Department heads that we have here.

Good evening, members of the public.

Thank you for being here, Mayor Pro Tim, Commissioners, good evening, and welcome.

We'll begin our meeting in just a moment, but first we'll offer a prayer.

We'll say the pledge to the United States flag, and we'll salute the New Mexico flag.

If you're a praying person, please pray with me.

Father, tonight I ask a special blessing, extra measure of blessing for those that are going without a paycheck.

I guess my flag of the state of New Mexico.

This is symbol of perfect friendships among United Cultures.

We are called to order, and I would ask the clerk to please call roll.

Commissioner Jones.

Here Commissioner Cassaus.

Here.

Commissioner Porter.

Here.

Commissioner Garza.

Here.

Commissioner Tarsen.

Here.

Commissioner Paula.

Here.

Commissioner Zamora.

Here.

And Mayor Pro Tem Bryant.

Here.

Mayor Morris.

Here.

Thank you, Ms.

Foster.

Next, I would have you consider if you have any objections to the agenda, how it has been printed.

Hearing and seeing no objections, the agenda is adopted.

And yes, votes are recorded for each member.

I would next have you consider are there any objections to the minutes as they've been prepared from the October 16th meeting.

Hearing and seeing no objections, those minutes are adopted.

We'll record yes votes.

Next, we reserve space in the agenda to recognize visitors.

So again, uh thank you to those of you that have joined us in person here this evening.

If you're here for a particular item, we're we're looking forward to hearing from you uh when we reach that point in the agenda.

But in general, thank you uh for your support and for your interest in uh what your city commission is working on this evening.

Next, we'll take up proclamations, awards, and presentations.

And first we have presentation of proclamation proclaiming November 8th through 14, 2025 as Veterans Week in the City of Clovis, and we have John Montano from Joint Veterans Council here to speak with us.

There's some debate as to which John Montano we're gonna get at the podium.

But he's bringing the whole crew.

Mr.

Montano, thank you for being here and sharing with us about uh Veterans Week and all the events happening.

Uh we'll give you the floor.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

City for Clovis having us here.

We are uh we're about ready to kick this thing off.

Uh we're not real happy with the road construction it's kind of shortening our parade, but uh uh we so far we have uh 30 entries in the parade and uh and everything's rolling smoothly except for the road construction.

Anyway, that's good.

Uh um we got uh the joint veterans council, Vernon here from 3280, Vanessa here has been helping us.

I mean she's been doing a wonderful job getting everything together.

Um we're on track.

We're on track.

So it's gonna kick off.

Uh anybody wants to uh throw in some more entries, you know, we could always use some.

You know, a couple of hot rods uh from Gene or anybody like that, you know, want to participate.

But you know we're we're getting there.

We're getting there, we're getting quite a few more entries, got a few more today, and hopefully we'll get a few more in the morning before everything kicks off.

Uh everything's gonna be done after our parade, as usual.

We'll be down at VFW Post 3280 with Vernon and their group providing the awards and trophies and an open house.

And then we're gonna kick off Veterans Week with all the other open houses going on for the next week.

So thank you for having us and appreciate it and gotta just keep getting people involved and trying to volunteer and try trying to bring this community together for stuff like this is sometimes like pulling teeth.

But but it's still, I mean, we still got a good community, and we got a lot of support.

So thank you, Vernon, and Vanessa and everybody everything y'all do.

Well, Mr.

Montana, thank you for for uh what you've had to say there.

And and uh if if if people wanted to get involved, if there were somebody following this meeting and listening, if they wanted to get involved with Joint Veterans Council, how how do they do that?

Who do they contact?

Chamber of Commerce, we're the Joint Veterans Council is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Okay, so contact any veterans organization to get involved.

Okay, thank you for that.

And if there were folks out there that wanted to, and and I agree we need to get as many floats as possible in the parade and make that something special.

But uh how do they where where do they sign up?

At the Chamber of Commerce?

Also at the Chamber of Commerce.

We can do it online.

Okay.

Uh you can turn them in manually, or you can call, contact any of us, and we can get you in touch with whoever you need to speak to to get the get your registration for me in.

There you go.

Get your entries in, folks.

That's good.

Thank you for that.

Uh appreciate that.

Um the other John Tano is hiding out over there because he's trying to retire from this, but uh he can't.

So he's just gonna have to keep on going.

I've already told him this, so just want to let you all know.

Thank you.

Always good to see you, Mr.

Montano.

Good to see you this evening.

I just like to remind everybody that this coming week is about the only time of the year that all these private clubs are open to the public.

So it'd be nice if everybody could at least make a 10-minute visit just to see what we are.

Majority of you have probably never been in these private clubs.

So we would love to have you come in and just see what we're about.

We're not bars.

We have some of us have canteens, but that's just the way of pay the bills.

But like the VFW, American Legion and Elks, Eagles.

We have many community activities that we do.

The canteen just pays the bills.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And and please come by on Veterans Day to American Legion Post 25 from 7 to 11, and we guarantee we're gonna have some hot red chili for you.

And also please come by uh post 117 on the 12th.

It's gonna be from 6 to 8 over on Grand.

And uh Johnny Washington would uh love to see all of you.

Thank you.

Thank you for that, sir.

Appreciate it.

I didn't I didn't want to move on too quickly.

I wanted to give you the opportunity, Vanessa.

Okay.

All right.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mayor Mayor Pro Timic Commissions.

I don't know if you guys uh heard Mr.

Montano mentioned the road work.

But just in case you didn't, we are working with our contractor to uh get as much of the orange barrels and cones and everything moved back to as possible.

Uh they're working on closing up the trench lines that they have going uh east and west across the roadway that way that they will have access and will be able to have their full route for the parade.

