City approves open fire ban

QCS Senior Writer

The increased danger of wild fires prompted Tucumcari City Manager Jared Langenegger to place an open burning ban into effect during Thursday night’s City Commission meeting.

Langenegger said if a commission vote is needed, he would place the ban on the next agenda for their approval. However, Mayor Robert Lumpkin said the commission did not need to approve the ban, explaining that the decision to put such a ban into effect can be made by the committee of the city manager, fire chief and chief of police.

Langenegger said the ban will go into effect on Monday and notice of the ban will be posted at City Hall, published in the newspaper and broadcasted on the radio. He said it is important that the public be made aware of the ban and the increasing dangers of wildfire.

Langenegger said there is a large amount of fuel for wild fires due to last year’s moisture. The warm weather has caused much of the vegetation to dry and has created a high fire danger.

Langenegger announced that the city had received the requested $1.4 million from the New Mexico Finance Authority for the Center Street Water Tank project in the form of a 75 percent grant and 25 percent loan. He said the project total $1,453,806 will be funded by the $1, 090,000 grant from the NMFA and a $363,806 loan.

Community Development Project Manager Mark Martinez presented two additional water-related items to the commission for their approval.

Martinez presented the $50,000 grant application to the NMFA for Water System Preliminary Engineering Report for the Center Street Water Tank Project. He also presented Change Order No. 3 for Metro Well Field Water Transmission Line Project to increase the project by $85,167 bringing the total to $1,748,739.45.

The commission approved both items.

In other business, the commission:

• Signed a proclamation declaring March 11 as Arbor Day in Tucumcari.

• Re-appointed Jannie Bahrs and Leon Logan as Library Board Members.

• Approved the application for Law Enforcement Funds by the Tucumcari Police Department for $27,800 that will be used to replace a vehicle.

• Approved the Permanent Condition Waiver Policy for the Tucumcari Senior Citizen’s program.