Clovis City Commission Regular Meeting - September 3, 2026
Clovis City Commission Regular Meeting - September 3, 2026
The Clovis City Commission met on September 3, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Library. The meeting began with a prayer, pledges, and roll call, with all eight commissioners present (Commissioner Jones joined virtually). The commission approved the agenda, the minutes from August 20, 2026, and unanimously adopted several consent items and new business items. A proclamation was issued for the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. No public comments were received.
Consent Calendar
- Items approved unanimously (8-0):
- Application for up to $500,000 from the New Mexico Fire Protection Grant Council's FY27 Fire Protection Grant Program.
- Application for up to $9,058,168 from the New Mexico Health Care Authority's Rural Health Innovation Fund Program.
- Application for up to $500 from Keep America Beautiful's 2026 Fall Mini Green Grant Program.
- Approval of a change order with Nick Griego and Sons for the Main Street Improvement Project.
- Award of Taxiway Bravo and Apron Maintenance to American Road Maintenance and application for FAA and NMDOT State Aviation grant agreement for the work.
Proclamation
- Proclamation: Day of Remembrance – September 11, 2026: The commission proclaimed September 11, 2026 as a Day of Remembrance in observance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Kristian Price (Curry County Community Services Administrator) and City Clerk Charli Massey presented details of a joint ceremony with Curry County and Cannon Air Force Base, to be held at noon on Friday, September 11, 2026, in front of the Curry County Courthouse. The ceremony will include reading of names and a public display titled "Faces of 9-11" at the library. The proclamation was read by Mayor Morris.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public offered comment.
Discussion Items
- Transfer of Dispenser Liquor License (DIS-001072): The commission held a public hearing for the transfer of the liquor license from Total Hospitality Management LLC to Clovis Hospitality Investments LLC for the Days Inn at 2700 E. Mabry Drive. City Attorney Jared Morris noted proper publication. No testimony was offered, and the hearing was closed. The commission unanimously approved the transfer.
- Airport Marketing Grant and Agreement with Key Lime Air: Assistant City Manager Claire Burroughes (presented by City Manager Justin Howalt) requested approval to apply for up to $95,000 from the NMDOT Aviation System Assistance Program (ASAP), including a $9,500 match. Key Lime Air Corporation (Denver Air Connection) will reimburse the city’s match and funds will be used to promote the Clovis Regional Airport under the Essential Air Service Program. Commissioner Zamora asked about the marketing plan; Howalt explained the plan includes digital media ($53,000/year), direct mailers, and billboards in Hereford, Muleshoe, and Portales to attract passengers from outside the community. The item was approved unanimously.
- Fleet Lease Agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management: City Manager Justin Howalt presented a proposal to transition from purchasing fleet vehicles to a five-year leasing program. The first-year cost is approximately $919,000, which will lease 87 vehicles compared to the previous budget of $900,000 for purchasing 16 vehicles. The program covers 144 core vehicles (police interceptors, light/medium trucks, passenger vehicles) but excludes fire department, heavy equipment, and ambulances. Full maintenance is included, with costs reduced by $15,000 from the original proposal. Vehicles will be upfitted (decals, light bars) before delivery. Commissioner Porter expressed support, noting long-term savings. The item was approved unanimously.
- Reports from the NMML Annual Conference: Commissioners who attended the New Mexico Municipal League Conference (August 25-28, 2026) shared highlights. Commissioner King warned about data centers and the need for a careful policy, not a ban. Commissioner Bryant agreed and emphasized the need for a protective policy. City Manager Howalt noted a keynote on dignity and respect in political discourse. Mayor Morris was elected as the next president of NMML. The Clovis team won the golf tournament first place, with Commissioner Jones winning closest to the pin and longest drive. A session with nonprofit founder Jeff Savilico involved packing boxes for children’s hospitals.
- Financial Report Correction: Director of Finance Malanson reported a $641,000 error in GRT reporting that will be added to the next month’s report, partially offsetting earlier declines attributed to cannabis reporters.
- Future Agenda Items: City Manager Howalt previewed upcoming items: roadway improvements on Main Street (21st to 8th) with pricing from K Barnett, a lease agreement for properties near the landfill, demolition of some community properties, and a potential moratorium on data centers within municipal boundaries until unified development regulations are in place.
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items were approved unanimously (8-0).
- Liquor license transfer was approved unanimously (8-0) after a public hearing.
- Airport marketing grant application and agreement with Key Lime Air were approved unanimously (8-0).
- Fleet lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management was approved unanimously (8-0).
- Future meetings were announced: Lodger's Tax Advisory Board (Sept 8), Economic Incentive Board (Sept 9), Planning & Zoning Commission (Sept 9), Revenue Review Committee (Sept 14), and next City Commission meeting (Sept 17, 2026).
Meeting Transcript
To order in just a moment, but first we'll have a prayer and we will say the pledge and salute to our flags. If you are a praying person, go with me. Father, thank you for your blessings. We look to you as the giver of all and and every good thing uh that we need. We pray you would be generous, that you would pour your blessings out on Clovis and Canon Air Force Base, that you would uh provide us with wisdom to make us good stewards, handling the the city's resources um in a in a g in a good way, and uh Lord that you would give us favor in our our efforts. I lift up these commissioners. Thank you for their their work and their time and effort, and I pray these things in the name of Jesus, amen. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We are called to order. Miss Massey, could we please have a roll call? Mayor Pro Tim Garza. Here. Commissioner Jones. Commissioner Porter? Here. Commissioner Tarsen? Here. Commissioner Cassaus. Here. Commissioner Zamora? Here. Commissioner Paula. Here. Commissioner Bryant. Here. Thank you. Ms. Massey, appreciate that. Um I assume you approve of the agenda unless there are objections. And hearing and seeing no objections, the agenda is adopted. Yes, votes are recorded for each of you. I assume you approve of the August 20th 2026 regular meeting minutes, unless you object. Hearing and seeing no objections, the minutes are adopted and yes, votes recorded for each of you. It is uh proclamation proclaiming September eleventh, two thousand twenty-six as day of remembrance in observance of the twenty-fifth anniversary of September eleventh, two thousand one. And Christian Price from Curry County Community Services is here along with Miss Charlie Massy. Mayor, Mayor Pro Time and Commission, thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight and invite you to our um, I believe it's the the uh the city and county's fifth nine eleven ceremony that we've been able to host together the past couple of years has also been hosted in collaboration with Canon Air Force Base. Um so we're excited to bring it back to the courthouse for the twenty-fifth anniversary of nine eleven. We have uh quite a few things that we're going to um that we have are working up our sleeves. Is that the way you say that? Um that. And uh we're excited to share that with everybody um next Friday at the courthouse at twelve PM for the twenty-fifth anniversary. Uh we're going to have as she said, it will it is a joint project, so we will have members from the community as well as our commission members and the county commissioners joining to speak um to remember names and then also recognize the members of the first responders who were unfortunately lost during those events as well. One of the special projects that we have up our sleeve is going to be a very special project that I think is going to be very impactful, that we're going to display as soon as we are done on Friday, and it's going to be here at the library. We are calling it the faces of 9-11. I'm going to I've been working on it all afternoon, and it is just it's going to be a very impactful piece for the public to be able to see how many people actually lost their lives that day and because of that day. Well, thank you, ladies, for being here this evening to tell us and the public a little about the planning and and the event next Friday, and thank you just overall for that effort. It's important that we remember. And Ms. Price, you've done such a wonderful job with the events that you've done in recent years, and uh I know this one is is going to be amazing. I don't know about everyone else, but uh you're probably we're probably all the same.
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