No guarantees that there's gonna be a whole lot of sidewalk space, obviously, with the orange barrels and cones, but we are making sure that we're getting as much open as we can for them.

Wrap it up real fast.

One guy thanks for that, Mr.

Howalt.

Thanks for uh trying to work with them.

And uh and and yeah, that's great.

It'll still be a great parade, uh, even with the the construction going on, thanks to the contractor uh working with us on that.

So appreciate that.

Uh Mayor Pro Tem Commissioners, do you have comments on Veterans Week before I do the proclamation?

Mayor, I I did want to tell the public that I know I have helped with registrations before, and last minute entries are accepted still, right, John?

That's correct.

I mean, if you want to put something together Saturday morning, do it and just hop on the parade.

Show up at Hilltop and I'll get you in the parade.

It doesn't matter.

So we'll we'll get you in if you we we do it all the time.

So thank you, John.

Thanks for that.

Mayor Pro Tim, you had a remark?

No, just thank you all for coming tonight and uh letting us know what what's going on with everything.

Yeah.

Thank you guys.

Thank you.

Any other comments?

All right, very good.

Let me offer the proclamation and we'll make that presentation.

Proclamation, whereas the United States Armed Forces are dedicated to preserving our way of life and our press price priceless American heritage.

And whereas our military proudly stands up and publicly declares its determination towards uh actively and positively safeguarding our freedoms against foreign and domestic enemies.

And whereas throughout history, this country's sons and daughters have risen to protect our nation's security, our liberties, and our way of life, sacrificing their safety on battlefields far from home, and being prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for their great country.

And whereas we do not always remember that our liberty and freedom has come at the price of the sacrifice of the few for the many.

And whereas at 10 a.m.

Saturday, November 8th, 2025, there will be a parade, a Veterans Day parade, and the theme this year is lest we forget.

Now, therefore, I, Mike Morris, Mayor of Clovis, and on behalf of the Commission, do hereby proclaim November 8th through the 14th of 2025 as Veterans Week in the City of Clovis.

Smile.

Thank you.

And we'll be waiting for that entry form.

Goodness.

It's always great to have the opportunity to recognize veterans in our community.

There are so many veterans in our community as well as obviously active duty and those connected to the air base.

So again, we are recognizing the week of the 4th through the 11th as Green Light for Veterans Week.

And just another way to recognize veterans in in our community with the green light bulbs.

They're supposed to be.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'm honored to get to read this.

Whereas the residents of the City of Clovis have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all the men, women, and men and women who have selfless selflessly served our country and this community in the armed forces.

And whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the of those who served in the armed forces have been vital in maintaining the freedom, the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens.

And whereas the city of Clovis seeks to honor individuals who have made countless sacrifices for freedom by placing themselves in harm's way for the good of all.

And whereas veterans continue to serve our community in the American Legion, veterans of foreign wars, religious groups, civics, civil service, and by functioning as county veteran service officers in 29 states to help fellow former service members access more than 52 billion dollars in federal health disability and compensation benefits each year.

And whereas approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities annually, and an estimated 20% increase of service members will transition to civilian life in the near future.

Approximately 3,228 veterans reside in the city of Clovis, and 5211 active duty personnel are stationed at Cannon Air Force Base.

And whereas studies indicate that 44 to 72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military service to civilian life.

And whereas the City of Clovis appreciates their sacrifices of our United States military personnel and believes specific recognition should be granted.

Now therefore I, Mike Morris, Mayor of the City of Clovis, and on behalf of the Commission to hereby proclaim November 4th through the 11th, 2025 as Green Light for Veterans Week in the City of Clovis and encourage citizens in patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying green lights in a window of their place of business or residence during this week.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Appreciate that.

I want to recognize that Commissioner George Jones, who's joining us virtually as a veteran.

Commissioner Jones, thank you for your service.

And Mayor Pro Tim, Commissioners, have I missed, have I missed it or any of you veterans?

But certainly your husband was.

Certainly your your spouse, your uh your family members have have served, and so uh we recognize all veterans.

Thank you.

Uh next we'll do a proclamation uh proclaiming November 7th as Arbor Day, and Commissioner Paula, who chairs our parks, recreation, and beautification committee is gonna help us out with the Arbor Day proclamation.

Thank you, Mayor.

Commissioner just went to realistic one change.

So I'll let you read.

Okay, perfect.

Whereas in 1872, Jay Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees.

And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska.

And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world.

And whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cutting heat and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and habitat for wildlife, and whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving up paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products.

And whereas trees in our community increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community.

And whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.

And whereas at 11 a.m.

tomorrow, Friday, November 7th, Parks and Recreation will plant a tree at Roy Walker Recreation Center.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Now therefore I, Mike Morris, Mayor of Clovis, and on behalf of the Commission, declare November 7th as Arbor Day in the City of Clovis and urge all citizens and businesses, students, teachers, and parents to celebrate Arbor Day and support the efforts to protect trees in our community.

And we certainly look forward to the event uh tomorrow at Roy Walker.

Are you all ready to use a shovel?

Did you already dig the hole?

Okay, good.

All right, good.

Glad to hear that.

Well, thank you and uh looking forward to that.

Thank you, Commissioner Paula.

That will do it for presentations.

We will move into receipts of petitions and communications.

Is there I know we have some folks here uh wishing to share uh comments on uh the item, the last item uh on the new business section this this evening, and so if you're here to speak about the letter of support uh to the New Mexico Racing Commission, we'll we'll hear your comments when we get to that.

Uh but if you're here to share or wish to share anything else with the commission, we'd take your public comment now.

Good night, guys.

All right.

Uh last call, anyone wishing to share with the commission this evening.

Very well.

We will move on in the consent or to the consent agenda.

You have six items, Mayor Pro Tim and Commissioner to consider dealing with uh all at once.

