City Council

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING ARTESIA, NEW MEXICO September 27, 2022 The City Council of the City of Artesia, New Mexico met in the City Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in regular session with Mayor Jonathan Henry presiding, and the following present to wit: Jeffrey Youtsey Wade Nelson Ignacio Mariscal Sam Hagelstein George Mullen Richard Townley Jarrod Moreau Also present: Summer Valverde, City Clerk/Treasurer Cass Tabor, City Attorney Absent: Raul Rodriguez It was determined that a quorum was present. The invocation was given by Councilor Townley with all joining in the Pledge of Allegiance. New Requests for City Facilities: None City Departments and Employees None Special Reports None Consent Agenda HR Director Jerry Conde gave announcement of hires and resignations. Councilor Hagelstein made a motion to approve the consent agenda as written. Motion was seconded by Councilor Mariscal, and upon vote, the motion carried 7-0. CONSENT AGENDA September 27, 2022 1. Approval of Minutes *September 13, 2022  Minutes, September 27, 2022 Page 2 2. Consideration of Bids: A. *Approval of award of sole source for a grizzly compactor for the Solid Waste Department to Crane Equipment Mfg. Corp. (sole source/30-day protest period passed). 3. Contracts, Leases and Agreements: A. *Lease agreement between City of Artesia and Sourcewell State & Local FMV Lease for Postage Machine and Utility Billing Equipment. B. *Consideration and agreement of A-22-187; Agreement Modifying Certain Terms and Conditions of JPA A-11-02 City of Artesia – Eddy County Joint Powers Agreement Governing the Regional Emergency Dispatch Authority (REDA). 4. Appointments: 5. Personnel Resignations, Hirings, Promotions, and Transfers: Upon recommendation of the Mayor, subject to successful completion of required pre- employment testing, permission to: A. *Hire: Name Department Position Rate of Pay 1. Phillip Chapman Police Police Officer/ $4324 per month Cert by Waiver CAP7 Step 1 2. Briana Rojo Police Com. Serv. Officer I $2386 per month CAP2 Step 1 3. Daniel Rodriguez Water Water Technician $2507 per month CA22 4. Zachary A. Carr Streets Equip. Operator I $2507 per month CA22 B. *Accept the resignation of David Watson, Fire Fighter/Paramedic, Artesia Fire Department, effective September 29, 2022. 6. Dates of Hearing: A. Approval to set a public hearing on October 25, 2022, for Case No. 22-08: Collins North Park Lot 133 Subdivision. A final plat subdividing Lot 133 of the Collins North Park Vacation #2 Subdivision into 9 lots; Location: R-276-133 N. 13th Street; Legal: Lot 133, Collins North Park Vacation #2, in Section 32, Township 16 South, Range 26 East, N.M.P.M., New Mexico; Owner: Collins Properties. 7. *Travel and Training: A. Finance – Permission for one (1) to attend NMEdge Online Training through NMSU Edge. B. Finance – Permission for one (1) employee to attend Master Clerk Training in Albuquerque, NM. C. Police – Permission for one (1) employee to attend Shooting Incident Reconstruction 1 in Roswell, NM. D. Police – Permission for one (1) employee to attend IACA – Criminal Investigative Analysis in Artesia, NM. E. Police – Permission for one (1) employee to attend the Police Chief Association Exec. Board meeting in Rio Rancho, NM. F. Infrastructure – Permission for one (1) employee to attend the GWQB Surface Disposal Class in Las Cruces, NM. 8. Routine Requests for City Facilities: A. *Artesia General Hospital has requested permission to use Guadalupe Park Gazebo on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 12 pm – 5 pm for their Employee Appreciation Event. No road closures needed as stated on application and waiver of fees.  Minutes, September 27, 2022 Page 3 B. *Artesia High School Cross Country has requested permission to use Jayce Park on October 1, 2022 from 7:30 am – 1 pm for a Memorial Run for Coach Mo and Marquise Weast. No city services needed as stated on application and waiver of fees. C. *Artesia Chamber of Commerce has requested the use of Eagle Draw from Saturday, November 5, 2022, thru November 6, 2022 for the Annual Balloons & Tunes Festival. Request use of city services as stated on the application and waiver of fees. D. *Artesia High School Rodeo/Artesia Horse Council have requested a Standby Ambulance for the High School and Junior High Rodeo to be held September 30th, October 1st and 2nd, 2022. Request waiver of fees. 9. Routine Resolutions (to be assigned a number by staff): A. *Consideration and approval of the list of Annual Records Destruction. B. *Consideration and approval of Resolution 1804, a resolution correcting the Police Chief’s pay on the salary schedule. C. *Approval of annual CDBG Resolution 1805 and federal requirements plan. 10. Budgeted Items: 11. Quarterly Journal Entries: 12. Non-budgeted Items: 13. *Payment of