TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR COUNCIL MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 21, 2019:
(A) Minutes of Previous Meeting(s): 1. Regular Meeting held February 5, 2019. (B) Ratification of Finance Department’s Actions regarding Bills for January 2019. (C) Request for Approval of Commercial Resource/Service Permit Application for Best Western Plus – Portales Inn. (D) Resolution #18-19-29, A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Apply for Hardship Funds through the New Mexico of Transportation. (E) Other Business/Citizens to be Heard (moved by Mayor from the end) (F) Executive Session/Closed Meeting to Discuss Matters under New Mexico Statutes as Provided for Pertaining to Section 10-15-1 H.(2), 1995, for Limited Personnel Matters: 1. Action to Convene in a Closed Meeting. 2. Action to Convene in Open Meeting. 3. Action Required as a Result of the Closed Meeting.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORTALES met in publicly announced regular session having been officially moved and posted, from Tuesday, February 19, 2019 to Thursday, February 21, 2019, 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 Dianne Y. Parker Chadrick H. Heflin Oscar H. Robinson Jake J. Lopez Jessica J. Smith Michael James “Jim” Lucero

STAFF PRESENT: Sammy Standefer, City Manager Steve Doerr, City Attorney Joan Martinez-Terry, City Clerk Veda Urioste, Deputy City Clerk John DeSha, Public Works Dir. Christine A. Mitchell, I.T. Tech. Susan Baysinger, Pub. Wks. Proj. Adm. Chris Williams, Police Lt.
OTHERS PRESENT: Jamie Cushman, Press Bill Hendrickson, RCCDC Exec. Dir. Jerry DeSha Melvin Hightower Mayor Jackson asked Councilor Robinson 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 February 5, 2019.
Mayor Jackson asked the Council to consider the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 5, 2019. 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 February 5, 2019. Councilor Lopez seconded the motion. All Council members present voted in favor of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

Minutes of February 21, 2019……………………………………………. 2

(B) RATIFICATION OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT’S ACTIONS REGARDING BILLS FOR JANUARY 2019

Mayor Jackson asked Finance Director Marilyn Rapp to present the bills for January 2019 for ratification. Ms. Rapp reported the amount of the bills for the month of January 2019 as $1,781,619.45. She reported that the bills were a little higher partially since there were 3 payrolls in the month of January; the Airport did expend funds for grant projects and the last payment was made to the hotel. She asked for questions and approval of the bills. Councilor Lucero asked about the City’s fiscal health. Finance Director Rapp responded that the funds are doing quite well. She added that she had sent the City Manager the report, but that it had been delayed due to the holidays.
January 2019 Pooled Cash Fund 999 1,781,619.45
Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Lucero made the motion to ratify the bills for January 2019 as presented. Councilor Parker seconded the motion. All Council members voted in favor of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried .

(C) REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF COMMERCIAL RESOURCE/SERVICE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR BEST WESTERN PLUS – PORTALES INN
Mayor Jackson asked Public Works Director John DeSha to present the Commercial Resource/Service Permit application for Best Western Plus – Portales Inn. Mr. DeSha told the Council that this request is for Council approval of the service application presented for Best Western Plus – Portales Inn as part of the process in the Utility Administration Policy. He told the Council that the estimated usage of 100,000+ is based upon the usage of the other hotels in Portales which range from 100,000 to 130,000 gallons. He asked for their approval. Councilor Lucero commented that he thought that the process was out of sequence since he felt that request should come before completion of the construction work on the hotel. Mr. DeSha responded that this is a new process that may need to be modified. Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Councilor Smith made the motion to approve the commer cial resource/service permit application to Best Western Plus – Portales Inn as presented. Councilor Robinson seconded the motion. All Council members present voted in favor of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

