City Council

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING ARTESIA, NEW MEXICO November 08, 2022 The City Council of the City of Artesia, New Mexico met in the City Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, November 8, 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 Raul Rodriguez Also present: Fatima Salinas, Deputy City Clerk Cass Tabor, City Attorney Absent: Summer Valverde, City Clerk/Treasurer It was determined that a quorum was present. The invocation was given by Councilor Rodriguez 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 new hires. Councilor Rodriguez made a motion to approve the consent agenda as written. Motion was seconded by Councilor Hagelstein, and upon vote, the motion carried 7-0. CONSENT AGENDA November 08, 2022 1. Approval of Minutes *October 25, 2022 4  Minutes, November 08, 2022 Page 2 2. Consideration of Bids: 3. Contracts, Leases and Agreements: A. *Consideration and approval of agreement with the New Mexico Environmental Department for the Water System Construct grant. 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. Chris Miller Wastewater WW Assistant $2,506.40 per month CA22 2. Suzanna Flores Community Code Enforcement $3,732 per month Development Officer II CA28 6. Dates of Hearing: 7. *Travel and Training: A. Finance – Permission for one (2) employee to attend 2022 LGD Budget Conference online. B. Infrastructure – Permissions for one (1) employee to attend 2022 NMWWA CT Section Workshop Hybrid Webex online. C. Police – Permission for one (1) employee to attend NM LE Conference and Exec Board meeting in Albuquerque, NM. 8. Routine Requests for City Facilities: 9. Routine Resolutions (to be assigned a number by staff): A. *Consideration and approval of Resolution 1809 to designate signature authority for NMED grant for water construct. 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 Norbert Vamper came back to address the mayor and council about the abortion ordinance that was not passed in Clovis, but Hobbs did approve one. He spoke again about the issue of abortion and asked the mayor and council to follow the example of Hobbs. He also brought information for the city attorney. 5  Minutes, November 08, 2022 Page 3 Comments from Public Officials and Contracted Services None Committee Reports: A. Budget and Finance – Councilor Moreau had nothing to reported and stated meeting set for next week or two. B. Personnel – Councilor Mullen reported committee had a phone call meeting pertaining to employee COLA that was thought about doing; in which, it will be discussed on agenda. C. Police and Fire – Councilor Nelson reported committee will meet next week. D. Planning (Project Management, Code Enforcement, Permits and Inspections) – Councilor Rodriguez had nothing to report. E. Recreation – Councilor Rodriguez reported tackle football season ended last night and basketball registration has started. F. Infrastructure (Streets, Garage, Cemetery, Parks, Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste, Facility Maintenance) – Mayor Pro Tem Youtsey reported they met last Thursday, discussed some things. Looked at a conceptional drawing of a fishpond for Jaycee Park and before bringing it to council, we want to build a case first to see if it is worth coming forward to budget and council. Discussed potential disc golf course, housekeeping on some water utility customers, and discussed potential water rating increases in the future. Also, committee approved for a small vector truck and will come out of the water fund and looking at getting a new mixer at the wastewater treater. We also looked at a list of numerous potholes needing to be filled in town. G. Government – Mayor Pro Tem Youtsey had nothing to report. Personnel A. *Stats HR Director Jerry Conde reported no reportable workers comp incidents and no reportable vehicle accidents for the month of October 2022. Public Safety Police Department: 1) *Stats Commander Lawrence Horrell stood in for Chief Roberts. He greeted the mayor and council. He mentioned how they were busy with events for the month of October, such as, Red Dirt Black Gold, High School Career fair Day, Downtown Trick or Treat, Football Games, and Halloween. Councilor Moreau asked if there had been an upsurge in Cadillac converters stolen. Commander Harrell responded with yes, and they are working on it and trying to figure out if there is a pattern in this. He also mentioned they are partnering up with Eddy County Sherriff’s department 6  Minutes, November 08, 2022 Page 4 