City Council

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Gallup City Council, City of Gallup, New Mexico, held in the Council Chambers at Gallup City Hall, 110 West Aztec Avenue, at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jackie McKinney. Upon roll call, the following were present: Mayor: Jackie McKinney Councilors: Linda Garcia Allan Landavazo Yogash Kumar Absent: Fran Palochak, Councilor Also present: Maryann Ustick, City Manager Curtis Hayes, City Attorney Mayor McKinney said Councilor Palochak’s absence shall be considered an excused absence. Presented to the Mayor and Councilors for their approval were the Minutes of the Special Meeting of February 19, 2019 and the Regular Meeting of February 26, 2019. Councilor Kumar made the motion to approve the aforementioned minutes. Seconded by Councilor Garcia. Roll call: Councilors Kumar, Garcia, Landavazo and Mayor McKinney all voted yes. Mayor McKinney recognized Bill Lee, McKinley County Commissioner, in the audience. Presented to the Mayor and Councilors for their approval were the following Discussion/Action Topics: 1. Hasler Valley Storm Drainage Improvements Project Award — Stan Henderson, Public Works Director Mr. Henderson presented the bid results for the City’s last bond project. The project consists of the installation of a large concrete box culvert to prevent water topping over the roadway on Hasler Valley Road. Bids for the project were opened on January 29, 2019, and based on the results, Gandy Dancer of Albuquerque is the apparent low bidder in the amount of $1,025,269.88 including New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax (NMGRT). The Engineer of record for the project is DePauli Engineering & Surveying (DES) of Gallup. DES also submitted a proposal for the project administration and construction inspection services in the amount of $160,280.51, including NMGRT. The fiscal impact MINUTES Regular City Council Meeting — 3/12/2019 Page 2 for the project will require an additional $614,283 from the Fund 202 balance to award the project and engineering contract. Mr. Henderson recommended the following: 1) approve the transfer of $614,283 from Fund 202 to the project line item; 2) award the project administration and construction inspection services to DES, in the amount of $1 60,280.51 including NMGRT; and 3) award the construction contract to Gandy Dancer in the amount of $1,025,269.88 including NMGRT. The construction time frame is expected to be four months. Discussion followed concerning the closure of Hasler Valley Road during the construction of the project and the use of alternate routes by those affected by the project. Following discussion, Councilor Landavazo made the motion to award the construction contract to Gandy Dancer in the amount of $1,025,269.88 including NMGRT, to award project administration and construction inspection contract in the amount of $160,280.51 including NMGRT to DePauli Engineering & Surveying and to transfer $614,283 from Fund 202 balance to the project budget line item. Seconded by Councilor Garcia. Roll call: Councilors Landavazo, Garcia, Kumar and Mayor McKinney all voted yes. 2. Approval of Investment Account — Patty Holland, Chief Financial Officer In accordance with the procedures established under Resolution No. R201 9-8, Ms. Holland presented the request for approval to open a new money market account with Washington Federal Bank. State statute requires the City to invest in local banks and savings and loans associations that have their main or staffed branch offices within the geographical boundaries of the government unit that have met the requirements of the State. The signatories on the account will be the City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney and Chief Financial Officer. Discussion followed concerning the status and location of the City’s funds to be deposited in the money market account at Washington Federal Bank and the agreements the City has with other local financial institutions. Councilor Kumar made the motion to approve the investment account at Washington Federal Bank. Seconded by Councilor Garcia. Roll call: Councilors Kumar, Garcia, Landavazo and Mayor McKinney all voted yes. 3. Designation of Terms for Business Improvement District (BID) Board Members Mayor Jackie McKinney — Mayor McKinney reminded the Councilors of their action to appoint nine members to the MINUTES Regular City Council Meeting — 3/12/2019 Page 3 BID Board at the last regular meeting. The new BID Ordinance provides for the initial terms of five members of the Board to serve five years and for four members to serve three years. Thereafter, all terms will be for four years. Mayor McKinney recommended the following board members serve an initial term of five years: Mickey Menapace, Steve Gurley, James Rich, Louie Bonaguidi and Bob Rosebrough. Mayor McKinney recommended that the remaining board members serve an initial term of three years: Archie Baca, Anna Biava, Sammy Chioda and Brett Newberry. Councilor Landavazo made the motion to approve the designation of terms of the BID Board Members as presented by the Mayor as follows: Mickey Menapace, Steve Gurley, James Rich, Louie Bonaguidi and Bob Rosebrough to serve an initial term of 5 years and Archie Baca, Anna Biava, Sammy Chioda and Brett Newberry to serve an initial term of 3 years. Seconded by Councilor Kumar. Roll call: Councilors Landavazo, Kumar, Garcia and Mayor McKinney all voted yes. 4. Appointments to the Gallup Sports Commission — Mayor Jackie McKinney Mayor McKinney said the terms of all Sports Commission members have expired. He recommended the appointment of the following individuals to serve on the Sports Commission for a two-year term: Ben Chavez, Gallup Mckinley County Schools; Kurt Spolar, Gallup Youth Soccer League; Theodore “Bobo” Saucedo, Tony Dorsett Football League; Denise Parra, Gallup Youth Basketball League; Derrick Chavez, Gallup Amateur Baseball/Softball; Sheila Silva, Gallup Adult Baseball/Softball; Gloria Saucedo, Gallup Old Timers Softball; and Marc DePauli, Kenny Carabajal and Vince Alonzo to serve as members at large. Mayor McKinney said the Commission will be responsible for the oversight of the financial activities of the sports leagues in the community. Councilor Garcia made the motion to approve the appointments to the Gallup Sports Commission as presented by the Mayor. Seconded by Councilor Kumar. Roll call: Councilors Garcia, Kumar, Landavazo and Mayor McKinney all voted yes. Presented to the Mayor and Councilors were the following Presentation and Information Items: 1. keep Gallup