Clovis City Commission Meeting - April 23, 2026
Clovis City Commission Meeting - April 23, 2026
The Clovis City Commission met on April 23, 2026, with all eight commissioners present. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included the appointment of Commissioner Juan Garza as Mayor Pro Tem, adoption of multiple proclamations, approval of an ordinance applying lodger's tax to short-term rentals, and adoption of a regulatory ordinance for short-term rentals after extensive debate and public input. A consent agenda with 10 routine items was unanimously approved, and several reports were received.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved (8-0) a consent agenda containing 10 items: replat of Lot 13, Block 8 of Morse Addition; preliminary plat for the Gafari subdivision (45.8 acres); ordinance prohibiting alcohol consumption at the airport; waiver of tipping fees for the Great American Cleanup (April 24-27, 2026, noon to noon); annual economic development summary reports for Cummins Natural Gas Engines, Western Interconnect, and Southwest Cheese; FAA operations and maintenance agreement; subscription with Waterworth for utility rate management software; and task order with Lochner for taxiway B improvements.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ms. DeMaio raised concerns about existing bookings for short-term rentals, requesting grandfathering of bookings made before the new ordinances took effect. She also asked about notification of booking platforms for lodger's tax.
- Ms. Griego (G4 Investments) asked for prior notice before inspections and about software to track short-term rentals.
- A short-term rental owner (unidentified) questioned the need for 24/7 contact availability, cleanliness standards, and due process for permits and inspections.
- Mr. Jaruwala, a hotel owner, argued for stricter safety requirements for short-term rentals (fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, evacuation plans) to match hotel standards, noting his business had declined 30%.
- Ms. DeMaio (again) preferred treating short-term rentals as residences, not commercial properties, and asked that permit and business license fees not be double-charged.
- Mr. Brad Bender, Curry County Commission Chair, urged public support for the upcoming Pioneer Days rodeo.
- Ms. DeMaio also asked about a pre-construction meeting for the 21st Street project; the city manager stated that no such meeting was planned for maintenance projects but access would be maintained.
Discussion Items
- Election of Mayor Pro Tem: Commissioner Chris Bryant nominated Commissioner Juan Garza, who was elected by a 7-0 vote with one abstention (Bryant).
- Proclamations: Seven proclamations were presented: National Day of Prayer (May 7, 2026), Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8, 2026), Pioneer Days (April 30 - May 2, 2026), Non-agenarian Day (May 6, 2026), Great American Cleanup Day (April 25, 2026), and recognition of the 54th annual Pioneer Days Rodeo.
- Communication from Matrix Design Group: Mr. Scott Wiley presented an update on the Military Installation Readiness Review (MIR) grant assessing Cannon Air Force Base and Melrose Air Force Range for mission assurance. The 13-month study, funded by OLDCC, will identify vulnerabilities and recommend resilience projects. A final report is expected in December 2026.
- Recognition of Finance Director: Ms. Leanne Melanson was recognized for receiving the New Mexico Municipal League's Clerk of the Year award for 2026, after 40 years of service.
- Ordinance No. 2257-2026 (Lodger's Tax): This ordinance amends Chapter 318 to include short-term rentals as taxable premises for lodger's tax, aligning with state statute. After discussion, the commission approved it unanimously (8-0), effective July 1, 2026, and not applying to existing bookings made prior to the ordinance's passage.
- Ordinance No. 2258-2026 (Short-Term Rental Regulation): Three options were presented. After debate and public comments, the commission adopted a modified version of Option 2. Key provisions: requires a business registration and a permit (fee to be set later by resolution); removes inspection, evacuation plan, smoke alarm, and fire extinguisher requirements; permits can be terminated for noncompliance with city code; no requirement for 24/7 contact person; RV parking prohibition removed. The ordinance passed unanimously (8-0), effective July 1, 2026.
- Committee Assignments: The commission approved retaining existing committee assignments with minor changes: Commissioner Porter joined the Animal Control Task Force, replacing Commissioner Tarsen; Revenue Review Committee now includes Commissioners Jones (District 1), Zamora (District 2), and Cassaus (District 3).
- MOU for Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act: Memorandum of Understanding between Curry County and the City of Clovis for $800,000 in equipment and supplies for Horizon Behavioral Health Center, $10,000 in travel costs, and $316,341 for planning and design of Phase 2 (youth crisis services). Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Mayor Pro Tem elected: Commissioner Juan Garza (7-0, abstention by Bryant).
- Ordinance 2257-2026 adopted (unanimous): Lodger's tax applies to short-term rentals, effective July 1, 2026, exempting pre-existing bookings.
- Ordinance 2258-2026 adopted (unanimous): Short-term rental regulation as modified (Option 2) requiring business registration and permit, no inspections or additional safety mandates, effective July 1, 2026.
- Consent agenda approved (unanimous): 10 routine items.
- MOU approved (unanimous): Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act.
- Committee assignments approved (unanimous) as amended.
- Next meeting: Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 5:15 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Mayor Pro Tim and Commissioners, good evening. I'd like to say good evening to our city manager and our department heads that have joined us and certainly all the members of the public that are here tonight for uh I suspect many of the celebrations that we're gonna do right up at the beginning of the agenda, and we look forward to doing that with you. But before we start the meeting and before I call it to order, I'm gonna offer a prayer. We're gonna say the pledge to the United States flag and salute the state flag. So if you're a praying person, I invite you to pray with me. Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings that you give us each day. God thank you for your grace and your goodness to us. Lord, thank you for calling us all to live and work and serve in the amazing community that is Clovis and Canon Air Force Base. Uh that that we have doing so many good things here. Or thank you for the events and and the organizations that we get to celebrate through proclamations this evening. And Lord, as we get into the agenda, I ask your blessing over these commissioners as they make decisions as the elected um representatives who seek to be good stewards of our community's resources and uh along with me to to be good stewards of of of the direction and the vision of our community, which it is so clear that you are blessing and I thank you, God. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. So I mean the pledge to our country's flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, another God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Commissioner Porter, here. Commissioner Zamora, here. Commissioner Garza. Here. Commissioner Cassows here. Commissioner Tarsen here. Commissioner Paula. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Bryant. Here. Here. Thank you, Ms. Foster. We have the full slate uh present this evening. So we're gonna have a great meeting. Um next I would uh we have an item uh that we only take up uh after each election, and that is the uh um appointment of the mayor pro tempere. Um the uh the commission chooses from among themselves the the commissioner that will serve as the mayor pro tem for two years at a time. And so we have that, and uh so Mayor Pro Tem and Commissioners, I would ask uh your consideration for the request for approval of Mayor Pro Tempere. I've served as Mayor Pro Tem for the past six years, and it's been honored to serve the city and his commission as Mayor Pro Tam. But at this time I'd like to make a motion. Our senior commissioner. Commissioner Garza is Mayor Pro Tim. Second, we have a proper motion uh from Mayor Pro Tem slash Commissioner Chris Bryant. And a proper second from Commissioner Debbie Zamora to appoint Commissioner Juan Garza as the Mayor Pro Tim. Commissioner Garza, are you you have served in that position in the past. Are you willing to do that again? Do you accept that nomination? Before we move on, that uh is there any other interested on that. I mean I'd be honored to do that. Um that's the will of the rest of my fellow commissioners. Well, let's handle it like this. There's a proper motion and a second, and so I would like to call the vote. Probably don't have that loaded into the system as an action item, so I'll call the vote by saying all those in favor, please say aye.
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