Portales City Council Minutes from Sept. 11th.

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR COUNCIL MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 11, 2018:
(A) Minutes of Previous Meeting(s):
1. Regular Meeting held August 21, 2018.
(B) Recognition/Acknowledgement by RCCDC – Service to the Community to David Hunton, City Council Representative to Board of Directors.
(C) Remembering September 11, 2001.
(D) Proclamation Declaring the Week of September 17 – 23, 2018 as “Constitution Week in Portales, New Mexico”
– El Portal Chapter, Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
(E) Resolution #18-19-11, A Resolution Authorizing Filing an Application for Financial Assistance to the New Mexico Finance Authority for Water Trust Board Funding.
(F) Resolution #18-19-12, A Resolution Supporting “Enhanced Safety in Public Schools as Proposed by the 2018 Public Safety Policy Committee.”
(G) Resolution #18-19-13, A Resolution Authorizing Execution of Memorandum of Agreement between the New Mexico Department of Transportation and City of Portales for FY 19 Section 5311 Rural Public Transit Funding.
(H) Resolution #18-19-14, Adoption of Required Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Certifications and Commitments.
1. Citizen Participation;
2. Fair Housing;
3. Residential Anti-Displacement & Relocation Assistance;
4. Section 3; and
5. Procurement.
(I) Resolution #18-19-15, A Resolution Amending the Exclusive Real Estate Purchase Agreement by and between Roy and Genelda Rackler, Seller and the City of Portales, Buyer.
(J) Update on Conceptual Design of Recreation Facility.
(K) Request to amend Schedule of Council meetings for October 2018 from October 2, 2018 & October 16th to October 9, 2018 & October 23, 2018.
(I) Other Business/Citizens to be Heard.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORTALES met in regular session Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Memorial Building, 200 E. 7th Street, Portales, NM in full conformity with the rules and regulations. Mayor Jackson called the meeting to order and asked City Clerk Martinez-Terry to call roll. Those present and constituting a quorum were:

MAYOR: Ronald L. Jackson
MAYOR PRO-TEM: Michael G. Miller (absent)
COUNCIL MEMBERS: Veronica A. Cordova Chadwick H. Heflin Jake J. López
Jim Lucero Dianne Y. Parker (absent) Oscar H. Robinson Jessica J. Smith
STAFF PRESENT: Sammy Standefer, City Manager Joan Martinez-Terry, City Clerk Veda Urioste, Deputy City Clerk Pat Gallegos, Police Chief Katherine Hall, P.A.T. Coordinator Randy Knudson, City Attorney John DeSha, Public Works Dir. Mike Parkey, General Services Dir. Christine Mitchell, I.T. Tech.
Chris Williams, Police Lt.
OTHERS PRESENT: Jamie Cushman, Press Karl Terry
Sandy Chancey Paul Newsom
Nancy Anne Stressman Jose Rodriguez Bill Hendrickson, RCCDC Exec. David Hunton
Travis Mitchell Sandra Newsom Samantha Stressman

Mayor Jackson asked Councilor Smith to give the invocation, and Mayor Jackson led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Salute to the New Mexico flag.

(A) MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S):
1. Regular Meeting held August 21, 2018.

Mayor Jackson asked the Council to consider the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 21, 2018. He asked for comments or corrections. Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Heflin made the motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 21, 2018. Councilor Lucero seconded the motion. All Council members present voted in favor of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

(B) RECOGNITION/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY RCCDC – SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY TO DAVID HUNTON, CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mayor Jackson recognized Randy Knudson, Bill Hendrickson and David Hunton of the Roosevelt County Community Development Corporation (RCCDC) to address the Council. Mr. Hendrickson and Mr. Knudson presented a plaque of appreciation to Mr. David Hunton for 15 years of service on the Board of the RCCDC. Mr. Knudson told the Council that it is hard to get people involved in community affairs. He commented that David Hunton had served on several committees including the Portales MainStreet Board of Directors. Mayor Jackson thanked Mr. Hunton for his many years of service.

(C) REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.

Mayor Jackson briefly commented on the devastating events of September 11, 2001. He asked everyone to always remember the families of victims and victims who survived that day, the ones who are sick and the firemen and police that we lost. The Mayor remembered how that day the country came together as a country. He expressed his wishes, hopes and prayers that we the country can come back together some day hopefully without that type of tragedy happening. Mayor Jackson asked that everyone put those people in our hearts Councilor Robinson remembered ENMU graduate Major Ronald Millam of Muskogee, OK who lost his life at the Pentagon on September 11, 2018.

