The November 22 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 the November 8 meeting minutes; award of contract with Park Hill for the airport engineering projects; award of contract with Sports Facilities Management, LLC for the Aquatic Center management services; hiring two police officer cadets at $3,876 per month and a CSO for $2386.80 per month; permission for one employee to attend compost facility operators training in Santa Fe, NM, and one employee to attend NM Edge Online training classes; routine request for city facilities from Tammy Neel on behalf of Renewed Wellness to hold Christmas on the Corner, December 3, 2022 from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm with street closure of 2nd Street between Richardson to Grand Street and/or up to the alley way.

 

Next the regular council meeting was recessed, and the Zoning Board of Appeals was convened. The Zoning Board of Appeals conducted a public hearing for case no. 22-10: Requesting a rear yard setback of 13’ instead of the required 20’ setback, resulting in a variance of 7’; Location: 506 S. 11th Street; Legal: Lot 2, Block 14, Forest Hill Subdivision, in the NW/4 of Section 17, Township 17 South, Range 26 East, N.M.P.M.; Owners: Luz Elva and Juan Muniz. City staff did not give a positive recommendation. The applicant spoke and there were no public comments. The motion was approved, and the variance passed. The Zoning Board of Appeals was then adjourned, and the regular city council meeting was reconvened. 

 

Next was the public hearing of case no. 22-09: Consideration and approval of ordinance 1106, a zone change from general residential district (R-2) to business district (C). Changing the zoning district of twelve (12) lots from R-2 to C; Location: 507 S. 2nd Street; Legal: Lots 5-16, Block 8, Blair Addition, in the NE/4 of Section 17, Township 17 South, Range 26 East, N.M.P.M.; Owner: Legacy Properties and Investments, LLC. City staff gave a positive recommendation. The applicant spoke. Public comment was centered around new building construction, building usage, and off-street parking. The motion was approved, and the ordinance passed.

 

Next was the period for hearing visitors. An Artesia resident reported very positive experiences using the 911 system twice in seven days recently. 

 

Committee reports were next. The budget and finance committee met recently to discuss budget adjustments. The police and fire committee had a meeting and discussed multiple items including the use of ATVs on city-owner roads. They are currently in the data collecting phase and will be reviewing it. The infrastructure committee will meet soon. 

 

Personnel Director Jerry Conde then lead a discussion on Resolution 1807 amending the Cell Phone and Personal Device Use Policy. Conde confirmed the IT department had approved the security of the cell phone usage. The resolution allows City employees cell phone usage to depend on the staff’s preference and the department manager’s discretion. Mayor Henry said the City will keep a current list of phones and numbers. The resolution was approved.

 

Conde then led the discussion of Resolution 1812 amending vehicles policies and procedures. The resolution will change the allowable radius for a City employee to take a City vehicle home from 15 miles to a 65 miles. Conde noted that the resolution is mostly going to affect the police department and their recruiting efforts. Mayor Henry suggested a slight change to the resolution that any staff with a need to go beyond the 65-mile radius would go to committee for approval, instead of the council. It was approved.

 

Conde then led a discussion on a $65,334 expenditure for the Safety Pays program. The purpose of the program is to reduce the incident of injury and prevent property damage and increase participation in safety training. The Council approved the expenditure.

 

Police Chief Kirk Roberts stood for questions, including a question on the recent theft of catalytic converters and the most common vehicles targeted. Roberts said the most common are older model Ford Econoline vans, and vehicles with taller stance because it’s easier to access them. Roberts reported three local cities and two counties are working together to pursue leads on the theft, fencing information, and continue the investigation. Roberts said the best defense is environmental controls like lighting, and motion detectors. 

 

Director of Community Development Jim McGuire reported a group wanted to use City owned football equipment for an all-star team. After conferring with the City attorney the City put together an equipment rental agreement for each participant at $500 month. The Council approved the agreement. 

 

McGuire gave an update on private properties within the City that are out of compliance. Second notices have been sent out and no citations have been issued yet. McGuire reported he is still waiting for the estimates to tear down several burned homes in Artesia.

 

Director of Infrastructure Byron Landfair reported the City has experienced a round of leaks that has slowed down the 20th Street project. He also reported a change order will be coming on Ray and Briscoe area of 20th Street for water line changes that will tie in with main line and will take care of the contingency on the project. 

 

Next, City Clerk Summer Valverde sought and received approval from the Council to have only one City Council meeting in December which will take place on December 13, 2022. Valverde also received approval on Resolution 1813 Budget Adjustment with $313,000 to complete sports lighting installation at the City of Champions Complex, $150,000 from the general fund to complete an infrastructure master plan update, $98,935 for full grant award for the EMS and fire funds, and $250,000 for the Grand Street water leak and provided some additional accounting work. Valverde reported that the City of Artesia recently won a Rising Star award for their budget practices at the budget and finance conference. The criterion for the award is evidence of excellent budget practices and reporting. 

 

During his report Mayor Henry mentioned attending City safety meetings and appreciated how City employees are continually striving to improve. Henry is also excited about ideas generated from department heads and is proud of City staff and their efforts for excellence. 

 

Council members concluded the meeting by commenting on being thankful for City employees.