Bills Public Hearings – including consideration of final passage of any ordinance as to which proper notice has been published. None Period for Hearing Visitors Phil Huston, Executive Director of Life House, greeted mayor and council. He began with introducing Life House, in which it provides substance abuse and mental health services here in Eddy County. He handed out pamphlets and flyers for the council to show a variety of services Life House has to offer to support the individuals going through challenges. They are going to be opening their first sober living home here in Artesia at 808 W Grand Ave. Mr. Huston continued to explain the sober living program and how its designed to help individuals transition from either incarceration or intense rehabilitation to regular sustainably sober life. They have been managing three houses in Carlsbad since 2016. This will be the second home for men that will be available and are excited to open this home up. Mr. Huston invites the council to attend the open house on October 6th from 4 pm to 6 pm with the blessing and ribbon cutting. Mr. Huston stated this is a great opportunity to add some great resources to the community and they have partnered with the Bridge. Mr. Huston closed with letting the council know if they have any questions or concerns about the program they are welcome to give him a call or come by open house. Mr Huston thanked the council. Comments from Public Officials and Contracted Services None Committee Reports:  Minutes, September 27, 2022 Page 4 A. Budget and Finance – Councilor Moreau reported committee met last week and discussed several items such as adjustment on pay scale, Red Rocket for marketing services, then budget adjustment and infrastructure projects Byron had sent them. Also, discussed direction and business strategies on investments that the city has. B. Personnel – Councilor Mullen reported committee met and discussed pay scale items as in Budget/Finance meeting. C. Police and Fire – Councilor Nelson reported they met with Chief Hope discussed recruitment being stalled due to the inflation of housing, upcoming retirements and spoke of a strategy of filling in the positions as they come up. Councilor Rodriguez at the committee meeting discussed possibly setting aside money that is made from selling police and fire vehicles and putting it in a separate account to be used for maintenance on fleet. Discussed a resolution that was done by Chief Roberts and maybe being it before council, spoke of a position that is budgeted and redoing and maybe splitting the duties. We were updated on Emergency Operation (EOC) and how it operates. Councilor Nelson also updated on how Chief Hope and Chief Roberts , both went to all the schools and went through the emergency plans with each of them and even went to Penasco School. He also stated that we have private investors that are wanting to help out in purchasing emergency equipment for the officers D. Planning (Project Management, Code Enforcement, Permits and Inspections) – Councilor Rodriguez was out. E. Recreation – Councilor Rodriguez was out, no report. F. Infrastructure (Streets, Garage, Cemetery, Parks, Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste, Facility Maintenance) – Mayor Pro Tem Youtsey reported they have a meeting this Thursday and have several agenda items. G. Government – Mayor Pro Tem Youtsey and Mayor Henry reported the meeting was postponed until next month. Personnel None. Public Safety Police Department: 1) *Stats Chief Roberts greeted the mayor and council. Chief Roberts stated he had nothing on the agenda but reported he is working with personnel. He also reported presently ordering 20 ballistic blankets for the schools, going to do more research on the vacant position due to the comp study and possibly considering another position. He then stood for questions. Councilor Youtsey asked if we are locally training for safety. Chief Roberts went on explaining what they train for, and he hopes to have soon a full scale of training. Also spoke of how other agencies want to be involved and looking at tech to make training more valid.  Minutes, September 27, 2022 Page 5 Fire Department: A. *Stats Fire Chief Hope greeted the mayor and council. Chief Hope stated he had nothing on the agenda and stood for questions. Councilor Mullen asked how many will be retiring. Chief Hope responded three, two for sure, and it will be a big hit for us and we have to stay in front of that. Community Development A. *Stats Building Inspector Don Plotner greeted mayor and council. Mr. Plotner stated he had nothing on the agenda and stood for questions. Councilor Mullen asked how the new code enforcer was coming along. Mr. Plotner responded not on board yet. Mr Conde responded with waiting to get her set up on her end. Infrastructure Assistant Infrastructure Director John