Clean and Beautiful Update — Jennifer Lazarz, Tourism and Marketing Manager Ms. Lazarz provided a power point presentation regarding the Keep Gallup Clean and Beautiful Program for 2019, which includes the Fiscal 2019 Grant Projects, the Comcast Cares and City of Gallup Community Cleanup Event planned for Saturday, May 4, 2019, MINUTES Regular City Council Meeting — 3/12/2019 Page 4 the City of Gallup gth Annual Community Cleanup and the partners involved in this year’s program. Regarding the May 4th Cleanup Event, Councilor Garcia said she would like to see cleanup crews address the area on Maloney Avenue, south of Walmart, along the fence. Mayor McKinney recommended the recruitment of four additional team leaders to lead the crews for all primacy and secondary clean-up areas in each district. Councilor Landavazo recommended the area in the vicinity of the truck stops, east of Ortega’s, for cleanup. Adrian Marrufo, Solid Waste Director, answered questions regarding the cleanup area on the west side of town. Ms. Lazarz answered questions concerning the determination of the subcontract amount to be paid to youth volunteers. 2. Lodgers Tax Presentation — Jennifer Lazarz, Tourism and Marketing Manager Ms. Lazarz introduced the following members of the Lodgers Tax Committee who were in attendance: Cindy Tanner, Anna Connell and Jeremy Boucher. Ms. Lazarz provided a power point presentation on the Lodgers Tax Committee’s recommendations for plans, goals and infrastructure from previous planning meetings held this past February. The highlights of the presentation include a review of the State Lodgers Tax Statute; Lodgers Tax Strategic Planning which include the goals outlined by the Lodgers Tax Committee for the next year and recommended tourism infrastructure priorities for 2019; marketing targets and marketing growth; public relations and media coverage; updates to the Gallup Real True website; and sales reach. Ms. Lazarz also advised of the resignation of Steve Harper from the Lodgers Tax Committee. Mayor McKinney asked Ms. Lazarz to inform the Council on an immediate basis regarding vacancies on the Board so they may fill the vacant positions as soon as possible. The Lodgers Tax Committee members commended Ms. Lazarz for her work; however, they stressed that Ms. Lazarz needs additional help in carrying out her duties. Ms. Tanner said as an advisory board, the Lodgers Tax Committee has the desire to do what is best for Gallup. Ms. Tanner also provided information regarding a group traveling from Sweden to Gallup to attend the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial this year. Mr. Boucher said prior to moving to Gallup over 10 years ago, he could not find much information concerning Gallup on the internet. Since then, Gallup has increased its presence on social media which requires constant work to update and to maintain quality content online. Ms. Connell said it was refreshing to know they have someone like Ms. Lazarz who keeps the committee focused on where lodger’s tax funds need to go to bring more people to Gallup. Councilor Kumar said the current committee is the most organized that it has ever been since he has been on the committee. He said Gallup is fortunate to have the venues it MINUTES Regular City Council Meeting — 3112/2019 Page 5 has including the outdoor trails, Route 66, its location near indigenous peoples, etc.; however, the venues need to be promoted on a constant basis. Councilor Garcia said she was impressed when she saw a billboard promoting the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, which was located 19 miles outside of Santa Rosa during a recent trip. Councilor Landavazo thanked the members of the Lodgers Tax Committee for their work and commitment. He agreed with Councilor Kumar’s comments on how organized the committee is. Mayor McKinney shared his experience about planning for a trip about 7 years ago when he was searching for amenities in Dillon, Idaho and found a vast amount of information posted about the town on their county’s website. Thereafter, he conducted a similar search on Gallup’s website and could not find any amenities listed. At the time, he instructed the City Manager to put Gallup on the internet. Since then, he has seen the growth that has occurred to promote Gallup. Mayor McKinney also shared a recommendation he received to work with the Navajo Nation to build a wild horse preserve as a way to increase tourism to the area. Mayor McKinney commended the Lodgers Tax Committee for their work and dedication and asked them to submit any recommendations they may have for filling the vacancy on the committee. He commended Ms. Lazarz for her work with the Lodgers Tax Committee and he commended the Councilors for being able to balance service and quality of life in their decision making. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items None. Comments by Mayor and City Councilors Due to the bad weather, Councilor Kumar reminded everyone to be safe. Councilor Landavazo thanked Ms. Ustick for working with Lyle Sumek in facilitating the strategic planning sessions last week. Councilor Landavazo said the work that was done during the two-day planning sessions will significantly contribute to the life of all citizens in the community as the City moves forward. During the strategic planning sessions, Mayor McKinney said the Council and City staff reviewed the accomplishments over the past year. He recognized how much City staff does as every department has a hand in the City’s goals and vision for the future. Mayor McKinney also said the current session of the State Legislature will conclude on Saturday, March 16, 2019 as City officials are tracking legislation affecting Gallup. Overall, he believes Gallup, McKinley County and communities across the state will do well in  MINUTES Regular City Council Meeting — 3/12/2019 Page6 receiving funding for capital outlay. The Mayor would like legislators from the area to provide a presentation before the Council at a future meeting regarding this year’s session and to prepare for next year’s session. Comments by City Manager and City Attorney Ms. Ustick commended Mr. Hayes for his work during the legislative session. She also thanked City staff for their work and involvement during last week’s strategic planning sessions. There being no further business, Councilor Garcia made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilor Landavazo. Roll call: Councilors Garcia, Landavazo, Kumar and Mayor McKinney all voted yes. .. a J ), Jackie McKinney, Ma) ii.: ATTST://) ‘.... 7/I j//.’:/ / AIfa ii, Approved 3/26/2019