City-owned tracts contain expired leases

An overview of more than 80 properties owned by the City of Tucumcari revealed several with expired leases or a lack of documentation, including the New Mexico Route 66 Museum.

Commissioners and city manager Paula Chacon discussed the tracts during a work session before their regular Dec. 4 meeting. (The meeting was rescheduled from Nov. 30 because Chacon was out of town at a conference.)

Commissioners months ago had requested an inventory of such properties and had discussed putting a few up for sale.

Chacon said the lease with the museum had expired in 2017. She said the city needed to draft a new agreement and have it reviewed by the city attorney.

The old agreement required the museum to pay the city 10% of its revenue.

Chacon said the museum also lacked proof of insurance and its tax-exempt status.

Mayor Ralph Moya noted some cars in the museum were listed for sale when it lacked a dealer license.

Moya said he supports the museum, but it must comply with state law. Moya, who leaves office in January after losing his re-election bid, urged the new commission to negotiate a new lease with the museum.

Chacon also said 3D Tools owes the city $12,000 to $15,000 after its five-year contract expired. She said 3D's inventory still remains in the broom corn factory building, and she would meet with the owner on how to dispose of it.

Chacon said a lease with Versa-Tech Industries expired in 2020 for its use of the Worley Mills property.

Chacon said the city cannot find a copy of its contract with Eastern Plains Headstart. Resident Matt Bednorz, noting Eastern Plains receives more than $5 million from the federal government, said the organization "gets a lot" from a city-owned building.

Moya said Eastern Plains is "a very crucial program," employs people and helps young children be better prepared for school.

"We have to be very sensitive," he said.

Commissioner Mike Cherry responded: "We're just trying to find whether there's a contract or not."

Chacon said the Tucumcari Historical Museum lacks a memorandum of understanding with the city, though Moya and City Clerk Angelica Gray said they were positive such a document exists.

Nearly 20 tracts owned by the city are commercial or residential land that is vacant.

Dozens of other properties are occupied by the city, such as the cemetery, parks, landfill, fire and police stations, airport, golf course, offices, parking lots, senior center, sewer plant and the long-closed Princess Theatre.

Other action

The Dec. 4 meeting was the first for new District 4 commissioner Renee Hayoz, appointed to replace Christopher Arias after he resigned in September for personal reasons.

Hayoz will serve the rest of Arias' term through 2025.

The other three city commissioners voiced a welcome to Hayoz near the end of the meeting.

"You have two years to go. Good luck," Moya said.

Hayoz made motions or seconded them during parts of the meeting. She also asked whether there was an expiration regarding lease fees for the Tucumcari Convention Center and Del Norte Center.

- Commissioners approved a second and final reading authorizing the city to enter into a loan agreement with the New Mexico Environment Department for its wastewater reuse project.

The project includes a $1.4 million no-interest loan and a $1.81 million grant to complete the second phase of the project. Treated wastewater will be piped to an irrigation pivot on land north of town to comply with federal environment regulations.

- Commissioners approved a second and final reading of its cemetery ordinance.

Under the recommendation of the cemetery board, fees for Tucumcari Memorial Park cemetery will rise - mostly by $100 - effective on Jan. 1.

The speed limit there also was reduced from 15 to 10 mph, and the city now is authorized the close the cemetery for safety concerns.

- Commissioners approved a $1,001 bid from Christopher Maestas for a lot at 407 E. Maple Ave. and a $56.10-an-acre lease bid from Casey Gonzales for 200 acres of grazing land east of the airport.

Though the sole bid for the Maple Avenue lot was below the minimum of $2,000, Moya urged accepting it because it is littered with mesquite and trash. He said a new owner would need to spend money to clean it.

Gonzales was the sole bidder on the land near the airport.

- Commissioners approved a $576,155 agreement with Pacheco Construction of Tucumcari for street and water system improvements in the Aber Addition. Project manager Ralph Lopez said some money would be held in reserve during construction in case costs rise.

- Commissioners approved a resolution updating lease fees for the convention center and Del Norte Center. Chacon said the fees were approved in 2021, but the city overlooked passing a resolution for them.

- Commissioners tabled the renewal of a $19,305 contract with Lamar for three billboards along Interstate 40 in Texas. Cherry recommended the delay until the pact is reviewed by the lodgers tax advisory board.

Later in the week, the board said it would review the matter during its January meeting after Lamar indicated it could wait. It was too late to be included in the board's agenda for its meeting Thursday.

- Commissioners went into a 50-minute closed executive session to discuss personnel matters, litigation and possible disposal of the broom corn factory building. No action was taken when open session resumed.

Manager's report

Items from Chacon's report:

- Chacon said the city is applying for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for repairs to the Tucumcari Recreation Center.

Coupled with a recent $2 million state recreation grant, Chacon said it probably would be enough money to complete all repairs to the center.

The recreation grant also will be used to improve the Little League fields.

- Chacon said roof repairs to the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce recently were finished. The roof was damaged by a severe hailstorm in May.

She said city workers soon would begin interior repairs, including replacing ceiling tiles, repainting walls and replacing a panel on an electrical box. The chamber hopes to reopen the building in early January.

- Chacon said she recently was advised a state law-enforcement grant could be used to pay for $5,000 sign-on bonuses for officers. Cherry said the city should set criteria for such bonuses before awarding them.

- She said the Daughters of the American Revolution wants to install an "America 250" marker that would commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country's founding, coming in 2026. She said the organization wants to install the marker by February 2025.

- Chacon said five ambulances are in service. The sixth, which came from Texico, didn't pass Department of Transportation standards. She said she was working to resolve that.

- She said 20% of the fire hydrants recently were inspected, and she was obtaining a quote to repair defective ones.

- Chacon said a 10% increase on health insurance premiums will significantly affect the city's budget. She said the hike would be equivalent to $1 an hour for each employee.

- She said federal coronavirus relief funds were approved for a lift station near the KOA campground. She said the city needs easements from the Arch Hurley Conservancy District to continue with the project.

Presentation

Officers from the Quay County Health Council gave its year-end report.

The council has leveraged $26 million in services between 1992 and 2023. That is $37 in community benefit for each $1 in taxes to the organization.

It included a council-produced video detailing its activities. The video elicited applause from the gallery when it ended.

Susan Lopez invited victims of trauma and violence to join the council's empowerment group.

Coordinator Brenda Bishop said the council started a Kindness Ambassador program that rewards kind acts with a "Thank You for Being Kind" sticker.

Comments

During commissioner comments, Moya asked whether mental health training - including de-escalation tactics - was required for Tucumcari police officers. Chacon affirmed that.

Moya, a counselor, said he received a complaint on how officers handled a mentally ill resident. He said he would review officers' body-cam video of the incident.

- During public comment, Elsie Varela said she was trying to seek a resolution for six months after a pothole damaged her vehicle. Chacon said she recently received paperwork from an insurance adjuster about the case and would return a phone call from him.

- Haley Place said an employee at Lowe's Market wanted to be involved in renovations of the lighted "T" on Tucumcari Mountain. Place also requested and received a moment of silence for residents of war-torn Palestine, Syria and Ukraine.