Anguiano greeted the mayor and council. Mr Anguiano reported 2601 has been taken care of. He gave a recap on 20th and Grand which we will be doing concrete collars, caps and valves and will finish up on Friday and hope to start phase II on Monday. Next, he updated on projects out at the Jaycee Park, tree trimming on Eagle Draw and having to remove trees and wanting to replant trees as they go along with Davis Park. Working on 13th Street to 10th Street walking path. He continues to give updates on park projects. Mr. Anguiano gave and update of the Eddy County pest control. They have designated Thursdays to be for Artesia; they have been fogging for mosquitos and will be breaking it into four quads to get done. They have started in March and will go through October. Mr. Anguiano updated on Xcel switching out streetlights putting in LED and hope to have all of first street completed soon with all those that are out soon. He gave an update on the new Streets Sweeper which is scheduled to be here next year. He continued with 20th and Grand now open. He stated other projects that are happening have been waiting on parts and materials to finish up. Mayor Henry gave acknowledgement to Tommy Raglin how he raises the Flag up every day and salutes it, also for his hard work he had been showing and doing and staying on top of it. City Attorney None City Clerk City Clerk Summer Valverde greeted the mayor and council and presented: A. *Consideration and approval to engage with Red Rocket for marketing services and set a budget for the City. City Clerk Summer Valverde explained this is to set up a budget for 20k for marketing services. Mrs. Valverde explained this is to better engage with our community through social media and to  Minutes, September 27, 2022 Page 6 begin with live streaming and whatever else the council would like to see done through the marketing services. Councilor Youtsey made a motion to approve the agreement with Red Rocket for marketing and services and to come back with a resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilor Hagelstein and upon vote, motion carried. 7-0 B. *Consideration and approval of Resolution 1806 for Budget Adjustment. City Clerk Summer explained we have an adjustment for the donation for the Police Department for the ballistics equipment as well as the expenditure for this. We also needed to adjust the CDL training for the streets department, which is about $4800 per person, also discussed with Infrastructure Director Byron in putting some contingencies for his projects. Councilor Moreau made a motion to approve the Resolution 1806 Budget Adjustment. The motion was seconded by Councilor Hagelstein, and upon vote, the motion carried. 7-0 RESOLUTION 1806 C. *Consideration and approval of Resolution 1803 to allow Department heads to approve events. City Clerk Summer Valverde explained this was postponed from last council meeting and the revisions that were spoken in last council were changed and it is shown in your packets the changes and step by step how events will be managed and how department heads and clerks’ office will handle them. If it should go before the council, it will be listed on the agenda or consent agenda for further actions. Councilor Moreau made a motion to approve Resolution 1803. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Youtsey, and upon vote, the motion carried. 7-0 RESOLUTION 1803 D. *Consideration and approval of revised airport ground lease, and hanger lease. City Clerk Valverde explained this was also postponed from last meeting and revisions were made that were discussed from last council meeting and added to the lease. City Attorney Cass explained a little bit more of what was added and how it would be in the long run for the city. Councilor Mullen made a motion to approve with pending modification explained. The motion was seconded by Councilor Moreau, and upon vote, the motion carried 7-0. Mayor  Minutes, September 27, 2022 Page 7 Mayor Henry gave acknowledgement and appreciation to all city and all departments for doing a good job in all that is being completed. New or other business from Councilors Councilor Townley spoke of some citizens approaching him and how excited they are about Artesia and what it has to offer, and they are looking to start a new business here. Mayor Pro Tem Youtsey also acknowledge and gave appreciation to the city and departments. Councilor Mullen gave appreciations to all departments and commented on how well Eagle Draw is looking. Councilor Hagelstein also gave appreciation to all departments. Councilor Mariscal gave acknowledgement to all departments and appreciation. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:58 p.m. September 27, 2022. ___________________________________ Jonathan Henry, Mayor ATTEST: __________________________________ Summer Valverde - City Clerk/Treasurer