Clovis City Commission Regular Meeting - September 11, 2025
Clovis City Commission Regular Meeting - September 11, 2025
The Clovis City Commission met on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 5:15 PM in the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Library. The meeting began with a prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence for the 24th anniversary of 9/11, and remarks from Mayor Morris on the importance of the American spirit. The commission approved the agenda and the minutes from August 21, 2025. Several proclamations and presentations were made, followed by a Civic Center quarterly report, public comments, and approval of a 17-item consent agenda. Under new business, the commission approved employee salary increases, a wastewater rate study, a safe haven baby box installation, renewal of retail consulting services, and a national opioid settlement agreement. Reports from various boards and committees were also presented.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 3336-2025: Authorizing grant application to NMDOT for FY2027 transit funding under 49 U.S.C. 5311.
- Resolutions 3337-2025 and 3338-2025: Authorizing PILOT waivers for FY2024 and FY2025 for Clovis Housing & Redevelopment Authority.
- Reappointments: Bryan Davis (Parks, Recreation & Beautification – District 3), Tom Martin (Planning & Zoning – Citizen), Rhonda Sparks (Library Board – Citizen).
- Emergency Budget Change: $11,350 for temporary parking at Hillcrest Senior Life Center.
- Budget Transfer: $296,417.20 from General Fund cash reserves for EFORCE CAD/RMS system for Police and Fire Departments.
- Lease Addendum: With Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico.
- RFP Award: Property abatement services to Workheiser Enterprises, Inc.
- Grant Applications:
- FY2026 Regional Recreation Centers & Quality of Life Grant (up to $4,100,000 for parks improvements).
- FY2026 New Mexico Land and Water Conservation Grant (up to $1,000,000 for fencing and trailhead at Ned Houk Park).
- 2026 New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant (up to $100,000 with $50,000 match for water infrastructure at Ned Houk Park).
- 2026 New Mexico Animal Welfare Program Grant (up to $120,000, no match, for animal shelter improvements).
- CDM Smith Work Plan: Groundwater monitoring event at Clovis Regional Solid Waste Facility.
- Budget Change: $55,207 for Caterpillar backhoe loader for the landfill.
- Quarterly Lodger's Tax Disbursements: Moved from new business to consent.
All consent items were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Eric Bram (Marine Corps veteran, Air Force spouse, private citizen): Noted that veterans are 12-13% of Clovis adult population (about 3,200 above state average). Cited 6,407 veteran suicides in 2022 (17.6/day). Requested the city advocate for a permanent or mobile Vet Center in Clovis to provide confidential mental health services, as the nearest centers are in Albuquerque or Lubbock. Urged the commission to help end veteran suicide.
- Chamber of Commerce representatives: Surprised the commission with Whataburger meals from the new restaurant’s soft opening.
Discussion Items
- Presentations & Proclamations:
- Distinguished Supervisor of the Quarter: Chet Gurule (Police Department) – recognized for training, leadership, and maintaining patrol coverage. Presented by Chief Thron and others.
- Distinguished Line Employee of the Quarter: Frances Reeser (Human Resources) – recognized for transitioning HR to paperless, saving tens of thousands of dollars. Presented by HR Director Laura Wyche.
- Constitution Week Proclamation (Sept. 17-23, 2025): Presented by Nancy Anne Streseman and Samantha Streseman of Daughters of the American Revolution.
- Early College High School Day Proclamation (Sept. 15, 2025): Presented by Dr. Jonathan Fuentes (CCC President). Program grew from 65 students in 2019 to 270 in 2025; earned exemplary designation from NMPED. About 80% of students graduate.
- Gold Star Mothers and Families Day Proclamation (Sept. 28, 2025): Presented by Ms. Alexander, a Gold Star mother. Noted over 470,000 Gold Star families nationwide.
- Civic Center Quarterly Report (Sarah Stevens, General Manager):
- FY2025: 217 events (6 above budget), over 39,000 attendance (11,000 above budget), revenue $759,655 (highest ever), expenditures $815,000 ($79,000 under budget), net loss $309,613 (beat budget by $89,000; previous year beat by $58,000).
- Upgrades: landscaping, security system, bathroom countertops, kitchen improvements, new roof and HVAC after 2023 storm, solar panel installation pending inspections.
- FY2026 outlook: Budgeted 215 events, $728,995 income, $860,000 expenses, projected loss $391,562 – goal to beat budget again.
