PORTALES CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Michael W. Davidson
Mayor Pro-Tem Veronica Cordova
WARD A:
Veronica Cordova
Dina Ortega

WARD B:
Rustin Self
Gary L. Watkins

WARD C:
Eldon Merrick
Thomas W. DeWitt

WARD D:
Angela M. Smith

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY MANAGER
Scott Mitten

Memorial Building, Council Chambers 200 E 7th Street, Portales, New Mexico 88130
AGENDA TUESDAY, July 7, 2026, 5:30 pm

CALL TO ORDER – MAYOR/MAYOR PRO-TEM/COUNCILOR-AS-CHAIR

ROLL CALL – DEPUTY CITY CLERK:

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, SALUTE TO THE FLAG OF NEW MEXICO:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Regular Meeting June 16, 2026

City Council and Staff request all public speakers speak directly and clearly into the microphone.

PUBLIC COMMENT: The Public may address the Council on City Business during the public period. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes, unless the Mayor or a Councilor requests additional information.

All speakers must sign in at the beginning of the meeting. No more than six (6) speakers per topic are allowed. Time begins when the speaker addresses the Mayor and Council. When the three minutes have passed, the timekeeper will announce “TIME.”

Public comment is for citizen input only. The Open Meetings Act prevents Council from responding to comments on topics not posted on the agenda. Speakers may be connected with the appropriate City department for assistance.

PRESENTATION ITEMS:
1. 5 Years of Service for Tyler Watson-Mayor Davidson
2. Animal Control Retention Fund -K. McClellan
3. Xcel-Patrick Lucero

Action by Council regarding Mayor Davidson’s Recommendation of Ward D Council Member.
1. Appointment of Council Member for Ward D

CONSENT AGENDA (The consent agenda is approved by a single motion. Any councilor may request that an
item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately, without discussion or vote.):
COMMUNITY SERVICES-K. McClellan, Director
1. Approval of Resolution No. 2026-25; A Resolution authorizing temporary adjustments to animal
adoption and reclaiming fees for a period of one year or until publication of the revised Animal Control
Ordinance.
2. Ratification of Grant Signature – Ratification of signature on a grant providing: $10,000 for custom
built cat kennels, $10,000 for the medical fund for shelter animals, and $30,000 to assist with adoption
and reclaiming fees.
ACTION ITEMS:
COMMUNITY SERVICES-K. McClellan, Director
1. Approval of Resolution No. 2026-26; A Resolution establishing the City of Portales Animal Control
Retention Fund and providing for collection, use, and administration of the fund.
CITY MANAGER-S. Mitten, City Manager
1. Portales Area Transit – Approval of temporary suspension of program.
2. Amend Resolution No. 2026-18 via Resolution 2026-27 to Authorize 2025 Water Rates for City of
Portales businesses that use water as their core service or product.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
STAFF REPORTS:
1. Human Resources
2. Library
3. Communications/Dispatch
4. Public Works
5. Police Department
6. Fire Department
COUNCILOR COMMENTS:
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
EXECUTIVE SESSION-M. Davidson, Mayor.
1. Action to Convene in a Closed Session to Discuss Matters as Provided Under New Mexico Statutes
Section 10-15-1 Paragraph H Relating to Limited Personnel Matters: Annual Review\Contract of City
Manager.
a. Action to Convene in Open Session.
b. Action as a Result of the Closed Session.
ADJOURNMENT:
This is to certify that a copy of this Agenda was posted on the City’s website and the bulletin board in front of the City Hall Building by
5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026, following Open Meetings Act (OMA) NMSA 1978, Sections 10-15-1 to 10-15-4 requirements.
___________________________________________________________
Danielle Swopes, City Clerk, or Melissa Carrillo, Deputy City Clerk
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in a hearing or meeting, please contact the Portales City Manager or City Clerk at 575-356-6662, Option #0 at least one (1) week
prior to the meeting or as soon as practical. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Portales City Manager or City Clerk at 575-356-6662 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed. Questions, requests, or
comments from citizens should be submitted in writing to the City Clerk or City Manager by 4:00 p.m. a day prior to the meeting. Contact information for both officers is on the City’s website: https://www.portalesnm.gov/department/