks and plans to fix railroad arms in town that come down in error during rain which requires BNSF to be onsite to reset. Anguiano shared that Artesia has 12 traffic lights within City limits; nine are owned by state, and three are owned by the City but are programmed by the state.
Next, City Clerk Summer Valverde lead discussion and the Council approved Resolution 1808, Internal Procedures for Acceptance of Credit Cards and Electronic Transfers. Valverde also gave the following updates: HR and Finance are completing a compensation study, will send out employee evaluations, and update job descriptions in January; several City departments have met with Red Rocket marketing to share information, they have started work on refreshing the City logo, and are creating ideas for PSAs; the Finance Department has worked with First American Bank of Artesia and have moved $43 million into a different investment, with earnings expected to grow from $170,000 a year to $1.5 million a year. Valverde and Mayor Jon Henry emphasized that the money is still available for liquidity and will continue to be used to benefit the citizens of Artesia.
Next Mayor Henry discussed the City’s efforts to get traffic lights erected at the intersections of 13th Street and Highway 285, and Mill Road and Highway 285. Currently Eddy County is completing a traffic study to verify the need. Henry also shared his belief that Artesia has one of the best Chambers of Commerce in the country. The Artesia Chamber put together the event for Vice President Mike Pence’s visit last week with very short notice.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:59 pm.
