The December 13 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 22 meeting minutes; the November 22 court of appeals; resignation of a wastewater assistant, finance and administrative receptionist, solid waste equipment operator I, police officer and equipment operator I; set the public hearing date of January 10, 2023, on whether the Alcohol and Gaming Division of the NM Regulation and Licensing Department to approve or disapprove the transfer of Canopy Liquor License No. 1327 to Los Agaves Restaurant; permission for one employee to attend the Fire Officer I training; the routine request for First United Methodist Church to close Grand Avenue directly in front of 500 W Grand Ave. between 5th Street to 6th Street on December 18 from 3:30 to 8:00 pm for the live nativity; permission to pay bills through December 31, 2022.

 

Committee reports were next. 

·      The budget and finance committee will have an audit meeting Wednesday at 3:00 pm. 

·      No personnel committee report

·      No police and fire committee report

·      No planning committee report

·      No recreation committee report

·      Infrastructure committee met on December 1. The City got interested parties together regarding the disc golf park at Jaycee Park and plans are moving forward. The committee discussed staff needed in the Wastewater department and ways to attract more employees. Fencing material is slow to come in for the new dog park and City staff worked on lights at Jaycee Park today. 

·      Government committee is meeting this Thursday. 

 

Personnel Director Jerry Conde reported no reportable incidents and no city vehicle accidents in November. 

 

Police Chief Kirk Roberts reported less rescues and reduction in stats in November. A councilor asked about dog attacks in the City. Roberts said the City is down to one animal control officer and has recently completed interviews to fill the second position. The position is a seven-day-a-week position that requires specific training. The current animal control officer has a long list of calls every day is working a lot of extra hours. Roberts said they can issue citations for vicious/biting dogs and need to get a district court order to put a dog down. Mayor Henry asked about false Facebook accounts and posts. Roberts reported that sometimes we got confused with Artesia, California and some of the posts are scams. Another councilor asked about City ordinances regarding people seeking donations. Roberts reported it’s a first amendment right and officers get involved if it causes a safety hazard.

 

Fire Chief Kevin Hope reported November was a standard month statistically. Hope answered a question on recent sonic booms. Hope said Artesia Airport Manager Lance Goodrich sent an email explaining the booms which are from the Airforce. Councilors reported they received calls about it. Hope suggested contacting Lance Goodrich at the airport with questions. Hope also reported a donation from Devon Energy to assist with equipment needs. 

 

Director of Community Development Jim McGuire reported they had sent a second notice to City code violators and had noted a few properties were cleaned up. McGuire reported they are now getting to the citation phase. 

 

Director of Infrastructure Byron Landfair reported an upcoming series of water system tie ins will be happening in the 20th Street project over the next couple months causing low or no water pressure. Landfair reported this needs to be done to get the system tied in and residents will be notified in advance. Landfair reported the BNSF railroad requested use of the old railroad tracks on the east side of Freeman Avenue. Repairs will be needed to those tracks estimated to cost $55,000-$60,000.  

 

City Attorney Cass Taylor had no report but offered congrats to Artesia High School state football champs. 

 

Next, City Clerk Summer Valverde sought and received approval from the Council to hold a hearing on January 10, 2023, for an ordinance to opt into the Election of the Municipal Offers of the City of Artesia in the Regular Local Election. The local election is held on odd year and municipal election is on even year. Councilors approved writing the ordinance with the shortening of councilor terms by three months prior to the hearing. Mayor Henry wanted to add having the City Clerk, or her designee, be present during the certification of the voting machines, which are open to the public. Councilor discussion included that this would save the City $12,000 per election but stressed that it’s not about the money. The change will move the City Council and Mayor elections from March to November. It will mean the County will manage the voting, but it doesn’t change who controls the election. It will expand polling places from two to four. Discussion will continue at the public hearing on January 10, 2023. 

 

Valverde reported the City is in a good cash position at the end of the year, all departments are in budget, and Valverde is beginning to meet with departments for mid-year budgets. She reported the City Council will hold a retreat in February, an exit meeting for the financial audit will be happening soon, the compensation study is nearly completed and results will be prepared and go to committee to review. 

 

During his report Mayor Henry mentioned the Council retreat in February and asked councilors to be thinking about two items prior to the retreat, including: how to communicate better and more efficiently; and the creation of mission and vision statements to help guide decision-making. 

 

Council members concluded the meeting by sharing holiday greetings, congrats to bulldogs on their football state championship, and the wonderful Light Up Artesia parade. 

 

Mayor Henry said the Light Up Artesia event showed how great the community is and noted the same weekend included the red/green games at the Bulldog Bowl, special offerings at local restaurants and the City of Champions basketball tourney.  The mayor then presented City Attorney Cass Taylor a bulldog football state champion T-shirt.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 pm.