Clovis City Commission Regular Meeting - May 15, 2025
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Clovis City Commission Regular Meeting - May 15, 2025
The Clovis City Commission held its regular meeting on May 15, 2025, at 5:15 PM in the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Library. The meeting began with an executive session at 4:45 PM (not part of the regular meeting). The commission adopted the agenda with a modification: moving the quarterly lodger's tax disbursements to the consent agenda and moving the inmate labor MOU to new business. The minutes from the May 1 meeting were approved.
Proclamations and Presentations
- National Police Week (May 11–17, 2025): Mayor Morris presented a proclamation honoring law enforcement officers, noting that 345 officers were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in 2025, bringing the total to 24,412 names engraved since 1786. Police Chief Thron accepted on behalf of the department.
- Public Works Week (May 18–24, 2025): Public Works Director Clint Bunch introduced six key employees representing a combined 201 years of service. The department has 70 employees across six divisions: traffic, landfill, shop, sanitation, wastewater, and streets. The proclamation was presented.
Consent Calendar
The commission approved the following items unanimously:
- Easement between the City of Clovis and the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office for the Lyceum Theater.
- Resolution 3307-2025 establishing signatory authority for the Lyceum Theatre.
- Appointment of Kim Tipton to the Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee.
- Work plan proposal (CDM Smith) for the 2025 Groundwater Monitoring Event #1 at the Clovis Regional Solid Waste Facility.
- Application for Fiscal Year 2026 Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Meal Site Funding.
- Amendment #1 to Title III Federal and State Sub-Award Contract, increasing from $183,758.82 to $228,838.13.
- Amendment #1 to the Nutrition Service Incentive Program (NSIP) Sub-Award Contract, increasing from $16,440.52 to $21,674.95.
- Application for the 2025 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (DC Fast Charging) Grant from NMDOT for EV chargers at Clovis Regional Airport.
- Approval of the May 2025 Quarterly Lodger's Tax Disbursements (moved from new business).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Fiscal Agent for Food Bank Food Truck: Dianna Sprague, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico, requested the city serve as fiscal agent for a $295,000 custom refrigerated food truck funded through congressionally directed spending, requiring a 25–50% match. City Manager Justin Howalt noted administrative burdens but stated the city has performed similar roles. The truck would be city-owned and operated by the food bank. Approved unanimously.
- Design-Build Agreement for Horizon Behavioral Health Center: Justin Howalt presented the $9.5 million contract with Jaynes Corporation. Online representatives from the design-build team expressed excitement. Consortium partners were involved. Approved unanimously.
- Inmate Labor for Litter Pickup MOU: Proposed MOU with Curry County to use low-risk inmate labor for litter pickup funded by K-Linda grant. Inmates paid $10/day for five events. City Manager outlined liability risks (worker's comp, civil rights claims) but stated insurance coverage. Only two inmates currently qualified. Commissioner Porter expressed concern about risk. Motion carried 6–1.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Food truck fiscal agent request approved unanimously.
- Behavioral health center design-build contract approved unanimously.
- Inmate labor MOU approved 6–1, with Commissioner Porter opposed.
Reports
- Lodger's Tax Advisory Board: Recommended $59,000 in funding for four events, including the Christmas lights parade (described as the largest in New Mexico).
- Monthly Investment Report: April ending cash $87.9 million; general fund $19.2 million; interest earned $263,000; year-to-date interest $2.5 million (vs. $2.4 million last year). State pool rate 4.33% (down from 5.32% last year).
Future Agenda Items & Upcoming Meetings
- Future items: Flag Day proclamation, Civil Aviation Board membership, Civic Center management agreement, Bill Priest update.
- Upcoming: Parks Committee (May 19, 5:30 PM), LEPC (May 21, 3:00 PM), Special Commission budget meeting (May 22, 8:30 AM), City Hall closed Memorial Day (May 26), Public Works Committee (May 28, 8:30 AM), Next regular meeting (June 5, 5:15 PM).
Meeting Transcript
Well, my concern with having that is the liability issue. Oh no. Well, I'm going to see it. It stays off there. Cold Young is gonna be there. Hello. I'm good, how are you? You look like a the comedian. Yeah, this is standing right now. Michael. Yeah, it tells me you're doing amazing these old ones. It wasn't the call was discussed, it was just uh jogging? Yeah, yeah. Right. Which is good still. We didn't get the minutes everyone. I'm proud of you. So there's no reason. Sounds good to me. Oh, it was the I Test test. Regular local election and the real range or do you have to click this on and I was like, so I just happened to do this. So this is a mobile stage, and then I thought when I saw it as well. Maybe we could use that for the mobile stage. And then it could die with my vote. Okay, so it's the it's the new hard. You can Venmo me and I'll give her cash. I'll do that. I think I have money in my demo. Let me see. Let me make sure I have cash. I only use it to sit in my granddaughter. You can give her a twenty or you can give her three dollars. No pressure. I can drop twenty. I have a twenty. Don't you have like a secret hiding twenty twenty? Oh, I have three twenties. I have the bank, so you do like something for us. Oh big hole and everyone else. But he won. So it died on a tie vote, so when I leave my watch. The right side of me, nobody. You answered everything, you know? And you know, what's going on with Seder Woods? Not happy with that. Not happy with that one for sure. All right. Well, let's go for it. And I approve, Thomas. We barely have a quorum.
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