and Roswell PD because they have a hunch this could be coming out of Roswell and hitting this region. Detectives have been working this as well. Fire Department: A. *Stats Fire Chief Hope greeted the mayor and council. Stated he had nothing on the agenda for council tonight. He stood for question. There were none. Community Development A. *Stats Community Development Director Jim McGuire stated he only had stats on the agenda and stood for questions. There were none. Infrastructure Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair greeted the mayor and council. Mr. Landfair stated he had nothing on the agenda tonight just a few quick updates. Mr. Landfair updated the council on 20th Street is in phase II with 75 days left on contract for that phase. Industrial Park Phase III has 226 days left on its contract. Holly Asphalt offered a good deal on chip seal oil, and we’ve been out at Jaycee Park putting that down and expanded the parking area and some of the roads as well. Also have added some handicap areas and some areas will be tough adding handicap areas to. Mr. Landfair then stood for questions. There were none. City Attorney None City Clerk Deputy City Clerk Fatima Salinas greeted the mayor and council and presented: A. *Consideration and approval of Resolution 1810 HR Director Jerry Conde gave explanation of Resolution 1810; an adjustment to the budget for FY 2022-2023. Mayor Henry explains this is for two different stipends, one for the PY Foundation grant for the first responder stipends. The second is what we refer to as COLA for the non-first responders and this is a onetime stipend, which will help the employees get through this time with the inflation. 7  Minutes, November 08, 2022 Page 5 Councilor Rodriguez made a motion to approve Resolution 1810 Budget Adjustment for FY 2022-2023. The motion was seconded by Councilor Moreau, and upon vote. The motion carried. 8-0 RESOLUTION 1810 B. *Consideration and approval to approve contract with First American Bank for consulting and recording for our 457(b) and 401(a) retirement plans Councilor Hagelstein commented about the retirement plan on the cost. He stated the financial impact on this $47k fee is about a quarter drop of what Trans is charging. Councilor Hagelstein made a motion to approve the contract with First American Bank. The motion was seconded by Councilor Mullens and Councilor Mariscal, and upon vote. The motion carried. 8-0 C. *Consideration and approval of Resolution 1811. The Purchasing Department is requesting to hold an auction on Saturday November 12, 2022, in strict accordance with §13-6-6 through §13-6-8 1978 NMSA Disposal of Property. Instruct the Purchasing Department to have signature authority on all appropriate documents related to this procedure. Deputy City Clerk Fatima Salinas stated there was a correction on the date and that should read Saturday November 19, 2022. Mayor Pro Tem Youtsey asked where the auction was going to be held. Chief Purchasing Officer Gabrielle Cronopulos responded that the auction will be held at Cottonwood Winery place on Cottonwood Road. Councilor Mullen made a motion to approve the contract with First American Bank. The motion was seconded by Councilor Moreau, and upon vote. The motion carried. 8-0 RESOLUTION 1811 Mayor A. Discuss and direction to staff regarding submission of capital outlay for the 2023 Legislative Session. Mayor Henry gave an explanation as to which item they were going to push for to get the Legislative to look at for our submission. Councilor Mullens stated that the Rec Center would benefit our community most. New or other business from Councilors Mayor Henry encouraged the public to go out and vote if you haven’t yet. Mayor Pro Tem Youtsey wished everyone happy Holidays and a good time with family. Councilor Mariscal encouraged the public to go out and vote if you have not done so. 8  Minutes, November 08, 2022 Page 6 Councilor Rodriguez thanked the City of Artesia for making this fun filled weekend happen. Councilor Moreau stated that the Boy Scouts reenacted their Bean and Ham Dinner for Veterans Day. It will be at the Green Chile Café and tickets are $10. They are giving out 100 free tickets for veterans and 400 to sell. Get a hold of Councilor Moreau if you need any. He also thanked Fenn’s for donating the Ham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:41 p.m. November 08, 2022. ___________________________________ Jonathan Henry, Mayor ATTEST: __________________________________ Summer Valverde - City Clerk/Treasurer 9