City Commission Regular Meeting – August 20, 2026: Childcare Ordinances, Appointments, and Youth Committee Presentation
City Commission Regular Meeting – August 20, 2026
The meeting was called to order with a prayer and pledge, followed by roll call showing all commissioners present. The agenda and minutes from August 6, 2026, were approved unanimously. Key topics included the introduction of two ordinances related to childcare facilities in response to state SB 96, appointments to the Lodger's Tax Advisory Board and Library Board, an easement with New Mexico Gas Company, and a presentation from the Curry County Youth Committee. Reports covered senior services, economic development, public meetings on infrastructure projects, a behavioral health funding milestone, and the monthly investment report.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Curry County Youth Committee (CCYC): Three youth members (Justice Kinshillow, Abby, Liliana) presented the committee's mission to build youth community, address disconnection among teens, and seek partnership for advertising, funding, and facility space. They shared that the committee reached 566 people at a recent booth event. They requested help with amplified advertising, funding, and civic networking. The mayor suggested using the Youth Recreation Building (YRB) in the interim and offered consideration for reduced rental fees. Commissioners expressed strong support and followed the CCYC on social media.
Discussion Items
- Presentation of 2026 Yard of the Summer Awards: Commissioner Palla and Marketing Coordinator Nicolle Graff recognized winners from each district. Winners included Thomas Cassidy (District 1), Joshua Four (District 3), Bobby Dudley (District 2), Jose Franco Baron (District 3), Raymond Garcia (District 3), Isaiah and Noemi Aviles (District 3), Thomas Deluna (District 4), and Priscilla Garcia (District 4). Winners received a watering can with prizes and will have yard signs placed.
- Introduction of Ordinance Amending UDO for Childcare Facilities: City Attorney Jared Morris explained SB 96 requires allowing up to 12 children in family child care homes (previously 6) and permitting child care centers in residential multifamily zones. He noted a correction needed in the definition of daycare center. The ordinance was introduced unanimously.
- Introduction of Ordinance Amending Business Registration Fees for Childcare Providers: Morris presented an ordinance to exempt childcare facilities from business registration fees per SB 96, while still requiring registration. Introduced unanimously.
- Appointments to Lodger's Tax Advisory Board: Tasha Padilla and Jonathan Nelson (hotel industry) and Freddy Bryant (tourist-serving industry) were reappointed. Hugo Hernandez was elected as the citizen member over Salvador Nanez following brief statements from both applicants.
- Re-appointment to Library Board: Ann Shuckman was reappointed. Jasmine Blair was elected as the citizen member over Salvador Nanez after both spoke about their interest in serving, with Blair emphasizing literacy and digital outreach.
- Easement with New Mexico Gas Company: Morris explained the easement for a gas distribution pipeline on city-owned property near Goodwin Trails, negotiated to prioritize city sewer lines. Approved unanimously.
- Senior Services Committee Report: Mayor reported that the meal site served 5,839 meals in July 2026, including 344 unique seniors dining in and 99 homebound seniors—a 16% increase from July 2025. Discussion on an appointment to the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council; staff will work with Curry County to find representatives.
- Economic Incentive Board Study Session: Ms. Burroughs reported presentations from the State Economic Development Department and New Mexico Partnership on industry recruitment processes.
- Public Meetings Update: Two public meetings were held: one on Yano Estacado improvements (east of North Street to Humphrey Street) and one on railroad crossings at Martin Luther King and Norris Street, with BNSF partnership. Three options for a grade-separated bridge at MLK were presented. The projects are open for public comment on the city website.
- Behavioral Health Milestone: Ms. Burroughs announced approval of $6.6 million (possibly reduced to $5.9 million due to tribal funding discussions) from the behavioral health reform fund for operations of the crisis triage center. Funding is expected in 3–4 months.
- Monthly Investment Report: Ms. Melancin reported beginning cash $74.4 million, ending cash $80.7 million. Interest for the month was just under $207,000. Gross receipts are down 5.84% compared to last year, but trending 10% above budget. The state investment pool rate dropped to 3.63%.
Key Outcomes
- Approved introduction of Ordinance Amending UDO for Childcare Facilities (unanimous) with a correction to the daycare center definition.
- Approved introduction of Ordinance Amending Business Registration Fees for Childcare Providers (unanimous).
- Appointed Hugo Hernandez as citizen member to Lodger's Tax Advisory Board (elected by ballot).
- Reappointed Ann Shuckman and appointed Jasmine Blair to the Library Board.
- Approved easement with New Mexico Gas Company (unanimous).
- Next meeting: September 3, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the North Annex of Clovis-Carver Library.
Meeting Transcript
Hello, Mayor. I decline. Thank you. Mayor Pro Tim, Commissioners, good evening, members of the public, good evening. Thank you for being here. I'll call this meeting to order in just a moment, but before I do, I want to offer a prayer. So if you're a praying person, I invite you to pray with me. After the prayer, we'll say the pledge to the flag and the salute to the state flag. Bow with me if you will. Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessings. Thank you for our amazing community and the opportunities before us. Lord, we uh thank you for these commissioners and the time and effort that they put into their roles in representing their districts and the residents of this fine town. Lord, uh we pray for favor in our in our efforts in our planning and in our grant uh uh efforts, and uh we pray for success in receiving grant funding to make investments and uh Lord, we pray for wisdom when it comes to policy decisions, and uh Lord, we thank you that uh that you provide when we ask, and we look to you and I I seek to honor you uh and and we pray that Clovis would be and Canon Air Force Base would be a place that honors you and that you're pleased to continue pouring out your blessings. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, amen. Please join me in the pledge to our country's flag. I please allegiance to the flag of the United States of America for which it stands. Underground, indivisible with liberty and justice role. I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico. The CSU of the ships among United Coaches. We are called to order. I would like to ask the clerk to please call roll. Mayor Pro Tim Garza. Here. Commissioner Jones. Here. Commissioner Porter. Here. Commissioner Tarsen. Here. Commissioner Cassals, here. Commissioner Zamora? Here. Commissioner Paula. Here. Commissioner Bryant. Here. Mayor Morse. Here. Thank you. Appreciate that. Uh incidentally, Madam Clerk. Introduce yourself to the Commission. Do you want to? Yes, I was going to do another kind of communications, but um May I protem commissioners please meet uh Miss Charlie Massey. Uh Charlie just started with us on Monday, so we are getting her on boarded. And she's actually related with getting our relationships with the county even closer. She's the sister of uh Christian Price, who's there, grants coordinator, and I uh met had the pleasure of meeting Miss Messi a few weeks ago when I was working on the Charlie Crockett uh activity. And uh had a chat with her, and she's she's joined our city team, and I'm very excited to introduce her to you. Thank you. Thank you, Ms.
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