The first is request for approval to reappoint Tom Moore, uh utility provider in Candace London, citizen representative to serve on the planning and zoning commission.

Item two is request for approval of scope and fee with HDR for design of roadway improvement to Yano Estacado from Norris Street to Humphrey Road.

Item three, request for approval of industry track agreement with BNSF Railway Company.

Item 4, request for approval of lease of land for construction rehabilitation and track agreement with BNSF Railway Company.

Item five is request for approval of letter of intent to partner with the Department of Justice Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative with Eastern Plains Council of Governments serving as our fiscal agent.

And item six is request for approval of final change order with Kay Barnett and Sons to close out Martin Luther King Jr.

Boulevard improvement project.

Hallelujah.

That is the proposed consent agenda.

Is there a motion?

So move.

Motion motion to place comes from Commissioner Garza second comes from Commissioner Casso with the hallelujah.

Please vote.

Okay.

I heard uh Commissioner Jones vote, which tells me maybe he's not online to vote.

Has everyone else.

I guess this is what it looks like when the system is working.

Yep.

Okay.

We are we have a unanimous vote and the motion has carried.

I would now entertain a motion to approve or acknowledge all items.

So move.

Thank you.

Motion comes from Cassaus, Commissioner Cassals.

And the second was Commissioner Paula.

Please vote.

Thank you, Commissioner Jones.

And we are unanimous and the motion is carried.

The consent agenda has been approved.

So we'll new we'll move now into introduction and adoption of resolutions and ordinances.

The first item is request for approval of adoption of resolution number 3343-2025 authorizing the abatement by demolition of an unsafe building or structure located at 209 Venus Avenue.

And our City Attorney, Mr.

Morris will give us some direction.

Thank you, Mayor.

Our building safety department through Mr.

Wilt has identified a property that they believe is uh ruined, damaged, or dilapidated and a threat to the public health, safety and welfare in Clovis.

It's a mobile home in the Sunrise Edition here in Clovis 209 Venus.

The property is owned by Linda Guerrero and Danielle Garza.

And there's a few pictures in your commission packet starting at uh packet page 105.

Uh the first two pictures show the rear of the property where you can see it's uh completely unsecured.

It's missing an exterior wall.

I believe there was some fire damage.

Uh Mr.

Wilt can speak to that.

And then the third picture on packet page 107 uh almost looks like a different property.

In fact, I had to drive by it to double check.

But uh it's it's the same property, it's just uh from the front street view.

So again, it's been a problem in the neighborhood, and Mr.

Wilt feels like again it's a it's a direct threat to the public.

Comfort, health, safety, or welfare.

And so he's asked uh permission for the uh commission to to approve the resolution and continue with well the notification process and ultimately a demolition if approved.

And so uh I'd be happy to answer any other questions.

I know Mr.

Wilt would be happy to speak about it as well.

Thank you.

Okay, great.

Thank you, Mr.

Morris, and appreciate Mr.

Wilt being here this evening in case there are questions for him.

Uh this has become a fairly routine uh uh type of business for you to consider.

What questions or debate is there?

Make a motion to approve.

Second.

Motion for approval comes from Mayor Pro Tim Bryant.

Second from Commissioner Porter.

Is there further discussion?

Hearing and seeing none, it's been properly moved and seconded that you would approve adoption of resolution 3343-2025.

Please vote.

Yes.

Thank you, Commissioner.

And you're unanimous, and the motion is carried.

Thank you.

Next item in this section is request for approval of adoption of resolution number 3344-2025 regarding juveniles, parental responsibility, and law enforcement pro uh protective custody.

And Commissioner Debbie Zamora has asked uh for this item and has done the the work getting it here this evening.

Commissioner, would you like to discuss this?

Can I pass it on to Jared?

Mr.

Morris.

Sure, I'm happy to help.

So the idea for the resolution, I think came from Commissioner Zamora and uh another attorney, Rachel Grudgel.

And what it does essentially is it recognizes the fact that we across New Mexico there's a need, and I think all the cities and counties recognize this that for a to reinstate the ability to enact a juvenile curfew ordinance.

Prior to 1999, most cities had one.

And Clovis had one as well.

But then in 1999, there was a Supreme Court opinion that stated that there's a set of laws regarding juvenile criminal behavior called the Children's Code, and that preempts cities from enacting any sort of ordinance or legislation or rule that would criminalize any juvenile behavior, including curfews.

And so interestingly, in that opinion, you know, there was some briefing done by the City of Albuquerque prior to that opinion, so the Supreme Court could look at their arguments and make their decision.

And they had given a number of examples of situations where they felt real life examples in Albuquerque where the curfew ordinance was important to protecting the public and protecting juveniles.

And the court in that opinion noted that in many of those instances, there's already the ability built in statute to take juveniles in protective custody if they are endangered by their surroundings and removal is necessary to ensure their safety.

So there is, you know, maybe some human trafficking type incidents at a hotel late at night, there was some other criminal behavior late at night, and and the Supreme Court said, you know, there's already the ability to proactively go out and either make a referral to CYFD or take juveniles in protective custody.

And so the resolution really is symbolic and just encourages CPD to use those tools if necessary, especially during what they've established as curfew hours when we see a spike in crime and and victim crimes as well.

So I think the that's really the intent behind the resolution.

Again, it was uh you know, I didn't come up with the idea, but I did draft it and and work with Commissioner Zamora.

So I'd be happy to answer any other questions about that or the Supreme Court opinion.

Yeah, thank thanks for that, Mr.

Morris, and thank you, Commissioner uh Zamora.

Um any remarks on the United States.

I'll just thank Mr.

Morris for helping and Rachel for helping me with that.

Because I truly believe that you know, parents do need to know where their children are at.

You know, the question is where are your children?