(D) PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17 – 23, 2018 AS “CONSTITUTION WEEK IN PORTALES, NEW MEXICO” – EL PORTAL CHAPTER, SOCIETY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Mayor Jackson asked Nancy Stressman, of the El Portal Chapter, Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to step forward to receive the proclamation declaring the week of September 17 – 23, 2018 as “Constitution Week in Portales, New Mexico” Nancy Stressman and daughter, Samantha Stressman came up to the dais to receive the proclamation. The Mayor read the proclamation aloud to the group present.
Nancy Anne Stressman spoke briefly about the Constitution and expressed appreciation of the communities recognizing the importance of the constitution. She thanked the Mayor and Council.

(E) RESOLUTION #18-19-11, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING AN APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY FOR WATER TRUST BOARD FUNDING

Mayor Jackson asked Public Works Director John DeSha to present Resolution #18-19-11, a Resolution authorizing the filing of an application for financial assistance to the New Mexico Finance Authority for Water Trust Board Funding. Mr. DeSha said that the application is for the Johnson Hill East tank commenting that it is for the same type of work as in the Johnson West tank. He added that this is for funding for 2019.
Mayor asked about budgeting for the projects for 2018 and 2019. Mr. DeSha stated that both are budgeted.

Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Lucero made the motion to adopt
Resolution # 18 -19-11, authorizing filing an application to the New Mexico Finance Authority for Water Trust Board funding. Councilor Smith seconded the motion. Roll call vote by all Council members present resulted in support of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

(F) RESOLUTION #18-19-12, A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING “ENHANCED SAFETY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS PROPOSED BY THE 2018 PUBLIC SAFETY POLICY COMMITTEE”

Mayor Jackson asked Police Chief Gallegos to present Resolution #18-19-12, a Resolution supporting “Enhanced Safety in Public Schools as proposed by the 2018 Public Safety Policy Committee.” Chief Gallegos told the Council that he had attended the NMML Public Safety Policy Committee meeting where the request was made for support of funding from the legislature for safety in public schools. He said that the committee had talked about the shootings in schools in the state in the recent past. Chief Gallegos said that the Committee is asking for more funding for school resource officers and to make it a felony for people to threaten schools. He asked for support from the Council. Mayor Jackson asked if there was support statewide. Chief Gallegos responded that it was unanimously supported from state police and the public safety policy committee. Oscar asked if the other schools in the community are included. Chief Gallegos commented that the legislature could have a problem with funding private schools, but assured Councilor Robinson that the city would provide support for these schools in the community.
Councilor Robinson said he wanted it on the record that he was in favor of funding security for private schools as well. Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Heflin made the motion to adopt Resolution # 18 -19-12, Supporting enhanced safety in Public
Schools as proposed by the 2018 Public Safety Policy Committee. Councilor Robinson seconded the motion. Roll call vote by all Council members present resulted in support of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

(G) RESOLUTION #18-19-13, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND CITY OF PORTALES FOR FY 19 SECTION 5311 RURAL PUBLIC TRANSIT FUNDING

Mayor Jackson asked P.A.T. Coordinator Katherine Hall to present Resolution #18-19-13, which authorizes execution of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and the City of Portales for the FY 2019 Section 5311 Rural Transit funding. Ms. Hall told the Council that the NMDOT Transit & Rail Division have tendered a Memorandum of Agreement for the City’s transit program. She told the Council that the total amount of the grant is $320,129.22 comprised of Federal $199,418.28 and Local $120,710.94. She stated that the funds will be used for Administrative (80/20) in the amount of $71,178.90 and Operating (50/50) in the amount of $188,950.32, and Capital in the amount of $60,000.00 for the Portales Area Transit program. Mayor Jackson asked for questions.
Councilor Lopez asked what agency the funding was through. City Manager Standefer said that it is federal funds administered by the state. Mayor Jackson thanked Katherine Hall, Susan Baysinger and John DeSha for their work on the program. He commented that it is a great program. Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Smith made the motion to adopt Resolution # 18 -19-13,
authorizing execution of the Memorandum of Agreement betw een the NMDOT Transit & Rail Division and the City of Portales for the FY 2019 Section 5311 Rural Transit funding. Councilor Lopez seconded the motion. Roll call vote by all Council members present resulted in support of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

(H) RESOLUTION #18-19-14, ADOPTION OF REQUIRED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ANNUAL CERTIFICATIONS AND COMMITMENTS:

Mayor Jackson asked Public Works Director John DeSha to present Resolution #18-19-14, adopting the required CDBG annual certifications and commitments. Mr. DeSha told the Council that the resolution includes the following required adoption of the following certifications and commitments for approval by the Council:

1. Citizen Participation;
2. Fair Housing;
3. Residential Anti-Displacement & Relocation Assistance;
4. Section 3;
5. Procurement.

