Approved City Council Meeting Minutes
On Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Notes created on April 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM by Minutes AI
Call to order
Mayor Miller called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
Attendance
• Clerk: Mayor Miller, Veronica Cordova, Jake Lopez, Rustin Self, Oscar Robinson, Preston
Elkins, Eldon Merrick, Diane Parker (via Zoom), and Mike Rackler are present.
Moment of Silence and Invocation
• A moment of silence was observed for the community and students.
• Veronica Cordova led the invocation, praying for the community, school staff, and students.
Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
• Veronica Cordova led the Invocation. Preston Elkins led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the New Mexico flag.
Public Comment
• Linda Davis from JP Stone Community Bank spoke about public money deposits, referencing Chapter 6, Article 10 of public finance statutes.
• JP Stone is requesting a deposit of the city’s funds in proportion to their market share, specifically requesting $9 million of operating funds be placed on deposit at JP Stone.
• She requested this be placed on the agenda for the April 15th council meeting.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
• Motion made by to approve the minutes from the meeting held March 18, 2025.
• Correction needed regarding a typographical error: “don’t mess with alice” should be corrected to read “alleys.”.
• Motion to approve the minutes as corrected was made by Preston Elkins and seconded by Jake Lopez. Council verbally affirmed their approval unanimously without a roll call vote.
Presentation Items:
Proclamation – Telecommunications Week
• Proclamation declaring April 13th through the 19th as Telecommunications Week, honoring emergency communication dispatchers.
• Mayor Miller stated, “you’re the first line and if it doesn’t work right where you’re at it doesn’t work right all through the process so you are the most important cog in my opinion to the whole public safety.”
Employee Recognitions
• Trevor Chacon was recognized with a certificate of appreciation for five years of service to the City of Portales Fire Department.
• Placido Mingo Duran will be recognized for five years of service to the City of Portales
Street Department (not in attendance).
Employee Recognition – Challenge Coin
• Hunter Hughes received a challenge coin for his accomplishments and service.
• “an employee has to be with us for a full year they have to get their EMT basic their EMT intermediate and their firefighter one and two”
Discussion Item:
Water Project Presentation by Eric Segovia
• Roosevelt County Electric Co-op (RCEC) is presenting a water project.
• RCEC serves all of Roosevelt County and neighboring counties, with many members being part of Portales.
• RCEC has been monitoring the water situation and offering help to the city.
• RCEC has advocated for other solutions like EPCORE.
RCEC Involvement
• RCEC has seen growth stall and housing developments halt due to water concerns.
• The board authorized the purchase of a wellfield southeast of Portales to boost the community’s water supply.
• RCEC believes they can get things done quickly and cost-effectively due to their personnel and private company structure.
Project Details
• Preliminary water testing has been done, and further engineering is underway with three consultants: Aquaterix, DBSNA, and Schwitzer Engineering.
• Questions remain about water quantity, usability, pipe sizes, and routes.
• RCEC wants to supply both the water co-op and the city, prioritizing their members at the water co-op.
Next Steps
• The mayor suggested regular updates as details develop.
• RCEC is a local, not-for-profit co-op aiming to provide a cost-effective option and fill gaps while other projects are underway.
• RCEC asks for open communication and a letter of support or resolution from the council.
Electric Co-op Project
• The Electric Co-op wants to help the community boost water supply and help water utilities in the area to continue doing business.
• The intent is to ensure regulatory authorities are aware of the proposed project and to maintain open communication for coordination.
• A council member is in full support of finding local solutions to water issues and working with the Electric Co-op.
• It will take everyone coming together to find community solutions.
Action Items:
Library Board Reactivation
• The Portales Public library director, Tawna Luscombe has requested the reactivation of the library board and has provided names for appointment.
• The proposed members include: Brandon Brooks, Rosemary Hammond, Betty Williamson, Gene Bundy, Danielle Swopes, Meredith Eaton, and Don Thomas.
• The library board will serve as an advisory board, offering advice and guidance on community needs related to the library.
• A council member commended the librarian on the selections for the board.
• A motion to approve was made by Oscar Robinson and seconded by Veronica Cordova. Council verbally affirmed their approval without a roll call vote,
City Council and Staff Comments
• The Friends of the Library book sale is coming up, with a book drive scheduled for the coming Saturday from 10 to 2.
• The street lights on First Street between Avenue B and C are complete.
• 20 more new dumpsters have been put out.