So it's important to me, you know, for the community.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, thank you for for highlighting that, uh giving the opportunity to uh consider approving uh this resolution and and and highlight that and of course encourage our our police department to uh, as the attorney put it, use the tools uh that exist to uh hopefully get juveniles off the streets when when possible.

And I suppose our PD already does that.

Uh yes, and by no means am I saying that they don't do their job because they do.

So thank you.

Yeah.

Captain Romero is smiling back there.

Uh thank you uh members of the PD that are here this evening.

Appreciate uh your service and appreciate you being here.

Uh any other discussion on this item?

For approval.

Uh notes.

Okay, I'll take the motion.

I do have some questions, a clarification, if you will.

Um so I have granddaughters and town, and they're under the 18, and I know there's a lot of times school activities conclude after the midnight hour where they're driving home from school after an event, or late night, go to a 24-hour food place for dinner.

I just want to understand the criteria that's going to be applied as to when someone's in trouble and when someone's not.

Mayor, if I might try and take a stab at that first.

Please uh this is there is no criminalization or change in law or anything like that.

This doesn't change anything.

Uh law enforcement has always had, and I've talked to uh Chief Throne about this, and they have always exercised the ability to, if they see a juvenile in a dangerous situation to take them in protective custody, then there's steps that they have to take calling CYFD, et cetera.

But it's not just you know being out past 12.

What the resolution does is just say, hey, if you happen to see a juvenile out past these during these hours, keep this in mind that you have this tool at your disposal.

It doesn't really change or do anything substantive.

Does that make sense?

Yes, it does.

Okay.

So you would have to identify there's a situation that could be causing some harm, safety issue, otherwise the kids can go on about their business without protecting the code.

Correct, sir.

And I should have said this.

I'm so glad you made that point.

I mean, you cannot just say that a juvenile needs protective custody because they're out past 12.

There's they're in the statute, there's an independent um definition of what has to be met.

And so this doesn't change that.

It just sort of reminds law enforcement that, hey, you know, there's these tools here and you may not know about, and if we see a situation where we either need to make a referral or we need to take them into protective custody, we can do that, regardless whether it's noon or midnight.

Gotcha.

Thank you, Mr.

Morris.

Appreciate that.

Good question.

And just to keep keep track of everything.

We do have a motion for approval from Commissioner Casals.

No reason why we can't continue in debate or hear from the famous Captain Romero, if he has something to share.

Second.

We have a second from Commissioner Garza.

Any further discussion?

No, that's okay.

Okay.

Hearing and seeing no discussion or further further debate.

It's been properly moved and seconded that you would approve adoption of resolution 3344-2025.

Please vote.

Commissioner Jones, was that a yes?

Thank you, sir.

You are unanimous and the motion is carried.

Thank you.

We'll move on now to new business where we have five items.

The first is request for approval of amendment to the lease agreement between the City of Clovis and the Chamber of Commerce.

And for that, we'll go back to our attorney, Mr.

Morris.

Thank you again, Mayor.

So as we all know, the uh I got I guess I call it the Chamber Building, but the Chamber has been leasing that property at 105 East Grand that the City actually owns since 2016.

As part of the lease agreement, we had provided that the city would obtain the insurance coverage and insurance policy on the building and structure, and that the chamber would then reimburse the city for whatever the cost of the policy was.

Mr.

Howalt apparently had been doing some digging and found that it would be much more cost effective and cheaper for the Chamber to procure their own policy.

So the amendment is pretty simple.

It doesn't change anything.

There's still the requ same policy requirement, same coverage requirement, and still the requirement that the Chamber pay for the cost of the policy, but instead of us procuring it and then them reimbursing us for the premiums, they're just going to go out and procure their own policy.

They've already actually done that uh with Western States Insurance Group, and so they're ready if if the amendment is approved to go ahead and get their own policy, which will be more cost effective for them and save them money.

Sounds good.

More cost effective for the city as well.

Yes, sir.

And less less administrative uh burden.

Yes, sir.

That was the real impetus behind it.

I'm just kidding.

Thanks for that explanation.

What questions do we have?

Second.

Motion for approval coming from Commissioner Jones, and we have a second from Commissioner Porter.

Further discussion on the item.

Hearing and seeing none, please vote.

Thank you, Commissioner Jones.

The vote is unanimous.

The motion has carried.

Thank you.

Next item two is request for approval of contract agreement amendment with ASA architects for design services for the animal shelter.

Mr.

Howald?

Thank you, Mayor, Mayor Potem and Commissioners.

As you are all aware, we have been uh working to secure funding to uh remodel the facility next to Bell Park uh for our animal shelter.

Um we have acquired some funds either through the state uh legislature as capital outlay funds or uh through uh funding opportunity that was put forth by the state uh for an additional million dollars in addition to the dollars that the City of Clovis has put into the to the program uh so far.

Um because we have secured additional funds and gotten to a point uh uh in the overall process and discussions with the architects, we determined that it's probably best to go ahead and design uh the full uh remodel itself right now, and then when we go to bid the project, uh we would be able to bid it in in various bid alternatives.

Uh but in order to do that, our original contract did not have the architects designing the full building itself at this time because we were on uh did not know how much funding we would have to go towards the construction project itself.

And so we have gone through some uh preliminary estimates uh for the project itself.

It's estimated to be around a $6.8 million uh project uh to redo it.

Uh and their design fees are based off of 10 percent of those construction costs.

And so that would make the new design contract at uh $686,000.

We did have some funding still remaining on the purchase order that was in place, about 158,000.

Uh so we'll be able to obviously apply that towards the contract.

Uh so we'll need to make up the difference of about $584,000.

Uh the overall project cost is what we have been tracking, and so the dollars that the city does have set aside for the project does include the design uh of the project itself.