(D) RESOLUTION #18-19-29, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR HARDSHIP FUNDS THROUGH THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Mayor Jackson asked Public Works Director John DeSha to present the resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for Hardship Funds through the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). Mr. DeSha told the Council that this is the annual hardship auction held by the NMDOT. He stated that the City got a dump truck in the recent past. He stated that the request in 2017-2018 was denied, but that he felt that the City should keep applying for another piece of equipment. Councilor Parker asked if the amount allowed by the State is $25,000.00. Mr. DeSha stated that the state allows a piece of equipment valued at $25,000.00. Councilor Lopez suggested that City staff consider looking at Cannon Air Force Base equipment. Mayor Jackson asked the pleasure of the Council. Council or Parker made the motion to adopt Resolution #18 – 19 – 29 authorizing the Mayor to apply for Hardship funds through the NMDOT as presented. Councilor Cordova seconded the motion. Roll call vote by all Council members present was unanimously in favor of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

Minutes of February 21, 2019……………………………………………. 3
City Manager Standefer asked Mayor Jackson to allow the item of “Other Business/Citizens to be Heard” to be moved up on the agenda and allow the item of “Executive Session/Closed Meeting” to be moved down. (F) 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.
Mayor Jackson asked for comments from the audience, Council and staff.
Comment/Complaint by Citizen: Mayor Jackson acknowledged Melvin Hightower to speak to the Council. Mr. Hightower commented that he had a water service billing problem that he believed was being ignored by City staff. He said that he had been in to talk about the issue that has been a five-year problem. The issue was briefly discussed with the City Attorney stating that under state law the Council could not act on it since it was not on the agenda. City Manager Standefer told Mr. Hightower that he could not forgive the debt. Mayor Jackson told Mr. Hightower that the issue would be investigated. Mr. Hightower thanked the Council for letting him talk about the issue.
Comments from Mayor and Council: Mayor Jackson stated that the Santa Fe trip for Municipal Day was attended by several City Staff and Councilors. He commented that it was a good trip and that Bill Fulginiti, and the League staff do a great job of presenting new state legislation.
Mayor Jackson told the audience that the Water Department had done a great job on the water leak in Western Skies even through all the snow. He commented that he had received many calls praising the crew for their determination. Public Works Desha told the Council that it means a lot to the employees when people show them appreciation for their work.
Mayor Jackson said the ENMWUA meeting went well and reminded the Council and staff of the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for Finished Water 2 on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in Clovis. He told the Council that the Luncheon is at noon.
Councilor Lopez asked what the City was going to do about the junk situation developing on West Fir. He stated that it should at least be fenced. Councilor Parker asked where that problem was developing. City Manager Standefer responded that it was on a lot the corner of West Fir and Avenue B. City Manager Standefer responded that the issue has been turned over to Code Enforcement which has been moved to the Police Department.
Councilor Robinson reported on a track meet in March at ENMU. He stated that ENMU has begun to look for volunteers to assist with track meets. He said that they are getting ready for the Lone Star Conference that will take place in May.

(E) EXECUTIVE SESSION/CLOSED MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS UNDER NEW MEXICO STATUTES AS PROVIDED FOR PERTAINING TO SECTION 10-15-1 H.(2), 1995, FOR LIMITED PERSONNEL MATTERS: 1. Action to Convene in a Closed Meeting to Discuss Matters as Provided for under New Mexico Statutes Pertaining to Open Meetings Referencing Section 10-15-1 H.(2), for Limited Personnel Matters.

Minutes of February 21, 2019……………………………………………. 4
Mayor Jackson asked for a motion to convene in closed session to discuss matters as provided for under the New Mexico Statutes pertaining to open meetings referencing Section 10-15-1 H.(2), for Limited Personnel Matters. Councilor Heflin made the motion to enter into closed session to discuss limited personnel matters. Councilor Cordova seconded the motion. Roll call vote of all Council members present voted in favor of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.

2. Action to Convene in Open Meeting.
Mayor Jackson asked for a motion to convene in open session. Councilor Parker made the motion to convene in open meeting. Councilor Smith seconded the motion. All Council members present voted in favor of the motion. No abstentions. Motion carried.
3. Action Required as a Result of the Closed Executive Session.
Mayor Jackson stated that only those items mentioned in the motion to close the session were discussed by the Council and that no action was needed or taken.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Jackson adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.