• The dumpster bag program is still in progress, with bags available to the public for free.
• The ENMU road by the softball field has been patched.
• Streets Department has one CDL completed, one in training, and two going next week.
• There was a follow-up on the “hole to China” project, and it is being filled in.
• An update on the reuse water situation is expected after meetings with Wilson and
Company and the compliance officer of the state.
Corrective Action Plans
• A letter of acceptance and approval is being put together.
• They will meet to try to find funding for corrective actions.
Chamber Business Table Lunch
• On Friday the 4th, the Chamber is hosting a business table lunch.
• Orlando Ortega will present on the ENMWUA pipeline from 11:45 to 1.
• RSVP to the chamber is needed, with lunch available for $10 from Taco Box.
Railroad Crossing on Boston
• The city is waiting to hear back from BNSF regarding the sidewalk coming off the football stadium for handicap accessibility.
• The city needs to find funding for the improvements.
• People working on the railroad are inquiring about the progress.
Dumpsters
• Dumpsters are not being strapped down to the trailer when they are being switched out.
• This could cause damage and lawsuits.
JD Haskell Company
• The manager, David Stroud is addressing the dirt and dust issue affecting the neighborhood.
• Engineers will conduct a study to reduce the amount of dirt and dust.
Fourth of July Tournament
• The culture bar committee is working on Fourth of July tournament events for 9 to 14 year old girls.
• They are working with the university, Jose Montoya, CNS Martin Luther King
Commission, and softball coaches.
• They plan to use a junior high field for the tournament.
Armed Forces Support Committee
• Veronica Cordova attended the Armed Forces Support Committee meeting, which is in its
35th anniversary.
• The committee, formed by Roosevelt County, the city of Calales, the city of Clovis, and
Curry County, is applying for a grant to support airmen’s mission readiness.
• This includes quality of life aspects such as water, education, health, and housing.
Xcel Update
• Patrick Lucero from Xcel sent an update stating that the mobile substation was energized and carrying loads as of yesterday at 4 p.m.
• Work should be completed by the end of the month.
• During windy days, the city should not be affected by PSPS (Public Safety Power
Shutoff) anymore due to corrections to the substation.
• Power outages due to cut-offs or shut-offs are unrelated to the public safety shut-off.
Community Support
• The community showed strong support to the schools in light of the recent tragedies.
Capital Outlay and Mexican Consulate
• More information on capital outlay will be available after the legislative session ends on
April 11th.
• The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem met with the Mexican consulate, who expressed interest in becoming more involved in the area.
• The consulate has scholarship money available for students and programs to help nationals with identification and citizenship.
• The consulate represents 24 of the 32 counties.
Community Services
• The speaker noted that the community already has a lot of services available.
• Veronica Cordovawas impressed that the community is at that level.
• Veronica only has to help those people because some of those services are already available through different organizations.
• The meeting lasted about 45 minutes.
Executive Motions and Roll Call Votes
• Motion to convene in closed session to discuss limited personnel matters.
• Motion by Mr. Lopez, second by Mr. Robinson.
• Roll call vote: Mr. Lopez – yes, Ms. Cordova- yes, Mr. Self – yes, Mr. Robinson – yes, Mr. Elkins – yes, Mr. Merrick – yes, Mr. Rackler – yes. Ms. Parker
• Motion to go back into open session.
• Motion to reconvene nade by Mr. Self, second by Mr. Robinson.
• All in favor signified by saying “Aye.”
Announcements and Closed Session
• Only items mentioned in the motion to go into executive session were discussed.
• They will begin to advertise immediately for Mr. Moyer’s replacement.
• The position will be open until filled.
• They will do a selection committee like last time.
• The entire council will interview the finalists.
Adjournment
• Meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.
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This is to certify that these minutes were approved by council at their last regular council meeting held on Tuesday April 15, 2025 in accordance of the Open Meetings Act.
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Danielle Swopes, City Clerk, or Melissa Carrillo, Deputy City Clerk
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in a hearing or meeting, please contact the Portales City Manager or City Clerk at 575-356-6662, Option #0 at least one (1) week prior to the meeting or as soon as practical. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Portales City Manager or City Clerk at 575-356-6662 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed. Questions, requests, or comments from citizens should be submitted in writing to the City Clerk or City Manager by 4:00 p.m. a day prior to the meeting. Contact information for both officers is on the City’s website: https://www.portalesnm.gov/departments/.