And so uh the money is already budgeted uh but needed to uh get your approval to move forward with the contract amendment.

So with that, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for that explanation, Mr.

Holwall.

You know, by the time we get the funding and get the project completed, it will be interesting to see how many sources of funding uh come together to make it happen, right?

That is correct.

Yeah, something else for sure.

So thanks for that explanation.

What uh questions or debate are there?

Mayor, I just have one for Justin.

Justin, is that is that standard issue, the 10 percent?

Is that pretty standard in the industry?

Yeah, architecture fees are actually it kind of controlled by state statutes, and so the percentage changes based off of the um projected cost for the project.

Obviously, the less expensive construction cost, the higher percentage it is, uh, the more expensive the construction cost, it goes down.

10% is actually the maximum or the minimum percentage, I guess you could say, uh, because of the higher construction costs, but that's actually set by state.

Thank you.

Mayor, I have a question.

Yes, Commissioner.

Justin, is this for the whole building?

So are we going to go in faces?

Uh so this is for the the entire building would would is more than what we need for the animal shelter itself.

And so this is just for the animal shelter itself.

Uh what we plan to do is when we re-roof the building, we would re-roof the entire structure, uh, even outside of where the uh animal control would be, uh, because it just makes sense to have a good roof on top of the structure, and then the actual remodel would be just to the northern portion of the building what's needed for the animal control.

Good question, Commissioner.

Uh other questions or debate.

Mayor, I move to reapprove.

We have a motion.

We have a motion for approval from Commissioner Tarsen.

Uh second from Commissioner Porter.

Can I still ask a question?

Absolutely.

Yep.

What do we have so far in grant funding for this animal shelter?

We have I'm not I mean just ballpark.

1.5 million dollars.

And the city of Clovis has about three million into it.

And so then we have now put in another application for the additional three million.

Uh if we're successful on that three million, that will give us all of the money that we need for the project.

Okay.

When will we know on that additional three million?

And so it's a new funding opportunity that uh the state has come up with outside of the regular capital outlay request process.

And so typically we bring to you uh every year we go and ask our legislators for capital outlay requests.

The state has now set aside funding uh to where we have actually already made application for that three million dollars.

They'll it's for larger projects because obviously our legislators can't fund three million dollars.

And so we've put that application in.

Uh it goes to the legislative finance committee.

Uh they'll vet the projects, make their recommendations, and then those that list will essentially go to the full legislature to to vote and approve during the legislative session.

So then we will still be able to ask our legislative this will not come out of our legislative.

That's correct.

Okay.

Budget.

Okay.

That's all.

Thank you.

Great question.

Yeah.

Separate bucket and kind of similar to the water trust board.

Um, they vet the applications make a recommendation to the legislature, but it has to survive the the session and bill signing and all of that.

But uh could could definitely be a great source for for the funding that we need.

So thanks for that.

Uh great question.

It has been properly moved and seconded.

Any further debate.

Hearing and seeing none, uh, please vote on this agreement amendment with ASA.

Commissioner?

Yep.

Thank you, Commissioner.

That is eight in favor, none opposed.

The motion is carried.

Thank you.

Next, we have item three, it is request for approval of budget transfer in an amount not to exceed 265,000 dollars from designated fund 63 recreation for improvement projects to Clovis Aquatic Center and Parks and Recreation Director, Mr.

Russell Hooper is here making his way to the podium.

We'll give you the floor, sir, to give us some um background on this request.

Yes, Mayor, mayor.

Commissioners appreciate the opportunity to come up here.

Um as you all know, about a year ago we started making uh improvements, repairs, whatever you want to call it to the aquatic center.

We put the new roof on from the hail damage.

Um we've done some upgrades to the heating, the air conditioning, the water heater, the pool heater.

So this is just something along the same lines.

Um we started noticing before we did the roof that there was some flaking in the plaster of the pool.

Um really didn't have the opportunity to address it then because we were getting the roof rebuilt.

Um now that we've got had water out of it for a month, put water back into it.

We can you can really see that plaster flaking off is what the problem is.

You can see in several places several layers of flaking off.

So you had the original pool, then they plastered it, then they plastered over that, then now they plastered over that.

Depending on which layers flaking loose, depends on how bad the damage is.

Got them to come in.

I requested that they take all the old plaster off.

Let's get it back down to the base coat and start over.

Um some of the costs is a little bit higher because of that, because they're gonna haul away a bunch of dumpster loads full of old plaster that we need to clean up and get rid of so we can get down.

It's like bare metal painting on a car.

You don't want to paint over old stuff.

Essentially what's happened in the past.

Um project scheduled three to four weeks.

I have not gotten with the uh swim teams yet, so but we're gonna coordinate and schedule that kind of like we did the roof repair.

We'll figure out when they're finishing.

Start the following week.

Um we've already discussed it with the contractor on that.

Now while we're doing that, we also made some other improvements.

We did some shower stall repairs, we painted the interior of the lobby.

Now that we did 90% of it, you can see some of those 10% that we still need to hit.

And so there was a little bit of a buffer room in there as far as the request on the money.

Um some things that have uh Ms.

Malons has brought up to us in August.

I requested 200,000 for a zoo project.

We put out a bid, the bid came back at 78.

And so basically, there's 120 of that 200 I did not spend.

That will go back into this.

So ultimately I'm asking for 145 extra, not the whole 265.

But the project will not exceed 265.

If that explains some background and some answers.

Always a great strategy to highlight where you've saved money and the on other projects too.

Yeah, always a good strategy.

Yes.

And I tried to round those numbers just because I know it aggravates her.

Sounds like a pretty big project.

It really is.

And it's something that happens.

Uh obviously if you have if you've got a pool, you're plastering it every eight to ten years.

This has happened again multiple times.

It's been about eight years since the last one.