- New Business:
- Employee Salary Increases (City Manager Justin Howalt): Proposed $1/hour raise for all employees and $1 increase to starting wage (to $14.50/hour). Total fiscal impact $1.21 million, funded from General Fund ($1M), Sanitation ($131K), Wastewater ($53K), Airport ($13K), HR/Safety ($8K). Effective Sept. 14, reflected in Oct. 3 paychecks. Excludes fire department employees in collective bargaining (chief, deputy chief, admin staff included). Clovis Police Officers Association approved. Approved unanimously.
- Wastewater Rate Study & Capital Improvement Plan: CDM Smith to conduct study for $55,000 (exclusive of GRT; ~$58,000 with GRT). Funded from wastewater cash reserves. Last rate increase in 2022; study will update asset management and propose future rate adjustments. Approved unanimously.
- Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 2: County contributed $10,000 grant; estimated construction $12,000 plus annual fee of ~$300. Box provides anonymous surrender option; Station 2 chosen for privacy. Fire Chief noted all stations are safe havens but box ensures care when crews are on calls. Approved unanimously.
- Renewal of Retail Consulting Services (Retail Strategies, LLC): Contract renewed to continue retail recruitment. Commissioners praised quarterly updates. Approved unanimously via roll call.
- National Opioids Secondary Manufacturers Settlement: City Attorney Jared Morris presented. Last expected opioid settlement; amount unknown until all national plaintiffs opt in. Deadline Oct. 8. City contractually obligated by 2022 participation agreement. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved all consent agenda items unanimously.
- Approved employee salary increases (effective Sept. 14).
- Approved wastewater rate study scope and fee with CDM Smith.
- Approved installation of safe haven baby box at Fire Station 2.
- Approved renewal of retail consulting services with Retail Strategies.
- Approved national opioids secondary manufacturers settlement agreement.
- Issued proclamations for Constitution Week, Early College High School Day, and Gold Star Mothers and Families Day.
- Upcoming meetings announced: NMML Annual Conference (Sept. 16-19), LEPC (Sept. 17), Parks Committee (Sept. 22), Public Works Committee (Sept. 24), Senior Services (Sept. 25), ENMWUA Board (Sept. 25), Trek for Trash (Sept. 27), next City Commission meeting (Oct. 2).
Meeting Transcript
I told Commissioner Cass not to put that on me. Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for uh for being here. Then we'll say the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag, and we'll salute the flag of the state of New Mexico. Um it's all right with everyone uh for the prayer this evening uh on my heart is uh the Lord's prayer in the sixth chapter of Matthew, the Lord said, then pray in this way. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Amen. Please join me in the pledge to the flag of the country. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands one nation, individual. I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico. We are called to order, and uh the Commission is working with a kind of a new system on their tablets, and so uh we'll we'll move uh slowly and intentionally so that uh everyone is doing okay and and unless you're unless you signal that everything's fine and then we'll go fast. How's that? Uh but let's have a roll call, please, Miss Reyes. Mayor Pro Tim Bryant. Here. Commissioner Porter. Commissioner Jones. Here. Commissioner Casos. Here. Commissioner Garza. Here. Commissioner Paula. Commissioner Zamora. Here. Commissioner Tarsen? Here. Mayor Morris. Here. Thank you, Ms. Reyes. Uh Commissioner Porter may uh show up in just a few minutes from what I understand. But again, welcome, Mayor Pro Tim and Commissioners, uh, members of the public. Uh this being uh 9-11, um I did want to uh although we had a prayer before, uh I did want to make a a remark or two and invite everyone to observe a moment of silence uh uh in recognition of of this day and remembrance of 9-11. I uh I put down some thoughts uh and that I appreciate you in uh indulging me and I'll share them with you. Uh my reflections on 9-11. Twenty-four years ago, freedom was attacked. Our way of life and values were attacked, and tragically, two thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven civilians and first responders were killed by evil. Since then, the American spirit has endured. But sadly, uh not without events that serve as reminders that our nearly 250-year-old nation needs our care. The American spirit that fuels our nation needs to be continually cultivated as well as protected. One way we do that is as patriots and champions of freedom, we uh speak the truth, exercising our our freedom to do so. Uh we need patriots and champions for America. We need champions in our homes and in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and certainly in the public forum.
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