Commission approved Second Street improvements

QCS Managing Editor

Downtown Tucumcari’s Second Street will be reconditioned from Main Street south with $330,000 in state transportation funds under the Municipal Arterial Program if state funds come through.

The city commission on Thursday approved funding for the project, if state funding is authorized.

The Second Street improvements are difficult because beneath its current, degraded pavement are several layers of concrete, according to First District Commissioner Rick Haymaker, whose music studio and boutique stores are located on Second Street downtown.

Ralph Lopez, project manager for the city’s Community Development Project, said the road reconditioning project will go south from Main Street “as far as we can make it go.”

the commission also approved:

• Participation in the state’s Cooperative Agreement program to fund further improvements on Lake Street south of old U.S. 54.

• The payment of $10,773 in advertising receipts for Rockabilly on the Route through its Lodger’s Tax allotment of $20,000 for 2015.

• Allocating $1,750 in Lodger’s Tax money to promote the Latin Comedy Jam, which made a second successful appearance in Tucumcari in February.

• A reduction in funding for the Senior Companion program, since senior companions will not accumulate the contracted number of hours, according to senior program manager Charlotte Chavez-Marquart.

• A $26,000 allotment of state funds for the Law Enforcement Protection Fund for the Tucumcari Police. Police Chief Jason Braziel said the funds will be used toward the purchase of a squad car.

• Approved the estblishment of an Airport Advisory Board to help the city “in every possible way to insure the efficient operation of the Tucumcari Municipal Airport.

In his report to the commission, City Manager Jared Langenegger said:

• the city is exploring grant funds to improve the energy efficiency of the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

• city staff members have met with U.S. Department of Agriculture housing specialists and will soon set a time and date for low- and moderate-income homeowners to apply for grants to make homes safer and more energy-efficient.

• City staff are in discussion with Xcel Energy representatives on adding street lights near the Interstate 40 exit to Historic Route 66 on the city’s west side.