I don't know if being sometime without water when we had to do the roof, increased or decreased that lifespan.

So but it's it's where we're at right now.

Gotcha.

Understood.

Uh, what questions do we have?

Mayor question.

You knew I would.

Yes.

While they're here, do uh what's the story on Potter Pool?

How are we looking over there?

We did that one two and a half, three years ago.

Oh, we did, so we're good over there.

Yes.

Okay.

That was my only question.

So we're four to five years away, hopefully.

And it's been way longer than eight years that that pool's been plastered.

I couldn't even tell you that.

Yeah, I'm going off people's memories.

I'll be totally honest, and they may not be that accurate.

I wasn't here.

I knew.

Good question.

Thank you for that.

Other questions.

I move for approval.

Second.

Thank you, Commissioner Jones.

Uh, with the motion for approval, the second from Commissioner Apa.

Further discussion or debate?

Hearing and seeing none, please vote.

Yeah.

Thank you, Commissioner.

If you're having a hard time with your voting system, raise your hand.

There we go.

Thank you.

All right.

That's eight in favor, none opposed.

The motion is carried.

Thank you.

Uh next.

Yeah, thank you, Mr.

Hooper for next item four, request for approval to appoint myself uh to serve on the New Mexico Self-insurance Fund board.

Um the um New Mexico Self and uh Self Insurance Fund uh is where the city uh gets its risk management now, uh where we get insurance, uh, as do most of the municipalities throughout the state.

And uh my service on the executive board with the municipal league, uh, which is really kind of the other side of of this entity uh has uh has really turned into you know just an interest in in in this uh in this board and and um I'm I'm being asked to join that board.

Uh so uh I don't know that I necessarily needed uh to ask you.

Uh but I I wanted to, but yeah, because I just wanted you to be aware that I'm representing the city there and and would like to do that with your blessing.

I guess I'll put it that way.

Any questions about the New Mexico Self-Insurers Fund?

Make a motion to approve.

Okay.

Motion for approval comes from Mayor Pro Tem Bryant, second from Commissioner Paula.

Thank you.

Uh please vote.

Oh, you're not going to ask what a debate.

Commissioner Garza has debate.

That's uh unanimous.

Thank you.

The motion is carried.

Uh last item in new business is request for approval of letter of support to the New Mexico Racing Commission.

Um commissioners in your packet is uh is the letter uh which I prepared for your consideration.

Um you've had a chance to read the letter, but for everyone else's benefit.

Um what we have uh going on is uh a private business owner who who owns a racino license uh and uh currently has that located in Farmington, has applied to the New Mexico Racing Commission and received preliminary approval on his request to relocate that license from Farmington to Clovis.

And um next steps for this gentleman for this private business are uh the racing commission will consider final approval on this in December.

And uh no doubt uh if the the racing commission uh in in their deliberation would at if they haven't already would at some point perhaps wonder well what is the municipality uh you know going to do or not do about this and uh wanted to give you the opportunity to make that perfectly clear and and and as you know, and again for everyone else's benefit in in the letter, I won't read it all, uh, but uh we uh we would be communicating to the commission that uh that what was presented at their October 23rd board meeting by Mr.

Paul Blanchard, who is the developer represents uh an opportunity uh for our community which aligns with our commitment to fostering economic growth, job creation, and enhancing local entertainment options.

Uh we go on to say that we want to emphasize our commitments and and our commitment uh includes seeking annexation of the proposed Racino site uh to facilitate the connection of essential services and utilities, that we would uh handle permitting uh uh in an expeditious manner.

Uh these are things that we would do for any subdivision or any uh project coming into our community, but we just want to be uh uh you know on record uh having that position.

We go on to say that we will not be providing financial assistance or incentives uh to this uh project and uh but otherwise uh see its value and uh would would treat it like we would any other uh business seeking to invest here and and I think the message is clear from this letter that uh that I and you as the commission uh hold the public position of Clovis is open for business and uh we don't uh we don't attempt to pick and choose as uh believers in free enterprise.

And so that's the letter before you.

I know we have at least one member of the public, maybe others uh that have some thoughts to share on this.

Mr.

Mews, I know you wanted to share with us.

Mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, Commissioners.

It's been a long time.

I know you've enjoyed it, but uh good to see you.

Um I'm not happy with the way this is coming about.

I think there's a lot of people in this community that are much opposed to the casino, as was evidenced last time they tried to do it.

It doesn't seem to me like you've done your homework very well.

Um you haven't checked his record in Farmington to see how he's dealt with problem gamblers.

Uh you haven't done any kind of economic study or had him do an economic study.

Um we're taking a lot for granted.

And usually based on the arguments we've had over the sixth license.

In order to move to a community, they had to do a feasibility study, an economic study and see what the true impact is.

Um as I remember the number that was circulated when they were doing the proposing the sixth race racing the sixth Racino.

As I remember the number that was circulated when they were doing the proposing the sixth race, racing the sixth racino.

They estimated they would take 11 million dollars a year out of our community from New Mexico.

And then an additional amount from Texas.

11 million dollars is a pretty big hit on Clovis.

There's a lot of people that can't afford their part of the 11 million dollars.

A lot of families would be terribly impacted.

There's lots of studies nationally that show that community where they've surveyed communities that had casinos and what their growth rate was, communities that didn't have, or if if you had two and then one got a casino, the non-casino towns always grow faster.

There's documented studies for that.

And I don't believe that it is a positive economic development.

There's not a lot of gross receipts that's going to come from it.

The gambling tax does not come to the back to Clovis.

It goes into the state budget, if I'm correct.

And so we we have the impact in the state gets the revenue.

I think that you should require that they do an economic impact study, and if they can convince us, then take a look at it.