Mr. DeSha told the Council that the resolution is for compliance with the NM Department of Finance Administration /Local Government Division requirements for the CDBG Lift Station project and authorizes the Mayor to sign off on the certifications and commitments. He asked that the Council adopt the Resolution which is a yearly requirement. Councilor Lucero commented that this is unique to CDBG projects. Mr. DeSha responded that this is typical of CDBG. He added that it is paper-intensive. He commented that the City has to reaffirm the certifications and commitments to keep us in compliance. He asked for adoption of the resolution. Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Lopez made the motion to adopt Resolution # 18-19-14, which adopts the required certifications and commitments to
remain in compliance with the CDBG grant for the Lift Station Project. Councilor Robinson seconded the motion. Roll call vote by all Council members present resulted in unanimous support of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

(I) RESOLUTION #18-19-15, A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE EXCLUSIVE REAL ESTATE PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN ROY AND GENELDA RACKLER, SELLER AND THE CITY OF PORTALES, BUYER

Mayor Jackson asked John DeSha, Public Works Director, to present the resolution amending the exclusive real estate purchase agreement by and between Roy and Genelda Rackler, seller and the City of Portales, Buyer. Mr. DeSha told the Council that the resolution amending the agreement with the Rackler’s is to clean up the purchase of the property. Mayor Jackson asked for questions. Councilor Lucero commented that it was a good purchase. Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Lucero made the
motion to adopt Resolution # 18 -19-15, amending the exclusive real estate purchase agreement by and betw een Roy and Genelda Rackler and the City of Portales. Councilor Cordova seconded the motion. Roll call vote by all Council members present resulted in unanimous support of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

(J) UPDATE ON CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF RECREATION FACILITY

Mayor Jackson asked for presentation of the conceptual design of the Recreation Facility. City Manager Standefer presented the conceptual design of the proposed recreation facility. He stated that he did have cost estimates but that he had not provided them at this time. He stated that the next step would be to look to the City’s financial advisors to see how to fund the project. He stated that the Councilors had asked him to find out the City’s bonding capacity during the latest Council retreat. He told the Council that he will talk to the financial advisor about getting some funding ideas for the project and will bring them back to the Council for a possible decision. He commented that part of the issue is the existing bathhouse, which is not up to the current ADA standards. He did state that this is a concept only, but that it is the first step to

deciding on a design. He stated that he would be glad to answer questions. Councilor Lucero asked if it is a full gym. Mr. Standefer responded that it is a full size gymnasium but no bleachers. He stated that he envisions a place to have practice and hold some of the games. He commented that there is another room to be used as an additional half-court gym. He stated that the design has a lot of glass on the south side of the facility and that all can be changed. Councilor Lucero commented on the excessive water closets and locker rooms not including the bathhouse. Mr. Standefer said that part of the plans shows rinsing stations for the pool. Councilor Lucero commented that this is a good start. Councilor Robinson asked if it incorporates the Memorial Building. Mr. Standefer responded that it is a whole new facility. Councilor Lucero said that it is a little light on storage areas. Mr. Standefer stated that Jodi Diaz, Recreation Director, had commented on this fact.

(K) REQUEST TO AMEND SCHEDULE OF COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR OCTOBER 2018 FROM OCTOBER 2, 2018 & OCTOBER 16, 2018 TO OCTOBER 9, 2018 TO OCTOBER 23, 2018

Mayor Jackson commented that the request to amend the schedule for the Council meetings in October had been made by the City Clerk. He asked for action to amend the schedule. Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Robinson made the motion to cancel the first meeting in
October and meet only one time on October 16, 2018. Councilor Smith seconded the motion. All Council members present voted in favor of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

(L) OTHER BUSINESS/CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

Mayor Jackson asked for items of other business for any matter not known about or which could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the time of posting of the agenda. Public comments will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. Individuals will be limited to one (1) presentation per meeting, and there will be a maximum of six (6) speakers on each subject. To avoid any possible violation of the Open Meetings act, Councilors will not respond to comments or answer any questions. Questions or requests for information in writing should be directed to the City Manager during regular business hours.

Citizens Comments:

Karl Terry thanked the City for participation with Leadership Portales. He thanked John DeSha and his staff for the presentation on community issues specifically the Waste Water Treatment Plant and water issues.
He thanked the Council for their support of Leadership Portales.

Jose Rodriguez addressed the Council about a couple of issues:
• The walking trail by the lake. He reported seeing snakes around the area and that the tall weeds are making for dangerous conditions. He stated that he had seen a big snake (a bull snake not a rattlesnake) at the walking trail. He said he just wanted the Council to be aware of the concern.
• The bad condition of the N. Main Allsups parking lot. He asked if the City and Council had any clout with the owners.
• Trees hanging over stop signs around town that create problems and potential accidents.

Staff Comments:

City Manager Standefer asked the Council to keep Councilor Parker in their prayers upon a death in her family.