Clovis City Commission Regular Meeting

Date: October 2, 2025, 5:15 PM
Location: North Annex, Clovis-Carver Library, 701 N. Main
Presiding: Mayor Pro Tem Bryant
Present: Commissioners Porter, Zamora, Garza (online), Cassaus, Tarsen, Paula; Mayor Morris (absent: Commissioner Jones)

The meeting opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken, and the agenda was approved with one adjustment: Consent Agenda Item 2 (Roy Walker Gym fees) was moved to New Business. Minutes from the September 8, 2025 Special Joint City/County Commission meeting and the September 11, 2025 regular meeting were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Haunting at Hillcrest Reduced Admission: Approved reduced admission ($1–$2 range, no specific figure in transcript) for the event on October 26, 2025, 1:00–4:00 PM at Hillcrest Park Zoo.
• Pickleball and Basketball Court Rental Rates: Approved setting court rental rates for the new courts (rates not specified in transcript).
• Resolution 3340-2025: Accepted the New Mexico Capital Outlay Grant Agreement for a Department of Transportation Capital Appropriation Project.
• Resolution 3339-2025: Authorized the City of Clovis to participate with NMDOT in Transportation Project Funds to rehabilitate 21st Street between Prince Street and Norris Street.

All consent items were approved unanimously by acclamation.

Proclamations and Presentations

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation: Claire Burroughs (Vice Chair, Hartley House Board) and Chief Throne presented. Chief Throne reported 1,100 domestic violence calls for service in 2024. October 2025 was proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Hartley House’s Festival of Trees will be November 8, 2025, at the Civic Center; the event raised approximately $74,000 in 2024.
• Clovis Municipal Schools Bond Presentation: Superintendent Renee Russ, Jay Brady, and Kevin Summers presented a $60 million general obligation bond over 12 years (three phases). Phase one ($20 million local share) would increase property taxes by $2 per $1,000 of taxable value – estimated at about $11/month for a $200,000 assessed home (taxable value ~$105,000). The bond would fund renovations and some new construction at Clovis High School. The state match is currently 36 cents per dollar. A separate Capital Improvement Act tax (continuation, no increase) is also on the ballot. The district is ranked second in facility maintenance in New Mexico. Mayor Morris expressed support; Commissioner Paula clarified the project is a remodel with some new construction, not a completely new school.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• Trek for Trash 2025 Update: Administrative Assistant Lisa Nieto reported 259 volunteers collected 992 bags of trash and 156 tires in four hours. First place: Clovis Community College; Second: Firebirds; Third: Walmart.
• Introduction of New City Clerk: Jamie Foster was introduced. She served 4 years in the Air Force and replaces Leanne Melanson/Vicky staff.
• Roy Walker Gym League Fees (New Business Item 2): Parks Director Russell Hooper proposed a $50 per hour fee for leagues using the gym outside normal business hours (e.g., before 10:00 AM or after 2:00 PM on Saturdays). This covers both gyms and is lower than the standard rental rate of $75 per hour per gym. The previous unofficial rate was $25 per hour. Motion approved (7 yes; Commissioner Garza voted yes via roll call).
• Memorandum of Agreement – Defense Readiness Plan (New Business): Assistant City Manager Claire Burroughes explained the agreement among Clovis, Portales, Roosevelt County, and Curry County for a Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Communities Cooperation Readiness Plan. Clovis’s share is $29,980.60 (based on 57.01468% population share). Approved unanimously.

Committee Reports

• Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee (Sept. 22): New doors at Roy Walker completed; lifeguards needed (some positions with benefits); new art installed at Roy Walker; free Zumba classes (Tuesdays/Thursdays, 6–7 PM); youth/adult volleyball ongoing; new sloth at zoo with sloth encounters (one per day); Haunting at Hillcrest on Oct. 26; new giraffe arriving from San Antonio. Commissioner Cassaus reported a pickleball tournament drew teams from Odessa, Santa Fe, Amarillo, and Lubbock.
• Public Works Committee (Sept. 24): MLK Street reopened (awaiting XL lighting); Purdue Drainage Project complete; 21st Street project approved; Main Street project on track for December completion; US 60/84 Phase 1 on track for November.
• Senior Services Committee (Sept. 25): Reports from Hillcrest Senior Life Center and La Casa; no action items.

Mayor’s Report

• Municipal League Board Meeting: 551 attendees at annual conference (20% increase). Key legislative priorities: enabling municipalities under 60,000 to invest in the state investment council; water/wastewater funding; streamlining water project approvals. Also monitoring IPRA reform and protection of local governance.
• Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority: Received an additional $10 million from Bureau of Reclamation (FY25). Project updates: Raw Water 1A ready to bid; Raw Water 1B/2 (last large pipe) focus of FY26 funding; Raw Water 3 construction beginning (groundbreaking Oct. 22); Finished Water 1 nearly complete (under budget); Finished Water 3 complete; Elida lateral moving to 90% design; Texaco lateral construction starting December; intake and caprock pump stations ready to bid pending funding; water treatment plant pilot plant operations starting in October. Water Trust Board application submitted for $24.3 million.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved unanimously (4 items).
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation adopted.
• Roy Walker Gym league fee set at $50/hour for both gyms (outside normal hours): Motion passed (7-0).
• Defense Readiness Plan MOA approved with $29,980.60 matching funds: Motion passed (unanimous).
• Future Agenda Items: New Mexico Guest Company report; Open Meetings Act resolution; Trails Plus grant changes; capital outlay for food bank ($250,000); library board position.
• Upcoming Meetings: Civil Aviation Board (Oct. 7); Water Policy Advisory Board – canceled; Civic Center Policy Committee (Oct. 14); Investment Committee (Oct. 15); Next City Commission meeting (Oct. 16).

The meeting adjourned.