But I believe it's premature just to throw it wide open and say, come on, without giving the community an opportunity to stand up, express ourselves, and I encourage you to look at the real human impact.

The families that are going to be affected, the number of problem gamblers.

Mr.

Blanchard has he dealt with the problem gambling situation in Farmington.

Two to three percent of the gamblers will be problem, another couple of percent habitual.

And uh it's bad enough that they make the casinos put money in a fund to deal with the problem gamblers.

How have they handled that?

What are they doing with it?

And just because he uh says he wants to come, I don't believe that the community has to accept that.

And uh I think there ought to be some research done and see what the genuine impact is gonna be.

I I would like for you to forward to the all the commissioners the papers I brought you and let them see that.

There's there's some good studies in that.

And uh I found I've got a folder that thick on the last last time, and I found a letter just as I got here tonight.

And I can't tell you who who the letter is from, but it's a legislator that is polling other legislators from uh gambling communities, and all through it they address from the horseman's standpoint, from the trainer's standpoint, from the community standpoint, and the bottom line is they always take more out of the community than they put back in.

And the I think the estimates from um LM were that they would take 14 million dollars out of the profits, but that out of that 11 million would come from Clovis.

So that's a pretty big hit.

And I would ask you to table this, take a better look at it, and uh look at it from uh economic uh perspective.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mews.

Uh wanted to uh Mr.

Mews had communicated with me ahead of time that he had some comments.

Was there anyone else that had comments on this?

I I'd give you the opportunity.

Yes, ma'am.

Commissioners, Mary Mackinella, I've lived here for 35 years now.

Last time when we had the sixth racino license come around.

Yes, there were concerns.

Yes, there are religious concerns.

I'm gonna put that right out there now, not my thing, but yes, I heard them all that time.

There also was a large amount of people who wanted to go forward with it for the economic benefit.

I understand there's going to be problem gamblers and everything.

And putting racinos and Indian casinos in the same study is not a fair playing field.

There also were a lot of us who were out there.

We had a parade.

We had great support out there for this whole idea.

We all, several of us went to all the meetings where they showed the plans and the different groups that were looking to do this.

So this isn't the first time we've done this.

I don't see anything wrong with having this letter.

As you s as you said, it doesn't say, yeah, come on, come on, come on.

We're just showing them that we're open to the idea.

And that's going to go forward to other groups or other types of businesses that want to come in.

They're like, look, they were even open to having a racino.

They're going to be open for business for us too.

So I think you should go ahead with the with the letter as you stated.

But yes, we do have to look into it more to see what changes are, how he ran it up there, why Tukam Carrie fought for it so hard.

Why isn't he giving it to Tukum Carrie?

There are a lot of things that need to go.

But yes, the letter is written.

I think you should go forward with it.

Thank you.

Thank you for those comments.

Anyone else?

I just had a quick question, right there.

Okay, Dr.

Yancey, come on.

What do we have here?

Is it we want the Racino here, or do we need the Racina here?

There's a difference now.

Because we want it doesn't mean we have to have it.

It's just like in the word, you know.

God said he supply our every need, not our wants.

So I'm just asking the question.

Is there a need here?

Or is it just a want?

Dr.

Yancey, I uh I always appreciate your insight.

Thank you for that.

And I've cut you off, so I don't I don't want I want you to keep going, but I just wanted to make a point uh that that this commission and I will not be making a decision to bring it here or not bring it here.

We're we are simply uh communicating to the the the racing commission who has the the task of considering this gentleman's application to transfer his license.

We're simply communicating to them that that we would treat this project we like we would uh a new housing subdivision.

We would annex it in, we would facilitate the connection of utilities and other services, and uh we would provide them with permitting and and and all of those things, just like we would any other project.

I hope that no one thinks that uh that that this commission is giving it our blessing or not, allowing it in or not.

We did we haven't I didn't lobby for this.

Uh but this this gentleman is a private business owner who who who owns a license and and he's he's assessing things, and I appreciated your your comment about you know, why not two from carrying?

Well, because communities aren't competing for this.

This is a private business owner who's making a business decision business decision to relocate his business in Clovis, because guess what?

He sees Clovis as a community where there's opportunity and he wants to come invest.

And so that's so I just I just wanted you to when when the the consideration for me, Dr.

Yancey, and I appreciate you you presenting it that way, but the consideration for me is not a wants versus needs consideration.

It's simply a does does Clovis uh welcome business that wants to come here?

Are we are we about free enterprise and the free market?

And uh for me, my public policy position is that yes, we are, and and so that's why we would provide the letter just so that those that are making the decision can understand how this municipality would treat a new business.

And that's yeah, that helps.

Okay.

And I think what uh what he said in the back.

Mr.

Mews.

Mr.

Mews.

Said in the back to just evaluate and go over the information that he had given.

Yeah, appreciate that, Dr.

Yancey.

Appreciate that.

Okay.

Um was there was there more comment?

Yes, please.

Hi, Racerow.

Um I'm gonna be running for District 4, some of you know that already.

And I didn't know that this was actually gonna be on the agenda tonight, but I did know about it.

And I actually thought it was a good idea, but um some good points have been brought up here tonight about um what it could do to the community.

I I think that those things are things that we can deal with.

Because the country is definitely going toward a gambling online, and I would much rather our city get that money than an online service get it.

And just from my little bit of talking to our citizens, they are really starved for entertainment.

And I think that this would be a good starting point for entertainment.

So I just wanted to say that.

And also is there any reason I why we wouldn't want to give some incentive for this?

I mean, how much tax revenue is this going to generate for us?

Yeah, so uh just generally I'll I'll I'll respond to that by saying that you know primarily the reason is the city of Clovis is not an ultra-wealthy municipality that has money to shell out to anything, right?

Right, right.

Um secondly, uh as as mayor, I would I would be, I don't know, I guess a bit of a gatekeeper, if you will, on that concept.

