Serving the High Plains
QCS Senior Writer
Tucumcari city commissioners approved a four-year contract renewal for City Manager Jared Langenegger at $80,000 a year after an executive session during Thursday night regular's meeting at City Hall.
“I appreciate the confidence the commissioners have in me and look forward to continuing to serve the city of Tucumcari as we move forward together,” Langenegger said.
Langenegger’s one-year contract was set to expire in 60 days and a previous agreement in the contract stated the commissioners would vote 60 days prior to its expiration to give Langenegger time to look for other employment.
“Thank Jared for all of the work he has done and look forward to working with him in the future,” said Commissioner Rick Haymaker.
Langenegger had updated commissioners earlier about one of the priorities set for his employment: demolition of the Sands Dorsey Building.
Langenegger said the building has been taken down and the clearing of debris should be completed by Sept. 25. He said the city will apply for funding through New Mexico MainStreet program to build a park at the site; he said the city plans to use some of the masonry that was saved from the site.
The commission also approved the purchase of a demo ambulance for $109,275 for Tucumcari EMS.
Fire Chief Shane Warner said the department has been operating with one ambulance; three vehicle have been down for repairs. He said the department has been fortunate that the communities of Logan, San Jon and Santa Rosa have lent them an ambulance at different times to cover the city when an out-of-town transport is necessary.
Warner said the demo ambulance has all the equipment already installed and has logged only 5,000 miles.
“A similar ambulance brand new would cost us over $160,000; we are getting one heck of a deal,” Warner said.
Warner said the city was denied a grant application to purchase the ambulance. He said a new application will be submitted this year.
Langenegger said purchase of the ambulance will come out of the city’s emergency fund that was set aside by the commission earlier in the year for just such an instance.
“The city needs to send some sort of thank you to the surroundings communities for helping us during these times,” Haymaker said.
In other business, the commission:
* Approved the memorandum of understanding between the city of Tucumcari and New Mexico MainStreet.
* Approved resolution 2015-27 continuing the support for public-private economic development MainStreet policy.
* Reviewed the 2014-2015 MainStreet activities Reviewed a presentation from Jack Taylor with the S.P.R.I.T 54. A 501 (c)6 organization promoting the four-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 54 to promote more and safer travel along the highway.