Uh because I I sympathize with the with my friends and neighbors in the community who uh object to it outright.

You know, uh not that I am in that same place with them, but I I sympathize with that, and so I wouldn't want to use public funds.

And then past that, there's some legal constraints.

Uh local economic development funding, for example, can't be used to incentivize the gaming uh aspects or or the gambling aspects.

And so there's just uh there's just very little that that we can possibly do anyhow.

But yeah.

Thank you.

Yep.

Thanks for that.

Thanks for your remarks.

Okay.

Mayor Pro Tim, Commissioners, debate.

We have a motion for approval from Commissioner Jones.

Second.

Second from the Mayor Pro Tem.

Further discussion or debate.

Hearing and seeing none, it's been properly moved and seconded that you would approve the letter of support uh to the New Mexico Racing Commission as presented.

Please vote.

Thank you, Commissioner Jones.

And we have eight in favor, none opposed, unanimous, and the motion carries.

Thank you.

That does it for action items this evening.

We'll move into reports.

Um Water Utility Authority, Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, the entity that's constructing that is constructing the U pipeline.

Um had a board meeting on October 23rd.

Um at that board meeting we uh had fairly routine uh routine items.

Um we also approved the uh annual review and recommendations for our asset management plan.

Um we received an update from Mr.

Blake Curtis on the land restoration activities.

Mr.

Blake Curtis is on contract with the water authority and uh uh does consulting on land restoration.

Anyone that knows Blake Curtis knows that he would be the guy for that job uh does an excellent job, and we we had him in to report as to the the progress with that and with his recommendations and then the execution on the part of the company actually doing the land restoration.

Uh we're we're really proud that we're we're putting folks' land back as good or better uh than it than it was before.

Um also just news uh from the water authority.

Uh we uh did apply in the last water trust board cycle, and uh I happen to get eyes on that uh spreadsheet and the water trust board is recommending our full uh the amount that we applied for, which is 24.3 million, and so that will be recommended to the legislature and and of course would have to survive the legislature.

But once again, our project is ranked number one uh for all of the water trust board applications.

Very excited and proud of that, and I think you all should be as well.

Um we held the groundbreaking for Raw Water 3.

We did that on the 22nd, and uh appreciate those of you that could could be there and and celebrate that milestone with us.

Um the uh invitation to bid for raw water 1A has gone out.

Uh Raw Water 1A is of course the the section of the pipeline that begins at the intake structure down at the reservoir in Quay County and uh makes its way toward the uh the Caprock, and so we'll uh we'll be excited about getting bids back on that and uh continuing to to move forward.

You might wonder, or maybe not, uh what the shutdown has uh any impacts that's had on our our funding or the flow of our funding.

Um there was a period in time until this week where uh we weren't able to do draws from our ASAP account because the person that stamps that wasn't at work.

Um but um that person has come back to work and we got an email and we moved a bunch of money and paid a bunch of bills uh in the last couple of days, and so very excited about that.

Uh Texaco Lateral um has mob we're we're in mobilization.

I think uh property owners, including the city of Clovis got notice of that the other day.

Uh there will be trenching in December and and pipeline installation going on there.

Um we're wrapping up.

Um might as well call it complete on uh the portalis lateral or finished water three and uh as well as finished water one, which uh goes north from Canon Air Force Base toward the Grady area.

Uh and of course we're in construction with Raw Water Three.

Moving along very well.

Um the Mayor Pro Tim mentioned to me that there really wasn't a report from the library board.

Are there any other reports?

Mayor.

Yes.

I would like to report on the Humane Society.

Please.

Um, you know, I'm very passionate about them.

They are having a span neuter clinic starting tomorrow until Monday.

They have six or seven vets, veterinarians coming from throughout the state.

Um they have received over 1200 applications.

Wow.

So I'm very happy that the animal shelter is going to be starting to work.

Hopefully, we can have room for them there.

They are having the span neuter clinic at the event center at the livestock uh pavilion.

And um they're they're bringing 25 helpers with them, and about 25 to 30 from the base are coming to help them also.

So it's going to be very interesting how 1200 animals are going to be fixed.

So I just wanted to report on that.

Well, that I'm glad you did.

That's an incredible number.

I mean, might be a silly question, but are all 1200 from our our community?

Yes.

Okay.

That I mean it's gotta make a dent.

They've asked for donations for about a week.

Um I went around town, collected snacks, drinks, I mean, pay uh puppy pads, you name it.

So thanks for that report.

Thank you, Commissioner Casals.

Uh any other reports.

Do we have future agenda items to mention?

Ms.

Foster.

It's time.

Sorry.

Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Commissioners, we have two future agenda items.

One is the old CC grant agreement.

And the second item is to award the RFP for the old CC grant to matrix.

Thank you, Ms.

Foster.

Appreciate that.

Um anything else.

Um our upcoming meetings, if if uh you uh are looking at the agenda that was printed uh back at the beginning of the week.

You see economic incentive board that has now been canceled and look for that next meeting in December, December 10th at 8 30 a.m.

Um Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Wednesday, 3 p.m.

uh November 12th, right here in this room.

Senior Services Committee will meet on Thursday at 1.30 p.m.

Um November 13th.

Parks Recreation and Beautification Committee plans to meet Monday November 17th at 5 30 p.m.

Lodgers Tax Advisory Board will meet Tuesday, November 18th at 5 30 p.m.

And also if you're looking at the agenda printed previously, the local emergency management planning committee meeting this month has been canceled.

Look for that next meeting to be December 3rd at 3 p.m.

And I'm missing the second page of my agenda.

The next city commission meeting will be somebody tell me what date?

November 20th.

November 20th at 5 15 p.m.

Uh with that we are adjourned.

Motion to break.